Latest news with #Section75
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Herald Scotland
How to get the lowest prices for a holiday hire car
The research reveals that the average cost of a week's car hire in summer 2025 is £369, 43% lower than the 2022 high of £652, but still 19% more than in 2019 (£310). Prices have fallen steadily since the 2022 peak, by 43% compared to 2022 (£652), 29% compared to 2023 (£520) and 3% since last summer (£380). 'There are some good deals to be had this summer when hiring a car if drivers take the time to shop around for the best prices, and don't waste money on extras from the rental desk which could have been brought from home such as sat navs and child car seats," says Ben Wooltorton, from "It's also worth considering buying excess reimbursement insurance before you travel from a specialist insurance provider.' And, there's still chance to shave more off your costs, say the experts. 1. Book early but look for last minute deals Book early and shop around to get the hire car you want at a good price. For example, for a week's summer hire in Barcelona, Sixt quoted £288, while Budget quoted £129. 2. Look for free cancellation, so you can cancel if a better deal becomes available Last summer, savvy travellers could have saved over £100 on car hire by booking closer to their departure. Prices for a week's hire fell by an average of £116 between January and July 2024 – with potential savings of up to £266 in Milan. 3. Shop around for excess protection – you could save around £190 If a hire car is damaged or stolen, the hirer is responsible for the excess amount, which can be as high as £2,000. A week's standalone excess reimbursement policy from costs from £33.15 and includes damage, theft, and tyre and windscreen cover. This is a sixth of the cost compared to buying excess protection from rental companies which costs, on average, £167 for a week's theft and collision damage excess waiver and £57 for tyre and windscreen waiver - a total of £224 according to a European survey of car rental prices. 4. Avoid buying extras from the rental desk – and save around £230 Only two in five (41%) check the price of extras when booking their hire car. Expect to pay, on average, £73 for an extra driver, £85 for a sat nav and £71 for a child's car seat – a total of £229. Bring car seats from home, use a smartphone for maps and think carefully about the need of adding a second driver. 5. Take photographic evidence of existing damage Almost two in five (39%) hire car drivers found damage on a hire car that was not highlighted on the checkout sheet. To avoid unfair damage charges, check the vehicle thoroughly at pick-up and return, and take dated photos or video proof. 6. Don't hire from the main airport or railway station Compare the cost of hiring from the main transport hubs, i.e., the airport or railway station with the same company a short distance away, as the savings might be worth the taxi fare. 7. Use a credit card for booking and to cover the excess Use a credit card to gain Section 75 protection under the Consumer Credit Act. This means the credit card provider will protect purchases over £100 (and less than £30,000) and you could get your money back if there is a problem. 8. Read the small print to avoid unpleasant surprises Always read the agreement document thoroughly to make sure you are not agreeing to an upgrade or paying for the rental company's excess protection cover if you don't want it. Recommended reading: 9. Check the fuel policy Know the fuel policy before you drive away. If you need to return the car with a full tank, make sure you do, as the penalties can be expensive. Keep the receipt from the petrol company as evidence. 10. Mileage restrictions Similarly, if you are planning a driving holiday check for mileage restrictions to avoid getting caught out. 11. Know how to complain Go to the rental company within 14 days with the complaint. If a satisfactory outcome is not reached, complaints can be directed to the BVRLA in the UK whose members, including AVIS, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt, are expected to adhere to its mandatory Codes of Conduct. An alternative is to contact the European Car Rental Conciliation Service (ECRCS), which offers a free service to help with unresolved complaints, but the rental must be with a company that has signed up, i.e., Alamo, AVIS, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Europcar, Firefly, Hertz, Maggiore, National, Sixt and Thrifty.
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Plans approved for student accommodation on O2 ABC site
Over nine stories, including a basement, House of Social would include student accommodation, a food hall, a public courtyard, a bar, a gym, and more. The councillors first deliberated over whether the proposal contained enough information to make a decision today, and a motion was offered to take the proposal to a hearing. A vote was taken, and the motion for the hearing was refused, with a vote of six to four. Then, after questions between councillors, the plans were approved by a vote of eight to two. The new proposed development (Image: Vita Group)Councillors were told that the proposal was made "as compact as it can viably be", despite the "admitted negative impact on the heritage buildings in the area." Ahead of the meeting, we reported that the Glasgow School of Art said the Sauchiehall Street plans put the rebuild of the A-listed Mackintosh building 'at significant risk'. And that locals and heritage organisations in the city mirrored calls for a rethink of the design for the mixed-use student accommodation and hospitality site. Councillor Sean Ferguson spoke up during the meeting about the rebuild of the Mackintosh building. He said: "What context are we to consider this in? In no other situation would we be considering the impact on a burnt-out ruin of a building. "Although the global significance of the Mackintosh is understood. "If we don't take this opportunity to approve this proposal, we may see it lie derelict like it has for a decade." The site was ravaged by fire in 2014 and 2018 (Image: Newsquest)Councillor Eva Bolander refuted claims that the Glasgow School of Art had no concrete plans to rebuild the architect's work. She said: "The Art School have never stated any other intention than restoring the Mackintosh Building. However, after satisfying some of the questions the councillors fielded, they came to the vote. The chair of the meeting, Councillor Ken Andrew, approved. He said: "It's with some regret that I will support this. "On balance, I think that the benefits of developing the site outweigh the negatives." The proposal promises an open area to admire the Mackintosh building (Image: Vita Group) Part of the meeting's appeasing of some concerns was the notion that the approval would be subject to conditions. One of the conditions set was that the Macfarlane cast iron screen, which formed part of the portico of the O2 ABC, would be displayed to the public in the development. The other conditions include a Section 75 order, which will require the developers to contribute to the area through the council. The proposed Vita development, featuring their House of Social brand, will bring around £70million investment to Sauchiehall Street. The student accommodation would feature 356 bed spaces, comprising 306 four, five, and six-bedroom 'houses' with a shared kitchen and lounge and 50 studio spaces. It would also feature a fitness centre, social and study spaces, café-style lounges, and cycle storage.
