We reported earlier on the decision by the makers of products including Club and Penguin to reduce the amount of cocoa in their recipes – to the point that they can no longer be described as chocolate biscuits.
Predictably, the news has prompted an outpouring of mild, if somewhat resigned, anger and despair…
It’s bloody typical with the youth these days taking away our Penguins and our Clubs. I knew this would happen. First Wagon Wheels and now this. Where is our god now? Why has he forsaken us?
Crashfan1996
Can someone please tell the guy from Club biscuits that they’re new chocolate coating DOESN’T taste anything like the original at all!
Sbx
In arguably more consequential news, we reported last week that Rachel Reeves was reconsidering a cut to the tax-free cash ISA allowance ahead of the autumn budget next month, according to reports.
In a bid to boost the economy, the chancellor is said to be looking at halving the limit from £20,000 to £10,000, the Financial Times has reported.
It is thought Reeves hopes the overhaul will divert tens of billions of pounds of savings from cash ISAs into stocks and shares ISAs – boosting the economy.
Readers have expressed a mixture of general frustration along with scepticism as to both the effectiveness and the government’s motives.
Regarding ISA limits – I am too old to be investing for the long term! However I do save for a rainy day. Just how unpopular does the chancellor want to be?
Ginger
The majority of users don’t have the education to invest. As such they’ll leave surplus cash in tax bearing accounts which is what I think the play is here.
RobinS
My question is does the chancellor really want to blag people into thinking that the stock market is some sort of safe investment? Get your timing wrong and you can lose a fortune. Most people just aren’t set up financially to take these sorts of risks.
Nick Blackwell
The cutting of the ISA limit, will NOT make people invest in stocks and shares. I have two ISAs and I will never risk my money in this absurd scheme. The whole point of investing in cash ISAs is to ensure your money is safe. I will never vote Labour again or ever vote again.
jot p
If the ISA limit is halved I will not invest in stocks and shares – under this government I would merely save my cash and not put it where I would pay tax on any interest. It is more likely to be spent abroad on a nice holiday. Another own goal by this government.
Swanmoreboy
How can reducing the ISA limit be seen as fair? I’ve been told all my life to save for retirement. Now I have retired after 43 years working and with around £80,000 in savings they still want to tax me some way or another.
Alan Presneill
Lots of you also wrote with your stories in response to our weekend feature.
In the piece, we spoke to sources inside the car insurance industry in an effort to get some kind of understanding as to the complicated system that determines how claims can affect your premium.
Complex algorithms, individual circumstances, the nature of the accident and a list of other factors are all in play.
And as we explain, fault isn’t always a decisive factor in how much an annual premium may rise following a claim.
It was clearly an issue that struck a chord with many of you…
A lady crashed into my parked car whilst I was watching TV and my car was written off. I claimed on her insurance and it paid me out, but now my insurance has gone up due to my insurance saying it doesn’t matter who’s fault it was, it’s because I made a claim, which I find disgusting.
Markymark123
A car hit my car when it was parked unoccupied in an Aldi car park with cameras. NFU Mutual didn’t recover its costs. My premium went up by 60% in the next year; 26% the next year. My renewal premium went from £350 to over £700 in 2 years with no further accidents.
Anonymous
Recently I renewed my insurance – all details the same, except I advised my car had been involved in a claim where the third party accepted full responsibility and claimed on their insurance. My renewal quote went up by £700… despite it not being my fault. How!?
IbrahimK
Another reader wrote in with a suggestion…
Most insurances are optional but car insurance is a legal requirement. Older and less tech aware people pay higher premiums. Why not fix them nationally if there’s a legal requirement? It would be more easily enforced and affordable.
Rich PB
…while another presented the case from the side of the insurers:
Insurance does go up because it is business and not a compensation scheme and the cost for the consumer is compounded towards the garage that repairs the cars, as each company adds their costs and profits. This is also why private health insurance is so expensive.
Paulus