The pair wants regulators to launch a fresh investigation into the sector in a bid to encourage competition between energy firms.

Consumer group Which? and the FSB have both contacted the Office of Fair Trading, Ofgem and the Competition and Markets Authority, stressing the need for improved competition.

According to the two groups, 90% of consumers believe the market should face further investigation while 70% admitted to having concerns about energy prices.

In addition, only 20% of customers trust energy firms according to the pair, a damning indictment of the state of the energy sector.

A decision will be taken in the near future to decide on whether a full competition enquiry of the Big Six energy suppliers will be needed.

Regulators have been reviewing the energy market for several months and the publication of their findings is expected very soon.

Expressing concerns

Both Which? and the FSB described rising energy bills as a “major concern” in their letter to the various regulators.

“We want to see the presence of strong competition right across the industry to drive affordable pricing that gives everyone the confidence they are paying a fair price for their energy,” said the letter.

Energy UK represents the major suppliers of energy and a spokesman said the industry is already competitive without the need for further changes or investigations.

“The increasing amount of companies competing to supply energy, allied to the numbers of customers switching (around 260,000 per month) and choosing smaller suppliers, shows the market is active and working in the interests of customers,” a spokesperson for the organisation said.

Meanwhile both the OFT and Ofgem are withholding comment until the report is released.

Customers looking to save money on their energy bills are encouraged to compare prices to find the best tariff for their needs.

Source:

1. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/broken-energy-market-needs-revamp-6866982

A recent study¹ by the University of Kentucky, USA, has found that dogs can be very fussy eaters with many preferring a quality treat to a larger meal.

When offered cheese, carrots, or a combination of the two, the dogs would happily eat each individually but turned down the two together.

This is the first time that the ability to assess quality over quantity has been observed outside humans and apes.

Less is more

Ten dogs of various breeds were each offered a choice of either or a slice of cheese or a baby carrot.

The study found that they were happy to eat both options, though most tended towards the cheese.

Each dog was subsequently presented with a single slice of cheese and a combination of cheese and carrot. Nine out of ten chose the cheese alone, highlighting their ability to choose a smaller portion of their favourite treat over a larger meal.

This effect of being able to decide that ‘less is more’ highlights a mental shortcut often associated with the capacity to select the “qualitative over the quantitative when considering different options.”

Similar observations have been made of humans who, when presented with six baseball cards in mint condition or with the same six perfect cards plus three average cards, would prefer the former choice.

Monkeys demonstrated the same behaviour when offered either a grape or a grape and cucumber combination.

Survival of the quickest

Researchers suggest that this ‘less is more’ choice is made because when quick decisions have to be made, it is easier to judge average quality than the overall quantity of alternatives.

This skill is essential when a pack of dogs hunt and feed together, and time is of the essence. Any hesitation and a dog could lose out to faster competitors.

This quick decision making could be the sign of a higher mental faculty in dogs and other pack animals. It remains to be seen whether the same effect occurs in less socially-oriented species.

Sources:

1. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2585158/Is-YOUR-dog-fussy-eater-Study-finds-canines-choose-quality-quantity-comes-meal-times.html

A north-south divide has long been purported, with more recent reports suggesting the gap is closing, but this latest survey by property analysts Hometrack, reveals just how big the divide is.

The survey compared house prices in the 376 councils throughout theUKand found Kensington andChelseato be the most expensive area – at £1.8 million for a three-bedroom house.

The cheapest place to buy is East Ayrshire inScotland, where the average price for a similar property is £72,500.

It is no surprise that a London borough topped the list of house prices, but the extent to which prices differ from northern cities is staggering. Hometrack found that houses in the capital were at least five times that of similar properties in Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Glasgow.

The average house price now sits at a quarter of a million pounds, which is three times that of property in East Ayrshire.

In the list of the top 20 most expensive property areas,Londonfeatures 17 times, while the other three weren’t far outside the capital: Elmbridge andMoleValleyin Surrey andSt. Albansin Hertfordshire.

To put these average house prices into perspective, someone buying a three-bedroom house in Kensington and Chelsea would need an annual salary of over £450,000.

While this is the most expensive area, 20 areas across theUKwould require a household income in excess of £100,000.

With the national average income sitting at just above £28,000, the household income would have to exceed that in all but 24 areas in theUKto buy a three-bedroom house.

With high house prices come further high costs, such as home insurance. The top 10 highest home insurance premiums in theUK come fromLondon. Although this is largely down to high crime rates in the city, the cost of repairing or rebuilding the properties is also taken into consideration.

