cost of living

DRIVERS have been urged to make changes to their car’s air con that will save them thousands of pounds.

Experts have warned that not using your motor’s air con this winter could see drivers dealing with costly repairs or even fines of up to £1,000.

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Air conditioning isn’t just for cooling off in those hot summer months.

Many drivers may think switching off their air con in the winter will help save money – but the opposite is true.

It also works as a dehumidifier, preventing mould, odours, and health risks but only if it is used regularly.

If you don’t use it for a period of time it can lead to moisture build up, bacteria thriving and repairs can become costly.

And a misted windscreen can prove more than just a nuisance – it could land you with a £1,000 fine and three points on your license.

Using your air con is the quickest way to clear it and it will also regulate your heating and cooling to keep the motor’s cabin comfortable.

Car maintenance experts at Fixter have shared six expert tips on how to properly use your air con system during the colder months as well as maintenance tips.

Run your AC regularly

Their first tip is to run your air con regularly, even on cooler settings, a small habit that can save you from those costly long-term repairs.

Experts at Fixter recommend to use your air-con for 10 to 15 minutes once a week and occasionally on a colder setting.

This will keep seals lubricated, prevents mould growth and stops the compressor from seizing.

Demist your windscreen

They also advise that you demist your windscreen fast to stay legal and avoid that hefty £1,000 fine.

They say that the quickest and safest way to clear fog or frost is by combining warm air with your air con.

This will reduce humidity while the heat will speed up defogging.

You should direct airflow at the glass and avoid using your recirculation mode.

Don’t skip your winter service

Even if you’re not blasting cold air, your air con is still working hard behind the scenes, experts at Fixter say.

A regular servicing will keep the air con system efficient and will prevent bacteria building up.

It will also reduce the risk of breakdowns when you need it most, they added.

Check your cabin filter and airflow

If your filters are clogged, your air con is going to have to do more work to demist your windscreen.

Fixter says a clogged pollen or cabin filter will restrict airflow, make your demisting slower and get your air con working harder.

And if your vents feel weak, it could also men your refrigerant is low – both are quick fixes if caught early but are expensive if ignored.

Don’t ignore unpleasant smells

If there are some unpleasant smells in your cabin, it may be a sign of a bigger problem.

Musty odours when you turn on your air con are usually caused by mould or bacteria, Fixter says.

This will affect cabin air quality as well as your health and can be fixed with a clean or filter replacement.

Clear your vents before driving

Fixter says that clearing your vents before driving is also crucial.

Snow or ice blocking your cars external vents can stop your air con from circulating air properly, forcing the fan to overwork.

You should always brush them clear before setting off.

More on motors

Whether it’s a weird noise or a check engine light, every driver knows the dreaded feeling of another costly trip to the mechanic.

Thankfully, a new middle aisle buy from Lidl can help to save you money by ensuring one part of your car is always in perfect shape.

What should be in your winter car kit?

By Jacob Jaffa, Motors Reporter

Here’s what should be included in your winter car kit, according to the RAC:

1. Ice scraper
2. Torch
3. Paper maps
4. Phone charger
5. Warm clothes/blankets
6. High-vis clothing
7. Jump cables
8. Jerry can
9. Warning triangles
10. Food and drink
11. A shovel
12. Sunglasses

A major car brand recently recalled another 10,000 motors in the UK over a serious safety flaw.

Another brand recalled five models in UK over a defect that increases risk of crash.

And a huge UK car dealership has announced its sudden closure.

Plus a small parking mistake that could land drivers a hefty fine of up to £1,000.

BRITAIN’S banks are giving away free cash payments of up to £200 each – and customers need to do one thing to be eligible to claim the money.

The extraordinary deals are being offered by major UK banks such as Lloyds and NatWest as part of the fight to boost customer numbers.

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Nationwide is also among the list of banking giants handing out the free cash payments for changing bank accounts.

The deals are part of switching incentives, and also come with extra perks like cashback and savings rates well above the average.

Nationwide Building Society

The first bank on the list is giving out a handsome sum of £175 to customers who complete a full switch through the Current Account Switch Service (CASS).

Those joining can pick from three accounts: FlexPlus, FlexFirect or FlexAccount.

The FlexDirect account offers 5 per cent AER interest on balances up to £1,500 for the first 12 months.

It also offers 1 per cent cashback on debit card spending with a maximum of £5 per month.

Combining this with the switching bonus, cashback and interest, smart savers could horde up to £400 in free payments in the first year of joining.

Nationwide’s Director of Group Retail Products Tom Riley said: “It’s never been more rewarding to be a Nationwide member and that’s why we want to help more people benefit by offering this switching offer.”

The building society consistently ranks top for customer service and has already attracted over a million new customers through CASS since 2013.

Lloyds Bank

For a £200 free cash payment, Lloyds Bank is giving away bonuses to customers who make a switch.

People who move their existing account to a Club Lloyds or Lloyds Premier account can get the free cash.

But the payment comes on condition they set up three or more direct debits.

Lloyds Bank is one of the UK’s largest financial services organisations and serves tens of millions of Brits.

NatWest

For account holders switching with NatWest, customers can get up to £175 on one condition.

Those choosing a Select or Reward account can get the free cash.

But they must pay in £1,250 first.

And customers also need to login to the mobile app within 60 days.

Other major banks

RBS, part of NatWest Group, is also offering £175 for switching to a Select or Reward account, as long as they pay £1,250 and login to the app in 60 days.

First Direct is offering £175 for switching to its popular 1st Account.

Customers must pay in £1,000 minimum, set up two direct debits or standing orders, and make five debit card payments within 45 days.

The Co-operative Bank’s switch deal stands at £100, with customers able to make another £75.

Customers need to meet the same requirements as First Direct switchers over the next three months.

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.

Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.

But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.

For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.

British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.

You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.

EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.

Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).

The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.

Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.

Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.

Financial expert Kate Steere said Nationwide’s package may be the best in value over 12 months, factoring in interest and cashback.

She said: “If you max out the savings and cashback alongside the switching bonus, you could be looking at nearly £400 in your first year.”

Lloyds is offering the highest single payout though, standing at £200 upfront.

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HOUSEHOLDS need to take and submit meter readings ahead of bills rising for millions this autumn.

Regulator Ofgem confirmed last month that prices will increase by 2% to £1,755 a year from October 1.

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Prices will rise by £35.14 per year for households, having reduced at the beginning of July when the price cap went down. 

This will affect 22million households who are on the standard variable tariffs.

Those who don’t take their electricity and gas bill readings as close to October 1 as possible, and are on a standard variable tariff as opposed to a fixed deal, could be faced with higher bills.

Some providers will even give you an extra fortnight to submit your reading, but double-check what applies at yours.

