The latter must carry interest of no less than the Bank of England base rate minus 1 per cent.The key to their popularity with savers is how these stakeholders will be sold: whether bought from an independent financial adviser (IFA) or in a bank or building society, a series of scripted questions for advisers should make it easier for people to understand what they are buying.It’s all part of the Government’s stakeholder dream to encourage more people on middle and lower incomes to save for their retirement – and cut the state’s future welfare bills.But just as the original stakeholder pension has suffered from poor take-up, so hopes are fading for the new schemes.Most lenders, including life companies and high-street banks, are not bothering to offer them. Yet in three weeks’ time, the final pieces of the flagship Government “stakeholder” savings scheme fall into place.
Following on from the low-cost stakeholder pension launched in 2001, lenders will, from 6 April, be able to offer two new stakeholder products. There’s no fanfare, little optimism, pitiful support and a desperate outlook. Most shocking of all, fraud at cash machines shot up by more than 80 per cent.Thankfully, chip and pin – still being rolled out across the country – is set to have a big impact on tackling crime in all these areas. “But clearly they are going to keep on targeting cards.”This, she added, was why a wide range of anti-fraud initiatives had been put “in place and in the pipeline”.. Sandra Quinn, spokeswoman for Apacs, said its fraud forecasts showed that without chip and pin in the UK, card fraud losses would by now have topped £800m.”As more of us use a PIN number, the harder the criminal’s life becomes,” she said. Identity theft linked to cards has also increased sharply – up by more than a fifth in the past two years, to £36.9m.

And fraud committed using cards stolen in the post rose by nearly two-thirds, to £72.9m, as criminals took advantage of millions of new cards being issued as part of the rollout of chip and pin. “And Aviva is certainly in a position to deliver value for customers.”Endgame for card sharpsCriminals netted more than half a billion pounds through card fraud in the UK last year – up by more than a fifth.The increase – to £504.8m – was partly down to fraudsters increasing their activities before the security benefits of chip and pin took effect, said the Association for Payment Clearing Services (Apacs).”Card not present” scams (where goods are bought over the phone or internet) continue to be the most common type of credit card fraud – up by a quarter on 2003 to £150.8m. For reservations contact Kempinski (00 800 426 313 55; ).Further informationGo to . It may not have broken down but the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) is in line for a roadside rendezvous with Aviva, owner of Norwich Union. No doubt he was impressed when he saw the men in bright white tunics and the women in traditional German costume This hotel has been built with visitors like him in mind. Lesser mortals can gaze in awe at this stupendous national monument – and then in shock at the size of their bills.GIVE ME THE FACTSHow to get thereThe writer travelled as a guest of Ethiad Airways (0870 241 7121; ) which offers return flights from London Heathrow and Gatwick to Abu Dhabi from £299.What’s the damage?Double rooms at the Emirates Palace (00 971 2 690 8888; ) start from AED2,000 (£300) per night, including breakfast. Equally important will be conference bookings; the two-wing design will keep the suits and the sunseekers separate.Those with large wallets who head for the Palace are expected to stay mainly within its grounds, apart from, perhaps, an excursion into the desert for sand-skiing and wadi-bashing.On the day I left, lines of staff waited for hours on end for the arrival of the German Chancellor and his entourage.

Guests will consult the chef on the preparation of their desired dishes. High prices are the consequence, with many main courses costing up to £30 Even a small Turkish coffee is £7. But then, explained the food and beverage manager, this is not the kind of hotel where guests will worry about such matters.The Emirates Palace is confident of attracting visitors from around the world, especially as a winter-sun destination. From the hotel, a distant Ikea sign stands clear of the mall, reminding the homesick traveller that spiritually, at least, we are not far from Brent Cross.Of the 20 planned “food outlets”, two are currently open. La Vend?is the central restaurant, where guests will breakfast, and be able to lunch or dine from an ?a carte menu, or choose from an extensive international buffet which includes a splendid Arabic mezze. Mezzaluna, where Luigi, the chef, is bringing an opera singer to serenade diners, offers upmarket Italian.