cost of living

DRIVERS are forking out £100s more on their car insurance by merely using a certain key word as their occupation.

Experts have revealed elderly drivers are facing substantial increases in premiums with costs rising by up to 50% in some cases – simply by marking themselves as “retired” on car insurance forms. 

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According to research by Quotezone, car insurance premiums are rising for elderly motorists in the UK with retired drivers listing “retired” as their occupation.

On average, this is seeing premiums jumping from £492 to £733 annually.

To combat this, Quotezone suggests variations in job titles could potentially reduce insurance costs – as long as the descriptions remain accurate and honest. 

For unemployed individuals, adding a more experienced driver to the policy might help lower costs, although they caution against “fronting,” which is illegal.

DialDirect points out that premiums tend to rise for elderly drivers because insurance providers often view them as higher-risk.

They added: “Car insurance premiums can begin to rise as you become older as insurance providers typically view elderly drivers as higher-risk individuals.

“Like the way in which drivers between the age of 17 to 25 are often charged more for insurance, so are elderly drivers.

“However, the level of risk attached to different ages will vary for different insurance providers so make sure you shop around for the best deal.”

GET COVERED

Car insurance in the UK is a legal necessity, with three main levels of cover available. 

These are fully comprehensive insurance, which offers the highest level of protection, covering damage to your vehicle, yourself and third party, fire and theft.

There’s then third party, fire and theft insurance, which covers damage you cause to others, as well as fire damage or theft of your own vehicle.

And there’s third party only insurance (TPO), which is the minimum legal requirement that covers damage caused to others but not your own vehicle. 

TPO, however, won’t compensate for any damage to your own car or for your medical expenses following an accident that you’re responsible for.

This comes as an urgent DVLA warning was recently issued to drivers as a major change is set to come into force this week that could see them slapped with a £1,000 fine.

The huge change will affect laws surrounding number plates and could lead to thousands of plates becoming invalid. 

Motorists using company cars should also expect to face fresh charges as part of major law changes hitting this month.

The new changes kicked in from September 1 – and includes toll hikes and fuel changes which are bound top affect thousands of Brit drivers.

FAMILIES living in the shadow of two “humungous” warehouses say the buildings have destroyed their view and devalued their properties.

The colossal steel frames, which residents have likened to cruise ships, are part of a 350,000 sq ft industrial site that is dwarfing homes nearby.

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Residents in Tyldesley, Wigan, described being alarmed by the scale, and some are even considering moving.

Plans from developer PLP show the massive site will eventually be home to four vast warehouses, with the council agreeing to a maximum height of 18.3m (60ft) for two of those buildings.

Delivery giant Whistl has already snapped up one of the huge sheds, signing a 15-year deal on a 140,000 sq ft unit.

A council boss insisted landscaping would help soften the appearance, adding that the project followed proper planning processes.

But residents argued the final approved plans from were far bigger than had been originally designed.

They worried about the effect on property values, arguing there was limited consultation before building started.

John Peters, 71, a retired teacher, has lived on the estate since 1978. He said: “It’s a total shock when you walk out of the door.

“The enormity of the thing just strikes you. It shouldn’t be there.”

He said his dreams of a peaceful retirement were “shattered” by the arrival of the structure so close to his home.

A campaign group has been set up to rally neighbours and fight the development, with more than 200 people in attendance at a recent meeting.

Mr Peters claimed the way residents were informed about the project left many feeling blindsided.

He said: “A letter was sent out to 90 residents, but I don’t know how they selected those residents because some of the people who back onto the site didn’t get anything.

“It was just completely random.”

Paula Boardman, 47, lives with her husband and two kids in a house that backs onto the imposing warehouse.

She said: “It’s quite upsetting, because we used to have such a lovely view.

“We knew this was going to be built, but we thought it was going to be a lot smaller.

“As soon as the framework went up, everyone realised the height of it – it’s humungous. I’m worried it’s going to take all our sunlight.

“It’s like a cruise ship at the back of our garden. Even if we wanted to move, I think the value of the house has gone down.”

She raised concerns about damage in her home that she fears could be related to the warehouse’s size and proximity of construction work.

She said: “I noticed a dip in the flooring back in February and a big crack in the wall.”

Steve Retford, 69, said he no longer sits in the garden because of the structure that stands just 30m away – describing the impact as “profound”.

The retired police officer said: “It’s just dreadful. We feel this sense of injustice.

“I don’t profess to be a planning expert, but when you look at the sheer enormity of this, it’s not right.

“It must have taken tens of thousands of pounds off the value of our houses. Every time I think about it, I feel sick.”

Care worker Danielle Edwards, 38, fears the warehouse could make it difficult to sell her home in the future.

She said: “It’s awful. We bought this house because we’re a young family wanting to stay in the area.

“It would be very difficult to move. I can see it from my back garden. We thought they were going to be low-rise industrial units, but they’re not.”

Retired project manager Eric Earnshaw, 79, has lived in the Tyldesley area all his life but is now preparing to leave for the Lake District.

The keen dog walker said it’s because he’s had enough of constant building work.

He added: “There are walks that take me along fields in the area where there are plans for thousands of homes.

“All the green space around here is disappearing.”

Aidan Thatcher, director for place at Wigan Council, told The Sun: “This planning application went through our planning consultation and committee process.

“The final plans include landscaping which will help to screen and soften the appearance, and mitigate the impact on nearby properties.

“We will continue to monitor the site throughout construction, ensuring this development bringing new jobs and investment to the area is delivered properly.”

A spokesperson for PLP said they would not comment.

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A MUM is ho-ho-home and dry for Christmas already — with £2,000 of gifts all set to go under the tree.

Charlotte Chandler started buying presents for her children Harley, 14, Evie, 13, and six-year-old Myles in June.

The 36-year-old says stocking up early takes off the pressure during the festive period.

She said: “Getting organised early makes a massive difference.

“I usually start in June but sometimes I start earlier.

“This way, I can spread the cost but also be less stressed nearer Christmas and have spare money for activities.

“Going through a busy shopping centre in December and fighting for a parking space is a no thank you.”

And she resists any urge to keep adding to her stockpile.

Charlotte said: “I don’t keep going until Christmas. I’m done now.”

The well-organised content creator, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, hides the presents in two 7ft cupboards with locks on them.

Besides the £2,000 on gifts, single mum Charlotte will add about £10 a week to her food shop to buy festive treats such as crisps, nuts, chocolates and fizzy drinks.

She said: “Anything to keep those stress levels down and enjoy Christmas.”

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A COUPLE are selling their £600k home in a raffle – with tickets costing just TWO pounds.

Aily Chalmers, 32, and her husband, Nathan, 35, say they were forced into the unusual decision because of the “disastrous” housing market.

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They initially put their four-bed detached home near Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire, on the market, but were instantly put off.

The couple were told by their estate agent that they would have to cut the price, with a potential 18-month wait to make a sale.

Instead, they are selling 450,000 raffle tickets, with the winner set to receive the house free from stamp duty and fees.

Speaking on their “mad” venture, website designer Aily said: “We never thought we’d be doing something like this.

“But we want to move closer to family and just thought, ‘go for it.’

“All you can do is try in these situations and the house is basically just going to be given away.

“All stamp duty and other fees will be paid, and the winner won’t have to pay anything other than £2 for the ticket.

“The market is awful at the moment, and we’re looking to move ASAP.

“It sounds mad, but it’s a win-win for us and someone who gets to live in a four-bed house for £2.”

The home has three bathrooms, a study, a snug and an open-plan dining room-lounge.

Aily and Nathan moved into the then-new build seven years ago.

But when the pair’s fourth child was born, they decided they wanted to move closer to family in Hampshire for support.

The mum-of-four continued: “Nathan and I have been discussing moving out since last year.

“We looked into selling the house the traditional way.

“Our house is perfect at the moment and our budget is the same.

“The only downside of being here is that we have to drive miles and miles if we want to see our family.

“It sounds mad, but we’re really hoping we can pull it off.

“We had lots of Zoom calls with the company hosting the raffle, to iron out the legalities of it all and now the competition is live.”

The pair have already sold one per cent of tickets in a matter of days, raising £6,000.

Both her and Nathan are hoping to raise an extra £20,000 in spending money to cover additional costs.

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It comes as Chancellor Rachel Reeves is said to be considering a new tax on the sale of houses over £500,000.

But critics say the measures could weaken the property market by discouraging homeowners from downsizing and selling.

The proposed legislation would be part of a wider overhaul to stamp duty and council tax.

Slamming the proposed changes, Aily accused the Government of “punishing people who own property”.

She added: “I feel like it’s the whole property market at the moment.

“The government putting in all this new legislation just to get more money off people and sort of punishing people who own property.

“We couldn’t afford to keep this home mortgage when our mortgage rate doubled a couple of years ago.

“It’s terrible. I don’t know how some people are surviving. A lot more people are wanting to just rent.”

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IF you’re wondering where your money’s going each month, it might not be big bills or bad luck to blame but small, repeated mistakes that add up fast.

From letting your savings sit in low-interest accounts, to underestimating the real cost of long mortgage terms, financial experts warn that common habits could be quietly emptying your bank accounts.

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We asked money experts and behavioural scientists to reveal the biggest habits that are holding people back.

1. Not knowing what’s coming in and going out

It’s hard to feel in control of your money when you don’t know where it’s actually going.

Many people assume they have a rough idea, but the reality is that forgotten subscriptions, auto-renewing services and small daily purchases quickly add up.

Without visibility, your budget can slowly unravel, and by the time you realise, you’ve slipped into the red.

Vix Leyton, consumer expert at Thinkmoney, says the fix starts with routine: “Take time to know what your outgoings are and what is coming in.

“Some apps, like Thinkmoney, offer a snapshot of what you’re spending, and can even ringfence bill money for you so you don’t accidentally end up facing penalties and late fees.”

Even a five-minute weekly check-in can help avoid nasty surprises and highlight where cutbacks are needed.

2. Living without a savings buffer

It’s hard to save money – but not having a buffer can leave you exposed to high credit when you need cash quickly.

Whether it’s a broken boiler, a car that won’t start or a sudden cut in hours at work, not having a cushion means falling back on credit cards or payday loans just to stay afloat.

The result is a constant feeling of stress, and a budget that can be thrown off by the smallest shock.

Thomas Mathar, behavioural researcher and host of The Money:Mindshift Podcast, says a little slack goes a long way.

He said: “Even a modest buffer, like one month’s rent, can give you the breathing space to make better decisions and avoid high-cost debt.

“It’s not just about the numbers, it’s about having mental and financial slack when life throws you a curveball.”

3. Letting debt pile up month after month

More and more people have credit card debt, which means it can be easy to think it’s business as usual, especially when the minimum payments are low.

But ultimately, you’re paying interest to the bank instead of putting that money toward your own goals. Over time, that can add up to hundreds or even thousands of pounds in lost savings.

“Too many people accept credit card debt as a normal state of affairs. It’s not,” says Mathar.

“Paying down high-interest debt quickly is one of the most powerful things you can do for your long-term well being. It’s buying yourself back freedom, and peace of mind.”

If you’re juggling multiple debts, focus on the most expensive ones first and look into 0% balance transfer options if your credit score allows.

4. Having psychological armour to support you

In the age of side hustles and flashy online success stories, it’s tempting to ditch steady work for riskier pursuits.

But without a reliable income it’s hard to build long-term security.

Inconsistent earnings often mean falling behind on bills, using credit to bridge the gap, and struggling to plan ahead.

Mathar warns that it’s important to have some sort of regular income, even if you’re pursuing other hustles on the side.

He says: “A steady income isn’t just about covering bills, it’s psychological armour.

“When you’re living month-to-month or under-earning compared to your potential, the stress compounds.

“You don’t need to chase big money, but you do need income that’s ‘good enough’ to support a resilient, happy life.”

5. Leaving savings in a dead-end account

You might feel good about putting money aside, but if it’s sitting in an easy-access account earning barely any interest, your savings are losing value in real terms.

With inflation still high, the cost of leaving cash in low-yield accounts is higher than many realise.