The October rise is 1% higher than industry experts anticipated. 

Those on fixed tariffs will not see their bills change from October. 

The energy price cap was first introduced in January 2019 and sets a maximum unit price that energy suppliers can charge households. 

Despite the price cap increasing in October, experts estimate that it will be reduced at the next three-month change in January. 

This will depend on geopolitical movements, weather patterns, and any changes in government policy. 

Experts also warned that any reduction in prices would be minimal for the foreseeable future. 

How to take a reading

The easiest way to take a reading is by taking a photo of your gas and electricity meters.

This means you have evidence in case you need to dispute.

You can send in your meter reading online via your energy account.

Some providers will also let you send in the numbers by text or through their app.

If you have a electricity meter then you will see a row of six numbers.

Five of them will be black and one in red.

Write down the five numbers in black, which are shown from left to right.

If you have a traditional dial meter then you need to read the first five dials from left to right.

If the pointer is between the two numbers then write down the lowest figure.

If it is between nine and zero then write down the number nine.

For gas meters you need to write down the first five numbers that are shown before the decimal point.

Digital imperial meters are four black numbers and two red numbers.

And for smart meters then you do not need to send your supplier a meter reading, it will be sent automatically.

Help available

If you struggle with your energy bills there are several ways that you can get help. 

The Winter Fuel Payment offers £300 to pensioners to help cover the cost of heating during the winter months. 

Struggling families can also get access to money for their energy bills through the Household Support Fund (HSF). 

Each council was allocated a slice of the £742million fund earmarked for extra support.

Additionally, millions will receive the Warm Home Discount, which is worth £150. 

This discount is means-tested and given to households on a low income or claiming benefits such as Universal Credit. 

British Gas also announced a £140million support package to help customers facing financial hardship. 

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.

Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.

But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.

For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.

British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.

You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.

EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.

Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).

The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.

Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.

Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.

LOVE a freebie? Don’t we all – but the best giveaways rarely last forever.

We’ve rounded up the very best offers and promotions that are due to run out before the end of 2025. Don’t ignore them: you could miss out on free Apple AirPods, a £400 laptop, cheap theatre tickets, and more video games than you could ever hope to play.

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FREE SAMSUNG LAPTOP

A tempting offer to claim a free £400 laptop from Samsung is due to expire this year.

Samsung launched the promotion back in August.

It gets you either a £399 14-inch Chromebook Go or a Samsung Galaxy Watch7 worth £239.

You can claim it if you’ve recently bought an eligible Samsung smartphone.

For a free laptop, you’d need to have bought:

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
• Samsung Galaxy S25+
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

And for a free smartwatch, you’d need to have snapped up one of the following:

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE
• Samsung Galaxy S25
• Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The promotion is due to close down on October 2 this year.

And you need to submit your claim for the freebie within 30 days of making your purchase.

To claim the offer, just follow our guide here: Samsung free laptop promotion.

THREE+ FREEBIES

Earlier this year, Three revealed a generous batch of freebies along with the dates that they would expire.

They’re part of the Three+ rewards scheme, which is free to join. You just claim the freebies through the dedicated app.

And many of them are currently due to cut off at the end of the year.

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That includes 10% off theatre tickets, a cut-price English Heritage membership, and cheap airport parking.

They’re all decent perks, so don’t miss out on claiming them.

Here’s the full list of Three perks with a current expiry date of December 31, 2025:

• LOVEtheatre – 10% off tickets
• English Heritage – 25% off annual membership for 2x adults and up to 12 children = £36
• Tiqets – Get up to 45% off museums, theme parks, zoos and more, plus an extra 10% off with Three+
• Airparks – Up to 30% off airport parking
• Go Henry – two months free on financial education app for kids, plus £15 pocket money
• Banjo Robinson – free activity pack

It’s always possible that some of these perks could be extended, but there’s no guarantee.

FREE APPLE AIRPODS

Yes, really.

Apple is running a back-to-school promotion that expires next month.

And the offer nets you a free pair of Apple AirPods if you’ve bought a qualifying gadget.

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You just need to be a teacher, staff, student or parent.

And students are anyone who has gone on to college, university, or any other public or private tertiary education institution.

But beware: the deal runs out on October 21, 2025.

If you’ve bought a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro then you can claim:

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 (with £50 fee) – saving £169
• Apple AirPods 4 with ANC (free) – saving £169

If you’ve snapped up an iPad Air or iPad Pro, you can get:

• Apple AirPods 4 (free) – saving £119
• Apple AirPods Pro 3 (with £100 fee) – saving £119

And if you’ve bagged an iMac, the options are:

• Apple AirPods 4 with ANC (free) – saving £169
• Apple AirPods Pro 3 (with £50 fee) – saving £169

The main catch is that you can only do this once for the promotion period. Just don’t miss the offer window.

It’s also worth noting that Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are brand new, so they’re a good buy.

BONUS £100 FROM O2

If you’re planning to buy one of the new iPhone models recently announced by Apple, take a look at this O2 offer.

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It comes with a bonus £100 – but only until October 8, 2025.

If you buy the new iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, or iPhone 17 Pro Max on a pay-monthly plan, you’ll get an extra £100 if you recycle your existing mobile.

That’s in addition to the regular trade-in value of your phone.

It’s a special promotion on the O2 Recycle scheme, and you can only claim the deal once.

You don’t get the money in cash – but it’ll be credited to your plan.

So effectively, it’s a £100 discount on the amount you would’ve plaid.

You can check out the full terms for the offer here.

AMAZON PRIME GAMES

There are loads of Amazon Prime freebies that will vanish before the year is out.

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Amazon runs a special scheme for Prime members called Prime Gaming.

Every month, Amazon will dish out a selection of free games that you can keep forever.

Usually the monthly haul is worth hundreds of pounds, so it’s not bad at all.

The games drop in waves every single Thursday, and by the end of the month, the full batch is available.

But the games are only available for a month before they vanish from Amazon’s freebie list.

So you need to claim them before they disappear.

If you’re savvy, you’ll collect them all. You can bag September’s lot, and then get the October, November, and December offerings too.

You’ll probably end up with more than £1,000 in games from a four-month run.

But if you miss any of them then you’ll be too late – they’re then gone for good.

So make sure you’re hot on checking for the freebies each month. You can find them here at the Prime Gaming website.

Just note that you’ll need to have an active Amazon Prime membership to claim the games.

All prices in this article were correct at the time of writing, but may have since changed.

Always do your own research before making any purchase.

A YOUNG woman has moaned about how the Jobcentre has found “yet another way” to get on her nerves. 

Serena Lola, a 23-year-old who receives Universal Credit, described the Jobcentre as “dumb” and “poorly run.”

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The content creator, who is currently unemployed and is “vibing her way through life” took to social media to express her frustration at her situation, leaving many open-mouthed.

