Some you win. . .

The current raft of movements is a bit perverse. Normally, we see a host of price rises. Yet, as prices often depend on inflation and last year that was negative, there are some ups and downs. The bad news is, with inflation now booming, you can expect big rises in 12 months’ time.

The winners...

The basic state pension – UP Those entitled to the state pension will have more in their pockets. It has increased from £95.25 to £97.65 per week for singles and £152.30 to £156.15 for couples. While £100 a year might not sound like much, it’s actually better than it could have been.

As the pension usually rises with September’s inflation figures – and they were negative – it could have shrunk. Yet the additional top-up, called the second state pension, which some get, is frozen.

Yet there are millions of pensioners missing out on serious cash. Any who are on relatively low incomes should check to see whether they’re entitled to the pension credit.

This will ensure all pensioners have a minimum income of £132, and, even if you have savings above this level, you may still be able to claim something. So if you’re a pensioner who’s not getting this, or perhaps you know someone who’s missing out, check on 0800-99-1234.

New cash Isa allowances for everyone

As I mentioned in my last column, the amount you can put away in a cash Isa has increased. It used to be £3,600 per person, unless you were over 50, in which case it was £5,100.

Now it’s £5,100 for everyone and the total Isa allowance, if you include stocks and shares, is £10,200.

■ For information about the best payers, go to moneysavingexpert.com/cashISA

NHS prescription prices held

The cost of prescriptions has dropped from £4 to £3 in Scotland, while in England it has been held at £7.20 each. Some have fared even better, as Northern Ireland has joined Wales in getting them free.

There are also ways to cut the cost.

First, check if you’re eligible for them free anyway, such as under-16s, over-60s, in full-time education between 16 and 18, are pregnant or in the first year after a baby’s born, on various benefits or have a valid medical exemption certificate.

If that doesn’t work, and you regularly pay for NHS prescriptions, consider buying a pre-pay annual certificate, which covers them all, no matter how many you use in a set period.

In England, it’s £28 for three months, and £104 over a year.

A guide is that if you use more than one prescription a month, on average you save with a prepay certificate.

Regular prescription getters could save hundreds of pounds. Forms are available at post offices, some pharmacies or call 0845-850-0030.

The losers...

BT extends high calls charges in the evenings

BT has cleverly shifted its cheaper off-peak times to 7pm to 7am, rather than 6pm to 6am. It may not sound like much of a change, but what it has done is to make an unpopular hour in the morning free, rather than a more popular one in the evening.

If you are on BT’s free weekend and evening package, a call between 6pm and 7pm that used to be free will now cost you more than £3. Fellow telecoms provider Talk Talk is due to make the same switch next month, so be aware of this shift.

Stamp prices up 2p

For a standard-sized envelope, it’s now 41p for first class and 32p for second class.

Student loans will rise to 4.4 per cent in September

Every September, the student loan interest rate changes, based specifically on March’s Retail price Index (RPI) inflation figure – and that’s another thing that’s only announced in April. It was a shockingly high 4.4 per cent, meaning many face a big cost jump.

Former students who started before 1998 are seeing their loans shrink, with 0.4 per cent rates.

Yet that will almost certainly jump to 4.4 per cent in September.

For more recent students currently paying 0 per cent, the rules state the rate should be the lower of March’s RPI (4.4 per cent) or the base rate of a range of banks plus one per cent (currently 1.5 per cent, but of course it could change). The Government will not confirm this until August.

Don’t panic though. Until September, it’s nought per cent at worst, so if you’ve spare cash, save it at high interest and earn more than the loan costs. Then re-evaluate in September.

If, by then, savings don’t pay more than the interest cost, use the savings to overpay the loan – unless you’re about to get a mortgage or other borrowing, when you’d be better building up savings to reduce the amount of that debt you’ll need.

■ See moneysavingexpert.com/studentrepay for a full help guide

Personal tax allowances frozen

Personal allowances are the amount anyone in the UK can earn from work or savings before they pay income tax. While this might not sound like a “loser”, actually it means many will be victims of fiscal drag.

This means that, as wages are still rising, but tax limits aren’t, you end up paying more. The standard allowance is £6,475.

Older people get more though. For the over-65s, it’s £9,490 and for those over 75 it’s £9,640. However, earn more than £22,900 and it reduces gradually until it’s the same level as everyone else.

Big earners will pay more

There’s a new 50 per cent tax payable on any earnings over £150,000 and personal allowances are reduced for those on more than £100,000.

■ Get Martin’s free tips and moneyoff vouchers emailed to you each week by signing up to moneysavingexpert.com/tips

■ TV money guru Martin Lewis runs the consumer revenge website MoneySavingExpert.com. Ensure you get his weekly email so you’re constantly saving money.

Bouquet of the Week

MR and Mrs N Browne, of Darlington, would like to nominate The Co-operative Travel, Morrison’s, North Road, Darlington, following the cancellation of their holiday due to the volcanic ash problem.

Despite being under immense pressure from, no doubt, hundreds of disappointed travellers, they found the staff to be more than helpful, courteous, patient and friendly at all times when sorting out a full refund with the tour operators.

“They continued to keep us updated via the telephone on a day to day basis for ten days until satisfaction was reached,” say the couple.

Well done girls. You deserve a holiday.

■ If you want to say a public thank you for good service or to a helpful neighbour, kind stranger or efficient business, write with all the details to Jenny Needham, Bouquet of the Week, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF, or email jenny.needham@nne.co.uk

Pack it in

As thoughts turn to the summer getaway, volcano permitting, Ruth Addicott talks to luggage expert Vanessa Barrigan.

WITH about 350 bags in store (200 on display and 150 out the back), Trippas is as good a place as any if you’re about to splash out on some luggage.

As the holiday season beckons and it becomes apparent you need a holdall for the plane, a suitcase for the hold and a stylish bag with a strap strong enough to secure all the family passports, the idea of shopping for luggage can suddenly seem quite daunting. Fortunately, Vanessa Barrigan, coowner of Trippas, is on hand with some helpful advice.

According to Vanessa, the trend is for large holdalls rather than cases. They also have wheels and tend to be lighter in weight.

The best seller is the Antler Double Decker (£39.99), which comes in a range of colours including blue, pink, red, black and turquoise.

“People are thinking about their weight allowances more now,” says Vanessa. “We can offer advice on cabin-sized luggage and have a demonstration box in the shop. A lot of people don’t realise the size can differ depending on which airline you travel with.”

As well as luggage, Trippas sells a wide range of leather purses, shoppers, work bags and leather handbags, including brands such as Red or Dead, Tula, Gracie Mae, Nica and Ciccia.

Prices start at £19.99 for a canvas bumbag (back in fashion, according to The Times) to £120 for a diamante Chicca bag. Leather bags start at £29.99.

“There seems to be more of a trend for leather,” says Vanessa.

“A lot of people don’t want all the bling, they’d rather have a nice simple bag. They want a good quality finish, a nice lining and a mobile phone pocket. More people are wearing their bags across their body too, probably because of the safety aspect.”

Vanessa’s personal favourite is the leather Yoshi Ealing handbag at £74.99, which she says is “good for work – not too big, but big enough to fit a diary in”.

This season’s other must-have is the children’s mini suitcase, the Trunki, £29.99. It comes in a range of colours, and is a firm favourite of Peter Andre’s children, who were snapped riding on top of them recently as their dad wheeled them through Gatwick on their way back from Dubai.

■ Trippas, 33 Tubwell Row, Darlington. Tel: 01325-243988; trippas.co.uk