http:///media_centre/news/news_introDaily financial news updates from LV=this is the copyright message Continuity CMShttp://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4736Which? has said that many people struggle to understand how they are charged for gas and electricity.Nearly 40 people were asked to use a power firm's website to work out the cost of an energy bill but just one of the group was successful.A spokesman for the consumer watchdog said that even an accountant had failed to work out the bill, with rising prices skewing the monthly budgets of many people, which include council tax and home insurance. The spokesman said that many people had approached Which?...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4735Orders placed with manufacturers in the UK have fallen to a 12-month low, according to a survey of industrial trends.The Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which compiles the survey, said the number of factory orders was down in September, both on the previous month and year on year, reaching the smallest level recorded since October 2010.Factory workers worried about their future may want to seek financial advice. Despite the data, manufacturers are predicting more orders for the next three months.The Office for National Statistics and the Markit...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4734Muscle loss caused by disease or ageing might be reversed using a new technique which "chemically resets" the tissue's biological clock.A new study has shown that muscles can be put back to an earlier phase of growth, and the technique could be applied to organs, such as the liver.The findings may have a bearing on the life insurance policies of the future. The technique involved separating older muscle tissue into individual "myoblast" cells which were then used to repair muscles of injured mice.According to the researchers, based...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4733Car production figures grew last month, a motoring society has announced.August saw a healthy rise in the total number of cars made in the UK, with 82,250 being produced. That figure has risen by 10.7% since August 2010, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.During the January to August period this year, 4.4% more cars were made than in the same period last year. There was also a rise in the production of commercial vehicles (CV) this August, with a 9.3% increase on last year's August figure. A total of 6,433 were produced last month.Increases in car production mean...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4732A major travel operator has said it will be charging its customers an extra 5% on the price of their summer package holidays next year.TUI Travel, the owner of First Choice and Thomson, said it is being charged more for both fuel and accommodation, additional outlay for which customers will pay.The weak pound and a constriction in consumer finances are already seeing people take fewer holidays.Next summer's average selling prices for holidays have increased by 10%, so TUI's price rise is likely to compound the problem, given that people also need to fork out for other holiday essentials like ...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4731People who are exposed to high levels of pollution may be at increased risk of suffering a heart attack, a study suggests.Researchers found that a heart attack was more likely to occur during the six hours after breathing in heavy traffic fumes.They believe tiny particles of a pollutant called PM10 and nitrogen dioxide in exhaust fumes could raise the risk of a heart attack by 1.3%. Those who are worried about the health risks from pollution may find that life insurance cover can offer additional peace of mind in case of any illness....http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4730Britain "risks being cut off from global growth" because of poor aviation links, amounting to £14 billion in lost business over 10 years, a new report says.According to a Heathrow Airport-commissioned report by economic consultants Frontier Economics, Britain is falling behind its European competitors in terms of flights to emerging markets.Along with products like travel insurance, people's choice of airports needs to be taken into consideration when they come to book flights abroad. The report found that Paris and Frankfurt already have 1,000 more annual flights to...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4729Researchers say the age restrictions on films that show actors smoking should match those of movies which contain violence and sex.A study from the University of Bristol found that teenagers are more likely to try smoking after watching films which show the habit in a glamorous light. Almost three quarters of 15-year-olds the experts spoke to were often exposed to films where smoking was depicted.Those teenagers were then more likely to have tried a cigarette than those who were not exposed to smoking in movies as often. Youngsters who saw the most films where actors were puffing on cigarettes had a...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4728Policymakers at the Bank of England rejected suggestions to lower interest rates after a raft of economic surveys delivered more bad news for the economy.Minutes from the September meeting of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) showed that the majority of members thought the case for quantitative easing (QE) measures had grown stronger during August.In the face of surveys pointing to weaker growth - especially in the service sector - during the latest six months of 2011, members suggested that further QE would be preferable to reducing interest rates.With the base rate already at a record low of 0.5%, savers are...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4727Government borrowing reached a new record high last month, figures have revealed.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that public sector net borrowing reached £15.9 billion during the month - a year-on-year rise of £1.9 billion.The total, discounting bank bail-outs and other financial interventions, was reached despite austerity measures rolled out by the Government.It was the highest figure for August since records began 18 years ago. The month recorded the first drop in income tax receipts, while expenditure rose on the figure for the previous four weeks.Since March, net borrowing has fallen £3.9 billion year-on-year to £51.5 billion.The figures may fuel...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4726The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has been sent a super-complaint by Consumer Focus concerning the high rates travellers are forced to pay to exchange foreign currency.Holidaymakers currently face poor information and a complex charging system when exchanging currency, according to the consumer watchdog.Among its key grievances, the body warned that travellers are frequently hit with complicated and often confusing debit and credit card charges when using these products outside of the UK.Along with applying for travel insurance cover and booking flights, currency exchange is one of the key financial issues holidaymakers have...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4725Words need to be backed by action, energy secretary Chris Huhne has been told, after he promised to "get tough" on UK gas and electricity companies which continually charge high prices.The Which? consumer group said genuine competition needs to be introduced to the market for energy supply, which it argues would reduce people's gas and electricity bills. Financial advice is however available in the meantime to help people work through household budgets. The group also said the use of renewables needs to dramatically increase, removing the economy's...