<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rss xmlns:a10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title>Moneyexpert Financial News</title><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/</link><description>Financial News from www.moneyexpert.com</description><language>en-US</language><copyright>© Copyright 2005-2013 Money Expert</copyright><managingEditor>webmaster@moneyexpert.com</managingEditor><category>Money Expert Financial News</category><generator>Money Expert RSS Generator</generator><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582090</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/budget-friendly-family-time--whatever-the-weather/800582090</link><category>800580490</category><title>Budget-friendly family time – whatever the weather!</title><description>Some of us were rather hoping that the May bank holiday half-term would give us the chance to enjoy some springtime sun and get some quality family time – the Great British Weather seems to have put paid to that for many up and down the country.</description><pubDate>Fri, 24 May 2013 12:22:14 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582092</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/virgin-money-extends-0-balance-transfer-card-by-six-months/800582092</link><category>800580490</category><title>Virgin Money extends 0% balance transfer card by six months</title><description>Virgin Money's new BT credit card joins a host of longer 0% deals on the market</description><pubDate>Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582093</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumer-spending-inches-up-as-economy-grows-by-03/800582093</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumer spending inches up as economy grows by 0.3%</title><description>Consumer confidence begins to improve as economy makes gradual recovery</description><pubDate>Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582083</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/rural-residents-save-more-than-their-urban-counterparts/800582083</link><category>800580490</category><title>Rural residents save more than their urban counterparts</title><description>Country dwellers are proving to be the savviest savers</description><pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582084</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/holidaymakers-warned-about-hidden-credit-card-fees/800582084</link><category>800580490</category><title>Holidaymakers warned about hidden credit card fees</title><description>Hidden credit card fees could put a substantial dent in consumers' holiday budgets</description><pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582073</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-hit-a-record-high/800582073</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices hit a record high</title><description>The average price of a house in the UK has shot up by more than £20,000 since the start of 2013, sending the average cost of a home to £249,000.</description><pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2013 12:41:02 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582075</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/one-in-eight-newlyweds-in-3000-debt-as-cost-of-wedding-soars/800582075</link><category>800580490</category><title>One in eight newlyweds in £3,000 debt as cost of wedding soars</title><description>One in eight newlyweds in £3,000 debt as cost of wedding soars</description><pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582076</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/sse-sees-profits-jump-in-wake-of-cold-snap/800582076</link><category>800580490</category><title>SSE sees profits jump in wake of cold snap</title><description>Increased energy usage sees supplier's profits soaring</description><pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582062</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/simple-steps-that-can-improve-your-credit-rating/800582062</link><category>800580490</category><title>Simple steps that can improve your credit rating</title><description>If you caught the Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV1 last Friday  (17 May), you would have seen Experian’s James Jones discussing how you could improve your credit rating with some simple changes to the way you run your finances.</description><pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 09:46:48 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582064</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/barclaycard-platinum-bt-credit-card-extends-0-period-to-27-months/800582064</link><category>800580490</category><title>Barclaycard Platinum BT Credit Card extends 0% period to 27 months</title><description>1 more interest-free month added to Barclaycard Platinum BT Credit Card</description><pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582058</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/great-ideas-for-family-days-out-this-summer/800582058</link><category>800580490</category><title>Great ideas for family days out this summer</title><description>How parents can keep their kids entertained this summer without breaking the budget</description><pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582059</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/how-to-address-money-worries-at-each-stage-of-your-life/800582059</link><category>800580490</category><title>How to address money worries at each stage of your life</title><description>Money management tips for each stage of your life</description><pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582060</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/vitamin-d-has-potential-to-reduce-asthma-symptoms/800582060</link><category>800580490</category><title>Vitamin D has potential to reduce asthma symptoms</title><description>Vitamin D could be prescribed alongside conventional steroids in the future</description><pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582061</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/experts-warn-energy-bills-could-surpass-mortgage-payments/800582061</link><category>800580490</category><title>Experts warn energy bills could surpass mortgage payments</title><description>Energy costs could outstrip mortgage payments in as little as five years</description><pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582055</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/making-extra-cash-selling-online/800582055</link><category>800580490</category><title>Making extra cash selling online</title><description>With new research showing British workers have experienced a negative wage growth (TUC), and in December 2012 unemployment was 2.5m vs. only 1.4m at the low in 2004 (ONS), everyone is looking for ways to make cash or subsidise their income. This can stretch from a 2nd weekend job, to taking in a lodger, to selling the contents of the under stairs cupboard.</description><pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 15:34:46 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582054</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/baby-boomers-in-danger-of-going-bust/800582054</link><category>800580490</category><title>Baby boomers in danger of going bust</title><description>The introduction of a flat rate state pension of £144 a week from 2016 sounds like good news for older people, given that it’s a significant increase from the current basic of closer to £100. So does a new cap of £72,000 on the amount they have to contribute to social care.</description><pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 14:24:05 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582056</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/halifax-launches-new-0-interest-credit-card/800582056</link><category>800580490</category><title>Halifax launches new 0% interest credit card</title><description>Halifax introduces credit card with 17-month interest-free purchase period</description><pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582057</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/mortgage-tips-for-first-time-buyers/800582057</link><category>800580490</category><title>Mortgage tips for first-time buyers</title><description>How to find the right mortgage for your needs</description><pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582052</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/what-to-consider-when-entering-the-buy-to-let-market/800582052</link><category>800580490</category><title>What to consider when entering the buy to let market</title><description>More buyers entering buy to let market</description><pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582053</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/nhs-may-be-unable-to-cope-with-increasing-demand-for-breast-cancer-tests/800582053</link><category>800580490</category><title>NHS may be unable to cope with increasing demand for breast cancer tests</title><description>NHS expected to double the number of women eligible for breast cancer tests</description><pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582050</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/three-year-fixed-energy-tariff-launched-by-npower/800582050</link><category>800580490</category><title>Three-year fixed energy tariff launched by npower</title><description>Longest fixed rate tariff ever offered by energy supplier</description><pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582051</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/co-op-banks-debt-rating-to-downgraded-to-junk/800582051</link><category>800580490</category><title>Co-op Bank's debt rating to downgraded to ‘junk’</title><description>Co-op downgrading may affect bank's future</description><pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582048</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/post-office-trials-three-new-current-accounts/800582048</link><category>800580490</category><title>Post Office trials three new current accounts</title><description>New accounts could be key challenger to high street banks</description><pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582049</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/extended-cold-snap-led-to-18-increase-in-gas-usage-reveals-british-gas/800582049</link><category>800580490</category><title>Extended cold snap led to 18% increase in gas usage, reveals British Gas</title><description>British Gas owner Centrica reveals toll the UK's cold winter had on energy bills</description><pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582044</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-help-to-buy-scheme/800582044</link><category>800580490</category><title>What you need to know about the Help to Buy Scheme</title><description>Help to Buy Scheme helping to get struggling buyers onto the ladder</description><pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582045</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/spending-on-debit-and-credit-cards-increases/800582045</link><category>800580490</category><title>Spending on debit and credit cards increases</title><description>Consumers spending more on shopping and entertainment</description><pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582046</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/simple-ways-to-save-on-the-cost-of-your-summer-wedding/800582046</link><category>800580490</category><title>Simple ways to save on the cost of your summer wedding</title><description>How to have your big day for a small price</description><pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582047</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/the-queens-speech--what-the-new-bills-will-mean-for-consumers/800582047</link><category>800580490</category><title>The Queen's Speech – What the new bills will mean for consumers</title><description>Series of reforms could help consumers to balance the books</description><pubDate>Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582041</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/help-protect-yourself-from-the-perils-of-social-media-addiction/800582041</link><category>800580490</category><title>Help protect yourself from the perils of social media addiction</title><description>If you can’t go for more than a few minutes without updating your Facebook page, sending a tweet or checking out your favourite blogs, you’re in good company.</description><pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2013 14:38:18 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582040</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/vast-majority-of-aviva-life-insurance-claims-paid-out-by-the-insurer/800582040</link><category>800580490</category><title>Vast majority of Aviva life insurance claims paid out by the insurer</title><description>Aviva has revealed that it paid out a staggering 99.3% of life insurance claims last year, with similar figures recorded for income protection (93.5%) and critical illness (92.5%) claims.</description><pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2013 11:57:53 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582039</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/pensioners-running-up-an-average-of-15000-in-credit-card-debt/800582039</link><category>800580490</category><title>Pensioners running up an average of £15,000 in credit card debt</title><description>UK pensioners are crumbling under the weight of an average of £15,150 in credit card debt, according to the latest figures from debt charity StepChange.</description><pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2013 11:56:16 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582042</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/nhs-emergency-care-out-of-control-warns-health-watchdog/800582042</link><category>800580490</category><title>NHS emergency care ‘out of control’ warns health watchdog</title><description>Care Quality Commission argues that more must be done to improve emergency care services</description><pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582043</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/new-consumer-credit-lending-increases/800582043</link><category>800580490</category><title>New consumer credit lending increases</title><description>Latest FLA figures reveal that consumers are still relying on credit</description><pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582038</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/collective-energy-switching-schemes-saving-consumers-100/800582038</link><category>800580490</category><title>Collective energy switching schemes saving consumers £100</title><description>Collective energy switching schemes run by local authorities have helped more than 100,000 households in the UK slash an average of £100 off their energy bills.</description><pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2013 16:08:49 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582037</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/antibiotics-could-provide-cure-for-back-pain/800582037</link><category>800580490</category><title>Antibiotics could provide cure for back pain</title><description>Everyday antibiotics could provide a cure for millions of Brits suffering from back pain, according to a study conducted by researchers in Denmark.</description><pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2013 16:07:30 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582036</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/help-to-buy-scheme-could-send-house-prices-soaring-by-30/800582036</link><category>800580490</category><title>Help to Buy scheme could send house prices soaring by 30%</title><description>A government home buying scheme designed to help would-be buyers onto the property ladder could act to drive property prices up by a staggering 30%, according to a new report.</description><pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2013 14:35:11 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582035</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/brits-planning-to-plough-less-into-savings-accounts/800582035</link><category>800580490</category><title>Brits planning to plough less into savings accounts</title><description>Almost a third of Brits are planning to plough less into their savings accounts over the next 12 months, according to the latest research from Lloyds TSB.</description><pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2013 14:30:48 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582034</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/weathering-the-depression-how-brits-are-cutting-back-in-order-to-carry-on/800582034</link><category>800580490</category><title>Weathering the ‘depression’: How Brits are cutting back in order to carry on</title><description>It’s no secret that the nation is struggling to keep the pennies under control. With the cost of everyday goods rising and wages failing to receive a much needed lift there’s a lot less money to go round on life’s little essentials - so if you had a windfall of cash, what would you spend it on? </description><pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2013 14:10:20 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800582033</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/top-tips-to-help-you-stay-healthy-this-summer/800582033</link><category>800580490</category><title>Top tips to help you stay healthy this summer</title><description>Staying healthy in the summer can be difficult, with all those tempting BBQ’s and ice cream’s, not to mention any excuse to enjoy a drink in the sunshine. But it can take its toll on your health. However, one of the great things about summer is that you have the opportunity to eat more healthily and exercise more. </description><pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2013 13:54:43 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581964</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/new-fixed-rate-savings-accounts-launched-by-virgin-money/800581964</link><category>800580490</category><title>New fixed rate savings accounts launched by Virgin Money</title><description>Virgin Money has announced the launch of a new range of fixed rate ISAs and fixed rate bonds offering consumers a choice of fixed rate periods for one, three  or five years.</description><pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2013 13:06:30 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581963</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumers-unaware-of-their-credit-card-interest-rate/800581963</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumers unaware of their credit card interest rate</title><description>Despite recent research revealing that 42% of consumers are turning to credit cards to stay afloat until payday, it seems that many credit card holders are still unaware of the interest rates they are paying on their borrowing.</description><pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2013 13:05:07 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581958</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/what-shop-closures-can-teach-us-about-our-own-finances/800581958</link><category>800580490</category><title>What shop closures can teach us about our own finances</title><description>2012 was undoubtedly a golden year for sport in the UK, but it was in many ways a bad year for sporting goods shops – along with card, computer game, clothing, health food and many other retailers. All over Britain, High Street stores are closing faster than ever before – up to 28 a day now, from an average of 20 a day last year  – and independent shops aren’t faring any better.</description><pubDate>Fri, 03 May 2013 11:02:23 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581929</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/60-of-new-mums-feel-let-down-by-the-nhs/800581929</link><category>800580490</category><title>60% of new mums feel let down by the NHS</title><description>Some 60% of new mums felt that they needed more postnatal support from the NHS than they received, according to a new report. </description><pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2013 13:26:02 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581924</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumers-increasingly-concerned-about-rising-energy-bills/800581924</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumers increasingly concerned about rising energy bills</title><description>The spiralling cost of energy bills is continuing to weigh heavy on consumers’ minds, with research revealing that 60% are concerned about meeting the cost of gas and electricity.</description><pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2013 11:08:11 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581923</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-fall-by-01-in-april/800581923</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices fall by 0.1% in April</title><description>The latest monthly house price index from Nationwide has revealed that UK house prices fell by a marginal 0.1% between March and April, bringing the typical value of a UK home to £165,586.</description><pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2013 11:02:03 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581884</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/universal-credit-pilot-begins/800581884</link><category>800580490</category><title>Universal Credit pilot begins</title><description>The four-year rollout of the controversial new universal credit benefits payment has begun for a small number of new claimants in Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester.</description><pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:35:42 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581883</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/car-insurance-premiums-falling-says-aa/800581883</link><category>800580490</category><title>Car insurance premiums falling, says AA</title><description>Cash-strapped motorists will welcome the news that car insurance premiums fell in the first quarter of the year, continuing a downward trend seen across the last 12 months.</description><pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:33:36 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581870</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/uk-narrowly-avoids-triple-dip-recession/800581870</link><category>800580490</category><title>UK narrowly avoids triple dip recession</title><description>The latest official statistics have revealed that the UK economy expanded by a figure of 0.3% in the first quarter of the year, allaying fears that Britain was poised to plunge into a triple-dip recession.</description><pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:27:52 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581865</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/five-ways-to-create-your-perfect-summer-garden-on-a-shoestring/800581865</link><category>800580490</category><title>Five ways to create your perfect summer garden on a shoestring</title><description>Your garden might look a little worse for wear following the harsh winter, but that is all about to change. Summer is fast approaching so why not clear the weed from the decking and spruce up the shed so your garden is looking picture perfect for the next few months. </description><pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:18:25 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581864</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumer-spending-power-down-simple-ways-to-boost-your-budget/800581864</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumer spending power down: Simple ways to boost your budget</title><description>The cost of living is taking its toll on the nation with spending power falling while the cost of everyday essentials rising.
The latest Spending Power report from Lloyds TSB show that consumers are feeling the pinch as the weak income growth continued through March. </description><pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:13:30 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581855</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/sales-of-million-pound-homes-reach-highest-level-since-2007/800581855</link><category>800580490</category><title>Sales of million pound homes reach highest level since 2007</title><description>The latest property sales figures have revealed that the housing market is continuing to thrive, with the number of buyers snapping up £1 million plus homes hitting the highest level since 2007.
</description><pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:49:23 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581854</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/brits-turning-to-credit-cards-to-tide-them-over-until-payday/800581854</link><category>800580490</category><title>Brits turning to credit cards to tide them over until payday</title><description>Brits are continuing to come under increasing financial pressure in the current economic climate, with 42% turning to credit cards to tide them over until payday.</description><pubDate>Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:47:29 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581851</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/one-in-five-has-missed-payments-on-their-credit-report-due-to-lack-of-funds/800581851</link><category>800580490</category><title>One in five has missed payments on their credit report due to lack of funds</title><description>Just under one in five Britons have skipped repayments because they weren’t able to afford them, according to independent research commissioned by Experian CreditExpert. </description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:16:04 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581850</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/sainsburys-bank-launches-two-low-rate-credit-cards/800581850</link><category>800580490</category><title>Sainsbury's Bank launches two low rate credit cards</title><description>Sainsbury’s Bank has revealed that is has launched two low-rate credit cards offering sub-8% interest rates for purchases and balance transfers.</description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:15:21 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581848</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/government-considering-hospital-hotels-to-free-up-nhs-beds/800581848</link><category>800580490</category><title>Government considering 'hospital hotels' to free up NHS beds</title><description>The government is said to be contemplating proposals for ‘hospital hotels’ where elderly patients can recuperate from falls or illnesses, with the initiative designed to free up bed space on already crowded hospital wards.</description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:58:31 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581847</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/warranty-direct-to-sponsor-gb-biathle/800581847</link><category>800580490</category><title>Warranty Direct to sponsor GB Biathle</title><description>Warranty Direct – the UK’s leading provider of direct consumer warranties – will sponsor the GB Biathle Series and National Biathle Championships, supporting a unique form of athletics that follows a “run-swim-run” format and features events across the country.</description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2013 09:55:20 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581852</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/uk-narrowly-avoids-triple-dip-recession/800581852</link><category>800580490</category><title>UK narrowly avoids triple-dip recession</title><description>UK economy moves into growth figures in the first quarter</description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581853</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/savings-rates-could-stay-in-the-doldrums-until-2019/800581853</link><category>800580490</category><title>Savings rates could stay in the doldrums until 2019</title><description>Savings accounts may continue to deliver lower interest rates</description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581845</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/npower-launches-cheapest-fixed-rate-tariff/800581845</link><category>800580490</category><title>Npower launches cheapest fixed rate tariff</title><description>Npower tariffs come in wake of price rise from First Utility</description><pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581846</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/extension-of-fls-is-good-news-for-buyers/800581846</link><category>800580490</category><title>Extension of FLS is good news for buyers</title><description>FLS scheme extension could boost mortgage availability</description><pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581844</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/half-a-million-cash-isa-savers-set-to-switch-accounts-in-next-three-months/800581844</link><category>800580490</category><title>Half a million cash ISA savers set to switch accounts in next three months</title><description>Cash ISA savers set to switch as bonus rates come to an end</description><pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581843</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/women-underestimating-life-assurance-needs/800581843</link><category>800580490</category><title>Women underestimating life assurance needs</title><description>Women are taking out less life assurance than their male counterparts</description><pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581840</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/fraudulent-mortgage-applications-on-the-rise-again/800581840</link><category>800580490</category><title>Fraudulent mortgage applications on the rise again</title><description>Finding a competitive mortgage deal can be a real challenge for many, but an increasing number of Britons are choosing to use all-too desperate options to get the deals they want, including resorting to making fraudulent applications.</description><pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:53:29 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581841</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/a-generation-of-trapped-renters-top-tips-to-getting-onto-the-property-ladder/800581841</link><category>800580490</category><title>A generation of trapped renters: Top tips to getting onto the property ladder</title><description>Buyers still struggling to get a foothold on the property ladder</description><pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581842</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/savvy-saving-tips-to-make-the-most-of-your-money/800581842</link><category>800580490</category><title>Savvy saving tips to make the most of your money</title><description>Brits now saving more of their hard-earned cash</description><pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581838</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/ofgem-proposals-could-see-consumer-energy-bills-rise-by-55m/800581838</link><category>800580490</category><title>Ofgem proposals could see consumer energy bills rise by £55m</title><description>Energy reform plans could see household energy bills soaring</description><pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581839</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/almost-half-of-consumers-feel-that-they-are-financially-worse-off-in-2013/800581839</link><category>800580490</category><title>Almost half of consumers feel that they are financially worse off in 2013</title><description>Consumers still being forced to tighten their purse strings</description><pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581835</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumers-risking-future-by-not-taking-out-protection-products/800581835</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumers risking future by not taking out protection products</title><description>Thousands of consumers could potentially be putting their financial futures at risk, research has shown.</description><pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:29:01 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581836</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/more-than-half-of-brits-prefer-to-put-purchases-on-plastic/800581836</link><category>800580490</category><title>More than half of Brits prefer to put purchases on plastic</title><description>Consumers still relying on credit cards to make everyday purchases</description><pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581837</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumers-urge-government-to-take-action-over-rising-energy-bills/800581837</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumers urge government to take action over rising energy bills</title><description>Consumers seek support in halting energy bill hikes</description><pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581833</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/extension-of-funding-for-lending-scheme-may-be-on-the-horizon/800581833</link><category>800580490</category><title>Extension of Funding for Lending Scheme may be on the horizon</title><description>An potential extension of the FLS could spell good news for consumers and small businesses</description><pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581834</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/diet-rich-in-vitamin-a-could-help-in-fight-against-prostate-cancer/800581834</link><category>800580490</category><title>Diet rich in Vitamin A could help in fight against prostate cancer</title><description>Vitamin A could hold key to halting spread of prostate cancer</description><pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581830</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/plan-ahead-with-a-spring-in-your-step/800581830</link><category>800580490</category><title>Plan ahead with a Spring in your step</title><description>Spring is *finally* now in the air (touch wood), which means for many of us thoughts are turning to summer holidays, new clothes, days out with the kids – and numerous other ways to spend money.</description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:51:08 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581831</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/over-50s-not-being-savvy-with-credit-card-deals/800581831</link><category>800580490</category><title>Over 50s not being savvy with credit card deals</title><description>Over 50s may not be getting the best deal on their credit cards</description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581832</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/energy-suppliers-accused-of-cold-blooded-profiteering/800581832</link><category>800580490</category><title>Energy suppliers accused of ‘cold-blooded profiteering’</title><description>Big Six suppliers see profit margins on dual fuel bills rise</description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581829</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/nhs-may-need-to-start-charging-for-services-says-healthcare-chair/800581829</link><category>800580490</category><title>NHS may need to start charging for services, says healthcare chair</title><description>Patients may be charged for using NHS services under future governments</description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581826</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/ten-steps-to-avoiding-debt/800581826</link><category>800580490</category><title>Ten steps to avoiding debt</title><description>How to manage your finances to avoid the trap of debt</description><pubDate>Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581827</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-forecasted-to-return-to-pre-crash-levels/800581827</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices forecasted to return to pre-crash levels</title><description>House prices are set to soar over the next three years</description><pubDate>Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581828</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/benefits-cap-trial-set-to-affect-40000-london-households/800581828</link><category>800580490</category><title>Benefits cap trial set to affect 40,000 London households</title><description>Benefits cap could see households in the capital lose out £93 on average</description><pubDate>Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581823</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/drivers-set-aside-superstition-as-sales-of-13-number-plate-cars-soar/800581823</link><category>800580490</category><title>Drivers set aside superstition as sales of '13' number plate cars soar</title><description>Despite fears that drivers would avoid getting behind the wheel of new 13 number plate cars because of the number’s “unlucky” connotations, sales of these models have actually climbed by almost 6%.</description><pubDate>Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:01:23 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581824</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/sainsburys-bank-slashes-personal-loan-rates/800581824</link><category>800580490</category><title>Sainsbury’s Bank slashes personal loan rates</title><description>Consumers can now take advantage of the lower loan rates at Sainsbury's Bank</description><pubDate>Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581825</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/tougher-mot-rules-could-see-more-cars-failing-to-make-the-grade/800581825</link><category>800580490</category><title>Tougher MOT rules could see more cars failing to make the grade</title><description>Cars in the UK are now subject to tougher MOT rules</description><pubDate>Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581822</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/disability-benefit-changes-could-have-devastating-impact/800581822</link><category>800580490</category><title>Disability benefit changes could have devastating impact</title><description>Some Disability Living Allowance claimants may lose out under the new Personal Independence Payments</description><pubDate>Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581820</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/uk-economy-grew-by-01-in-first-quarter/800581820</link><category>800580490</category><title>UK economy grew by 0.1% in first quarter</title><description>UK economy moves into growth figures</description><pubDate>Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581821</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/coffee-pill-could-help-to-beat-diabetes/800581821</link><category>800580490</category><title>Coffee pill could help to beat diabetes</title><description>Chlorogenic acids found in coffee beans could help in the fight against diabetes</description><pubDate>Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581818</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/more-than-five-million-households-in-debt-to-energy-suppliers/800581818</link><category>800580490</category><title>More than five million households in debt to energy suppliers</title><description>Consumer energy debts now stand at £637 million</description><pubDate>Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581819</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/government-bans-credit-card-surcharges/800581819</link><category>800580490</category><title>Government bans credit card surcharges</title><description>Government announces ban on businesses automatically adding excessive card charges</description><pubDate>Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581814</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/how-to-save-on-the-cost-of-running-your-home/800581814</link><category>800580490</category><title>How to save on the cost of running your home</title><description>Cost of running a home is putting increasing pressure on UK households</description><pubDate>Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581815</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/household-wealth-up-by-271-trillion-over-the-last-decade/800581815</link><category>800580490</category><title>Household wealth up by £2.71 trillion over the last decade</title><description>Average household wealth now stands at £255,502</description><pubDate>Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581816</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/halifax-unveils-new-269-five-year-fixed-rate-mortgage/800581816</link><category>800580490</category><title>Halifax unveils new 2.69% five-year fixed rate mortgage</title><description>Halifax reveals new 60% LTV mortgage</description><pubDate>Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581817</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/nhs-changes-what-they-mean-for-patients/800581817</link><category>800580490</category><title>NHS changes: What they mean for patients</title><description>NHS shake-up could bring far reaching changes</description><pubDate>Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581813</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/why-was-i-refused-for-credit-what-can-i-do-now/800581813</link><category>800580490</category><title>Why was I refused for credit? What can I do now?</title><description>Being turned down for credit can be disheartening, but you can take steps to help make sure it doesn't happen again.</description><pubDate>Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:34:03 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581811</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/boe-says-mortgage-rates-are-set-to-fall-further/800581811</link><category>800580490</category><title>BoE says mortgage rates are set to fall further</title><description>Buyers set to continue to benefit from lower mortgage rates</description><pubDate>Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581812</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumer-insurance-act-to-give-consumers-clarity-on-insurance-cover/800581812</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumer Insurance Act to give consumers clarity on insurance cover</title><description>The new Consumer Insurance Act is set to formalise best industry practice</description><pubDate>Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581809</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/families-to-be-hit-by-23bn-losses-as-policy-changes-take-effect/800581809</link><category>800580490</category><title>Families to be hit by £2.3bn losses as policy changes take effect</title><description>The combined effect of benefits changes and cuts to tax credits are set to hit low-income households hard</description><pubDate>Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581810</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/business-energy-costs-expected-to-spiral/800581810</link><category>800580490</category><title>Business energy costs expected to spiral</title><description>UK businesses are set to see their energy bills soar as a result of climate change policies</description><pubDate>Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581807</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/male-bowel-cancer-rates-increasing/800581807</link><category>800580490</category><title>Male bowel cancer rates increasing</title><description>Rates of bowel cancer among men have surged by more than a quarter since the mid-1970s</description><pubDate>Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581808</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/best-cashback-and-reward-credit-cards-on-the-market/800581808</link><category>800580490</category><title>Best cashback and reward credit cards on the market</title><description>Below is an overview of some of the best cashback and reward credit cards on the market.</description><pubDate>Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581805</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/savers-putting-away-highest-monthly-figure-since-2004/800581805</link><category>800580490</category><title>Savers putting away highest monthly figure since 2004</title><description>Brits are proving to be a nation of savvy savers, after the latest figures revealed that UK households are putting away the highest monthly sum in savings since 2004.</description><pubDate>Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581806</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-remain-at-same-level-in-march/800581806</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices remain at same level in March</title><description>House prices across England and Wales remained unchanged in the month to March, with a typical home in the UK worth £164,630.</description><pubDate>Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581804</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/cash-isas-what-do-i-need-to-know/800581804</link><category>800580490</category><title>Cash ISAs: What do I need to know?</title><description>Savers have got it tough and finding the right account can be a nightmare. What do you do when inflation rips into any hope of a ‘real’ return when interest rates are ridiculously low? Turn to ISAs.....of course! </description><pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:35:49 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581801</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/co-londonderry-drivers-clock-up-most-miles/800581801</link><category>800580490</category><title>Co. Londonderry drivers clock up most miles</title><description>Motorists in Northern Ireland cover more miles per year than any other in the UK, according to research by Warranty Direct.</description><pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:17:15 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581800</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/keeping-my-car-insurance-costs-down--what-do-i-need-to-consider/800581800</link><category>800580490</category><title>Keeping my car insurance costs down – what do I need to consider?</title><description>Motorists have been amongst the hardest hit consumers to suffer continued price rises over the past few years, and it isn’t just the increases in the cost of fuel that are to blame. 
