He added that this is more likely to work in smaller boutique hotels rather than larger chains.
But he also says even just asking can make a difference.
Mr Callery continued: “Being polite but direct about what you want often yields results.
“Start off by asking about paid upgrade options.
“Once the receptionist has explained them, nicely mention your budget constraints.
“They will often give you a free upgrade to compromise.”
“Ask the receptionist if any complimentary upgrades are available today rather than demanding one.”
Even if you didn’t succeed on the first day, you might be able to get an upgrade later in your trip if you are staying longer than one night.
He explained: “Night audits show which high-end rooms won’t be filled, and thus can sometimes unlock a mid-stay upgrade.”
Other methods that he recommends is telling them if its a special occasion such as birthdays and anniversaries, as that can also lead to upgrades.
Just don’t try and lie, as you could be caught out.
Another lie not to tell is being a influencer or content creator if you’re not, as he warned “they hear this every day and it is easily checked”.
Mr Callery ended by saying: “Reception staff really want you to have a great stay.
“A friendly approach and understanding of how the hotel works often results in courtesy perks, which add value to your visit without affecting your budget.”
Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has told Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents they are legally protected from prosecution and local officials cannot arrest them.
Fox News host Will Cain questioned Miller during an October 24 interview. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Cain said, “talked about interfering with, arresting, ICE agents in Illinois”.
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Cain asked Miller under what federal authority the Trump administration could arrest Pritzker if the governor tried to arrest ICE agents.
“To all ICE officers, you have federal immunity in the conduct of your duties,” Miller said. “And anybody who lays a hand on you or tries to stop you or tries to obstruct you is committing a felony.”
Miller said his answer applied to any local or state official “who conspires or engages in activity that unlawfully impedes federal law enforcement conducting their duties”.
The day before Miller’s comments, Pritzker signed an executive order establishing the Illinois Accountability Commission to document federal law enforcement actions and refer possible law violations to local and state agencies for investigation. Chicago is the latest target in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, and agents have arrested more than 3,000 people there.
Pritzker acknowledged in an October 16 interview that “federal agents typically have federal immunity, but they’re not immune from the federal government holding them accountable and responsible”.
His statement is less sweeping than Miller’s, and Pritzker noted that the federal government can prosecute federal agents.
Immigration agents, like other law enforcement officers, have broad protections when conducting official duties. That doesn’t mean they can’t be held legally accountable if they break state or federal law.
“Federal officials are not categorically immune from state criminal prosecution, even while on duty,” Bryna Godar, a lawyer at the University of Wisconsin’s State Democracy Research Initiative, wrote in a July 17 report.
When contacted for comment, the White House pointed PolitiFact to an October 23 letter that US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote to California officials.
“The Department of Justice views any arrests of federal agents and officers in the performance of their official duties as both illegal and futile,” Blanche wrote.
He cited several federal laws and provisions, including the US Constitution’s Supremacy Clause. The clause limits when states can prosecute federal agents who break state law, but it does not act as blanket immunity, legal experts said.
Miller’s statement is “wrong on its face”, Steve Vladeck, a Georgetown University constitutional law professor, wrote in his October 27 newsletter.
The federal government can prosecute immigration agents who break the law
Federal immigration agents can’t break the law with impunity.
In 2024, a federal judge convicted and sentenced to federal prison a US Customs and Border Protection agent for using excessive force against two people at the southern border. Department of Homeland Security watchdog officers investigated the case.
The federal government has cited its power to hold agents accountable in court arguments. After a Border Patrol agent shot and killed a 15-year-old Mexican boy at the southern border in 2010, the Justice Department said in a 2019 Supreme Court brief that the federal government investigates allegations of excessive force by agents “and may bring a federal criminal prosecution where appropriate”.
Non-government organisations can also sue the federal government for its agents’ actions. Several groups in Chicago, including journalism organisations, sued the Trump administration saying federal agents are using “a pattern of extreme brutality in a concerted and ongoing effort to silence the press and civilians”.
In that case, federal District Judge Sara Ellis ordered immigration agents not to use tear gas and other riot control tactics unless people are posing an immediate threat. If the agents are going to use tear gas, they are required to give a verbal warning first.
After reports that agents weren’t following the court order, Ellis ordered Gregory Bovino, the senior Border Patrol official overseeing the federal immigration actions in Chicago, to meet with her every weeknight to report all confrontations officers have with the public. A federal appeals court has since temporarily paused Ellis’s order.
Vladeck wrote that even if the Trump administration does not investigate or prosecute immigration agents who might have broken the law, it doesn’t mean the federal government doesn’t have the power to do so.
Pritzker said his state’s commission seeks to document actions that could be prosecuted in the future.
Demonstrators hold signs during a protest against ICE raids, in Little Village, Chicago, Illinois, US, on October 24, 2025 [Daniel Cole/Reuters]
State governments aren’t barred from prosecuting federal agents
State governments can also prosecute immigration agents if they break state law. However, there is a limitation known as supremacy clause immunity, which comes from the US Constitution’s clause that says federal law supersedes conflicting state laws.
Protections against state prosecution for federal agents date back to a 1890 Supreme Court decision. David Neagle, a US marshal assigned to protect a Supreme Court justice, shot and killed a man who assaulted the justice. California arrested Neagle and charged him with murder. The Supreme Court ruled that the state couldn’t prosecute Neagle because he was carrying out official duties.
Generally, federal agents are protected from state prosecution if their actions were authorised by federal law, and if the actions were “necessary and proper” for agents to fulfil their duties.
A federal court ruled in 1990 that a customs agent was immune from state charges for speeding while driving during a drug operation. The agent acted under US laws and was justified in concluding speeding was necessary to fulfil his duties, the court said.
But a US marine wasn’t given immunity in 1990 after he killed a person in a car accident while he was driving in a military convoy in North Carolina.
“In short, while Supremacy Clause immunity grants federal officials a partial shield from state prosecution, that immunity is not absolute,” Godar wrote.
Contrary to Miller’s statement, Vladeck wrote, it’s not a felony “for local or state authorities to arrest someone who they have probable cause to believe committed a state crime”.
If a state brought charges against federal immigration agents, the court would have to determine whether an officer reasonably would have thought the actions were necessary to carry out federal duties.
“That’s a generous standard, to be sure,” Vladeck wrote. “But it is by no means a get-out-of-prosecution-free card.”
Our ruling
Miller said: “To all ICE officers, you have federal immunity in the conduct of your duties.”
Immigration agents, like other law enforcement officers, have broad protections when they’re conducting official duties. But they’re not immune from prosecution if they break state or federal law.
The federal government can and does prosecute federal officers who break the law.
States can’t prosecute agents for breaking state law if the agents were acting under the reasonable confines of their official duties. But those restrictions aren’t absolute.
The statement contains an element of truth; federal immigration agents have some immunity from state prosecution. But the protections aren’t as sweeping as Miller made them sound, giving a different impression. Federal agents can and have been prosecuted by states.
A MAJOR UK airport has been shut down after facing difficulties with one of its runways.
Flights were cancelled and planes grounded overnight with passengers encouraged to check with their airlines to see if their journey has been affected.
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Planes due to land at the airport were diverted to other UK sitesCredit: LNPLeeds Bradford Airport was closed following issues with its runwayCredit: Alamy
Leeds Bradford Airport is expected to remain closed to both departures and arrivals until 5am on Saturday.
