Latest news with #Flexible
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
People with money in a savings account urged to check it now
Savers are being warned to act fast as interest rates are due to drop at major high street banks. Personal finance site Finder is warning savers to act now or risk missing out, as two of the UK's biggest banks will drop their savings rates in a week's time, with a further two banks dropping rates the following week. Finder experts have been tracking savings rate changes and nine popular banks, including the 'big four', have all either slashed rates since the last interest rate cut or scheduled a drop in their savings rates. Eight accounts at NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) will be impacted on July 15, including four instant access savings products, with both banks lowering the rate on these offerings from 1.25 per cent to 1.15 per cent. Other accounts affected include children's savings accounts, where the rates will be dropping from 2.25 per cent to 2.05 per cent. Finder also said that customers at HSBC and Co-op Bank should also be prepared for rate drops this month. The rates on two HSBC accounts - Flexible Saver and Online Bonus Saver - are going from 1.35 per cent to 1.3 per cent on July 21. Meanwhile, four different Co-op Bank savings rates will be slashed on July 23, with the Online Saver and Online Cash ISA dropping from 2.34 per cent to 2.12 per cent, and the Cash ISA and Smart Saver dropping from 1.62 per cent to 1.53 per cent. The decision to lower these rates came after the Bank of England made the decision to cut the base rate from 4.5 per cent to 4.25 per cent in May, although the base rate was held at the most recent meeting in June. Kate Steere, personal finance expert at Finder, said: 'If you were earning the new NatWest or RBS rate of 1.15 per cent AER with the amount we found the average Brit has saved (£16,067), you'd get just £185 in interest over the course of a year. There are much more competitive rates available. 'For example, if you opened a Plum Cash ISA with a rate of 4.98 per cent AER (including a 12-month 1.69% bonus) using the £16,000, you could earn up to just over £800 in interest over the year (dependent on any rate changes) - a potential £600 boost to your savings. 'Lots of analysts are predicting a further cut to the base rate in August. With the next meeting less than a month away, it's essential to act fast if you want to get the most from your savings. 'Variable rates are subject to change so if you are still looking to use your 2025/26 ISA allowance - and you can afford to lock your cash away - now is also a great time to seek out a good deal on a fixed-rate ISA. 'Using the full tax-free allowance is more important than ever with reports that Rachel Reeves will announce a cut to the Cash ISA limit in her Mansion House speech next week. Currently, Cynergy Bank is offering 4.32 per cent AER for a 1-year fix.'
Scottish Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
HSBC to make huge change to eight bank accounts used by millions of customers in weeks
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HSBC is making a major change to eight of its bank accounts within weeks. The bank and lender is slashing interest rates on a number of its savings accounts from June 3. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up It comes after the Bank of England (BoE) reduced its base rate from 4.5% to 4.25% this month - the fourth cut since 2020. The base rate is charged to smaller high street banks and any falls are usually echoed in savings rates. HSBC is reacting to the base rate change by dropping rates on eight of its savings accounts, but the drops come into effect on different dates. The interest rate on its Online Bonus Saver is being cut on July 21 from 4% AER to 3.75%, for balances between £1 - £50,000. Meanwhile, anyone with the same account and a balance over £50,000 will see the rate cut from 1.5% to 1.3% on the same date. The interest rate on the bank's Flexible Saver is also being cut from 1.35% to 1.3% from July 21. Anyone with a Help to Buy ISA and balance over £12,000 will see their interest rate reduced from 1.35% to 1.30% from June 3. HSBC non-Premier customers will see the interest rate on the Loyalty Cash ISA cut (standard rate) from 2.15% to 2.10% from June 3. Meanwhile, the rate on the same ISA (loyalty rate) for non-Premier HSBC customers will drop from 2.35% to 2.30% on the same date. The full list of affected accounts and the new rates coming into force can be seen via: Switch bank accounts for free perks A spokesperson for HSBC said it was "firmly focused on supporting customers with their savings". They added: "We provide overall value on our savings accounts that goes beyond interest rates to provide flexibility, convenience, simplicity and organisational and financial stability for customers who want to save with a trusted high street brand. "There are several factors taken into account when setting savings rates. "We have designed our savings accounts to make it easy for our customers to start and maintain a savings habit so they can save towards longer term goals. "We also proactively remind customers of the need to review their savings, highlighting products that might also be suitable for them and where they could benefit from a higher rate." MAJOR BANKS CUTTING RATES HSBC joins NatWest and Nationwide in cutting rates on its savings accounts as the BoE continues to slash its base rate. Nationwide is cutting interest rates on over 60 savings accounts from June 1 including a number of ISAs and easy access accounts. NatWest is also cutting rates on a number of accounts from the end of this month. Meanwhile, The Sun exclusively revealed how Virgin Money is lowering the interest rate on its M Plus Saver account next month. If you've got a savings account with an interest rate set to drop, it might be worth shopping around for a better deal now. Check out comparison sites like and to browse the best on the market. According to Moneyfacts, Chip is offering the best rate on an easy access savings account, with a rate of 4.77%. Meanwhile, the best easy access cash ISA is with Trading 212 and offering a rate of 4.86%. Always look beyond just the headline interest rate on any savings account though. Some offer additional perks which can make them more cost-effective and suited to you, based on your circumstances. For example, the Club Lloyds Silver account comes with a £11.50 monthly fee and extra £3 monthly Club Lloyds fee that's waived every time you pay in £2,000 or more in each month. However, the account comes with AA breakdown cover, European and UK family travel insurance and mobile phone insurance.
RTÉ News
24-04-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
WRC helped recover €2m in unpaid wages last year
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) carried out 5,156 inspections in 2024 with €2.15m recovered in unpaid wages. The WRC's annual report for last year shows that successful prosecutions were up 27% on 2023. There was a decrease of 4% in the volume of telephone calls dealt with, while website pageviews also decreased by over 7%. The WRC saw an increase of 6% in adjudication hearings offered in 2024 compared to 2023. The commission's conciliation service was involved in the resolution/prevention of a number of high-profile disputes and its success rates remain above 85%. The Code of Practice on the Right to Request Remote and/or Flexible Working was published by the WRC on 7 March 2024. "By closely monitoring socioeconomic trends and the ongoing expansion of employment rights, we continue to adapt and align our efforts to meet the changing needs of those we serve," said Audrey Cahill, Director General of the WRC. Peter Burke, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, welcomed the publication of the annual report. "The WRC continues to play a critical role in ensuring that employment rights are upheld for all," Mr Burke said.