Adam French, head of news at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk, says this mistake is all too common.

Adam said: “The likes of HSBC, Lloyds Bank, Santander, NatWest and Barclays all have easy access accounts paying around 1.1 to 1.2 per cent interest, far below the typical returns savers could expect, which is currently 3.51 per cent.”

The top performing options can pay even more, and shopping around and switching accounts only takes a few minutes online.

6. Not making the most of your ISA allowance

More savers than ever are being hit with tax bills they could have avoided.

Frozen tax thresholds mean that even modest savers can end up over the personal savings allowance, paying tax on any interest they earn.

That means, if you’re not using your ISA allowance, you’re potentially giving money away for free.

French explains: “Saving and investing are some of the best ways to build wealth over time.

“But it’s important that savers are aware of their tax liability on any profits they make – which can add up over the course of a few years.

Plenty of savers can avoid this tax bill by making use their yearly ISA allowances.

You can save or invest up to £20,000 a year tax-free, and every pound sheltered from tax is a pound that keeps working for you.

7. Only saving for retirement, and nothing else

Putting money into a pension is smart, but it shouldn’t be your only savings plan.

Many people now take career breaks, retrain, care for relatives or start businesses, and those transitions need funding too.

Mathar says ignoring this reality can leave people exposed.

“We don’t live three-stage lives anymore – education, work, retirement… A ‘transition fund’ – even just a few months’ salary – makes those big life pivots possible without financial panic.”

8. Being too harsh on yourself when things go wrong

Money mistakes happen. But too often, people fall into a cycle of guilt and avoidance, especially if they’re already struggling.

That mindset can stop you from facing your finances or reaching out for help, which only makes things worse in the long run.

Mathar believes the solution starts with self-empathy. “Here’s the truth: we’re all a bit messed up when it comes to money.

Our brains are wired for short-term wins, not long-term planning.

The goal isn’t to be perfect with money; it’s to build enough slack, mental and financial, so that one mistake or setback doesn’t knock you flat.”

9. Not overpaying your mortgage when you could

With mortgage rates still high and household budgets under pressure, many borrowers are choosing longer terms to keep monthly payments manageable.

But unless you’re also making overpayments, that strategy can come at a serious long-term cost.

French says small changes now can lead to huge savings later: “Overpaying by £200 per month on that same £250,000 40-year mortgage could shave almost 13 years off the mortgage term, saving them around £123,000 in interest payments.

“This is all without being tied to having to consistently make higher payments every single month – boosting the flexibility of their budget and their financial resilience.”

Most lenders allow up to 10 per cent overpayment each year.

Even £50 a month can help you become mortgage-free sooner and pay far less in interest overall.

CHRONIC shortages of builders, plumbers and plasterers are making it ever harder to build the homes, schools and hospitals we need.

But today we publish a Government-backed list of construction apprenticeships to help YOU learn a trade, whatever your age or background.

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It is part of The Sun on Sunday’s Builder Better Britain campaign, praised recently by Women and Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson.

With thousands of young people out of work as shops and pubs stop hiring, the Government is pumping £100million into courses to help train the 12.8 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds currently not in education, employment or training – NEETs.

So now is the time to build YOUR career.

After we ran a similar pullout last year, scores applied for placements and the success stories included 18-year-old Brooke Knight.

She said: ‘It gives a skill for life, there are no college fees and you can earn thousands a week after tax.”

Check out our pullout for 110 jobs in all areas of the construction industry . . . 

TO APPLY GO TO gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship using company name and postcode

North West

Business Administrator Apprentice

Watson Construction Ltd

Motivated individual to join our small, supportive team to help us deliver a great service to our clients and their homeowners.

You will support the team with enquiries, admin tasks and aftercare, whilst learning on the job.

If you’re organised, friendly and ready to grow with a leader homebuilder we want to hear from you.

£18,000 a year.

Salford (M7 2ZS). Closes Sep 19, start Sep 29.

Apprentice Construction Maintenance Operative

Edward Anthony Ltd

Enthusiastic individual who wants to learn and train.

Role requires physical labour such as lifting, carrying materials, assisting set-up/close down of work areas, ability to take direction to ensure safe working standards, and ability to work as a team.

Role is predominantly a labouring position.

£11,778 for first year, then could rise depending on your age.

Birkenhead, Wirral (CH41 9AH).

Closes Sep 12, start Sep 15.

Building Materials Apprenticeship

Joseph Parr (Alco) Ltd

Designed for supply-chain warehouse operative who wants to be upskilled to understand and get involved in the entire distribution operation, including picking, loading, unloading, booking in, safety and recycling and virtual learning. £17,667 a year.

Manchester (M27 8SN).

Closes tomorrow, start Sep 2.

Bench Joiner

A J & D Chapelhow (Cliburn) Ltd

Seeking a motivated, detail-oriented apprentice to join our team specialising in manufacture of high-quality timber windows and doors.

Will have a strong interest in woodworking, basic understanding of joinery tools and technique, and commitment to developing practical skills in a workshop environment.

£15,704 a year.

Penrith, Cumbria (CA10 3AL).

Closes tomorrow, start Sep 2.

Apprentice Bricklayer

MSP Projects Ltd

Enthusiastic individual to join our growing team and learn from industry experts.

Work toward your Level 2 bricklayer apprenticeship qualification, in a close team.

Wage, £11,778 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Knutsford, Cheshire (WA16 8RW).

Closes Sep 23, start Sep 29.

Apprentice Landscaper

Ashbourne Garden and Property Maintenance

Motivated, hardworking apprentice to join our team.

Role involves cutting grass, trimming hedges, and weeding.

Candidate should have a passion for outdoor work, a keen eye for detail, and a desire to learn and grow in the landscaping industry.

£14,526.20 a year.

Stockport (SK7 6DW).

Closes Oct 1, start Oct 6.

Apprentice Landscape Gardener

Distinctive Gardens Ltd

Learn how to design, build and maintain outdoor spaces, combining practical skills with creative design to create gardens, driveways and landscaped areas.

£15,600 a year.

Lancaster (LA2 0RD).

Closes Sept 28, start Oct 13.

Business Administration Apprentice

Construction Resources

Specialist recruitment company within the built environment sector seeks a motivated, organised apprentice to support our team with a variety of administrative and operational tasks.

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Liverpool (L22 0PJ).

Closes Sep 30, start Oct 4.

Apprentice Fenestration Installer (Level 2)

Everglaze Ltd

Installers here often work as part of small teams, on jobs for small shop owners, landlords, tenants and home owners, or on large-scale projects for developers.

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Wigan (WN5 8QJ).

Closes Sep 5, start Sep 15.

Business Administrator Apprentice

Watson Construction Ltd

Motivated individual to join our small, supportive team to help us deliver a great service to our clients and their homeowners.

Support the team with handling enquiries, admin tasks and aftercare – all while learning on the job.

If you’re an organised person, friendly and ready to grow with a leader homebuilder, we want to hear from you.

£18,000 a year.

Salford (M7 2ZS).

Closes Sep 19, start Sep 29.

Apprentice Stonemason

Bullen Conservation Ltd

Excellent opportunity for an apprentice with a conservation business specialising in heritage skills.

£15,311.40 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Oldham (OL1 3NN).

Closes Sep 21. Start to be determined.

B&Q Customer Advisor Apprenticeship

Bamber Bridge

Become an expert advisor, who gets to know each customer and their home-improvement project.

Sales is important, of course, as is managing stock, setting up displays and keeping a shop looking great.

£10,575 a year.

Preston (PR5 6BZ).

Closes Sept 2, start Sep 9.

Grounds & Garden Apprentice

Sedbergh School, Cumbria

The gardening team here provide pupils, staff and visitors with gardens commensurate with Sedbergh’s long- standing reputation as a leading independent school.

Tasks will vary daily, determined by the assistant grounds manager or head gardener and will include use of hand tools and light machinery to maintain the gardens.

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Sedbergh (LA10 5HG).

Closes Sep 7, start Sep 22.

‘Opening for military vets and ex-offenders’

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TO match the Government’s £100million for training courses, the National House Building Council is injecting the same.

They are looking to get more young people into construction, but also other groups including ex-military and people who have been in prison.

Roger Morton, Director of Business Change at the NHBC, said: “The industry needs more than 250,000 construction workers by 2028 to meet demand and build the 10,000 new homes we need. We need 2,500 brickies, 2,500 groundworkers and 1,000 carpenters and that’s why we’re investing £100million. We’re investing in 12 new NHBC multi-skilled training hubs across the country, to support 3,000 apprenticeships each year. We are targeting young people but also career changers, veterans, ex-offenders. We provide a unique, immersive facility where we can train people in 14 to 18 months, many with distinctions. That’s nearly twice as fast as traditional routes.

“We need to change perception so people see that being a trade is a great career. The average bricklayer earns £50,000, and they might progress to management, senior management, director. A colleague began as an apprentice and runs a 230-strong department.”

North East

Groundworker Apprentice

WL Straughan & Son

Seeking a keen, willing-to-learn apprentice to learn all aspects of the trade.

£15,311.40 a year.

Bedlington Lane Farm, Northumberland (NE22 6AA).

Closes Sep 5, start Sep 15.

Property Maintenance Apprentice

Simpson & Hill Construction Ltd

Be part of a well-established and highly recommended building company based in Stokesley, North Yorks that covers all aspects of construction throughout Co Durham & North Yorks.

Looking for an apprentice to a busy team.

£15,311.40 a year.

Closes Sep 15, start Sep 22.

Machining/Tool Room Apprentice

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies Ltd

Earn as you learn with this major employer.

Training is underpinned by practical experience.

£14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

North Shields, Tyne and Wear (NE27 0QH).

Closes tomorrow, start Sep 22.

Apprentice Joiner

Andy Dunbar Joinery

Work for a premium company, experts in bespoke design and manufacture of handmade architectural joinery.

Looking for an apprentice to join a busy team.

£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Middlesbrough (TS2 1DY).

Closes Sep 8, start Sep 15.

Conventional Machining Apprentice

Clifton Engineering (NE) Ltd

Fantastic opportunity for a manual machining apprentice to join this fantastic team based in Morpeth, and earn while you learn.

Your training will be underpinned with practical experience which will prepare you for an exciting career.

Wage, £14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Northumberland (NE61 6JN).

Closes tomorrow, start Sep 13.

Signage Apprentice Technician

Alan Rowe Signs and Graphics

Offering a route into a potential full-time career within a family-run business.

We specialise in creating signs and custom graphics for vehicles, with over 40 years’ experience.

Offering the opportunity to work in a hands-on role within the business and achieve a qualification in the process.

£17,550 a year.

Tyne and Wear (NE6 4QL).

Closes Sep 12, Start Sep 15.

Groundwork Apprentice

Meldrum Group

Northern Skills are recruiting for Meldrum Group.

This will allow you to gain on-the-job experience while studying toward a Level 2 property maintenance apprenticeship qualification.

£15,311.40 a year.

Stockton-on-Tees (TS18 3TX).

Closes tomorrow, start Sep 9.

Apprentice Design & Development Engineer

Elfab Ltd

Learn and develop skills within a range of engineering, technical and design expertise.

Duties include concept feasibility, design, development, launch and production.

Additional activities include rapid prototyping, assembly, testing, validating and performance analysis.

£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

North Shields, Tyne and Wear (NE29 8SD).

Closes Sep 13, start Sep 22.

Administrative Apprentice

In Charge Construction Ltd

Northern Skills are recruiting on behalf of In Charge Construction Limited who are looking for a motivated candidate to join their team.

Learn the role of a business administrator while also gaining a qualification.

£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Darlington (DL1 4FA).

Closes Sep 29, start Oct 6.

Wood Product Manufacturing Apprentice

Balmoral Joinery

Passionate about working with your hands to create quality wood products?

Join our Wood Product Manufacturing Apprenticeship at Balmoral Joinery and gain experience in a dynamic environment.

Grow your skills, master your craft, and become part of a team that values tradition, precision and innovation.

£15,311.40 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Swalwell, Tyne and Wear (NE16 3AD).

