No impact from VAT cut

Last year saw the government introduce a number of different measures to try and ease the effects of the financial and economic crisis on consumers, and one of the measures that was introduced was a cut in VAT, which was cut from 17.5 percent to 15 percent before Christmas. Read more

Tags: put, christmas, Federation of Small Businesses, crisis, minimise

Elderly and indebted to be targeted by scammer

According to a recent report 2009 is a year that will see both the elderly and those with high levels of debt get targeted by scammers. Read more

Tags: minimise, truth, incomes, Lottery, elderly scams

Take steps to minimise flood damage, insurer urges

Flooding is becoming a greater and greater risk in many parts of the country.

This summer, parts of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Gloucestershire were swamped by flood waters for days, causing millions of pounds worth of damage and even claiming lives.

The cost to the insurance industry was around £3 billion, and while many insurers have voiced their reluctance to continue to insure some properties while government spending on flood defences is at its current levels, industry body the Association of British Insurers (ABI) is reviewing the principles of practice in the area.

In the meantime, Cornhill Direct has suggested a number of measures homeowners can take to minimise the damage flooding causes if and when it strikes again.

Homeowners should prepare a “flood pack”, including a torch, first aid kit, blankets, warm clothes and fresh water, and move property from lower floors upstairs where possible.

Cornhill also recommends keeping your insurance documents and radio dry, so that you can listen to public announcements.

Spokesperson Mark Bishop said: “The continued widespread availability of flood insurance depends on sustained government investment to bring flood defences up to an adequate standard.

“Householders should follow our advice which will help to minimise the damage of a flood and help those affected to recover as soon as possible.”

Tags: minimise, Lincolnshire, move, insurance industry, Government spending, Householders, standard

July move ‘popular’ among older Britons

July is regarded as the most popular month for people over the age of 50 to move house, according to Saga Home Insurance.

Figures released by the group indicate that more people in the over-50s bracket have moved house in July in the last five years than any other month.

Downsizing appears to be popular among over a third of respondents in the poll, with many wanting to move to a smaller home.

Some 34 per cent of respondents also cited the desire to be closer to family as a motivating factor to move.

Andrew Goodsell, chief executive of Saga, said: “We can see that family is a key influencer on where future retirees will migrate to, but we can also get a sense of just how people plan to spend their retirement – with shopping and social activity as key attractions when searching the area to retire to.”

Mr Goodsell said that people moving home might consider taking on Saga Home Insurance, which might help them minimise the stress of moving home.

Tags: Health care, activity, month, minimise, home insurance, stress, bracket, retirement