Helen Knapman

News & Investigations Editor @MoneySavingExp. @Wincottfound Personal Finance Journalist of the Year 2019. Previously @TheSun & @Moneywiseonline. Views own

[Helen Knapman @HelenKnapman]

We’re calling on the Government to #EndLISALockout now. For the full info, check out our report (my first venture into co-report writing for @MoneySavingExp) https://t.co/Kl4WfYUfYW

[Martin Lewis @MartinSLewis]

Many on Universal Credit are being bureaucratically blocked from switching bank account. I've today written to @PatMcfaddenMP to request he investigate changing what seems an unintended effect of a poorly designed system (letter here https://t.co/f0CcBdYm44)

For those in work, sometimes being told they need go into a job centre at a specified, inflexible time, to do it - often means taking time off, so isn't worth it, and uses up valuable job centre staff time. And that's just one of the blockers.

Switching can help people's finances with free cash, better accounts and easier banking, so the UC system adding friction to it, is counter productive for the economy and individuals.

[Helen Knapman @HelenKnapman]

Top analysis once again from @_OliviaHutton who reveals when's best to buy in the run-up to Christmas.

[MoneySavingExpert @MoneySavingExp]

Our investigation compared dozens of popular items in last year's sales, from vacuums to Velvetisers, and the results might surprise you... 👀

See our analysis: https://t.co/ScuYpdAJq3

[Martin Lewis @MartinSLewis]

I've just withdrawn my complaint to Trading Standards as all 28 shops & stores (including big names) we outed for giving unlawful and incorrect information on Return Rights have corrected their website. Full info including list of stores here... https://t.co/VdxhKaFGpL

[Martin Lewis @MartinSLewis]

My open letter to @RachelReevesMP (cc @Ofcom, @SciTechgovuk)

Now O2 has broken the taboo, the big risk is other firms will likely follow suit... the govt must step in to stop mobile, broadband and pay-TV firms increasing prices mid contract by MORE than they said they would when people sign up.

[MoneySavingExpert @MoneySavingExp]

At least 10,000 more vehicles are now impacted. 🚘

We've put together your rights, including updated information on repairs, goodwill payments, refunds and more.

https://t.co/c6RX2VsgZV

[MoneySavingExpert @MoneySavingExp]

But Martin Lewis says there's still a chance to tackle the problem ⬇️
https://t.co/m338kSGJiU

[MoneySavingExpert @MoneySavingExp]

Premium Bonds: are you due a share of £106 million in forgotten prizes? 🤞

Over 2.6 million prizes are waiting to be claimed!

Here's how to check: https://t.co/hH5w1CT45U

[MoneySavingExpert @MoneySavingExp]

The Lifetime ISA withdrawal fine puts one in five off opening one – new Government data strengthens case for shake-up ⬇️
https://t.co/t7Y5OCUjvQ

[MoneySavingExpert @MoneySavingExp]

You're legally entitled to a certain amount of paid time off – even if you're a part-time, temporary or seasonal worker.

Read the story in full, including how to check if you might be owed too:
https://t.co/fCw9bcfU6c

[Helen Knapman @HelenKnapman]

📣 @MoneySavingExp is hiring a News Reporter 📣We're after someone who can pitch and write fast-paced breaking news and long-form investigations across all areas of personal finance. Check out the full job spec below and get in touch if you've any qs. https://t.co/4qQmsewu4h

[Helen Knapman @HelenKnapman]

Huge congrats to @MollyGreeves on her very well deserved @Headlinemoney_ win⭐And well done to those shortlisted and scooping highly commended too #HMAwards25

[Martin Lewis @MartinSLewis]

New. Retail Wrongs: We reveal 30 retailers including Selfridges, New Look and The Range are publishing misleading (worse) return rights information on their websites than you actually have. Find which stores to be careful of, and what your rights are... https://t.co/OmtOhdU5Hs

[Martin Lewis @MartinSLewis]

The Treasury Committee of MPs has just published a report into the Lifetime ISA. I'm pleased that, to an extent, it recognises the call I made when I gave evidence to it, about broken elements of the LISA that need fixing. My comment on it today is...

"LISAs have worked well for many, but there is a growing hole that needs urgently addressing. No first-time buyer should be penalised for accessing their LISA savings to buy their first property – as that's what the state, and the marketing, encourages them to do.

"Yet that's what happens when young people, priced out by inflation, try to use their LISA savings for a home above the £450,000 threshold (which hasn't moved since LISAs launched in 2017) – as is getting more common in the SE of England. It's understandable that they don't get the 25% bonus, but they are effectively fined 6.25% of their money (so £625 per £10,000 saved) to withdraw it. This is unfair, unjust and the rules need changing. If a LISA is used to buy a property above the threshold, there should be no fine, they should get back at least what they put in.