Source:

1. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2581996/North-South-property-divide-You-buy-25-houses-north-price-average-three-bedroom-home-expensive-south.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490 

The government says that by printing QR codes on bills, customers will be able to upload their consumption and tariff data to comparison websites. This information will ensure be used to compare prices and ensure they are on the best rate for their usage.  

The move comes as household spending on energy rose by over 50% in 10 years despite consumption falling by 17%².

Government figures found that electricity, gas and other household fuel cost £106 a month on average in 2012, compared to just £69 in 2002. This means that energy costs now account for over 5% of the average household annual income.

Industry body Energy UK claims that suppliers are already helping customers find the best deal.

There have been complaints by consumers that it is too difficult to understand energy bills, but the latest change is a new tariff comparison rate in pence per kilowatt hour.

A spokesperson said: “New rules, coming in by April, will help customers find their best deal by providing more information to help compare deals.”

This will likely be beneficial to customers, but according to energy minister Ed Davey there is already evidence suggesting that a barcode would make a difference to people.

However, the energy companies haven’t made any moves to introduce it voluntarily. As such, the government has decided to make it compulsory by modifying energy licences.

The government hopes that the new QR code will encourage app developers to create smartphone applications that will allow consumers to simply scan their bill to find personalised energy data, such as bill projections, future charges and key facts about their tariff.

This information will then be fed into comparison sites to allow them to find the cheapest gas and electricity tariffs for their household.

Sources:

1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26509405 

2. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/household-bills/10673777/Household-energy-costs-leap-55pc-in-a-decade-despite-falling-usage.html

Well, if this question was posed to the people behind London first-ever ‘cat cafe’, the answer would definitely be no. Cat cafes have already made their mark in Asia where owners can enjoy a cup of the finest coffee with their feline friends in tow.

With more than 100 cat cafes opened in Tokyo it’s no wonder that the idea has started to catch on in the rest of the world.

Located in Bethnal Green, east London, Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium is flying the flag for cat cafes in the UK, making its debut as the capital’s first ever cat cafe.

The cafe opened its doors earlier this month, and as soon as its launch date was announced it attracted a surge of interest from cat owners. In fact, interest was so great that the cafe’s website crashed when 3,000 people attempted to secure a table.

True to its name Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium has 11 residents cats and kittens - named Adamska, Artemis, Biscuit, Carbonelle, Donnie, Indiana, Loki, Mue, Petra, Romeo and Wookie.

The cafe’s quirky concept was brought to life thanks to £100,000 worth of crowd-sourcing.

Commenting on the cafe, co-owner Ms Pears, said: “If something exists you can probably get it in London, but there’s one thing that lots of people living in London can’t have – a kitty.

“We thought long and hard about who would really benefit from having a cat café in London.

“I see commuters walking on their way to and from the station stopping to pet the neighbourhood cats, and since I am unable to own a cat myself due to my current flat and long hours I understand the desire to have a cat around.”

Would your list of cat treats include an afternoon spent enjoying the delights of a cat cafe? Have you treated your feline friend to the best in cat insurance?

The data from the MoneySuperMarket Bill Barometer suggested that £882m of bill payments were missed.

In addition, the survey suggested that Brits are spending £33bn collectively every single month to run their homes – totalling £1,360 per household each month.

A quarter of those questioned said they were paying more than £500 a month in rent while 5% were paying at least £1,000 for their residence.

According to those who responded, covering accommodation is the hardest of all bills to cover, with 8% saying they missed at least one payment – some 2.2m people.

Missing bills

One in five people has missed an essential bill in the last 12 months, totalling £882m – an average of £175 per household.

A third of those who had missed a bill said they were “hounded” for payment while four in ten said they incurred some sort of additional payment or penalty.

This had an adverse effect on people’s credit rating in one in five cases, while 8% of people were served a County Court Judgment as a result of failing to pay.

The most common missed payments

Credit card and loan repayments were the ones most likely to be missed, as 15% said they had failed to pay in the last year.

Affording childcare was also an issue for 12% of people while 8% of those questioned said that paying for their mortgage or rent, their water bills, or council tax had also caused issues.

In the event of missing a credit card or loan repayment, those aged between 18 and 34 were most likely to be culpable – as 23% said they missed a payment in the last year.

When it comes to paying for a mortgage or rent, those in Wales and London are most likely to miss a payment, with 14% and 11% respectively reporting late payments.

In addition to aspects such as household bills, home insurance is also an important expense to ensure that possessions remain protected.

