Fraudulent claims, new £5 note, pensions and cowboy builders

The number of fraudulent insurance claims rose to 2,500 a week last year, according to industry figures.

In total there were 130,000 fraudulent claims, up 6 per cent on 2014, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said. Dishonest motor claims remained the most common crime, accounting for over half the total. But fraudulent claims for injury, supposedly as a result of negligence, such as so-called ‘slip and trip’ claims, was the fastest-growing crime. False claims in this area were up by over a third compared to 2014, the ABI said. New plastic

The new plastic £5 note is being launched in England and Wales today, but most people may have to wait up to a week to get one.

The polymer note – which is much more durable than the old fiver – will initially only be available from a handful of banks and cash points. ATMs in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Hull and Cardiff will be among the first to stock them. But