💬 Anna's two pence worth (#7): Nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes

Anna Bowes is a regular contributor to the BBC’s Money Box, Breakfast and News programs, as well as the national press, providing expert analysis and commentary on the UK savings market. Anna has worked in the financial services industry for more than 20 years and for most of that time has been helping people to make the most of their savings.

📺 Watch: Anna Bowes comments on what the upcoming Budget may bring for savers, on Asset TV

What will Monday hold? With its new day and time (the speech will begin at 3.30pm), this year’s Budget is likely to bring with it more tricks than treats.

As our newsletter last week mentioned, when we talked about the things to look out for, the Chancellor is unlikely to be in a giving mood, as he needs to raise more money - not least to fill the £20bn gap in the NHS that they pledged to find by 2023.

So while disappointing, it shouldn't really be a surprise that NS&I has announced that Index Linked Certificates will be linked to CPI in the future, rather than the higher rate of RPI.

🔖 Read: Another blow to NS&I customers

Following the speech, we’ll be sending out an early ‘Budget Special’ newsletter, which will include any announcements relevant to savers and our views on those, along with a full summary of all the announcements. Watch this space.

Talking of tricks or treats, we’ve also taken a look at savings accounts to avoid, ranging from complex bam’boo’zling terms and conditions to ‘zombie’ accounts paying appalling rates. If you are thinking of opening or are already in one of these accounts, it’s time to move to one of the ‘treat’ accounts - offering better value and clarity to savers.

🔖 Read: Don't be bamboozled by sneaky tricks

Do you live in the most expensive place to die in the UK? The cost of funerals is on the rise, with dying an expensive business - as our article explores.

🔖 Read: Do you live in the most expensive place to die?

How can savers with RCI Bank and Ford Money benefit from the launch of Marcus Bank’s new market-leading account? Competition in the best buy easy access market is ‘boo’sting returns for existing easy access customers of RCI and Ford Monday, but how?

🔖 Read: Can existing customers expect to benefit from a boost in savings rates

Finally, if you’ve never heard of Ford Money, we’ve reviewed them in our latest Provider Focus, along with our regular weekly Rates Rundown, which gives the lowdown on all the very best new savings accounts to come onto the market, including a new market leading Lifetime ISA.

🔖 Read: Provider Focus on Ford Money

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