Disabled individuals are experiencing unequal treatment from banks, as one customer shared their ordeal of having to sit on the floor while waiting in a branch. A study conducted by consumer group Which? discovered varying levels of service for disabled bank clients, with some institutions only paying lip service to inclusivity.
With an estimated 16.8 million disabled individuals in the UK, constituting a quarter of the population, Which? highlighted significant discrepancies in the services offered by major banks in the country. The consumer group surveyed over 2,200 individuals facing impairments affecting their daily lives to assess their satisfaction with their current account providers across various criteria.
In a separate narrative, families are struggling to sell vacant retirement properties inherited from elderly relatives. One individual reduced the price of his late mother’s retirement flat by £55,000 but remains unsuccessful in selling it, incurring substantial annual fees for the unoccupied property.
For instance, Joan Taylor purchased a flat in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, in 2015 for £225,000, which included a 125-year lease in a seniors-only residential block. Following Joan’s passing at the age of 96 in June 2024, her son Gordon Taylor has lowered the asking price to £170,000 but faces challenges in finding a buyer for the property.
Moreover, Danone has issued recalls for infant and follow-on formula due to potential toxin contamination, affecting specific batches of Aptamil and Cow & Gate products containing cereulide, a toxin causing food poisoning. This action follows a previous recall in Ireland earlier this year after the products were mistakenly distributed through online sales.
In other news, the TV licence fee will rise from £174.50 to £180 in April, marking a £5.50 increment from the current rate, as confirmed by the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport. It is obligatory to possess a TV licence for recording live television programs or watching BBC iPlayer content, live or on-demand.
Furthermore, the average cost of new mortgages has slightly increased despite the Bank of England maintaining interest rates, with two-year fixed residential mortgage rates rising to 4.86% from 4.85%. Major banks like Barclays have adjusted their mortgage rates for fixed residential purchases and remortgages, following the Bank’s decision to maintain the base rate at 3.75%.
Additionally, UK broadband provider VISPA has ceased operations, prompting customers to seek alternative internet services. The Manchester-based company informed its clients via email about its closure and commencement of liquidation proceedings, citing financial challenges and negative reviews as contributing factors.
Meanwhile, discount supermarket Lidl announced a £29 million pay increase to be shared among approximately 35,000 employees, marking its seventh wage rise since 2023. Effective March 1, entry-level pay will rise to £13.45 per hour nationally and up to £14.45 for longer-serving staff, with higher rates for London-based employees.
Lastly, Greene King is offering free pints of Guinness during the Six Nations rugby tournament by booking a table for any game on February 7 at selected Greene King sports pubs. This promotion is part of the Fans Reunited campaign, featuring Rugby World Cup champions Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson.
The article concludes with a mention of average house prices and annual changes in January, according to Halifax’s data.