THE take-up rate of Child Trust Funds (CTF) is worse in deprived areas where their benefit would be felt the most, new figures show.
Official statistics from the Government revealed 70.7% of all CTF vouchers issued have been actively used by parents to open a fund for their children.
But broken down regionally the data showed engagement by parents differs from region to region.
The South East has the greatest take up rate with more than three-quarters of parents opening an account for their children, closely followed by the East and South West.
THE Green Sale from HSBC - an annual event which raises funds for environmental charities - includes a five-year fixed rate mortgage at 5.17%, with booking fee reduced by £499.
The sale also includes a credit card offering new customers a 0% balance transfer until April 2008, half-price offers on current accounts, and an exclusive 5.15% offer on HSBC's new online High Interest Deposit Bond. Details from HSBC branches.
ASSIST Legal is a new service to help individuals cut their legal bills by 20%-60%, by using a national network of legal costs consultants to analyse high bills presented by law firms on case completion.
It will negotiate legal costs directly on behalf of individuals and businesses. With services fee-based and capped at 20%, clients do not have to incur any further bills disputing excessive legal fees. The company has already helped one woman who won a personal injury claim of £1.4 million to avoid a £700,000 bill presented by a leading law firm.
Enquiries: 020 7993 5733 or www.assistlegal.co.uk
KEEN to raise cash from your home? Saga has teamed up with specialist equity release advisors Just Retirement Solutions (JRS) to create the Saga Equity Release Service which will charge a one-off flat fee of £349, regardless of the size of the loan. No further fees will be levied even if further advances are requested.
The new service's panel of providers includes Northern Rock, Mortgage Express, Scottish Widows and Just Retirement.
Saga free guide to equity release is available on 0800 015 6256.
