Money News in Brief: Barclays' Big Buy-Out
by from money.co.uk, 7 months ago

Barclays is set to buy ING Direct UK's savings and mortgage businesses.

Money News in Brief: Barclays' Big Buy-Out

This means if you have an ING Direct UK savings account, or a mortgage with ING Direct UK, you could soon find yourself as a customer of Barclays bank instead.

Approximately 1.5 million customers will see their accounts change hands as part of the takeover and ING Direct will be writing to all those affected in the coming weeks to explain exactly what it means for them, and how and when the transfer will take place.

However, for the time being your accounts will still be held by ING Direct UK, and you'll still be able to access and manage them as you usually do.

Similarly, while it's possible that the terms and conditions and interest rates applied to your accounts will be updated down the line, there will be no imminent change.

Barclays have promised their newly acquired customers will enjoy equivalent, if not better terms when they come on board.

The takeover can only go ahead if it gets regulatory approval - assuming it's granted, completion is scheduled for Spring next year.

We'll let you know more about the transfer process as soon as the details have been confirmed.

What else is happening?

It will soon be possible to trade your employment rights in return for shares in your company

That's thanks to plans to roll out a new type of employment contract. By forfeiting your rights on unfair dismissal, redundancy, flexible working and time off for training, and agreeing to give 16 weeks' notice of an intended date to finish maternity leave if and when you take it, you will be entitled to receive between £2,000 and £50,000 in shares that you could sell without paying Capital Gains Tax.

The government plan to cut a further £10 billion from the welfare budget before 2017

They intend to implement controversial changes like placing a limit on the number of children in a household that will be supported by benefits.

Your council tax could be frozen for another year

However, whether it is or not will depend on your local authority. The government are offering grants to local authorities in England that hold, or reduce council tax next year. They're also planning on making a change that gives local people the right to hold a referendum on council tax increases if their local authority tries to put it up by more than 2%.

Dixons.co.uk is officially ceasing trading today

All existing orders will still be upheld and support will still be available to customers who have made purchases from them previously. This is part of a strategic move by the company's owner to place more focus on Dixon's sister brands - PC World and Currys.

The IMF has reduced its growth estimate for the UK economy

They are forewarning of a 0.4% contraction instead of the 0.2% growth it previously predicted. Britain isn't alone, as many EU and other 'Western' countries have had growth expectations downgraded by a similar extent too.

Customers of Lloyds TSB, Halifax, BoS and Co-op Bank are the latest to face financial strife

Issues with the banks' systems over the weekend meant that some have been unable to access online banking, use debit cards or make ATM withdrawals. The issues do seem sporadic and not all customers have been affected, but if you have had difficulties and need assistance, or if you're still experiencing problems operating your bank account the best thing to do is to contact your bank's customer services ASAP.

Plans to change the way the Retail Price Index measure of inflation is calculated are going to be the centre of an ONS consultation

That's due the dramatic effect the proposed changes could have on private pensions. Should RPI inflation be brought in line with the lesser CPI measure of inflation the implications for pension growth could be significant.

Get our free money saving newsletter
Join over 480,000 other subscribers who grab our expert money tips, unmissable money guides & hottest bargains each week in our special email...
Join Our Community

Get fast answers to your money questions, Expert insight, top tips & much more...