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Insurance is one of the biggest outgoings of running a car, but one that cannot be avoided. Many factors affect how much you will pay – such as your age and your occupation. While you have little or no control over some details of your life – nor how they impact your car insurance – you can at least choose a car which will minimise your annual premium.

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UK diesel car sales fell by a fifth in July, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), as public concerns over air quality continue to grow. Recent news headlines have focused on possible inner city bans on diesel cars, particularly in London, and the fact that German car makers want to pay their customers to trade-in diesels for electric models.

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Learner drivers will be allowed to take motorway lessons from 2018, the government has announced. The new rules will take effect in England, Scotland and Wales. The Department for Transport (DfT) stated that motorway lessons will only be permitted in instructor cars fitted with dual controls, to ensure the process is safe. As the law stands, only those who have passed their test are permitted to drive on the motorway.

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The number of drivers aged over 90 has surpassed the 100,000 mark for the first time in Great Britain. Data released by the DVLA also showed that 4.5 million people over the age of 70 also hold driving licences. In total, there are 39 million people with licences in the UK. In an effort to ensure people have the requisite driving skills, older motorists are required to fill out a self-assessment form declaring they are fit enough to continue driving.

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Centrica is set to raise its household electricity prices in an effort to turn around the fortunes of its domestic energy arm. Despite losing 485,000 customers in less than two months, the UK's largest energy supplier made the move following price hikes by five of the country's other 'big six' energy firms. The move comes at a time when the rising cost of power is a politically sensitive issue.

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Petrol and diesel driven cars and vans will be banned in the UK from 2040, in an effort to reduce air pollution. The Government is also expected to announce that councils will receive £255m to tackle diesel emissions. The fund will form part of a wider £3bn package to improve the nation’s air quality. A national clean air strategy is to be published by the government. It is expected to lay down significant support for electric vehicles – ahead of a High Court deadline.

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