I ordered spices online and I'm convinced they've been bulked out with other ingredients: Who do I complain to? DEAN DUNHAM replies
I ordered ground turmeric and ginger in bulk online to save money on my food bills. I've tried both spices and I'm convinced they've had bulking ingredients added. Who do I complain to? P.W., By email
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Three in five don't have investments, says HSBC - as it reveals how many customers have maxed out stocks and shares Isa
More than three in five people in the UK do not have any investments, according to new research from HSBC. It said that only 38% of adults invested some of their cash, with stocks and shares the most popular way to do it. And approximately 47% of those expect a good return on their portfolio, an increase of 15% compared to last year, according to HSBC.
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Will US activist Elliott revive Scottish Mortgage shares? Superstar trust has slumped after the pandemic boom - but says investors must think long term
Since a peak in November 2021, Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust shares have fallen some 40% as higher interest rates triggered a tech sell-off.
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Elliott's Edinburgh raid: US activist's effort to force a shake-up at Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust must be closely watched, says ALEX BRUMMER
There is much not to like about activist investors. Not least the use of the use of complex financial instruments to bully listed companies into change.
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I am an investment professional and this is where I am investing my Isa
The end of the tax year means it is time for investors to consider using up any of their remaining annual Isa allowance. David Kell, a financial planner, Charles Stanley Direct Financial Plans, explains what he is doing with his Isa - and says starting early is better than leaving things late.
Volkswagen Passat review: In a world of SUVs, can the £39k car re-energise the family estate market - or is it simply for business buyers?
After almost fifty years of family estate fun and over 34 million sold, is this car still a relevant buy or is has the world moved on? Here, Freda Lewis-Stempel test drives the ninth generation of Passat on launch in Nice to find out.
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Rise of the Big Brother motorist! Number of dash cam submissions sent to police up 77% in just two years
Bad drivers beware - Big Brother Britain is turning to dash cams to report motorists on the road, with a 77 per cent increase in dash cam submissions from the public to the police in just two years.
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Young Londoners face annual car insurance costs more than double that of those living in Northern Ireland
New data from Quotezone has revealed the UK regions with the highest car insurance premiums for young drivers - with London taking top spot.
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Do you know whether a fence is yours? A Land Registry expert explains how to find out - and who pays repair bills
There are some common misconceptions about who is responsible for which side of the fence, along with any associated repair and maintenance invoices. Some may argue that it is the left-hand fence or the one with the posts showing. We speak to some experts to find out who is actually legally responsible.
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Some households will soon pay up to £129 a year to bail out energy firms for unpaid bills
A charity group says energy firms will soon charge British households £1.3bn a year to chase unpaid bills and write off bad debts, ranging from £25 to £129 per home.
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How to tell if your smart meter is faulty and what you can do to fix it - and avoid overpaying on your energy bills
The number of faulty smart meters surged in the second half of 2023. If your energy supplier is not getting accurate readings they may over-charge. Find out how to tell if your meter is working here.
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I'm 84 and don't have a NI number: Can I still get one at my age and claim a state pension? Steve Webb replies
I am a British subject having been born of English parents, in 1939, in West Sussex. I lived abroad for many years with my first husband who was an army officer, and my second husband who is Italian. We moved to the UK in 1990 and have lived here ever since. My husband is now 91, and receives his Italian pension. I have tried many avenues to try to get an NI number but each time am told that if I am not looking to get a job, I cannot be given one.
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Will the Bank of England cut interest rates soon - or stick for as long as possible? This is Money podcast
Will inflation keep coming back down towards target and the Bank of England soon seamlessly switch back to cutting rates?
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I brought Michael Jackson's Bad tour to the UK - but regret selling my business for £150m, says impresario Paul Gregg
Gregg sold the Apollo Leisure Group for more than £150million in 1999. But he now views that as his worst ever business decision.