"And this flaw doesn't just hurt those with LISAs. It puts off many young people, especially from lower income backgrounds, who tend to be more risk averse, from opening LISAs in the first place. This is something we've banged the drum about for years. So, I'm glad it appears in the Treasury Committee report. It's a small fix, with very little cost to the state, that would enable and encourage many young people to feel confident about LISAs – and so it's critical it's addressed in the government's imminently expected ISA review."

I'll be honest, I don't hold out much hope, I wrote to Jeremy Hunt when he was Chancellor and thought he was about to fix it - he didn't. And I've written to Rachel Reeves since. Yet I will keep banging the drum.

And in fact bigger changes could come, the Treasury committee also questioned LISAs value for money, and targeting and issues with UC. See The Treasury Committee of MPs has just published a report into the Lifetime ISA. I'm pleased that, to an extent, it recognises the call I made when I gave evidence to it, about broken elements of the LISA that need fixing. My comment on it today is...

"LISAs have worked well for many, but there is a growing hole that needs urgently addressing. No first-time buyer should be penalised for accessing their LISA savings to buy their first property – as that's what the state, and the marketing, encourages them to do.

"Yet that's what happens when young people, priced out by inflation, try to use their LISA savings for a home above the £450,000 threshold (which hasn't moved since LISAs launched in 2017) – as is getting more common in the SE of England. It's understandable that they don't get the 25% bonus, but they are effectively fined 6.25% of their money (so £625 per £10,000 saved) to withdraw it. This is unfair, unjust and the rules need changing. If a LISA is used to buy a property above the threshold, there should be no fine, they should get back at least what they put in.

"And this flaw doesn't just hurt those with LISAs. It puts off many young people, especially from lower income backgrounds, who tend to be more risk averse, from opening LISAs in the first place. This is something we've banged the drum about for years. So, I'm glad it appears in the Treasury Committee report. It's a small fix, with very little cost to the state, that would enable and encourage many young people to feel confident about LISAs – and so it's critical it's addressed in the government's imminently expected ISA review."

I'll be honest, I don't hold out much hope, I wrote to Jeremy Hunt when he was Chancellor and thought he was about to fix it - he didn't. And I've written to Rachel Reeves since. Yet I will keep banging the drum.

And in fact bigger changes could come, the Treasury committee also questioned LISAs value for money, and targeting and issues with UC. See https://t.co/vShzP5NKbX so who knows...

[Helen Knapman @HelenKnapman]

Are you eligible for a Mastercard payout? We've full info in our brand new guide https://t.co/EzMyXaVnNc

[Helen Knapman @HelenKnapman]

Pleased to see our complaint upheld – you can find lost CTFs yourself for free https://t.co/LMmwKAI9uz

[Martin Lewis @MartinSLewis]

Please report "sorry we are experiencing unusually high call volumes" messages, we are testing if firms play this for EVERY call.

If you call a bank, broadband, mobile, credit card, energy, water, sewerage firm, pls take 30s to report it via https://t.co/iwHdA6L0NL

This is our final data collection before we contact the worst offenders (if it's a lie that the volumes are unusual it may well breach the FCA consumer duty) . It's unfair on callers, and unfair on call centre workers who bear the brunt of people's frustrations.

[Helen Knapman @HelenKnapman]

Thrilled to see @MollyGreeves scoop a win here. She works so hard and this is thoroughly well deserved 🏆 Congrats to everyone else who made @MHPGroup_ 's #30ToWatch list too.

[MHP Group @MHPGroup_]

Congratulations to this year's #30ToWatch Journalism Award winners in the Personal Finance & Consumer Affairs category:

🏆@MollyGreeves, https://t.co/kdAWUmZQwn
🏆@Daisy_Maskell_, Freelance

Thanks to our category judges - @collettasmith, @BBCWorld and @Ben_Wilkinson_, @TheTelegraph.

[Helen Knapman @HelenKnapman]

Really nice reader success story here off the back of @MollyGreeves 's investigation into these oft misleading ads
https://t.co/sQ7PisWxMA

[Helen Knapman @HelenKnapman]

Excellent work here from @_OliviaHutton 👀https://t.co/nNvlERXoGh

[Martin Lewis @MartinSLewis]

Did you take your employer to an employment tribunal in Eng, Scot or Wales between 2013 and 2017, if so you are entitled to the fees you paid back. It's easy & free to do. Full info here... https://t.co/iZidH8YFHu