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    <article productid="7179" date="03 November 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-will-the-bank-break-ups-mean-for-you_0007179.aspx" title="What will the bank break-ups mean for you?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[Further details about the break up of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Lloyds Banking Group have emerged today. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="7133" date="02 November 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-will-the-break-up-of-the-high-street-banks-mean_0007133.aspx" title="What will the break up of the high street banks mean?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[The Chancellor, Alistair Darling, is expected to confirm this week that three UK banks, which are currently supported by the taxpayer, will be broken up and parts of their businesses sold on.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="7102" date="30 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/reward-your-christmas-spending_0007102.aspx" title="Reward your Christmas spending" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[The Christmas shopping frenzy is about to start but households are set to spend &pound;7.2billion less this year than last according to research from moneysupermarket.com.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="7096" date="30 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/halifax-overdraft-costs-to-soar_0007096.aspx" title="Halifax overdraft costs to soar" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Halifax has contacted its current account customers to notify them that the way they are charged for going overdrawn will change from December 6. The new charging structure will be more expensive for some customers and many have reacted angrily to the news. So just what will the implications be and what can you do about it? ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="7097" date="30 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/coventry-building-society-poppy-bond-two_00070907.aspx" title="Review of the week: Coventry Building Society Poppy Bond 2" author="Kate Murphy" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kate_Murphy_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Looking to earn a great rate on your savings and do your bit for charity? Coventry Building Society's new Poppy Bond 2 could be the answer.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="7094" date="30 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/hidden-flight-charges-unravelled_0007094.aspx" title="Hidden flight charges unravelled" author="Bob Atkinson" category="Travel" subcategory="Travel" channellink="http://www.travelsupermarket.com/travelmerge/travelsearch.aspx?package=4" forum="66" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/bob_atkinson_75x85.jpg" ><![CDATA[Have you ever bought a 'cheap' flight which turned out not to be quite such a bargain once all the extras had been factored in?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="7029" date="28 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/super-saver-dee-makes-one-thousand-four-hundred-pounds-more-a-year_0007029.aspx" title="Super saver Dee makes 1,400 more a year" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[This week's makeover is Dee Buckingham, from Blackheath in London. She's in her 50s and works for Lewisham council, in an admin role. Dee lives on her own in a two-bedroom flat, where she's been for 35 years.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="7021" date="27 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/government-clampdown-on-credit-card-firms_0007021.aspx" title="Government clampdown on credit card firms" author="Jessica Bown" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Jess_Bown_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[The government has announced a new consultation into credit cards and store cards, proposing a raft of measures designed to 'clean up' the industry and bring an end to practices it deems to be unfair.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="7027" date="27 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/why-cant-you-shop-around-for-a-loan_0007027.aspx" title="Why can't you shop around for a loan?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Moneysupermarket.com today called upon the Treasury Select Committee to improve transparency and fairness within the credit search industry in order to allow consumers to shop around for unsecured lending products without it impacting their credit score.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6961" date="23 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/review-of-the-week-alliance-and-leicester-premier-account_0006961.aspx" title="Review of the week: Alliance &amp; Leicester Premier Account" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[The majority of people have never switched their current account - in fact we're more likely to get divorced than change bank. A number of providers are seeking to alter our behaviour and get us into the switching habit by offering incentives to new current account customers.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6959" date="23 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/get-christmas-for-free_0006959.aspx" title="Get Christmas for free" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Shopping" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/shopping-default.asp" forum="99" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Food, travel, presents, drinks...		 Christmas can be an incredibly expensive time of year, so it's no wonder so many of you are worried about paying for it all.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6958" date="23 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/could-you-save-found-hundred-pounds-in-the-energy-price-war_0006958.aspx" title="Could you save 400 in the energy price war?" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[As another two providers cut the cost of gas and electricity, we ask: are you paying hundreds of pounds more than you need to?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6957" date="23 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-a-credit-card-better-than-a-loan_0006597.aspx" title="Is a credit card better than a loan?" author="Laura Howard" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Laura_Howard_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[With money tight in many households an increasing number of people are applying for personal loans, but depending on the amount you want to borrow, a credit card could be a better option.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6934" date="22 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-keep-your-home-safe-this-winter_0006934.aspx" title="How to keep your home safe this winter" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="17" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Latest statistics show that overall, crime has fallen 4% over the past year in England and Wales, but burglary is on the up having risen 3%. Home break-ins tend to peak in winter months as opportunistic thieves take advantage of the darker evenings.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6931" date="22 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/record-rises-in-car-insurance-costs_0006931.aspx" title="Record rises in car insurance costs" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Car insurance premiums are now rising at the fastest rate in 15 years, according to The AA, so what's behind the rising cost?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6918" date="22 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dont-let-the-postal-strikes-disrupt-your-finances_0006918.aspx" title="Don't let the postal strikes disrupt your finances" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[For the next two days, the country is likely to see a wave of postal disruption as thousands of workers walk out over disputes with their bosses.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6859" date="21 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/should-you-gamble-with-a-tracker-mortgage_0006859.aspx" title="Should you gamble with a tracker mortgage?" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Woolwich and The Post Office have launched new ranges of lower rate fixed mortgages, but with interest rates at a record low and expected to remain at the current level for the foreseeable future, is now the right time to fix or would you be better off with a tracker or discount mortgage?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6831" date="20 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/ofgem-acts-to-give-customers-more-muscle_0006831.aspx" title="Ofgem acts to give customers 'more muscle'" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Utilities" subcategory="Heating" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Following its probe into the energy markets, watchdog Ofgem has outlined a timetable for the new measures designed to make the system fairer for customers.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6820" date="19 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-will-the-fsa-s-mortgage-review-mean-for-you_0006820.aspx" title="What will the FSA's mortgage review mean for you?" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Should self-certified mortgages be banned? Should far heavier credit checks be imposed on would-be home buyers? Should banks investigate applicants' spending habits before they lend? The Financial Services Authority (FSA) thinks so and wants to roll out new rules...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6765" date="16 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-payday-loans_0006765.aspx" title="Everything you need to know about payday loans" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="3" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Payday loans tend to get a bad press but can they ever be a legitimate form of borrowing? When should you consider using one and what are the options?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6763" date="16 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-beat-low-interest-rates_0006763.aspx" title="How to beat low interest rates" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[The Centre for Economic Business Research (CEBR), an independent think tank, believes interest rates will remain at 0.5% until 2011 and with inflation having fallen to its lowest level for 5 years there are certainly no signs that base rate will change any time soon. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6760" date="16 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/review-of-the-week-capital-one-progress-card_0006760.aspx" title="Review of the week: Capital One Progress card" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[You may or may not have noticed, but the credit card market is changing. Gone are the days when one card fits all. Instead, providers are positioning their products at specific customer types.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6764" date="16 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/top-tips-to-ensure-your-cars-ready-for-winter_0006764.aspx" title="Top tips to ensure your car's ready for winter" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Motoring" subcategory="Breakdown" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/motoring/" forum="67" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[The cold weather makes for challenging driving conditions for even the most experienced motorists. As November draws near, we ask: is your car ready?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6759" date="16 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/ten-simple-steps-for-saving-energy_0006759.aspx" title="Ten simple steps for saving energy" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Want to save money by cutting down on your energy use? Then read on for our ten top tips.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6738" date="15 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-twenty--top-car-theft-claim-hotspots_0006738.aspx" title="The 20 top car theft claim hotspots" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Do you live in one of the UK's car theft hotspots? We've analysed data from millions of motor insurance queries and identified the 20 hotspots where people are more likely to have been victims of car-related theft.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6704" date="14 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/spread-the-cost-of-christmas-with-a-card_0006704.aspx" title="Spread the cost of Christmas with a card" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[There are less than two months to go until Christmas and many people are starting to plan their festive shopping.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6664" date="09 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/more-good-news-for-mortgage-borrowers_6664.aspx" title="More good news for mortgage borrowers" author="Laura Howard" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Laura_Howard_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Mutterings of the economy returning to health have become increasingly audible as October gets underway. There are also further hints that the mortgage market may be on the road to recovery.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6663" date="09 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/do-not-put-up-with-poor-savings-rates_0006663.aspx" title="Don't put up with poor savings rates" author="Jessica Bown" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Jess_Bown_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England may have kept base rate on hold again at 0.5%, but this doesn't mean banks and building societies are leaving savings rates unchanged. Despite the flat interest rate environment, savers are seeing some much-needed rate increases.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6665" date="09 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/does-loyalty-really-pay_0006665.aspx" title="Does loyalty really pay?" author="Jessica Bown" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Jess_Bown_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Royal Bank of Scotland, which also owns NatWest, announced last week that it will only offer credit cards to current account customers.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6653" date="09 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/its-your-home-keep-it-that-way_0006653.aspx" title="It's your home, keep it that way" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[The human face of this recession has undoubtedly been the families whose homes have been repossessed and those desperately struggling with mortgage arrears.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6669" date="09 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/icelandic-bank-meltdown-one-year-on_0006669.aspx" title="Icelandic bank meltdown: one year on" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[It's now one year since the collapse of the Icelandic banks. For many careful savers, the crisis was the moment the global recession hit home - and it sent shockwaves of fear through the UK savings market.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6614" date="08 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/uk-banks-pledge-current-account-transparency_0006614.aspx" title="UK banks pledge current account transparency" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Banks have agreed to increase the transparency of their personal current accounts, following pressure from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6634" date="08 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/base-rate-unchanged-for-seventh-month_0006634.aspx" title="Base rate unchanged for 7th month" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[The base rate remains unchanged at 0.5% for the seventh month in a row, but today marks a year since the economic crisis spurred the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) into fast action.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6616" date="08 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/sixty-million-pounds-in-mppi-to-be-refunded_0006616.aspx" title="60m in MPPI to be refunded" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Mortgage" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/ASU/MortgageProtectionDefault.asp" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Firms providing mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI) have agreed to provide &pound;60million in refunds, after pressure from the Financial Services Authority (FSA).]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6456" date="06 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/new-isa-rules-explained_0006456.aspx" title="New ISA rules explained" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[New ISA rules take effect from today. The annual allowance has risen from &pound;7,200 to &pound;10,200 but initially it is only those aged 50 or over who will benefit. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6589" date="05 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/insurance-more-choice-better-deals_0006589.aspx" title="Insurance - more choice, better deals?" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Your age will affect what you pay for insurance. For the over-50s it can mean lower premiums and a wider choice of providers. However, this isn't always the case.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6594" date="05 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/where-to-invest-your-isa-allowance_0006594.aspx" title="Where to invest your ISA allowance" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[Around&nbsp;21 million savers can now take advantage of a new higher ISA allowance. This rule change has brought about some unseasonal activity in the cash ISA market with many new competitive deals being launched.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6585" date="05 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/accounts-for-the-over-fifities-are-they-any-good_0006585.aspx" title="Accounts for the over-50s - are they any good?" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Certain financial deals are only available to those aged 50 or over, but just because their availability is restricted, it doesn't mean you're getting the best deal...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6573" date="02 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/get-help-to-end-your-debt-worries_0006573.aspx" title="Get help to end your debt worries" author="Jessica Bown" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Jess_Bown_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Debt advice is a murky, unregulated world, with horror stories about people already struggling with their debts ending up in an even worse position after approaching a debt adviser.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6578" date="02 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/cash-in-on-the-mini-isa-war_0006578.aspx" title="Cash in on the mini ISA war" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[You wouldn't normally expect to see competition in the ISA market at this time of year but the new rules which take effect on Tuesday (October 6) mean we've seen a spate of product launches as providers seek to take advantage of the fact the over-50s can invest an extra &pound;1,500 in cash ISAs. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6556" date="02 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/clearing-summer-credit-card-debt_0006556.aspx" title="Clearing summer credit card debt" author="Laura Howard" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Laura_Howard_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[The recent nip in the air is a&nbsp;sure sign for all of us that summer is over. But if you're still carrying credit card debt accrued from your two weeks in the sun, this fact will be even harder to swallow.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6574" date="02 October 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/millions-missing-out-as-eon-joins-price-war_0006574.aspx" title="Three energy price cuts come at once" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Hours after energy giant E.ON stormed into the energy price war with its new market-busting tariff, First Utility has followed suit and undercut it. So, while the energy price war is blazing, we ask: are you letting apathy cost you hundreds of pounds?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6449" date="29 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dont-fall-victim-to-phone-scammers_0006449.aspx" title="Don't fall victim to phone scammers" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="69" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Did you know one in 40 UK households fall victim to telecoms mis-selling every year? Some even discover they've had their phone company changed without their knowledge or permission.
<p>So what can you do to keep clear of these scammers?</p>]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6448" date="29 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/mini-how-to-switch-your-current-account_0006448.aspx" title="How to switch your current account" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[Many people assume it's a nightmare to switch current accounts, but it really isn't. Most of the big banks now offer dedicated switching services and they do the hard work for you. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6450" date="29 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/o2-loses-iphone-exclusive_0006450.aspx" title="O2 loses iPhone exclusive" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="69" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[It's finally happened. O2 has lost its exclusive with iPhone, sparking hopes of a price war that can only benefit gadget-mad consumers.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6434" date="28 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/last-chance-to-escape-stamp-duty_0006434.aspx" title="Last chance to escape stamp duty" author="Laura Howard" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Laura_Howard_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Time is running out if you want to take advantage of the government's stamp duty holiday, as it ends on 31 December. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6439" date="28 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/retired-teacher-saves-1800-pounds_0006439.aspx" title="Retired teacher saves 1,800" author="Kate Murphy" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kate_Murphy_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Hermione Sacks asked moneysupermarket.com for a makeover because she wanted to see if she could make better use of her savings.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6420" date="25 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/leading-savings-accounts-unravelled_0006420.aspx" title="Leading savings accounts unravelled" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[Activity continues in the savings market. ICICI, Barclays, Bradford &amp; Bingley, Leeds Building Society and Northern Rock have all launched new products. Good news for savers as rates are continuing to climb rather than subside.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6398" date="25 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-to-do-if-youre-in-debt_0006398.aspx" title="What to do if you're in debt" author="Jessica Bown" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Jess_Bown_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Most people would agree that bankruptcy is best avoided at all costs - especially if you own your home or business, as these will be taken from you to pay your creditors.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6416" date="25 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/a-new-energy-price-war-begins_0006416.aspx" title="A new energy price war begins" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[The energy price war has started. Scottish Power has appeared from nowhere and stormed ahead of the other 'Big Six' providers. This welcome development has come just when consumers need it most.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6294" date="24 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-your-street-safe-from-uninsured-drivers_0006294.aspx" title="Is your street safe from uninsured drivers?" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Want a frightening statistic? In some parts of the UK, up to nearly half the vehicles registered don't have insurance, according to research conducted by the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) to mark its Stay Insured campaign.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6291" date="23 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-the-end-in-sight-for-loan-application-credit-checks_0006291.aspx" title="Is the end in sight for loan application credit checks?" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Would-be borrowers have to make a full application for a loan to find out if they qualify and what rate they will be offered. Now a parliamentary investigation means that could all change...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6288" date="22 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/act-now-if-youre-looking-for-a-loan_0006288.aspx" title="Act now if you're looking for a loan" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="3" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Despite the base rate remaining at the historic low of 0.5%, lenders are starting to up the rates on personal loans. We take a look at why this is and how to find and qualify for the best rate possible.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6279" date="18 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savers-see-returns-plummet_0006279.aspx" title="Savers see returns plummet" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[Millions of savers ploughed money into fixed rate bonds paying rates of more than 7.00% this time last year. Many of these were one-year accounts which are about to end, so you need to act and get ready to move your money again - otherwise it will probably be automatically transferred into a default account paying a much lower rate.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6277" date="18 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-small-print-behind-the-leading-energy-deals_0006277.aspx" title="Leading energy deals - what are the catches?" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[There's huge competition in the energy markets just now as providers try to undercut their rivals and offer the cheapest average bill. But just how good are the market-leading deals and are there any catches to watch out for?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6273" date="18 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/which-credit-cards-do-you-qualify-for_0006273.aspx" title="Which credit cards do you qualify for?" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[It's become much more difficult to get credit cards since the onset of the credit crunch. Providers are much more cautious about who they will offer credit cards to, and the onus is shifting to the consumer to identify which deals they're likely to qualify for before they apply. But how do you know?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6274" date="18 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-a-debt-relief-order-right-for-you_0006274.aspx" title="Is a Debt Relief Order right for you?" author="Jessica Bown" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Jess_Bown_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Until very recently, bankruptcy was the only option available to people whose debts had become so out of control the only option was to wipe the slate clean and start again.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6262" date="17 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/couple-save-1300-with-moneysupermarket-com_0006262.aspx" title="Couple save 1,300 with moneysupermarket.com" author="Kate Murphy" category="Utilities" subcategory="Home" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kate_Murphy_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Jessica Griffiths and her partner Matt contacted moneysupermarket.com for a makeover as they try to sort out their finances and prepare for their lives together.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6254" date="16 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-complain-if-youre-mis-sold-a-mobile-contract_0006254.aspx" title="How to complain if you're mis-sold a mobile contract" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="69" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[After a voluntary code failed to cut the number of complaints, the communications watchdog Ofcom has brought in new rules to prevent mis-selling from mobile phone providers.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6249" date="16 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/lowest-ever-two-year-fix_0006249.aspx" title="Lowest ever two-year fix" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Halifax has launched the lowest ever two-year fixed rate mortgage deal at 2.99%. However, be warned: despite the low rate there are cheaper fixed rates available. Why? Because it comes with a huge 2.5% arrangement fee, which means it's not as competitive as it initially appears.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6235" date="15 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-are-credit-debts_0006235.aspx" title="What are credit debts?" author="National Debtline" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/National_Debtline_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[In this article, National Debtline takes a look at credit debts, such as credit card balances and personal loans. Once you've paid your essential bills and priority debts, any remaining income should go on settling these debts.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6240" date="15 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/financial-crisis-one-year-on-whats-happened_0006240.aspx" title="Financial crisis one year on - what's happened?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[It's a year since the US investment bank Lehman Brothers collapsed - an event which marked a turning point for economies around the world.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6222" date="11 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-should-savers-do-now_0006222.aspx" title="What should savers do now?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[Who'd have thought it - the Bank of England base rate has remained unchanged since March but savings rates are rising. A stark reminder of the highly unusual times we are living in and surely a call to all savers to make sure you don't miss out on the chance to earn more than six times base rate on your savings?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6218" date="11 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-real-impact-of-going-bankrupt_0006218.aspx" title="The real impact of going bankrupt" author="Jessica Bown" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Jess_Bown_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Bankruptcy is generally viewed as a last resort for people with serious debt problems. But the recession, and the job losses it has caused, has pushed more people towards this drastic measure.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6216" date="11 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-rates-stick-mortgage-rates-twist_0006216.aspx" title="Interest rates stick; mortgage rates twist" author="Laura Howard" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Laura_Howard_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England base rate may have remained unchanged at 0.5% since March, but borrowers will be pleased to learn that some banks have reduced their mortgage rates regardless.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6213" date="11 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/finding-the-best-mobile-deal_0006213.aspx" title="Finding the best mobile deal" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="69" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[So there could soon be a new giant in the UK mobiles market if T-Mobile and Orange manage to thrash out a merger deal.<br />]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6206" date="10 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-rates-remain-at-zero-point-five-per-cent_0006206.aspx" title="Interest rates remain at 0.5%" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[As was widely expected, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has voted to keep interest rates on hold again this month at 0.5%.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6193" date="08 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/time-is-running-out-for-xl-customers-compensation_0006193.aspx" title="Time is running out for XL customers' compensation" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Travel" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travelinsurance/" forum="66" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Were you affected by the collapse of XL last year? If you haven't claimed your compensation then move fast, because time is rapidly running out and you need to apply before this Friday.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6195" date="08 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/natwest-and-rbs-slash-bank-charges_0006195.aspx" title="Natwest and RBS slash bank charges" author="Jessica Bown" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Jess_Bown_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[High street banking giant Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), which owns NatWest, is slashing the amount it charges customers who exceed their overdraft rate or slip into the red without permission.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6192" date="07 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dealing-with-debt-after-divorce_0006192.aspx" title="Money makeover - dealing with debt after divorce" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Susan Davies-Roper, from Bolton in Lancashire, has found herself facing financial difficulties following a divorce and asked moneysupermarket.com for some help.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6181" date="04 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/exclusive-market-leading-credit-card_0006181.aspx" title="Exclusive market-leading credit card" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[MBNA is offering a new credit card which has a 12-month interest-free period on purchases. It's a market-leading deal and it's only available through moneysupermarket.com.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6175" date="04 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/ten-car-insurance-myths-busted_0006175.aspx" title="Ten car insurance myths busted" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[If you're renewing your car insurance, you probably know that third-party cover is the cheapest and that sticking with your current provider means you get the best deal, right? Wrong. We blow&nbsp;ten car insurance myths out of the water.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6176" date="04 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/move-your-current-account-and-net-one-hundred-pounds_0006176.aspx" title="It's back! Move your current account and net 100" author="Jessica Bown" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Jess_Bown_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[It's time to switch your current account.&nbsp;Alliance &amp; Leicester (A&amp;L)&nbsp;is offering a &pound;100 windfall to anyone who signs up for its Premier account - not only will you receive a cash reward; this is also one of the leading deals on the market. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6180" date="04 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savings-rates-rise-again_0006180.aspx" title="Savings rates rise again" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[The savings market has been a hive of activity for most of the year, although the past few weeks have been somewhat quieter. But the holidays are now over, the kids are back at school and things are picking up again - all good news for savers.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6164" date="03 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/thousands-demand-an-end-to-unfair-phone-costs_0006164.aspx" title="100,000 demand an end to unfair phone costs" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="69" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[The petition to ditch unfair Mobile Termination Rates has exploded past the 100,000 signatures mark.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6150" date="02 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/mortgage-rates-fall-below-two-per-cent_0006150.aspx" title="Mortgage rates fall below 2.0%" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[Mortgage lenders have been criticised for not reflecting the ultra-low interest rate environment in the rates they're offering to customers. However, HSBC has launched some new deals, including a 1.99% two-year discount - the lowest rate on the market. But is it as good as it sounds?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6145" date="02 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/lets-have-the-savings_0006145.aspx" title="Let's have the savings!" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[If saving money is good, spending the money you've saved is great. That's why moneysupermarket.com is challenging you to use the tools on the site to save cash, spend it doing something outrageous, film it&nbsp;and then send us the footage.<br />]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6147" date="02 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/protecting-your-holiday-from-a-cancellation-catastrophe_0006147.aspx" title="Protecting your holiday from a cancellation catastrophe" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Travel" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travelinsurance/" forum="66" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Looking forward to a holiday? How can you protect yourself if your travel operator goes bust? ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6149" date="02 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/skyeurope-collapse-your-questions-answered_0006149.aspx" title="SkyEurope collapse - your questions answered" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Travel" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travelinsurance/" forum="66" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Another airline has descended into bankruptcy, leaving thousands of passengers stranded far from home and many more fearing they will be unable to regain the cash they spent on their planned holiday.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6131" date="01 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-the-housing-market-on-the-road-to-recovery_0006131.aspx" title="Is the housing market on the road to recovery?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[We've had further signs that the property market may be picking up. Nationwide Building Society's latest house price index revealed prices have risen for the fourth consecutive month. And new figures, released last week from the Land Registry showed the strongest monthly increase for five years.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6133" date="01 September 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/drivers-wasting-hundreds-of-millions-by-failing-to-shop-around_0006133.aspx" title="Drivers wasting hundreds of millions by failing to shop around" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[More than six million motorists don't bother comparing policies when they renew, meaning they are collectively losing an incredible &pound;940million.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6119" date="27 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/slash-your-energy-bills_0006119.aspx" title="Slash your energy bills" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Utilities" subcategory="Heating" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[We're fast approaching that half of the year when our energy use soars. Come autumn, millions of people will be heating and lighting their homes much more, as well as spending more time inside.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6125" date="27 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/last-chance-to-earn-6-0-percent-on-your-savings_0006125.aspx" title="Last chance to earn 6.0% on your savings" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[With the Bank of England base rate at an all-time low of 0.50%, Alliance &amp; Leicester (A&amp;L) and Abbey's 6.00% savings accounts have unsurprisingly been hugely popular.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6107" date="27 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/beat-rising-fuel-prices_0006107.aspx" title="Beat rising fuel prices" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Drivers brace yourselves, because at the start of September the cost of filling your tank is going to rise.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6126" date="27 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/looking-for-a-student-account_0006126.aspx" title="Looking for a student account?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare-Francis_75x85_C.jpg" ><![CDATA[Heading off to uni? Not signed up for a student account yet and unsure about which deal to go for? The table below highlights the main features and benefits of the accounts available from the major banks...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6124" date="27 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/fix-your-savings-now_0006124.aspx" title="Fix your savings now" author="Laura Howard" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Laura_Howard_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Competition in the fixed rate savings market has been hot this year as banks and building societies fight to attract our cash.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6115" date="26 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/one-in-five-young-drivers-have-no-car-insurance_0006115.aspx" title="One in five young drivers have no car insurance" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Worryingly, a staggering 20% of drivers aged between 17 and 20 are on the roads without insurance, according to new statistics from the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB).]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6062" date="25 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/bagging-the-best-loan-in-tough-financial-times_0006062.aspx" title="Bagging the best loan in tough financial times" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="3" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Times are tough for those who need to borrow money. Interest rates may stand at a historic low of just 0.5% - but banks are charging a premium on loans and mortgages.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6057" date="24 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/newly-married-couple-save-800-pounds_0006057.aspx" title="Newly-married couple save 800" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Utilities" subcategory="Home" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Lucy Bunting and her husband Neil got married in April this year, but although newly-married life might be dreamy, their finances are floundering.