Connect with us

Money

Shoppers are rushing to buy energy gadget that’s reduced from £99 to £9.99 – and it will help keep the heating off

Published

on

Shoppers are rushing to buy energy gadget that’s reduced from £99 to £9.99 - and it will help keep the heating off

SHOPPERS are racing to get their hands on an energy gadget after its price was slashed from a whopping £99 to just £9.99 and it will help keep the heating off.

With energy prices still high and the winter fuel payment cuts affecting thousands of pensioners, finding ways to keep warm this winter is proving challenging.

EGL 2000W Oil Filled Radiator 2000W Oil Filled Radiator was reduced by £89.01

1

EGL 2000W Oil Filled Radiator 2000W Oil Filled Radiator was reduced by £89.01Credit: hotukdeals

However, the EGL 2000W Oil Filled Radiator could be the money-saver households are looking for.

Advertisement

The easy-to-use heating device has been reduced by a staggering 90 per cent after its price was slashed from £99 to £9.99, saving shoppers an eye-watering £89.01.

Several shoppers left great reviews about the product on HotUKDeals, with many eager to get their hands on the portable radiator.

One user wrote: “These are great to have, only heat one space in the home rather than the entire thing, I’ve used them for years.”

“Ordered mine, fingers crossed,” another added.

Advertisement

A third said: “Absolute steal.”

And a fourth shopper commented: “Very good deal.”

The EGL 2000W Oil Filled Radiator is estimated to cost around 50p per hour, meaning an 8-hour day would add up to £4 in total.

This would make it “cheaper to stay at home rather than driving to work and staying warm in the office,” another user added.

Advertisement

Unfortunately, this deal is no longer available but there are still similar heaters for discounted prices on offer.

I tried a cheap gadget for keeping warm and it’s a game changer – you’ll never have cold hands again

Shoppers can bag themselves an Electric Freestanding Oil-Filled Radiator for just £26.99 from Screwfix.

Similarly, Amazon has stocked up on heating devices, with the cheapest portable radiator selling for just under £30.

B&Q’s Oil-filled radiator is currently scanning for just £24.

Advertisement

How to bag a bargain

SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain…

Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with.

Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks.

Advertisement

Sales are when you can pick up a real steal.

Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on.

Sign up to mailing lists and you’ll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.

When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use vouchercodes.co.uk and myvouchercodes.co.uk are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer.

Advertisement

Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. Trolley.co.uk app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping.

Bargain hunters can also use B&M’s scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out.

And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you’ll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.

Ways to save this winter

Heated airers are a great way to save money when you can’t dry your clothes outdoors, but they’re not the only gadget you should seriously consider investing in.

Advertisement

Heated throws are great for keeping warm without switching on the heating. Pop one over you while you’re on the sofa watching TV, drape one over your bed – there’s even one from Lakeland you can wear. They offer several temperature levels and often have timers to automatically switch off.

Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air and when it’s drier in your home you tend to feel warmer. They can also be great for drying washing and some brands even have a laundry setting.

Air Fryers are the kitchen must-have of the last few years. They generally cook food quicker than your main oven does and in less time, using much less electricity.

Heavy or lined curtains can help keep out the cold, while draft excluders not only help keep cold air out but warm air in.

Advertisement

Before it gets really cold and you turn to your central heating for the winter, check to see if your radiators need bleeding. It’s a simple job whereby you use a radiator key to release any build-up of air bubbles that can stop the radiator from functioning effectively.

5 ways to keep your house warm in winter

Property expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.

1. Curtains

Advertisement

“Windows are a common place for the outside cold to get into your home, this is because of small gaps that can let in air so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.

This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth as it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.

2. Rugs

“Your floor is another area of your home where heat can be lost and can make your home feel chilly,” he continued. “You might notice on cold days, that your floor is not nice to walk on due to it freezing your feet.

Advertisement

“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have a carpet, this provides a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”

3. Check your insulation

Check your pipes, loft space, crawlspaces and underneath floorboards.

“Loose-fill insulation is very good for this, and is a more affordable type of insulation, with a big bag being able to be picked up for around £30,” Joshua explained.

Advertisement

4. Keep your internal doors closed

“Household members often gather in one room in the evening, and this is usually either the kitchen or living room,” Joshua said.

“This means you only have to heat a small area of your home, and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”

5. Block drafts 

Advertisement

Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and letterboxes, as they can let in old air if they aren’t secure.

Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Money

Trade Body 2.0 – Does the platform sector need a new voice?

Published

on

Trade Body 2.0 - Does the platform sector need a new voice?
Shutterstock / Billion Photos

The platform sector is a diverse and fragmented industry in need of unification and greater collaboration.

In the past, many attempts have been made — unsuccessfully — to bring providers together under an umbrella group. The setbacks have always been attributed to the competing interests of platforms and, until now, there has been no formal trade group to represent the community.

The sector’s views have instead been represented by various organisations, including the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the UK Platform Group (UKPG) and The Investing and Saving Alliance (TISA).

However, all that is about to change with the formation of the Platforms Association.

