Business

Martin Lewis quizzes Rachel Reeves on pensionsMore than 1.7 million people across Great Britain are receiving Attendance Allowance, according to the latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The benefit provides extra financial help for older people with a disability or long-term health condition, and some pensioners may be able to increase their award by reporting changes in their needs.Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, is tax-free, and pays either £73.90 or £110.40 a week. Because it is usually paid every four weeks, this works out at £295.60 or £441.60 each time. In Scotland, the same payment rates apply to Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP), the devolved benefit which has replaced Attendance Allowance for new and existing claims. PADP is administered...

Millions of benefits claimants will see a boost to their income in 2026 when new rates take effect from April, but several payments and handouts will remain frozen at their current levels. Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her second Autumn Budget in November, setting out a series of tax rises for the new financial year to plug a black hole in the public finances. Ms Reeves also confirmed a series of measures aimed to help households that are struggling with rising living costs, including an end to the two-child limit on benefits.Among the announcement is plans to take levies off energy bills to save households £150 on average in 2026, and up to £300 for some poorer households, while the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates will also rise from April to £900 per year and...

Work on a £140 million designer outlet shopping centre on the A1 is due to start this year and be completed by 2028, the developer has said. The new shopping centre, which is expected to have 137 shops, cafes, and leisure outlets, will bring more than 1,200 jobs to a rundown, struggling town close by.The complex was originally scheduled to open in 2021, but work is finally set to begin this year. Giles Membrey, the managing director of Rioja Estates, said the scheme had suffered "a lot of setbacks", but would become "a tourist attraction in its own right" when finished. As well as the usual chain stores, there will be facilities for local artisans and business pop-ups to help create a more town-centre feel. To that end, there will also be public green spaces and squares for shoppers to ...

Brits are being advised to explore some of the most cost-effective ways to keep warm this winter, with certain methods costing under a penny per hour. Specialists have recommended that households look at alternative strategies to combat the chill.The Money Saving Expert (MSE) website, established by Martin Lewis, has warned that switching on the central heating has become "even more unaffordable" for numerous households following a two per cent tariff increase on October 1 last year. Among its recommendations was the strategy of "heating the human not the home".Speaking about the guidance, Martin Lewis said: "This is a guide I really wish we needn't be publishing. The reason I asked Sarah and the team to put this together is due to my overflowing email bag of desperation from people who...

Opaques ? Basés sur des données partielles ? Telles sont les critiques parfois formulées à l’encontre des loyers de référence. Les critères pris en compte pour le calcul sont fixés par la loi Elan de 2018 et un décret de 2015. Ils reposent sur le type de location (meublé ou loué vide), le nombre de pièces principales ainsi que l’époque de construction. Les plafonds sont aussi fixés en fonction de secteurs géographiques délimitant des zones homogènes en termes de niveaux de loyer constatés sur le marché locatif. Toutes ces données sont récupérées par les observatoires locaux des loyers (OLL), qui calculent ensuite les loyers de référence. Au nombre de 38 sur le territoire métropolitain, ces observatoires couvrent la plupart des grandes agglomérations. « Plus de la m...

The Winter Fuel Payment is a yearly,  tax-free benefit designed to help certain older people manage their heating expenses during the winter months. While it's typically distributed automatically, some individuals may need to apply before a set deadline each year.For 2026, the cut-off date is March 31, giving you just under 80 days to get in touch with the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, overseen by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). You can reach out via phone or post, but you'll generally need to have your National Insurance number, bank details and the date of your marriage or civil partnership (if applicable) to hand.If you're uncertain about your eligibility, The Express has provided a summary of the Winter Fuel Payment's eligibility requirements and potential amounts you coul...

The Government is facing pressure to reform council tax legislation. Thousands are urging Sir Keir Starmer's administration to overhaul the system to support pensioners across the UK.More than 5,200 people have backed an online petition demanding the UK Government introduce "a law which exempts all pensioners in Britain from paying council tax". Petition organiser Michael Thompson contends that "current provisions only ensure that pensioners on the lowest incomes receive full relief", leaving those with moderate incomes without extra financial support, according to the Daily Record.The 'exempt all pensioners from council tax' petition, published on the Petitions Parliament website, declares: "We believe council tax is increasingly unaffordable. Many pensioners often rely on a fixed inco...

The Government has provided an update about a proposed test every 10 years for all drivers. Transport ministers appeared in the Commons this week (January 8) to take questions from MPs about proposed new road safety rules.The new Road Safety Strategy proposes major changes to driving laws, such as making learner drivers have a minimum of three to six months learning period between their theory and practical tests. Another change which is being considered is introducing mandatory eyesight testing for drivers aged over 70, as well as cognitive tests for older drivers.At present, motorists must be able to read a number plate at a distance of 20 metres, but you do not have to provide any proof that you can do this. Leicester South MP Shockat Adam asked a question relating to this proposed n...

O'Leary Ventures Chairman Kevin O'Leary joins 'Varney & Co.' to weigh in on the White House considering paying Greenland residents, what U.S. control of Venezuela's oil means for Canada and job creation under the Trump administration.  President Trump on Friday said major U.S. oil companies will invest $100 billion to rebuild Venezuela's energy sector after the successful capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. Speaking in the East Room of the White House during a meeting with nearly two dozen top oil and gas executives, Trump said American energy companies will rebuild Venezuela’s "rotting" oil infrastructure and push production to record levels."American companies will have the opportunity to rebuild Venezuela's rotting energy infrastructure and eventually increase oil...

Chilly weather heightens the risk of home pipes freezing and splitting, potentially wreaking havoc on your plumbing and heating systems. While a quick internet search might seem like the easy way out, Yell experts warn against DIY thawing of frozen pipes due to the risk of causing them to burst; it's always safer to seek professional help.However, they assure that there are straightforward measures you can take to avoid this scenario. To ward off pipe bursts and costly water damage, insulate your pipes, particularly those outdoors, before the mercury dips.Search for insulation materials (also known as lagging) that are at least 5mm thick. Shield all exposed or susceptible pipes, especially in areas such as the roof space, loft, or any spots prone to severe cold. This extra layer of prot...