2003
10-11-2003: Water Bills Set to Mount
Water bills could rise by 30% from 2005 as water companies increase spending to meet continued regulatory requirements, and even bigger increase could be on the way.
07-11-2003: Personal Bankruptcies Hit Decade High
Provisional figures released today reveal 9,094 people in England and Wales were declared insolvent between July and September, the highest quarterly count for more than a decade.
06-11-2003: Warning Shot Across the Bows
The first rise in Base Rates since 10th February 2000 is no more than a warning shot across the bows of the British consumer and is a signal that rates can rise and will rise if need be.
01-11-2003: Plea for Debt Advice Funding
Consumer minister Gerry Sutcliffe has asked lenders to put their hands in their pockets so that more free debt advice can be offered.
31-10-2003: House Prices Jump ... and so do the Chances of a Rate Rise
House prices rose by 2% in October taking the year-on-year to 16.1% and the average house price to £131,947, according to figures released by the Nationwide Building Society.
30-10-2003: More Choice for Energy Debtors
Energy companies vote to allow many customers on prepayment meters who are in debt to switch suppliers.
29-10-2003: Mortgage Borrowing Soars as Rate Rise Looms
As new mortgage lending hits a record £16.9bn, the Bank of England looks set to increase interest rates for the first time in nearly four years.