</description><pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2013 09:50:54 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581799</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/as-collective-spending-power-falls-what-does-the-future-hold-for-uk-consumers/800581799</link><category>800580490</category><title>As collective spending power falls, what does the future hold for UK consumers?</title><description>With the Budget statement showing a pessimistic outlook for potential growth in the UK economy over the next two years, the likelihood of British consumers having any letup in the current theme of austerity looks unlikely in the short term.</description><pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2013 09:47:13 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581802</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/report-reveals-impact-of-government-policy-on-business-energy-costs/800581802</link><category>800580490</category><title>Report reveals impact of government policy on business energy costs</title><description>This impact will rise to 23-26% by 2020, leaving UK businesses with considerably larger bills to foot and making the UK “an increasingly unattractive location for industrial investment”.</description><pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581803</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/nhs-111-service-will-put-patient-safety-at-risk/800581803</link><category>800580490</category><title>NHS 111 service will put patient safety at risk</title><description>The crisis plaguing the new NHS 111 telephone service has led to extensive delays in rolling out the system nationwide.</description><pubDate>Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581797</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/essential-outgoings-absorb-half-of-typical-monthly-spend/800581797</link><category>800580490</category><title>Essential outgoings absorb half of typical monthly spend</title><description>The most basic of needs, including shelter, food, water and heating, account for almost a quarter of total monthly expenditure (£24.30).</description><pubDate>Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581798</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/chancellors-plans-for-fairer-banking-take-a-step-forward/800581798</link><category>800580490</category><title>Chancellor’s plans for fairer banking take a step forward</title><description>A new arrangement designed to encourage fairer banking took a leap forward this week as the Government announced proposals for introducing competition-focused regulation for payment systems.</description><pubDate>Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581795</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/money-worries-force-half-of-mums-to-be-to-cut-their-maternity-leave-short/800581795</link><category>800580490</category><title>Money worries force half of mums-to-be to cut their maternity leave short</title><description>Nearly half of working mothers-to-be are concerned they will be forced to return to work earlier than anticipated, citing mounting pressure on their finances as the principal motive.</description><pubDate>Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581796</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/cancer-of-the-oesophagus-rises-by-50-in-25-years/800581796</link><category>800580490</category><title>Cancer of the oesophagus rises by 50% in 25 years</title><description>Cancer of the oesophagus has been on the rise in all western countries, but none more than the UK, where the disease affects more people than any other nation.</description><pubDate>Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581793</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumers-shelling-out-as-much-as-100-for-a-tank-of-petrol/800581793</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumers shelling out as much as £100 for a tank of petrol</title><description>In the UK’s most expensive regions to buy fuel, it now costs more than £100 to fill up the tank of a family people carrier such as a Ford Galaxy.</description><pubDate>Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581794</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/budget-2013-energy-tax-could-put-businesses-at-a-competitive-disadvantage/800581794</link><category>800580490</category><title>Budget 2013: energy tax could put businesses at a competitive disadvantage</title><description>Businesses could see their energy bills soaring thanks to confirmation in last week’s Budget announcement that the carbon floor price will increase.</description><pubDate>Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581790</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/beating-the-budget/800581790</link><category>800580490</category><title>Beating the Budget?</title><description>Whether you’re single or married with children, own your house or rent it, are working or not, Wednesday’s Budget could have affected you, your finances and your future.</description><pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:03:34 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581789</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/two-thirds-of-isa-savers-have-never-switched-accounts/800581789</link><category>800580490</category><title>Two-thirds of ISA savers have never switched accounts</title><description>With the start of the new tax year (April 6th) fast approaching research conducted by First Direct has revealed that two-thirds of ISA savers have never switched their accounts, potentially missing out on higher returns for their ISA pots.</description><pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:17:08 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid 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Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581792</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/how-will-the-governments-help-to-buy-scheme-work/800581792</link><category>800580490</category><title>How will the Government’s Help to Buy scheme work?</title><description>Chancellor George Osborne has described the difficulty associated with scraping together funds for a deposit as “a blow to the most human of aspirations”.</description><pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581784</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/can-any-of-us-beat-the-budget/800581784</link><category>800580490</category><title>Can any of us Beat The Budget?</title><description>Opinions will vary as to what the Chancellor has handed us in his 2013 budget.</description><pubDate>Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:16:21 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid 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00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581782</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/lack-of-exercise-claims-36000-lives-a-year/800581782</link><category>800580490</category><title>Lack of exercise claims 36,000 lives a year</title><description>We are all aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, but it seems thousands of Brits are yet to take action, with inactivity claiming the lives of 36,815 people a year.</description><pubDate>Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581783</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/energy-bills-drive-uk-inflation-to-nine-month-high/800581783</link><category>800580490</category><title>Energy bills drive UK inflation to nine month high</title><description>And it looks like the misery is set to continue: inflation has now risen to its highest level for nine months – and the soaring cost of energy is being blamed.</description><pubDate>Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581781</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-hit-record-high/800581781</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices hit record high</title><description>Property values in the UK have soared to unprecedented levels, according to the latest research from Rightmove, with house prices now being pushed past the pre-recession peak recorded in 2008. </description><pubDate>Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:21:04 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581780</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumers-hit-by-fall-in-spending-power/800581780</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumers hit by fall in spending power</title><description>UK consumers were hit with a fall in their spending power for the second consecutive month in February, leaving them with £10 less a month to spend on non-essential items.</description><pubDate>Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:06:24 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581779</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/more-than-a-million-motorists-put-off-repairing-accident-damage/800581779</link><category>800580490</category><title>More than a million motorists put off repairing accident damage</title><description>More than a million cash-strapped motorists are driving on Britain’s roads with accident-damaged vehicles, new research suggests.  
 </description><pubDate>Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:15:35 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581778</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/uk-facing-triple-dip-recession--how-did-we-get-here/800581778</link><category>800580490</category><title>UK facing triple dip recession – how did we get here?</title><description>It might only be March but the first quarter of 2013 is not looking great for the government. 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can detect earliest stages of cancer in seconds</title><description>A newly developed scanner can pick up on the earliest stages of life-threatening diseases including cancer, spotting conditions when they are at their most treatable.</description><pubDate>Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581772</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/app-lets-natwest-and-rbs-customers-text-cash-to-friends--without-bank-details/800581772</link><category>800580490</category><title>App lets NatWest and RBS customers text cash to friends – without bank details</title><description>Barclays has already released an app which allows anyone with a current account to transfer small amounts of cash, but now rival RBS/NatWest has jumped on the bandwagon with the launch of a new mobile cash transfer service.</description><pubDate>Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid 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demonstrating continued signs of improvement.</description><pubDate>Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581760</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/with-the-cash-isa-deadline-looming-what-are-your-best-options/800581760</link><category>800580490</category><title>With the cash ISA deadline looming, what are your best options?</title><description>The Cash ISA deadline falls on 5 April this year, meaning Brits have just one month to put money into an Isa in order not to lose this year’s tax-free savings allowance.</description><pubDate>Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581761</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/uk-workers-endure-sharpest-wage-drop-of-any-developed-economy/800581761</link><category>800580490</category><title>UK workers endure sharpest wage drop of any developed economy</title><description>Fresh research has revealed that no other developed economy has witnessed “such a 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increase the risk of dying young.</description><pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581758</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/new-energy-saving-technology-could-help-businesses-cut-usage/800581758</link><category>800580490</category><title>New energy saving technology could help businesses cut usage</title><description>Energy saving technology developed by a firm in the North East has been so successful that the energy supplier thought the meters had broken down.</description><pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581755</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/report-highlights-lack-of-specialist-heart-failure-nurses-in-nhs/800581755</link><category>800580490</category><title>Report highlights lack of specialist heart failure nurses in NHS</title><description>The number of NHS nurses specialising in heart failure has fallen in the past four years, despite an increase in the 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means that Nationwide now offers one of the most attractive current account options on the high street.</description><pubDate>Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581751</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/what-can-we-expect-from-george-osbornes-march-budget/800581751</link><category>800580490</category><title>What can we expect from George Osborne’s March Budget?</title><description>It’s that time of year again; when the days start to get longer, the daffodils are out and the Chancellor whips the country’s finances into shape with the annual March budget.</description><pubDate>Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:14:45 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581750</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/getting-a-foothold-on-the-property-ladder--what-are-the-essential-things-that-i-need-to-know/800581750</link><category>800580490</category><title>Getting a foothold on the property ladder – what are the essential things that I need to know?</title><description>Buying a home is a dream for many, and for most it can be a reality. But getting a foot on the property ladder can be a difficult task. </description><pubDate>Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:08:19 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581748</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/number-of-uk-diabetes-cases-peaks-at-three-million/800581748</link><category>800580490</category><title>Number of UK diabetes cases peaks at three million</title><description>Diabetes is now a condition that burdens three million people in the UK, with Type 2 leading the way in the worrying upward trend.</description><pubDate>Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581749</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/british-gas-business-energy-profits-plummet-by-17m/800581749</link><category>800580490</category><title>British Gas business energy profits plummet by £17m</title><description>British Gas may be enjoying an enormous boost in profits from the residential sector, but it is also commiserating the £17m drop in business 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Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581720</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/nhs-took-15m-from-the-publics-pocket-to-stop-whistleblowers/800581720</link><category>800580490</category><title>NHS took £15m from the public’s pocket to stop whistleblowers</title><description>The NHS has swiped an eye-watering £15 million from the pocket of the public in order to stop staff from speaking out.</description><pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581721</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/mortgage-market-freezes-as-january-approvals-are-down-14/800581721</link><category>800580490</category><title>Mortgage market freezes as January approvals are down 14%</title><description>The uncongenial January weather has been blamed for a substantial fall in mortgage approvals last month.</description><pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid 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Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581703</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/businesses-warned-to-prepare-for-more-energy-price-hikes-as-supplies-drop/800581703</link><category>800580490</category><title>Businesses warned to prepare for more energy price hikes as supplies drop</title><description>Shrinking foreign gas supplies, the closure of power plants and increasing demand are putting pressure on the British energy market, which could lead to further price hikes.</description><pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581704</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/brits-are-worst-in-the-world-at-saving-for-retirement/800581704</link><category>800580490</category><title>Brits are worst in the world at saving for retirement</title><description>New figures have revealed that Brits run out of savings just over a third of the way into their retirement.</description><pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581701</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/working-in-an-office-leads-to-a-stone-in-weight-gain/800581701</link><category>800580490</category><title>Working in an office leads to a stone in weight gain</title><description>Women put on almost a stone in the first year of working in an office, a new study has revealed, citing boredom, lack of healthy options and a food-obsessed office culture as the reasons behind the weight gain.</description><pubDate>Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581702</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/tenants-left-out-of-pocket-as-research-reveals-buying-is-cheaper-than-renting/800581702</link><category>800580490</category><title>Tenants left out of pocket as research reveals buying is cheaper than renting</title><description>New research has revealed that buying a house is more affordable than renting in all 12 UK regions, with the difference most salient in London.</description><pubDate>Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581692</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/how-your-ex-can-affect-your-credit-rating/800581692</link><category>800580490</category><title>How your ex can affect your credit rating</title><description>A new Experian survey of more than 3,000 Britons reveals that one in seven Britons (14%) have had a romantic relationship which had a negative impact on their financial situation or credit rating. 
</description><pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:15:13 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581695</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/nhs-faces-potential-nurse-workforce-crisis-study-warns/800581695</link><category>800580490</category><title>NHS faces potential nurse workforce crisis, study warns</title><description>Demand for nurses could dangerously outstrip supply by 2016, a government-commissioned report has warned.</description><pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581696</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/derbyshire-building-society-offers-personal-loans-at-lowest-rate-in-10-years/800581696</link><category>800580490</category><title>Derbyshire Building Society offers personal loans at lowest rate in 10 years</title><description>If you are considering taking out a personal loan, it may be worth bearing in mind that Derbyshire Building Society is currently offering a market-leading interest rate of just 5%.</description><pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581676</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/brits-overspent-on-monthly-bills-by-more-than-1bn-in-2013/800581676</link><category>800580490</category><title>Brits overspent on monthly bills by more than £1bn in 2013</title><description>The cost of living is soaring and Brits are struggling to cope with the monthly load that eats into household budgets. </description><pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2013 13:03:15 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581675</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/three-of-the-most-important-steps-to-take-in-a-breakdown-emergency/800581675</link><category>800580490</category><title>Three of the most important steps to take in a breakdown emergency</title><description>Breaking down is not a fun experience for any driver, regardless of the circumstances. Not only can it be a huge inconvenience to your day, but it can also be very expensive and maybe even leave you without a car.
 </description><pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2013 12:54:49 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581673</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/a-sign-of-the-times-uk-savings-balances-fall-by-almost-20-in-three-years/800581673</link><category>800580490</category><title>A sign of the times: UK savings balances fall by almost 20% in three years</title><description>Amid the relentless price hikes and tumbling savings rates, Brits are increasingly less able to save, with UK savings balances plummeting by almost 20% in three years.</description><pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581674</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/energy-price-hikes-fund-75-rise-in-edf-profits/800581674</link><category>800580490</category><title>Energy price hikes fund 7.5% rise in EDF profits</title><description>Winter has been either a painfully expensive or incredibly cold month for many British families.</description><pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581618</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/what-to-look-for-in-a-credit-card/800581618</link><category>800580490</category><title>What to look for in a credit card</title><description>Get your finances into shape with a new credit card. Follow these tips from MoneyExpert on what to look for in a credit card.</description><pubDate>Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:59:40 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581617</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/sweetheart-scammers---dont-be-defrauded-by-love/800581617</link><category>800580490</category><title>Sweetheart Scammers - don't be defrauded by love</title><description>Experian CreditExpert has warned those looking for love online to be careful they do not fall foul of ‘sweetheart scammers’, unscrupulous fraudsters who use dating sites as a means to gain your trust, your personal information and potentially your money. 
</description><pubDate>Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:03:02 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581615</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/number-of-first-time-buyers-hits-five-year-high/800581615</link><category>800580490</category><title>Number of first-time buyers hits five-year high</title><description>A steep increase in first-time buyers teamed with a modest increase in lending at higher loan-to-value ratios has led to hopes that the property market is undergoing a long-awaited recovery.</description><pubDate>Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581616</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/heart-attack-would-prompt-just-half-of-brits-to-pay-attention-to-their-health/800581616</link><category>800580490</category><title>Heart attack would prompt just half of Brits to pay attention to their health</title><description>Even though it is the leading cause of death in the UK, just one in ten Brits fear developing heart disease more than other heath conditions, with just 57% saying they would take action if they were told their heart was at risk.</description><pubDate>Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581601</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/im-a-celebrity-get-me-out-of-debt/800581601</link><category>800580490</category><title>I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Debt!</title><description>The media, more than happy to broadcast the financial plight of once-famous celebrities, have given Kerry Katona some breathing space while they turn their attentions to Martine McCutcheon.</description><pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581602</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/inflation-leaves-households-in-need-of-an-extra-177bn/800581602</link><category>800580490</category><title>Inflation leaves households in need of an extra £17.7bn</title><description>Despite the fact that they are already “at financial breaking point”, UK households collectively need to come up with an extra £17.7bn a year in order to maintain the same standard of living they enjoyed 12 months ago.</description><pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581591</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/welsh-nhs-complaints-to-ombudsman-triple-in-six-years/800581591</link><category>800580490</category><title>Welsh NHS complaints to ombudsman triple in six years</title><description>Complaints to a public watchdog about the Welsh NHS have more than tripled in six years, with grievances ranging from ambulance issues to waiting times.</description><pubDate>Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581592</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/smes-losing-out-by-failing-to-implement-energy-efficiency-measures/800581592</link><category>800580490</category><title>SMEs losing out by failing to implement energy efficiency measures</title><description>New research commissioned by energy supplier npower has found that while 56% of UK SMEs said they took a planned approach to their business’s energy consumption, a quarter are yet to install and enforce energy efficiency measures.</description><pubDate>Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581593</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/a-quarter-of-brits-check-symptoms-on-google-instead-of-visiting-their-gp/800581593</link><category>800580490</category><title>A quarter of Brits check symptoms on Google instead of visiting their GP</title><description>We use it to study, to shop, to book holidays... and to diagnose ourselves with potentially serious illnesses.</description><pubDate>Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581594</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/businesses-should-be-protected-from-rogue-brokers-says-ofgem/800581594</link><category>800580490</category><title>Businesses should be protected from ‘rogue’ brokers, says Ofgem</title><description>Brokers are currently not very popular among businesses, with research by energy regulator Ofgem discovering that between 14% and 17% of the businesses which had previously used brokers were not satisfied with the service they provided.</description><pubDate>Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581588</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/uk-lung-cancer-survival-rates-lag-behind-other-developed-countries/800581588</link><category>800580490</category><title>UK lung cancer survival rates lag behind other developed countries</title><description>Lung cancer survival rates in the UK are as much as 16% lower than in other developed countries, researchers have found.</description><pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581589</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/funding-for-lending-scheme-drives-further-falls-in-savings-rates/800581589</link><category>800580490</category><title>Funding for Lending scheme drives further falls in savings rates</title><description>Investigations by consumer group Which? have revealed the widespread impact on the government’s Funding for Lending scheme on all types of savings products.</description><pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581556</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/cameron-encourages-businesses-to-invest-in-renewable-energy/800581556</link><category>800580490</category><title>Cameron encourages businesses to invest in renewable energy</title><description>Green energy should be topping the list of priorities to boost growth and ensure success, Prime Minister David Cameron told business leaders in a speech earlier this week.</description><pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:41:07 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581555</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/savers-miss-out-on-hundreds-after-four-years-of-record-low-interest-rates/800581555</link><category>800580490</category><title>Savers miss out on hundreds after four years of record low interest rates</title><description>Thursday’s decision to keep base rates at 0.5% means that interest rates have been at a record low for four full years.

