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	<title>UkAdvice.org.uk</title>
	<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk</link>
	<description>Free UK Advice</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:24:14 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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	<language>en</language>
	
	<item>
		<title>Investing in properties</title>
		<description><![CDATA[You can invest in property directly or indirectly through a &#8216;pooled&#8217; or &#8216;collective&#8217; investment scheme, like a Unit Trust or Open Ended Investment Company. Property investment carries high risks.
Direct property investment
Buying your home or a property to let out is a way of investing directly in property. However, although the Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulates most [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/investing-in-properties/</link>
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		<title>UK government bonds</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Government Bonds or Guilts are loans to the government. Generally they pay a fixed rate of interest annually and return the capital to you at the end of a stated period. As Government bonds are traded on the stockmarket their value can go up and down.
Gilts, or gilt-edged stocks as they are sometimes called, are bonds [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/uk-government-bonds/</link>
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		<title>Child Trust Fund information</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Child Trust Fund (CTF) is a long-term tax-free savings and investment account for children born on or after 1 September 2002. The government will give every eligible child a voucher worth at least £250 to start the fund.
How the Child Trust Fund works
You use the government voucher to invest in a special account that your [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/child-trust-fund-information/</link>
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		<title>How to invest in stock market</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Shares, unit trusts and investment trusts are all medium to longer-term investments in the stock market. The returns are potentially higher than with savings, but they are not guaranteed. It&#8217;s a good idea to get advice before investing in these sorts of products.
Shares
Shares are small stakes in a company. When you buy shares you become a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/how-to-invest-in-stock-market/</link>
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		<title>ISA guide</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) are tax-favoured savings and investment accounts. They were introduced in 1999 to replace PEPS and TESSAs. You can use an ISA to save cash, or invest in stocks and shares.
What can you save or invest in an ISA?

you can save cash in an ISA and the interest will be tax-free
you can [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/isa-guide/</link>
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		<title>Sources of financial advice</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If your finances are complicated or you need advice on a particular financial product a financial adviser can help. Firms must be authorised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to advise on most financial products. This means they must follow certain rules and standards when dealing with you.
What is financial advice?
When you get financial advice, the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/sources-of-financial-advice/</link>
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	<item>
		<title>Creating a will</title>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s easy to put off making a will. But if you die without one your assets may be distributed according to the law rather than your wishes. This could mean that your partner receives less, or that the money goes to family members who may not need it.
Making a will - why it&#8217;s important
There are [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/creating-a-will/</link>
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		<title>Child Saving Accounts</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you have any children or grandchildren you may want to open a savings account for them to encourage them to save from an early age. In general, child saving accounts work like adults&#8217; accounts, but some schemes are designed specifically for children.
Do children have to pay tax on savings?
Banks and building societies offer savings accounts [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/child-saving-accounts/</link>
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		<title>Cost of buying a house</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Buying a property will probably be your biggest single investment. So it&#8217;s important to work out the total cost - not just the mortgage - and how much you can really afford.   You also need to plan for increases in your future outgoings, like a rise in interest rates.
&#8216;One-off&#8217; buying costs:
Deposit
If you&#8217;re a first time [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/cost-of-buying-a-house/</link>
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		<title>State 2nd Pension</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The additional State Pension, or State 2nd Pension, is paid in addition to the basic State Pension.
Until April 2002, the additional State Pension for employees was called the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS). The amount of SERPS pension you received was based on a combination of the amount of your National Insurance contributions, and how [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/state-2nd-pension/</link>
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		<title>Cost of Funeral</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you need financial help to pay for a funeral you&#8217;re arranging and you are on a low income, you may be able to get a lump sum payment from the Social Fund to cover funeral expenses.
If you are claiming benefits you may qualify for a Funeral Payment but it depends on the exact benefits [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/cost-of-funeral/</link>
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		<title>Grant for loft insulation</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you need help paying for loft insulation or other energy improvements in your privately owned or rented home, you, your partner or civil partner may be able to get money from the government&#8217;s Warm Front grants scheme if, for example, you&#8217;re receiving income or disability-related benefits.
How much do you get?
£2,700 or up to £4,000 [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/grant-for-loft-insulation/</link>
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		<title>Need a plumber?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are considering employing a plumber to carry out work in your home, it is important to make sure they are competent, reliable, trustworthy and professional.
Recommendations
The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE), which is the professional body for the plumbing industry, recommends that when finding a plumber you should:
Ask friends/relatives/neighbours who they use.
Use [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/need-a-plumber/</link>
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		<title>Removing asbestos</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Many people have worries about asbestos, but undisturbed asbestos usually poses no problems. However, care should be taken to prevent the release of fibres as they can cause serious damage to your health.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used in a range of building materials to make them more rigid [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/removing-asbestos/</link>
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		<title>Digital Switch-Over</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Television in the UK is changing from the current analogue system to digital transmission only. This means that unless you adjust your television to receive digital signals you will not get any TV channels in future. This is called digital switch-over. It will happen between 2008 and 2012. You still have plenty of time to switch [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/digital-switch-over/</link>
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		<title>Mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you have even taken out a loan or mortgage, use a credit card or have a consolidation loan then you may have been paying for payment protection insurance.
Payment Protection insurance is highly profitable for the bank or insurance company that issues it. It may have been included as part of your monthly repayment and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/mis-sold-payment-protection-insurance/</link>
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		<title>Alcohol advice</title>
		<description><![CDATA[As with any addiction, if you are an alcoholic, the first step is to acknowledge that you have a problem. Once you have accepted that you have a problem, the next step is to seek help.
If you have an alcohol problem, there are many different professional services and support groups that can help you to [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/alcohol-advice/</link>
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		<title>Building Survey Reports</title>
		<description><![CDATA[It is important to obtain a buildings survey when you buy a new home in order to determine the property&#8217;s overall condition. The surveyor&#8217;s report will identify any problems or issues with the planned purchase.
There are 3 types of survey:

Valuation report:  When you apply for a mortgage, your building society or mortgage company will carry [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/building-survey-reports/</link>
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		<title>Get on the property ladder</title>
		<description><![CDATA[In recent years, the property market has been very busy with property prices experiencing significant rises. This has resulted in many people finding hard to get on the property ladder. This problem is most acute among first time buyers, where even if they can secure a mortgage, it invariably is insufficient to buy the desired [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/get-on-the-property-ladder/</link>
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		<title>Conveyancing Guide</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Conveyancing is the legal process which transfers ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer.
In most cases, whether you are a buyer or a seller, you will want to hire a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer to handle what can be quite a complicated process.
Solicitors in England and Wales are governed by the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/conveyancing-guide/</link>
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		<title>Student Bank Loans</title>
		<description><![CDATA[There is no getting away the rising cost of university living. Now that the tuition fee structure has changed from 2006 onwards, the general cost of student living is expected to increase by £4,912 to £33,512 during a typical three year course. 
Managing your student finances is vitally important for getting the most out of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/student-bank-loans/</link>
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		<title>HND Courses</title>
		<description><![CDATA[HND’s and HNC’s provide a recognised qualification and focus on learning through direct experience to provice a highly practical way of advancing your career.
HNCs (Higher National Certificates) and HNDs (Higher National Diplomas) are workplace focused qualifications designed to give you the skills necessary to apply knowledge to a particular job. They tend to be a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/hnd-courses/</link>
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		<title>Career Loans</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Need a cheap loan to help pay for work-related learning. A Career Development Loan may be what you need.
A Career Development Loan (CDL) is specifically designed for those seeking to improve their job skills through training and study. You do not need to start paying back the loan until one month after you stop training.
A [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/career-loans/</link>
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		<title>Pass Plus course</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Pass Plus course is designed give new drivers extra confidence on the roads. 
Pass Plus is a training course that is especially designed for new drivers. According to statistics, new drivers have an increased likelihood of having an accident within the first two years of passing their test because of their lack of driving [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/pass-plus-course/</link>
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		<title>Car Identity Check</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Car crime in the UK is becoming an increasingly serious problem. The Vehicle Identity Check operated through the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) can help avoid any pitfalls when purchasing a used car.
It is estimated that vehicle crime costs the economy around £3 billion a year and raises insurance premiums as a consequence affecting [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/car-identity-check/</link>
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		<title>How can I sell my car?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Selling a car can be frought with pitfalls. This article will help you to safely sell your car on with the minimum of trouble.
When you sell your car either privately or through a car trader, you should inform the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about the sale by filling in the relevant section of the registration [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/how-can-i-sell-my-car/</link>
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		<title>Debt Consolidation Advice</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Debt consolidation is taking out a single loan to pay off several existing debts. Used carefully this method can help you take control of your finances.