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5931" date="24 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/national-debtline-pro-rata-template-letter_0005931.aspx" title="How to offer a reduced rate to creditors if you're struggling" author="National Debtline" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/National_Debtline_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[You can write out this example letter and send it to your creditors with a copy of your personal budget if you are making pro-rata offers.We have used [square brackets] to suggest different points you may want to make. Choose the ones that fit your circumstances, and make any other changes you need to explain your situation to your creditors.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6039" date="21 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/existing-customers-only-but-are-the-deals-any-good_0006039.aspx" title="'Existing customers only' - but are the deals any good?" author="Laura Howard" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Laura_Howard_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[In these days of post credit crunch caution, consumers know that banks are more selective than ever about who they lend to. But the trepidation doesn't stop there.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6043" date="21 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/whats-the-best-credit-card_0006043.aspx" title="What's the best credit card?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[There's more to choosing a credit card than the headline rate.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6044" date="21 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/simple-steps-that-could-save-you-ten-thousand-pounds_0006044.aspx" title="25 simple steps that could save you 10,000" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Saving money is easy if you know how. We've come up with 25 money-saving tips which could literally make you thousands of pounds a year better off...		&nbsp; ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6038" date="21 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dont-fall-into-the-reinsurance-trap_0006038.aspx" title="Beware the traps when you re-insure" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[With the new car registration launched in September, it's one of the busiest times of year for insurance renewals. We look at tricks to watch out for and offer tips on how to keep your insurance costs down...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6021" date="20 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/credit-cards-for-students_0006021.aspx" title="Credit cards for students" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Is a student credit card right for you and if it is, how can you find the best deal? We take an in-depth look at the cards on offer to students this year.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6019" date="20 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/choosing-the-right-insurance-for-student-digs_0006019.aspx" title="Choosing the right insurance for student digs" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="17" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[People might picture student flats looking like something from the Young Ones, but that's now far from the modern reality. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="6023" date="20 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/student-loans-oneohone_0006023.aspx" title="All you need to know about Student Loans" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="3" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[If you're heading off to university this year, the chances are you'll be using a student loan to fund some of your living costs and meet your tuition fees.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5903" date="14 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/mobile-broadband-TV-cutting-the-cost-of-the-new-essentials_0005903.aspx" title="Mobile, broadband &amp; TV: cutting the cost of the new essentials" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="77" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Would you rather save money by skipping holidays or cutting back on services like broadband, TV and your mobile phone subscription? ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5901" date="14 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/do-you-live-in-one-of-the-20-riskiest-postcodes_0005901.aspx" title="Do you live in one of the 20 riskiest postcodes?" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Other" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="17" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[As recession bites, crime levels rise. In fact, during the first three months of 2009 &pound;100million worth of&nbsp;insurance claims were made because of burglary, making it the most expensive quarter for five years.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5909" date="14 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-you-should-know-if-youre-a-landlord_0005909.aspx" title="What you should know if you're a landlord" author="Laura Howard" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Laura_Howard_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Today's deflated housing market has brought with it raft of consequences that the country's homeowners would not have even thought possible back in the property hey day. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5906" date="14 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/make-money-from-the-savings-war_0005906.aspx" title="Make money from the savings war" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[It's been a tough year for savers - the financial crisis and collapse of the Icelandic banks last autumn unsurprisingly caused a huge amount of nervousness among many. Coupled with that, plummeting interest rates have hammered returns on savings accounts.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5899" date="13 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/we-save-young-family-1300-a-year_0005899.aspx" title="We save young family 1,300 a year" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[With a two-year old daughter and a son on the way, Geraint Davies can be forgiven for feeling financially stretched. He contacted moneysupermarket.com to see if we could help rein in his credit card costs and free up some cash. And help him we did.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5887" date="12 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/Tips-if-you-re-struggling-with-council-tax_0005887.aspx" title="Tips if you're struggling with Council Tax" author="National Debtline" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/National_Debtline_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[If you're finding it difficult to repay your debts, National Debtline recommends prioritising some arrears and bills ahead of others. Council Tax is one of these debts and in this article it outlines your rights if you're struggling.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5888" date="12 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/why-some-debts-are-more-important-than-others_0005888.aspx" title="Why some debts are more important than others" author="National Debtline" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/National_Debtline_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[If you are struggling to repay what you owe, National Debtline recommends working out which debts are priorities and meeting them first. In this article, the charity outlines which bills are the most important.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5890" date="12 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/mortgage-lending-continues-to-rise-but_0005890.aspx" title="Mortgage lending continues to rise, but...		" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Mortgage lending to house purchases rose again last month, providing further evidence of an improving situation in the mortgage market.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5897" date="12 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-rates-set-to-remain-low_0005897.aspx" title="Interest rates set to remain low" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England warned against being overly optimistic that the recession will be over quickly. The central message from its Quarterly Inflation Report, which was published today, was that the economy remains extremely fragile and the recovery will be a slow process.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5889" date="12 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-prioritise-your-debts_0005889.aspx" title="How to prioritise your debts" author="National Debtline" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/National_Debtline_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Certain debts need to be treated as priorities when you're struggling, according to National Debtline. In this article, the charity takes a look at which debts are critical and offers advice and guidance.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5886" date="12 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/tips-if-you-can-t-pay-your-energy-bills_0005886.aspx" title="Tips if you can't pay your energy bills" author="National Debtline" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/National_Debtline_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[National Debtline urges troubled households to repay certain debts ahead of other credit agreements. It considers gas and electricity arrears to be a priority debt, so what should you do if you're finding it hard to pay?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5856" date="07 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/exclusive-market-leading-credit-card_0005856.aspx" title="Exclusive market-leading credit card" author="Peter Harrison" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Harrison_75x85.jpg" ><![CDATA[If you're looking for a interest-free credit card to transfer an existing debt on to, then Virgin's new card, which is only available via moneysupermarket.com, could be just the deal for you.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5865" date="07 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-another-base-rate-hold-means-for-you_0005865.aspx" title="What another base rate hold means for you" author="Laura Howard" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Laura_Howard_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England confirmed widespread expectations when it opted to freeze interest rates at 0.5% in August - for the fifth consecutive month. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5861" date="07 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/top-tips-if-youre-staycationing-this-summer_0005861.aspx" title="Top tips if you're 'staycationing' this summer" author="Clare Francis" category="Travel" subcategory="UK Breaks" channellink="http://www.travelsupermarket.com/c/uk-breaks/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[Millions of families are holidaying in the UK and with the August Bank Holiday weekend around the corner, many more will be heading off for a short break. We give a checklist of things to make sure you're covered for before you hit the roads and also offer tips on how to find a good last minute bargain...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5859" date="07 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-best-student-accounts_0005859.aspx" title="The best student accounts" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[If you are one of the thousands of people about to start university, the chances are that money is on your mind. Rising costs, student loans, tuition fees - being an undergrad can be costly.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5853" date="06 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/base-rate-freeze-continues_0005853.aspx" title="Base rate freeze continues" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Once again the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has voted to keep the base rate unchanged at 0.5% for another month. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5843" date="05 August 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/new-eon-tariff-leaves-british-gas-in-third-place_0005843.aspx" title="New E.ON tariff leaves British Gas in third place" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Utilities" subcategory="Heating" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[E.ON has pushed British Gas into third place with the launch of its new Save Online tariff.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5810" date="31 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/earn-six-percent-on-your-savings_0005810.aspx" title="Earn 6% on your savings" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Alliance &amp; Leicester (A&amp;L) and Abbey, which are both owned by Santander, have launched market-leading regular savings accounts paying 6.0%, but there is a catch: you must switch to one of their current accounts in order to benefit.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5807" date="31 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-mortgage-conundrum-fix-or-tracker_0005807.aspx" title="The mortgage conundrum - fix or tracker?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/ClareF_64x64.jpg" ><![CDATA[There have been a few more positive signs emerge concerning the housing and mortgage markets: Nationwide Building Society's latest house price index revealed that prices rose for the third month in a row in June, while mortgage approvals have risen in five consecutive months according to Bank of England figures.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5805" date="31 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-join-the-debt-busters_0005805.aspx" title="How to join the debt busters" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[If you're one of the 54% of people in Britain with non-mortgage debt, you probably want to get out of the red as quickly as possible.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5808" date="31 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/beware-the-broadband-traps_0005808.aspx" title="Beware the broadband traps" author="James Parker " category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="77" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/James_Parker_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Most of us aren't getting the broadband speeds we're paying for, according to a new report from Ofcom, while many risk being stung by exorbitant charges for exceeding monthly download limits. We look at how to avoid these broadband traps...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5798" date="30 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/bride-to-be-Kirsty-could-be-2150-a-year-better-off_0005798.aspx" title="Bride-to-be Kirsty could be 2,150 a year better off" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Utilities" subcategory="Heating" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_64x64.png" ><![CDATA[Kirsty de Silva's life is on hold just now. She wants to get married but can't afford to because of her debts. She owes more than &pound;8,000 and has taken on a second job to help her stay on top of the repayments.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5797" date="30 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-beat-rising-car-insurance-costs_0005797.aspx" title="How to beat rising car insurance costs" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[The price of insuring a car is rising, so we look at how drivers can find the cover they need at the lowest possible cost.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5757" date="28 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/working-out-a-personal-budget_0005757.aspx" title="Working out a personal budget" author="National Debtline" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/National_Debtline_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[In this article, National Debtline offers help working out a personal budget, to allow people to&nbsp;keep track of what money is coming in and going out,&nbsp;meaning they can&nbsp;show&nbsp;creditors exactly&nbsp;what they can afford to repay.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5736" date="24 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/take-advantage-of-the-energy-price-war_0005736.aspx" title="Take advantage of the energy price war" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Having offered the cheapest energy tariff for a number of months, British Gas has been toppled off the top spot following a spate of price cuts in recent days.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5741" date="24 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-best-prepaid-cards-for-your-holiday-money_0005741.aspx" title="The best prepaid cards for your holiday money" author="Peter Harrison" category="Travel" subcategory="Travel Money" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/prepaidcards/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Harrison_75x85.jpg" ><![CDATA[If you're jetting off overseas in the weeks to come and haven't already got yourself one of the leading overseas credit or debit cards then it's probably too late to apply and get your card on time. So with cash providing little security and traveller's cheques proving increasingly difficult to exchange, could it be time to pick up a new form of plastic?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5739" date="24 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/frugal-fun-for-kids-this-summer_0005739.aspx" title="Frugal fun for kids this summer" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Shopping" subcategory="Holidays" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/shopping-default.asp" forum="19" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[The lengthy summer holidays may be great fun for children, but for most parents they spell extra expense.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5737" date="24 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/earn-500-pounds-a-year-more-on-your-savings_0005737.aspx" title="Earn 500 a year more on your savings" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[We've seen renewed activity in the fixed rate bond market, including the launch of deals from a new provider and a concerted effort by the Barnsley Building Society to attract our cash.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5738" date="24 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/could-you-increase-your-income_0005738.aspx" title="Could you increase your income?" author="National Debtline" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/National_Debtline_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[National Debtline helps people to budget in order to repay their debt more easily, but if you aren't receiving all the money you should be, then managing your finances becomes much harder. In this article, the charity suggests ways to check if you could increase your income.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5641" date="22 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/golden-rules-for-dealing-with-debt_0005641.aspx" title="Golden rules for dealing with debt" author="National Debtline" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/National_Debtline_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[National Debtline provides anyone with debt difficulties in England, Wales and Scotland with free, confidential and independent advice. In this first article in a series from the charity, it outlines some golden rules for coping with debt.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5607" date="17 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/top-tips-for-first-time-buyers_0005607.aspx" title="Top tips for first-time buyers" author="Louise Cuming" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Louise_Cuming_Large.png" ><![CDATA['Green shoots' is a controversial subject at the moment - especially in the housing market. House prices have finally tumbled to a level that many first-time buyers had been waiting for. The price of the average home now stands at &pound;158,000, according to Halifax, compared to more than &pound;200,000 at the peak of the housing boom.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5609" date="17 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savings-rates-continue-their-upward-climb_0005609.aspx" title="Savings rates continue their upward climb" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Not wanting to tempt fate, but it seems that things are getting better for savers on a weekly basis at the moment...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5608" date="17 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/when-is-an-unsecured-loan-not-an-unsecured-loan_0005608.aspx" title="When is an unsecured loan not an unsecured loan?" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="3" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[If you need a large sum of money but don't have a savings pot to draw from, chances are you'll be considering whether you could borrow the cash.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5606" date="17 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-a-cashback-credit-card-right-for-you_0005606.aspx" title="Is a cashback credit card right for you?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Egg's new Money World card rewards customers with 1% cashback every time they spend on it. But is this card worth signing up for?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5596" date="16 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/swine-flu-and-summer-your-questions-answered_0005596.aspx" title="Swine flu - does your travel insurance protect you?" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Insurance" subcategory="Travel" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travelinsurance/" forum="66" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[As you look forward to your family's summer trip this year, you're probably wondering whether swine flu, or H1N1, could throw a spanner in the works.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5564" date="13 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-125-per-cent-mortgage-is-back-but-it-is-a-good-thing_0005564.aspx" title="The 125% mortgage is back - but it's a good thing" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Nationwide Building Society's decision to offer a 125% mortgage has been met on some fronts by derision and condemnation - accusations of the return of irresponsible lending have been bandied around. However, such reactions risk misrepresenting Nationwide's move. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5565" date="13 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-milazzo-family-save-1258_0005565.aspx" title="The Milazzo family save 1,258" author="Kate Murphy" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kate_Murphy_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Faye Milazzo and her husband Ivan from Romford, Essex, contacted moneysupermarket.com for a makeover as they want to save some extra cash for life's little luxuries.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5566" date="13 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/cutting-costs-and-carbon-ahead-of-green-price-hikes_0005566.aspx" title="Cutting costs and carbon ahead of green price hikes" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Would a rise in energy bills cause you to struggle financially? If so, you may want to start making contingency plans, as a new government strategy for tackling climate change could cause costs to rocket.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5552" date="10 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-the-nations-savers-could-net-over-seven-billion-pounds_0005552.aspx" title="How the nation's savers could net 7.7billion" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England base rate may not have changed since March, but savings rates have been anything but static.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5558" date="10 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/simplifying-the-savings-challenge_0005558.aspx" title="Simplifying the savings challenge" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[How many of you have answered our call to action and contacted your banks this week?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5548" date="09 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/base-rate-remains-unchanged_0005548.aspx" title="Base rate remains unchanged" author="Felicity King-Evans" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Felicity_KE_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[As was expected, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted to keep interest rates on hold at 0.5%.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5546" date="09 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-to-do-if-your-fixed-energy-deal-is-about-to-end_0005546.aspx" title="What to do if your fixed energy deal is about to end" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Last summer's soaring energy costs hit British households hard, prompting many people to sign up to fixed-rate tariffs in order to stabilise their spending.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5547" date="09 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/tips-if-you-are-struggling-to-get-a-mortgage_0005547.aspx" title="Tips if you're struggling to get a mortgage" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[Nothing is ever like you planned it. And, in spite of rock bottom interest rates and plummeting house prices, this includes getting a mortgage. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5485" date="08 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/do-not-forget-travel-insurance_0005485.aspx" title="Don't forget travel insurance" author="Maxine Baker" category="Insurance" subcategory="Travel" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travelinsurance/" forum="66" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Maxine_Baker_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[The summer holiday period is in full swing but about 25% of holidaymakers will go away without travel insurance according to research from American Express. This could prove a costly mistake.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5465" date="06 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/eon-announces-surprise-gas-cut_0005465.aspx" title="E.ON announces surprise gas cut" author="Clare Francis" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[E.ON has reduced its standard gas prices by 3.3% which will save customers an average of &pound;25 a year.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5450" date="03 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/why-male-drivers-pay-more_0005450.aspx" title="Why male drivers pay more" author="Steve Sweeney" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve-Sweeney_85x75.jpg" ><![CDATA[Women may be the butt of many jokes about drivers but when it comes to the cost of car insurance, it appears the joke is definitely at the man's expense.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5451" date="03 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/leading-savings-deals-unpicked_0005451.aspx" title="Leading savings deals unpicked" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The savings market is a hive of activity, which is great news for savers in these times of low interest rates.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5447" date="03 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/ten-golden-credit-card-rules_0005447.aspx" title="10 golden credit card rules" author="Peter Harrison" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Harrison_75x85.jpg" ><![CDATA[The Government has unveiled plans to give a 'better deal to consumers'. These include banning credit card providers from sending issuing cheques unless the customer has asked for them; or increasing a customer's credit limit unless it has been requested. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5448" date="03 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/sarah-beenys-top-tips-for-buying-or-selling-a-home_0005448.aspx" title="Sarah Beeny's top tips for buying or selling a home" author="Sarah Beeny" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Sarah_Beeny_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[After a decade long property boom it's been a tough couple of years for the housing market.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5426" date="01 July 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/tips-for-clearing-graduate-debts_0005426.aspx" title="Tips for clearing graduate debts" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[More than 200,000 students will graduate this summer, many thousands of pounds in debt. This is when the journey of repaying that money begins.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5370" date="26 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-it-worth-paying-for-a-current-account_005370.aspx" title="Is it worth paying for a current account?" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large1.png" ><![CDATA[Abbey has launched a new packaged account offering 6.0% interest, travel insurance and breakdown cover - but it costs &pound;10 a month. Are the added benefits on accounts like this worth paying for? We take a look...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5371" date="26 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/more-good-news-for-savers_0005371.aspx" title="More good news for savers" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/kevin_mountford_64x64.jpg" ><![CDATA[Banks and building societies are still desperate for our money, but recently the battle for our cash has focused on the fixed rate market. However, there are signs this is now moving to the easy access arena as well...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5367" date="25 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/10-tips-to-cut-motoring-costs_0005367.aspx" title="10 tips to cut motoring costs" author="Clare Francis" category="Motoring" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/motoring/" forum="67" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[With the cost of petrol back above &pound;1 a litre, many drivers are feeling the strain of mounting motoring costs. We've come up with 10 tips to help ease the pain...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5366" date="25 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-get-fast-broadband_0005366.aspx" title="How to get faster broadband" author="James Parker " category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="77" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/James_Parker_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Every house in the country should receive 2MB broadband by 2012. In the meantime what can you do to speed up your internet connection?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5325" date="24 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/top-tips-for-gap-year-travellers_0005325.aspx" title="Top tips for gap year travellers" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Travel Money" channellink="http://www.travelsupermarket.com/link.asp?section=home" forum="66" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[Travelling is the perfect way to get over the stress of A-levels and university finals and more and more young people are choosing to see the world before starting work.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5289" date="19 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-the-new-iphone-3gs-worth-the-hassle_0005289.aspx" title="Is the new iPhone 3GS worth the hassle?" author="James Parker " category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="69" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/James_Parker_Large.png" ><![CDATA[It promises to be faster than ever and boasts exciting new features such as voice commands. But the prospect of switching to the new iPhone 3GS has left existing iPhone customers in the UK disgruntled, frustrated and in some cases downright furious.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5293" date="19 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/win-free-energy-for-a-year_0005293.aspx" title="Win free energy for a year - offer ends June 26th 2009" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[To&nbsp;help you&nbsp;find the best energy deal possible, moneysupermarket.com is offering the chance to win FREE energy for a whole year - just by changing to a cheaper energy tariff...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5288" date="19 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/are-you-playing-your-cards-right-abroad_0005288.aspx" title="Are you playing your cards right abroad?" author="Peter Harrison" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Harrison_75x85.jpg" ><![CDATA[Traditionalists may have lamented the loss of another major high street brand this week, but travellers should have no such regrets about the rebranding of Abbey credit cards.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5291" date="19 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/fixed-rates-soar-as-trackers-become-more-attractive_0005291.aspx" title="Trackers more attractive as fixed rates soar" author="Louise Cuming" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Louise_Cuming_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Savvy mortgage borrowers have been snapping up fixed-rate deals in a bid to take advantage of the current low interest-rate environment.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5233" date="12 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savers-risk-losing-hundreds-of-pounds-in-interest_0005233.aspx" title="Savers risk losing hundreds of pounds in interest" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Millions of savers have been protected from the recent interest rate cuts because their money has been locked into a fixed rate savings account.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5232" date="12 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/earn-up-to-6-per-cent-on-your-current-account_0005232.aspx" title="Earn up to 6% on your current account" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[We may not have seen any movement in the Bank of England base rate since March but the current account market is red hot - so much so that you can get a 0% overdraft for a year and now as much as 6.0% interest if you're in credit.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5235" date="12 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/advice-if-youre-starting-your-own-business_0005235.aspx" title="Advice if you're starting your own business" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Business Finance" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/businessfinance/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Britain's unemployment rate is soaring; with figures showing that 3,178 people were made redundant every day in the three months to the end of March.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5224" date="11 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/ten-tips-to-get-the-best-deal-on-holiday-money_0005224.aspx" title="Ten tips to get the best deal on holiday money" author="Peter Harrison" category="Money" subcategory="Travel Money" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travel-money/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Harrison_75x85.jpg" ><![CDATA[It's easy to lose track of exactly how much you're spending when you're on holiday and while thinking about the rate of exchange isn't top of most people's priority list while they're away, there are some simple things you can do to make your holiday money go further.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5215" date="11 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/single-mum-emma-saves-580 -pounds-a-year_0005215.aspx" title="Single mum, Emma, saves 580 a year" author="Kate Murphy" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kate_Murphy_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Emma Thorne contacted moneysupermarket because she was becoming increasingly frustrated about going into the red every month and wanted to know if there was any way she could make savings which would help her current account in credit.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5193" date="09 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/major-restructure-at-lloyds-what-does-it-all-mean-for-you_0005193.aspx" title="Major restructure at Lloyds - what does it all mean for you?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[When Lloyds TSB merged with HBOS earlier this year to form Lloyds Banking Group, major changes within the new super bank were inevitable and we are starting to learn a little more about how the company is looking to position itself going forward. But what will it all mean for customers?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5191" date="09 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/hsbc-launches-rate-matcher-mortgage-but-is-it-any-good_0005191.aspx" title="HSBC launches Rate Matcher mortgage - but is it any good?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[HSBC has re-launched its 'Rate Matcher' mortgage offer. This is the second year, the offer has been available and the bank says it will allow borrowers to fix their mortgage at a rate that is the same, or better, than the standard variable rate (SVR) being offered by their existing lender. But is this offer as good as it sounds, or is it more of a marketing gimmick?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5183" date="08 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/earn-more-on-your-current-account_0005183.aspx" title="Earn more on your current account" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England may have left base rate unchanged since March but that doesn't mean activity in the savings and current account markets has stalled. Abbey and Alliance &amp; Leicester, both owned by Spanish banking group Santander, are offering consumers the chance to earn 6.0% on the money they keep in their current account.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5168" date="05 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/credit-card-competition-heats-up_0005168.aspx" title="Credit card competition heats up" author="Peter Harrison" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Harrison_75x85.jpg" ><![CDATA[If you're on the look out for a new credit card, there are a number of deals that have been launched recently which could be worth considering.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5170" date="05 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-choose-the-best-mobile-deal_0005170.aspx" title="How to choose the best mobile deal" author="James Parker " category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="69" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/James_Parker_Large.png" ><![CDATA[We may not want to admit it, but most of us would be lost without our mobile phones - in fact, 86% of UK adults now own at least one. However, while we may love our phones few of us love our phone bills which are often much more costly than they need to be.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5172" date="05 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-now-for-borrowers-and-savers_0005172.aspx" title="What now for borrowers and savers?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[Savers and borrowers shouldn't get complacent just because the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee chose to hold the base rate at 0.5% again this month.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5169" date="05 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-safe-is-your-garden_0005169.aspx" title="How safe is your garden?" author="Steve Sweeney" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="17" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve-Sweeney_85x75.jpg" ><![CDATA[The good weather doesn't come around too often in the UK so it's no wonder we do everything we can to make the most of it when it's here - even if we have to splash the cash to do so.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5142" date="04 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/should-savers-hold-off-from-opening-a-cash-isa_0005142.aspx" title="Should savers hold off from opening a cash ISA?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[If you've not yet used your cash ISA allowance this tax-year, now may not be the best time to invest it.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5143" date="04 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-rates-kept-at-zero-point-five-per-cent_0005143.aspx" title="Interest rates kept at 0.5%" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[As expected, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted to keep base rate on hold at 0.5% again this month. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5076" date="01 June 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/glasgow-couple-save-550-pounds-a-year_0005076.aspx" title="Glasgow couple save 550 a year" author="Kate Murphy" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kate_Murphy_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[David Pirie, a 33-year old IT worker, and his wife Karien, live in Lennoxtown near Glasgow. The couple recently used their savings to clear his credit card debts. They are now trying to rebuild their savings pot in order to convert their garage into an extra room.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5067" date="29 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/where-can-you-turn-for-debt-help_0005067.aspx" title="Where can you turn for debt help?" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Barely a day seems to pass without another message on the answer phone from an unnamed 'debt help' company offering it services. Indeed the cold calling has got so out of hand for so many, that 10 firms were told to stop by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5055" date="29 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-young-drivers-can-put-brakes-on-insurance-costs_0005055.aspx" title="How young drivers can put brakes on insurance costs" author="Steve Sweeney" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve-Sweeney_85x75.jpg" ><![CDATA[It may be good to be young, but it's not so good to be a young driver. Despite the fact that youngsters (those aged 17-21) make up just 7% of all drivers they collectively pay more than &pound;3billion a year on car insurance - that's 32% of the national bill.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5069" date="29 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/ten-financial-traps-to-watch-out-for_0005069.aspx" title="10 financial traps to watch out for" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[The world of personal finance can be full of rewards. There are some great rates and deals to take advantage of, but often, the market-leading products have a number of strings attached. And if you fall foul of the terms and conditions, you could find that the great deal you signed up for could becomes nothing more than a standard product.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5068" date="29 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/should-over-fifties-bank-on-specialists_0005068.aspx" title="Should over-50s bank on specialists?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[An increasing number of providers are offering banking and insurance products to the over-50s. However, just because it's a specialist deal, doesn't mean that it's the best option for you. What it does mean though, is that the over-50s have a greater choice and that in some circumstances, their age may result in them getting a better deal than someone younger.