davepickering

Cost of car insurance on the rise

The cost of car insurance in Scotland has increased by £25 in three months

New data shows car insurance prices are increasing, with drivers in Scotland now paying £419, on average

● Despite prices rising across all areas of Scotland, the average premium is still £22 (5%) cheaper than 12 months ago

● Drivers in Central Scotland pay more than the national average, with motorists in the region paying £465, on average, following the steepest quarterly increase (8%) of all UK regions

● Meanwhile, drivers in other regions of Scotland pay as little as £342, on average, in comparison

● Experts at Confused.com remind drivers that recent FCA changes do not guarantee their renewal price will be their best price available

● Further research shows insurers increased renewal premiums last quarter by £45, on average

The average cost of car insurance in Scotland has increased by £25 in just three months, new data reveals.

This brings the average price of car insurance in Scotland to £419, a 6% increase compared to three months ago. That’s according to the latest car insurance price index (Q4) by Confused.com, powered by WTW. Based on more than six million quotes in a quarter, it’s the most comprehensive car insurance price index in the UK.

While the cost of car insurance in Scotland appears to be increasing, prices are still cheaper than this time last year, having dropped by £22 (5%) in 12 months, with prices across the Scottish regions still significantly cheaper than two years ago.

While the average premium in Scotland stands at £419, the price paid by drivers will vary depending on where they live. In fact, motorists in Central Scotland are paying more than the national average, having seen the steepest increase in premiums in the past three months of all UK regions. An 8% (£33) increase in the region means motorists are now paying £465, on average. Although, this is still £17 (4%) cheaper than prices 12 months ago.

Meanwhile, drivers in other Scottish regions are paying out between £342 and £378, on average, with prices now as much as £18 (5%) more expensive than last quarter:

Region	Average premium	Quarterly change	Annual change
Central Scotland	£465	8% / £33	-4% / -£17
East & North East Scotland	£378	5% / £16	-6% / -£26
Highlands & Islands	£377	5% / £18	-6% / -£25
Scottish Borders	£342	4% / £15	-9% / -£32

This increase in prices over the past quarter is reflected across the rest of the UK, where prices have risen by £25 (5%) in three months. This brings the average cost of car insurance in the UK to £539 – a £36 (6%) drop compared to 12 months ago.

While these price increases may come as bad news to drivers, Confused.com experts have been predicting this U-turn for some time. A significant drop in the number of cars on the road throughout the coronavirus pandemic, and a subsequent fall in the number of claims being made led to a sharp drop in premiums with prices reaching a six-year low just last quarter.

However, prior to this, prices were steadily starting to increase as claims pay outs were becoming more and more expensive for insurers, as the pandemic and ongoing delays caused by Brexit meant that repairs and replacements were not only more expensive but taking longer to complete. And this was reflected in the prices being offered to customers.

Now, as drivers spend more time on the road, and the number and overall cost of claims being made are increasing, as predicted, the cost of car insurance is increasing to reflect this and could soon return to pre-pandemic levels.

In fact, if the average price for the UK continues on the current trajectory, increasing by around 5% each quarter, the average cost of insurance in three months could be more expensive than it was 12 months ago. Based on this trend, UK drivers could be paying as much as £566 next quarter, compared to £538 in Q1 2021, on average.

In light of the recent insurance pricing changes enforced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com, reminds drivers that these increases could mean that they may receive a more expensive renewal price in the coming months, despite many incorrectly believing that the changes guarantee a cheaper or flat premium.

Under the new regulations, insurers must offer drivers the same price they would receive as a new customer buying in the same way, banning what was previously known as a new customer discount.

Previously renewing customers may have seen their renewal price rise to offset the cost of new customer discounts. However, the new rules don’t guarantee that drivers will never see their renewal price increase again.

For example, if car insurance costs in the UK are typically 5% more expensive year-on-year, this increase could also be reflected in renewal premiums. In fact, further research by Confused.com found that two in five (42%) drivers who received their renewal last quarter saw their price increase by £45, on average, suggesting insurers could already be increasing renewal premiums in line with the current trend.

This is why it is important for drivers to still take the time to shop around, as the research also shows that almost half (46%) of those who had a higher premium at their last renewal were able to save £64, on average, by switching to another insurer using a price comparison site.

Although, it isn’t just those who are seeing more expensive premiums that are able to make savings, as almost a fifth (18%) of those who had a cheaper renewal went on to shop around and switch, saving £46 on average. However, with Confused.com’s Beat Your Renewal guarantee, these savings could be seen by millions of other customers.

However, there is some good news for drivers, as prices of new policies are still cheaper year-on-year, on average, which means those shopping around and switching insurers could still save money. And under the new FCA rules, insurers must make it easier for customers to cancel the automatic renewal of their policies, something which one in five (20%) consider to be stressful.

Despite being able to save when shopping around, some drivers are still paying more than others, and typically it’s male motorists who are forking out the most when it comes to their car insurance.

Given the fact that drivers in Central Scotland are paying significantly more than those in other Scottish regions, it’s no surprise that both male and female drivers have the highest car insurance costs.

Broken down, male drivers in Central Scotland are now paying £486, on average, following a £33 (7%) increase in the past three months, while female drivers are paying £429, which is £31 (8%) more than three months ago.

East and North East Scotland follows as the second most expensive region for male drivers, with the average premium here now £400. This is £59 more than the prices that female drivers in the region are paying (£341).

Similarly, much like the rest of the UK, younger drivers across all four regions are forking out the most for their car insurance, with 17-to-20-year-old male drivers in Central Scotland paying an eye-watering £1,343, on average. Female drivers of the same age and location pay just £1,041 in comparison.

However, it’s male drivers in their early 20s in both the Scottish Highlands and Islands and Central Scotland who have been stung by the steepest increases this quarter, as the average premium rises by 13% and 12%, respectively.

This equates to increases of £102 and £106, putting the average price paid at £874 and £995, respectively. These drivers are also among the few that have seen their premium increase over the past year, as prices increase by £30 (4%) for 21-to-25 year old male drivers in the Highlands and Islands, and by £13 (1%) for those in Central Scotland.

Looking to the towns and cities in Scotland, the price paid varies depending on where a driver lives. Of all postcode areas in Scotland, Glasgow is revealed to be the most expensive, with motorists forking out £525, on average – a significant amount more than the regional average. This is a £47 (10%) increase compared to three months ago, making the average premium just £4 ( 1%) cheaper than last year’s price.

In the Scottish Highlands and Islands, it’s motorists in Shetland that are paying out the most, with average prices in the area now £490, while drivers in Dundee face the highest premiums in the East and North East, paying out £386, on average. In the Scottish Borders, it’s drivers in Dumfries that have the highest car insurance costs, standing at £344, on average.

This shift in car insurance prices was to be expected, as drivers resume their normal habits. Given the current cost of fuel and the uncertainty surrounding the energy market, these increases will no doubt hit drivers’ wallets hard. However, this doesn’t mean that drivers can’t save money on their car insurance, as shopping around can still save potentially hundreds of pounds.

Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com, comments: “Car insurance prices rising is not the happy news we wanted to start the year with, however it’s also not completely unexpected, as people resume their normal driving habits, and the cost of vehicle repair and replacement continues to increase.

“Although, customers who are shopping around are still receiving prices that are cheaper than 12 months ago, which is especially good news at the moment, as some customers are still seeing their renewal price increase year-on-year. This just goes to prove that there are still plenty of better deals out there.

“As claims costs continue to increase, we expect to see car insurance prices rise too, regardless of the change in pricing regulations by the FCA. And this will be particularly noticeable when we receive our renewal price after 18 months or so of considerably cheap premiums.

“It’s really important that we remember the new rules set out by the FCA do not mean our renewal price will be the best price we can get. If anything, these changes have made the market even more competitive, so there will likely be an insurer out there that could be cheaper or offer a better deal for the cover you need.

“Please don’t settle for your renewal quote from your insurer. We know that there will always be a saving to be made. We’re so sure of this that we’re offering to beat your renewal quote or give you the difference, plus £20.”

EU Settlement Scheme webinar

‘Can I join my family in the UK?’ ‘Can I bring my family member to live in the UK’ ? We’ve heard these questions a lot in the last few weeks!

Join our next webinar on Tuesday, 25 January to learn more about #EUSS Joining Family Members.

Please register here: https://bit.ly/3GY2NTu

Raise a dram! Morrisons has Burns Night covered with Scottish staples and deals on tipples

Morrisons is helping customers celebrate Burns Night on the 25th January, with a selection of Scottish staples, a special bouquet and deals on bottles to raise a dram.

Highlights include:

Glayva Liqueur – £12 down from £18 in Scotland until 25^th Jan
Laphroaig Islay Select Single Malt Whisky – £25 down from £33 until 25^th Jan
Scotch Beef Lean Diced Steak – £8.50 per k/g
Burns Night Bouquet – £8

Veganuary on a budget: Personal Finance Expert’s tips

Paul Wilson, Personal Finance Expert at CashLady.com, shares his ideas on how to keep going with Veganuary if you’re on a budget.

Veganuary is a great time to try starting some new habits and making a change to your lifestyle. If you’re not used to a plant-based diet, you might be starting to find it tricky to stay on track.

We know more about money than making delicious meals, but with a few weeks left of January, here’s some tips on how you can keep up with Veganuary without it costing the earth:

1.                Yellow labels

Fresh produce is by far the most likely to be reduced in the supermarket. Different supermarkets generally reduce their stock at different times; ask in store when they start marking down prices and make sure you get there when they do. You can pick up lots of reduced fruit and vegetables to whip up stews and curries with.