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Hargreaves Lansdown offers £25 sign-up bonus on cash Isa openings which means savers can get a best buy rate of 5.28%
Savers rushing to make the most of their Isa allowance can now beat thetop easy-access cash Isa deal by opening an account with Hargreaves Lansdown's savings platform Active Savings. It is once again offering new customers a £25 bonus when signing up for an account.
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One simple thing savers can do to make their pots more tax-friendly - get a flexible Isa
A flexible Isa lets you withdraw your money and, crucially, put it back again without affecting your annual allowance - provided you pay it back in the same tax year.
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Isa vs pension: Which one should you invest in and how do they compare for growing your wealth?
Pensions and Isas are the most powerful tools for building a nest egg - and each boosts the potential of your savings in a different way.
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We made the Covid vaccine in 48 hours - now we're after cancer: Moderna's boss talks to Scottish Mortgage's Tom Slater
Five years from now, Moderna could be synonymous with personalised cancer vaccines, not Covid-19. Moderna Chief executive Stéphane Bancel talks with Scottish Mortgage manager Tom Slater about what can be achieved through programmable drug development.
MORE BUSINESS & MARKETS NEWS
Bellway profits nosedive after large drop in new home completions but builder remains optimistic with interest rates set to fall
The Newcastle-based company reported pre-tax profits plummeted by 61.6 per cent to £117.4million in the six months ending January. Its overall revenue declined by 29.6 per cent to £1.27billion due to the level of new-build properties plunging by around 1,600 to 4,092.
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London behind in battle for Unilever ice cream float: Dutch boss says Amsterdam has 'good chance' of winning race
Unilever is looking to spin off its ice cream division which includes Magnum choc ices, as promoted by singer Kylie Minogue (pictured).
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Taxpayer stake in NatWest drops below 30%:Government is no longer bank's 'controlling shareholder'
The Government had effectively nationalised the bank after it was brought to the brink of collapse under the leadership of Fred 'the Shred' Goodwin.
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SMALL CAP IDEA: European Green Transition is short odds to be a success
As this article was written the week of Cheltenham Festival, a magnet for Irish racegoers, I looked at European Green Transition (EGT) in the same way one might the form and lineage of a fancied Gold Cup entrant. EGT's breeding could not be better. It is from the stable of Cathal Friel, the entrepreneur who helped build and sell Amryt Pharma for just shy of $1.5 billion and who is performing the same magic with hVIVO and Poolbeg Pharma.
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Direct Line shares dive 11% as Belgian suitor Ageas walks away from takeover talks after seeing two offers rejected
Ageas first approached Direct Line in January with an offer of 231 p a share, or £3.1bn. It raised this to 237p a share, or £3.2bn this month.
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Sex in the City shoe brand Manolo Blahnik announces plans to expand in Hong Kong
Manolo Blahnik shoes are known for being worn by Sarah Jessica Parker's character Carrie Brdshaw in sex and the City (pictured),
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Boardroom clearout in shake-up at Boeing as safety crisis sends share price plummeting
Chief exec Dave Calhoun (pictured) will step down by the end of the year with chairman Larry Kellner and commercial aircraft boss Stan Deal also bailing out.
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South West Water group Pennon blames bad weather as utilities firm pushes back environmental performance target
Pennon Group has pushed back expectations for achieving gold standard recognition for environmental performance, with the water firm blaming heavy rainfall.
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YOUR MONEY ESSENTIALS
Why Britain's homeowners are surviving higher rates: Stricter rules and stretching out mortgages keep them from the brink
Ever since rates began rising, almost nine million households and close to two million buy-to-let landlords have faced the prospect of much higher mortgage rates. However, homeowners are coping better than may have been expected. Mortgage arrears have gone up as rates have soared, but there hasn't been a rise in repossessions. We look at how borrowers are managing higher home loan costs.
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Do these big building society bosses really need such huge pay packets? asks JEFF PRESTRIDGE
There is a recurring theme which should jar with many hard-pressed households - and that is booming boardroom remuneration.
