Mortgage lenders need to set aside their desire for “profit opportunities” and begin to pass on the interest rate cut to consumers, according to the Homeowners Advice Centre. Al Elliot, advisor for the firm, has called for lenders to “wake…

Abbey is consulting a debt advice charity on how to deal with borrowers that are struggling to pay their mortgage, it has been revealed. The lender is in discussions with the Consumer Credit Counselling Service for it to offer a…

Consumer body Which? has revealed that it has written to Lord Mandelson, the secretary of state for business, enterprise and regulatory reform, outlining concerns about the merger between Lloyds TSB and Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS). The watchdog wishes to…

The government’s announcement that new court protocols are to be put in place regarding repossession has been hailed by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA). Ministers have unveiled plans aimed at encouraging lenders to turn to repossession only as…

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has published a new guide on mortgage arrears and repossession following growing public concern. It outlines procedures that lenders should ideally follow in order to ensure they turn to repossession as a last resort.…

Consumer watchdog Which? has called on the government to force banks that have been bailed out by taxpayers’ money to “immediately” pass on the Bank of England’s base rate cut to customers. The body has written to chancellor Alistair Darling…

Banks have been urged to pass on lower prices to borrowers in light of recent reductions in rates. Lenders must provide some debt help to customers after the recent Bank of England base rate cut and a fall in the…

A consumer body has called upon energy suppliers to cut prices in light of falling oil costs. Consumer Focus has challenged firms to make the move after official figures showed that gas and electricity prices are driving up inflation. Chief…