Travel industry watchdog Which? Travel has slammed insurance companies that specialise in holiday cover following a huge rise in the number of complaints regarding the implementation of ‘get-out’ clauses that often leave holidaymakers overseas without valid insurance cover.

Following an investigation into the reasons behind the enforcing of ‘get-out’ clauses, Which? Travel has accused insurance companies of changing policy terms, often after they have already been sold. This has left thousands of British travellers without valid insurance for their trips, forcing some to cancel their holidays entirely.

Almost a third of all the holidaymakers surveyed by the watchdog claimed that when they informed their insurance company of medical conditions that were diagnosed after the initial policy was taken out, they were told that they would need to pay more to remain covered or simply had their cover removed completely. This was true for those going on all-inclusive resort breaks and those booking independently, for example staying in privately owned apartments in Amsterdam. This is due to ‘ongoing medical warranties’ that travel insurers slip into policies. According to various travel insurance companies, these warranties allow them to change cover terms even after the policy has been bought and paid for.

While some packages come with travel insurance as part of the deal, those who book their holidays independently, e.g. private apartments for rent in Rome, stand to lose a great deal of money if their health situation changes, even if a doctor has declared them fit to travel.

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) ruled eight years ago that it was not fair or reasonable for insurers to terminate cover for medical conditions that were diagnosed between the date the policy was taken out and the start of the holiday. It would only be reasonable if the change was so great that the risks involved in covering the traveller became different too.

The acting assistant editor of Which? Travel; Chris Gray said: ‘We believe insurers behaving like this are acting against the ruling of the Financial Ombudsman Service and we encourage members to report any cases like this to the FOS. If the customers’ medical advice is that they are fit to travel and pose no extra risk, insurers should follow that advice and allow policies to continue unchanged, not rely on an inflexible screening process. These policies are also unbalanced because customers have to produce medical evidence if they want to cancel, but insurers reserve the right to cancel without medical evidence.’

Following the announcement last week that tour operator Thomas Cook is to close 200 of its UK stores over the next 2 years, it has been revealed that more than 1000 members of staff are facing losing their jobs as the company implements cost cutting measures in an attempt to save the floundering business.

The news is bad for those employed by Thomas Cook, but could be positive for the growing number of companies that broker the letting of private apartments for holidays, an area of the travel industry that appears to be avoiding the troubles that have beset tour operators in the last year. A simple check on Wimdu shows that more and more people are listing their spare rooms or second homes for holiday rental as travellers seek to find ways they can save money and avoid the dangers of their operator collapsing while they are out of the country.

Thomas Cook has also hinted that more jobs could go as customers increasingly shun high street travel agents and turn to online options to book their holidays.

2011 has been a terrible year for Thomas Cook. A revelation that they were seeking an extra £100 million from lenders led to the company’s share prices falling by 75 percent in a single day, although company bosses are now confident that they have a sound footing financially.

The tour operator, which has been in business since 1841, issued a series of profit warnings this year. Notably poor sales figures in the UK led to the resignation of chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa in August, with the company being run by Sam Weihagen, Fontenla-Novoa’s deputy since then.

While the company is not equipped to help travellers find obscure accommodation, such as a Bed and Breakfast in Nice, when it comes to package holidays, there are not many companies that can boast the depth and range of knowledge and services that Thomas Cook provides. In a bid to keep there core services intact, the company also announced this year that it intended to sell £200 million worth of foreign assets in the next 18 months. It is hoped that these sales can help reduce the tour group’s ever increasing debts.

The first of these sales were announced this week as the company sold its stake in five Spanish hotels and a golf resort in the Mediterranean country. The money from this should go some way to reducing the company’s borrowings.

Cisco Systems, a major player in the computer world have announced that there is to be a major reduction in its workforce, with almost ten percent of staff to lose their jobs. Nine percent of the global workforce will go, and another 5000 jobs will vanish with the company planning the sale of its set top box manufacturing facility. The company has suggested that an increase in the switching and router market has lead to the need for cuts, and the business needs to re balance in order to remain profitable.

Fortunately, at least 21000 of employees that will be leaving the firm have elected to take early retirement but this does leave around 4000 people who will have to be laid off. There is little to complain about in terms of those being laid off however, with around fifteen percent of the people being laid off being in Vice President or above roles, and nine percent being from the regular work force. It would appear that employees who are to be made redundant will know about it within the month of March.

Cisco is hoping to be able to cut $1 billion by reducing man power and other measures. In recent years the business has made efforts to develop in other areas of business, but those new areas must now be cut back. There is an agreement in place for Cisco to sell the set top manufacturing plant which is based in Mexico to Foxconn early in 2012. It is unlikely that this sale will result in any job losses, but their employee numbers will reduce significantly, by around 11.000.

