Monthly Archives: December 2014

Top 5 benefit cheaters and scammers in 2014

Author: Jon McNamara | No Comments yet

While it is estimated that tens of thousands of people are scamming the benefit system each year and costing tax payers over £1 billion, some of the cons taking place are even more outrageous than…

2015 rent increases to be flat or rise slightly

Author: Jon McNamara | No Comments yet

Due to a slowing economy and rising increase rates, roughly 50% of landlords will not be increase rental rates on tenants in their private sector homes. This is a piece of good news, as many…

An energy bill debt holiday may be on the way

Author: Jon McNamara | No Comments yet

There has been over a 20% year on year increase in the number of people that are in arrears to their fuel provider. This has lead to an increase in calls for a debt holiday…

Social housing providers bracing for benefit changes

Author: Jon McNamara | No Comments yet

A piece of good news for people looking for a job is that providers of social housing are hiring more staff to deal with evictions. However, this may be bad news for anyone that is…

Wonga reduces representative APR from 5,853 to 1,509%

Author: Kenneth Long | No Comments yet

Wonga has implemented a reduction in its fees and daily interest rate that are charged on short-term loans. The widely recognised payday lender stated that it has voluntarily slashed the charges in anticipation of new rate caps….

Money raised for Christmas meals for homeless in Glasgow and Edinburgh

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In a bit of good news, the homeless in Edinburgh and also the city of Glasgow will be able to eat a hot Christmas meal this year, and it will be provided to them for free….

Residents in the Newcastle readying for Universal Credit

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Early in 2015, the new Universal Credit government benefit scheme will be in place in the North East, including in Newcastle City as well as the East as West. The DWP Jobcentres will be signing…

FCA rules leading to changes from payday lenders

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In a victory for consumers and families across the UK, payday lenders, including Wonga, are starting to offer more affordable short term loans to borrowers. Everything from fees due to borrow money to the maximum…

Northern Rock Together loans to get £6,300 refunds

Author: Kenneth Long | No Comments yet

The High Court decided that 41,000 customers of Northern Rock should be paid compensation due to incorrect wording in their loan documents. With a total award of £258m, that means that the average refund would be…

Energy bills increased twice rate of inflation since 2004

Author: Jon McNamara | No Comments yet

A study from the Committee on Climate Change brings further attention on one major issue which is causing many families to struggle, and that is the ever increasing prices of electric and gas bills. In…