The 10 cheapest cars to run

Whatever type of car you need, choosing the right make and model could save you thousands of pounds in tax and fuel costs. Here are Money Central's top ten most fuel-efficient cars - whether you need a small runaround or a 4X4.
1. Small Runaround: Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDI (80PS) with DPF BLUEMOTION
Price: £12,965
Verdict: Polos have a classy image, and because it is exempt from vehicle excise duty (VED) it is one of the cheapest cars to run. But be warned, What Car? says: “The ancient engines are noisy and gutless, prices are high and the drive is uninspiring.”
Co2 emissions: 99 g/km
Tax band/cost: A/ £0
Average petrol costs: £830 per 12,000 miles (the average distance travelled each year)

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Replacing Fridges 'Can Save on Energy Bills'

Customers worried about rising energy bills should look to replace their fridge-freezers and reduce household costs, the Energy Saving Trust (EST) said today.

According to figures from the firm, which advises householders on how to boost their energy efficiency, a new cold appliance could save around £34 per year. Moreover, around £1 billion is thought to be wasted annually on customers leaving other appliances such as tumble driers and washing machines on standby rather than switching them off entirely.

The EST's recommendations come as rising wholesale prices spark a new round of price rises among Britain's energy firms. EDF became the first of the big six providers to hike bills last weekend, imposing 17 percent and 22 percent increases on electricity and gas respectively.

Other firms are expected to follow this lead over weeks to come, bringing annual fuel costs to well over £1,000 for most families.

Caroline Rams at the Energy Saving Trust commentedd: "Replacing an old, energy inefficient fridge-freezer with a new energy saving recommended one could save you up to £34 every year. If we all made the change to more efficient cold appliances this week, together we'd save around £700 million every year."

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Record rise for British Gas bills

Millions of homeowners will be forced to pay hundreds more to heat and light their homes after British Gas announced massive gas price hikes of 35 per cent.

Electricity prices will also rise nine per cent, meaning the average dual fuel bill will increase by a massive £262 per year.

The hikes are to come into effect immediately and are the second increase by the company this year. They come days after power giant EDF said it was increasing prices by 22 per cent and electricity by 17 per cent.

All the other main suppliers such as Southern Electric, Eon and npower are expected to follow suit shortly.

Consumer groups said it could push average fuel prices to more than
1,500 a year by Christmas.

Tim Wolfenden, head of home services at eSwitch, said today’s increases had
taken him by surprise, adding: 'It is
drastic news for a huge number of consumers.

'These are the highest rises we
have seen in gas prices in years, if not
ever. We could see prices going up for
the next five years.'

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Big rises in gas and electricity bills this year, MPs warn

The Government should introduce a windfall tax on utility companies to help hard-pressed families, MPs say.

The market in gas and electricity is not functioning properly and the dominance of six energy companies may be stifling competition and pushing up prices, according to the report.

MPs on the Business and Enterprise Committee have spent five months investigating the British energy market after consumers experienced inflation-busting increases last winter.

Today's report predicts that "gas and electricity bills for domestic consumers will rise significantly in the near future, over and above the increases already announced this year, with serious consequences for millions of households."

The Committee also warns that industry is paying more for energy than their European counterparts which is putting "many thousands of jobs" at risk.

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