Rebecca Atkinson

Rebecca is news editor of Moneywise.co.uk

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Dislikes: The rising cost of... everything!

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Articles by Rebecca Atkinson
Blog entries by Rebecca Atkinson

Articles by Rebecca Atkinson

Energy bills to hit £1,000 a year

Update: Fri, 18/07/2008 - 12:04

Households should invest in warm clothing as energy bills look set to rise by 60%, British Gas has warned. Read more

Is the end nigh for +7% saving rates?

Update: Fri, 18/07/2008 - 11:38

The days of saving accounts with interest rates of over 7% could be numbered as two providers pull their market-leading products. Read more

Energy firms told to improve green tariffs

Thu, 17/07/2008 - 17:24

Energy suppliers that offer “green” tariffs must be clearer about the environmental benefits their deals offer, or face the wrath of energy watchdog Ofgem. Read more

Bradford & Bingley rights issue gets green light

Thu, 17/07/2008 - 16:40

Bradford and Bingley shareholders have backed the bank’s £400 million cash call to help boost its balance sheet. Read more

Government rapped over Equitable Life scandal

Update: Thu, 17/07/2008 - 16:18

Equitable Life policyholders could finally receive compensation after an investigation found the government failed to properly regulate the insurer. Read more

Rent now, buy later scheme unveiled

Update: Thu, 17/07/2008 - 08:20

First-time buyers could be given a helping hand onto the ladder under a new homeownership scheme that allows them to rent first, buy later. Read more

What’s in your garage?

Update: Thu, 17/07/2008 - 08:23

Motorists are collectively losing out on £200 million by not storing their car in their garages, new research reveals. Read more

Find the best current account

Update: Thu, 17/07/2008 - 09:10

Just 6% of current account customers switched deals last year - despite many earning uncompetitive rates of interest on their earnings. So where should you keep your pennies? Read more

Darling scraps 2p fuel duty increase

Update: Thu, 17/07/2008 - 09:12

The chancellor Alistair Darling has scrapped the 2p increase in fuel duty. Read more

Current account market failing consumers

Update: Wed, 16/07/2008 - 16:00

A damning new report has found that current accounts are failing customers and leaving many exposed to high charges and dismal rates of interest. Read more

HMRC errors result in £4.3 billion overpaid tax credits

Tue, 15/07/2008 - 16:35

The government is still waiting to recover a whopping £4.3 billion in overpaid tax credit, of which £1.8 billion is “in doubt”, according to the National Audit Office (NAO). Read more

Rocketing food costs push inflation to 3.8%

Update: Tue, 15/07/2008 - 10:26

Escalating food prices have pushed inflation up to an alarming 3.8% in June, well above the government’s official 2% target. Read more

Second-hand cars top consumer complaints list

Mon, 14/07/2008 - 16:41

More than 120,000 complaints have been made about defective goods in the first half of this year, with second-hand cars and household goods the biggest problem areas. Read more

Maternity rights holding back women, equalities watchdog warns

Update: Tue, 15/07/2008 - 09:15

The head of the equalities watchdog has called for better paternity rights for fathers amid concern that extensions to paid maternity leave puts women at a disadvantage at work. Read more

Renew your tax credits

Update: Mon, 14/07/2008 - 11:07

If you haven’t yet renewed your tax credits claim then you must do so by 31 July or your payments will stop. Read more

Alliance & Leicester to be bought by Spanish bank

Update: Mon, 14/07/2008 - 13:26

Alliance and Leicester is to be bought by Spanish bank Santander for £1.2 billion. Read more

Homeowners reassured about flood protection

Update: Fri, 11/07/2008 - 16:22

Homeowners at risk of flooding have been given reassurance today that their insurance policies will continue to cover them for the long-term. Read more

Bank of England freezes interest rates at 5%

Update: Thu, 10/07/2008 - 11:02

The Bank of England has voted to freeze interest rates at 5% for the third month in a row. Read more

What does the bear market mean for investors?