Jet setters were warned that the closure could continue on longer.
The first flight out of the closed airport, a Jet2 service to Heraklion in Crete, is expected to leave shortly before 5:25am.
Flights due to land at Leeds Bradford Airport were diverted and sent to other UK airports in the wake of the runway issue.
The busy airport usually operates for 24 hours a day but has been closed now until the issue can be adressed.
Staff at the airport are reportedly working at speed to fix the problem as soon as they can.
The team at Leeds Bradford Airport said that customer safety is their number on priority.
Disappointed holidaymakers can make contact with staff on the ground at terminals to ask any questions about their flights.
A statement on the airport’s website, posted at 10pm, reads: “Due to an unforeseen issue with the runway, we have had to take the decision to close the airport until the morning.
“Customers are advised to check with their airline for the most up-to-date information regarding their flight.
“We are working to resolve the disruption as soon as possible, the safety and comfort of the passengers travelling through our terminal is our number one priority.
“Our team is on the ground in the terminal to answer any customer queries regarding departures.”
Leeds Bradford Airport was granted planning permission to operate round the clock in 1994.
Dozens of flights take off and land at the busy midlands airport on a day-by-day basis.
According to the airport’s website there is a designated night-time flight period.
This lasts from 11pm to 7am every evening with only the quietest jets permitted to operate between these hours.
Here’s the full list of best to worst UK airports according to Which?
A glimmer of hope, a door creaked slightly ajar, a creeping sense of “what if” drifting through the crowd and the commentary box – but in the end, Australia win.
This was England’s long-awaited Ashes reunion, their first competitive meeting since the ill-fated 16-0 drubbing.
In some ways, this was a free hit, considering the fact that a semi-final spot at the Women’s World Cup had already been secured for both teams.
Throughout the tournament, England have shown – despite being far from perfect on occasions – that this is not the same dejected England that left the Melbourne Cricket Ground back in February, having barely left a scratch on their opponents – let alone a punch.
Against their great rivals in Indore, they had spells where they competed – again, something that was nothing more than a pipe dream at the beginning of the year.
Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont dominated the first eight overs, cashing in as the Australian seamers bowled too wide and lacked control.
Alice Capsey played an enterprising cameo to get England to 244, which always felt below par, but when Lauren Bell removed Phoebe Litchfield’s off stump with a beauty and Georgia Voll and Ellyse Perry were dismissed shortly after, England were in unfamiliar territory.
They were favourites.
But against a team of such greatness, a line-up littered with stardom from one to 11 and the three left on the bench, you cannot and will not win a game in moments.
England learned a harsh lesson in Indore. They have improved massively in the field, they look fitter, they look a more cohesive unit willing to fight and scrap for everything.
Still, you can do all of that, and still be outplayed. You can take four top-order wickets for 68 runs and the next two will add a chanceless 180 between them, turning a wobble into a crushing victory with nearly 10 overs to spare.
England’s unbeaten run came to an end, ever so predictably, with a bump down to earth dealt by Australia.
The vibe: A back-to-basics 1940s motor court in the heart of the 29 Palms revival.
The details: In 1946, when jackrabbits and homesteading World War II veterans dominated the dry, remote open spaces of the Morongo Basin, the Mesquite Motel went up along the main highway in Twentynine Palms. By 1962, it was called La Hacienda and had a tall, yellow, utterly utilitarian sign (and a little, rectangular pool). Later it became the Motel 29 Palms, the Sunset Motel and the Mojave Trails Inn. In 2019, owner Ashton Ramsey said, he bought it for $350,000 and dubbed it Ramsey 29.
The old yellow sign hangs out front. But Ramsey turned L.A.-based Kristen Schultz and her firm K/L DESIGN loose to take these 10 rooms in a desert-eclectic direction.
Furniture is hand-built, brick walls are whitewashed and coat hangers carry their own clever slogans. Headboards are upcycled from Italian military stretchers, canvas armchairs bear the words “soiled clothes large” and the new tiles on the bathroom floor say “29,” as do custom blankets and other items. The floors are concrete. Room 9, closest to the highway, now has triple-paned windows. Six rooms opened in 2020, the remaining four in 2024. Guests check themselves in digitally.
Ramsey plans changes around the pool next, including more palm trees. But he’s not shying away from the word “motel.”
“I’ve leaned into that,” Ramsey said. “You’ve got to be proud of what you are.” In fact, he said, “We didn’t just renovate a motel. We’re trying to renovate a town. If we don’t brag on 29, nobody else will.”
Spring rates typically start at $185 a night on weekends (plus taxes), $95 on weekdays. Free parking. Pets OK for a fee. (The hotel website routes bookings through Airbnb.)
BRITAIN’S smallest castle, a charming 19th century Gothic turret in the heart of Hertfordshire, has gone up for sale.
The Gazebo Tower is a glorious Grade II listed landmark which dates back to 1833 and is packed with royal-looking features inside its 645sqft of living space.
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A castle which looks like an ordinary home inside has gone up for saleCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The pictures actually show the interior of Britain’s smallest castleCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The Gazebo Tower, dubbed as Britain’s smallest castle, is on sale for £330,000Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
Described as a “local icon”, this three-storey tower in Ross-on-Wye looks out over the River Wye and the Hertfordshire countryside.
Inside, each of its circular rooms – roughly 16ft across – has been transformed into a kitchen, a bedroom and a living room.
It also comes with a picturesque roof-top terrace, described as offering 360-degree views of the Black Mountains of Southeast Wales, the spire of Saint Mary’s Church, Chase Wood and Ross-on-Wye’s vibrant architecture.
It’s currently available to buy for £330,000.
Estate agents Hamilton Stiller described it “an opportunity to own a landmark and one of Ross-on-Wye’s most striking features.”
One of the most whimsical touches to the property is how the double bed hides a bath underneath – making the most of the space.
The top floor also includes an en-suite wet room and a spiral staircase leading to a battery-operated roof hatch.
Athletes from the Ross Rowing Club can even often be seen sailing down the River Wye from the windows.
The quintessential market town of Ledbury is only 13 miles away, while trains to London Paddington take two hours.
This tower, once owned by Herefordshire Council, was sold in 2001 when its only floor was accessible by ladder.
Inside Cheryl’s six-bedroom £4million mega-mansion she shared with ex-husband as it goes on sale
Tony Billingham, who won the bid by post, lovingly restored the tower into a cozy, functional home and later opened it to visitors, donating proceeds to local charities.
This isn’t the only house that has caught widespread attention recently.
Photos of the property reveal that one of its two bathrooms has been transformed into a home office – giving workers the chance to “do their business” without ever leaving the room.
Baffled house hunters have branded the interior “bonkers”, with photos revealing a quirky layout and eccentric design choices that are anything but ordinary.
Listed for £235,000 in February, the home was purchased by a couple in July after making several visits over the summer.
Nicknamed “the Dolls House” by locals, the petite property is cleverly built in an alleyway between two neighbouring homes and offers breathtaking views of the coast.
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The circular stone tower offers 360-degree panoramic views across HerefordshireCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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The rooftop terrace offers breathtaking 360-degree views of Ross-on-WyeCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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A spring-loaded bed reveals a hidden bath underneathCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Crank up the Benny Hill theme song and let the belly laughs commence.
