Life Style

Energy bills are set to rise again this winter, with January’s price cap increase hitting at the worst possible time, just as households are using the most gas and electricity. Despite headlines promising future bill cuts after the Autumn Budget, many people don’t realise there’s a delay before any savings actually appear.The much-discussed £150 reduction won’t take effect until April 2026, meaning the higher price cap will remain through the peak winter months when heating costs are highest. Waiting until spring could result in paying more from December to March, especially if wholesale prices and network charges fluctuate. One way to protect against this is by switching to a fixed tariff below the current cap, securing lower rates during the priciest period and avoiding further volati...

Residents of a small village dubbed the UK's "easiest place" to pass a driving test have voiced their frustrations as their roads have become inundated with learner drivers, transforming their peaceful streets into a "nightmare".Miskin, located in south Wales not far from Cardiff, has reportedly seen an influx of learners from London and northern England, reports WalesOnline, drawn by online chatter about its seemingly simpler test route compared to other places. Despite assertions from test officials that the pass rate at the nearby Llantrisant Test Centre is only marginally higher than the national average, locals argue that the poor driving skills of learners are turning their tranquil Valleys village into a motorist's "hell".One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed co...

There’s nothing worse than stepping out of your home as you would normally without realising it’s icy and slipping. Even if you don’t fall over properly, the act of almost falling to the ground can elevate your heart rate for quite some time. However, there’s a household item that can be bought for just £2 in supermarkets that could be a key way to prevent your driveway from becoming too perilous.  The UK is currently experiencing freezing temperatures and perilous driving conditions as 2026 begins with sub-zero figures and up to 15 inches of snow forecast for some parts.That means treacherous drives, frozen windscreens and slippery front paths for Brits battling against the elements on their commute to work or school drop-off. And, while councils do their best to grit main roads, many ...

This was once a hugely popular theme park for generations of children — now it's empty (Image: John Myers)It was once a large and hugely popular theme park which thrilled generations of schoolchildren. Today its remains sit quietly in a rural part of the UK with the hustle and bustle of thrill-seeking visitors now a distant memory.Oakwood Theme Park announced in March last year that it would not open for the 2025 season and beyond, confirming a permanent closure which brought the curtain down on a roller-coaster ride of an attraction which lasted almost 40 years. The Pembrokeshire park announced the closure with "much sadness" as the declining number of visitors resulted in financial struggles. It was given the unwanted name of the "UK's worst theme park" by visitors in recent years. As...

Suede and leather shoes are certainly a stylish choice, but they can sometimes cause a headache when it comes to taking care of and ensuring they last a long time. When a scuff mark or stain appears, many people reach for the first available cleaner, hoping for a quick fix, but these rushed decisions can turn expensive footwear into unwearable disasters.Leanna Spektor, Co-Founder & Style Expert at Brand House Direct, says: "People panic when they see a stain and immediately try to scrub it away or soak the shoe, but suede and leather are delicate materials that require specific care. The cleaning methods that work on regular fabrics can permanently ruin these premium materials."Leaving shoes near radiatorsAfter getting your shoes wet, whether from cleaning or just heading out in the...

A pregnant mum-to-be is feeling stressed after her home was taken over by an insect infestation. Dealing with unwanted pests and creepy crawlies can be a frustrating experience that’s not too uncommon.One woman is struggling to manage a swarm of bugs that have taken over several rooms of her home since the end of autumn. The insects in question? Ladybirds. For the most part, these distinctive, brightly coloured beetles act as natural pest control agents, eating scale insects and aphids which cause damage to gardens.There is an invasive version though - the harlequin ladybird, which comes in many colours and can release a foul-smelling fluid when they feel threatened.The Royal Horticultural Society states: “It was not deliberately introduced to Britain or Ireland, but it became establish...

Regardless of how old your washing machine is, proper maintenance remains essential to ensure it operates efficiently and cleans your garments properly.Washing machine specialists recommend running a service wash to cleanse the interior of your appliance, otherwise dirt accumulates and mould can develop, causing your clothes to smell unpleasant.However, there's another area requiring attention... the detergent drawer. You may have spotted mould forming in this compartment – and one specialist has identified what he believes is the primary culprit.According to an appliance service repair expert from Melbourne, Australia, (@ezywashingmachinerepair), fabric softener usage can lead to mould growth in the drawer.During a recent client visit, the specialist enquired whether she used fabric so...

At present, there's an urgent need for blood donations, with medical professionals appealing to eligible people to come forward.This pressing need stems from the necessity to maintain adequate supplies of the appropriate blood types to "meet day-to-day patient needs and to cope with emergencies."According to Blood.co.uk, "some blood types are in higher demand from hospitals than others. For example, it's estimated that around 8% of people have O negative blood, but O negative makes up 13% of requests from hospitals."The organisation explains that O-negative blood serves as a universal donor type, making it the primary choice for critical emergency situations. Given this exceptional demand, stock levels must be constantly monitored."Sometimes we need to target specific blood types to inc...

Your neighbours can completely make or break your living situation. Even the most perfect house can be ruined by noisy or inconsiderate neighbours, while a small property that isn't your ideal home can be hard to leave behind if you've managed to form strong bonds with the people living next door.Neighbours don't necessarily have to be best friends or even communicate that often, but having a mutual understanding that you don't make too much noise, you always put your wheelie bins out properly, and you don't allow your plants to overgrow into their garden can go a long way.One man on Reddit, however, was left baffled when his neighbour put in a complaint about him that could have had him evicted from his rented flat, as he was convinced she had to be lying about him.The 28-year-old man ...

Baby monitors are a fantastic way to keep an eye on your little one as they sleep, or when you put them down for their nap during the day. It just quickly puts your mind at ease that your child is safe and sleeping soundly, rather than having to constantly physically go in their room and check on them, potentially risking disturbing their slumber.But one mum was left gobsmacked when she noticed an unexpected guest in her two-year-old’s room on the monitor. Mum Tori was quick to say on TikTok that she didn’t want any unsolicited parenting advice, because she "knew what was coming" when she posted the video.In the adorable video, the family cat could be seen curling up with her little girl in different positions throughout the night. Over the top of the video, Tori wrote: “When the big hu...