There's been a rather-unexpected upside to the PPI mis-selling scandal: it's done more to boost the UK economy than any of the government's austerity measures.

While the situation is far from ideal, those that have successfully reclaimed PPI are spending their compensation money on little luxuries. In doing so they're buoying both UK businesses and the economy as a whole!

By May this year the big banks had paid out £4.8bn of the £9 billion they'd set aside to cover PPI claims. However, with a significant £4.2bn outstanding, many are still in line for a pay-out.

Banks now have to write to all customers that they suspect may have been mis-sold PPI, but you could still be entitled to claim even if you haven't received a letter.

You can use our action plan How to Reclaim PPI Charges to work out whether you should be entitled to compensation, and if so to find out exactly how to lodge your complaint.

What else is happening?

The Co-operative energy are putting up prices by 2% for both new and existing customers

This will cost their average dual fuel customer around £1.91 a month (or £22.92 a year). If you've switched to Co-op energy since 2nd August you'll feel the effect of this price rise right away; however if you've been with the energy supplier a while you'll feel the hit from the 5th September.

Standard Chartered Bank has been accused of money laundering by the New York State Department of Financial Services

The US regulator is investigating transactions worth £160 billion that the UK-based bank made to Iranian financial institutions over the course of a decade. If Standard Chartered are found guilty they stand to lose their New York banking licence.

The UK's average house price now stands at £161,094 according to Halifax's latest report

This represents a 0.6% drop in property values since June, and a 0.6% fall in the market since last July. All things considered this does indicate relative stability in prices - something that Halifax anticipates will continue for the remainder of the year unless the economic outlook worsens.

Tesco Bank has set their sights on the mortgage market

The supermarket bank has launched a range of fixed rate and tracker mortgages designed to take on those offered by their High Street rivals. While they're not necessarily market leading deals they do encompass flexible features and the opportunity to earn Clubcard points on your monthly repayments - both of which Tesco hope will appeal to their loyal customers.

The government's back-to-work schemes definitely don't constitute slave labour or a breach of human rights according to the High Court

They were being challenged as such by two claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance who were concerned their benefits would stop if they didn't participate. The unpaid work experience schemes in question are run by the DWP to help unemployed people gain valuable skills and prospect-enhancing experience while they're looking for a job.

An Olympic gold medal is worth around £450

They contain just 6g of gold (albeit 24 carat), with the remaining 394g made up of sterling silver.