People have been asking, ‘Why wasn’t this done five years ago?’

The association, which was launched in late September on the eve of the Schroders UK Platform Awards, wants to be the representative voice of the multibillion-pound platform sector.

Advertisement

It claims the industry has “lacked specific sectoral representation and co-ordination” and “needs to take greater control over influencing regulatory issues and shaping growth”.

The trade body will act as a conduit for the sector to engage with regulators and policymakers, as well as co-ordinate and promote industry interests. Several leading platforms, including Abrdn, Aegon, Fidelity, Quilter, Seccl and SS&C, have already signed up.

The Platforms Association will be chaired by David Moffat, a senior director at SS&C who has decades of platform experience, and headed by industry veteran Keith Phillips, a former executive director at TheCityUK, the British Bankers’ Association and the Investment Association.

The pair will be supported by a board made up of leading industry experts.

Advertisement

Organisational structure

Membership of the association is open to UK- and Europe-regulated platforms whose primary activities are the settlement, custody and safekeeping of retail investor assets, as well as sub-custodian firms and white-label technology providers.

There are also affiliate members drawn from platform consultancies, legal firms and software providers. In addition, related financial and professional services firms, including Alpha FMC, have been appointed as independent strategic partners.

The platforms obviously felt they didn’t have a trade body that properly represented their interests and needs

“Given a background of increased economic uncertainty and regulatory scrutiny, the UK platform industry now needs its own dedicated forum and representative voice,” says Moffat.

Advertisement

“The Platforms Association will look to co-ordinate collective action and agree best practice to the benefit of platform operators, financial advisers and underlying investors.”

Phillips agrees.

“The investment and fund industry has been transformed and democratised over the past decade, with millions of customers now interacting directly with their financial futures through a platform.”

As a result, he adds, “sector-wide co-ordination should now be fully realised for the benefit of all”.

Advertisement

The association has already developed a roadmap of priority issues to be tackled, including platform requirements, regulatory expectations, and operational efficiencies and improvements.

Having a body specifically for platforms will encourage a better understanding of the issues

These three broad areas will be overseen by a leadership council comprising representatives from across the industry. This will meet quarterly and set the strategic agenda for the association.

Membership of the council, chaired by platform veteran Peter Mann, will be by invitation only.

‘Hard prioritisation’

Advertisement

Moffat says the association has already managed to collate a long list of 30 platform issues that the council needs to deliberate on.

The list was collated following consultations with the Financial Conduct Authority, the Investment Association, the Personal Investment Management and Financial Advice Association (Pimfa), TISA and other stakeholders.

“We have probably a capacity to cope with half a dozen [issues] at most and there’s some hard prioritisation going on,” says Moffat. “We need the leadership council to give us the steer as to what areas to focus on.

I’m not sure how dividing representation into two groups is helpful

“There’s a whole slew of other areas that potentially would justify, warrant and command our attention. But we’re going to have to cut our cloth accordingly,” he adds.

Advertisement

The association will also have standing committees to cover legal, regulatory, operations and technology issues.

Moffat states that the association, which is a not-for-profit, is working closely with some of the leading financial services trade bodies, such as the ABI, Pimfa and TISA.

“We have talked a little about ‘Trade Body 2.0’ as a kind of model, rather than simply emulating some of the existing major players.”

He says the association is different from others because all its members, regardless of size and assets, will participate and contribute “on an equal footing”. The cost of membership is £10,000.

Advertisement

Moffat continues: “I think that’s important, not so much for the amount but at the level that everybody is there equally.

“Part of the problem you tend to see with the pricing models that some of the other trade bodies adopt is that the biggest players contribute by far the largest amount of the money.

We hope this new forum can find common ground that enables progress

“The problem, of course, is that those very big players dominate and almost dictate the agenda that the trade body follows. And that’s what we’ve been keen to avoid.

“We want everybody sat around the table to contribute, and their value lies in the quality of their arguments and their analysis, rather than the amount of money they paid to be sat at that table.”

Advertisement

Warm welcome

The sector has largely welcomed the newly formed platform trade body and the response from across the industry has been “genuinely quite flattering”, says Moffat.

“The one question that people have been asking is, ‘Why wasn’t this done five years ago?’

“There is no good answer to that right now other than the fact that it wasn’t. Let’s do it now, then, and get it right.”

Advertisement

Platforum head Jeremy Fawcett thinks investment platforms should argue their corner with the regulator, the government and other parts of the industry.

In five years’ time, I’d like to see a platform community that is competitive and providing innovation and change at the individual platform level

It’s “surprising that it has taken so long to get here”, he says of the new trade body.

Fawcett adds: “Transact has been around for 25 years and collectively platforms hold a serious amount of the population’s wealth — about £800bn, according to our data.

“As a large and distinct part of the personal investing landscape, they find themselves in the regulator’s crosshairs and often need to respond in a co-ordinated way.

Advertisement

“Asset managers and wealth managers have their own well-established associations to represent them and don’t just rely on the broader industry groups. Investment platforms are sensible to do the same.