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RAY MASSEY: Meet the new Fiat Panda, a flexible family model with five variants - city car, SUV, sporty fast-back, pick-up truck and even a camper
The Italian car company will unveil the first production city car version on July 11 this year to celebrate its milestone 125th anniversary - with a new 'fun and functional' variant launched every year after that in a choice of electric, mild hybrid and petrol options. Bigger than the current Panda (first launched in 1980 and now in its third generation) and described as a 'Mega-Panda', Fiat said that its design and interior dashboard were inspired by the iconic Lingotto building in Turin, with its famous oval rooftop test track - once Fiat's headquarters that boasted a chase scene location for the classic 1969 The Italian Job movie, starring Michael Caine and Noel Coward.
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Petrol prices heading north of 150p just as Britons prepare for Easter getaways as AA fears oil price will push fuel up
A jump in the price of oil is set to trigger an increase in costs at filling station, the AA says, with some non-motorway forecourts already charging 149.9p per litre for unleaded.
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Learner drivers face six week wait to take tests and some centres have lists of five months: How long is delay at yours?
There's bad news if you're a learner driver eager to take their practical tests - you are going to be stuck waiting a long time for a slot, new research shows.
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I'm a fund manager: Why International Biotechnology's Ailsa Craig thinks rate cuts will spark a rebound for her cheap sector
In our I'm a fund manager series, This is Money speaks with an investment professional and asks them quick-fire questions about where they would invest right now. We want to know where they'd invest for the next 10 years and what they would avoid. We will quiz them on the future of inflation, interest rates and the property market - but also on Tesla and what they'd do with a £100,000 windfall. In this instalment, International Biotechnology Trust's Ailsa Craig explains why she thinks her sector can bounce back, what other investments look good value and whether she holds gold.
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Lazy Investors' guide to get rich: We reveal six steps to grow your wealth tax-free with our hassle-free Isa tips
In most walks of life, the more effort you put into something, the better the outcome. Investing isn't one of them.
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CT GLOBAL MANAGED PORTFOLIO Trust with a twist that keeps investors happy with income - and growth
Managed since launch 18 years ago by Peter Hewitt, the trust offers investors two portfolios - one income-orientated and the other growth-driven.
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Full steam ahead for rarities that could put the puff back in struggling model engines firm Mamod
Nostalgia for a bygone age is behind the popularity of some of its rarest steam-powered motors, which have risen as much as eight-fold in price over the past few years. The most sought after now fetch thousands of pounds. This boom in value is also being helped by international fans, and couldn't have come at a better time. The company is struggling after the Government banned fuel tablets that include an explosive ingredient, hexamine, used in the engines. The West Midlands firm fears it will cost them £50,000 in lost stock revenue and a change in the manufacturing process.
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Ofgem considers big changes to the energy price cap - which could see bills fall for many homes
Regulator Ofgem is looking at plans to shake up the price cap, which currently sets the energy bills paid by more than 90% of the population.
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How 16% of homes with solar panels say the tech isn't saving them money - and some have even seen costs rise
Around 1.3 m homes now have solar panels installed. But research from Halifax shows that 16% found the devices did not save them money on their energy bills.
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Why financial experts say you should NOT pay off a big student loan: We reveal what graduates (or the Bank of Mum and Dad) should do about debt
Many students and their parents will have been shocked by news of Britain's biggest student debt, which sits at a huge £230,000. Figures revealed some graduates left with hundreds of thousands of pounds of debt. This is far higher than the average graduate's debt of just under £45,000. But financial experts say if you or your child do have a large student debt - or even a modest one - it is unlikely to be worth overpaying to clear it. We explain why.
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I'm worried that my pension is going to fall short when I retire: Could equity release work for me and what do I need to know?
I have a work pension, but it is quite small and I am worried that it is going to fall short of what I need to live comfortably when I retire in a few years' time. I own my home with a small mortgage remaining. Could equity release work for me?
How many Britons are struggling with mortgage payments? Rising rates hammer savings as arrears spike
Homeowners are concerned about rising mortgage rates, but while arrears are going up there has been no rise in house repossessions. What does this mean for the housing market? In this six-part series, we look at how much more people are really paying when they take out a new mortgage, how households are coping and if a mortgage crisis is afoot.
