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<title><![CDATA[Yahoo Finance Utilities News]]></title>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/utilities/utilities_news.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Bills - Utility Bill Comparison UK | Cheaper Gas Bills | Cheap Electricity Bills]]></description>
<language>en</language>
<lastBuildDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:40:34 GMT</lastBuildDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Fundamentals driving oil price higher]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Alliance Trust claims fundamentals rather than speculation are driving oil prices higher.
Angus McPhail, global oil and natural resources analyst at Alliance Trust, said: Fundamentals rather than speculation are driving oil prices higher. Oil markets remain tightly controlled by supply and demand. China is increasingly leading demand from non-Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development members (OECD), [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/02072008/398/fundamentals-driving-oil-price-higher.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/02072008/398/fundamentals-driving-oil-price-higher.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:40:34 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Pre-payment customers losing out on energy savings]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Research by Moneysupermarket shows that pre-payment energy customers could be losing out on as much as £769m worth of savings.
This is because the average pre-payment tariff is £150 more expensive for gas and electricity than the best value rate.
A spokesperson for Moneysupermarket said: Pre-payment customers should not be punished for using this type of meter. [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/24062008/398/pre-payment-customers-losing-energy-savings.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/24062008/398/pre-payment-customers-losing-energy-savings.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:25:02 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Energy bill increases could hit 61%]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Predicted further energy price rises of up to 40% this year could mean a total increase of 61% since January 2008, according to uSwitch.
It would mean the average household energy bill hitting £1,467 this winter, up from £912 at the beginning of the year. The increase in energy prices would also plunge an extra 1.6 [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/20062008/398/energy-bill-increases-hit-61.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/20062008/398/energy-bill-increases-hit-61.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:05:54 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Cancellation penalties on the rise]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Energy customers have been urged to check the small print before signing up to a capped deal for the next 12 to 18 months.
Energyhelpline, a price comparison site, has warned consumers who sign up to a capped deal could be subject to a new trend among providers for cancellation penalties. Mark Todd, director of Energyhelpline, [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/06062008/398/cancellation-penalties-rise.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/06062008/398/cancellation-penalties-rise.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:18:17 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Brits wasting money on utilities]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - A study by Moneysupermarket shows over two-thirds of adults do not use the same provider for broadband, TV and home phone, meaning they could be wasting £40 every month on standalone products.
Despite triple bundle costs dropping in the last 12 months, the survey shows the majority of those who do have bundled deals havent reviewed [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/03062008/398/brits-wasting-money-utilities.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/03062008/398/brits-wasting-money-utilities.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jun 2008 09:54:21 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Energy industry voted worst for inaccuracy]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Energy suppliers have been named and shamed by consumers for inaccurate billing, according to uSwitch.
A survey carried out by the financial comparison site showed one in three households have had to deal with at least one inaccurate energy bill over the last two years. Such mistakes took an average of two months to sort out, [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/02062008/398/energy-industry-voted-worst-inaccuracy.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/02062008/398/energy-industry-voted-worst-inaccuracy.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:59:28 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Government introduces utility measures]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - A raft of new Government measures to help vulnerable consumers make their homes warmer and more energy efficient have been revealed.
The measures are designed to help with bills and ensure consumers, particularly the elderly, are on the best value tariff and include changes in the law to allow data sharing with energy suppliers and a [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/30052008/398/government-introduces-utility-measures.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/30052008/398/government-introduces-utility-measures.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 30 May 2008 09:35:12 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Credit crunch cuts switching by 17% in a year]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - The credit crunch has hit home with a 17% drop in the number of household and financial products being switched in the past year, according to MoneyExpert.
In the first quarter of 2008, a total of 32.2 million household bills for a range of basic services were moved to other providers compared with 38.9 million in [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/27052008/398/credit-crunch-cuts-switching-17-year.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/27052008/398/credit-crunch-cuts-switching-17-year.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 May 2008 15:42:31 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Two thirds of brits say they can&#8217;t cope]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - An estimated two thirds of Brits say they won&#8217;t be able to cope if fuel prices keep rising, according to price comparison site Moneysupermarket.
Petrol prices have recently exceeded £1.10 per litre and gas and electricity prices have increased by 15%. Such sharp increases have caused many people to worry about their finances, said Tim Moss, [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/23052008/398/thirds-brits-say-8217-t-cope.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/23052008/398/thirds-brits-say-8217-t-cope.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 23 May 2008 09:44:21 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Switching energy deals may prove difficult]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - People looking to switch to a cheaper energy provider could be trapped with their current supplier, according to price comparison site MoneyExpert.