“The platforms obviously felt that they didn’t have a trade body that properly represented their interests and needs, and spoke with a single, clear voice to the government, the regulator and the rest of the industry.

“TISA was never likely to do the job, given the wide range of members — from asset managers to large intermediaries — and the potential for conflict between them, although it remains a very useful forum.”

The challenge in platform trade bodies has been the fact there are some business models that significantly compete with each other

Söderberg & Partners Wealth Management UK CEO Nick Raine adds: “While not a silver bullet, we think having a trade body specifically for platforms will encourage a better understanding of the issues platforms face.

Advertisement

“This will be a step forward from simply addressing the symptoms, which has often been the problem in the past.

“Platforms can improve transparency for end-clients and help advice firms fulfil their Consumer Duty obligations. With the additional support and advocacy of a trade body, we predict a bright future for platforms.”

Benchmark Capital chief executive Ed Dymott says: “We are always interested by improving industry collaboration, driving best practice and ensuring regulatory policy is appropriate.

“There is a lot of focus on platform business models, and we see benefits if there is more consensus in how the industry addresses key challenges.”

Advertisement

Divided loyalties

However, not everyone agrees with the formation of a new platform industry body.

Parmenion chief executive Martin Jennings believes the UKPG represents the platform sector. He wants to see the group strengthen itself rather than have to compete with a rival trade body.

We’ve seen trade bodies that have tried to become quasi regulators; that doesn’t work out well for anybody

“We have currently decided not to join the Platforms Association and to continue to strengthen our representation through the UKPG,” he says.

Advertisement

“I’d welcome anyone who wants to represent the industry or represent the interests of the industry and the clients within it. However, I’m not sure how dividing representation into two groups is helpful.

“I’ve a concern that we’ll end up diluting the voice because the UK platform people will represent themselves either through the Platforms Association or through the UKPG. And, when I look at
that, one group is surely better than two.”

Jennings hastens to add that his platform firm is not ruling out joining the Platforms Association in the future “if its voice becomes much stronger than the UKPG’s over time”.

The UKPG was set up in 2014 to represent retail platform operators. However, the group is limited to a small number of members in the UK. It does not have a formal legal structure or secretariat.

Advertisement

They’re just drowning in stuff, trying to make some kind of coherence out of the whole thing

A UKPG spokesperson says the group remains active and continues “to deliver in line with the principles that govern it”, dismissing any suggestion of rivalry between the two trade bodies.

“The UK Platform Group is aware of the Platforms Association,” adds the spokesperson. “The UKPG, with Pimfa as secretariat, will continue to represent the views of its members and looks forward to working alongside the Platforms Association to improve the understanding of the industry and advocate for positive change.”

Definition debate

“‘Platform’ is a label in search of a definition,” the late Ian Taylor, a former CEO at Transact, once said. Decades after Taylor’s assertion, the platform sector still can’t agree on one definition.

Advertisement

I put the question to the UKPG.

It replied: “It is not the role of the UKPG to define what is and what is not a platform. The UKPG has clear criteria for membership in its terms of reference, which are available on request to prospective firms who may wish to join.”

Meanwhile, the Platforms Association’s founders say they too struggled to come up with a definition.

“What is and what isn’t a platform has been a bedevilment all through the period. In the mid-2000s, this was a recurring theme on all the conference circuits,” says Moffat. “What we always agreed whenever we got bored was, ‘If it walks, swims and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck.’”

Advertisement

We have currently decided not to join the Platforms Association and to continue to strengthen our representation through the UKPG

However, the association has opted for a broad definition of ‘platform’, he adds.

“The answer is: anybody who’s got a name above the door operating a kind of investment online solution. Most people know what a platform is when they look at it.”

The sector is beset with challenges, from regulation to tech integration. The association will face its stiffest task in getting a consensus on key industry issues.

Dymott says: “The challenge in platform trade bodies has been the fact there are some business models that significantly compete with each other.

Advertisement

“This has always been a limiting factor for the sector in making progress. We hope this new forum can find common ground that enables progress to be made.”

Moffat agrees with Dymott’s assessment, adding that the new association is aware of the challenges ahead because of the “very disparate business models and players sat around the table”.

He continues: “You can’t really do anything in this space without potentially treading on toes.

This will be a step forward from simply addressing the symptoms, which has often been the problem in the past

“I would argue that a trade body, particularly one that’s trying to establish industry best practice and to provide thought leadership, should be treading on a few toes. Otherwise you’re probably not doing your job.

Advertisement

“Ideally you want to do it in a way that doesn’t offend people. We’ve seen trade bodies that have tried to become quasi regulators; that doesn’t work out well for anybody.”

Regulatory scrutiny

Platforms have experienced a sharp rise in regulatory scrutiny since the introduction of the FCA’s Consumer Duty.

The duty, which came into force in July 2023, seeks to set higher standards for consumer protection across the financial services sector.

Advertisement

In September the same year, the regulator sent a Dear CEO letter to platform bosses in which it outlined concerns that fees and charges might not represent fair value.

It said platform fees were “not properly disclosed” and consumers did not have a “clear understanding of what they are being charged”.

