July 3rd, 2009
Recent reports that the UK’s property sector might be in the process of recovery may be a little premature, one specialist has suggested.
Mortgage expert at comparison site Moneyextra.com Richard Mason said that many people may have been overly optimistic following the Bank of England base rate cuts.
He remarked: “When the base rate came […]
Posted in Houses and Mortgages | No Comments »
July 2nd, 2009
A new consumer initiative announced by the government today could help to provide additional help for the Financial Ombudsman, one expert has suggested.
Measures planned as part of the Consumer White Paper include banning unsolicited credit card cheques and consultations on the regulation of store credit cards to ensure customers do not run up excessive […]
Posted in Personal Debt | No Comments »
July 2nd, 2009
Britain’s debt problems are looking worse and could have an effect on the economic recovery, one expert has suggested.
Director of charity Credit Action Chris Tapp said the current situation may lead consumers to avoid buying things they cannot afford in the future.
He commented: “We hope these statistics act as a wake-up call to […]
Posted in Personal Debt | No Comments »
July 1st, 2009
People behind on their council tax payments may benefit from a new initiative announced by Citizens Advice.
Launched in partnership with the Local Government Association, the scheme aims to offer a number of changes to the current processes involved in retrieving council tax arrears.
Chief executive of the charity David Harker said the protocol would help […]
Posted in Personal Debt | No Comments »
July 1st, 2009
A lack of consumer spending means the economy is unlikely to recover through this avenue, one expert has suggested.
Economist at the Centre for Economics and Business Research Charles Davis commented that the recession has likely been caused by organisations making cutbacks on investment.
He stated: “Consumers have not actually been saving as much as […]
Posted in Personal Debt | No Comments »
July 1st, 2009
People with mortgages are beginning to get anxious about the possibility of future interest rate changes, one expert has suggested.
Spokesperson for comparison site Moneyfacts Michelle Slade said this concern had resulted in a number of people seeking fixed-rate mortgages.
She said: “The best way to protect against any future rises is to opt for […]
Posted in Houses and Mortgages | No Comments »
June 30th, 2009
House prices are beginning to stabilise, however there are still a number of risks on the horizon for those looking to purchase or sell a property, one expert has suggested.
Chief economist at Nationwide Martin Gahbauer noted that while new statistics were “encouraging to see” there were still a number of considerations for the future. […]
Posted in Houses and Mortgages | No Comments »
June 30th, 2009
There is a gender divide in the number of people who are successfully putting money aside into pension schemes, new research has suggested.
A Scottish Widows UK Pensions report has found that 47 per cent of women are saving adequately in comparison to 59 per cent of their male counterparts.
Head of pensions market development […]
Posted in Debt Management | No Comments »
June 29th, 2009
Recent mortgage figures reveal that while the market has steadied over the last few months it remains depressed, according to one expert.
Director general of the Building Societies Association Adrian Coles said that although the economic situation seems to be recovering it has not reached levels seen in 2008.
He said: “Gross mortgage lending by building […]
Posted in Houses and Mortgages | No Comments »
June 29th, 2009
Recent research suggesting that the high-end property market is stagnating due to stringent lending on the part of mortgage providers has been dismissed by one specialist.
Jeremy Way, director at estate agents Hirch Way & Ambler, said that expensive residences were increasingly popular and demand was rising.
“High-end properties are showing distinct signs of improvement […]
Posted in Houses and Mortgages | No Comments »