</description><pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:34:29 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581554</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/property-market-springs-back-to-life-as-cheap-mortgages-boost-house-prices-by-19/800581554</link><category>800580490</category><title>Property market springs back to life as cheap mortgages boost house prices by 1.9%</title><description>House prices have witnessed a 1.9% average rise in the three months to January, marking the strongest increase for three years.</description><pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:25:40 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581553</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-rise-at-fastest-rate-for-3-years/800581553</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices rise at fastest rate for 3 years</title><description>House prices are rocketing, leaving homeowners jumping for joy - but the same cannot be said for first time buyers. </description><pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:42:14 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581552</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/the-big-financial-spring-clean--5-simple-ways-to-get-your-finances-in-order-as-we-enter-spring/800581552</link><category>800580490</category><title>The big financial spring clean – 5 simple ways to get your finances in order as we enter spring</title><description>Feeling the pinch? You’re not alone as millions of households across the country reach deep into empty pockets trying to make ends meet. </description><pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:35:01 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581551</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/shocking-figures-reveal-the-cost-of-food-if-it-had-risen-in-line-with-house-prices/800581551</link><category>800580490</category><title>Shocking figures reveal the cost of food if it had risen in line with house prices</title><description>A roast chicken would cost a whopping £51 and a carton of milk would be brandishing a £10 price tag had food costs risen in line with the increases in house prices over the last 40 years.
</description><pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:21:15 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581550</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/brits-to-face-two-more-years-of-soaring-living-costs-bank-of-england-warns/800581550</link><category>800580490</category><title>Brits to face two more years of soaring living costs, Bank of England warns</title><description>Brits are bracing themselves for further financial misery as a report due out mid-week is expected to warn of a further two years of rising inflation and sky-high living costs.</description><pubDate>Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:12:20 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581549</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/six-ways-to-keep-your-finances-as-happy-as-your-relationship/800581549</link><category>800580490</category><title>Six ways to keep your finances as happy as your relationship</title><description>Money is often the root cause of tension, stress and arguments between couples. From sharing utility bills to managing a joint bank account, and even saving for your first home, there aren’t many subjects with more potential to create tensions between even the most loving couples. </description><pubDate>Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:34:05 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581559</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/research-reveals-holidays-are-the-secret-to-longevity/800581559</link><category>800580490</category><title>Research reveals holidays are the secret to longevity</title><description>But while we moan about suffering from a severe case of the post-holiday blues after touching down in the UK once again, research has in fact shown that vacations can have a positive impact on our long-term health.</description><pubDate>Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid 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term 0% interest offers rather than longer term deals on the grounds it “can save a considerable sum”.</description><pubDate>Wed, 06 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581546</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/protecting-our-online-identity-is-more-important-than-ever/800581546</link><category>800580490</category><title>Protecting our online identity is more important than ever</title><description>The news of some recent high-profile instances of online privacy laws being breached, together with an ever growing amount of the population living their personal and professional lives online, can only reinforce the idea that the need to be aware of how to protect our online identity is more important than ever.</description><pubDate>Tue, 05 Feb 2013 15:56:40 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid 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Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581540</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/mortgage-approvals-hit-11-month-high/800581540</link><category>800580490</category><title>Mortgage approvals hit 11-month high</title><description>The latest figures from the Bank of England show that UK mortgage approvals jumped to their highest level since January 2012 last month.</description><pubDate>Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581541</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/nhs-medical-director-admits-widespread-restrictions-on-cataract-surgery/800581541</link><category>800580490</category><title>NHS medical director admits widespread restrictions on cataract surgery</title><description>Officials have described extensive restrictions on sight-saving operations as “wrong” and “unfair” after the medical director of the NHS admitted that there are limits in place across half of England.</description><pubDate>Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581542</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/more-misery-for-savers-as-100-accounts-have-their-rates-slashed/800581542</link><category>800580490</category><title>More misery for savers as 100 accounts have their rates slashed</title><description>The Government is not making it easy for consumers to get stuck into this savings culture, with the Funding for Lending scheme blamed for a further string of cuts to interest rates.</description><pubDate>Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581543</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/uks-poorest-households-could-be-hit-with-600-council-tax-bills-from-april/800581543</link><category>800580490</category><title>UK’s poorest households could be hit with £600 council tax bills from April</title><description>Millions of people could be facing a rise of almost £600 in their council tax bills following a decision from central government 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a £4,000 debt would stand at just £116.</description><pubDate>Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581538</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/ongoing-flaws-research-reveals-the-nhs-is-failing-to-learn-from-its-mistakes/800581538</link><category>800580490</category><title>‘Ongoing flaws’: Research reveals the NHS is failing to learn from its mistakes</title><description>A report has highlighted that the NHS is failing to implement recommendations and official advice with the objective of improving the organisation’s method of dealing with complaints.</description><pubDate>Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581536</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/raising-children-costs-parents-over-200k/800581536</link><category>800580490</category><title>Raising children costs parents over £200k</title><description>Raising a brood of your own can be an exciting experience with a number of joyous 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while men have benefitted from the arrangement, young female motorists are being hit by rises in car insurance premiums reaching up to 50%.</description><pubDate>Fri, 25 Jan 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581534</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/uks-poorest-households-spend-over-half-their-income-on-bills/800581534</link><category>800580490</category><title>UK’s poorest households spend over half their income on bills</title><description>New research from Santander 123 Current Account has revealed that UK households struggling the most financially are spending more than half of their income on bills.</description><pubDate>Fri, 25 Jan 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581531</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/a-third-of-women-more-likely-to-visit-doctor-with-a-cold-than-a-symptom-of-cervical-cancer/800581531</link><category>800580490</category><title>A third of women more likely to visit doctor with 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buffer on their credit cards</title><description>However, it seems Brits are better prepared when it comes to their credit cards, with data revealing that UK cardholders have over £50bn in unspent credit on their plastic.</description><pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581530</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/tight-budgets-lead-to-closure-of-nhs-hydrotherapy-pools/800581530</link><category>800580490</category><title>Tight budgets lead to closure of NHS hydrotherapy pools</title><description>Despite aiding recovery and bringing relief to patients suffering from a range of conditions, hydrotherapy pools are being closed across the nation by the NHS.</description><pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581527</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/mortgages-more-affordable-than-they-have-been-in-a-decade/800581527</link><category>800580490</category><title>Mortgages more affordable than they have been in a decade</title><description>In the final quarter of 2012, the average household spent just 28% of its after-tax income on the monthly mortgage bill.</description><pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581528</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/national-crisis-as-many-as-9-million-families-will-be-in-fuel-poverty-by-2016/800581528</link><category>800580490</category><title>‘National crisis’: As many as 9 million families will be in fuel poverty by 2016</title><description>Unless the government acts quickly, the number of families in fuel poverty could increase by as much as 50% by 2016.</description><pubDate>Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581519</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/end-of-200-million-a-year-fund-could-see-cancer-patients-denied-drugs/800581519</link><category>800580490</category><title>End of £200 million-a-year fund could 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collapse – what you need to know</title><description>HMV has become one of the latest victims of the recession falling into administration, leaving 4,350 jobs at risk. 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Compare energy providers with MoneyExpert.</description><pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:47:14 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581492</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/barclays-launch-5-mortgage-deal-for-first-time-buyers/800581492</link><category>800580490</category><title>Barclays launch 5% mortgage deal for first-time buyers</title><description>In a bid to help young people get a foot on the property ladder, Barclays has launched a new first-time buyer’s mortgage where they will only need to put down a 5% deposit – if their parents open a linked Barclays savings account.</description><pubDate>Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:45:58 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581491</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/dont-fall-victim-to-facebook-fraud/800581491</link><category>800580490</category><title>Don’t fall victim to Facebook fraud</title><description>She’s a gorgeous, glamorous blonde – but that doesn’t mean Lily Thomas is a serial WAG who’s dated four footballers and entered Miss Scotland. Or rather, she wasn’t until a fraudster stole her Facebook pictures and created an entirely false identity around them on Twitter, sharing invented adventures with the online community.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:23:22 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581490</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/what-can-we-expect-from-the-property-market-in-2013/800581490</link><category>800580490</category><title>What can we expect from the property market in 2013?</title><description>Buyers are buying and sellers are selling, so is it possible that 2013 could be the year that property becomes positive news again? Money Expert gives you an outlook on the property market for 2013.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:20:48 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581489</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/how-can-young-drivers-keep-car-insurance-costs-down/800581489</link><category>800580490</category><title>How can young drivers keep car insurance costs down?</title><description>Hitting the ripe old age of 17 in the UK gives millions of teenagers the chance to get behind the wheel and reach one of life’s great milestones - learning to drive. Unfortunately, for millions of teenagers this comes at a hefty price which many simply cannot afford.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:19:04 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581488</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/top-debt-busting-balance-transfer-credit-cards-for-2013/800581488</link><category>800580490</category><title>Top debt busting balance transfer credit cards for 2013</title><description>Did you overspend at Christmas? As a nation, we spent billions of pounds on gifts, festive food and drinks and travel, momentarily putting our financial woes to one side and indulging in the seasonal cheer.</description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:36:21 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581487</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/the-greek-island-where-locals-live-ten-years-longer-than-the-rest-of-europe/800581487</link><category>800580490</category><title>The Greek island where locals live ten years longer than the rest of Europe</title><description>Floating leisurely in the Aegean Sea, nestled between Greece and Turkey, lies the island of Icaria. Home to azure blue seas, sparkling white houses and soft stretches of sand, the residents of the island certainly live an enviable life. And research has shown that they also live longer than other Europeans – by an average of ten years. </description><pubDate>Fri, 11 Jan 2013 13:34:57 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581486</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/25-credit-card-cash-back-offer-now-available-on-selective-barclaycard-credit-cards/800581486</link><category>800580490</category><title>£25 Credit Card cash back offer now available on selective Barclaycard Credit Cards</title><description>MoneyExpert's £25 cash back deal is now available on selective Barclaycard Credit Cards.</description><pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:18:34 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581485</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-to-flatline-in-2013-for-a-second-year-running/800581485</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices to flatline in 2013 for a second year running</title><description>Little overall movement in house prices or sales are the reason behind the stagnant housing market, according to research.</description><pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:22:45 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581484</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/metro-bank-fixed-rate-cash-isa-rollover-most-competitive-deal-on-the-market/800581484</link><category>800580490</category><title>Metro Bank fixed-rate cash ISA rollover most competitive deal on the market</title><description>Savings rates have plummeted to almost zero following the introduction of the Government’s £80bn Funding for Lending Scheme.</description><pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:22:04 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581483</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/soaring-energy-costs-for-small-businesses-fuelled-by-overtime/800581483</link><category>800580490</category><title>Soaring energy costs for small businesses fuelled by overtime</title><description>We’re a hardworking nation, according to the latest Eurostat report on full-time employment.</description><pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:18:41 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581482</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/one-million-turned-to-loans-in-2012-to-cover-the-cost-of-mortgage-or-rent/800581482</link><category>800580490</category><title>One million turned to loans in 2012 to cover the cost of mortgage or rent</title><description>Almost one million people took out a payday loan over the past 12 months in order to pay rent or mortgage payments.</description><pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2013 12:17:39 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581481</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/thousands-of-medical-records-uploaded-without-consent-in-nhs-blunder/800581481</link><category>800580490</category><title>Thousands of medical records uploaded without consent in NHS blunder</title><description>The postman has recently been busy delivering letters to all NHS patients detailing a plan to fashion an online medical record for them, which will be available to healthcare staff in an emergency.</description><pubDate>Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:12:23 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581480</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/new-year-new-credit-card-what-to-look-for/800581480</link><category>800580490</category><title>New Year, new credit card: what to look for</title><description>New Year, fresh start. Many people will be incorporating this outlook into their fitness regime, love life or work – but why not apply it to your finances as well? </description><pubDate>Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:09:24 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581479</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/half-of-uk-consumers-used-credit-to-cover-the-cost-of-christmas/800581479</link><category>800580490</category><title>Half of UK consumers used credit to cover the cost of Christmas</title><description>The food, drink, travel costs and of course the £22 billion that Brits are expected to have spent on gifts alone – the cost of Christmas adds up alarmingly fast.</description><pubDate>Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:04:30 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581478</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/shrinking-services-sector-could-push-uk-back-into-recession/800581478</link><category>800580490</category><title>Shrinking services sector could push UK back into recession</title><description>Accounting for around 75% of total output, a decline in the services sector could spell disaster for the UK economy.</description><pubDate>Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:03:55 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581477</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/savers-hit-by-low-cash-isa-interest-rates/800581477</link><category>800580490</category><title>Savers hit by low cash ISA interest rates</title><description>Since they were launched 14 years ago, savers have poured £210 billion into tax-free cash ISA accounts.</description><pubDate>Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:17:22 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581476</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/funding-for-lending-set-to-boost-mortgage-availability/800581476</link><category>800580490</category><title>Funding for Lending set to boost mortgage availability</title><description>Mortgage lending reached an 11-month high in October 2012, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).</description><pubDate>Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:16:21 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581475</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/what-are-the-unknown-illnesses-that-can-affect-your-insurance/800581475</link><category>800580490</category><title>What are the unknown illnesses that can affect your insurance?</title><description>Reports suggest that insurance claims could be invalid if you are suffering from an illness that your doctor has not told you about. Even if you were unaware of any underlying conditions, insurers could still reject your claim. Money Expert reveals your rights and where you stand when making a claim on travel, health or life insurance. </description><pubDate>Fri, 04 Jan 2013 11:26:22 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581474</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/energy-price-rises-averaging-8-begin-to-kick-in-for-uk-consumers/800581474</link><category>800580490</category><title>Energy price rises averaging 8% begin to kick in for UK consumers</title><description>New Year spirits will be rapidly crushed by the heavy thud of winter bills through the letter box over the coming months, as millions of households could see a sharp 8% rise in prices. </description><pubDate>Fri, 04 Jan 2013 11:24:52 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581473</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/25-credit-card-cash-back-deal-from-moneyexpert/800581473</link><category>800580490</category><title>£25 credit card cash-back deal from MoneyExpert</title><description>MoneyExpert has launched a fantastic £25 cash-back deal on selective leading credit card deals taken out via the website in January.</description><pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:31:53 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581472</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/best-credit-cards-for-2013/800581472</link><category>800580490</category><title>Best credit cards for 2013</title><description>With consumers facing a Christmas hangover from spending splurges during the festive season, securing the best interest rates and rewards on credit cards as the New Year gets underway is crucial.</description><pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:00:48 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581471</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/energy-bills-climb-by-an-average-of-8/800581471</link><category>800580490</category><title>Energy bills climb by an average of 8%</title><description>Households in the UK are set to face a winter of discontent, as the combined effect of energy price rises from the ‘Bix Six’ suppliers sends energy bills soaring by an average of 8%.</description><pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:59:52 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581470</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/majority-of-consumers-expect-house-prices-to-rise-in-2013/800581470</link><category>800580490</category><title>Majority of consumers expect house prices to rise in 2013</title><description>The New Year has sparked a resurgence of confidence in the prospects for the UK’s housing market, with more people expecting house prices to rise rather than fall in the coming year.</description><pubDate>Wed, 02 Jan 2013 18:21:56 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581469</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/diabetes-care-not-improving-reveals-charity-survey/800581469</link><category>800580490</category><title>Diabetes care not improving, reveals charity survey</title><description>The majority of diabetes sufferers feel that care conditions have stayed the same or declined over the last twelve months, according to a survey by Diabetes UK.</description><pubDate>Wed, 02 Jan 2013 18:21:07 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581468</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/resolution-suggestions-vary-for-goal-setting-brits/800581468</link><category>800580490</category><title>Resolution suggestions vary for goal-setting Brits</title><description>New research suggests that a significant percentage of Brits are expected to make at least one New Year’s resolution in 2013, with a number of suggestions being put forward by Brits. </description><pubDate>Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:23:13 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581467</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/annual-review-suggests-number-of-first-time-buyers-is-on-the-rise/800581467</link><category>800580490</category><title>Annual review suggests number of first-time buyers is on the rise</title><description>The latest annual Halifax first-time buyer review has indicated that there was an increase of approximately 12% in the number of first-time buyers during 2012.</description><pubDate>Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:22:11 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581466</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/top-3-financial-products-to-invest-in-during-2013/800581466</link><category>800580490</category><title>Top 3 financial products to invest in during 2013</title><description>Trim down your fatty fiscal products and get financially fit for 2013. If you are looking to make some extra cash or see your money go further, here are three financial products to invest in this year.</description><pubDate>Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:20:21 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581465</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/tips-for-first-time-buyers-trying-to-get-on-the-property-ladder-in-2013/800581465</link><category>800580490</category><title>Tips for first-time buyers trying to get on the property ladder in 2013</title><description>Young buyers looking to purchase their first home in 2013 could be faced with a number of challenges. From the colossal deposits required to the cruel mortgage rejection – the game of snakes and property ladders is a hard one to win.</description><pubDate>Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:18:30 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581464</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/new-gender-directive-comes-into-force-for-brits/800581464</link><category>800580490</category><title>New gender directive comes into force for Brits</title><description>The entire landscape of the UK car insurance market has now changed after the EU gender directive has come into force and women will no longer receive reduced rates from insurers.</description><pubDate>Fri, 28 Dec 2012 14:36:35 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581463</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/losing-weight-tops-wish-list-of-uk-adults-in-2013/800581463</link><category>800580490</category><title>Losing weight tops wish-list of UK adults in 2013</title><description>New research suggests that an estimated 14.5 million adults will make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight as we enter 2013.</description><pubDate>Fri, 28 Dec 2012 14:35:35 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581462</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/new-research-suggests-brits-increasingly-shun-household-budgets/800581462</link><category>800580490</category><title>New research suggests Brits increasingly shun household budgets</title><description>Shocking new research suggests that Brits still have a great deal to learn about being savvy with their money after 33% of those questioned in a recent survey stated that they have no plans to set a household budget in 2013.</description><pubDate>Fri, 28 Dec 2012 13:13:10 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581461</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/new-barclaycard-balance-transfer-offer-set-to-entice-uk-consumers/800581461</link><category>800580490</category><title>New Barclaycard balance transfer offer set to entice UK consumers</title><description>Barclaycard have caused a stir in the balance transfer market by announcing a new card that could be set to turn heads across the UK.</description><pubDate>Fri, 28 Dec 2012 13:10:17 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581460</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/keeping-the-kids-entertained-for-free/800581460</link><category>800580490</category><title>Keeping the kids entertained for free</title><description>Keeping the children entertained during school holidays without splashing the cash is never an easy task, and when it's cold and wet outside in winter after Christmas it can be even worse.</description><pubDate>Fri, 28 Dec 2012 12:59:49 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581459</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/savvy-customers-face-one-month-delay-for-energy-deal/800581459</link><category>800580490</category><title>Savvy customers face one month delay for energy deal</title><description>As many as 50,000 consumers could be left waiting one month to benefit from switching energy tariffs after high levels of demand have inundated the supplier with customers.</description><pubDate>Mon, 24 Dec 2012 13:50:33 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581458</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/mortgage-lending-reaches-highest-level-for-year/800581458</link><category>800580490</category><title>Mortgage lending reaches highest level for year</title><description>Gross mortgage lending rose by 0.92% for the month of November, reaching just shy of £13 billion and hitting the highest level for the year, reports have revealed.</description><pubDate>Mon, 24 Dec 2012 13:48:23 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581457</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/what-will-2013-hold-for-the-housing-market/800581457</link><category>800580490</category><title>What will 2013 hold for the housing market?</title><description>The UK housing market has hardly had the most impressive year, with property prices continuing to fall across the country and affordability being something dreams are made of.</description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:56:08 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581456</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/how-to-stay-healthy-this-christmas/800581456</link><category>800580490</category><title>How to stay healthy this Christmas!</title><description>It’s that time of year again when festive spirits are high along with calorie intake, alcohol consumption, stress levels and accident rates. Christmas might only come once a year but the damage done to your body could be long-lasting. </description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:55:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581455</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/4725-million-predicted-to-be-spent-online-on-boxing-day/800581455</link><category>800580490</category><title>£472.5 million predicted to be spent online on Boxing Day</title><description>Insights taken from the combined datasets of Hitwise, Experian’s online competitive intelligence tool, and the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index show that Christmas 2012 will be the biggest and busiest ever for online retailers in the UK. </description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:23:19 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581454</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/mps-demand-energy-bill-breakdown-in-move-to-create-greater-transparency/800581454</link><category>800580490</category><title>MPs demand energy bill breakdown in move to create greater transparency</title><description>The cross-party Energy and Climate Change Committee has called for energy firms to provide customers with a breakdown of their gas and electricity bills in an attempt to create greater transparency within the industry.</description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:21:43 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581453</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/gender-directive-insurance-rules-take-effect-today/800581453</link><category>800580490</category><title>Gender Directive insurance rules take effect today</title><description>New EU rules which take effect today (21 December) will see one of the biggest shake-ups in the insurance industry in recent years, and mean that insurers will no longer be able to factor gender into premium calculations.</description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:21:20 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581450</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/aa-drops-personal-loan-rate-to-55/800581450</link><category>800580490</category><title>AA drops personal loan rate to 5.5%</title><description>The AA has dropped its personal loan rate for members and non-members for the third time in four months, meaning that loans of between £7,500 and £14,950 can be secured at rates of 5.5% and 5.6% respectively.</description><pubDate>Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:58:05 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581449</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/life-insurance-payouts-help-170-families-a-day/800581449</link><category>800580490</category><title>Life insurance payouts help 170 families a day</title><description>Insurers paid out a total of £6.7 million on life, critical illness and income protection insurance in 2011, helping nearly 170 individuals and families, according to the latest data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI).</description><pubDate>Thu, 20 Dec 2012 12:57:28 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581447</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-increase-by-15-year-on-year/800581447</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices increase by 1.5% year-on-year</title><description>The year to October saw house prices leap across England and Wales, buoyed by the strength of the capital’s property market.</description><pubDate>Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:21:39 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581446</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumer-spending-power-falls-despite-no-change-in-inflation/800581446</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumer spending power falls, despite no change in inflation</title><description>UK consumers are continuing to be hit hard by the rising cost of living, despite the rate of inflation remaining unchanged at 2.7% in November.</description><pubDate>Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:20:43 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581440</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/barclaycard-introduces-3-cashback-on-its-initial-credit-card/800581440</link><category>800580490</category><title>Barclaycard introduces 3% cashback on its Initial credit card</title><description>Barclaycard has introduced 3% cashback on its Initial card, offering cardholders the chance to earn as they spend.</description><pubDate>Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:07:49 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581439</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/pruhealth-offers-cashback-for-non-smokers-in-2013/800581439</link><category>800580490</category><title>PruHealth offers cashback for non-smokers in 2013</title><description>PruHealth has announced a number of changes to its products in the New Year, effective from 3 January 2013, including a brand new cashback benefit for non smokers.</description><pubDate>Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:06:34 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581376</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumers-pre-christmas-spending-hits-175-billion-over-the-weekend/800581376</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumers’ pre-Christmas spending hits £1.75 billion over the weekend</title><description>Consumers hit the UK’s high streets in their droves over the weekend, spending a staggering £1.75 billion as they attempted to fill up their baskets with Christmas goodies ahead of the festive season rush.