The National
4 days ago
- General
- The National
Glasgow O2 ABC site plans approved for student accommodation
The development was presented to the planning committee at a meeting today, June 17. Plans for the nine-storey building include student accommodation, a food hall, a public courtyard, a bar, a gym, and more. The councillors first deliberated over whether the proposal contained enough information to make a decision today, and a motion was offered to take the proposal to a hearing. A vote was taken, and the motion for the hearing was refused, with a vote of six to four. READ MORE: Dozens of families to be rehomed and building demolished following fatal fire Then, after questions between councillors, the plans were approved by a vote of eight to two. The new proposed development (Image: Vita Group) Councillors were told that the proposal was made "as compact as it can viably be", despite the "admitted negative impact on the heritage buildings in the area." Ahead of the meeting, we reported that the Glasgow School of Art said the Sauchiehall Street plans put the rebuild of the A-listed Mackintosh building 'at significant risk'. And that locals and heritage organisations in the city mirrored calls for a rethink of the design for the mixed-use student accommodation and hospitality site. Councillor Sean Ferguson spoke up during the meeting about the rebuild of the Mackintosh building. He said: "What context are we to consider this in? In no other situation would we be considering the impact on a burnt-out ruin of a building. "Although the global significance of the Mackintosh is understood. "If we don't take this opportunity to approve this proposal, we may see it lie derelict like it has for a decade." The site was ravaged by fire in 2014 and 2018 (Image: Newsquest) Councillor Eva Bolander refuted claims that the Glasgow School of Art had no concrete plans to rebuild the architect's work. She said: "The Art School have never stated any other intention than restoring the Mackintosh Building." However, after satisfying some of the questions the councillors fielded, they came to the vote. The chair of the meeting, Councillor Ken Andrew, approved. He said: "It's with some regret that I will support this. "On balance, I think that the benefits of developing the site outweigh the negatives." The proposal promises an open area to admire the Mackintosh building (Image: Vita Group) Part of the meeting's appeasing of some concerns was the notion that the approval would be subject to conditions. One of the conditions set was that the Macfarlane cast iron screen, which formed part of the portico of the O2 ABC, would be displayed to the public in the development. The other conditions include a Section 75 order, which will require the developers to contribute to the area through the council. The proposed Vita development, featuring their House of Social brand, will bring around £70million investment to Sauchiehall Street. The student accommodation would feature 356 bed spaces, comprising 306 four, five, and six-bedroom 'houses' with a shared kitchen and lounge and 50 studio spaces. It would also feature a fitness centre, social and study spaces, café-style lounges, and cycle storage.
Wales Online
12-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Watchdog warns over common payment method where you 'need protection'
Watchdog warns over common payment method where you 'need protection' Which? has raised concerns over the 'protection gap' for shoppers who will not be covered by consumer rules Items purchased through online shopping Shoppers are being urged to consider what protections they have when making payments, with the rise in 'pay by bank' as an option. Pay by bank allows people to quickly and securely pay money directly from their bank account without needing to enter the recipient's bank details or use a card. But Which? raised concerns that people may be unaware of a 'protection gap' if something goes wrong with a purchase. People may be familiar with using pay by bank to settle credit card balances or pay bills, and it has also become an option for retail purchases, the consumer group said. But Which? warned that the option lacks the Section 75 and chargeback protections that people may have when using some other payment methods. Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, a credit card company can be held jointly and severally liable for a purchase that turns out to be shoddy or does not materialise, in certain circumstances. This means that a shopper could potentially get a refund from the credit card company if they cannot recoup their costs from the retailer. People using a debit card or a credit card for purchases could also potentially get their money back via the voluntary chargeback scheme. Which? said pay by bank is a 'potential game changer' for businesses as they can sidestep card transaction fees and also benefit from receiving customer funds immediately. There is also appeal for consumers too as refunds can be processed instantly, and card details are not shared when making a transaction – eliminating the risk of them being stolen or compromised. People do have general purchase rights under the Consumer Rights Act, meaning that goods must be fit for purpose, as described and of satisfactory quality. But Which? said these protections are not always easy to enforce and in some cases may end up with people needing to go to a small claims court. Article continues below People may also face difficulties in the event of a business going bust, particularly if there is an issue with a future-dated purchase such as a flight, a festival, or a household big ticket purchase such as a kitchen or a sofa, the consumer group said. Jenny Ross, Which? Money editor, said: 'Innovations like pay by bank present opportunities for businesses and consumers alike, but they're not without risk, particularly as they lack the rigorous purchase protections you get when paying by card. 