Despite the reduction in areas of the business, one area in which Cisco has increased and invested heavily in is the production of blade servers. Their new blade servers called unified computing system products are set up to work with a network fabric which maximises throughput to online machine hosts. It is thought that nearly 5000 customers at its Cisco live event in Las Vegas signed up. However, plenty of people in the market believe that figures such as this are not nearly strong enough to continue in this market place:

“For many customers, it’s simply a bridge too far with a technology that’s untested. Cisco’s 2010 total sales of just $181 million for UCS show just how far it has to go in that market.”, said Art Wittmann, director of InformationWeek analytics.
This goes to show the unfortunate position Cisco have found themselves in, and really shows that the global economic downturn has affected companies large and small. It is sometimes that case that finding computer parts is an act of finding what is available and what is affordable, and it may just be that Cisco doesn’t at this moment fit the bill.

About Microbite:

Microbite is an excellent resource for anyone who needs to keep on top of their computer parts. They specialise in sourcing parts that they don’t have in stock, yet carry an enormous range of products at all times, including server cabinet options and a whole host of Thomson routers. Find them online today if you are looking for an affordable company who is able to supply you with almost any part at an excellent price.

Field marketing has come a long way since the days of lonely looking cheese samples in your local supermarket. Those who work within the sales and marketing business are highly skilled individuals and the work they do delivers tangible results for even the biggest of brand names. The industry is now so competitive that the agencies fight it out for a top spot in league tables as well as marketing awards. The Field Marketing league tables have just been released, and many successful agencies are reflecting upon what they have achieved in 2011 and what 2012 is set to bring for them.

One such agency is Cosine, a young agency, who have already experienced great success with many of their campaigns, as well as within the league tables. Cosine are growing year by year and a representative of the agency has been pleased with their top 3 position this year, saying that

Cosine is leading the way on % change in turnover, with a 23% increase…

With such impressive statistics, what can Cosine and other agencies expect for 2012? There seems to be yet more evidence of field marketing evolving and expanding next year. Many agencies will be involved in helping promote the Olympic sponsors. Big events provide an excellent opportunity to raise brand awareness.

So what marketing tactics can we expect from agencies? Social media is providing brands with an important way to start, and keep up conversations between brand and consumers, and this looks set to grow. Cloud-based technology is also a relatively recent development, and cloud based platforms are something that Cosine already exploit to drive performance and efficiency. If their results are anything to go by, then it seems like others will certainly be following suit.

With so many big events in 2012, it seems like field marketing will be proving once again just how far it has come over the past few years.

About Cosine UK

Cosine UK is a young, dynamic, and innovative field marketing agency. Their client list is impressive and their campaigns are planned and executed by highly skilled teams, delivering great results. Cosine has won Marketing Magazine’s prestigious Agency of the Year award 3 times in the last 5 years.

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The government have just revealed a new scheme that will offer households across the UK grants of up to £1,250 towards the cost of installing renewable heating systems such as biomass boilers, air and ground source heat pumps and solar thermal panels.

The £15m Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme that was announced by the coalition’s Department of Energy and Climate Change will be available from next month and will run until March next year on a first come first serve basis but will hopefully support up to 25,000 installations.

The scheme is aimed at the 4m households in rural areas that are not connected to the mains gas network and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker explained that “We’re making it more economical for people to go green by providing discounts on the cost of eco heaters.”

The scheme is also filling the gap before the long awaited Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is introduced which will reward those installing these measures with payments similar to the feed-in tariffs that have already been successful. These payments were put in place to encourage people to use solar PV.

For those taking part in the scheme, they will be asked to provide feedback to provide the government with a better understanding of renewable heat technologies. Despite this small drawback, some campaigners are still questioning whether or not this will be enough to get consumers interested. Alan Simpson, the advisor to Friends of the Earth on renewables called it a “classic Decc mess”, as he doesn’t believe the government know what they’re doing.

If you miss out on this particular scheme then there are still ways you can save money. Boiler replacement grants are widely available for those over a certain age or receiving benefits. Being more eco-friendly at work could work to lowering you onto one of the business electricity tariffs, and shopping around for a good central heating insurance deal at home is a good way to save cash too.

Recent research has shown that around one third of British motorists believe that their comprehensive breakdown recovery insurance will cover them wherever they decide to holiday in Europe. This however is more than likely not the case, and with a survey undertaken by the AA that suggests a potential 5.6 million drivers will be taking their car to Europe with them, it seems that it’s about time we did a little research to find the best breakdown cover for driving abroad.

So what are the options for those of us choosing to take our cars away with us? Well unless you’ve asked for it to be included it’s unlikely that European breakdown cover is a part of your policy. However, if you decide to take out a new policy with it included you’ll more than likely be asked whether or not you need ‘single’ or ‘multi-trip’ cover. If you drive abroad regularly then the latter is probably the best option for you.

In general you should expect your cover to include a 24 hour English-speaking helpline, emergency roadside repair and towing, alternative transport, emergency accommodation, and vehicle recovery back to the UK. A one week policy with the RAC currently costs £46 online and the AA charges just over £100 for a two week trip.

There are, however, some limitations on cover depending on which breakdown company you choose to use. There are sometimes age restrictions on who is allowed to drive in Europe. Add a caravan to your policy and the cost of your insurance could shoot up. Older cars will sometimes not be insured at all by some companies, so it’s worth taking your time to shop around.