Sources:

1. http://www.moneywise.co.uk/news/2014-02-28/15-million-bill-payments-missed-every-year

Magic Thermodynamic Box, based in Chelmsford, thinks they have a device that can cut 90% from energy bills with a few useful devices.

From their base in a Grade II listed building comes two products that the team believes will get them into the city’s history books.

At just 18 months old, the company is still young but the renewable energy firm clearly has high hopes, ahead of the launch of a TV advert on ITV Anglia this spring.

“What we are doing here is groundbreaking but anything like that takes a lot of motivation and energy,” managing director Alistair Smit toldThe Business.

How these devices work

The Magic Thermodynamic Box deals with water in the home and works by converting a refrigerant liquid into gas via a panel that uses wind, rain or sunlight to do so.

That panel is fixed to the outside of the house and the converted gas is then funneled back to the box – situated near the water tank – which will then heat the water.

It doesn’t cut water bills, but the device requires between £60 and £80 a year in electricity, less than 10% of what homeowners pay in gas bills to heat their water.

Inventor Scott Styles explained that the device works in the opposite way to a fridge, capturing the heat that would be otherwise lost in the process of conversion.

“Before I thought if I put something in my fridge, the fridge will throw the item's heat energy away as a byproduct,” he explained.

“But now we are capturing that heat. We call the product a fridge in reverse because we capture the energy outside and turn it into heat – that is why I called it magic.”

Looking to the future

The third version of the box is currently being worked on, while the second device – the Magic Heating Box – is for the central heating system in the home.

It is designed to eradicate the inefficiencies of boiler systems, by forcing more water around the heating system, meaning more hot air is released at ground level.

The company also believes the system is capable of saving one tone in CO2 emissions, making the equipment environmentally friendly as well as a possible bill-saver.

The devices will be especially welcome at a time when many customers are looking to compare energy prices to find the best deals.

Sources

1. http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/Energy-conscious-householders-set-touch-Magic/story-20485233-detail/story.html

While some areas of high street spending may have shown little growth, according to figures from research conducted by the Local Data Company, the number of pet shops has grown by 10%¹ over the last two years.

And pet owner’s desire to keep their four-legged friends happy could be just one of the reasons behind this increase.

According to the figures the nation’s pet lovers are ploughing their hard earned cash into better quality pet food, pet fashions, pampering, treats and much more.

And it seems that this upward trend in pet spending is set to continue analysts at Euromonitor saying that the 4% year-on-year increase in spending on pet foods and care products is set to continue at the same rate for four years. Lucky pets we say!

"More people treat their pets as a member of the family and are willing to give them nothing but the best," says Paula Flores, head of pet care research at Euromonitor. "There is a trend towards humanising pets and wanting premium products so the market is still strong."

Citing figures which reveal that there are 9.5 million single-person households and almost 7.5 million couples without children in the UK, Flores argues that pets could act as "replacements" for a partner or children.

While this may seem a bit of a stretch it is clear that many UK pet owners feel their cats or dogs to be an integral part of the family. This is exactly why they are keen to protect them with a comprehensive pet insurance policy.

Past research has revealed that many pet owners put the needs of their pets first, with 42%² of owners still spoiling their pets with treats even when their budgets are tight.

The research from Mintel also showed that more than a third of pet owners would cut back on their own food spending before that of their pet.

"Whether they actually would is questionable, but that just goes to show people do feel strongly about their pets' food," said Kiti Soininen of market analysts Mintel, who wrote the report. "About two-thirds say they treat their pet with as much care as they would a child, which shows pets are very much seen as a member of a family, and that level of emotional connection shows why people are reluctant to cut back."

Sources:

1. http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/feb/02/pet-hotels-holidays-gourmet-dogs-life
2. http://www.independent.co.uk/property/house-and-home/pets/news/pampered-pets-uk-7717640.html

The latest research¹ has revealed which areas have been hit hardest by the impact of fuel price hikes, with East Anglia taking the lead. Here a staggering 780,000 homes are in fuel poverty – a massive increase of 520,000 compared to figures for January 2013.

East Anglia was followed by London, with 621,000 homes in fuel poverty – up 135,000 year-on-year – the West Midlands (558,000), the South West (527,000) and Yorks and Humber (504,000).

With fuel poverty affecting almost 5 million households across the UK it is no wonder that many are considering comparing energy suppliers in an effort to find the best deal for their needs and budget.