Closes Sep 5, start Sep 15.

Welder Fabricator Apprentice

Shell Engineering

Work with metals including steel and aluminium, learning welding, fabrication and use of precision tools.

£14,918.80 a year.

Chester-le-Street, Co Durham (DH2 1AJ).

Closes Sep 6, start Sep 15.

Apprentice Welder/Fabricator

Bulkhaul Ltd

Looking for an enthusiastic, reliable, punctual candidate, ideally in their second year of college.

This role requires a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and to be able to follow safety protocols.

There is the opportunity of a full-time role upon completion, pending a review of progress/performance while on the apprenticeship.

£17,680 a year.

Middlesbrough (TS2 1PS).

Closes Sep 3, start Sep 15.

Apprentice Welding and Workshop Technician

Aliweld Ltd

Be responsible for supporting fabrication and assembly of aluminium tipper and waggon bodies under the supervision of experienced welders.

Ideal for someone with a keen interest in engineering, a strong work ethic and desire to learn and grow in a skilled trade.

£17,926.96 a year.

Newcastle upon Tyne (NE40 3DG). Closes Sep 2, start Sep 15.

Apprentice Sheet Metal Worker

Boyd Ductwork Ltd

Learn from sheet-metal workers and fabricators, and about how to read drawings, select steel and prepare materials for ductwork projects.

Given the start times, this would suit a local candidate or one with access to their own transport.

£14,918.80 a year.

Blaydon on Tyne (NE21 5SD). Closes Sep 12, start Sep 16.

Business Administration Apprentice

In Charge Construction Ltd

A great opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to join a busy office team.

The apprentice will help with a broad range of administrative tasks covering many aspects of the business.

£13,741 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Darlington (DL1 4FA).

Closes Sep 12, start Oct 1.

‘I love to learn and earn’

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SHE is sleight of figure, so many think Tegan Pryor is joking when she tells them she’s a builder.

But having ditched a leisure-centre job to study bricklaying at college, the hard grafter is now backing our Build A Better Britain campaign to urge more young people to take up a trade.

Tegan, 23, from Shefford, Beds, said: “I started training as a bricklayer three years ago and honestly, I’ve never looked back.

“It is 100 per cent the right career for me. I was a lifeguard and receptionist at a leisure centre before but there wasn’t much career opportunity, it felt like a dead end.

“Now, I get to work outdoors and have a laugh with my colleagues – and I’m not treated any differently because I’m a woman.

“There is respect, and I learn something new every day.

“I’m on about £130 a day for an eight-and-a-half hour shift and some days it’s hard, but it’s also satisfying when you look back on what you achieved.

“The average wage for a bricklayer is about £50,000 a year and that’s what I’m heading towards.”

Yorkshire & The Humber

Apprentice Construction Quantity Surveyor

Sum ADR Limited

Join this independent consultancy adjudication/Q/S firm.

Role combines on-the-job training with structured learning to gain job-specific skills.

Earn a wage and receive holiday pay, while working alongside experienced staff and dedicating time to relevant study.

£15,704 to £25,396.80 a year.

Wetherby, West Yorks (LS23 6FJ). Closes Sep 11, start Oct 30.

Apprentice Assistant Site (Level 3) Manager

Greenchurch Developments

Apprenticeship agency EN:Able Futures has teamed up with Greenchurch Developments to offer this exciting opportunity.

If you want to work with a company that values quality, whilst gaining a nationally recognised qualification, apply today.

£15,704 a year.

Doncaster (DN6 8QA).

Closes Sep 11, start Sep 15.

Building Services Design Engineer Apprentice

Hoare Lea LLP

Collaborate with the industry’s best, working with a wide range of specialists.

Be part of progressive and exciting projects, able to experience innovative schemes across all sectors.

Advance your career, your way, thanks to our structured career paths framework.

Wage £24,250 a year. Leeds (LS2 8LY). Closes Oct 31, start Jan 3.

Apprentice Construction Site Supervisor

Greenchurch Developments

Apprenticeship agency EN:Able Futures has partnered with Greenchurch Developments to offer this opportunity to work for their company.

If you are wanting to work with a company that values quality, whilst working towards a nationally recognised qualification. £16,881.80 a year.

Doncaster (DN6 8QA).

Closes Sep 11, start Sep 15.

Construction Management Apprenticeship

Lovell Regen

Partnered with Lovell Regen, EN:Able Futures is offering an exciting opportunity to earn while you learn, whilst working toward a Level 3 construction support technician qualification.

£15,410 a year.

Doncaster (DN6 8QA).

Closes Sep 4, start Sep 8.

Business Administration Apprentice

Dutton FM

Exciting opportunity to work for Dutton Group, specifically facility managers Dutton FM, as a business administrator within a small team, friendly team.

£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Wakefield, West Yorks (WF1 2ED).

Closes Sep 6, start Sep 8.

Engineering Fitter Apprentice

Trivent

Long-standing manufacturer of kitchen ventilation systems is looking for the newest engineering talent to join its operation in Leeds.

This apprenticeship leads you to become a skilled engineer within the company’s mechanical fitting department.

Candidates must be 18-plus, due to the nature of work.

£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Leeds (LS11 0EF).

Closes Sep 2, start Sep 8.

Apprentice Assistant Site Manager (Level 3)

Huber Parking

Apprenticeship agency EN:Able Futures are partnering with Huber Parking to look for an apprentice manager to join their busy team.

Working on the Calderdale Royal Hospital site, you will learn everything to get you through your nationally recognised qualification. £16,588 a year.

Halifax, West Yorks (HX3 0PW).

Closes Sep 11, start Sep 15.

Apprentice Construction Site Supervisor

GS Kelsey Construction

Apprenticeship employer EN:Able Futures are partnering with GS Kelsey to support the delivery of new-build housing.

Fantastic opportunity for an apprentice to become part of a growing team.

£16,784 a year.

Rotherham, South Yorks (S66 8DW).

Closes Sep 26, start Sep 29.

‘You can make £300 a day’

5

HE was toying with going to university but the prospect of three more years’ book study, and the debt, swung Lucas Robinson to learn a trade.

Lucas, 25, from Nottingham, did a two-and-a-half year bricklaying course at Derby College, while working on sites for his employer at £170 a week.

He said of bricklaying: “I’ve been doing this for four years and the company I work for is all over the country. Bricklaying is what you make of it. You can start at 8am, finish at 3pm and make £300 a day, depending on the deal. I’ve been doing ‘price bricklaying’ for a while, paid 65p a brick and about £150 a day, but I hear you can make £1 a brick in London.

“Eight hours is a long day carrying bricks and it can be stressful when things are not going right, but I love my job. My dad’s a bricklayer too.

“My mum wanted to push me down the uni route, but I decided on a different path and I’m so happy.

“Looking at a house and thinking, I built that and people are going to live in it, it’s a good feeling.”

East Midlands

Estimator

FP McCann

Undertake the tasks involved within the estimating process, from measuring and doing take-offs, to producing quotations for external customers.

An estimator creates quotations based on drawings, listing products and costs for customer orders.

£14,722.50 to £23,809.50, depending on your age.

Derbyshire (DE6 4PH).

Closes Sep 10, start Sep 30.

Apprentice Fabricator/Welder Metal Fabricator

James Engineering

We pride ourselves on family values – the company was founded by the grandfather of the current owner.

Our mission is simple: to provide high-quality services without compromising on quality.

We are seeking an apprentice fabricator/welder to join our team.

Learn all aspects of steel- welding including MIG, TIG and MMA.

Wage £17,238 a year.

Alfreton (DE55 7JR).

Closes Sep 12, start Sep 15.

Maintenance Apprentice Engineer

Gordon Ellis & Co

Opportunity for an enthusiastic apprentice to join our maintenance team.

The successful candidate will work alongside our skilled maintenance engineers to develop a broad range of practical engineering skills.

£17,550 a year.

Derby (DE74 2PY).

Closes tomorrow, start Sep 2.

Warehouse Operative Apprentice

International Abrasives Ltd

Join our growing business where hard work is recognised and development encouraged.

Pick, pack and ship orders, unload and restock deliveries, keep the warehouse organised and support stock control.

A strong work ethic is essential.

£14,133.60 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Leicester (LE9 6TJ).

Closes Sep 16, start Sep 22.

Apprentice Estimator

James Engineering Constructions Ltd

Opportunity to join this family business.

You will be part of the estimating team, working in a busy office, supporting the supervisor and sales director.

£17,162.60 a year.

Alfreton (DE55 7JR).

Closes Sep 15, start Sep 22.

Apprentice Cabinet Maker

Alias Industries Ltd

Enrol on a furniture- manufacturing apprenticeship with Leicester College.

You will be trained as a cabinet maker/bench joiner, working in a modern workshop environment to produce high-end, bespoke furniture and displays for domestic and retail sectors.

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase.

Peckleton, Leicester (LE9 7RN).

Closes Sep 5, start Sep 8.

Hardware Engineer Apprentice

Brick Ltd

You will help construction colleagues to get the most value from their tech tools, rectifying any faults and providing advice about a wide range of hardware and related software.

We are looking for someone who has great hardware knowledge as well as impressive customer service skills.

£20,000 a year. Leicestershire (LE67 6HS).

Closes Sep 23, start Oct 1.

Health, Safety and Environment Apprentice

Mecc Alte (UK) Ltd

Exciting opportunity for a motivated apprentice to work within our Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (GHSE) department to help ensure that compliance measures are adhered to within the company.

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Oakham, East Mids (LE15 6RF).

Closes Sep 5, start Oct 1.

Machinist – Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Apprentice

Metrol Springs Ltd

Full-time employment, with day-release training, offering a competitive salary and 21 days’ paid holiday as well as bank holidays.

Based in Northampton, Metrol Springs is the UK’s largest manufacturer of gas springs.

Metrol is part of the PLC Lesjofors Group.

Our group includes almost 40 manufacturing and sales companies in many countries.

£19,760 a year.

Northampton (NN3 6QF).

Closes Sep 5, start Sep 8.

Apprentice Construction Site Supervisor

GS Kelsey Construction

Apprenticeship employer EN:Able Futures is partnering with GS Kelsey Construction to support delivery of new-build housing.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an apprentice to become part of a dynamic and growing team.

£16,784 a year.

Scunthorpe, Lincs (DN16 2HF).

Closes Sep 26, start Sep 29.

‘I’m problem solving daily’

5

DILIGENT Dan Smoker has been a builder for 18 years and reckons the trade is going from strength to strength so there’s good money to be made for those with the right skills.

Dan, 34, from Epsom, Surrey, said: “I did bricklaying at college and after that went into being a multi-trader.

“Now I run my own company and business is good. If someone needs a new kitchen or bathroom, they call me.

“I work on word-of-mouth so don’t have to advertise, and my niche is the maintenance side of things. It’s been a fantastic career for me because you rarely work for the same person and you’re dealing with a range of issues and problems.

“You are problem-solving every day and the bit I like is when you do the work, stand back and see the customer is happy. You feel really proud of what you’ve done. It’s a feeling of immense satisfaction.

“You’ve got to turn up, want to learn the craft then do it properly, and it will come – all the trades are on the up right now.”

West Midlands

Apprentice Joiner Carpenter (Level 2)

Middleton Traditional Joinery Ltd

Looking to recruit a motivated apprentice to support our growing business needs.

Your role will allow you to gain hands-on experience working alongside skilled professionals, learning the craft of carpentry and the processes involved in producing precision-manufactured components.

We are seeking someone who takes pride in their work.

£15,704 a year. West Coppice Road,

Walsall (WS8 7HB).

Closes tomorrow, start Sep 8.

Plumbing & Heating Apprentice (Level 3)

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

A great opportunity to work alongside our existing Trades staff, getting hand-on experience and travelling across Sandwell.

You will be trained in all aspects of plumbing and domestic heating work, such as installing bathrooms and kitchens, replacing pipework and fixing leaks and repairs – all whilst undertaking a Level 3 qualification.

Wage £14,526.20 a year.

Oldbury (B69 3ES).

Closes Sep 12, start Nov 3.

Apprentice Construction Site Supervisor

GS Kelsey Construction

Partnering with award-winning apprenticeship employer EN:Able Futures, this new-build housing provider is offering a fantastic opportunity for you to become part of their growing team.

£16,784 a year.

Gainsborough, Lincs (DN21 1SJ).

Closes Sep 26, start Sep 29.

Apprentice Grounds Maintenance Operative

Brass Facilities

Seeking an apprentice to join our hardworking mobile gardening department that works on our various contracts in the Midlands Area.

The successful candidate will be cutting grass and hedges and dealing with maintenance duties.

£16,640 a year.

Wednesbury (WS10 0PD).

Closes Sep 5, start date Sep 8.

Bricklayer Apprentice (Level 2)

All Britain Construction Ltd

Join a driven construction team with an impressive client portfolio.

This is a full-time position, in an environment that will allow the right person to unlock their potential.

If you have the right attitude – either with the experience or determination to learn how to perform and grow with a winning team – then this is the role for you.

£15,704 a year.

Worcester (WR5 2PT).

Closes tomorrow, start Oct 1.

Apprentice Production Technician.

Narros Aisle Ltd

Looking for an apprentice to work as part of a skilled team, in a dynamic and growing company.

Narros Aisle Ltd are recruiting for our team at our production facility in the West Midlands.

You will play a crucial role within the production unit, ensuring that products meet our high-quality standards.

The role will involve you in learning about assembly, maintenance and repair of our forklift trucks.

£15,311.40 a year.

Tipton (DY4 7AU).

Closes Sep 4, start Sep 18.

Apprentice Carpenter

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

This is a fantastic opportunity to work alongside our existing trades staff, getting hands-on carpentry experience while travelling across the Sandwell Borough.

You will be trained in all aspects of carpentry work while undertaking a Level 2 apprenticeship qualification.

£14,526.20 a year.

Oldbury (B69 3ES).

Closes Sep 12, start Nov 3.

Apprentice Painter & Decorator (Level 2)

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Great opportunity to work alongside our existing trades staff, getting hands-on experience and travelling across the Sandwell borough.

You will be trained in all aspects of painting and decorating, whilst undertaking a Level 2 qualification.

Wage £14,526.20 a year.

Oldbury (B69 3ES).

Closes Sep 12, start Nov 3.

Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Apprentice (Level 3)

Hadley Group

Looking for a metal-forming manufacturing technician apprentice to gain the knowledge and competence required to effectively operate at semi-skilled or skilled operator status.

You will carry out a range of engineering and manufacturing processes within the cold-rolling environment.

£15,743 a year.

West Midlands (B66 2PA).

Closes Sep 2, start Sep 15.

Production Operative Apprentice

Frederick Cooper

Looking for someone excited to start their successful career in the manufacturing sector, with opportunity to specialise in several different roles including wet-paint spraying, powder-coating, polishing, business administration and more.

£15,392 a year.

Birmingham (B9 4TS).

Closes Sep 8, start Sep 29.

Landscaping Apprentice

Flagstone and Flora Ltd

Experience all aspects of landscaping, including laying slabs, setting levels and installing decking.

Learn about paving, fencing, and woodwork, and brick and block work to build retaining walls, garden walls and raised beds.

£15,704 for the first year, then could increase depending on age.

Evesham, Worcs (WR11 8PR).

Closes Sep 2, start Sep 9.

East of England

Apprentice Electrical Draughtsman

Nordson Test & Inspection

The company has a strong portfolio of award-winning products for destructive and non-destructive mechanical testing, as well as the inspection of electronic components.

If you are keen on building your knowledge of mechanical and electrical engineering, then join our research and development team in Colchester and experience product innovation first hand.

£14,820.65 to £23,968.23 a year.

Essex (CO4 9AS).

Closes tomorrow, start Sep 8.

Apprentice Fitter (Level 3)

DXB Pump & Power Ltd

We are a leading pump-manufacturing company focusing on their customers.

Our main objective is to design and manufacture high-quality pump sets that offer outstanding reliability.

We have a reputation for exceptional customer service, backed by a large selection of quality pump products.

£19,500 a year.

Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk (IP30 9HR).

Closes tomorrow, start Sep 15.

Apprentice Sheet Metal Worker

Fine Line Sheet Metal Engineering Ltd

Start your career with a well-established sheet-metal engineering company.

As an apprentice, you’ll receive hands-on training, develop a wide range of practical skills, and gain a solid understanding of the industry.

With guidance from experienced professionals, you’ll build the foundations for a rewarding and long-term career in engineering.

£15,704 to £25,396.80 a year.

Essex (CM7 2YN).

Closes Sep 3, start Sep 4.

Multi-Skilled Engineering Apprentice

Trivium Packaging

Swarm Group is working with Trivium Packaging in their search for a Level 3 maintenance and operations engineering technician apprentice.

This is an excellent opportunity to work within a robust work environment and gain valuable skills to become a multi-skilled engineer.

£20,000 a year.

Norwich (NR7 9AZ).

Closes Sep 10, start Sep 15.

Apprenticeship in CNC Machining (four years)

NE Engineering

Fast-growing manufacturing facility that offers the ideal environment for candidates to learn the required skills in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) manufacturing.

The successful candidate will be trained to set, operate and programme the latest technology.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone to get into engineering.

Competitive wage.

Norwich (NR13 6LJ).

Closes Sep 5, start Sep 8.

Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3)

TML Precision Engineering Ltd

You will become integral to an already established team, and be exposed to all areas of the business to grow and develop knowledge and expertise.

£15,311.40 to £24,761.88, depending on your age.

Hethel, Norfolk (NR14 8QR). Closes Sep 12, start Jan 1.

Apprentice Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician

SA Tooley Ltd

Shadowing/assisting qualified engineers, to develop your skills and knowledge in all aspects of the plumbing and domestic heating work carried out by the company.

£15,704 to £25,396.80, depending on your age.

Scratby, Norfolk (NR29 3LW).

Closes Sep 12, start Jan 1.

Estimating Apprentice

Loughton Contracts PLC

Seeking a motivated and detail-orientated individual to support our fit-out estimating and sales team in preparing accurate, cost-effective bids for commercial flooring projects.

This is an exciting entry-level opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced, high-performing environment, working within the construction industry.

£15,500 a year.

Loughton, Essex (IG10 3FL).

Closes Sep 5, start Sep 15.

Apprentice Plasterer

Training and Apprenticeships in Construction Ltd.

This is a full plastering course, not just skimming.

The apprentice will be learning the following: mixing techniques, material- estimation handling and stick-management, defect repair, floating and beading techniques, rendering, base-coat application and scratch coats, dry-lining, jointing, levelling compounds, screeds and much more.

£14,526.20 to £23,492.04, depending on your age.

King’s Lynn, Norfolk (PE34 3AH).

Closes Sep 30, start Oct 1.

Apprentice Construction Landscaper

Training and Apprenticeships in Construction Ltd.

If you love the outdoors and are interested in developing hands-on skills in landscaping, then this Essex-based business, in Chelmsford, is looking to recruit enthusiastic individuals to be part of their team.

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about a trade while also gaining hands-on, practical experience in the construction industry.

£17,667 for your first year, and then could increase depending on your age.

Closes Sep 30, start October 5.

Apprentice Carpenter and Joiner

Training & Apprenticeships in Construction Ltd.

Successful apprentice candidates will join our first fix joinery team in putting together our proprietary timber frame.

This frame has been developed by our design team over a number of years and forms a key component of our house types.

£17,680 a year.

Epping, Essex (CM16 6LT).

Closes Sep 30, start Oct 1.

Fencing Installer Apprentice

Training & Apprenticeships in Construction Ltd

Looking for motivated individuals to gain hands-on, practical experience and build toward a career within a growing and dynamic field.

£17,667 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Essex (CM1 3AA).

Closes Sep 30, start Oct 1.

London & The South East

Apprenticeship

Brenbar Electrical Services Ltd

Seeking an enthusiastic Level 4 quantity surveyor apprentice to join our team, supporting the quantity surveying team through various stages of a project.

£11,778 to £19,047.60, depending on your age.

Romford (RM3 8UR).

Closes Sep 10, start Sep 15.

Site Supervisor Apprentice

Brenbar Electrical Services Ltd

Looking for a motivated and hardworking individual to join our team as a construction site supervisor apprentice, to assist the site manager with daily tasks.

Wage £11,778 to £19,047.60, depending on your age.

Romford (RM3 8UR).

Closes Sep 15, start Sep 22.

Bricklaying Apprenticeship (Level 2)

Roberts Brothers Construction Ltd

Our bricklayers lay bricks, blocks and other types of building components in mortar to construct and repair walls, foundations, partitions, arches and other structures.

£14,722.50 to £23,809.50 a year.

Reading (RG31 6HF).

Closes tomorrow, start Sep 2.

Groundworks Apprenticeship (Level 2)

Kilnbridge Construction Services Ltd

Opportunity to lay the foundations of a career within construction, as part of a recognised company working on showpiece jobs such as London’s Canary Wharf.

As an apprentice, you will be on a development plan, and a career mentor will help your progression throughout your apprenticeship.

We offer a competitive salary, 20 days’ annual leave and more.

CSCS card required. £31,000 a year. London (NW10 6DZ).

Closes Sep 5, start Nov 10.

Formworker Apprenticeship

Kilnbridge Construction Services Ltd

Opportunity to start a career within construction, with a recognised company working on prestige jobs such as London’s Canary Wharf.

As an apprentice, you will be on a development plan and a career mentor will support your progression.

We offer a competitive salary, 20 days’ annual leave and more. CSCS card required. £31,000 a year.

London (NW10 6DZ).

Closes Sep 5, start Oct 5.

Apprentice Quantity Surveyor

Byoot Construction Ltd

Great opportunity to join our team. £16,672.50 a year.

London (W3 0TE).

Closes Sep 15, start Sep 22.

Associate Project Manager

Apprentice Byoot Construction Ltd

Learn the ropes of project management, including site programs, progress reports, site inspections, cost reporting, tender analysis and monthly valuations.

£22,500 a year.

London (W3 0TE).

Closes Sep 15, start Sep 22.

Construction Site Supervisor Apprentice

Byoot Construction Ltd

A great opportunity in the construction industry, to play an integral role within a dynamic team at Byroot.

£21,000 a year.

London (W3 0TE).

Closes Sep 8, start Sep 15.

Quantity Surveyor Apprentice

Trinity Surfacing Ltd

Seeking a motivated and detail-orientated apprentice who will be part of our commercial team.

Role offers hands-on, practical experience working in the areas of cost management, contract administration, and project delivery, while also studying towards achieving a recognised qualification in quantity surveying or construction management.

£22,000 a year.

Rochester, Kent (ME3 9ND).

Closes Sep 15, start Sep 22.

Apprentice Business Administrator

Sunninghill Construction Co Ltd

Exciting opportunity for an apprentice to develop foundation knowledge as an apprentice, by providing administrative support to a leading marketing and business development team, whilst also studying for a business administrator Level 3 apprenticeship qualification.

£14,133.60 a year.

Haywards Heath, West Sussex (RH16 1BP).

Closes Sep 22, start date Oct 26.

Apprentice Construction Site Supervisor

Kori Construction

Award-winning contractor, and one of the fastest-growing construction companies in the UK, is offering an exciting opportunity for an apprentice to work on our Hampton project in Kingston upon Thames, South West London.

£28,812 a year.

Hampton, South West London (TW12 2AX).

Closes Sep 8, start Sep 22.

Construction Apprentice

Kori Construction

You will be working with a strong team of highly knowledgeable individuals to develop your skill set and progress your career.

In exchange for your hard work and commitment, we will provide you with a competitive salary and support you with a top-quality apprenticeship training programme.

£21,000 a year.

Hampton, South West London (TW12 2AX).

Closes Sep 15, start Sep 22.

Apprentice Landscaper

Bobby Brown Garden Construction Ltd

We are a small, high-end local business.

With increased demand, we are excited to provide a valuable opportunity for a young person to learn, develop skills and build a rewarding career with us.