As President Trump’s summer of immigration raids turns into a fall of occupation, I need some — and who knew his deportation machine could bring them? To watch videos of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in action failing bigly is like watching “Star Wars” Stormtroopers constantly misfiring or bonking their heads despite the full backing of the emperor himself.
Have you seen the one where two masked agents struggle to subdue a Latino male on a lawn while a small dog barks from behind a fence? And when the agents grab onto his T-shirt, he slips out of it, grabs his discarded hat and darts away like Bugs Bunny humiliating Elmer Fudd?
Or what about the reel where a handcuffed white man, evidently a protester, dressed in all-black walks alongside his captors before spinning off them like Saquon Barkley evading a tackler as he disappears into a crowd — but not before a fellow protester filming the scene offers his comrade an enthusiastic back slap?
You can get your jollies with a Dave Chappelle special, or by catching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth trying out his Gen. Patton impression before another group of stone-faced generals, but it’s better to settle on yuks that matter — chortles that provoke as much hope as humor.
It’s a reminder that martial law-hungry Trump’s would-be empire is not all powerful. And that Americans can still snicker in the face of official wrong — and should.
“Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion,” Kurt Vonnegut supposedly said, adding that he “prefer[ed] to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.”
When you see la migra unable to kick down the front door of a Nicaraguan immigrant at a Fontana apartment just a second after the man shut it in their faces, you just have to giggle at a scenario straight out of the Keystone Kops. And then there’s the viral footage of a food delivery driver on his bike cussing out a phalanx of armed Border Patrol agents in downtown Chicago last month.
“I’m not a U.S. citizen!” the guy yells, daring someone to detain him. Someone finally barks “Get him!” as a bunch of agents feebly give chase; the man pedals away like he’s a Tour de France champion with a peloton hot on his trail. The defeated agents run like they’re wearing concrete boots with skates on them as their quarry makes his escape.
These videos are balm and inspiration for our dark times and they’re even better with a soundtrack — I’ve seen people remix them with jaunty Mexican banda classics such as “La Chona” or “El Sinaloense.” The best ones use “Yakety Sax,” the high-energy romp so many of us Yanks remember as the tune that Benny Hill used when ending his eponymous show with a bunch of people chasing after him after yet another comedic misunderstanding.
Because that’s what all these immigration crackdowns are: sick charades. Armed men grabbing tamale ladies? Tough guys too scared to show their face? Billions of dollars spent on all this? All one can do is laugh at the absurdity of it all to keep from weeping.
Those videos are sadly just a drop in the toxic river of posts showing immigration agents brutalizing migrants and citizens alike that long ago drowned out almost anything else on my social media feeds. That’s why each of those ICE-as-ignoramuses videos is a treasure and why I see so many of my friends share. They bear witness that Trump’s deportation leviathan not only is not invincible, it’s also beatable.
The videos are especially important as a repudiation of one of the Homeland Security Department’s main propaganda planks: use slickly produced clips to glorify la migra as badass avengers with attempts at humor as fundamental to their mission. A recent one consisted of a close-up of one of those vents above your airplane seat that regulates air circulation while the plane’s captain welcomes the viewer to “ICE Air” over the intercom.
“Next time, come to America legally or don’t come at all! Thank you!” the captain announces in a goofy voice.
Cue the “Simpsons” clip of Bart tossing a cake that reads “At Least You Tried” into the garbage.
What Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and her writer’s room of revanchists don’t get is that only the worst of the worst ever root for Goliath. That means the joke is on them every time they march through peaceful neighborhoods like “Call of Duty” knockoffs. Scenes like that don’t strike fear in anyone; they just expose the buffoonery behind the bravura. That’s why we need to share anything that captures them flailing around as much as possible.
Humans have laughed at tyrants going back to the days of the ancient Greeks. Yet I’ve also seen some pro-immigrant activists insist now is not the time to laugh, even if it’s at ICE’s expense. To them, Otto Santa Ana says they’re missing out on a valuable tool in the fight for our democracy. He’s a retired UCLA Chicano studies professor who’s working on a book about the history of humor, down to its biology.
“The people who are laughing at ICE are not contrary to the people who are standing on the front lines,” he said. “The mocking allows us to redirect that frustration into something positive. We both laugh at the perpetrator and bond with other people laughing. When it reaches viral levels, we know that our community takes joy in it — and our community needs any joy right now.”
Santa Ana chuckled as I described some of the better videos I’ve seen. He turned me on to more. When I asked whether republishing those clips with ironic songs represented a new front in political humor, he said they reminded him of Martin Luther, the man who sparked the Reformation by calling out the moral and financial rot of the Catholic Church at the time. Part of his strategy was publishing a heretical, hysterical song against the pope based on a German folk tune that ensured people would listen and allow his critiques against the Catholic Church to spread faster and further.
“Today’s videos are just another manifestation that technology can be used to embolden us, to unify us,” Santa Ana said.
“The act shifts the public narrative of ICE from scary and powerful to laughable and weak,” he added. “And the oppressed sense their moral superiority vindicated against an evil.”
He concluded: “The authoritarian feeds on fear and ignorance and when people who can stand up for their rights articulate it humorously, it helps to bring the henchman down.”
You heard the profe, America. Go find the latest ICE Follies, and tell everyone you know!
MILLIONS of pensioners will be hit with £300 tax bills from HMRC this winter.
From November, around nine million pensioners will begin to see up to £300 land in their bank accounts.
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The benefit is issued by the DWP to help cover fuel costs over winterCredit: Getty
The cash boost comes as part of the Winter Fuel Payment, which is a benefit issued by the DWP to help elderly people with fuel costs over the colder months.
Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids’ beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now
What happens now?
If you did not opt out, HMRC will change your tax code and you will receive a tax code notice letter.
Changing your tax code means that your Winter Fuel Payment will be deducted from your income and paid to HMRC in monthly instalments.
So for example, if you received a £100 Winter Fuel Payment but had an income of £35,000, you will pay back around £9 every month.
You will be charged from April 2026, which is the start of the new tax year.
Households can check if they are over the income thresholds by visiting www.tax.service.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-hmrc-will-take-back-your-winter-payment/start/country.
How to opt out of future charges
The deadline for opting out of the Winter Fuel Payment for 2025 to 2026 has passed.
But you can opt out of getting the benefit for 2026 to 2027 from April 2026.
When it reopens, you will need to complete either an online form or phone the helpline on 0800 731 0160.
If you opt to complete the form online, you will need details such as your National Insurance number.
Who is not eligible for the payment?
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 22 1959 and live in England or Wales.
But a small group of individuals will not be eligible, including:
live outside England and Wales
were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025 and the year before that
need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
were in prison for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025
Most people are paid the benefit automatically but if you think you are risk of missing out you can apply.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
Following this advice could ensure your trip is as safe and stress-free as possible
Heathrow Airport urged all passengers to make some checks before flying(Image: Getty)
A major UK airport has issued an alert to all passengers. Heathrow airport told people to “make sure to check” travel advice ahead of a planned trip.
While many of us head abroad as a way to relax and take a break from our day-to-day lives, holidays can prove stressful if they don’t go smoothly. For this reason, it is important to stay up-to-date with any travel warnings and advice for your chosen destination. In a on X, the official Heathrow Airport account said: “Looking to book your next trip from Heathrow?