Update: Fri, 11/07/2008 - 09:39

We are now officially in a bear market, and forecasts of a recession are getting louder. But what does this mean for you? Read more

Nationwide suspends ISA transfers

Update: Wed, 09/07/2008 - 13:37

Nationwide has temporarily stopped accepting transfers into its cash ISA after a 400% increase in the number of requests. Read more

Barclays to can secured loans lender Firstplus

Update: Wed, 09/07/2008 - 13:55

Barclays has announced that it is to stop selling secured loans through its market leading Firstplus brand as a result of the downturn in the mortgage market. Read more

VAT could be slashed under proposals from Brussels

Update: Tue, 08/07/2008 - 11:42

The cost of eating out, converting your loft or hiring a childminder could be reduced under plans tabled by Brussels to cut VAT. Read more

Is Britain on the brink of recession?

Update: Tue, 08/07/2008 - 12:09

The UK is hovering on the brink of recession as the credit crunch hits businesses across the country, a new report warns. Read more

Join a car club

Update: Tue, 08/07/2008 - 09:46

Rising petrol prices have pushed up the cost of running a car. Could joining a car club save you money? Read more

Government pledges £11 million for money lessons for kids

Update: Mon, 07/07/2008 - 15:53

Children as young as four are to be given more financial education at school, in a new initiative unveiled by the government. Read more

Banks make £2.5 billion from overdraft fees

Update: Mon, 07/07/2008 - 10:40

Banks make £2.5 billion a year from unauthorised overdraft charges, but could be forced to repay £10 billion if they lose the current court case into bank charges. Read more

Tories call for fuel duty to soften blow of petrol hikes

Update: Mon, 07/07/2008 - 09:59

The Conservative Party has proposed a plan to soften the blow of rising fuel prices on families by offsetting expensive petrol with lower fuel duty. Read more

Households rapped for wasting food

Update: Mon, 07/07/2008 - 09:23

Gordon Brown has urged households to stop wasting so much food, as a report warns that a decade of price rises lies ahead. Read more

Endsleigh poised to close branch network

Update: Fri, 04/07/2008 - 16:26

Endsleigh is reportedly planning to scrap its entire network of branches during this summer, including its student campus outlets. Read more

Lenders cut mortgage rates

Update: Fri, 04/07/2008 - 15:41

Three of Britain’s biggest mortgage lenders have cut interest rates on selected mortgage deals. Read more

Are your savings protected?

By Rebecca Atkinson Update: Fri, 04/07/2008 - 11:22

The government is considering increasing the amount of savers' money that is protected should a bank go bust. It says the move will increase consumer confidence in the UK banking system - but do we have a reason to worry? Read more

Bradford & Bingley increases cash call

Update: Fri, 04/07/2008 - 15:53

Bradford and Bingley has increased its forthcoming rights issue to £400 million after the American investor it had lined up to take a stake in the business got cold feet. Read more

Tories propose tax system shake-up

Update: Fri, 04/07/2008 - 12:47

The Conservative Party has promised to bring an end to stealth taxes in a major shake-up of the UK taxation system. Read more

Cost of retirement hits £413,000

Update: Fri, 04/07/2008 - 12:53

A couple who plan to give up work at 65 would need to have saved £413,000 in order to fund their retirement, new figures reveal. Read more

Car insurance cheats up 70%

Update: Thu, 03/07/2008 - 16:14

Car insurance cheats made fraudulent claims worth £260 million last year, with the number of dishonest drivers up 70% over the past three years. Read more

Mortgage defaults increasing faster than expected

Update: Thu, 03/07/2008 - 09:45

The number of people missing payments on their mortgages has risen by more than anticipated during the past three months, the Bank of England has reported Read more

Homeowners offered insurance against rate rises

Update: Wed, 02/07/2008 - 16:24

A new insurance product promises to protect borrowers from interest rate rises. Should you be tempted? Read more

Make the most of the buyers’ market

By Rebecca Atkinson Update: Wed, 02/07/2008 - 14:24

The tide has turned and it is now a buyers’ market. Making the most of this advantage could be key if you are looking to buy a property, and could even get help you bag a bargain. Read more

FTSE fall sparks pension scheme concern

Update: Wed, 02/07/2008 - 12:02

Following £30 billion being wiped off the value of FTSE 100 companies yesterday, should people invested in pension schemes be worried? Read more

Savers' money could receive extra protection

Update: Tue, 01/07/2008 - 13:28

Savers may be able to receive compensation for up to £50,000 if their bank or building society collapses, if new proposals to improve financial stability are adopted. Read more

Pace of house price falls slows in June

Update: Tue, 01/07/2008 - 09:14

The pace of house price falls slowed significantly in June, with average values sinking by just 0.9% compared to falls of 2.5% the previous month. Read more

Cash savings in CTFs suffer interest rate blow

Update: Fri, 04/07/2008 - 14:27

Interest rates on cash Child Trust Funds have fallen over the past year, according to new research. Read more

Should I transfer my protected rights into a SIPP?

Update: Wed, 02/07/2008 - 08:50

The government has confirmed changes to pension rules that will allow investors to transfer protected rights into Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) from October. Read more

Consumer confidence at lowest level since 1990s

Mon, 30/06/2008 - 10:39

Consumers’ confidence in their personal finances has fallen to its lowest level since 1995. Read more

Lower the cost of using your mobile abroad

Update: Tue, 01/07/2008 - 11:59

Making calls or sending texts while on holiday can be costly. Avoid coming home to a massive bill with Moneywise's top tips for using your phone abroad. Read more

Crackdown on excessive council tax hikes

Update: Thu, 26/06/2008 - 13:31

Local authorities that implement excessive council tax rises face a government crackdown, which could result in rebates for local taxpayers. Read more

Equality bill to outlaw age discrimination

Update: Thu, 26/06/2008 - 13:29

The government is to outline new equality plans that will outlaw age discrimination in the provision of products such as insurance, and address pay gaps between male and female workers. Read more

Mortgage fees under spotlight

Update: Fri, 27/06/2008 - 10:00

Alistair Darling has warned mortgage lenders not to take advantage of borrowers by charging unfair arrangement fees. Read more

Should I opt for an inflation-linked annuity?

Update: Wed, 25/06/2008 - 09:18

Pension providers are hitting retirees with huge premiums on inflation-linked annuities as more people look to protect their retirement income from escalating prices. Read more

Shoppers refuse to end love affair with plastic

Update: Tue, 24/06/2008 - 15:04

A surge in retail spending may have provided some relief from the impact of the credit crunch, but new figures show shoppers are increasingly putting their purchases on plastic – and are failing to pay off their balances. Read more

Savers offered new account with guaranteed rate for life

Update: Tue, 24/06/2008 - 13:59

Bradford and Bingley has launched a range of saving accounts that offer a guaranteed rate of interest for life. But should savers be tempted? Read more

Record number of properties for sale

Mon, 23/06/2008 - 13:52

Record numbers of properties for sale mean house sellers are increasingly lowering their asking prices by an average of £3,000, new figures reveal. Read more

Financial watchdog launches PPI comparison service

Mon, 23/06/2008 - 12:52

Borrowers looking to take out payment protection insurance are now able to compare policies using impartial comparison tables from the financial watchdog. Read more

Record petrol price increase in June

Update: Fri, 20/06/2008 - 15:31

The soaring cost of crude oil has resulted in record petrol price increases in June - and is also threatening to push 1.6 million households into fuel poverty. Read more

Women twice as likely to be low paid

Fri, 20/06/2008 - 14:27

Women are twice as likely to be stuck in low paid jobs, with is contributing to levels of child poverty in the UK, a new report reveals. Read more

Protect your savings from rising inflation

Update: Tue, 15/07/2008 - 10:00

With inflation at 3.8%, many savers face seeing their nesteggs eroded in value - especially as three in four accounts fail to keep pace with inflation. Read more

Homeowners braced for price falls of 9%

Update: Thu, 19/06/2008 - 11:58

Halifax has forecast house price falls of up to 9% in 2008 as the number of transactions falls by 45%. Read more

Darling calls for pay restraint

Update: Thu, 19/06/2008 - 09:58

Chancellor Alistair Darling has called for restraint on pay rises in the public and private sectors to avoid the risk of rising inflation becoming embedded in the economy. Read more

Are interest rate rises on the horizon?

