May 23rd, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

As the UK heads into peak wedding season, guests across the country are preparing to celebrate—while also keeping a close eye on their finances.

From multiple invitations to destination ceremonies, the cost of attending weddings can add up quickly. Christie Cook, Managing Director of Retail at Hodge Bank, offers practical, budget-friendly advice to help guests enjoy every celebration without breaking the bank.

“With many people attending several weddings over the summer, the financial burden can start to overshadow the joy of the events

“By planning ahead and being smart with spending, guests can celebrate the love without the stress of overspending.”

Set a Realistic Budget Early On
“Start by getting a clear picture of all the weddings you’ve been invited to, because travel, gifts, accommodation, and pre-wedding events all add up.

“Once you know how many you’re attending, assign a total budget and break it down per event. It’s perfectly okay to spend more on close family or best friends, and a bit less on distant invites. Prioritising helps keep your spending intentional.”

Give Great Gifts Without Overspending
“Gift-giving doesn’t have to stretch your wallet, consider teaming up with friends for joint gifts, shop off-registry for something personal, or give a cash gift that fits comfortably within your budget.

“Don’t be afraid to shop off-registry, a thoughtful, personalised gift often goes much further than a big-ticket item. If you’d prefer to give cash, set a limit that feels comfortable for your budget, not one based on pressure.”

Cutting Travel and Accommodation Costs
“Book early and look at ways to share costs with other guests, group bookings, car sharing, and staying just outside the venue are all simple ways to save

“Flexibility helps too: travelling off-peak or staying slightly outside the venue area can offer big savings.”

Budget-Friendly Tips for Destination Weddings
“If you’re attending a destination wedding, treat it like a mini-holiday – but as with any holiday, plan ahead. Book flights and accommodation early, use price alerts, and check if other guests want to share costs.

“While it’s tempting to splurge while abroad, setting a daily spending limit keeps things on track. Packing smart can also save you from unexpected costs, no one wants to buy essentials at airport prices.”

Outfit Hacks for Wedding Season

“Think of your wardrobe as a capsule collection, a simple dress or suit can be styled multiple ways. Renting or swapping outfits with friends is another great option that keeps costs low and looks fresh.”

Hen and Stag Do Spending Boundaries
“Pre-wedding parties can be just as costly as the big day itself, don’t be afraid to be honest about your budget.

“Choose one or two key activities to attend and politely skip the rest—your financial wellbeing comes first.”

Enjoy the Season Without Financial Stress
“Weddings are about celebrating love and friendship—not about how much you spend, with a little planning and a clear budget, you can enjoy the season fully while keeping your finances on track. Your future self will thank you.”

Being a wedding guest shouldn’t come at the expense of your financial wellbeing. With a clear budget and a few savvy choices, it’s entirely possible to enjoy celebrating your loved ones’ big moments without the stress of overspending.

May 23rd, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

May 19th, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

The Bank of England’s inflation calculator indicates goods and services cost around a quarter more
in 2025 than they did five years ago. But data from SIM-only mobile provider spusu reveals that
the prices of some iconic British staples have shot up by as much as 117 per cent since 2020.
The research reveals the widespread impact of inflation, with many everyday items that once left
shoppers with plenty of change from a fiver now costing significantly more.

Key findings
Grabbing a quick bite on the go has become noticeably pricier. Meal deal fans looking to get their
lunchtime fix now have to fork out an average of £4.18 — up from £3.55 in 2020. While an 18 per
cent rise might not sound too bad compared to some other price hikes, supermarkets have
introduced ‘luxury’ meal deals at even steeper prices, meaning premium sandwiches and snacks
have quietly disappeared from the standard £3-£4 offers.

Even for a simple snack, prices have crept up. A 45g packet of Walker’s Ready Salted crisps will now
set you back £1.10, compared to just 80p five years ago – a 38 per cent jump.
Fast food lovers aren’t faring much better. The price of a Big Mac has ballooned by 57 per cent,
jumping from £2.99 to £4.69. Over at Burger King, fans of the Whopper are shelling out £6.49 for the
burger alone – up from £4.49 in 2020, a 45 per cent increase.

