Latest news with #Opinium
Finextra
27-05-2025
- Business
- Finextra
LHV Bank launches interest-bearing current account in UK
LHV Bank, a fully licensed UK bank, today launches its new fee free current account with market leading 3.25% AER on all balances up to £1 million, tracking the Bank of England Base Rate minus 1%. 0 Today's launch provides a new alternative for the UK public and takes aim at the £252bn of deposits* held in non-interest-bearing bank accounts in the UK. By contrast, LHV Bank customers' money is always at work, earning a market leading rate of interest from the moment it goes into their current account. New research from LHV Bank and Opinium - surveying 2,000 UK adults - reveals the scale of Britain's 0% interest current account challenge. Less than a third (30%) of Britons report collecting interest on their most used current account, whilst two in three (64%) believe banks should be responsible for warning them if their current account is not earning interest. Two fifths of respondents (41%) would support Government legislation to ban 0% interest rate current accounts altogether. ** LHV Bank aims to be the best place to save money and, alongside the new current account, offers a range of competitive fixed rate savings bonds with further savings products planned. It secured its full UK banking licence in 2023 and is now doubling down on its commitment to the UK market, where it sees significant opportunities for innovation and disruption. The launch of LHV Bank's current account offer is accompanied by an advertising campaign aimed at 'Reckless Savers'. The campaign goal is to encourage UK consumers to switch banks to earn interest on their current account balance, in turn pushing the banking industry to better by its customers and offer current account interest as standard. Reckless Savers can sign up today to LHV and make their money work harder for them. Erki Kilu, CEO of LHV Bank, said: 'The majority of UK banks are focused on helping customers to spend money, but at LHV we take a savings first approach. We believe that every penny deposited with your bank should earn interest, making it easy to be a 'reckless saver' and make the most of your money. LHV is a bank for savers, not for spenders.' Alongside leading interest rates, from today LHV customers can make use of: · A fresh, new banking experience: the LHV Bank app has been designed from scratch to offer customers a seamless self-service user experience · Advanced fraud prevention: cutting-edge real-time risk decisioning technology protects customers from fraud and scams · Fee free interest: access to fee free market leading interest rates on current account balances as standard · Debit Cards: stylish, minimalist Debit Cards in a range of colours to match any style with no current account or overseas debit card transaction fees · Google Pay: enabled from launch, with Apple Pay coming soon Kris Brewster, Director of Retail Banking at LHV Bank, said: 'Millions of people across the UK are being short-changed by banks offering 0% on their current accounts. At LHV, we're giving customers the tools to take control - combining meaningful interest rates, modern app-based technology, and complete transparency to help them make smarter money decisions every day.'
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Older people worry about rising energy bills, rent and food costs
Growing economic hardship is leaving many older Londoners anxious, causing them to lose sleep and feel isolated, according to Age UK.A report from the charity has found many older people struggling financially, facing digital exclusion, and having difficulties dealing with increasing costs of housing and home UK London spoke to people in the capital aged over 50 to build a picture of their daily lives in their own charity's polling found 38% of older Londoners reported concerns about getting into energy debt over unpaid bills. Heating or eating Age UK said there was "a significant and concerning lack of awareness among some respondents" about different ways to save report said: "Many people told us how they either do not turn on the heating or find many ways to cut back."Polling carried out by Opinium for the charity focused on how older people were managing the cost of living in a time of rising found that one in four older Londoners said their home was colder than they would like it to be "all of the time" or "most of the time". More than one in three (36%) older Londoners said they felt less financially secure heading into 2025 than at the start of government's decision in July make Winter Fuel Payments means-tested, with only households receiving Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits eligible to receive the benefit, has also had an respondent told Age UK: "Withdrawing the Winter Fuel Payments is a blow. "A lot of struggling pensioners, who have small occupational pensions and a modest amount of savings, are not considered poor enough to qualify for Pension Credit and will lose out and may have to choose between heating and eating." Margaret, who is retired, told BBC London she had had to sell her jewellery to make ends meet. She said she sold a bracelet and two rings, including her engagement ring, "to a proper jewellers, but I got £127".She added: "But it did mean that at least I had some money until the end of the month, when my pension had run out. How was I going to have dinner for the next week?"Age UK said financial insecurity was leaving some older Londoners in a constant state of well as worries about energy bills, nearly half of respondents reported finding it difficult to "shop around" for more affordable prices and better deals when it comes to food older Londoners are unable to afford repairs and maintenance, leading to vital home repairs being postponed with accessing the internet, including the cost of getting online, mean that some older Londoners are at greater risk of financial cost of living is leading many older Londoners to continue to work long after pension age or to return to work after a "first retirement", Age UK said. Worsening isolation The report said worries included "running out of savings, facing unexpected costs, or losing government support". It states: "They regularly stress over bills, such as energy bills, rent increases and mortgages with many respondents expressing deep distress over financial instability."Some older Londoners are experiencing loss of sleep due to financial worries, and some report that the inability to afford leisure activities and social outings is worsening their isolation."John McGeachy, campaigns manager from Age UK London, told BBC London that the charity spoke to people who had sold their TV or microwave to make ends said: "One of the things that really upset me reading the research was people putting off meeting up with friends, because they knew they could not afford the journey there - or if you get to the coffee shop and it's £4 for a coffee that's a heck of a lot of money that you could spend on quite a few meals at home."So people missing out on really basic things and that social interaction which is so important to our health."Age UK London wants the government to introduce simplified benefit applications, stronger rent protections and improved mental health support "to help older Londoners navigate financial difficulties with dignity and security".