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4723Changes to the state pension age "have to be fair", pensions minister Steve Webb has said.The politician indicated that earlier governments "ducked" the issue of when people can retire and claim a basic state pension, telling delegates at the Liberal Democrat conference in Birmingham that one in six Britons alive today will live to 100, with one in three girls born today hitting their centenary year. There are concerns that many women will see their investments and savings hit by a sharp rise in their pension age, but Mr Webb said that ministers...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4724The English and Welsh water industry has seen the number of complaints drop year-on-year for the past three years, the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) has revealed. Customer complaints figures decreased by 4.5% during 2010-2011 in comparison to the 2009-2010 period, CCWater said.However, it added that a number of companies still have "a long way to go", as 185,140 complaints were received last year by the council. Chairman of CCWater Dame Yve Buckland said that overall, the decrease in complaints is "good news" for consumers, and that the overall results "look promising".The most customer complaints last year were received by United...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4722Global action is needed to lower rates of smoking and excessive alcohol drinking, according to the UK Health Secretary.Speaking at the UN in New York, Andrew Lansley said nation states need to co-ordinate the promotion of healthy living by encouraging people to exercise more and improve their diets.These are two key factors which influence a person's health and might be taken into consideration when it comes to life insurance applications. Mr Lansley spoke of the increasing global incidence of lifestyle-related disease and said reducing consumption of tobacco...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4721Financial advice services look set to be in greater demand than ever, as new figures show public sector employment has dropped to a figure of six million after the biggest fall since comparable records began.A study, carried out by research group Centre for Cities, found 175,000 public sector jobs have been slashed in Yorkshire and the Humber, the North West, North East and the Midlands in the last year alone.The North has fared particularly badly compared to the East of England, where 40,000 public sector jobs have been cut over the same period.Official figures last week showed that public sector employment...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4720Scientists have discovered a way of "lighting up" ovarian cancer tumour cells in a manner which they hope could greatly improve surgery success rates. A team lead by Professor Philip Low, of Purdue University in the US, attached a fluorescent label to a modified type of folic acid that attaches itself to ovarian cancer cells. Patients were injected with the molecule before undergoing surgery and a special camera system was used to light up the tumour cells. These in turn showed up as glowing green patches on a screen watched by surgeons. The find is significant because clusters of ovarian cancer...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4718Increasing demand from China, the USA and Germany is expected to help double the number of passenger plane fleets over the next 20 years, it has been forecast. Aircraft company Airbus, whose aircraft wings are made in the UK, said the amount of 100-plus seater planes will rise to just over 31,000 by 2030, from 15,000 at the beginning of this year. The biggest demand is predicted to come from Chinese, US and German airlines, Airbus said, with the Asia-Pacific region expected to need 34% of new planes, followed by North America and Europe, with these each taking 22%. World airlines,...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4719Many passengers are unaware of the complicated restrictions on train tickets, a survey has suggested.A poll found that more than half of passengers thought they understood the terms and conditions of their journey when buying tickets online.But just 1% were able to identify the rules attached to the main ticket types.The complexity of the terms and conditions could lead to rail passengers wasting money, making it more difficult to budget for travel costs and leaving less cash free for savings and investments. The survey by Which?...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4717The Bank of England has said that the emergency quantitative easing (QE) programme introduced in the wake of the recession boosted the economy by up to 2%. Between March 2009 and January 2010, the Bank bought £200 billion of assets in a bid to reinvigorate the flagging economy in the months after the financial meltdown. The report showed that QE helped GDP grow by between 1.5% and 2% during the period - equivalent to slashing interest rates by as much as three percentage points. Fears over the economic recovery in the UK have triggered calls for another round of QE money...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4716The risk inherent in high levels of cholesterol in the body is not taken seriously by a significant number of people in the UK, research shows.Testing for cholesterol, a waxy fat which raises the chances of heart disease, is apparently done more by men than by women.The research, carried out by margarine maker Flora, shows 72% of women and 60% of men have never had a cholesterol test, perhaps creating difficulties for them when it comes to getting a decent life insurance policy. Women, however, are said to be more likely to have...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4715A holidaymaker returning from a break abroad got a shock when he opened his suitcase - an exotic lizard jumped out and ran for cover.Russell Lucas was about to start unpacking after his holiday to Almeria in Spain when the 4cm-long Moorish gecko, also known as the crocodile or wall gecko, fled from his case.Mr Lucas said the reptile must have been in his case for about 24 hours, and survived a two-and-a-half hour flight in the plane's hold.The incident is a good example of how unusual things can happen during your travels, and why it is therefore vital to have...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4714Householders should be given more help to keep their homes warm in the face of ever-increasing energy bills, a leading think-tank has urged.The IPPR says the Government should look again at plans to use a £860 million pot of cash gleaned from taxes to pay householders, businesses and local councils for heat which they create from air and ground heat pumps and biomass boilers installed in their properties over the next four years.That scheme will also see residents given a premium payment of hundreds of pounds to install the technology they need to take part.The scheme could prove to be a...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4713A student has tracked down her stolen laptop by using software which can pinpoint the exact location of items.When Emma Partington realised her laptop was missing from her shared house in Bristol last month, the quick-thinking student immediately activated the Prey software rather than contacting her home insurance provider to report the theft. The software brought up a GPS location for the laptop, revealed the Wi-Fi address the computer was logged on to - and even took a photograph of the person who was using the machine.Miss...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4712Replacing fizzy drinks with water could reduce the risk of health problems such as heart disease and diabetes, research suggests. As well as encouraging weight loss, cutting sugar-sweetened drinks out of a person's diet can reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes by 7%, according to researchers at Harvard University. More than 100,000 people are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes every year, and this number is predicted to rise as more people become obese. According to Diabetes UK, 10% of all NHS cash is currently spent on treating diabetes and its complications. NHS figures show that more than 2.8 million people...