Working typically within Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, specifically around Thame and Chinnor.

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Aylesbury, Bucks (HP17 8QZ).

Closes Sep 5, start Sep 15.

Apprentice Construction Materials Technician

BAM Construct UK

Learn all about construction materials testing – no experience needed, just a great work ethic and willingness to get stuck in.

You’ll split your time between site and lab, working on the HS2 Project – the UK’s biggest-ever rail infrastructure development, stretching from London to the North West.

£20,000 a year.

Aylesbury, Bucks (HP18 0BX).

Closes Sep 5, start Sep 8.

South West

Bricklaying Apprenticeship (Level 2)

Liam Quick Construction Ltd

You will be working alongside other builders so will also pick up experience in other home-improvement activities.

£15,704 a year.

Plymouth (PL3 5SF).

Closes tomorrow, start Sep 15

Carpentry Apprenticeship – Carpentry and Joinery (Level 2)

AC Construction and Carpentry Ltd

Looking for a hard-working, reliable and passionate apprentice to join an experienced team in and around Plymouth.

We are a very experienced company that has taken on many apprentices throughout the years.

We work to teach them new skills and develop the ones they already have.

£15,704 a year.

Langage Business Park, Plympton, Devon (PL7 5BG).

Closes tomorrow, start Sep 15.

Plumbing and Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3)

Pathfinder Park Homes Ltd

Work under the direction and guidance of a team leader to assist in installing all aspects of plumbing and heating into new-build luxury lodges, whilst upholding safety guidelines and complying with codes and regulations.

You will be required to undertake work throughout the site.

£15,311.40 a year.

Devon (TQ12 6FJ).

Closes Sep 10, start Sep 20.

Customer Advisor

Apprenticeship B&Q – Torquay

Join our team, and you’ll become an expert advisor – an inspiration as well as a guide, the person who gets to know every customer and their home improvement projects.

Sales will be important, of course, as will things such as managing stock, setting up displays, and making sure your store looks great at all times.

£11,897 a year.

Woodland Business Park, Torquay (TQ2 8AS).

Closes Sep 18, start Sep 25.

Maintenance Apprentice (Level 2)

Rowcroft House Foundation Ltd

Our Vision is to make every day the best day possible for our patients and their families in South Devon.

Working as part of a small estates team, you will help deliver our vision by participating in the maintenance of the fabric and structure of all the hospice buildings, as well as contributing to various ongoing grounds maintenance work.

£14,918.80 a year.

Torquay (TQ2 5LS).

Closes Sep 3, start Sep 15.

Bricklaying Apprenticeship (Level 2)

JMP Bricklaying & Building Services Ltd

Looking for an apprentice to join their team in Saltash, Cornwall.

Main duties will include applying and sealing foundations with materials that are damp- resistant, spreading and removing excess mortar, inspecting vertical and horizontal brick alignment.

£15,704 a year.

Buckfastleigh, Devon (TQ11 0LL).

Closes Oct 31, start Nov 3.

Apprentice Bricklayer

Crestmoor Construction

Seeks an energetic apprentice to join its construction team.

Projects include bridges, retaining walls, commercial builds, and domestic works.

You’ll learn from experienced professionals and gain valuable skills to build a lasting career in the construction and civil- engineering industry.

£15,704 a year.

Wincanton, Somerset (BA9 8AP).

Closes Sep 3, start Sep 10.

Business Administration Apprentice

Planning Inspectorate

Whether you’re starting your first job, returning to work, or seeking a fresh challenge, our Level 3 apprenticeship offers hands-on experience, with support from City of Bristol College, and a welcoming team at the Planning Inspectorate.

£22,728 a year.

Bristol (BS1 6PN).

Closes Sep 7, start date Nov 3.

Roofing Apprenticeship

Heritage Building & Roofing Ltd

Learn to install, repair and maintain slate and tile roofs while working safely at height.

Earn as you learn, gain hands-on experience, and build skills for a career in a high-demand trade with excellent progression and opportunities for self-employment.

£15,704 a year.

Bristol (BS1 5AR) and two other locations.

Closes Sep 19, start Sep 25.

Drylining Apprenticeship

Lumini Developments Ltd

Learn to install partition walls, ceilings, and interior fittings to a high standard.

Gain hands-on experience, work with a skilled team, and start a career in a growing trade with strong demand and excellent progression opportunities.

Wage £15,704 a year. Bristol (BS3 1HT) and two other locations.

Closes Sep 19, start Sep 25.

Apprentice Groundworker

C&R Construction

Learn to prepare sites, dig foundations, lay drainage and handle materials safely.

Gain hands-on experience, work as part of a skilled team and build a career in a high-demand trade with progression opportunities.

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Crediton, Devon (EX17 6AX).

Closes Sep 19, start Sep 25.

Apprentice Roofer

Deelis Roofing Ltd

You will learn about how to install, repair and maintain slate and tile roofs while working safely at height.

Earn while you learn, gain hands-on experience, and build skills for a career in a high-demand trade that offers excellent career progression opportunities.

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Taunton, Somerset (TA1 5NF).

Closes Sep 19, start Sep 25.

Apprentice Quantity Surveyor

CoTrain

This apprenticeship is a springboard for anyone wishing to progress into construction quantity surveying.

Assisting senior managers with the budgeting of construction projects, as well as control of costs.

£15,311.40 to £24,761.88, depending on your age.

Gosport (PO12 2HE).

Closes Sep 4, star Sep 15.

Apprentice Groundworker

Morcom Construction Ltd

Morcom are offering an exciting opportunity to join their dynamic team as an apprentice Gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours to kick-start your career as a groundworker.

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

Sites across Cornwall. (TR15 3RD).

Closes Sep 12, start Sep 15.

Apprentice Roofer

Greenlight Group

Established in 2009, Greenlight Group has been in operation for more than 15 years, supplying safety consultancy and safety assessment services to an ever-growing roster of clients.

Your apprenticeship would be based in Bristol, and you should apply for this role if you are interested in a long-term career as a roofing specialist.

£13,741 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age.

(BS3 2EB)

Closes Sep 19, start Sep 25.

Wales

Apprentice Electrical Engineer

Kaisaian Electrical Ltd

Work for a company offering a range of services from electrical installations and maintenance (reactive and planned), electrical inspection and condition reports (EICR), to fire and emergency lighting installation and maintenance, UPS and generator installation, thermo-graphic surveys and lightning and surge protection.

Pay will be at apprenticeship rates.

Cardiff.

Closes Sep 15, possible start Sep 22.

Apprentice Electrical Engineer

Jones & Jones Electrical

Work for a company offering a range of services from electrical installations and maintenance (reactive & planned) electrical inspection and condition reports (EICR), to fire and emergency lighting installation and maintenance, UPS and generator installation, thermographic surveys, and lightning and surge protection.

Pay is at apprenticeship rates.

Trebanos, Neath Port Talbot (SA8 4DW).

Closes Sep 15, start Sep 22.

Apprentice Electrical Engineer

Oasis Software Solutions (OSS)

Work for a company offering a range of services from electrical installations, electrical maintenance (reactive and planned), electrical inspection and condition reports (EICR), to fire and emergency lighting installation and maintenance, UPS and generator installation, thermographic surveys and lightning and surge protection.

Wage, apprenticeship rates.

Cwmbach, Rhondda CF44 0AE.

Closes Sep 8, possible start Sep 22.

Refrigeration Engineer Trainee

UK Refrigeration Services Ltd

Work involves the installation of mechanical services to sites and supermarkets.

Pay is national minimum wage.

Swansea, SA6 8QW.

Closes Dec 1, possible start Dec 2.

Scaffolding Apprentice

MAC Scaffolding (Cardiff) Ltd

Join one of the largest and most trusted independent scaffolding companies in Wales.

For 40 years, MAC Scaffolding has been a leading supplier of access scaffolding solutions across the UK.

Career-path progression from Part One trainee to Part Two scaffolder and advanced scaffolder.

You will be working on projects of varying sizes and complexities.

Wage, national minimum wage.

Cardiff (CF11 8TY).

Closes Sep 30, possible start Oct 10.

Scotland

Freight Logistics Apprentice

Microcom Training

We are expanding our team and have created a junior role suited to a recent school or college leaver.

This is an Apprentice Warehouse Operative role where you will be trained to pick computer generated orders and maintain high levels of health and safety; working across different areas of the business to enhance your knowledge and skills whilst providing excellent customer service and operating within a safe working environment, ensuring complete legal compliance.

£14,723 per year.

Newbridge, near Edinburgh (EH28 8LQ).

Closes Sep 19, start date to be determined.

Warehousing and Trade Counter Apprentice

Microcom Training

We are a well-known and established Builders Merchants.

We are growing our team and have an opportunity to recruit an apprentice to support our warehouse and counter staff.

Work involves receiving and checking in of goods, checking and loading a delivery van, putting goods into stock and generally keeping the store tidy, recording stock, recording missing/damaged items, counter service at peak times, laying out customer orders, and keeping an eye on stock levels. £14,134 per year.

Dalry, North Ayrs (KA24 5DZ).

Closes Sep 19, start to be determined.

Health, Safety and Environmental

Apprentice/Trainee

JB Management Ltd

Gain hands-on experience in creating a safe, compliant and proactive workplace.

You’ll be involved in risk assessments, safety checks and incident investigations, while learning from experienced professionals in a fast-paced industry.

Perfect for someone with a keen eye for detail, strong communication skills, and a passion for safety.

£20,800 to £25,397 per year.

Kilmarnock, East Ayrs (KA12 8AS).

Closes Sep 2, start to be determined.

Apprentice Panel Technician

FMG Repair Services

Earn while you learn with an apprenticeship that will see you work full-time in a garage workshop and gain a SCQF in vehicle body repair.

In this role, you will be trained to repair vehicle damage to an exacting standard.

£15,311 to £16,224 a year.

Dundee (DD5 3RU).

Closes Sep 19, start immediate.

Service Engineer Apprentice

JWF Process Solutions Ltd

During this apprenticeship you will attend college part-time, while also gaining experience from working closely with experienced engineers.

You will undertake calibration, servicing, testing, maintenance and repair work covering a wide range of instrumentation equipment.

£13,800 to £15,800 per year.

Glasgow (G41 1HJ).

Closes Sep 30, start to be determined.

Light Vehicle Mechanic

Armit’s Autos

Work toward achieving a Level 7 Scottish Vocational Qualification in vehicle maintenance and repair.

Learn the skills you need to be a fully qualified light vehicle diagnostic technician.

£15,312.

Broxburn, near Edinburgh (EH52 5NN).

Closes Sep 12, start to be determined.

HOUSEHOLDS on Universal Credit should be aware of one-off payments worth hundreds that could help cover emergency costs.

A budgeting advance is a type of payment given to those claiming the benefit to help with paying for items such as a broken cooker.

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The advance is interest free, so you only have to pay back what you borrow. Usually you will be expected to pay the money back within 24 months.

You can apply for a budgeting advance to cover things like:

• A one-off item – for example, replacing a broken fridge
• Work-related expenses – for example, buying uniforms or tools
• Unexpected expenses
• Repairs to your home
• Travel expenses
• Maternity expenses
• Funeral expenses
• Moving costs or rent deposit
• Essential items, like clothes

How much you can get depends on a number of factors, with the lowest you can borrow £100. 

Meanwhile, single people could get up to £348, while those who live with a partner could get up to £464.

The highest reward is only eligible for people with children and that is worth £812.

But it is not always guaranteed that you will be accepted for the payment.

Firstly, you must have been claiming Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance or State Pension Credit for six months or more.

There is an exception if you need the money to help start a new job or stay in employment.

You will not be eligible either if you have earned more than £2,600 in the past six months or £3,600 if you are in a couple.

You will also not qualify if you have not paid off any previous advance loans, as you can only have one at a time.

You can apply for a budgeting advance by calling the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.

An advisor will then asses you can pay the loan back – they’ll see if you have any debts and how much you owe to help work this out.

The phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and you’ll normally get a decision on the same day.