</description><pubDate>Mon, 17 Dec 2012 16:22:41 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581375</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/brits-continuing-to-plough-more-into-their-savings/800581375</link><category>800580490</category><title>Brits continuing to plough more into their savings</title><description>Brits are fast becoming a nation of savvy savers, with new figures revealing that UK consumers are ploughing even more of their hard-earned money into savings accounts.</description><pubDate>Mon, 17 Dec 2012 16:22:11 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581344</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/autumn-statement-how-it-will-affect-families-in-2013/800581344</link><category>800580490</category><title>Autumn Statement: How it will affect families in 2013</title><description>Chancellor George Osborne unveiled future plans for the nation’s finances last week with the annual Autumn Statement. Osborne revealed a number of economic reforms and policies the coalition will bring into force next year, many of which will affect millions of families.  </description><pubDate>Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:25:52 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581343</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/festive-funding-how-to-make-the-most-of-your-money-this-christmas/800581343</link><category>800580490</category><title>Festive funding: How to make the most of your money this Christmas</title><description>Feeling the pinch this Christmas? Don’t let your finances ruin the festivities as there are a number of funding options available that allow you to make your money go further. You can spread the Christmas cheer through some smart spending. </description><pubDate>Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:24:09 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581336</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/squeezed-households-planning-to-spend-less-this-christmas/800581336</link><category>800580490</category><title>Squeezed households planning to spend less this Christmas</title><description>UK consumers’ festive season celebrations are being mired by a continued squeeze on household budgets, with recent figures revealing that 1.6 million households will be reining in their spending this Christmas.</description><pubDate>Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:31:33 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581335</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/uks-reliance-on-gas-set-to-send-business-energy-bills-soaring/800581335</link><category>800580490</category><title>UK’s reliance on gas set to send business energy bills soaring</title><description>The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has refuted the government's argument that gas will provide a cheap source of electricity and heating in the future, arguing that the move will instead send energy bills soaring.</description><pubDate>Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:30:50 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581334</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/what-the-new-isa-rules-mean-for-you/800581334</link><category>800580490</category><title>What the new ISA rules mean for you</title><description>Chancellor George Osborne brought good news for ISA savers in the recent Autumn Statement, announcing that the overall amount consumers can plough into their ISAs will increase from a current figure of £11,280 to £11,520 in April 2013.</description><pubDate>Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:39:08 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581333</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/first-time-buyer-activity-boosted-in-october/800581333</link><category>800580490</category><title>First-time buyer activity boosted in October</title><description>Despite first-time buyers still facing a number of stumbling blocks to getting on the property ladder, the latest figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) revealed a boost in first-time buyer activity in October.</description><pubDate>Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:37:38 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581332</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/brits-need-more-than-93000-to-feel-financially-secure/800581332</link><category>800580490</category><title>Brits need more than £93,000 to feel financially secure</title><description>The uncertain economic climate may be just one reason why Brits are keen to put a sizeable financial buffer in place, with a new survey revealing that UK consumers would need £93,730 in the bank in order to feel financially secure.</description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:20:05 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581331</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/top-five-cashback-credit-cards/800581331</link><category>800580490</category><title>Top five cashback credit cards</title><description>With recent research revealing that Brits are planning to spend an average of £445 each this year on Christmas, there has never been a better time to reap the rewards of a cashback credit card.</description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:15:51 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581328</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumers-savings-pots-compromised-by-rising-cost-of-living/800581328</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumers' savings pots compromised by rising cost of living</title><description>Brits’ chances of building up a healthy savings pot is being hampered by a continued squeeze on their finances, according to recent research.</description><pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2012 12:18:53 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581327</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/eon-to-increase-energy-prices-by-87-from-january/800581327</link><category>800580490</category><title>E.On to increase energy prices by 8.7% from January</title><description>Energy giant E.On has announced that it will be joining the UK’s other ‘Big Six’ energy suppliers in raising energy prices.</description><pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2012 12:16:19 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581325</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/missed-payments--how-long-do-they-stay-on-your-credit-record/800581325</link><category>800580490</category><title>Missed payments – how long do they stay on your credit record?</title><description>Most of us have known at some point the creeping realisation dawning on us that we have forgotten to pay our credit card bill on time. </description><pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:36:54 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581324</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/busting-the-credit-myths/800581324</link><category>800580490</category><title>Busting the Credit Myths</title><description>There are many misconceptions about what affects how lenders rate customers for credit - and this means people could be doing their finances long-term damage.</description><pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:35:36 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581323</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/cyber-monday-sets-a-new-online-retail-record/800581323</link><category>800580490</category><title>‘Cyber Monday’ sets a new online retail record</title><description>Cyber Monday 2012 turned out to be the biggest and busiest ever for online retailers in the UK, according to Experian research that found an astonishing 112 million visits by UK consumers on Monday 3 December. </description><pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:33:26 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581322</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/millions-of-svr-mortgage-holders-could-save-by-remortgaging/800581322</link><category>800580490</category><title>Millions of SVR mortgage holders could save by remortgaging</title><description>Four in five mortgage borrowers on a standard variable rate (SVR) could save £1,000 a year by remortgaging to a lower rate, according to estimates from HSBC.</description><pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:30:49 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581321</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/government-announces-100m-funding-for-dna-mapping-for-cancer-patients/800581321</link><category>800580490</category><title>Government announces £100m funding for DNA mapping for cancer patients</title><description>Prime Minister David Cameron will announce that £100m has been earmarked for a DNA mapping project for up to 100,000 patients with cancer and rare diseases in England.</description><pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:29:03 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581320</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/the-fine-art-of-haggling/800581320</link><category>800580490</category><title>The fine art of haggling</title><description>Most of us agree on that the economy is in a bit of a mess, and so we all have to make our own cutbacks if we can. </description><pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:46:58 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581319</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/energy-intensive-businesses-to-be-shielded-from-energy-price-rises/800581319</link><category>800580490</category><title>Energy-intensive businesses to be shielded from energy price rises</title><description>Energy-intensive big industries are set to receive energy price subsidies under measures outlined in the government’s Energy Bill.</description><pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:38:24 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581318</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/halifax-reveals-outlook-for-housing-market-in-2013/800581318</link><category>800580490</category><title>Halifax reveals outlook for housing market in 2013</title><description>Next year will see continuing broad stability in property prices across the UK, according to forecasts, with the housing market set to make a slow but gradual recovery in the ensuing years.</description><pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:37:22 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581317</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/top-5-tips-for-budgeting-effectively-in-2013/800581317</link><category>800580490</category><title>Top 5 tips for budgeting effectively in 2013</title><description>The majority of Brits are not thinking about their Christmas debt hangover yet, as the seasonal spending spree continues. However, credit card blues and post-Christmas cheer could leave you in the red from the moment you enter 2013. </description><pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:44:27 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581316</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/autumn-statement-set-to-kick-start-governments-drive-to-cut-energy-prices/800581316</link><category>800580490</category><title>Autumn Statement set to kick-start Government’s drive to cut energy prices</title><description>Chancellor George Osborne unveiled plans to kick start the economy in the Autumn Statement earlier this week, which has received a mixed reaction from the great British public.</description><pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:42:50 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581315</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/drivers-urged-to-prepare-themselves-for-severe-winter-weather/800581315</link><category>800580490</category><title>Drivers urged to prepare themselves for severe winter weather</title><description>The UK has been hit with a barrage of rain, wind and snow in recent weeks leading to flooding and causing major disruption on Britain’s vast network of roads.</description><pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:40:44 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581314</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/the-best-0-interest-purchase-credit-cards/800581314</link><category>800580490</category><title>The best 0% interest purchase credit cards</title><description>Recent figures from the Finance &amp; Leasing Association (FLA) revealed that although lending on credit cards and personal loans dropped by 5% year-on-year in October, this type of borrowing still accounted for the largest share of credit lending at £2.6 billion.</description><pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:38:03 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581313</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/fla-reveals-increase-in-consumer-credit-lending/800581313</link><category>800580490</category><title>FLA reveals increase in consumer credit lending</title><description>Household budgets are still continuing to be squeezed amidst an uncertain economic climate, with the latest figures from the Finance &amp; Leasing Association (FLA) revealing that consumers are still turning to borrowing in order to make ends meet. </description><pubDate>Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:42:49 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581312</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/chancellor-expected-to-warn-of-continuing-austerity-in-todays-autumn-statement/800581312</link><category>800580490</category><title>Chancellor expected to warn of continuing austerity in today's Autumn Statement</title><description>Chancellor George Osborne is expected to announce in today’s (December 5th) Autumn Statement that there is "no miracle cure" for the UK’s fragile economy, with Britain set to face continued austerity measures for years to come.</description><pubDate>Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:39:51 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581311</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/the-best-savings-deals-on-the-market/800581311</link><category>800580490</category><title>The best savings deals on the market</title><description>Recent research conducted by YouGov for Financial Planning Week revealed that just 10% of savers are likely to consider stock market investment over the returns available from bank and building society deposit accounts.</description><pubDate>Tue, 04 Dec 2012 12:39:12 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581310</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/brits-relying-on-borrowing-and-cutting-back-on-essentials-to-stay-afloat/800581310</link><category>800580490</category><title>Brits relying on borrowing and cutting back on essentials to stay afloat</title><description>Consumers in the UK are struggling to makes ends meet against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, rising inflation and increased living costs, with many having to cut back on essentials and turn to borrowing just to stay afloat.</description><pubDate>Tue, 04 Dec 2012 12:37:01 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581306</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/nhs-could-face-54bn-shortfall/800581306</link><category>800580490</category><title>NHS could face £54bn shortfall</title><description>The NHS could face a shortfall of up to £54bn by 2021-22 if funding levels don’t rise faster than inflation or if the health service fails to meet productivity targets.</description><pubDate>Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:51:29 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581305</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-fall-across-england-and-wales/800581305</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices fall across England and Wales</title><description>House prices in the UK fell for the fifth consecutive month in November, dipping by an average of 0.1%, according to property analyst Hometrack.</description><pubDate>Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:50:28 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581301</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/women-urged-to-act-now-to-secure-life-insurance-premiums-ahead-of-gender-directive/800581301</link><category>800580490</category><title>Women urged to “act now” to secure life insurance premiums ahead of gender directive</title><description>Women are being to urged to renew their life insurance policies ahead of the introduction of the EU Gender Directive on December 21st.</description><pubDate>Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:58:31 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581300</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/hsbc-offers-market-leading-199-2-year-fixed-rate-mortgage/800581300</link><category>800580490</category><title>HSBC offers market leading 1.99% 2 year fixed rate mortgage</title><description>HSBC has announced that it is offering it’s lowest ever two-year fixed rate mortgage at a fixed rate of 1.99%.</description><pubDate>Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:57:19 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581299</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/households-face-the-most-brutal-squeeze-on-spending-for-100-years/800581299</link><category>800580490</category><title>Households face the most brutal squeeze on spending for 100 years</title><description>The pressure is growing as UK households face the most savage decline in consumer spending for almost 100 years.</description><pubDate>Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:51:02 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581298</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/insurers-might-not-pay-out-to-thousands-of-flood-victims/800581298</link><category>800580490</category><title>Insurers might not pay out to thousands of flood victims</title><description>Thousands of homes across the country have been damaged in some of the most horrific floods sweeping the nation for years.</description><pubDate>Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:49:50 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581297</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-remain-unchanged-in-november/800581297</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices remain unchanged in November</title><description>Property price growth remained flat in the month to November at 0%, indicating that there is continuing volatility in UK’s housing market.</description><pubDate>Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:56:47 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581296</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/total-lending-to-individuals-falls-in-october/800581296</link><category>800580490</category><title>Total lending to individuals falls in October</title><description>Consumers’ reliance on borrowing to stay afloat appears to be easing, after the latest figures from the Bank of England revealed a fall in total lending to individuals in October.</description><pubDate>Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:55:36 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581295</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/mp-calls-for-cap-on-credit-card-debt/800581295</link><category>800580490</category><title>MP calls for cap on credit card debt</title><description>Mounting credit card debt could be written off if a Credit Card Debt Limit Bill translates to legislation in parliament.</description><pubDate>Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:25:49 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581294</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/energy-bills-soar-by-almost-230-in-five-years/800581294</link><category>800580490</category><title>Energy bills soar by almost £230 in five years</title><description>The costs of heating a home have climbed by almost £230 since 2007, as gas and electricity prices continue to rocket.</description><pubDate>Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:24:20 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581291</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/first-time-buyers-still-relying-on-bank-of-mum-and-dad/800581291</link><category>800580490</category><title>First-time buyers still relying on Bank of Mum and Dad</title><description>Two-thirds of first-time buyers are still relying on handouts from their parents in order to get a foothold on the property ladder, according to the latest figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).</description><pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2012 13:51:55 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581288</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/best-savings-deals-on-the-market-revealed/800581288</link><category>800580490</category><title>Best savings deals on the market revealed</title><description>Chancellor George Osborne is expected to announce a series of reforms to the savings system as part of the Autumn Statement on 5 December.</description><pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2012 13:49:16 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581287</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/ofgem-secures-17-million-for-consumers-following-eon-error/800581287</link><category>800580490</category><title>Ofgem secures £1.7 million for consumers following E.ON error</title><description>Ofgem has secured a commitment from E.ON to pay back around £1.4 million to approximately 94,000 consumers who were incorrectly charged exit fees or overcharged following price rises. </description><pubDate>Tue, 27 Nov 2012 11:14:19 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581286</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/austerity-britain-to-last-until-2018-according-to-leading-think-tank/800581286</link><category>800580490</category><title>'Austerity Britain to last until 2018' according to leading Think-Tank</title><description>Despite the fact that the UK economy has officially pulled out of a double-dip recession, household budgets may continue to be squeezed for the next five years, a leading economic think-tank has warned.</description><pubDate>Mon, 26 Nov 2012 12:19:27 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581285</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/tripling-of-isa-limit-could-form-cornerstone-of-reform-on-savings/800581285</link><category>800580490</category><title>Tripling of ISA limit could form cornerstone of reform on savings</title><description>A three-fold increase in the ISA limit to more than £30,000 could form the centrepiece of proposals for an overhaul of the savings system.</description><pubDate>Mon, 26 Nov 2012 12:18:09 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581284</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/insufficient-nhs-staffing-levels-could-compromise-patient-care/800581284</link><category>800580490</category><title>Insufficient NHS staffing levels could compromise patient care</title><description>Staffing problems have led to compromised standards of patient care within the NHS, according to a report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).</description><pubDate>Fri, 23 Nov 2012 16:51:42 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581283</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/top-tips-to-avoid-falling-into-debt-this-christmas/800581283</link><category>800580490</category><title>Top tips to avoid falling into debt this Christmas</title><description>With just over 30 days to go until Christmas, the countdown has begun and the festive rush to buy seasonal goods is well and truly on. </description><pubDate>Fri, 23 Nov 2012 16:50:57 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581282</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/increase-in-renewable-energy-levy-set-to-send-business-energy-bills-soaring/800581282</link><category>800580490</category><title>Increase in renewable energy levy set to send business energy bills soaring</title><description>Businesses and households are set to be hit with a yearly hike of £7.6 billion to energy bills by 2020, after government plans to triple the renewable energy levy were revealed by the Department of Energy and Climate Change.</description><pubDate>Fri, 23 Nov 2012 16:50:18 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581281</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/government-forces-energy-firms-to-give-customers-the-cheapest-tariff/800581281</link><category>800580490</category><title>Government forces energy firms to give customers the cheapest tariff</title><description>The government has announced plans to force energy firms to give households the cheapest tariff available. However, will you really be getting a better deal? </description><pubDate>Fri, 23 Nov 2012 16:49:17 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581280</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/insurance-market-will-be-competitive-despite-gender-neutral-pricing-says-abi/800581280</link><category>800580490</category><title>Insurance market will be competitive despite gender neutral pricing, says ABI</title><description>The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has moved to reassure consumers that the introduction of gender-neutral insurance pricing next month won’t affect the competitiveness of insurance products.</description><pubDate>Thu, 22 Nov 2012 13:23:28 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581279</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/cashback-credit-cards-give-consumers-more-from-their-christmas-spend/800581279</link><category>800580490</category><title>Cashback credit cards give consumers more from their Christmas spend</title><description>Savvy Christmas shoppers could earn hundreds back from their festive season spend by putting their purchases on cashback credit cards instead of their debit cards.</description><pubDate>Thu, 22 Nov 2012 13:22:36 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581278</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/npower-report-examines-outlook-for-business-energy-users/800581278</link><category>800580490</category><title>Npower report examines outlook for business energy users</title><description>An npower report on the 2030 energy outlook for businesses in Britain has argued that although the future of UK energy is ‘uncertain’, there are a number of key measures businesses can employ to get the maximum benefit from their energy usage.</description><pubDate>Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:08:07 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581277</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/mortgage-lending-boosted-by-funding-for-lending/800581277</link><category>800580490</category><title>Mortgage lending boosted by Funding for Lending</title><description>The Bank of England’s £80bn Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS), which gives lenders access to cheaper finance, helped mortgage lending reach an 11-month high in October.</description><pubDate>Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:06:15 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581276</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/barclaycard-offer-24-months-0-interest-on-platinum-bt-card/800581276</link><category>800580490</category><title>Barclaycard offer 24-months 0% interest on Platinum BT Card</title><description>Barclaycard has extended the interest-free period on its Platinum BT Card from 23 months to 24 months, maintaining its position at the top of the best buy tables.</description><pubDate>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:07:55 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581275</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/less-than-2-of-savings-accounts-beat-inflation/800581275</link><category>800580490</category><title>Less than 2% of savings accounts beat inflation</title><description>Following a rise in both the Retail Prices Index (RPI) and the Consumer Prices Index (CPI)rates of inflation last month, research has revealed that less than 2% of savings accounts are inflation-beating.</description><pubDate>Tue, 20 Nov 2012 12:06:39 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581274</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-increase-2-annually-but-many-regions-still-in-decline/800581274</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices increase 2% annually, but many regions still in decline</title><description>Despite the fact that property prices in the UK have shot up by 2% over the year, month-on-month declines could mean that the housing market is still far from making a full recovery.</description><pubDate>Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:36:20 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581273</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/rationing-of-nhs-treatment-leads-to-some-being-restricted-say-experts/800581273</link><category>800580490</category><title>Rationing of NHS treatment leads to some being restricted, say experts</title><description>Experts have warned that a growing number of NHS treatments are being restricted, as the health service struggles to save £20 billion over four years.</description><pubDate>Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:16:04 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581271</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/soaring-living-costs-highlight-the-need-for-life-insurance/800581271</link><category>800580490</category><title>Soaring living costs highlight the need for life insurance</title><description>The rising cost of living is continuing to put a squeeze on consumers’ budgets, meaning that the need for households to protect their financial futures is more crucial than ever.</description><pubDate>Fri, 16 Nov 2012 15:31:56 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581270</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/inflation-beating-savings-accounts/800581270</link><category>800580490</category><title>Inflation-beating savings accounts</title><description>Estimates suggest that basic-rate tax payers with need savings accounts paying more than 3.37% to beat inflation, while a higher-rate tax payer will need an account paying at least 4.5%.</description><pubDate>Fri, 16 Nov 2012 15:29:15 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581269</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/inflation-jumps-to-27-in-october/800581269</link><category>800580490</category><title>Inflation jumps to 2.7% in October</title><description>Inflation has increased from 2.2% in September to a massive 2.7% in October. Analysts believe that that this is largely down to the rise in higher education fees in September.</description><pubDate>Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:55:25 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581268</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/money-can-buy-happiness-with-brits-content-with-83000-a-year/800581268</link><category>800580490</category><title>Money can buy happiness with Brits content with £83,000 a year</title><description>Money can’t buy you love but £83,000 is enough to keep Brits happy, according to a global survey.</description><pubDate>Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:52:46 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581267</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/centrica-says-british-gas-profits-will-rise-by-6/800581267</link><category>800580490</category><title>Centrica says British Gas profits will rise by 6%</title><description>British Gas owner Centrica has revealed that the energy giant is expecting a 6% rising in profits, as its customers prepare for a 6% hike to energy prices this week.</description><pubDate>Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:13:54 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581266</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/nhs-sleepwalking-into-crisis-after-loss-of-nursing-jobs-in-west-midlands/800581266</link><category>800580490</category><title>NHS ‘sleepwalking into crisis’ after loss of nursing jobs in West Midlands</title><description>The loss of hundreds of nursing jobs in the West Midlands could send the NHS into crisis, the Royal College of Nursing has warned.</description><pubDate>Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:11:36 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581265</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/sse-defends-38-rise-in-profits-in-wake-of-energy-price-increases/800581265</link><category>800580490</category><title>SSE defends 38% rise in profits in wake of energy price increases</title><description>Energy giant SSE, one of the UK’s Big Six energy suppliers, has defended a 38% rise in profits, almost a month after it hit customers with gas and electricity price increases.</description><pubDate>Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:24:01 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581264</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/inflation-rises-as-cost-of-living-climbs/800581264</link><category>800580490</category><title>Inflation rises as cost of living climbs</title><description>Inflation rose sharply to 2.7% in October, from a figure of 2.2% in September, prompting fears that UK’s chances of economic recovery are being hampered.</description><pubDate>Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:22:36 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581226</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/more-lenders-slashing-personal-loan-rates/800581226</link><category>800580490</category><title>More lenders slashing personal loan rates</title><description>Derbyshire Building Society is the latest lender to wade into personal loan price war, slashing the rate on loans between £7,500 and £14,999 to 5.4%.</description><pubDate>Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:23:03 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581225</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/barclaycard-offers-30-bt-fee-refund-on-their-platinum-bt-credit-cards/800581225</link><category>800580490</category><title>Barclaycard offers £30 BT fee refund on their Platinum BT Credit Cards</title><description>Barclaycard is offering a £30 balance transfer fee refund when customers transfer a balance to their Platinum Balance Transfer Credit Cards.