“Whether you’re relaxing on the beach or engaging in extreme sports, make sure to check the latest FCDO travel advice for your destination and sign up to http://GOV.UK email alerts.”
Content cannot be displayed without consent
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides a comprehensive travel guide for each country on its website here. You can use this to get the latest information on your destination.
As part of a more general travel checklist, the FCDO says before your trip you should:
Research your destination
Get insured
Check your documents
Consider your health
Research your destination
Before heading off you should make sure you are up-to-date on all the latest travel advice for your destination. The FCDO said: “Get up-to-date advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences by checking foreign travel advice for the country you’re visiting.”
You should not leave this important step until the last minute. “Get appropriate travel insurance as soon as you book,” the FCDO said.
“Check that it covers the places you will visit, the duration of your visit and any planned activities such as adventure sports. Tell your insurance company about any medical conditions, including undiagnosed conditions which are being investigated, and check that your policy will cover these.”
Check your documents for travel
This includes doing the following:
Sign your passport and complete the emergency contacts page
Ensure that your passport meets the entry requirements for the country you are visiting (for example, it may need to be valid for a set period after your trip ends)
Get the correct visa for your destination
Take an extra form of photo ID with you, other than your passport
If you are travelling with children check whether you need extra documentation
If you plan to drive abroad check whether you need an International Driving Permit (IDP)
Consider your health
As standard, you should check the healthcare advice for all countries you’re visiting. It is also vital to check what vaccinations you need and what health precautions you should take at least eight weeks before you travel.
Information on this is available on the NHS website. You should also check the rules on taking your medicine abroad.
More specifically, if you are travelling to an EU country or Switzerland, you should apply for a new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), if your GHIC (or EHIC) has expired. The FCDO said: “An EHIC or GHIC may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs. It is not a substitute for travel insurance.”
If you are planning on drinking while away you should also “be alert” to the risk of spiked and contaminated drinks, including methanol poisoning. You can check the Travel Aware website for more details.
Getting help from the FCDO
You can stay up to date before and during travel by following FCDO Travel Advice on Facebook and X. You can sign up for email alerts on GOV.UK
You can contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate, or the FCDO in London 24 hours a day on 020 7008 5000 for advice.
It was meant to be the start of a family getaway, but it was quickly flooded with concern after they made a horror discovery in the Airbnb where their three young children were staying – ‘It really spooked us’
16:00, 05 Oct 2025Updated 16:02, 05 Oct 2025
A family left their Airbnb almost immediately after finding a camera (Image: Getty Images/Stock Image)
Checking into an Airbnb to kick-start a holiday is usually filled with excitement, but for one family, their stay was swiftly met with dread.
Content creators Kriss and Kate Hardman booked a gorgeous four-bedroom home on Airbnb for their trip to Australia, Perth, with their three children. But they quickly discovered a camera that appeared to be switched on inside the property.
In a shocking TikTok video, Kriss wrote the caption: “When you book a ‘private’ Airbnb in Perth… and find out maybe it’s not that private…” He then went on to explain: “So we got to our Airbnb last night. It’s a nice place, but there’s one thing I’m not sure about, maybe you can help me out.”
Kriss walked through the property in the video before panning the camera around to show a video camera placed on a white shelf that appeared to be switched on. He then asked: “Is that allowed in Airbnb’s? Is that standard practice, because I don’t reckon it should be allowed.”
While Kriss was filming, one of his children could be heard playing in the background, and concerned viewers flocked to the comments to share their thoughts. One wrote: “No !!! Disconnect it”, as a second added: “They have to tell you by law”.
A third said: “No way. I wouldn’t be OK with that”, and a fourth noted: “Turn it off or turn it around. It’s not allowed especially if they haven’t told you.”
“Cameras shouldn’t be allowed. You’ve paid for the place. Ridiculous,” another penned.
Later that night, the couple shared an update in another TikTok video and said they “decided to leave the accommodation”. Kriss shared: “It really spooked us and the safety of the family, three little kids is what meant the most.”
His partner Kate went on to explain: “Airbnb fully supported this, they said that we could move and that they would find accommodation equivalent to where we were staying, which was a four-bedroom, placed central to Perth CB.”
The couple explained that the booking company had also promised to pay for a night’s stay in a hotel, while an alternative Airbnb was found for the family, at no additional cost. However, things took a turn when it was found that an alternative Airbnb would cost thousands more for the family.
“Once they found that out, they went quiet,” Kriss claimed. The family were left unsure of where they would be staying for the duration of their trip, as Kate said, “We are yet to find out”.
“They backtracked and Kriss has been dealing with them all day, customer service has not been the best and they’ve gone very quiet,” she added. The couple then asked for help from TikTok users as they said, “They’ve gone quiet, so we need you to be loud.”
Thankfully, by the next day, Airbnb had covered their costs, and they were able to find alternative accommodation with no extra fee. While they were relieved to have it figured out, Kriss said in a video update: “They’ve jumped on board but it’s such a shame that it took the power of social media to reach Airbnb for them to do what is the right thing.
“We’re lucky that we’ve got some followers who are really happy to help us out, but someone who maybe doesn’t have that following, I dread to think the situation they could’ve still been left in now.”
On the Airbnb website, it states: “We do not allow hosts to have security cameras or recording devices that monitor indoor spaces in homes, even if these devices are turned off. Hidden cameras have always been prohibited and will continue to be prohibited. Hosts are allowed to have exterior security cameras, noise decibel monitors and smart devices in homes as long as they comply with the below guidelines and applicable laws.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Airbnb Australia and New Zealand told the Mirror: “Airbnb does not allow hosts to have security cameras or recording devices that monitor indoor spaces in homes, even if these devices are turned off.
“Airbnb has provided the guest with a full refund and assisted them in rebooking alternate accommodation.
“In the rare event a host or guest feels unsafe or experiences a safety-related issue during an active reservation, we have a safety team that can be reached via our 24 Hour Safety Line, which is available to all users.”
THOUSANDS of pensioners will be able to apply for a winter cash boost worth up to £300 in just days.
More than nine million people are set to get the Winter Fuel Payment to help with their energy bills over the colder months.
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Certain pensioners will need to apply to get the Winter Fuel PaymentCredit: Getty
Most people who are eligible will get the payment automatically, and will receive letters in the post from the DWP in October and November telling them how much cash they will receive.
However, certain pensioners will need to apply to get the benefit.
You can apply either by post or over the phone, and the DWP phone lines to make a claim open on October 13.
Postal applications opened earlier on September 15.
Pensioners have until March 31 2026 to make a claim.
income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
awards from the War Pensions Scheme
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
Incapacity Benefit
Industrial Death Benefit
If you don’t receive any of these benefits, you’ll need to claim manually if you’ve not got the Winter Fuel Payment before, or if you’ve deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment.
While the highest amount of free support is £300, the total will depend on when you were born and your circumstances on the qualifying week, which is between September 15 and 21 of this year.
Pensioners born before September 22, 1959, with an income of £35,000 or below will be eligible for between £100 and £300 to help towards heating bills.
Those hoping to receive the cash must be 66 by the end of the qualifying week.
You won’t be eligible for the payment if you earn more than £35,000 a year, and HMRC will claw back the automatic payment made to you through your tax code or tax return.
Your income can come from a range of factors including, your private pension and state benefits.
