After being propelled from a high street branch to billboards and television screens, Howard has left the bank that made him a household name.

The cost of running a home has risen to its highest level since 2008 on the back of soaring utility bills, research indicated today.

Soaring energy bills have pushed the cost of running a home to its highest level in three years, despite record low interest rates and the fact that average mortgage costs are almost £1,000 less than they were three years ago.

Thousands of jobs are under threat after the Government's biggest department announced plans to close a number of Jobcentre Plus offices, union leaders warned today.

House prices fell at their fastest annual rate for 18 months during April as weak consumer confidence caused potential buyers to stay away from the property market, figures showed today.

Halifax hope to have an answer about their job offer to Brian Noble before tomorrow's Challenge Cup tie against Bradford. The former Bradford, Wigan and Great Britain coach has been in talks with the club about a consultancy role until the end of the season.

Halifax are adamant that Matt Calland's job is safe, even if they bring in Brian Noble to work alongside him. The club are understood to be close to announcing the arrival of the former Bradford, Wigan and Great Britain coach in a consultant capacity, even though they dismissed rumours yesterday as "sheer speculation".

Lloyds Banking Group admitted it was facing a bill of more than £3 billion today after conceding defeat in its legal battle over the mis-selling of controversial payment protection insurance (PPI).

Q. I took out an ISA with Nationwide a few years ago. On its annual maturity, I have always reinvested it with Nationwide as it has generally offered a competitive rate. It is currently a fixed-rate ISA of £3,833, which was opened on 7 March 2011. I've not paid into any other ISA in that tax year. I had another £2,000 to invest in March and saw Barclays offering a 3.25 per cent ISA. When I went into the Newton Abbot Barclays branch I was told I couldn't open this ISA as I've already invested for this tax year. I said I thought the Nationwide one didn't count as it was reinvested money. She checked with a colleague and came back still saying no. I walked to nearby Nationwide and its staff said I could invest it. I went next door to Santander and saw it was offering a similar ISA to Barclay's. But the staff there also said I couldn't open a new ISA. So I withdrew the £2,000 and opened a new ISA with Nationwide. It seems some companies just don't want my money! SM, Newton Abbot.

Despite the recession and spending cuts, public-sector workers such as nurses, police, firefighters and teachers should find it far easier to afford a home now than before the credit crunch, according to Halifax research.

Q. At the end of January I applied for a £12,000 loan from Santander and on 7 February received confirmation that this was successful. I returned the signed contract and on 11 February I received confirmation that the £12,000 had been paid into my current account. Ten days later the money was still not available. I telephoned Santander and was told there was a problem with the computer server and the transfer had been delayed. I was promised that the money would be transferred within five to seven days. At the end seven days I phoned again and was told the transfer was imminent and would be available for withdrawal in one or two days. I was therefore shocked to receive a letter dated 1 March informing me that my loan had been declined. AB, Dorset.

House prices fell for the first three months of 2011, making it four successive quarters of declines, with experts predicting worse to come.