As she travelled to her local Jobcentre, she fumed: “The Jobcentre has found yet another way to p**s me off.”

The youngster acknowledged that she was sent money to pay for travel to an interview, but the ticket didn’t cost the full amount she was given.

As a result of being overpaid by the Jobcentre, she now owes them £15.

After receiving a letter requesting the overpaid money back, Serena explained: “They told me that I have to come into the Jobcentre and hand them cash – now this just seems illogical to me, especially in a day and age of technology where we can bank transfer money.

“I’m now having to pay £1.75 to go to the Jobcentre, when I don’t have a job or an income, to hand in cash.

“So now that’s £1.75 I’m wasting to go to the Jobcentre, when that’s something that could be done online.”

Serena was fuming with the circumstances, after being forced to go to a cash point, withdraw money and then “physically trek” to hand the payment back.

While Serena recognised it was a “minor, non-issue,” she was clearly very irritated by the “illogical” situation,.

“But come on – it just shows you how poorly run the system is and they could be doing things a lot better and a lot easier,” she concluded.

Social media users react

Serena’s TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @serenaxlola, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 359,600 views, 9,177 likes and 445 comments.

Social media users were stunned by Serena’s situation and many flocked to the comments to express their thoughts. 

One person said: “So ridiculous.” 

They have to make everything 10 times more difficult for no reason

TikTok user

Another added: “Ring them and raise a complaint. You are out of pocket for travelling to the Jobcentre to pay them back, defeating the purposes of supporting you in the first place. That’s not okay.”

In response, Serena wrote back and penned: “It’s such a silly system.” 

A third commented: “They have to make everything 10 times more difficult for no reason.”

To this, Serena responded: “Tell me about it.” 

Meanwhile, someone else questioned: “Can’t they just take it from your next UC payment?”

Clearly baffled by the situation, Serena responded: “That’s what I thought?!? But clearly not.” 

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THE Chancellor has been dealt another setback after borrowing hit the highest level in five years, making Budget tax rises “inevitable”.

The Government borrowed more money than expected last month, at £18billion, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

This was £3.5billion more than in August 2024.

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The interest on Government debt soared by £1.9billion to £8.4billion, which added to higher spending on benefits and public services.

This offset any boost from the National Insurance Contributions hike, the ONS said.

It marked the highest August borrowing since 2020, significantly overshooting the £12.8billion expected by economists.

The level of government borrowing was £5.5billion higher than the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast in March.

Meanwhile, borrowing for the first five months of the financial year hit £83.8billion.

This was £16.2billion higher than the same period last year and well ahead of the OBR’s £72.4billion prediction.

Martin Beck, chief economist at WPI Strategy, said: “The £10billion buffer the Chancellor pencilled in against her key fiscal rule in March has almost certainly gone.

“That means tax rises in November look inevitable.”

James Murray, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, insisted the Government “has a plan to bring down borrowing because taxpayer money should be spent on the country’s priorities, not on debt interest”.

He added: “Our focus is on economic stability, fiscal responsibility, ripping up needless red tape, tearing out waste from our public services, driving forward reforms and putting more money in working people’s pockets.”

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

MILLIONS of struggling households on Universal Credit could be missing out on discounted broadband worth up to £200.

Social tariffs are offered to those on Universal Credit and other government benefits such as Pension Credit.

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And it can help you save hundreds of pounds a year compared to the standard deals.

Not only that, but they often come with no exit fees, although you should always check the terms and conditions carefully.

It comes after fresh analysis by Policy in Practice shows that there was over 7.5million missed claims for the tariffs.

And the average household is missing out on £200 a year.

It means you can get access to broadband at a discounted price, which can help if you are struggling with other costs.

For example, 4th Utility social tariffs offers a broadband for £13.99 a month.

Meanwhile, BT offers a Home Essentials package for those on Universal Credit and the guaranteed element of Pension Credit.

And those Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support can also apply.

You’ll need to provide some personal information when you apply, including your National Insurance Number, so we can check that you’re eligible.

Community Fibre also offers an essentials package that costs just £12.50 a month.

Meanwhile, EE also offers a £12 monthly sim deal, for those on claiming Universal Credit.

The group will ill carry out an eligibility check every 12 months to see if you still meet the criteria to get the discounted deal.

How to get the best deal

Like with any offer, it is worth shopping around to ensure you are getting the best deal.

The regulator Ofcom has a list on its website of all the firms offering social broadband and mobile phone tariffs.

The list can be found here – www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/saving-money/social-tariffs.

It’s worth scanning the list to find the package that best suits your needs.

You can also compare deals via comparison sites like Uswitch.

What other support can I get

If you claim Universal Credit you could be missing out on extra support, such as discounts to your council tax bill.

The support is given out by local councils in England, so how much is cut will depend on where you live, your income, dependants and other benefits.

You can find out if you’re eligible by visiting gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction.

Households can also get access to free school meals, and school uniform grants which can be worth up to £300.

During the winter, claiming benefits such as Universal Credit can also make you eligible for the warm home discount scheme.

This is a £150 discount on your electricity bill to help tackle rising costs during the winter.

MILLIONS of households are facing a £100 rise in their energy bills next year due to the Government’s net zero policies, according to new analysis.

Energy analysts Cornwall Insight said changes being made to push the country towards net zero will fuel a rise in energy bills for the average household.

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It predicted the changes will add more than £100 to the energy price cap in April 2026 compared with January.

The energy price cap is the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge you for each unit of energy and standing charge, and it’s updated every three months.

Cornwall Insight said bills will increase for households because of the cost of connecting new wind and solar farms, the construction of the Sizewell C nuclear power station, and upgrades to the gas networks.

It also suggested further rises will follow later because of the construction of pylon lines, underground cables and substations.

It means households are likely to be paying more for their energy at a time when inflation remains high and many are struggling with the cost of living.

The UK has legally committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

This means the total amount of emissions produced is equal to or less than the amount removed from the atmosphere. 

But the Government is having to balance this with extra costs to households up and down the country.

Ahead of the election, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband had pledged to cut household energy bills by £300 by 2030.

He repeated that promise again last month.

Cornwall Insight’s Dr Craig Lowrey said investing in renewables would eventually reduce bills and it was necessary in the long run.

But he said: “Rising energy bills are never welcome, and this latest view of transmission charges – although only indicative – will add yet another cost to the long list of pressures on household finances.”

The average energy bill for a dual-fuel home is currently £1,720 per year.

However the energy price cap is set to rise at the beginning of October, bringing it to £1,755.

Yet another rise is expected in January because of seasonal increases in wholesale costs.

The £100 bill increase predicted by Cornwall Insight is unrelated to the wholesale cost of gas.