2.                Bulk buy

If you’ve found a few recipes you know you like and have gotten the hang of cooking plant based meals, then stock up on the things you know you’ll use. You can make savings by buying multipacks rather than individual items every time you need them

3.                 Save your leftovers

Don’t throw away what you don’t eat. Save it and use it for lunch the next day. Saving money by not buying yet another meal deal could help see you through until the end of January.

4.                 Shop online

Type ‘meat free’ or vegan into your shopping app and it will bring up all the relevant options. You can then see which are on offer or are cheaper and choose those instead of more expensive options. Rather than planning what you are eating and then buying those ingredients, do it the other way round and buy the items on offer then make a meal from them.

5.                 Offers everywhere

If you’ve had enough of cooking and fancy a Friday night off, January couldn’t be a better time. There are a huge number of restaurants trying to tempt us back in with 50% offers. Be sure to search for offers in your area before you book anywhere to make sure you’re getting a good deal alongside a good meal.

6.                 Eat more veg

Meat or dairy substitutes can be costly. Eating meals that are vegetable based means you aren’t forking out for big name brands or packaging. Cooking from scratch can really help you keep a handle on what you spend and also be much more exciting than a pre-packed burger.

7.                 Visit the greengrocer

If you have the time, get down to the greengrocers. Just as with the yellow labels, you can ask if they have any produce that is near it’s best before and ask for a discount. You can also buy in singles rather than pre-packed bundles, and find items that might not be in the supermarket to give your diet variety and inspire you to keep going. 

8.                 Meal boxes

If you’re really struggling to come up with new dinner ideas in Veganuary, then you could try signing up to a meal subscription service. They always offer introductory discounts, like 50% off your first box, and you can cancel any time. You can select only vegan meals and they send you recipe cards with step-by-step instructions. Keep the recipe cards, and once you’ve got the hang of it, cancel the subscription and start buying and making the recipes yourself.

9.              Pin It

There are so many resources on the internet to find new vegan recipes, but it’s easy to forget where you saw them. Create a board on Pinterest and save all your favourite meals on there. That way, you won’t run out of ideas and end up spending too much on takeaways or meals out.

Paul Wilson is a Consumer Finance Expert at Financial Conduct Authority authorised and regulated credit broker CashLady.com

Granton Goes Greener: Evening sewing classes start next month

We have some great news for all of you, who are busy during the day, but would still like to learn some basic sewing skills or repair your clothes

We have now added another FREE, EVENING SEWING CLASS (ADULTS ONLY), which same as our Monday class will be a drop-in, taking place in the East Hall of Granton Parish Church between 6 and 8 pm on EVERY FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH.

The class will be run by our regular sewing tutor – Monika from Remode Collective.

We would also like to say a huge THANK YOU to Swinton Paterson Trust https://www.swintonpatersontrust.org.uk/ for their financial support of the class

NHS Lothian: Choose the right care in the right place

Get the right care in the right place:

Self-help guides: NHS Inform

Advice about minor illnesses, treatments and medication: Pharmacy

Non-urgent treatment: GP

Urgent, but not life-threatening, help: NHS24 at 111

In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999.

Warning to local businesses following card machine scams

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information and urging businesses to be vigilant following incidents of frauds via payment card devices.

Fraudsters are reported to have entered retail and hospitality establishments in the city centre and swapped the card machine belonging to the business for their own one. This results in payments for subsequent sales being fraudulently paid into the scammer’s bank account.

There were two reported incidents on Thursday (20 January 2022), in the city centre resulting in a mid-five figure sum of money being stolen. These are being treated as linked and enquiries are ongoing.

Sergeant Janie Harman from the Prevention, Intervention and Partnerships Department said: “We are urging retail and hospitality staff to be extra vigilant and ensure that they are in control of the card devices at all times, even when it’s not in use.

“If you think you may have been a victim of this type of fraud, contact your bank immediately, ensure that any CCTV is secured and contact police on 101, or in an emergency always call 999.

“Anyone with information about these incidents who has not already contacted Police Scotland should call 101, quoting reference 1971 of 20 January 2022, or report information anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Scots to become Distance Aware

Voluntary scheme to encourage people to give space

Free badges and lanyards will be available to people who wish to show others they would welcome additional space and extra care while out in public.

The Distance Aware scheme is a voluntary initiative to help those on the Highest Risk List or anyone who feels worried about mixing with others as we adapt to living with COVID-19.

The Scottish Government has joined the scheme set up by the Bevan Commission and adapted it following research which showed that almost three quarters (73%) of people on the Highest Risk List said they would like to signal to others to give them extra space.