And while the humble Freddo has long been the nation’s favourite inflation benchmark, the
chocolate frog has only hopped up in price by eleven per cent – making it one of the ‘better’ deals of
the past five years.

Catching up on the news has now become a pricier habit. Buying a midweek national newspaper
now costs an average of £1.89, up from £1.16 in 2020 – a staggering 63 per cent increase.

For those looking for a post-work pint, it’s a similar story. The average price of a pint has climbed
from £3.80 to £4.79 – a 26 per cent increase, making after-work drinks an even costlier affair.

Meanwhile, stamp collectors – and anyone who still posts letters – will have noticed a big difference.
A first-class stamp has skyrocketed by an eye-watering 117 per cent since 2020, making it the biggest
price jump of all the everyday essentials analysed.

Getting more for your money
The research was carried out by spusu, a mobile provider that is committed to offering good value
for money. spusu has frozen its prices throughout 2025 — unlike many major providers that
increased prices from April 1.

While the cost of everyday essentials continues to climb, spusu is proving that good value still exists,
having recently launched spusu 5, a £4.90 per month SIM-only deal including 5GB of data, unlimited
calls and texts and free EU roaming (up to 3GB).

"While overall inflation figures are useful, they only tell part of the story. Many of the most popular
everyday items have skyrocketed in price — with some more than doubling in just five years," said
Christian Banhans, managing director at spusu UK.

"As the costs of everyday items continues to soar, staying connected shouldn’t come with
unexpected price hikes. Unlike other mobile providers, we won’t catch customers out with mid-
contract increases or expensive exit fees. Our plans are simple, affordable and transparent. By
introducing options like spusu 5, we’re making sure everyone has access to reliable mobile service at
a fair price — proving that you can still get a great deal for under a fiver.

ENDS

May 13th, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

An estimated 7.2 million policyholders could be at risk of invalidating their home insurance due to putting off maintenance work around their property, a new study has calculated. Around two-fifths (43%) of Brits have delayed some form of maintenance because of the cost of living crisis, according to the research, which can lead to policies being invalidated.

Insurance providers expect properties to be kept in a good state of repair, meaning policyholders might not be covered if they fail to keep on top of maintenance work. As a result, struggling Brits are put in a difficult position, with many needing to delay certain repairs because of rising living costs. But, this could cause bigger issues if the property’s condition deteriorates and the insurer won’t pay out.

The numbers come from Go.Compare home insurance, which asked residents how rising costs have affected their ability to look after their property. It combined the results with FCA data, revealing that millions of insurance policyholders have struggled to keep up with the costs of maintaining their homes due to the cost of living crisis – something that could void their cover.

Many residents admitted that they aren’t even aware of this insurance risk. Two-fifths (41%) said they didn’t realise that putting off maintenance work can void home insurance, equal to approximately 6.8 million policyholders.[1][3] Based on the number who admit to delaying home maintenance, an estimated 2.9 million policyholders could be at risk of voiding their cover due to this issue without realising it.

Younger Brits have lower awareness of this insurance stipulation, according to the comparison site. Less than half (46%) of under-35s knew this could void a policy, compared to over two-thirds (69%) of those over 54.[2] Women are also slightly less likely to know about the rule, with 55% stating they were aware, compared to 63% of men.

Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Rising living costs are clearly forcing many households to delay maintenance work in and around their property. Paying for the essentials will always come first but putting off repairs, especially serious ones, can have a significant impact on your safety over the long term.

“Plus, home insurance usually requires you to keep the property in good condition, so your insurer likely wouldn’t accept your claim if things started to deteriorate and you were found to be at fault. Insurance prices have actually dropped recently, too, so comparing now could help you find a cheaper policy.  This could give you one less cost to worry about and free up some cash to make those repairs.