If you are unsure about which policy will best suit you, then the best thing you can do is compare breakdown cover policies before you buy. This way you’ll find a perfectly tailored policy for your holiday road trip.

In recent months volunteers in Manchester have been praised for their work to resolve neighbourhood disputes using their mediation skills. Now we see that Camden council appear to be taking a leaf out of the Manchester group’s book, using mediation to address a range of issues.

According to Sue Rice, the mediation coordinator for the council, they had already been successfully using external independent mediators as and when they needed them. However, they were keen to develop their own mediation skills so they would have something to offer in-house.

So Sue and other members of council decided to undertake mediation training, provided by an outside mediation scheme. It was an accredited mediation course, and she has said that it proved to be very helpful in developing the necessary skills to mediate successfully.

12 mediators were selected for training and Sue says that the course “was highly experiential, challenging and fun. There was a real focus on developing practical techniques through group discussions, activities and practice.”

Workplace mediation can be a real time and money saver. It means you can avoid the complete breakdown of relationships as well as avoiding going into law courts to solve your issues. A happy workplace is a productive workplace and thus a more efficient one.

The service Camden offer is free and addresses issues that include relationship breakdowns, personality clashes, communication problems, and allegations of bulling in the workplace. One of the hopes of the training was to reduce the reliance on grievance procedures.

So how has Sue found the mediation service to work one year into the scheme? She says that “we will continue to evaluate our mediation service, and we are confident that the costs of running the service are far outweighed by the costs of unresolved conflict.”

Sue is the mediation coordinator for Camden council and she believes that the skills she has gathered from this training are both invaluable and highly transferable to both work and everyday situations.

Running a business that relies heavily on a fully functioning network of computers can be a great thing and a real advantage in today’s digital world, but when something goes wrong, things can go wrong quickly, and it is not always easy to rectify the problems that manifest. Of course, there is no way that you can really protect yourself from computer problems – they are part and parcel of working with computers, but the one thing you can do is to make sure you in a position to react positively and quickly when you have to repair or replace.

The best way to do that is to have a great online company to hand who can help you with whatever your problem is, and that is exactly what Microbite set out to do. Microbite is a site that is dedicated to finding the customer what they need for their computer. If you are looking for blade servers, then they will probably have what you need in stock, and it is quite likely that there will be both new and refurbished units in stock, but the great thing about Microbite is that if the part you need is not in stock, they will search the net for you, using their expertise and knowledge to quickly track down the part you need for a competitive price. This saves you an enormous amount of time as well as money, and it allows you to focus on keeping the business running smoothly whilst you wait for the resolution to your computer problem.

Of course, if you are looking for something like a server cabinet, it can at times be that bit harder to find, but you can rest assured that as soon as Microbite find your part, they will dispatch it within the day, which is great to know. At times people have to wait days and even weeks for computer parts to arrive from other companies, and this costs money whilst you are not fully operational. It’s not just the larger things that Microbite deals with either. Something as common and as simple as a router can be mailed out to you the same day, meaning that you can get back online very quickly indeed.

They have no problem tracking down something like Thomson routers for you if that’s what you need, and the fact that they have next day delivery on 90 percent of their stock means you really can expect it in the post the next day.

In a world of low expectations of some internet based B2B sites it is especially pleasing to find companies that deliver above expectations and Microbite is one of the few companies out there who make a special effort to make sure that the customer is always happy. There is no charge to the customer when they search for a part for you, and their commitment to getting you your computer parts quickly, cheaply and without fuss is both admirable and remarkable in today’s world.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt recently revealed that the government can only afford to pay for 50% of the promised super fast broadband network, leaving many rural communities left without any internet access at all. Now, rural communities in Wales are being left in the dark once again. This time however, because of network provider, O2.

Froncysyllte, a small village near Llangollen in the North of Wales has had to cope without any phone coverage at all for over a week and residents are certainly feeling the strain of living such a disconnected lifestyle. Ken Jones has dubbed the situation to be ‘ridiculous’, having to drive over 4 miles to make numerous complaint calls to O2 with very few results.

The company have issued an apology, but have also told the residents that they will still be without signal until 10th July. For many this simply isn’t good enough, especially if like Mr Jones, you are without a landline.

This news comes after The Welsh Government told Ofcom in early June that their plans for the future of mobile phone coverage in Wales would not help those living in rural areas. Enterprise Minister Edwina Hart stated that the government were calling for “Ofcom to set geographic targets or regional coverage targets rather than continue to measure coverage at a national level”. In other words, individuals should not be made to feel like they are being punished for living in smaller communities.

Ironically, in response to The Welsh Government’s scepticism regarding their proposed plans, Ofcom promised to consider all the “evidence and comments” that were made available to them. Hopefully this means that they will take note of Ken Jones and the other residents of Froncysyllte, ensuring that something is done for them and many others in similar situations.

This piece aims to educate people in the best ways to keep their commuter system up to date without spending a huge amount of money. We look at the great companies that you can find online who are able to sell or source all the parts you could possibly want for a large business computer system.