Other people who won’t be eligible include those who:
live outside England and Wales
were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025 and the year before that
need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
were in prison for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025
The Winter Fuel Payment was axed for 10million pensioners last year, with only those on certain benefits qualifying.
But the government was forced to perform a U-turn after a huge public outcry, with the funding now being reinstated for millions.
The gov.uk website provides further guidance on the scheme and how to make a claim.
Pensioners are also being warned to be wary of text messages from scammers posing as the DWP, who try to get you to click on a fake link to make a claim.
These are not official DWP messages and should be deleted, the government has said.
The Winter Fuel Payment is separate from the Warm Home Discount, which offers struggling households £150 off their electricity bill.
The money is not paid to you, and households that are eligible will have the discount applied to their bill by their energy provider.
What energy bill help is available?
There’s a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
In 2013, then-businessman and reality TV star Donald Trump shared his vision on Fox News about the role a United States president should play in a government shutdown: “You have to be nice and be angry and be wild and cajole and do all sorts of things, but you have to get a deal.”
Now, as president, Trump has taken a different approach. After failing to reach a bipartisan agreement, he mocked Democrats by posting an expletive-laced video generated by artificial intelligence and set to mariachi music, falsely showing US Representative Hakeem Jeffries wearing a sombrero and US Senator Chuck Schumer saying that “nobody likes Democrats any more”, so the party is seeking favour with “illegal aliens”.
At PolitiFact, we have fact-checked lawmakers’ and pundits’ statements about government shutdowns for more than a decade. When Congress can’t reach a funding agreement, both sides of the political aisle whip up talking points about what a shutdown means for the economy, immigration, worker paycheques, disaster response and services for low-income families. The blame is nearly always placed on the other party.
A reminder: Republicans control the presidency and both chambers of Congress. But passing legislation to extend government funding at current levels would require, under longstanding rules, more than half a dozen Democrats to side with Republicans in order to reach the 60-vote threshold to advance to a vote. This gives Democrats some negotiating leverage, which they are seeking to use in the spending fight.
Social services
Women, Infants, and Children programme will ‘not be funded’
House Speaker Mike Johnson, in September 29 remarks to reporters.
Johnson omits that enrollees will still likely get services, at least initially. But much depends on how long the shutdown lasts.
The Agriculture Department’s shutdown plan said its Women, Infants and Children nutrition programme, which provides food to low-income families, shall continue operations “subject to the availability of funding”. The WIC has 6.9 million participants.
WIC should be able to continue for at least one week, said Alison Hard, National WIC Association policy director. After that, operations will vary by state, depending on their funds.
During a shutdown, state WIC programmes have options to temporarily fill the funding gap, including various USDA sources, state money and requesting early rebate payments from their contracted infant formula manufacturers.
Past shutdowns
‘Back in 2013, Trump said it was the President’s job to negotiate and avoid a shutdown’
Senator Jeff Merkley, in a September 29 X post
That’s an accurate paraphrase of Trump’s remarks.
In an October 7, 2013, interview with then-Fox News host Greta Van Susteren, Trump criticised then-President Barack Obama for not being a dealmaker during the shutdown. In full, he said: “You have to get everybody in a room. You have to be a leader. The president has to lead. He has to get [the Speaker of the House] and everybody else in a room, and they have to make a deal. You have to be nice and be angry and be wild and cajole and do all sorts of things, but you have to get a deal.”
Trump made similar remarks in a September 2013 Fox & Friends phone interview: “Problems start from the top, and they have to get solved from the top, and the president’s the leader, and he’s got to get everybody in a room, and he’s got to lead.”
A tourist photographs a sign announcing that the Library of Congress is closed, on the first day of a partial government shutdown, on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, in Washington [AP]
Healthcare
Republicans are spiking health insurance premiums by 75 percent for everyday Americans if they don’t extend enhanced ACA subsidies
Representative Katherine Clark, in a September 12 X post.
This is mostly true.
If the Republican-controlled Congress does not extend Affordable Care Act enhanced subsidies before they expire at the end of this year, enrollees will have to pay more.
A KFF analysis of federal data found that the average increase in out-of-pocket coverage cost for enrollees would be 79 percent, with state-by-state average increases ranging from 49 percent to 195 percent.
This cost increase would come from a combination of insurance premium increases and the disappearance of subsidies, rather than from “spiking health insurance premiums” alone.
More than two weeks after Clark’s statement – and after we published the fact check – KFF produced a revised figure for average increases based on new data: 114 percent.
‘Democrats so-called proposal is a partisan wish list with a $1.5 trillion spending increase tacked onto a four-week funding bill’
House Speaker Mike Johnson, in a September 29 news release.
The Republican talking point misses the context of the Democrats’ proposal.
The September 17 Democratic proposal latches government funding up until October 31, known as a “continuing resolution”, to some Democratic priorities, including healthcare assistance and limiting Trump’s ability to claw back funds previously approved by Congress.
The bill calls for permanently extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies that were passed in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and extended in 2022. Those are set to expire on December 31 this year. The Democratic bill would also reverse cuts to Medicaid and other health programmes that Republicans enacted in their signature tax and spending legislation.
The Democrats’ measure would restore funding for public broadcasting that Republicans nixed in July and includes at least $320m for security for lawmakers, the executive branch and the Supreme Court. (Republicans have proposed $88m in security funding in their resolution bill.)
The bill also contains mandates for how the Trump administration can spend money and would hinder the White House’s recent attempt to cancel almost $5bn in foreign aid.
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a group that’s hawkish on the deficit, said in a September 18 news release that Democrats’ proposal in its entirety would add $1.5 trillion to the national debt over the next decade.
“The [continuing resolution] itself – the part that funds the government – would not add $1.5 trillion to the debt, but the bill that Democrats have proposed includes other provisions that would,” Chris Towner, the group’s policy director, wrote in an email. “The bill repeals the health spending cuts that were included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which would cost about $1.1 trillion over a decade to repeal.”
Towner also said the Democrats’ provision to make the enhanced ACA subsidies permanent would cost about $350bn over a decade.
People take photos with a sign announcing that the Library of Congress is closed, on the first day of a partial government shutdown, on October 1, 2025, in Washington [AP]
If enhanced subsidies are not extended, people with insurance through the Affordable Care Act will see their premiums rise ‘twice as much in the rural areas’
Senator Amy Klobuchar, in a September 28 interview on CBS’s Face the Nation
This is mostly true.
There are at least two ways to interpret Klobuchar’s statement: that she was comparing rural enrollees’ costs with people living elsewhere, or comparing their costs with what they paid before.
Klobuchar’s office told PolitiFact that the senator was referring to rural enrollees seeing increases that were double what they had paid before, and that interpretation aligns with what Klobuchar has said in other settings.
An analysis by the Century Foundation, a progressive think tank, found that out-of-pocket insurance costs would increase on average in rural counties from $713 to $1,473 – a 107 percent increase, or slightly more than a doubling.
Comparing rural enrollees’ cost increases with people elsewhere, it amounts to a disproportionately large increase for rural areas, but it’s not twice as much.
Enrollees in rural counties would see average out-of-pocket losses of $760 from expiring enhanced subsidies, compared with $624 for all counties and $593 for urban counties. That’s 22 percent more for rural enrollees compared with all others, and 28 percent more compared with urban enrollees.
Government workers
‘If the government shuts down, members of Congress still get paid. The janitors never get paid’
Daniel Koh, on The People’s Cabinet podcast episode, September 29.
