Disabled individuals are experiencing unequal treatment from banks, as one customer shared the distressing experience of having to sit on the floor at a branch while waiting in line. A study conducted by consumer group Which? uncovered varying levels of service for disabled bank clients, with some institutions merely paying lip service to inclusivity.
In the UK, an estimated 16.8 million people are living with disabilities, constituting a significant portion of the population. Despite this, Which? highlighted significant discrepancies in the services offered by major banks across the country. The consumer group surveyed over 2,200 individuals with impairments affecting their daily lives to evaluate their satisfaction with their current account providers on various criteria.
Families are facing challenges in selling unoccupied retirement properties inherited from elderly relatives. One individual slashed the price of his late mother’s retirement flat by £55,000 but still struggles to find a buyer, leading to substantial annual fees for maintaining the empty property.
A case in point is Joan Taylor, who purchased a flat in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, in 2015 for £225,000. Following her passing at the age of 96 in June 2024, her son, Gordon Taylor, reduced the sale price to £170,000 without success. The property, situated in a block exclusively for individuals over 70, presents limitations on potential buyers.
Danone has issued recalls for infant and follow-on formula due to potential toxin contamination. Specifically, affected batches of Aptamil and Cow & Gate formula may contain cereulide, a substance that can lead to food poisoning. This action follows a previous recall in Ireland earlier this year due to similar concerns.
The TV licence fee is set to increase from £174.50 to £180 in April, representing a £5.50 rise from the current rate. A TV licence is mandatory for recording live TV broadcasts on any channel and for watching BBC iPlayer content, whether live or on catch-up. The BBC amassed £3.8 billion from TV licence fees in the 2024/25 fiscal year.
Despite the Bank of England maintaining interest rates, the average cost of new mortgages has slightly risen. Moneyfacts reported an increase in the average two-year fixed residential mortgage rate from 4.85% to 4.86%, while the five-year fixed rate rose from 4.95% to 4.96%. Barclays, following HSBC and Nationwide, has hiked its mortgage rates by up to 0.15%.
VISPA, a UK broadband provider based in Manchester since 1999, has ceased operations, leaving customers to seek alternative internet services. Reports indicate the company sent emails to customers announcing its decision to cease trading and commence liquidation proceedings due to various financial and operational challenges.
Approximately 35,000 employees at discount supermarket Lidl are set to benefit from a £29 million pay increase. The supermarket chain announced its seventh wage rise since 2023, with entry-level pay nationally rising to £13.45 per hour, reaching up to £14.45 for long-serving staff. In London, pay rates will increase from £14.35 to £14.80 per hour, rising to £15.30 based on tenure, positioning Lidl as the highest-paying supermarket in the UK.
To celebrate the Six Nations rugby tournament, Greene King is offering free pints of Guinness during the games. Interested patrons can claim their complimentary pint by booking a table at any Six Nations match on February 7 through the Greene King website and presenting the booking confirmation at the bar. The initiative is part of the Fans Reunited campaign, endorsed by Rugby World Cup champions Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson.
Halifax data reveals the average house prices in January and the annual changes. This housing market insight from Halifax offers valuable information for those interested in property trends and fluctuations.