Disabled individuals are facing unequal treatment from banks, with one customer sharing their experience of having to sit on the floor while waiting in a branch. A study conducted by consumer group Which? revealed varying levels of service for disabled bank clients, highlighting that some banks are not fully committed to inclusivity.
In the UK, there are approximately 16.8 million people with disabilities, comprising a quarter of the population. However, Which? noted significant discrepancies in the services offered by major banks in the country. The investigation involved over 2,200 individuals with impairments affecting their daily lives, who rated their current account providers on various criteria.
Families are encountering challenges in selling vacant retirement properties inherited from elderly relatives. One individual reduced the selling price of his late mother’s retirement flat by £55,000 but has been unsuccessful in selling it, resulting in substantial annual fees for the empty property. The flat, purchased by Joan Taylor in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, in 2015 for £225,000, comes with a 125-year lease and is exclusively available to individuals over 70 years old.
Danone has issued additional recalls of infant and follow-on formula due to potential toxin presence. Specific batches of Aptamil and Cow & Gate formula have been affected, containing cereulide, a toxin that can lead to food poisoning. This action follows a previous recall in Ireland in January after the company initially assured that the product had not been distributed in the country.
The TV licence fee will rise from £174.50 to £180 in April, with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport confirming the increase. Possessing a TV licence is necessary for recording live TV shows from any channel and for watching programs on BBC iPlayer, whether live or on catch-up. The BBC amassed £3.8 billion from TV licence revenue in 2024/25.
Despite the Bank of England maintaining interest rates, the average cost of new mortgages has slightly increased. Moneyfacts reported that the average two-year fixed residential mortgage rate rose to 4.86%, up from 4.85% within a day. Barclays, following HSBC and Nationwide, raised its mortgage rates for fixed residential purchases and remortgages by up to 0.15%.
UK broadband provider VISPA has ceased operations, instructing customers to seek alternative internet services. Established in 1999 and headquartered in Manchester, VISPA informed customers via email about its decision to cease trading and initiate liquidation proceedings. Reports highlighted various challenges the company faced, including overdue accounts and negative reviews on Trustpilot.
Approximately 35,000 employees at Lidl will receive a £29 million pay increase, marking the supermarket’s seventh wage hike since 2023. Starting March 1, Lidl’s entry-level pay nationally will rise to £13.45 per hour, with longer-serving staff potentially earning up to £14.45. In London, pay rates will increase from £14.35 to £14.80 per hour, reaching £15.30 based on tenure.
Greene King is offering complimentary pints of Guinness during the Six Nations rugby kickoff weekend. Interested individuals can secure a free pint by booking a table for any Six Nations game on February 7 through the Greene King website and presenting the booking confirmation at the bar. This initiative is part of the Fans Reunited campaign, endorsed by Rugby World Cup champions Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson.