bank accounts

 

 

Current Accounts

Did you know that we are more likely to divorce or move house than change current accounts? It’s true! Most of us open our first ever bank account in our teens and then we stick with it forever and ever and ever. Why?Nevertheless, if you have decided to take the plunge then how do you choose the best current account for your needs?

Find the latest Current Account deals

Saving Accounts

Just about everyone could benefit from saving more but many people say they never have enough money left over to put into a savings account. This isn’t necessarily the case as many people also make lifestyle choices which leave them short of cash.

Find out more about Saving Accounts, Online Saving Accounts, High Interest Saving accounts here.

Child Trust Funds

One in four families have yet to invest the £250 Child Trust Fund voucher they have received from the government. Although the cash is not lost, parents will be at the mercy of someone else’s decision, as the government has said it will put uninvested vouchers in a fund chosen at random.

Find out more about Child Trust Funds

inflation hits nine year high

 Inflation has hit a nine year high.   

The recent double-digit price increases saw the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) - the official measure of inflation - rise to 2.5% in February from 2.2% in January, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Households have been hit by increases in gas and electricity tariffs from all but one of the six main suppliers this year as providers have sought to pass on rises in wholesale energy costs.

The ONS confirmed this spike in inflation was largely down to a change in the way it calculates inflation to reflect the trend for price increases to come into effect sooner.

Instead of phasing in increases over a four-month period, the ONS last month moved to include gas and electricity rises from the day they are introduced, which saw all of this year’s bill increases kick in within the February data.

The ONS said CPI inflation would have remained unchanged at 2.2% last month if it had not made the change in methodology.

A rise in the cost of beer and cigarettes also had an upward effect on CPI last month, as did higher price tags for food. Cheese, milk and bread prices rose by 17.6% on an annual basis last month - the largest rise since records began in 1997.

But there was a small downward effect from drops in the cost of fruit and vegetables compared with a year ago, with strawberries in particular seeing a decline in price.

Ongoing surges in the cost of oil - which on Monday hit a new trading high near 112 US dollars a barrel - have also added to the pressure on inflation. The ONS said petrol rose by 0.1p between January and February to 104p a litre compared with a fall of 0.3p a year ago.

Higher petrol prices are set to continue to push up inflation, while the changes made in this year’s Budget are also set to see CPI rise. The Retail Prices Index (RPI) - often seen as a more representative measure of inflation as it includes the cost of housing - remained unchanged last month at 4.1%.

gold an attractive asset

Gold and platinum have both hit fresh all-time highs for the third straight trading day, lifted by expectations of a further cut in US interest rates. In Tuesday trading, gold was $929.40 an ounce, while platinum touched $1,735.

As fears about a US recession continue, gold is seen as an attractive asset given the current economic uncertainty.

The weak dollar - which may fall again if US rates are cut - also boosts gold as it makes the metal cheaper for holders of other currencies.

recent energy prices unfair

A recent price increase from leading Electricity and Gas companies is unfair says a watchdog. Three energy companies have raised prices by around 15% on average. They blame soaring wholesale prices but energywatch says the market is not competitive enough.

If you fell you are paying too much for your electricity and gas, why not spend a few minutes checking with a leading price compare service. Click here for full details

compare savings

	Account name	Rate (AER)	Minimum Balance	Apply
	DirectSaver	6.3%	£1000
	Tesco Internet Saver	5.0%	£1
	Reward Saver	6.28%	£1
	Sainsburys Savings	6.00%	£1
	esaver	6.50%	£1
	Flexsaver	5.98%	£1
	Base Beater	5.8%	£500
	Instant Access	4.60%	£1000

compare utility bills

  Energy firm Npower has announced double-digit rises in the price its domestic customers will have to pay for gas and electricity - with industry observers saying that other companies are likely to follow suit.

So is now the time to reconsider who provides your energy?

Save money by comparing prices from Leading Utility providers and by companies who are dedicated to comparing prices such as Uswitch.  Compare UK suppliers of gas and electricity, with information including reviews and personalised quotes. We also provide a range of pages on gas suppliers, electricity suppliers and other energy topics.

Compare home phone deals from the UK’s leading providers.

Are you spending too much every month on your mobile phone? Could you save money? Compare the latest deals

Compare the features and prices of the UK’s leading broadband suppliers, including AOL Broadband, BT Broadband, and Virgin Media Broadband.