Business

Research has revealed that millions of older Brits are missing out on £1,339 extra income per year as a result of not claiming. Just Group is a financial services company that manages retirement savings. In the group's recent annual report, it found that seven in 10 pensioner homeowners have yet to claim their full entitlement to state funds.David Cooper, director at retirement specialist Just Group, said: "Our survey once again reveals what appears to be an epidemic of pensioner homeowners missing out on income they are entitled to claim.""Of the 42% of pensioner homeowners eligible for benefits, about three in four were failing to claim any benefit. These are low-income pensioner households likely to be struggling with the cost-of-living crisis."Guaranteed Pension Credit is the main m...

American Energy Institute founder and CEO Jason Isaac discusses President Donald Trump’s push to lower oil prices and the role Venezuelan oil could play on ‘The Bottom Line.’ President Donald Trump is hosting a group of top oil executives at the White House to discuss investment in Venezuela following the military's successful capture of the nation's dictatorial president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife over the weekend.  "Following the announcement of President Trump’s historic energy deal with Venezuela, American oil companies will come to the White House to discuss investment opportunities that will restore Venezuelan oil infrastructure," White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told Fox News Digital Friday morning. "The American people, energy companies, and the Venezuelan people wi...

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently announced that the majority of the 9 million pensioner households entitled to the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment ought to have been issued the one-off sum of £100, £200 or £300 during November or December.HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has provided an important update for pensioners whose income exceeds the £35,000 threshold and who were recipients of either payment.According to HMRC: "Customers do not need to include their 2025 Winter Fuel Payment on their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year as payments received in Autumn 2025 will be recovered in the 2025 to 2026 tax return, due by 31 January 2027."Should your income surpass £35,000, HMRC will reclaim your Winter Fuel Payment. This recoupment will occur either via Self Assessmen...

Micah Abigail LLC founder and @fitcreditdoctor Micah Smith speaks to Fox News Digital about why she’s largely against the implementation of a 50-year mortgage rate. A strong credit score can be the key to major financial purchases and affordable loans, but some states saw notable declines that created a "perfect storm" for Americans’ wallets, according to a credit repair expert. On Thursday, WalletHub released its list of the states with the largest credit score decreases, and Micah Abigail LLC founder and social media influencer Micah Smith broke down what it means for those residents in the top – and bottom – states."What we’re seeing right now is a very clear trend, especially when it comes to missed student loan payments, and it’s having a real impact on credit across the count...

12 restaurants offering up to 50% off meals in January (Image: GETTY)Twelve restaurants are offering up to 50% off in January 2026, helping customers enjoy a fun evening out this month without breaking the bank. Despite January being a time when people typically cut back on spending after the Christmas season has drained their funds, these 12 restaurants offer a place to enjoy a hearty meal without worrying about the bill.January often brings big sales, from home appliances to trendy coats. Even so, people sometimes overlook the opportunity to maximise these discounts through dining. If you're looking to save on a meal this month, here are the chains offering the best discounts. Read more: Much-loved Italian restaurant chain launches £5 pasta deal in January Read more: Chain restaura...

Yardeni Research president Ed Yardeni discusses economic drivers heading into 2026 on Making Money. The U.S. economy saw modest job growth in December as employers hired at a steady pace amid economic uncertainty. The Labor Department on Friday reported that employers added 50,000 jobs in December. That figure was cooler than the expectations of economists polled by LSEG, who projected 60,000 jobs would be added for the month.The unemployment rate declined slightly to 4.4% in December. That reading was lower than economists' expectations of a 4.5% rate. The decline comes after the unemployment rate was initially reported as rising to 4.6% in November, which was the highest it's been since September 2021, though it was revised to 4.5% after the BLS made a routine population adjustme...

Barclays, Halifax and HSBC have all reduced the cost of borrowing (Image: Getty)Three major high street banks have kicked off the new year by cutting mortgage rates, in what brokers say is a clear sign of where the market is heading. Barclays, Halifax and HSBC have all reduced the cost of borrowing, pushing more deals towards the mid-3% range and increasing pressure on competitors to follow.Barclays was the latest lender to announce reductions, becoming the second major high street bank to cut rates this week after HSBC. Halifax also confirmed it will lower its purchase products from Friday, alongside reductions from BM Solutions. The cuts come as Halifax said this morning that affordability is better than it has been for a decade, helped by slowing house prices and rates edging down. R...

A new online petition is urging the  UK Government to overhaul the State Pension system. The petition, initiated by David Matthews, proposes three major reforms aimed at freeing up government funds that could then be used to eliminate tuition fees for all students.The 'review, reform and means-test the State Pension and scrap tuition fees' petition, published on the Petitions Parliament website, calls for the abolition of the State Pension Triple Lock, which dictates annual increases, and a reduction in entitlements for pensioners who receive £20,000 or more annually from existing private defined benefit schemes.In his most controversial suggestion, Mr Matthews proposes ending the State Pension for individuals with annual incomes over £50,000. It's worth noting that the State Pension is...

HMRC has issued a reminder that only a few weeks remain before a key deadline, with workers who miss it potentially facing fines of £300 or more.The tax authority has previously warned that anyone required to complete a Self Assessment must settle their taxes no later than 11.59pm on 31 January 2026. This cut-off date applies specifically to those submitting online tax returns, rather than paper versions, which should have been lodged by 31 October last year.Those who failed to submit paper returns on time will already be liable for late filing penalties. A Self Assessment tax return is mandatory if you were classified as a self-employed 'sole trader' earning more than £1,000 in the preceding tax year, had Capital Gains Tax obligations when selling or disposing of an asset that increase...

An ex-MP and money expert has warned that Rachel Reeves may have a "wizard" solution to funding the State Pension. Former MP Lord Mackinlay of Richborough says the chancellor might look to means testing the benefit in a major move away from the current policy.An ageing population along with rising pensions payments has led to an increasing financial burden on the State to fund the payments. The UK government's annual cost for the State Pension is projected to be about £146 billion in 2025-26, making up more than half of total pensioner benefits, which are forecast to reach £177.8 billion in the current financial year.However, writing in The Telegraph, the peer raised concerns over the viability of the current system given Britain's increasingly elderly demographic alongside intergenerat...