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5005" date="21 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/lloyds-tsb-helps-first-time-buyers_0005005.aspx" title="Lloyds TSB helps first time buyers" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[Lloyds TSB has launched a new mortgage which could signify that we are past the worst in the mortgage impasse that has been strangling the housing market.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5006" date="21 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/move-your-savings-and-earn-hundreds-of-pounds_0005006.aspx" title="Move your savings and earn hundreds" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[We're seeing something of a rate war in the savings market with rates climbing even though the Bank of England kept base rate on hold again this month.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5015" date="21 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/last-chance-to-get-one-hundred-pounds-from-alliance-and-leicester_0005015.aspx" title="Last chance to get &amp;#163;100 from A&amp;amp;L" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large1.png" ><![CDATA[Time is running out if you want to earn &pound;100 for switching your current account.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5009" date="21 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/we-help-you-save-rationing-is-back_0005009.aspx" title="We help you save - rationing is back " author="Sian Harrison" category="Shopping" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/shopping-default.asp" forum="99" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Sian_75x85.jpg" ><![CDATA[Remember when it was almost a social faux-pas to haggle over a price, ask for your change or hand over a discount voucher? Well those days are long gone because now to be thrifty is to be fashionable.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="5007" date="21 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-cut-the-cost-of-home-insurance_0005007.aspx" title="How to cut the cost of home insurance " author="Steve Sweeney" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="17" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve-Sweeney_85x75.jpg" ><![CDATA[Many insurers are seeking to attract new customers and capitalise on the fact that home insurance premiums are rising. Incentives such as a 50% discount off the annual premium are rife at the moment. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4992" date="20 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/take-a-stand-against-high-call-costs_0004992.aspx" title="Take a stand against high call costs" author="James Parker " category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="69" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/James_Parker_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Consumers have been paying too much for mobile phone calls for too long. Now is the time to take a stand and put pressure on providers to slash the amount they charge us.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4989" date="19 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/money-makeover-is-richard-the-countrys-best-money-saver_0004989.aspx" title="Is Richard the country's best money saver?" author="Kate Murphy" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kate_Murphy_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[If you know you should be doing more with your finances but never get round to it because there's always something else to do, then Richard Keeble should inspire you to take action now.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4953" date="15 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-your-car-insured-abroad_0004953.aspx" title="Is your car insured abroad?" author="Steve Sweeney" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve-Sweeney_85x75.jpg" ><![CDATA[Motorists planning a trip to continental Europe this Bank Holiday could be hit with a double whammy if they are involved in an accident.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4955" date="15 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/ten-things-you-need-to-know-before-applying-for-a-loan_0004955.aspx" title="10 things you need to know before applying for a loan" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="3" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With redundancy levels rising, thousands of households are having to borrow for the first time.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4954" date="15 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/enjoy-half-term-without-it-breaking-the-bank_0004954.aspx" title="Enjoy half-term without it breaking the bank" author="Clare Francis" category="Travel" subcategory="UK Breaks" channellink="http://www.travelsupermarket.com/link.asp?section=home" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[Keeping the kids entertained during the half-term break can prove a serious strain on family finances.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4956" date="15 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dont-be-stung-by-mobile-charges-this-summer_0004956.aspx" title="Don't be stung by mobile charges this summer" author="James Parker " category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="69" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/James_Parker_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The cost of using your mobile abroad will be slashed when a new European ruling takes effect in July and we could be on the brink of a price war between network providers. However, you still need to be careful about using your mobile when you're on holiday otherwise you might be in for a nasty shock when the bill arrives.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4877" date="14 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/find-a-credit-union-in-the-west-and-south-west_0004877.aspx" title="Find a credit union in the West and South West of England" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Need to find a credit union in the West and South West of England? Here is a list of credit unions in your area...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4895" date="14 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/find-a-credit-union-in-the-midlands_0004895.aspx" title="Find a credit union in the Midlands" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Need to find a credit union in the Midlands? Here is a list of credit unions in your area...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4902" date="14 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/find-a-credit-union-in-the-north-east_0004902.aspx" title="Find a credit union in the North East of England" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Need to find a credit union in the North East of England? Here is a list of credit unions in your area...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4863" date="14 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/find-a-credit-union-in-the-south-and-south-east_0004863.aspx" title="Find a credit union in the South and South East of England" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Need to find a credit union in the South and South East of England ? Here is a list of credit unions in your area...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4897" date="14 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/find-a-credit-union-in-east-anglia-and-lincolnshire_0004897.aspx" title="Find a credit union in East Anglia and Lincolnshire" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Need to find a credit union in East Anglia and Lincolnshire? Here is a list of credit unions in your area...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4904" date="14 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/find-a-credit-union-in-yorkshire_0004904.aspx" title="Find a credit union in Yorkshire" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Need to find a credit union in Yorkshire? Here is a list of credit unions in your area...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4898" date="14 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/find-a-credit-union-in-the-north-west_0004898.aspx" title="Find a credit union in the North West of England" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Need to find a credit union in the North West of England? Here is a list of credit unions in your area...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4862" date="14 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/find-a-credit-union-in-london_0004862.aspx" title="Find a credit union in London" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Need to find a credit union in London? Here is a list of credit unions in your area...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4905" date="14 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/find-a-credit-union-in-scotland_0004905.aspx" title="Find a credit union in Scotland" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Need to find a credit union in Scotland? Here is a list of credit unions in your area...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4906" date="14 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/find-a-credit-union-in-wales_0004906.aspx" title="Find a credit union in Wales" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Need to find a credit union in Wales? Here is a list of credit unions in your area...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4920" date="13 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/get-a-new-credit-card-before-you-jet-abroad_0004920.aspx" title="Get a new credit card before you jet abroad" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With the holiday season just around the corner, Abbey's decision to relaunch its Zero credit card is great news for those heading abroad this summer. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4881" date="08 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savings-rates-rise_0004881.aspx" title="Boost your savings returns by 400 a year" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With interest rates at historic lows, many people will be questioning whether there is any point in saving at the moment. But this is not the time to be sitting back and doing nothing if you are a saver.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4879" date="08 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/good-news-in-the-mortgage-market_0004879.aspx" title="Good news in the mortgage market" author="Louise Cuming" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Louise_Cuming_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England may have kept base rate on hold for a second consecutive month, but that hasn't meant mortgage rates are remaining static. There have been a few rumblings within the troubled mortgage market - and this time they are for the better.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4880" date="08 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/pick-up-sky-plus-for-free_0004880.aspx" title="Pick up Sky+ for free" author="James Parker " category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="77" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/James_Parker_Large.png" ><![CDATA[From our national obsession with mobile phones to our addiction to high-speed internet, every now and then a new form of technology comes along that makes such an impact we can't imagine life without it.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4883" date="08 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/top-tips-for-diy-enthusiasts_0004883.aspx" title="Top tips for DIY enthusiasts" author="Simon James" category="Shopping" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/shopping-default.asp" forum="99" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Simon_James75x85.png" ><![CDATA[DIY is booming and this is due to a number of factors: because of the downturn in the housing market a growing number of people are opting to stay put and do up their existing home, rather than sell in a difficult market. Some are making home improvements in a bid to boost the value of their property, and others are doing jobs themselves rather than paying someone else to do them in a bid to save money.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4866" date="07 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/no-change-in-interest-rates_0004866.aspx" title="No change in interest rates" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[As expected, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted to keep interest rates on hold at 0.5% again this month. The base rate looks set to remain at this level, probably for the rest of this year, but as far as consumers are concerned this does not mean it's a time to sit back and do nothing.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4868" date="07 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/british-gas-cuts-electricity-prices_0004868.aspx" title="British Gas cuts electricity prices" author="Clare Francis" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[Energy giant British Gas has dropped its electricity prices by 10%, a move that will save 4.5 million customers on standard tariffs an average of &pound;46 a year.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4857" date="06 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/money-makeover-symons-family-now-1500-pounds-a-year-better-off_0004857.aspx" title="Money makeover: the Symons family is now &amp;#163;1,500 a year better off" author="Collette Walsh" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="17" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Jo Symons is like a lot of working mums right now - struggling to balance her busy part-time job with the demands of being mum to three-year-old Rosie. Jo, 38, and husband Ray, 46, a full time civil servant, live in a three-bedroomed semi-detached house in Kingston-upon-Thames in Surrey.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4790" date="01 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/ten-ways-to-boost-your-salary_0004790.aspx" title="Ten ways to boost your salary" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[With the recession showing no real sign of abating, it's not the time to be banking on a pay rise.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4785" date="01 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dont-be-forced-to-give-up-your-pet_0004785.aspx" title="Don't be forced to give up your pet" author="Clare Francis" category="Insurance" subcategory="Pet" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/petinsurance/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[The number of people abandoning their pets is soaring and in many cases it's because of financial reasons.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4789" date="01 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/why-travel-insurance-is-a-must_0004789.aspx" title="Why travel insurance is a must" author="Maxine Baker" category="Insurance" subcategory="Travel" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travelinsurance/" forum="66" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Maxine_Baker_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[If you ever thought that travel insurance was a waste of money then the events of the last few weeks will have reminded you just how important it can be.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4794" date="01 May 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/fancy-pocketing-100-pounds_0004794.aspx" title="Fancy pocketing 100?" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[In the current financial climate the chance to pocket an extra &pound;100 could seem too good to be true. But that's exactly what Alliance &amp; Leicester (A&amp;L) is offering new customers.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4714" date="29 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/money-makeover-we-save-financial-planner-dean-over-800-pounds-a-year_0004714.aspx" title="Money makeover: we save financial planner Dean over 800 a year" author="Collette Walsh" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[As a financial planner for a training organisation, Londoner Dean Cove, 38, knows all about budgeting. But when it comes to his own finances, he struggles to be as savvy a saver as he would like.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4708" date="28 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/swine-flu-your-questions-answered_0004708.aspx" title="Swine flu - your questions answered" author="Clare Francis" category="Travel" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.travelsupermarket.com/link.asp?section=home" forum="66" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[Given the concerns about swine flu, the Foreign &amp; Commonwealth Office (FCO) is now advising holidaymakers not to travel to Mexico unless their trip is absolutely essential.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4691" date="27 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/tell-me-about-credit-unions_0004691.aspx" title="Tell me about...Credit Unions" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[Credit unions have enjoyed greater popularity over the last year or so as consumers disappointed by the banks' failure to manage their interests have sought alternative homes for their cash.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4684" date="24 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-savers-can-maximise-returns_0004684.aspx" title="How savers can maximise returns" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large1.png" ><![CDATA[Savers were left disappointed by the Budget. Although the Chancellor announced a &pound;3,000 increase in the annual ISA allowance, it doesn't take effect until October for the over 50s. And those under the age of 50 will have to wait until April 6 next year.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4679" date="24 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/money-makeover-we-save-the-bell-family-2000-pounds_0004679.aspx" title="Money makeover: we save the Bell family 2,000" author="Collette Walsh" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Father-of-two Paul Bell is like countless other parents right now - playing constant catch-up with his monthly finances.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4685" date="24 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-does-the-budget-really-mean-for-you_0004685.aspx" title="What does the Budget really mean for you?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[With the economy in dire straits, many people were expecting to be hit hard by the Budget, but initially it appeared as though most individuals had got off fairly lightly.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4677" date="24 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/watch-out-for-billing-errors_0004677.aspx" title="Watch out for billing errors" author="Clare Francis" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[With finances tight and many of us struggling to keep on top of our monthly bills, the last thing we need is to be paying over the odds for a mistake someone else has made.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4670" date="22 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savers-receive-budget-boost_0004670.aspx" title="Savers receive Budget boost" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Chancellor, Alistair Darling, was under huge pressure to do something for the country's 20 million-or-so savers in the Budget, but did he deliver?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4668" date="22 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/2009-budget-at-a-glance_0004668.aspx" title="2009 Budget at a glance" author="Collette Walsh" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[This year's budget came one month later than usual due to the ongoing financial crisis, so what did Alistair Darling deliver?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4607" date="20 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/money-makeover-we-save-angela-over-1000_0004607.aspx" title="Money makeover: we save Angela over 1,000" author="Collette Walsh" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="77" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[This week's money makeover volunteer is Angela Hanvey who works as an administration manager for a dental practice in Perthshire, Scotland.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4603" date="17 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-choose-the-right-insurance-cover_0004603.aspx" title="How to choose the right insurance cover" author="Collette Walsh" category="Money" subcategory="Income" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/ASU/IncomeProtectionDefault.asp" forum="49" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[With unemployment levels continuing to rise and as the grip of recession shows no sign of loosening, the need to safeguard your financial security with insurance protection is more important than ever.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4586" date="17 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/credit-cards-five-dos-and-donts_0004586.aspx" title="Credit cards - five dos and don'ts" author="Peter Harrison" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Harrison_75x85.jpg" ><![CDATA[Credit cards may be our 'flexible friends' but if we don't use them correctly that friendship can soon turn sour.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4599" date="17 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/top-tips-for-first-time-buyers_0004599.aspx" title="Top tips for first time buyers" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[The scale of the downturn in the housing market has taken most analysts by surprise. But it's been a relief to some - not least aspiring first-time buyers who were despairing at the rate house prices had been surging up until about 18-months ago.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4580" date="17 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/whats-the-best-current-account_0004580.aspx" title="What's the best current account?" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large1.png" ><![CDATA[Current accounts are the stalwart&nbsp;of banking products and you may think they're all pretty much the same. But you'd be wrong. The market has changed significantly in recent years and it is still evolving.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3043" date="16 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-safe-is-your-bank_0003043.aspx" title="How safe is your bank?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[In a further blow to savers' confidence one of the three bank and building society rating agencies, Moody's, has announced it has downgraded nine building societies.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4547" date="09 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-improve-your-credit-score_0004547.aspx" title="How to improve your credit score" author="Peter Harrison" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Harrison_75x85.jpg" ><![CDATA[With banks and building societies having clamped down on who they'll lend to, a good credit score is more important than ever.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4560" date="09 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/are-there-green-shoots-in-the-mortgage-market_0004560.aspx" title="Are there green shoots in the mortgage market?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[The decision by the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to keep interest rates on hold at 0.5% this month was widely expected. In fact most economists believe rates are now as low as they'll go and that they'll remain at this level for the foreseeable future.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4545" date="09 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/slash-pounds-off-your-car-insurance_0004545.aspx" title="Slash pounds off your car insurance" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Do you shop around for car insurance when your policy is up for renewal or do you just renew with your existing provider? If it's the latter, you're not alone but it's time to change your habit.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4549" date="09 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/new-loan-rates-available-from-moneysupermarket_0004549.aspx" title="New loan rates available from moneysupermarket" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="3" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Since the onset of the credit crunch it's become increasingly difficult to borrow money cheaply.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4504" date="03 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/money-makeover-we-saved-sue-900-a-year_0004504.aspx" title="Money makeover: we save Sue 900 a year" author="Collette Walsh" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="17" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Sue Hall, 35, a married, mother-of-two lives in a three-bedroom house in Bristol with husband Andy. She works part-time running an independent publishing company while Andy works in social services.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4509" date="03 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-best-energy-deal-for-your-region_0004509.aspx" title="The best energy deal for your region" author="Collette Walsh" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Most UK households should see their gas and electricity bills come down in the coming months - not only is our consumption likely to fall as we head into summer but the recent price cuts announced by the six major energy providers have also now taken effect.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4512" date="03 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/invest-at-the-start-of-the-tax-year_0004512.aspx" title="Invest at the start of the tax year" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[When it comes to saving it is the early bird that catches the worm and the new tax year - which begins on April 6 - marks the ideal time to open a cash ISA.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4516" date="03 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/tax-allowances-for-2009-2010_0004516.aspx" title="Tax allowances for 2009/2010" author="Collette Walsh" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[In case you're wondering what your tax allowances will be for the next tax year, we have compiled some easy-to-read tables for you. These should provide all the information you need.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4503" date="02 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/easter-travel-money_0004503.aspx" title="Easter travel money" author="Peter Harrison" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Harrison_75x85.jpg" ><![CDATA[We may be willing to cut back on our coffees before work, our nights out and our takeaways but even with the credit crunch in full swing our holidays are the last thing we want to give up.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4499" date="01 April 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/bank-charges-more-twists-and-turns_0004499.aspx" title="Bank charges - more twists and turns" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[Consumers hoping that there would soon be an end to the long-running battle between the banks and Office of Fair Trading about the fairness of overdraft charges look set to be disappointed.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4489" date="31 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/havent-opened-an-isa-yet-dont-wait-until-sunday_0004489.aspx" title="Haven't opened an ISA yet? The countdown is on" author="Collette Walsh" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[The tax year ends at midnight on April 5 and in theory you have until that time to use this year's ISA allowance. However, with April 5 falling on a Sunday this year, in practice the deadline for your ISA application&nbsp;may be earlier.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4467" date="30 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/nationwide-takes-over-dunfermline-building-society_0004467.aspx" title="Nationwide takes over Dunfermline Building Society" author="Collette Walsh" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Dunfermline, Scotland's largest building society, has been rescued in a state backed sale to Nationwide.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4456" date="27 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/where-should-i-put-my-savings_0004456.aspx" title="Where should I put my savings?" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large1.png" ><![CDATA[The nation has become increasingly cash-strapped as the recession deepens. More than a third of consumers have less in savings now than they did two years ago according to an independent survey carried out for moneysupermarket.com.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4461" date="27 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/ten-top-tips-for-savers_0004461.aspx" title="Ten top tips for savers" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[Are you the world's worst saver? Or perhaps you're struggling to make the most of your money in the current low interest rate environment? Our 10 tips for savers should help:]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4450" date="26 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/are-my-savings-safe_0004450.aspx" title="Are my savings safe?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[Dunfermline Building Society is the latest victim of the credit crunch. The ongoing instability of many of Britain's financial institutions has, not surprisingly, unnerved many savers.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4426" date="24 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/get-your-isa-now-its-your-last-chance_0004426.aspx" title="Get your ISA now - it's your last chance" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The tax year ends at midnight on April 5. If you've not made use of this year's ISA allowance by then you'll lose it, so there's no time to waste.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4364" date="20 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-get-faster-broadband_0004364.aspx" title="How to get faster broadband" author="James Parker " category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="77" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/James_Parker_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Industry regulator Ofcom has opened the door for companies to invest in super-fast broadband connections that can deliver speeds up to 10 times the level of today's services.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4366" date="20 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/last-chance-to-earn-100-pounds-by-switching-current-account_0004366.aspx" title="Last chance to earn 100 by switching current account" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The chance to earn 'free money' is always something that will grab people's attention. However, time is running out to pocket 100 pounds just for switching your current account.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4362" date="20 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/beat-the-recession-and-bag-a-bargain_0004362.aspx" title="Beat the recession and bag a bargain" author="Collette Walsh" category="Shopping" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/shopping-default.asp" forum="99" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Whether it's a new car, laptop, handbag or pair of designer sunglasses negotiating a discount on the price is hugely satisfying. And with retailers, car dealers and restaurateurs desperate for our business at the moment, there are bargains galore to be had.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4367" date="20 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-it-time-to-fix-your-savings_0004367.aspx" title="Is it time to fix your savings?" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Even though the Bank of England cut interest rates again this month, a number of banks and building societies have gone against the tide and increased the rates on some savings accounts. This is good news for savers who are struggling to earn a decent return with the base rate at a record low.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4343" date="17 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/moneysupermarket-now-compares-more-insurers_0004343.aspx" title="Moneysupermarket now compares more insurers" author="Clare Francis" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[Moneysupermarket.com has enhanced its motor and home insurance propositions by adding Churchill, Privilege and Virgin Money to its panel of insurers.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4329" date="16 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/npower-finally-announces-price-reductions_0004329.aspx" title="Npower finally announces price reductions" author="Clare Francis" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[Npower has said it will reduce electricity prices at the end of March. The announcement means that all six major energy firms have now laid their cards on the table and confirmed that bills are set to fall. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4310" date="13 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/unbeatable-credit-crunching-holiday-tips_0004310.aspx" title="Credit crunching holiday tips" author="Collette Walsh" category="Travel" subcategory="Travel" channellink="http://www.travelsupermarket.com/link.asp?section=home" forum="66" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_64x64.png" ><![CDATA[It's official - taking a holiday is not only good for the soul, it could be the boost to see us through the gloom and doom of the recession.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4312" date="13 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-choose-a-debt-management-company_0004312.aspx" title="How to choose a debt management company" author="Paul Wilson" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Wilson_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Industry watchdog, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), has taken action against 13 companies which set up repayment plans for people struggling with debt. It stated that the businesses were deliberately misleading customers by using website addresses similar to those of non-profit organisations when they are in fact commercial enterprises. A total of 27 websites have been shut down.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4322" date="13 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/rate-now-the-priority-for-savers_0004322.aspx" title="Rate now the priority for savers" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With the base rate at just 0.5% and latest Bank of England figures revealing the average instant access account was paying 0.17% at the end of February, savers are taking action.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4309" date="13 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/switch-energy-provider-and-save-why-online-tariffs-are-best_0004309.aspx" title="Switch energy provider and save" author="Scott Byrom" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With the weather getting warmer, the days getting longer and gas and electricity prices on the way down, switching your energy provider may not be a priority - but it should be. Most consumers have been paying too much for their energy for too long so it's time to make sure you are no longer one of them.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4253" date="06 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/tips-for-landlords_0004253.aspx" title="Tips for landlords" author="Collette Walsh" category="Insurance" subcategory="Landlord" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/landlord-insurance/" forum="17" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Thousands of homeowners are turning to the rental market as they struggle to sell their property during the recession. As a result, Britain now has a growing nation of 'accidental landlords' - homeowners who are weathering the storm of a falling housing market by renting out their properties.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4270" date="06 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/rate-cut-savers-lose-and-borrowers-dont-win_0004270.aspx" title="Rate cut: Savers lose and borrowers don't win" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[The decision by the Bank of England to reduce the base rate to 0.5% was a bitter blow for savers who have already seen the returns on their money plummet since rates started falling. But the signs aren't good for borrowers either.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4260" date="06 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-choose-a-cash-isa_0004260.aspx" title="How to choose a cash Isa" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large1.png" ><![CDATA[With interest rates at record lows it's more important than ever to maximise the returns on your savings. Cash Isas are therefore well worth taking advantage of because interest is paid tax-free. Yet research from Birmingham Midshires suggests that two thirds of savers will fail to make use of their Isa allowance.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4265" date="06 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/abbey-launches-new-marketing-leading-credit-card_0004265.aspx" title="Abbey launches new market-leading credit card" author="Peter Harrison" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Harrison_75x85.jpg" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England base rate may be at its lowest level in history, but as many credit card holders know to their cost this doesn't necessarily translate into lower borrowing charges.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4252" date="05 March 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/another-unpopular-rate-reduction_0004252.aspx" title="Another unpopular rate reduction" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has voted to cut interest rates again, taking the base rate to 0.5% - another all time low. We're still not quite at zero, but even so today's announcement won't be widely welcomed.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4139" date="27 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/credit-crunch-crimewave-protect-your-home_0004139.aspx" title="Credit crunch crimewave - protect your home" author="Collette Walsh" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="68" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Cases of burglary tend to rise during times of economic hardship, yet millions of households are leaving themselves exposed because they have no insurance.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4144" date="27 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/good-news-for-savers-at-last_0004144.aspx" title="Good news for savers at last?" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With interest rates having been cut every month since October, there's been little in the way of good news for savers as they've seen their returns plummet. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4142" date="27 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/money-makeover-we-save-single-mum-750-pounds-a-year_0004142.aspx" title="Money makeover: we save single mum 750 a year " author="Clare Francis" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Linda Dawson, 49, was one of many hundreds of moneysupermarket.com customers to get in touch when we asked for monthly money makeover volunteers. Linda, a project manager, lives in a three-bedroom house in Crawley in Sussex and her present mortgage deal is about to end.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4143" date="27 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-choose-a-loan_0004143.aspx" title="How to choose a loan" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="3" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[While most of the headlines during the global economic crisis have centred on the difficulties borrowers have in obtaining mortgages, what has often been overlooked is how hard it has become to obtain smaller loans.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4148" date="27 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/scottish-power-to-cut-energy-prices_0004148.aspx" title="Scottish Power to cut energy prices" author="Clare Francis" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Scottish Power is to reduce its gas and electricity prices at the end of March.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4136" date="26 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/are-bank-charge-refunds-finally-on-the-way_0004136.aspx" title="Are bank charge refunds finally on the way?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[Consumers are another step closer to having bank charges refunded after the High Court threw out an appeal by the banks.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4116" date="23 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/northern-rock-to-start-lending-again_0004116.aspx" title="Northern Rock to start lending again" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[Having been effectively closed to mortgage business since its nationalisation last year, the Government has announced that Northern Rock will start lending again. But will this be enough to end the mortgage drought that is currently strangling the housing market?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4102" date="20 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savers-how-to-flight-low-interest-rates_0004102.aspx" title="Savers: how to fight low interest rates" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Pressure is mounting for the Government to do something to help the plight of savers. Our editor, Clare Francis, attended a BBC Money Matters roadshow in Manchester last week and was one of a number of experts offering help to members of the public.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4101" date="20 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/looking-for-a-loan-read-this-first_0004101.aspx" title="Looking for a loan? Read this first" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="3" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With the Office of National Statistics reporting that the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance leapt from 77,900 to 1.16million in December, and jobless rates hitting their highest levels since 1999, more and more people are struggling to make ends meet. &nbsp;However, many of those who thought a personal loan might bridge the gap until they get a new job are being forced to think again.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4100" date="20 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/car-insurance-dont-pay-more-than-you-need_0004100.aspx" title="Car insurance - don't pay more than you need" author="Collette Walsh" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[We're coming up to one of the busiest times of the year for buying car insurance. However, most drivers will fail to shop around for cover and as a result, will end up paying over the odds. Motorists can make an average saving of &pound;152 a year by taking the time to shop around and compare premiums.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4088" date="18 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/its-time-to-switch-your-energy-provider_0004088.aspx" title="It's time to switch your energy provider" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Ever since British Gas became the first energy supplier to announce it was reducing gas prices this year,&nbsp;the message to customers has been: 'wait before you switch'.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4056" date="17 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/northern-rock-one-year-on_0004056.aspx" title="Northern Rock one year on..." author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[The headlines over the past few days have been dominated by the possibility of Lloyds Banking Group being nationalised. But what's happened to Northern Rock, the first bank that was taken under the Government's control?