Describing the level of savings that consumers could potentially enjoy if they made the switch between energy suppliers, Mark Todd, director of energyhelpline, said: "Switching savings are still large and often well over 20%. A typical customer can cut their annual £1,323 gas and electricity bill by £286 a year and fix their rate for until August 2015, with a guarantee of no more price rises until then. Longer fixes for over 3 years are also available that can save a typical customer around £100 a year. These can fix bills up to 1 Jan 2018."

UK households have often expressed their outrage at continued gas and energy price increases by the UK’s ‘Big Six’ energy suppliers – British Gas, EDF, EON, Npower, Scottish Power and SSE- which suppliers have blamed on the increased cost of wholesale gas, green levies and more.

Now analysts are arguing that these and other energy suppliers should lower their prices, in the wake of a recent 16% fall in wholesale gas prices.

"Come on, guys, you should start lowering your prices," said Trevor Sikorski, head of natural gas analysis at Energy Aspects.

Industry expert, Niall Trimble, the managing director of the consultancy firm the Energy Contract Company, told suppliers: "It's time to consider the possibility of a price cut."

He also outlined that a fall in wholesale gas prices could translate to consumers making a saving of £30² on their annual gas bills.

Sources

1. http://www.utilityweek.co.uk/news/fuel-poverty-rises-to-5-million/974922
2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26082576

The annual Consumer Electronic Show (CES) is often the place to showcase these inventions, with the very best in design and technology thrust into the public eye.

A wide range of innovative ideas are presented, all with the idea of improving our lives for the better in mind.

Innovation at every turn

One of the standout creations was a $2,500 (c. £1,500) robot¹ with the capabilities of delivering a 24-hour customer service facility.

It will almost certainly serve to become the future of teleconferencing, providing a point of contact for people wishing to conduct business from home.

The robot is designed by Doublerobotics and works with any iPad to provide the next generation of telecommuting.

There was also a new means of brushing your teeth, in the form of an all-silicone contraption by Foreo – it has no nylon bristles and will go on retail at $200 (c.£120).

The convention has more than 3,000 exhibitors ² and entertains around 150,000 guests, meaning there are plenty of fantastic ideas on offer.

Technology with many different uses

All dream of unleashing the next big product but while some may struggle to get off the ground, others will almost certainly be a success.

One concept involved having an army of drones that offer 360 degree air surveillance of the home – ideal for people looking to reduce their home insurance premiums!

There was also the “Butt Shaper”, a treadmill device that vibrates to help people create sleek toned bodies.

Ways of online payment were also considered, including a novel handprint scanner called a PurseWallet that confirms a person’s identity before linking to online payment methods.

Big names with huge visions

Big companies choose to unveil there too, with Intel revealing its latest Intel Quark technology-based computer that’s housed in an SD card.

It’s capable of connecting wirelessly and can support multiple operating systems, meaning it is likely to be used in several new devices in the near future.

Meanwhile, Samsung took the opportunity to unveil the world’s largest curved Ultra HD TV, with the screen measuring a paltry 105 inches across.

Other items at the show included a Smartphone-controlled cook pot, a 20-inch tablet, and a wide range of wearable technologies.

This is one area of the market expected to develop rapidly in the future following the development of the Galaxy Gear Smart Watch and Google Glass.

Sources:

1. http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/tv/home-improvement-gadgets-are-centrepiece-ces-10237
2. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/technology/chi-gadgets-ces-2014-20140106,0,6900744.photogallery

We all know Brits as a nation of pet lovers, but we had no idea their affection for their muts and moggies was also marked on the day normally reserved for romantic couplings of the human variety.

According to figures¹ from personalised card company TheDogsDoodahs.com there has been a dramatic rise in the number of owners sending Valentine’s cards to their pets, as well as pets sending Valentine’s to their owners.

How pets use their paws for an online purchase we’ll never know, but what we do know is that the mutual sending of Valentine’s cards is a sign of a great affection between the sender and recipient. Only this time the sender happens to be a pet owner, while the recipient is the pet.

So as well as showering them with pet treats, ensuring that their health is taken care of by taking out pet insurance and making them feel a full part of the family, the UK’s pet owners are also putting pen to paper to declare their love for their pets.

Further figures from the research reveal that cards from pets account for 82% of Valentine pet card sales, with dogs 10 times more likely to send an ode to their owners compared to other animals. Where do they find the time?

And it seems that pet’s affections seem to lie with more with their male owners, rather than their female owners, with figures showing that men are more likely to receive Valentine’s from their pets.