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4711The UK will face higher inflation and lower growth before the year is out, according to predictions made by the European Commission (EC).The organisation raised its 2011 inflation forecast from 4.1% to 4.4% for the UK, in light of bigger than anticipated increases in the nation's energy prices.Meanwhile, the body's autumn economic forecast indicated that annual growth in the UK may now only reach 1.1% this year, down from the 1.7% growth rate previously estimated.However, despite its lower predictions and a moderation in the UK economy, the report found that growth continues to be positive.The commission's study stated: "There is likely...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4710The Government has controversially given its backing to a report calling on smokers who do not want to give up their nicotine addiction to use smokeless cigarettes, it has been reported.The idea behind the cigarettes is that they satisfy the smoker's addiction by delivering nicotine to the lungs, but they do so without including the harmful toxins and carcinogens that are present in tobacco smoke.Smoking is highly addictive and is a leading cause of cancer. As a result, it is much more difficult for smokers to get cheap life insurance. ...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4709People living in south-west England, who are charged the most money for water supplies to their homes, have been told by the Deputy Prime Minister that he is "pretty hopeful that pretty soon" they will be paying less through state assistance.Nick Clegg said details of any Government help are still being discussed.He was attending a public meeting in Cornwall when he made the remarks.With such expensive water to pay for, residents throughout the region may want financial advice on how to manage their household budgets. Mr Clegg...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4708Britain's youths feel like the Government has "given up on us", a teenager from the north London area where the first of last month's riots took place has told ministers.Omari Stewart, 17, from Gladesmore Community School, in Tottenham, added it was "pointless listening to young people if no changes are made".As home insurance claims on properties damaged during the civil unrest continue to be processed, Omari was among a group of students chosen to speak to Baroness Browning, minister for crime prevention and anti-social behaviour, and Tim Loughton, minister for children and families....http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4707Last month's riots across England, which caused a string of store closures, have been partially blamed for a retail sales volume decrease of 0.2% during the month. While the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said it was impossible to quantify, it said there was clear evidence to suggest that looting carried out during the civil disturbances detrimentally affected retail trade. On the other hand, however, some stores enjoyed a boost in trade from consumers seeking alternative shops to the ones that closed or moved due to the unrest.The looting carried out during the riots could not come at a worse time...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4706Genetic variants have been identified which point to new ways to treat heart disease, strokes and hypertension (high blood pressure).A large-scale project which analysed the results of genetic studies of 200,000 people singled out 28 variants which influence blood pressure.Those affected by any of the above conditions may find peace of mind by investing in a life insurance policy. Researchers also found for the first time a link between high blood pressure and haemochromotosis, a condition caused by iron overload.Aravinda Chakravarti, from the Johns Hopkins medical institutions...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4705Road congestion could be reduced by introducing a tougher driving test and making better use of real-time traffic information, a group of MPs has said.The recommendations came from the Transport Committee, which examined ways to cut congestion without building new roads or charging drivers a toll. In its Out Of The Jam: Reducing Congestion On Our Roads report, the committee also suggested ways that motorists could keep up to date with changes to the Highway Code, which might lead to fewer traffic accidents and cheaper car insurance cover as a result. ...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4703Boris Johnson has come under fire after announcing that fares for public transport in London will rise by an above-inflation 7% next year.London's mayor revealed that from January, fares on the Tube, bus services, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway and trams will go up by July's RPI figure of 5%, plus 2%.Mr Johnson said: "Despite some of the toughest economic times in living memory, I have secured unprecedented levels of investment for London's transport network totalling £12 billion over my four-year term of office. "Not since the days of our Victorian forefathers has there been improvements of this scale which includes...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4704In a bid to boost the country's flagging economy, the Government intends to take forward a range of large-scale infrastructure projects, according to the Deputy Prime Minister.Nick Clegg said in a speech at the London School of Economics that rail, road and broadband projects are among those which the coalition is keen to support.As unemployment continues its upward trend and growth remains slow, the Liberal Democrat leader stated that ministers will not simply sit on their hands and do nothing about the difficult economic situation.He said the last six months have seen a sharp deterioration in the world's financial climate, but...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4702Eating chocolate is just as good for you physically as doing exercise, according to researchers.Small amounts of dark chocolate fed to mice led to a similar beneficial effect to that enjoyed by mice doing a 30-minute daily treadmill workout.Those who consume large amounts of traditionally unhealthy food like chocolate may see their life insurance premiums impacted. However, in the new research project, scientists in the US noticed that the plant compound epicatechin, contained in chocolate, stimulated the same muscle response as vigorous exercise. They centred their observations...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4701As household budgets continue to remain tight UK consumers have looked to buy less at supermarkets over recent months, research indicates, despite making more trips to the shops.Figures published by market research company Kantar Worldpanel show that the three months leading up to September 4 saw a 4.5% increase in grocery sales compared to last year.However, the firm revealed that prices went up by 5.3% during the period, while indicating volumes dropped for the third consecutive month.Households may have cut back on their spending in order to focus on their savings and investments. ...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4700During last month's riots, firefighters in London attended call-outs every five minutes, the service has said.Over four days, at least 807 incidents were reported to the London Fire Brigade.Investigations undertaken by the brigade found that stations around the city had enough equipment and staff to deal with the incidents, although it remains to be seen whether residents' home insurance cover was up to the task. London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority chairman Brian Coleman said: "During the civil disturbances the London Fire Brigade faced its toughest-ever test...