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4042" date="13 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/more-energy-price-cuts_0004042.aspx" title="More energy price cuts" author="Collette Walsh" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[E.ON and EDF Energy are the latest gas and electricity providers to announce price reductions. With four out of the six major providers now having confirmed lower prices it will soon be time for households to switch their tariffs and maximise the savings on their energy bills.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4046" date="13 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/why-it-is-still-worth-saving_0004046.aspx" title="Why it's still worth saving" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Latest figures from the Bank of England revealed that savings rates are at a record low and while expressing sympathy for savers, the Governor of the Bank suggested that further rate cuts were inevitable in the battle to bring the country out of recession.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4038" date="13 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/virgin-launches-new-market-leading-mobile_0004038.aspx" title="Virgin launches new market-leading mobile" author="James Parker " category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="69" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/James_Parker_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Could mobile phones be more important than holding on to our homes? According to a survey by O2, some customers consider keeping up with their mobile bills more important than their mortgage commitments in this difficult financial climate.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4047" date="13 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-choose-a-current-account_0004047.aspx" title="How to choose a current account" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large2.png" ><![CDATA[There's a common misconception that all current accounts are pretty much the same so it doesn't really matter who you bank with. As a result most of us have never changed provider and have an account with one of the big four banks - Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds (which is the newly formed banking group following the merger of Lloyds TSB and Halifax Bank of Scotland) and Royal Bank of Scotland (which owns Natwest).]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4043" date="13 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/top-tips-when-buying-a-new-car_0004043.aspx" title="Top tips when buying a new car" author="Collette Walsh" category="Motoring" subcategory="New Cars" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/motoring/" forum="67" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[The recession is taking its toll on the car market. Latest figures revealed the number of new cars registered in January was 31% lower than in January last year and Nissan has announced 20,000 job cuts worldwide with its chief executive having described the global auto industry as being 'in turmoil'.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3118" date="12 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/who-owns-who_0003118.aspx" title="Who owns who?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Many savers are feeling unnerved. The collapse of the Icelandic banks and ongoing turmoil in the British banking sector has resulted in nervousness over whether or not the money individuals have with banks and building societies is safe.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3782" date="12 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-has-your-lender-responded-to-the-recent-rate-cuts_0003782.aspx" title="How has your lender responded to the rate cuts?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England has slashed interest rates by&nbsp;4.5 percentage points since October, taking the Bank rate from 5% to 0.5%. But despite the Government urging mortgage providers to pass on the rate cuts in full, many haven't.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4031" date="11 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/kaupthing-savers-given-two-options_0004031.aspx" title="Kaupthing savers given two options" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Around 160,000 former Kaupthing Edge customers whose savings accounts are now run by ING Direct have been given two options as to what will happen to their accounts going forward. We evaluate the choice to help you decide which road to take.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4018" date="06 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-now-for-savers_0004018.aspx" title="What now for savers?" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With interest rates getting ever closer to zero, the plight of savers worsens. The decision by the Bank of England to cut interest rates again was the last thing savers wanted - or needed.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4017" date="06 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/time-to-play-your-cards-right_0004017.aspx" title="Time to play your cards right" author="Peter Harrison" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Harrison_75x85.jpg" ><![CDATA[If January is the month that many of us resolve to clear our credit card debts then perhaps February should be the month that we finally put those plans into action.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4019" date="06 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-choose-a-mortgage_0004019.aspx" title="How to choose a mortgage" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The mortgage market has changed hugely as a result of the credit crunch and financial crisis. And even though the Bank of England has slashed interest rates to record lows, which should be great news for borrowers, life isn't all rosy in the mortgage world.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4023" date="06 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/scottish-and-southern-cuts-energy-prices_0004023.aspx" title="Scottish &amp; Southern cuts energy prices" author="Collette Walsh" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[In the midst of the big freeze, Scottish &amp; Southern Energy has brought some warming news to cash-strapped Brits by announcing fuel price cuts for both gas and electricity customers.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4013" date="05 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/will-anyone-benefit-from-this-months-rate-cut_0004013.aspx" title="Will anyone benefit from this month's rate cut?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has voted to cut interest rates again, taking the base rate to 1.0% - its lowest level ever.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4008" date="02 February 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/advice-for-motorists-as-the-big-freeze-bites_0004008.aspx" title="Advice for motorists as the big freeze bites" author="Collette Walsh" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[Insurance companies are bracing themselves for a huge surge in the number of motor insurance claims as Britain is hit by the heaviest snow fall in 20 years. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3998" date="30 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-choose-a-credit-card_0003998.aspx" title="How to choose a credit card" author="Peter Harrison" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Harrison_75x85.jpg" ><![CDATA[If there's one question that no financial expert can answer it's: 'what's the best credit card?' There isn't a single&nbsp;credit card that is perfect for every customer - instead the question they should ask is: 'which credit card is right for me?'.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4000" date="30 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/get-ready-to-switch-your-energy-provider_0004000.aspx" title="Get ready to switch your energy provider" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Expect to see a flurry of activity in the utilities market over the coming weeks. With British Gas having announced a 10% reduction in its gas prices, the other five major energy providers are likely to announce price cuts imminently. Once they have all put their cards on the table, it will be time for the nation to get switching. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="4001" date="30 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/monthly-makeover---we-save-natalie-and-alex-1150-pounds-a-year_0004001.aspx" title="Monthly makeover - we save Natalie and Alex 1,150 a year" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Natalie McGurk, 27, was one of the hundreds of people who contacted moneysupermarket.com requesting a financial makeover. She and her boyfriend, Alex Simpson, 19, know only too well how redundancy can wreak havoc on your finances.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3999" date="30 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/been-made-redundant-here's-what-to-do_0003999.aspx" title="Been made redundant? Here's what to do" author="Collette Walsh" category="Money" subcategory="Income" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="49" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Collette_75x85.png" ><![CDATA[If you are one of the many thousands of workers up and down the country to be told you're out of a job, help is at hand. With money tight, making sure you are getting everything you are entitled to is paramount.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3915" date="23 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/will-the-latest-bailout-end-the-mortgage-crisis_0003915.aspx" title="Will the latest bailout end the mortgage crisis?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[There was hope that the latest rescue package put forward by the Government to shore up the banking industry would instil some confidence in the market and get institutions lending again. But will it work and help bring an end to the mortgage shortage that is crippling the housing market?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3911" date="23 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/why-pet-insurance-is-a-must-have_0003911.aspx" title="Why pet insurance is a must-have" author="Clare Francis" category="Insurance" subcategory="Pet" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/petinsurance/" forum="68" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Pet insurance is one of those products that many people - often non-pet owners or those who are new to the pet-owning fraternity - scoff at as a non-essential waste of money. But if you've ever had to take your pet to the vet's for more than just the flea and worming treatment or the annual vaccinations you'll know insurance can be worth its weight in gold.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3909" date="23 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/switch-broadband-and-save-money_0003909.aspx" title="Switch broadband and save money" author="James Parker " category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="77" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/James_Parker_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Many of us commit to performing a financial makeover in the New Year as we move to new insurance deals, find better rates on our credit cards and loans and even consider remortgaging our homes. However, incredibly, more than four out of five of us are overlooking one of the easiest ways to save - switching broadband provider.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3912" date="23 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-choose-a-savings-account_0003912.aspx" title="How to choose a savings account" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Interest rates are at a record low and further rate cuts are possible in the coming months making life tough for savers. That said, there is a big gap between the average savings rate and the rates on the best deals, so it's well worth looking into whether or not you can boost the return on your money.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3902" date="22 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-save-energy-and-slash-fuel-bills_0003902.aspx" title="How to save energy and slash fuel bills" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The announcement by British Gas that its gas prices will be cut by 10% next month is great news, and there should be more good news to come as the other major energy firms follow suit. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3901" date="22 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/british-gas-to-cut-gas-prices-by-10-per-cent_0003901.aspx" title="British Gas to cut gas prices by 10%" author="Clare Francis" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[At last some good news for the millions of homeowners struggling to pay their energy bills. British Gas, the country's largest residential supplier, has announced that it will be cutting its standard gas prices by 10% from February 19.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3885" date="21 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/britannia-and-co-operative-to-merge_0003885.aspx" title="Britannia and Co-operative to merge" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[First it was the creation of Britain's first super-bank with the merger of Lloyds TSB and HBOS, now Britannia Building Society and Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) have confirmed that they plan to merge to create a 'super-mutual'.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3876" date="19 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-does-the-latest-bank-bailout-mean_0003876.aspx" title="What does the latest bank bailout mean?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Government has announced a further rescue package for British banks as it desperately seeks to stop the system collapsing and tries to get them lending again. If successful it could prove a pivotal moment in the financial crisis, but with hundreds of billions of pounds of taxpayers' money at risk the stakes are high.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3871" date="16 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/anglo-irish-bank-nationalised---what-does-this-mean_0003871.aspx" title="Anglo-Irish Bank nationalised - what does this mean?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[In case we needed reminding, developments over the last 24 hours indicate that the financial crisis is far from over: the UK Government is reported to be considering the creation of a 'bad bank' which will take on many of the risky loans that are being blamed for the ongoing credit crisis; the Bank of America is to receive a further $20billion bail out; another American banking giant, Citigroup, has announced it is to split the company into two having suffered $8.29billion last year; and the Irish Government has nationalised Anglo Irish Bank.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3870" date="16 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/top-tips-to-clear-your-christmas-debts_0003870.aspx" title="Top tips to clear your Christmas debts" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Christmas bills will now be dropping through the letter box, but for many people the prospect of how they're going to cover the cost of their spending will be filling them with dread.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3869" date="16 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/act-now-if-you-want-a-balance-transfer-card_0003869.aspx" title="Act now if you want a balance transfer card" author="Peter Harrison" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Harrison_75x85.jpg" ><![CDATA[We may be midway through January but many of us are still nursing a Christmas hangover after overdoing it with our credit and store cards over the festive season.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3868" date="16 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/earn-pounds-for-your-old-mobile_0003868.aspx" title="Earn pounds for your old mobile" author="James Parker " category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="69" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/James_Parker_Large.png" ><![CDATA[If you got up to a new mobile phone in your Christmas stocking you might be wondering what to do with the old one. Throw it away, perhaps? Or push it to the back of a drawer 'just in case' you need it someday?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3867" date="16 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-protect-your-home-and-car-from-winter-perils_0003867.aspx" title="How to protect your home and car from winter perils" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="17" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[We may have thawed out after the recent big freeze but further cold snaps can't be ruled out. Home and motor insurance claims soar following bouts of extreme weather so how can you protect yourself in case the country is plunged into ice-cold temperatures again?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3856" date="09 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/consumers-say-'no'-to-more-rate-cuts_0003856.aspx" title="Consumers say 'no' to more rate cuts" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Interest rates are at an all time low and some economists think they'll have to go lower in the months to come as the Government and the Bank of England try desperately to get the economy out of recession.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3855" date="09 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/change-your-daily-spending-habits-and-save-100-of-pounds_00003855.aspx" title="Change your daily spending habits and save &amp;#163;100s" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Do you know exactly where your money goes every month? With many of us paying for things by direct debit or standing order and using a debit card instead of cash, even for small purchases, it's easy to lose track of your spending. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3854" date="09 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/ten-top-tips-to-cut-insurance-costs_0003854.aspx" title="Ten top tips to cut insurance costs" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/insurance/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[If you're in the money saving mood this January then don't ignore your insurance. Whether it's motor, home, travel, life or income protection insurance there are simple ways of minimising the amount you pay without sacrificing the level of cover you receive.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3853" date="09 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/keep-warm-granny's-way_0003853.aspx" title="Keep warm Granny's way" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Heating" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With the country having been plunged into sub-zero temperatures over the last week, it's no surprise that the energy providers seem to be in no hurry to reduce gas and electricity prices. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3848" date="08 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/bad-news-for-savers-as-interest-rates-fall-again_0003848.aspx" title="Bad news for savers as interest rates fall again" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Savers were dealt another blow today when the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted to cut interest rates for the fourth consecutive month. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3835" date="02 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/give-yourself-a-financial-healthcheck_0003835.aspx" title="Give yourself a financial healthcheck" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Sorting out your finances is one of those things that you know you should do, but, if you're like millions of others, you never quite get round to it, because there's always an excuse as to why it can be left until another day. Well, make 2009 the year when those excuses stop.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3834" date="02 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/switch-current-account-and-pocket-100-pounds_0003834.aspx" title="Switch current account and pocket &amp;#163;100" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[It's a new year and we're seeing a new battle in the current account market with Alliance &amp; Leicester (A&amp;L) aiming to attract new customers by offering them money if they transfer their account over to the bank.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3833" date="02 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/watch-out-for-broadband's-hidden-rip-offs_0003833.aspx" title="Watch out for broadband's hidden rip-offs" author="James Parker " category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="77" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/James_Parker_Large.png" ><![CDATA[So it's the new-year and you've set yourself a resolution to get your finances in check. Finding a cheap broadband deal seems like a great place to start - as long as you have a rough idea about the speed you need and whether or not you can put up with a download cap then comparing products is easy. Simply pick the cheapest for your needs and you're on your way.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3832" date="02 January 2009" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-slash-your-energy-bills_0003832.aspx" title="How to slash your energy bills" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Energy firms are facing mounting pressure to cut their prices but consumers are being warned that they may have to wait months to see their gas and electricity bills come down.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3823" date="23 December 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/check-your-cover-before-you-hit-the-slopes_0003823.aspx" title="Check your cover before you hit the slopes" author="Clare Francis" category="Insurance" subcategory="Ski Holidays" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/ClareF_50x50.jpg" ><![CDATA[With the winter chill having hit early there are already some great skiing conditions in many of Europe's main resorts. And despite the fact the falling pound will add to the cost of hitting the slopes this winter, it appears as though millions of us are still planning take to the pistes.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3816" date="19 December 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/moneysupermarket-twelve-days-of-christmas_0003816.aspx" title="Moneysupermarket.com's 12 days of Christmas" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="67" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[We hope you've enjoyed our articles and videos this year and have found them useful. To round the year off, here's our take on the 12 days of Christmas...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3815" date="18 December 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/which-car-insurance-comparison-site-is-the-best_0003815.aspx" title="Which car insurance comparison site is the best?" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Comparison sites are a great way of getting a better deal on all your finances. Independent consumer champion and and freelance journalist, Mike Naylor, reviews six of the biggest car insurance comparison websites and shares his opinion...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3809" date="17 December 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/moneysupermarket-announces-new-chief-executive_0003809.aspx" title="Moneysupermarket.com announces new chief executive" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/ClareF_50x50.jpg" ><![CDATA[moneysupermarket.com has today announced the appointment of a new chief executive (CEO) after Simon Nixon, the current CEO and founder of the comparison site, confirmed he will be taking on a new role as executive deputy chairman.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3799" date="12 December 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savings-set-to-surge_0003799.aspx" title="Savings set to surge" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Interest rates are plummeting - the Bank of England has slashed rates from 5% to 2% since October and further cuts seem likely with some economists believing interest rates could fall to zero. You might think this may put people off saving, but our latest poll suggests otherwise.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3798" date="12 December 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/loan-rates-reach-record-highs_0003798.aspx" title="Borrowers beware - Loan rates reach record highs" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="3" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[If you thought that you could buy now and pay later by heaping the cost of Christmas on to store cards, credit cards and even dipping into your overdraft then it may be time to think again.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3797" date="12 December 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-get-more-for-your-calls_0003797.aspx" title="How to get more for your calls" author="James Parker " category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="69" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/James_Parker_Large.png" ><![CDATA[High street retailers may be experiencing a festive freeze this Christmas but there is no sign of consumers leaving the mobile phone industry on hold.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3796" date="12 December 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/bag-your-last-minute-christmas-bargains_0003796.aspx" title="Bag your last minute Christmas bargains" author="Rob Barnes" category="Shopping" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/shopping-default.asp" forum="99" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Where did the time go? Just weeks ago many of us were looking around the high street and contemplating starting our Christmas shopping only to shrug our shoulders with a dismissive, 'nah, it's not even December yet'.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3776" date="05 December 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-rates-could-fall-to-zero_0003776.aspx" title="Interest rates could fall to zero" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With a deepening recession gripping the country, the Government and Bank of England are doing all they can to prevent it turning into a prolonged depression.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3775" date="05 December 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/ten-tips-for-avoiding-arrears_0003775.aspx" title="10 tips for avoiding arrears" author="Louise Cuming" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Louise_Cuming_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) show that 11,300 homes were repossessed in the third quarter of the year - 12% higher than during the previous quarter - prompting a series of warnings to heavy-handed lenders.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3774" date="05 December 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/hey-big-spender-switch-that-card_0003774.aspx" title="Hey big spender, switch that card" author="Peter Harrison" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Harrison_75x85.jpg" ><![CDATA[We may be in the midst of a global economic crisis, but try telling that to frenzied shoppers dashing around the high street to grab the ultimate Christmas gift.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3773" date="05 December 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/cover-up-at-home_0003773.aspx" title="Cover up at home" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="17" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Christmas may be the time of year to open your doors to friends and family, but leave that door open for too long and you never know who might sneak inside.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3770" date="04 December 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-rates-fall-to-2-per-cent_0003770.aspx" title="Interest rates fall to 2%" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has again responded to calls from industry by voting to cut interest rates by one per cent, taking the Bank rate to 2%.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3768" date="03 December 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-does-the-queen's-speech-mean-for-you_0003768.aspx" title="What does the Queen's Speech mean for you?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Government plans for the financial services sector were outlined in The Queen's Speech today.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3764" date="03 December 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/new-star-fading-out_0003764.aspx" title="New Star fading out?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/businessfinance/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[There has been a lot of media coverage recently about the problems at high profile investment management company New Star Asset management - so it's little wonder that investors are worried.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3748" date="28 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/desperately-seeking-secure-savings_0003748.aspx" title="Desperately seeking secure savings" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Unless you've been living under a rock for the last six months you have probably become more knowledgeable about the security of your savings. So it came as no surprise when 96% of respondents in our exclusive survey stated that they were more aware of savings security now than six months ago. However, what was surprising was just how many people now rank security above interest rate.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3747" date="28 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/current-account-rates-slashed_0003747.aspx" title="Current account rates slashed" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="7" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With the media focus firmly on mortgage and savings rates since the November 1.5% interest rate cut, banks and building societies have been quietly adjusting their current account rates in what could be considered a revenue-boosting move.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3746" date="28 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/shop-smart-and-safe-online_0003746.aspx" title="Shop smart and safe online" author="Rob Barnes" category="Shopping" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/shopping-default.asp" forum="99" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[It saves you time and it saves you money - you can bet if they have computers on the North Pole, even Santa Claus would do it.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3745" date="28 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/car-insurance---cover-not-cost_0003745.aspx" title="Car insurance - cover not cost" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The average car insurance premium is now a whopping &pound;724.28, according to the AA British Insurance Premium Index. But don't be tempted to cut corners on your cover, as you can get the right policy at the right price - as long as you know how.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3736" date="25 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/pre-budget-report---what-it-means-for-you_0003736.aspx" title="Pre-Budget Report - what it means for you" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[This year more than ever, all eyes were on the Chancellor for the Pre-Budget Report - and it offered the usual carrots and sticks. Immediate VAT cuts, followed by future tax hikes were widely anticipated, as was the fact that high earners would be hardest hit.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3732" date="24 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/pre-budget-report-2008---at-a-glance_0003732.aspx" title="Pre-Budget Report 2008 - at a glance" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Chancellor, Alistair Darling, has delivered a Pre-Budget Report designed to help us all cope with the looming recession. Good, bad or irrelevant? Here's our at-a-glance guide...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3726" date="21 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/top-ten-winter-holiday-tips_0003726.aspx" title="Top 10 winter holiday tips" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travel-money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Millions of us will be heading off on holiday over the coming weeks and months. Whether the plan is to top up your tan, hit the ski slopes or head off for a city break, your spending money won't stretch as far as it would have done a few months ago.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3725" date="21 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/credit-card-pitfalls_0003725.aspx" title="Credit card pitfalls" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[How clued up are you on the small print of your credit card agreement? You might think credit cards are easy to use and easy to understand but there are numerous ways the unwary consumers could be caught out.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3724" date="21 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-to-do-with-your-mortgage-savings_0003724.aspx" title="What to do with your mortgage savings" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[At last, some good news for the millions of householders who've been finding it tough to make ends meet. Inflation is edging back down and further interest rate cuts are on the horizon. For many, financial pressures are finally easing.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3723" date="21 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/don't-delay-switch-energy-provider-today_0003723.aspx" title="Don't delay: Switch energy provider today" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Are you on your energy provider's standard tariff and do you still pay when the quarterly bill arrives? If the answer is yes to one or both of those questions then it's time to switch supplier because you are paying over the odds for your gas and electricity.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3710" date="14 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/borrowers-stung-by-high-mortgage-rates_0003710.aspx" title="Borrowers stung by high mortgage rates" author="Louise Cuming" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Louise_Cuming_Large.png" ><![CDATA[In the fallout of this month's interest rate cut, attention has focused on whether lenders are passing on the full 1.5 percentage point reduction to existing borrowers. But what about those looking for a new mortgage?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3709" date="14 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-survive-the-credit-crunch-christmas_0003709.aspx" title="How to survive the credit crunch Christmas" author="Clare Francis" category="Shopping" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/shopping-default.asp" forum="99" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Many households will be dreading Christmas this year, worrying about how they'll cover the costs. However, with a bit of planning and perhaps a little ingenuity, there is no reason why, just because money is tight, this festive season should be any less enjoyable than previous years.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3708" date="14 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/where-to-invest-your-icesave-cash_0003708.aspx" title="Where to invest your Icesave cash" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large1.png" ><![CDATA[Over the next few weeks the 200,000 savers who deposited money in around 300,000 Icesave accounts, should have their funds returned to them via the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3707" date="14 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/20-tips-to-cut-the-cost-of-car-insurance_0003707.aspx" title="20 tips to cut the cost of car insurance" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With petrol prices falling, there is at last some good news for motorists but unfortunately cheaper fuel doesn't answer all the prayers of car drivers. The cost of driving and running a car continues to rise with recent research from Sainsbury's Bank having revealed that drivers have seen annual motoring costs rise to an average of &pound;2,543.85.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3702" date="13 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-we-saved-MP-10,000-pounds_0003702.aspx" title="How we saved MP &amp;#163;10,000" author="Clare Francis" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="13" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The experts at moneysupermarket.com are never people to turn down a challenge and following a meeting with the Liberal Democrat MP, Mark Oaten, a few weeks ago we pledged to save him a few thousand pounds by evaluating his finances and identifying how to reduce his outgoings.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3697" date="12 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-rates-'to-fall-further'_0003697.aspx" title="Interest rates 'to fall further'" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England has signalled that homeowners and borrowers could see interest rates at record lows next year as policymakers battle to lift the UK out of recession.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3693" date="12 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/firm-planning-energy-price-cuts_0003693.aspx" title="Firm planning energy price cuts" author="" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Household energy bills could be cut early next year if plans by the UK's second biggest energy supplier go ahead.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3692" date="12 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/lloyds-increases-tracker-margins_0003692.aspx" title="Lloyds increases tracker margins" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[New mortgage customers with Lloyds TSB are bearing the brunt of higher margins on the bank's tracker mortgages following last week's interest rate cut.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3404" date="11 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/Abbey-to-pass-on-interest-rate-cut_0003404.aspx" title="Abbey to pass on interest-rate cut" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Most of last week's 1.5% cut in the interest rate is to be passed on by Abbey after it relaunches its variable tracker mortgages.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3403" date="07 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/tips-for-savers-and-borrowers-as-interest-rates-fall_0003403.aspx" title="Tips for savers and borrowers as interest rates fall" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) isn't known for maverick behaviour. In fact it's been regarded as a fairly predictable beast - increasing or decreasing interest rates on an incremental basis, by a quarter-point here and a quarter-point there. But it's shown a different side to itself recently.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3402" date="06 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/save-a-bundle-in-the-mobile-and-broadband-jungle_0003402.aspx" title="Save a bundle in the mobile and broadband jungle" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="77" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[We are a nation of technology addicts with more than 80 million mobile phones in use among a population of just over 60 million, and more than half of UK homes are now hooked up to broadband, according to industry regulator Ofcom. However, it seems our dedication to technology is not matched by fervour to find the best deals with millions wasting cash with packages that don't reflect their needs.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3401" date="06 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/are-the-days-of-0-per-cent-credit-cards-numbered_003401.aspx" title="Are the days of 0% credit cards numbered?" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[While mortgage and personal loan deals have taken the brunt of the global financial crisis with the availability of competitive deals decreasing, the credit card market has remained comparatively steady. However, when a major provider such as Capital One announces it is withdrawing its 0% balance transfer deals from the market, consumers become understandably nervous.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3400" date="06 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/supermarket-bills-are-coming-down_0003400.aspx" title="Supermarket bills are coming down" author="Clare Francis" category="Shopping" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/shopping-default.asp" forum="99" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[At last there's some good news for shoppers. Having been hit from all sides by soaring bills, food prices at last seem to be edging down, which couldn't come at a better time, given that Christmas is only weeks away.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3399" date="06 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-the-rate-cut-means-for-you_0003399.aspx" title="What the rate cut means for you" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Well, economists had been calling for the Bank of England to take drastic action in the battle against recession and cut interest rates significantly, but few expected the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to reduce Bank rate by the amount it has.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3398" date="06 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-rates-fall-to-3-per-cent_0003398.aspx" title="Interest rates fall to 3%" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Economists had been calling for the Bank of England to take drastic action in its battle against recession and it has done just that. The Monetary Policy Committee surprised the City when it voted to cut interest rates by 1.5 percentage points today.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3397" date="05 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/rate-cut-`might-not-be-passed-on`_0003397.aspx" title="Rate cut `might not be passed on`" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The 0.5% to 1% interest-rate cut expected from the Bank of England on Thursday is unlikely to be passed on in full to borrowers.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3396" date="05 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/uk-energy-users-'being-clobbered'_0003396.aspx" title="UK energy users 'being clobbered'" author="" category="Utilities" subcategory="Heating" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[UK energy users are 'being clobbered faster and harder than those in Europe', according to Ed Mayo, chief executive of Government watchdog Consumer Focus.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3395" date="04 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savings-confusion---questions-and-answers_0003395.aspx" title="Savings confusion - Q&amp;amp;A" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large1.png" ><![CDATA[With many Icesave customers struggling to get through to advisers at the collapsed bank or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), confusion and concern exists about how and when they'll be able to access their money. The crisis in Iceland has also focused the attention on the security of savings for those with money in other institutions. We aim to clear up some of the confusion by answering the key questions. 
