Every week the Dorset Eye team will provide an up-to-date Know Your Rights for consumers. Check in every Friday for the latest news.

🅿️ Parking Fines Special: Know Your Rights

Getting slapped with a parking fine is irritating enough — but what if the pay machine wasn’t working? Here’s what you need to know before you just hand over the cash.

🧠 Rights When the Pay Machine Isn’t Working

• Council-run car parks: These operate under statutory rules rather than private contract law. If a machine is genuinely out of order and there were no realistic ways to pay, you can appeal the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) by submitting evidence — photos of the broken machine, timestamps, attempted payment screenshots, etc. Councils may cancel notices where drivers made genuine attempts to pay but were blocked from doing so.
• Private car parks: New codes of practice for private operators (rolling out 2024–26) state you should not be pursued for charges if payment machines are out of order and no alternative app/phone payment is available.
• No payment options = stronger appeal: Take plenty of clear evidence of the machine’s status and that you tried to pay. If the operator rejects your appeal, escalate it through their dispute resolution scheme (BPA/IPC) or, for local councils, to the independent ombudsman.

✍️ Typos & Other Loopholes

• Under the private parking code, minor keying errors (e.g. entering “O” instead of “0”) shouldn’t lead to charge enforcement — operators are expected to allow corrections or cancel such charges.
• In council appeals you can also argue unclear signage or misleading payment instructions as grounds for cancellation.

✈️ The Airport Loophole

Some airport car parks are run by private firms. If the signage or terms were unclear about payment requirements — for example a promised shuttle service that didn’t materialise leaving you parked unsupervised — you might get grounds for appeal or refund. Always read terms carefully before booking.

✏️ Tip: Never ignore formal letters — debt collectors have no power on their own, but ignoring court letters can land you in trouble.

🚆 Most Britons Don’t Realise They’re Likely Eligible for a Railcard

Railcards are one of the best ways to reduce rail travel costs, yet many people don’t sign up even when they qualify.

Who Can Get a Railcard?

According to National Rail, there are nine major types — and eligibility depends on age, travel patterns or status:

• 16–17 Saver: For anyone aged 16–17.
• 16–25 Railcard: 50% of train journeys discounted, broadly for young adults.
• 26–30 Railcard: Age-based discount for 26–30 year olds.
• Senior Railcard: Anyone aged 60+ gets one-third off.
• Two Together: Two named adults travelling together.
• Family & Friends: Groups with children get adult and substantial child discounts.
• Network Railcard: For travel in and around the South East.
• Veterans / Disabled Persons cards: Special eligibility criteria based on service or disability status.

Why It Matters

Most railcards cost around £35 for a year (or £80 for three), but they can save around a third on many train fares, often repaying their cost in just a few journeys.

🧠 Most people will qualify for at least one — from age discounts to group or family options. Yet plenty don’t bother to apply or even check eligibility.

💷 Best Deals on the Market

From broadband and mortgages to savings, bank switching incentives and energy tariffs — here’s a snapshot of some of the most competitive current deals in the UK (January 2026).

📶 Broadband Deals

• Providers like EE and Plusnet are currently offering full-fibre packages from around £21–£28/month for new customers — often with no setup costs and switching incentives.
• Some promotions include switching credits up to £300 to cover exit fees from your old provider.

💡 Tip: Shop around using comparison sites or check provider offers in your postcode to maximise savings.

🏡 Mortgage Market Highlights

• The UK mortgage market continues to see competitive fixed-rate deals as lenders respond to lower base rates, with some two-year deals dipping into the lower-4% territory (or better for borrowers with larger deposits).
• HSBC has recently cut its mortgage rates in early 2026, a sign of emerging competition across lenders.
• Mortgage comparisons via MoneySuperMarket, CompareTheMarket or Money.co.uk can help you refine the best options based on your individual circumstances.

⚠️ Reminder: Always look at both the interest rate and associated fees, and consider speaking with a mortgage broker for personalised guidance.

💰 Savings & Cash ISAs

• Some easy-access savings accounts are paying up to around 4.5% AER for new customers, helping savers beat inflation if rates hold.
• Cash ISAs remain attractive for tax-free savings, with top rates above 4% in certain fixed-rate options.
• Additionally, a hidden government savings account worth on average nearly £2,000 remains unclaimed by many eligible young people.

🔁 Bank Switching Bonuses

• Current switching incentives can be significant — with offers from banks including up to several hundred pounds for new customers who switch and meet direct debit/payment criteria.
• The Current Account Switch Service helps make switching quick and stress-free.

🔌 Energy Tariffs

• Comparing fixed-price energy deals can save households hundreds versus standard tariffs — with some fixed deals significantly below the Ofgem price cap.
• With the price cap recently rising slightly, switching to a competitive fixed tariff where possible could provide more predictable bills.