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Mobile web calls possible through Truphone

Truphone customers will be able to have long-distance mobile conversations through the internet, even if they lack a connection.

The Mobile Internet network operator has launched Truphone Anywhere, a service which identifies the long-distance element of a call and automatically sends it through the web to lower the price. Customers will be charged for the local call, while Truphone will pay the reduced price of the web-directed element.

James Tagg, chief executive officer of Truphone, told Bhavana Navuluri at cbronline.com: "The days of having to pay through the nose to make international calls are no longer just numbered, they are gone; international calls from mobile phones are easier and more affordable than ever.People can now make a Truphone call globally and the cost will be close to that of a local call, even if they”re not in Wi-Fi. Of course, if they are in Wi-Fi and they make a Truphone call, it can cost even less."

The service will support landlines in 40 countries around the world and 15 countries will support mobile use.

The iPhone will be used next month to demonstrate the device’’s capabilities. Mr Tagg told David Meyer at zdnet.co.uk: "We hope to get into the iTunes distribution system."

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Highway Code ignorance hikes premiums

An ignorance of the Highway Code can have a big effect on boosting car insurance premiums, especially if the lack of knowledge results in an accident.

According to a recent study from uSwitch.com, of over 2,500 drivers who sat a basic theory test, only one per cent got all the answers right. Over a third failed to get half marks, and nearly ten per cent got all their answers wrong.

Ashton Berkhauer, insurance expert at uSwitch.com, told easier.com: "Over 30 million motorists have never been tested on driving theory, suggesting a need for tougher testing. This could lead to fewer accidents, safer roads and lower insurance premiums for all, allowing consumers to save money at a time when it is hard to come by."

According to the study, nearly 13 million people who hold a driver’’s licence do not know the national speed limit. Basic knowledge gaps like this contribute to motoring accidents that result in over £16,000-worth of insurance claims being made every minute in the UK.

The effect on premiums is pretty devastating, with a single claim adding nearly £200 per motorist. The overall cost of British car insurance rises accordingly by over £850 million.

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Increase in energy bills expected

According to a new report from energyhelpline.com, gas prices could rise by close to 70 per cent by the end of next year.

With the cost of wholesale energy continuing to rise, and the cost of a barrel of oil recently hitting a high of $135, the effect on home energy bills will be keenly felt in households across the country.

Energy minister Malcolm Wicks toldfairinvestment.co.uk: "In the light of rising energy costs and the increasing global demand for energy we have to think long term and carefully and provide sustainable solutions to those most likely to need help."

He added: "As well as measures to improve the incomes of the vulnerable, a key part of this must be energy efficiency which will help bring people’’s bills down in future and keep their homes warm."

The government will be focussing on vulnerable people, such as pensioners and those on a low income, and providing information as to how to keep heat in the house and how to be efficient with heating.

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, told the website: "We estimate that price hikes could see 750,000 more pensioner households in fuel poverty at the end of 2008 than at the start of the year."

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BT are offering cheap broadband

BT have announced a 45% reduction in the cost of their broadband service for the first three months. They now offer three broadband packages starting from just £4.95 for an 8Mb service - BT broadband offers

Alternatively, what about the premium package, Option 3, this is now £15.99 for the first three months. Option 3 comes complete with the wireless BT Home Hub and Hub Phone, 8Mb download speed, unlimited usage and unlimited WiFi minutes.

All of BT broadband services come with a free 5GB secure online storage for your photos, music or data files. In the event of your laptop being pinched at least you will have your digital files backed up elsewhere with BT

Check out the latest broadband deals from the best broadband providers at comparebroadbandoffers.com

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Washing machine best buy reviews

Which? the independent consumer champion reviews more than 30 washing machines, comparing them against each other and given ratings. with brands such as Bosch, Miele and Ariston through their paces. With prices ranging from £170 to £1,000, choosing the right washing machine for your home can be difficult.

The Which? washing report identifies their best buys. You can get full access to this and all the other Which? reports for 30 days for just £1.

Find out more about:

• Which features to look out for
• Tips on getting the best from your washing machine
• Getting the right deal when buying a washing machine
• Best buy washing machines, whatever your budget
• Detailed product reviews on AEG, Zanussi, Miele, Bosch and more. Compare models and features

Visit Which?

Find out more about the best washing machines.

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Delayed price rise swells SSE’’s customer base

An additional 700,000 customers have been drawn to supplier Scottish & Southern Energy since the firm delayed a series of price increases.