This is mostly true.
Members of the House and Senate continue to get paid during a shutdown. Federal law says federal employees get back pay, but the law does not extend to contractors, a group that includes many janitors. Some private employers with federal contracts may find ways to pay their employees, but there is nothing in federal law that requires it.
The US Capitol dome and a traffic turn signal are seen from Pennsylvania Avenue, on October 1, 2025, in Washington [AP]
‘FEMA won’t be funded’ during hurricane season because of the shutdown
House Speaker Mike Johnson, in September 29 remarks to reporters
Johnson was correct that Congress had not agreed on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding, but a Department of Homeland Security shutdown procedures plan estimates that 84 percent of FEMA employees will continue working. (The DHS oversees FEMA.)
“Bottom line: hurricanes don’t care about politics. FEMA will still respond. But recovery will stall if Congress can’t do its job,” said Craig Fugate, who led FEMA during President Barack Obama’s administration after leading Florida’s emergency management under then-Republican Governor Jeb Bush. “This isn’t new – both parties own the blame.”
The agency’s recovery efforts are most at risk, Fugate said, because they depend on how much money remains in the Disaster Relief Fund. “Those dollars aren’t tied to the shutdown, but they usually run low this time of year. Normally, Congress passes a continuing resolution to add money. A shutdown means that doesn’t happen. That slows recovery projects, not the immediate response.”
The fund had about $2.3bn at the end of August, which is considered low.
THE majority of home insurance policies do not include cover for accidental damage such as spills or smashed windows, analysis reveals.
When households take out buildings or contents insurance, many assume that they are also covered for accidental damage.
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Homeowners are unaware they are not protected against mishaps including spilt drinks, getting paint on the carpet or a ball smashing their windowCredit: Getty Images – Getty
This is protection against certain mishaps, including spilling drinks or paint on the carpet or accidentally smashing a window with a ball.
But analysis by consumer group Which? of 78 home insurance policies from 35 providers revealed this is not the case.
It found that only 28% of buildings insurance policies and 27% of contents policies included accidental damage cover as standard.
But seven in ten policies offered this cover as an optional extra or provided basic cover, such as for windows or bathroom fixtures, that you can upgrade.
The remainder of insurers don’t offer it at all.
But 31% of consumers who had bought insurance thought their policy would cover them for anything that was not their fault, according to a recent Which? survey of 4,000 people.
A similar proportion believed that if they had cover for possessions, they are protected against any event that involved those possessions – including accidental damage.
But accidental damage is one of the most common reasons that people make a home insurance claim.
This means hundreds of thousands of people could be caught out each year.
In a separate Which? survey of 2,804 people who had tried to make a claim on their policy in the last two years, accidental damage made up around a fifth of cases.
Which? said lack of clarity when people take out insurance is leading to poor outcomes for customers.
Its previous research had found customers do not understand what is included and excluded, and can’t tell the difference between products.
But the definition of what is covered will vary between providers, which is why it’s important to check your policy.
Sam Richardson, deputy editor of Which? Money, said: “When it comes to making a claim on your insurance, it’s sadly all too common to get caught out by the small print.”
Most policies that offer accidental damage cover include issues caused by broken glass and underground pipes.
But in many cases the cover won’t include damage caused by cleaning or by lodgers.
Meanwhile, the insurance doesn’t include damage due to a lack of upkeep or damage caused by pets.
A spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers said: “Always check your policy details or speak to your insurer to make sure you have the right level of protection for your needs.”
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
It includes slow-cooked meals ranging from Italian to Indian cuisine, as well as classic British flavours.
Prices range from £17.50 to £20 per dish.
Among the British-inspired dishes include a Blush Double Pork Chop a Tender Lamb Rump, Balsamic and Rosemary Lamb Shoulder, Succulent Pork Belly, and an Oak Smoked Chicken Crown.
Indian flavours in the collection include Tandoori Spiced Chicken Supremes, Masala Spcied Beef Cheeks, and Spice Lamb Shanks.
The chicken and beef have masala spice blends in the sauce, while the lamb shanks are served with green tikka sauce.
For the Italian inspired dishes, there is a Blush Shoulder of Pork, Stuffed Beef Featherblad with a Procini and Parmigiano Regiiano stuffing, Nduja Stuffed Porchetta, and Rosemary and Porcini Pork Shoulder.
Breige Donaghy, Director of Product Development and Innovation Tesco, said: “We know life’s busy, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on amazing food at home.
“That’s why our chefs have created the Chef’s Collection – a range of dishes inspired by restaurant menus and packed with clever techniques that make it super easy to cook something special.
“With top-quality ingredients, and most of the prep already done, these dishes make it easy to create special food moments and transform a meal at home into something truly memorable.”
Tesco and Sainsbury’s ‘secret codes’ revealed
It comes after research found almost 30 per cent of Brits, and around 60 per cent of adults, have tried to pass of supermarket-cooked meals as their own.
More people have also been found to be going out less to restaurants to eat compared to last year, often due to costs.
Executive Chief at Tesco, Jamie Robinson, added: “We’ve worked hard to bring authentic flavours from across the globe to customers’ kitchens without the stress of cooking from scratch.
“Most dishes have been gently slow cooked, and come with our top cooking, pairing and plating tips to help you deliver great results every time.”
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As part of the Italian-inspired dishes is the Stuffed Beef FeatherbladeCredit: Tesco
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The Spiced Lamb Shanks have been slow cooked for six hours and marinated in a fragrant Indian inspired spice blendCredit: Tesco
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The Ndjua Stuffed Porchetta comes with a smoky garlic butter bean purée and hot honey & orange fennelCredit: Tesco
Each meal is designed as a main for two people, therefore costing £10 each.
The Finest Chef’s Collection range is launching at larger Tesco stores, and offers a 25 per cent discount of Clubcard customers until October 12.
Dishes come with step-by-step cooking instructions and a QR code that can be scanned to provide cooking, plating and pairing tips from Tesco chefs.
It comes after Tesco was mocked for launching a strange meal deal shoppers spotted in stores.
As a £9 Clubcard offer, Tesco launched a meal deal consisting of a 12-packl of Sol beers and a bag of five limes.
Many shoppers also threatened to boycott Tesco last month after it was seen increasing the price of its meal deal by 25p.
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Tesco’s Oak Smoked Chicken Crown is served with buttered hispi cabbage and a white wine infused chicken emulsionCredit: Tesco
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The Pork Belly comes with a mustard and tarragon sauceCredit: Tesco
How to save money at Tesco
EVERY little helps when it comes to saving money at Tesco.
The Sun’s Head of Consumer Tara Evans explains how you can save money at the UK’s biggest supermarket.
Clubcard points
Tesco first launched it’s loyalty scheme back in 1995. You get one point for every £1 you spend in store. If you spend points in store then 100 points is worth £1. You can spend your points via its reward partners and get triple and even sometimes quadruple the value.
Extend Clubcard points
You can find lost Clubvcard points and find the last two years of unused vouchers by logging into the Tesco Clubcard site.
Clubcard prices
If you don’t have a Clubcard then you will miss out on its cheaper Clubcard prices. However, don’t forget to check prices before you shop because it might not be cheaper than elsewhere, especially on big value items like washing powder and loo roll.
