Katie Binns
Katie is deputy editor of Times Money Mentor and long-time contributor to the Sunday Times where she started on the Irish desk in 2012 and spent 10 years covering news, culture, travel, personal finance and celebrity interviews.
Her investigative work on financial abuse has examined the response of banks, the Financial Ombudsman and the child maintenance service to victims, and resulted in a number of debt and mortgage prisoners being set free - and a nomination for Best Finance Story of the Year at the Headline Money awards in 2021 and 2022.
Katie was also shortlisted for Freelance Journalist of the Year at the Headline Money awards in 2022, 2023 and 2024 and won Personal Finance Journalist of the Year at The British Bank Awards 2022.
Latest articles by Katie Binns
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Solar panels vs heat pumps – which is most cost-effective?
Analysis If you’re looking to cut carbon emissions at home and save on your energy bills, you may want to consider investing in solar panels or a heat pump – but which is most cost-effective?
By Katie Binns Last updated
Analysis -
Inheritance tax receipts hit £1.2bn
More people are being hit by inheritance tax as rising property prices translates to more estates becoming liable for the tax.
By Katie Binns Published
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UK house prices: half of sellers cut asking prices to secure a sale
Property price reductions have reached their highest level in at least nine years.
By Katie Binns Published
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Halifax: House prices fall for the fourth month in a row
Higher interest rates have wiped nearly £1,000 off the average UK house price between June and July.
By Katie Binns Published
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Number of ISA millionaires tops 4,000
The number of ISA millionaires has surged to more than 4,000 - what does it take to hit the seven-figure sum?
By Katie Binns Published
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HMRC launches one week warning for tax credit renewals
News Tax credit customers have until 31 July to submit renewals amid a scam warning from HMRC
By Katie Binns Last updated
News -
Inheritance tax refunds: Are you due one amid falling property prices?
Advice Inheritance tax refunds are set to rise amid the current house market slump - but it must be proactively claimed. We explain how
By Katie Binns Last updated
Advice -
Mortgage deals pulled: average two-year fixed rates surge to highest level in 15 years
News The choice of mortgage products has fallen since 24 May - and rates for fixed deals have risen.
By Katie Binns Last updated
News -
What are exchange traded funds (ETFs)?
Glossary Exchange-traded funds (ETF) are increasingly popular with investors, but what are ETFs and how do they work?
By Katie Binns Last updated
Glossary -
Watchdog summons banks to explain paltry savings rates
Savings rates trail mortgage rates - and the financial watchdog has summoned banks to a meeting amid concerns of profiteering.
By Katie Binns Last updated
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Inheritance tax receipts hit £1.2bn
News More people are being hit by inheritance tax amid rising property prices - and 16m are unaware of whether or not their families could be left to pay a bill when they die.
By Katie Binns Last updated
News -
Zoopla: Property asking prices fall 5% amid rising mortgage rates
Asking prices are on a downward trajectory, with sellers shaving over 5% off to achieve a sale, Zoopla finds
By Katie Binns Published
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How to find the best pension drawdown provider
Advice Thinking about a pension drawdown plan? MoneyHelper’s price comparison tool could be a good place to start - but there are plenty of other things to consider.
By Katie Binns Last updated
Advice -
UK wage growth rises at fastest pace in two years - interest rate rise now more likely
Interest rates are expected to rise after highest pay on record excluding the pandemic
By Katie Binns Published
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London households face a mortgage hike of £7,300 a year
News Around 3.5 million households are yet to feel the impact of rising mortgage rates because they are still on cheap fixes or variable rate deals
By Katie Binns Last updated
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How much will it cost you to retire early?
Analysis The pre-state pension income gap means couples may need an extra £136,000 if they want to retire at 60 – can you afford to retire early?
By Katie Binns Published
Analysis -
Is my pay keeping up with inflation?
Analysis High inflation means take home pay is being eroded in real terms. An online calculator reveals the pay rise you need to match the rising cost of living - and how much worse off you are without it.
By Katie Binns Published
Analysis -
House prices rise 4.1% in last year - but fall monthly for fourth consecutive time
News The latest house price index show finds that house prices are slowing
By Katie Binns Published
News -
E.on Next, Good Energy and Octopus Energy pay £8m amid failures over late final bills
News Three energy firms have paid £8 million over compensation failures after lengthy delays in producing final bills to more than 100,000 customers when they switched suppliers
By Katie Binns Published
News -
More than 10 million UK adults struggling with bills and credit repayments, UK watchdog warns
News Millions of people are now struggling with bill payments amid the cost of living crisis and at risk of falling into the debt trap, the UK regulator has warned.
By Katie Binns Published
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NIESR: ‘Squeezed’ middle class households now £2,560 a year worse off
News Britain will feel like it’s in recession even if it isn't after a significant drop in middle-class income - and the poorest households are even worse off.
By Katie Binns Published
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Skipton launches a 100% mortgage – how does it compare
News Skipton Building Society has launched the UK's first 100% loan-to-value mortgage exclusively available to renters. Similar deals are already available from a number of lenders, but all require some type of help and guarantee from family.
By Katie Binns Published
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Lord Lee of Trafford: how I’ve invested since 1962
Interviews Katie Binns speaks to Lord Lee - one of the UK’s first ISA millionaires - about how UK shares made him his million, how he’s weathered many market storms over the last 60 years, and his top tips for investors today.
By Katie Binns Published
Interviews -
Cold calls on financial deals to be banned under Government plans
News Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will extend powers to target cold calling and text scams. Here’s what you need to know.
By Katie Binns Last updated
News