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4699A surge in the number of 18 to 24-year-olds without jobs has led to the largest increase in unemployment in almost two years.The number of those unemployed in the UK rose by 80,000 between May and July 2011 to stand at 2.51 million, or 7.9% of the population, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS)A total of 77,000 of the 80,000 newly unemployed people were aged between 18 and 24, while 769,000 of the 2.51 million without work are in this age category overall. The unemployment rise was the largest quarterly growth since August 2009 and came as a surprise...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4698Some two million new jobs are needed to bring employment levels back to those seen before the recession, according to a think tank.The IPPR said the UK faces a "long and difficult" path to recovery.It said the public sector had covered a gap in the availability of jobs in the private sector over the past 20 years but that cuts by the Government will change this.In a report, it warned that the drive to create 1.5 million jobs over the next five years will not be enough to bring employment rates back to the levels seen before the downturn took hold.It...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4697The head of a new charity which attempts to reduce alcohol-related illnesses and injuries has said that alcohol is available in Britain at "obscenely low prices".Professor Robin Davidson was speaking at the launch of Alcohol Research UK, which has been formed out of the now defunct quango the Alcohol Education and Research Council.He pointed out that while a gram of cocaine costs approximately £40 in Yorkshire, the equivalent amount of alcohol could be acquired for as little as £1, before adding: "The price of this drug is obscenely low."While excessive drinking can impact one's health and potentially have an adverse effect...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4694As part of its Green Deal scheme, the Government should encourage the adoption of energy-saving measures by cutting VAT to 5% on such products, according to a group of organisations.The costs of energy-saving measures are among the outgoings householders might need to factor in to their budgets along with other important products such as home insurance. The proposed tax cut should be offered to both homes and businesses, the 26 groups, which include the British Property Federation, the UK Green Building Council and WWF, suggest.Rather than leaving...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4695Almost £5,000 will be stripped away from the income of a typical family by 2013, a new report has warned.A middle income family living in the East Midlands with two children and two parents that both earn a wage will see a living standards gap of £2,000 this year and a gap of £4,600 by the end of 2013, according to the study by the TUC.The falling living standards are being brought about by cuts to public services, changes to the benefits system and pay rises not increasing at the same rate as inflation, the Unhappy Families report suggests.However, it is...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4696The official rate of inflation for August climbed to 4.5%, the Office for National Statistics has said.Rises in utility bills reached a two-year high and increases in the cost of clothing have never been greater, it reported, leaving many people potentially needing financial advice on re-arranging budgets. The Consumer Prices Index was up 0.1% on July's 4.4% rate, to match that recorded in May.Charges applying to housing, water, electricity and gas were raised 5.1% year-on-year, the office said.Household incomes are already being battered by the rising price...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4693House sales have fallen to their lowest point in two years, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said, prompting further fears over another global economic crisis.A report by Rics has revealed that in the three months to the end of August, sales per surveyor stood at 14 - the lowest figure recorded since June 2009.Sellers may be keeping up-to-date with their home insurance payments on their current properties for a while, as 40% of surveyors said potential buyers were not committing to a sale due to fears over house prices falling later...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4692Employment prospects in the North of England are looking bleak, with the finance and business services sectors particularly feeling the strain, according to a new report.A poll of 2,000 firms in the UK showed many in the North would be reluctant to hire extra staff in the near future.Those looking for work may find it more difficult than ever to secure a job in the tough economic climate, with even people in employment having to tighten their belts and potentially finding it hard to make savings and investments. ...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4691The UK's workers need to increase their level of fitness by undertaking more exercise, it has been suggested.According to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), survey results show that more than two in five of the country's employees currently become breathless when running for a bus or walking up a flight of stairs.The organisation's research indicated that female workers say they are more likely to get out of breath when undertaking simple activities than their male counterparts.A lack of exercise can have a negative impact on people's health, potentially impacting their life insurance premiums. ...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4690The Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) has recommended that UK banks should separate their high street and investment divisions as part of a reform package that may be in place by 2019.The Government-appointed commission said that the measures would be designed to "make it easier and less costly to resolve banks that get into trouble", without taxpayers' help being required.The ICB's highly anticipated report also suggested that the Government should ensure Lloyds Banking Group's planned sale of 632 branches leads to the emergence of a "strong challenger bank" - but it stopped short of suggesting that more branches should be sold.The...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4689Smoking-related illnesses including lung disease are set to rocket in some parts of the country in the next decade, research suggests.Hospital admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a range of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, will rise the most on the south coast and in the West Country, according to the study by Experian Public Sector and the British Lung Foundation.Torquay, the Isle of Wight and Barnstaple are expected to see rises of at least 16% in COPD admissions by 2020, with the Isle of Wight also due to see a 25.1% jump in lung disease admissions, the...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4688The increase in the pension age to 67 is being accelerated under Government plans to make under-50s work for longer.Pensions minister Steve Webb said the existing timescale for pension age rises is "too slow".The pension age was scheduled to rise to 67 by 2036 and to 68 by 2046.Speaking to The Observer newspaper, Mr Webb insisted this needs to be changed to avoid a pensions crisis, which will disrupt people's current savings and investments strategy. He said: "Everybody knows we are living longer. It is like an...