Whenever people set up in business, they often underestimate the costs that can be incurred from a maintenance perspective. Most companies would believe that by investing in a decent modern computer system they would be set for years to come but it rarely works out this way. Computers are fickle things, and unless you really know your way around them, you can end up losing a lot of money. It is the easiest thing in the world to get in touch with the company who did your set up to get you the parts you need to repair what you have got, but it will not necessarily be the cheapest way of doing things.

As most people know, sourcing things on the internet is often the cheapest option of doing this, and this is certainly the case with computers. Say for instance that you want to buy a new server. The best thing for you to do is to simply search for buy server, on the internet, and this will probably take you to a whole host of different companies, all clamouring for your business. This means you will find people who are prepared to sell you used servers, or refurbished servers, and this means saving a large amount of money on the amount you would be charged to buy a new one.

If you search carefully, you should be able to come across companies who are able to source all of the computer parts you need, and the best examples of these companies will give you a choice of buying new, used or refurbished. This is a great way of doing business and you really are likely to save a lot of money by doing this. You will find that things like a server cabinet can be far cheaper if you buy second hand, and if it has been refurbished it should be just as reliable as a new one. You will also find that these companies will send out your products immediately, so you don’t have to wait for weeks for your parts to arrive.

Even common products like Thomson routers will be available from these incredible sites which really can source you anything. You stand to save large amounts of money so you really should investigate today just how much money you could potentially save by finding a site that can source all of the computer parts that you are ever going to need.

Reco Family Chiropractic Centre was officially opened in Bristol on the 14th May, 2011. A sense of calm prevailed over the well attended launch party as guests were shown round the impressive facilities. The professionalism of the event did not betray a hint of the trials that had been overcome in bringing the new clinic into being.

The family run Chiropractic Centre, situated in a prime location next to St Michael’s Hospital on St. Michael’s Hill in Bristol, was originally meant to be sited elsewhere. After a year of intensive preparation, culminating in a successful planning application to make considerable modifications to the original building, the property was withdrawn a matter of weeks before the contract was due to be signed. “It was a shock”, explained Mandeep Bahra, owner and primary Chiropractor at the clinic, “but it was important to remain philosophical. We had worked incredibly hard for over a year, and had planned everything in minute detail. Most of the equipment had already been bought and the builders had sourced the materials. If we had dwelled on the disappointment I think that the outcome would have been very different.”

Instead of panicking, Mandeep Bahra made preparations to store the equipment and notified her clients. The issue of dealing with a practice that was close to outgrowing the current premises was managed equally pragmatically. Plans were put in place.

“We received a tremendous amount of support from our clients”, remarked Bahra, “it was really encouraging. And, when one of our clients notified us of an alternative property for the clinic we couldn’t quite believe our luck. It was perfect.”

The new premises is ideally located and simply needed to be adapted for use. Builders installed leaded walls in the x-ray room and refreshed the dÈcor. There was none of the major building work that would have been required at the previous property.

“The moment I stepped over the threshold I felt as though this beautiful building was the right place for Reco Family Chiropractic Centre. It was almost as though it had been purpose built for us, and everything was in really good condition. I made my decision very quickly, and it was amazing how everything thing just fell into place after that.” said Bahra. “The whole process has been very life affirming. We worked so hard with the first property. At every stage in the process there was a hurdle to overcome. It certainly helped that we were as prepared as we were to go ahead, but the first option was a lesson in doing things the hard way, and the ultimate outcome has proven that not everything has to be a struggle. It’s exhilarating! It feels as though we have arrived at a point where everything is as it was always meant to be.”

Since opening, the clinic has been extremely well received. In less than a month it has acquired in excess of 30 new clients and enquiries are being fielded every day. “We are really fortunate that we are so visible in such a vibrant part of Bristol. We are really getting noticed, and new people are popping in every day. It is extremely rewarding that all of the hard work has resulted in such a positive response. Now that we have found our new home we can concentrate on treating people. That’s what it has all been about.” said Bahra.

Contact The Reco Family Chiropractic Centre, Bristol.

Reco Chiropractic Family Centre
118 St. Michael’s Hill
Kingsdown
Bristol
BS2 8BU

Tel: 0117 925 2886
Website: http://recochiropractic.com

If you have a fairly fixed computer set up at your work, then you can run into problems if something goes wrong. the reason for this is that a lot of companies have fairly dated set ups, and this means that when something goes wrong, it is difficult to get the parts you need to get everything going again. Some people end up replacing their whole set up, but if you contact companies like Microbite, you will find that these rare and unusual parts can be found. Here we look at the ways in which Microbite can help you.

Almost all modern companies have a computer system for their offices, but it is not true to say that all companies have the most up to date systems. The internet started to play a strong role in business around ten years ago, and there are plenty of companies out there who have a computer and server set up which dates from this time. There’s nothing wrong with this in principle, but you will find that if anything goes wrong with your set up, it can be difficult to find the parts you need. Some of the items will not be made anymore, and you may not want to buy second hand stock.