Before considering a consolidation loan
Before you decide on a consolidation loan, find out what&#8217;s on offer and what alternatives you&#8217;ve got. These could include:

trying to make new arrangements with your [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/debt-consolidation-advice/</link>
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		<title>Home Budgeting</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Make the most of your family&#8217;s money by budgeting effectively. It will help to plan ahead and negotiate with your debtors.
Why budget?
With an accurate budget, you&#8217;ll be able to cut out unnecessary expenses and save money, or stop running up big debts. If you already have debt problems, a budget will show you how much [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/home-budgeting/</link>
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		<title>Find a loan shark</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Looking for a loan shark? Take a look at our useful guide first&#8230;
The best advice for dealing with loan sharks is &#8216;don&#8217;t&#8217;. They&#8217;re unlicensed moneylenders who charge very high interest rates and sometimes use threats and violence to frighten people who can&#8217;t pay back their loan.
What is a loan shark?
A loan shark is an unlicensed [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/find-a-loan-shark/</link>
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		<title>Help With Debt Relief</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are struggling with debt it is important to tackle with the problem immediately - the longer you leave it, the worse it becomes. Here is a plan of action to help you to cope&#8230; 
Make a list of everything you owe
The first job is to sort out exactly what you owe, and to whom [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/help-with-debt-relief/</link>
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		<title>Funding for adult education</title>
		<description><![CDATA[You could get financial help towards the costs of your learning, and related costs like travel and childcare. You can also get impartial advice on help available from a learning advisor by phone and email.
What sort of funding and financial support can I get?
You could be eligible for funding which you don&#8217;t have to pay [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/funding-for-adult-education/</link>
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		<title>College students now get paid</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you decide to continue your education after 16, you can get help with the cost of your studies. There are many types of financial help available, but what you can get will depend on your personal circumstances.
What you may be able to claim
If you are under 19 and want to stay on at a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/get-paid-to-learn/</link>
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		<title>New Deal for Lone Parents</title>
		<description><![CDATA[New Deal for Lone Parents is a Government programme designed specifically to help lone parents who want to work. If you join this programme, you will get a trained New Deal for Lone Parents Personal Adviser.They are there to be your contact throughout the whole process and it is their job to:

get to know a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/new-deal-for-lone-parents/</link>
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		<title>Childcare Benefits</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you&#8217;re going back to work and you&#8217;ve got children, you can get financial and practical help with childcare. From tax credits to flexible working arrangements, there&#8217;s lots of support available to make your life easier.
Early years education
All three and four year olds are entitled to up to five two-and-a-half hour daily sessions a week, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/childcare-benefits/</link>
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		<title>Choosing childcare</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Entrusting a stranger with your child is a big step, so before you choose childcare you may wish to do some research. 
Ofsted registration
All childminders and day-care providers including playgroups, pre-schools, private nurseries, crèches and out-of-school clubs for under eights, must be registered by Ofsted Early Years (or in Wales, by the Care Standards Inspectorate). Registration [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/choosing-childcare/</link>
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		<title>How to choose a school</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Finding out as much as you can will help you to make an informed decision about which schools to apply to. Ask yourself what you - and your child - need from a school, and start gathering information early.
Getting information about schools 
There is lots of information available to help you find a school to [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/how-to-choose-a-school/</link>
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		<title>Industrial Injury Benefit</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you&#8217;re ill or disabled because of an accident at work, you may be able to get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
Who is eligible? 
You may be able to claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit for accidents if:

you were employed when the accident or event happened
the work accident or event that caused your illness or disability happened [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/industrial-injury-benefit/</link>
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		<title>Incapacity Benefit medical examinations</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you have been receiving Incapacity Benefit, you may be shocked to receive a letter requesting you to take a medical examination. These are to determine whether you are still incapable of working and entitled to receive the benefit.You should be notified at least 7 days in advance with the place and date of the examination. If [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/incapacity-benefit-medical-examinations/</link>
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		<title>State Pension Forecast</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Worried about what you&#8217;ll get when you retire? A State Pension forecast will tell you in today&#8217;s money values. Anyone living in the UK who is more than 30 days away from State Pension age can apply for a forecast. You can request a forecast online or call the Future Pension Centre on 0845 300 [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/state-pension-forecast/</link>
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		<title>Paternity Leave</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Even Dads can get maternity pay these days. If you are a working dad-to-be you may qualify for up to two weeks paid leave. Statutory Paternity Pay is paid at the same rate as statutory maternity pay. You can claim £108.85 or 90% of your average weekly earnings whichever is higher. To qualify for paternity [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/paternity-leave/</link>
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		<title>Maternity Benefits</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are pregnant there are a range of benefits you can claim.Depending on your circumstances should be able to claim either Statutory Maternity Pay, Maternity Allowance, Income Support or Incapacity Benefit.
Statutory Maternity Pay 
If you have been working for the same employer for at least 26 weeks and paying National Insurance you can get Statutory [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/maternity-benefits/</link>
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		<title>Carers Allowance</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you care for a disabled person, you could be getting around £50 weekly allowance. Carers Allowance is paid to people who look after someone who is disabled. You don&#8217;t have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. Providing you satisfy the following conditions then you qualify:

You must be 16 [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.ukadvice.org.uk/carers-allowance/</link>
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