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4687The tail end of a hurricane is about to lash the UK, weather forecasters have predicted.The northern-most areas will get severe gales as Hurricane Katia blows its last gasp.Trees are likely to suffer in the 80mph winds expected for Tuesday. Heavy rain is also likely across Scotland, Northern Ireland and north England and the Environment Agency is issuing flood alerts for the areas, meaning people should also be double-checking their home insurance cover. Particular attention should be paid by those living in and around the Derwent Water...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4686The UK's leading energy suppliers must speed up their efforts to improve the insulation levels of the country's homes, according to the Government, with mandatory energy efficiency targets in jeopardy.Energy efficiency measures are among the costs that householders might need to factor in to their budgets at present, along with products like home insurance. Official figures revealed earlier this week that nearly 300,000 insulation measures were introduced to people's properties over the last quarter, with loft and cavity wall lagging installed.However, around two-fifths of homes which possess...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4685There is a ratio of one job for every 25 applicants in some parts of London, according to a new study by the TUC.This was the case in the London borough of Waltham Forest in the North East of the capital and the situation is almost as bad in nearby Hackney where the figure falls to 22 applicants per job.However, the situation varies greatly across the city, with the ratio standing at just three to one in Kingston upon Thames and Westminster and four to one in Richmond and Hillingdon.As unemployment goes up, people may increasingly be looking to raid their...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4684A system that automatically dials the emergency services if a vehicle is involved in a crash could be made mandatory in all new cars by 2015.The European Commission is proposing to make it law for the life-saving eCall system to be installed in cars.In the event of a serious crash, the system automatically dials the emergency services to alert them of the incident.The commission's move comes after a slow voluntary uptake of the system from manufacturers, despite it costing less than £90 to install.EU commissioner for the digital agenda, Neelie Kroes, told Euro-MPs that a mandatory introduction is the answer, and...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4683Ministers are to bring a halt to referral fees which are paid in personal injury cases, in an attempt to address the problem of soaring insurance costs.The fees, combined with the popular no-win, no-fee system, are being cited by the Government as one of the reasons for rising car insurance premiums and higher prices. News of the ban comes as the consumer watchdog, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), said it plans to investigate the issue of motor insurance following complaints from drivers that they are being...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4682The Bank of England has decided to avoid extending its quantitative easing (QE) programme for the time being, despite a lingering fear the UK economy will slide back into recession.The Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is maintaining the 0.5% base interest rate, providing a challenge to those with savings and investments, but has decided not to effectively print more cash which would help oil the wheels of UK industry. Economists and company bosses say they favour increasing QE. However, it is thought that action on this will...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4681The number of cancer cases worldwide now stands at 12 million a year - up a fifth in under a decade, according to new figures.It is more than four times the annual number of new HIV infections, and 2.8 million cases are linked to poor diet, a lack of exercise and being overweight. Having a god life insurance policy in place can help to cushion the financial blow of losing a loved one to the disease. The number of cancers that could potentially be prevented is expected...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4679Weak growth in the UK manufacturing sector has added to the pressure being placed on the economy.The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that between June and July, a month-on-month rise in activity of just 0.1% was seen among businesses in the manufacturing industry.Despite the poor findings, the figures are better than initial estimates had indicated, with flat growth originally predicted for the period.The ONS research shows that a 0.2% drop was seen with regards to the wider index of production.Mining, energy and quarry industries are included in this measure, which is said to have been hit...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4680The recession led to a sharp decrease in the number of people making personal pension contributions last year, according to the latest figures.New research published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicated that the savings and investments made by people into these pensions fell by £2 billion between 2007/08 and the 2009/10 period. Overall, contributions decreased from £20.9 billion to a level of £18.7 billion during this time.Financial pressure fuelled by the UK recession was cited by the ONS as a potential reason for this development...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4678The Government has been urged to put innovation at the heart of its plans for growth and job creation.A new report by the Work Foundation and Lancaster University has said the Government should work alongside businesses and the financial sector to focus on technologies in health science, and digital and low carbon areas, where economic growth and job creation are likely to come from given the right treatment and investment.The report says that focusing time and resources into these areas will help the UK avoid a decade of stagnation and move it away from an "economic corner".It also called on the...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4677Women in their mid-life tend to age better if they regularly drink small amounts of alcohol, according to a large-scale study.Very heavy drinking can damage people's health, potentially raising their life insurance premiums. However, the research suggests that the likelihood of women "successfully ageing" is increased by 28% if they drink the equivalent of three small glasses of wine a day. Drinking between 15.1 and 30 grams of alcohol every day makes it more likely for a woman to reach the age of 70 without having heart...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4676Sales of new cars have risen for the first time since the summer of 2010, according to the latest figures.Sales went up by 7.3% in August compared to the same period of last year, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) confirmed, with 59,346 new car registrations recorded during the month.More people may now be seeking car insurance cover, as the SMMT revealed that the sales increase has been fuelled by growing demand from both fleet purchasers and private buyers. Despite these positive findings, the SMMT...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4675A survey of recruitment companies has found that temporary and permanent jobs grew modestly last month.The research was based on information gathered from 400 recruitment and employment firms and also found that more people were looking for work during August.But the revelation that wages were rising at their slowest pace since 2009 suggests some people may be having to dig into their savings and investments to get by. Kevin Green, chief executive of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, said the study demonstrated that firms were still filling...