NINE out of 10 consumers do not trust the Government's inflation figures, believing the true rate of inflation to be 8.1%, not 2.2% as ministers suggest, according to Fool.co.uk.
Fool.co.uk's latest index reveals that more than half of Britons think the increase in the cost of living is between 7% and 12%, and one in 20 reckons it is above 15%.
Forty-year-olds seem to be feeling the pinch of inflation most, placing their
personal inflation rate at 9%.
Parents' sacrificeHALF of British parents admit giving into their children's demands for DVDs, games consoles and toys, according to Engage Mutual.
Furthermore, 68% of parents would make financial sacrifices to keep their offspring happy.
The research found that parents are willing to forgo luxuries such as holidays and going out in order to treat their children, and 29% claimed they would work longer hours to meet their kids' demands.
IFA expansionA NEW financial advisory network is to be formed from the merger of Bristol-based independent financial adviser Sumus, which owns Scotland's FSAS adviser firm and the Aim-listed IFA group Lighthouse.
The enlarged group will have a turnover of more than £80m, estimated net assets of £22m, around £8bn in assets under advice and some 900 advisers.
Savings offerA NEW national savings scheme will be launched across the UK in 2010.
The Saving Gateway will see every pound saved by people on low incomes topped up with an unspecified contribution from the Government.
Up to eight million people on benefits and tax credits could be eligible to open the two-year savings account.
However, some financial advisers are concerned that launching the new account ahead of the Government's Personal Pension accounts could lead to confusion, with the less well off making a savings mistake.
The full article contains 313 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
