FCA's Bailey says debt problems are worse than we think

Andrew Bailey, Britain’s top financial consumer regulator, is worried about debt. As chief executive of the FCA, he is acutely aware that many households have taken on too much. Problem debt, he says, ‘is something people wouldn’t realise is as prevalent as it is’.

What are the rules around insurers and past claims? I'm unsure if I need to declare my ex's accident as I was a named driver on the policy at the time.

RACHEL RICKARD STRAUS: Why tuition fee rates are unfair

Interest on tuition fees is now more expensive than some commercial loans. The same old lines are being trotted out about why students shouldn't worry. But using them to cut off the debate masks more injustices that rising interest rates create. Here are four of them.

The Government is consulting on proposals to bring in 'targeted' scrappage scheme to get older and more more polluting vehicles off the roads.

Alana Spencer won the latest Apprentice series and now has her own online cake business, but started out selling chocolates to her teachers and friends in Wales.

You find a home you want to buy, list it on Leafwater and then a syndicate of investors can bid to buy it for you. But if only it were as simple as that, we take a look at a strange new property idea.

The hack has seen 26,000 payment details, names and addresses accessed or stolen and those who have used the service between 24 February and 11 April need to contact their bank.

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Panic on trading floor as U.S drilling sinks oil prices

The oil price has fallen nearly 20 per cent in less than four weeks on the back of a drilling boom in the United States. Crude dropped as low as $46.64 a barrel in London yesterday – its lowest level since November – having been trading above $56 in mid-April. It later recovered but remained below $50 as hedge funds and other speculators abandoned bets on future oil price rises.

Star fund manager Neil Woodford is about to mark three years since the launch of his Woodford Equity Income fund – the flagship investment he launched at his boutique firm.

Some people are saddled with jobs so thankless they’re written off as impossible. England football coach Gareth Southgate springs to mind. Or Diane Abbott’s image consultant.

Lord Wolfson has been chief executive of Next since 2001, and few could put a name to current chairman John Barton who is stepping down at the age of 72 having been at the helm since 2006.

The chief executive of Rolls-Royce Warren East has been awarded £2.3m worth of shares for his troubles following the company’s AGM earlier this week. 

Despite being hit with a revolt over boss John Fallon’s £1.5m pay, education firm Pearson was by far the FTSE’s biggest winner yesterday.

Will the house of 0% credit cards come crashing down?

The credit card arms race means that the longest 0% deal now stretches to 43 months. This has all been a brilliant wheeze, but there are now signs the tide is turning. The FCA, Bank of England and even some senior bankers are said to be worried by various aspects of the zero interest bonanza. So what will happen next?

Enticing credit card deals can leave you with high interest payments if you don't clear balances in time. But sensible borrowers can use them to their advantage - here's how to avoid the traps.

Some of Britain's biggest banks are being targeted by fraudsters who use domains masquerading as them to trick customers into handing over personal details or log-in information.

How do you avoid 40% tax when making pension withdrawals?

Former Pensions Minister Steve Webb is This Is Money's Agony Uncle. He is ready to answer your questions, whether you are still saving, in the process of stopping work, or juggling your finances in retirement. This week, why might HMRC overtax you at 40% instead of 20% on pension withdrawals, and can you prevent this?

Zoopla's top property bargains with discounts of up to 50%

A search on property website Zoopla reveals the extend to which homes are being reduced in price - by as much as 50 per cent in some cases. It suggests that a total of 31 per cent of homes for sale on its site have seen their asking prices cut since the beginning of the year.

Of the people who still use a phone at the wheel, almost three quarters said it was to make a phone call. Some 27 per cent said they text friends or family while 23 per cent check Facebook.

What could be more bonkers than a roof tent for a Mini? How about a coffee machine in a Fiat, a £20k watch to unlock your Aston and a stupidly expensive Bentley fishing set?

ED MONK: How much is the state pension triple lock worth?

The future of the state pension triple lock could hang on the result of the election on June 8. Ed Monk, associate director for personal investing at Fidelity International, looks at the cost of the guarantee and the politics behind it.

Gas and electricity providers are sitting on a collective £1.3billion thanks to overpaid bills - money they won’t pay back to you unless you ask.

Plusnet, whose motto is 'we'll do you proud,' is the latest major telecoms provider to announce it is hiking line rental costs.

Hi-tech cars risk being hacked to be 'bombs on wheels'

Modern hi-tech cars risk being hacked and turned into remotely controlled 'bombs on wheels' unless more is done to vet garage mechanics who service them, motor industry chiefs warned. The Institute of the Motor Industry warning on rogue technicians hacking cars echoes scenes in the latest blockbuster Fast and the Furious film .

The 10 best second-hand estate cars

If you need to lug loads, an estate car is your best option. They handle better than SUVs and offer more practicality than just about any other model type on the market. But only if you buy one of the best ones. We can help you make a decision with this list of the choice second-hand models right now.