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4673The nation's over-50s are proving that gap years are not just for students, with more and more taking such breaks, according to one tour operator.More of the country's older travellers are heading off on trips of up to three months, according to Bridge the World.With travel insurance likely to be among many people's holiday priorities, these travellers are spending some £7,000 per person, with Australia and New Zealand the top spots for such trips. However, Borneo and Bangkok are also proving popular, the company said.James Herbert,...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4674Computer experts have designed technology to prevent flooding by identifying leaks in old water pipes.The experts from the University of Exeter have made use of technology used in the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and modern computer games. The software allows users to discover the source of leaks which are all too common in Victorian pipes.Leaks can cost water companies millions of pounds and, as a result, customers can face higher bills at a time when many families are struggling in the difficult economic climate.If homes are flooded due to a leak, it may also mean householders have to make a ...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4672Nearly six in ten parents think they would be better off not working due to the cost of childcare, according to new research.A study by Save the Children and the Daycare Trust found parents spend nearly a third of their earnings on childcare, more than in any other country.The charities said poorer parents are considering leaving their job or turning down offers of work because they cannot afford the cost of childcare.Four out of 10 families said the cost of such care is equal to their mortgage or rent payments.Of the families who are struggling, nearly half have cut back on...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4671Drivers apparently have the sharpest concentration on a Monday, giving the most attention to the road and their surroundings when behind the wheel then.A poll by Kia Motors shows that the dreaded start to the working week is actually when motorists are most alert.This suggests fewer car insurance claims are made on the first day of the working week, compared with most other days. Thursday is the day to get off the road, according to the poll. This is when drivers say they are least alert, making...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4670The average yearly household fuel bill could rise by over £300 as a result of green energy policies the Government is planning to take forward, it is feared in Whitehall.Downing Street calculations suggest that the coming nine years may witness a 30% increase in these bills.While Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has indicated that energy efficiency measures could help people to tackle higher costs, the Prime Minister's senior policy adviser, Ben Moxham, expressed doubts about this in a note seen by the Daily Telegraph.In the note, Mr Huhne's claims were described as being "unconvincing".Mr Moxham stated: "Over time, it is clear that...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4669The UK's powerhouse services sector recorded marginal growth in August as it suffered its worst slowdown in activity in a decade.A reading of 51.1 was recorded during the month on the Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), where a score of above 50 indicates growth. It is down on July's growth figure when a score of 55.4 was recorded.It was the steepest decline seen by the services sector, which makes up about three-quarters of the total economy, since the foot and mouth crisis of 2001 and the drop was bigger than that experienced following the collapse of Lehman Brothers bank in 2008.Experts...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4668Some parents are struggling to cover the cost of preparing for the new school year, with the price of essentials such as uniforms taking up as much as 40% of people's monthly income, a charity warns.Family Action, which works with disadvantaged families, said the cost of a new uniform could account for up to two-fifths of a household's monthly income.And even spreading the cost over two months still took up a fifth of parents' monthly earnings, it said.It comes after the charity looked at the cost of branded and non-branded uniforms and other essentials using a sample of schools in Hackney,...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4667Changes to Government proposals forcing women to work two years longer in order to receive a pension are reportedly still being considered.As many as 330,000 women will likely have to work for up to an additional two years before the Government classifies them as a pensioner, under the coalition's plans to raise the female retirement age from 60 to 65 by 2018.Then, by 2020, the Government wants everyone to work until they are 68, a significant change which carries wide implications for people's ability to maintain their savings and investments. ...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4663Despite fears that another global recession could be on the cards, the Bank of England looks likely to avoid opting for a further round of quantitative easing (QE) on Thursday, according to economic experts.Global investment markets are among the victims of recent financial turbulence, which has been fuelled by a stream of worrying data concerning the recovery. While calls for the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to increase the UK's base rate have faded somewhat in recent weeks, pressure is being placed on the organisation...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4664Some 1.05 million householders have signed up to the Environment Agency's flood warning alert service.The free service warns users of the threat of floods via text, email, fax or phone.Of those now signed up, some 57% are thought to live in an area at high risk of flooding.It is a huge improvement on figures recorded in 2008, when only 14% were signed up to the service.The agency believes one in six households are currently at risk of flooding.It said an extra 182,000 houses in England were now better protected from floods, surpassing the Government's target of 37,000.Home insurance can also help...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4665Many holidaymakers book extravagant breaks in a bid to outdo their friends, research has suggested.Travel agent Sunshine.co.uk said that up to two in five tourists had opted for a holiday which they thought outdid that taken by a friend, family member or colleague.Some 50% of people succumbing to holiday rivalry said that it was important for them to think their holiday was better than that of a friend.However, for 9% of the 1,208 polled, jealousy was the main driver in their rush of one-upmanship.This was backed up by the 12% of people who were hit with a touch of the green-eyed...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4666Separating banks' retail divisions from their riskier investment arms could end up reducing the UK's economic growth by 0.3%, it has been warned.The controversial changes have been suggested by the Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) but the Ernst & Young ITEM Club said the UK's gross domestic product could take a temporary hit as a result.The plans first surfaced in April when the ICB, which was established by the Government to improve financial stability in the UK, published its interim report. The ICB will publish its final findings next Monday.The ITEM Club has also suggested that the recovery prospects of the...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4662Airmiles is relaunching its rewards scheme, which will result in free flights no longer being made available to customers.People travelling outside of Europe will soon have to cash in their points and pay out for fees, airline taxes and surcharges, as well as the usual costs when going abroad such as travel insurance. Regular users of the programme will be charged a flat rate of £27 when flying within Europe.Andrew Swaffield, managing director of scheme operator the Mileage Company, said: "We have made a series of changes,...