MONEY MORSELS

Broadband boost

TALKTALK has cut the cost of its Faster Fibre broadband deal from £32 to £25 a month for new and existing customers who lock in for two years — but the offer ends on June 1. It promises no mid-contract price hikes, unlimited usage and speeds up to four times faster than standard broadband.

Final pensions

ABOUT 80,000 people transferred out of final salary pensions last year. The figures from the Pensions Regulator suggest many are taking advantage of a rise in the amount of money you get for cashing in. It’s vital to take advice before acting, say experts.

Stranger loans

A WEBSITE that cuts out banks to give savers better returns is launching a new Isa on June 15. Zopa, which matches savers’ cash with borrowers seeking loans, will offer its Innovative Finance Isa next month. New customers must wait until August.

Landlord hotspots

LIVERPOOL is the best place to get an income from buy-to-let properties, analysis shows. Private Finance, a mortgage broker, found that you can earn £8 of income for every £100 invested, compared to £5.60 in Nottingham and £5.40 in Coventry after mortgage costs.

Funeral bill hike

THE cost of cremating or burying a deceased relative has risen more than 5 pc in the past year. On aver-age, a burial in the UK now costs £1,792 and a cremation is £753, according to comparison site Funeralbooker. But families face a postcode lottery. In London the average cost of burying someone is £3,806, whereas in Devon and Corn-wall a cremation costs £809.

Contactless fears

A JUDGE has criticised contactless cards after a thief used one to go on a shopping spree. The bank cards allow payments of up to £30 without a Pin. David Bartlett, of Exeter Crown Court, said: ‘It’s ludicrous banks allow this.’

Rogue risks

VIRGIN tycoon Sir Richard Bran-son has warned that fraudsters are trying to sell high-risk investments known ‘as binary options’ by using his name to appear credible. Victims lost £13 million last year to these scams, which involve betting on market movements.

Death tax

WIDOWS and widowers who receive a partner’s pension could be hit with a shock tax bill, insurer Royal London warns. If someone dies while employed, a lump sum of up to four times their salary may add to their pension legacy and push them above the £1 million lifetime allowance. The surviving partner would then face a 55 pc tax charge.