The experts say it’s due to the cost of maintaining and expanding the UK’s power grid.

It said electricity network costs alone would add £30 a year, and this will rise to £50 a year by 2028.

Meanwhile green levies will add another £18, including £12 of advance payments for building Sizewell C.

Upgrading the gas network, which is partly needed to accommodate the introduction of green hydrogen, will add another £53.

Cornwall Insight said the bill increases were “not totally unexpected but highlight potential further financial pressures than households will face”.

It’s expected households will end up paying higher standing charges.

A standing charge is a fixed daily fee added to your energy bill, charged by your supplier regardless of how much energy you use.

Increasing standing charges is controversial as households aren’t able to avoid paying them.

While you could bring down your energy bills by cutting down on how much energy you use, there isn’t a way of reducing the cost of a standing charge.

This can leave struggling households forced to pay extra.

Ofgem has said households will later feel the benefit of an expanded electricity network through their bills, but this will take time.

Dr Lowrey said: “These costs are not just another item to tag onto the bill, they are essential to the long-term security and affordability of Great Britain’s energy system.

“For years, households have been at the mercy of global energy markets, with prices soaring and crashing in response to events happening thousands of miles away. It’s unpredictable, and it’s ultimately unsustainable.

“Investing in Britain’s transmission network means building a cleaner, more resilient energy system – one powered by renewables grown right here at home. Yes, it will take time. Yes, it will cost money. But every pound we invest today is a step toward a future where our energy is not only greener, but also more secure and, in time, more affordable.

“People rightly expect renewables to bring bills down, and they will. But first, we need to lay the foundations. There are a lot of costs involved in the transition, but the costs of doing nothing will be far greater.”

Help with energy bills

If you are struggling with your energy bill then there is plenty of support on offer.

For example, the Winter Fuel Allowance offers £300 to pensioners to help cover the cost of their heating during colder months.

Around 75% of pensioners are expected to receive the support this year, after Labour U-turned on the tighter eligibility criteria it announced last winter.

Struggling families can also get access to money through the Household Support Fund (HSF).

Each council in England has been allocated a share of the £742million fund and can distribute it to residents in need.

Exactly how much you can get and how the money will be paid depends on your council and situation.

Plus, thousands of households will receive the Warm Home Discount, which is worth £150.

The discount is given to households on a low-income or claiming certain benefits, such as Universal Credit.

It is not paid as cash and is instead applied as credit to your energy bill.

If you are falling behind on your energy bill then you can also get help through your energy supplier.

British Gas has announced a £140million support package to help customers facing financial hardship.

This includes free energy grants, tailored support for households and small business customers and funding for advice centres and charities.

It has also launched You Pay: We Pay, which gives households the opportunity to have their payments matched by British Gas for a period of six months.

Octopus Energy’s £30million Octo Assist fund is designed to help customers keep on top of their energy bills.

It includes free electric blankets, Winter Fuel Payments and standing charge waivers.

EDF’s Customer Support Fund gives grants and help to vulnerable customers who are struggling with energy debt.

It can support customers with electricity or gas bill debts, and provide essential white goods such as a fridge or cooker.

Lost decades

WE are now in a new cost of living crisis — or perhaps we never really escaped the first one.

A dismal report yesterday revealed family incomes are £20,000 less than they should have been had economic growth in the UK not flatlined after 2005.

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It means Brit households have effectively lived through two lost economic decades.

Covid, the credit crunch, war in Europe and energy price shocks were hammer blows.

But inflation is now firmly entrenched in the economy thanks to Rachel Reeves’s policies, which have directly driven up prices.

Her National Insurance rise has left hard-pushed customers facing bigger bills at the tills, as shops were forced to pass on huge extra costs.

Unnecessary Net Zero measures only add to the misery.

The irony is that yesterday’s report on living standards was by the Left-leaning Resolution Foundation.

Many of its former members are now sitting in Downing Street as key advisers to the Prime Minister and Treasury.

Yet most of their ideas to fix the economy are based on seizing ordinary people’s hard-earned savings, property taxes and taxing the rich so highly they flee the country.

Big business is already warning of the folly of this outdated 1970s-style approach.

Don’t do it, Chancellor.

Action, not talk

NEW Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood says she will not allow migrants to avoid deportation through bogus last minute claims that they are the victims of modern slavery.

She insists these “vexatious” appeals make a mockery of our laws.

Of course, she is right that migrants are gaming a broken asylum system.

But for all her tough talk, how exactly does she plan to do it?

Successive Home Secretaries have promised to do “whatever it takes” to secure our borders.

All have foundered on the immovable rock that is European human rights laws.

Those same laws which are defended to the hilt by her cabinet colleague, Attorney General Lord Hermer.

We wish Ms Mahmood well. But it’s actions that count.

Hope & glory

FOR all the talk of trade deals and tariffs worth billions there is one British institution that remains priceless.

Our Royal Family — such a vital asset to this country — once again totally charmed the world’s most powerful man, Donald Trump.

Amid the doom and gloom it’s good to remember that no-one does pomp and pageantry quite like us Brits.

IF you’re already planning ahead for the festive season, you can nab a huge saving on Christmas chocolate right now.

A bargain UK supermarket is selling 25p Cadbury’s selection boxes for £2.50 cheaper than a rival store.

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The bargain comes after news that struggling Poundland is going back to basics, with plans to increase the number of products sold in store for just a quid.

The Cadbury’s 25p selection box weighs in at 125g and includes a selection of favourite treats.

This includes Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Freddo Caramel, Fudge, Crunchie,, Dairy Milk Little Bar, Treatsize Buttons and a Wispa.

An identical selection box is on sale at Iceland‘s for £2,50.

But you will have to pop into your local Poundland to pick up the bargain as Poundland‘s website is now for browsing only.

A statement on the site reads: “We’re currently working very hard behind the scenes to simplify and refocus our stores.

“And that means very soon there’ll be even more ranges at £1 and new items to choose from each week.

“Unfortunately, we will no longer be providing an online delivery service from the 16th September 2025.

“While we know most of our online shoppers also visit us regularly in stores (thank you!), we know this will be disappointing to all who’ve been using our online ordering service.”

Cheapest UK supermarket to buy Christmas chocolate tubs

Whether you’re indulging in the festive treats ahead of time or you’re stocking up for your friends, family, and co-workers, this deal offers impressive savings.

The offer comes after Morrisons slashed the price of a variety of chocolate tubs from £7 to just £4.50.

Now, Tesco is giving shoppers a chance match this price, with some tubs reduced right now.

Clubcard holders can avail of significant savings with tubs of Cadbury’s Heroes and Roses reduced to just £5.25.

Nestle Celebrations and Quality Street are also available for just £4.50.