Yellow stickers
Shops do vary the time they reduce groceries with yellow stickers but Tesco tends to be between 7pm and 9pm.
Save money if you shop online
If you get your Tesco food shop delivered then it might be worth buying a delivery saver pass to help cut the cost of delivery fees.
If you live near a Tesco then you can get click and collect slots of as little as 25p, so it might be cheaper than getting your food delivered.
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
Social Security was never intended to cover all of your expenses in retirement. Investing in growth stocks like Nvidia today could help you bridge the gap in your budget down the road.
Many retired Americans rely heavily on Social Security checks for their income, but often, those payments don’t stretch far enough to cover all of their expenses. According to government data, in 2025, the average Social Security benefit is just $1,976 per month.
If that doesn’t sound like much, that’s because it isn’t. A recent study projected that by 2040, 32.6 million U.S. households with retirement-age individuals could have an average cash shortfall of more than $7,000 annually. That gap between retirement income and retirees’ needs is a big reason why many Americans will need to do more to build their own portfolios of investments, rather than trying to rely on Social Security benefits alone.
If you’re on the hunt for stocks that could help you build wealth over the long haul that you can eventually tap in retirement, there are a few compelling reasons to make Nvidia(NVDA 0.43%) one of your picks.
Image source: Getty Images.
Why Nvidia could continue to be a good long-term investment
Nvidia has become a common go-to investment among both tech enthusiasts and average investors over the past few years, as the company is benefiting from a steep increase in spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure. Nvidia’s graphics processing units (GPUs) dominate the artificial intelligence (AI) data center market — it sells an estimated 70% to 95% of all AI chips for infrastructure.
In Q2, the company’s data center revenue jumped 56% year over year to $41 billion, and its non-GAAP earnings per share jumped 54% to $1.05. Eventually, Nvidia’s customers could slow their spending on its hardware — particularly if AI doesn’t deliver the results those companies are hoping for — but that day hasn’t come yet. Nvidia CFO Colette Kress estimates that tech companies will invest up to $4 trillion into AI data centers over the next five years.
And it’s not just AI data centers that could fuel Nvidia’s future growth. The company’s tech is already being used in autonomous vehicles, and advances in the robotics industry could create another expanding new market for it in the coming years. Some estimates forecast that the global autonomous vehicle market will grow to more than $2 trillion over the next five years, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said recently that robotics (including autonomous vehicles) and AI represent a “multitrillion-dollar growth opportunity” for his company.
Though Nvidia stock has already soared by more than 1,100% over the past three years, the combination of its dominance in AI data center processors and its emerging opportunities in robotics and autonomous vehicles suggests it will remain a good long-term investment.
More growth could be ahead for Nvidia, but keep this in mind
While no single stock should make up the majority of your portfolio, investing in Nvidia could give future retirees a way to benefit from the massive transition toward AI systems that’s currently underway. While the chipmaker doesn’t currently pay a meaningful dividend, investors can eventually sell their holdings in retirement to supplement their incomes.
Planning for retirement can be challenging, and as you approach retirement age, it’s generally a good idea to reduce your exposure to stocks and other higher-risk investments. While Nvidia’s share price may continue to climb in the years ahead, it’s important to remember that it’s still a tech company, and tech stocks often go through periods of unusual volatility.
This shouldn’t be too much of a concern if you’ve got a long way to go before retirement, but remember that as you age, you’ll want to shift the balance of the allocations in your well-diversified portfolio toward less risky holdings.
Chris Neiger has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
President Donald Trump said US workers are already benefitting from his economic policies.
“The average American worker has already seen a $500 wage increase this year,” Trump said during an August 26 Cabinet meeting.
Trump’s White House cherry-picked data that favours a higher earnings gain. Experts prefer a different measure, based on a larger sample size, that shows a smaller increase.
How the White House calculated a $500 pay bump
When we asked the White House press office for Trump’s data source, a spokesperson pointed us to Bureau of Labor Statistics figures for median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers, seasonally adjusted.
This data shows that median weekly earnings rose from $1,185 in the fourth quarter of 2024 to $1,206 in the second quarter of 2025, which closely aligns with Trump’s second term in office.
Because those figures represent weekly earnings, we multiplied them by 26 to see how much a typical worker gained during the half-year period. Multiplying by 26 weeks produces a cumulative $546 rise in wages. This measure does not include part-time workers, who account for about a quarter of the workforce, or account for inflation.
Experts consider other measures more reliable
Economists said the White House’s chosen dataset isn’t as reliable as a different set – and the more reliable study shows a smaller wage increase.
The other dataset – average weekly earnings of all private-sector employees – is produced monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Over the first six months of 2025, this statistic found a cumulative pay increase of about $121. That’s about one-quarter of what Trump said.
Several economists told us this is the preferred statistic for measuring wages, because it’s based on the Current Employment Statistics programme, which surveys 121,000 businesses and government agencies, collectively representing approximately 631,000 worksites. By comparison, the Current Population Survey, from which the White House’s data is drawn, samples 60,000 eligible households.
“I always trust the payroll series more,” said Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of the centre-right American Action Forum.
Dean Baker, cofounder of the liberal Center for Economic and Policy Research, agrees, saying the data in the smaller household survey “is highly erratic”.
In addition, according to this dataset, the wage rise during President Joe Biden’s last two quarters was $884. This undercuts the notion that Trump’s gains have been unusually high.
Factoring in inflation
Because both of these measures fail to factor in inflation, they overestimate workers’ gains.
Another statistic, median usual weekly inflation-adjusted earnings for full-time wage and salary workers, 16 years and over, also from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, is produced quarterly using the smaller sample-size household survey and takes inflation into account.
By this metric, workers’ pay increased by $1 per week between the final quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2025.
Multiplied by 26 weeks, this adds up to a $26 pay rise after inflation.
Our ruling
Trump said: “The average American worker has already seen a $500 wage increase this year.”
The White House cited wage statistics that show median wages for full-time workers rose by a cumulative $546 during the first two quarters of 2025.
A different set of statistics – one that economists consider more accurate because it’s drawn from a much larger sample that includes full- and part-time workers, and with less volatility – shows a much smaller rise in the average US worker’s pay over that period, about $121 over six months.
When inflation is factored in, full-time workers’ take-home pay rose by even less – by about $26 during the first six months of 2025.
The statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details. We rate it Half True.
Two big reasons to celebrate today: First, it’s Friday (and who doesn’t love Fridays?). And second, it’s National 401(k) Day! Woot woot!
OK, so it’s not exactly a party holiday, but if you’ve got a 401(k), today’s the perfect excuse to give it a quick once-over. Taking five minutes to check on your retirement account could save you thousands down the road. Tiny tweaks can add up big time.
Here are three quick things to look at right now (plus one bonus tip to go beyond your 401(k)).
1. Check your contribution rate
First things first: If you’re not contributing at least enough to snag any provided company match in full, you’re basically saying “no thanks” to free money.
If you’re not sure what your company offers (or you’re confused about 401(k) plans in general) ask HR to explain it to you. Don’t be shy — they love talking about benefits.
Next, consider bumping up your contributions a little higher.
Upping your savings by just 1% can make a huge difference over time. Most plans let you increase it in just a few clicks — and then you don’t have to think about it again.
For 2025, the contribution limit is $23,500 (or $31,000 if you’re 50+). No pressure to max it out, but knowing the target gives you something to shoot for.