A similar letter was also sent last November on the practice of ‘double dipping’ by platforms. This led to issuance of several Section 166 reviews against platforms.

Moffat says: “Part of the challenge for the sector is a regulator that is not entirely comfortable with the behaviour of some of the platform operators. And that was evidenced.”

Advertisement

TISA was never likely to do the job, given the wide range of members

He stresses that the Platforms Association is keen to engage with the FCA in addressing issues that affect the sector, saying that in the past the industry has struggled to get its message across.

“There is no steering group they can talk to,” says Moffat. “The challenge is, they’re having to have a multitude of bilateral discussions and they keep getting told different things and different approaches. And they’re just drowning in stuff, trying to make some kind of coherence out of the whole thing.

“While we probably wouldn’t have [the FCA] at the leadership council every time, there’s a standing invitation if they want to come along and discuss any of their concerns. They will get a very attentive audience.”

Moffat says the Platforms Association will focus on a comprehensive programme of activity to address high-priority industry issues.

Advertisement

“In five years’ time, I’d like to see a platform community that is competitive and providing innovation and change at the individual platform level; which benefits from a coherent world view of what we’re doing and why we’re doing it; and which benefits from a number of common initiatives that strip away either costs or possible errors, or uncertainty as a whole.

Given a background of increased economic uncertainty and regulatory scrutiny, the UK platform industry now needs its own dedicated forum and representative voice

“I’d like us to be far more transparent with management information, and we’d like to have clearer best-practice guidance around what transfers look like.”

Watch this space

When it was launched in September, the Platforms Association was roundly welcomed by a sector yearning for representation.

Advertisement

Those in favour say it was long overdue, while others prefer to wait and see.

Will it succeed where previous initiatives have failed?


This article featured in the November 2024 edition of Money Marketing

If you would like to subscribe to the monthly magazine, please click here.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Money

Exact date Greggs festive bake is back in shops along with fan favourite item finally returning to menus

Published

on

Exact date Greggs festive bake is back in shops along with fan favourite item finally returning to menus

GREGGS has revealed the exact date it will bring back two of its festive favourite baked goods.

Customers will be able to get hold of the Festive Bake from Thursday, November 7.

The festive bake is returning to menus this week

3

The festive bake is returning to menus this week
The Christmas Lunch Baguette will be returning

3

Advertisement
The Christmas Lunch Baguette will be returning
The festive flatbread will be joining menus for the first time

3

The festive flatbread will be joining menus for the first time

The Greggs Xmas staple is made up of a crumb-topped pastry filled with pieces of chicken, sage, onion stuffing, and sweetcure bacon, covered in a creamy sage and cranberry sauce.

The announcement came during the launch of Greggs’ first-ever Christmas advert featuring Nigella Lawson.

In a move that’s also expected to delight vegans and veggies across the UK, the Vegan Festive Bake is also set to return after a hiatus from the menu last year

Advertisement

The Christmas Lunch Baguette will be returning to the menu alongside the much-loved Festive Bakes.

This is filled with chicken breast and sage and onion stuffing, with a dash of onion gravy, sweetcure bacon, and cheese, finished with a cranberry and onion relish.

The all-new Festive Flatbread will also be launching – a soft and warm flatbread stuffed with sage & onion style chicken mayo, sweetcure bacon and a tangy cranberry and red onion relish.

For customers looking for a Christmassy sweet treat, the brand-new Toffee Fudge Muffin and Chocolate and Hazelnut Flavour Doughnut will be making an appearance.

Advertisement

The toffee flavour muffin contains toffee pieces and is topped with a swirl of toffee flavour frosting. 

The Chocolate and Hazelnut Flavour Doughnut is packed with a chocolate and hazelnut flavour filling, then topped with white chocolate flavour icing and pieces of honeycomb coated in milk chocolate.

Greggs isn’t just for savoury or sweet snacks.

I visited Greggs’ new champagne bar – one cocktail tastes just like an iconic childhood treat

The chain is also adding several hot drinks to its menu.

Advertisement

Mint Hot Chocolate and Mint Mocha are making a comeback.

The hot chocolate is a festive twist with delicious mint-flavoured syrup, a cream topping and a sprinkle of chocolate to finish.

The Mint Mocha is made with freshly ground espresso, steamed milk, hot chocolate, and mint-flavoured syrup with sweetener, and it is finished with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.

GREGGS FESTIVE MENU

Advertisement

GREGGS has unveiled its highly anticipated festive menu and the exact date it lands in shops.

Here’s the full list of menu items being added nationwide and the date they will be landing on menus.

