Hello and welcome to this week’s Money Talks – a roundup of the week’s biggest stories and some things you may have missed.
Money news
Universities minister announces sale of student loan book
UK supreme court backs woman’s right to receive late partner’s pension
Men earn £12,500 less in 20s than generation before, research shows
Sharp rise in county court judgments against consumers
Introduction of 30 hours free childcare could mean shortage of places
Lack of transparency over green energy subsidies ‘shambolic’, say MPs
Feature
Are you a serious buyer? Estate agents can now ask you to pay up to prove it
In pictures
In the spotlight
The big telecoms companies hike prices twice a year, knowing we can’t live without the internet. What to do? Switch to a small provider, and haggle, says Miles Brignall
Consumer champions
Shattered when the roof of my Hyundai fell in on me
Nationwide blocked my cards when I tried to buy European train tickets
Left out in the cold over housebuilder’s reservation fee
Funds still missing after our house move from hell
Skoda ‘writes off’ my six-year-old £20,000 car when it suffers a common fault
Money deals
Our 10% discount on Guardian travel insurance, provided by Voyager, has been extended until 28 February. Use promo code WIN10 to claim your discount.
You could save on international money transfers with free online transfers and competitive exchange rates from Guardian International Money Transfers, provided by Moneycorp.