Alternatively, you can apply through your online account or speak to your Jobcentre Plus work coach.

Paying the advance back

You have to pay any money you were given back, but you will not be charged interest.

The money will be taken out of your Universal Credit payments, and you will pay it back over two years, starting from your next payment.

So for example, if you get an advance of £240 and you pay this back over 24 months, £10 will be taken out of your payment each month until this is paid back.

If you cannot afford your advance repayments, you can ask for the amount you pay to be lowered.

You can call the Universal Credit helpline or contact the Jobcentre helpline.

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

You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.

HUNDREDS of thousands of Brits could be hit by a surprise £500 tax bill as a new rule comes into effect. 

The new scheme could affect nearly 900,000 business owners across the UK. 

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The Government’s new Making Tax Digital scheme will require people over a certain income threshold to keep electronic records and file updates every financial quarter.

The move is part of the Government’s efforts to crack down on tax fraud, which cost Britain £12.4 billion from 2021 to 2022.

However, financial advisors have warned that the cost of reporting your tax figures could cost up to £500 a year once staff training, software and admin time are factored in – according to George Holmes, managing director of Aurora Capital. 

Only people who earn £50,000 from self-employment or from rental properties will be subject to the new rules.

Ahead of the change, Craig Ogilvie, director of Making Tax Digital at HMRC, said: “With April 2026 on the horizon, we are issuing letters to customers we believe will be mandated, outlining specific requirements and timelines.”

He added: “We urge those who meet the mandate criteria to join our testing programme on GOV.UK now to help shape the final service and make your transition smoother.”

An estimated 864,000 sole traders and landlords will need to comply with the new rules.

James Murray MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said: “MTD for Income Tax is an essential part of our plan to transform the UK’s tax system into one that supports economic growth.”

Murray added: “By modernising how people manage their tax, we’re helping businesses work more efficiently and productively while ensuring everyone pays their fair share.”

The news comes after experts warned Rachel Reeves that she would have to find £50 billion to plug a black hole in Britain’s finances. 

The Chancellor has remained committed to her fiscal rules, which requires the UK to have financial cushion of £9.9billion by the end of the decade.

In order to put the UK’s finances on a firm footing, experts from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research have said that Ms Reeves will have to raise taxes.

Prof Stephen Millard, from the institute, said: “We would advocate building a bigger buffer. 

“To do that requires moderate but sustained increases in taxes.”

The think tank also upped its growth forecast for this year to 1.3 per cent but knocked their prediction for 2026 down to 1.2 per cent from 1.5 per cent.

Meanwhile, tax refund letters have started landing on doorsteps across the UK but Brits have been warned to watch out for scams.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by The Sun found that HMRC refunded a staggering £8.3billion in overpaid tax from 2022 until 2023 — with the average worker pocketing £943.

However, any letter or email which requires you to give your credit card details, transfer money or click a link should be avoided at all costs. 

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BRITAIN’S top restaurant chains have seen profits soar by almost a fifth after replacing staff with ­self-service tills and apps.

They hit £365million at the top 100 groups this year, up from £308million in 2024.

Accountancy group UHY Hacker Young also found that turnover was up 19 per cent to £12.9billion, from £10.8billion.

It said growth had been particularly strong for the fast food and casual dining sector, with burger and steakhouse chains enjoying some of the largest turnover increases.

UHY Hacker Young partner Martin Jones said chains had been investing in technology such as touchscreen tills in fast-food outlets.

Many had also upgraded menu offerings to increase prices, as a way of boosting earnings.

He said: “While many chains are still suffering from depressed margins and weak demand, there’s enough innovation and expansion to deliver better results.”

Hospitality has been particularly hard-hit by the increase in employers’ National Insurance.

Half of all job losses since the Budget have been in that sector, according to ­analysis of data from the Office for National Statistics by UKHospitality.

It means one in every 25 jobs in pubs, hotels, cafes, restaurants and bars has been axed.

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T&C’s ARE KAFKA-ESQUE

BANKS and insurance firms need to stop writing terms and conditions that are “longer than some classic novels”, campaigners urge.

Policies on travel insurance and investment products are the worst, clocking in at 26,000 words — around the same length as Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis, analysis by Fairer Finance claims.

It comes despite the financial regulator in 2023 introducing rules forcing firms to prove that customers understand such documents.

Fairer Finance said the longer the documents were, the less likely customers were to know what they mean — or to engage with them at all.

Managing director James Daley added: “The grace period is now over, and we expect the regulator to start holding companies to account.”

ENERGY CRISIS

HOUSEHOLDS cannot afford more energy price hikes, the regulator has been warned.

More than 12 million people are struggling to pay already — but Ofgem is expected to announce tomorrow a rise in the energy price cap to £1,737 from October.

Commenting on the research from York University, Simon Francis of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “The time for tinkering with the price cap is over.”

RENT CONS UP

RENTERS have been warned to watch out for fake landlord scams after crooks made £20million from them last year.

The average victim lost £4,711, Action Fraud said. The total haul was up by 45 per cent on the previous year.

Richard Daniels, of TSB, said: “Scammers prey on a competitive rental market with too-good-to-be-true listings that trick house- hunters into making advanced payments.”

ARE you up for the Women’s Rugby World Cup?

It all kicked off at the weekend with a thumping 69 – 7 win for England over the USA.

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Whether you fancy catching a match live, soaking up the atmosphere in a fan zone or simply clinking pints with pals, there are plenty of ways to cheer on the tournament without blowing your budget.

Here are some ideas . . . 

NAB A TICKET: Want to see a match live? There are still tickets this week.

You can currently get them for Australia v USA on Saturday, with adult seats from £15 and kids for a fiver.

See rwc2025.rugbyworldcup.com/events to bag yours.

PUB PERK: If you’d rather watch with a pint in hand, Young’s Pubs are showing the action on big screens.

And they are offering one free round of Asahi for dining bookings of four–ten people on match days.

The deal is only at selected pubs, so check youngs.co.uk to see where’s in.

FAN FUN: Head to the fan zone at Power Station Park in London for free screenings, DJs, T1 Rugby coaching sessions and activities from tournament partners.

In Bristol, the harbourside Amphitheatre will be buzzing as the city hosts the semi-finals and two quarter-finals, with lots of pre and post-match fun on offer.

PLAY ON: Want to play or join in with the World Cup spirit?

Use the ‘Find Rugby’ tool on englandrugby.com to track down local clubs hosting World Cup events, sign up for family friendly rugby activities and explore opportunities for girls to get into the game with free taster sessions at rugby clubs across the country.

GET OUT ON THE PITCH: You can also grab a ball and practise your passing skills with the whole family in the garden.

The official Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Supporter Ball is now available, for £25, online at store.world.rugby.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

Deal of the day

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FOR easy, crease-free clothes, pick up the Philips PerfectCare 7000 Series pressurised steam generator iron, which has a recommeded retail price of £199.

It’s £95 for members at ao.com.

SAVE: £104

Cheap treat

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TUCK into a Chicago Town tiger crust double pepperoni pizza, usually £3.50, now £1.75 at Iceland.

SAVE: £1.75

Top swap

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TRY Chanel Coco Mademoiselle eau de parfum spray 35ml, £66.30 from Boots, or head to Marks & Spencer for Soft Iris eau de toilette 100ml, £10.

SAVE: £56.30 and get 65ml more

Shop and save

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FRESHEN up with Soft & Gentle Hyaluronic Care watermelon spritz deodorant – was £3.40, now £2.33, at Superdrug.

SAVE: £1.07

Hot right now

THE big Disney Store Summer Sale has started. Head to disneystore.co.uk/sale to get up to 50 per cent off selected products.

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

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JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.

Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.

The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!

THERE is a way you can possibly prevent mould & condensation this autumn.

Lidl has released a gadget for under £5 which is absolutely essential when when drying your wet clothes indoors.

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Costing just £4.99, the budget supermarket has released a pack of thermometers and hygrometers.

The set of three items is meant to be used to monitor indoor climate so you can prevent mould taking hold.

The hygrometer takes a measurement of the indoor humidity and it also comes with a display for comfort level.

Three steps are shown on the screen indicated by a smiley face, which are dry, comfortable and high humidity.

This is measured in percentages from 10% all the way to 99% with a temperature range of -10°C to 50°C.

How easy is it to use?

Lidl has advertised the product as being very easy and convenient to use, perfect for your wet washing.

The gadget can be mounted on a wall or it can be freestanding in any utility room.

There is also a magnetic attachment and a foldable stand for extra benefit and ease.

Batteries and instructions are included with the product which also has a three-year warranty period.

Cheaper than Screwfix

In comparison, Screwfix has released its own version at a much higher price point.

At a price of £16.99, a gadget from brand Forge Steel measures temperatures in both Celsius and Fahrenheit.

It is advertised as providing an accurate and rapid response and is pocket sized.

The easy-to-read digital display screen will display the temperature and humidity levels.

It does have the same temperature range of -10 to 50°C but it has a smaller humidity range of 20-99%

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THERE are loads of ways for Brits to use apps to slash bills this summer.

You can easily find the cheapest prices for food, petrol, flights and parking. If you use them regularly, you could easily save hundreds a year.

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CHEAPER PETROL

One great option for drivers is the PetrolPrices.

The name is the giveaway here. This app is designed to help you find the cheapest petrol prices in the area.

You can see the locations on a map, or find them as a list sorted by lowest price, distance, and even brands.

Site owners can upload their own prices, and users can report the fuel costs too.

It means you don’t have to drive around looking for the cheap prices – or face a price shock at the pump.

Another handy tip is using the Google Maps fuel efficiency feature.

Turn it on by going into Google Maps > Profile > Settings > Navigation > Route Options > Prefer Fuel-Efficient Routes.

“Google Maps can estimate fuel or energy efficiency for different vehicle types, including electric and combustion engine cars, as well as petrol motorcycles,” Google explained.

“The more fuel or energy efficient the route, the lower your vehicle’s fuel or energy usage.”

You should also tell Google your engine type in Google Maps > Profile > Settings > Your Vehicle.

That can give you even better fuel-efficiency.

“The most fuel or energy-efficient route can be different based on the engine type,” Google said.

“For example, diesel vehicles’ relative fuel economy advantage is generally greatest in motorway driving.

“Hybrid and electric vehicles tend to provide greater efficiency in stop-start town and hill driving where they can benefit from regenerative braking.”

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FOOD PRICES

For food savings, you’ll want to first take a look at Trolley.

It lets you compare prices for groceries across supermarkets, with a long list of stores including:

• Asda
• Sainsburys
• Aldi
• Home Bargains
• Morrisons
• Tesco
• Boots
• Wilko
• Coop
• Waitrose
• Superdrug
• B&M
• Ocado
• Iceland
• Savers
• Poundland

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The app says it’ll save you up to 30% on a weekly shop, but your own success will vary depending on what you buy and how much you spend.

Another option – recently tested by The Sun’s tech desk – is to use the Google Gemini chatbot.

You can use it to plan your food shop by asking the bot to find the cheapest prices.

It’s also worth noting that you can bag cheap or free food by picking up leftovers or stuff that would be otherwise thrown away.

Two apps – Olio and Too Good To Go – are packed with food bargains.

And if you want free food, Sky customers can bag a weekly treat from the Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference range through the MySky app.

Just go to the Sky VIP panel (which is free to join) to claim your freebie.

We’ve seen ice lollies and pizzas so far, but there’s a new option every week.

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FLIGHT COMPARISONS

There’s no denying that Skyscanner is a brilliant option for finding cheap flights.

But you should also take a look at Google Flights, which has some clever tricks.

For a start, when you’re searching for flights, it can show you the cheapest window to book.

“For example, these insights could tell you that the cheapest time to book similar trips is usually two months before departure, and you’re currently in that sweet spot,” Google said.

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“Or you might learn that prices have usually dropped closer to takeoff, so you decide to wait before booking. Either way, you can make that decision with a greater sense of confidence.”

You can also turn on price tracking for specific dates (like if you’re off to a wedding) or for any dates (if you just want a holiday at some point soon).

This feature will only appear if you’re signed in to your Google account.

