Household budgets are coming under more pressure as the cost of car insurance has risen by 7 per cent in the last three months, new research has revealed.

As living costs increase thanks to surging energy bills and rising inflation, motor cover is the latest price hike to add to the list. 

The average cost of car insurance premiums in the UK increased from £412.44 in the period between July and September last year, to £443.67 in the period between October to December, according to comparison site MoneySuperMarket.

This is a 7 per cent rise, or more than £30. 

After a major drop in car insurance prices at the start of 2021, prices have been on an upward trend.

Because of the big fall in early 2021, which was a result of renewed lockdown measures, year-on-year prices are still down by 6.6 per cent or £31.14 year-on-year.

Prices could also be set to rise further thanks to new regulations. 

Since January 1, insurers have had to follow new pricing rules enforced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which prevent them from offering new customers cheaper deals than existing ones who renew. 

Many drivers believe the changes guarantee them a cheaper or flat premium, but that is not necessarily the case as insurers may bring the cost of new policies up, rather than reducing premiums for existing customers. 

After a lifetime of normal vision, dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) caused her to lose sight in one eye.

But she has become the first patient in the country to benefit from the fitting of the 'groundbreaking' device at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London as part of a Europe-wide trial. Having detected signals in her eye, she may go on to make out words.

Under the procedure, a 2mm-wide microchip was inserted under the retina and special glasses containing a video camera put on. They were connected to a computer worn round her waist.