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If you're in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, feel grateful – MSPs have scrapped your prescription charges.

Across the UK, you shouldn't count on your pension scheme to support you anymore.

If you're thinking of selling your home so that you can save money by renting a property, you might want to think twice.

Relying on your savings to supplement your income puts you at risk of greater pain from the rising rate of inflation.

In this market of fewer fast house sales, repossessions are increasing.  Before taking back your home, a lender must prove a few things during a repossession hearing.  

The amount of mortgage deals on offer to borrowers has suddenly dropped, after rising towards the end of last year. 

Three thousand less homes have been sold compared to October 2010, says HM Revenue & Customs. In total, house sales for 2011 are 5% less than 2010, caused by the lack of mortgage funds and our economies state.

The High Pay Commission says that the extortionate wages of UK executives will damage the nation’s economy. Their “corrosive” salaries are having a negative impact on our economy and "high pay creating inequalities last seen in the Victorian era".

Unemployment levels for 16 to 24- year-olds are now record high after rising to over 1 million this October.

Unemployment has risen in almost all parts of the UK. This October the number of people being out of work has risen to over 1.6 million, an increase of 5,300 people out of work and claiming Job Seekers Allowance.

Bankruptcy fees rose from £75 to £525 this August to try and discourage people with financial issues looking for a solution to their problems.

Due to would-be property buyers struggle to find mortgage finance in the current economic climate, the gap between demand and supply in the housing marking will continue to widen, resulting in further gain in rents.

There has been a 2.6% increase in long term graduate unemployment, from graduates who left university in 2007, to students who left in 2005.

Tenants with home buying ambitions have been under more and more pressure due to increasing private rents, recent reports show.

A recent survey under High Street retailers unveiled that 46% of the retailers have seen their sales fall in August and the current condition of the retail market is under a lot of pressure.

As taxes escalate, there will be a squeeze on household budgets in the next ten years or so.

Consumers have been experiencing a decrease in take-home pay for nine months this August.

For many consumers, obtaining mortgages with higher percentage rates is next to impossible, especially at the lower rates advertised.

Since 1923, the number of new houses built in 2010 was the lowest ever.

Strict lending criteria developed by bank and housing pricing levels have meshed, eliminating new potential buyers from the market.

Without government action addressing the chronic amount of under supplying homes, it is a possibility the housing market will plummet into a deep crisis.

In recent surveys 4,359 UK parents say how costly childcare fees have placed them in debt.

During the months of June, July, and August, the UK economy has decreased it's growth rate by 0.2%, while expanding 0.6% between the months of May, June, and July.

In 2012, it is quite possible that average debts for UK students will reach an all time high, double the average debt in 2011.

Along with the UK government target inflation rates rising in July, due to the increase of financial service fees and higher prices for clothing.

Unemployment numbers in the UK have increased greatly by 38,000 to 2.49 million within the past few months.

Average pay gaps between employees in the private sector and those of the public sector have widely increased a great deal.

Average pay settlements are around 2.5% during July and because of this many consumers have to endure cut backs in their outgoings and struggle to pay off personal loans and mortgages.

Figures from the Pension Protection Fund reported the deterioration of UK pension schemes in July 2011.

A recent survey questioning 1,800 UK businesses claims the biggest threats to UK companies are due to a weakened domestic demand.

Potential buyers in most of the UK are discouraged to purchase a property due to lenders demanding large deposits.

Due to a fall in property values in July, surveyors are "pessimistic" about UK house prices.

According to the IMF, higher prices for oil, economic turmoil in the eurozone, impact of spending cuts, and plummeting prices could throw the economy off course.

Since May, the UK economy has drastically weakened, escalating Europe's debt crisis and fears of contracting in the US.

It is predicted by the CML that 40,000 people will lose their homes this year.

In June, mortgage lending has increased, but the market is still subdued.

Since the government expects to make changes with public sector pensions, people have expressed their concerns.

Increasing demand for properties to rent has caused rents in the private sector to increase to an average of £701 per month throughout England and Wales.

