Borrowing costs may move when this changes, but fixed mortgage rates also follow wider funding markets.
Bank of England source ↗The Square Peg Market Board
What’s out there.
What it means.
A quick view of the numbers shaping household bills—plus real product examples and the catches hidden behind the headline.
Last checked 16 September 2026
Ofcom’s current range for eligible broadband and mobile customers. Eligibility and availability still matter.
Ofcom source ↗Typical annual Direct Debit figure for October–December 2026—not a maximum bill. You still pay for what you use.
Ofgem source ↗What the headlines mean for you
Do not react to every number.
Your payment does not change when Bank Rate moves. Find your deal-end date; start a full review when it is within six months.
Action: check the date, not the headlines.The cap is not a maximum bill. Use annual kWh, unit rates and standing charges before judging a fix or switching.
Action: find annual usage on a bill.A better rate can matter more than cancelling a small subscription, but access rules and deposit protection still count.
Action: check your AER and access needs.Mortgages
Headline rate is only half the story.
These are public examples, not personal quotes or a ranking. A fair comparison needs the same loan, property value, term, repayment type and fees.
Benchmark to useNew-customer repayment mortgage · 60% loan-to-value · compare the initial rate, product fee and total cost over the deal period.
| Lender | Public example | Product fee | Square Peg read | Check live |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NatWest | 4.85%2-year fixed · 60% LTV public example | £995 | Compare the fee-adjusted cost—not just 4.85%. | Rate finder ↗ |
| Santander | 4.68%2-year fixed · 60% LTV public example | £999 | Includes £250 cashback; incentives and fees belong in the total-cost calculation. | Rate finder ↗ |
| Nationwide | Live finderRate depends on purpose, LTV and product | Varies | Use the same scenario before comparing it with another lender. | Rate finder ↗ |
| Halifax | PersonalisedRate depends on your borrowing and circumstances | Varies | Use the same benchmark details before comparing. | Rate finder ↗ |
| HSBC | PersonalisedUse the lender’s current product finder | Varies | Check incentives, valuation costs and early repayment charges. | Rate finder ↗ |
Gas & electricity
Your postcode and usage decide the answer.
There is no honest single “cheapest supplier” table. Region, meter, payment method, annual kWh, exit fees and tariff terms all change the result.
Find annual kWh
Use a recent bill. Do not compare using only your monthly Direct Debit—it may include debt or credit.
Compare the full tariff
Check gas and electricity unit rates, both standing charges, exit fees and the fixed-term end date.
Test the saving
Compare against your real annual use and check the supplier directly before switching.
Broadband benchmark
Eligibility first. Headline price second.
Ofcom’s official list was last updated 17 August 2026. Eligible social tariffs currently range from £10 to £24 a month, with most offering at least 30 Mbit/s.
| Provider | Ofcom-listed price | Advertised speed | Square Peg read |
|---|---|---|---|
| BT Home Essentials Unlimited 36 | £22/month | 36 Mbit/s | UK-wide social tariff; benefit eligibility applies. |
| Hyperoptic Fair Fibre Fast | £12/month | 50 Mbit/s | Available in parts of England, Scotland and Wales; check the address. |
| Virgin Media Essential Broadband Plus | £20/month | 54 Mbit/s | UK social tariff; eligibility and network availability apply. |
| Vodafone Fibre 2 Essentials | £20/month | 73 Mbit/s | UK social tariff; check eligibility and the guaranteed speed at home. |
Check whether anyone in the household receives a qualifying benefit before negotiating or switching.
Compare setup fees, annual rises and the price across the whole minimum term—not only month one.
Use guaranteed speed and address availability. A cheaper package that does not meet the household’s needs is not a saving.
Mobile benchmark
Do not keep paying for a phone you already own.
These are Ofcom-listed social tariffs for eligible customers, not a ranking. Coverage, data needs and whether the handset is paid off still decide the right answer.
| Provider | Ofcom-listed price | Network | Square Peg read |
|---|---|---|---|
| O2 Essential Plan | £10/month | 5G where available | Check benefit eligibility, coverage and the included allowance. |
| SMARTY Social Tariff | £12/month | 5G where available | Useful reference if the handset is paid off and a SIM-only plan fits. |
| VOXI For Now | £10/month | 5G where available | Check eligibility, data allowance and local coverage before moving. |
Savings benchmark
Make idle cash work—safely.
A competitive rate matters, but access, tax treatment and deposit protection matter too. Square Peg will not rank a savings account on rate alone.
Variable, easy access, £1 minimum. £1,000 would become £1,037.50 after 12 months if the rate stayed unchanged. This is a reference point, not a best-buy claim.
Per eligible person, per UK-authorised firm. Different banking brands can share one banking licence. NS&I is backed separately by HM Treasury.
Emergency cash should not be trapped by notice periods or withdrawal penalties simply for a higher rate.
Council tax & domestic rates
Check entitlement—not just the band.
Support differs across the UK. Use the correct national and local rules; never stop paying while a discount, reduction or appeal is being considered.
A full bill assumes at least two adults. In England, one counted adult normally qualifies for 25% off.
Eligible people on a low income may have their bill reduced by up to 100%; the local council decides the claim.
Northern Ireland uses domestic rates rather than Council Tax. Check Land & Property Services guidance and reliefs.
Insurance benchmark
Same cover. Same person. Then compare.
There is no responsible universal “good price” for insurance. Postcode, risk, claims, excess and cover can all change the premium materially.
FCA rules prevent home and motor insurers charging a renewing customer more than the equivalent new-business price from that insurer.
The rule does not mean your current insurer is cheapest. Compare genuinely like-for-like cover near renewal.
Higher excesses, missing add-ons or reduced limits can make a lower premium worse value.
Subscriptions, TV, gym, loans & car finance
Your own figures are the useful benchmark.
There is no credible UK-wide “right price” for these categories. The honest test uses your actual usage, contract, APR, settlement cost or provider list price.
Turn every monthly charge into an annual cost, record the last genuine use, then decide STICK, NEGOTIATE or CANCEL.
Check the APR, fees, promotional end date and total amount repayable. A lower monthly payment can cost more overall.
Compare the lender’s current settlement figure with remaining payments and any charges before changing the agreement.
How to read this board: figures are a dated snapshot from official or provider sources and can change without notice. Product examples may not be available to you and are not directly comparable unless every assumption matches. Square Peg does not claim whole-of-market coverage and this is general information, not mortgage or financial advice.