07 February 2012

01/09/2011Follow Active Financial on Twitter: @activefinancial & Linked In: Active Financial Services for live updates on what's happening in our world.
01/01/2012Do you have numerous pension pots? Do you know their true value? We have the systems and advanced qualifications to help. Call today
05/01/2012Interest Rates held for 35th month in a row at record low 0.5%, but what does the future hold? Speak to one of our experts today
11/01/2012Worried about market volatility and its impact on your Investment / Pension portfolios? Contact us to see if any changes need to be made
01/02/2012We are delighted to announce the appointment of Gary Lumby MBE to the board as Non-Exec Director


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Thousands of tenants live in council houses even though they earn more than ?100,000

There are 15,000 tenants in social housing even though they have household incomes of more than ?80,000 – with 6,000 earning more than ?100,000.

Best long-term mortgages: Lowest ever ten-year fixed rate mortgage from N&P sells out

What will you be doing in 2022? Most would struggle to think anywhere near that far ahead but a rush of forward-thinkers have opted to fix their mortgage until then.

FTSE LIVE: Greece debt deal delays unsettle investors

Greek political leaders face more talks today to clinch an agreement needed to avoid a messy debt default.

The Latest Financial News...

Thousands of tenants live in council houses even though they earn more than ?100,000

There are 15,000 tenants in social housing even though they have household incomes of more than ?80,000 – with 6,000 earning more than ?100,000.

Best long-term mortgages: Lowest ever ten-year fixed rate mortgage from N&P sells out

What will you be doing in 2022? Most would struggle to think anywhere near that far ahead but a rush of forward-thinkers have opted to fix their mortgage until then.

FTSE LIVE: Greece debt deal delays unsettle investors

Greek political leaders face more talks today to clinch an agreement needed to avoid a messy debt default.

Xstrata and Glencore unveil ?57billion mega-merger deal

The deal will create a ?57billion powerhouse rival to the world’s mining heavyweights - the fourth biggest mining group in the world behind BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Brazil’s Vale.

Package to save euro in question as EU leaders vent frustration at Greece

France and Germany turned on Greece after Athens said it needed more time to agree the crucial rescue package, which includes further harsh austerity measures in exchange for the funding.

Exclusive island home in Cornwall perched on a rock on sale for ?1m

The three bedroom house was built on the top of Towan Island on the beach at Newquay, Cornwall, in the 1930s.

BBC newsreader Jane Hill demands clothing allowance for female presenters

Jane Hill said a woman's appearance on screen is more important now than ever and that male hosts 'only need new ties'.

The Big Switch: Households offered chance to 'group buy' cheap gas ad electricity by Which?

Consumers who are fed up with paying through the nose for gas and electricity are being offered the chance to 'group buy' cheap energy by clubbing together in a scheme set up by Which?.

BP shares spoils of recovery with investors by hiking dividend to 5.1p a share

Boss Bob Dudley said the oil giant, which accounts for one pound in every six invested by pension schemes, remained on the 'right path' as he unveiled a 14 per cent increase in the company's dividend.

Dixons, Argos and Comet pledge action on warranties after OFT finds market rips off shoppers

The retailers will establish a price comparison site and will commission regular independent mystery shopping exercises in the hope of heading off more draconian action by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

Tesco's plan to take on High Street banks on hold as it delays current accounts

It is thought that one of the sticking points was the supermarket's disastrous attempts last summer to switch 850,000 customers from its former partner RBS to its computer systems.

Town halls defy ministers with council tax hike - and set increase to dodge a vote on the rise

Dozens of town halls are planning a ‘cynical’ rise in their council tax bills this year that will add an extra ?50 on top of the average ?1,200 a year bill.

High streets in 'spiral of decline' as more than a third of shops are empty

Although nationally one in seven stores is empty the situation is much worse in places such as Margate in Kent and Leigh Park, Hampshire, which have a 36 per cent vacancy rate.

With gold prices riding high again, is now the time to sell?

Ted Scott, director global strategy at F&C, looks at what the recent rollercoaster ride means for investors and asks the question: is it time to sell gold yet?

Transferring money abroad for house purchase, business and emigrating: How to send money overseas cheaply

When transferring a large sum of money abroad, the best option is to use a Foreign Exchange (FX) broker. This is Money guides you through how to get the best deal.

First-time buyers struggle to get on property ladder due to lack of 'first-time sellers'

A lack of ‘first-time sellers’ is severely limiting first-time buyers, as those who bought in recent years cannot afford to move up the ladder, a new report says

Regulator tells BT to slash competitors' bills

Ofcom ruled that BT must cut the rate it charges rivals to use its copper telephone and broadband network.

Lloyds exile Truett Tate is paid ?656,000 for doing nothing

The row over bankers' pay blew up again last night after it emerged that the head of Lloyds 'casino-banking' arm will pick up his ?656,000 salary for doing nothing.

Interest rates: News and predictions

We explain the factors that will decide when interest rates rise - and how quickly, including the latest forecasts from markets and economists

Revealed: The full cost of 'cash-saving' warranties from big High Street retailers

The results of a year-long investigation into controversial extended warranties are about to be published – raising fresh doubts over their value to consumers and the way in which they are sold.