Fortunately, Microbite has been set up to help people with problems like this. They sell new, used and obsolete parts for all computer systems and they pride themselves on being able to find whatever it is that you need. Even if they do not have the necessary part in stock they will go out of their way to track it down online and have it shipped out to you. Even if you are looking for something fairly large and difficult to find like a server cabinet, they will make sure that they find the precise one that you need. With many years experience, they know exactly where to look if they do not have the stock themselves, and utilising this expertise can save you time and money.

Of course, finding the difficult to reach parts is a huge part of the Microbite ethos, but they also stock all of the little things, whether they are new or used parts. For example, the popular Thomson routers are always kept in stock, so that you can get back online and up and running in the shortest possible amount of time.

You can also rely on Microbite to supply you with quality parts no matter what you are buying. They offer a warranty of between 30 days and 12 months on almost everything they sell, including servers, server components and PCU cabinets, so if you want to buy server parts, you can do so in absolute confidence.

About Microbite.

The difference between Microbite and other companies is that they are willing to try to help you to get your current system back up on its feet, whilst other companies would be likely to labour the point that your system is old and try to get you to buy a whole new set up, potentially costing you thousands. Microbite understands the need for continued access and continuity for your business, which is why they offer great prices along with a great service. Every computer is sent out with next day delivery so you never have to wait too long for what you want. they are easy to work with, have a great website and will bend over backwards to help you out, so if you have any problem at all with your office computer set up, give Microbite a try!

Acupuncture can provide relief to a wide variety of illnesses and conditions, including disorders as common as hayfever. For people badly affected by hayfever in the summer months, acupuncture could give a welcome alternative to anti-histamines, which will not work against certain symptoms such as blocked noses. Bigroom acupuncture Bristol offers affordable acupuncture treatment by using an open-plan approach to keep running costs down.

In early April, the pollen count rose to 220 in many parts of England, meaning that hayfever sufferers were badly affected by the unprecedented spike. Hayfever is when the inside of the nose becomes inflamed, by the inhalation of pollen, dust or animal fur, and can cause symptoms such as sneezing, itchiness and a runny nose. While mainly considered to be a mild condition, which is no more destructive than a common cold, sufferers can experience symptoms of such severity that they are unable to drive or sleep and may need to take time off work.

There are many different treatment options for hayfever, and alternative practices such as acupuncture can be very beneficial for those affected. “Acupuncture is great for the symptoms of hay fever due to the significant effect it has on modulating the immune system,” says Daniel Maxwell of the British Acupuncture Council.

Acupuncture treatment can be costly, with sessions in private clinics reaching up to £40 per treatment. Bristol acupuncture includes the well known Bigroom brand, they have developed an open-plan system, where practitioners can work on several clients at once in order to keep costs down. This means that clients are able to try acupuncture for a reduced price, and still receive a professional service administered by trained practitioners.
“The bigroom team make huge efforts to ensure a respectful and supportive environment, by remaining approachable, conscientious and completely professional at all times,” said one Bristol client. “I found the practitioner informative and enthusiastic about their work. I can highly recommend treatment.”

Because acupuncture requires a personal approach, the staff at Bigroom acupuncture in Bristol are able to determine the best means of treatment for each individual client. Illnesses treated can range from common colds and flu to respiratory disorders and sufferers of hayfever may find that the alternative approach to using chemicals for treatment very beneficial.

About Bigroom Acupuncture:

Initial consultations at Bigroom are £45, with treatments at £20 per session. For more information on getting acupuncture in Bristol go to www.bigroomacupuncture.co.uk

The second price hike in six months by major telecommunications company BT may spell the end of cheap landline calls, according to uSwitch.com. The price increase, which could cost BT customers across the UK as much as 41% more on their bills from the start of the year, is set to take effect on the 28th April. Consumer choice experts uSwitch.com are warning consumers that they should explore their options in order to keep telephone line bills low. “Across the board, consumers have witnessed a double whammy of increases over the last seven months from home phone line\ providers,” said Ernest Doku, communications expert at uSwitch.com. “If this pattern continues, they could well be in for more price rise misery in October.”

The increases include line rental charges going up to £13.90 a month, while daytime call charges will go to 7.6p per minute. Call set-up fees are also affected, increasing to 12.5p per call. Other companies are also set to increase their prices this year. TalkTalk, who were recently voted the most complained about telecommunications company in the UK, are set to increase their prices on May 1st. Virgin Media increased their line rental fees by 6% on the 1st of April, but has not raised its call charges. With households already struggling with added costs from fuel, electricity, gas and VAT charges, these changes will strike another blow for families and individuals when they most need to save money. uSwitch.com have advised consumers to look at how often they make calls and at what time of day to ensure that they are using the most cost-effective price plan. “It could be well worth moving to a deal that offers free evening and weekend calls, or for those at home all day, moving to a free ‘anytime’ calls package,” said Doku.

Cheaper line rental options may also be available from smaller service providers, allowing customers to move away from the Big 4 (Sky, TalkTalk, BT and Virgin) if they want to. Primus currently offers a line rental service for just £6.79 a month, instantly saving a customer around £85 a year compared to the most expensive provider.