Commenting on the phenomenon, Tony Spooner, Chairman of TheDogsDoodahs.com, said: “We’ve seen everything, from singletons sending cards to their parrots, to wives shunning their husbands in favour of sending a card to the dog instead. The real sentiment behind this is that people really do love their pets, and personalised cards are a good way for us to feel close to them.”

Sources:

1. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/weird-news/pictures-valentines-day-cards-pets-3116687

Announcing the start of Big Energy Saving Week (27st-31^st January) Citizens Advice revealed that households could save hundreds on their energy bills by making a few changes to the way they purchase and use energy.

Comparing energy tariffs and switching could save consumers as much as £200¹, while energy efficiency measures could help to slash their energy bills by as much as £320.

Research from Citizens Advice shows that consumers are already employing a number of strategies in a bid to save on the cost of energy. This includes turning down the heating (52%) cutting down on electricity usage and (51%) and using fewer rooms in the home (16%).

For those who are committed to making energy cost savings in 2014 and beyond, here are five top tips that will set you on your way to taking control of your energy bills.

1.      Complete a home energy check:Complete theEnergy Saving Trust’s home energy check and you could save as much as £250 on your annual household energy bills by gaining a better insight into how you use energy within your home.

2.       Ensure that you are on the cheapest tariff: Use an energy comparison service to check that you are on the cheapest deal for your needs. Most services will also carry out all the paperwork needed to ensure that the switching process is as smooth as possible.

3.      Create an energy efficient home:Complete as many energy efficient changes to your home as your budget allows. This could include anything from installing double-glazing and insulating walls to bleeding your radiators at regular intervals.

4.      Get the benefits you are entitled to:Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureaux to see whether you are entitled to heating benefits such as the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

5.       Switch from a prepayment meter to a standard meter: Using yourpre-payment metre may mean that you pay an above-average² cost for your gas and electricity. As a result you may make a cost benefit from switching to standard meter. However, it is important to note that your energy supplier may charge you for making the move to a standard meter.

Sources:

1. http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/pressoffice/press_index/press_20140127.htm 
2.  http://www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/guides/prepayment-meters/

We wrap up in hats, scarves, gloves, coats and layers of clothing, but your four-legged friend has only got the same fur coat it has all year round to afford it a bit of protection from the elements.

Come rain or shine, most of us take our dogs out one or two times a day with little regard for their comfort.

It’s not just about them being comfortable though, in many cases, the winter weather can be dangerous for dogs.

Here are a few safety tips to make sure you both make it through the winter season without any hiccups.

Keep them on a lead

It might not usually be a problem if little Fido likes to run around and explore, but if it’s snowing heavily, make sure your dog is on a lead. This because dogs rely heavily on their sense of smell and the snow can literally throw off their scent, causing them to become disorientated.

Get chipped!

Following on from above, it’s important that your dog is chipped. From 2016, it will be illegal for a dog inEnglandnot to have a microchip, so now’s the time to take action. It’s not expensive and it means that your dog can be identified and returned if it gets lost.

Buy a coat

You may think that doggie fashion is a step too far, but that doggy duffel coat could help to keep your pet nice and warm once those temperatures dip. Dogs will be open to elements on their daily walk, so it’s important to do what you can to shield them from the worst of the winter weather. If they dog has long or thick fur, you may also want to leave their natural coat grow during the winter. You can always resume your visit to the pet groomer once spring rolls around.

Dry your dog

Ah, the smell of a wet dog. If that doesn’t give you enough reason to dry your pooch after a walk, perhaps the risk of catching a cold will. If it has been raining, they could become ill unless dried off.

Wipe their paws

If the weather has taken a turn for the worse and the gritters are out, make sure you clean your dog’s paws when you get back. The grit can be quite sharp, cutting their sensitive paws.

Stay away from frozen ponds

If you have followed the first tip, your dog shouldn’t end up on a frozen pond, but if they do, it’s important to encourage them away straight away. 

The latest research showed that the energy sector companies were among the lowest out of all the surveys that the watchdog produces.

The overall customer score for energy companies fell from 49% last year to 41%, with the six largest companies taking the six lowest rankings on the list.

Npower had the lowest score for the third year running at 31% while British Gas’ score of 39% also fell below the industry average of 41%.

SSE and Scottish Power were both on the average while EDF Energy and Eon were marginally above it, scoring 44% and 45% respectively.

Independent small suppliers Good Energy and Ecotricity shared top spot with a score of 82% but all companies, with the exceptions of Ecotricity and First Utility, scored lower than last year.

Executive director at Which? Richard Lloyd suggested that Ofgem’s first Annual Review of competition is vital to driving improvement in the sector.

