Borrowing costs may move when this changes, but fixed mortgage rates also follow wider funding markets.
Bank of England source ↗The Square Peg Market Board
What’s out there.
What it means.
A quick, independent view of the numbers shaping household bills—plus real product examples and the catches hidden behind the headline.
Last checked 8 September 2026
CPI in the 12 months to July 2026. It measures a broad basket, so your own costs can feel different.
ONS source ↗Typical annual Direct Debit figure for October–December 2026—not a maximum bill. You still pay for what you use.
Ofgem source ↗Mortgages
Headline rate is only half the story.
These are public examples, not personal quotes or a ranking. A fair comparison needs the same loan, property value, term, repayment type and fees.
Benchmark to useNew-customer repayment mortgage · 60% loan-to-value · compare the initial rate, product fee and total cost over the deal period.
| Lender | Public example | Product fee | Square Peg read | Check live |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NatWest | 4.62%2-year fixed · 60% LTV example | £995 | Compare the fee-adjusted cost—not just 4.62%. | Rate finder ↗ |
| Santander | 4.84%2-year fixed · 60% LTV example | £0 | A higher rate with no fee can still win on a smaller loan. | Rate finder ↗ |
| Nationwide | 4.48%2-year fixed · 60% LTV home-mover example | £1,499 | Different customer type: do not compare directly with a remortgage. | Rate finder ↗ |
| Halifax | PersonalisedRate depends on your borrowing and circumstances | Varies | Use the same benchmark details before comparing. | Rate finder ↗ |
| HSBC | PersonalisedUse the lender’s current product finder | Varies | Check incentives, valuation costs and early repayment charges. | Rate finder ↗ |
Gas & electricity
Your postcode and usage decide the answer.
There is no honest single “cheapest supplier” table. Region, meter, payment method, annual kWh, exit fees and tariff terms all change the result.
Find annual kWh
Use a recent bill. Do not compare using only your monthly Direct Debit—it may include debt or credit.
Compare the full tariff
Check gas and electricity unit rates, both standing charges, exit fees and the fixed-term end date.
Test the saving
Compare against your real annual use and check the supplier directly before switching.
Broadband benchmark
Eligibility first. Headline price second.
Ofcom’s official list was last updated 17 August 2026. Eligible social tariffs currently range from £10 to £24 a month, with most offering at least 30 Mbit/s.
Check whether anyone in the household receives a qualifying benefit before negotiating or switching.
Compare setup fees, annual rises and the price across the whole minimum term—not only month one.
Use guaranteed speed and address availability. A cheaper package that does not meet the household’s needs is not a saving.
Savings benchmark
Make idle cash work—safely.
A competitive rate matters, but access, tax treatment and deposit protection matter too. Square Peg will not rank a savings account on rate alone.
Per eligible person, per UK-authorised firm. Different banking brands can share one banking licence.
If you do not know the current interest rate, find it before moving money or accepting a promotional headline.
Emergency cash should not be trapped by notice periods or withdrawal penalties simply for a higher rate.
Insurance benchmark
Same cover. Same person. Then compare.
There is no responsible universal “good price” for insurance. Postcode, risk, claims, excess and cover can all change the premium materially.
FCA rules prevent home and motor insurers charging a renewing customer more than the equivalent new-business price from that insurer.
The rule does not mean your current insurer is cheapest. Compare genuinely like-for-like cover near renewal.
Higher excesses, missing add-ons or reduced limits can make a lower premium worse value.
How to read this board: figures are a dated snapshot from official or provider sources and can change without notice. Product examples may not be available to you and are not directly comparable unless every assumption matches. Square Peg does not claim whole-of-market coverage and this is general information, not mortgage or financial advice.