Disabled individuals are facing unequal treatment from banks, with reports of a customer having to sit on the floor while waiting in line at a branch. A study by consumer organization Which? uncovered varying levels of service for disabled bank clients, highlighting that some banks are merely paying lip service to inclusivity.
In the UK, an estimated 16.8 million people are living with disabilities, constituting a quarter of the population. Despite this, Which? alleges 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 were asked to rate their current account providers on various criteria.
Meanwhile, families are struggling to sell vacant retirement properties inherited from elderly relatives. One case involves a man reducing the price of his late mother’s retirement flat by £55,000 but still facing challenges in selling it, resulting in substantial annual fees for the vacant property.
Another incident involves Danone issuing recalls of infant and follow-on formula due to potential toxin contamination. The affected products belong to specific batches of Aptamil and Cow & Gate formula, which may contain cereulide, a toxin causing food poisoning.
Furthermore, the TV licence fee is set to increase from £174.50 to £180 in April, as confirmed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The BBC, which generated £3.8 billion from TV licences in 2024/25, requires a TV licence for recording live TV programs on any channel or watching BBC iPlayer content.
In the mortgage sector, the average cost of new mortgages has slightly risen despite the Bank of England maintaining interest rates. Barclays, following HSBC and Nationwide, increased mortgage rates by up to 0.15% for residential purchases and remortgages.
UK broadband provider VISPA has ceased operations, prompting customers to seek alternative internet services. The company faced challenges in recent years, including overdue accounts and negative reviews, leading to its decision to cease trading and begin liquidation proceedings.
Meanwhile, discount supermarket Lidl announced a £29 million pay rise for its 35,000 workers, marking its seventh wage increase since 2023. Entry-level pay will rise to £13.45 nationally and up to £14.45 for senior staff, with higher rates in London.
Lastly, Greene King is offering free pints of Guinness during the Six Nations rugby season. Customers can claim a free pint by booking a table for any Six Nations game through the Greene King website, part of their Fans Reunited campaign supported by rugby legends Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson.