editors-picks

Cowboy Builders and Bailiffs: New Rules Explained

Private bailiffs in England and Wales will have to be accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board, or work for an accredited firm, to keep their certificate under new government rules, giving people in debt an independent complaints route. Separate measures aim to curb cowboy builders.

28 Aug 2026 · 5 min read

CMA Heating Oil Compensation: Who Gets Paid and How Much

Around 1,700 UK heating oil customers whose orders were cancelled during the 2026 price spike will receive between 150 and 350 pounds in compensation, the Competition and Markets Authority has confirmed. Affected customers are contacted directly and need take no action.

28 Aug 2026 · 4 min read

UK-Ireland Ferry Passport Rules From 28 September 2026

From 28 September 2026, all passengers on Republic of Ireland to Britain ferries must carry a valid passport or passport card. Which routes are affected and what you need to do before you travel.

26 Aug 2026 · 5 min read

IPPR Tax Proposals: Pensioner NI and a New Property Tax

The IPPR has proposed extending National Insurance to earning pensioners and replacing stamp duty and council tax with a 0.65% property tax ahead of the 26 November Budget. These are proposals, not policy.

26 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

How to Check What a House Sold For (UK): Price Paid Data

Check what a UK house sold for with HM Land Registry's free Price Paid Data, covering sales since 1995. From 28 August 2026 it adds UPRNs and INSPIRE IDs to make matching easier.

26 Aug 2026 · 7 min read

Emergency Prep UK: Supplies Kit and the Money Side

The government's new resilience campaign urges households to keep tinned food and water. Here is the emergency supplies checklist and the money side: an emergency fund of 3 to 6 months and a cash reserve.

26 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

Energy Price Cap Rises to £1,723 From October 2026

Ofgem has confirmed the energy price cap rises 4% to £1,723 a year from 1 October 2026, up £60 from £1,663. What is changing, why, and what to do before it takes effect.

26 Aug 2026 · 5 min read

UK Scam Losses Hit £9.4bn: What the Fraud Report Shows

UK consumers lost an estimated £9.4 billion to scams in 12 months, says the GASA and Cifas State of Scams report. What is driving it and how to protect yourself and report fraud.

25 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

New King Charles 10p Coin Enters UK Circulation

About 7.1 million King Charles III 10p coins entered UK circulation from 25 August 2026. What to check in your change, and whether old 10p coins are still legal tender.

25 Aug 2026 · 4 min read

UK Data Centres and the Electricity Grid: What the AI Boom Means for Energy

UK data centres used about 5 terawatt hours in 2025, but NESO expects consumption to rise to around 22 terawatt hours by 2030.

24 Aug 2026 · 5 min read

FSA runny eggs warning: what the salmonella outbreak means for you

The FSA has warned about runny eggs amid a salmonella outbreak, with 207 confirmed cases. Vulnerable groups should avoid undercooked eggs when eating out.

22 Aug 2026 · 4 min read

FCA warns on mini-bonds and loan notes: why these high-risk investments can cost you everything

The FCA's ban on mass marketing mini-bonds to retail investors began on 1 January 2021, yet unregulated firms still use exemptions, leaving investors at risk of losing everything.

21 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

Sovereign Grant reset: how the monarchy is funded and what is changing

The Sovereign Grant will be reset down to 99.9 million pounds from 2027-28, following the completion of the Buckingham Palace reservicing programme.

21 Aug 2026 · 4 min read

Bank tax and the Budget: what a higher surcharge could mean for savers and borrowers

Banks in the UK already pay a bank corporation tax surcharge of 3% on profits above a 100 million pounds allowance, on top of the main 25% corporation tax rate.

21 Aug 2026 · 4 min read

Free school meals 2026: who qualifies now after the England expansion

From 2026/27, all children in England from Universal Credit households get free school meals, adding around 500,000 more children. Targeted meals still attract pupil premium.

20 Aug 2026 · 5 min read

Storm and heat damage: what home insurance covers when the weather turns

Insurers often define a storm as involving wind speeds of around 55 miles per hour or more, or extreme rain, hail, or snow, and standard buildings insurance covers the resulting damage.

