| ection time again and the UK, or at least its | | | | payments they make, allowing them to find out |
| media, is joyously succumbing to party political | | | | easily online whether rival companies offer |
| fever. While the various candidates loudly proclaim | | | | cheaper services. |
| to have the solution to what ails us - whether | | | | The Tories believe that current price comparison |
| that's banning the sale of sharpening stones to | | | | websites are flawed because customers cannot |
| reduce knife attacks or ensuring that wheelie bins | | | | make a credit card comparison in a way that |
| be supplied with a propulsion device - it's | | | | takes into account their personal spending |
| sometimes hard to find out where they stand on | | | | behaviour. |
| specific issues. | | | | The Conservatives will save card holders money |
| With that in mind, I've taken a look at the various | | | | in other ways too. |
| manifestos to see what's in store for | | | | While the Liberal Democrats may not be calling for |
| unsuspecting credit card holders. | | | | the removal of the FSA, they are pledging to end |
| Labour's General Election manifesto promises to | | | | unfair bank charges and help victims of excessive |
| clampdown on the banks' often excessive | | | | fees. |
| punishment of their customers. Millions of | | | | Like the Conservatives, they also want to cap |
| consumers have been hit by overly high bank | | | | credit and store card interest rates but there's no |
| charges for exceeding their overdraft and | | | | word on how this will affect specific products |
| exposed to crippling rates on credit cards and | | | | such instant decision credit cards. |
| loans. | | | | If the idea of participating in the rich history of |
| While Labour wants fairer charges for breaching | | | | democracy leaves you cold - or, more likely, |
| overdraft ceilings in future, it is not willing to go as | | | | numb - then consider the benefits it can have to |
| far as calling for previous complainants to get | | | | your credit score. |
| refunded. | | | | You don't have to decide on a political party, |
| Other commitments of concern to credit card | | | | simply register to vote and you'll reap some |
| holders include the new rules to stop irresponsible | | | | financial benefits. |
| lending. | | | | Britain's credit reference agencies are urging |
| These would require every credit card firm and | | | | people to ensure that they appear on the |
| bank to properly check that a borrower could | | | | electoral role. Those who fail to do so may find it |
| afford repayments, plus a new cooling off period | | | | more difficult to get a loan, loan, credit card or |
| for people who sign up to unsecured borrowing. | | | | insurance. |
| This last idea would be particularly useful to those | | | | Report this article |
| who are thinking of taking up a 0% purchases | | | | This article is free for republishing |
| credit cards. | | | | Source: |
| Labour also want statutory backing to new credit | | | | Republish this article |
| card rules already agreed with the credit card | | | | Ask a Question About this Article |
| industry banning some stealth charges. | | | | >> Higher interest rate payments over |
| The Conservatives meanwhile have announced | | | | minimum balance |
| plans to abolish the Financial Services Authority. It | | | | >> Is it to late to start saving again even |
| would be replaced by a combination of a more | | | | though i am sixty four |
| powerful Bank of England and a new consumer | | | | >> Selling on e-bay |
| protection agency (CPA). | | | | >> Do you have to file for bankruptcy to |
| George Osborne, the shadow chancellor, says | | | | rid your credit card debt or can it automatically |
| that bank and credit card customers should have | | | | clear after 6 years? |
| the right to receive a "data file" about the | | | | |