Sainsbury’s slashes the price of Cadbury favourites starting today

Supermarkets often watch each other’s sales and try to price match especially in the lead up to Christmas.

And Sainsbury’s is slashing the price of Cadbury favourites for five days only starting today.

The promotion will take the price of Heroes and Roses tubs down from £7 to £4.50 – perfect for anyone looking to stock up ahead of the festive season.

A large box of Milk Tray will see its cost halve from £11 to £5.50

And pouches including Cadbury giant buttons, crunchie rocks, oreo bites, twirl bites, will fall from £1.95 to 97p.

Large 90g bars of Cadbury Dairy Milk will drop from £2.20 to £1.50.

The discounted prices take effect from Wednesday September 17 and will last until Sunday September 21.

However, they are only available to Nectar account holders, so you’ll need to sign up for the loyalty scheme if you are not already a member.

THE NHS is chucking tens of millions of pounds down the drain by failing to stamp out health tourism.

At a time of sky-high taxes, it’s intolerable that money is being lavished on “free” care for foreign visitors.

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New figures show that hospitals are owed £252million for treatment given to patients from abroad — that’s enough to provide 5,000 extra nurses.

The NHS prides itself on providing medical attention free at the point of use to anyone who needs it, irrespective of their status or wealth.

But it is not a charity and trusts have a duty to safeguard taxpayers’ money.

With 7.4million on waiting lists for routine treatment in England, it is an outrage that bosses are writing off such huge sums.

Brits facing long delays for ops or forced to wait for hours on hospital trolleys will be appalled that this small fortune is not being spent on them and their families.

To make matters worse, one of the main reasons managers do not bother to chase outstanding fees is simply that it makes them feel “uncomfortable”.

Public satisfaction with the NHS — which also spent £1.8million on “staff networks” hosting “woke” events over the past two years — has sunk to a record low.

Three-quarters of hospitals are in debt.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has warned senior execs there is “nowhere to hide” on “wasteful spenders”.

They’re hiding in plain sight currently.

Petering out

PAINFULLY slowly, the truth about the Peter Mandelson debacle is being dragged out of Number Ten.

After going to ground at the end of last week, Sir Keir Starmer surfaced yesterday to admit he HAD known about emails from Mandelson to the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein when he defended his US ambassador at Prime Minister’s Questions.

Specifically he knew the Foreign Office was investigating what would prove to be a huge scandal, but did not know — or did not ask — precisely what had been written.

This is a prime example of the PM blasting himself in both feet.

First by chaotically backing then sacking Mandelson — and then by taking an age to set out the facts.

Danny ploy

WHILE Labour rips itself apart, Nigel Farage is getting on with making Reform more professional.

MP Danny Kruger — the latest Tory defector to his party — is a serious thinker, with experience of No10.

Putting him in charge of Reform’s preparations for Government is another sign Farage isn’t messing around.

SHOPPERS are running to Dunelm for a gadget that heats up a room without the need for central heating.

Bargain hunters keen to keep bills in check this winter are snapping up the plug-in PTC heater, £18, from the retailer.

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This gadget delivers through an efficient ceramic heating element.

The LED display and digital thermostat provide precise control over the temperature, and you can set the timer and choose from two fan speed settings.

Best of all it only costs 13p hour to run if you are on an average electricity tariff, though the exact amount depends on your individual rate.

The reviews for the gadget are glowing.

One user said: “Good product, gives some decent heat out. Actually bought two of them. Well worth it.”

Another added: “Fabulous little heater, really pleased with this. Heats up my kitchen in no time.”

One user described the tool as “small and mighty”. The added: “Does the job for a small kitchen without any other heating source.”

It comes after it was confirmed the energy price cap would rise by 2% in October costing the average household more to heat their home.

There are plenty of other ways to help keep bills down and stay warm using gadgets that don’t cost too much to run.

For example, an electric throw can cost just 4p an hour – calculated using the average electricity unit rate in the UK for the period of 1 October to 31 December 2025 is 26.35 pence per kilowatt-hour.

Washing the blankets are usually easy too, as it is both machine washable and tumble dryer safe. 

You can buy these blankets for around £30 and they’re perfect for when you’re on the sofa watching TV and don’t need to warm up the entire home.

Or Amazon is selling a product for just 99p to help families hold off from putting the heating on.

The teeppo draft excluder for doors and windows is a practical addition ahead of the colder months.

The self-adhesive rubber foam offers a budget solution for keeping your home warm this winter.

It also helps to reduce dust, pests, noise, and heat in the summer.

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.

Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.

But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.

For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.

British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.

You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.

EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.

Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).

The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.

Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.

Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.

SHOPPERS are rushing to buy a nifty gadget that costs just 1p to run – and they say it will stop them having to turn the heating on this winter.

The handy product will help keep you warm at home as the colder months approach, and it doesn’t cost a fortune.

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Amazon is selling the neck and shoulder heatpad for £39.99.

It normally retails at £59.99 – representing a saving of 30%.

The Dreamland heatpad is designed to be worn around the neck and can keep your shoulders feeling toasty in winter.

It has also been praised by buyers for easing symptoms associated with arthritis and injuries.

Others have described it as “excellent”.

One satisfied customer hailed it as “lovely” as it stays warm for hours and doesn’t cost anything extra to reheat.

Easy to use

The product’s manufacturer said it delivers “precise temperature control for a full three-hour treatment”.

It added: “It is so easy to use, and has a choice of five continuous use temperate setting, with a three-hour auto shut off timer.

“It costs from as little as 1p to run per treatment for three hours.” 

The cover is machine washable and can be easily stored away when the weather warms back up.

It’s even landed dozens of five-star reviews online.

One buyer said: “Bought for my arthritic mother. She loves it and it helps her a lot.”

Another described it as a “lovely item”.

A third person wrote: “Excellent for a stiff neck, or trapped nerve.”

More money-saving gadgets

Savvy shoppers are always quick to share tips and tricks to keep warm for cheap this winter.

Some recently shared Lidl was selling £18 gadgets that save them turning the heating on.

One woman also recently shared her new hack – which is said to be like “hugging a sheep”.

Dunelm shoppers have also recently been rushing to buy a “life-saver” winter gadget.

The discounter is selling the device that costs just 1p an hour to run.

Aldi also recently shared one of its winter gadgets that costs just 6p to run.

Don’t forget about your hands …

Here are some handy tips to ease the effects of cold weather on your hands …

A pair of mitts can really help your hands through the winter months.

Wear gloves outside so that the cold air doesn’t zap the moisture out of your skin.

For washing up, protect your hands with rubber gloves. Apply hand cream before putting on the gloves and the warm water will help the cream soothe your hands.

Dry, brittle and split nails are a real pain in winter, when our hands are craving moisture. The answer may lie in your food cupboard.

Rubbing olive oil into your nails and cuticles each day can strengthen and soothe them, reducing the risk of splits.

Nursem is a handcare brand started by former children’s intensive care nurse Antonia Philp, whose hands were left cracked and sore from constant handwashing.

Or, to soothe winter hands, try this. Blitz 100g oats in a food mixer until it becomes a powder.

Add to a bowl of warm water with 50ml of olive oil. Soak hands for 10 minutes before drying and apply hand cream.

WETHERSPOONS is opening 15 new pubs in a tie-up with a firm known for its chain of fish and chip shops. 

The budget boozer will launch the venues across the UK as part of a new franchise working with The Papas Group. 

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The first will open on October 1 in Gateway Park, Lincoln, and will be called The Hykeham Manor. 

A further three will open in October and November at sites in Annitsford, Northumberland, Stockton-on-Tees, Co Durham, and Emersons Green in Bristol. 

The pub chain’s commercial director, Michael Barron, said: “We are delighted to have signed agreements with The Papas Group.

“We are looking at further opportunities and are confident that more franchise agreements will be signed.”

The Papas Group is a family-owned business which runs casual dining restaurants such as Papa’s Fish and Chips and Wendy’s, mostly in the north of England. 

Wetherspoons already has several franchise agreements. They include tie-ups with the holiday park operator Haven and the universities of Newcastle and Hull — running a pub at each campus. 

These arrangements are common in the hospitality sector and allow an independent operator to run an established chain using their brand and products. 

Wetherspoons has opened pubs at several locations this year, including in Fulham, West London, and Kenilworth, Warwickshire. 

LOW-DEPOSIT DEALS RISE 

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THE number of low-deposit mortgages has hit the highest level in 17 years, according to Moneyfactscompare. 

There are currently 1,360 90 and 95 per cent deals available, representing 19 per cent of the residential mortgage market. 

The news comes after Homes England, the Government’s housing agency, and Countryside Properties signed a long-term deal to build more homes. 

The partnership will be backed by £150million of investment and will focus on building houses as part of the Government’s housebuilding target. 

SUNNY SALES 

RETAIL sales were up 3.1 per cent in August driven by good weather and an interest rate cut, official figures show. 

The year-on-year uptick beat last August’s 1 per cent. Tech items did well but school uniforms and shoes disappointed as families tried second-hand, said the British Retail Consortium-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. 

Home appliances, DIY and garden goods all saw sales growth last month. 

OIL PRICE HIKE 

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OIL prices rose by more than a dollar a barrel yesterday as increases in supply looked set to stall and Russia braced itself for the impact of new EU sanctions. 

OPEC countries have voted to lift production by 137,000 barrels per day in October — far less than previous monthly increases. 

Experts have warned of a glut of oil next year as demand falls. Nevertheless Brent crude rose to $66.70 per barrel. 

PRET A Manger is set to launch meal deals in a bid to take on major supermarkets, which have been offering them for years.

The high street sandwich chain’s move comes after Tesco and Sainsbury’s hiked their prices on lunchtime meal deals.

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Pret plans to trial the meal deal format in the final three months of the year.

Boss Pano Christou said the chain’s focus is on “offering great value for money” as part of its medium-term strategy to grow and return to sustainable profits.

Details on pricing and locations for the trial have yet to be revealed.

While major supermarkets have long offered meal deals – typically including a sandwich, snack and drink – Tesco recently hiked its price by 25p, blaming ongoing food inflation.

Pret’s latest accounts showed a pre-tax loss of £525.2 million for the year to January 2 – largely due to a £552.9 million write-down after a reassessment by owner JAB, which bought the chain in 2018.

This followed a £61.7 million loss the year before.

Despite the losses, Pret said its earnings before adjustments rose 36 per cent to £98 million for the year.

Meanwhile, total revenue dipped 4.2 per cent to £868.4 million compared to the previous year.

Like-for-like sales grew by 2.8 per cent, helped by an 11 per cent expansion to 717 shops as the business continued to grow internationally.

Pret said it is keen to expand further in the US, especially around city centres and travel hubs.

Christou, Pret’s CEO, said: “2024 was another year of growth for Pret, where we took disciplined decisions to protect sales, despite intense strains on the hospitality industry.

“Going forward our priority will be to drive transactions and sustainable growth by offering great value for money for Pret customers.

“Our focus will be on growing Pret’s market share in the UK and internationally, prioritising city centres and travel hubs, backed by the experience and expertise of additional world-class board members and a strengthened management team.”

Pret opened its first shop in London in 1986 and now employs 12,500 staff across over 700 locations in 21 countries.

Christou, who has been the chain’s CEO since 2019, started out as an assistant manager at a central London branch aged 22.

The minicab driver’s son, now 45, grew up in Tooting, South London – and earns over £400,000 a year.

The Luxembourg-based firm JAB Holding – which also owns Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Keurig Dr Pepper – bought Pret for £1.5 billion in 2018.

But the pandemic hit hard, with the chain posting a £343 million loss in 2020 as its key customers – office workers and commuters – stayed home.

To win them back, Pret launched cut-priced food and coffee subscription services, which helped sales jump 20 per cent in 2023.

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CELEBRATIONS have made a huge change to tubs ahead of Christmas – and customers will not be happy.

Chocolate maker Mars has once again slashed the size of its iconic red tub from 550g to 500g – equal to a reduction of around five sweets.

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The festive staple is being rolled out of supermarkets ahead of the big day.

Asda is selling the shrunken chocolates for £5.64, with Morrisons and Sainsbury’s charging £7.

The UK’s biggest supermarket is still selling off the larger 550g tubs for £7 or £4.50 on Clubcard price.

It marks the second year in a row the confectionery giant has slimmed down the festive treat.

Last Christmas, the tubs featuring miniature pieces of Twix, Milkyway and Bounty, were reduced in size from 600g to 550g.

The Sun has approached Mars for comment.

At the time, Mars blamed the rising costs of raw materials and operations.

Global cocoa prices are still under pressure due to poor harvests caused by adverse weather in West Africa.

The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) reported a 43% jump in cocoa prices since 2022.

And Mars is not the only chocolate maker which is slimming down its chocolate tubs.

Quality Street maker Nestle has slashed the size of the purple tubs from 600g to 550g.

The new purple tubs have approximately 57 chocolates – down from 63.

A Nestlé spokesperson cited the cost of manufacturing, “ingredients and transport” for the cut.

Deal expert Tom Church previously told The Sun that the best way to beat size reductions was to look for cut-price deals, such as multi-buy offers in the supermarkets or Nectar and Clubcard prices.

Shrinking chocolate

All major manufacturers are shrinking the size of their treats to help combat rising material costs.