“We want to see radical solutions to improve competition and keep prices in check, like the biggest energy companies being forced to separate wholesale generation from the retail arms of their business,” he said

Npower received the highest number of customer complaints, receiving 253 per every 100,000 customers between July and September of last year.

Compared with SSE who received just 32 per 100,000, it means Npower received eight times as many complaints as the perceived best performing company.

Of the big six suppliers, Scottish power saw 46 complaints made for every 100,000 customers while British Gas had 55, Eon 62 and EDF Energy 74.

Npower put the high number of complaints down to the installation of a new billing system while recent media revelations have raised questions about the state of customer service call centres.

Some reports suggested calls had to be finished in an allotted time which will only worsen the situation.

The research highlights the importance of comparing energy suppliers to find the best deals, based not just on their prices but also upon the services they provide.

Sources:

* http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/household-bills/10579940/Customer-satisfaction-with-energy-firms-falls-to-new-low.html

Parents looking to give their children the best possible education are paying an average of £31,490 (12%) more to live near a secondary school that achieved  the best GCSE results in 2012.

This means that they are facing the prospect of forking out an average of £295,972 as opposed to £264,482 for properties in neighbouring locations. 

The housing premium reaches as much as £80,000 in a third of locations close to the top state schools compared to their surrounding locations. 

With homes trading at a premium of 87% (£402,600) to the average house price in neighbouring areas, homes in the postal district of Henrietta Barnett School in North London have the largest premium. 

Homes in this postal district are also the least affordable, with the average property price (£863,340) almost 21 times the gross average annual earnings in the area. 

But it is not just parents looking around Henrietta Barnett School who are having problems stumping up the cash to purchases a property – the average house price in the postal districts of the top 30 performing schools (£295,972) is almost nine times average gross annual earnings (£33,740).

Across the rest of England, house prices are 7.3 times the average gross annual earnings. 

A supply-demand imbalance has sent prices soaring

Nitesh Patel, Housing Economist, Lloyds Bank said: “All parents want to ensure their children have access to the best schools, so it is not surprising that homes in areas close to the top performing state schools typically command a significant premium over neighbouring areas.

“However, with the availability of suitable homes in short supply, high demand has led to average prices in many of these areas being out of reach for many buyers on average earnings.”

However, this is not the case with all of the 30 best performing schools. The average house price in RG1, close to both Kendrick School and Reading School, is £108,033 lower than the UK average. 

Whatever price your property commands, make sure to invest in home insurance to protect it and give you peace of mind. 

Sources

*http://www.economicvoice.com/gbp-300000-to-buy-a-house-near-englands-top-state-schools/

In addition to making academic comparisons between institutions, the guide unveils the type of crime risks that students may have to contend with and how these differ across universities.

Student housing areas are notoriously associated with high crime levels, but the research, which is based on police data, found that those at King’s College London may be most at risk of burglary, robbery and “violent crimes”.

London-based universities account for the ten highest crime rates, with King’s College, London South Bank and City University London making up the top three. At the other end of the scale, Aberystwyth, Durham and Winchester have the lowest crime rates.

Bernard Kingston, who produces the guide, said that the figures could be helpful for families and students starting to think about university applications.

"Our universities do not exist in isolation from the communities within which they are located, and, regrettably, crime is a constant presence,” he said.

He continued: “It is clearly a matter of considerable concern when considering where to study as an undergraduate. 

“All prospective students should be able to assess the risks for individual institutions with much greater precision, and, in the absence of data for crimes affecting university students specifically, either on or off campuses, this survey offers the best available guide.” 

A spokeswoman from King's College London noted that its local crime figures would include major transport hubs such as Waterloo and London Bridge stations and that “London faces similar challenges to many other major cities in dealing with crime”.

Wherever you plan to study, you should always invest in home insurance to protect your laptop, mobile phone and any other valuable possessions.

Source

*http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-23405791

Millions of British Gas customers will face  even higher bills this winter as the price hike comes into effect from 16th  November. The annual dual fuel bill will increase to £1,238, according to the  energy supplier.

There is a frustrating irony for many that  energy bills are set to rocket just as the nights grow darker and colder.

Other  price rises

British Gas is not the first supplier to  announce price hikes for this winter though. The decision to push up prices by  6% for both gas and electricity comes after Scottish and Southern Electric  (SSE) announced an increase to its rates.

SSE customers will see the cost of their  tariffs increase by an average of 9%.   Around 5 million electricity customers and 3.4 million gas customers  will be hit with the higher rate, which came into effect earlier this month.

