Speed and problems with some sites

[#1]

I have recently had speeds 5-6000kbps on a regular basis, happy times!!  Until the last couple of days where my connection keeps dropping, speeds are useless 3-500kbps and I can't access some sites at all.  ie HSBC website and Met office site.  I have changed nothing at all fom when my speeds were fantastic.  Any ideas?

[#2]

if it's only very recently it's not you - this http://usertools.plus.net/status/archive/1197645925.htm core router update has caused havoc with connection to some sites including the metoffice