Money blog: The big-name chocolate share bag with half the sugar of rival products (2024)

By James Sillars, business news reporter

A strong start to trading for the FTSE 100.

The index was 0.5% up in early dealing at 8,262, with pharmaceutical and financial stocks among the leaders.

The pound is also ending the week on a better footing than last month, despite heightened market expectations for a US interest rate cut.

A weaker than expected inflation number boosted bets that the Federal Reserve could act before November.

Sterling was trading at $1.29 and just shy of €1.19 - meaning UK holidaymakers' money will go further if abroad during the summer holiday season.

With hotel prices rising and flight costs showing little hope of returning to pre-pandemic lows, travellers can question whether buying insurance for their holiday is really worth it.

When deciding whether to make the purchase, it may be useful to know the most common issues that cause people to make a claim.

Transport delays and medical costs topped the chart as the most frequent reasons for holidaymakers to look for compensation, according to GoCompare.

Lost baggage had caused 26% of people to file a claim.

The research found 76% of jet-setters secured travel insurance before their holiday.

Half of those who opted not to buy it said they didn't think they needed it, while 24% reported that it was too expensive and 10% simply forgot.

GoCompare spokesman Rhys Jones said travel insurance could be an "important safety net" for travellers, offering protection against a range of unexpected costs.

"Purchasing a travel insurance policy the moment you book a trip will give you peace of mind that if any of your travel arrangements don't go to plan, whether in the airport or while you are away, you won't be left out of pocket," he said.

"Whether it's a two-week beach vacation, a long weekend away or a business trip, we always recommend using a comparison site to look at all the options available.

"Remember to read the fine print before you purchase, and keep the details handy after you leave, just in case you do need to make a claim."

It can be hard to balance the demands of eating well without spending a lot. In this series, we try to find the healthiest options in the supermarket for the best value - and have enlisted the help ofSunna Van Kampen, founder of Tonic Health, who went viral on social media for reviewing food in the search of healthier choices. We also speak to dieticians each week.

Usual caveat: this series isn't trying to outline the outright healthiest option, but help you get better nutritional value for as little money as possible.

This week we're looking at chocolate.

"Making the right chocolate choices can drastically cut your sugar intake without spoiling the fun," says Sunna.

We previously looked at how to turn chocolate into a superfood by swapping milk chocolate to increasingly higher percentage dark chocolate - but now we turn to the kind of high street favourite we can't help but open in front of the telly.

Let's get straight into Sunna's cost and sugar rankings...

M&M's Chocolate - 125g for £1.65, 66% sugar content

Galaxy Counters - 122g for £1.65, 58% sugar content

Cadbury Buttons - 119g for £1.65, 56% sugar content

Reese's Mini Cups - 90g for £1.75, 54% sugar content

Maltesers- 102g for £1.65, 53% sugar content

Maltesers Dark Chocolate - 88g for £1.65, 32% sugar content

"There seems to be a clear correlation here that we have to factor into our choices," Sunna says.

That is - cocoa is expensive and sugar is cheap.

"So, the better 'value' bigger packs are just loading you with more sugar," he says.

How much sugar can we eat?

The NHS recommends adults have 30g of sugar a day, with that decreasing to 24g for seven to 10-year-olds and 19g a day for four to six-year-olds.

"A cut in sugar is not just good news for our waistlines, but also for our overall health, contributing to a balanced diet without the same spikes in blood sugar levels," Sunna says.

Those spikes can cause sudden drops in energy, spates of hunger and potentially lead to type two diabetes.

Putting those figures into context

Take the M&M's mentioned by Sunna in that table.

"They offer 125g bag with 66% sugar content which is an astounding 82.5g of sugar per bag," he says.

"That's over 20 teaspoons of sugar - or nearly three times your daily recommended intake for adults in just one bag - and we all know that one bag never makes it through movie night unfinished."

At the bottom end of the list is Maltesers Dark Chocolate.

"At just 32% sugar in an 88g bag, we are talking about a cool 28g of sugar per bag.

"That's still seven teaspoons of sugar and 93% of your daily allowance - but is a whopping 65% less sugar than M&M's - so that's a big win for your health."

Zooming out

Let's take an even further step back.

If you consume 60 bags' worth over the course of a year, then you could be in for a massive 3.2kg of sugar savings per year if you switch from M&M's to Maltesers Dark Chocolate.

"That's definitely worth it considering the price you'll pay is exactly the same - albeit for a 30% smaller bag," Sunna says.

"You could look at it being a 30% more expensive choice for the healthier Dark Maltesers, but your health will certainly thank you and your bank account will look the same at the end of the day."

If the dark chocolate alternative just isn't for you, then try picking options that have lower sugar content - and use the examples above as a guide.

The nutritionist's view - fromNichola Ludlam-Raine, dietitian atnicsnutrition.com...

"When we cut down on sugar, it's crucial not to overlook other aspects of our diet, particularly saturated fat.

"Many foods, including chocolate, marketed as 'low sugar' or 'sugar-free' (many 'diabetic' chocolate bars may say this on the front) often compensate for taste with increased levels of saturated fats or sweeteners - too much of which may cause an upset stomach.

