Weekly roundup of the news headlines affecting your finances – 11th February 2011

 We’ve trawled the news and highlighted the headlines that could affect your finances. Click on a headline to be taken to the full story

Which? to launch card fee super complaint

Which? calls for the OFT to investigate the credit and debit card surcharge issue and end the excessive fee ‘rip-off’

40pc of property sellers cut their asking prices

Almost four in 10 people selling their home have cut the price at least once since putting it on the market, according to a property website.

Bank holds interest rates at 0.5%

UK interest rates are held at 0.5%, after the latest meeting of the Bank of England's rate-setters.

Project Merlin: in 60 seconds

John Varley's brainchild, Project Merlin: its birth, aims, and hoped results, in 60 seconds.

Financial knowledge is lacking, a survey suggests

Two-thirds of those asked in a UK survey found financial matters too confusing to make the best choices with their money, a survey suggests.

Home repossessions drop sharply

Repossession figures for end of 2010 are down 11% from third quarter and 26% year-on-year – but figures may still reverse.

The 91% motorway service station mark-up

Motorists pay far more for items such as petrol, food and drink than they would at high street outlets.

Brits fail to find reasons to recommend their bank

Over ten million Britons cannot find a single reason to recommend their bank, a survey has claimed. Figures released by ethical bank Triodos show a growing disillusionment with the banking sector in the wake of the financial crisis.

John Lewis changes Never Knowingly Undersold

The famous John Lewis Never Knowingly Undersold price promise has been uncovered as having one fundamental change making it difficult for consumers to claim a refund if they find what they've bought cheaper elsewhere.

CBI: Inflation to remain stubbornly high

Inflation will stay “stubbornly high” this year, pressuring the Bank of England to up interest rates from the second quarter, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) says.

Warning Barclays' advisers delaying deals to steal clients

Some Barclays' advisers are delaying applications for clients as they attempt to poach business from the bank and set up their own IFA firms, an adviser claims.

Economists predict interest rates will rise in November

Poll of 63 economists predicts rates will rise in November.

Solar power farms face cash cut

The government plans to block solar power farms, which it says are leaving no subsidies available for domestic householders.

Caution dominates housing market

Cautious buyers and sellers failed to add any fresh impetus into the UK housing market in January, according to a survey.

Government to increase bank levy

The government says it will increase the levy on UK banks by £800m to £2.5bn, prompting fury from bankers and provoking barbed debate in parliament.

Warning on debt website confusion

The Office of Fair Trading warns consumers and local authorities about "lookalike" debt help websites.

Double-dip fears recede on cheery sales data - papers

Fears over a double-dip recession appear to have receded after the high street enjoyed surprisingly robust trading last month, boosted by continued hefty discounting and catch-up shopping after December's snow.