Here’s what different contribution levels might look like on a $70,000 salary:
Contribution %
Annual Savings
Monthly Amount
5%
$3,500
$292
10%
$7,000
$583
15%
$10,500
$875
Data source: Author’s calculations.
Set it and forget it. One small change now can quietly grow into something huge later.
2. Review your investments
When was the last time you peeked under the hood?
Many 401(k) plans default you into a target-date fund based on your expected retirement year. That’s not necessarily bad, but sometimes it’s not always aligned with your risk tolerance or goals.
Ask yourself:
Are you too aggressive or too conservative for your age?
Are your fees higher than they should be?
Do your investments reflect how far off retirement really is?
I try to review my allocations at least once a year to make sure they’re still working for me. I’m only 40, so I’ve got another two decades before I can think about withdrawals. My focus is on long-term growth, not short-term profits.
3. Consolidate old 401(k) accounts
If you’ve switched jobs a few times, there’s a good chance you’ve got an old 401(k) (or two) just chillin’ somewhere out there.
This happens a lot, actually. Capitalize estimates there are over 29 million forgotten 401(k) accounts in the U.S., holding about $1.65 trillion in assets!
If you want to make life way easier, roll over those old 401(k)s into an IRA. It’s tidier, gives you more control over investments, and can also save you on fees.
And here’s a cool idea… Some brokers are offering 1% match incentives for 401(k) to IRA rollovers. You could snag a little bonus! I recommend checking out Robinhood’s current offer. Read our full Robinhood review here to see if it’s a fit for you.
Think beyond the 401(k)
Just because it’s National 401(k) Day doesn’t mean your retirement plan has to stop there.
401(k)s are great, but they’re only one piece of the puzzle. To give yourself more flexibility (and some potential tax-saving superpowers later), it’s smart to build a mix of account types.
Personally, I’m aiming to build a big portfolio across both pre-tax accounts (like a 401(k) or IRA) and post-tax options like a Roth IRA or a regular brokerage account. That way, when retirement comes, I’ve got options to pull from. And a lot more control over how and when I pay taxes.
If you want to round out your retirement plan, check out:
Roth IRAs for tax-free growth and withdrawals
Traditional IRAs for more pre-tax savings
Brokerage accounts for total flexibility, no age limits or early withdrawal penalties
No matter where you’re starting from, a few small moves now can make a massive difference later.
So give your 401(k) a quick check, tidy things up, and take one step closer to that dream retirement — whatever it looks like for you.
On his Money Saving Expert (MSE) website, finance guru Martin Lewis outlined how passengers could be owed hundreds of pounds
You could be entitled to hundreds of pounds worth of compensation(Image: Getty)
Holidaymakers who jetted off this summer could potentially claim up to £520 in compensation. A financial expert has revealed that travellers whose flights were disrupted might be entitled to substantial pay-outs.
On his Money Saving Expert (MSE) website, finance guru Martin Lewis outlined how passengers could be owed hundreds of pounds. Compensation is available if your flight to or from a UK or EU airport was delayed by a specific amount of time. If your flight was scrapped, you might also qualify for monetary compensation alongside a replacement flight.
Writing for MSE, Martin posed the question: “Did you have a flight delayed or cancelled this summer? You may be due fixed compensation of up to £520 per person.”
Martin Lewis has urged people to check to see if they’re owed money (Image: Getty)
The flight doesn’t necessarily need to be recent – if it occurred within the past six years (or five years for Scottish departures) you could still secure a payout, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Martin explained that to be eligible, your flight must have:
Been any flight from a UK/EU airport, or a flight to a UK/EU airport, but in the latter case, it must also have been on a UK/EU airline
Landed three or more hours late to be considered delayed
Been cancelled less than 14 days before it was due to fly
Been the airline’s fault, so not bad weather, or issues with air traffic control – though airline staffing or servicing issues or knock-on delays due to previous flights usually do count
Martin noted: “The amount you are due is fixed depending on the length of the flight and delay. For some family long-haul flights, it can be £1,000s.”
MSE provided additional details, explaining: “Compensation under EU and UK rules is designed to makeup for the inconvenience of a delay – it’s not a refund of the flight ticket cost. So the amount you’ll get is fixed depending on the amount of time you were delayed and how far you were travelling.
“Crucially, it’s about when you arrive, not when you leave. You’ll start being eligible for compensation if your flight arrives three hours (or more) later than scheduled. So if you’re on a flight that takes off four hours late but lands two hours 55 minutes late, you won’t be eligible.” The arrival time is deemed to be when at least one of the aircraft doors opens.
What amount of compensation might you be able to claim?
Should your flight be cancelled, you ought to be offered either a replacement flight to your destination or a full refund. You may also be entitled to as much as £520 in compensation, according to MSE.
One MSE reader called Linda was motivated last year to attempt claiming money back for a delayed flight, and secured a total of £1,040. In an email she revealed: “I just wanted to thank you for your article on flight delay compensation.
“It triggered my memory of a delayed flight last November and I went straight on to the British Airways website and filled in the short form. It was so easy and a couple of weeks later I received an email advising that an amount of £520 per person would be paid into my account.
“We received £1,040 in total. What a result. Thanks to all the information on Martin Lewis’s site.” For further details, visit the MSE website.
DEONTAY WILDER has welcomed a fight with Jake Paul – in a bid to dish out a “reality check”.
Wilder has become the latest champion of the past linked with a bout against YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul.
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Deontay Wilder is open to fighting Jake PaulCredit: Getty
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Jake Paul has been linked with a number of ex-championsCredit: AFP
And while it so far remains just another possibility on the table – Wilder is ready to come to the table for that lucrative conversation.
He told Brian Mazique: “Nothing has been presented to us, at the moment it’s not real, but if it came my way of course I’m 100 per cent taking it.
“He’s been doing his thing in the business although it’s not the traditional way, it’s not the logic way of how a fighter comes up or how he gains stardom and fame and fortune.
“Unfortunately, it’s a more brutal road than that. Some of these guys never, ever in their lifetime see $50,000, let alone $100,000 or $1million or $2million.
“It just doesn’t go like that. That module of how it is, it’s not like that. But it’s the wave of what young people are looking to or what they like.
“Unfortunately, people try and go off the vote of popularity. What’s going on, what’s popular, what can make them money.
“Money makes the world go round and everybody is trying to make that dollar – no matter what skill you’ve got if you can generate a crowd that generates to asses in seats that generates money.
“So all of this is a cycle that’s used and here it is you’ve got a guy that’s been doing good in generating money and putting asses in seats although he’s selective in how he fights and who he fights, I would say.”
Paul moved up to heavyweight in November when Mike Tyson controversially made a comeback aged 58.
And despite the scrutiny surrounding the showdown – over 100 MILLION tuned in on Netflix to watch Tyson lose over eight shorter rounds of two minutes.
Dillon Danis calls out Jake Paul after slamming ‘joke’ Gervonta Davis fight and says rival is ‘stealing people’s money’
Paul, 28, then returned in June to beat ex-middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39, over ten rounds to earn himself a No14 cruiserweight rank in the WBA.
The American – whose only loss in 13 fights came to Tommy Fury in 2023 – soon after entered shock talks to fight Anthony Joshua.
And two-time heavyweight champ AJ looked to be nearing a deal to face Paul next year.
