Household Bills

There can’t be many homeowners who didn’t visualise sparkling new double-glazed windows or smart solar panels on their roof when Rishi Sunak announced his £2billion Green Homes Grant last month. With up to £10,000 available for energy efficient home improvements, many people started thinking about how to spend a large cheque from the Chancellor. But … Read more

The energy comparison website industry is a ‘parasite market’ that adds £100million a year to the gas and electricity bills paid by households who rarely even switch to the best deals, research by academics has concluded. A University of Leeds study has discovered that energy suppliers typically hand over at least £25 in commission to … Read more

Whose crazy idea was my faulty 9ft-high smart meter? I’d need a pogo stick to read it, says furious pensioner 73-year-old Joy Thomas found her smart meter wasn’t working properly  She was told she needed to supply the readings herself   But because of the poor reception where she lives in Cornwall, the 5 ft tall … Read more

Whose crazy idea was my faulty 9ft-high smart meter? I’d need a pogo stick to read it, says furious pensioner By Toby Walne for The Mail on Sunday Published: 22:32 BST, 1 August 2020 | Updated: 22:56 BST, 1 August 2020 When Joy Thomas was told she needed her energy meter replaced five years ago … Read more

Parents who pay into childcare voucher schemes being denied refunds by their employers, despite not being able to use vouchers during lockdown By Amelia Murray For The Daily Mail Published: 00:22 BST, 29 July 2020 | Updated: 00:22 BST, 29 July 2020 Parents who pay into childcare voucher schemes are being denied refunds by their … Read more

When Michael and Brenda Pickup received a knock on their door and an offer of free insulation under the Government’s Green Deal, they thought it was a safe way to save money.  But, six years on, the pensioners face a bill of nearly £20,000 to correct the damage caused by rogue traders cashing in on … Read more

Bodgers beware: That DIY disaster could cost you £2,000 – and lower the value of your home The annual cost of DIY disasters is £7billion, according to research by Aviva Nearly a third of households ended up paying for a professional after a DIY fail One in ten has run up a bill of more … Read more

It was inevitable that sooner rather than later Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak would put the nation on red alert that taxes will have to rise to pay for the £190billion of support the Government has given the economy to steer it through lockdown and beyond.  The alert came just a few days ago, … Read more

Now they’re trying to make us all get smart water meters…and, guess what, it’ll lead to higher bills By Toby Walne, Financial Mail on Sunday Published: 21:57 BST, 11 July 2020 | Updated: 22:40 BST, 11 July 2020 Water companies are forcing ‘smart’ water meters on to customers in a move critics fear will trigger … Read more

Banks have quietly launched a vital security crackdown to prevent fraudsters intercepting payments. Online bank transfer payments will now be blocked if the recipient’s name and account number do not match.  A box will pop up asking you to check the payee’s details for errors – and alerting you to potential fraud. This will happen … Read more

From game consoles to bikes: Does your insurance cover treats bought in lockdown? Sales of high-value items such as smart TVs and game consoles have jumped Also purchases of home gym equipment and bikes But experts are urging consumers to make sure any new items are covered  By Rachel Wait For The Mail On Sunday … Read more