And right now, Google Flights is getting an upgrade with the Flights Deal feature.

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It’s currently only in the US, Canada, and India – but it looks likely to land in the UK eventually too.

The feature works using AI with Google saying it’s “for flexible travellers whose number one goal is saving money“.

“Instead of playing with different dates, destinations and filters to uncover the best deals, you can just describe when, where and how you’d like to travel — as though you’re talking to a friend — and Flight Deals will take care of the rest,” Google said.

For example, you could search for a “week-long trip this winter to a city with great food, nonstop only”, Google revealed.

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Then it’ll use Google Fights data to show you the latest options from loads of airlines.

CHEAP PARKING

Lastly, make sure you’re not overpaying on parking.

There’s a great app called JustPark, which you might be familiar with as a way to pay at some car parks.

But it also lets people rent out their driveways, which means you can bag some great bargains.

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We tried it out earlier this year and found £6 for all-day parking in London on a weekday.

You can book them far in advance, and even add on insurance that covers the excess if your car ends up getting damaged.

You can easily check and amend (or cancel) your driveway parking through the app from anywhere. So you could add extra time if you’re running late.

And it’s potentially a great way to bag a bargain for sports fixtures by getting near-stadium parking.

You could also turn it into a side-hustle by renting out your own parking space.

So you wouldn’t just be saving money, but making some quick cash too.

A WOMAN who moved from a council estate to a “posh” house has admitted she wasn’t prepared for her nightmare neighbour.

TerriAnn is famous for appearing on TV show Rich House, Poor House, and regularly shares behind the scenes tales from the show on her social media pages.

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In a recent TikTok, she decided to post a story time of “coming from a council estate and moving to a ‘POSH’ area”, as she recalled acclimatising to the new home, and an unfortunate situation with their neighbour.

Calling it her “dream home”, which came complete with a cinema room and bar, TerriAnn said the real problems began when she spent £40,000 building a home office in her garden.

“Then I had a new neighbour and he was a doctor and he wasn’t very nice,” she said.

“I think personally he could not stand the fact like I’m just me – I’m not posh, I’m just me, I’ll never change.

“I’ll always be from a council estate, always a bit rough and ready… and he just couldn’t stand us.”

While the house had a “massive drive” for all her staff to park on, they all arrived for work at different times, meaning that they ended up blocking each other in.

So they instead decided to park on the street.

And following one of her staff having an argument with the neighbour, the man ended up phoning the council to complain.

“Then when council got involved basically the reason I had to move out of the house is because they said I couldn’t run my business from there,” she said.

“So I’d spent £40,000 on this office being built in the back garden and the council turned around and said you’re using your property as a commercial property.

“There was a massive hoo-ha over it anyway and I thought, I’m not staying here and not being able to run my business.

“It’s just not worth it what we’ve invested.”

So they decided to sell the house – making a profit in the process – and then moved to another home, which was the one that featured in Rich House, Poor House.

Concluding the video, TerriAnn said it wasn’t the first time she’d been discriminated against for coming from a council estate – and it probably won’t be the last.

“I think they look down on people who have turned their life around, who are now living that lifestyle – who are doing it by genuine means, who are earning legitimate money.”

She was quickly praised in the comments section for her refreshing attitude, with one writing: “Love to see my own kind of people getting along in life good on you.

“Sounds like the doctor was very bitter and jealous of you!”

“You hit the nail on the head,” another agreed.

“As long as you’re happy now!” a third said.

“Love your story times, you’re so real,” someone else added.

BRITS could receive as much as £2,500 in free cash to spend in the likes of Greggs, M&S or Waitrose, thanks to a scheme run by a major energy supplier.

E.ON has relaunched its ‘refer a friend’ scheme and the company will hand out £50 in retail vouchers for customers and their friend, if there is a successful referral.

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So under the new, improved scheme both the existing customer and the new one will both receive the voucher.

They can be spent at a number of high street retailers, including Waitrose, Argos, Greggs and Ticketmaster.

However, the money is capped at £2,500.

Both parties will receive their voucher once the new customer has paid their first direct debit.

Julian Lennertz, Chief Commercial Officer, E.ON Next, said: “We know our customers have really valued the £50 credit they received on their energy account under our previous scheme.

“We’ve also learned that our customers want more choice over where and how they spend their £50 thank you, so they can get the best value for them.

“That’s why they can now choose from hundreds of retailers.

“And because we appreciate all of our customers, old and new, we have expanded the scheme to reward our new customers as well as the existing ones who are making the referrals.”

E.ON Next’s new scheme has been launched in collaboration with its new referral partner, MentionMe.

To be eligible, all existing customers have to do it simply sign up to the scheme.

There are some strings attached though.

To be eligible for the voucher, the new customer must transfer from another supplier and sign up to through the existing customer’s unique MentionMe link.

Customers can make up to five referrals a day, with an overall total of 25 referrals each year.

Which means that both the customer and friends could be better off to the tune of £2,500.

Last month, millions of households were urged to apply for free energy grants worth up to £1,700.

Families who have fallen behind on their gas and electricity bills qualify for help through a little-known fund.

The British Gas Individual and Families Fund is open to prepayment meter customers who are in up to £1,700 worth of energy debt.

If you can’t get help through British Gas’ Individual and Families Fund, you might be able to knock money off your energy bill through the Household Support Fund.

The fund is a giant £742million pot of money that’s been shared between councils in England.

These local authorities are now distributing their share of the fund and can set their own eligibility criteria.

That means what you’re entitled to depends based on where you live, but you will likely qualify for help if you’re on benefits or a low income, and may be able to get energy vouchers or cash.

Speak to your local council about what help is on offer. You can find your nearest by visiting – www.gov.uk/find-local-council.

Depending on what benefits you’re on, you might be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment, the Warm Home Discount or a Cold Weather Payment too.

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HOMEOWNERS could make easy money ahead of the new Premier League season – simply by having a driveway they’re not using.

A team of experts has analysed postcodes near the nation’s major stadiums to determine where householders could earn the most money by renting out their driveways to fans.

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According to Leasing Options, residents living near Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (N17) enjoy the highest earning potential, with an average daily income of £22.25 throughout the year.

Other lucrative areas include postcodes near Leeds‘ Elland Road Stadium, where homeowners can make £22 a day, and Chelsea‘s Stamford Bridge in London, offering £21.50 per day.

For those living near Wembley Stadium, the country’s iconic football venue that hosts the England National Team, cup finals and events like the recent Community Shield, the earning potential is similar at £21 per day.

Likewise, residents near Scotland’s Hampden Park and Wales’ Cardiff City Stadium can expect to earn around £21 a day.

Further down the rankings, homeowners in Liverpool living near Anfield and Everton Stadium can still earn a respectable £13 per day, with prices often more than tripling on matchdays or during special events.

With the Premier League season kicking off this weekend, renting out an unused driveway could be one of the simplest and most effective sidehustles for homeowners looking to make some extra cash.

It isn’t just sporting events either, as some of the highest earners this year so far are music events – including high-profile concerts and festivals.

These events often result in single-day earnings that surpass what would typically be made in a week – making them a particularly lucrative option for those living nearby.

At the top of the list is Oasis at Heaton Park in Manchester, where driveway rentals can fetch an average of £165.67 per day during the event. 

Following closely is Beyonce’s tour stop at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, with homeowners earning an average of £150.26 per day during her shows. 

Similarly, the Wimbledon Championships in London provide an average earning potential of £101.08 per day for residents near the All England Tennis Club.

Other notable events include Guns N’ Roses at Villa Park in Birmingham, where locals can earn £97.40 daily, and Sabrina Carpenter’s concert at Hyde Park in London, which offers average earnings of £94.92. 

Leasing Options analysed data from JustPark to identify the UK’s most profitable areas for driveway rentals.

The study focused on over 25 major cities and key 2025 events, mapping more than 750 postcode districts using public data.

Commercial listings were excluded, location accuracy was verified and districts with insufficient data were removed, leaving over 550 reliable areas.

Median weekday and weekend rates were averaged to calculate daily earning potential, while event-day prices were separately assessed for major fixtures.

Commenting on the data, Mike Thompson, Chief Executive Officer at Leasing Options, said: “With demand for event parking soaring across the UK, it’s clear that homeowners have a real opportunity to turn their unused driveways into a valuable source of extra income.

“Our data shows that locations near major stadiums like Tottenham Hotspur, Elland Road and Wembley consistently attract high rental prices.

“During big-name events, these figures can more than triple.

“It’s a smart, low-effort way for people to benefit from the buzz around them, especially in areas where parking is at a premium.

“As we look ahead to a packed 2025 event calendar, the potential for driveway rentals is only set to grow.”

This comes as Sun Motors recently looked at the family motors that lose the least value over time – with a luxury compact SUV taking the top spot.

New data from the analysis of 40 million UK car sales over a typical three-year ownership period highlights which family models hold their value best.

Experts from Carmoola have recently released their new Car Depreciation Index, developed with vehicle data specialists Brego, which ranks the top-performing family cars for resale value.

They found that the Porsche Macan is the slowest-depreciating family car sold in the UK – losing just 19.9% of its value over three years.

The Macan is particularly popular in the UK due to its blend of sporty performance, SUV practicality and the prestige of the Porsche badge.

It’s championed for being agile and powerful, with a well-tuned suspension that makes it enjoyable to drive on various UK roads, from city streets to country lanes.

FORMER University students could be owed £1,000s in overpaid loans – here is how to check if you can get a refund.

In the last tax year, over one million third level education leavers overpaid their student loans, according to figures released by the Student Loans Company (SLC). 

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But there are a number of reasons you may have been overcharged on your loan.

According to MoneySavingExpert, this includes beginning to repay the loan during some months, despite not earning enough in the full year.

You are only required to pay your loan back once your income exceeds a certain annual threshold.

This varies depending on what type of plan you were on when you started university. There are five plans in total.

For example, those on Plan 1, who attended university between 1998-2011 are required to earn a minimum of £26,065 before they begin paying back their loan.

Minimum earnings thresholds vary from plan to plan, with those on Plan 2 who attended university between 2021-22 being required to earn £28,470 before they start making repayments.

The blog said that if your earnings vary throughout the year, i.e. if you received a bonus, this could lead you to start making repayments before you are actually required to.

Another reason you may have overpaid is if you were put on the wrong plan.

This can happen if you filled in the student loan section of the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) starter checklist form wrong.

You can check which plan you are on by visiting the Gov.uk website.

Alternatively, you may be overcharged if you began repaying your loan too early or you had money deducted after the loan was fully repaid.

How to get a refund if you have overpaid

If you think you have been overcharged, you can get the money back and there a few ways you can go about this.

The blog said that former students who began repaying the loan despite not meeting the earnings thresholds can request a refund online.

This is done via the government’s Student Loan Company (SLC) online portal.

To do this, you will need to sign in to your online repayment account and select ‘request a refund’.

Once you’ve requested a refund through your online account, it will be processed in 28 days.

The money will get paid into your bank account.

It is also worth nothing that this only applies for tax years up to 2023-24.

More ways to claim

Alternatively, students can speak to their employer or call the SLC.

This may be applicable if you entered the wrong plan when filling out an HMRC starter form.

Ahead of your call, you can check what plan you are on in your online account and download an ‘active plan type letter”.

You can call on 0300 100 0611 to discuss the matter with the SLC.

You can also call the helpline if you began repaying your loan too early.

The MSE blog said: “When you get through, explain your situation and ask to reclaim the money you’re owed.

“To make the process smoother, before ringing see if you can dig out any old payslips, your payroll number, and/or your PAYE reference number.”

There is no restriction on how far back you can claim, so if you think you may have been affected years ago you can still ring up.

If you had money deducted after the loan was fully repaid, HMRC should pay you back this money automatically, 

Readers of the blog have claimed back as much as £3,773 by using these methods.

One said: “Thank you so much. I knew something wasn’t right when I lodged my tax returns and reading Martin’s article was the catalyst for a sustained attempt to work out what had happened. I received £3,773 back.”

While another said the process only took 15 minutes.

