In a further step towards a cheque free economy, banks are to phase out the ability to guarantee personal cheques with effect from 30th June 2011. To help understand the impact and what steps need to be taken as a result, we’ve put together a few Questions & Answers to highlight the issues: What is [...]

The government has announced today that the national minimum wage for adults will increase by 15 pence from October 2011 to £6.08 an hour. The increase, recommended by the independent Low Pay Commission (LPC), is the equivalent of an additional 2.5%, below the current rate of inflation. At the same time, the rate for apprentices [...]

Writing a Will is essential if you want to be sure that your home, savings and possessions end up in the right hands. This could make all the difference in keeping your loved ones financially stable – providing you, and them, complete peace of mind. If you are interested in acquiring a Will or even [...]

Money problems may be fueling a rise in depression in England, it has been suggested. Prescriptions for anti-depressant drugs such as Prozac rose by more than 40% over the past four years, data obtained by the BBC shows. GP’s and charities said they were being contacted increasingly by people struggling with money problems and job [...]

People are turning to equity release in order to repay their debts and become debt free, equity release is typically available to the over 50’s. As people are retiring and finding themselves with substantially less income and the same levels of debt as when they where working. Each month is becoming more of a struggle [...]

2010 turned out to be a further difficult year for many households in Bristol, with the city featuring highly in the league for personal insolvencies for the 2nd year running. Official records show that the numbers of people taking out some form of insolvency solution, either with an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), Bankruptcy or Debt [...]

2010 turned out to be a difficult year for many households in Nottingham, with the city featuring highly in the league for personal insolvencies for the 2nd year running. Official records show that, whilst 10% down on 2009 figures, 3000 people in Nottingham took out some form of insolvency solution, either with an Individual Voluntary [...]

There are a number of different reasons for wanting to open a life insurance policy and in order to decide whether it is the right choice for you, you will need to look at several different aspects of your lifestyle. Those who choose not to take out life insurance policies are likely to be those [...]

2010 turned out to be a difficult year for many households in Sheffield, with the city featuring highly in the league for personal insolvencies for the 2nd year running. Official records show that 3366 people took out some form of insolvency solution in Sheffield, either with an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), Bankruptcy or Debt Relief [...]

As utility bills, fuel and the general cost of living rises in the UK, Britons are feeling the pinch. According to a recent Savings and Investment report by Scottish Widows, 36% of the UK adult population are not saving for the future as a direct result of increased living costs. The report goes on to [...]