UK Money News - November
For Money News and Related News then fan down this page for the headlines and choose a story that interest by clicking the red title - Happy Reading
30/11/2007
- Subprime mortgage market 'dwindling'
The last six months has seen the withdrawal of two-thirds of subprime mortgage offerings from the market, according to the latest research from online comparison site Moneyfacts.co.uk - Overseas mortgages 'hard to find'
Anyone looking to compare mortgages overseas might be surprised by the difficulties involved in securing such a product, it has been claimed. - Interest rate hikes 'denting consumer confidence'
Repeated interest rate rises hitting the pockets of UK shoppers has significantly dented consumer confidence this year, the British Retail Consortium has claimed. - Do not advertise your belongings to thieves, says LV=
Britons may find themselves needing help with money after becoming victims of opportunistic thieves, it has been suggested. - Christmas presents 'will increase home contents value'
The value of items in homes tends to increase over the Christmas period, but also in the time after the festive period, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). - Christmas rush 'is valuable to the high street'
The Christmas rush is likely to provide welcome relief for the country's retailers, it has been claimed. - Banking sector 'needs support on fraud'
More support is needed if the UK's personal finance providers are to effectively tackle fraud and money laundering, it has been claimed - BSA: parents increasing CTF investment
New statistics from the Building Societies Association (BSA) reveal that there was a significant rise in child trust fund (CTF) activity in the last three months - Eurostar 'will open up France to commuters'
The new Eurostar service operating from St Pancras is set to open up the property market in France to those working in London, it has been claimed - Home condition reports 'would have made packs more useful'
Home information packs (Hips) containing home condition reports were of "far more interest" to homebuyers than energy performance certificates (EPCs) alone, it has been claimed. - Rental incomes 'on the rise'
The average rental income enjoyed by landlords has reached a record high, new research suggests - Brits cut back 'to pacify partners'
Britons are prepared to cut back on buying themselves luxuries in order to provide their partner with what they want, according to the latest research
29/11/2007
- Festive big spenders 'should consider their insurance'
Consumers expecting to revel in Christmas to the full extent this year should bear in mind the impact that high-end gifts can have on the value of their home, it has been suggested - Nissan 'looks to educate car criminals'
Car owners in and around Lancaster may be pleased to hear of the latest crime reduction initiative from Nissan. - Shared ownership 'not right for every property'
While shared ownership can provide a valuable opportunity to get on to the housing ladder for some, it is not suitable for all circumstances - Pensions saving 'getting harder for young people'
It is becoming increasingly difficult for young people to start saving for their retirement, it has been claimed - Spanish buy-to-let 'is a different marketplace'
One of the advantages of seeking help with money through overseas property investment is that the markets operate largely independently, it has been claimed - Consumers 'look online for Christmas fare'
Consumers are looking to the internet this year to ease the strain of Christmas to a greater extent than ever before, it has been claimed - Online banking 'can make people forget accounts'
The rise of online banking and a reduction in direct contact with financial service providers is to some extent responsible for the rise in lost assets, it is claimed. - 'More important than ever' to seek out best deals
It is increasingly important that those using credit cards as a source of help with money shop around for the best possible deals, it has been suggested - Mortgage lending 'defying nay-sayers'
Mortgage lending in the UK is maintaining its record to a better degree than some commentators are suggesting, it has been argued - Hips 'will help first-time buyers'
The rollout of the government's controversial home information packs (Hips) initiative to include all residential properties will be good finance news for first-time buyers - Retirement villages 'not suitable for all'
Older people considering their lifestyle options in the coming years should be aware that retirement villages are not necessarily the right solution for them - Purchasers of Dubai property 'must look to quality'
As those looking for help with money through property investment look further and further afield, there are unique aspects in each market which buyers should take into account, it is claimed. - Hips 'will benefit market in the long run'
In the long run, the extension of the home information packs (Hips) initiative to cover all properties in England and Wales will have a positive effect on the market, it has been claimed
28/11/2007
- Switching problems 'only experienced by very few'
Complaints about switching accounts may have risen in recent months but they are still only undertaken by a "very tiny proportion" of people, it has been claimed. - Bankruptcy 'set to lose its stigma'
Bankruptcy is set to become an increasingly accepted option among British consumers experiencing trouble with debt, one personal finance advisor has stated. - Unnecessary interest payments hit £3bn
Credit card holders are wasting a total of £3 billion every year in unnecessary interest payments, new research warns. - Brits 'ask friends for financial advice'
Nearly two thirds of Brits will trust a mortgage adviser or financial adviser if they come recommended by a friend or relative, new research has shown. - 'Beware rogue traders'
Flood victims are being warned of the risks posed by rogue traders offering to repair their homes. - Finance education 'should be provided throughout schooling'
Personal finance matters should be taught at every stage of the school curriculum, industry experts are arguing. - Life insurance 'becomes less available with age'
Older people hoping to set up a new life insurance policy may find a number of difficulties in finding such help with finance, according to new reports. - Overseas property 'could have tax implications'
Any consumers considering making an investment in overseas property as a means of securing help with money should consult an expert first, it has been claimed. - Older travellers 'are able to travel more freely'
Older consumers are starting to travel further afield because they have both more time and money with which to embark on such trips, it has been claimed. - Forgotten accounts 'contain small but significant sums'
Consumers looking for help with money might wish to consider whether they have left any funds forgotten when moving house or changing lifestyle, it has been claimed. - Consumers 'choosing property over pensions'
Many people consider relying on property to be an alternative to investing in a pension, it has been claimed. - Extension work 'will impact on premiums'
Consumers considering building extensions to their properties should be aware of the wider financial implications of such a move, it has been claimed.
