POUND NOTES

Financial fact: Some 61,039 mortgages were approved for house purchase in December 2017, marking the lowest figure since January 2015, Bank of England figures show.

Where people plan to put their money in 2018: A quarter of UK adults don’t think that they will be able to save or invest any money in 2018, a survey has found.

Of those who feel able to put some cash aside, most (40%) will save using a bank or building account or cash Isa (38%), according to the research from GoCompare Money.

One in 10 (10%) say they would put money in stocks and shares – while a further 10% plan to use a coin jar, the survey of more than 2,300 people found.

Co-op has entered travel insurance market: Co-op Insurance has entered the travel insurance market, offering “cashless medical expenses”.

The features of its new product mean customers do not have to pay out themselves for any medical treatment.

A study by Co-op found two-thirds (62%) of holidaymakers who have claimed on their travel insurance said they had to cover the costs up-front themselves and then claim these costs back at a later date from their insurer.

Warning about investment fraudsters issued by regulator: People are being warned to watch out for investment fraudsters approaching them online and via social media.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said these fraudsters often promote themselves online and through social media channels, typically promising high returns and using images of luxury items, like expensive watches and cars, to entice people to invest in their scams.

After someone has invested, fraudsters will distort prices on their website, tie people in with extreme pay-out clauses and even close customer accounts, refusing to pay back their money.