People could see their energy costs soar due to a host of cheap energy deals coming to an end in May. The end of the plans means that customers could be paying around £200 a year more for their energy provision. Three of the seven plans cost under £900 a year, offering an average bill size of £840. A customer joining a price plan for the first time could now expect to pay up to £1040 a year.

Uswitch.com, the energy comparison and switching service, is advising customers to be vigilant in light of the changes. By using an online energy plan, customers could avoid a ‘bill shock’ as their current price plans come to an end. Just under 7 million households in the UK are currently on price guarantee plans, and suppliers will be contacting customers to advise them of the changes and provide them with alternative options. It is thought that many customers will opt for a new fixed price plan for fear that the current instabilities in Libya and Japan could push prices up even further. Fixed price plans do offer protection, but this can often come with a premium charge.

Customers are advised to shop around to find out the best option for them before the changes are made. “Fixed plans are definitely right for some, but they do carry a premium,” says Thomas Lyon, energy expert at uSwitch.com. “Online energy plans consistently offer the lowest prices, coming in at around £200 a year cheaper than standard tariffs. For those who prefer the security of a fixed price plan our advice is to see what your current supplier can offer, but then compare with other fixed price plans in the market to find the most competitive deal.”

Electricity prices have also risen in recent months, pushing up household bills even further, with changes at the start of the year meaning that customers are now paying around 5% more for their energy costs. Customers can discover whether there is a better deal in their local area by entering their details on a price comparison website. For business customers, cheaper rates can be found as part of tailored packages such as the BusinessCare service from British Gas. business electricity prices are set to rise as the cost of fuel increases, which means businesses will need to take extra measures to keep costs down.

With the recent bank holiday traffic being so heavy, it has highlighted once again the need for all motorists to obtain the correct cover for their vehicle before setting out on the road. Websites such as Money Supermarket offer consumers the chance to compare the best deals on breakdown insurance before opting for a particular plan. For individuals who are off on holiday over this time, it is always worth checking whether a particular insurance plan offers extras such as caravan cover, which is available from around £88 a year. Roadside assistance and onward travel will also be available with some service plans, but it is important for customers to check the details of their individual cover as not all services will be included. The best breakdown cover plans depend on individual needs.

If your car is old then it is more likely to break down, however newer cars will only need breakdown insurance as an emergency backup plan. Basic breakdown cover means that your car will be fixed at the side of the road, or towed to a local garage. Home start cover will also include help if your car won’t start at home. This is especially helpful if your car is unreliable in the winter. An onward travel policy will also include a hire car for up to three days with a night’s accommodation if your car needs to be kept in for repairs. For breakdown recovery which covers you even when you are outside the UK, policies are available which cover the whole of Europe. However, if you are only travelling abroad for a few days, it might be worth getting UK cover and then upgrading on a short-term basis when necessary.

It is worth obtaining breakdown cover as the success rates for roadside recovery are high, meaning that your journey will not necessarily be delayed. Call out times are usually low also, so that you won’t be waiting for a long time at the side of the road. The peace of mind the right insurance can bring you is worth taking into account if you have an old and unreliable car. Technology has also advanced to the point where you won’t be stuck for help if you are covered by the right plan. RAC even has a tracking system which means they can pinpoint you using your mobile signal so that they can find you even if you don’t know where you are. In order to make sure you are choosing the best plan to suit your needs, there are a number of price comparison websites which can help you compare breakdown cover services.

Whilst many Brits plan to escape the royal wedding weekend, millions more will be staying put to tune in and celebrate with Wills and Kate on their big day. The upcoming nuptials will be the first televised royal wedding in more than twenty years and the first ever to be screened in crisp high definition (HD).

Michael Phillips, product director at Broadbandchoices.co.uk said:

“When Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot on April 29th, millions of well-wishers will tune in to watch this historic moment. Anyone who wants to watch the action in high definition but isn’t sure if they can access it should take some simple measures to make sure they don’t miss a single detail.”

1. Check your Freeview HD access: Freeview provides several HD channels including BBC1 HD and BBC HD without any monthly subscriptions, however you need to live in an area that can receive this signal. Use our HD postcode checker (http://www.digitalchoices.co.uk/hd-coverage-checker.html) to see if you can access this service and bear in mind you will also need a HD ready TV.

2. Already subscribe to digital TV?: Both Sky and Virgin Media’s digital television services provide a wide range of HD channels. If you are unable to access Freeview HD in your area, you may be able to watch through your satellite or cable TV box instead.

3. Don’t forget the HDMI: If you are using a Sky/Virgin media box or Freesat or Freeview HD set-top box you will need to connect them to your television set using a HDMI cable – otherwise you will not get the benefit of the HD signal.

Michael continued:

“Viewers now also have the option to watch the royal wedding via their broadband connection with several websites streaming live coverage on the big day. Watching TV online has become immensely popular in recent years so anyone who wants to take advantage of this new innovation but is unsure how can follow the steps below:

1. Bookmark the webpage: There are a number of websites that will be streaming coverage live from the royal wedding including BBC.com. Bookmark the site on your browser so you can access it easily the day of the wedding, there will likely be a lot of online traffic on the day itself.