Research from the website found that 726,000 people missed a gas or electricity bill in the last six months and as a result, could be trapped into staying on an expensive tariff if they [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/15052008/398/switching-energy-deals-prove-difficult.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/15052008/398/switching-energy-deals-prove-difficult.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 10:19:54 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Inflation hits 3%]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Consumer Price Index (CPI) annual inflation - the Government&#8217;s target measure - was up from 2.5% in March to 3.0% in April. 
The biggest influencing factors to the change in inflation came from price hikes made to items related to housing and household services. There were further large upward contributions from food and non-alcoholic beverages [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/14052008/398/inflation-hits-3.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/14052008/398/inflation-hits-3.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 May 2008 13:57:56 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[FEATURE: Bills, bills, bills]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Direct Debits may have made it easier to organise your finances, but there is still a risk of incorrect billing. Barney McCarthy reports 
It is easy to take Direct Debit for granted. Three quarters of Brits have at least one Direct Debit commitment and most of us have many more. Mobile phone bills, utility expenses, [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/24042008/398/feature-bills-bills-bills.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/24042008/398/feature-bills-bills-bills.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:54:47 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Millions of households in debt to energy suppliers]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Research from uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service, reveals that 6.8 million households are in the red to energy suppliers.
The average debt is £114, enough to prevent consumers from being able to switch suppliers. However, many more could fall into energy debt following recent price increases, as suppliers have to wait for their [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/22042008/398/millions-households-debt-energy-suppliers.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/22042008/398/millions-households-debt-energy-suppliers.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:57:50 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Third of Brits receiving incorrect bills]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - A billing study by moneysupermarket.com has revealed that over a third of Brits received an incorrect household bill in the last year.
Despite supplier inadequacies, half of those surveyed said they still dont check every bill they receive.
Rob Barnes, head of broadband and mobiles at moneysupermarket.com, said: The staggering amount of people whove been hit with [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/18042008/398/third-brits-receiving-incorrect-bills.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/18042008/398/third-brits-receiving-incorrect-bills.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:03:13 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Customers unhappy with home phones]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - After a year blighted by hidden charges and price rises, home phone customer satisfaction has hit its lowest level since 2006.
The 2008 Home Phone Customer Satisfaction Report by uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service, based on the responses of over 10,000 home phone customers, reveals that over a quarter are not satisfied with [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/08042008/398/customers-unhappy-home-phones.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/08042008/398/customers-unhappy-home-phones.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:31:58 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Switching rate exceeded five million in 2007]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Figures from energy regulator Ofgem show that the switching rate for gas and electricity suppliers hit more than five million in 2007.
The figures represent the highest level of switching for five years.
All the major energy suppliers have now increased their bills this year. However customers who have yet to switch can still save on average [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/02042008/398/switching-rate-exceeded-five-million-2007.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/02042008/398/switching-rate-exceeded-five-million-2007.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:06:13 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Energy depression set to hit UK households]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Quarterly energy bills will hit £350 for the average UK household this week, sparking energy depression across the UK, according to switching site Energy Helpline.
Research from the site has revealed quarterly energy bills arriving this week will cost UK households £3.5bn and cause energy depression. And this is only set to get worse as energy [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/01042008/398/energy-depression-set-hit-uk-households.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/01042008/398/energy-depression-set-hit-uk-households.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:47:08 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Feature: The only way is up]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Kate O&#8217;Raghallaigh takes a look at the rising cost of living 
Even for those of us who live on the cheap, as it were, the cost of day-to-day living has only been going in one direction over the past few months, and that direction is up. The basic requirements of everyday life, such as staple [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/26032008/398/feature-only-way.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/26032008/398/feature-only-way.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:13:48 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[SSE announce price increase]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has increased its electricity and gas prices by 14.2% and 15.8% respectively, effective from 1 April. 
According to switching service uSwitch, the increase in prices equate to SSE customers paying £50 more per year for electricity and £85 more for gas. The average annual fuel bill for an SSE customer will [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/20032008/398/sse-announce-price-increase.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/20032008/398/sse-announce-price-increase.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:58:34 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Gas and electricity price rises fuel inflation]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the consumer prices index annual inflation the Governments target measure was 2.5% in February up from 2.2% in January.
The largest upward pressure came from housing and household services as recent gas and electricity price rises took effect.
Part of the impact for this upward pressure [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/19032008/398/gas-electricity-price-rises-fuel-inflation.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/19032008/398/gas-electricity-price-rises-fuel-inflation.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:59:48 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Rising costs hit elderly hardest]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Alliance Trusts independent study of age-related inflation has found that the inflation rates facing all five of its identified age groups increased in February.
