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Insight Newsletter: 24th May 2012
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Dear Reader,
Energy price hikes?
Following British Gas’s hint that wholesale gas prices could rise by the end of the year – two of the ‘Big Six’ suppliers have moved to reassure customers. E.ON has promised not to increase prices for its customers for the rest of 2012, while SSE has guaranteed its customers they will be protected from higher prices until at least the Autumn 2012.
Whilst there is uncertainty over energy prices consumers worried about their bills should seek a competitively priced energy plan and ensure homes are as energy efficient as possible.
Compare energy prices
Last chance to avoid up to £254 bill hike this May[1]
Seven energy deals, including fixed priced plans which safeguarded customers from energy price rises, end this month. If your plan is ending, take action now and switch to a cheaper plan.
Energy deals ending this month
Compare energy prices
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| Energy – Knock £310 a year off energy bills with insulation |
If your house is not insulated, then up to a third of your heat could be escaping through the walls instead of keeping your home warm and cosy.
Stop throwing away your money...
The good news is, most homes can be loft and cavity wall insulated, which could save you up to £310 [2] a year off your heating bill.
Insulation doesn’t cost much, and in some cases you can even get it free! To get a quote, simply enter your postcode and a few details and we’ll show you what’s available to you!
Get an insulation quote and start saving
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| Fuel Duty to rise up to 50%: cut costs now! |
Last week it was hinted that fuel duty could rise by up to 50% in the coming years. At a time when motorists are suffering record high petrol prices, any further increases are a massive blow to consumers.
You can’t control prices at the pump, but you can shop around to find your cheapest car insurance. Compare from over 100 insurers on uSwitch today, and you could save up to £200 on you renewal quote. [3]
Compare car insurance |
| Mobiles – How to get cheaper mobile roaming abroad |
Brits heading to Euro 2012 football Championships in Ukraine next month could be stung with eye-watering mobile bills if they don’t know what they’re spending. Even if you have ‘unlimited’ texts / calls / data allowances built into your tariff – these benefits are very unlikely to apply when you leave the country so switching on your phone could be a minefield of hidden charges.
Mobile roaming charges explained
How to avoid overseas mobile costs
Browsing the internet abroad could see you hit with a bill for thousands of pounds for expensive ‘data roaming’. To reduce the risks, follow these top tips:
 - Make sure you check what your provider charges for using your phone overseas and NEVER assume your ‘unlimited’ texts / calls / data allowances apply when you leave the country.
- If you need to use the internet from your phone, buying a data add-on before you travel could reduce the costs.
- Limit any damage to your pocket by having data roaming switched off.
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In 2010 the Feed In Tariff rate paid per kWh was 43.3p. Fast forward one year and this has roughly halved to 21p. Despite this fall, see why solar is still a great investment...
Read more
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Compare the latest 0% purchase cards
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If you’re looking to spread the cost of a big purchase, a 0% purchase credit card will mean you can repay debt monthly with no interest. To avoid high interest charges you must make sure you can repay within the 0% period.
Compare credit cards
| Longest 0% purchase cards |

Barclaycard Platinum
with purchase Visa
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0% for
15 months |
18.9% APR
Representative
variable |
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| Representative example: When you spend ᅵ1,200 at a rate of 18.9% (variable) per annum, your Representative APR is 18.9% APR (variable). |

Creation Purchase
Credit Card
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0% for
13 months |
17.9% APR
Representative
variable |
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| Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 17.9% (variable) per annum, your Representative APR is 17.9% APR (variable) |

Virgin Money Purchase Credit Card
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0% for
13 months |
18.9% APR
Representative
variable |
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| Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 18.9% (variable) per annum, your Representative APR is 18.9% APR (variable) |

Nationwide BS
Select Credit Card
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0% for
12 months |
12.9% APR
Representative
variable |
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| Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 12.9% (variable) per annum, your Representative APR is 12.9% APR (variable) |

Sainsbury’s Bank Nectar Holders
Credit Card
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0% for
12 months |
16.9% APR
Representative
variable |
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| Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a rate of 16.94% (variable) per annum, your Representative APR is 16.9% APR (variable). |
Credit card rates correct as of 18/05/12
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6% increase in
NHS waiting times
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Worryingly some hospitals are performing far below the Government recommended standards for waiting times. Recently the Patients Association reported a 6% increase in waiting times for some surgeries compared to last year.
If you don’t want to play the ‘health lottery’ due to the vast differences in services offered between NHS trusts, buying a health insurance policy could help cover the cost of private hospital care and treatment, in an emergency or throughout serious illness. Plus, you get to choose your consultant and where and when you want your treatment.
Get a quick health insurance quote today |
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This email has been sent to gov...@gmail.com. Click below to:
uSwitch Ltd | Floor 2, Centro 3 | 19 Mandela Street | London | NW1 0DU | Company No. 03612689
- £254 based upon the largest difference between one of the above mentioned tariffs ending and the corresponding supplier's standard plans paying by monthly direct debit (prices based on a standard medium user consuming 16,500 kWh of gas and 3,300 kWh of electricity and averaged across all regions)
- Figures from the Energy Saving Trust. For loft insulation these are estimates based on insulating a gas-heated, semi-detached home with three bedrooms, showing savings when you insulate an uninsulated loft, and when you top up 100mm of insulation to 270mm. (The recommended depth for mineral wool insulation is 270mm but other materials need different depths.) For cavity wall insulation these are estimated figures based on insulating a gas-heated, semi-detached home with three bedrooms. The installed cost includes a subsidy of around £250 available from the major energy suppliers under the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target.
- 60% of car insurance customers could save up to £200 Based on consumer Intelligence Research December 2011.
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