Paul Lewis

For an urgent £2,000 expense, using existing savings is recommended over taking on expensive debt, with a plan to replenish the savings afterward. If borrowing is necessary, a 0% purchase credit card may be cheapest when the balance is divided into fixed monthly repayments and cleared before the promotional period ends. Personal loans and credit-union loans are alternatives, but rates and eligibility depend on credit history. Standard credit cards, overdrafts and payday-style lenders are discouraged because of high interest costs. Building an emergency fund equivalent to at least three months of net pay is advised for future crises.

An estimated 50,000 people joined a London student demonstration against proposed tuition-fee increases and 40% cuts to university teaching budgets. The protest was largely peaceful, but a breakaway group occupied and damaged the Conservative Party headquarters at Millbank, clashing with police; at least eight people were injured and several were arrested. NUS president Aaron Porter condemned the violence while calling for continued resistance. The coalition planned to allow undergraduate fees of up to £9,000 from 2012, prompting Labour criticism of Nick Clegg and highlighting the Liberal Democrats' reversal of their pre-election pledge to oppose fee increases.