Mail on Sunday

Insurers May Cut Savers Windfalls Insurers May Cut Savers Windfalls ; (1) Anger Afterwatchdog Lets Pruand Norwich Union Keep Part of Spare with-Profits Cash for Own Use(2) Billions Up for Grabs Who Will Win the Inherited Funds?

Prudential and Norwich Union with-profits policyholders hoping for windfalls from the distribution of surplus cash in their funds have been dealt a blow by the Financial Services Authority. The City watchdog has said it will allow the insurers bosses to keep back, for the companies use, part of the money that would otherwise be shared with policyholders and distributed in the form of windfalls. The dispute with the FSA on one side and policyholder groups on the other marks the first...

Dsane Ends Home Hoodoo Forstanley

Replying to Call of the Wild

CHIMP sanctuaries in Uganda and hydroelectricity generators in central Asia may appear to have little to do with the maker of all- terrain vehicles. But Land Rover sponsors these and other projects that offset carbon emissions produced by its manufacturing and its vehicles.

Lincoln 4 Barnet 1

STRIKER Ben Wright scored an early goal to set up an easy win for improving Lincoln. He found the net after 10 minutes by converting a low cross from Dany NGuessan. The striker was also involved in Lincolns second when he was pushed by Barnet skipper Ismail Yakubu and Jamie Forrester fired home the 31st-minute penalty. Lincoln increased their lead in the 50th minute when Forrester put Louis Dodds clear and the winger fired in.

Lenders Are Skimping On Rate Cut ; Financial Mail

NOT all homeowners will benefit from the full quarter-point base rate cut as lenders look to stretch their profit margins. Birmingham Midshires, Egg, Northern Bank in Northern Ireland and Saffron Walden Building Society have all trimmed their standard mortgage rate by less than a quarter-point.

Pension Payout Victory ; Financial Mail

FINANCIAL Mail and charities have forced a Government U-turn over the timing of payments of the State pension ahead of the Christmas holidays. The Department for Work and Pensions originally said millions of pensioners who usually receive their money on a Tuesday or Wednesday would be paid on Christmas Eve, which this year falls on a Monday.

Who Needs Santa When Youve Got the Taxman? ; Financial Mail

Most of us will dig a little deeper into our pockets at Christmas when it comes to giving to charities and we may buy cards benefiting good causes. But though such generosity is always appreciated, more tax-efficient giving and regular donations would make a bigger difference. The British gave Pounds 9.5 billion to charities last year, according to the Charities Aid Foundation. Spokes-woman Kelly Trinder reports that most charities see an increase in donations in the run-up to the festive...

Jones Keeps Grimsby Winners Coming ; Grimsby 1 Mansfield 0

Brentford Put Butchers Exit Behind Them

BRENTFORD put the midweek sacking of manager Terry Butcher behind them as they claimed their first league win in six games at struggling Wrexham. For long stretches of the game Wrexham were woeful and fully deserved to be booed off the field on the final whistle. It was in complete contrast to the celebrations among the small band of away supporters.

Sports Direct Awaiting Vote

RETAILER Sports Direct International, whose shares have collapsed since it floated in February, will face a frosty reception when it holds meetings with the City on Wednesday. Investors, who include majority owner and executive deputy chairman Mike Ashley, are due to vote to approve a controversial increase in the level of share repurchases.

Macclesfield 0 Stockport 2

STOCKPORT County stole the honours in this Cheshire derby and left a large home crowd stunned. The away team were under pressure all afternoon until Liam Dickinson hit the opener on 63 minutes with a near post header from a David Poole corner for his eighth goal of the season. They finished things off deep in injury-time when Macclesfields keeper, Jon Brain, parried a Dickinson drive into the path of Adam Proudlock, who poked home in front of the delirious Stockport away support.

Planning Delays Hit Project at Minerva

PROPERTY firm Minerva will miss its self-imposed deadline for its shopping centre development in Croydon, south London, after planning application delays. The success of the Park Place project hinges on securing agreement on revised plans with John Lewis, the intended anchor tenant. Minerva said in September that it would finalise arrangements by the end of December. However, the retailer said last week it had no news on its plans for Croydon.

Bury 0 Hereford United 2

ON-LOAN striker Theo Robinson snatched the three points for promotion chasers Hereford with a stunning 89th-minute winner. The Watford forward beat keeper Jim Provett with a sweet strike just as it looked as if Bury had battled to a draw. It was the strikers fourth goal in as many games and his 10th goal of the season. But it was hard on Bury as Chris Caspers team had created the best chances in the freezing conditions and striker Andy Bishop could have had a hat-trick if his finishing had be...

Shrewsbury 4 Dagenham & Red 0

A Golden Year for Miners As Rock Crumbles ; Taking Stock

WELL, at least 2007 is not ending with a whimper it is more of a crash, bang, wallop. Rarely has a week in December been as turbulent as the past five trading days and we may yet see more market swings in the coming sessions.

Productivity Is Just Child's Play

LAST week marked an economic milestone of sorts, albeit one buried within the Governments ten-year childrens plan. We used to have an industrial strategy, but now we have a national play strategy.

Andrews the Inspiration As Dons Clinch Crunch Clash ; Peterboro 1 Mk Dons 2

Supersunday

No Card Needed for Atm ; Financial Mail

CUSTOMERS of NatWest will be able to withdraw cash from ATMs without a card from this weekend. The emergency service is targeted at people whose bags and purses are lost or stolen at Christmas and New Year parties or in pubs and taxis, leaving them stranded without funds.

Property Funds Fear a Rush for the Exit ; Small Savers Were Invited to Join the Party and They Did to the Tune of Pounds 6 Billion but Now They Risk Being Trampled

Money continues to drain out of commercial property funds, posing a threat to remaining investors. Fund managers, financial advisers and the Financial Services Authority fear the outflow could turn into a run, leading to a block on everyone withdrawing their cash. A rush of withdrawals from property funds poses significant difficulties because the pooled money in the fund has been spent on office blocks and other buildings, so available cash to meet withdrawals is limited.