27/11/2007
- Motorists 'have not caught the switching bug'
Many motorists are still not making the most of the help with money that switching car insurance providers could afford them, it has been claimed. - Sale and rent back 'should not be undertaken lightly'
A growing sale and rent back industry is taking advantage of the most vulnerable of consumers, it has been claimed. - Used-car buyers 'worried about environment'
An increasing number of used-car buyers are taking the environmental credentials of their vehicles into account, according to one personal finance provider - Retailers 'should prepare for a bumper Christmas'
People are planning to spend more in real terms this year than on Christmases past, it has been claimed. - Preparation 'is top of the tree this Christmas'
The nation's men are preparing to break the habits of a lifetime this year by purchasing presents in advance of the dying hours of Christmas Eve. - Shared ownership 'can offer a lifeline'
Shared ownership schemes are providing valuable help with money for those looking to get a foot on the housing ladder, it has been claimed. - Consumers 'should consider debt help options'
People who find themselves in a situation needing help with debt have a number of valid options open to them, it has been claimed. - Debt 'is built into society'
One of the reasons that many people find themselves needing help with money is that debt has become such an accepted part of their lives. - Understanding the scale of debt 'is vital'
It is extremely important that people are fully aware of their debt situation before they start to seek advice, one company has stated. - Many drivers 'forgetting about headlights'
In excess of 50 per cent of British drivers have admitted to forgetting to use headlights when they were needed at least once in the last year.
26/11/2007
- Building societies 'provide greater financial autonomy'
Customers who are choosing to seek help with money not at a bank but at a building society do so because they feel that they have more autonomy, it has been suggested. - Building societies 'offer better service'
One reason to favour building societies over banks is the higher level of service on offer at the facilities, it has been claimed. - Switching bank accounts 'becoming easier'
It is becoming increasingly simple for consumers to swap from one personal finance provider to another, it has been claimed. - Italy 'has further growth to enjoy'
Consumers interested in foreign property as a means of seeking help with money might like to consider the promising future of the Italian market, it has been suggested. - 2020 housing target 'is achievable'
The target set by prime minister Gordon Brown for the level of housing construction in the next 13 years is achievable, according to one industry commentator.
23/11/2007
- Self-builders 'should focus on the basics'
The nation's self-builders should make sure to focus on the less glamorous aspects of home construction to achieve a successful result, an industry body has claimed. - Hips 'cannot be blamed for slowdown'
Home information packs (Hips) are not responsible for the slowdown in the housing market, one personal finance body has stated. - Consumers 'may struggle on state pension'
Anyone choosing to rely on state pensions could be risking needing significant help with finance in retirement, it has been claimed. - Homeworkers 'must ensure appropriate cover is paid for'
People working from home should ensure that their employer has allowed the appropriate amount of insurance cover, it has been suggested. - Pensions system 'needs reform'
The disparity between married couples and those in civil partnerships in terms of private pension schemes needs to be resolved to provide equal help with money, it has been suggested. - New banking code 'will empower consumers'
The soon-to-be-implemented UK Banking Code should empower consumers around the country, according to one expert on finance news. - Equity release 'increasing in popularity'
The number of elderly Britons having trouble with debt and needing help with money has seen an increase in popularity for equity release opportunities, it has been suggested. - Carbon neutrality 'can be expensive'
Ensuring that a three-bedroom property is fully carbon neutral can be an expensive business, according to the latest finance news from Alliance & Leicester. - Insurers warn of Christmas cover risk
Consumers are being advised to make sure they are fully insured in order to avoid losing out financial if their Christmas presents are stolen from them. - Homeowners 'should check home condition before winter'
British homeowners have been advised to check the condition of their properties before winter descends and to take steps to prevent any potentially expensive damage. - Britain's debt troubled 'could rise'
The number of Britons needing help with loans could be set to increase, according to comments made by the Bank of England's deputy governor, Rachel Lomax. - Brits 'must save early for retirement'
UK consumers should start saving for their retirement at the first possible opportunity in order to avoid needing help with money in their old age. - Lighting 'can help to close a home sale'
Consumers looking to sell their home may find that investing in stylish lighting helps to improve the overall appearance of a property, according to Asco Lights.