South Wales Guardian
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Eurovision partygoers ‘plan to spend £76 celebrating the big night on average'
The average sum is slightly higher than the average £73 spend last year – covering costs such as food, drinks, decorations, fancy dress and entertainment. The research, commissioned by TopCashback, also found that a fifth (21%) of those tuning in to watch the grand final on Saturday do not plan to spend any money at all, up from one in eight (12%) last year. Among those who do plan to spend, fewer have been planning ahead this year, with 28% of partygoers setting money aside for their Eurovision celebrations, down from 34% in 2024. A quarter (25%) plan to dip into savings to cover costs, up from 19% last year. Nearly a fifth (18%) plan to use a credit card, down slightly from 19% last year. Food is expected to be the biggest cost for more than half (56%) of partygoers, followed by alcoholic drinks (38%), soft drinks (37%) and fancy dress or outfits (17%). Fewer partygoers will also be asking guests to chip in, with 10% planning to ask for contributions this year, down from 20% in 2024. One in 16 (6%) people are planning to watch the contest in a pub or bar this year, according to the survey carried out by Opinium among 2,000 people across the UK in April. Trio Remember Monday are representing the UK at this year's contest, being held in Basel, Switzerland. Adam Bullock, UK director at TopCashback, said: 'A memorable Eurovision night doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag. With a bit of creativity and planning, it's possible to celebrate in style without breaking the bank. 'To decorate your home, pre-loved decoration bundles from sites like Vinted or eBay are a great alternative to buying new, and instead of splashing out on fancy dress, try getting creative with face paint or make-up. If you don't fancy throwing a party, keep an eye out for 'free watch' parties at pubs in your area.' Mr Bullock added that while fewer people are asking guests to contribute financially to Eurovision parties this year: 'A simple way to keep costs down is to make it a 'bring your own drink or dish' event, guests are usually happy to pitch in when it means sharing a fun evening together.'
Rhyl Journal
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Eurovision partygoers ‘plan to spend £76 celebrating the big night on average'
The average sum is slightly higher than the average £73 spend last year – covering costs such as food, drinks, decorations, fancy dress and entertainment. The research, commissioned by TopCashback, also found that a fifth (21%) of those tuning in to watch the grand final on Saturday do not plan to spend any money at all, up from one in eight (12%) last year. Among those who do plan to spend, fewer have been planning ahead this year, with 28% of partygoers setting money aside for their Eurovision celebrations, down from 34% in 2024. A quarter (25%) plan to dip into savings to cover costs, up from 19% last year. Nearly a fifth (18%) plan to use a credit card, down slightly from 19% last year. Food is expected to be the biggest cost for more than half (56%) of partygoers, followed by alcoholic drinks (38%), soft drinks (37%) and fancy dress or outfits (17%). Fewer partygoers will also be asking guests to chip in, with 10% planning to ask for contributions this year, down from 20% in 2024. One in 16 (6%) people are planning to watch the contest in a pub or bar this year, according to the survey carried out by Opinium among 2,000 people across the UK in April. Trio Remember Monday are representing the UK at this year's contest, being held in Basel, Switzerland. Adam Bullock, UK director at TopCashback, said: 'A memorable Eurovision night doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag. With a bit of creativity and planning, it's possible to celebrate in style without breaking the bank. 'To decorate your home, pre-loved decoration bundles from sites like Vinted or eBay are a great alternative to buying new, and instead of splashing out on fancy dress, try getting creative with face paint or make-up. If you don't fancy throwing a party, keep an eye out for 'free watch' parties at pubs in your area.' Mr Bullock added that while fewer people are asking guests to contribute financially to Eurovision parties this year: 'A simple way to keep costs down is to make it a 'bring your own drink or dish' event, guests are usually happy to pitch in when it means sharing a fun evening together.'
Leader Live
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Eurovision partygoers ‘plan to spend £76 celebrating the big night on average'
The average sum is slightly higher than the average £73 spend last year – covering costs such as food, drinks, decorations, fancy dress and entertainment. The research, commissioned by TopCashback, also found that a fifth (21%) of those tuning in to watch the grand final on Saturday do not plan to spend any money at all, up from one in eight (12%) last year. Among those who do plan to spend, fewer have been planning ahead this year, with 28% of partygoers setting money aside for their Eurovision celebrations, down from 34% in 2024. A quarter (25%) plan to dip into savings to cover costs, up from 19% last year. Nearly a fifth (18%) plan to use a credit card, down slightly from 19% last year. Food is expected to be the biggest cost for more than half (56%) of partygoers, followed by alcoholic drinks (38%), soft drinks (37%) and fancy dress or outfits (17%). Fewer partygoers will also be asking guests to chip in, with 10% planning to ask for contributions this year, down from 20% in 2024. One in 16 (6%) people are planning to watch the contest in a pub or bar this year, according to the survey carried out by Opinium among 2,000 people across the UK in April. Trio Remember Monday are representing the UK at this year's contest, being held in Basel, Switzerland. Adam Bullock, UK director at TopCashback, said: 'A memorable Eurovision night doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag. With a bit of creativity and planning, it's possible to celebrate in style without breaking the bank. 'To decorate your home, pre-loved decoration bundles from sites like Vinted or eBay are a great alternative to buying new, and instead of splashing out on fancy dress, try getting creative with face paint or make-up. If you don't fancy throwing a party, keep an eye out for 'free watch' parties at pubs in your area.' Mr Bullock added that while fewer people are asking guests to contribute financially to Eurovision parties this year: 'A simple way to keep costs down is to make it a 'bring your own drink or dish' event, guests are usually happy to pitch in when it means sharing a fun evening together.'