“It’s worth exploring the different ways you can make repairs when times are tight. Some jobs will need to be done professionally, so don’t attempt any repairs yourself unless you’re confident it’s safe and legal to do so. Consider contacting Citizens Advice or your local authority if you need help, as they could advise on how you can get support through the provision of things like loans, grants or materials.”

More information about the impact of the cost of living crisis on home maintenance can be found on Go.Compare’s website.

May 13th, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

Money worries are now significantly impacting people’s relationships, according to new research released by Money Wellness to mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 (13–19 May).

The financial wellbeing platform, which offers free debt advice and ongoing support, surveyed customers to find out how financial stress affects personal wellbeing. More than a quarter (28%) of respondents said their relationship had suffered due to money worries – up from 23% in 2023.

Almost three-quarters (72%) said finances are the main cause of their stress, while 83% said they feel stressed most of the time. Debt, budgeting disagreements, and growing financial pressure were cited as common flashpoints for arguments between couples.

“Money stress isn’t just something you carry in your head, it follows you into your home, your relationships, and your sense of security,” said Sebrina McCullough, director of external relations at Money Wellness. “It’s one of the biggest relationship stressors we see. And in some cases, it’s leading to controlling behaviour and even financial abuse.”

From arguments to abuse: When financial control becomes coercion

The survey also shone a light on a darker issue. Some respondents reported that financial stress was leading to controlling behaviour in relationships. While not always recognised as such, limiting a partner’s access to money or controlling their spending can be signs of financial abuse, which is a form of domestic abuse.

“We’ve seen people in relationships where one partner, often under pressure themselves, begins to restrict what the other can spend,” said McCullough. “It might start with good intentions but can quickly turn into coercive control. Recognising those signs early and seeking help is vital.”

Other key findings from the 2025 Money Wellness survey include:

• 83% feel stressed most of the time
• 76% say stress is affecting their sleep
• 74% report an impact on their mental health
• 55% say stress affects all aspects of their life
• 28% say money stress is damaging their relationship (up from 23% in 2023)
• 22% say it’s affecting their performance at work

“When people feel safe and supported, they open up. And often, it’s the first time they’ve admitted how much their debt is affecting every part of their life. It’s time we broke the stigma around debt and recognised it for what it is: a mental health issue as much as a financial one,” concluded McCullough.

May 1st, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

April 23rd, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

An estimated 12.3 million households have had to put off some form of home maintenance work because of the cost of living crisis, according to new research. The figures state that around two-fifths (43%) of residents have had to delay these types of jobs due to rising costs. This means millions have been forced to risk their property’s condition deteriorating and even becoming unsafe.

The numbers come from Go.Compare home insurance, which asked residents how rising costs have affected their ability to look after their property, then combined the results with ONS data. The findings show that millions of residents have been unable to keep up with house maintenance expenses since the start of the cost of living crisis.

Worryingly, just over a fifth (23%) stated that they have postponed making home repairs due to increased living costs. This means an estimated 6.4 million households have been forced to live in damaged properties because they can’t afford to repair them.

Cosmetic projects are the most likely to have been shelved by residents. Three in 10 (30%) stated they have delayed redecorating their home because of the rising living costs, showing that more Brits have had to cut back on non-essential jobs. A quarter (26%) added that they have put off some other type of maintenance.

Cleaning out the gutters is the job most Brits delay, according to the insurance comparison site, with 15% seeing it as less of a priority. Yet, blocked gutters can prevent proper drainage and lead to water damage. Other jobs being left include repairing damaged windows and exterior walls, both of which one in nine (11%) Brits have postponed.

Families and those with a lower income more likely to postpone maintenance work

The research also revealed that those supporting a family are more likely to have put their property work on the back burner.

Over half of those with kids said they have had to delay home maintenance tasks because of the cost of living crisis, compared to two-fifths of those without. This could suggest that families are less able to maintain their property due to rising costs.

Those on a lower income are also more likely to have abandoned home maintenance jobs. Just over half of those on a lower income (51%) have put off some form of maintenance work due to the rise in living costs, compared to two-fifths of those on a higher income.

