News Archive

Are we ready for all the price increases that are expected in April

Several price increases are expected in April due to government changes and other factors: Energy Bills: The energy price cap is set to rise by 6.4%, adding approximately £111 annually to the average household's energy costs.   Water Bills: Water bills are expected to see their largest increase in decades, with an average rise of £123 annually.  

FCA to scrutinise whether pure protection market provides fair value to consumers 

The FCA has launched a market study into how well the distribution of pure protection insurance products - which support families with financial commitments if someone becomes critically ill or dies – is working for consumers.   In 2023, around £4.85bn was paid out in claims on individual policies to support people suffering from bereavement, illness, and injury.  

Scottish Anti-Illicit Trade Group relaunches to combat counterfeit crime

The Scottish Anti-Illicit Trade Group (SAITG) has relaunched this month, with the aim of combating counterfeiting and intellectual property crime in Scotland.   Supported by the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO), the group brings together law enforcement, government and businesses to strengthen Scotland's fight against this illicit trade.  

Reeves thinks she's facing an economic crisis. She's wrong. We have a political crisis

Rachel Reeves thinks she is facing an economic crisis.  She's wrong.  

Government-backed technologies support those living with dementia

Cutting-edge research networks backed by government to tackle debilitating symptoms of dementia including memory loss and communication difficulties.   People living with dementia are set to benefit from government-backed research designed to help them live more independently in their own homes.  

Government is concealing the true scale of benefit cuts for ill and disabled people

Reducing the gap between the basic and incapacity rates of universal credit could mean billions more in cuts for ill and disabled people.   The government is downplaying the true scale of planned cuts to social security, according to analysis from the New Economics Foundation (NEF), out today.  

Ill and disabled people could lose an additional £1.5bn through universal credit changes

NEF analysis reveals government's £5bn benefits savings conceals even bigger cut for ill and disabled people, Ill and disabled people are set to lose out on an additional £1.5bn from changes to universal credit (UC), on top of the cuts to Personal Independence Payments announced by the government this week, the New Economics Foundation (NEF) has found.   NEF analysis of figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) suggests the government's £5bn of benefits savings conceals the true scale of the impact on ill and disabled people.  

Treasury to hand Bank of England £130bn in next five years in stealth subsidy to bankers

As Chancellor looks to public spending cuts, the Treasury is set to give the Bank money that could instead be used to provide grant funding for over half a million social homes.   The Treasury will be handing the Bank of England over £130bn by 2030 to help pay a stealth subsidy to bankers, money that could fund over half a million new social homes, the New Economics Foundation has warned.  

Vets market investigation: an update from the Inquiry Chair

Speech delivered by Martin Coleman, Inquiry Chair of the CMA's market investigation into veterinary services for household pets.   I have owned dogs and cats for many years - I currently have a sprocker spaniel - and know from my own experience that veterinary professionals are caring, highly skilled.  

Perilous state of public finances highlights challenge facing Chancellor ahead of her Spring Statement

The government borrowed £10.7 billion in February, significantly above the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast of £6.5 billion, highlighting the perilous state of the public finances confronting the Chancellor ahead of her Spring Statement, the Resolution Foundation said.   The latest ONS data shows that the UK's weak economic performance is showing up in the public finances - with central government tax receipts now £11.4 billion below the OBR forecast 11 months into the financial year, and overall borrowing £20.4 billion higher than forecast.