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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
I found out British Gas owed my dad £10k when he died – but I can't get it back
Got money problems? We can help fight for your cash back or challenge the way firms operate. Email money@ ASK ADELE I found out British Gas owed my dad £10k when he died – but I can't get it back Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Q. MY dad passed away recently after a period of illness. While dealing with his affairs I found a bill from British Gas. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Consumer Champion Adele Cooke solves your money issues It said that my parents' direct debit had been increased to £500 a month. Dad was seriously ill at the time the bill was sent, so neither of my parents realised what was going on. As a result, British Gas now owes my parents almost £10,000. It is a huge sum of money that my mum could really use. I have been promised that this money would be paid on four separate occasions but have not yet received it. I have called British Gas customer service several times but am not getting anywhere. The account was in my dad's name and his bank details were used to pay the bills. We have tried to move it into my mum's name and have asked for the money to be paid into her account. I think this has caused some of the confusion. I feel let down by British Gas - is there anything you can do? Anita Street, via email. A. I'm so sorry to hear about your dad passing. Instead of grieving for him, you and your mum have been distracted by chasing this refund from British Gas. The energy firm has an online form to help customers whose loved ones have died. It should take five minutes to fill out, but instead you've spent hours on the phone to them. British Gas told me that it made a mistake with one of your parents' bills where the amount was overestimated. They have called you to apologise and have refunded you £9,559.41. It's also added a £150 goodwill gesture on top and added £200 credit to your mum's account. A British Gas spokesperson said: 'We're sorry for any concern this has caused her and for not putting it right sooner.' I really hope that you are able to put this behind you now. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Wage rate slows as unemployment falls – what it means for YOUR wallet
Watch our video on how inflation affects you MONEY TALKS Wage rate slows as unemployment falls – what it means for YOUR wallet AVERAGE earnings have slowed in a hit for workers, new data shows. Average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, was 5.6% in January to March, official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show. Advertisement 1 New figures reveal how much earnings and unemployment have fallen Annual growth in total earnings including bonuses was 5.5%. Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the ONS, said: "Wage growth slowed slightly in the latest period but remains relatively strong, with public and private sectors now showing little difference. "The broader picture continues to be of the labour market cooling, with the number of employees on payroll falling in the first quarter of the year. "The number of job vacancies has also fallen again, with the rate of decline increasing in the last few months." Advertisement Why does inflation matter? INFLATION is a measure of the cost of living. It looks at how much the price of goods, such as food or televisions, and services, such as haircuts or train tickets, has changed over time. Usually people measure inflation by comparing the cost of things today with how much they cost a year ago. The average increase in prices is known as the inflation rate. The government sets an inflation target of 2%. If inflation is too high or it moves around a lot, the Bank of England says it is hard for businesses to set the right prices and for people to plan their spending. High inflation rates also means people are having to spend more, while savings are likely to be eroded as the cost of goods is more than the interest we're earning. Low inflation, on the other hand, means lower prices and a greater likelihood of interest rates on savings beating the inflation rate. But if inflation is too low some people may put off spending because they expect prices to fall. And if everybody reduced their spending then companies could fail and people might lose their jobs. See our UK inflation guide and our Is low inflation good? guide for more information. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