22/11/2007
- Kitchens and bathrooms 'make a difference to price'
Anyone hoping to sell their home in the coming months should focus on renovating their kitchens and bathrooms in order to increase value, according to one industry money news provider. - Secure transaction behaviour 'can avoid personal finance disaster'
With Christmas swiftly approaching, increasing numbers of people are looking to the internet as an easy source of gifts. - Dollar-based interests 'can be good for Brit investors'
While making investments in familiar companies with a sterling trading base may have the advantages of more immediate understanding, investors might like to consider looking further afield to gain the most help with finance, according to one company. - Eco-friendly features 'will increase in importance'
Having an environmentally-friendly home is likely to become an increasingly important factor for buyers, it has been claimed. - Social networking sites 'should promote security'
The level of security offered by different settings on social networking sites should be clearer to stop members falling foul of fraudsters, it has been claimed.
21/11/2007
- BRC predicts Christmas spending 'will be interesting'
The forecast for Christmas spending is likely to be similar to 2006 this year, although the outcome will be of even greater interest to those providing help with money, it is claimed. - Islamic bonds 'would increase potential for more products'
Should wholesale Islamic bonds become established as a means of investment in the UK, then other types of Islamic help with money could also settle in the market. - Foreign currency mortgages 'can help to reduce debt'
Consumers in the UK looking to compare mortgages might like to consider foreign currency products as a means of sourcing increased help with money, it is claimed. - Weaker economy 'could boost savings'
A weaker economy next year may make the personal finance environment more challenging but will provide help with money in terms of savings. - First-time buyers 'could benefit from slowdown'
While a slowdown is predicted in the housing market in the coming months, this opens up opportunities in terms of help with finance for first-time buyers. - India 'offers exciting investment opportunities'
While many consumers may be looking to Europe or even closer to home as an investment location, there are opportunities further afield as well, it is claimed. - Prevention 'better than cure' regarding ID fraud
Prevention is a far more effective way of dealing with ID theft than tackling the issues after a personal finance upset has occurred , according to one commentator. - Online Christmas shopping 'well underway'
The boom in online shopping which has in recent years characterised the run-up to Christmas has already begun, according to one firm. - Eco-towns 'are the easy way out'
The government's plans to construct so-called eco-towns throughout the UK have been condemned by one industry body.
20/11/2007
- Christmas spending monitoring 'is important'
People worried about the state of their debts should be careful to monitor their spending this Christmas, according to debt advice charity the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS). - Poor Christmas sales 'would be bad for 2008'
A poor festive retail season this December would not bode well for the consumer market in 2008. - Consumers 'will spend at Christmas despite constraints'
Although UK consumers' disposable income has fallen this year, it is probable that they will keep buying in the run up to Christmas nonetheless. - Bank fees on IVAs 'are unfair on consumers'
Insolvency companies making substantial profits from the organisation of the individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs) have prompted some banks to increase their rates, according to one personal finance body. - 'Opportunities persist' in buy-to-let
Although many reports might suggest a slowdown in the housing market, profits remain to be made by buy-to-let investors, it is claimed. - Islamic finance 'presents an opportunity for innovation'
Islamic personal finance products have been identified as an important growth area by the UK government, it has been claimed. - Housing market 'could be headed for difficult period'
The housing market could be facing "delicate times", according to the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA). - NAPF welcomes Walker proposals
The National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) has said that the Walker report on private equity outlines a number of good proposals for the pensions industry. - Larger deposits 'can mean higher charges'
First-time buyers up and down the country are paying more than they anticipated for their mortgages as a result of hidden charges, it has been claimed.
