Personal Finance News

23 Apr

Cost of living crisis: Millions can’t afford home repairs

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 […]

17 Apr

Vehicle Excise Duty: These drivers will be most impacted by rising first-year rates

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 […]

16 Apr

15,000 motorbike MOTs failed due to preventable problems last year

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 […]

14 Apr

The places paying the biggest council tax increases this year

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 […]

9 Apr

Pet thefts: Lower-income owners could be most at risk

A new study has revealed that lower-earning pet owners could be among those most at risk of having their animal stolen. The results found that nearly a third (30%) of owners on a lower income don’t feel their animal is safe from theft, a sentiment shared by less than a fifth (17%) of higher-earning owners. […]

8 Apr

American Express offers £75 back on spend at selected hotels

American Express is offering UK Cardmembers the chance to stay and save with the launch of its latest ‘Amex Stays’ Offer. From 7 April to 1 June 2025, eligible Cardmembers1 can receive £75 back in a statement credit when they spend £300 (in one transaction) at selected hotels. Cardmembers can choose from an impressive array of five-star and […]

3 Apr

Leeds Building Society launches new Branch Access Cash ISA at 4.35%

With only a couple of days to go until the tax year end, Leeds Building Society has launched a new Branch Access Cash ISA at 4.35%. The changes will make the Society’s branch member Cash ISA one of the top paying accounts on the market. The rate improvements from Leeds will come as good news for those […]

1 Apr

How to get the most of your ISA before the end of the tax-year

The end of the financial year is a month away, and Hodge is offering their top tips for getting the most out of your ISA. As the end of the tax year approaches, now is the perfect time to make sure you’re maximising your Individual Savings Account (ISA) allowance. These tips come after a significant […]

1 Apr

Council tax bills surge by £7.3 billion in just four years

Council tax bills in England have risen by almost £7.3 billion over the past four years, according to new research into the increase in tax rates. Birmingham has seen the largest jump in costs across all eligible properties, totalling an extra £136.8 million during this period. The study uses newly released council tax rates for […]