money-guides

How to Check Mobile Network Coverage Before Signing a Contract

Before committing to a mobile contract, checking coverage with Ofcom's checker and your prospective operator's own tool takes minutes and can save months of frustration. Here is what the results actually mean.

16 Jun 2026 · 8 min read

Travel Insurance Excess Explained: What You Pay on a Claim UK 2026

The excess is the part of any claim you pay yourself. ABI members paid 472 million pounds across more than 500,000 travel claims in 2024, and FCDO notes some insurers waive the medical excess if you use a GHIC.

16 Jun 2026 · 5 min read

HMRC Direct Recovery of Debts: How Bank Account Deductions Work in 2026

HMRC has confirmed it has restarted its Direct Recovery of Debts powers in a test and learn phase. The scheme allows tax to be taken directly from bank accounts, building society accounts and cash ISAs, with safeguards including a £1,000 debt threshold and a £5,000 protected balance.

16 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

UK Net Zero Economy Passes 100 Billion: Where the Investment Pipeline Is Going and How It Connects to Your Energy Bill

UK net zero economy tops 100 billion. Investment pipeline near 455 billion. Where the money is going, who is being hired, and the link to household energy bills.

16 Jun 2026 · 7 min read

Storm Damage and Your Home Insurance: What Is Covered, What Is Not, and How to Claim After Storm Stacey

Storm Stacey active across the UK. What home insurance covers, the fence and gradual damage exclusions, and the route to FOS if a claim is rejected.

16 Jun 2026 · 7 min read

Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland Outage: Your Compensation Rights When Banking Goes Down

26 million customers hit by Lloyds Banking Group app outage on 3 June 2026. Compensation precedent set by March 2026 data breach. The practical FOS escalation route.

16 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

UK Unemployment Set for Sharpest Rise in the G7: Your Statutory Redundancy and Universal Credit Rights

OECD forecasts 5.5 percent UK unemployment by end 2026, the steepest rise in the G7. The practical guide to your statutory redundancy entitlements and Universal Credit.

16 Jun 2026 · 7 min read

Universal Studios Bedford 7.3 Billion: What It Means for UK Property, Jobs and the Oxford to Cambridge Corridor

Chancellor confirms 1.3 billion infrastructure spend alongside 6 billion Comcast build. 28,000 jobs, 8.5 million visitors a year, 50 billion in economic benefits by 2055.

16 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

Charity Insurance UK: What Cover Does Your Organisation Need?

A practical UK guide to charity insurance: trustee indemnity, employers liability, public liability, volunteer cover, property and event risks, plus how Charity Commission guidance shapes a trustee's legal duty of care when arranging cover.

15 Jun 2026 · 8 min read

Brussels Airport strike: EU261 compensation rights for UK passengers

Brussels Airport disruption from Belgian general strikes affects UK travellers. EU261 rules, refund and rebooking rights, and travel insurance cover explained.

3 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

Carnival Cruise data breach: what UK customers should do if affected

Carnival Corporation has disclosed a data breach affecting nearly 6 million customers. P&O Cruises and Cunard sit in the same group. UK GDPR rights explained.

3 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

UK food inflation: ONS April data, supermarket warnings and household impact

ONS food inflation eased to 3.0 per cent in April 2026 but the Food and Drink Federation warns of upward pressure. The data and what it means for shopping budgets.

3 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

UK summer heatwave: household cost impact on energy bills, home insurance and workplace

The 2026 UK heatwave raises practical cost questions for households: cooling bills, sun damage cover, employer duty of care and what insurance pays out.

3 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

El Niño warning: what the climate shift means for UK food prices and household bills

Met Office and Food Foundation data show food inflation and energy demand under pressure from the El Niño climate cycle. The UK household cost picture explained.

3 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

Strait of Hormuz blockade: how the choke point closure feeds through to UK petrol pumps and energy bills

Around 25% of the world's seaborne oil and 20% of LNG normally pass through the Strait of Hormuz. With shipping largely blocked since 28 February 2026, UK households face higher pump prices, a delayed energy price cap response, and a pass through into wider goods inflation.

2 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

NS&I Premium Bonds Prize Fund Rate Rises to 3.8 Percent from July 2026 Draw

NS&I will lift the Premium Bonds prize fund rate from 3.30% to 3.80% from the July 2026 draw, shortening the odds on each GBP 1 bond from 23,000 to 1 down to 22,000 to 1 and adding 322,000 extra prizes to the monthly draw.

16 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

NS&I Premium Bonds June 2026: Prize Draw Results, How to Check and Current Prize Rate

NS&I Premium Bonds are trending as the June 2026 prize draw results become available. Here is how to check if you've won, what the current prize fund rate is, and how Premium Bonds compare to savings accounts.

16 Jun 2026 · 6 min read

Premium Bonds Prize Rate Rises to 3.80 Percent From July 2026

NS&I has raised the Premium Bonds prize fund rate to 3.80 percent from 3.30 percent, effective from the July 2026 draw. Odds shorten to 22,000 to 1 per £1 bond. It is the first rate increase in nearly three years.

16 Jun 2026 · 4 min read

Cash ISA Allowance Cut to £12,000 From April 2027: How Under-65s, Over-65s and Stocks and Shares Savers Are Affected

From 6 April 2027 the Cash ISA allowance for under-65s falls to £12,000. Over-65s keep £20,000. The remaining £8,000 must go into investment-type ISAs. A 1 penny rule may let savers avoid a 22 percent charge on cash held in stocks and shares ISAs.

25 Jun 2026 · 8 min read

Self Assessment July 2026: Second Payment on Account Deadline Explained

The second 2025/26 payment on account is due 31 July 2026. Who has to pay, what happens if it's late, and how to reduce the amount.

30 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

SEO content writing for healthcare: where YMYL meets MHRA

How healthcare brands rank without breaching MHRA advertising rules, ASA CAP code, or Google's YMYL quality bar. Specifics for clinics, devices, and digital health.

31 May 2026 · 10 min read

UK Insurance Fraud Hits £1.16bn: Travel Claim Fraud Up 97%

UK insurers detected £1.16 billion in fraudulent claims in 2024, up 12% on the year, with travel insurance fraud rising 97% to around 2,020 cases. Honest claimants face longer waits.

15 Jun 2026 · 3 min read

UK Pubs Closing at 500 a Year: Industry Says 15% Rates Cut Not Enough

The British Beer and Pub Association warned in May 2026 that the UK is on course to lose 500 pubs this year despite a 15% business rates discount for hospitality.

30 May 2026 · 3 min read

Cancer Research UK Closing 88 Shops by May: What Donors Need to Know

Cancer Research UK is closing 88 charity shops by May 2026, with around 100 more under consideration. Donors should check their nearest remaining branch and gift aid status.

30 May 2026 · 3 min read

Quiz Fashion in Administration: 40 UK Stores at Risk

Scottish-founded Quiz Clothing entered administration in February 2026. The retailer is still trading from 40 UK stores while administrators consider options for the business.

30 May 2026 · 3 min read

Blue Origin Rocket Failure May 2026 — What Happened and What It Means

A Blue Origin rocket failed at Cape Canaveral in May 2026. New Glenn vehicle involved. No crew aboard. What went wrong and what it means for the space programme.

29 May 2026 · 2 min read

Luke Littler Wins Premier League Darts 2026 — Prize Money, Result and Full Story

Luke Littler won the Premier League Darts 2026 final at the O2 Arena, beating Luke Humphries in a classic final for the third year running. Prize money, scores and what it means for the PDC rankings.

29 May 2026 · 3 min read

British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme — Which Businesses Get 25% Off Electricity Bills?

BICS will cut electricity bills by up to 25% for over 10,000 UK manufacturers from April 2027. Sectors include steel, automotive, aerospace, and pharmaceuticals. A one-off backdated payment covers April 2026 onwards.

29 May 2026 · 3 min read

Solar Panels Cost UK 2026 — Prices, Savings, Grants and Payback Period

Solar panel installation costs £5,000 to £12,000 for most UK homes in 2026. Annual savings of £500 to £700 for a 4kW system. 0% VAT until March 2027. Smart Export Guarantee pays you for energy exported to the grid.

29 May 2026 · 4 min read

Octopus Energy Tenant Power Tariff: How Social Housing Tenants Can Cut Bills

Octopus Energy Tenant Power tariff cuts social housing electricity bills by up to £200 a year using solar panels and battery storage. Expanded to Wales 28 May 2026. Target: 10,000 homes by end of 2026.

22 Jun 2026 · 4 min read