Npower  follow suit

Joining rivals British Gas and SSE, Npower has  also announced that it is increasing its gas and electricity prices this  winter.

The leading energy supplier will push up  the price of gas by an average of 8.8% and electricity by 9.1%, which will come  into effect from 26th November.

Only three of the ‘big six’ UK energy  suppliers have increased their prices so far, but the suspicion remains that  the others will follow a similar path in the near future. E.ON made a pledge  not to increase prices this year; however an early 2013 price hike is entirely  possible.

UK households who are already struggling to  cope with rising living costs could face a winter of expensive energy bills.  One simple way to reduce costs could be to shop around for a better tariff.

Kirsty Ward, Head of Asda Money, commented  on the recent price rises and what it means for consumers everywhere:

“Customers must act now to make precious  savings – switching to a fixed tariff will save you money – and offer peace of  mind. Asda’s Energy Switching Service clearly shows you the best rates and has  a really simple switching service. People who use the service can save up to  £346 off their gas and electricity bills.”

Switching energy suppliers could potentially  save you hundreds of pounds on your annual household energy bill. The Asda Energy Compare & Save  tool could help you to find the best deal for your individual circumstances.

Sacrifices were not just made by those in the battlefields though, but also by those left at home. In order to pay tribute to these individuals, we have looked at some of the wartime money savers which could help households save in the modern day.

Save Money

Perhaps the main way in which wartime nations saved money was through performing their own repairs and putting everyday household objects to new uses. According to the Daily Mail and UKHomeFront.co.uk, some of the best money saving tactics from wartime Britain were as follows;

•Keep sinks clear and clean by placing a lump of soda in the pipe which water passes through. This will ensure that grease and other debris does not block the pipes, preventing the need for people to call somebody out to unclog their drains – two things which can lead to unnecessary costs.

•Use leftover food in other dishes to prevent waste and save money. Popular examples of this include making bubble and squeak from leftover vegetables and potatoes following a Sunday roast. This meal was often sufficient to feed a family for a further evening without using any extra ingredients. Cold meat could supplement the meal and, if used sparingly, could last the rest of the week.

Save Energy

According to the Telegraph, wartime frugality didn’t just save money – it saved energy too. For example, the simple act of switching off lights during wartime helped to make savings in both areas. Such a basic consideration has the same effect today, so why not try it?

Energy consumption levels are arguably more important now than they were during the war, so putting these practices into place could help households to save money.

•Grow your own vegetables: a campaign from WW2 saw households encouraged to grow their own fruit and vegetables. This would make the food ‘carbon neutral’ nowadays by eliminating the need to spend energy and money transporting it to different areas.

•Share with others: techniques from campaigns which encouraged individuals to share their food and resources with neighbours could also have a use in the modern world. For example, car sharing can help people reduce their carbon emissions.

Asda’s Energy Switch and Save policy allows people to save money on energy by searching through the best prices from every UK supplier, ensuring you get the best deal possible.

Repaint

A quick coat of paint can do wonders for any room or home. If repainting your room around winter, make sure you avoid cold colours such as white as these will leave you facing a frosty reception in your own home. Go with warmer neutrals, such as cream, or – if you’re feeling bold – bright colours and patterns.

Insulate

Insulating your home can help retain warmth and keep energy bills low – two perfect ways to combat the winter blues. This will make your home more comfortable and help to give it a smarter appearance (as all those space heaters will be firmly stored away). Protecting your home in this way is essential over winter and you could also look to cut your energy bills by switching suppliers.

Minimalist

Don’t go overboard with the festive decorations and keep your interior design within the realms of minimalism. This will prevent your home looking cluttered and will give you an enjoyable area to relax in over the holidays. Not only that, but packing everything up come the New Year will be easier too!

Heating

As stated above, warmth is important in your home over winter. With this in mind, getting your boiler serviced and addressing your heating is essential. This could be a good time to invest in a more efficient form of heating or update your radiators to something a little more stylish – the perfect way to smarten any room. If you have an open fire then get your chimney and fire place inspected before use.

Guttering

Smartening a room doesn’t just apply to the interior design but also applies to the exterior as well. Your guttering can accumulate a large quantity of leaves and debris, which can eventually cause damage to your property. Get them cleaned in the winter and ensure your home looks smart both inside and out.

Switch insurance providers

Out with the old and in with the new! Start your financial spring clean early by making your money go further. Whilst many may be shopping around at the January sales, you may want to take better care of your finances and shop around for better insurance products instead.