The energy supplier reported a before tax profit of over £1 billion in the financial year 2007-8, exhibiting a rise of just under 14 per cent on the previous year. The company increased prices several months ago but was the last in the market to raise tariffs.

Chief executive Ian Marchant told the Press Association: "We have seen probably the biggest increases in our input costs that our industry has even seen."

Despite stemming prices, the energy supplier has warned of further rises in the near-future, if the price of wholesale energy continues to increase. Wholesale energy has climbed in cost by ten per cent a month since the end of last year, and the cost of oil recently reached a record $135, double last year’’s price.

The company is keen to be among the first to reduce prices again as soon as possible, and increase its 8.45 million-strong customer base past the nine million mark.

Despite the rocketing cost of oil, some industry commentators have accused Britain’’s major energy suppliers of raising prices in tandem so as to reduce competition and maintain high consumer costs.

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Dongle initiates broadband revolution

The dongle, a new USB modem, is being credited with launching a broadband revolution.

The 3G device facilitates mobile internet access and 50,000 are being sold each month, including in excess of 20 per cent of 3′’s new subscribers.

The experts, however, advice caution. Rob Barnes, head of broadband and mobiles at moneysupermarket.com, said: "Mobile broadband packages impose very low download caps and charge a premium if you go over the limit, so they aren”t right for heavy internet users or regular downloaders. If you are a heavy user, you”d be better off looking at fixed-line deals as a number of these packages offer unlimited downloads and competitive prices."

The dongle officially carries speeds of up to 7.2 megabytes per second and offers fixed-line rates. However, the potential speeds on offer are disputed, as mobile connections are more dependent on the number of users in the area and signal quality, among other things.

Still, the technology is being seen as a realistic next step in mobile broadband, as it offers flexibility of use without having to worry about frequently expensive Wi-Fi hotspots. Those who download large quantities of material are advised to stick with a landline connection for the moment.

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Rise in home insurance complaints

According to new figures, complaints about home insurance services offered by banks have risen by over 25 per cent in the past year.

The new study, from the Financial Ombudsman Service, found that complaints in general rose by as much as 90 per cent.

David Kuo, the head of personal finance at fool.co.uk, told James Daley at independent.co.uk: "In some cases, such as with payment protection insurance (PPI), people are sold products that are totally unsuitable for them. They only discover this when they claim and it’’s too late."

He added: "Salespeople are chasing commissions, their bosses chasing profits - where’’s the sense of responsibility to the customer?"

Over 4,000 people have lodged home insurance complaints in the past twelve months, an increase of nearly 1,000. Close to 40 per cent were upheld in some way.

By far the biggest rise, however, was the number of complaints about current account charges, which attracted over 31,000 responses from customers, a rise of over 860 per cent on the previous year.

Mr Kuo adds: "If you think you might have been missold PPI, now’’s the time to fight back. Compensation could be just a letter away."

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Alton Towers bans PDAs

Major British theme park Alton Towers is piloting a scheme this half-term week banning PDAs.

Staff will actually police the park and invite anyone seen with a PDA to leave it at a "PDA Drop Off Zone" to be collected at the end of the day. The scheme is intended to ensure that families focus all their energies on having a good time in the park.

Russell Barnes, divisional director for the Alton Towers Resort, said: "What we have here is the ultimate short break location where every member of the family can unwind and have fun. We feel it’’s so important for parents and kids to focus on nothing more than having the best possible time, we are prepared to take drastic action to ensure that parents really leave their work behind!"

The scheme is sure to prove controversial, and there are no details of what consequences guests to the park will face if they refuse to hand over their electronics.

With PDAs and phones already frowned upon on trains and other public places, leisure parks would seem to be the next logical step as electronic devices are increasingly viewed as anti-social.

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Macy’’s to sell electronics from vending machines

The American retailing giant Macy’’s has announced plans to sell electronics from vending machines, in a move that could spread to the UK.

Products such as cameras, camcorders and iPods will be sold from vending machines known as "e-spot automated shops", in 400 of the retailer’’s sites. Prices will range from $14.99 to $349.99, with a credit card reader fitted for payment.

Chris Mizer, senior vice president of Macy’’s customer operations, believes that the vending machines can contribute to a more relaxed and stress-free shopping experience for the consumer. He told the BBC: "Customers tell us they love the no-pressure environment e-Spot provides."