</description><pubDate>Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:20:33 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581224</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/santander-new-lower-rates-for-personal-loans/800581224</link><category>800580490</category><title>Santander: New lower rates for Personal Loans</title><description>Santander is to make changes to its rates for unsecured personal loans available via its own website. These rates are available to new and existing customers and are effective from Tuesday 6 November 2012.</description><pubDate>Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:37:08 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581223</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/driving-costs-set-to-rocket-under-insurance-rules-and-fuel-taxes/800581223</link><category>800580490</category><title>Driving costs set to rocket under insurance rules and fuel taxes</title><description>The sky-high cost of motoring is driving Britons off the roads and is only set to continue rising.</description><pubDate>Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:35:13 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581222</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/brits-enjoy-early-christmas-deals/800581222</link><category>800580490</category><title>Brits enjoy early Christmas deals</title><description>The retail race for Christmas shopping is on as stores offer millions of pounds worth of deals to encourage spending.</description><pubDate>Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:34:03 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581221</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/lv-extends-g-day-guarantee/800581221</link><category>800580490</category><title>LV= extends ‘G-Day’ guarantee</title><description>Protection specialist LV= has announced that it is moving its G Day Guarantee date from 1 December to 9 December, offering customers the chance to take advantage of gender specific rates ahead of the firm’s switch over to gender neutral rates on 10 December.</description><pubDate>Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:29:24 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581220</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/cheapest-ever-personal-loan-offered-by-ms-bank/800581220</link><category>800580490</category><title>‘Cheapest ever personal loan’ offered by M&amp;S Bank</title><description>M&amp;S Bank has slashed the rate on its personal loan by 0.3%, creating the lowest-rate personal loan on the market for six years, according to research by Moneyfacts.</description><pubDate>Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:19:00 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581219</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/housing-market-remains-bleak-as-prices-continue-to-fall/800581219</link><category>800580490</category><title>Housing market remains bleak as prices continue to fall</title><description>Doom and gloom continues to settle deeper into the UK housing market with little signs of improvement.</description><pubDate>Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:10:36 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581217</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/comet-falls-into-administration-your-rights-explained/800581217</link><category>800580490</category><title>Comet falls into administration: Your rights explained</title><description>Comet, one of the UK’s leading electrical chain retailers, has gone into administration. This puts over 6,000 jobs at risk and leaves millions of Comet customers in the dark over goods.</description><pubDate>Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:09:19 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581212</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/lloyds-tsb-launches-13-month-0-interest-balance-transfer-and-purchase-card/800581212</link><category>800580490</category><title>Lloyds TSB launches 13-month 0% interest balance transfer and purchase card</title><description>Consumers looking for credit cards that offer interest-free periods on their spending and balance transfers need look no further than Lloyds TSB’s new Credit Card MasterCard.</description><pubDate>Thu, 08 Nov 2012 14:11:38 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581211</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/pmi-holders-could-save-nhs-billions-by-making-full-use-of-their-cover/800581211</link><category>800580490</category><title>PMI holders could save NHS billions by making full use of their cover</title><description>Patients with private medical insurance who receive hospital treatment financed and supplied by the NHS could make a large contribution to the £20 billion worth of efficiency savings the state healthcare service must make by 2015, if they made full use of their cover.</description><pubDate>Thu, 08 Nov 2012 14:01:26 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581210</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/post-office-cuts-mortgage-rates-by-up-to-047/800581210</link><category>800580490</category><title>Post Office cuts mortgage rates by up to 0.47%</title><description>Post Office is cutting mortgage rates by up to 0.47% on a number of its fixed rate and tracker mortgages as well as increasing its range of ‘fee saver’ products. The new products will be available to customers immediately. </description><pubDate>Thu, 08 Nov 2012 13:59:48 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581209</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/over-50s-putting-more-money-away-into-savings-accounts/800581209</link><category>800580490</category><title>Over 50s putting more money away into savings accounts</title><description>More than half of over 50s are setting aside extra money to build up a nest egg and ensure that they have an adequate financial safety net during retirement, according to research by Saga.</description><pubDate>Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:32:40 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581208</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-set-to-return-to-pre-crisis-levels/800581208</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices set to return to pre-crisis levels</title><description>The housing market is tipped to make a gradual recovery over the coming years, with property prices set to return to pre-crisis levels in less than a decade.</description><pubDate>Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:31:37 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581207</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/edf-launches-small-business-tariff/800581207</link><category>800580490</category><title>EDF launches small business tariff</title><description>Energy giant EDF has launched an energy tariff dedicated to Small &amp; Medium Enterprises (SMEs), fulfilling a pledge it made earlier this year to improve services to SMEs.</description><pubDate>Tue, 06 Nov 2012 12:25:04 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581206</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/number-of-cashback-credit-cards-increasing/800581206</link><category>800580490</category><title>Number of cashback credit cards increasing</title><description>The number of credit cards offering cashback as a reward has doubled in the past two years, according to a report by financial research group Defaqto.</description><pubDate>Tue, 06 Nov 2012 12:23:23 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581205</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/almost-a-third-of-uk-households-have-less-than-250-in-savings/800581205</link><category>800580490</category><title>Almost a third of UK households have less than £250 in savings</title><description>Millions of consumers in the UK are failing to put an adequate financial safety net in place, with the savings pots of almost a third of households falling well below the recommended minimum ‘salary cushion’.</description><pubDate>Mon, 05 Nov 2012 14:38:55 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581204</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/concerns-mount-over-standards-of-nhs-healthcare-assistants/800581204</link><category>800580490</category><title>Concerns mount over standards of NHS healthcare assistants</title><description>An independent commission has warned that the level of care offered to NHS patients by unqualified healthcare assistants in hospital wards and care homes is “unacceptable”.</description><pubDate>Mon, 05 Nov 2012 14:18:17 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581203</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/uk-economy-expected-to-stagnate-until-2013/800581203</link><category>800580490</category><title>UK economy expected to stagnate until 2013</title><description>Despite the fact that the UK’s economy has recently pulled out of a double-dip recession with a 1% growth in GDP in the third quarter, experts are predicting that the economy will remain flat for the remainder of 2012.</description><pubDate>Fri, 02 Nov 2012 11:53:03 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581202</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-increase-by-06/800581202</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices increase by 0.6%</title><description>The UK’s housing market could be showing the first tentative signs of recovery, after the latest figures from Nationwide’s House Price Index revealed that property prices across England and Wales rose by 0.6% in October.</description><pubDate>Fri, 02 Nov 2012 11:50:39 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581201</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/child-benefit-changes-explained/800581201</link><category>800580490</category><title>Child benefit changes explained</title><description>The child benefit system is being shaken up, which could see millions of UK families lose their child benefit. The new government reform comes into force in January 2013 and will reduce entitlement to around 1.2 million families. </description><pubDate>Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:59:01 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581200</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/top-tips-to-keep-your-home-under-wraps-this-winter/800581200</link><category>800580490</category><title>Top tips to keep your home under wraps this winter</title><description>The clocks have gone back and the days are getting shorter, which can only mean one thing: a rise in crime.</description><pubDate>Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:58:08 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581199</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/increase-in-hospital-admissions-due-to-lack-of-co-ordination-in-the-nhs/800581199</link><category>800580490</category><title>Increase in hospital admissions due to lack of co-ordination in the NHS</title><description>A 2.79 million increase in hospital admissions since 2005 is the result of the lack of co-ordination between Primary Care Trusts, GP practices, and acute hospitals, according to a report by a leading think-tank.</description><pubDate>Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:15:30 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581198</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/how-life-insurance-will-be-affected-by-the-gender-directive-and-taxation-changes/800581198</link><category>800580490</category><title>How life insurance will be affected by the Gender Directive and taxation changes</title><description>Life insurance premiums for women are set to rise by around 15% when an EU Gender Directive comes into effect on 21 December.</description><pubDate>Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:14:11 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581197</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/prime-property-prices-in-london-continue-to-soar/800581197</link><category>800580490</category><title>Prime property prices in London continue to soar</title><description>Prime property prices in the capital are continuing to rocket, according to recent research by estate agent Marsh &amp; Parsons.</description><pubDate>Wed, 31 Oct 2012 14:24:51 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581196</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/brits-missing-out-by-not-opting-for-cashback-cards/800581196</link><category>800580490</category><title>Brits missing out by not opting for cashback cards</title><description>Consumers using standard credit cards for everyday and luxury purchases could be missing out on £100 boost to their bank balances, according to new research.</description><pubDate>Wed, 31 Oct 2012 13:56:50 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581195</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/gross-mortgage-lending-grows-at-mutuals/800581195</link><category>800580490</category><title>Gross mortgage lending grows at mutuals</title><description>Gross mortgage lending at mutuals and building societies grew by 10% in September, bringing the total figure for mortgage lending to £2.5 billion.</description><pubDate>Tue, 30 Oct 2012 12:46:28 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581194</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/increase-in-consumer-credit-lending-buoys-uk-economy/800581194</link><category>800580490</category><title>Increase in consumer credit lending buoys UK economy</title><description>The UK economy’s slow return to growth appears to have increased consumer confidence, after data from the Bank of England (BoE) revealed that credit lending grew at its fastest pace in more than four-and-a-half years last month.</description><pubDate>Tue, 30 Oct 2012 12:44:11 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581193</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/barclaycard-unveils-credit-card-with-lowest-ever-balance-transfer-fee/800581193</link><category>800580490</category><title>Barclaycard unveils credit card with lowest ever balance transfer fee</title><description>Barclaycard has launched a credit card with its lowest ever balance transfer fee of 0.9% and a 12-month interest free period on balance transfers.</description><pubDate>Mon, 29 Oct 2012 11:44:54 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581192</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/edf-announces-energy-price-hikes-as-customer-complaints-soar/800581192</link><category>800580490</category><title>EDF announces energy price hikes as customer complaints soar</title><description>The latest figures from EDF have revealed that customer complaints have shot up by almost 80% year-year, with the increase recorded before the energy giant’s announcement of a 10.8% hike in energy prices.</description><pubDate>Mon, 29 Oct 2012 11:44:12 Z</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581191</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/time-to-end-the-blight-of-poor-uk-housing/800581191</link><category>800580490</category><title>'Time to end the blight of poor UK housing'</title><description>Groundbreaking national inquiry calls for UK housing revolution.</description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:15:16 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581190</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/prestige-car-owners-pay-up-to-13000-for-repairs/800581190</link><category>800580490</category><title>Prestige car owners pay up to £13,000 for repairs</title><description>Owners of performance and prestige cars pay twice as much to repair their cars as drivers of more regular runabouts and can be faced with bills of up to £13,000.</description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:13:43 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581189</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/make-sure-you-stay-safe-online/800581189</link><category>800580490</category><title>Make sure you stay safe online</title><description>Get Safe Online week has been taking place between 22 and 26 October, with a roadshow taking in five major British cities – Cardiff, London, Leeds, Edinburgh and Belfast – and with experts including Experian giving tips about how best to stay safe online and how to guard against the threat of identity theft.</description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:12:54 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581188</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/ofgem-business-energy-changes-offer-greater-protection-for-smes/800581188</link><category>800580490</category><title>Ofgem business energy changes offer greater protection for SMEs</title><description>The publication of Ofgem's final non-domestic Retail Market Review will herald a better deal for business energy, according to consumer champion Consumer Focus.</description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:10:50 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581187</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumer-borrowing-up-in-september/800581187</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumer borrowing up in September</title><description>Despite the fact that the UK’s economy has pulled out of a double-dip recession, research has indicated that British consumers are still increasingly relying on borrowing to make ends meet.</description><pubDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:10:26 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581186</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/fsa-publishes-mortgage-market-review/800581186</link><category>800580490</category><title>FSA publishes Mortgage Market Review</title><description>The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has published its Mortgage Market Review (MMR), indicating that tight lending conditions may finally ease up for first-time buyers and so-called ‘mortgage prisoners’.</description><pubDate>Thu, 25 Oct 2012 12:14:23 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581185</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/uk-economy-pulls-out-of-double-dip-recession/800581185</link><category>800580490</category><title>UK economy pulls out of double-dip recession</title><description>The UK economy has finally moved into growth figures and out of a double-dip recession, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics.</description><pubDate>Thu, 25 Oct 2012 12:11:56 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581184</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/a-quarter-of-brits-fear-property-repossession-top-tips-to-avoid-it/800581184</link><category>800580490</category><title>A quarter of Brits fear property repossession: Top tips to avoid it!</title><description>Property repossession is a looming threat to all homeowners who just cannot afford to keep up with monthly mortgage payments.</description><pubDate>Thu, 25 Oct 2012 11:14:50 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581183</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/exercise-for-the-elderly-helps-to-prevent-brain-shrinkage/800581183</link><category>800580490</category><title>Exercise for the elderly helps to prevent brain shrinkage</title><description>We all know that exercise is good for you. Numerous health professionals, government campaigns and celebrities often tell us so, and now it appears that compelling new evidence on the subject is available.</description><pubDate>Thu, 25 Oct 2012 11:10:11 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581182</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/nationwide-announces-second-round-of-mortgage-cuts/800581182</link><category>800580490</category><title>Nationwide announces second round of mortgage cuts</title><description>Nationwide is the latest lender to announce rate cuts on its fixed and tracker rate mortgages, its second in just two weeks, with the new deal taking effect from 24th October.</description><pubDate>Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:42:55 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581181</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/oft-proposals-could-stop-rogue-lenders-in-their-tracks/800581181</link><category>800580490</category><title>OFT proposals could stop rogue lenders in their tracks</title><description>The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) could be given the power to stop debt collectors and rogue money lenders from operating with immediate effect, under new proposals currently under consideration.</description><pubDate>Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:41:13 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581180</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/rbs-and-natwest-unveil-23-month-interest-free-balance-transfer-card/800581180</link><category>800580490</category><title>RBS and NatWest unveil 23-month interest-free balance transfer card</title><description>An increasing number of lenders are offering lengthier 0% balance transfer deals in a competitive market, and RBS and NatWest are the latest to do so, both offering a new 23-month interest-free credit card.</description><pubDate>Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:46:06 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581179</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/saving-an-extra-50-each-month-would-make-brits-feel-more-secure/800581179</link><category>800580490</category><title>Saving an extra £50 each month would make Brits feel more secure</title><description>Having a sense of financial security amid the current economic climate is proving to be a key priority for Brits, with nine million claiming that an extra £50 in savings a month would go some way to easing their money woes.</description><pubDate>Tue, 23 Oct 2012 14:44:21 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581178</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/homes-sales-increase-across-the-uk/800581178</link><category>800580490</category><title>Homes sales increase across the UK</title><description>The number of towns recording an increase in house sales has risen more than two-fold in the past year, according to research by Lloyds TSB.</description><pubDate>Mon, 22 Oct 2012 13:19:18 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581177</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/non-urgent-nhs-waiting-lists-improve-but-ae-is-still-a-concern/800581177</link><category>800580490</category><title>Non-urgent NHS waiting lists improve but A&amp;E is still a concern</title><description>The wait time on non-urgent NHS waiting lists has fallen to record levels, according to new figures from the Department of Health.</description><pubDate>Mon, 22 Oct 2012 13:18:01 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581176</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/doctors-to-undergo-annual-appraisals/800581176</link><category>800580490</category><title>Doctors to undergo annual appraisals</title><description>Doctors are set to undergo annual checks on their performance in order to retain their licences, after fears concerning the competency of more than 1,000 doctors in England were raised by their NHS Trust, private hospital or employer.</description><pubDate>Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:12:31 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581175</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/life-insurance-research-reveals-a-family-protection-gap/800581175</link><category>800580490</category><title>Life insurance research reveals a ‘family protection gap’</title><description>British parents are so reluctant to discuss the issue of their own mortality that many haven’t put the correct cover in place to meet the needs of their dependents should the worst happen.</description><pubDate>Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:07:06 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581174</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/energy-bills-set-to-rocket-for-the-winter/800581174</link><category>800580490</category><title>Energy bills set to rocket for the winter</title><description>The cost of energy is soaring as some of the UK’s major suppliers recently announced price hikes. The move could push millions of households into fuel poverty and to the brink of energy debt.</description><pubDate>Fri, 19 Oct 2012 13:54:51 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581173</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/whiplash-claims-increase-and-so-will-the-cost-of-your-car-insurance/800581173</link><category>800580490</category><title>Whiplash claims increase and so will the cost of your car insurance</title><description>No one likes being involved in a road accident; it’s life-threatening, dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. It’s the only ever time you will be glad to be shelling out hundreds of pounds on insurance every year.</description><pubDate>Fri, 19 Oct 2012 13:41:01 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581172</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/government-announces-regulation-of-libor/800581172</link><category>800580490</category><title>Government announces regulation of Libor</title><description>In the wake of the Libor rigging scandal, the government has given the go ahead for proposals to overhaul the interbank lending rate.</description><pubDate>Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:55:26 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581171</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/last-week-for-lloyds-tsb-platinum-balance-transfer-discount/800581171</link><category>800580490</category><title>Last week for Lloyds TSB Platinum balance transfer discount</title><description>Consumers seeking to take advantage of the 50% balance transfer fee refund, on offer with the Lloyds TSB Platinum credit card, will need to apply for the card on or before 22 October to take advantage of the deal.</description><pubDate>Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:54:40 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581170</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/inflation-beating-savings-accounts-revealed/800581170</link><category>800580490</category><title>Inflation-beating savings accounts revealed</title><description>Cash-strapped consumers will welcome the news that the consumer prices index (CPI) inflation hit a three-year low last month, falling from 2.5% to 2.2% in September.</description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2012 17:31:01 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581169</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-increase-by-18-year-on-year/800581169</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices increase by 1.8% year-on-year</title><description>The fortunes of the UK’s housing market have been mixed in 2012, with both rises and falls recorded in the year to date.</description><pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2012 17:29:23 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581168</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/breast-cancer-cases-in-older-women-set-to-quadruple/800581168</link><category>800580490</category><title>Breast cancer cases in older women set to quadruple</title><description>The number of women over 65 who have been diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives is set to almost quadruple by 2040, according to academics at King’s College London.</description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:54:45 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581167</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/npower-raises-energy-prices/800581167</link><category>800580490</category><title>Npower raises energy prices</title><description>Npower has announced that it will be joining other ‘Big Six’ energy suppliers in raising its energy prices this year.</description><pubDate>Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:53:36 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581166</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/scottishpower-domestic-energy-prices-to-increase-by-average-of-7/800581166</link><category>800580490</category><title>ScottishPower Domestic Energy Prices to increase by average of 7%</title><description>ScottishPower has announced increases for its domestic gas and electricity prices by an average of 7% following a sustained rise in its costs since the company last reduced its gas prices in February this year.</description><pubDate>Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:33:19 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581165</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/property-asking-prices-reach-eight-month-high/800581165</link><category>800580490</category><title>Property asking prices reach eight-month high</title><description>An average increase of more than £8,000 in property asking prices this month has revealed ‘evidence of some life in the market’, according to figures from Rightmove.</description><pubDate>Mon, 15 Oct 2012 12:39:13 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581164</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/rise-in-consumer-spending-set-to-return-uk-to-growth/800581164</link><category>800580490</category><title>Rise in consumer spending set to return UK to growth</title><description>The UK’s faltering economy is set to be buoyed by a rise in consumer spending, with purchasing power expected to return Britain’s GDP to growth in the second half of the year.</description><pubDate>Mon, 15 Oct 2012 12:37:25 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581163</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/flush-out-your-finances-for-the-winter-with-moneyexperts-top-tips-on-managing-your-money/800581163</link><category>800580490</category><title>Flush out your finances for the winter with MoneyExpert’s top tips on managing your money</title><description>If you’re feeling deflated after a summer of fun with holidays, jubilations and the Olympics, the chances are your finances are not looking quite as good as they could be. Don’t panic though; you can get your money in better shape for the winter and manage the pennies so that you’re feeling flush in time for Christmas.</description><pubDate>Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:56:49 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581162</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/christmas-countdown--get-your-seasonal-spending-sorted-now/800581162</link><category>800580490</category><title>Christmas countdown:  Get your seasonal spending sorted now</title><description>With less than 75 days to go until the nation unwraps the presents tucked under a very famous tree, it’s undoubtedly time to start thinking about Christmas.</description><pubDate>Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:40:51 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581161</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/overdraft-debt-increases-amid-tighter-lending-conditions/800581161</link><category>800580490</category><title>Overdraft debt increases amid tighter lending conditions</title><description>The number of consumers struggling with overdraft debt is on the rise, as credit card and personal loan providers impose tighter criteria for lending, according to a leading debt advice charity.</description><pubDate>Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:30:10 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581160</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/british-gas-announce-gas-and-electricity-price-hikes/800581160</link><category>800580490</category><title>British Gas announce gas and electricity price hikes</title><description>Consumers will be faced with steeper energy bills from next month, after energy giant British Gas announced a 6% increase in its gas and electricity prices.</description><pubDate>Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:29:22 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581159</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/lack-of-weekend-nhs-consultants-putting-patients-at-risk/800581159</link><category>800580490</category><title>Lack of weekend NHS consultants putting patients at risk</title><description>A lack of NHS consultant doctors working nights and weekends is putting seriously ill patients at risk, according to a report by the Society for Acute Medicine and the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). </description><pubDate>Thu, 11 Oct 2012 14:05:46 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581158</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/best-savings-and-personal-loan-deals-revealed/800581158</link><category>800580490</category><title>Best savings and personal loan deals revealed</title><description>Despite the fact that several high street lenders are cutting their savings rates, consumer champion Which? has revealed that consumers can still find competitive savings and personal loans deals on the market. </description><pubDate>Thu, 11 Oct 2012 14:05:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581157</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/housing-market-set-to-receive-a-boost-by-end-of-2012/800581157</link><category>800580490</category><title>Housing market set to receive a boost by end of 2012</title><description>The UK’s property market is expected to gain momentum by the end of the year, after a raft of recent government housing initiatives acts to boost mortgage availability.</description><pubDate>Wed, 10 Oct 2012 16:17:38 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581156</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/savings-rates-slashed-due-to-funding-for-lending-scheme/800581156</link><category>800580490</category><title>Savings rates slashed due to Funding for Lending Scheme</title><description>Leading lenders have cut the rates on a number of their savings accounts as banks decrease their reliance on savers for borrowing in the wake of the government’s Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS).</description><pubDate>Wed, 10 Oct 2012 16:15:54 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581155</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/businesses-urge-government-to-set-carbon-emissions-target/800581155</link><category>800580490</category><title>Businesses urge government to set carbon emissions target</title><description>An open letter to Chancellor George Osborne, signed by 50 businesses and organisations, has made a plea for the government to set a target for the reduction of carbon emissions.