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Britain’s energy watchdog has issued fresh advice to households on how to slash gas and electricity costs. It comes as the latest forecasts suggest the energy price cap could fall by around £117 in April under Government plans to remove green levies from bills – offering some relief after years of punishing costs.In a social media post, Ofgem highlighted simple steps that can cut bills, from tweaking your boiler settings to swapping old lightbulbs for LEDs. With millions still feeling the squeeze from high energy costs, the regulator says savings are possible “with these everyday actions and home improvements”.Quick wins you can do todayOfgem says households can start saving immediately with small behavioural changes.One of the biggest is turning down your boiler temperature. If you hav...

When a leak occurs, your immediate reaction might be to ring a plumber. However, British Gas recommends there's an essential action worth taking beforehand - particularly during crises.The energy provider's guidance centres on your stopcock - the critical plumbing valve that regulates water flow to a property. Understanding its location, purpose, and how to shut it off can prove invaluable when pipes rupture or other domestic incidents arise.A specialist from British Gas recently shared their expertise on Instagram. She said: "Did you know that your house has an emergency off button for the water, but in an emergency situation, do you actually know where it is?"Your stopcock is most commonly found under your kitchen unit. Your stopcock can also be found in your downstairs toilets or in ...

Britain’s inflation rate has fallen to its lowest level since March 2025 – and economists expect it to dip further by April. With markets pricing in an 86% chance of a base rate cut at the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting on March 19, savers are being urged to move quickly before returns are slashed.A finance expert has warned that failing to lock in today’s higher savings rates could leave millions of households hundreds – or even thousands – of pounds worse off over time. Antonia Medlicott, managing director of financial education specialists Investing Insiders, says too many savers have already paid the price for inertia.She said: “Savers should act now to ensure they're not repeating the same mistake too many UK savers made last year when they lost billions in pur...

Motorists are facing having to pay up a huge amount, according to recent figures (Image: Getty) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Motorists have been told to protect themselves after Brits were forced to hand over a huge amount of cash in fines over 12 months. Drivers face nearly £1.5billion in private parking charges, experts said, as parking companies issued a record 14.4million tickets in a year. Leaving your vehicle in car parks operated by private companies, such as at a supermarket, airport or restaurant, means entering into a contract with the landowner, specialists have reminded motorists, and breaching it can result in a parking charge notice (PCN). With each these typically start at £100, and Brits ...

Cold Weather Payments provides £25 for each seven day period of cold weather (Image: GETTY)Cold Weather Payments are designed to support vulnerable households during spells of severe weather throughout the winter months. The scheme will be closing within weeks, but the Government has now confirmed that over £35million has already been distributed this winter season.Certain postcodes have even been issued more than one payment as Storm Goretti delivered freezing temperatures and snowfall in the early weeks of 2026. Whilst most people will receive the payments automatically, some may need to claim depending on their location and how they are eligible for the payments.To be eligible for the payment, you must be receiving at least one of the following benefits:Pension CreditIncome Supportin...

Rachel Reeves may soon be feeling pleased with herself. Get used to it. (Image: Getty)Ever since Rachel Reeves entered No. 11, it’s been one drama after another. Taxes have soared, borrowing has broken records, spending has threatened to run out of control, and our national debt and deficit look ever more daunting. She inherited a stuttering economy, but almost everything she did made it worse. Her relentless £66billion tax blitz has slowed growth and driven up unemployment. Reckless borrowing spooked the bond markets. Labour backbenches threaten to throw a wobbly at the first mention of spending restraint.At times, Reeves looked a broken woman. She made life harder for herself with broken promises over tax and so much else. Throwing money at an unproductive public sector was risky, and...

A major supermarket is offering free health tests at 350 branches across the UK. Tesco has partnered with the British Heart Foundation (BHF), urging people to prioritise their wellbeing this month.High blood pressure is among the primary risk factors for heart attacks and strokes, yet the BHF estimates that up to 5 million adults across the UK may be living with the condition without knowing. Because high blood pressure frequently has no signs or symptoms, the only way to discover it is to get tested. When detected early, high blood pressure can be successfully managed, helping to safeguard long‐term health. Tesco customers can receive a free blood pressure test, with both pre-booked and walk-in appointments on offer. Tests are conducted in private consultation rooms. Staff will explain...

Chancellor Rachel Reeves extended the income tax freeze at November's Budget (Image: HENRY NICHOLLS, AFP via Getty Images)A petition calling on the UK Government to increase the personal tax allowance to £20,000 from its current level of £12,570 has one week remaining to gather sufficient signatures to be considered for Parliamentary debate. The petition, established on the UK Government's petition website by Shannon Keene, has a deadline of Saturday, February 28, 2026.Titled 'Raise the income tax personal allowance from £12,570 to £20,000', it states: "This would help with increasing rent, mortgages, Council tax, and Gas and Electric bills. Some families can't afford to go back to work after children due to childcare costs wiping their whole income!"We think that we are currently payin...

HMRC will send a new tax code letter to those eligible (Image: Getty)State pensioners can get a boost to their prized tax-free Personal Income by using a little known HMRC perk for married couples.Right now, the income tax Personal Allowance is frozen at £12,570 and will remain stuck at that level until at least 2031, by which point it will have been in place for a full decade, while earnings and indeed the state pension continue to creep up due to inflation.While Rachel Reeves has confirmed that state pensioners who do not receive any other income apart from the state pension will be exempt from paying income tax if they exceed the threshold, which is due to happen in April 2027 following another Triple Lock increase, there are plenty of pensioners who will still be liable to pay tax o...

UK bank customers can get £200 for switching their accounts. Banks regularly offer rewards for switching accounts, such as higher savings interest rates and one-off deposits. One of the current offers sees a high street bank offering £200 who make a switch to their banking services. It comes from Santander, and it's available for new and existing customers. However, there are, as always, a few criteria to meet to secure the £200 reward. The £200 reward is available for customers who switch to one of Santander’s eligible accounts, which are the Everyday, Edge, Edge Up, Edge Explorer or Private, using the Current Account Switch Service (CASS). The offer has been on the table for a few months now, having been launched back in November 2025. However, the bank can withdraw it at any time, an...