The scheme has already been successful in Japan, but experts in the UK are more sceptical, some believing that British consumers will be alienated by the lack of customer service.

Matthew Bath, technology editor at the consumers” association Which?, told the BBC: "I do not know whether it would go down well with the British public. Consumers in the UK demand a decent level of customer service."

The other side of the argument is that retailers who adopt the system could find themselves saving money on staffing levels, as customers will essentially be able to serve themselves.

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Rise in Welsh broadband and satellite use

The Welsh are using new consumer technologies more than anywhere else in the UK, according to a new study from industry regulator Ofcom.

The study found that 79 per cent of Welsh households subscribe to satellite television, a figure which is nearly 15 per cent higher than the national British average. Welsh broadband uptake has been slower, however. Although it has climbed three per cent in the past year, it is still 12 per cent behind the UK’’s national average.

Dr Mike Reddy, head of interactive technology at the University of Wales, told Tim Lewis at icwales.co.uk: "It’s surprising what people are willing to spend money on - especially at times of financial worry. But even in areas of high unemployment, you will see lots of people with satellite dishes and huge televisions. People see them as a one-off expense and are willing to treat themselves.

He added: "New formats like Freesat, the free satellite service launched by the BBC and ITV, will no doubt be very popular in parts of Wales where getting cable is still a problem."

Nearly ten per cent more residents in rural Wales now have a broadband connection than those in towns and cities, following a general trend across the UK

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Historic Liverpool store closes

Liverpool’’s John Lewis has closed down in preparation for a move to a new site at the Liverpool One development.

The Basnett Street store, which first opened in 1853, closed its doors and managing director Margaret Jacques read a poem to a large collection of employees.

Lynn, 60, an employee of over 30 years, told Alan Weston at liverpooldailypost.co.uk: "It’’s changed an awful lot in the time I”ve been here, and it’’s a lot more informal. When I started, it was olde worlde, the restaurant was silver service and there was a hairdressing salon. Now it’’s a lot more informal and all the staff are known by their first names."

Over the next few days, over £1 million of stock will be transported to the new site which offers 40 per cent more space than the historic Basnett Street store.

Maria Hewitt, an employee of nearly 30 years, added: "We”re all looking forward to doing our best when we get to the new building as well."

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First-time buyers tempted overseas

Discouraged by a turbulent housing market in the UK, first-time buyers are increasingly looking to buy overseas instead.

Over half of those who do buy overseas look to let the property and then use the resulting profit to fund a purchase in the UK.

James Caldwell, director at fairinvestment.co.uk, told the Independent’’s Kate Hughes: "First-time buyers are being driven to sunnier climes for a route onto the property ladder as a result of the credit crisis which has been shaking the foundations of the UK property market."

He added: "Overseas they can sometimes find cheaper property prices and a lower cost of living, which could make buying their first home more affordable, while they continue a high quality of life."

There are definite advantages to buying abroad, with good deals available in relatively unexplored areas such as eastern Europe, but at the same time buyers should be cautious, as currency fluctuations and planning permission laws can catch people out.

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Sharp drop in mortgage lending

According to new information from the British Bankers” Association (BBA), mortgage lending has fallen almost 40 per cent on this time last year

The effects of the credit crunch continue to be felt in the UK housing market, although last month there was an almost five per cent increase in credit card lending.

David Dooks, BBA statistics director, told myfinances.co.uk: "Pressures on household finances, stalling house prices and tighter lending criteria in response to lower liquidity are all constraining demand for house purchase and equity withdrawal loans, which are both well down on levels last year."

April also saw an increase in overdrafts and loans amounting to £2.5 billion, while deposits also rose.

Mr Dooks added: "With some £18 billion of new lending and nearly 150,000 loans approved in April, it is clear that, contrary to some reports, the mainstream mortgage market has not ground to a halt."

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Quiet dishwashers

Of all the things that we consider essential when buying a dishwasher, noise levels measured in decibels is probably furthest from our minds. However, if you run your dishwasher at night to take advantage of cheap electricity tariffs, then noise levels are important if you wish to have a good nights rest.

Noise levels vary considerably between different makes and models, ranging from 40dB, going to beyond 55dB - a whopping 37% higher noise level! The quietest dishwashers include models from AEG, Hotpoint, SMEG and Zanussi.