</description><pubDate>Tue, 09 Oct 2012 18:17:32 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581154</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/urgent-inspection-of-nhs-trust-over-breast-cancer-treatment/800581154</link><category>800580490</category><title>‘Urgent’ inspection of NHS trust over breast cancer treatment</title><description>An independent regulator is carrying out an ‘urgent’ inspection into Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, after concerns were raised over the treatment of breast cancer patients.</description><pubDate>Tue, 09 Oct 2012 18:15:35 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581153</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/ing-to-sell-ing-direct-uk-to-barclays/800581153</link><category>800580490</category><title>ING to sell ING Direct UK to Barclays</title><description>ING announced today that it has reached an agreement to sell ING Direct UK to Barclays.</description><pubDate>Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:34:22 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581152</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/interest-only-mortgages-on-the-way-out/800581152</link><category>800580490</category><title>Interest-only mortgages on the way out</title><description>Nationwide Building Society’s decision to stop offering interest-only mortgages could spell the end of this type of lending, as there are concerns that they could create the ‘next great banking scandal’.</description><pubDate>Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:43:14 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581151</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/mbna-launches-new-low-fee-credit-card/800581151</link><category>800580490</category><title>MBNA launches new low-fee credit card</title><description>MBNA has launched a credit card offering 17 months interest-free on balance transfers, with a less than average balance transfer fee of 2%.</description><pubDate>Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:42:17 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581150</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/missing-omar-the-cat/800581150</link><category>800580490</category><title>Missing Omar the cat</title><description>Railton and Dawn Elliott from Oxford spent £6,000 rescuing a cat from Arab Spring violence have been left devastated after their Cat Omar recently ran away from home.</description><pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:56:24 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581149</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumer-spending-up-by-3/800581149</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumer spending up by 3%</title><description>Consumer spending grew at its fastest monthly rate since May 2009 last month, as jobs prospects improved and the outlook for disposable income levels looked decidedly brighter.</description><pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 2012 13:33:09 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581148</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/eu-approves-energy-efficiency-directive-for-business-energy-savings/800581148</link><category>800580490</category><title>EU approves Energy Efficiency Directive for business energy savings</title><description>The EU's Energy Efficiency Directive has been formally adopted by ministers of Member States, bringing a raft of business energy saving measures one step closer to implementation.</description><pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 2012 13:30:44 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581147</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/majority-of-consumers-against-end-to-free-banking/800581147</link><category>800580490</category><title>Majority of consumers against end to free banking</title><description>Earlier this year Lord Turner, the chairman of the Financial Services Authority, called for an end to free banking over concerns that the model stifles competition in the banking industry.</description><pubDate>Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:41:24 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581146</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/standard-variable-rate-mortgage-rise-comes-into-effect-for-santander-customers/800581146</link><category>800580490</category><title>Standard Variable Rate mortgage rise comes into effect for Santander customers</title><description>Santander has announced that a rise in its Standard Variable Rate (SVR) mortgages has come into effect, meaning that thousands of mortgage customers will see an increase in their repayments.</description><pubDate>Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:34:52 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581145</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/scottishpower-launches-new-online-fixed-price-energy-april-2014-product/800581145</link><category>800580490</category><title>ScottishPower Launches New Online Fixed Price Energy April 2014 Product</title><description>ScottishPower has launched a new fixed price energy tariff on Wednesday 3rd October 2012, continuing its commitment to allow customers to protect their energy prices for the next two winters. The Online Fixed Price Energy April 2014 tariff will have an average annual bill value of £1140.</description><pubDate>Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:33:47 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581144</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/are-you-paying-too-much-for-car-insurance/800581144</link><category>800580490</category><title>Are you paying too much for car insurance</title><description>It is illegal to drive without car insurance in the UK, making it one of life’s annoying little expenditures for all motorists. Whilst you have to pay for it, the question begs, are you paying too much? </description><pubDate>Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:46:50 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581143</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/ed-balls-calls-for-two-year-stamp-duty-holiday-and-100000-new-homes/800581143</link><category>800580490</category><title>Ed Balls calls for two-year stamp duty holiday and 100,000 new homes</title><description>Labour MP Ed Balls is calling for radical changes in the housing market to make ownership affordable for first time buyers. The shadow chancellor spoke out at the annual Labour Party Conference in Manchester this week with fresh calls for 100,000 new affordable homes and a two-year stamp duty holiday. </description><pubDate>Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:45:47 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581142</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/decline-in-brits-seeking-help-for-credit-card-debt/800581142</link><category>800580490</category><title>Decline in Brits seeking help for credit card debt</title><description>Consumers may be decreasing their reliance on credit cards as a financial buffer amid the current recession, after figures from a charity revealed a fall in the number of people seeking help over credit cards debts.</description><pubDate>Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:44:51 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581141</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/businesses-losing-out-on-energy-savings-by-not-negotiating/800581141</link><category>800580490</category><title>Businesses losing out on energy savings by not negotiating</title><description>Businesses are failing to capitalise on the energy savings they could make before suppliers roll over their contracts, a recent survey has revealed.</description><pubDate>Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:43:48 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581140</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/uk-house-prices-drop-in-september/800581140</link><category>800580490</category><title>UK house prices drop in September</title><description>Hopes that the UK’s housing market was set for recovery may be dashed, after figures from Nationwide revealed that property prices took a surprising dip in September.</description><pubDate>Tue, 02 Oct 2012 14:00:35 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581139</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/diabetes-rates-set-to-soar-by-2020/800581139</link><category>800580490</category><title>Diabetes rates set to soar by 2020</title><description>Britain’s obesity epidemic is set to send the number of diabetes cases soaring by 700,000 by 2020, a leading charity has warned.</description><pubDate>Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:58:06 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581138</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/thousands-of-first-time-buyers-rely-on-parents-to-fund-initial-mortgage/800581138</link><category>800580490</category><title>Thousands of first time buyers rely on parents to fund initial mortgage</title><description>Over 100,000 first time buyers have turned to the bank of mum and dad in order to secure a property since the financial crisis first made such a major impact on the Global economy.</description><pubDate>Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:51:47 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581137</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/brits-face-health-problems-in-the-run-up-to-retirement/800581137</link><category>800580490</category><title>Brits face health problems in the run up to retirement</title><description>An overwhelming majority of Britons have health problems before they reach retirement, according to a new report.</description><pubDate>Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:50:48 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581136</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-hunters-seek-out-broadband/800581136</link><category>800580490</category><title>House hunters seek out broadband</title><description>Forget breathtaking views, jacuzzis and en-suites – what most house-buyers really want is a fast and reliable broadband service, according to a new survey of home-hunters.</description><pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 2012 13:53:33 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581135</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/barclaycard-makes-everyday-spending-more-rewarding-with-two-new-reward-cards/800581135</link><category>800580490</category><title>Barclaycard makes everyday spending more rewarding with two new reward cards</title><description>Barclaycard today announced the launch of its Barclaycard Cashback and Barclaycard Freedom Rewards cards; both designed to make it easier for customers to get value and rewards on their everyday spend, without changing the way they shop. The cards are available from 28th September.</description><pubDate>Fri, 28 Sep 2012 14:49:29 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581134</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/women-will-be-managing-household-finances-by-2020/800581134</link><category>800580490</category><title>Women will be managing household finances by 2020</title><description>Conventional thinking suggests that when it comes to running the household, men have traditionally been in charge of money and cars, while women occupy themselves with the cooking and cleaning. </description><pubDate>Fri, 28 Sep 2012 12:07:15 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581133</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/increased-reliance-on-credit-and-mobile-wallets-eliminate-need-for-cash/800581133</link><category>800580490</category><title>Increased reliance on credit and mobile wallets eliminate need for cash</title><description>Brits are speeding towards a ‘cashless society’, with people increasingly choosing credit over cash as their preferred method of payment.</description><pubDate>Fri, 28 Sep 2012 12:06:36 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581132</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/you-know-youre-a-financial-adult-when/800581132</link><category>800580490</category><title>You know you’re a financial adult when…</title><description>According to birthday cards, growing old is inevitable but growing up is optional. In real life, even the most committed Peter Pans eventually find themselves owning a lawnmower, knowing how to bleed a radiator, keeping track of interest rates – and showing other signs of maturity.</description><pubDate>Thu, 27 Sep 2012 16:32:28 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581131</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/nhs-finance-directors-fear-deteriorating-patient-care/800581131</link><category>800580490</category><title>NHS finance directors fear deteriorating patient care</title><description>Health experts warned earlier this week that quality of care for patients could go downhill in the near future, with monetary pressures set to plague the NHS.</description><pubDate>Thu, 27 Sep 2012 14:13:48 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581130</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/mortgage-availability-soared-over-summer/800581130</link><category>800580490</category><title>Mortgage availability soared over summer</title><description>Mortgage lending overcame gloomy forecasts for little change, with the overall availability of secured credit to households rising “significantly” over the summer months.</description><pubDate>Thu, 27 Sep 2012 14:11:50 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581129</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/the-bank-of-son-and-daughter-30-of-parents-admit-to-taking-money-from-their-child/800581129</link><category>800580490</category><title>The Bank of Son and Daughter: 30% of parents admit to taking money from their child</title><description>Children are usually the ones paying a visit to the Bank of Mum and Dad every once in a while, but this state of affairs has now seen a dramatic U-turn.</description><pubDate>Wed, 26 Sep 2012 16:33:35 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581128</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/leading-firms-sign-up-to-boe-funding-for-lending-scheme/800581128</link><category>800580490</category><title>Leading firms sign up to BoE Funding for Lending scheme</title><description>The Bank of England (BoE) has announced that 13 leading lenders including Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide BS, Santander and RBS Group have signed up to its Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS).</description><pubDate>Wed, 26 Sep 2012 16:31:50 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581127</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/figures-reveal-dip-in-personal-loan-borrowing/800581127</link><category>800580490</category><title>Figures reveal dip in personal loan borrowing</title><description>The uncertain nature of the UK’s economy is causing consumers to exercise more caution over their borrowing, according to the latest figures from the British Bankers' Association (BBA).</description><pubDate>Wed, 26 Sep 2012 12:58:01 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581126</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/pruprotect-extends-life-cover-booster-offer/800581126</link><category>800580490</category><title>PruProtect extends life cover booster offer</title><description>PruProtect has extended its cover booster offer on its life and serious illness plans to the end of February 2013.</description><pubDate>Wed, 26 Sep 2012 12:54:35 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581125</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/santander-credit-card-offers-3-cash-back-on-rail-fares/800581125</link><category>800580490</category><title>Santander credit card offers 3% cash back on rail fares</title><description>Santander has announced that is has revamped its 123 World cashback credit card to give cardholders a staggering 3% cashback on all spending on National Rail and Transport for London travel.</description><pubDate>Tue, 25 Sep 2012 13:34:16 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581124</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/brits-are-saving-more-each-month/800581124</link><category>800580490</category><title>Brits are saving more each month</title><description>Consumers in the UK are setting aside more each month to protect their financial futures, according to the findings of research.</description><pubDate>Tue, 25 Sep 2012 13:30:18 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581123</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/lack-of-nurses-could-mean-nhs-is-heading-for-disaster/800581123</link><category>800580490</category><title>Lack of nurses could mean NHS is heading for ‘disaster’</title><description>Cuts to the number of nursing training places, combined with the UK’s ageing population and a record number of nurses approaching retirement, could mean that the NHS is heading for ‘disaster’, according to a University academic.</description><pubDate>Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:44:14 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581122</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/pensions-could-help-to-secure-mortgages-under-government-plans/800581122</link><category>800580490</category><title>Pensions could help to secure mortgages under government plans</title><description>Struggling would-be buyers could get a helping hand on to the property ladder from their parents or grandparents, under proposals outlined by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.</description><pubDate>Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:35:25 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581121</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/santander-adds-mortgage-direct-debits-to-ground-breaking-123-current-account/800581121</link><category>800580490</category><title>Santander adds Mortgage Direct Debits to ground breaking 123 Current Account</title><description>From Monday 24 September 2012, every new and existing Santander mortgage customer who already has or opens a new Santander 123 Current Account will earn 1% cashback on their mortgage payments when they pay by direct debit, up to £1,000 a month.  This could help them to reduce their annual mortgage bill by £120.</description><pubDate>Mon, 24 Sep 2012 10:59:16 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581120</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/mortgage-lending-falls-by-4-in-august/800581120</link><category>800580490</category><title>Mortgage lending falls by 4% in August</title><description>Mortgage lending conditions remained tight in August, despite the launch of the government’s Funding for Lending scheme, designed to offer low-cost finance to banks on the provision that they pass these savings on to customers.</description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:40:41 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581119</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/roll-out-of-smart-meters-set-to-make-businesses-energy-savings/800581119</link><category>800580490</category><title>Roll out of smart meters set to make businesses energy savings</title><description>Companies could stand to make significant savings on their energy bills under government plans to have a smart meter installed in every home and business by the end of 2019.</description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:38:08 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581118</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/new-insurance-fraud-register-to-include-life-insurers/800581118</link><category>800580490</category><title>New Insurance Fraud Register to include life insurers</title><description>The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has confirmed that its new insurance fraud register (IFR) will be extended to life insurers and Lloyd's markets once it is fully up and running in the general insurance sector.</description><pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2012 12:21:30 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581117</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/only-one-in-six-baby-boomers-retiring-in-good-health/800581117</link><category>800580490</category><title>Only one in six ‘baby boomers’ retiring in good health</title><description>The ‘baby boomer’ generation is likely to shape the NHS’s agenda for the next three decades, according to a recent government study.</description><pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2012 12:19:45 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581116</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/scottishpower-launches-new-online-fixed-price-energy-march-2014-product/800581116</link><category>800580490</category><title>ScottishPower launches new Online Fixed Price Energy March 2014 Product</title><description>Following unprecedented demand for ScottishPower’s fixed price energy tariffs, the Company  is continuing with its commitment to provide customers with the opportunity to protect themselves against rising energy  prices and has today outlined details of a new Online Fixed Price Energy March 2014 product. This now offers customers more piece of mind by enabling them to fix prices for even longer, now for the next two winters, with an average annual bill value of £1099.</description><pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:05:04 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581113</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/utility-costs-falling-for-small-businesses/800581113</link><category>800580490</category><title>Utility costs falling for small businesses</title><description>Fewer companies in the UK are seeing energy as a cost pressure, as the price of gas and electricity finally begins to ease up for small businesses.</description><pubDate>Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:26:16 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581112</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/increase-in-consumer-spending-power/800581112</link><category>800580490</category><title>Increase in consumer spending power</title><description>Consumers are finally beginning to claw back more of their wages for discretionary spending, after annual income growth reached its highest level since June 2010 in August.</description><pubDate>Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:23:26 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581111</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/household-incomes-to-increase-next-year-experts-claim/800581111</link><category>800580490</category><title>Household incomes to increase next year, experts claim</title><description>Disposable household incomes are set to increase next year as the economy starts to show signs of recovery.</description><pubDate>Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:14:05 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581110</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/mortgage-deposits-fall-below-20-for-ftbs---but-theres-no-reason-to-celebrate-just-yet/800581110</link><category>800580490</category><title>Mortgage deposits fall below 20% for FTBs - but there’s no reason to celebrate just yet</title><description>Mortgage deposits for first time buyers dropped below 20% for the first time in more than three years, according to new figures.</description><pubDate>Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:09:05 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581108</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/cost-of-buying-a-home-now-cheaper-than-renting/800581108</link><category>800580490</category><title>Cost of buying a home now cheaper than renting</title><description>With a generation of young would-be buyers dubbed “rentysomethings”, many long-term tenants aged between 25 and 35 can only dream about getting on to the property ladder.</description><pubDate>Tue, 18 Sep 2012 12:01:24 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581107</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/barclaycard-launches-low-balance-transfer-fee-on-new-12-month-platinum-bt-card/800581107</link><category>800580490</category><title>Barclaycard launches low Balance Transfer fee on new 12 month Platinum BT Card</title><description>Barclaycard has revealed that it is offering its lowest ever balance transfer fee on its new 12-month Platinum BT Card.</description><pubDate>Tue, 18 Sep 2012 11:55:08 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581106</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/think-tank-predicts-end-of-recession-in-2013/800581106</link><category>800580490</category><title>Think-tank predicts end of recession in 2013</title><description>A leading think-tank has forecasted that the UK’s economy will lift out of a double-dip recession next year, pushing up real income levels for households across the country.</description><pubDate>Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:17:32 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581105</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/high-street-banks-still-scoring-low-on-customer-satisfaction/800581105</link><category>800580490</category><title>High-street banks still scoring low on customer satisfaction</title><description>In a year that has been dominated by banking computer glitches and scandals, it appears that consumers are still struggling to place their faith in the UK’s banking industry.</description><pubDate>Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:16:43 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581104</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/radical-reorganisation-of-nhs-needed-to-maintain-standards-of-patient-care/800581104</link><category>800580490</category><title>‘Radical reorganisation’ of NHS needed to maintain standards of patient care</title><description>The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has warned that the NHS needs ‘radical reorganisation’ in order to ensure that high standards of patient care are maintained.</description><pubDate>Fri, 14 Sep 2012 14:06:30 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581103</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/fifth-of-consumers-use-credit-cards-to-pay-household-bills/800581103</link><category>800580490</category><title>Fifth of consumers use credit cards to pay household bills</title><description>Britain’s faltering economy is continuing to put a strain on consumers’ budgets, with research revealing that millions are turning to credit cards and other forms of borrowing to meet monthly bills.</description><pubDate>Fri, 14 Sep 2012 14:04:31 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581102</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/uk-prime-property-prices-fall-by-13-over-summer/800581102</link><category>800580490</category><title>UK prime property prices fall by 1.3% over summer</title><description>As with the overall picture for the UK’s housing market, prime property in the UK has also taken a downward turn with the latest figures revealing that prices in this sector have fallen by 1.3%.</description><pubDate>Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:38:17 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581101</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/eu-proposals-will-demand-more-energy-efficiency-from-businesses/800581101</link><category>800580490</category><title>EU proposals will demand more energy efficiency from businesses</title><description>The European Parliament has given its seal of approval to a draft EU energy efficiency directive, which will require large businesses to carry out energy use audits if adopted.</description><pubDate>Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:37:34 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581100</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/how-to-make-your-savings-go-further/800581100</link><category>800580490</category><title>How to make your savings go further</title><description>Trying to save money, whether for a housing deposit, a new car or just for a rainy day, can be nightmare. There is no easy option and given the current economic climate, no quick fix!  </description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:27:48 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581099</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/is-now-the-best-time-to-get-involved-with-buy-to-let/800581099</link><category>800580490</category><title>Is now the best time to get involved with buy to let?</title><description>The UK property market is a vast pool of opportunities - if you’re looking to immerse yourself in the buy to let sector. Properties are cheap and rental accommodation is in demand, making it a win-win for landlords everywhere. However, as rental prices soar, tenants fall into arrears and properties become repossessed, is now the best time to look at buy to let options? MoneyExpert investigates your options.</description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:24:12 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581098</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/women-urged-to-take-out-life-insurance-before-eu-directive-changes/800581098</link><category>800580490</category><title>Women urged to take out life insurance before EU Directive changes</title><description>Women are being encouraged to take out life insurance before December 21, over fears that an EU gender directive may act to push up premiums.</description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:04:37 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581097</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/workers-borrowing-more-than-300-a-month-to-stay-afloat/800581097</link><category>800580490</category><title>Workers borrowing more than £300 a month to stay afloat</title><description>The UK’s workforce is borrowing more than £300 a month in order to make ends meet, pushing many into “punishing levels of debt”, according to research by employment union Unite.</description><pubDate>Wed, 12 Sep 2012 11:59:59 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581096</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/uptake-of-private-medical-insurance-decreasing/800581096</link><category>800580490</category><title>Uptake of private medical insurance decreasing</title><description>The number of individuals taking out private medical insurance (PMI) policies has fallen according to new figures from healthcare intelligence provider Laing and Buisson.</description><pubDate>Tue, 11 Sep 2012 16:25:27 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581095</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/over-half-of-brits-dont-receive-advice-on-money-matters/800581095</link><category>800580490</category><title>Over half of Brits don't receive advice on money matters</title><description>Although the UK is mired in a double-dip recession, and recent figures have revealed that the nation is steeped in £1.410 trillion of personal debt, new research has revealed that consumers are still failing to receive advice on how to manage their finances. </description><pubDate>Tue, 11 Sep 2012 16:24:42 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581094</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/jump-in-number-of-first-time-buyer-mortgages/800581094</link><category>800580490</category><title>Jump in number of first-time buyer mortgages</title><description>The number of first-time buyers who were able to secure a mortgage shot up by 53% between the second quarter of 2011 and the first quarter of 2012, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) has revealed.</description><pubDate>Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:55:12 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581093</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/sainsburys-bank-launches-new-credit-card/800581093</link><category>800580490</category><title>Sainsbury’s Bank launches new credit card</title><description>Sainsbury’s Bank has announced that it is launching a new credit card into the market, after revealing that spending on plastic accounts for a quarter of transactions made in supermarkets.</description><pubDate>Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:54:50 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581092</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/tesco-cuts-interest-rates-on-personal-loans/800581092</link><category>800580490</category><title>Tesco cuts interest rates on personal loans</title><description>Tesco Bank has slashed interest rates on its personal loans between £7,500 and £15,000 in a move that is likely to push the loan rate to the top of the best-buy tables.</description><pubDate>Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:36:06 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581091</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/uk-property-market-still-stagnant/800581091</link><category>800580490</category><title>UK property market still stagnant</title><description>The UK’s property market is continuing to “tread water”, after figures from Halifax revealed that house prices dipped by a marginal 0.4% in August.</description><pubDate>Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:34:39 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581089</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/bank-of-england-expected-to-hold-fast-on-interest-rates/800581089</link><category>800580490</category><title>Bank of England expected to hold fast on interest rates</title><description>The Bank of England’s (BoE) is expected to maintain interest rates at a record low of 0.5%, as the UK’s economy shows the first tentative signs of returning to growth.</description><pubDate>Thu, 06 Sep 2012 15:17:13 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581088</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/third-of-consumers-fear-they-will-be-paying-back-debt-indefinitely/800581088</link><category>800580490</category><title>Third of consumers fear they will be paying back debt indefinitely</title><description>The majority of consumers in the UK are still struggling under the weight of mounting debts, with new figures revealing that eight in 10 are still indebted.