Charlie Weston

Flogas suspends processing new accounts for 10 days Energy provider Flogas has suspended processing new customer accounts for 10 days but has still been letting people switch to the provider without initially warning them of the delay.

Flogas suspends processing new accounts for 10 days
Energy provider had continued to accept sign-ups despite being unable to process new accounts
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First-time buyers account for 27,000 mortgage drawdowns in past year The number of first-time buyers drawing down mortgages has hit levels last seen at the height of the Celtic Tiger.

First-time buyers account for 27,000 mortgage drawdowns in past year
This is the highest number in almost 20 years, according to the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland
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Most people expect household costs to keep rising next year, but few believe they will get pay rises A majority of consumers expect their household costs to rise next year.

Most people expect household costs to keep rising next year, but few believe they will get pay rises
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AIB, Haven and EBS cut a string of mortgage rates Interest rates on mortgages offered by AIB, EBS and Haven have been reduced.

AIB, Haven and EBS cut a string of mortgage rates
The cuts will save homeowners on a €300,000 mortgage with a LTV ratio greater than 80pc over €1,200 a year
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Child (3) loses damages claim after accident in Phoenix Park carpark A three-year-old child, who was alleged to have been run over by a car at the Dublin Zoo carpark in the Phoenix Park, has lost a damages claim he brought through his mother against a Co Cork motorist.

Child (3) loses damages claim after accident in Phoenix Park carpark
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EV drivers in Ireland pay hundreds of euro more a year for home charging than those elsewhere in EU Owners of electric vehicles (EVs) in ­Ireland are paying hundreds of euro more to charge their cars at home than drivers across Europe.

EV drivers in Ireland pay hundreds of euro more a year for home charging than those elsewhere in EU
Annual cost for those living in Spain is nearly €400 lower
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New European players shake up savings market in boost for consumers European players are to shake up the Irish savings market with new accounts being launched in a move that that will be welcomed by depositors.

New European players shake up savings market in boost for consumers
Raisin, Avant Money and MoCo offering versatile options for savers in Ireland
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Households get a small break after electricity levy reduced Householders got some rare good news on electricity costs after the regulator said it was reducing the levy on bills next year.

Households get a small break after electricity levy reduced
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Credit unions up the ante in mortgage battle with banks A number of credit unions have come together to offer a standard mortgage product that will give new buyers and switchers an alternative to the banks.

Credit unions up the ante in mortgage battle with banks
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Grocery inflation races higher with prices up 6.5pc heading into Christmas Grocery price inflation is running at its highest level since December 2023, standing at 6.5pc, according to new data from Worldpanel by Numerator.

Grocery inflation races higher with prices up 6.5pc heading into Christmas
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Next ECB move ‘could be interest-rate hike or a cut’, says Austrian bank chief European Central Bank (ECB) governing council member Martin Kocher sees an equal chance for lowering or raising interest rates as the next move, while for the time being it is reasonable to keep borro...

Next ECB move ‘could be interest-rate hike or a cut’, says Austrian bank chief
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Your money questions – ‘What health policy should we go for now that VHI is withdrawing a discount?’ Q We have recently got our renewal notice for two adults on the VHI Company Plan. Last year we were quoted €2,829, but after much debate about the high cost, VHI agreed to grant us a 5pc discount redu...

Your money questions – ‘What health policy should we go for now that VHI is withdrawing a discount?’
Plus, car insurance when you turn 80, and being prepared for vet’s bills
m.independent.ie/business/mon...

Fraudsters scammed €160m in Ireland last year, with digital payments the fastest-growing avenue for criminals Individuals and businesses in Ireland lost a massive €160m to fraudsters last year, with digital payments the fastest-growing avenue for criminals.

Fraudsters scammed €160m in Ireland last year, with digital payments the fastest-growing avenue for criminals
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100,000 workers could lose out by signing up for My Future Fund instead of company pension schemes Up to 100,000 workers risk losing out when they are enrolled in the State’s new national pension scheme My Future Fund, actuaries have said.

