KT Weekly #2: the week in numbers

2028

The normal minimum pension age rises from 55 to 57 on 6 April 2028. People aged 55 or 56 on 5 April 2028 can access pensions today but lose that from 6 April 2028 unless entitlement has already arisen. HMRC's consultation on the transitional rules closes Pension access age rises to 57 in 2028: who loses the window

3.75%

The Monetary Policy Committee voted 6 to 3 to hold Bank Rate at 3.75 percent on 17 September 2026, with Megan Greene, Catherine L Mann and Huw Pill preferring a rise to 4 percent. Bank Rate held at 3.75%, but three voted to raise it

4.00 %

The FOMC voted 12 to 0 to lift the US federal funds target range to 3.75 to 4.00 percent on 16 September 2026. UK fixed mortgage rates are priced from sterling swaps, and lenders have already repriced. Fed raises US rates: what it means for UK mortgages and savings

0.60 %

Family Building Society lifted every fixed rate by 0.60 percentage points on 16 September 2026, a day before the Bank of England decision. Here is what changed, what 0.60 adds to a monthly payment, and what to check if an application is already in. Family Building Society raises every fixed rate by 0.60 percent

2026

LV= marks Pensions Awareness Week 2026 with six pension checks, an illustration showing 50 pounds a month reaching about 261,000 pounds by age 70, and a reminder that contributions can affect income-related tax thresholds. Six pension checks for Pensions Awareness Week

3.1 %

CPI inflation rose to 3.1 percent in the 12 months to August 2026, up from 2.9 percent in July, the highest annual rate since March 2026. Transport, housing and fuels, and electricity and gas drove the increase, while core CPI held at 2.6 percent and food infl UK inflation rises to 3.1 percent as fuel and airfares climb

24 %

The Bank of England expects the Ofgem price cap to rise 4 percent in Q4 2026 and a further 24 percent in Q1 2027, according to the Governor's open letter to the Chancellor published 17 September 2026. Bank expects energy cap to rise 24 percent in early 2027

1,700

The British Gas Energy Trust's Energy Support Grant opens on 1 October 2026, offering up to 1,700 pounds to eligible households in energy debt. The Trust is an independent charity solely funded by British Gas, and support is available regardless of who su British Gas grant of up to 1,700 pounds opens on 1 October

£9.4m

FOI data obtained by Zurich shows fire service callouts to suspected cannabis farms rose 218 percent between 2015 and 2024. Zurich, which sells landlord and commercial property insurance, says claims have reached 9.4 million pounds since January 2022. Cannabis farm claims hit £9.4m: what landlords should check

1,700

Three's iPhone 18 Pro headline price of 51.88 pounds a month splits into a 36 month device plan and a 24 month airtime plan. The total over the full term, including the annual April rise, runs well past 1,700 pounds before any trade-in. iPhone 18 Pro on contract: what 36 months actually costs

95 %

BT says more than 95 percent of its consumer customers have already moved to a digital landline. The company is expanding a trial that temporarily pauses broadband for customers who have not responded, with advance warning and support, as the analogue network BT to pause broadband for customers who ignore the landline switch

2026

The RAC says record summer heat has oxidised the bitumen in asphalt, leaving roads brittle and prone to cracking. Its 2026 report finds 83 percent of drivers meet potholes on most journeys. RAC: heatwave has baked the roads, and how to claim for damage

41%

A YouGov survey commissioned by Birchall Tea found 41% of tea buyers stick with the same tea, while 6% seek higher quality and 2% choose on origin. Birchall plans a 1 million pound campaign to shift tea buying towards provenance. 41% of tea buyers stick with the same brew, YouGov finds

2609

OPSS recall 2609-0060 covers the Baylis & Harding Oud, Cedar & Amber 1L Hand Wash Refill in batches 6210A and 6211A, printed on the base of the pouch. The recall was published on 16 September 2026 at risk level Low after testing found Pluralibacter ger Hand wash recall: the two batch codes to check

500

Aldi is giving away 5,000 pounds in vouchers for Freshers Week, with 500 students each receiving a 10 pound voucher for fresh fruit and vegetables. Entry closes at midnight on Wednesday 7 October 2026. Aldi gives away 500 food vouchers to students this Freshers Week

370

Waitrose has cut prices on more than 370 own-brand products by an average of 11 percent from 16 September 2026, backed by a 20 million pounds investment. The cuts land on the same morning the ONS reported food inflation of 1.3 percent and CPI of 3. Waitrose cuts 370 own-brand prices by 11 percent on average

ZYMIX Spotlight opens for student sign-ups ahead of the app's UK launch, with free daily votes and paid Boost votes at 99p for five. The company says 20 finalists will be recognised equally. Here is what has been published, and a general checklist for any ZYMIX Spotlight: paid votes at 99p for five, and what to check

2026

NatWest Thrive research released on 16 September 2026 found that 39 percent of 16 and 17 year olds have turned a passion, hobby or skill into income in the past two years, earning an average of 389 pounds. Two in five teenagers have earned money from a hobby, NatWest finds

2026

Three directors were fined at City of London Magistrates' Court on 16 September 2026 in the first prosecutions for Companies House identity verification offences, with all three also convicted over late confirmation statements. First directors fined for skipping Companies House ID checks

14 %

The Kumi Responsible Sourcing Barometer 2026 finds only 14 percent of companies can point to clear improvements from responsible sourcing, while UK law already requires modern slavery statements from large firms. Only 14 percent of firms can show due diligence works

500,000

The Charity Commission has confirmed that charities in England and Wales need SORP-compliant accruals accounts only above 500,000 pounds of income for financial years ending on or after 30 September 2026, doubled from 250,000 pounds. Charity accounts: accruals threshold doubles to 500,000 pounds

70 %

The British Chambers of Commerce says domestic policy has raised a typical SME's cost stack by over 70 percent in a decade, about a quarter of that since the 2024 Budget. Its Q2 2026 survey of 4,744 firms found only 17 percent planned to raise investment, BCC: costs up 70 percent in a decade, only 17 percent investing

85,000

Around 85,000 Haier-made integrated heat pump tumble dryers remain a fire risk in UK homes. Check the eight affected brands, how to verify your model, the number to call, and what to do while waiting for a free modification. 85,000 tumble dryers still a fire risk: the 8 brands to check

2026

The government has announced 42 new Young Futures Hubs across England, backed by 70 million pounds from 2026/27 to 2028/29. The hubs offer mental health support, skills, training and youth work for 10 to 18 year olds, with 26 councils named and full allocation 42 new Young Futures Hubs: 70m pounds for youth services