<p></p>]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3394" date="04 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/good-news-for-icesave-customers_0003394.aspx" title="Good news for Icesave customers" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The 300,000 account holders with Icesave are a step closer to having their money returned.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3392" date="04 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/Banks-urged-to-pass-on-rate-cuts_0003392.aspx" title="Banks urged to pass on rate cuts" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Business Secretary Peter Mandelson has warned that a failure by banks to pass on any cut in interest rates to their customers would leave the public 'surprised and disappointed'.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3391" date="04 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/Building-societies-in-16bn-merger_0003391.aspx" title="Building societies in &amp;#163;16bn merger" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The merger of Skipton Building Society with troubled Scarborough Building Society will create a top-five institution with 860,000 members and &pound;16 billion of assets.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3390" date="03 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/Lloyds-HBOS-bank-'the-UK's-biggest'_0003390.aspx" title="Lloyds-HBOS bank 'the UK's biggest'" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Britain's biggest bank will be known as Lloyds Banking Group if the Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) and Lloyds TSB merger goes ahead.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3389" date="03 November 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/Energy firms 'neglecting customers'_0003389.aspx" title="Energy firms 'neglecting customers'" author="" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Rising energy bills and poor communication from suppliers have sent customer satisfaction levels plunging, research has found.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3388" date="31 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/Why-savers-need-to-be-vigilant_0003388.aspx" title="Why savers need to be vigilant" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[We saw the Bank of England reduce interest rates by half a point in October and another cut is expected on Thursday. Many economists are warning that Bank rate will have to fall significantly if the UK is to avoid a prolonged recession.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3387" date="30 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/recycle-your-old-phone-and-ring-in-the-pounds_0003387.aspx" title="Recycle your old phone and ring in the pounds" author="James Parker " category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="69" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/James_Parker_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With the credit crunch biting, even the most fashion conscious consumers are considering cutting back on the latest trends in an effort to save. However, when it comes to mobile phones you needn't sacrifice the hottest new looks to save some money, because getting rid of your old phone could actually make you some cash.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3385" date="30 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-safe-is-your-home_0003385.aspx" title="How safe is your home?" author="Peter Gerrard" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="17" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Gerrard_Large.png" ><![CDATA[If you thought that Halloween was the only time to be on guard against things that go bump in the night, then think again. Research shows that home burglaries typically leap by 20% during the winter months - and some of us should be more worried about that than others.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3384" date="30 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/top-tips-if-you're-struggling-with-debt_0003384.aspx" title="Top tips if you're struggling with debt" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="129" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Debt problems are becoming a stark reality for an increasing number of people. The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) has told moneysupermarket.com that they've seen a 30% increase in the number of people seeking advice in the last six months, and with recession looming the situation is likely to get even worse.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3382" date="30 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/record-house-price-falls_0003382.aspx" title="Record house price falls" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[House prices have plunged 14.6% during the year to the end of October, according to the Nationwide Building Society.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3381" date="29 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/new-smart-meters-for-every-home_0003381.aspx" title="New smart meters for every home" author="" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="70" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The Government has unveiled ambitious new plans to install gas and electricity 'smart meters' in every home across the UK by 2020.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3380" date="29 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/text-message-use-continues-to-soar_0003380.aspx" title="Text message use continues to soar" author="" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="69" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Despite most industries feeling the pinch of the credit crunch, new figures have shown the number of text and picture messages sent by UK mobile phone users continues to soar.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3379" date="28 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/millions-could-face-negative-equity_0003379.aspx" title="Millions could face negative equity" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The number of people having their homes repossessed because they are unable to meet their mortgage payments has soared. New figures from the Financial Services Authority, the city watchdog, revealed a 71% increase in the three months from April and June.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3378" date="28 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/number-of-home-repossessions-soars_0003378.aspx" title="Number of home repossessions soars" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="5" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[New figures show the number of homes being repossessed as the credit crunch bites has rocketed by 71%.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3377" date="28 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/630245120956441B998987E3A5D2E814.aspx" title="Banks face global-crisis rethink" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The global financial crisis means that UK banks may face stringent new checks and balances in a 'fundamental rethink'of risk, the Bank of England (BoE)has said.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3374" date="28 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/bank-customers-turn-to-safe-abbey_0003374.aspx" title="Bank customers turn to 'safe' Abbey" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[High-street bank Abbey has seen new deposits increase by 70% this year as customers shop around to find a safe haven for their cash.<br />]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3373" date="27 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/'Use-credit-cards-to-protect-cash'_0003373.aspx" title="'Use credit cards to protect cash'" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="4" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Consumers are being advised to use their credit cards in order to protect themselves and their purchases in the event of firms going bust.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3051" date="24 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/figures-point-to-likely-recession_0003051.aspx" title="Figures point to likely recession" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Official figures have revealed that the UK's economy shrunk by 0.5% between July and September, meaning that a prospective recession is now looming large.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3050" date="24 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/mortgage-approvals-rise-by-10-per-cent_0003050.aspx" title="Mortgage approvals rise by 10 per cent" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A 10% rise in home-loan deals and an increase in net mortgage lending during September has been reported by the British Bankers' Association.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3049" date="23 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/ten-tips-to-cut-energy-bills_0003049.aspx" title="Ten tips to cut energy bills" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Pressure is mounting on energy companies to reduce their prices as Gordon Brown called for a reduction in charges in line with a fall in oil and wholesale gas prices.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3048" date="23 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/it's-time-to-be-savvy-with-credit-cards_0003048.aspx" title="It's time to be savvy with credit cards" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Consumers may be struggling to make ends meet as the credit crunch continues to bite, but don't expect any sympathy from the credit card providers.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3047" date="23 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-to-do-if-you're-struggling-to-pay-your-mortgage_0003047.aspx" title="What to do if you're struggling to pay your mortgage" author="Louise Cuming" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Louise_Cuming_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Latest figures revealed the economy shrank for the first time in 16 years between July and September. If we have another quarter of negative growth, we will officially be in recession. Economists have been warning for sometime that we are on the brink of what could be a prolonged downturn, and this has also now been recognised by the Prime Minister and the Governor of the Bank of England.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3046" date="23 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/20-ways-to-save-when-inflation-rises-and-interest-rates-fall_0003046.aspx" title="20 ways to save when inflation rises and interest rates fall" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With inflation running at a 16-year high of 5.2%, the value of our money is being eaten in to. Coupled with that, interest rates were slashed by half a point earlier this month and further reductions are on the horizon meaning it's getting harder to find inflation-busting savings accounts.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3088" date="23 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/accidents-up-as-clocks-go-back_0003088.aspx" title="Accidents up as clocks go back" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Motorists are more likely to have an accident driving home from work in the dark in the week after the clocks go back, according to car insurer Direct Line.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3045" date="23 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/increase-in-new-mortgage-approvals_0003045.aspx" title="Increase in new mortgage approvals" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[New figures show that, while the number of mortgages approved for people buying a new home remains lower than a year ago, it did rise during September.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3044" date="23 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/iceland-to-hold-cash-freeze-talks_0003044.aspx" title="Iceland to hold cash-freeze talks" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Compensation for UK savers who lost money in collapsed Icelandic banks is being pursued by officials from the Treasury and the Bank of England.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2991" date="22 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/l+g-cuts-final-payouts-for-savers_0002991.aspx" title="L+G cuts final payouts for savers" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Long-term savers with insurer Legal &amp; General are to have their final payouts slashed by up to 9%.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3160" date="22 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/building-societies-announce-merger_0003160.aspx" title="Building societies announce merger" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Exposure to losses from the collapse of the Icelandic banks has prompted an announcement by the Barnsley Building Society that it is to merge with its larger rival, the Yorkshire Building Society.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3083" date="22 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/norwich-union-savers-face-penalty_0003083.aspx" title="Norwich Union savers face penalty" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Life" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/LifeInsurance/uk-life-insurance.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Insurer Norwich Union has announced that more than one million of its savers will have to forfeit up to 22% of their policy's value if they want to cash in their investment early.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3138" date="21 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/airports-hit-by-the-credit-crunch_0003138.aspx" title="Airports hit by the credit crunch" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Travel Money" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travel-money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Passenger numbers at UK airports have been hit by the perfect storm tearing through global financial markets.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3131" date="21 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interbank-lending-rate-falls-back_0003131.aspx" title="Interbank lending rate falls back" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The British Bankers' Association has given a further sign that the money market crisis may be easing with the news that lending rates between banks have fallen again.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3124" date="20 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/208bn-now-invested-in-isas_0003124.aspx" title="208bn now invested in Isas" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A third of UK households now have a total of &pound;207.8 billion invested in Isas, up from the &pound;28.6 billion saved in the year they were first introduced.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3105" date="20 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/slump-in-mortgage-lending-figures_0003105.aspx" title="Slump in mortgage lending figures" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Stifled demand due to the stagnant housing market saw mortgage lending slump to its lowest level for more than three-and-a-half years during September.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3116" date="20 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/slash-fuel-bills-demands-brown_0003116.aspx" title="Slash fuel bills, demands Brown" author="" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Falling gas and oil prices have prompted Prime Minister Gordon Brown to demand that energy companies slash fuel bills.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2971" date="17 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/ing-and-icesave-update_0002971.aspx" title="ING and Icesave update" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large1.png" ><![CDATA[The announcement that the Dutch Government has injected &euro;10billion into banking giant ING, may have caused concern among UK savers, particularly those with Kaupthing Edge and Heritable Bank accounts whose money has just been transferred over to ING Direct following the collapse of the Icelandic banks.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3076" date="17 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/mortgage-impasse---what-now-for-borrowers_0003076.aspx" title="Mortgage impasse - what now for borrowers?" author="Louise Cuming" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Louise_Cuming_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The problems continue for the UK's mortgage market. Latest figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders revealed that just 42,000 home loans were granted for house purchases in August&nbsp;- 59% lower than in August last year. With lenders still struggling to raise funds for home loans and concerns about further house price falls persisting life remains tough for anyone needing a mortgage at the moment.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3121" date="16 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/boom-time-continues-for-savers_0003121.aspx" title="Boom time continues for savers" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large1.png" ><![CDATA[When the Bank of England cut interest rates by half a point earlier this month it should have spelled good news for borrowers but bad news for savers. However, these are no ordinary times and savers continue to benefit from great rates, while life remains tough for those needing a mortgage.<br />]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3112" date="16 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/moneysupermarket-shopping_0003112.aspx" title="Moneysupermarket shopping" author="Rob Barnes" category="Shopping" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/shopping-default.asp" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[After a year of financial strife, where the cost of everything from energy to mortgages to fuel have risen at exasperating rates, Christmas will be tough for many people.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2945" date="16 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/are-you-ready-for-the-digital-switch_0002945.aspx" title="Are you ready for the digital switch?" author="James Parker " category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/James_Parker_Large.png" ><![CDATA[A year ago this month, the process of switching from analogue to digital television began in earnest when the town of Whitehaven in Cumbria became the first to make the switch. However, it appears that many of us are still oblivious to what the transition means and when it is taking place.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3127" date="16 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/banks-raise-tracker-mortgage-rates_0003127.aspx" title="Banks raise tracker mortgage rates" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Lloyds TSB has raised the cost of its mainstream trackers by between 0.3% and 0.5%, while Barclays' lending arm the Woolwich is increasing its lifetime and offset tracker rates by 0.2%.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3141" date="15 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/should-savers-be-worried_0003141.aspx" title="Should savers be worried?" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large1.png" ><![CDATA[The Icelandic banking scandal has left many savers questioning the security of overseas banks and there are indications that an increasing number of savers are moving their money to British banks because they believe them to be safer. But is this the case?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2930" date="15 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/inter-bank-lending-rate-inches-down_0002930.aspx" title="Inter-bank lending rate inches down" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A gradual thaw in frozen money markets as global bailouts take effect has seen lending rates between nervous banks inch lower.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3157" date="15 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/m+s-launch-energy-joint-venture_0003157.aspx" title="M+S launch energy joint venture" author="" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Shoppers in the UK will soon have an even wider choice of gas and electricity suppliers after high street giant Marks &amp; Spencer announced it was entering the market.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3109" date="15 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/first-time-buyers-at-record-low_0003109.aspx" title="First-time buyers at record low" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A record low in the number of first-time buyers getting on to the property ladder during August saw house prices dive by 2.7% compared with the previous month.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3158" date="14 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/inflation-jumps-to-a-record-5.2-per-cent_0003158.aspx" title="Inflation jumps to a record 5.2 per cent" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The latest Government figures show that inflation soared to a new record high in September, prompted by a big increase in the price of gas and electricity.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2948" date="14 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/flood-risk-threatens-thousands_0002948.aspx" title="Flood risk 'threatens thousands'" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Northern Ireland's agriculture minister has revealed that about 63,000 properties in the province are at risk from flooding as overflowing rivers and rising sea levels threaten homes and businesses.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3100" date="14 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/mortgage-lender-hikes-tracker-rate_0003100.aspx" title="Mortgage lender hikes tracker rate" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Tracker rates for new borrowers are being increased by Britain's biggest building society - in spite of last week's interest rate cut.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3099" date="13 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-the-bank-rescue-means-for-you_0003099.aspx" title="What the bank rescue means for you" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Politicians, senior bankers and economic advisers around the world spent the weekend locked in crisis talks as they sought to prevent the implosion of the global financial system.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3149" date="13 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/co-op-cagey-about-britannia-deal_0003149.aspx" title="Co-op cagey about Britannia deal" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A merger of the Co-op's financial services and the Britannia building society would create a business with six million customers and &pound;70 billion of assets.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3144" date="13 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/uk-freezes-4bn-of-icelands-assets_0003144.aspx" title="UK freezes &amp;#163;4bn of Iceland's assets" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Icelandic assets worth &pound;4 billion are being held hostage by the Government as it negotiates the return of &pound;3 billion of British cash.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3085" date="13 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/banks-support-for-homeowners_0003085.aspx" title="Banks' support for homeowners" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[UK banks have been ordered to increase lending to homeowners and small businesses as the most comprehensive state bail-out ever of the country's banking sector gets under way.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3153" date="09 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/wheres-safe-for-your-savings_0003153.aspx" title="Where's safe for your savings?" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large1.png" ><![CDATA[The banking system has been rocked to its core and hundreds of thousands of UK savers with Icesave, Heritable Bank and Kaupthing Edge have been directly affected by the seemingly deepening global financial crisis. The collapse of the Icelandic banks Landsbanki and Kaupthing has provided a sharp wake-up call for consumers as it has hit home that their savings may not be as secure as they thought they were.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3087" date="09 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/rate-cut---relief-for-borrowers_0003087.aspx" title="Rate cut - relief for borrowers?" author="Louise Cuming" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Louise_Cuming_Large.png" ><![CDATA[When the Bank of England announced a shock rate cut of 0.5% in line with five other central banks, millions of homeowners rejoiced at the prospect of making substantial monthly savings.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3117" date="09 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/energy-customers-treated-unfairly_0003117.aspx" title="Energy customers treated unfairly" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Britain's energy regulator Ofgem has hit out at the UK's gas and electricity providers warning them to improve competitiveness to all customers or face being referred to the Competition Commission.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3134" date="09 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/broadband-still-not-up-to-speed_0003134.aspx" title="Broadband still not up to speed" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[In Britain, we're keen followers of the latest technology - just last year, industry regulator Ofcom's annual report outlined how we were abandoning older media such as TVs, radio and even DVDs in favour of the internet, mobile phones and MP3 players. However, new research suggests we may not be well placed to capitalise on the next generation of web services and applications.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3073" date="09 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savers-losing-confidence-in-banks_0003073.aspx" title="Savers losing confidence in banks" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Research has shown that one in five savers has lost confidence in banks following recent financial turmoil and does not think their money is safe.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3140" date="08 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-the-banking-rescue-plan-means-for-you_0003140.aspx" title="What the banking rescue plan means for you" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Less than a week after the unprecedented $700 billion bailout package was approved in the US, Chancellor Alistair Darling has announced a &pound;50 billion investment plan to inject cash into the UK's leading financial institutions in an effort to boost confidence and restore stability in the financial system. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3101" date="08 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/ing-direct-from-hero-to-zero-and-back-again_0003101.aspx" title="ING Direct, from hero to zero and back again" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="6" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large1.png" ><![CDATA[Savers who have accounts with Heritable Bank and Kaupthing Edge will be breathing a sigh of relief, following the announcement that ING direct, the UK savings arm of Dutch banking giant ING, has secured their savings by buying their accounts from their Icelandic parent company.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3123" date="08 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/shock-rate-cut_0003123.aspx" title="Shock rate cut" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England has announced a 0.5 percentage point cut in interest rates. The decision came a day earlier than expected and follows similar moves by the US Federal Reserve and European Central Bank&nbsp;signifying the gravity of the worsening financial crisis.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2939" date="08 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/banks-get-50bn-cash-bail-out_0002939.aspx" title="Banks get 50bn cash bail-out" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A &pound;50 billion crisis bail-out for stricken UK banks has been announced by Chancellor Alistair Darling.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2918" date="08 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savers-will-not-lose-money_0002918.aspx" title="Savers will not lose money" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large1.png" ><![CDATA[After a tumultuous day yesterday, savers can breathe a sigh of relief. The Chancellor has confirmed that the 300,000 savers who have accounts with Icesave will not lose any money as a result of the Icelandic banking meltdown and the 160,000 customers of Kaupthing Edge and 22,000 who have accounts with Heritable Bank, have been saved by ING Direct, the Dutch provider.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3080" date="08 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/icesave-melts_0003080.aspx" title="Icesave melts" author="Stuart Glendinning" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Stuart_Glendinning_Large.png" ><![CDATA[I joked two weeks ago about it being best to put your money under the mattress. By the day it looks less like a joke and more like an option!]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3128" date="07 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/wheres-the-fscs-when-needed_0003128.aspx" title="Where's the FSCS when needed?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[For many years now working for the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has been a dull job.&nbsp; Dull, but important.&nbsp; As an offshoot of the Financial Services Authority (FSA) it has been a sleepy place, diligently following the rules to pay consumers compensation, for example, when they have been miss-sold an endowment and their financial adviser has gone bust.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2919" date="07 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/business-group-in-jobs-warning_0002919.aspx" title="Business group in jobs warning" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has warned Britain is already in a recession - with company sales, profits and confidence at record lows.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3113" date="07 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/banking-chaos---advice-for-savers_0003113.aspx" title="Banking chaos - advice for savers" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large1.png" ><![CDATA[Fear is spreading among savers as customers of Heritable Bank, which is owned by Icelandic bank Landsbanki, became the first UK victims of a savings provider going into administration.<br />]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3096" date="06 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/market-meltdown-what-now-for-savers_0003096.aspx" title="Market meltdown, what now for savers?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[UK share prices have plunged 7.9% today - the biggest one day fall&nbsp;since 1987 - taking the FTSE 100 to its lowest&nbsp;level since October 2004. The slump was a result of&nbsp;mounting&nbsp;concerns over the security of European banks. After a fraught weekend where the German and Icelandic governments battled to save domestic banks, savers are becoming increasingly nervous about the safety of their money.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3136" date="06 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/analysts-predict-interest-rate-cut_0003136.aspx" title="Analysts predict interest rate cut" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The threat of economic recession is expected to result in the Bank of England cutting interest rates this week.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3137" date="02 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/tips-to-survive-a-prolonged-downturn_0003137.aspx" title="Tips to survive a prolonged downturn" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[In recent days the global financial crisis appears to have taken on new momentum and the dark days seem far from over.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3156" date="02 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/get-your-christmas-credit-card_0003156.aspx" title="Get your Christmas credit card" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[It's likely to be a tough Christmas for many this year. With many households struggling to cope with the impact of higher living costs, money is tight. And with borrowing costs rising, this is not the time to fund Christmas by getting into debt. That said, there are some great 0% credit card deals available which could help you spread the cost of Christmas if you don't have enough saved to cover everything.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3102" date="02 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/new-current-account-deals_0003102.aspx" title="New current account deals" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Amidst all the turmoil in the banking sector, the battle to attract new customers continues.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3110" date="02 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/cheapest-fuel-bills-rise-by-200_0003110.aspx" title="Cheapest fuel bills rise by 200" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Having left the cost of its market-leading online energy tariff unchanged when it hiked its standard prices in July, analysts warned that it was only a matter of time before British Gas increased its online charges too. That time has now come.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3092" date="02 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/northern-rock-pulls-deals_0003092.aspx" title="Northern Rock pulls deals" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Northern Rock has withdrawn many of its savings accounts as retail savers seek safety.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3130" date="01 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/new-rules-boost-home-improvements_0003130.aspx" title="New rules boost home improvements" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[As the housing crash encourages more homeowners to extend their properties rather than move, new rules have come into force making it easier to do just that.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2983" date="01 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/brown-welcomes-crisis-co-operation_0002983.aspx" title="Brown welcomes crisis co-operation" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Cross-party co-operation during the financial crisis has been welcomed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown as he rejected calls to guarantee all savings accounts in banks at risk of collapse.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3115" date="01 October 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/finance-chaos-delays-key-report_0003115.aspx" title="Finance chaos delays key report" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Recent financial turmoil, including the nationalisation of Bradford &amp; Bingley and the collapse of the banking sector in the US, has delayed a report into the UK's mortgage market by at least two weeks, it has emerged.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3145" date="30 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/call-for-eu-wide-banks-protection_0003145.aspx" title="Call for EU-wide banks protection" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The Irish Government has unveiled a two-year plan to guarantee all deposits in the country's six main banks over the period, and has called for the EU to follow suit.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3078" date="30 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/shares-fall-after-package-rejected_0003078.aspx" title="Shares fall after package rejected" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Shares on Wall Street have plunged to a record low after political leaders in the US failed to agree on a proposed $700 billion (&pound;385 billion) rescue package for the finance sector.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2943" date="30 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/mortgage-lending-sees-slump_0002943.aspx" title="Mortgage lending sees slump" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Mortgage lending plummeted in August to its lowest level ever recorded as lenders continue to struggle to raise finances because of the ongoing credit crisis.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3122" date="30 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savers-to-get-extra-protection_0003122.aspx" title="Savers to get extra protection" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Government has announced an increase to the level of protection savers will receive if a bank or building society collapses. The limit is set to rise from &pound;35,000 to &pound;50,000 as politicians and the banking industry seek to reassure worried savers and restore stability to the sector.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3142" date="29 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/downturn-sees-lloyds-raise-rates_0003142.aspx" title="Downturn sees Lloyds raise rates" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Lloyds TSB has joined a host of other lenders in announcing a hike in the cost of its mortgage rates.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2980" date="29 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/debt-plans-missing-from-data_0002980.aspx" title="Debt plans missing from data" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[As many as 600,000 people in unmanageable debt are not included on official insolvency figures, according to a trade body.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2989" date="29 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savings-bond-helps-spread-the-risk_0002989.aspx" title="Savings bond helps spread the risk" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A nine-month bond for savers worried about investing more than &pound;35,000 with one single institution has been launched by Principality, Wales's largest building society.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3139" date="29 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/lenders-announce-mortgage-hikes_0003139.aspx" title="Lenders announce mortgage hikes" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Mortgage rate hikes have been introduced by three lenders, bringing the trend of falls in the cost of home loans to an end.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2987" date="29 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/launch-of-tailor-made-accounts_0002987.aspx" title="Launch of tailor-made accounts" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Consumers will be able to choose from a selection of benefits thanks to a new 'pick n mix' style packaged account launched by the Co-operative Bank.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3086" date="29 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/nationalisation-for-b+b_0003086.aspx" title="Nationalisation for B+B" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Buy-to-let mortgage specialist Bradford &amp; Bingley will be nationalised, the Government has confirmed.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3108" date="29 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/another-nationalised-bank---what-it-means-for-you_0003108.aspx" title="Another nationalised bank - what it means for you" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Bradford&nbsp;and Bingley has become the second UK bank to be nationalised this year as the credit crunch continues to tighten its grip on the financial sector. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3074" date="26 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/save-on-your-weekly-shopping-bill_0003074.aspx" title="Save on your weekly shopping bill" author="Clare Francis" category="Shopping" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/shopping-default.asp" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics revealed that the cost of many basic food items has surged by nearly 10 times the official rate of inflation. The price of a loaf of white bread has risen by more than 40% over the past year, as has that of butter.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3120" date="25 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/beat-the-credit-crunch_0003120.aspx" title="Beat the credit crunch" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[There seems to be no let up in the bad news for consumers: energy prices have gone up again just in time for winter; food costs are still rising and mortgage lenders look set to hike rates again following the renewed turmoil in the financial markets over recent weeks.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3129" date="25 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/act-fast-to-secure-a-cheap-fix_0003129.aspx" title="Act fast to secure a cheap fix" author="Louise Cuming" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Louise_Cuming_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Two weeks ago, as the price of an average two-year fixed rate mortgage fell to its lowest level since the credit crunch accelerated last year, it appeared that conditions were easing and with Prime Minister Gordon Brown announcing a &pound;1 billion package of measures to breathe life into the housing market, there was even room for optimism.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3135" date="25 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/where-to-invest-your-savings_0003135.aspx" title="Where to invest your savings" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The security of our savings is back at the forefront of many consumers' minds following the renewed turmoil in the banking sector and concerns about the stability of institutions such as Halifax Bank of Scotland and Bradford &amp; Bingley. So where can you put your hard-earned money and ensure that it is totally protected?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2927" date="25 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/lender-kicks-off-rate-hikes-run_0002927.aspx" title="Lender kicks off rate hikes run" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A jump in wholesale funding costs has led HSBC to announce a hike in its mortgage rates.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3093" date="25 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savings-account-pays-monthly-income_0003093.aspx" title="Savings account pays monthly income" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[An internet-only savings account paying 6.6% gross AER (6.41% gross monthly) has been launched by Alliance &amp; Leicester.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3077" date="25 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/little-chance-of-rate-cut---bank_0003077.aspx" title="Little chance of rate cut - Bank" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Economists at the Bank of England have played down the chances of combating last week's financial market turmoil through interest-rate cuts.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3075" date="24 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/house-price-forecasts-are-futile_0003075.aspx" title="House price forecasts 'are futile'" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The trade body for mortgage lenders has said that uncertainty in the housing market means it is abandoning attempts to predict house price falls for this year.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3159" date="24 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/diy-buffs-spend-billions-on-cards_0003159.aspx" title="DIY buffs spend billions on cards" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[More than &pound;11 billion was spent on debit and credit cards in DIY shops over the past year, according to latest figures.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3079" date="24 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/lloyds-launches-banking-by-mobile_0003079.aspx" title="Lloyds launches banking by mobile" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Bank accounts that can be managed via mobile phone have been announced by Lloyds TSB, the first service of its kind in the UK.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3090" date="23 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/eu-gets-tough-on-high-text-charges_0003090.aspx" title="EU gets tough on high text charges" author="" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A crackdown on high mobile phone texting charges has been launched by the European Commission after voluntary reductions were found not to have worked.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3152" date="23 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/postcodes-determine-annuity-income_0003152.aspx" title="Postcodes determine annuity income" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Life" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/LifeInsurance/uk-life-insurance.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A new system is being launched that will see consumers' retirement income vary according to where they live.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3132" date="23 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-keep-your-savings-safe_0003132.aspx" title="How to keep your savings safe" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[It is now more than a year since savers were queuing down the street desperate to pull their money out of Northern Rock amid fears that the bank was on the verge of collapse.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3082" date="23 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/first-time-buyers-need-20000_0003082.aspx" title="First-time buyers need 20,000" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[First-time buyers think they need to save nearly &pound;20,000 before they are able to get on to the property ladder, a survey has revealed.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2957" date="22 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/mps-condemn-axing-of-energywatch_0002957.aspx" title="MPs condemn axing of Energywatch" author="" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The decision to scrap Energywatch will make the pain worse for thousands of households facing soaring fuel bills, MPs have warned.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3098" date="22 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/fuel-costs-prompt-car-share-surge_0003098.aspx" title="Fuel costs prompt car share surge" author="" category="Motoring" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/motoring/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Car sharing is being considered by more than half of Britons because of the high cost of fuel, according to a survey.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3119" date="22 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/house-prices-continue-to-slide_0003119.aspx" title="House prices continue to slide" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The property market continued to fall during September as the Government's stamp duty initiative failed to have a significant impact on the market, figures have revealed.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3125" date="19 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/british-banking-changes-forever_0003125.aspx" title="British banking changes forever" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Global banking changed forever this week as a number of huge high street names fell victim to the ongoing effects of the credit crunch.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3097" date="18 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/twenty-somethings-rely-on-the-bank-of-mum-and-dad_0003097.aspx" title="Twenty-somethings rely on the bank of Mum and Dad" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Young people are often viewed to be having the time of their lives. However, when it comes to finances, younger people are particularly vulnerable and may find it more difficult than ever to get the help they need in the current economic climate.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3154" date="18 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/lessons-to-learn-from-xl_0003154.aspx" title="Lessons to learn from XL" author="Peter Gerrard" category="Insurance" subcategory="Travel" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travelinsurance/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Gerrard_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The travel industry is facing its biggest test since the 9/11 attacks, as the soaring cost of fuel has left major airlines staring at huge losses and several others unable to take the heat.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3147" date="18 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/libor-jump-threat-to-mortgage-rates_0003147.aspx" title="Libor jump threat to mortgage rates" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The three month Libor, a key inter-bank lending rate, has jumped to 5.98% from 5.7% as global financial turmoil continues to take its toll.