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Is your local supermarket an EV charging hotspot? As one-in-10 now offer EV charging - we reveal which chain tops the electric league tables
Last year the total number of supermarkets offering EV charge points rose 59% - with motorists now able to charge at more one-in-10 stores, analysis from Zapmap and the RAC shows.
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Want to buy a home in Italy like Alan and Amanda? Overseas property expert outlines nine common mistakes - and how to avoid them
Buyers are warned to watch out for 'under-declaring' which is a punishable offence in Italy - and make sure they have a 40% mortgage deposit.
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Meet the Granolas: The 11 European super stocks that Goldman Sachs says can take on the Magnificent Seven
With just 14 days to invest this year's Isa allowance, the advice to take a look at these 11 European firms is worth considering. The Granolas are GlaxoSmithKline, Roche, ASML, Nestle, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, L'Oreal, LVMH, AstraZeneca, SAP and Sanofi. As has been pointed out, this actually spells out Grannn(o)llass. But Goldman's analysts are unabashed, arguing that these names are all 'internationally-exposed quality growth compounders'. Indeed, they are the equivalent of the US market's all-conquering Magnificent Seven tech stocks: Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla.
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MIDAS SHARE TIPS: 'Cloud' pioneer Beeks set to see its profits sky-rocket
Technology firms are often associated with Silicon Valley but the UK is in the vanguard too and Beeks exemplifies the breed. At £1.73p, the shares are a buy.
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MIDAS SHARE TIPS UPDATE: Fintech Alfa Financial is putting a tricky time behind it - so should you hold on?
The shares have risen 35 per cent since Midas recommended them. But, at £1.65, the stock deserves to go higher. An attractive prospect for new and existing shareholders.
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Beware this glossy looking will-writing firm with bogus credentials, says TONY HETHERINGTON
Town & Country Law Ltd sounds solid and dependable, with several offices, glossy sales material, and a dedicated focus on wills. However, we paid them £1,990 last June, and since September have been chasing answers to simple questions, after they sent us an 'advice letter' with draft wills.
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The next government will get a better economic inheritance than the gloomy forecasts suggest, says HAMISH MCRAE
My rather ambitious year-end predictions that, in 2024, the Footsie would reach 8,500 and the pound touch $1.40 might not look so hairy after all.
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Bad advice from HMRC cost me £10,000 in interest on an inheritance tax bill: SALLY SORTS IT
I was the executor for the estate of a friend. Because of advice from HMRC, I have ended up paying interest I estimate at about £10,000 on the inheritance tax owed, when I shouldn't have paid any.
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How you can give generously to your family and friends without being a 'control freak': Money psychotherapist VICKY REYNAL's guide to giving it away
I have listened to plenty of clients who felt regretful, if not resentful, having given generously - and with the best of intentions - only to be met with indifference, ingratitude or even anger. So how can we generously gift our money in a way that minimises the risk that it will be taken the wrong way? And how can we avoid family or relationship rifts?
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SAVE MONEY, MAKE MONEY: TIPS AND GUIDES
How to choose the best (and cheapest) DIY investing Isa - and our pick of the platforms
Choosing the right DIY platform is crucial but a wealth of choice and a variety of charges can leave investors scratching their heads. We pick some of the best. We pick some of the best. We also highlight why investing in an Isa makes sense, as it should protect your hopefully growing investments from tax forever.
Ten tips for buy-to-let: the essential advice for property investors
If you are planning on investing, or just want to know more, we tell you the 10 essential things to consider for a successful buy-to-let investment
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What next for mortgage rates - and how long should you fix for?
Fixed mortgage rates are continuing to fall back from their summer peak, with a number of fixed rates deals now less than 5 per cent.
How to invest in shares: A guide to becoming a successful stock-picker
If you are interested in buying shares or know more about unearthing good companies and valuing them, read our guide to share investing.
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How to save money on energy: What you need to know and energy-saving tips
This is Money takes a look at all of the essential things you should know about.
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