20% of the top 100 companies are unlikely to be able to eliminate their pension fund deficits over “any realistic timeframe”, according to a report by accountant KPMG.
It said 21% of companies in the FTSE 100 would struggle to close the gap between assets and liabilities from free cash flow within a decade.
The […]

Homeowners could continue to enjoy expanding asset wealth, with experts predicting that UK property prices will double within a decade.
 The forecast is a huge sign of confidence in the property market after almost two years of downbeat predictions regarding house prices. Christopher Hall, president of the National Association of Estate Agents, said: “I am […]

The under 30s may have gained an undeserved reputation for regular credit card blitzes. Pauline McCallion finds out more
A survey into borrowing by Alliance & Leicester showed that, although those under 30 may have the highest debts, their borrowings are more often made up of low-cost student loans rather than credit card debt. On average, […]

Experts have warned that homebuyers who took out interest-only mortgages as a way to get on the property ladder could pay more in the long run. Andrew Partridge reports.
The number of first-time buyers who have taken out interest-only mortgages has doubled since 2002, with many using the mortgages as a means to get on to […]

Two out of three Britons drastically underestimate the likelihood of becoming a victim of ID thieves, even though the vast majority say they are more aware of ID theft, and the impact it can have on their finances, than they were a year ago.
Research carried out for credit report service MyCallcredit also revealed more than […]

The cost of moving has risen more slowly than house prices since the beginning of the millennium.
For those on the lower rungs of the property ladder, the cost of moving from an average terraced home priced at £149,906 to a semi-detached of £174,744 is £5,304 in England and Wales. In 2000 home movers paid £3,333 […]

Individuals need to have the three pillars of financial planning – saving for retirement, buying a property and saving for the future – all under control by the age of 30, according to financial advisers.
Research from the Prudential has shown that advisers believe consumers will spend the rest of their life playing catch-up if […]

British travellers could be paying more for insurance by taking out single trip policies, rather than annual cover.
UK holiday-makers take over 60 million trips abroad each year, yet three out of four still buy single trip insurance, often from a tour operator. This is costing consumers £330 million, according to insurer, More Than.
Graham Hollebon, […]