"These fats, when consumed in excess, can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease.

"Therefore, while reducing sugar intake, one must also be mindful of saturated fat content to ensure a truly balanced and health-promoting diet.

"In the quest for healthier alternatives, 70% cocoa chocolate often strikes a happy balance between health and taste.

"Dark chocolate with this level of cocoa content tends to have less sugar compared to milk chocolate while still retaining a satisfying taste.

"Additionally, it offers several health benefits, including antioxidants, which can contribute to heart health and improved cognitive function.

"However, it's still important to consume it in moderation, as even dark chocolate contains calories and some saturated fat."

Sky News has approached Mars Wrigley Confectionary Ltd, which owns M&M's, for comment.

Read more from this series...

Wagamama is venturing into the brunch market, launching its first-ever morning menu in 22 locations across the UK, according to industry magazine the Caterer.

Chicken katsu waffle and bao buns filled with bacon and sausage will be available from 8.30am on 17 July.

So far, the brunch menu has only been available at its airport sites, but a national rollout may be coming.

Find the 22 confirmed locations below:

North

• Birmingham Brindley Place
• Bolton
• East Midlands Designer Outlet
• Nottingham West Bridgford
• Sheffield Meadowhall
• Teesside

South

• Ashford Designer Outlet
• Bristol Clifton
• Cardiff Library
• Dorchester
• Guildford
• Horsham
• Tunbridge Wells
• St Albans

London

• Bankside
• Battersea Power Station
• Bromley
• Camden
• Covent Garden
• Kingston
• Royal Festival Hall, Southbank
• Wimbledon

Every week we provide an overview of the mortgage market with industry experts - then hone in on one area and compare the best rates with Moneyfactscompare...

As we reported yesterday, the chance of an August rate cut has receded slightly, to 50/50, following some hawkish noises from Bank of England figures...

This sentiment has yet to make an impact on the high street, where major lenders have continued to announce minor cuts to their fixed deals in anticipation of a summer move down from the current base rate of 5.25%.

Nationwide, Barclays, Virgin Money, Halifax and Coventry have all cut rates this week.

David Hollingworth, a director at L&C mortgage brokers, told the Money blog: "As one lender cuts, the sheer level of competition in the market ensures that others will have to respond.

"Although cuts in recent weeks have tended to be relatively small, momentum is now building and improvements this week are starting to produce new best buy rates.

"Barclays will today launch a new five-year fixed rate at 4.09% for homebuyers with 40% to put down, marking a new benchmark rate and edging ever closer to 4%."

However, Mr Hollingworth cautioned that fixed rates were already pricing in base rate cuts, "so borrowers shouldn't necessarily bank on rates tumbling ever lower and certainly not back to the ultra lows of a few years ago".

He advises securing a rate now and then reviewing it if there's continued improvement.

Here's how average rates are looking right now...

Elsewhere,Virgin Moneyand Clydesdale announced cuts to the standard variable rate (SVR).

This is good news for those on SVR or linked products, but borrowers should still be shopping around for a better deal, Mr Hollingworth says.

The cut from 9.49% to 9.24% for Virgin Money will still leave it at the higher end and borrowers can clearly slash the rate by switching.

Another news-making development this week was HSBC increasing maximum lending limits, allowing it to offer its deals to more customers that require larger loans.

"This will help to bring the range of core products to a wider audience and should heighten the competition in the market, not just for those requiring mammoth mortgages but also enabling a higher borrowing for those with small deposits," said Mr Hollingworth.

Focus on buy-to let

Moneyfacts finance expert Rachel Springall says: "Overall, it has been a relatively quiet week for rate tweaks in the buy-to-let sector, but landlords have been mentioned in the news.

"According to a recent survey from buy-to-let lender Landbay, the majority of landlords said they plan to increase rents over the next year."

Commenting on the analysis, Landbay distribution director Rob Stanton said: "Today's market now means landlords also have to factor in higher interest rates and operating costs. With no alternative, many landlords have to consider increasing rent to cover their outgoings.

"As a large number of landlords look at their remortgage options, they can be encouraged by the innovation we have seen from lenders across the buy-to-let market."

These are the best rates on offer this week...

And these are this week's Moneyfacts best buys, which look beyond the main rate at incentives and overall cost...

Virgin and Clyesdale Bank have announced a slight drop in their standard variable rate mortgage rates - in what could be seen as a precursor to a base rate cut in a few weeks' time.

From today, their SVR stands at 9.24% - down from 9.49%.

Barclays and Halifax have also announced they are dropping selected fixed- rate deals from tomorrow - continuing a trend we have seen in recent weeks.

Cowboy builders face a crackdown on trader recommendation websites under new guidelines proposed by the industry watchdog.

The Competition and Markets Authority says the web pages must tackle fake reviews and vet the tradespeople they advertise after "worrying evidence" emerged.

The regulator has published a first draft of its advice following concerns over websites that fail to sanction rogue traders, offer a complaints process, or monitor traders while making misleading claims about their trustworthiness.

