Consumers can earn money for trading in old appliances

Earlier this year the UK government brought in the car scrappage scheme, which enables those with vehicles that were at least ten years old to get up to £2000 towards a new car for scrapping their old one. Read more

Tags: Consortium, official, old appliances, trade ins, trading, success, scrappage, fridge freezer

CTF week launched

Child Trust Fund (CTF) Week is being launched today by economic secretary Ed Balls in a visit to the Ann Taylor Children’s Centre in Hackney.

The week, running from January 15th to January 20th, is part of a drive to encourage parents to endow their child with a CTF.

In most cases a £250 government voucher is redeemable for the account when it is opened.

Mr Balls said: “The Child Trust Fund’s success has exceeded our expectations. At a national level, three in four parents are actively opening their child’s account.”

He added: “Performance between different areas of the country varies but the design of the Child Trust Fund means no child will miss out.”

Every eligible UK child receives vouchers worth £250 to get the tax-advantaged long-term savings account started, with the same amount being deposited again when the child reaches seven years of age.

Children in lower-income families receive two additional payments direct into their CTF of £250.

Parents, family and friends can contribute up to £1,200 a year in total into the account.

Currently, 2.5 million CTFs have been set up, three quarters opened by parents themselves.

Tags: success, GBP, Trust Fund success, account, family and friends, drive, Ann Taylor, long-term savings account