  • Festive Bake – from £2.00 or as part of the savoury bake deal from £2.85 (458 Calories) – November 7
  • Vegan Festive Bake (New and improved Recipe) – £2.00 or as part of the savoury bake deal from £2.85 (412 calories) – November 8
  • Christmas Lunch Baguette – from £3.80 or as part of the hot sandwich deal with wedges and any drink, from £4.95 (544 calories) – available now
  • Festive Flatbread – from £3.50 or as part of the hot sandwich deal with wedges and any drink, from £4.95 (395 calories) – available now
  • Gingerbread Latte – from £2.50 (204 calories) – November 7
  • Iced Gingerbread Latte -from £3 (165 calories) – November 7
  • Gingerbread Flat White – from £2.50 (124 calories) – November 7
  • Mint Mocha – from £2.60 (293 calories) – November 7
  • Mint Hot Chocolate – from £2.60 (278 calories) – November 7
  • Toffee Fudge Muffin – from £1.50 or as part of the sweet deal with a regular hot drink from £2.85 (367 calories) – November 7
  • Chocolate and Hazelnut Flavour Doughnut – from £1.35 or as part of the sweet deal with a regular hot drink from £2.85 (331 calories) – November 7
  • Christmas Mini Caramel Shortbread – from £2.15 (95 Calories per shortbread) – available now

FIRST CHRISTMAS ADVERT

Greggs unveiled its first-ever Christmas advert last night, and it sees celebrity chef Nigella Lawson try the bakery’s festive menu.

Customers have taken to social media to share their views on the 60-second clip.

One person said on X: “Possibly the best advert ever created”.

Advertisement

Another said: “Nigella elevates Greggs to ANOTHER level”.

“Fabulous! Nobody does Christmas as beautiful as you do, Nigella! You make the festive season feel warm, cozy and special,” said a third.

However, a fourth joked: “Somehow, I can’t see the goddess queuing for any of that.”

The advert is set to an instrumental version of Carol of the Bells – a well-known Christmas carol.

Advertisement

It opens with Nigella returning home to a London townhouse decorated with a traditional Christmas tree decked in Greggs baubles.

In a scene lit by fairy lights, she notes that Christmas is her “favourite time of year” before tucking into a Greggs Festive Bake.

Describing the return of the eagerly anticipated festive favourite, Nigella describes it as a “rapturous riot of flavour” with a “succulent filling”.

The advert parodies Nigella’s famed use of superlatives, which viewers of her popular cooking shows will be familiar with.

Advertisement

The camera then pans over a table filled with Greggs goodies as Nigella narrates the items being showcased.

She describes “sweet mince pies, aromatic gingerbread lattes and gorgeous Christmas baguettes”.

Eagle-eyed viewers will also spot a fan favourite item making an appearance on the festive spread – the Vegan Festive Bake.

The advert confirms that the savoury treat will be returning after customers were left fuming when it was removed from menus last year.

Advertisement

The film ends with Nigella preparing to sip a gingerbread latte while telling viewers: “The Gregg’s Christmas menu is back. Bag some joy.”

OTHER FESTIVE MENUS

M&S revealed its new Christmas menu last week.

It features double-wrapped pigs in blankets with gravy and a s’mores milkshake.

The festive items, set to hit M&S from November 6, also include a range of sandwiches, snacks and sweat treats.

Advertisement

The pigs in blankets, which come with a side of gravy for dipping, will set customers back a modest £2.50.

The s’mores milkshake, which is flavoured with “toasted marshmallow syrup” for a taste of the fireside, comes at a steeper £4.

The indulgent drink comes with whipped cream, biscuit crumbs, chocolate sauce and marshmallows – much like the £4.10 s’mores hot chocolate.

Meanwhile, a favourite from last year’s menu is set to return, the £7.50 Turkey and Ham Hock Toastie, which also comes in a gluten free version.

Advertisement

The festive sarnie, which was a hit on social media, is getting an indulgent upgrade – with extra turkey and a cheesy bechamel sauce.

A brand-new cheeseboard toastie has been added to the mix for £6.50, with Barbers cheddar, Emmental, and Red Leicester, as well as a Christmas port and onion chutney and three cheese bechamel.

If sarnies aren’t your thing, you can also try the new Chicken Schnitzel with Roasties – served with cranberry sauce and mayonnaise for £9.95.

Starbucks also revealed its new Christmas menu last week.

Advertisement

The chain has brought back fan favourites alongside new sweet treats.

Returning to the menu is the toffee nut latte, which starts from £4.35 for a tall size.

It’s made with toffee nut flavour syrup and steamed milk, and is finished with whipped cream and toffee nut flavour sprinkles.

The caramel waffle latte and gingerbread latte has also made a comeback and is priced at £4.35.

Advertisement

All of these Christmas favourites are available hot, iced, or as a Frappuccino blended beverage.

Fans of the eggnog latte will be thrilled to learn that the drink has returned, with prices starting at £4.40.

It can be bought either hot or iced.

Hungry shoppers can pair their festive drink with the Polar Bear Cake Pop.

Advertisement

It features a vanilla-flavoured sponge with digestive biscuit crumb, as well as chocolate icing and frosting to create the adorable face of a polar bear.

Meanwhile, rival coffee chain Costa has unveiled nine new items and a returning favourite that it will be adding to its Christmas menu.

How to save money on Christmas shopping

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save money on your Christmas shopping.

Advertisement

Limit the amount of presents – buying presents for all your family and friends can cost a bomb.

Instead, why not organise a Secret Santa between your inner circles so you’re not having to buy multiple presents.

