Money in Brief

House prices

The largest increase in house prices in the third quarter of 1994 was 9.3 per cent in the South-west, according to Nationwide Building Society. The sharpest fall was in the Midlands, where prices dropped by 3 per cent.

Prize offer

Lloyds Bank is offering 10 Joe Bloggs new wardrobes, bag, CD and toiletries as first prizes for 11- to 17-year-olds opening a Headway account. Entry forms from Lloyds branches.

Enterprise guide

The Inland Revenue has published a guide to the Enterprise Investment Scheme, launched earlier this year to give tax breaks to investors buying shares in unquoted companies. The Enterprise Investment Scheme (IR 137) is available from local tax offices.

Cheaper cover

Guardian Financial Services has reduced the cost of life insurance for soldiers in Northern Ireland following the IRA ceasefire. It has scrapped the automatic loading of premiums of pounds 2 per pounds 1,000 assured on all life cover, including term and investment-related products, from 1 October. If the political situation deteriorates, Guardian says it will reconsider its position.

Sporting chance

The Sports Council, in conjunction with the accountants Touche Ross, has produced two booklets to help sports clubs to maximise funds and avoid paying too much tax. VAT and Sport and Taxation - a Guide for Sports Organisations are both available free to clubs from Richard Baldwin at Touche Ross, Hill House, 1 Little New Street, London EC4A 3TR.

Cash-raising facts

A quarterly handbook of sources of business finance has been launched by Moneyfacts. Business Moneyfacts includes details of sources of funds as well as information on interest-paying cheque accounts and telephone cards. The introductory subscription rate is pounds 29.90. Send cheques to Moneyfact Publications, Laundry Loke, North Walsham, Norfolk NR28 0BD, or phone 0692 500765 for credit card orders.

For young savers

Liverpool Victoria has launched a tax-free with-profits savings plan for children with monthly contributions of pounds 9 or pounds 18.

PEP transfers

Scottish Equitable, which is dropping the initial charge on its PEP, is offering investors a transfer pack to allow them to reassess their PEP holdings and transfer to Scottish Equitable.

Cost breakdown

Hill House Hammond is offering customers pounds 20 off National Breakdown cover, bringing the annual cost down to pounds 59.90, or pounds 4.99 a month on direct debit. Details on 0345 123111.