Savings and tax take top spot in the first week of 2011

The first mid-week money sections of 2011 saw savings stories falling significantly, from 30 per cent in the last tally of 2010 to 20 per cent, sharing the top spot with the week’s biggest riser, tax, which rose from zero to 20 per cent of all coverage. Meanwhile credit cards, utilities and investment stories all saw a resurgence from zero at the end of 2010, with each amounting for 10 per cent this week.

On the topic of savings, Rosie Murray-West (@rosiemw) in the Telegraph highlighted research from First Direct in which 18 per cent of people cited over-spending before Christmas as their biggest financial regret, and outlined how to start the new year saving money instead of losing it. In the Express, Holly Thomas looked at how the OFT ruling regarding ISAs (with providers having to complete transfers within 15 working days) could see customers no longer losing out on interest.
With the recent rise in VAT dominating tax stories, James Coney (@jimconey) in the Daily Mail looked at how the change is just the beginning of a number of planned tax changes expected this year, with customers set to feel the effects come April. Ruki Sayid in the Mirror advised readers to buy their big ticket items now, emphasising how the VAT rise will affect the price of a range of popular products.
Full tally of scores below: