Latest articles by Ruth Emery
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London house prices to outperform rest of UK, says economist
After years of underperformance, London house prices are set to grow faster than the rest of the country, according to Capital Economics. We look at the reasons behind this forecast – and whether other experts agree
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Inheritance tax to apply on pensions even if you die before age 55 – 'unbelievably unfair'
Pension savers who die before the minimum pension age will see their pots subject to inheritance tax, in addition to those above 55, the Treasury has confirmed. Experts warn this could put people off saving for retirement and “risks eroding trust in the pension system”
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What is the Ofgem energy price cap and what does it mean for your bills?
Energy bills fell by 7% on 1 July when the new Ofgem price cap came into effect. What exactly is the cap?
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Norfolk or Norway? Holidays you can afford with different-sized pension pots
Many people look forward to taking more holidays when they retire. But what sort of trips could your pension buy you? We look at the holidays to match different retirement incomes
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Will gas and electricity bills fall? 2025 energy price forecast
UK energy prices dropped by 7% on 1 July after the latest price cap came into effect, reducing bills for those on a variable rate tariff. Will bills rise or fall in the Autumn?
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Motorists warned about scam car finance compensation calls
As the Financial Conduct Authority prepares to set up a car finance compensation scheme, it has also warned about scammers claiming to offer payouts. We look at who could be eligible for the scheme, and how to spot a scam
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M&S finally resumes click and collect service following April’s cyber attack
Marks & Spencer has switched its click and collect service back on, and said it will now accept returns in all UK stores. As the high-street giant continues to battle with the fallout from a cyber attack 15 weeks ago, should you invest in the retailer?
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Can you pay into someone else’s pension – and how much can you pay?
Two-thirds of savers are unaware they can put money into someone else’s pension, but contributing to a loved one’s nest egg can be a sound financial decision. We explain the rules.
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Will mortgage rates fall this year?
Two-year mortgage rates have fallen below five-year deals for the first time since 2022. Whether you're buying a home, remortgaging or a buy-to-let landlord, we look at the outlook for mortgage rates this year
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HMRC savings tax crackdown: More workers to pay tax directly from their wages
Banks and building societies will be required to obtain National Insurance numbers from savers to make it easier for HMRC to tax those who breach their personal savings allowance
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IFS: Wealthier areas set to pay more council tax under government plans
Council tax reforms could see households in wealthy areas, including London and the home counties, hit with big bill increases, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies
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Number of families using Tax-Free Childcare rises - but thousands of parents still missing out
News Only about half of Tax-Free Childcare accounts are used, while many eligible families haven’t even opened an account. Could you be missing out on help worth thousands of pounds?
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What Santander’s takeover of TSB means for customers
Shareholders in Sabadell, TSB’s owner, have voted in favour of the £2.65 billion sale to Santander. What does it mean for customers, and could we see the TSB brand disappear from the high street?
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Halifax: House prices rise at fastest pace since start of year
The average UK house price jumped 0.4% in July, reaching £298,237, close to a record high, new house price index data shows. Will property prices increase further this year?
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What is inflation and how does it affect you?
Although we are past the worst of the cost of living crisis, the Bank of England recently said price rises could hit 3.7% later this year. What is inflation and how does it impact your personal finances?
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Is now a good time to buy a house?
Mortgages may be getting cheaper but stamp duty costs remain a challenge for those looking to get on or move up the property ladder
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How are Premium Bonds prize winners notified – and who is Agent Million?
We look at how Premium Bonds winners are notified and how the winnings get paid. Plus, who is Agent Million?
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Best investing apps - Trading 212, MoneyBox, Plum and more
Looking for an easy-to-use app to help you start investing, keep track of your portfolio or make trades on the go? We round up the best investing apps
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Britain’s retirement happiness hotspots: where are the best places to retire?
We look at the top areas for retirement wellbeing, taking into account housing, health, community, nature and access to amenities. Is your town on the list?
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Car finance claims: Will the chancellor stall car finance commission payouts
The Financial Conduct Authority is considering how a motor finance compensation scheme would work ahead of the court judgment but the Treasury may slam the brakes on compensation
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What is the state pension age and when will you get yours?
Does the recently-launched State Pension Age Review mean it could rise faster in future? We look at when the age is next scheduled to go up, and whether people could have to wait until their 70s, or even 80th birthday, to claim their state pension
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Over-50s savings accounts - what’s on offer and are they any good?
As Saga gets ready to launch an over-50 savings product with NatWest later this year, we look at what accounts for older savers are already on the market
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Rents outpace mortgages with 21% rise over three years
Renters have seen a bigger increase in their monthly housing costs since 2022 than mortgaged homeowners, according to Zoopla
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Government revives Pensions Commission to tackle retirement savings crisis
Almost half of working-age adults save nothing into a pension. We look at why tomorrow’s pensioners are on track to be poorer than today’s