Last month it was discovered that Cadbury cut the size of multipacks of its Brunch bars from five to four.

Instead, a four-bar pack is now on shelves for the same average price of £1.50.

It means the bars – a staple of school lunchboxes – are, in effect, 20 per cent worse value.

Cadbury also reduced packs of Freddos from five to four and Cadbury Dairy Milk multipacks were cut from nine bars to seven.

More recently, the brand slashed the size of it’s Dairy Milk Little Bars multipacks by a third.

How to save money on chocolate

We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…

Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.

Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.

Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.

They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.

Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.

So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.

KINDER has crunched multipacks of its iconic Bueno bars from eight sticks to six in the latest blatant example of shrinkflation ripping off hard-up Brits.

The beloved chocolate bar’s makers have slashed the size of a pack by a quarter but kept its £2.30 price tag the same.

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It means just three of the two-stick choc and hazelnut wafer bars are in each multipack compared to four.

The switch has infuriated shoppers who feel short-changed on the school lunchbox staple popular with millions of children and adults.

One wrote online: “Why oh why is this happening to my precious Bueno?

“They have started selling them in packs of three instead of four for more or less the same price. I just don’t understand.

“Years ago, I remember a time they’d sell them in packs of five.”

Kinder is owned by Ferrero, which raked in a huge £624million in revenue last year, with a pre-tax profit of £21m.

The confectionery giant, which also owns Thorntons and Tic Tacs, complained that “the ongoing inflationary environment” forced its costs up by £70m.

It is thought to be the reason why its products have repeatedly shrunk.

Stingy Ferrero bosses previously sparked mass fury by slashing the size of Nutella jars by 50 grams in 2021.

Ferrero declined to comment.

A MAJOR supermarket has slashed the cost of hundreds of grocery staples in a bid to help shoppers save money.

Morrisons has reduced the prices of 650 everyday items, with savings averaging 18%.

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Essentials such as chicken breast fillets, fresh vegetables, olive oil, laundry pods, and enchilada kits are all included in the price cuts.

These reductions take effect today, both in-store and online, and will remain in place for at least four to eight weeks.

The supermarket says the move is aimed at helping households manage rising costs, especially with Christmas just around the corner.

Family meal staples such as rice, pasta, and chicken have been discounted, alongside basics like toilet rolls, kitchen rolls, and mayonnaise.

Seasonal items such as soups and cold and flu tablets are also included in the reductions.

Alex Paver, pricing and customer director at Morrisons, said: “At Morrisons we believe great quality should be affordable for everyone, and we know that the cost of everyday products really matter to our customers right now.

“That’s why we’re cutting the prices of over 650 items, from fresh favourites to cupboard staples, so our customers can trust they’re getting real value every time they shop with us.

“These price cuts mean customers can spend less on the essentials and still enjoy the great quality Morrisons is known for.”

In addition to the price reductions, Morrisons has also launched a number of weekly deals.

These include discounts on popular items like wine, coffee, and tea.

What else is happening at Morrisons?

Morrisons slashed over 3,600 jobs and closed 17 stores as part of a major shake-up to its operations.

The supermarket’s workforce dropped from 104,819 to 101,144 in the year leading up to October 27, 2024.

Thousands of jobs were axed across Morrisons’ stores, head office, as well as its manufacturing and distribution operations.

The latest job losses come after the Morrisons shut 17 of its stores around the UK earlier this year, with the final store in Haxby, North Yorkshire, closing on May 14.

The 16 other stores were all axed in April.

As part of a cost-cutting overhaul, the grocer also shut more than 50 of its in-store cafés, 35 meat and fish counters, and 18 Market Kitchen food courts earlier this year.

It cited the need to cut costs amid rising financial pressure.

It is instead investing in tech, rolling out new “Tally” robots to help customers find items on the shelves and improve stock management.

However, the business has returned to profit for the first time since 2021, when the chain was bought by US private equity investor Clayton Dubilier & Rice (CD&R).

Morrisons posted a pre-tax profit of £2.1billion for the year ending October 27 2024, reversing losses of £919million in 2023 and £1.3billion in 2022, according to new filings on Companies House.

THE EXACT amount of money each pensioner will get as their Winter Fuel Payment this year has been confirmed by the Department for Work and Pensions.

More than nine million people are set to receive the payment later this year.

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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed eligible people born before September 22, 1959 will automatically receive the funds.

It comes after the previous £300 payment was axed for millions of pensioners last winter and only those on certain benefits qualified.

The move triggered a massive backlash for Labour as some 10 million pensioners lost their winter fuel allowance in the benefit cut.

It saved the Treasury just £1.4 billion but caused a massive public outcry – and the government was forced to perform a half baked U-turn.

The PM cracked under pressure after a voter backlash.

It’s now been revealed that this year’s payment will be between £100 and £300, to help cover the cost of higher heating bills this winter.

The money will become available to most eligible pensioners in November or December.

The amount is determined by both age and household circumstances of a claimant over the qualifying period, which is the week of September 15 to 21.

Where you were born is also a contributing factor.

Letters can be expected for those who qualify for it in England and Wales in October or November.

The letter will provide details on how much money you will be offered, as well as which bank account the payment will go into – which is usually the same as where you receive State Pensions or other benefits.

DWP guidance states: “You’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get, if you’re eligible.

“If you do not get a letter but think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim.”

People in Scotland will not get Winter Fuel Payment as the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment has replaced it.

This scheme follows similar eligibility criteria as outlined by the DWP, but will be issued automatically by Social Security Scotland from the end of November.

The GOV.UK website provides further guidance on the scheme and how to be a claim.

It also warns people to be wary about scammers who may send out trick messages that provide a link to click on and make a claim.

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These are not official DWP messages and should be deleted.

So those eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment are people living in England and Wales born before September 22, 1959.

You will not be eligible if:

• you live outside England and Wales
• you were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of September 15-21, 2025 and the year before
• you need permission to enter the UK and granted leave says you cannot claim public funds
• you were in prison for the whole of the week of September 15-21

It is possible for people living in a care home to get the Winter Fuel Payment.

However, there are two factors that if combined mean you will not be eligible.

This is if you are on Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Alloance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), whilst having lived in a care home during since June 23, 2025 or earlier.

If you live alone, or none of the people you live with are eligible for Winter Fuel Payment:

• you will get £200, if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
• you will get £300, if you were born before September 22, 1945

If you live with someone else who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment:

• £100 if you and the person you live with were both born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
• £100 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959 but the person you live with was born before September 22, 1945
• £200 if you were born before September 22, 1945 but the person you live with was born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
• £150 if you and the person you live with were born before September 22, 1945

Your payment will also be different if you are receiving other benefits payments.

• £200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
• £300 if you were born before September 22, 1945

If you and a partner jointly claim any benefits, one of you will get a Winter Fuel Payment of:

• £200 if both of you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
• £300 if one or both of you were born before September 22, 1945

The money will be paid into the bank account where benefits are usually paid into.

Care home residents that are eligible will get:

• £100 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
• £150 if you were born before September 22, 1945

Those with an income of more than £35,000 will have all of their Winter Fuel Payments returned by the HMRC, either through PAYE or submitting a Self Assessment tax return.

The DWP has said: “If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 28 January 2026, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.”

It is also possible to opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment, either by completing an opt out form by September 14, or calling the helpline before 6pm on September 12.

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HOUSEHOLDS across the country are being warned to brace for a financial squeeze as the cost of government borrowing skyrockets to levels not seen since 1998.

This now directly threatens to push up mortgage rates and could usher in a new wave of tax hikes.

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The pound has tumbled in response to the growing unease, highlighting investor concern over the UK’s economic stability. 

At the heart of the issue are government bonds, known as “gilts,” which the government issues to borrow money.

These bonds offer investors a return, referred to as the “yield.”

In recent weeks, gilt yields have been rising rapidly, making it more expensive for the government to borrow.

This morning, yields soared further, with 30-year gilts reaching 5.72% – the highest level in nearly 30 years – while 10-year gilts climbed to 4.85%.

This spike signals that investors are nervous.

They are demanding a higher return to lend to the UK, worried about stubborn inflation and a gaping £51billion hole in the nation’s finances.

The rise in government borrowing costs is putting serious pressure on household budgets in two key ways

Firstly, it’s driving up mortgage rates.

The link between government gilt yields and mortgage rates is direct and unavoidable.

Lenders use “swap rates,” which closely track gilt yields, to set the prices of fixed-rate mortgage deals.

As these rates climb, fixed mortgages become more expensive.

Since August 1, two-year swaps have risen from 3.56% to 3.74%, while five-year swaps have gone from 3.63% to 3.83%.

Major lenders like Barclays have already started increasing rates, and even a small rise can add significantly to monthly payments on a typical £200,000 mortgage.

With swap rates continuing to rise in recent weeks, experts warn that mortgage rates are likely to increase further.

Separately, Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces a difficult challenge in her Autumn Budget, scheduled for November.

Higher borrowing costs are eating into public funds, and many economists believe tax increases will be necessary to fill the financial gap.

Although the government has promised not to raise income tax, national insurance, or VAT for “working people,” other tax measures are reportedly being considered.

One proposal is applying National Insurance to rental income, which critics fear could result in landlords passing on the cost to tenants through higher rents.

Another idea being debated is replacing stamp duty with an annual property tax, which could affect homeowners.

There are also rumours of reducing pension tax relief or cutting the tax-free lump sum, moves that could generate billions but might hurt savers.

Plus, there’s speculation about lowering the VAT threshold, which would bring more small businesses into the tax system.

This could increase their costs and potentially lead to higher prices for consumers.

Reeves is expected to make economic growth the centrepiece of her next Budget, warning that Britain’s economy is “stuck” and in need of bold solutions.

What can you do about it?

None of the proposed changes have been confirmed yet, and the government hasn’t ruled them out either.

However, any new measures won’t take effect until after the Budget in November.

It’s important not to make rash decisions based on speculation.

If changes are announced, you’ll have time to act and protect your finances before they come into effect.

For instance, if stamp duty is replaced by an annual property tax from a certain date, you could move house before the deadline to avoid the extra cost.

Similarly, if the government introduces capital gains tax on high-value properties, you might consider downsizing to a smaller home before the change is implemented.

 Rob Morgan, chief analyst at Charles Stanley, said: “Taking pre-emptive action can outright backfire.

“Last year some people were concerned about restrictions around taking tax free cash from pension and took withdrawals they wouldn’t have otherwise made.

“This removed the money from a tax-efficient environment and potentially stored up tax issues that will come back to haunt them.

“Instead, it’s best to wait to see what happens, consider the consequences, and take advice as required before acting.”

Most of the proposed measures are likely to affect only the very wealthy, so you may not be impacted at all.

If you’re concerned, there are steps you can take to prepare and safeguard your finances.

Check your financial health

If you are worried about your finances then you should speak to a financial adviser.

They will be able to offer you advice about your situation and explain if any of the measures will affect you.

You can find one using unbiased.co.uk – but remember, you will pay a fee.

It’s good practice to sit down and take stock of your finances every six months and work out a plan.

Work out all your bills and outgoings and what income you have and factor in any changes, such as bills going up or new income streams.

Think about what you need to do to make the most of your money. For example, do you need to prioritise paying off debts or saving for a house deposit.

Our guide to paying less tax legally could help you avoid giving away more cash to the tax man than necessary.

Review your mortgage deal

If your mortgage deal is coming to an end soon, act now.

Locking in a fixed rate could shield you from rising rates and market uncertainty.

Aaron Strutt, of mortgage broker Trinity Financial, said “For the moment there have not been significant price hikes but it’s probably worth locking in a mortgage rate if you are buying somewhere or due to remortgage, to try and keep away from any market turbulence.”

If you are coming to the end of a fixed deal, most lenders let you lock in a new rate up to six months beforehand, which can be worth doing.

If rates fall after you agree a new deal, some lenders will let you sign a new one at a lower rate.

Think when investing

Gold prices surged to a record high of $3,546.99 per ounce (£2,643.82) on Wednesday, marking its seventh consecutive daily rise.

Investors are flocking to the precious metal as a safe haven amid inflation fears and fiscal uncertainty.

However, financial advisers suggest maintaining a balanced and diverse investment portfolio as a better strategy for managing market volatility.

A small allocation to gold (5-10%) can be useful, but it shouldn’t be the core of your investment plan, according to Charles Stanley.

Don’t forget a will

If you’re concerned about potential changes to inheritance tax, it’s essential to have a will in place.

Without a will, your estate will be subject to intestacy rules, which could result in a higher inheritance tax bill.

This is especially important for unmarried couples, as they won’t automatically inherit from each other, even if they’ve lived together for years.

Check how to make one in our guide.

Make your savings work harder

More than 31million bank customers have £186billion in savings accounts earning just 1.5% interest, according to banking app Spring.

These accounts generate £2.3billion a year in interest, but savers could earn over three times more by switching to accounts offering up to 5% interest, The Sun can reveal.

The average bank customer has around £10,000 in savings, according to Raisin.

If that £10,000 is kept in an easy access account earning 1.5% interest, it would generate just £150 in interest each year.

But switching to Cahoot’s 5% easy access account would boost that to £500, earning you an extra £350.

If your savings account pays less than the current inflation rate of 3.8%, it’s time to look for a better deal.