'We're calling on the regulator to act to ensure consumers can use pay by bank with confidence, but in the meantime, we'd urge consumers to think carefully before using it to book events or make substantial purchases – for now, your good old-fashioned credit or debit card may be the best option.' A spokesperson for banking and finance industry body UK Finance said: 'There are a range of options for making payments online which provides customers with choice as to how they wish to pay. Different payment methods do come with different levels of protection and it's worth being aware of these when shopping online, particularly when making higher value purchases.' Riccardo Tordera-Ricchi, director of policy and government relations at the Payments Association, said: 'Pay by bank offers real advantages – from lower merchant fees to faster settlement and improved security through reduced reliance on card details. 'But as it becomes more widely used, especially for high-value or future-dated purchases, it's essential that consumers understand the protections associated with different payment methods. As payment options diversify, making informed choices is just as important as the technology behind them.' Mr Tordera-Ricchi described Section 75 as 'a powerful example of how regulatory frameworks can meaningfully protect consumers'. Article continues below Tom Burton, director of external affairs and public policy at bank payment company GoCardless, said: 'Open banking payments are good news for British consumers: they offer bank-grade security measures, instant refunds, reduced fraud risk and, crucially, small businesses that use them don't face the same high fees as they do for card acceptance. Lower merchant costs mean shoppers get cheaper prices – a real win-win. 'There is more to do though if open banking is to genuinely compete with cards, including building on the foundations of the consumer protections that are already in place. GoCardless is working hard to make that a reality for consumers and merchants by closely collaborating with the Government, regulators and others.'
Leader Live
12-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Shoppers urged by Which? to consider protections when using ‘pay by bank'
Pay by bank allows people to quickly and securely pay money directly from their bank account without needing to enter the recipient's bank details or use a card. But Which? raised concerns that people may be unaware of a 'protection gap' if something goes wrong with a purchase. People may be familiar with using pay by bank to settle credit card balances or pay bills, and it has also become an option for retail purchases, the consumer group said. But Which? warned that the option lacks the Section 75 and chargeback protections that people may have when using some other payment methods. Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, a credit card company can be held jointly and severally liable for a purchase that turns out to be shoddy or does not materialise, in certain circumstances. This means that a shopper could potentially get a refund from the credit card company if they cannot recoup their costs from the retailer. People using a debit card or a credit card for purchases could also potentially get their money back via the voluntary chargeback scheme. Which? said pay by bank is a 'potential game changer' for businesses as they can sidestep card transaction fees and also benefit from receiving customer funds immediately. There is also appeal for consumers too as refunds can be processed instantly, and card details are not shared when making a transaction – eliminating the risk of them being stolen or compromised. People do have general purchase rights under the Consumer Rights Act, meaning that goods must be fit for purpose, as described and of satisfactory quality. But Which? said these protections are not always easy to enforce and in some cases may end up with people needing to go to a small claims court. People may also face difficulties in the event of a business going bust, particularly if there is an issue with a future-dated purchase such as a flight, a festival, or a household big ticket purchase such as a kitchen or a sofa, the consumer group said. Jenny Ross, Which? Money editor, said: 'Innovations like pay by bank present opportunities for businesses and consumers alike, but they're not without risk, particularly as they lack the rigorous purchase protections you get when paying by card. 'We're calling on the regulator to act to ensure consumers can use pay by bank with confidence, but in the meantime, we'd urge consumers to think carefully before using it to book events or make substantial purchases – for now, your good old-fashioned credit or debit card may be the best option.' A spokesperson for banking and finance industry body UK Finance said: 'There are a range of options for making payments online which provides customers with choice as to how they wish to pay. Different payment methods do come with different levels of protection and it's worth being aware of these when shopping online, particularly when making higher value purchases.' Riccardo Tordera-Ricchi, director of policy and government relations at the Payments Association, said: 'Pay by bank offers real advantages – from lower merchant fees to faster settlement and improved security through reduced reliance on card details. 'But as it becomes more widely used, especially for high-value or future-dated purchases, it's essential that consumers understand the protections associated with different payment methods. 'As payment options diversify, making informed choices is just as important as the technology behind them.' Mr Tordera-Ricchi described Section 75 as 'a powerful example of how regulatory frameworks can meaningfully protect consumers'. Tom Burton, director of external affairs and public policy at bank payment company GoCardless, said: 'Open banking payments are good news for British consumers: they offer bank-grade security measures, instant refunds, reduced fraud risk and, crucially, small businesses that use them don't face the same high fees as they do for card acceptance. Lower merchant costs mean shoppers get cheaper prices – a real win-win. 'There is more to do though if open banking is to genuinely compete with cards, including building on the foundations of the consumer protections that are already in place. GoCardless is working hard to make that a reality for consumers and merchants by closely collaborating with the Government, regulators and others.'