Update: Fri, 20/06/2008 - 13:54

An interest rate rise was narrowly avoided last month, the minutes from June’s base rate vote reveal. But are rates likely to rise in the future? Read more

Lloyds TSB to track down owners of £69 million

Update: Wed, 18/06/2008 - 10:11

Lloyds TSB has launched a campaign to reunite customers with £69 million lying in dormant accounts. Read more

Tories call for clamp down on store cards

Update: Tue, 17/06/2008 - 16:23

The Conservative Party has promised to clamp down on store cards, including capping interest rates and introducing a seven-day cooling off period. Read more

Student Loan debt exceeds £21 billion

Update: Tue, 17/06/2008 - 15:45

University students and graduates owe a massive £21,944.3 million in student loans alone, new figures today reveal. Read more

Inflation could hit 4% this year

Update: Thu, 19/06/2008 - 09:10

Higher fresh vegetable prices have been blamed for inflation hitting 3.3% in May, and the Bank of England warns there could be worse to come. Read more

Affluent retirees penalised by postcode lottery

Update: Mon, 16/06/2008 - 13:28

Norwich Union is to introduce postcode-rated annuities, in a move that could penalise healthy and wealthy retirees. Read more

Barclays confirms rights issue

Update: Mon, 16/06/2008 - 14:06

Barclays has confirmed that it is looking at carrying out a rights issue that will see it raise £4 billion from existing shareholders. Read more

Offset higher petrol prices with the right credit card

Update: Fri, 13/06/2008 - 13:43

Using the right credit card to fill up your tank could help offset rising petrol prices and save you cash. Read more

Households feel the pinch as personal inflation soars

Thu, 12/06/2008 - 10:01

Households in the UK are now coping with an average personal inflation of nearly 5% as rising prices continue to bite, according to the Bank of England. Read more

Non-refundable fees could leave borrowers out of pocket

Update: Thu, 26/06/2008 - 09:16

More mortgage lenders are expected to introduce non-refundable fees on house purchase loans that could leave borrowers seriously out of pocket if the deal fails to complete. Read more

Housebuilders see shares fall as housing market woes continue

Update: Wed, 11/06/2008 - 13:37

Two of the UK’s biggest homebuilders have suffered sinking share prices after more bad news about the future of the housing market and the strength of the labour market. Read more

Claims management companies target PPI policyholders

Tue, 10/06/2008 - 12:18

Consumers have been urged to avoid using claims management companies for PPI claims as experts warn their fees could leave many out of pocket. Read more

Manchester congestion charge given the green light

Update: Mon, 09/06/2008 - 16:33

The government has given the thumbs up to plans to implement a peak-time congestion charge in Manchester from mid-2013. Read more

Current accounts hot up for those prepared to pay

Update: Mon, 09/06/2008 - 14:38

Current account providers are trying to attract new customers with attractive interest rates. But they only want those customers prepared to make regular payments. Read more

Halifax launches regular savings account paying 10%

Update: Fri, 20/06/2008 - 15:46

Halifax has launched a limited edition regular savings account that pays up to 10% AER - but is there a catch? Read more

Chelsea Building Society to merge with Catholic

Update: Thu, 12/06/2008 - 09:45

The UK's fifth largest building society, the Chelsea, is to take over one of the smallest mutuals, the Catholic, as part of a merger deal unveiled today. Read more

Estate agent and architect jobs on the line

Update: Fri, 06/06/2008 - 16:25

More than 40,000 people working in the business services sector - including 15,000 estate agents - could lose their jobs by 2009, an economics consultancy has claimed. Read more

How to reclaim your PPI premiums

By Rebecca Atkinson Update: Wed, 02/07/2008 - 16:21

Thousands of people are thought to have been mis-sold payment protection insurance. The good news is you could be entitled to a refund. Read our guide to making a complaint and download a template letter to help you get a refund. Read more