2. Check your speed: In order to stream live coverage you will need a minimum speed of around 2MB. Check your broadband connection using a reliable speed tester: http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/speed-test.asp.

3. Beware of download limits: The royal wedding coverage will go on all day, so depending on what time you tune in you will need a high download limit (preferably unlimited) to stream live coverage for at least several hours. Check the small print of your contract to ensure you won’t fall foul of any downloading rules and incur penalty fines.

4. Turn off peer-to-peer: Use your task manager to fully exit each program and turn off peer-to-peer software as these can slow down your internet connection, making online streaming less smooth. It will also eat into your download usage.

About Broadbandchoices.co.uk

Broadbandchoices.co.uk was launched in 2005 and is the UK’s leading Ofcom accredited broadband comparison calculator.

We offer comprehensive and impartial advice on broadband, mobile broadband and bundled packages (broadband with home phone and digital TV) saving our users over £200 when they switch.

The Broadbandchoices.co.uk calculator compares thousands of different combinations of broadband packages and provides results in a clear, intuitive table where users can rank and compare services according to their individual needs.

Broadbandchoices.co.uk powers over 20 leading comparison services including Confused.com, Comparethemarket.com and GoCompare.com.

Broadbandchoices.co.uk – working hard to save you money

It has recently been confirmed that EDF Energy is the final nail in the coffin for low electricity prices, as it is the last of the ‘big six’, to announce that there will be an increase in bills. This is sad news after the company has only just ended an almost month long price pledge. Despite the company being pleased that it had managed to hold out for so long, it is difficult for the average family which will be expected to stump up an extra £72 per year on average. This shows a dramatic seven percent rise in a year which is startling to say the least.

This news is likely to have a big impact on families and businesses who have been watching electricity prices steadily rising over the last couple of years. There is an obvious need for some sort of action, but it can be difficult to see what can be done. Obviously we are all aware at the moment what a precious commodity our energy is, and rises such as this only bring the fact home even more. With this in mind it is more important than ever for everyone to make a concerted effort to reduce their electricity bills simply be using less energy. It can be difficult to do, but a light off here and there can make a big difference in the course of a year.

Of course, with EDF announcing rises, and the other major electricity suppliers all announcing similar news in recent times, it is going to be difficult to find a cheaper energy provider, but it is something that everyone should be trying to do. it is always worth approaching different companies, and it also might be possible to find sites on the internet that help you to compare the services offered by the major companies, which should help you too at least find the best value central heating for you.

Of course, another thing that can really cost you is an inefficient boiler. A lot of people don’t realise that their ten year old boiler is not doing the job it once did, or that newer boilers will actually save a large amount of money over time. It is often the case that the initial payout for a new boiler could be worthwhile over the course of just a couple of years in terms of the reduction in bills it should create.

Whatever measures you are able to take, you should try to take them. You will find that electricity prices are only going to go in one direction in the foreseeable future.

A rollover contract might sound like something to get excited about, but in actual fact it is a phrase that refers to an incredibly uncompetitive type of contract for phone customers all over Britain. These are contracts that automatically renew themselves if a customer fails to get back in touch with a company after a twelve month period when the contract should come to an end. The companies that offer these contracts argue that the onus should be on the customer to cancel the contract, but Ofcom appears to think otherwise, and after significant campaigning by many people, this is sure to be music to many people’s ears. Around 4 million people are stuck with these deals, and many accidentally fall into an extra term that they then have to pay to get out of. there are some energy companies that are doing this, but most of the people signed up are signed up to a landline deal with BT. Ofcom have announced that they want to put a stop to these contracts so it is to be hoped that they will be able to find the firepower necessary to make this effective in the very near future.

Any change in this policy is going to be great news to consumers, who really deserve to have more options than this. It is a reasonable assumption that if a customer is the one paying for something, they should be asked if they want to continue with the service once it elapses. Hopefully Ofcom will get what they want, which will mean that many people on these deals will be able to negotiate a new landline contract with a different provider without fear of being hit by penalty charges. there’s no one out there who does not want to get their hands on one of the many cheap phone line deals that are available on the market at the moment, but obviously it is difficult to be able to do that if you are unfairly tied in to a deal. thankfully, the cancellation charges are not as high as the rental you actually pay, which is what you would have to pay to leave a contract halfway through the initial stage, but it is still a crying shame that people have to stump up this extra money to extract themselves from a deal which they have been paying towards for more than a year already.

Given that it is possible at the moment to get a free phone line installed with some companies, it could be vital to people who are struggling financially to be able to make the most of offers like these. Everyone involved hopes for a swift resolution to the situation now that Ofcom have involved themselves in the situation.

Samsung have recently announced plans to push forward with their 3D range of products in the coming year, given the large market share they currently possess. Samsung have declared that they expect their 3D TV sales to increase by six times over the coming year, and as such have really been pushing forward with new products to compliment their already impressive range. Samsung plan to bring a new pair of 3D glasses to the market which weighs in at only one ounce, which promises to improve upon their last offering. There are also plans for 15 new plasma television models to hit the stores. there will also be a new flip remote which will combine a normal remote and a full qwerty keyboard on the reverse, and top of the list is a feature which will work with Samsung android phones and Samsung Smart TV’s which will allow the user to mirror what is seen on the television on the Smartphone screen.