New data shows that UK Consumer Prices Index inflation remained unchanged in May, holding steady at 4.5%.

Government figures show that more than one-fifth of UK households experienced fuel poverty in 2009.

For the first time this year, home sellers lowered asking prices, according to Rightmove, a property website.

A study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the BBC shows that pensioners and the poorest families are among those hit the hardest by the recession.

So far in 2011, 382,000 UK homes have sold, which is down from 407,000 homes sold in the first six months of 2010.

Figures suggest that some UK residents are saving less these days, due to increased outgoings, such as higher household bills.

The Bank of England recently warned that increasing utility bills are expected to result in inflation hitting 5% later on this year.

The Bank of England recently warned that increasing utility bills are expected to result in inflation hitting 5% later on this year.

Recent figures have shown that UK retail sales fell 1.4% in May.

 Social housing costs are proving too expensive, resulting in housing benefit changes currently going through Parliament.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) warns that home repossessions will likely rise again in 2012.

HMV, the DVD and music retailer, recently sold the Waterstone’s book chain to a fund controlled by Alexander Mamut – a Russian billionaire who owns 6% of HMV.

According to a recent survey, gazumping is pushing up rents in England and Wales, with the average cost to tenants reaching £696 in May.

UK unemployment fell 88,000 in the three months to April this year to 2.43 million, the biggest drop since the summer of 2000, latest data shows.

UK holidaymakers are now being warned that petrol prices have gone up since last summer all over Europe.

Argos has reported a big drop in sales for the past three months after it experienced worse-than-expected trading conditions, according to its owner.

People aged between 30 and 50 are falling behind older people in saving for retirement, according to a recent pensions report.

UK residents who dream of living by the sea might find it a bit more difficult these days.

Nokia, a major mobile phone service provider, reports that sales and profit margins for this quarter are now expected to be significantly lower than company forecasts.

A Halifax poll, which included 4,000 non-homeowners as the respondents, shows that two-thirds of young adults who do not own a home believe they will not be able to get on the property ladder.

Chairman of the eurozone finance ministers, Jean Claude-Juncker, recently announced that Greece may need further assistance via financial bail-out.

A recent survey shows that UK manufacturing growth is slowing, with April growth at the weakest in seven months.

The most recent survey put out by the Nationwide building society shows that the housing market in the UK remains subdued.

Centrica, which owns British Gas, has put out a warning that customers may soon see an increase on their energy bills.

A recent report put out by Deloitte, a financial services firm, warns that UK households will face a decrease in disposable income of approximately £780 this year.

According to an economic think tank, UK retailers could be facing many years of poor sales growth

The governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, has warned that higher utility bills could push inflation up to 5% later this year.

According to a recent survey from the Land Registry house prices in England and Wales are still falling.

Plymouth City Airport will be closing in December, it has been announced.

Amazon has reported a sharp drop in quarterly profits as the cost of investing in new business overshadowed a big jump in sales.

Barclays, the UK bank has reported a 9% fall in pre-tax profits for the first three months of the year to £1.66bn.

Toyota, the world's biggest carmaker, will be closing its UK plant at Burnaston in Derbyshire for two days each week in May due to the current shortage of car parts.

Mortgage lending is still at very low levels, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).

Thousands of Jobcentre staff are set to strike after a dispute about working conditions and management targets.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that the price of oil has started to have an effect on energy demand.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has recorded its worst fall in sales since records began in 1996, which is a further signal of difficult times on the High Street.

The Nationwide building society reported an increase in home prices in March – up 0.5% from the previous month and about 0.1% from the same month last year.

The new tax year, which began on Wednesday, brought with it tax increases, cuts to benefits and tax credit changes that will affect families throughout Britain.

As consumers face increased prices for food and fuel, retailers are gearing up for a tough year with sales expected to be lower than usual.

Psychiatrists have warned that changes in Western society could fuel a rise in the number of men with depression.

Recent figures suggest that economic problems may be leading to a rise in depression in England.

