Weekly roundup of the news headlines affecting your finances – 25th March 2011

2 min Read Published: 26 Mar 2011

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

The Budget in bullet points

The Budget's key points listed.

Junior Isas confirmed in 2011 Budget

Junior Isas, a new form of tax-free savings account for children, were confirmed for launch in the 2011 Budget, delivered yesterday by Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne.

Winter Fuel allowance secretly cut in the Budget

Fuel duty cut by 1p a litre

Fuel duty is to be cut by 1p a litre from Wednesday night, part of a raft of measures aimed at easing the burden of rising petrol prices on families and businesses.

Energy firms fail to play it straight with consumers – say Ofgem

UK inflation in shock jump to 4.4pc and borrowing rises

British inflation jumped to a shock 28-month high of 4.4pc and public borrowing recorded its worst February since records began last month, official data showed on Tuesday.

State pension age 'rises' to 70 for anyone under 30

Anyone under the age of 30 will not receive the state pension until they reach 70 years old under Government plans to increase the retirement age.

MPC 'in the dock' over inflation as Spencer Dale turns screw on fellow rate setters

Bank of England chief economist Spencer Dale turned the screw on his fellow interest rate-setters over high inflation, as he warned they are "in the dock" over their failure to keep price rises on target.

Personal details 'left on phones'

Mobile phones are being discarded or sold before personal details including Pin numbers and passwords are erased, experts say.

No new Bank support for rate rise

Three members of the Bank of England's rate-setting body are again alone in voting for an interest rate rise, minutes show.

Feed in tariff limits are a fresh blow to green VCTs

The restrictions announced in today's budget could limit VCTs investing in wind farms and the break down of waste, experts warn.

Savings bonds beat inflation … for some

HBOS launches two inflation-linked bonds paying up to 7%, but higher rate taxpayers cannot combat the effects of inflation.

NS&I bonds to relaunch

Buried in the budget is the welcome news that National Savings will once again be allowed to issue index-linked bonds.

How to spot a fake Olympic ticket site

With London 2012 Olympic tickets now on sale, fears that fraudsters will seek to profit from people's desire to attend the games has prompted the Official ticket provider to launch a new ticket scam spotting site.

Mortgage terms glossary

A Which? guide to all the mortgage terms you need to know to understand your mortgage and make sure you get the best mortgage deal for you.

4.5% John Lewis bond closes early

John Lewis has closed its 5-year fixed-rate bond three weeks ahead of schedule after raising its £50m target in a fortnight. Offering 4.5% annual interest, plus 2% in vouchers it offered a market-leading rate.

Mortgage lenders attacked over pensions penalty

Mortgage providers have been criticised for plans to penalise consumers who are paying into pension schemes by restricting the sums they can borrow.

Cuts begin to bite for UK builders sooner than expected

Leading groups feel effects of sharp drop in public investment in new construction projects and stalling of existing programmes.