Consumers warned of mis-leading IVA promotions

Update: Thu, 05/06/2008 - 14:14

Consumers have been warned about unsolicited mailings that mislead and encourage them to cancel existing IVAs and opt for a debt management solution such as bankruptcy instead. Read more

Interest rates to remain at 5% for June

Update: Thu, 05/06/2008 - 14:17

The Bank of England has voted to freeze interest rates at 5% for June. Read more

Consumers overcharged for PPI by £1.4 billion

Update: Fri, 06/06/2008 - 14:02

Banks are overcharging borrowers taking out payment protection insurance (PPI) by over £1.4 billion each year, an official investigation has today revealed. It now proposes a ban on the sale of this expensive insurance cover. Read more

Why all is not lost for first-time buyers

Wed, 04/06/2008 - 12:01

Over a quarter of young people are priced off even the lowest rungs of the property ladder despite falls in house prices. But there does appear to be hope on the horizon... Read more

Could you claim £48,000?

Update: Tue, 03/06/2008 - 14:25

Consumers who have suffered a financial loss could be entitled to claim up to £48,000 in compensation from firms that have recently been declared in default. Read more

With-profits compensation shake-up on the cards

Update: Tue, 03/06/2008 - 13:39

Insurance companies could be banned from using the inherited estates of with-profits funds to pay compensation to customers who have been mis-sold policies. Read more

What next for Bradford & Bingley?

Update: Fri, 04/07/2008 - 09:30

Despite Bradford and Bingley's profits falling by nearly 50%, experts have reassured us that this is not another Northern Rock. But what does the bank's rights issue mean for customers and shareholders? Read more

Is this the next pension mis-selling scandal?

Update: Thu, 05/06/2008 - 14:29

Annuities could be the next pension mis-selling scandal because insurance companies continue to push their deals onto people without fully highlighting their right to shop around, experts have warned. Read more

Credit card customers hit by repeated rate hikes

Update: Mon, 02/06/2008 - 16:09

Credit card providers have hit their customers with nearly 70 price hikes since the start of the year, with cash withdrawal rates increasing by as much as 7%. Read more

Banks raided as part of price-fixing investigation

Update: Mon, 02/06/2008 - 12:05

Barclays and Royal Bank of Scotland have had their offices raided by the Office of Fair Trading as part of an investigation into pricing fixing in the professional loans market. Read more

Housing market freezes up as lending continues to fall

Update: Mon, 02/06/2008 - 10:53

The “collapse” of the housing market as a result of restricted lending has prompted calls for the Bank of England to cut interest rates later this week. Read more

Bradford & Bingley announcement sparks share plunge

Update: Fri, 20/06/2008 - 15:49

Britain's top banks saw their share prices suffer yesterday after Bradford and Bingley, the UK’s biggest buy-to-let mortgage lender, announced a 50% fall in profits. Read more

Grocery bills up by £514 million since January

Update: Fri, 30/05/2008 - 14:25

The cost of a weekly supermarket shop has increased by over 5% since January, adding £514 million to the nation’s grocery bills. Read more

Abbey hikes fixed mortgage rates again

Update: Mon, 09/06/2008 - 10:21

Abbey is to increase rates on fixed mortgage deals today - its second price hike in a period of just two weeks. Read more

Government unveils measures to help end fuel poverty

Update: Fri, 30/05/2008 - 08:21

New measures unveiled by the government to help vulnerable households heat their homes have been branded inadequate by a charity, which claims they do not go far enough to deal with the looming fuel poverty crisis. Read more

M&S to launch holiday money cashpoints

Update: Thu, 29/05/2008 - 15:04

Marks and Spencer is to launch commission-free euro and dollar cash machines in 40 of its UK stores. Read more

British Airways passes rising oil costs onto passengers

Thu, 29/05/2008 - 14:06

British Airways passengers will have to pay up to £60 more to fly after the airline announced it is to increase fuel surcharges on all tickets. Read more

Young entrepreneurs cashing in around the home

Update: Thu, 29/05/2008 - 14:05

Children are developing their entrepreneurial skills by charging for household chores such as tidying their bedrooms or vacuuming, according to a new report. Read more

