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    Claer Barrett

    Consumer editor

    Claer Barrett is the consumer editor. She writes the weekly Serious Money column and presents the FT's Money Clinic podcast and Business Clinic video series. Claer frequently appears as a commentator on radio and TV, talking about personal finance, consumer and small business issues, and she is a regular guest on Eddie Mair's Drive show on LBC Radio.

    Email Claer Barrett @claerb  on Twitter (link opens in a new browser window)

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    • Friday, 24 November, 2023
      Serious MoneyAdvice & Comment
      Tell Sid all you like — but he might not buy NatWest

      Next generation of investors can buy into the sentiment even if they don’t want to own shares in UK banks

      A “Tell Sid” magazine ad from the 1980s
    • Wednesday, 22 November, 2023
      Political Fix podcast25 min listen
      Autumn Statement Reaction

      The FT’s top commentators dig into the details of the government’s giveaway budget

    • Wednesday, 22 November, 2023
      Autumn Statement
      Would Aussie rules boost UK pensions?

      A ‘pot for life’ and other Autumn Statement windfalls will benefit wealthier investors

      View from behind of two pensioners sitting on a bench in the sunshine in Australia, looking out sea
    • Friday, 17 November, 2023
      Serious MoneyCyber Security
      Get ready for Black Fraud Day

      Bargain-hunting shoppers are easy prey for scammers

    • Thursday, 9 November, 2023
      Serious MoneyAdvice & Comment
      Five ways to fix the Isa regime

      Ahead of the Autumn Statement, here’s my wish list for reforming tax-free saving and investing

    • Tuesday, 7 November, 2023
      Manchester United PLC
      Manchester United investors left in dark over club’s fate, says top shareholder

      UK fund manager Nick Train lashes out at ‘extraordinarily convoluted’ sales process on FT’s Money Clinic podcast

      Bruno Fernandes, centre, after scoring a goal for Manchester United against Fulham at a match at Craven Cottage stadium in London, England on November 4 2023
    • Friday, 13 October, 2023
      Personal Finance
      Younger savers have had enough of their pension providers

      Expectations have changed — so should the industry

    • Wednesday, 11 October, 2023
      FT Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign
      HMRC clashes with young investors over Isa rules

      Row over holding fractional shares in tax-free accounts intensifies ahead of Autumn Statement

      HMRC clashes with young investors over Isa rules
    • Tuesday, 10 October, 2023
      Investments
      Why Mohamed El-Erian favours cash over equities for now

      Top economist reveals his personal investment strategy on the FT’s Money Clinic podcast

    • Friday, 6 October, 2023
      Retail sector
      Are you an ex-John Lewis customer?

      The service culture that made the partnership famous has withered as its board pursues profits beyond retail

      John Lewis’s Oxford Street store in November 1936
    • Friday, 29 September, 2023
      Isas
      How to make Isas even nicer

      The chancellor is ‘open to ideas’ about reforming tax-free accounts, so what could investors expect?

    • Friday, 22 September, 2023
      UK politics
      Hunt plans Isa overhaul to boost share ownership

      Treasury looks to simplify tax-free savings regime and weighs new allowance for investments in UK companies

      Jeremy Hunt and an ISA application topsheet
    • Friday, 22 September, 2023
      Serious MoneyUK banks
      How can we defuse the household debt time bomb?

      The nature of people’s debts have changed significantly — so too must debt solutions

    • Thursday, 21 September, 2023
      UK politics
      Rishi Sunak keeps relief in check after week of upbeat UK economy data

      Prime minister and chancellor Jeremy Hunt recognise more pain lies ahead for many voters even as inflation falls

    • Wednesday, 20 September, 2023
      Financial fraud
      UK data watchdog fines illegal nuisance callers record £590,000

      Move part of wider crackdown on rogue operators targeting the elderly and vulnerable

      An elderly woman holds a phone to her ear
    • Friday, 15 September, 2023
      Serious MoneyState pension triple lock
      Is the state pension really ‘a Ponzi scheme’?

      The triple lock makes it impossible for government — and individuals — to estimate the cost of retirement

    • Friday, 8 September, 2023
      Retail & Consumer industry
      ‘Drip pricing’ is a scandal

      Companies are stealthily adding extra charges to the advertised prices of goods and services

      A person checks airline ticket prices on a laptop
    • Friday, 8 September, 2023
      Pensions
      How to solve your million pound pension problem

      What’s the outlook for financing your retirement? FT readers and our expert panel debate the most pressing issues

      The FT Weekend Festival’s pension session. Claer Barrett with David Goodfellow, Nimesh Shah and Steve Webb
    • Friday, 1 September, 2023
      Serious MoneyPersonal Finance
      Home from holiday — but can you get your money back?

      The enforcement of air passenger rights has been off the official radar screen for too long

    • Thursday, 24 August, 2023
      Jancis Robinson’s Wine Guide
      How I learnt about wine

      Four FT journalists share their journeys into the world of wine – including via famous neighbours and underage subterfuge

    • Friday, 11 August, 2023
      Marriage and divorce
      The price of saying ‘I don’t’ to a friend’s wedding

      As nuptials enter the digital age, guests are being asked to spend more than ever

      Jonathan McHugh illustration of a wedding invitation RSVP that includes spaces for a credit card number, expiry date, CVC number and first and last name - decorated with colourful currency signs.
    • Friday, 11 August, 2023
      FT Money personal finance guides
      FT Money guide: What can we learn from the UK’s £11mn pension saver?

      Investors with substantial retirement pots have much to worry about ahead of a general election

    • Friday, 11 August, 2023
      Workplace pensions
      Send us your pension questions

      Put your queries about pensions and retirements to expert panel including Sir Steve Webb

      Pound coins sit on a dictionary entry for the word ‘pension’
    • Friday, 4 August, 2023
      Serious MoneyAdvice & Comment
      Grandparents: give the gift of investment education

      As inheritance tax bills rise, pass on your financial savvy as well as your cash

    • Wednesday, 26 July, 2023
      FT Money personal finance guides
      FT Money guide: Greek wildfires and your holiday rights

      Holidaymakers heading to Rhodes and Corfu this summer could struggle to get a refund

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