Weekly roundup of the news headlines affecting your finances – 24th 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.

Inflation linked savings products launched

The Post Office and Yorkshire, Chelsea and Barnsley Building Societies have both put forward savings solutions to help you fight the sharp rise inflation with the launch of two new savings products but Which? warns consumers to take closer look.

British Gas profits soar

With Centrica, owners of British Gas, announcing profits of over £2 billion, and British Gas profits up by 24%, consumers may be left wondering why their energy bills continue to rise.

The 11 best financial products

Which? reveals the 11 best money products that you cannot live without - from bank accounts to wills.

FSA tightens MVR rules for with-profits

The FSA is proposing to restrict when firms can impose a market value reduction (MVR) on with-profits funds, in a consultation aimed at tightening rules to better protect policyholders.

Halifax's refund to SVR mortgage borrowers: your questions answered

If you think you may be due a refund, our Q&A will help explain what Halifax is doing.

Borrowers waste £279 a year in credit card interest

Britons are failing to take advantage of 0pc interest deals on credit cards despite only half of people clearing their balances in full each month, a new survey has found.

High street banks 'over-charging' for will writing services

High street banks have agreed to reform the way they sell will-writing and executor services following concerns that people do not understand the high costs of these services.

Homeowners rush to remortgage ahead of possible interest rate rise

The housing market stayed sluggish at the start of 2011, according to lenders, but growing numbers of people are remortgaging to make sure they do not get caught out by a rise in interest rates.

Shoppers caught out by the small print, regulator warns

One in five shoppers have been caught out by the small print in contracts, costing them £3 billion every year, a regulator has revealed.

Redundant hit with new 50% tax bill

Basic-rate tax payers who are made redundant could be forced to pay up to 50% tax on part of their payouts and then face a wait to claim it back.

BA cabin crew in new ballot move

A new ballot of cabin crew at British Airways is to be held in their long-running dispute with management.

Net result

Expert advice on using the internet to help you buy a home

Lloyds bank sees complaints rise

Lloyds Banking Group, the UK's largest bank, says its customer complaints rose by 14% in the second half of last year.

Advice on rail fares 'inadequate'

Rail users are paying higher fares than they need to because of poor training for station and National Rail Enquiries staff, says Which?

Investors plan legal action against Meteor over structured products

Meteor Asset Management may face legal action from a group of eight investors who lost money in structured products backed by Lehman Brothers.

Third MPC member calls for interest rate rise

Monetary Policy Committee member Spencer Dale has joined Andrew Sentance and Martin Weale in calling for a rise in interest rates.

Cost of raising a child soars to £210,000

Tuition fee rises drive up expense of university years as parents feeling the pinch.

Petrol may rise by 10p a litre over unrest in Middle East