editors-picks

UK Heat-Health Alerts and Home Insurance: What Amber and Yellow Warnings Mean for Your Cover

UKHSA has escalated heat-health alerts to amber for six English regions and yellow for three more until 12 July. UK subsidence payouts hit a record £307 million in 2025, and insurers say repeated heatwaves are now a permanent feature of home claims risk.

7 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Fixed-Rate Mortgages in 2026: What the Base Rate Hold Means for Remortgaging Costs

The Bank of England held the base rate at 3.75% for a seventh straight month. Average five-year fixed mortgage rates remain near 5.5%, more than double 2021 levels, leaving borrowers who fixed cheaply facing a steep jump when they remortgage in 2026.

7 Jul 2026 · 7 min read

EasyJet Agrees in Principle to Castlelake Takeover

EasyJet has agreed in principle to a £5.5 billion takeover by American investment firm Castlelake, sending its share price up more than 10% in early trading. Here's what's actually been agreed so far.

6 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

Universal Credit Managed Migration Explained

DWP's managed migration of legacy benefits to Universal Credit is reaching its final phase. Here's what claimants need to know about deadlines, transitional protection, and what happens if you miss your migration notice.

6 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

Sky's Reported ITV Takeover: What It Could Mean for UK Viewers

Sky, owned by Comcast, has reportedly agreed terms to buy ITV's broadcast channels and ITVX for about £1.6bn. What the reported deal could mean for viewers and free-to-air access.

5 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

Motability Scheme Changes 2026: Every New Restriction Explained

New Motability leases from 1 July 2026 face new taxes, a lower mileage allowance and a smaller brand list. Existing leases stay on their current terms.

5 Jul 2026 · 4 min read

Andy Burnham's Property Tax Plan Would Replace Council Tax and Stamp Duty

Andy Burnham is reported to be examining a proposal to scrap council tax and stamp duty in favour of an annual property tax based on home value.

5 Jul 2026 · 2 min read

DWP Can Now Take Benefit Debt Directly From Bank Accounts

The DWP has started writing to claimants with outstanding benefit debts, warning that repayments can now be taken directly from bank accounts without a court order.

5 Jul 2026 · 2 min read

SGE's 14-Reactor UK SMR Fleet: What Was Actually Submitted

SGE has submitted plans for 14 small modular reactors across three UK sites, delivering 4.2GW of capacity. How this compares to the Rolls-Royce SMR programme already underway at Wylfa, and the realistic timeline.

3 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

Abri and Curo Merger Talks: What a 73,000-Home Landlord Would Mean

Abri and Curo have entered merger talks that would create a 73,000-home housing association serving 142,000 customers across southern England. The financial gap between the two organisations, and what happens next.

3 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

Palantir's NHS Data Contract: What Happens If Burnham Ends It

Andy Burnham is reportedly set to end Palantir's £330m NHS Federated Data Platform contract when its break clause arrives in March 2027. What the contract covers and what ending it would involve.

3 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

FCA Proposes New Due Diligence Standards for SIPPs

The FCA has proposed new due diligence and asset-protection standards for SIPP providers, covering a market worth around 567 billion pounds across 5.3 million consumers.

2 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

Council Tax Debt in England Hits £7.4 Billion, Up 11% in a Year

Outstanding council tax debt in England has reached £7.4 billion, up 11.3% on the year before, as debt charities call for collection rules to change.

2 Jul 2026 · 4 min read

Income Support and JSA Have Ended: Universal Credit Migration Explained

DWP has confirmed the end of income-related ESA and Housing Benefit as legacy benefit claimants complete the move to Universal Credit.

2 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

FSCS Mortgage Advice Compensation Triples to £1.6m in a Year

FSCS compensation for bad mortgage advice rose from £500,000 to £1.6 million in a year, driven mainly by claims against a firm that defaulted in 2011.

2 Jul 2026 · 4 min read

Car Finance Complaints: 719 Trading Names, Just 106 Real Lenders

The FCA's car finance lender list has 719 trading names. Counted directly from the data, they collapse to 106 real lenders, with 10 firms behind 65% of all names.