Reassuringly, the study also found that these tasks aren’t being completely forgotten about. Just over a fifth (22%) said they plan to clear out the guttering by the end of summer. A further 13% said they are going to check or repair their windows and doors, while 12% are hoping to check or maintain their outdoor pipes and taps.

One in 10 also stated that they will check or repair their roof, highlighting that while many have had to delay these tasks, they are remaining on their to-do lists.

Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Rising living costs are clearly forcing many households to delay maintenance work in and around their property. Paying for the essentials will always come first but putting off repairs, especially serious ones, can have a significant impact on your safety over the long term.

“Plus, home insurance usually requires you to keep your property in good condition, so your insurer likely wouldn’t accept your claim if things started to deteriorate and you were found to be at fault. Insurance prices have actually dropped recently, too, so comparing now could help you find a cheaper policy. This could give you one less cost to worry about and free up some cash to make those repairs.

“It’s worth exploring the different ways you can make repairs when times are tight. Some jobs will need to be done professionally, so don’t attempt any repairs yourself unless you’re confident it’s safe and legal to do so. Consider contacting Citizens Advice or your local authority if you need help, as they could advise on how you can get support through the provision of things like loans, grants or materials.”

More information about the impact of the cost of living crisis on home maintenance can be found on Go.Compare’s website.

April 17th, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

A new study has revealed that women and baby boomers will be the worst impacted by the rise in first-year rates for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) this year.

If buying habits remain the same as in 2024, men who buy a new car between April and September will pay an additional £55.3 million towards the tax compared to last year, according to the research. In comparison, it estimates that women will pay an extra £62.8 million towards the tax – £7.4 million more than men.

The research comes from Go.Compare car insurance, which reviewed Department for Transport figures on the number of new private vehicles registered in the first half of the 2024 tax year. It applied the old and new first-year rates for VED to these vehicles to estimate how much more new car buyers will pay if buying habits stay the same, and who will be most affected.

The insurance comparison site attributes the difference to men being more likely to buy cars with cleaner fuels. It says that one in 10 men have a battery electric or plug-in hybrid electric car, compared to only 7% of women. Meanwhile, just over two-thirds (68%) of women own a petrol car, compared to 58% of men. As the tax bands are based on CO2 output, this means women are more likely to be hit with higher fees.

Baby boomers will be the most impacted of any generation for the same reason. In total, it’s estimated that baby boomers will be taxed an extra £40.5 million as a result of the changes. Just 6% of baby boomers drive either a battery electric or hybrid electric car, Go.Compare’s survey found, compared to 11% of millennials and 9% of Gen X.

As a result, it’s estimated that millennials who buy a new car between April and September will be taxed an extra £34.9 million after the changes – £5.5 million less than baby boomers. Similarly, Gen X will pay an additional £28.8 million more – £11.6 million less than baby boomers.

Extra cost of first-year VED rates for new car buyers in April to September 2025 by generation

• Gen Z (1997 and later) – £11,348,485

• Millennial (1981-1996) – £34,985,214

• Gen X (1965-1980) – £28,856,779

• Baby boomer (1946-1964) – £40,505,806

• Silent generation (1928-1945) – £2,924,456

Tom Banks, car insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Unfortunately, some groups will be worse impacted by the rising VED rates than others, which is mainly down to the type of cars they tend to buy.

“Our figures suggest that a higher proportion of men drive low-emission vehicles, meaning more men fall into the lower tax bands. Similarly, a higher proportion of women drive petrol cars, placing more of them in the higher bands.”

“But crucially, the increased rates mean all new car buyers will pay more this year. To cut these costs, go for a low-emissions car at the showroom if you can, as that will place you in the cheaper tax bands. Or, consider getting a ‘nearly new’ vehicle instead. This will give you that new car feeling for a fraction of the price, and allow you to dodge the increased tax.

“Otherwise, see if there are any other ways you can reduce your motoring spending to make up for the tax increase. For example, comparing car insurance policies might allow you to find a provider that offers the same level of cover for a lower price, and driving more economically could help to reduce your fuel costs.”

