The deal

A 36-year-old father set himself on fire last year after being hounded by payday lenders. An inquest heard this week how Antony Breeze died after telling passers-by who tried to help: "I've had enough."

What are credit unions?

Some 31 credit unions have signed up to a £35.6m government scheme that they hope will help them take on payday lenders and banks by offering essential financial services at a fairer price.

The Financial Ombudsman Service this week revealed that there has been a 75 per cent increase in the last year in complaints about payday lenders. Crucially it added that it is finding in consumers' favour in nearly three-quarters of the cases.

Britain's only poverty minister will today demand strong action to curb payday lenders who prey on vulnerable people.

Credit cards or guarantor borrowing can be less painful – and help repair debt-history damage

Banks should accept some responsibility for the growth of the payday loan market, and should offer an inventive, low-interest and responsible so lution to the need for short-term credit, a charity chief has demanded.

After Independent on Sunday revelation, provider now spells out the real costs to new credit card applicants

There was good news for credit unions this week after the Government revealed it is splashing out £38m to help the mutuals take on expensive payday lenders.

Ed Miliband's call this week for an overhaul of planning laws to prevent payday lenders, pawnbrokers and bookmakers from swamping high streets is long overdue.

New rules let lenders use property equity to get cash says Neasa MacErlean.

The battle between credit card companies striving to offer the longest zero per cent term for balance transfers shows no sign of fizzling out. The latest moves in this field means that it's now possible to borrow interest-free for 26 months if you meet the credit scoring criteria.

A 25-year-old from Essex is hoping that his new website will offer a solution for people stuck in the vicious circle of payday lending. That's when they can't afford to repay their loan on time and are forced to take out another loan to cover the spiralling interest and fees.