From 26 January, the badges and lanyards with the easily-recognisable shield symbol will be available free from all community and mobile libraries in Scotland. Badges will also be free from Asda stores. They can be ordered from the Scottish Government website for a small postal fee.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We are beginning to adapt to living with COVID-19 but we know that, for some people who have been at higher risk or feel anxious about going out in public, this is a big step.

“This scheme not only provides vital reassurance to anyone who chooses to wear a badge or lanyard, but also encourages us all to be more aware and considerate of those around us – as we simply don’t know their circumstances or concerns.

“I hope this will help people feel more confident and comfortable to go about their daily lives. The shield symbol can be worn by anyone.”

British Red Cross Scotland Director of Independent Living and Crisis Response Marie Hayes said: “We fully support the aims of the Distance Aware campaign and will be proud to highlight the scheme to callers contacting our Connecting With You service. Many people are experiencing loneliness, and are fearful of going out of their own homes as a result of the pandemic.

“We believe Distance Aware can help overcome this and help them to re-engage with social activities. This could be invaluable in helping to tackle loneliness.”

Asda Senior Director for Scotland Brian Boyle said: “We are delighted to work with the Scottish Government to implement this scheme in Scotland. There has been interest in the free Distance Aware badges, particularly from our more vulnerable customers.

“As people become aware of the badge and its meaning, the more effective it will be in helping people to feel safer and less worried when they are out and about.”

From 26 January, find details of the Distance Aware scheme here.

Merger creates Capital’s largest digital print and gift producer

Midlothian-based gift and stationery producer Southfield Stationers has merged with Edinburgh digital printer Digital Typeline Publications (DTP).

The newly, merged business will call upon the well-respected market presence of both brands to trade as DTP Southfield and will offer an extensive range of print services to an already wide array of markets.

DTP Southfield will bring together two skilled teams creating an experienced workforce of twenty. DTP Southfield will be moving from the current two locations to the twenty-thousand square feet, old paper mill building at Inveresk Mills in Musselburgh, East Lothian.

The assistance of East Lothian Council in bringing the business to the area will help facilitate future employment opportunities and other benefits to the local economy.

Alun Joseph, MD of DTP said: “I am excited we have merged with a company we have known and trusted for many years. The Southfield name is well respected in the market and I look forward to taking it forward.

“We will be growing our new facility and product range over the coming months and years while continuing to look after our existing customers with the level of service and all the products they know us for today.”

Family-owned DTP which has over thirty five years’ experience in print, was formed as a high street photo processing lab in 1983 and turned to digital print in 1994. A market leader in digital print service, DTP produces high-quality digital print with the ability to enhance print items with metallic, white and neon pink print as well as bespoke foiling, digital die-cutting and short run creative packaging.

Southfield has been providing a wide range of paper and stationery products for over forty years. For the last twenty its offering of gift items has expanded, making Southfield one of the premier suppliers to gift and craft shops around the UK.

Several customers of both companies have already expressed interest in the new products and possibilities from DTP Southfield. Notably, those in the hospitality sector, gift shops, and artists are keen to benefit from the products now available to them from the company they already know and trust.

Derek Muller, who is standing down as MD of Southfield Stationers, said: “As everyone became tired of seeing the same mass-produced products on display in every high street across the UK, we created a range of high-quality, bespoke giftware for UK retailers.

“We have always provided retailers with products that will stand out from the crowd, and all made in the UK.

“We also work with a lot of artists directly, working closely with them and their original artwork to create beautiful, hand-made gift ranges.

“I am proud of what we have built over the last forty five years and believe that the Southfield name and loyal customers will be looked after and continue to grow in the hands of Alun who will now lead the merged business.”

New show: Cauleen Smith

Exhibition

22.01.22 – 01.05.22

Open Thursday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm

Free

COLLECTIVE are delighted to launch our 2022 programme with a presentation of Cauleen Smith’s film H-E-L-L-O, which brings together themes of historic erasure, presence and loss.

H-E-L-L-O takes John Williams’ famous five-note musical motif from Stephen Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind, translating it into a greeting for sites across post-hurricane Katrina New Orleans.

The various interpretations of the sequence speak to the enduring spirit of the city. Although situated in the geography of New Orleans, Smith’s film allows us to contemplate Edinburgh’s relationship to its own landscape, inhabitants and history in a time of turbulence and change.

Cauleen Smith is an American born filmmaker and multimedia artist, best known for experimental works that address African-American identities. Smith currently teaches at the California Institute of the Arts.

H-E-L-L-O will be screened on loop in the City Dome from 22 January – 1 May. Entry is free and there is no need to pre-book, but some social distancing measures will be in place.

Collective is currently open Thu-Sun, 10am-4pm (Tue-Sun, 10am-5pm from April 2022).