Plan ahead – if you’ve got the stamina and budget, it’s worth buying your Christmas presents for the following year in the January sales.

Make sure you shop around for the best deals by using price comparison sites so you’re not forking out more than you should though.

Advertisement

Buy in Boxing Day sales – some retailers start their main Christmas sales early so you can actually snap up a bargain before December 25.

Delivery may cost you a bit more, but it can be worth it if the savings are decent.

Shop via outlet stores – you can save loads of money shopping via outlet stores like Amazon Warehouse or Office Offcuts.

They work by selling returned or slightly damaged products at a discounted rate, but usually any wear and tear is minor.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Money

All about international rates: tech advancements in monitoring exchange prices – Finance Monthly

Published

on

What is the Average Credit Score in the UK

Technology has transformed how traders monitor trends. It has made it easier to collect data and come up with effective strategies. For example, the intricacies around Forex demand for constant monitoring of prices. As well, any price fluctuations can lead to significant losses or huge profits. It all depends on whether you have access to data or not.

New tools are making it easier to access accurate price predictions. These have emerged due to the challenges that traders have faced such as the inability to overcome the high volatility around exchange markets. So what are some of the advancements that are impacting how people monitor exchanges? First of all, different tools can be effective and provide the right information as value changes, for example, aggregators like Rates – all about international rates. Let’s check more about how to find out proper data and the best ways to monitor prices.

Integration

Having many tools can be challenging sometimes. Being able to integrate different tops helps you to have seamless operations. API integration offers another way to monitor currency value. It makes it easier to connect to various sources of data and get a single report.

All you need to do is ensure that the data is accurate. These APIs can also automate data extraction. They help you to update any system depending on the current trends. This provides a competitive advantage for traders.

Advertisement

Exchange platforms

There are a number of platforms for exchanging currencies. You can use these to gain access to information on currencies according to Rates. They provide both historical and current insights. This makes an exchange platform a good option for anyone looking to improve the rate of success.

One of the best features is customization. So users can choose features that would be useful. For instance, you can set alerts for certain parameters. If the value of the US dollar reaches a certain amount, you will be notified.

Tailoring features according to individual needs allows you to get only information that would be useful for decision-making. Platforms such as Blumberg are useful for anyone who wants to stay up to date with the latest international rates.

Calendars

Because currencies are impacted by many events, it is important to stay informed. Calendars provide information such as inflation reports and economic events. You should be informed about any event that is likely to affect the exchange rate. These are likely to have value shifts and may offer new opportunities.

Advertisement

This lets you know all about international rates. It allows you to set reminders and stay up to date with the latest trends and any upcoming events. Other important events to look out for include:

  • Central bank changes
  • Geopolitical agreements
  • Economic trends

The goal here is to stay up to date with any potential price movements. It allows you to modify any existing strategy to make it more successful.

Indicators

There are other features that provide various indicators to keep track of. An example is volatility indicators. These show periods when a currency is most likely to be unstable. By looking at how the price has changed over a few months, it is easy to estimate how it will fluctuate in the future.

This feature is important for those looking to invest in an exchange. Additionally, if a currency becomes very volatile, it may be wise to sell a position. Managers can use these indicators to modify their strategies before suffering huge losses.

Analysis tools

Having accurate information is not enough to guarantee success. The next step is to perform a good analysis. This helps traders to come up with effective strategies. Analysis websites can help you do this. They not only help you monitor rates but also look at the overall performance. Examples of such websites include Blumberg and CNBC.

Advertisement

These also offer expert insights and opinions. This is great for those that may be new to Forex or any other market or those looking for different strategies. Aside from this, you will have access to the latest events that impact international rates. With more accurate predictions, it is easier to make informed decisions. Information should be taken from various sources before creating a report.

Automation

There is a lot of automation in many fields. As a result, the market value is about 244 billion US dollars. Automated systems are a great addition for those that want to improve monitoring. They use preset algorithms to search for patterns and execute trades on your behalf. This is once a set criteria is met.

These can pick up on volatility as well. However, success will hugely depend on the settings. So make sure to test out the algorithm before applying it on exchanges.

Mobile apps

With the majority of people opting to use mobile apps, it is no surprise that traders want the same. With the fast-paced nature of Forex and other different markets, you can now access crucial data through mobile apps. These provide real-time insights on:

Advertisement
  • Changing rates
  • Estimated exchanges
  • Convertors

Most of these apps are focused on helping you get better results. They come with converters that you can use on the go. These are always updated, therefore providing the best conversion rates. There are so many benefits of using apps including:

  • Convenience
  • Updated data
  • Customization

Users can set the criteria on all international rates. This ability to filter through data allows you to save time and focus on things that will impact your strategy.

Conclusion

With all these changes, you don’t want to stay behind. Various mobile apps and websites have simplified the way traders transact. Now you have information at your fingertips. It is more convenient to make decisions on the go as prices change. AI tools offer a better way to make predictions. They also promote automation, making it easier for investors to perform more trades in a shorter time.

If you are concerned about all about international rates, then keeping up with the latest tech trends is important. It will lead to more effective strategies in a highly volatile market. Capitalize on all the opportunities you get by investing in the right tools, and Rates.fm will help you with that.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Money

The Morning Briefing: Trade Body 2.0 – Does the platform sector need a new voice?; MainStreet Partners hires new funds research director

Published

on

The Morning Briefing: Phoenix Group scraps plans to sell protection business; advisers tweak processes

Good morning and welcome to your Morning Briefing for Monday 4 November 2024. To get this in your inbox every morning click here.


Cover story: Trade Body 2.0 – Does the platform sector need a new voice?

The platform sector is a diverse and fragmented industry in need of unification and greater collaboration.

In the past, many attempts have been made — unsuccessfully — to bring providers together under an umbrella group. The setbacks have always been attributed to the competing interests of platforms and, until now, there has been no formal trade group to represent the community.

Advertisement

The sector’s views have instead been represented by various organisations, including the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the UK Platform Group (UKPG) and The Investing and Saving Alliance (TISA).

However, all that is about to change with the formation of the Platforms Association.


MainStreet Partners hires former Abrdn ESG analyst as funds research director

MainStreet Partners has appointed Sophie Meatyard as funds research director.

Advertisement

Meatyard previously was at Abrdn where she was senior environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment analyst, “overseeing proprietary ESG ratings, regulatory updates, and manager engagement on key sustainability themes”.

Before Abrdn, Meatyard worked at Hymans Robertson as investment research associate and FE fundinfo as a fund analyst.



Quote Of The Day

Investors are bracing for a week of potential volatility, with the highly fractious US Presidential election in focus and key interest rate decisions looming. For now, the FTSE 100 has shaken off nervousness and opened in the green, making fresh gains after Friday’s recovery

– Hargreaves Lansdown head of money and markets Susannah Streeter on the FTSE 100 still opening in the green despite the US elections being held and UK interest rate decisions being made this week.

Advertisement


Stat Attack

Research from St. James’s Place shows why the majority of individuals that receive professional financial advice across the nation have remained with the same adviser throughout.

62%

have never switched their financial adviser.

Advertisement

72%

of those aged 35-54 and those aged 55 and over (74%) have never switched their adviser.

39%

said the main reason for not switching advisers was trust.

Advertisement

35%

said being happy with the advice and financial returns their adviser has delivered was the main reason.

34%

said their adviser understanding their financial situation followed by having a good relationship with their adviser which has been built over several years at 33% being the main reason.

Advertisement

Source: SJP 



In Other News

EFG Asset Management has announced the launch of the New Capital – BlueOrchard Global Impact Credit Fund in collaboration with the specialist impact investment manager BlueOrchard.

Part of the Schroders Group, BlueOrchard is an impact investor. This is EFG’s second product focused on sustainable investing following the launch of the New Capital Climate Transition Equity Fund in 2023.

Advertisement

The New Capital – BlueOrchard Global Impact Credit Fund, which is an Article 9 fund under SFDR, is a global corporate bond fund that invests primarily in bonds labelled as green, social or sustainable, with the use of proceeds being clearly defined and disclosed to investors.

In the period from 2016 to end-2023, the issuance of labelled bonds increased by 37%.

The fund is a Luxembourg registered SICAV and will offer daily liquidity via multiple retail and institutional share classes denominated in EUR, CHF, USD and GBP.

BlueOrchard CEO Philipp Mueller said: “We are excited to collaborate with EFG Asset Management on the New Capital – BlueOrchard Global Impact Credit Fund, which aims to provide consistent financial returns alongside positive and measurable impact for the climate and society. The Fund focuses on helping investors align their portfolios with their values while driving substantial progress in environmental and social areas.”

Advertisement

Dollar falters, stocks tick up as markets gird for US election showdown (Reuters)

Bank of England expected to cut interest rates despite looser fiscal policy (Financial Times)

One thousand UK workers to join first four-day week trial under Labour (Guardian)


Did You See?

Advertisement

National Friendly has reduced and simplified the questions on its Income Protection (IP) application.

The mutual said this cuts the time it typically takes advisers to apply by over half, from 14 minutes to six minutes.

Matt Suddards, senior specialist protection adviser at LifeSearch said: “To sell IP, advisers have to deal with lengthy applications that can be both time-consuming and unclear.

“It’s one of the aspects of protection that puts off non-protection specialists from selling IP. Shortening and simplifying the process is better for advisers and reduces frustration for consumers.”

Advertisement

National Friendly also announced that it has renewed its long-term relationship with Munich Re Automation Solutions.

The deal includes a five-year contract extension to use its ALLFINANZ Underwriting Engine for IP.

The underwriting tool gives National Friendly the ability to underwrite accurately and make changes quickly, as well as delivering a huge amount of valuable data.

Momodou Musa Touray has the full story.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Money

We’re forced to live in darkness thanks to neighbour’s HUGE towering hedge – it blocks our TV signal & we want it GONE

Published

on

We're forced to live in darkness thanks to neighbour's HUGE towering hedge - it blocks our TV signal & we want it GONE

DISGRUNTLED residents are forced to live in darkness without TV signal thanks to a neighbour’s massive hedge.

