Business

On BBC Morning Live Laura Pomfret said people could get 'free money' from pension contributions (Image: BBC)A BBC financial expert has explained how people can get ‘free money’ in connection to their pensions and even get back payments for being unfairly taxed. BBC Morning Live Laura Pomfret told hosts Gethin Jones and Michelle Ackerly people are ‘not aware’ of tax relief which means in reality they get far more of their pay for themselves.And she explained that people don’t realise how important it is to be paying into pensions. She said: “So many people are not aware of the tax relief that you can get on pension contributions. It feels like free money. And in a nutshell, typically, so when we earn an income, we pay income tax. But if we decide to put some of our income into a pension,...

FOX Business' Edward Lawrence reports from the White House on President Donald Trump’s push to lower costs through competition-based health insurance and affordable housing initiatives. The Trump administration said it plans to eliminate kickbacks involving pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) as part of its goal to lower health insurance for Americans.  The framework, dubbed the "Great Healthcare Plan," is aimed at lowering drug prices and insurance premiums while holding large insurance companies accountable and increasing price transparency.President Donald Trump on Thursday urged Congress to pass the framework into law "without delay." "Have to do it right now so that we can get immediate relief to the American people," Trump said in a video message announcing the plan. The adminis...

It's expected to be another tough year for the UK high street, with a number of big-name brands set to close shops. It comes as a result of increasing business costs and a shift in shopping habits.According to the Centre for Retail Research, 54 retailers collapsed in 2025, resulting in the loss of 3,080 stores and 30,153 employees. Meanwhile, over 500 bank branches closed for good due to an ongoing shift of customer behaviour, with an increasing number of people choosing to bank online or use mobile app services.As reported by Time Out, a number of high street closures are already confirmed in 2026. These include retailers such as River Island and banks like Lloyds.Here is the list of announced closures for 2026 so far.The following Cancer Research UK stores will close this year. Howeve...

White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to outline President Donald Trump’s sweeping affordability agenda aimed at lowering mortgage rates, cutting credit card interest and boosting economic growth. The Trump administration is floating a new proposal aimed at expanding access to credit cards after the president's calls for a 10% cap on credit card interest rates were met with pushback from the financial services industry. President Donald Trump called for a 10% cap on credit card interest rates in a post on his Truth Social platform last week, and said it would take effect on Jan. 20 – the first anniversary of his second inauguration as president.However, the proposal would likely require action by Congress and was met with pushback ...

Martin Lewis is reminding Brits of one key deadline (Image: ITV)Martin Lewis has urged millions of Britons to “act now” ahead of the looming Self Assessment deadline, warning that even a short delay could result in an immediate £100 fine and mounting interest charges.With just days to go until the January 31 deadline, the money expert said anyone who has been told by HMRC to file a tax return should not put it off. In a video shared on his official TikTok account, Mr Lewis stressed that time is running out and that leaving it until the last minute can be costly. READ MORE: Martin Lewis warns households 'do not trust' councils over tax discount rules READ MORE: Martin Lewis' 40 per cent alert over the 'worst debt' Brits could have The Self Assessment deadline is looming (Image: Getty)...

Greg Flynn, founder and CEO of the Flynn Group, discusses how consumer spending habits are affecting restaurant franchises, highlighting the shift toward value offers and value meals due to inflation on ‘The Claman Countdown.’ Progresso is reviving its viral "soup you can suck on" candies after last year’s release sold out within minutes. The brand’s Soup Drops — hard candy inspired by classic Progresso soups — are returning for a second year with the debut of the Progresso Soup Drops Variety Can. The new variety pack features three of Progresso’s most well-known flavors, according to an announcement Thursday from General Mills."After selling out in just minutes last January, the soup you can suck on now debuts the first-ever Progresso Soup Drops Variety Can, featuring three of Pro...

Les tensions géopolitiques ont propulsé les métaux à des sommets en ce début d’année, dans la prolongation de l’année 2025, terminée sur des hausses de 65 % en dollars (+ 45 % en euros) pour l’or, de 148 % (+ 101 % en euros) pour l’argent, plus de 40 % en dollars pour le cuivre. « C’est la première fois depuis les années 1980 que l’or, l’argent et le cuivre établissent des records de prix la même année », souligne Benjamin Louvet, directeur des gestions matières premières chez OFI Invest. Il anticipe des tensions sur les prix du cuivre, de l’argent et de l’aluminium au moins jusqu’en 2030, en attendant que l’offre, moins élastique, s’ajuste. Lire la chronique | Article réservé à nos abonnés « L’or et l’argent, les grands gagnants de 2025, brille...

British Gas has issued advice (Image: British Gas)British Gas has reported a sharp rise in emergency callouts as homeowners grapple with low boiler pressure issues, sparked by unpredictable weather conditions that have left some properties without heating or hot water. The energy supplier anticipates approximately 35,000 customers nationwide will require boiler assistance this week, with insufficient pressure ranking among the most prevalent winter malfunctions.The problem typically arises following radiator bleeding or when minor leaks develop within the system, though many instances can be rectified swiftly through straightforward checks at home. To assist households in restoring their systems promptly, British Gas engineer Ella Teakle provides practical guidance on addressing pressur...

The 'Barron's Roundtable' panel discuss big-box retailers beating competition on value, their innovation and revenue models. Costco has added a new sweet treat to its bakery lineup with the debut of its Peanut Butter Monster Cookies. "Peanut butter lovers, this one's for you," Costco wrote in an Instagram post this week. "The new Peanut Butter Monster Cookies are at the Costco Bakery!"The 24-count packages feature cookies made with brown butter–flavored dough and packed with peanut butter candies, peanut butter chips, oats and chocolate chunks, according to Delish. REPORT REVEALS WHICH COSTCO ITEMS CAN PAY FOR THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP A Costco store in Vallejo, California, on May 29, 2025.  (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg / Getty Images)Shoppers quickly took to Costco's Instagram co...

Parents and workers may need to pay their taxes by the end of the month (Image: Getty Images)Both parents and workers have just a few weeks left before an important deadline set by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) expires, with potential penalties of up to £1,600 for those who fail to meet it.The tax authority has previously stated that anyone required to complete a Self Assessment must pay their outstanding tax by no later than 11.59pm on 31 January 2026. This deadline specifically applies to those submitting an online tax return, as opposed to a paper one, which should have been filed by 31 October of the previous year.If you've missed the deadline for your paper returns, you'll already be facing late filing penalties. A Self Assessment tax return is mandatory if you were categorised as ...