Under the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025, the DWP can now access bank accounts to recover benefit overpayments and fraud debt without a court order. Here is how the powers operate and what safeguards apply.
Claims that UK net zero rules effectively ban air conditioning in new homes have circulated widely during the June 2026 heatwave. This guide sets out what Part O of the Building Regulations actually requires and what homeowners can and cannot install.
The Met Office has issued red heat warnings across parts of England for 24-25 June 2026 as temperatures exceed 35C. The heatwave is raising questions about home cooling costs, energy demand and what households can do to manage bills.
Tesco, Morrisons, Asda and Sainsbury's are recalling multiple prepackaged fruit products supplied by PrepWorld following salmonella contamination fears. Use-by dates 23 and 24 June 2026 are affected.
The DWP has new powers under the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025 to seek driving disqualifications and make direct bank deductions from people who owe benefit debt and refuse to repay.
£1,746.1 billion in outstanding UK mortgage loans -- a record. Gross advances £69.6bn in Q1 2026. Arrears at £20.1bn, lowest since Q3 2023. 2,216 new possessions. First-time buyer share fell to 27.4%. Source: FCA/BoE MLAR Q1 2026, published 9 June 2026.
Average Band D council tax in England for 2026-27 is £2,392 -- up £111 (4.9%). London averages £2,068; shire areas £2,452. Cheapest: Wandsworth £1,028. Most expensive: Dorset £2,765. Full band A-H table and discount guide. Source: MHCLG, March 2026.
Average UK house price £270,080 in April 2026, up 3.8% year-on-year. North East grew fastest at +9.9%. London fell 2.1%. London average £542,000 vs North East £162,000. Source: HM Land Registry / ONS UK HPI, June 2026.
1.74 million complaints received by financial services firms in H2 2025. Banking and credit cards top the list. 305,000+ FOS complaints in 2024/25 -- highest since PPI era. Motor finance commission is the fastest-growing complaint category. Source: FCA, April 2026.
Complete Ofgem energy price cap history from Q1 2019 to Q3 2026. Current cap: £1,641 (Q2 2026). Rising to £1,862 in July 2026 (+13%). Every quarterly level explained, including the Energy Price Guarantee period. Source: Ofgem.
1,868 company insolvencies in England and Wales in May 2026 -- 16% lower than May 2025. CVLs account for 72% of all cases. Construction remains the most affected sector with 3,931 insolvencies in the past 12 months. Source: Insolvency Service / Companies House, June 2026.
Average two-year fixed mortgage rate 4.81% in May 2026. SVR 6.60%. Household debt at 117.5% of disposable income. Individual insolvencies up 20.4% year-on-year in Q1 2026. Sources: Bank of England, Insolvency Service, House of Commons Library.
12,252 individual insolvencies in England and Wales in March 2026 -- 30% higher than March 2025. DROs hit a record high. One in 379 adults entered insolvency in the 12 months to March 2026. Source: Insolvency Service, April 2026.
Charts and data on UK EPC ratings: average bands by region, national distribution, new vs existing homes trend, and the 2030 rental Band C deadline. Sources: ONS, MHCLG Q1 2026.
CQC-rated care homes across England by region. 14,780 registered homes -- 82.7% rated Good or Outstanding. Source: CQC Care Directory, June 2026.
Find APHA-registered Official Veterinarians for export health certificates across England. Pets, livestock, food products, equines. All 10 regions. Source: APHA GOV.UK.
DWP announced strengthened pension scam protections on 9 June 2026 under the Pension Schemes Act 2026. Trustees can now refuse suspicious transfers. Eight scam warning signs every pension saver should know.
The government's £15bn Warm Homes Plan has several schemes open now. ECO4 free upgrades run until December 2026. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme £7,500 heat pump grant is open to all homeowners. Full guide.
4 in 5 defined benefit pension schemes are now in surplus. DWP launched a consultation on 10 June 2026 on rules to release some of the estimated £160bn surplus. What it means for members and employers.
The 50-year-old Consumer Credit Act 1974 is being replaced under the Financial Services and Markets Bill 2026. Section 75 stays. Unenforceability sanctions go. What changes and when for borrowers.
You do not need a claims firm to claim car finance compensation. The FCA confirms the process is free. This guide walks through every step using the FCA's own template - and keeps 100% of your payout.
The government launched its FTB ISA consultation on 23 June 2026 to replace the Lifetime ISA from April 2028. No penalty on withdrawal, bonus paid at purchase. What existing LISA holders need to know.
The government is closing a VAT loophole that let overseas retailers ship low-value parcels to UK buyers without collecting tax. What is changing and what it means for consumers.
The House of Lords has criticised plans to double the ILR qualifying period from 5 to 10 years, saying retrospective application is unfair. What the changes mean and who is affected.
Labour is weighing a further £1 billion for the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme on top of the £3.8bn already paid since 2024. What the 1994 deal was and what could change.
NS&I raised British Savings Bonds rates on 23 June 2026. The 1-year bond now pays 4.69% AER. Full rate table, how the bonds work, and how they compare to the market.
HMRC has confirmed a 22% tax on cash interest inside Stocks and Shares ISAs and a £12,000 Cash ISA limit for under-65s from April 2027. What it means for savers.
The Met Office has issued a rare red extreme heat warning for parts of England and Wales from Wednesday 09:00 BST, as temperatures hit 33.7C in Surrey and Britain's biggest train operator tells passengers to stay home.
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