Barclays slashes overdraft fees in current account overhaul

Update: Thu, 29/05/2008 - 10:03

Barclays is to slash the overdraft fees on its current account offering, in a move that could set a precedent for lower bank charges. Read more

House prices nosedive in May

Update: Thu, 05/06/2008 - 13:23

House prices nosedived in May with the average property suffering a 4.4% annual decrease in value, the latest house price figures reveal. Read more

Holidaymakers targeted by bogus holiday clubs

Update: Thu, 29/05/2008 - 14:08

Holidaymakers heading to Spain have been warned not to fall victim to bogus holiday club scams that cost Brits millions of pounds each year. Read more

Sky advert banned for attacking competitor business

Wed, 28/05/2008 - 10:57

Sky has had an advert for its telephone service banned by the advertising watchdog for “attacking” competitor BT and suggesting its pricing was unfair. Read more

Banks may be "named and shamed" over complaints

Update: Wed, 28/05/2008 - 10:09

Banks may be forced to reveal the number of customer complaints they receive to the public, under new proposals outlined by the financial watchdog to improve transparency. Read more

Two million PPI policies offer no protection

Update: Fri, 06/06/2008 - 14:05

The number of mortgage and banking disputes have more than tripled while insurance complaints have doubled. Meanwhile, it is feared that two million PPI policies offer no protection to those they were sold to. Read more

Brits waste £9.3 billion in unnecessary tax

Update: Fri, 20/06/2008 - 16:04

Around £9.3 billion is wasted each year in unnecessary tax, costing each of us an average of £183, new figures reveal. Read more

Pressure mounts for 2p fuel tax hike to be scrapped

Update: Tue, 27/05/2008 - 13:35

Lorry drivers, business leaders and MPs are putting pressure on Gordon Brown to scrap plans to increase fuel tax by 2p this autumn. Read more

The end of the three-day clearing system draws near

Update: Tue, 27/05/2008 - 08:23

A new system to speed up payments and bank account transfers is to be rolled out this week spelling the beginning of the end for the three-day clearing system. Read more

Investors warned to prepare for recession

Update: Thu, 22/05/2008 - 09:39

Investors have been warned to be prepared for a UK recession as the economy continues to slow and the Bank of England focuses its attention on beating rising inflation. Read more

Lenders predict 7% fall in house prices in 2008

Wed, 21/05/2008 - 13:13

House prices will fall by 7% in 2008 as restricted mortgage lending continues to freeze the housing market, mortgage lenders have predicted. Read more

Tax change set to hurt 18 million families

Update: Wed, 21/05/2008 - 11:07

Eighteen million families will find themselves worse off in two years time if the government fails to extend last week’s one-off income tax cut, a new report has warned. Read more

Should I bother with a mortgage broker?

Update: Wed, 21/05/2008 - 09:37

Mortgage lenders are increasingly cutting out mortgage brokers with just three of the top 20 two-year fixed rate deals available through an adviser. But what does this mean for borrowers? Read more

Agency workers to get equal rights

Update: Thu, 22/05/2008 - 15:29

Temps and other agency workers on job placements for more than 12 weeks are to receive the same employment rights as permanent staff. Read more

Inflation-proof your pension

Update: Tue, 24/06/2008 - 14:16

Soaring inflation could be eating into your pension unless you take steps to increase your annual contributions. Read more

Teenagers lack basic budgeting skills

Update: Fri, 20/06/2008 - 15:52

A worrying number of teenagers plan to spend on credit once they hit 18 despite being unable to effectively budget, a new study reveals. Read more

First Direct reopens door to new customers

Tue, 20/05/2008 - 09:55

First direct has re-openned its doors to new mortgage customers while Halifax has reduced rates in more signs that the cloud over the mortgage market is starting to lift. Read more

Middle-classes hit by debt crisis

Update: Mon, 19/05/2008 - 12:51

Seemingly affluent households are increasing seeking debt advice as the credit crunch hits middle-England, debt organisations have reported. Read more

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Articles by Rebecca Atkinson