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4661Ministers have been urged to act over the economy after growth forecasts were slashed for the third time this year.The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) revised its forecast from 1.3% to 1.1% for growth in 2011 - at the start of the year it had forecast 1.9%.The BCC also cut its forecast for growth next year from 2.2% to 2.1%, questioning the Government's decision to focus on exports and business investment.It said that the economy was not being rebalanced fast enough and urged ministers to slash red tape and boost infrastructure to stimulate business.The latest revisions from the BCC could encourage...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4660Campaigners have highlighted a link between the salt levels found in bread and packets of crisps.Medics group Consensus Action on Salt & Health (Cash) said that one in four bread loaves contains as much salt per slice as a packet of potato chips.The group analysed the salt content of 294 loaves found in the aisles and on the counters of supermarkets and high street bakeries.The group said that its findings unearthed hidden salt in many of the loaves, with 28% containing as much per slice as a packet of crisps.The Department of Health recently announced that bread provides 18% of people's...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4659A spud can lower the pressure of people's blood, US scientists have found.Scientists fed 18 volunteers six to eight potatoes twice a day and discovered that after a month their average blood pressure readings improved, a finding which may come as a relief to potato lovers seeking the best life insurance deals The figures showed a 3.5% reduction in systolic blood pressure, the "upper" reading when blood is pumped with each beat of the heart, and a 4.3% reduction in the diastolic "lower" reading, showing pressure between...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4658Manufacturing has fallen to its lowest level for more than two years, new figures have shown.The latest Markit Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) has added to fears of a double-dip recession, as experts had previously believed manufacturing would help support the UK's struggling economy. The PMI recorded a level of 49 for August, its lowest reading for 26 months and down from July's figure of 49.4. A reading of 50 would indicate growth.It came after new orders fell for the fourth month in a row, showing their steepest decline since April 2009.The bleak figures will add to the pressure on Chancellor George...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4656New research indicates that more than one in four graduates are not in full-time work three and a half years after completing their degree. Some 27.7% of those who left university in 2006/07 had not found a full-time job within three and a half years, according to figures released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Of this total, 8.8% were working part-time or in the voluntary sector, while 6.5% were still studying.Another 5.3% were working and studying at the same time, but 3.6% were assumed to be unemployed. The report also indicates that graduates are becoming increasingly likely to find...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4657UK motorists are increasingly opting to buy smaller cars which offer greater levels of fuel-efficiency rather than bigger models, according to new research.Car insurance and road tax are among the costs which drivers need to budget for each year. However, with large fuel prices and tight household budgets putting families under even more strain this year, the latest Auto Trader figures indicate that many are having to consider downsizing their vehicle.Its study revealed that the prices of smaller second-hand cars have managed to remain at a fairly constant level in the past year, despite a...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4655The British are among the most gloomy nations in the world when assessing the future of their economy, a survey has revealed.In the Ipsos MORI study, just 9% of respondents expected the economy to improve in six months' time, with the difficult climate perhaps encouraging consumers to seek financial advice. Only the French were more downbeat with their expectations, as 3% of respondents there predicted a better economy for their country. Americans, Germans and Canadians were the most optimistic about their futures among the other G8 countries...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4654Research has found that men who do not sleep well in their later years have a greater chance of suffering high blood pressure.The study found that a lack of deep sleep increased the risk of high blood pressure by 80% over a period of around three and a half years, findings which may reaffirm the importance of life insurance. The study, published in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension, saw 794 men with an average age of 75 measured for the amount of slow wave sleep (SWS)...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4653Passengers heading to Gatwick Airport saw their holiday plans delayed after a burst water main affected train services.Thames Water has been urged to pay compensation to thousands of rail passengers on train services from London to the south coast who were affected by the incident.The call from Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group and chairman of the London Assembly Transport Committee, comes in response to Thames Water saying it was not liable to pay compensation over the incident.The burst main caused a landslide at Croydon, blocking the tracks and reinforcing the need for ...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4652Spending cuts on workplace pensions are being considered by a third of larger employers in the run-up to next year's automatic enrolment reforms, a report has revealed.Just a quarter of employers have budgeted for auto-enrolment, and larger companies expect up to 17% of staff to opt out of workplace pensions after the reforms, a figure which reaches 39% in smaller organisations.The news might encourage workers to look more closely at their options for making retirement savings and investments. The Association of Consulting Actuaries (ACA) carried out the...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4651With household budgets remaining tight, the UK's gender pay gap continues to impact female employees, with research indicating that male executives are paid over £10,000 more than women.Figures from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) suggest that equal pay is still a century away, as the gender pay gap between male and female executive stands at a level of £10,546.This is roughly £500 higher than the gap recorded last year.However, progress is being made at a junior level, where marginally more was earned annually by female members of staff than men.The CMI's study suggests that equal pay will still take 100 years...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4650More flights have been laid on by British airlines in the wake of Hurricane Irene.The hurricane left many Britons stranded along America's east coast after many flights in the New York area were called off amid the carnage.Extra flights to London from Newark in New Jersey and New York's JF Kennedy airport have been laid on by British Airways (BA) in a bid to reduce the number of passengers stranded in the US.Passengers flying with Virgin Atlantic have also benefited from an extra flight to the English capital. Despite the increased number of flights, many of the stranded passengers will be...