House prices fall 15.9%; future uncertain

House prices dropped 15.9% to an average price of £153,048 in 2008, the Nationwide Building Society said on Tuesday – but warned that conditions will remain too volatile to produce a meaningful forecast for 2009.

Will you miss out on a pay rise in 2009?

Flabby and cash-strapped; that´s how many of us feel after Christmas and New Year. And while losing a few pounds from the waistline will be welcome, losing them from our pockets as pay rises disappear in 2009 will not.

House prices fall 16.2% year-on-year

House prices dropped by a record 16.2% on an annual basis in December to an average £159,799, last seen in August 2004, new figures from the Halifax showed on Friday.

Mortgage lending drops 60.7% - BBA

Mortgage lending remained weak in November with 17,773 mortgages approved and showed a dramatic 60.7% drop against November 2007, new figures from the British Bankers´ Association show.

Hotel living and other saving tips

Trying alternative saving tips, such as living in a hotel could be worth a try, writes Marianne Curphey

Pension contributions suffer during economic downturn

Five percent of pension contributors have reduced or stopped their regular pension payments in order to save money during the credit crunch, a new survey has revealed.

Beware Christmas theft and breakage, warn experts

Retail sales were up 0.3% in November as Britons shopped for their nearest and dearest – but experts warn 9% risk breaking their presents and 2% risk them being stolen.

Unemployment jumps 6.0%

Unemployment jumped 6.0% to an 11-year high of 1.86 million in the three months to October, the Office for National Statistics said on Wednesday

Litigation hot ticket asset class for 2009

Litigation funding is expeced to double in 2009 as insolvency, investment and employment law suits in the City soar

Job losses spur breed of UK entrepreneurs

The growing number of talented high earners losing their jobs across Britain is spurring a revolution and new generation of entrepreneurs.

Hidden costs of new-build discounts

Homebuyers should not be fooled by some of the seemingly huge discounts on new-build homes, experts insist.

Poor maths skills costing Britons billions a year

Can you work out the best value for money on electricity and gas bills or supermarket shopping? If you struggle, you are not alone. According to Learning Direct, £1.45 billion was lost in the UK last year due to Britons struggling to master the basics in maths.

Some 75,000 to lose their home

Home repossessions could reach 75,000 in 2009, even while lenders seek to minimise them against a worsening economic backdrop, the Council of Mortgage Lenders said.

Can Obama help the UK economy?

Economists say Obama policies could be embraced over here

Recession proof IHT planning

Before the credit crunch, rising house prices and stock markets meant that millions more people were set to pay inheritance tax (IHT) on their estates - but that process has now gone into reverse.

New solutions for pensions crisis

As the number of people saving into pension schemes decreases and the credit crunch hits pension values, AXA is launching a new pension plan, Save More Tomorrow, that aims to address the growing problem of lack of pension provision faced by UK workers.

Go East in 2009

Congratulations. You survived the Christmas break and the New Years resolution is still intact. If you haven´t already thought about an investment strategy for 2009 it could be worth a few moments contemplation.