| The UK energy providers are announcing increases in | | | | The UK water companies are amongst the latest |
| profits day after day and yet they are also telling us to | | | | utilities to announce that we should be prepared for |
| expect dramatic increases in our cost of living. | | | | dramatic increases in our annual bills. They have stated |
| So what's at the root of these increases? | | | | that they need to increase our bills to pay for repairs |
| We have all felt the pressures born my the high cost | | | | to ageing supply lines, this announcement comes after |
| of fuel! Thank goodness that the price of petrol and | | | | many years of reports of huge pay cheques being |
| diesel has at last come down, but we are still paying | | | | taken by the business managers, who are now asking |
| more than £6.00 per gallon and where will it stop and | | | | us to pay extra to do the work that maybe should |
| what can you do to avoid the pain of future increases. | | | | have been funded from there massive profits! |
| Mark Leaper of commented saying that there really | | | | One a positive note, the uk housing market is showing |
| isn't any way to avoid the increases, but the smart | | | | signs of activity, with first time buyers starting to return |
| consumer can make sure that they always have the | | | | to the property market as house price reductions |
| best deal available to them. Regular energy price | | | | begin to take effect and lenders look to reduce |
| comparisons using price comparison websites really will | | | | mortgage rates. |
| save you money and Leaper went on to suggest that | | | | The numbers of first-time buyers were now beginning |
| every household should recheck the deals available | | | | to rise with a 1% increase recorded last month. A |
| every 9 months to make sure that they have the best | | | | survey showed that first time buyers made up over a |
| gas and electricity deal available at that time. | | | | third of all purchasers in July. The survey also showed |
| Leaper believes that regular price checks for | | | | that the amount of debt first-time buyers are taking on |
| insurance, loans, mortgages and credit cards can save | | | | has reduced compared to last year, with 25% of |
| the average householder, hundreds or in some cases | | | | buyers able to get a mortgage with an income multiple |
| thousands of pounds every year, which he reminds us | | | | of three or less times their salary in July, compared |
| will help to ease the financial pressures brought about | | | | with 18% at the same time last year. |
| by inflationary increases in our day to day cost of living. | | | | |