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2972" date="18 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/beat-the-energy-price-rises_0002972.aspx" title="Beat the energy price rises" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Rising energy bills are hitting the UK economy hard with inflation reaching a 16-year high at 4.7% due partly to electricity and gas companies hiking their prices.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3091" date="18 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/national-bank-cutting-saving-rates_0003091.aspx" title="National bank cutting saving rates" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The state-owned National Savings and Investments (NS&amp;I) is to cut rates on some of its fixed-interest investments by up to 0.75%.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3107" date="18 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/hbos-shock-for-22-million-customers_0003107.aspx" title="HBOS shock for 22 million customers" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[How the &pound;12 billion takeover of Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) by Lloyds TSB will affect its 22 million consumer and business customers remains to be seen.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3126" date="18 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/high-street-meltdown_0003126.aspx" title="High Street meltdown" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The merger of two of Britain's biggest banks would normally be carefully scrutinised by competition authorities, but this is no ordinary week for the financial services industry.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3104" date="18 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/hbos-becomes-part-of-lloyds_0003104.aspx" title="HBoS becomes part of Lloyds" author="Stuart Glendinning" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Stuart_Glendinning_Large.png" ><![CDATA[It's happened.&nbsp;It has today been confirmed that HBoS which includes Halifax and Bank of Scotland is to be taken over by Lloyds.&nbsp;It's hard to view this as good news except for the fact that a 'run' on the Halifax would have been disastrous and word has it that customers were starting to withdraw their money.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2959" date="17 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/lloyds-and-halifax-to-merge_0002959.aspx" title="Lloyds and Halifax to merge?" author="Stuart Glendinning" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Stuart_Glendinning_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Today's speculation is that Lloyds and HBoS are to 'tie the knot' and merge. This follows days of pressure on HBoS where their share price has fallen heavily.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3133" date="17 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/city-awash-with-hbos-merger-rumours_0003133.aspx" title="City awash with HBOS merger rumours" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Whisperings of a possible merger between troubled mortgage giant HBOS and rival Lloyds TSB have circulated around the City.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3084" date="17 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-happens-if-my-insurance-firm-goes-bust_0003084.aspx" title="What happens if my insurance firm goes bust?" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/insurance/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[British homeowners, holidaymakers and drivers were left in limbo last night as they waited to find out how they would be affected by the potential demise of American International Group (AIG), one of the world's largest insurers.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3146" date="16 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/big-banks-go-bust-market-crashes---what-do-i-do_0003146.aspx" title="Big banks go bust, market crashes - what do I do?" author="Stuart Glendinning" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Stuart_Glendinning_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Lehman Brothers bite the dust, share prices collapse and speculation on the future of other banks. What are we supposed to do in such circumstances and where do you put your savings?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3143" date="16 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/one-in-four-to-switch-credit-cards_0003143.aspx" title="One in four to switch credit cards" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A new survey has revealed that almost one in four people are planning to transfer debt between credit cards over the next 12 months to take advantage of a 0% interest deal.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3081" date="16 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/high-energy-bills-fuel-inflation_0003081.aspx" title="High energy bills fuel inflation" author="" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[New figures show that inflation reached 4.7% last month, thanks in the main to soaring utility bills which saw double-digit rises.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3106" date="16 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/protect-savers-chancellor-urged_0003106.aspx" title="Protect savers, Chancellor urged" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The Government has been urged to increase the protection offered to savers in the wake of the collapse of the Lehman Brothers bank in the US.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3114" date="15 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/pensioners-use-savings-to-pay-debt_0003114.aspx" title="Pensioners use savings to pay debt" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A new survey has shown that 24% of retired people are using part of their pension lump sum to repay debt, while a further 17% use it to pay off their mortgage.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2926" date="15 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/uk-lenders-hit-by-banks-collapse_0002926.aspx" title="UK lenders hit by bank's collapse" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Stockmarkets worldwide are in turmoil after the credit crunch claimed its biggest corporate casualty with the collapse of US investment bank Lehman Brothers.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3103" date="15 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savings-first-to-go-during-crunch_0003103.aspx" title="Savings first to go during crunch" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[New research reveals that almost half of adults in the UK are planning to cut back on saving money, while one in four will default on debts in a bid to make ends meet.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3094" date="12 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/britons-hit-with-travel-nightmare_0003094.aspx" title="Britons hit with travel nightmare" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Travel Money" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travel-money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The fire in the Channel Tunnel has compounded the travel chaos faced by holidaymakers racing to find alternative routes following the collapse of the UK's third largest tour operator.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3161" date="12 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-this-the-right-time-to-be-fixing-your-mortgage_0003161.aspx" title="Is this the right time to be fixing your mortgage?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[First Direct is the latest lender to cut its mortgage rates. Its two-year fix will be slashed from 5.98% to 4.99% at 3pm on Friday, September 12, making it one of the lowest rates on the market.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3095" date="11 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/one-year-on-from-northern-rock_0003095.aspx" title="One year on from Northern Rock" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Up until July last year all seemed well in the financial world. Banks were lending so readily that some critics even accused them of being over zealous, while savers wouldn't have thought twice about the safety of their cash in a major high street bank.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3150" date="11 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/new-exclusive-leading-loan_0003150.aspx" title="New exclusive leading loan" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Central Capital has launched the Platinum Loan, which is available exclusively through moneysupermarket.com at the market-leading annual rate of 7.5%. This could be great news for those struggling to keep on top of their debts.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3151" date="11 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/floods-highlight-need-for-cover_0003151.aspx" title="Floods highlight need for cover" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[When it rains, it pours&nbsp;- and for thousands of homeowners who were left devastated by the latest bout of storms to hit the UK the costs are quickly adding up.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3111" date="11 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/call-for-action-on-ppi-complaints_0003111.aspx" title="Call for action on PPI complaints" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/insurance/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The City watchdog has been urged to take action over the way payment protection insurance (PPI) is sold after a 10-fold rise in complaints.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3148" date="11 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/most-people-are-not-saving-enough_0003148.aspx" title="Most people are not saving enough" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A survey has shown that two thirds of people do not believe they are saving enough, according to Nationwide Building Society.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3089" date="11 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/millions-left-in-unused-accounts_0003089.aspx" title="Millions left in unused accounts" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Bank customers are being encouraged to claim millions of pounds left in unused current and savings accounts.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3155" date="10 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/more-lenders-cut-mortgage-rates_0003155.aspx" title="More lenders cut mortgage rates" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Three more lenders - Nationwide, the Co-op Bank and Yorkshire Building Society - have cut the cost of home loans after a fall in wholesale funding costs.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2982" date="10 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/homes-to-be-made-energy-efficient_0002982.aspx" title="Homes to be made energy efficient" author="" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Millions of householders are to be offered an amended fuel poverty package from the Government after having the hope of a windfall tax on energy company profits snatched away.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2998" date="10 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/house-price-premium-for-good-school_0002998.aspx" title="House price premium for good school" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A quarter of parents have said they would be prepared to spend a &pound;50,000 premium on a house near a good school, according to investment managers Fidelity International.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3174" date="09 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/agents-sell-one-property-a-week_0003174.aspx" title="Agents 'sell one property a week'" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The squeeze on the property market has forced sales to a new low as estate agents sell just one home a week, figures have revealed.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3209" date="09 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/consumers-lie-on-insurance-policies_0003209.aspx" title="Consumers 'lie on insurance policies'" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Life" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/LifeInsurance/uk-life-insurance.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[About 7% people are so concerned with the price of their insurance policies that they have admitted lying while setting up their policy, a survey has shown.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3229" date="09 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/further-house-price-falls-predicted_0003229.aspx" title="Further house price falls predicted" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The price of an average home could plunge by as much as 25% from its peak before the housing market starts to improve, the boss of the UK's biggest building society has said.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2944" date="08 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/nationwide-swallows-up-two-rivals_0002944.aspx" title="Nationwide swallows up two rivals" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[One of the country's main mortgage lenders has announced it is to merge with two smaller mutual societies which have been hit by the ongoing financial turmoil.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3187" date="08 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/us-mortgage-bail-out-welcomed_0003187.aspx" title="US mortgage bail-out welcomed" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The US government takeover of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac has been welcomed by British experts, who believe the move will inject some confidence into the UK housing market.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3219" date="05 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/downpours-adding-to-flooding-risk_0003219.aspx" title="Downpours adding to flooding risk" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Severe Atlantic storms will see up to two weeks of rain fall in 24 hours on already saturated ground, increasing the risk of localised flooding across the country, forecasters have warned.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3175" date="05 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/relief-for-the-housing-market_0003175.aspx" title="Relief for the housing market?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[On the same day that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development declared that the UK is the worst placed among the world's major economies to withstand the impact of a global slowdown, placing the blame for the sharp downturn on the property market, the Government announced a series of measures aimed at reviving the flagging housing sector.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3204" date="04 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-your-family-protected_0003204.aspx" title="Is your family protected?" author="Rob Barnes" category="Insurance" subcategory="Life" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/LifeInsurance/uk-life-insurance.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With Sterling falling to a two and a half year low against the dollar and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development downgrading the UK to the bottom of the G7 group of leading economies, fears are mounting that we could be plunged into recession before the end of the year.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3190" date="04 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savings-rates-rise_0003190.aspx" title="Savings rates rise" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Despite calls for a reduction in Bank rate with house prices falling sharply and the economy teetering closer to recession, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) once again resisted the urge to cut rates, choosing to freeze interest rates at 5% for another month.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3208" date="04 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-free-credit-until-the-next-decade_0003208.aspx" title="Interest-free credit until the next decade" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Competition in the credit card market is fierce at the moment with Barclaycard and Egg having launched new 0% balance transfer offers. This is great news for anyone trying to clear credit or store card debts.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2988" date="04 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/abbey-announces-mortgage-rate-cuts_0002988.aspx" title="Abbey announces mortgage rate cuts" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The increasing competition in the mortgage market has been further highlighted with Abbey becoming the latest lender to slash its interest rates.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3194" date="04 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-rates-unchanged-at-5-per-cent_0003194.aspx" title="Interest rates unchanged at 5 per cent" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has voted to keep interest rates on hold at 5%.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2974" date="04 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/high-gas-bills-set-to-continue_0002974.aspx" title="High gas bills 'set to continue'" author="" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Gas bills are not expected to fall any time soon, despite the recent slide in oil prices, householders have been warned.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3201" date="03 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/childhood-savers-learn-good-habits_0003201.aspx" title="Childhood savers learn good habits" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A person's saving habits as an adult are greatly improved if they begin squirreling money away during childhood, new research suggests.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2933" date="03 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/money-worries-end-honeymoon_0002933.aspx" title="Money worries 'end honeymoon'" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Newlywed couples are finding the costs of setting up home an uphill struggle, despite the fact that 87% of them say they paid off the cost of their wedding immediately, a survey has revealed.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3193" date="03 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/mortgage-rates-settle-after-crunch_0003193.aspx" title="Mortgage rates settle after crunch" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The race by lenders to win back customers has seen the cost of two-year fixed-rate mortgages return to pre-credit crunch levels.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3188" date="02 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savings-battle-resumes_0003188.aspx" title="Savings battle resumes" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The banks want our money and they are fighting hard to get it. Alliance &amp; Leicester (A&amp;L) has become the second provider in less than a week to increase the rate on its main savings account.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3224" date="02 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/insurance-shock-for-errant-drivers_0003224.aspx" title="Insurance shock for errant drivers" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Most drivers do not realise that traffic convictions may affect their car insurance, according to a survey by online insurance company swiftcover.com.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2950" date="02 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/duty-freeze-to-boost-house-sales_0002950.aspx" title="Duty freeze to boost house sales" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[An immediate 12-month stamp duty freeze on homes costing &pound;175,000 or less has been announced by the Chancellor in a bid to kick-start the comatose housing market and boost the number of mortgages sold.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2990" date="02 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/three-year-fixeds-most-popular_0002990.aspx" title="Three year fixeds most popular" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A fifth of homeowners are choosing three-year, fixed-rate mortgages compared with 9% for two-year deals and 8% for five-year deals, according to a study in August by Abbey Mortgages.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3200" date="01 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/a-bleak-august-for-housing-market_0003200.aspx" title="A bleak August for housing market" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[House prices fell again during August making it the 11th month in a row in which the value of the average home has decreased, according to housing information group Hometrack.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3001" date="01 September 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/energy-firms-join-price-hike-rivals_0003001.aspx" title="Energy firms join price hike rivals" author="" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[More than 11 million home energy consumers have had the weekend to digest the news that their suppliers are introducing steep hikes in gas and electricity prices.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3216" date="28 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/house-prices-fall-10.5-per-cent-in-a-year_0003216.aspx" title="House prices fall 10.5 per cent in a year" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Potential home buyers frightened by the uncertain economic situation have fuelled the fastest fall in house prices for nearly 18 years, figures show.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3173" date="28 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/current-account-battle-heats-up_0003173.aspx" title="Current account battle heats up" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Olympics may be over but the race is on in the current account sector as banks compete for the prize they crave the most&nbsp;- your custom.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2954" date="28 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/broadband-security-threat_0002954.aspx" title="Broadband security threat" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Internet access at home is now mainstream with the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics showing that more than two-thirds of British households are now online. An increasing number have wireless connections, but the majority of these are not secure, leaving consumers vulnerable to fraud.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3189" date="28 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-best-accounts-for-kids_0003189.aspx" title="The best accounts for kids" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With the new school year about to begin, Halifax has published its annual Pocket Money Survey, which revealed children are receiving an average of &pound;6.13 a week.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3207" date="28 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/borrow-with-your-eyes-open_0003207.aspx" title="Borrow with your eyes open" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The credit crunch and economic downturn has prompted a resurgence in the 3,000 year-old business of pawn broking with many brokers at the top end of the market reporting that business has risen by as much as 25% in the last two months.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2960" date="28 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savings-account-penalty-warning_0002960.aspx" title="Savings account penalty warning" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Savers are being warned that by putting their money into instant and easy access accounts they may not be able to get their hands on their cash as easily as they thought.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3226" date="28 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/parties-rack-up-16.8m-of-damage_0003226.aspx" title="Parties rack up 16.8m of damage" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Unruly or unfortunate children cause a total of &pound;16.8 million worth of damage to their parents' homes every year by having parties that get out of hand, research has found.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3165" date="27 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/another-lender-cuts-mortgage-rates_0003165.aspx" title="Another lender cuts mortgage rates" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The Alliance &amp; Leicester (A&amp;L) has announced it is to lower its mortgage rates as competition returns to the beleaguered market.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3196" date="27 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/missed-repayments-at-record-level_0003196.aspx" title="Missed repayments at record level" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The credit crunch has seen record numbers of people failing to keep up with repayments on sub-prime mortgages during the second quarter of this year, figures have shown.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3164" date="27 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/students-hit-with-credit-card-debt_0003164.aspx" title="Students hit with credit card debt" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[More than one in three students have a credit card on which they owe an average of nearly &pound;220, a survey has shown.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3185" date="26 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/tiered-interest-on-new-current-account_0003185.aspx" title="Tiered interest on new current account" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Lloyds TSB has launched a new current account aimed at those with large balances.&nbsp;]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3184" date="26 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/debt-threatens-more-insolvencies_0003184.aspx" title="Debt threatens more insolvencies" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[People now owe more than the income generated by the country as a whole for the second year running, which is threatening a marked increase in bankruptcies.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3197" date="22 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/more-households-hit-by-energy-price-hikes_0003197.aspx" title="More households hit by energy price hikes" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[More than five million households may now be living in fuel poverty after the latest round of price hikes were announced by two of Britain's leading energy providers.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3166" date="22 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/coventry-reports-marketshare-rise_0003166.aspx" title="Coventry reports marketshare rise" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The UK's fourth-largest building society, Coventry, has reported mortgage lending at three times normal market share as borrowers opt to stay with the society rather than move to other lenders.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3221" date="22 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/forgetful-students-risk-insurance_0003221.aspx" title="Forgetful students risk insurance" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Almost a fifth of students are putting their home insurance at risk by leaving the house without locking the door, a survey has found.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3162" date="22 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/credit-crunch-lending-terms-tighten_0003162.aspx" title="Credit crunch lending terms tighten" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Lenders tightening credit-crunch loans criteria has led to one in 20 people having a credit application turned down during the past 18 months.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2956" date="21 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/sse-follows-rivals-price-hikes_0002956.aspx" title="SSE follows rival's price hikes" author="" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Scottish &amp; Southern Energy (SSE) has become the second energy company in a matter of hours to announce major price increases.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3170" date="21 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-mortgage-war_0003170.aspx" title="The mortgage war" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[We've seen another week of lenders battling to get their mortgages into the best buy tables - a far cry from the scene a few months ago when deals were being pulled left, right and centre as many mortgage providers seemed to be doing everything they could to stay out of the best buys in order to restrict new business inflows.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2924" date="21 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dont-get-caught-out-by-your-insurer_0002924.aspx" title="Don't get caught out by your insurer" author="Peter Gerrard" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Gerrard_Large.png" ><![CDATA[An increasing number of insurers are renewing motor insurance policies automatically unless the customer specifically asks for the cover to be cancelled. The result is that millions of drivers could be paying more for their insurance than they need.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3210" date="21 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-debt-map-of-great-britain_0003210.aspx" title="The debt map of Great Britain" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Forget Britain's famous three peaks in England, Scotland and Wales&nbsp;- there are debt mountains cropping up throughout the British Isles.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3179" date="21 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/mobile-charges-on-the-up_0003179.aspx" title="Mobile charges on the up" author="Rob Barnes" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[There are few reprieves for the financially hard-pressed at the moment as they are hit by price increases from almost every angle. Even with mortgage rates and petrol prices falling slightly from their peak, consumers are still bearing the brunt of rising energy prices and loan rates - and now, even the mobile phone providers are getting in on the act.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3202" date="21 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/eon-joins-energy-price-hike-club_0003202.aspx" title="Eon joins energy price hike club" author="" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Consumers who buy their energy from E.ON have become the latest to be hit by sharp increases in gas and electricity prices.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3168" date="21 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/asda-unveils-cut-price-mobile-calls_0003168.aspx" title="ASDA unveils cut price mobile calls" author="" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[ASDA has slashed the price its Pay As You Go (PAYG) mobile calls to 8p a minute and cut text message charges to just 4p.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3223" date="20 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-rate-hike-fears-revealed_0003223.aspx" title="Interest rate hike fears revealed" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Risks that an interest rate increase might make the economic downturn 'unnecessarily deep' prompted the Bank of England's to keep rates on hold this month, it has been revealed.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3163" date="20 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/halifax-launches-credit-card-bonus_0003163.aspx" title="Halifax launches credit card bonus" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[An exclusive credit card bonus has been launched for new and existing banking customers at the Halifax.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3205" date="20 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/property-downturn-levelling-out_0003205.aspx" title="Property downturn levelling out" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The property downturn may be levelling out despite a record slump in the numbers of people seeking mortgages, the National Association of Estate Agents claims.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3198" date="19 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/new-transatlantic-service-revealed_0003198.aspx" title="New transatlantic service revealed" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Travel Money" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travel-money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Travel on British Airways' all-business-class central London to New York service is expected to start in autumn next year, it has been announced.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3183" date="19 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/weird-and-wonderful-insurance-claims_0003183.aspx" title="Weird and wonderful insurance claims" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Car insurance claims have been put down to such diverse reasons as a kicking camel, a naked pedestrian and a nut-throwing squirrel, it has been has revealed.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3213" date="18 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/students-face-high-cost-of-living_0003213.aspx" title="Students face high cost of living" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[New research into the costs faced by university students show that undergraduates are preparing for the most expensive academic year to date, with an inflation rate 50% higher than average.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3181" date="18 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/save-up-to-50-per-cent-on-your-motor-insurance-with-moneysupermarket_0003181.aspx" title="Save up to 50 per cent on your motor insurance with moneysupermarket" author="Clare Francis" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Motorists could slash their car insurance costs in half by using moneysupermarket.com according to independent research group, Consumer Intelligence.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3192" date="18 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/london-house-prices-fall_0003192.aspx" title="London house prices fall" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[House prices in London have been slashed by homeowners keen not to miss out on a potential sale, new figures have revealed.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3171" date="18 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/thousands-of-homes-flooded-in-northern-ireland_0003171.aspx" title="Thousands of homes flooded in Northern Ireland" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Emergency services in Northern Ireland are braced for more heavy rain after battling to contain flooding across the province at the weekend.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3191" date="15 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/britons-casting-holiday-net-wider_0003191.aspx" title="Britons casting holiday net wider" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Travel Money" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travel-money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The destinations to which British holidaymakers are travelling is changing radically, according to new research.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3203" date="15 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/people-happy-to-wait-for-new-home_0003203.aspx" title="People happy to wait for new home" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[New research has shown that the shortage of available mortgages is not putting people off buying new homes as much as the fact that they expect house prices to fall further.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3182" date="15 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/saving-becoming-the-new-spending_0003182.aspx" title="Saving becoming the new spending" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Stereotypes of British consumers being a collection of thrill-seekers hooked on instant gratification appear to be outdated, with a survey showing we are becoming more enamoured with saving than spending.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3178" date="14 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/help-for-homeowners_0003178.aspx" title="Help for homeowners" author="Louise Cuming" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Louise_Cuming_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Latest figures reveal the extent to which many families are being hit by the slump in the housing market and the downward spiral of the economy. The number of homes being repossessed soared by 48% in the first six months of the year taking repossessions to their highest level for 12 years.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2941" date="14 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/last-chance-to-secure-leading-loan-rate_0002941.aspx" title="Last chance to secure leading loan rate" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[There's been nothing but bad news for borrowers searching for a loan in recent weeks as a host of providers have hiked rates and even withdrawn products altogether, as the cost of borrowing rises due to the credit crunch. So it's a relief to be able to offer some good news at last&nbsp;- albeit this good news won't last long.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3172" date="14 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/energy-saving-tips_0003172.aspx" title="Energy saving tips" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Two weeks on from British Gas's record-breaking price increase that saw its gas prices sky rocket by 35%, industry analysts are widely predicting more movement in the market.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2964" date="14 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/nations-gadget-use-on-the-rise_0002964.aspx" title="Nation's gadget use on the rise" author="" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A new report has revealed that people in the UK are spending more time using televisions, computers and mobile phones than ever before -&nbsp;but paying less for them.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3199" date="14 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/bikers-offered-insurance-discounts_0003199.aspx" title="Bikers offered insurance discounts" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Bike" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/bike/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Motorcyclists are being offered the chance to take advantage of significant discounts on their insurance by completing a Government-backed training scheme.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3169" date="14 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/who-can-students-bank-on_0003169.aspx" title="Who can students bank on?" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The battle has commenced among banks vying for the business of the 380,000 plus young people heading off to university next month. HSBC is offering bursaries worth &pound;30,000 to four lucky students who open one of its student accounts, while Abbey is giving &pound;50 to new student account customers and Natwest's student account&nbsp;holders will receive&nbsp;a free railcard.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3206" date="14 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/credit-crunch-easing-says-bank_0003206.aspx" title="Credit crunch easing says Bank" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[A glimmer of hope amid the financial gloom has emerged after the Bank of England said the credit crunch was finally showing signs of easing.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2965" date="13 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/heavy-flooding-damages-properties_0002965.aspx" title="Heavy flooding damages properties" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Homeowners and insurance firms have been left counting the cost after heavy flooding through the night in parts of the country caused major damage to some homes.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3214" date="13 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/costs-see-flight-numbers-nosedive_0003214.aspx" title="Costs see flight numbers nosedive" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Travel Money" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travel-money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The number of flights through UK airspace has fallen for the first time since the post-September 11 downturn as airlines are forced to make cutbacks due to rising fuel prices.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3227" date="13 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/claims-rise-blamed-on-wet-weather_0003227.aspx" title="Claims rise blamed on wet weather" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The impact of bad weather on UK roads has led to an 18% rise in motor insurance claims, according to a British insurance firm.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3177" date="12 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/fco-issues-travel-insurance-warning_0003177.aspx" title="FCO issues travel insurance warning" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Travel" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travelinsurance/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Poorly behaved Brits abroad are causing more havoc than ever before according to new data from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3222" date="12 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/study-reveals-decrease-in-saving_0003222.aspx" title="Study reveals decrease in saving" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[New research has suggested that the ongoing credit crunch is eating into people's motivation to save part of their income.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3167" date="12 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/lenders-offer-lower-interest-rates_0003167.aspx" title="Lenders offer lower interest rates" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The price of fixed-rate mortgages offered to some borrowers dropped last month for the first time since February, according to figures from the Bank of England.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3180" date="11 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/credit-crunch-sparking-cutbacks_0003180.aspx" title="Credit crunch sparking cutbacks" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The continuing ravages of the credit crunch are causing people to take active steps in all aspects of their lives to cut back on their spending and save their hard-earned money, research has shown.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3220" date="07 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-rates-frozen---so-what-now_0003220.aspx" title="Interest rates frozen - so what now?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[What a difference a year makes. August 9 is the anniversary of the start of the credit crunch and over the last 12 months we have seen the financial crisis hit the health of economies around the world and central banks are grappling with rising inflation and slowing growth.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3212" date="07 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/motor-costs-soar-for-young-drivers_0003212.aspx" title="Motor costs soar for young drivers" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[It's good to be young&nbsp;- unless you're a motorist. All of that burgeoning enthusiasm for driving when you hit the age of 17 quickly hits the brakes when you're presented with your first car insurance premium, which could well cost more than the first vehicle you drive.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3228" date="07 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/steep-rise-in-fresh-food-inflation_0003228.aspx" title="Steep rise in fresh food inflation" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Increasing oil and commodity costs have sent fresh food inflation soaring into double figures, according to a new survey.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2977" date="07 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/why-you-should-pay-with-a-credit-card_0002977.aspx" title="Why you should pay with a credit card" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[When online gift service Wrapit went into administration earlier this week it left newlyweds to contact an estimated 100,000 guests and ask them to try and reclaim their money. Though there could yet be some salvation for Wrapit, with Debenhams and Liberty reported to be considering a rescue plan, around 20,000 guests are likely to be left out of pocket - and all because they used the wrong card.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3225" date="07 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/higher-education-costs-highlighted_0003225.aspx" title="Higher education costs highlighted" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Research into the attitudes of teenagers towards finances has shown that many youngsters start saving towards higher education from the age of 11.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3211" date="07 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/price-rise-fear-follows-seat-cuts_0003211.aspx" title="Price rise fear follows seat cuts" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Travel Money" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travel-money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Huge cuts in the number of seats available on flights this winter are going to force up the cost of flying, it has been reported.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3217" date="07 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/broadband-users-rush-to-sky_0003217.aspx" title="Broadband users rush to Sky" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[In the broadband market it seems the Sky is the limit. While several providers struggle to meet their projections for new customers, Sky has stolen a march on the competition with the fastest-growing broadband service in the UK.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3186" date="07 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-rates-left-unchanged-at-5-per-cent_0003186.aspx" title="Interest rates left unchanged at 5 per cent" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has left interest rates on hold at 5% this week, which will be a relief to millions of households with variable rate mortgages.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3195" date="01 August 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-now-for-energy-bills_0003195.aspx" title="What now for energy bills?" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[We had been warned that energy bills were likely to rise and when EDF Energy increased its gas prices by 22% and electricity by 17% last Friday, it was clear that it wouldn't be long before others followed suit. However, what wasn't expected was the record 35% increase in gas prices that British Gas announced on Wednesday. Analysts and consumers were taken aback by the scale of the price hike so, what should families, many of whom are already struggling to cope with rising bills, do now? ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3218" date="31 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/loan-rates-set-to-rise_0003218.aspx" title="Loan rates set to rise" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[When mortgage rates began to fall a couple of weeks ago, optimists may have hoped that the storm of the credit crunch had finally blown over. However, in its latest global financial stability report, the International Monetary Fund warned that there is more bad weather to come.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3215" date="31 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-your-account-a-class-act_0003215.aspx" title="Is your account a class act?" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[More than 230,000 students graduated this summer and the coming months will be some of the most important of their lives as they begin their careers and start to build for the future. It's also a time when the reality of carefree student days hit home as the realisation dawns that the debts racked up over the past few years have to be repaid.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3176" date="31 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/capital-one-extends-interest-free-offer_0003176.aspx" title="Capital One extends interest-free offer" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Loan rates may be rising but at least there's one form of borrowing where the terms for consumers just keep getting better&nbsp;- credit cards.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2966" date="30 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/british-gas---shock-price-increase_0002966.aspx" title="British Gas - shock price increase" author="Clare Francis" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[British Gas has announced that it is hiking gas prices by a whopping 35 per cent&nbsp;with immediate effect, while electricity prices have been increased by 9 per cent. This means customers on its standard tariff are now paying 56 per cent&nbsp;more for gas than they were at the beginning of the year.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3293" date="29 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savings-rates-start-to-rise-again_0003293.aspx" title="Savings rates start to rise again" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[ICICI, the Indian bank, has reignited the savings war with the launch of a one-year fixed rate bond paying 7.2 per cent.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2963" date="28 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/energy-price-hikes-spell-misery-for-millions_0002963.aspx" title="Energy price hikes spell misery for millions" author="Clare Francis" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Households should brace themselves for significant increases in gas and electricity prices, a report by the Business and Enterprise Select Committee of MPs has warned. This news deals another blow to consumers who already face the prospect of energy bills rising imminently.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2968" date="24 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/top-tips-to-beat-inflation_0002968.aspx" title="Top tips to beat inflation" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With talk that the UK is on the brink of a recession, the emphasis is on savers to find a good home for their money to maintain their spending power going forward. However, even though savings rates are still highly competitive this may not be as easy as you'd think.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2921" date="24 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/motor-premiums-continue-to-soar_0002921.aspx" title="Motor premiums continue to soar" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Petrol and diesel prices have started to drop back, but the relief for motorists could be short-lived as those needing to reinsure their car are likely to find they will have to pay more for cover than they did last year. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3272" date="24 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/bank-charges-update_0003272.aspx" title="Bank charges update" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[There was more frustration for Britain's current account customers earlier this week as the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the City regulator, announced that it is extending the waiver allowing banks not to investigate complaints about unauthorised borrowing charges until January.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3281" date="17 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-the-house-of-credit-cards-about-to-come-crashing-down_0003281.aspx" title="Is the house of credit cards about to come crashing down?" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[As fuel, food and energy prices soar, so too are&nbsp;credit card debts. According to the UK payments association Apacs, collectively we now owe &pound;54.6billion on credit cards suggesting we're leaning more heavily on plastic to prop up an increasingly steep mountain of debt and there are worrying signs that the strain is getting too great for many to bear.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3290" date="17 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/last-minute-holiday-checklist_0003290.aspx" title="Last minute holiday checklist" author="Peter Gerrard" category="Insurance" subcategory="Travel" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travelinsurance/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Gerrard_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With many schools now having broken up, the mass holiday exodus is about to begin. From travel insurance to cancelling the milk, we provide that all important checklist to ensure you don't forget anything or find that your holiday costs more than you bargained for.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3291" date="17 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savers---act-fast-as-rates-could-fall_0003291.aspx" title="Savers - act fast as rates could fall" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The credit crunch may have created a miserable environment for borrowers but savers have been laughing all the way to the bank as providers compete to attract our money into retail deposit accounts to lower their reliance on wholesale markets.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3235" date="16 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/pocket-100-by-switching-your-current-account_0003235.aspx" title="Pocket 100 by switching your current account" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Alliance &amp; Leicester (A&amp;L), which is the subject of a &pound;1.26billion takeover bid from Santander, the Spanish bank that owns Abbey, is renewing its effort to increase its share of the current account market, by offering anyone who signs up to its Premier account, &pound;100. But will this be enough to get you switching?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3286" date="15 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/first-sharia-credit-card-launched_0003286.aspx" title="First sharia credit card launched" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The country's first sharia-compliant prepaid MasterCard has been launched in London.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3244" date="15 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/persimmon-offers-to-double-savings_0003244.aspx" title="Persimmon offers to double savings" author="" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[First-time buyers are being helped on to the property ladder by a joint venture between Persimmon Homes and mortgage lender Halifax.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2973" date="10 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/holiday-spending-tips_0002973.aspx" title="Holiday spending tips" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Travel Money" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travel-money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[It seems there's no escape from rising costs as even holidaymakers are being hit with HSBC increasing its charges for withdrawing cash overseas.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3278" date="10 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/isa-nightmare_0003278.aspx" title="Isa nightmare" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Investing in an individual savings account (Isa) makes perfect sense&nbsp;- you can invest up to &pound;3,600 a year in a cash Isa and the interest is not taxed. And the rules state that you can transfer money from one cash Isa to another without losing the tax-break, which is great as rates on many accounts lose their competitive edge over time. But for many savers, making an Isa transfer is easier said than done.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3000" date="10 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/should-you-buy-the-latest-iphone_0003000.aspx" title="Should you buy the latest iPhone?" author="Rob Barnes" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Pre-orders mean there's already a waiting list for the new iPhone 3G, but is it worth adding your name to, or are there better alternatives available that you can take advantage of now without the delay?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3263" date="10 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/need-a-loan-heres-an-alternative_0003263.aspx" title="Need a loan? Here's an alternative" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Huge news broke in the loans market earlier this week when Barclays, the UK's fourth largest bank, withdrew from the secured loans market.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3273" date="10 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-rates-kept-at-5-per-cent_0003273.aspx" title="Interest rates kept at 5 per cent" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Millions of borrowers will be breathing a sigh of relief following the decision by the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to keep interest rates on hold at 5%.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3239" date="08 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/act-now-to-secure-leading-loan-rate_0003239.aspx" title="Act now to secure leading loan rate" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[First Plus, the UK's largest secured loan provider, has announced that it will pull out of the loans market on August 9. This could have a huge impact on the debt consolidation market as First Plus, which is part of Barclays, has been the leading player for some time and its competitiveness has helped keep the rates offered by other providers down.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3248" date="03 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/when-a-market-leading-rate-isnt-a-market-leading-deal_0003248.aspx" title="When a market-leading rate isn't a market-leading deal" author="John Myers" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/John_Myers_Large.png" ><![CDATA[As the phrase goes, don't judge a book by its cover&nbsp;- or in this case, don't judge a mortgage product by its headline rate.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2958" date="03 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/are-we-heading-for-a-great-depression_0002958.aspx" title="Are we heading for a Great Depression?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[It was a tumultuous week on the global stock markets. The FTSE 100 closed down 117 points at 5,413 on Friday, while share prices in the United States, Asia and Europe also suffered significant falls.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3262" date="03 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/cut-your-energy-bills-and-go-green_0003262.aspx" title="Cut your energy bills and go green" author="Paul Schofield" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Oil has hit a new high of $146 a barrel, spelling more bad news for consumers. Not only will petrol and diesel costs rise further but it also means that we are likely to see energy bills rise again, sooner rather than later.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2995" date="03 July 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-your-car-fully-insured_0002995.aspx" title="Is your car fully insured?" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Over the next few months thousands of motorists will take their cars over to the Continent, yet many won't realise they don't have the same level of insurance cover they enjoy in this country. And it's not only when they're abroad that motorists are being caught out.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3255" date="26 June 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/gap-year-travel-tips_0003255.aspx" title="Gap year travel tips" author="Peter Gerrard" category="Insurance" subcategory="Travel" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travelinsurance/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Gerrard_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With A-levels and university finals over, thousands of students who have faced weeks of exams and at least 10 years of studying will be excited and eager to set off on what is probably their first real adventure.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3261" date="26 June 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/avoid-mortgage-misery_0003261.aspx" title="Avoid mortgage misery" author="John Myers" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/John_Myers_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The problems in the mortgage market persist. Rates and fees are still on the up, which is not good news for anyone looking for a home loan.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2952" date="26 June 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/broadband-speeds-revealed_0002952.aspx" title="Broadband speeds revealed" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With an increasing number of people downloading music and games and watching television and films via the internet, download speed is becoming ever more important. Yet millions of people are paying for a fast internet connection and not getting it.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3250" date="26 June 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/steer-clear-of-costly-store-cards_0003250.aspx" title="Steer clear of costly store cards" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With money tight, it may be tempting to save 10% off a shopping bill and delay paying for your purchases for a while by signing up for a store card. But this often proves to be a costly mistake and can make financial worries worse rather than better.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3280" date="19 June 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/avoid-a-lifetime-of-debt_0003280.aspx" title="Avoid a lifetime of debt" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[As a nation we've developed a laissez-faire attitude to debt in recent years and for many people the flippancy with which they happily bought things on credit, is now coming back to haunt them.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3256" date="19 June 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-savers-can-beat-inflation_0003256.aspx" title="How savers can beat inflation" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Inflation has already risen sharply this year and there are no signs that it will fall back in the near future as food, fuel and energy prices continue to climb.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3258" date="19 June 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/one-year-on-from-the-floods_0003258.aspx" title="One year on from the floods" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The floods of summer 2007 were the most severe weather-related event the UK has experienced in decades. In total, around &pound;3bn of the loss was covered by insurance, with providers receiving about 165,000 claims.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3232" date="18 June 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/prepare-for-higher-energy-prices_0003232.aspx" title="Prepare for higher energy prices" author="Paul Schofield" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[It's not only the oil price that continues to rise. Wholesale gas prices have also hit record highs recently, with the cost having breached &pound;1 per therm for the first time ever. As analysts predict that gas and electricity bills may rise by almost 40% this winter, households need to brace themselves for further increases over the coming months.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3268" date="12 June 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/cheaper-calls-when-youre-abroad_0003268.aspx" title="Cheaper calls when you're abroad" author="Rob Barnes" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[If you're about to head abroad to work for the summer, or have a child who is going on a gap year in a few months, it's time to think about mobiles.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3233" date="12 June 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/save-pounds-on-fuel-costs_0003233.aspx" title="Save pounds on fuel costs" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The pain looks set to get even worse for motorists. With oil trading slightly below its recent $139 a barrel peak, the chief executive of the world's largest energy company, the Russian firm Gazprom, has warned that the price could surge to $250 a barrel which would take petrol costs to more than &pound;2 a litre here in Britain.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2976" date="12 June 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/current-account-market-heats-up_0002976.aspx" title="Current account market heats up" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[We've seen a spate of activity in the current account market in recent weeks, with Barclays and Lloyds announcing changes to their accounts. So how do their offerings stack up against the rest of the market?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3269" date="12 June 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/top-tips-for-landlords_0003269.aspx" title="Tips for landlords" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Landlord" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/landlord-insurance/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With house prices falling, and demand remaining weak, many homeowners are struggling to sell their home. This is resulting in an increasing number of people choosing to rent their properties instead.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3253" date="05 June 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/best-credit-card-deal-ever_0003253.aspx" title="Best credit card deal ever" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The credit card market has made interesting viewing since the credit crunch. Though there has been concern about a growing number of applications being rejected and providers increasing rates on both purchases and cash, the very top end of the market has become furiously competitive.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3276" date="05 June 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savers-fail-to-make-the-most-of-fantastic-rates_0003276.aspx" title="Savers fail to make the most of fantastic rates" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With mortgage rates, energy, food and fuel prices all rising you'd think that the great British public would take any opportunity they can to boost their finances. However, new research suggests there's an area we've overlooked&nbsp;- our savings.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2923" date="05 June 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/exclusive-broadband-deal_0002923.aspx" title="Exclusive broadband deal" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Talktalk, the home phone and broadband provider owned by Carphone Warehouse, has revamped its broadband deals and is offering Moneysupermarket users the opportunity to save &pound;53.49 on its new Talk Global Evening &amp; Weekend package.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3297" date="05 June 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/should-you-fix-your-mortgage_0003297.aspx" title="Should you fix your mortgage?" author="John Myers" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/John_Myers_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has voted to keep interest rates on hold at 5 per cent&nbsp;this month as it continues to battle rising inflation and a slowing economy.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2929" date="05 June 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/consumer-inertia-is-costing-us-dear_0002929.aspx" title="Consumer inertia is costing us dear" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Millions of British households are struggling to make ends meet because of the rising cost of living and higher borrowing costs brought on by the credit crunch. Yet what the majority don't realise is they could help improve their financial situation quite easily by looking around to see if they could save money, or earn more interest by swapping their financial products and services.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3292" date="29 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/barclays-slashes-overdraft-fees_0003292.aspx" title="Barclays slashes overdraft fees" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Barclays has announced a radical shake-up to its current account charges which will place the other major banks under pressure to reduce their overdraft fees.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2981" date="29 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-to-do-in-a-slow-moving-housing-market_0002981.aspx" title="What to do in a slow moving housing market" author="John Myers" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/John_Myers_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The housing boom is well and truly over and talk over the dinner table has switched, from how far property prices will rise over the next year, to whether we're heading for a full scale crash.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3257" date="29 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/act-fast-and-fix-your-savings_0003257.aspx" title="Act fast and fix your savings" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The boom time continues for Britain's savers. Kaupthing Edge, the Icelandic Bank, has announced that is it increasing the rate on its one-year fixed rate bond from 6.86 per cent&nbsp;to 7.01 per cent on June 4. This will make it the fourth institution to be offering a savings rate of 7.0 per cent&nbsp;or more. Given that Bank rate is only 5 per cent, this is a fantastic time to be a saver.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3277" date="29 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/quick-fix-comes-at-a-high-price_0003277.aspx" title="Quick fix comes at a high price" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[There's always someone who reaps the rewards of the most challenging times - and while a huge rise in the cost of living is bad news for most Brits, the payday loan industry is enjoying a massive upswing.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3236" date="28 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/ten-ways-to-cut-motoring-costs_0003236.aspx" title="Ten ways to cut motoring costs" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Motoring" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/motoring/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The consumer backlash against rising fuel prices is growing. In a recent poll on moneysupermarket.com, 67 per cent&nbsp;of respondents said they are really concerned about the cost of petrol and diesel and that they don't think they'll be able to cope if prices rise much further.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3260" date="22 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/lenders-clamp-down-on-interest-only-mortgages_0003260.aspx" title="Lenders clamp down on interest-only mortgages" author="John Myers" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/John_Myers_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Despite a succession of Bank rate reductions&nbsp;- now down to 5 per cent&nbsp;- life hasn't got much easier for the typical homeowner and an increasing number of borrowers are turning to interest-only mortgages to ease the pressure on their monthly outgoings. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3284" date="22 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/middle-class-debt-crisis_0003284.aspx" title="Middle class debt crisis" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[There's a high price for high living&nbsp;and in recent months, many of those living the middle class fantasy have seen their world tumble around them.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3299" date="22 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-it-time-to-grab-a-fixed-energy-deal_0003299.aspx" title="Is it time to grab a fixed energy deal?" author="Paul Schofield" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Energy firms have been accused of operating a 'comfortable oligopoly' and acting in 'tacit collusion' as consumers face the prospect of yet more gas and electricity price increases.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3249" date="21 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/top-10-holiday-tips_0003249.aspx" title="Top 10 holiday tips" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Travel Money" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travel-money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With the holiday season just around the corner we've compiled a list of 10 tips to help you minimise the cost of your summer break: ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2993" date="15 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/british-holidaymakers-to-shun-europe-this-summer_0002993.aspx" title="British holidaymakers to shun Europe this summer" author="Peter Gerrard" category="Insurance" subcategory="Travel" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travelinsurance/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Gerrard_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The strength of the euro has reached its highest mark against the pound since its introduction in 1999&nbsp;- smashing through the 80p barrier - and the weakness of sterling has made many people think twice about their holiday plans this year.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2986" date="15 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/loans-costs-still-rising_0002986.aspx" title="Loans costs still rising" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Unfortunately it's not just mortgage rates that are on the rise&nbsp;- since the turn of the year more than half of the lenders offering personal loans have made changes to their rates.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3275" date="15 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/current-account-charges-rising-ahead-of-oft-clampdown_0003275.aspx" title="Current account charges rising ahead of OFT clampdown" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/currentaccounts/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Recent current account changes suggest that banks and building societies are preparing themselves in case they lose the court case against the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) over the fairness of overdraft charges.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3243" date="15 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dont-be-tempted-by-home-insurance-offers_0003243.aspx" title="Don't be tempted by home insurance offers" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[If you are looking for insurance, don't be swayed by attractive discounts&nbsp;- you may find you can still get a better deal from an insurer that doesn't have a special offer.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3298" date="14 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/tell-me-b4-u-sell-me_0003298.aspx" title="Tell Me B4 U Sell Me" author="Stuart Glendinning" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Stuart_Glendinning_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Moneysupermarket's campaign for fairer credit quotations.... ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3289" date="08 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/missed-opportunity-by-the-bank-of-england_0003289.aspx" title="Missed opportunity by the Bank of England?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The decision by the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to keep Bank rate on hold at 5 per cent&nbsp;has been criticised by some economists who believe further rate reductions are inevitable and that the delay merely increases the risk of a full-blown economic slump.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3274" date="08 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/save-a-bundle-on-your-broadband_0003274.aspx" title="Save a bundle on your broadband" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[You shouldn't put all your eggs into one basket&nbsp;- unless of course that basket saves you a lot of money.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2969" date="08 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/credit-crunch-boost-for-credit-card-market_0002969.aspx" title="Credit crunch boost for credit card market" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The credit crunch has been a borrower's nightmare as lenders squeeze mortgage and loan rates to secure their finances. However, every cloud has a silver lining.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3252" date="08 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-rates-held-at-5-per-cent_0003252.aspx" title="Interest rates held at 5 per cent" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to keep interest rates on hold at 5 per cent&nbsp;today.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3295" date="08 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-survive-the-oil-spike_0003295.aspx" title="How to survive the oil spike" author="Paul Schofield" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[As the price of oil surges to new highs, a new report revealed that UK households are facing their lowest level of disposable income for 17 years. The Prime Minister is also alleged to have been warned by fellow Cabinet members that family finances are at breaking point.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3242" date="06 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/insurance-for-young-drivers_0003242.aspx" title="Insurance for young drivers" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Legally, you might be able to learn to drive when you reach the age of 17, but for many teenagers it may be financially prohibitive. Not only is there the cost of lessons and at least one driving test to factor in, but the price of insurance for young drivers can be astronomical.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3296" date="02 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/did-the-banks-play-fair-following-last-months-rate-cut_0003296.aspx" title="Did the banks play fair following last month's rate cut?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Not all banks and building societies have yet responded to last month's quarter-point reduction in interest rates, but it's been a mixed bag among the institutions that have announced changes to their mortgage and savings rates.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2955" date="01 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/make-the-most-of-your-travel-money_0002955.aspx" title="Make the most of your travel money" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Perhaps we've simply been spoilt by favourable exchange rates for too long, but for UK holidaymakers the prospect of travelling to the Continent has lost some of its gloss this year as the pound has hit a record low against the euro. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2934" date="01 May 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/need-a-loan-read-this-first_0002934.aspx" title="Need a loan? Read this first" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Personal loans are harder to come by because of the credit crunch, yet an increasing number of people are needing to borrow to make ends meet each month. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3282" date="24 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/should-you-spend-your-money-on-the-iphone_0003282.aspx" title="Should you spend your money on the iPhone?" author="Rob Barnes" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Few technological gadgets have caused such fervour on their release as the vaunted Apple iPhone. Described as a 'revolutionary mobile phone' it appeared to take handsets into a new era. However, just six months after its UK launch its price has been slashed as rumours of a replacement emerge.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3251" date="24 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/why-the-tooth-hurts-for-the-nhs_0003251.aspx" title="Why the tooth hurts for the NHS" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Dental" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/dentalinsurance/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[The NHS may be approaching its 60th anniversary but there are few celebratory smiles among its dental patients as frustration grows over rising costs and longer waiting times, with many choosing to turn their backs on the service altogether.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3283" date="24 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savers-reap-the-rewards-of-the-credit-crunch_0003283.aspx" title="Savers reap the rewards of the credit crunch" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[When the Bank of England cuts interest rates borrowers rejoice and savers curse their luck&nbsp;- or at least that is what you expect to happen.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3234" date="24 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/banks-lose-first-round-of-overdraft-charges-court-case_0003234.aspx" title="Banks lose first round of overdraft charges court case" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Consumers are one step closer to victory in the battle against bank charges. The High Court has ruled that the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) does have the power to decide whether or not the fees levied by banks and building societies when a customer exceeds their overdraft limit are fair.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3254" date="24 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/beware-the-credit-card-crunch_0003254.aspx" title="Beware the credit card crunch" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[If you thought the mortgage market was the only area of borrowing being hit by the credit crunch, then think again. Credit cards and loans are also harder to come by and this is bad news for those struggling to make ends meet each month.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2999" date="21 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/moneysupermarket-scoops-top-award_0002999.aspx" title="Moneysupermarket scoops top award" author="Clare Francis" category="Insurance" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/insurance/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Moneysupermarket.com has received a leading industry award from Hitwise, an online monitoring service, for being the number one insurance website in 2007.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3245" date="18 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/tips-to-survive-the-credit-crunch_0003245.aspx" title="Tips to survive the credit crunch" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With the credit crunch and inflation continuing to bite, we show you 10 steps you can take to minimise the impact and relieve some of the pressure on your finances...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3267" date="17 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/earn-12-per-cent-on-your-savings_0003267.aspx" title="Earn 12 per cent on your savings" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Alliance &amp; Leicester (A&amp;L) is launching a regular savings account paying 12% on Monday as it strives to encourage people to switch current account.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3294" date="17 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-interest-free-credit-cards-that-may-charge-you-interest_0003294.aspx" title="The 'interest-free' credit cards that may charge you interest" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Unwary customers are being caught out by interest-free credit card offers that could cost you dear if you don't use them correctly. We explain the catches...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3247" date="17 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-do-motor-insurers-really-compare_0003247.aspx" title="How do motor insurers really compare?" author="Richard Mason" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Richard_Mason_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Millions of motorists stick with the same insurer year after year despite the fact they could save money by switching provider.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3265" date="11 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-peculiar-rate-reduction_0003265.aspx" title="The peculiar rate reduction" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has cut Bank rate from 5.25% to 5%. This is the third quarter-point reduction since December and many economists believe there could be more falls to come before the end of the year.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3270" date="10 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/are-you-starting-to-feel-the-crunch_0003270.aspx" title="Are you starting to feel the crunch?" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/loans/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With the number of mortgage deals available declining at a rapid rate, energy prices increasing and a general rise in the cost of living there are worrying signs that a growing number of people are having to borrow in order to make ends meet each month.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2953" date="10 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-protect-yourself-from-energy-mis-selling_0002953.aspx" title="How to protect yourself from energy mis-selling" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[An undercover investigation by The Sunday Times raised concerns that some consumers have been given inaccurate information by sales people trying to get them to switch energy provider. We look at the issue of mis-selling and what you should do if you believe you have been victim to it...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2949" date="10 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/keep-broadband-costs-in-check_0002949.aspx" title="Keep broadband costs in check" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The popularity of broadband has grown massively in recent years&nbsp;- introduced only seven years ago, more than 50% of households in Britain now have a broadband connection. As providers fight for market share, prices have been driven down, but while upfront costs may be low, many consumers find they are paying far more than they expected because of the charges levied when something goes wrong.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2931" date="10 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-rates-fall-again_0002931.aspx" title="Interest rates fall again" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted to cut interest rates by a quarter of one percent, taking Bank rate from 5.25% to 5%.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2996" date="04 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-mortgage-crisis-deepens_0002996.aspx" title="The mortgage crisis deepens" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Consumers looking for a mortgage are facing less choice and higher rates. The Bank of England has warned that the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better and that the squeeze on mortgages is likely to continue for the next few months at least.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3285" date="03 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/lessons-we-can-learn-from-terminal-five-foul-up_0003285.aspx" title="Lessons we can learn from Terminal Five foul-up" author="Peter Gerrard" category="Insurance" subcategory="Travel" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/travelinsurance/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Gerrard_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With outlets from Boots to Harrods and even a Gordon Ramsay restaurant, Heathrow's &pound;4.3bn Terminal Five was supposed to put the glamour back into air travel. Instead, a breakdown of the baggage handling system left thousands of customers to choose between flying with just hand luggage, getting an alternative flight or claiming a refund.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2985" date="03 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/why-its-easier-than-ever-to-switch-your-mobile_0002985.aspx" title="Why it's easier than ever to switch your mobile" author="Rob Barnes" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Mobile phones have become an iconic symbol of the modern era&nbsp;- reflecting our busy lifestyles and our need to constantly be in touch with those around us.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3266" date="03 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/a-new-tax-year---a-new-chance-to-save_0003266.aspx" title="A new tax year - a new chance to save" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Happy new tax-year. April 6 marks the beginning of a new financial year.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2947" date="03 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-do-the-tax-changes-mean-for-you_0002947.aspx" title="What do the tax changes mean for you?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The new tax year starts on Sunday, and with it comes a raft of changes that will affect individuals. Some will be beneficial but others could leave you worse off.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3288" date="01 April 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/northern-rock-slashes-savings-rates_0003288.aspx" title="Northern Rock slashes savings rates" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Northern Rock has announced losses of &pound;167.6m last year, and the implications of what lies ahead for the customers of the recently-nationalised bank is becoming clearer. Savers and borrowers will both be affected by a radical overhaul.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3287" date="28 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-it-time-to-think-long-term-with-your-mortgage_0003287.aspx" title="Is it time to think long-term with your mortgage?" author="John Myers" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/John_Myers_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Two-year mortgage deals are most popular with borrowers because the rates tend to be lower than those on longer-term products. However, the credit crunch and rising arrangement fees are taking their toll so could it be worth looking longer-term?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3246" date="28 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/prepare-your-finances-for-a-recession_0003246.aspx" title="Prepare your finances for a recession" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said we are facing a financial crisis on a scale not experienced in recent times and a growing number of economists warn that a full-blown recession could be on the cards. Consumers therefore need to position their finances so that they can weather the storm...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3237" date="28 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-your-energy-provider-treating-you-fairly_0003237.aspx" title="Is your energy provider treating you fairly?" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Scottish &amp; Southern Energy is the latest provider to hike its gas and electricity bills. With all of the big six now having announced price increases this year the picture is clear&nbsp;- it's loyal customers who are being hit the hardest...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3271" date="27 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dont-miss-out-on-your-allowance_0003271.aspx" title="Don't miss out on your allowance" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The race is on to capitalise on this year's Isa allowance before the tax year ends on April 5 with some banks even extending their opening hours to deal with last minute applications. So why are Isas such a great way to save and how do the best deals compare?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3279" date="20 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/cut-your-outgoings-by-more-than-1,000-a-year_0003279.aspx" title="Cut your outgoings by more than 1,000 a year" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Household finances are under increasing pressure but many people could offset rising food, fuel and energy bills and slash their monthly outgoings significantly by spending a few hours going through their financial products and switching to a better deal.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2984" date="19 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/are-prepaid-cards-the-answer-to-our-foreign-spending-woes_0002984.aspx" title="Are prepaid cards the answer to our foreign spending woes?" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Thousands of British holidaymakers have jetted off for an Easter break, and many will pour money down the drain on unnecessary foreign usage fees when they use their credit and debit cards abroad.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3241" date="19 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-protect-your-savings_0003241.aspx" title="How to protect your savings" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The near collapse of Bear Stearns, an 85-year-old investment bank that survived the Wall Street Crash of 1929, caused a wave of panic among investors around the world. More than &pound;14billion was wiped off the value of Britain's main high street banks as share prices plunged last Monday amid fears that the financial crisis could claim further casualties.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3240" date="18 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/what-would-happen-to-your-family-if-you-died_0003240.aspx" title="What would happen to your family if you died?" author="" category="Insurance" subcategory="Life" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/LifeInsurance/uk-life-insurance.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/blank.jpg" ><![CDATA[Death is not something people like to think about, but if you have dependants it is not something you can afford to ignore.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3238" date="13 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/thank-you-darling---for-what_0003238.aspx" title="Thank you Darling - for what?" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Public reaction to Alistair Darling's first budget has been largely negative. We look at why consumers are feeling so let down...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3259" date="13 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/market-leading-broadband-available-only-through-moneysupermarket_0003259.aspx" title="Market-leading broadband available only through moneysupermarket" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Moneysupermarket.com is offering internet users the opportunity to take advantage of an exclusive broadband deal...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3264" date="13 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/tax-allowances-for-2008-2009_0003264.aspx" title="Tax allowances for 2008-2009" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="64" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[In case you are wondering what your tax allowances will be for the next tax year, we have compiled some easy-to-read tables for you. These should provide all the information you need.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2961" date="13 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/majority-of-consumers-fear-for-their-finances_0002961.aspx" title="Majority of consumers fear for their finances" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Money worries are no longer a taboo subject and the increasing strain of higher living and borrowing costs is taking its toll. But it is not just the heavily indebted who are concerned about making ends meet.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3325" date="13 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/homeowners-face-hefty-clear-up-costs-after-storm-havoc_0003325.aspx" title="Homeowners face hefty clear-up costs after storm havoc" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="https://wwww.moneysupermarket.com/home/QuoteRequest1.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[As homeowners recover from the storms that raged across the UK, many will be assuming that repairs for any damage will be covered by their home insurance.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3312" date="12 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-2008-budget-at-a-glance_0003312.aspx" title="The 2008 Budget at a glance" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Chancellor, Alistair Darling, has delivered his first budget speech. Is it good or bad news for consumers? We give you a run down of the main announcements...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3305" date="10 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/moneysupermarket.com-crowned-best-for-car-insurance_0003305.aspx" title="moneysupermarket.com crowned best for car insurance" author="Clare Francis" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/car-insurance/quote-request/1/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Moneysupermarket.com has been confirmed as the best comparison site for motor insurance.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3335" date="06 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dont-let-your-bank-walk-all-over-you_0003335.aspx" title="Don't let your bank walk all over you" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The total profits of the big five high street banks&nbsp;- Barclays, Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS), HSBC, Lloyds TSB and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)&nbsp;- rose again last year to a record 38.6billion pounds, despite the fact they were forced to write off billions of pounds in bad debts. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3329" date="06 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/get-covered-and-avoid-a-holiday-hangover_0003329.aspx" title="Get covered and avoid a holiday hangover" author="Peter Gerrard" category="Insurance" subcategory="Travel" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Gerrard_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Preparing for a holiday can be hectic at the best of times and it's easy to forget more than just your toothbrush. However, waiting until the last minute to book travel insurance can be an expensive mistake.