Mortgage brokers and lenders suggest investors are increasingly interested in commercial buy-to-let as an alternative to traditional residential lets.

Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco have announced savings of 2p a litre on diesel and 1p off petrol from Thursday on the back of lower oil prices.

Metro Bank: Safety deposit boxes cover 80% rent of stores

Metro Bank, which opened in 2010, now has nearly 80,000 safety deposit boxes - and at some branches, the boxes are snapped up before the doors even open. Safes are typically used for heirlooms, wedding certificates, house deeds, photographs and jewellery – priceless items that need to be stored safely.

The best moment to buy your holiday money will depend in part on whether you are travelling before or after June 8 - and on what you expect the result to be.

On average, people planning to buy a home estimate their costs will come to £7,643, according to Post Office Money, but the average cost is actually £1,829 higher.

Marks & Spencer appoints Archie Norman as its new chairman

A turnaround king and former Tory MP has been appointed as chairman of Marks & Spencer. Archie Norman, credited with saving Asda from bankruptcy, will take over from Robert Swannell, who retires on September 1. Norman, 63, has also been chairman of ITV and fund manager Lazard London.

The company enjoyed a successful Cheltenham Festival in March, when a string of heavily backed favourites were beaten.

A leading British satellite company suffered a bruising revolt over fat cat pay just hours after it plunged into the red.

Imagination, which was once Britain’s most valuable tech company, has begun an official dispute process with the US giant over its bid to stop using the firm’s chips.

One analyst said the introduction of premium own-brand products was attracting more affluent shoppers and putting distance between the grocer and discounters Aldi and Lidl.

Next said its lines were missing wardrobe staples that it is renowned for, such as easy-to-wear work blouses.

Some 80 per cent of the hit relates to two contracts in Scotland to build the Queensferry Crossing over the Firth of Forth (pictured) and the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Government quietly scraps tax breaks on microentrepreneurs

The new rules had meant that anyone earning less than £1,000 through renting out a room or their drive, or selling goods online, would not have to pay tax. But they were quietly removed from the Finance Bill last week.

How did crooks set up car insurance policies in my name?

Swinton and Hastings Direct both opened car insurance policies in my name of which I had no knowledge and, more importantly, opened parallel credit agreements. I had no knowledge of the vehicles. The second-named drivers were both Romanian - suggesting fraud.

According to the city rumour mill, Philip Hammond has said privately he's prepared to slash corporation tax from 19 per cent to just 12 per cent.

Ford Money, which launched its first account last month, has raised the rate on its Flexible Saver to 1 per cent, up from 0.85 per cent. Existing savers will benefit, too.

How to fight back if a holiday is ruined by building work

Every year, thousands of holidaymakers arrive to find their hotel is a building site after no advance warning. We have heard from families who've had to eat meals in clouds of dust, been unable to use the pool and endured endless drilling. Many have spent their holiday worrying about their children's safety amid scaffolding and rubble. Here's what you must know and how to fight back.

To protect savers' cash ministers were planning to ban firms cold-calling retirees to help prevent savers paying in to suspect schemes.

Limited company buy-to-let is in vogue - largely down to several structural changes to the way buy-to-let income, gains and purchases are taxed. But is it a good idea?

My provider wants to install a smart meter, can I say no? 

I've heard there are problems with some smart meters which stop working when you switch energy providers, can I tell my provider I don't want one to be installed until the problem is fixed? Will I be missing out if I do refuse to have one?

The average overall availability of access to 4G signals across the UK is 65 per cent, according to industry data. Britons have paid billions to fund the supposedly 'high speed' service.

Britain has gone mad for organic foods, healthy cookbooks and high-tech smoothie makers - and active-wear outside the gym. We take a look at some funds to profit.

The 2017 new cars that will retain the most value  

You may not think about depreciation when you're buying a new car, but you'll be hit hard by it when you come to sell, if you pick the wrong model. These are the 10 2017 models that will hold their value best over three years, including pictured clockwise from top right, the Porsche Macan, Dacia Duster, Lotus Elise and Range Rover Sport.

The amendment to the bill means that all mobile providers will need to make sure customers taking out a monthly phone contract are made aware that they can set a financial cap on their bill.

Failure is often still regarded as something to be ashamed of but it can be a helpful stage for entrepreneurs. Even Richard Branson (pictured) made some big business mistakes.

Six safe places to stash your money

With so much global uncertainty over politics, economics and international relations, many investors may be tempted to put their cash under the mattress rather than risk it on the stock market. But there are some investments available that can help protect your long-term wealth.

NatWest and RBS have written to 1.7 million Reward Account customers informing them their 3 per cent cashback perk will be slashed to 2 per cent in June.

Policymakers need to put savings and financial stability firmly on the political agenda, says Old Mutual Wealth's Richard Freeman. We haven't had such a campaign since 'Tell Sid' in the 80s.

How to fight back private companies issuing parking fines

Steep car parking fines are a modern day curse, raking in millions of pounds every year for private firms and cash-starved councils. Last year, a record 4.7million people had their addresses bought for £2.50 a piece by car park operators, earning the agency almost £12million. Although car park operators are using increasingly sinister tactics to ensure parking fines are paid, victims can hit back.

Policymakers need to put savings and financial stability firmly on the political agenda, says Old Mutual Wealth's Richard Freeman. We haven't had such a campaign since 'Tell Sid' in the 80s.

My husband and I both hold NS&I; index-linked savings certificates. We want to put them into joint names - so why won't it let us?

Fancy a spin on the markets? Act your investor age

How many years you have left to invest will help determine where best to put your money. The younger you are the more investment risk you can afford to take. Analysis by investment website The Share Centre shows that while savers aged 50 or over have most commonly been choosing investments that pay a reliable income, younger investors are making bolder choices.

John Redwood on the French election and Donald Trump

With the first round of the French election done and questions being raised over whether President Donald Trump can deliver on his economic promises, we welcome Charles Stanley's chief global strategist John Redwood to the Investing Show. He says the euro was on the ballot paper in the Netherlands and in France - and it's passed two of those very big tests with the currency save in France if Emmanuel Macron goes on to win as expected.

EDITOR'S SAVINGS DEALS OF THE WEEK
For current account rewards and interest rates conditions may apply eg. using provider's full switching service, min monthly deposits and direct debits. For savings, access maybe limited, min/max deposits may apply. Always check T&Cs.; *Not FCSC protected.

50 ways to save money....

To clear the average national household debt of ?13,000 at 6% interest with a monthly repayment of ?100 will take around 17 years. There are, however, plenty of simple ways to make significant savings on your regular spending that could clear your debt - or boost your savings - in less than a year. This is Money's top 50 - updated - money-saving tips may appear light-hearted but are deadly serious.

Pick the best (and cheapest) investment Isa platform

Choosing the right DIY platform is crucial but a wealth of choice and changes to charges have left many investors scratching their heads. We pick some of the best. We also highlight why investing in an Isa makes sense, as it should protect your hopefully growing investments from tax forever.

We asked trusted experts to recommend the best funds that cover different investment sectors - and included This is Money's selection of active and passive options too.

Rightly or wrongly, some people simply want a quick, straightforward route map to investing in an Isa. To that end, this is our distilled guide to getting started.

How much money do I need to save for my pension?

The amount you can save into a pension ultimately depends on what you can afford - but the longer you leave it the more you will need to save. We tend to put ambitious targets on our hoped-for income in retirement and then underestimate how much we will need to set aside to achieve that. So how much should you save?

Old people / couple (figurines) - sitting on a pile of money coins - savings / bills / financial / investment / pensions concept.
BH2YX5 
savings, money, finance, pensions, savings, money, finance, pensions, retirement, coins, pensioners, future, security, insurance, savings, money, finance, pensions

Making the most of a pension is your best chance of securing a decent income when you retire. We explain what you need to know.

Even at a time when we are stretching our finances further to afford a home, moving less, and pushing mortgages beyond 30 years, we still remain captivated by two-year fixed rate deals.

When will UK interest rates rise?

The break from rising inflation is only likely to be brief and economists forecast the cost of living to continue to rise through this year. The Bank is still not expected to raise rates due to Brexit uncertainty, however, if the economy continues to fire on all cylinders the mood could shift.

What next for mortgage rates?

Mortgage rates were tipped to start rising in 2017 but so far, there hasn't been any evidence to suggest rates are about to get more expensive. Experts say borrowers sitting on their lender's default rate could save money by remortgaging now.

Ten tips for buy-to-let

For many buy-to-let looks an attractive income investment in a time of low rates and stock market volatility. Climbing house prices, rising rents and improving mortgage deals are tempting investors - although they will need a big deposit. Read This is Money's top ten buy-to-let tips

Best paid jobs and biggest pay rises of 2016 revealed

Compare your pay to the national average and see whether your employer treated you to a pay rise in line with the the rest of your profession. Farmers, care and air travel assistants were big winners on the pay scales in 2016. Travel agents, careers advisers and probation officers lost out.

Premium Bonds winners

May 2017
Prize value Winning bond No. Area
£1,000,000 240PY584997 Tyne and Wear
£1,000,000 180WD005230 Cheshire East
£100,000 273DD706488 Oxfordshire
£100,000 264GB618229 Hertfordshire
£100,000 255LL874518 Sheffield
£50,000 5VV637650 Lincolnshire
£50,000 42PZ971979 Kent
£50,000 199QG753460 Warwickshire
£50,000 180MZ547770 Somerset
£25,000 93FX094284 Cumbria
£25,000 290AS923590 Essex
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