20 Aug 2026 · 7 min read

GCSE results day 2026: the money and next steps most guides miss

GCSE results day 2026 is 20 August. Key facts: resit rules, bursary, free school meals from 2026, and appeals. The 7,400 pounds threshold still matters for pupil premium.

20 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

easyJet quits Leeds Bradford: your refund and rerouting rights explained

easyJet will stop flying from Leeds Bradford after 5 January 2027, ending six routes. Passengers can choose a free transfer or full refund. UK261 rights apply.

20 Aug 2026 · 4 min read

HMRC crypto tax letters: what the 81,000 warning notices mean and what to do

HMRC has sent more than 81,000 warning letters to crypto holders over possible unpaid capital gains tax. The letters are prompts, not penalties, but ignoring them can lead to penalties or prosecution.

20 Aug 2026 · 7 min read

Post-Brexit rights of UK citizens in the EU: what the Withdrawal Agreement protects

The Withdrawal Agreement protects UK nationals lawfully resident in the EU before 31 December 2020, but some, like in Sweden, have faced removal due to application issues.

19 Aug 2026 · 5 min read

Digital driving licence: how the GOV.UK Wallet version works and when it arrives

The DVLA is rolling out a digital driving licence through the GOV.UK Wallet app during 2026, with wider rollout in August 2026. It is optional, and physical photocards remain valid until at least 2030.

19 Aug 2026 · 4 min read

Inheritance tax: married couples vs unmarried partners and the spouse exemption

The inheritance tax nil-rate band is 325,000 pounds per person. Married couples and civil partners benefit from the spouse exemption, but unmarried partners do not. The residence nil-rate band can increase the allowance, and couples can pass on up to 1 million pounds.

19 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

Poundland owner Gordon Brothers weighs sale a year after £1 takeover

Gordon Brothers is weighing an auction of Poundland around 13 months after buying it for a nominal £1, with the chain now at roughly 600 stores and about 12,000 staff after a court-sanctioned restructuring.

18 Aug 2026 · 4 min read

Years dog food recall: buckwheat meals pulled over suspected dry eye link

Fresh dog food brand Years has recalled its buckwheat meals over a suspected link to canine dry eye, affecting around 40,000 customers. What owners need to know and how pet insurance may respond.

18 Aug 2026 · 4 min read

Lloyds and Halifax banking app outage on 18 August 2026: what happened and your rights

Lloyds and Halifax mobile apps and online banking went down on 18 August 2026, with about 67% of reports app-related, before services were restored by mid-afternoon. What to do if a payment failed.

18 Aug 2026 · 5 min read

NS&I raises Premium Bonds prize fund rate to 4.35% for September 2026 draw

NS&I lifts the Premium Bonds prize fund rate to 4.35% tax-free from the September 2026 draw, with odds shortening to 21,000 to 1 and over 6.5 million prizes worth around £497 million.

18 Aug 2026 · 5 min read

16-17 Saver Railcard: Full-Year Rules and 16-25 Compared

From 17 August 2026 the 16-17 Saver railcard lasts a full year from purchase and no longer expires at 18. It gives 50% off most fares, beating the 16-25 Railcard's third off for teenagers, and helps over 70,000 young people a year who lost savings worth about £175.

4 Aug 2026 · 8 min read

NS&I British Savings Bonds: Fixed Rates Now Up to 4.75%

NS&I has raised its fixed-term British Savings Bonds for the third time in 2026, with new issues paying up to 4.75 percent AER on the five-year bond and 4.72 percent on the one-year. All deposits are fully backed by HM Treasury.

2 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

Sainsbury's Sells Argos to Swift Partners: What It Means

Sainsbury's has agreed to sell Argos to Swift Partners for cash proceeds of at least £120 million. The deal covers 201 shops, 466 store-in-store sites and about 1,400 staff, and completes in February 2027. Nectar, gift cards and warranties continue unchanged.

1 Aug 2026 · 6 min read

The £1bn Reprieve: Scotch Whisky’s Tariff War, Charted from the Official Data

US tariffs on Scotch hit zero from 24 July, weeks after India halved the world’s highest whisky wall. What seven years of tariff whiplash cost - visible in the production data - and what comes back now.

25 Jul 2026 · 7 min read