According to new figures from industry body SMMT, sales of the new 11-plate cars were down in March in comparison to the same month last year

Recent figures show that consumers got a bit bolder in terms of unsecured borrowing and mortgages in the month of February.

For those who want to sell house fast, good luck: mortgages are getting harder and harder to find as UK borrowing hits a new record.

Will inflation rates ever come down again? In January, the UK Consumer Prices Index stood at 4%; today it stands at 4.4%.

Economists believe that the consumer confidence index is one of the best indicators for the overall health of an economy, and if they're right, the UK is in very big trouble.

According to a Freedom of Information request, the sum of the twenty largest student loan debts tops £1 million, with the largest student loan of all at £66,150.

Savers are finding it harder than ever to protect their funds from inflation erosion.

Since 2008, tariffs on energy bills have increased from 180 to more than 300.

The industry has given out a warning that, as a result of of a windfall tax on North Sea oil producers announced in the Budget, tens of thousands of jobs in the UK will be cut.

Winter fuel payments for older people are due to fall this year.

The Royal Mail will be cutting more than 1,700 jobs and close two mail centres in London.

According to the Chancellor George Osborne, the UK economy will grow more slowly this year than previously expected.

Telecoms giant BT has announced that, from 28 April 2011 call charges will increase by 9% and the monthly standard line rental charge will increase by 30 pence.

UK mortgage lending remained at low levels in February as the housing market remained "stuck in a rut", lenders have reported.

The number of people in the UK facing unemployment and rising bills have convinced MPs that people need a better financial education.

It seems like online identity theft and online credit card fraud is rising at an alarming rate.

According to a survey carried out by Vocalink, private sector pay at UK listed companies has risen at the slowest rate on record.

There has now been no change to UK interest rates for two years, even though inflation is currently twice the Bank's target rate.

According to the latest survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics), the property market is flat everywhere in the UK except London.

The UK economy will grow by less than expected in 2011, the British Chambers of Commerce forecasts.

According to a report by the Halifax, UK house prices fell by 0.9% this February, compared with last month, cancelling out a rise in January.

In November 2010, the Office for Budget Responsibility reported that they expect 330,000 job losses among public sector workers in the coming four years

For twelve years, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has got the inflation numbers wrong.

Many home owners are choosing to sell and rent back because of the ongoing sluggish state of the UK economy and prolonged unemployment.

A government strapped for cash is looking for new ways to levy civil penalties

Figures from the British Bankers' Association indicate that the stagnation in the UK property market is continuing.

A recent report shows that banks in the UK are receiving tens of billions of pounds through hidden subsidies from customers and taxpayers – in addition to receiving support directly from the state.

A research group recently predicted that house prices in the UK will fall by another 1.7% in 2011.

In January 2011, the UK's Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 4%.

According to recent news from the UK Public Health Association, the two-tier tariffs used for domestic fuel billing is leading to thousands of deaths every winter.

Fixed rate mortgage prices have become much more expensive recently because of a rise in the swap rate.

More bad news for the unemployed: a recent survey discovered that employers expect the highest level of redundancy since 2004.

According to recently released figures, the UK GDP shrank 0.5% in the last three months of 2010, partially due to the significant economic impact of  December’s freezing weather.

A recent study shows that UK consumers have experienced their largest monthly fall in confidence in 16 years when it comes to their own finances and the economy.

According to a monthly survey conducted by LSL, a property firm, unpaid rent and late-paid rent is on the rise

According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), a prominent economic research group, approximately 750,000 additional UK residents are poised to pay higher tax rates in April.

More than nine million UK residents have been adversely affected by a government failure to credit more than £1 billion in National Insurance contributions.

44,000 – that's how many home loans were provided for house purchase in November 2010, and this in a country of nearly 62 million people.

The economic situation in the UK remains grim. Recent unemployment figures show that joblessness continues to hover around 8%, jumping to 20% for 16 – 24 year-olds

Figures show that bankruptcies among men are on the rise at a higher rate than those among women; however, men seek help with their debts less often.