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4649The majority of UK workers do not realise that they will be automatically enrolled into their workplace's pension scheme in less than a year, new research has shown.This lack of awareness is particularly acute among younger workers, with less than a third of those aged between 18 and 24 who were surveyed admitting they did not know about the imminent changes, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).A total of 2,000 workers across a number of sectors were asked whether they knew about the changes, which were described by the CIPD as the biggest reforms to pensions for...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4648House prices dropped 0.1% last month and are due to keep falling for the rest of the year, property analyst Hometrack said.The company also revealed that a 1.2% decline in the number of new buyers registering with estate agents was seen in August, compared with 1.1% growth the previous month, a development which may impact home insurance sales. Agreed sales dropped by 3.6% and the length of time properties were up for sale rose to 9.5 weeks last month from 9.4 weeks in July.Hometrack predicted that house...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4647Soaring petrol prices have left many drivers trying to limit their spending at the pumps, a survey has indicated.A poll of AA members found that 14% now pay a set amount on their credit card for fuel, while another 14% set themselves a cash limit.It comes as many drivers struggle to cope with rising fuel prices on top of extra costs such as road tax and car insurance. The Populus survey of 15,860 people found that those living in Northern Ireland, Wales and the North West of...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4646The vast majority of UK building societies managed to make a profit in the last 12 months, irrespective of the continuing economic turbulence, new figures show.According to KPMG's annual survey of the building society sector, only four out of 48 firms were not profitable, down on the previous year's six.Bottom-line profits went up for 28 building societies during the period covered by the report, regardless of the record low interest rates which have hit people with savings and investments.However, the report also showed that numerous societies have been forced to reduce the scale...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4645Homes in the top catchment areas for schools are costing middle class parents up to £77,000 above the average house price, a study shows.The cost of homes near the 50 best schools in the UK is 50% higher than anywhere else, with the most expensive catchment area for a top state school located near Henrietta Barnett School in north London.The average price of homes near this secondary school - judged "outstanding" in the latest Ofsted report - is £655,429.St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School in Orpington, Kent, as well as Queen Elizabeth's School in north London, saw average asking prices...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4644The average disposable income stood at £166 a week in July, down 6.4% on the previous year, according to the latest figures.The increased cost of motoring, potentially fuelled by high car insurance and petrol costs, and food prices saw households £11 a week worse off during the month, data from Asda's Income Tracker suggests. Inflation also continued to increase, up to 4.4% in July from 4.2% the previous month, while conditions worsened in the job market, Asda said.Average wages have increased slightly quicker in the seven months...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4643All English and Welsh regions saw increases in house prices in July, except the North East where they fell 8.8% in the last year, new figures show.The Land Registry said the average price rose 1.3% to £163,049 in the month from June after the biggest monthly move in figures since January last year, a change which may encourage people to consider the use of home insurance. But in the North East average prices are now at £101,143 after a 2.3% drop. This price shows a near-9% drop...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4642Private investors are being sought to fund projects to tackle anti-social behaviour, addiction and poor education in deprived areas.Investors, charities and other groups saving money into a Social Impact Bond will receive a dividend for any successful project, the Government said. It is hoped the scheme will raise up to £40 million to support projects in Hammersmith & Fulham, Westminster, Birmingham and Leicestershire.Launching a trial of the fund, civil society minister Nick Hurd said: "We must not be afraid to do things differently to end the pointless...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4641The riots that hit key English cities earlier this month have negatively impacted the outlook of the country's retailers, new figures suggest.Optimism among retail firms has reached a two-year low, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).Its statistics reveal that a balance of 11% of retailers now feel negative about their prospects for the coming quarter of 2011.This is the worst reading recorded by the business group since February 2009.Poor sales have been witnessed in a range of sectors, with clothing, household goods and DIY products all affected.The CBI noted that the balance of retailers seeing a drop in sales...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4640Hurricane Irene is heading to the US east coast after hitting the Bahamas islands chain, prompting the order of thousands of tourists to go home.People visiting areas at risk from being hit by the storm will be checking that their last-minute journeys are covered on their travel insurance policy after being told to leave. On North Carolina's Outer Banks there are a number of coastal villages and beaches where visitors have been evacuated due to their exposure.The southern Bahamas has already experienced the force of the hurricane,...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4639Motorists hitting the roads this weekend would do well to take note of a safety charity's survey, which shows that at least two in every three drivers have lost their concentration behind the wheel in the past year.Brake said its poll uncovered a 71% rate of drivers admitting to being inattentive to the traffic hurtling past them at least once in the past 12 months.Motorists invariably blamed other "inconsiderate" drivers, an excuse unlikely to wash with car insurance companies, although some attributed their lack of attention to being too worried about their job...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4638Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called on some of the world's most powerful leaders to work together to prevent a youth unemployment epidemic.Mr Brown, who was UK Chancellor for 10 years before becoming Prime Minister, said US President Barack Obama and French leader Nicolas Sarkozy should agree an emergency meeting of the G20 to try to stop a second global downturn from happening.Speaking at the International Labour Organisation in Geneva, he said that more than 80 million young people are already out of work and a further billion will be vulnerable to unemployment over the next 10 years.France holds the...http://www.lv.com/media_centre/news/detail?detailid=4637People in parts of Eastern Europe have been warned to stay indoors and drink more water as temperatures soared to more than 40C.The warnings have been issued to residents and tourists in Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Albania.Some 600 calls have been made to medics in Belgrade, with people fainting in the street due to the heat, a doctor said.Temperatures hit 45C (113F) in Mostar, Bosnia, where playing children left their footprints in the melting asphalt."The only way to deal with this is in the river," said Mostar high school student Semir Hebib.Many workers were sent home early to avoid...