Inflation Increase in April 2010
As Payplan previously reported on the predictions made about inflation, the latest updates are as follows:
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) annual inflation was up from 3.4% in March to 3.7% in April, well above a Government target of 2% and the highest rate since November 2008.
The largest upward pressures to the change in the CPI annual rate between March and April, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), came from:
- clothing and footwear – prices rose by 2.2% between March and April this year but rose by only 0.2% in 2009
- food and non-alcoholic beverages, rose by 2.6%, according to the ONS
- higher duty on alcohol and cigarettes introduced in April’s Budget also added to inflation for that month, as prices rose by 2.1% between March and April this year but were unchanged a year ago.
In the year to April, the Retail Prices Index (RPI) annual inflation was 5.3%, up from 4.4% in March, the highest since July 1991. The main factors affecting the CPI also affected the RPI.
However, Governor of the Bank of England Mervyn King said in a statement earlier this month, that he expected the current rise in inflation to slow below the 2% target by the end of the year, noting the increase in VAT back up to 17.5% earlier this year and the rise in fuel costs as the main reason for the rapid increase.
Payplan
If you are struggling to manage your monthly bills, contact Payplan today for free, confidential debt advice or simply call 0800 280 2816.
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5 Ways to Save on Your Water Bill
Could you save water?
Find out if you can cut the cost of your monthly water bill by reading Payplan’s 5 simple tips to conserving water.
1. Don’t leave taps running
Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth to avoid any unnecessary waste.
When running a bath or shower, instead of leaving the tap to run whilst waiting for the water to warm up, why not place a bowl underneath to collect the water that can be used to water plants or flush the toilet?
2. Repair dripping taps
They can waste up to 3000 gallons per year!
3. Collect Rain Water
Watering the grass can be a great waste of water, instead why not catch rain water in a barrel or bucket, this can be used to water both grass and plants.
4. Wash large loads
Washing machines use a large amount of water, try to run your washing machine only when you have a full load.
5. Water Meter
For those not already on a water meter, it may be worthwhile looking into their benefits. Those people living in a household with more bedrooms than occupants are likely to benefit the most – contact your water supplier for further information or visit www.ofwat.gov.uk.
Payplan
If you are in arrears with your water bill or for more money saving tips or advice on how to beat the effects of the recession, contact Payplan today.
Payplan, providing free, confidential debt advice.
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Voting in the General Election 2010
Information for voters about tomorrow’s General Election
UK Parliamentary and Local Elections 6th May 2010 – Polling Stations open from 7am-10pm.
As Payplan previously reported you can vote either by post, proxy or in person for tomorrow’s election but please note that the deadline to register to vote or apply for a postal or proxy vote has now passed.
If you are on the electoral register, you should have already received a poll card telling you where and when to vote. The poll card is for your information only, and you do not need to take it to the polling station in order to vote.
New voters
Go to your local polling station where the staff inside will ask for your name and address so they can check that you are on the electoral register.
Voters with visual impairment
The staff at the polling station will give you a ballot paper listing the parties and candidates you can vote for. If you have a visual impairment, you can ask for a special voting device that allows you to vote on your own with privacy.
When you have marked your vote, fold the ballot paper in half and put it in the ballot box.
What if I live abroad?
British citizens living abroad can vote in UK Parliamentary and European Parliamentary elections but cannot vote in local elections.
British citizens living abroad for more than 15 years however, are not eligible to register to vote in UK elections.
Vote count
In most areas, votes are counted after the close of poll on Thursday evening, but in some areas votes are counted the next morning.
For more information about your local polling station visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
Payplan
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