Halifax mortgage customers in line for £ 500 million payout

The Halifax must pay £ 500 million approximately 300,000 customers in mortgage after confusing you on his right you more for your standard variable rate mortgages calculate it approved as part of the deal with the financial services authority (FSA).

The Bank that now part of Lloyds banking group, lifted the margin to some its mortgages from 2% to 3% above the base rate in January 2009. Lloyds claimed that the agreement was a "voluntary" and "proactive".

Halifax, said that a flat rate amount would get some customers of £ 250. Others receive a variable payment to increase your interest payment and the size of their mortgages. This could range from hundreds of pounds to several thousand pounds.

The problem arose in the fall of 2008 and early 2009 as the Bank of England gradually its official bank rate from 5% to 0.5% to help avert the banking crisis cut.

The Halifax decided to cut its variable standard rate (SVR) in step with the Bank of England, which is its margin above base rate. You then allow that your mortgage deals from September 2004 until September 2007 issued not been as clear as you could have been and the "had potential to result in confusion".

The lender had not made it clear that means his terms it later the customer free of charge can vary, that went to its variable standard rate.

The problem was first highlighted at the time by Ray Boulger of John CharCol mortgage brokers. He had queried whether the Halifax had entitled his SVR from a 2% margin above base rate to a 3% margin change if, the deal is the most important facts right not explicitly mentioned the offer documents Bank.

Usually the affected customers are those whose mortgage deals with the Halifax SVR once their temporary restored or Tracker rate had expired deal. The Halifax thrown, the upper limit for its SAR of discount rate plus 2% on discount rate plus 3% with effect from January 2009, citing "mitigating economic conditions".

This meant more than otherwise the case would have been approximately 300,000 customers at this time were calculated.

A spokesman for Lloyds "Group undertakes running his business with the highest levels of integrity and its customers to treat fairly, and therefore believes that proactive coordinated program to identify affected customers and goodwill payments which approach".

About 600,000 customers will be contacted by the Halifax, approximately 300,000 customers get affected however no payment when you paid the SARS period on your mortgage.

Those who were affected and are still with the Halifax, your mortgage accounts, who in April of this year credited. If you have left the Halifax tracks and offered a check.

Read more... Halifax mortgage customers in line for £ 500 million payout

Flood of bad news vegetable saps confidence

An overview of the position of consumers in the UK suggests that confidence in the economy and budget has suffered its biggest monthly decline finance for 16 years.

The GfK NOP social research report, the results of which were released this week said rising tax was a key factor for the sudden and steep trust fall.

The study also said that more Government austerity measures and the surprise contraction of the economy, talk of a double dip recession meant though was the fact that "inevitable".

The eight-point decline was an important measure of the confidence of consumers between December and January minus 29, the largest monthly decline since late 1994. Meanwhile slipped the index of citizens of their financial situation represents expectations next year minus 12, down from plus 4 a year ago.

The soundtrack of expectations for the economy in the next year was minus 30, compared to minus two a year ago. This was a period of bad economic news for the UK:

Earlier this week showed the official figures that UK GDP by 0.5% 2010 shrank during the last three as December freezing weather caused major disruption in the economy.

Last week, the Office said for national statistics that inflation more than expected CPI increased by 3.7 had %.

Meanwhile earlier this month increased the standard rate of VAT from 17.5% to 20%.

Prime Minister David Cameron explained in talking about the recent spate of bad economic news that 2011 will 'choppy' be. This is his certainly, but it is to remember the mismanagement led us in this position.

By early 2012, UK should return to stable and sustainable growth, with a deficit that is concerning personal debt under control and greater responsibility. This is the goal, 2011 is the difficult journey.

Read more... Flood of bad news vegetable saps confidence

Continuing debt after the Government changes their mind

After last week story about the Government's plans to stop funding for hundreds of specialist debt Advisor it seems that you have changed your mind after 27 million British Pfund found '.

For the last five years £ 27 m a year paid financial inclusion Fund for approximately 500 professionals in England and Wales, to give free advice. Last month, the Government said new cases it would off the funds axe and consultants.

Funding for the consultants who annually help 100,000 people with complex cases, expected to run out in March.

The decision not to renew some express fears that might seem a gap led the Fund in providing help sick or vulnerable people into over-indebtedness.

There are still free advice on several facilities, including citizens advice are available this specialist advisers to deal with complex cases and clients to your lenders represent trained.

Debt consultants, citizens advice offices and community halls around England and Wales work out had already sent redundancy letters and was told with each new customer, except to stop such with the simplest problems.

Now the Department for business has said it found has the money from a contingency fund, advising to keep for another year. The business Secretary Vince cable however said that next year, the Government then elsewhere for help in financing advisory services, such as the debt Advisor would care.

While the Government has maintained funding for the programme, it offers only a small portion of the revenue to keep necessary citizens advice on water. This is an opportunity for continued funding streams, e.g. by local authorities to help, what support do you offer can go in the long term to keep this service.

The consumer credit counselling service (CCCS) welcomes the postponement in the midst of "current uncertainties about availability of face to face debt advice". This free advice in one place, where on the fee boot sector to take you to the most recent Office of fair trading review purpose may be inappropriate.

The challenge now is for debt charities together with local authorities to free debt advice, face to face, by phone and online, provide for those who need it.

The next few years will probably very difficult for many people because of stagnant household budgets and rising costs, but in view of the CCCS capacity on its helpline and online debt counselling, no need for anyone to pay debt advice.

Read more... Continuing debt after the Government changes their mind