http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/The latest articles from the world of finance.Copyright 2012, Moneyfacts Group plc. All rights reserved.60en-gbWed, 23 May 2012 14:13:24 GMThttp://moneyfacts.co.uk/App_Themes/Consumer/images/logos/moneyfacts/mflogo.gifhttp://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/UK retail sales fell sharply in April, with a significant decline in petrol sales partly to blame.http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/economy/ons-reports-disappointing-retail-sales230512/Wed, 23 May 2012 13:58:01 GMTVirgin Money has reviewed its fixed rate savings options, significantly improving its one year fixed rate bond and ISA. http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/savings/virgin-money-ups-one-year-bond-rate230512/Wed, 23 May 2012 13:30:01 GMTThe Post Office has improved the rate on offer from its Online Saver, making it the best account in its class. http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/savings/post-office-improves-online-saver230512/Wed, 23 May 2012 13:27:27 GMTVince Cable has launched a £200 million initiative to help thousands of the UK’s small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/business/200m-sme-initiative-launched-by-vince-cable230512/Wed, 23 May 2012 13:19:23 GMTNationwide Building Society has bucked the trend in the mortgage market by increasing its lending and helping more buyers secure their first home. http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/mortgages/nationwide-boosts-mortgage-lending230512/Wed, 23 May 2012 11:22:13 GMTConsumers are being warned to be wary over running up large debts with catalogue companies. http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/debt/consumers-warned-over-catalogue-debts230512/Wed, 23 May 2012 10:24:53 GMTPayday lending firm Wonga has been criticised by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for using ‘aggressive’ and ‘misleading’ practices. http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/loans/wonga-criticised-by-the-oft220512/Tue, 22 May 2012 13:48:04 GMTThe number of payment protection insurance (PPI) complaints passed over to the Financial Ombudsman shot up in the last financial year. http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/insurance/ombudsman-sees-ppi-complaints-rise220512/Tue, 22 May 2012 13:05:05 GMTInflation figures released today show the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) fell during April, from 3.5% to 3.00%. http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/money/inflation-falls-from-35-to-30220512/Tue, 22 May 2012 10:54:59 GMTSavers setting up monthly payments into their savings accounts are getting ahead of the game when it comes to building up a nest egg. http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/savings/savers-urged-to-consider-regular-contributions210512/Mon, 21 May 2012 15:32:39 GMTUlster Bank has improved its Direct Saver account by upping the rate of interest and cutting the minimum investment. http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/savings/ulster-bank-improves-direct-saver-terms210512/Mon, 21 May 2012 13:17:29 GMTSkipton International has extended its fixed rate portfolio with the launch of a three year bond. http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/offshore-savings/new-offshore-bond-from-skipton-international210512/Mon, 21 May 2012 13:15:13 GMTHM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is warning people to be aware of new email scams designed to trick them into giving up their bank details. http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/money/hmrc-warns-over-email-tax-scams210512/Mon, 21 May 2012 13:10:48 GMTThe continuing crisis in the Eurozone is having a negative effect on the housing market, lenders have said.http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/mortgages/eurozone-crisis-hitting-mortgage-market-says-cml210512/Mon, 21 May 2012 11:10:22 GMTThe UK could be facing an impending retirement crisis, as many are not saving enough for their time after work, while others are putting nothing aside at all.http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/retirement/one-in-five-putting-nothing-aside-for-retirement210512/Mon, 21 May 2012 10:30:15 GMTThe Government and regulators are facing calls to improve protection for customers falling into a ‘downward spiral of debt’ through payday loans. http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/debt/people-falling-into-payday-loan-debt-trap180512/Fri, 18 May 2012 10:57:15 GMTTenants saw the return of rising rental prices in April – the first increase seen for three months. http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/buy-to-let/rental-price-rises-return180512/Fri, 18 May 2012 10:18:34 GMTThe decision to split the ailing bank Northern Rock into two parts could end up costing the UK taxpayer £2 billion. http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/banking/taxpayers-face-2-billion-northern-rock-bill180512/Fri, 18 May 2012 10:00:18 GMTThe Government has been accused of falling short on housing, while new figures show the number of new homes being built is falling. http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/mortgages/government-falling-short-on-housing170512/Thu, 17 May 2012 14:29:28 GMTAppetite from potential first time buyers continued to grow in April, despite the end of the stamp duty holiday. http://moneyfacts.co.uk/news/mortgages/appetite-from-first-time-buyers-rises170512/Thu, 17 May 2012 12:38:26 GMT