</description><pubDate>Thu, 06 Sep 2012 15:14:34 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581087</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/the-cost-of-raising-children-and-schooling-increases-by-15-in-five-years/800581087</link><category>800580490</category><title>The cost of raising children and schooling increases by 15% in five years</title><description>Parents across the country can breathe a sigh of relief as the school gates open this week; ending the six-week spell of summer boredom. Unfortunately, for many parents the concept of restoring normality and getting some peace and quiet comes at a high price.</description><pubDate>Wed, 05 Sep 2012 13:44:39 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581086</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-price-increase-offers-little-relief-for-buyers/800581086</link><category>800580490</category><title>House price increase offers little relief for buyers</title><description>Property prices rose by a total figure of 1.3% for August, marking the largest monthly increase for over two years, according to new figures. Despite this glimmer of hope for homeowners, a growing number of Brits who are stuck in a renting rut are unable to snap up properties at all.</description><pubDate>Wed, 05 Sep 2012 13:43:02 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581085</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/hmrc-figures-reveal-growth-in-level-of-isa-savings/800581085</link><category>800580490</category><title>HMRC figures reveal growth in level of ISA savings</title><description>Brits are increasingly turning to savings plans to protect their financial futures, with figures from HM Revenue &amp; Customs (HMRC) revealing that investment into ISAs has risen slightly over the past year. </description><pubDate>Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:12:40 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581084</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/smes-failing-to-capitalise-on-energy-savings/800581084</link><category>800580490</category><title>SMEs failing to capitalise on energy savings</title><description>Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) aren’t making the most of potential energy savings, after effectively "passing the buck" on responsibility over energy efficiency, according to recent research.</description><pubDate>Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:12:08 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581083</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/time-to-protect-your-sensitive-data-as-leaks-go-up-by-over-1000-per-cent/800581083</link><category>800580490</category><title>Time to protect your sensitive data as leaks go up by over 1000 per cent</title><description>The number of times sensitive data has been lost or leaked in the UK has increased by more than 1,000 percent over the past five years.</description><pubDate>Tue, 04 Sep 2012 16:26:56 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581082</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/barclaycard-climbs-to-top-of-best-buy-tables-with-23-months-0-balance-transfer-card/800581082</link><category>800580490</category><title>Barclaycard climbs to top of best buy tables with 23 months 0% balance transfer card</title><description>Barclaycard has increased the interest-free period and reduced balance transfer fees on its Platinum credit card, helping to put it ahead of offers from rivals such as HSBC Visa and Tesco Clubcard Credit Card when it comes to balance transfers.</description><pubDate>Tue, 04 Sep 2012 13:19:41 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581081</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/zero-hours-contract-may-turn-parts-of-nhs-into-a-temping-workforce/800581081</link><category>800580490</category><title>Zero-hours contract may turn parts of NHS into a “temping workforce”</title><description>Shadow Health Secretary, Andy Burnham, has called on the government to halt the increase of key NHS clinical staff being employed on "zero-hours" contracts over fears that they may have a knock-on effect on patients’ continuity of care.</description><pubDate>Tue, 04 Sep 2012 13:17:18 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581080</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-make-surprising-13-jump/800581080</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices make surprising 1.3% jump</title><description>House prices in the UK have risen by a ‘surprising’ 1.3% in August, representing the highest monthly rise in the cost of the average home since 2010.</description><pubDate>Mon, 03 Sep 2012 13:14:51 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581079</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/which-urges-government-to-follow-through-on-end-to-card-surcharges/800581079</link><category>800580490</category><title>Which? urges government to follow through on end to card surcharges</title><description>Consumer champion Which? has argued that the government must act promptly to fulfil its promise of ending the blight of costly debit and credit card surcharges. </description><pubDate>Mon, 03 Sep 2012 13:14:15 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581077</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/how-businesses-can-save-on-their-energy-costs/800581077</link><category>800580490</category><title>How businesses can save on their energy costs</title><description>With the news that several energy suppliers are hiking up the cost of supplying gas and electricity to customers, it is more important than ever that businesses act to minimise energy wastage. Below are several ways that small and medium sized businesses can work to reign in their energy spend in 2012 and beyond.</description><pubDate>Fri, 31 Aug 2012 15:25:10 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581076</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/credit-card-borrowing-falls-by-147m/800581076</link><category>800580490</category><title>Credit card borrowing falls by £147m</title><description>The latest figures from Bank of England (BoE) have revealed that consumers may be keeping a close eye on their expenditure in the current economic climate, with levels of credit card lending plummeting by a staggering £147m in July.</description><pubDate>Fri, 31 Aug 2012 15:21:29 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581075</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/top-tips-to-help-you-save-money-on-your-energy-bills/800581075</link><category>800580490</category><title>Top tips to help you save money on your energy bills</title><description>It’s that time of year again when the school gates reopen, the summer holidays become nothing but a distant memory....and energy firms push up their prices.</description><pubDate>Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:42:28 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581074</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/3000-patients-a-week-complain-about-nhs-treatment/800581074</link><category>800580490</category><title>3,000 patients a week complain about NHS treatment</title><description>Thousands of patients each week have voiced their concerns about NHS treatment over the last twelve months, according to figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC).</description><pubDate>Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:29:45 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581073</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-increase-by-08/800581073</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices increase by 0.8%</title><description>The UK’s housing market is continuing on an upward trend, with the latest figures showing a 0.8% increase in property prices in the month to July. </description><pubDate>Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:29:02 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581072</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/private-medical-insurance-could-be-a-shrewd-option/800581072</link><category>800580490</category><title>Private Medical Insurance could be a shrewd option</title><description>Thanks to advances in medical technology, it appears that people are living for longer than ever. However, despite this, access to the latest technology and facilities could be limited. Private Medical Insurance (PMI) could be a good option for those who want better benefits with their health plan. </description><pubDate>Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:20:24 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581071</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/rising-house-prices-cause-couples-to-delay-starting-a-family/800581071</link><category>800580490</category><title>Rising house prices cause couples to delay starting a family</title><description>The high price of home ownership is causing some couples to delay starting a family, according to the latest figures.</description><pubDate>Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:37:11 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581070</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/nick-clegg-calls-for-a-new-tax-on-the-wealthy/800581070</link><category>800580490</category><title>Nick Clegg calls for a new tax on the wealthy</title><description>Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is calling for the wealthy to pay more taxes for a limited period of time.</description><pubDate>Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:31:32 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581069</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/greater-mortgage-affordability-for-new-borrowers/800581069</link><category>800580490</category><title>Greater mortgage affordability for new borrowers</title><description>New homeowners now need just over a quarter of take-home pay to meet mortgage payments, marking a 15-year high in mortgage affordability.</description><pubDate>Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:12:08 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581068</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/knowledge-and-use-of-contactless-payment-increasing-amongst-consumers/800581068</link><category>800580490</category><title>Knowledge and use of contactless payment increasing amongst consumers</title><description>Consumer awareness of contactless payment systems is increasing; with recent research revealing that 84% now recognise the contactless payment symbol. </description><pubDate>Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:10:50 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581067</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/interest-rates-fall-on-easy-access-savings-accounts/800581067</link><category>800580490</category><title>Interest rates fall on easy access savings accounts</title><description>The last 18 months has seen the interest rates available on easy access savings accounts plummet, research has revealed.</description><pubDate>Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:37:30 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581066</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/squeeze-on-household-budgets-begins-to-ease/800581066</link><category>800580490</category><title>Squeeze on household budgets begins to ease</title><description>Consumers in the UK reported the smallest deterioration in their finances in almost two years in August, prompting hopes that Britain is on the road to economic recovery.</description><pubDate>Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:27:21 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581065</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/sse-announces-a-9-hike-in-energy-tariff/800581065</link><category>800580490</category><title>SSE announces a 9% hike in energy tariff</title><description>The Bank of England’s recent warnings that consumers will face energy bill increases in early 2013 appear to have come to fruition early with SSE’s announcement of a 9% increase in gas and electricity prices.</description><pubDate>Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:41:37 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581064</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/santander-increases-standard-variable-mortgage-rate/800581064</link><category>800580490</category><title>Santander increases standard variable mortgage rate</title><description>Santander has revealed that it is increasing its standard rate from 4.24% to 4.74% in six weeks, despite the fact that the base rate has remained frozen at 0.5% for the last three years.</description><pubDate>Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:36:52 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581063</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/brits-borrowing-more-and-saving-less/800581063</link><category>800580490</category><title>Brits borrowing more and saving less</title><description>Families are continuing to struggle to make ends meet amidst with recession, with many turning to borrowing to keep finances afloat.</description><pubDate>Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:17:08 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581062</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/the-best-0-purchase-credit-card-deals/800581062</link><category>800580490</category><title>The best 0% purchase credit card deals</title><description>Credit cards with a 0% interest period on purchases may help consumers make larger purchases while spreading their payments out over a period of time.</description><pubDate>Wed, 22 Aug 2012 12:14:06 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581061</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/mortgage-lending-increases-but-so-does-the-cost-of-rent/800581061</link><category>800580490</category><title>Mortgage lending increases but so does the cost of rent</title><description>Mortgage lending is firmly on the rise, meaning that now could be the ideal time to make a property purchase. Despite this, potential buyers face a tough time saving for a deposit as rent rates have also increased to a record high.</description><pubDate>Wed, 22 Aug 2012 10:13:37 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581060</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/top-tips-for-buying-a--new-car/800581060</link><category>800580490</category><title>Top tips for buying a  new car</title><description>Motorists looking to buy a new car this September will be able to enjoy the new ‘62’ registration plates. Around 333,000 new cars worth a total of £4.95 billion are expected to be registered next month, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). </description><pubDate>Wed, 22 Aug 2012 10:00:52 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581059</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/mortgage-lending-see-sawing-according-to-cml/800581059</link><category>800580490</category><title>Mortgage lending 'see-sawing' according to CML</title><description>An 8% rise in mortgage lending between June and July has highlighted the fact that the mortgage market is continuing to “see-saw”, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).</description><pubDate>Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:26:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581058</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/true-cost-of-free-banking-revealed/800581058</link><category>800580490</category><title>True cost of 'free' banking revealed</title><description>Research by consumer champion Which? has revealed that the concept of ‘free’ banking in the UK may be a myth, as bank charges and overdraft fees leave consumers forking out up to £900 a year.</description><pubDate>Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:22:06 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581057</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/one-in-four-older-people-to-be-affected-by-cancer-by-2040/800581057</link><category>800580490</category><title>One in four older people to be affected by cancer by 2040</title><description>The number of pensioners with cancer will rise three-fold by 2040, a Macmillan Cancer Support-funded study has suggested.</description><pubDate>Mon, 20 Aug 2012 12:22:30 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581056</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/overhaul-of-hidden-fees-could-see-end-to-credit-card-surcharges/800581056</link><category>800580490</category><title>Overhaul of hidden fees could see end to credit card surcharges</title><description>The blight of hidden charges, including those tacked on to premium rate phone lines and credit cards, could soon come to an end for consumers after a planned overhaul of consumer rights was announced by Norman Lamb.</description><pubDate>Mon, 20 Aug 2012 12:21:35 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581055</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/17-million-planning-to-use-a-cash-isa-this-year/800581055</link><category>800580490</category><title>17 million planning to use a cash ISA this year</title><description>Brits are more determined than ever to secure their financial futures, with recent research showing that more than a third of adults in the UK are planning to put their savings into a cash ISA this year.</description><pubDate>Fri, 17 Aug 2012 12:00:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581054</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/growth-in-house-prices-outpaces-rise-in-wages/800581054</link><category>800580490</category><title>Growth in house prices outpaces rise in wages</title><description>Would-be homeowners in the UK are struggling to keep pace with the housing market, as a recent study has revealed that the last decade has seen property prices rise at three times the rate of wage increases.</description><pubDate>Fri, 17 Aug 2012 11:58:25 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581053</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/cost-of-diabetes-to-nhs-at-an-all-time-high/800581053</link><category>800580490</category><title>Cost of diabetes to NHS at an all-time high</title><description>The number of prescriptions for diabetes drugs has risen by 50% over the last six years, with 40 million prescriptions made in 2011 alone.</description><pubDate>Thu, 16 Aug 2012 15:09:13 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581052</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/brits-need-4000-a-month-to-feel-financially-secure/800581052</link><category>800580490</category><title>Brits need £4,000 a month to feel financially secure</title><description>With the recent news that inflation has risen to 2.6%, consumers are increasingly concerned that their budgets will not stretch to meet rises in the cost of living.</description><pubDate>Thu, 16 Aug 2012 15:06:58 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581051</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/life-insurance-what-do-different-policies-offer/800581051</link><category>800580490</category><title>Life insurance: what do different policies offer?</title><description>Life insurance policies help to ensure that your dependents are able to continue to meet their financial obligations should the worst happen.</description><pubDate>Wed, 15 Aug 2012 12:16:12 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581050</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/number-of-inflation-beating-savings-accounts-drops/800581050</link><category>800580490</category><title>Number of inflation-beating savings accounts drops</title><description>The number of tax and inflation-beating savings accounts has dropped from 278 to 227, as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) climbed to 2.6% in July.</description><pubDate>Wed, 15 Aug 2012 12:14:30 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581048</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/make-the-most-of-the-current-credit-cards/800581048</link><category>800580490</category><title>Make the most of the current credit cards</title><description>Reward credit cards can be great for those who want to get something back from their credit card. Whether this is cashback for you to spend on what you like or discounted deals on days out, there is a reward system for everyone.</description><pubDate>Wed, 15 Aug 2012 09:42:32 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581047</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/remortgaging-and-repossession-figures-fall/800581047</link><category>800580490</category><title>Remortgaging and repossession figures fall</title><description>The number of UK homeowners remortgaging or having their properties repossessed has fallen, according to new figures. This is particularly good news for homeowners as the housing market shows positive improvement.</description><pubDate>Wed, 15 Aug 2012 09:38:39 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581046</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumer-credit-spending-increases-by-7/800581046</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumer credit spending increases by 7%</title><description>As the recession continues to put a strain on household finances, consumers are increasingly turning to credit to stay afloat.</description><pubDate>Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:38:57 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581045</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/eon-urged-to-slash-bills-as-profits-rise/800581045</link><category>800580490</category><title>E.on urged to slash bills as profits rise</title><description>Consumer groups have called on energy giant E.on to end ongoing price hikes to energy bills, after the company revealed that profits shot up by almost a third in the first half of 2012.</description><pubDate>Tue, 14 Aug 2012 14:36:10 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581044</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/building-society-offers-lowest-rate-personal-loan/800581044</link><category>800580490</category><title>Building society offers lowest rate personal loan</title><description>Derbyshire Building Society, a trading division of Nationwide Building Society, has announced that is has slashed the APR rate on its personal loans to 5.8%.</description><pubDate>Mon, 13 Aug 2012 14:02:25 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581043</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/landlords-see-increase-in-rental-yields/800581043</link><category>800580490</category><title>Landlords see increase in rental yields</title><description>Landlords are continuing to see a healthy return from their property portfolio, with gross rental yields rising to 6.2% in June compared to 6.0% a year earlier.</description><pubDate>Mon, 13 Aug 2012 14:01:26 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581042</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/bank-of-england-warns-of-soaring-energy-costs/800581042</link><category>800580490</category><title>Bank of England warns of soaring energy costs</title><description>A Bank of England (BoE) report has said that spiralling costs faced by energy suppliers is likely to result in hikes to domestic energy bills by the start of 2013.</description><pubDate>Fri, 10 Aug 2012 11:32:35 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581041</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/credit-card-spending-boost-from-olympic-games/800581041</link><category>800580490</category><title>Credit card spending boost from Olympic Games</title><description>The so-called ‘Olympics effect’ has inspired international visitors to the UK to spend a staggering £450 million on their Visa cards during the first week of the 2012 Games.</description><pubDate>Fri, 10 Aug 2012 11:31:49 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581040</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumers-still-lack-confidence-in-banking-industry/800581040</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumers still lack confidence in banking industry</title><description>A new survey from consumer champion Which? has revealed that consumers still lack faith in the banking industry, five years after the start of the financial crisis.</description><pubDate>Thu, 09 Aug 2012 11:52:40 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581039</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/home-repossessions-set-to-rise/800581039</link><category>800580490</category><title>Home repossessions set to rise</title><description>The turbulent state of the UK’s economy is continuing to put financial pressure on homeowners, with the number of repossessions set to increase over the next 12 months.</description><pubDate>Thu, 09 Aug 2012 11:51:47 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581038</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/healthcare-firms-announce-initiatives-to-improve-quality-of-patient-information/800581038</link><category>800580490</category><title>Healthcare firms announce initiatives to improve quality of patient information</title><description>Private healthcare insurer Bupa and private healthcare provider BMI Healthcare have announced a series of separate partnerships designed to improve access to information for patients.</description><pubDate>Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:43:52 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581036</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/more-consumers-opting-for-reward-credit-cards/800581036</link><category>800580490</category><title>More consumers opting for reward credit cards</title><description>Consumers are increasingly turning to reward credit cards to make the most of their money during the economic downturn. </description><pubDate>Wed, 08 Aug 2012 12:42:34 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581035</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/would-you-take-out-a-tesco-mortgage/800581035</link><category>800580490</category><title>Would you take out a Tesco Mortgage?</title><description>In the current climate you can purchase everything from your weekly shop to a pet insurance policy from Tesco. However, did you know that you can now even pick up a mortgage from the supermarket giant?</description><pubDate>Wed, 08 Aug 2012 12:41:40 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581034</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/how-to-reduce-your-energy-bills/800581034</link><category>800580490</category><title>How to reduce your energy bills</title><description>Whilst a UK summer doesn’t promise guaranteed sunshine, there is one thing that the summer months do offer: cheaper energy bills. </description><pubDate>Wed, 08 Aug 2012 12:41:08 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581033</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/profits-up-at-legal--general/800581033</link><category>800580490</category><title>Profits up at Legal &amp; General</title><description>Operating profits at leading insurer Legal &amp; General have climbed to by 5% in the first half of the year, to reach £518m.</description><pubDate>Wed, 08 Aug 2012 12:39:58 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581032</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/homes-on-offer-for-just-1-in-stoke/800581032</link><category>800580490</category><title>Homes on offer for just £1 in Stoke</title><description>While figures from several house price indexes suggest that property values in many parts of the country are taking a downward turn, few buyers would expect to snap up a home for less than £50,000 let alone less than £50.</description><pubDate>Wed, 08 Aug 2012 12:38:47 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581031</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumers-warned-to-check-credit-rating-after-banking-glitches/800581031</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumers warned to check credit rating after banking glitches</title><description>Consumer groups are urging borrowers to check their credit ratings, after fears that a series of IT glitches at leading high street banks may have adversely affected their credit history.</description><pubDate>Mon, 06 Aug 2012 13:12:50 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581030</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/government-to-plough-100m-into-green-energy/800581030</link><category>800580490</category><title>Government to plough £100m into green energy</title><description>Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is today set to announce a series of multi-million pound investments designed to realise the government’s goals for the production of green energy.</description><pubDate>Mon, 06 Aug 2012 13:12:10 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581029</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/banks-locked-in-mortgage-price-wars/800581029</link><category>800580490</category><title>Banks locked in mortgage price wars</title><description>Banks and building societies have slashed rates on five-year fixed-rate loans, in an effort to take a larger share of the mortgages market.</description><pubDate>Fri, 03 Aug 2012 14:17:57 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581028</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/google-extends-contactless-payment-to-all-credit-cards/800581028</link><category>800580490</category><title>Google extends contactless payment to all credit cards</title><description>Google has announced that it is rolling out its Google Wallet payment system to include credit and debit cards from Visa, MasterCard and Discover.</description><pubDate>Fri, 03 Aug 2012 14:15:47 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581027</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/ofgem-urged-to-adopt-proposals-on-business-energy/800581027</link><category>800580490</category><title>Ofgem urged to adopt proposals on business energy</title><description>Energy giant E.ON has brought forward proposals to regulate commercial energy supply, receiving support for the initiative from energy supplier BES.</description><pubDate>Thu, 02 Aug 2012 12:30:16 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581026</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/treasury-calls-for-lenders-to-simplify-financial-products/800581026</link><category>800580490</category><title>Treasury calls for lenders to simplify financial products</title><description>The Treasury has called on the banking industry to simplify its range of financial products, arguing that too much choice creates a “barrier” to consumers taking charge of their finances.</description><pubDate>Thu, 02 Aug 2012 12:28:13 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581025</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/mortgage-approvals-slump-as-the-house-price-divide-deepens/800581025</link><category>800580490</category><title>Mortgage approvals slump as the house price divide deepens</title><description>Turmoil continues to stir in the UK housing market with mortgage approvals hitting a 15-year low and the gap in house prices creating a ‘two–speed’ market. Buyers and sellers are struggling to get to grips with the housing market as more twists and turns continue to develop.</description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:28:44 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581024</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/real-income-falls-to-lowest-level-since-2005/800581024</link><category>800580490</category><title>Real income falls to lowest level since 2005</title><description>The recession is continuing to put pressure on consumers’ finances, with figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing that inflation growth is outpacing that of household incomes.</description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:23:04 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581023</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/report-claims-nhs-is-failing-those-with-neurological-conditions/800581023</link><category>800580490</category><title>Report claims NHS is failing those with neurological conditions</title><description>The NHS has been accused of failing to provide adequate levels of primary care for patients with neurological conditions including Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.</description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:15:12 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581022</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/why-families-need-life-insurance/800581022</link><category>800580490</category><title>Why families need life insurance</title><description>The cost of living is soaring and a growing number of cash-strapped Brits are feeling the pinch. As many are cutting back on financial products and life’s little luxuries, it’s important to keep note of the essentials.</description><pubDate>Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:13:42 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581021</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/serious-fraud-office-warns-of-criminal-charges-over-libor-scandal/800581021</link><category>800580490</category><title>Serious Fraud Office warns of criminal charges over Libor scandal</title><description>The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has argued that criminal offences could apply to those institutions involved in the scandal over Libor rate fixing.</description><pubDate>Tue, 31 Jul 2012 12:06:00 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581020</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/lloyds-contemplates-asset-swap-with-life-insurance-unit/800581020</link><category>800580490</category><title>Lloyds contemplates asset swap with life insurance unit</title><description>Lloyds Banking Group is said to be contemplating plans to swap assets with its life insurance arm in a bid to strengthen its financial position.</description><pubDate>Tue, 31 Jul 2012 12:05:16 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581019</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/chip-and-pin-machines-vulnerable-to-hacking/800581019</link><category>800580490</category><title>Chip and PIN machines vulnerable to hacking</title><description>The UK’s leading manufacturer of credit and debit card terminals has announced that it is in the process of updating its devices, after a security firm revealed that they may be vulnerable to hacking.