The models include (I have omitted the various colour options such as silver or white that are available for these models):

AEG F50674 - 41 dB
SMEG DF6FABRO - 42 dB (various colours within the SMEG range - blue, yellow orange)
HOTPOINT FDD912P - 43 dB
ZANUSSI ZDF601S - 43 dB
AEG F50870 - 45 dB

For more information on dishwashers visit www.dishwasher.productguides.co.uk.

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Sales on the high street in further decline

According to a new report from the Office of National Statistics, British retail sales have dropped for the second month in a row.

April saw a 0.2 per cent decline, coming in the wake of a 0.4 per cent decline the month before. Overall sales growth has fallen to 4.2 per cent this year.

Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist at Global Insight, told Dearbail Jordan at timesonline.co.uk: "Taken at face value, the retail sales data suggest that the consumer is only gradually and reluctantly reining in his spending despite facing serious headwinds."

He added: "Nevertheless, we suspect that consumers” resilience will be increasingly eroded by these headwinds over the coming months."

The computer industry was boosted by the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV, while food sales fell.

Consumer caution is at a height in the current economic climate, leading to a reduction in spending.

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Fuel prices to plague Bank Holiday

According to the AA, drivers looking to make a Bank Holiday getaway are looking at steep price hikes in comparison to this time last year.

The motoring agency estimates that drivers will need to pay an additional £14 on last year’’s prices to fill up.

Andrew Howard of the AA told the BBC: "It will strike a lot of people driving this weekend just how different things are."

In the wake of surging oil prices, the price of diesel has risen by nearly 30 per cent, while the price of petrol has risen by 17 per cent.

The costs of fuel have resulted in some motorists driving less in order to save money, while the AA has joined other organisations in calling for a further delay to the government’’s plan to increase prices even more by 2 pence a litre.

The estimated 18 million Bank Holiday drivers will have their routes eased slightly with the suspension of nearly 20 roadworks over the course of the weekend.

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UK saves as faith in economy dwindles

According to a new study from Birmingham Midshires, British residents have each saved around £30 more this year than they did the year before.

The study found that over 60 per cent of the 2,000 Brits surveyed have put money aside over the past three months.

Tim Hague, director of savings and investments at Birmingham Midshires, told myfinances.co.uk: "This research shows how current market conditions are playing on the minds of Britons. Despite a marked increase in living costs, people are becoming more cautious and managing to save more and spend less, with their financial future in mind."

Those surveyed revealed all the expected reasons for spending savings, with around a quarter of the 2,000 participants describing simple overspending, and holiday bookings. A new factor however, is a response to the rising costs of food and utilities.

Birmingham Midshires recommends that savers maintain a savings account with three months wages in it, at the very least.

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Mass job losses expected in homebuilder industry

Tens of thousands of job losses are feared as the homebuilder industry reacts to the worst decline in business for years.

Although the sector is worth £19 billion, the credit crunch has knocked 50 per cent from some share prices since mortgages have been withdrawn and the market reacts to the sub-prime crisis in America.

Stewart Baseley, chairman of Home Builders Federation, told Robert Lea at Evening Standard: "There isn”t a builder in the land who isn”t considering overheads and job losses. I”ve never seen a downturn escalate as quickly as this."

British builders” merchant giant Wolseley has announced that job-cuts are under review, while around 75,000 jobs are expected to be lost from a wider industry that employs 300,000 people. The indications are that skilled migrant workers will bear the brunt of the losses, owing in part to the weakened pound compared to the Polish zloty.

Steve Webster, finance director at Wolseley, added: "I do not think we have reached the bottom yet, and it could yet get worse."

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UK organics market safe

An expert has predicted that the future of the organics food market should be safe, despite inflation and the spiraling cost of food.

A committed customer base and the greener, environmentally friendly image enjoyed by organic foods may be contributing factors.

Patrick Holden, director of the Soil Association, told Reuters: "It is inevitable that we might see some (decline in demand) among the less deeply committed consumers, but it’’s more likely to be a plateau than a reverse. When people are feeling the pinch they cut back on the luxuries, but many people that are committed to buying organic food do not regard it as a luxury."

The organics market was worth £2 billion in 2006, its highest figure yet, but its 20 per cent annual growth is predicted to slow this year, owing to price hikes across the board.

Mr Holden added: "Our predictions for this year are for about a ten percent growth in the market. That’’s probably realistic."

The suggestion is that consumers prefer to cut back their spending on holidays and home-entertainment rather than change their diets.

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