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3321" date="06 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-rates-stay-at-5.25-per-cent_0003321.aspx" title="Interest rates stay at 5.25 per cent" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted to keep interest rates on hold at 5.25%.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3337" date="06 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-big-energy-rip-off_0003337.aspx" title="The big energy rip-off" author="Scott Byrom" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Scott_Byrom_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The majority of consumers believe they are paying too much for their gas and electricity and that recent price increases are totally unjustified, according to a poll on moneysupermarket.com.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3316" date="05 March 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/isa-rules-at-a-glance_0003316.aspx" title="Isa rules at a glance" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[New Isa rules take effect on April 6 2008.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3301" date="28 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/put-the-brakes-on-rising-car-insurance-premiums_0003301.aspx" title="Put the brakes on rising car insurance premiums" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[As cars with the latest '08' registration plates hit the forecourts, motorists who have bought cars at this time in previous years could be in for an unwelcome shock in the form of a steep rise in insurance costs...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3310" date="28 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dont-miss-out-on-tax-free-savings_0003310.aspx" title="Don't miss out on tax-free savings" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Millions of savers say they have no intention of using their Isa allowance. This is a valuable tax break that is well worth taking advantage of, but with only five weeks left of the current tax year, you need to act quickly...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3302" date="28 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/consumers-hit-by-squeeze-on-home-loans_0003302.aspx" title="Consumers hit by squeeze on home loans" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Thousands of homeowners could struggle to find a new mortgage as the credit crunch tightens its grip on the banking sector. However, there is no need to panic because there are still options available...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3307" date="28 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/is-this-the-end-for-landlines_0003307.aspx" title="Is this the end for landlines?" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Home phones could soon become obsolete thanks to the emergence of mobile broadband packages that can put you online anywhere at any time. However, just how good are these deals and should we really be abandoning our fixed lines?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3324" date="22 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-play-your-cards-right---payment-allocations-explained_0003324.aspx" title="How to play your cards right - payment allocations explained" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[There are some great credit card deals available. However, unwary consumers are at risk of being caught out by the complicated repayment system most card providers use.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3328" date="21 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/pick-up-a-free-nintendo-ds-or-a-free-hdtv_0003328.aspx" title="Pick up a free Nintendo DS or a free HDTV" author="Rob Barnes" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Why talk when you can text?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3319" date="21 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/get-on-top-of-those-christmas-debts_0003319.aspx" title="Get on top of those Christmas debts" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[It appears as though the credit crunch and warnings of possible house price falls haven't been enough to stop consumers spending.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3304" date="21 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-you-can-avoid-a-payment-shock_0003304.aspx" title="How you can avoid a payment shock" author="John Myers" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/John_Myers_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Homeowners could see a huge jump in monthly mortgage payments when their fixed rate deal ends...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2936" date="21 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savers-enjoy-the-best-rates-for-years_0002936.aspx" title="Savers enjoy the best rates for years" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Falling interest rates are usually bad news for savers but this is not the case at the moment.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3308" date="19 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/northern-rock-to-be-nationalised_0003308.aspx" title="Northern Rock to be nationalised" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[What does the nationalisation of Northern Rock mean for you?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2997" date="15 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-beat-the-credit-crunch_0002997.aspx" title="How to beat the credit crunch" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The&nbsp;credit crunch&nbsp;rumbles on but&nbsp;there are still plenty of options available to borrowers...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3326" date="14 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/homeowners-told-therell-be-tough-times-ahead_0003326.aspx" title="Homeowners told there'll be tough times ahead" author="John Myers" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/John_Myers_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The recent cuts in interest rates came as good news for millions of homeowners struggling to make ends meet.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2937" date="14 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-improve-your-credit-score_0002937.aspx" title="How to improve your credit score" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Do you know what your credit score is? If you don't, then you are not alone...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3338" date="14 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/does-it-pay-to-be-loyal_0003338.aspx" title="Does it pay to be loyal?" author="Richard Mason" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Richard_Mason_Large.png" ><![CDATA[When it comes to insurance many of us are creatures of habit...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3323" date="08 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/borrowers-warned-not-to-bank-on-lower-mortgage-payments_0003323.aspx" title="Borrowers warned not to bank on lower mortgage payments" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The cut in interest rates should be good news for borrowers - but some will still lose out...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3309" date="07 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/egg-just-the-first-to-crack-in-credit-card-clampdown_0003309.aspx" title="Egg just the first to crack in credit card clampdown" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The actions of internet bank Egg may only be the first blow to consumers...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2951" date="07 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/rate-wars-lift-banking-gloom_0002951.aspx" title="Rate wars lift banking gloom" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[If you've not kept pace with the current account market recently, fear not&nbsp;- you've not missed out on much.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3327" date="07 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/interest-rates-fall-again---february-2008_0003327.aspx" title="Interest rates fall again - February 2008" author="Clare Francis" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Clare_Francis_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has voted to cut interest rates by 0.25 percentage points, taking Bank rate to 5.25 per cent.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3303" date="01 February 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/watchdog-claims-price-rises-are-unjustified_0003303.aspx" title="Watchdog claims price rises are unjustified" author="Paul Schofield" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Energywatch says the energy market is uncompetitive and price increases are&nbsp;unjustified.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3341" date="31 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/price-increase-on-the-cards-and-merger-rumoured_0003341.aspx" title="Price increase on the cards and merger rumoured" author="Paul Schofield" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Just when you thought the news in the gas and electricity market couldn't get any worse...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3318" date="31 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/are-you-facing-debt-problems_0003318.aspx" title="Are you facing debt problems?" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[What if your debt problems are extensive?&nbsp;You still have options but you must be very careful about the choices you make...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3333" date="31 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/can-you-bank-on-the-changing-face-of-uk-savings_0003333.aspx" title="Can you bank on the changing face of UK savings?" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Big&nbsp;name high street providers have been surpassed on savings rates by foreign banks - but should we trust these less well-established names?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2962" date="31 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/insurers-put-the-brakes-on-young-drivers_0002962.aspx" title="Insurers put the brakes on young drivers" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Money" subcategory="Car" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Several car insurance companies are refusing to offer quotes to 17-year-olds. How can they find cheap car insurance now?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3314" date="31 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dont-wait-for-downloads---grab-the-speed-you-need_0003314.aspx" title="Don't wait for downloads - grab the speed you need" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Now you can find out if you're really getting the speed you've paid for...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3339" date="29 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/fuel-poverty-soars-in-the-face-of-price-hikes_0003339.aspx" title="Fuel poverty soars in the face of price hikes" author="Paul Schofield" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With energy prices on the rise and 'fuel poverty' now a reality, it's time to take control...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3317" date="25 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dont-pay-the-price-for-high-standards_0003317.aspx" title="Don't pay the price for high standards" author="Paul Schofield" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[If&nbsp;you're happy with your current provider's service but not its pricing, can you enjoy the best of both worlds?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3332" date="24 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/british-gas-hikes-prices---but-still-offers-the-cheapest-deal_0003332.aspx" title="British Gas hikes prices - but still offers the cheapest deal" author="Paul Schofield" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[British Gas has hiked its prices by a whopping 15 per cent&nbsp;- yet it still offers the UK's cheapest deal...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3331" date="24 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/flood-claims-send-premiums-through-the-roof_0003331.aspx" title="Flood claims send premiums through the roof" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Home insurance premiums have risen to their highest-ever levels but a new service could help you save cash...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3330" date="24 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dont-panic---debt-help-is-available_0003330.aspx" title="Don't panic - debt help is available" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[If you feel you're in over your head then don't panic - there are solutions&nbsp;for every&nbsp;situation...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2917" date="24 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/bring-your-mortgage-costs-under-control_0002917.aspx" title="Bring your mortgage costs under control" author="John Myers" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/John_Myers_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With so much confusion in the mortgage lending market,&nbsp;should you&nbsp;remortgage now or wait for a better rate?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3313" date="22 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/one-provider-that-wont-hike-prices---for-now_0003313.aspx" title="One provider that won't hike prices - for now" author="Paul Schofield" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[You can't have missed the news last weekend as British Gas finally announced a 15 percent&nbsp;price hike on its standard tariffs. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3002" date="18 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/edf-energy-joins-the-price-rise-race---but-have-you_0003002.aspx" title="EDF Energy joins the price rise race - but have you?" author="Paul Schofield" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[If npower's price rises one week ago were a warning sign, then EDF Energy's price hikes should be seen as clear proof that you can't afford to wait around any longer.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3003" date="17 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-true-cost-of-fixing-a-boiler_0003003.aspx" title="The true cost of fixing a boiler" author="Paul Schofield" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[It's one of those 'worst-case' scenarios that few of us think about&nbsp;- but if your boiler breaks down during the winter months you'll suffer from more than a cold chill.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3315" date="17 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/cheaper-car-insurance-than-anywhere-else_0003315.aspx" title="Cheaper car insurance than anywhere else" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Swiftcover, the cheapest car insurer in the UK, is offering an exclusive deal to Rate Alert readers - you can earn &pound;30 cashback as long as you apply through our price comparison tool. It's an offer you won't find anywhere else so grab it now...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3336" date="17 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/stick-to-your-resolutions-and-save-cash_0003336.aspx" title="Stick to your resolutions and save cash" author="Louise Cuming" category="Insurance" subcategory="Life" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Louise_Cuming_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Three weeks have passed since we welcomed in 2008, and for many those New Year resolutions are starting to look like old news. However, now you can use money to motivate you to keep the weight off and to stay away from booze and cigarettes...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3306" date="17 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dont-pay-the-price-for-late-payments_0003306.aspx" title="Don't pay the price for late payments" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Missing a monthly payment may seem like no big deal, but it can have a serious affect on your credit rating. Nearly 5.5million Brits missed payments last year&nbsp;- yet some simple steps can ensure you never put your credit rating at risk...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2942" date="17 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/as-battle-begins-over-bank-fees,-will-customers-lose-the-war_0002942.aspx" title="As battle begins over bank fees, will customers lose the war?" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Office of Fair Trading has gone to the High Court with the banks to contest the scale of fees levied on those who slip into an unauthorised overdraft. However, it could be the consumers who pay if the banks are defeated...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2979" date="17 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-talktalk-of-the-town-again_0002979.aspx" title="The talktalk of the town again" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Sometimes an offer comes along that seems just too good to refuse&nbsp;- and that was certainly the case in April 2006, when TalkTalk launched its 'free broadband' offer.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2925" date="17 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/ofcom-targets-broadband-speeds_0002925.aspx" title="Ofcom targets broadband speeds" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Long-term Rate Alert readers may remember that earlier this summer, moneysupermarket.com conducted a ground-breaking survey into broadband speeds&nbsp;- the largest of its kind in the UK&nbsp;- with more than 43,000 broadband users taking part.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3340" date="17 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/bring-your-broadband-up-to-speed_0003340.aspx" title="Bring your broadband up to speed" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Many of us are lured into broadband deals by the promise of super-fast internet access&nbsp;- however, a mere 21% of broadband users are receiving the download speeds they signed up for.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3320" date="17 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/battle-back-against-hackers_0003320.aspx" title="Battle back against hackers" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Our research shows hackers could tap into 25% of domestic wireless connections using just a laptop. We show you how to do you fight back...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3058" date="15 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/should-you-take-a-bite-out-of-an-apple-or-a-blackberry_0003058.aspx" title="Should you take a bite out of an Apple or a Blackberry?" author="Rob Barnes" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[For thousands of mobile phone customers in America who queued up last month to be among the first to sample the revolutionary Apple iPhone, technical problems and a heavy price tag might have left them with a sour taste.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3311" date="15 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-handset-revolution-is-coming_0003311.aspx" title="The handset revolution is coming" author="Rob Barnes" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[According to its marketing campaign, Apple has 'reinvented the mobile phone' with the development of its much-hyped iPhone.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2940" date="15 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/cut-your-energy-bills---no-matter-which-tariff-you-choose_0002940.aspx" title="Cut your energy bills - no matter which tariff you choose" author="Paul Schofield" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With npower increasing its standard tariffs last week and British Gas expected to follow suit within days, consumers are frantically searching for ways to cut their energy bills.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3061" date="15 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dont-be-left-out-in-the-cold---cover-up-this-winter_0003061.aspx" title="Don't be left out in the cold - cover up this winter" author="Paul Schofield" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[When a boiler breaks down in the winter frustration can turn to misery as you're left to struggle without hot water or central heating.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3334" date="14 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/price-cuts-for-mobile-calls-from-abroad_0003334.aspx" title="Price cuts for mobile calls from abroad" author="Rob Barnes" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Millions of Brits who take their mobile phones away with them on holiday are finally to see the sky-high cost of their calls home fall this year, after the EU parliament acted to cut so-called 'roaming charges'.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3062" date="14 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dont-talk-or-text-yourself-out-of-cash_0003062.aspx" title="Don't talk (or text) yourself out of cash" author="Rob Barnes" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[It's easy to get carried away while you're chatting on the phone to a friend or family member, just like it's easy to forget how quickly those text messages add-up.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3322" date="14 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/put-your-broadband-to-the-speed-test_0003322.aspx" title="Put your broadband to the speed test" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Though internet speeds have come a long way since dial-up, they can still be frustrating as we sit and wait for music, movies or even just web-pages to download. ]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3063" date="14 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/online-and-on-the-move_0003063.aspx" title="Online and on the move" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[It's amazing how technology moves on. From LPs, to cassettes, to CDs, to music downloads; from video recorders to DVD players; and does anyone remember when our internet access was restricted to a desktop PC and a phone line?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2992" date="14 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/mobile-roaming-fees-to-fall-by-70-percent_0002992.aspx" title="Mobile roaming fees to fall by 70 percent" author="Rob Barnes" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[It seems that ET isn't the only one who likes to phone home...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3057" date="11 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/no-such-thing-as-a-quick-fix_0003057.aspx" title="No such thing as a quick fix" author="Paul Schofield" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With energy price hikes continuing for the foreseeable future, what should your next move be?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3067" date="11 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/time-to-get-back-in-the-black_0003067.aspx" title="Time to get back in the black" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Loans" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Overspent during the festive period? Tim Moss discusses the best way to pay off your debts...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2932" date="10 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/dont-pay-the-price-on-the-piste_0002932.aspx" title="Don't pay the price on the piste" author="Peter Gerrard" category="Insurance" subcategory="Travel" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Gerrard_Large.png" ><![CDATA[As the social skiing scene becomes as popular as the snow itself, tread carefully or you may be taking a huge financial risk...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3069" date="10 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/100-if-you-like-them---200-if-you-dont_0003069.aspx" title="100 if you like them - 200 if you don't" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The banks are battling for our business and first direct is earning headlines with its &pound;100 incentive]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3060" date="10 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/more-price-hikes-are-in-the-pipeline_0003060.aspx" title="More price hikes are in the pipeline" author="Paul Schofield" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Sadly, the price rises&nbsp;are only the beginning but I have some crucial advice on what to do next...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3066" date="04 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-get-your-savings-back-on-track_0003066.aspx" title="How to get your savings back on track" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With further base rate cuts on the agenda, you need to be quick to grab the host of attractive savings offers still available...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3055" date="04 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/overspent-at-christmas-now-get-the-balance-right_0003055.aspx" title="Overspent at Christmas? Now get the balance right" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[As we begin to feel the effects of our Christmas spending, moving to a 0% deal is important to get your finances on track...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3068" date="03 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/let-the-price-rises-begin_0003068.aspx" title="Let the price rises begin" author="Paul Schofield" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Energy suppliers are at it again - hiking prices. Where should you go for the best deals?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3054" date="03 January 2008" link="/newsandcommunity/news/start-your-engines-for-cashback_0003054.aspx" title="Start your engines for cashback" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Insurance" subcategory="Car" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Make your finances more manageable in 2008 and think twice before sticking with your current car insurance provider...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3070" date="20 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-year-ahead-for-your-money_0003070.aspx" title="The year ahead for your money" author="Richard Mason" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Richard_Mason_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Many of us make the same resolution every year - to get our finances in order. However, this is the year I want us all to see that resolution through and so I've asked the Rate Alert experts to offer their predictions and tips to help us make the most of 2008...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3056" date="19 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-our-finances-were-affected-in-2007_0003056.aspx" title="How our finances were affected in 2007" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[What were the highlights of the past 12 months - and how do they affect the year ahead?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3064" date="13 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/many-lenders-ignore-base-rate-cut_0003064.aspx" title="Many lenders ignore base rate cut" author="John Myers" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/John_Myers_Large.png" ><![CDATA[So far, most lenders are holding off from making mortgage rate reductions. What should you do next?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2928" date="13 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/are-you-paying-out-150-more-than-you-need-to_0002928.aspx" title="Are you paying out 150 more than you need to?" author="Paul Schofield" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[You could be saving an average of &pound;150 just by moving to a different deal from the same provider...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3042" date="13 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/check-out-a-used-car-before-you-buy_0003042.aspx" title="Check out a used car before you buy" author="Andy Leadbetter" category="Motoring" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Andy_Leadbetter_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Put your mind at rest with a used vehicle checks service&nbsp;- with 25% off the standard price.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3041" date="13 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/problems-in-store-for-using-the-wrong-card_0003041.aspx" title="Problems in store for using the wrong card" author="Steve Willey" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Steve_Willey_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Splashing out using your store card can often turn sour when the statement arrives...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3040" date="11 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/avoid-unnecessary-warranties_0003040.aspx" title="Avoid unnecessary warranties" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Shopping" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/shopping-default.asp" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Consumer groups are warning shoppers to think twice before taking out extended warranties on electrical items this Christmas.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3039" date="11 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/energy-giants-keep-schtum_0003039.aspx" title="Energy giants keep schtum" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Energy users are paying &pound;2.5bn a year more than they should because suppliers won't tell them about cheaper tariffs.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3038" date="11 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/quicker-mobile-switching_0003038.aspx" title="Quicker mobile switching" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[A telecoms watchdog says mobile users must be able to re-use their existing numbers within two hours.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3037" date="11 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/no-sloping-off_0003037.aspx" title="No sloping off" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Insurance" subcategory="Travel" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Up to one in six visitors to ski resorts never set foot on the slopes, new research reveals.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3036" date="11 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/jekyll-and-hyde-savers_0003036.aspx" title="Jekyll and Hyde savers" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Two thirds of people owing money on credit cards, overdrafts or loans also have a savings account or an ISA.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3059" date="11 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/card-splurge-dangers_0003059.aspx" title="Card splurge dangers" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[UK consumers have the potential to blow a staggering extra &pound;176.9 billion on their credit cards.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2946" date="10 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/base-rates-and-mortgages_0002946.aspx" title="Base rates and mortgages" author="John Myers" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/John_Myers_Large.png" ><![CDATA[So what does the Bank of England decision mean for savers and borrowers? And what should you be doing next?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3035" date="10 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/cheques-clearing-speeds-up_0003035.aspx" title="Cheques clearing speeds up" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Reforms into the cheque clearing cycle have finally been announced - and it is good news for customers.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3034" date="10 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/broadband-is-now-mobile_0003034.aspx" title="Broadband is now mobile" author="Rob Barnes" category="Broadband" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Broadband has gone mobile with a unique laptop modem. It can be yours for Christmas&nbsp;- and put you online in five minutes.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2935" date="10 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/take-cover-this-christmas_0002935.aspx" title="Take cover this Christmas" author="Peter Gerrard" category="Insurance" subcategory="Home" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Gerrard_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With Christmas now less than two weeks away, it's easy to get lost in thoughts of what Santa might bring.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2978" date="07 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/virgin-on-a-takeover_0002978.aspx" title="Virgin' on a takeover" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[If Virgin's offer were to succeed, what would that mean for Northern Rock savers and borrowers?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2922" date="07 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/protect-against-ski-injuries_0002922.aspx" title="Protect against ski injuries" author="Peter Gerrard" category="Insurance" subcategory="Travel" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Peter_Gerrard_Large.png" ><![CDATA[A ski injury could leave you not only in pain but seriously out of pocket unless you have the right cover.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3033" date="07 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/beat-id-fraud-at-christmas_0003033.aspx" title="Beat id fraud at christmas" author="Rob Kenley" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Kenley_Large.png" ><![CDATA[ID fraud has once again leapt to the forefront of consumers' minds after the 'lost discs' fiasco by HM Revenue &amp; Customs.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3032" date="06 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-base-rate-cut-and-you_0003032.aspx" title="The base rate cut and you" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[What does the Bank of England's 0.25% base rate cut mean for mortgage borrowers and savers?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3031" date="06 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/base-rates-fall-at-last!_0003031.aspx" title="Base rates fall at last!" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Bank of England has cut its base rate by 0.25%, pleasing millions of embattled mortgage borrowers.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3030" date="05 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/go-easy-on-borrowers_0003030.aspx" title="Go easy on borrowers" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[A City watchdog wants lenders to help 1.4 million fixed rate borrowers whose deals are ending.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3029" date="04 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/lenders-interest-rate-plea_0003029.aspx" title="Lenders' interest rate plea" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Mortgage lenders want the Bank of England to cut interest rates this week.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3028" date="03 December 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/mobile-cashbacks---time-to-act_0003028.aspx" title="Mobile cashbacks - time to act" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[How effective is the telecoms watchdog Ofcom at safeguarding consumers' interests?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3027" date="29 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/do-cashback-deals-ring-true_0003027.aspx" title="Do cashback deals ring true?" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[As mobile phone retailers offering cashback deals go bust, we ask: are these contracts a con?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3026" date="29 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/house-prices-in-sharp-fall_0003026.aspx" title="House prices in sharp fall" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[UK house prices saw their biggest fall in 12 years during November, a survey says today.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2975" date="28 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/should-you-pay-up-front-mortgage-fees_0002975.aspx" title="Should you pay up-front mortgage fees?" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[A friend of mine was offered a new mortgage the other day. The up-front fee was &pound;1,499. Was it worth paying?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2970" date="27 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/cheque-clearing-speeds-up_0002970.aspx" title="Cheque clearing speeds up" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Faster&nbsp;cheque clearing means more interest for account holders.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2920" date="27 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/buy-to-let-remains-buoyant_0002920.aspx" title="Buy-to-let remains buoyant" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The number of private tenants seeking property reaches a five-year high.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3025" date="27 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/gains-tax-u-turn-likely_0003025.aspx" title="Gains tax u-turn likely" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Chancellor's&nbsp;U-turn on tax changes&nbsp;for small businesses and employees likely.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3024" date="27 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/virgin-and-rock-deal-in-doubt_0003024.aspx" title="Virgin and rock deal in doubt?" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The Virgin-Northern Rock takeover may be in doubt as a key investor says it will oppose the deal.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3023" date="26 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/green-energy-ratings_0003023.aspx" title="Green energy ratings" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[A new rating system aims to help consumers compare energy companies' green tariffs.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3022" date="26 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/long-term-fixed-mortgages-for-all_0003022.aspx" title="Long term fixed mortgages for all?" author="John Myers" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/John_Myers_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Are fixed rate mortgages really the future? And how long should you secure your rate for?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3065" date="26 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/crackdown-on-mortgage-brokers_0003065.aspx" title="Crackdown on mortgage brokers" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The City's main watchdog is to crack down on mortgage brokers offering unaffordable loans.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3021" date="26 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/consumer-confidence-falls_0003021.aspx" title="Consumer confidence falls" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Rising oil and food prices plus increased mortgage payments have hit consumer confidence...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3020" date="26 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/virgin-for-northern-rock_0003020.aspx" title="Virgin for northern rock?" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Northern Rock today announced that it has chosen the Virgin Group as its preferred buyer.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3019" date="23 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/mortgage-lending-slumps_0003019.aspx" title="Mortgage lending slumps" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Recent figures suggest mortgage lending has fallen by a third. Is the housing market really slowing down?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3018" date="23 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/better-banking-for-all_0003018.aspx" title="Better banking for all?" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Banks and building societies are hailing new changes to their codes of practice. How might this affect you?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2967" date="23 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-beat-debt_0002967.aspx" title="How to beat debt" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Up to 75% of consumers feel they are not to blame their massive debts, according to a survey. Yet taking charge of your debts is the first step on the road to sorting out the problem. If you are struggling to cope with your debts, don't bury your head in the sand - I'll help you get back on track...		
<p></p>]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3017" date="23 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/current-account-overhaul_0003017.aspx" title="Current account overhaul" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Current Accounts" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Banks are adjusting their overdraft rates ahead of a legal test case. How does it affect your cash?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3016" date="23 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/the-credit-crunch-and-mortgages_0003016.aspx" title="The credit crunch and mortgages" author="John Myers" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/John_Myers_Large.png" ><![CDATA[For millions of mortgage borrowers, the past few weeks have been highly confusing.]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3015" date="23 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/boost-your-credit-rating_0003015.aspx" title="Boost your credit rating" author="Tim Moss" category="Money" subcategory="Debt" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/debt/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Tim_Moss_Large.png" ><![CDATA[More than 20,000 people a day are apparently being turned down for personal loans following the crisis in the financial markets. Multiple rejections risk further harming credit ratings and making the problem for consumers worse - but there is a solution...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3014" date="23 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/protect-yourself-against-data-fraud_0003014.aspx" title="Protect yourself against data fraud" author="Nic Cicutti" category="Money" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/money/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Nic_Cicutti_Large.png" ><![CDATA[HM Revenue &amp; Customs admits losing 25 million people's personal details. What can you do to stop ID fraud?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="2938" date="22 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/protection-for-credit-card-users_0002938.aspx" title="Protection for credit card users" author="Rob Kenley" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Kenley_Large.png" ><![CDATA[A landmark legal judgement gives extra protection to shoppers who use their credit cards to make purchases from abroad either in person, by telephone or online. With Christmas approaching, this is excellent news for consumers...]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3013" date="22 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/rise-of-the-silver-savers_0003013.aspx" title="Rise of the silver savers" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[This week marks the launch of the Alliance &amp; Leicester Premier 50, a current account for the 50+ age group with a 7% interest rate. However, do age-related products, including over-50 savings and notice accounts, really offer a better deal? Or can you get more value for money elsewhere]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3012" date="22 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/easy-access-savings---with-a-catch_0003012.aspx" title="Easy access savings - with a catch" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[There are two new market-leading rates available in the easy access savings account sector - but both carry penalties for withdrawals. So is the improved interest really worth your while, or should you do more than just chase the best rate?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3011" date="22 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/better-news-on-mortgages_0003011.aspx" title="Better news on mortgages" author="John Myers" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/John_Myers_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The number of orders for home repossessions has dropped over the last three months despite predictions to the contrary. In addition, the interest rate tide appears to be turning in favour of homeowners. Now is the time to take another look at the deals available to you...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3010" date="22 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/why-we-love-to-save-tax-free_0003010.aspx" title="Why we love to save tax free" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[If ever you needed proof that we love to keep our cash away from the taxman, then it arrived in figures from HM Revenue and Customs stating the money in tax-free ISAs has now reached 208bn pounds! So what are the advantages of ISAs and how can you join this savings revolution?]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3009" date="22 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/pick-up-150-guaranteed-cashback-before-christmas_0003009.aspx" title="Pick up 150 guaranteed cashback before Christmas" author="Rob Barnes" category="Mobile Phones" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/MobilePhones/default.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Barnes_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Fancy giving yourself a &pound;150 cash boost before Christmas? Or securing one of the hottest games consoles for free? All you have to do is pick up one of the leading mobile phone handsets around with unlimited texts per month! Surely this is an offer too good to refuse...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3008" date="22 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/put-your-home-at-the-top-of-the-priority-list_0003008.aspx" title="Put your home at the top of the priority list" author="Paul Schofield" category="Utilities" subcategory="Other" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/utilities/cheaper-gas-electricity.aspx" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Paul_Schofield_Large.png" ><![CDATA[With winter closing in, the idea of losing heating or hot water for a sustained period doesn't bear thinking about. However, one provider is now offering a repair service that guarantees a next-day response on one of the cheapest tariffs around...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3007" date="20 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/new-credit-card-tops-best-buy-tables_0003007.aspx" title="New credit card tops best buy tables" author="Rob Kenley" category="Money" subcategory="Credit Cards" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/cards/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Rob_Kenley_Large.png" ><![CDATA[The credit card market continues to get more competitive - and now there is a new table-topping 0% balance transfer card at the head of the pack. This is arguably the best deal on the market - I'll show you where you can get it and who its right for...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3006" date="20 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/savings-shake-up:-whats-next-for-your-cash_0003006.aspx" title="Savings shake-up: what's next for your cash?" author="Kevin Mountford" category="Money" subcategory="Savings" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/savings/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/Kevin_Mountford_Large.png" ><![CDATA[More protection for your savings, a base rate announcement and movement from some of the leading providers - it's been a busy week in the savings market. I'll show you how all of this affects your money, and what you should do next...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3005" date="20 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/how-to-break-free-of-mortgage-debt_0003005.aspx" title="How to break free of mortgage debt" author="John Myers" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/John_Myers_Large.png" ><![CDATA[More homeowners are turning to credit cards to pay off their mortgage or rent - potentially leading to even greater debt-related problems. Meanwhile, there are reports that lenders are turning down increasing numbers of mortgage applicants. It seems like a bleak time for householders and buyers alike. But there are ways round the problem...		]]></article>
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    <article productid="3004" date="20 November 2007" link="/newsandcommunity/news/start-tracking-to-make-mortgage-savings_0003004.aspx" title="Start tracking to make mortgage savings" author="John Myers" category="Money" subcategory="Mortgages" channellink="http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mortgages/" forum="72" active="True" imageurl="/newsandcommunity/img/authors/John_Myers_Large.png" ><![CDATA[Homeowners' mortgage misery may finally be on the way out, if some predictions are to be believed. The Council of Mortgage Lenders the base rate will drop back to around 5% by the middle of next year. If true, you should consider re-mortgaging to a tracker deal to make some serious savings...		]]></article>
    
    
</articles>