POUND NOTES

FINANCIAL FACT

THE choice of low-deposit mortgage deals on the market has reached its widest level in a decade, according to Moneyfacts.co.uk. In March, there were 307 deals available for people with only a 5% deposit, the first time since April 2008 the number has passed the 300 mark.

OPTING OUT OF PENSION SAVING ‘COULD MEAN MISSING OUT ON £450,000 POT’

PEOPLE who choose to opt out of workplace pension saving could be ‘throwing away’ a potential £450,000 pot by the time they retire, an insurer has calculated. Aegon said workers should bear in mind that opting out means they will miss out on ‘free money’ in the form of employers’ contributions and tax relief. Over time, their contributions plus this free money can grow to very substantial sums – and someone on average earnings who chooses not to join their workplace scheme at age 22, could potentially lose out on a fund of £450,000 by the time they reach 68, it said.

HOUSEHOLDS’ SPENDING ‘HAS SEEN WEAKEST START TO THE YEAR SINCE 2012’

CONSUMER spending has got off to its weakest start of the year since 2012, according to new figures. Households’ spending showed a 1.1% annual fall in February, following a 1.2% decline in January, according to Visa’s UK Consumer Spending Index, which reflects all consumer spending, not just that on cards. Visa said the past two months have seen the strongest spending reduction for the start of a year since the opening two months of 2012, as households continue in ‘belt-tightening mode’.

NIGHTMARE NEIGHBOURS ‘AMONG TOP REASONS TO MOVE’

NIGHTMARE neighbours are among the top reasons why people are looking to move home, according to a survey from AA Financial Services. Lifestyle issues are the biggest drivers for people upping sticks, rather than making financial gains from the property market, the research suggests. The three biggest reasons driving people’s decisions to move were found to be changing jobs (17%), disliking their neighbours (12%), and preparing for a family (12%).