M&G Optimal Income: Richard Woolnough's experience shines through

M&G Optimal Income, which has more than 750 holdings in investment-grade bonds and riskier company bonds, has returned 50% in five years and offers a 4.5% yield.

UK bank lending 'to contract for the first time since 2009' while pay-day loans soar

Total bank loans are expected to contract by 2.2 per cent this year, according to the Ernst & Young ITEM Club Outlook for financial services, after expanding by an estimated 4.3 per cent in 2011.

House sitting: Join the cheap holiday revolution

Want a free holiday in a luxury home, exotic location, or just something a bit different? House-sitting can offer that and more, without you forking out a penny. Linda Harrison takes a look.

Hackers crack new online banking security putting 25m people at risk

Criminals have burst through banks' new calculator-style keypads - the likes of which include HSBC's Secure Key and Barclays' PINSentry - to raid customers' accounts, an investigation has found.

Halifax House Price Index: House prices gain ?844 in January as low interest rates offer support for buyers

Halifax said record low interest rates continue to underpin demand, and offset negative developments in the economy that would otherwise push house prices lower.

Energy charter demands fairer customer deal on confusing tariffs, poor service and inaccurate bills

The only not-for-profit energy company, Ebico, is calling on the industry to give customers a fairer deal through a statutory charter.

Britain's railways 'are the most expensive, least comfortable and the least efficient in Europe'

The UK train network lags behind countries such as France, Germany, Spain and Italy, when it comes to affordability, efficiency and speed, a report has found.

How a little black box could slash your car insurance premium... or send it soaring if you drive badly

Steve Boggan enters the world of 'telematics', the little black box in your car that tells your insurance company exactly where and how you are driving. It could save millions of people a fortune on their premiums.

'Pay-day' loan firms under fire for offering unsecured loans to fund plastic surgery

Glossy websites promote short-term payday deals alongside unsecured loans to pay for operations including face lifts, breast enlargements, tummy tucks, gastric bands and liposuction.

Equitable Life row over pay delay for policy holders owed compensation

Nine in ten victims of the Equitable Life scandal who are owed compensation have still not been paid, according to official figures.

Shares could dive 30 per cent in euro crisis, says SunGuard ATP model

The warning comes as Greece battles to reach a deal with creditors to write off €100billion euros (?83billion) of debt and for a fresh 130 billion euro bailout from the International Monetary Fund

Bogus car insurance claims crackdown: 5,000 firms chasing no-win no-fee

Tough new curbs on bogus car-accident injury claims to stop Britain being the ‘whiplash capital of Europe’ are pledged today by Transport Secretary Justine Greening.

British Gas billing glitch: Energy giant takes double billed amount from 20,000 customers' bank accounts

The glitch affects householders who paid their gas and electricity bills by debit card last Tuesday. Three days later, British Gas took the same amount again from the same accounts.

ASK THE EXPERTS: Husband?s DIY will may force you to leave home

My husband has made a new will - using a kit bought from a stationer - leaving equal shares in half our home to our five grandchildren once they reach 25. Can you make such a legacy?

Don?t set off on your trip of a lifetime without proper travel cover and easy access to cash en route

More than one million young people aged between 16 and 24 are expected to go on a gap-style trip between now and August. But they must plan carefully to ensure they have the right insurance and access to funds.

As popular NS&I cuts interest payout ... get switching to avoid slashed savings rates

Several major savings providers have cut their rates recently, despite no change in the Bank of England’s base rate.

Text spammers from 'shady' firms will face fines of ?500,000

Text spammers – mass senders of unsolicited texts – come in many guises. But from this month they face fines of up to ?500,000 as the authorities attempt to clamp down on a fast-growing problem.

How you can pay only 21% of tax on ?100,000 income (and keep your child benefit) - IR35 rules explained

The case of the civil servant earning ?140,000 but paying only 21 per cent tax has highlighted a quietly growing trend of tax avoidance in the UK.

Miquita Oliver faces bankruptcy due to unpaid tax bill

Former T4 star Miquita Oliver is the latest celebrity to show that high earnings don't always translate to lasting wealth.

British savers put to shame by Germans (and the Chinese stash away NINE times more)

Britain's saving crisis has been laid bare by a startling report showing German and Chinese workers are squirreling away a vastly greater chunk of their monthly pay-packet.

Top 20 burglary hotspots: Home insurance data reveals postcodes with highest rate of claims

Homeowners in Stoke Newington in north London are the most likely to have made a claim for theft or burglary on their home insurance policy, according to new research.

This is Money's 5 favourite best buy Isas

We pick our five favourite cash Isas for savers. This is essential Isa reading and is kept up-to-date throughout the year

What next for mortgage rates?

Mortgage rates have inched up slightly since hitting record lows in late summer, but should you take a fixed or tracker deal? Read our latest analysis

Economy watch: Is Britain heading back into recession?

As we've warned for years, Britain's collective wealth looks unlikely to grow fast - stock markets will suffer and rates will stay low. Now, the economy looks likely to return to recession. Andrew Oxlade explains all.

Stock market predictions: What next for shares?

UK shares endured a torrid 2011. So is the stock market now 'cheap' and what are the world's leading experts predicting for 2012? Andrew Oxlade explains all.

House prices: What to expect - news and predictions

The property market faces another tough ride in 2012, is the overwhelming message from the major end of year forecasts. We analyse the latest figures.

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