With all of this fantastic news coming out of Samsung headquarters, it looks like it is a great time to consider going for 3d TV packages. With an electronics giant of this nature prepared to dive head first into the 3D market, it shows that the area has serious potential, and is sure to see major growth in the next few years.

Of course, this is going to mean a lot of difficult decisions when it comes to viewers choosing the company that they get their package from. Up until a couple of months ago, the answer would be simple, with Sky offering a great 3D TV package, but recently BT have jumped headlong into this arena, and it appears that there is quite a two way battle between Sky and BT now. When you are considering BT vs Sky, you obviously have to take into account the programs that are available to you on both formats, and you can only do this through personal choice. It is hard to say which is better because it is such a personal choice. Obviously you will be able to find different prices for both packages, but it is up to you to search these out online. You will find some excellent deals out there, and when you consider what Samsung has to offer once you have signed up to something, it has to be the best time to go for it. Of course, with Sky you do get the Sky plus box, which is a fantastic piece of kit, with the features of being able to pause and rewinding live television, along with the ability to store and save lots of programmes onto the hard drive, but the BT vision box has many other similar features, and there is not much to choose from between the two. As always it is personal choice, but the best way to choose is by searching online for the best deal that suits you.

A new SDHC card made by Sandisk is set to change the way photography enthusiasts work for some time to come. This fantastic new memory card has been designed with the top end DSLR cameras in mind, and they should mean that photographers can now make the most of their cameras.

SD Cards For Photography, The Problem.

Recent improvements in the capabilities of the top end DSLR cameras has meant that some of the standard memory cards have not been able to perform well enough for users to be able to get the most out of their cameras. With features such as continuous burst shooting a high quality memory card is required in order to be able to use these features effectively.

SD Cards For Photography, The Solution?

The new Sandisk Extreme Pro SDHC UHS-I memory card is designed specifically for cameras with such features, and can perform to a high level with excellent power consumption.

The Sandisk Extreme Pro SDHC cards are able to perform at speeds up to 45 MB/sec which means that shot to shot performance is significantly improved, specifically when burst mode is in use. Equally as important, the new Sandisk also measures up to the new UHS Speed class 1 video rating, given that it offers 10MB/sec minimum sustained write speed which means that shooting full HD videos is an absolute doddle, and 3D content, which will be a feature of many of the top cameras in the coming months is also possible. On top of all this, the power and speed of this great new memory card means that when you are transferring image and video files to your computer, things happened faster than ever before.

This new SanDisk memory card is as reliable and durable as they come, and follows on from many other SanDisk memory cards, known for their longevity. The card offers an error-code correction facility build in to the card, and there is advanced wear protection which disperses data evenly throughout the card. You will also find that there is one year’s RescuePRO media recovery software for your peace of mind. The card is also expected to be able to withstand extreme conditions so that you can be sure that your shots survive no matter what happens. The card is waterproof, shock proof, vibration proof and x ray proof, meaning your memory card should survive no matter what you put it through!

The new Sandisk Extreme Pro SDHC UHS-I card is the fastest of its kind and the first to hit the market to conform to the new UHS speed class, and is a must have for any serious photographer.

About Low Price Memory

Lowpricememory.co.uk are leading online retailers of memory devices, from SD cards to USB memory sticks, and lots in between!. They offer fast postage, and excellent customer support.

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If you are on the lookout for breakdown cover, the latest news is that the BMF have announced a deal with the RAC which will see their members save 35% on their breakdown cover! The British Motorcyclists Federation has had a deal in place with the RAC for many years to offer discounted rates, but this new deal will see more savings than ever before. the changes mean in monetary terms, that anyone signing up for UK breakdown cover can get that for under £35, whilst anyone opting for onward destination cover can buy this for just £67.00 instead of the usual cost of just over £100.

This fantastic offer is available to any BMF member and anyone in their immediate family, and it will also benefit from a further 25% reduction on renewal.

This is great news for motorcyclists everywhere, and signing up to the BMF could be the best thing you do this year! Of course, it is always incredibly important for you to compare breakdown cover whenever you are considering a new deal, because you never know what deals might be out there. People can sometimes a lot of money over the course of a year, but perhaps more importantly than that, you have to make sure that the deals which you think are good, actually are good. You need to know all the ins and outs of the deal, including all of the small print which comes with such deals. This is not to say that this deal through the BMF and the RAC is not a good one. On paper it looks to be a superb price, but it is just important to investigate all of your options and to make sure that the deal you sign up to actually suits you as a rider. You have to get the best breakdown cover for you.

Of course, signing up to this great deal will actually save riders more money than it would have cost them to sign up to the BMF in the first place, so it is a really great deal, and as far as breakdown recovery goes, the RAC is a great name to be with. They have a worldwide reputation which has been garnered over years of great service, and this is not a deal to be overlooked. We only advise caution so that you can make sure that you get the very best deal possible on the market.