To find out more about the rise in first-year rates for VED, go to Go.Compare’s website.

April 16th, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

More than 15,000 failed motorbike MOT tests could have been prevented in the 2023/24 financial year, according to new research. Riders are now being urged to perform a few simple checks before their vehicle’s MOT to avoid unnecessary fees.

Around 979,500 MOTs were taken for motorcycles (class one and two vehicles) during this period. DVSA data shows that approximately 85,500 failed – around 9% of the total number. The study calculates that almost £47,000 was spent on MOT retests that could have been avoided with better preparation.

The statistics come from Go.Compare motorbike insurance, which used a combination of survey data and official DVSA testing figures to estimate how much was needlessly lost at testing centres last year. The insurance comparison site states that these failures can be attributed to factors that riders can check and fix at home before a test.

Issues with lamps and reflectors were the biggest reason for avoidable failures, with around 11,440 tests failing due to this issue in the 2023/24 testing year. Tyres caused 2,500 failures in the same period, while vehicle identification led to a further 1,114 failures. Had motorbike owners looked into and rectified these issues sooner, they could have prevented a failed MOT.

Around one in 10 motorists miss the free partial retest window after a failed MOT, says Go.Compare. Assuming the same for motorbike riders, the insurance comparison site calculated that the UK’s riders spent approximately £46,935 on retests that could have been avoided. This is based on the maximum cost for a motorbike MOT of £29.65.

Tom Banks, motoring expert at Go.Compare, says: “Our research shows that thousands of pounds is being wasted on easily preventable MOT failures, but preparing for the test properly can help you to avoid incurring extra costs.

“There are some simple checks that you can perform at home before you book your bike in for its MOT, and they could save you time and money by preventing a failure. For example, make sure your lights are working properly and replace any faulty bulbs, then check the tread depth of your tyres to see if they meet the minimum requirements.

“If your motorbike fails its MOT, don’t worry; you still have a 10-day window to get your bike in for a free retest. If you can get it fixed before this, you shouldn’t need to pay for another test. Remember, your bike won’t be road-legal if it fails its MOT due to a dangerous fault, meaning your insurance will likely become invalid as well. In this case, you’ll need to get the issues rectified before you can ride it again.”

More information on preventing avoidable motorbike MOT failures can be found on Go.Compare’s website.

April 14th, 2025 | Andrew Hagger | News

Birmingham’s residents are set to be hit hardest by rising council tax rates for 2025/26, new research has found. Households across the city will pay an extra £43.1 million this tax year – the largest overall increase of any local authority in England.

The country can expect a total council tax rise of £2.1 billion in the 2025/26 period, with bills soaring for households in some areas. Windsor and Maidenhead residents will experience the largest increase per property, with eligible households seeing a jump of £169.43 compared to 2024/25.

This tax year’s rise represents 29% of the total increase across the last four years. During this period, residents in Birmingham have again seen the largest overall increase, with the city’s total council tax bill rising by £136.8 million since 2022/23.

The study by Go.Compare Home Insurance has revealed the biggest council tax hikes across England, calculating how much more households will pay compared to previous years. Although costs have risen across the country, some areas have seen particularly sharp increases, with bills soaring by hundreds of pounds in some cases.

Analysing official government data, the insurance comparison site found that authorities have raised council tax rates by an average of 4.9% in 2025/26. But, some struggling councils have pushed them higher to cope with financial strain.

The top five largest council tax increases in 2025/26 for eligible properties:

The top five largest average council tax increases in 2025/26 per eligible property:

Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Council tax is an essential household expense, but for many, these rising costs are putting even more pressure on already stretched budgets. If you’re struggling, it’s worth checking if you qualify for council tax reductions or any support schemes in your area.

“At the same time, looking for savings on other bills, like home insurance, could help offset some of these rising costs. Shopping around for a better deal could make a real difference to your monthly outgoings.“

More information about the recent council tax increases, and the council tax calculator, can be found on Go.Compare’s website.