2 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Motor Finance Redress Scheme Suspended: What It Means for Your Claim

The Upper Tribunal has partially suspended the FCA's motor finance redress scheme pending a legal challenge. Here is what is paused, what still continues, and what to do now.

2 Jul 2026 · 13 min read

5.6 Million People Check Pay in the HMRC App: Usage Data in Full

HMRC app usage data shows 5.6 million users this tax year, checking pay before payday an average of 18 times, alongside sharp growth in State Pension forecast and Child Benefit checks.

2 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

Asylum Seekers Must Repay Accommodation Costs: New Bill Explained

New Home Office powers let the government recover asylum accommodation and support costs from those who can afford to pay, via a flat-rate monthly charge before settlement eligibility.

2 Jul 2026 · 4 min read

APP Fraud in the UK: What UK Finance's 2026 Report Shows

UK Finance recorded £576.4m in APP fraud losses for 2025, up 19%, while a separate reimbursement-impact review estimated losses have fallen £73m a year. Both can be true at once — here's why.

2 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

Council Tax Arrears in England: Why the Debt Keeps Growing

Council tax arrears in England have reached roughly £7.4bn, with 4.4 million people behind on payments across Britain. How the current collection system escalates a missed payment, and what reform is on the table.

2 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

Making Tax Digital for Landlords: The 2028 Threshold Explained

MTD for Income Tax threshold falls to £20,000 by April 2028, catching most unincorporated landlords. What the staged rollout means and what changes when you're in scope.

2 Jul 2026 · 3 min read

The End of the High Street Bank Brand: What It Means for Your Money

Three of Britain's most recognisable banking brands have disappeared in twelve months. As Halifax joins TSB and Virgin Money in the history books, we map the forces reshaping banking worldwide and who is winning.

4 Jul 2026 · 16 min read

TUI Skyla Cruise Cancelled After Air Conditioning Failure in Budapest Heatwave: What Passengers Are Owed

TUI has cancelled the Skyla Danube river cruise after air conditioning failed during extreme heat in Budapest. Passengers receive a full refund and £100 voucher. Your package holiday rights explained.

1 Jul 2026 · 2 min read

Premium Bonds July 2026: Two Millionaires from Reading and Warwickshire as Prize Pot Hits £433m

NS&I has revealed two Premium Bonds millionaires in the July 2026 draw: one from Reading, one from Warwickshire. ERNIE distributed 6.2 million prizes worth £433m. Check your bonds from 2 July.

1 Jul 2026 · 2 min read

Red Arrows to Get New Jets: £360m British Jet Trainer System Confirmed

The government has confirmed £360m for a British Jet Trainer System to replace the Red Arrows' ageing Hawk T1. The team has already cut displays from nine jets to seven as airframes approach retirement.

1 Jul 2026 · 2 min read

Halifax Brand Scrapped After 173 Years: What the Lloyds Rebrand Means for Your Account

Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed the Halifax brand is being scrapped. All 190 branches will rebrand to Lloyds by 2027. Here is what changes and what Halifax customers need to do.

4 Jul 2026 · 8 min read

Before You Buy a Used Car: HPI Check, Finance Outstanding, MOT History and Your Rights

Before you buy a used car in 2026: HPI check, outstanding finance, MOT history, Consumer Rights Act rights and the 5 checks every buyer should make before handing over money.

1 Jul 2026 · 6 min read

Before You Buy an Electric Car: Real Costs, Range, Charging and What to Check in 2026

Before you buy an electric car in 2026: total cost of ownership vs petrol, charging costs, range anxiety, VED tax changes, grants and the 5 checks to make before buying.

1 Jul 2026 · 5 min read

Before You Renew Car Insurance: Timing, FCA Rights and How to Pay Less

The cheapest window to renew car insurance is 21-28 days before expiry. Before you renew, check your excess structure, FCA fair value rights, and compare beyond the four main aggregators.

1 Jul 2026 · 5 min read