Plusnet customers will from today see their mid-contract price changes expressed as "pounds and pence" rather than percentages in a bid by the internet provider to make information clearer for customers.

Price comparison service Uswitch has praised the move which gives "greater clarity" to consumers.

"The new model provides certainty when it comes to the cost of your contract and makes it easier for customers to manage their finances," the Uswitch telecoms expertErnest Doku said.

The new model, which applies to new and existing customers who take out contracts after today, will see mid-contract charges at a flat rate for all customers - a yearly increase of £3 per month.

People with coeliac disease are paying up to 35% more for their weekly shop, research has found, with some even eating gluten to avoid paying higher costs despite the potential impact on their health.

A new report by Coeliac UK has found that 77% of people with the disease struggle to afford gluten-free products from supermarkets.

Seven in 10 people said shopping gluten free "adversely affects their quality of life" due to the cost and availability of the food on supermarket shelves and online.

Around 4% are choosing to eat gluten despite the risk to their health because of concerns around the cost of gluten-free food, while 27% would eat products with "may contain" for the same reason.

The research by Coeliac UK revealed that loaves of bread are 4.5 times more expensive on average, while pasta and plain flour are twice as pricey when made gluten free.

If you're thinking of stocking up on Sainsbury's snacks and drinks for Sunday's big game, you'd better do it ahead of time.

Like rival Tesco, the supermarket has announced it is closing convenience stores and petrol stations early across England so staff can tune into the Euros final.

More than a thousand branches will be closing at 7.30pm on Sunday, rather than 10pm or 11pm.

"We want to give our colleagues the chance to tune in live and cheer on England with friends and family. The atmosphere in stores is electric after last night's win," said Clodagh Moriarty, chief retail and technology officer.

Supermarket hours are unaffected as they usually close before the 8pm kick-off.

Any online grocery orders which have already been booked will be honoured.

All branches will reopen at their usual time on Monday.

A new competitor has emerged on the condiment shelf - Nando's ketchup.

It's being advertised as a twist on the traditional sauce, with a touch of "peri-peri magic" for your chips, burgers or bolognese.

This translates into a small amount of spices like cayenne pepper, bird's eye chilli, ginger, garlic, and paprika, as well onion and lemon purees.

We've taken a look at how it stacks up against the other ketchups on Asda's shelves below, with some key takeaways:

• Hellmann's has the most tomatoes and the least calories per serving
• Asda's own brand is by far the most affordable - with a very similar ingredients list to market leader Heinz
• Nando's is, just, the most expensive per 100g, though it's tricky to compare against all the below as some are only available in bigger bottles
• The main ingredient in Leon's, uniquely, is not tomatoes but water
• Leon's has the least sugar per serving

Nando's

Price per 100g: 94.3p (for normal sized bottle)
Main ingredient: Tomato paste (140g tomatoes per 100g)
Calories: 17kcal per serving
Sugar per 100g: 20g

Heinz

Price per 100g: 80p (for normal sized bottle)
Main ingredient: Tomatoes (148g per 100g)
Calories: 15kcal per serving
Sugar per 100g: 22.8g

Asda own brand

Price per 100g: 14.9p (only available in jumbo sized bottle)
Main ingredient: Tomatoes (148g per 100g)
Calories: 15kcal per serving
Sugar per 100g: 21g

Leon

Price per 100g: 92.2p (normal sized bottle)
Main ingredient: Water (with tomato paste second at 25%)
Calories: Not available
Sugar per 100g: 16.6g

Daddies

Price per 100g: 29.2p (one up from normal sized bottle)
Main ingredient: Tomatoes (117g per 100g)
Calories: 17kcal per serving
Sugar per 100g: 22g

Hellmann's

Price per 100g: 40p (two up from normal sized bottle)
Main ingredient: Tomatoes (168g of tomatoes per 100g)
Calories: 13kcal per serving
Sugar per 100g: 18g

Asda is the first to offer Nando's tomato sauce but it is expected to roll out at Sainsbury's, Tesco and other supermarkets in the coming months.

Earlier this week, business presenter Ian King answered questions from Money blog readers about what the new Labour government means for their personal finances.

One question related to the two-child cap on child benefit - which Labour have at times suggested they're ideologically opposed to, but won't commit to changing because of the cost.

Responding to a question about whether taxes could be raised for oil and gas companies to pay for scrapping the cap, King said: "The Resolution Foundation has estimated that the two-child benefit cap will save the government £2.5bn during the current financial year - which would rise to £3.6bn if applied to all families claiming universal credit.

"Labour is committed to raising the levy on North Sea oil and gas producers from the current 75% to 78% - and has earmarked the money raised will go towards funding its wider plans for energy and, in particular, decarbonisation.

"It would be ill-advised to raise taxes further. The decisions it has made have already had an impact on investment in the North Sea, as I report here.

"And don't forget, the cap is not just about saving money. It's also about avoiding awkward newspaper headlines and stories about big families being paid a small fortune in benefits of the kind that embarrassed the last Labour government and angered so many of its traditional working-class supporters in particular."

You can read all 21 of King's answers here...