It may also be worth reviewing your current insurance providers. For example, you may need to revalue your home insurance policy after receiving some expensive presents this Christmas.

Get savvy with your financial skills

Brush up on your financial skills and knowledge to ensure that you are well equipped to deal with any products that come your way. For example, if you are a bit cash-strapped and need to take out a credit card, it would be wise to invest the time to make sure you find the best one for your situation. 

You may need 0% on purchases or one with 0% balance transfers. Take your time and assess all the options available.

Manage the markets

One way you could keep your finances active in 2012 is by finding the next best thing to invest in. This might be a bold move within the current economic climate, however, it might pay off providing you’ve done your homework.

Budget

By sticking to a budget you may soon see your disposable income increase considerably. You could find new and interesting ways to become more frugal, such as always using vouchers and taking your own lunch into work each day.

Shop smart

By knowing exactly what you’re looking for when you head to the shops you could keep your spending habits under wraps. When doing a food shop, make a note of what you already have so that you don’t end up purchasing duplicate items.

Unfortunately for mum and dad this could also mean frantically wandering around shops making sure Santa gets what’s on the list; spending a massive £2.4 billion in the process.

The Cost of a Child study from LV found that parents are expected to spend an average of £178 per child on gifts and stocking fillers this year. This is £10 more than parents splashed out on gifts for children last year.

The study found that mums and dads spend the least on very young children.

They will splash out £133 on those aged 0-3 years, compared to children aged between 7 and 11 when parents will spend an average of £220.

Londoners will spend an average of £168 on gifts per child compared to parents in the East of England who will spend the least of £129 per child.

Expensive gifts lure Christmas criminals

Christmas can be an expensive time of year as many rush out to buy the latest gifts, gadgets and toys.  Often they will be placed all in a neat pile under the tree, perfectly located for Christmas criminals to take their pick.

Research from insurance firm Aviva found that an average of £1,700 worth of gifts are hidden around the home in the run up to Christmas.  It could be advisable to review your home insurance policy to ensure that your newly purchased items are covered in case of theft. Some policies also offer a 10% increase in cover at Christmas.
 
The research found that criminals take a break at Christmas,  but are back to work in the New Year, with expensive tech goods being top of their list.  Laptops, tablets, smartphones and gaming devices are the most commonly stolen items after Christmas.

According to dogtime.com most dogs need 30-60 minutes of exercise a day. A brisk 10 minute stroll will not do the job.

There are also other factors to consider when walking your four-legged friend. The amount of exercise your dog needs depends on the age, breed and health of your dog.

A 10 month old puppy will need more time to run around than a five-year-old dog.  Sporting breeds such as a sight hound, for example, will need short bursts of exercise whereas guarding dogs will not need as much as overall sporting breeds who like to hunt all day.

Whilst some smaller dogs can get exercise running around the home, small breeds like Pugs, need more exercise than usual because they are prone to obesity.

Active breeds need a minimum of 30 minutes of hard exercise every day.

Dog walking habits

Research from PetPlan has found that 80% of dogs have a regular walk everyday without fail. The majority of dog owners are aware of the importance of regular exercise.

 A study from a Polish university found that the sex of the dog owner has a significant impact on the dog’s behaviour during a walk. Dogs walked by men are four times more likely to bite or threaten other dogs. 

The research, which is to be published in the Applied Animal Behaviour Science Journal, also found that dogs on a leash are more likely to act aggressively than dogs off the leash.

Research from MoneySupermarket.com, the price comparison website, found that the sharp increase in gas and electricity tariffs last year have significantly bumped up the price winter bills. Those already suffering from a financial hangover after the festive period will be feeling the effects of the recent price hikes.

British Gas, EON, EDF, Npower, Scottish Power and Scottish & Southern Electric have all increased their prices by an average of 17.4% for gas and 10.8% for electricity, meaning that winter bills could potentially leave customers seriously out of pocket.

According to the research, homeowners use around 40% of their annual energy consumption during the winter months. Following a long spell of mild weather, many may think their winter bills will be reduced. However, things are not this simple. Those currently on a standard tariff using 40% of their total yearly energy consumption could face a bill of £514!

The UK’s six leading energy firms all increased their prices last year and experts believe that general prices could increase again by as soon as April.

Any further increases are likely to be met with dejection by the majority of the British population, who are still dealing with a number of additional financial problems in these unstable times.

It could be advisable to shop around for cheaper gas and electricity before the next round of increased prices. Staying on a fixed tariff could help to protect you from further price hikes. Use the Asda Energy Switch and Save tool to compare prices.