LACK OF SAVINGS IS A REAL WORRY

WE ARE counting the cost of Covid-19 as 43 per cent of people are worried about their everyday finances, a new report has found.

Overall 31 per cent of people said they may struggle to keep on top of their bills in the future. This rises to 38 per cent for those aged 18 to 34 year-olds and 41 per cent for those aged 35 to 44.

Already 12 per cent have fallen behind on their mobile phone repayments, nine per cent on water bills and eight per cent on mortgages mortgage or rent.

The research from Indesser, a joint debt management venture between the Cabinet Office and TDX Group, also found that while 40 per cent of people overall had three months of expenses saved up, this drops to 32 per cent for those aged 18 to 34.

■ NATWEST has launched a regularr savings account, pa paying three per cent. It is de designed to help get peo people who have little or no savings into the habit of putting a bit away regularly.

You can save from £1 to £50 a month and the account allows withdrawals. However, you need to have a NatWest current account to be able to access the saver and will need to set up a monthly pay-in standing order.

■ SHOPPERS can be rewarded for supporting their local stores by downloading the My VIP Card app, which has just gone national.

The discount scheme gives shoppers access to 4500 rewards and discounts in their community and is helping boost sales.

My VIP Card founder Maddy Alexander-Grout said: “I created it to help the local high street and give back to the community and our unique membership scheme has proved to do this.

“It supports local businesses by raising awareness and actively encourages shoppers to benefit from local discounts.” Find out more at myvipcard.co.uk.