In each case the rate of inflation recorded is higher than the official headline rate of 2.5% released today. The figures released by Alliance Trust show that in February, inflation hit the [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/19032008/398/rising-costs-hit-elderly-hardest.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/19032008/398/rising-costs-hit-elderly-hardest.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:53:11 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Budget fails to eradicate fuel poverty]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - The Government has attempted to tackle fuel poverty in the Budget but still has a long way to go before it solves the problem altogether, says uSwitch.com.
The Chancellor announced it would be a Budget of fairness and opportunity and some initiatives unveiled will benefit some of Britains 4.5 million fuel poor, but the measures could [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/13032008/398/budget-fails-eradicate-fuel-poverty.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/13032008/398/budget-fails-eradicate-fuel-poverty.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:45:07 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Millions of Brits in fuel poverty]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Britains 4.5 million fuel poor are paying the price for the Government, energy industry and regulators lack of joined up thinking on fuel poverty, according to uSwitch.
Recent price hikes, averaging 15%,have plunged 500,000 more into fuel poverty, prompting the Government to look at mounting a rescue mission for its fuel poverty targets.
Yet Britains big six [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/07032008/398/millions-brits-fuel-poverty.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/07032008/398/millions-brits-fuel-poverty.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 07 Mar 2008 10:05:10 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Ofcom set to curb unfair communication charges]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Ofcom has revealed proposals to curb unfair additional charges levied by communications providers on consumers bills.
The proposals are designed to ensure that extra charges are fair and that landline, broadband, mobile and pay-TV providers clearly market the true cost of their services.
Increasing competition has driven down headline prices and offered consumers more choice. However, falling [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/29022008/398/ofcom-set-curb-unfair-communication-charges.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/29022008/398/ofcom-set-curb-unfair-communication-charges.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:18:11 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Home phone customers fork out for charges]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Nearly 4 million home phone customers currently pay out £75m in charges for failing to make bill payments by direct debit, according to comparison site uSwitch. 
Research from the website showed consumers could save £237m a year by changing the way they pay their phone bills. An estimated 13 million customers who receive paper billing [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/28022008/398/home-phone-customers-fork-charges.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/28022008/398/home-phone-customers-fork-charges.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:23:14 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[uSwitch urging consumers to save electricity]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Consumers are being asked to switch off unused gadgets and stop wasting electricity on the 27th February , the UKs first national E-Day.
Research from uSwitch.com shows just how big a deal this is really going to be for digitally dependent Brits who just cant help over-charging their gadgets.
More than nine million households charge up their [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/26022008/398/uswitch-urging-consumers-save-electricity.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/26022008/398/uswitch-urging-consumers-save-electricity.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:19:01 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Moneysupermarket.com predicts tough times for British Gas]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Price comparison site moneysupermarket.com is predicting a difficult period for British Gas after the provider posted its profit results. 
Paul Schofield, head of utilities at moneysupermarket.com, said: British Gas has offered market-leading prices for much of last year which helped the supplier rebuild its customer base following a loss in its market share in 2005 and [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/21022008/398/moneysupermarket-com-predicts-tough-times-british-gas.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/21022008/398/moneysupermarket-com-predicts-tough-times-british-gas.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:07:41 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Broadband regulations fail to take hold]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - New rules introduced a year ago by Ofcom, the broadband regulator, have failed in their aim to make it easier to change services, according to uSwitch.
New research by uSwitch, a price comparison site, claims that it is actually getting harder for consumers to switch between broadband services, despite Ofcoms efforts. This time last year, the [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/15022008/398/broadband-regulations-fail-hold.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/15022008/398/broadband-regulations-fail-hold.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:07:42 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Brits feel the pinch]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - The majority of British households feel financially overstretched, according to Icelandic savings provider Kaupthing Edge. 
The banks research found that, due to increases in utility bills, food costs and travel costs, 45 million people in the UK (95%) are feeling the pinch. More than three quarters of the British public (77%) said their utility bills [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/14022008/398/brits-feel-pinch.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/14022008/398/brits-feel-pinch.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:19:34 GMT</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Food and fuel prices push inflation higher]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Your Money - Research by Alliance Trust has found that the inflation rates facing all five of its identified age groups remained above the official headline rate of inflation.
These figures show that in January, inflation hit the 50 to 64 year olds and the 65 to 74 year olds the hardest these two groups have the highest [...]]]></description>
<link>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/13022008/398/food-fuel-prices-push-inflation-higher.html</link>
<guid>http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/13022008/398/food-fuel-prices-push-inflation-higher.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:53:01 GMT</pubDate>
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