Leaseholds on new-builds to be banned, plus Student Loans Co penalises borrowers

Jo Darbyshire, who bought her home in Bolton from Taylor Wimpey, has a ground rent contract that doubles every 10 years. Photograph: Matthew Lloyd for the Guardian

Hello and welcome to this week’s Money Talks – a roundup of the week’s biggest stories and some things you may have missed.

Money news

Leaseholds on new-build houses in England to be banned

Ground rents on flats could also be cut to zero under proposals to be outlined by Sajid Javid. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA

Ground rents: aristocrats and shell firms among those making millions

Victims of ground rent scandal demand action on existing abuses

State pension changes will cost 7 million people £10,000 each

Ministers vow to end employment tribunal fees after court defeat

Feature

Your state pension in Dorset – £124,000. In Glasgow? £38,000

The UK’s ‘one size fits all’ pension is simplistic, ignoring regional differences and life expectancy. Photograph: dbphots/Alamy

In pictures

Life on the (cliff) edge

A four-bedroom chalet for sale in Valais, Switzerland, with a large terrace overhanging a valley.

In the spotlight

Graduates who fall foul of the Student Loans Company face paying back thousands of pounds more after it emerged the firm has the right to penalise students with extra interest for simply taking a three-month trip. Miles Brignall reports

Oxford graduate Jenny Richards is among thousands being punished with additional rate rise. Photograph: Jenny Richards

Consumer champions

I’m trapped in my leasehold property by ever-doubling ground rent

Virtual reality hit when I tried to cash in my bitcoins

Swiftcover too slow to pay me back excess after crash

Get Laid Beds and Tuffnells are giving me nightmares over my creaky bed

Sixt took me for a ride over car hire cover

Money deals

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The Guardian money transfer service, provided by Moneycorp, could help you save on sending money overseas with expert guidance, great exchange rates and free online transfers.

And finally, a reminder that the deadline to enter the Guardian Public Service Awards is approaching. The awards celebrate the very best of public services in the country, recognising the projects and teams that have created and delivered innovative, challenging and bold services at a time of immense pressure. The awards, supported by EY, are free to enter and reward excellence across 10 categories. The deadline is midnight on 31 July 2017.