</description><pubDate>Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:03:48 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581018</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-fall-across-several-uk-regions/800581018</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices fall across several UK regions</title><description>Britain’s housing market has been hit hard by reduced buyer activity, with prices falling across a number of UK regions.</description><pubDate>Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:02:59 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581017</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/economys-07-contraction-surprises-economists/800581017</link><category>800580490</category><title>Economy’s 0.7% contraction surprises economists</title><description>The 0.7% contraction in the UK’s GDP in the second quarter of 2012 has been described as a “nasty surprise” by economists, who fear that the worst may be yet to come for Britain’s faltering economy.</description><pubDate>Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:30:29 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581016</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/mortgage-approvals-slump-to-15-year-low/800581016</link><category>800580490</category><title>Mortgage approvals slump to 15-year low</title><description>The number of mortgage approvals has hit a 15-year low, as experts say that the housing market was subdued by factors including the UK’s recent spell of wet weather.</description><pubDate>Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:29:59 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581015</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/brits-would-place-more-focus-on-their-finances-in-hindsight/800581015</link><category>800580490</category><title>Brits would place more focus on their finances in hindsight</title><description>Millions of Brits would put organising their personal finances at the top of their priority list if they had the chance to turn back the clock, research has found.</description><pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:52:20 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581014</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/boost-to-british-gas-profits-as-energy-bills-continue-to-soar/800581014</link><category>800580490</category><title>Boost to British Gas profits as energy bills continue to soar</title><description>British Gas owner Centrica has announced a 23% rise in profits for its residential arm in the last year, leading many to question how the company can justify a potential £50 hike to energy bills.</description><pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:51:31 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581013</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/web-monitoring-could-guard-against-details-being-compromised/800581013</link><category>800580490</category><title>Web monitoring could guard against details being compromised</title><description>Fraudulent online activity in on the rise, according to figures from the latest Fraudscape Bulletin[1] from CIFAS – but with active use of web monitoring, consumers can guard against the risks of their data and personal details being affected.</description><pubDate>Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:10:30 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581012</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/podiatrists-and-physiotherapists-could-be-given-prescription-powers/800581012</link><category>800580490</category><title>Podiatrists and physiotherapists could be given prescription powers</title><description>Advanced practitioner physiotherapists and podiatrists and could be given the power to prescribe pain relief and anti-inflammatory medicines under proposals announced today.</description><pubDate>Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:09:23 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581011</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/credit-cards-with-interest-free-periods-may-hide-expensive-fees/800581011</link><category>800580490</category><title>Credit cards with interest-free periods may hide expensive fees</title><description>Consumers attracted to credit card offers because of their long interest-free periods may be unwittingly signing themselves up for expensive fees.</description><pubDate>Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:08:30 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581010</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/couples-are-800-better-off-than-singletons/800581010</link><category>800580490</category><title>Couples are £800 better off than singletons</title><description>Unless you’re Bridget Jones at a party for married couples, singletons are rarely named and shamed as those who are ‘missing out’. However, when it comes to personal finance, the cost of being single comes at a high price as couples are apparently £800 better off on average. </description><pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:44:55 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581009</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/parents-at-risk-of-debt-to-keep-kids-entertained-over-the-summer/800581009</link><category>800580490</category><title>Parents at risk of debt to keep kids entertained over the Summer</title><description>A growing number of parents are putting themselves at risk of debt to keep their youngsters entertained over the summer holidays. </description><pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:43:26 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581008</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumers-spend-three-hours-a-week-fretting-over-their-finances/800581008</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumers spend three hours a week fretting over their finances</title><description>Consumers are continuing to crumble under the pressure of their money woes, with an average of three hours and 15 minutes a week spent pouring over their finances.</description><pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:23:28 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581007</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/government-reforms-may-lead-to-increased-energy-bills/800581007</link><category>800580490</category><title>Government reforms may lead to increased energy bills</title><description>The Energy Select Committee has cast doubts over the financial viability of the government’s draft Energy Bill this week.</description><pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:22:15 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581006</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/be-supermarket-savvy/800581006</link><category>800580490</category><title>Be supermarket savvy</title><description>Supermarkets may be the cathedrals of our age but in these recessionary times they can often strike fear rather than joy into the hearts of hard-pressed shoppers.
</description><pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2012 10:59:09 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581005</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/homes-near-olympic-venues-increasing-in-value/800581005</link><category>800580490</category><title>Homes near Olympic venues increasing in value</title><description>The ‘Olympics Effect’ has continued to push up house prices in the East End, with a 33% rise in property values across the 14 postal districts nearest to the main site for the 2012 Games.</description><pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:07:26 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581004</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/more-brits-planning-to-invest-in-isas-in-2012/800581004</link><category>800580490</category><title>More Brits planning to invest in ISAs in 2012</title><description>Brits are increasingly planning ahead to secure their financial futures, with data from Santander Savings showing that 17 million will be putting money into a cash ISA this year.</description><pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:06:33 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581003</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/fsa-announce-proposals-to-give-consumers-more-banking-choice/800581003</link><category>800580490</category><title>FSA announce proposals to give consumers more banking choice</title><description>In a bid to end the banking monopoly in the UK and provide consumers with more choice, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) has said that it will be revisiting unsuccessful applications for banking licences.</description><pubDate>Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:05:40 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581002</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/pensioners-face-soaring-cost-of-life-insurance-policies/800581002</link><category>800580490</category><title>Pensioners face soaring cost of life insurance policies</title><description>An expected hike in life insurance premiums is set to hit retirees’ finances hard, as some 270,000 pensioners may be forced to pay out more for whole-of-life cover policies.</description><pubDate>Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:04:57 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581001</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/energy-companies-pay-shareholders-7bn-while-consumers-face-price-hikes/800581001</link><category>800580490</category><title>Energy companies pay shareholders £7bn while consumers face price hikes</title><description>The UK’s largest energy companies continued to pay out billions to their shareholders, while many families and businesses continued to suffer under the weight of mounting energy bills.</description><pubDate>Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:40:52 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800581000</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/almost-half-of-homeowners-buy-properties-close-to-home/800581000</link><category>800580490</category><title>Almost half of homeowners buy properties close to home</title><description>Nearly half of homeowners are choosing to invest in a property that in close proximity to their parents, research has found.
</description><pubDate>Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:39:57 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580999</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/older-parents-in-debt-into-their-50s/800580999</link><category>800580490</category><title>Older parents in debt into their 50s</title><description>The decision to delay parenthood until the late 30s or early 40s puts an additional financial strain on consumers in their later years, research has found.</description><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:14:11 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580998</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/online-fraud-increases-by-300/800580998</link><category>800580490</category><title>Online fraud increases by 300%</title><description>Consumers are still exposed to the risk the of identity theft, with the latest figures showing a 300% rise in incidences of ‘phishing’ since 2010.</description><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:13:32 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580994</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/how-you-can-benefit-from-a-dip-in-inflation/800580994</link><category>800580490</category><title>How you can benefit from a dip in inflation</title><description>Inflation has fallen to the lowest level for 31 months to 2.4%, providing good news for the economy at large and personal household finances. The rising cost of living has eased off, giving consumers more spending power and putting more money in their pockets. </description><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 2012 10:31:41 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580993</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/how-first-time-buyers-can-get-on-to-the-property-ladder/800580993</link><category>800580490</category><title>How first time buyers can get on to the property ladder</title><description>Owning a property is a dream for many. However, the reality is much different as   potential first time buyers are left in renting limbo and high deposit hell. A growing number of wannabe homeowners are stuck and can’t seem to find a way to take their first steps onto the property ladder. </description><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 2012 09:55:57 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580992</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/junior-doctors-worried-about-patient-safety/800580992</link><category>800580490</category><title>Junior doctors worried about patient safety</title><description>The latest intake of junior doctors has expressed concern that patient safety may be compromised during their training period.</description><pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:16:57 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580991</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/chancellor-unveils-scheme-to-support-bank-lending/800580991</link><category>800580490</category><title>Chancellor unveils scheme to support bank lending</title><description>George Osborne has announced that banks will receive an £80 billion cash injection to stimulate lending and shift the economy into gear.
</description><pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:15:54 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580990</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/house-prices-fall-in-july/800580990</link><category>800580490</category><title>House prices fall in July</title><description>Property prices in England and Wales have tumbled by 1.7% in July, with some blaming Britain’s recent spell of bad weather for the downturn in the housing market.</description><pubDate>Mon, 16 Jul 2012 12:37:40 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580989</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/unemployment-set-to-increase-this-year/800580989</link><category>800580490</category><title>Unemployment set to increase this year</title><description>While experts are predicting a reversal of fortunes for Britain’s economy over the next sixth months, the opposite is true for the labour market.</description><pubDate>Mon, 16 Jul 2012 12:37:04 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580988</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/household-wealth-increases/800580988</link><category>800580490</category><title>Household wealth increases</title><description>While the recession has had negative financial repercussions for consumers and businesses alike, it appears that the economic downturn has not stopped personal wealth from growing.</description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:12:17 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580987</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/insurers-face-200m-bill-for-floods/800580987</link><category>800580490</category><title>Insurers face £200m bill for floods</title><description>Summer flooding has left key insurers facing a hefty payout that will run into hundreds of millions of pounds, according to a senior analyst.</description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:11:32 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580986</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/how-businesses-could-save-money-on-their-energy-bills/800580986</link><category>800580490</category><title>How businesses could save money on their energy bills</title><description>It is no secret that energy bills have been climbing both at home and at work. The high cost of utilities is causing real problems for UK businesses as a new survey revealed that an overwhelming majority are concerned about energy bills. </description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:48:55 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580985</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/how-balance-transfer-credit-cards-can-help-you/800580985</link><category>800580490</category><title>How balance transfer credit cards can help you</title><description>A growing number of Britons are struggling to keep personal finances under wraps in the current economic climate. Whilst it might not be the best time to take on a credit card because of the potential risk of debt, some credit cards can help those who are finding it difficult to cope financially. </description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:48:19 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580984</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/keep-the-door-closed-to-hackers/800580984</link><category>800580490</category><title>Keep the door closed to hackers</title><description>With recent news about increasingly sophisticated scams affecting websites with huge databases – from social networking sites and music sites to internet phone services, it's essential that we work hard to make sure our passwords are as safe as possible.</description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:47:38 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580983</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/consumer-credit-lending-increases-in-may/800580983</link><category>800580490</category><title>Consumer credit lending increases in May</title><description>Consumers are continuing to rely on borrowing to boost their budgets, with figures from the Finance &amp; Leasing Association (FLA) showing growth in several areas of credit lending.</description><pubDate>Thu, 12 Jul 2012 12:15:56 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580982</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/cbi-calls-for-government-to-stimulate-growth/800580982</link><category>800580490</category><title>CBI calls for government to stimulate growth</title><description>The director of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), one of the UK's leading independent employers' organisations, has argued that the government needs to take immediate action to stimulate growth in the UK’s economy.</description><pubDate>Thu, 12 Jul 2012 12:15:18 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580981</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/rising-cost-of-energy-still-a-concern-for-businesses/800580981</link><category>800580490</category><title>Rising cost of energy still a concern for businesses</title><description>The rising cost of gas and electricity is still a key concern for consumers and businesses, according to the results of a survey conducted by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).</description><pubDate>Thu, 12 Jul 2012 12:02:35 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580980</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/older-generation-struggling-with-debt/800580980</link><category>800580490</category><title>Older generation struggling with debt</title><description>Over 55s have seen their financial situation improve this year, with both incomes and savings rising. But research has found that many are still struggling with secured and unsecured debt.</description><pubDate>Thu, 12 Jul 2012 12:00:53 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580979</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/barclaycard-goes-halves-on-balance-transfer-fees/800580979</link><category>800580490</category><title>Barclaycard goes halves on balance transfer fees</title><description>Barclaycard balance transfer deals made even more attractive with 50% refund on balance transfer fees this summer.</description><pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:30:47 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580978</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/warranty-wrap-covers-the-parts-other-policies-cannot-reach/800580978</link><category>800580490</category><title>Warranty Wrap: Covers the parts other policies cannot reach</title><description>Warranty specialist, Warranty Direct, has launched a unique ‘top-up’ policy, which augments existing cover by providing peace of mind where the original warranty falls short.  </description><pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:13:31 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580977</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/bupa-to-open-private-dental-centres/800580977</link><category>800580490</category><title>Bupa to open private dental centres</title><description>Private medical insurance provider Bupa is set to expand its dental portfolio by adding 50 additional private dental centres to its business.</description><pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:12:30 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580976</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/a-round-up-of-cashback-cards/800580976</link><category>800580490</category><title>A round-up of cashback cards</title><description>Earning as you spend can be the ultimate reward for credit card holders. There are a number of cashback and reward cards on the market that help consumers do this, including the recent launch of Asda’s unlimited cash back card.</description><pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2012 14:11:50 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580975</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/rbs-personal-loan-customers-may-have-been-charged-twice/800580975</link><category>800580490</category><title>RBS personal loan customers may have been charged twice</title><description>A small number of customers who have taken out personal loans through banking giants RBS and Natwest may have been charged twice for repayments.</description><pubDate>Mon, 09 Jul 2012 13:26:19 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580974</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/new-town-properties-more-affordable-than-ever/800580974</link><category>800580490</category><title>‘New Town’ properties more affordable than ever</title><description>New Town properties in England and Wales are proving to be the most affordable for UK buyers, according to the latest research from Lloyds TSB.</description><pubDate>Mon, 09 Jul 2012 13:25:32 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580973</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/customers-still-face-credit-card-fees-when-booking-with-low-cost-airlines/800580973</link><category>800580490</category><title>Customers still face credit card fees when booking with low cost airlines</title><description>It has emerged that passengers will still be subject to credit card charges, despite leading budget airlines being told to make card surcharges more transparent.</description><pubDate>Fri, 06 Jul 2012 12:41:23 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580972</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/energy-proposals-could-lead-to-loss-of-discount-tariffs/800580972</link><category>800580490</category><title>Energy proposals could lead to loss of discount tariffs</title><description>Businesses and consumers may no longer have access to discounted energy tariffs, due to a knock-on effect from the government’s bid to simplify electricity and gas bills.</description><pubDate>Fri, 06 Jul 2012 12:40:33 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580971</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/modern-families-not-purchasing-life-insurance/800580971</link><category>800580490</category><title>Modern families not purchasing life insurance</title><description>Modern families are failing to get adequate financial cover to protect them should the worst happen, according to research from Sainsbury's Life Insurance.</description><pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:55:32 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580970</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/more-buyers-choosing-building-society-mortgages/800580970</link><category>800580490</category><title>More buyers choosing building society mortgages</title><description>The rate of mortgage lending at building societies and other mutual lenders is surpassing that of banks, according to the latest research.</description><pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:54:53 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580969</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/may-sees-two-fold-rise-in-debt/800580969</link><category>800580490</category><title>May sees two-fold rise in debt</title><description>Consumers are still buckling under the weight of soaring debts, with debt figures doubling month-on-month in May.</description><pubDate>Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:18:44 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580968</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/savings-levels-reach-12-month-low/800580968</link><category>800580490</category><title>Savings levels reach 12-month low</title><description>Brits are putting less aside to save to for a rainy day, with monthly savings dropping from £100 last spring to a current figure of £87.</description><pubDate>Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:17:44 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580967</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/barclays-rate-rigging-scandal-explained/800580967</link><category>800580490</category><title>Barclays rate-rigging scandal explained</title><description>Barclays has come under fire recently for trying to manipulate a key bank lending rate. The bank was fined a staggering £290 million ($450 million) for doing so. This is the single largest fine in history against a banking institution by the central UK financial regulator, the Financial Services Authority (FSA).</description><pubDate>Wed, 04 Jul 2012 10:43:48 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580966</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/parents-across-the-globe-are-paying-for-grown-up-kids/800580966</link><category>800580490</category><title>Parents across the globe are paying for grown-up kids</title><description>A growing number of young Britons are finding it hard to raise the cash to cover everyday living costs, with parents footing the bill in a number of cases. Mums and dads are funding their grown up children’s lives now more than ever before, according to new research.</description><pubDate>Wed, 04 Jul 2012 10:41:46 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580965</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/bob-diamond-steps-down-in-libor-scandal/800580965</link><category>800580490</category><title>Bob Diamond steps down in Libor Scandal</title><description>Barclays’ boss Bob Diamond has succumbed to mounting pressure in the wake of the Libor scandal and resigned from his role as Chief Executive of the bank. </description><pubDate>Tue, 03 Jul 2012 13:52:23 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580964</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/five-ways-to-avoid-debt/800580964</link><category>800580490</category><title>Five ways to avoid debt</title><description>According to figures from money charity Credit Action, average household debt including mortgages is £55,483 with the UK as a whole in £1.459 trillion of outstanding personal debt.</description><pubDate>Tue, 03 Jul 2012 13:51:35 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580963</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/first-time-buyer-numbers-increase/800580963</link><category>800580490</category><title>First-time buyer numbers increase</title><description>The number of first-time buyers is set to hit a three-year high over the next 12 months, with this group making up nearly a third of prospective homeowners.</description><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jul 2012 13:10:11 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580962</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/risk-of-bankruptcy-looms-for-six-nhs-trusts/800580962</link><category>800580490</category><title>Risk of bankruptcy looms for six NHS trusts</title><description>The NHS is crumbling under the weight of financial difficulties with a further six NHS trusts expected to go into “administration”.</description><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jul 2012 13:09:28 +0100</pubDate></item><item><guid isPermaLink="false">800580961</guid><link>http://www.moneyexpert.com/news/chancellor-delays-fuel-duty-rise/800580961</link><category>800580490</category><title>Chancellor delays fuel duty rise</title><description>Chancellor George Osborne has confirmed that the planned 3p rise in fuel duty this summer has been halted for the remainder of the year.</description><pubDate>Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:31:26 +0100</pubDate></item></channel></rss>