Minor injury payouts four times higher in Ireland than the UK, new report finds
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Buy Now, Pay Later loans hurt the most financially vulnerable, Central Bank report finds Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) users spend more than other shoppers, even though they are typically more financially vulnerable and less savvy, research from the Central Bank of Ireland shows.

Buy Now, Pay Later loans hurt the most financially vulnerable, Central Bank report finds
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I have been shortlisted for a Newsbrands Business Journalist of the Year award for articles on food prices.

Taoiseach responds after energy firms accused of ‘price gouging’ as report shows they fail to pass on lower costs Electricity companies in Ireland are failing to pass on falls in the cost of wholesale energy to consumers and businesses, a new report has found.

LATEST | Taoiseach responds after energy firms accused of ‘price gouging’ as report shows they fail to pass on lower costs
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Energy firms accused of ‘price gouging’ as international report shows they fail to pass on lower costs Electricity companies in Ireland are failing to pass on falls in the cost of wholesale energy to consumers and businesses, a new report has found.

Energy firms accused of ‘price gouging’ as international report shows they fail to pass on lower costs
More than a million households face electricity price hikes this month as Energia, Bord Gáis and SSE Airtricity raise prices
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Bank of Ireland's app is down again. It says: "We are aware that customers can’t access our app and 365 Online at present. We are working to fix this as soon as possible and we apologise for any inconvenience."

First time buyers get €66k on average from First Home Scheme Homebuyers who use the State’s shared equity scheme are getting average financial support of €66,000.

First time buyers get €66k on average from First Home Scheme
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I am confused by this because I don’t think Tesco’s decision to cut milk prices has anything to do with the US.

Third retailer drops price of milk in welcome news to shoppers battling food inflation As of Sunday, Tesco has reduced the price of its milk following on from similar moves by two other major retailers.

Third retailer drops price of milk in welcome news to shoppers battling food inflation
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Your questions answered: Can I claim tax relief on pension contribution made last year in this tax return? Q I am self-employed and preparing my tax return for 2024 ahead of this year’s tax filing deadline. I opened a Personal Retirement Savings Account (PRSA) late last year and put a once-off lump-sum con...

Your questions answered: Can I claim tax relief on pension contribution made last year in this tax return?
Plus, applying for health insurance after moving to Ireland and protecting credit union savings
m.independent.ie/business/mon...

I only cover personal finance, so why are you directing stuff like this at me?

Bleak winter for consumers as they face severe price squeeze ‘in months ahead’ Consumers have been warned that they are facing a severe price squeeze this winter after inflation surged to an 18-month high.

Bleak winter for consumers as they face severe price squeeze ‘in months ahead’
Inflation hits highest rate since March 2024
m.independent.ie/business/mon...

Sirloin steak now €5 more expensive per kg than last year as food prices continue to soar, says CSO Food prices continued to soar last month.

Sirloin steak now €5 more expensive per kg than last year as food prices continue to soar, says CSO
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Rate of property price inflation has slowed as costs are so high that many simply can’t afford to buy The pace of property price rises has eased, due largely to fewer people being able to afford to buy a home.

Rate of property price inflation has slowed as costs are so high that many simply can’t afford to buy
Homes now cost eight times average salary
m.independent.ie/irish-news/r...

Teen girl awarded €72,000 after allegedly suffering serious injury in West Wood gym A teenager who it was claimed suffered a neck injury when she was exercising in a gym five years ago has settled a High Court action for over €72,000.

Teen girl awarded €72,000 after allegedly suffering serious injury in West Wood gym
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How am I wrong?

Charlie Weston: Big Mac budget will not give us enough to pay for a meal deal It could be categorised as the Big Mac budget. Except it has left a sour taste.

Comment: Big Mac budget will not give us enough to pay for a meal deal
Vat cuts are unlikely to get passed on to struggling consumers and there are no energy credits or increase to tax credits to support workers
m.independent.ie/opinion/comm...