Locals in Alvaston, Derbyshire, have slammed a towering row of trees that block their sunlight for around 10-months of the year.

Residents are forced to live in darkness without TV signal thanks to a neighbour's massive hedge

1

Residents are forced to live in darkness without TV signal thanks to a neighbour’s massive hedgeCredit: DerbyshireLive/BPM

The nuisance conifers were planted nearly 30 years ago by international shipping company UPS, to help block noise coming from their warehouse behind them.

Advertisement

But, they have not been maintained since before the Pandemic, and now fuming locals feel “abandoned”.

A spokesperson for UPS commented: “We’re always working to be good neighbours in the communities where we operate and where our people live, and we are discussing this matter with the local council.”

But Alvaston are not the only residents struggling, with homeowners in nearby Sinfin claiming their mental health has been affected too.

One said: “I have the same problem on the Chase in Sinfin, I can’t even get a TV reception with TV aerial or Freesat. I can only get good sunlight for two to three months in the year.”

Advertisement

The troubling trees sparked outrage among the community, with some slamming the landowner.

“The higher they grow the more dangerous they get as they are a shallow rooted tree,” pointed out one resident with safety concerns.

“The landowner has a duty of care to ensure they are safe and also they are not causing a nuisance to others.”

Another added: “Trees need maintenance, if they are not in a wild setting then they need to be cared for.

Advertisement

“For the sake of the trees as much as anyone. It’s not good for trees to be neglected when they are deliberately planted in an urban environment.”

Someone else suggested it may be cheaper and easier for UPS to remove the trees and install fencing instead.

However, there was some support for the natural boundary line.

“I would rather back onto trees than nosey neighbours,” said one person.

Advertisement

“And before you ask, we too back onto tall trees (native ones and not non-native conifers) that reduce the sunlight and limit what we can grow to woodland plants.”

What to do if a neighbour’s hedge or trees are blocking light in your home

  • Before you apply to the council you should try to settle the dispute by asking your neighbour to cut back the hedge or trees.
  • If you haven’t reached an agreement by speaking with them, you should put your request in writing.
  • If you need help to talk to your neighbours, there might be a mediation scheme run by your local council.
  • Check whether you can apply for a High Hedge Notice.
  • Apply for a High Hedge Notice.
  • Before it will investigate the council will make sure that your application is valid. 
  • If your application is accepted the local authority will start an investigation.
  • You can appeal against a council’s decision to issue or not to issue a High Hedge Notice, to withdraw a Notice or vary it. You must appeal within 28 days of being advised about the local authority decision.

This comes as a fuming grandmother says her life has become a “nightmare” because of an overgrown hedge which has destroyed her garden.

Betty Calloway, 90, said her garden has been “swallowed” by the badly maintained hedge.

Elsewhere, neighbours who chopped a tree in half and were branded ‘the pettiest couple in the UK’ still don’t talk to the residents next door three years on.

Advertisement

Plus, other local have gone to war over a row of 20ft trees which some locals want chopped down – but the owners are fighting to keep.

Source link

Continue Reading

Money

MainStreet Partners hires former Abrdn ESG analyst as funds research director

Published

on

Premier Miton hires ex-Quilter director as COO

MainStreet Partners has appointed Sophie Meatyard as funds research director.

Meatyard previously was at Abrdn where she was senior environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment analyst, “overseeing proprietary ESG ratings, regulatory updates, and manager engagement on key sustainability themes”.

Before Abrdn, Meatyard worked at Hymans Robertson as investment research associate and FE fundinfo as a fund analyst.

She has completed both the CFA ESG and CFA Climate and Investing certifications.

Advertisement

MainStreet Partners managing director research Neill Blanks said: “I am thrilled to welcome Sophie to MainStreet.  Her extensive experience and deep expertise in fund analysis will undoubtedly enhance our research capabilities as well as strengthen our position as a market leading provider of ESG and sustainability fund ratings and wider portfolio analytics.”

Meatyard added: “I’m excited to join a team dedicated to bringing clarity and transparency to ESG and Sustainability ratings. Ratings providers have a unique opportunity to empower investors with insights that lead to more informed decisions and help clients meet their regulatory obligations while raising industry standards.

“This area has historically been challenging for fund selectors, who often find that ratings don’t fully reflect a fund’s true philosophy and process. Having been on the analyst side, I believe MainStreet’s Fund Ratings products have the potential to meet the high standards and expectations of experienced ESG and Sustainability-focused analysts.”

In June 2024, MainStreet Partners launched a Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) market solution to support fund buyers.

Advertisement

The London-based independent ESG advisory and portfolio analytics firm warned that discretionary fund managers (DFMs), model portfolio service (MPS) providers and wealth managers are in need of support to meet the new SDR labelling regime.

Previously, MainStreet Partners has cautioned buyers against “an ostrich-like denial” about the SDR transition for SDR-compliant naming and marketing rules when funds are liable to FCA enforcement action.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 WordupNews.com