Government pushes for greener businesses as taxes raised for gas bills but frozen for electricity

Government pushes businesses to go greener as taxes are raised for gas bills – but frozen for electricity rates Chancellor announced in the Budget that gas levies will rise  Changes will come into effect in April 2022  Electricity is better for the environment than gas – but is currently taxed more  By Grace Gausden For … Read more

Coronavirus and travel insurance questions answered

Britons looking forward to trips abroad in weeks and months ahead are nervously watching what happens with coronavirus. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised against all travel to Hubei Province, and against all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China. If you’re in China and able to leave, you should do so, the FCO … Read more

British Gas reverses the minimum top up limit back to £1 for prepayment customers after backlash

British Gas reduces the minimum top-up for prepayment energy customers back to £1 after backlash British Gas initially changed the minimum top up limit to £5 from £1  Customers complained about this and the change to Payzone terminals   The change back to a £1 minimum top up is expected to be in place by March  … Read more

The eco boilers that cost £5K a year: A ‘green’ energy deal gone wrong

On a cold Wednesday evening, the rain is pelting at the windows of the Slamannan Community Centre, where around 50 people have braved the weather to attend a meeting about soaring energy bills. They are residents of this and other rural villages near Falkirk, in Scotland, where households have seen their bills jump to more … Read more

The magic numbers to end cold call hell: Free call-blocking codes

Nuisance calls come in all manner of guises.  There are unscrupulous salesmen, automated voices claiming you are owed compensation and plausible fraudsters hoping to con you out of your savings. According to the latest figures from the Information Commissioner’s Office, there was a 20 per cent increase in complaints about nuisance calls last year. Phone … Read more

On eve of Cyber Monday, crooks want to rip you off: Here’s how to spot 12 cyber scams of Christmas

The season of goodwill is upon us – and cyber criminals are rubbing their hands in anticipation at how to take advantage of our generous festive feelings. The Mail on Sunday reveals the 12 online scams of Christmas – looking at the most likely ways that thieves will try to empty our bank accounts. 1. … Read more

What is a ‘petnup’ and how much do they cost?

Hairy: Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong have to decide who gets to keep their dog, Hurley Want to stake a claim over your pet in case of a nasty break-up?  Gabrielle Read-Thomas, a solicitor in the Altrincham office at Stowe Family Law, explains ‘petnups’, what they cover and how much they cost. Getting divorced is … Read more