They explained: “I spent 15 minutes on the phone and got £555 back for overpayments on my student loan.

“Most was because of my maternity leave. Thanks so much, couldn’t have come at a better time.”

How student loan plans work

If you wish to attend university you may take out a loan to help cover the costs.

The loan is paid directly to the university or college on your behalf.

Repayments start from the first April after you finish or leave your course.

You repay 9% of your income above the repayment threshold.

This means that the majority or basic-rate taxpayers lose 37p for every £1 they earn above the threshold – 20p as income tax, 8p as national insurance and 9p for a student loan.

Your repayment threshold will vary depending on when you studied at university.

Interest is charged on your loan from the day you receive the first payment until it is repaid in full.

MILLIONS of us subscribe to Amazon Prime – but is it worth it?
We take a look at what you get and how many deliveries you need to justify the fee – and how to get a discount.

You can sign up to Amazon Prime for free for 30-days or an annual membership costs £95 a year or £8.99 a month.

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Its most famous perk is free and fast deliveries and access to Prime Video – but there are lots of extra such as discounts on cinema trips.

You can pay for Prime Video-only for £5.99 a month – but this doesn’t include any of the other extras. 

Exact amount of orders you need to make Prime worth it

To justify the £95 annual fee for Prime, you need to save at least that amount on delivery costs and other benefits.

How easy that will be depends on what services you use.

For instance, Prime Video only costs £71.88 a year, so you only need to save £23.12 in delivery fees all year, to make the upgrade to Prime worth it.

But if you’re just signing up for the free delivery, then it’s harder.

For non-members, Amazon charges different rates depending on your basket value and delivery speed. 

Here’s what it really costs without Prime, and how often you’d need to order to break even.

Standard Delivery (3–5 days):

• Free if you spend £35 or more (or £10+ on books). If you spend less, charges are £4.99 for most items, but just £3.99 for book-only orders under £10.

To break even:

• 19 smaller orders per year at £4.99
• 24 book-only orders at £3.99

One-Day or Premium Delivery

• Costs £4.99 per order for non-members

To break even: 

Same-Day or Overnight Delivery

• Costs £5.99 per order for non-members. Prime members get it free on orders over £20, or pay £1.99 for smaller baskets.

To break even:

• 16 orders per year at £5.99

Pickup Location (Locker or Amazon Hub)

• Costs £2.99 per order for non-members, but free for Prime members.

To break even:

• 32 pickup deliveries per year

How to get a discount

Almost anyone can start with a 30-day free trial, which gives access to every Prime benefit.

If your last trial was over a year ago, you can usually sign up again. 

To get the freebie, click “Try Prime” and follow the steps outlined. You’ll need to add a payment method, but you won’t be charged unless you stay on past the trial period.

Each adult in your household can do this separately, meaning couples can effectively get two months free between them as long as they use separate email accounts.

If you’re a student or aged 18 to 22, you can get a six-month free trial, followed by half-price Prime for up to four years or until you turn 23.

To claim, visit amazon.co.uk/joinstudent or amazon.co.uk/18-22 and upload proof of eligibility, such as a university email or government-issued ID.

However, students that cancel during the trial and come back later, don’t get another freebie, only the discounted rate.

What benefits are included on Prime?

Amazon Prime now includes over a dozen benefits. Here’s what you get, how to access each one, and what it’s worth.

1. Free one-day and same-day delivery

Prime gives unlimited One-Day Delivery on millions of items, and Same-Day or Overnight Delivery in eligible postcodes.

Orders under £20 for same-day cost £1.99, but are free if you meet the threshold.

To use it, just make sure you’re signed in as a Prime member when placing your order.

Qualifying items will be marked with the Prime logo.

• Value: around £4.99 to £5.99 per order saved, based on the equivalent delivery charges for non-members

2. Prime Video

Watch thousands of shows and films, including Amazon Originals like Clarkson’s Farm, The Boys, and new dramas like The Girlfriend.

Ads were introduced in 2024, so if you want to watch ad-free, you’ll need to pay an extra £2.99 per month. You can also get Prime Video alone for £5.99 a month.

3. Amazon Music

This allows you to access 100 million songs and top podcasts, but it’s worth noting that most albums only play on shuffle unless they’re part of Amazon’s All-Access Playlists.

For full on-demand access, upgrade to Music Unlimited for £10.99/month, or £9.99 if you’re a Prime member.

To use it, download the Amazon Music app and sign in.

• Value: If you got rid of a separate music service and replaced it with Amazon Prime, you could save hundreds each year.

4. Prime Reading

Download and borrow thousands of rotating e-books, comics and magazines.

You can read them on Kindle devices or on the free Kindle app for iOS and Android.

To access, go to amazon.co.uk/primereading and browse the titles.

• Value: up to £100/year saved based on two to four books or magazines per month at typical Kindle or newsstand prices

5. Amazon First Reads

Choose one free pre-release Kindle book each month from a selection of new titles. Go to amazon.co.uk/firstreads to claim.

• Value: £3–£5/month saved, based on average Kindle ebook pricing

6. Prime Gaming

Get a selection of free PC games each month, plus one free Twitch channel subscription (normally £4.99), but only if you link your Amazon and Twitch accounts.

To activate, go to gaming.amazon.com and click “Link Account”.

• Value: £60+ per year based on 12 months of free Twitch subscriptions or typical game costs

7. Deliveroo Plus Silver

Get a full year of Deliveroo Plus Silver, usually £3.49/month. It gives you free delivery on restaurant orders over £15 and groceries over £25.

To activate, visit amazon.co.uk/deliveroo and log in to both accounts.

• Value: £41.88/year saved if you would otherwise subscribe directly to Deliveroo Plus Silver

8. Odeon tickets for £10

Each month, get two cinema tickets for £10 Monday to Thursday (or £15 at Odeon Luxe). Go to amazon.co.uk/odeon to redeem.

• Value: up to £10/month saved compared with standard Odeon ticket prices of around £10 each

9. Amazon Photos

Store unlimited photos securely in the cloud, plus 5GB for videos and other files.

You can share albums with up to five family members via Family Vault, and display images on Echo devices or Fire TV.

To use, download the Amazon Photos app and sign in.

• Value: £7–£10/month saved compared with similar plans from other providers

10. Amazon Fresh and grocery delivery

Order groceries from Amazon Fresh, Morrisons, Iceland and Co-op. Same-day delivery is free over £60, £2 for £40–£59.99, and £4 for smaller baskets.

Availability depends on postcode. To shop, go to amazon.co.uk/fresh and enter your postcode.

11. Amazon Day Delivery

You can choose a weekly delivery day to group your orders into fewer packages, which is a great way to reduce packaging and plan ahead.

Enable at checkout by selecting “Amazon Day” or set it as your default under “Your Account > Amazon Day”.

12. Prime-exclusive deals and early access

Get 30-minute early access to Lightning Deals, and exclusive savings during Prime Day, Black Friday and other events.

No setup needed, just make sure you’re signed in to your Prime account.

13. Amazon Family sharing

Share Prime with one other adult and up to four children. You’ll each have your own account, but share perks like Prime Video, Reading, and Photos.

To set it up, go to “Accounts & Lists > Your Amazon Family” and add adult or child members.

• Value: £95/year saved if splitting the cost of one full membership between two adults

14. Parental controls

Set up profiles for each child, limit screen time, and manage what they can access through the Amazon Kids Parent Dashboard. Works across Fire tablets and Kindle devices.

To access, go to parents.amazon.co.uk.

15. Buy Now with Prime

Use Prime benefits with the “Buy Now” button by setting your default delivery address, payment method, and delivery speed in your purchase preferences.

Useful for quick checkouts, though not available to PO Boxes or some business addresses.

EUROPE’S car industry is “heading at full speed against a wall” and risks collapsing if the EU doesn’t rethink its ban on new petrol and diesel cars, the boss of a huge car firm has warned.

In a stark intervention, he said a “reality check” was needed before the 2035 ban on combustion-engine sales is locked in.

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Mercedes-Benz boss Ola Källenius told German business paper Handelsblatt: “We need a reality check. Otherwise, we are heading at full speed against a wall.

“Of course, we have to decarbonise, but it has to be done in a technology-neutral way. We must not lose sight of our economy.”

The luxury brand — once gung-ho about going fully electric in Europe — has already dropped its ambitious 2021 pledge to stop selling combustion cars “where market conditions allow” by the decade’s end.

Källenius, who also heads the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), now warns the EU’s policy could trigger a last-minute rush for petrol and diesel cars before the cut-off, which “doesn’t help the climate at all.”

Electric cars remain far from dominating the market.

In the first half of this year, EVs made up just 17.5 per cent of sales across the EU, UK, and EFTA countries, while plug-in hybrids took 8.7 per cent.

Traditional hybrids accounted for 35 per cent, but that figure includes mild-hybrids, which critics say aren’t “true” hybrids.

Mercedes’ own figures show EV sales slipping — just 8.4 per cent of its global deliveries in the first six months of 2025, down from 9.7 per cent last year.

Even with plug-ins included, electrified models made up just 20.1 per cent of shipments.

The EU’s 2035 ban is due for review in the coming months, but Brussels has so far signalled no U-turn, reiterating in March its commitment to zero-emission new cars by the mid-2030s.

It comes as the boss of Stellantis — the giant behind 14 brands including Fiat, Peugeot, and Maserati — warned that unreachable EU CO2 targets could force plant closures.

Europe chief Jean-Philippe Imparato said the Franco-Italian group faces fines of up to €2.5 billion within “two-three years” if it fails to meet emissions rules.

Without a regulatory rethink by year-end, “we will have to make tough decisions,” he told a conference in Rome.

“I have two solutions: either I push like hell (on electric)… or I close down ICE (internal combustion engine vehicles).

And therefore I close down factories,” he said, pointing to the risk for sites such as Stellantis’ van plant in Atessa, Italy.

The warning comes amid fresh turmoil for Stellantis, with its new CEO Antonio Filosa inheriting the fallout from Donald Trump’s 25 per cent US import tariffs and a crisis at Maserati, which has seen sales plunge from 26,600 in 2023 to 11,300 last year.

With EV targets biting, petrol and diesel models under threat, and luxury brands cancelling investments — including Maserati’s £1.3bn electric MC20 Folgore — Europe’s car bosses are sending a clear signal to Brussels: ease off, or risk slamming the brakes on the continent’s auto industry.

SMARTY’s latest offer hands you a massive data boost for no extra cash.

Right now, you can bag 24GB of data for only £7 a month, the same price you’d normally pay for just 8GB.

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Smarty SIM-only deal, 8GB 24GB data for £7/month

That’s triple the data without spending a penny extra.

It’s Smarty’s latest push to give shoppers more for their money, and frankly, it’s a pretty solid offer.

If you’re after enough data to stream Spotify, scroll socials, and cover your everyday browsing on the go, this plan has you well covered.

You’re on a low, flat monthly fee with no sneaky mid-contract price hikes lurking in the small print.

And because Smarty runs on rolling 1-month contracts, you can walk away whenever you like, no strings attached.

That kind of freedom is a big part of why Smarty has built such a loyal following among budget-conscious shoppers..

The service rides on Three’s network, which already offers solid coverage across most of the UK.

To be sure, you can double-check your signal with Smarty’s handy coverage checker before you sign up.

There are a few tempting offers on the table right now, but the standout is the 8GB SIM-only plan, currently boosted to a chunky 24GB for just £7 a month.

That’s not bad at all when you consider some providers will happily charge you twice as much for a fraction of the allowance.

Best SIM-only Smarty deals:

If 24GB isn’t enough, you’ll find other plans going up to unlimited data, still at budget rates.

Here are some of the best:

But for light-to-moderate users, the triple-data offer is hard to beat.

And with no contract tie-in, you can switch, upgrade, or leave whenever you fancy.

If you’re also hunting for other tech savings, there are a couple of standouts doing the rounds this week.

You can boost your online security and save 72% on NordVPN, and they’re throwing in a free Amazon gift card worth £50 just for signing up.

And for those who want a new handset without the big spend, there’s an ‘excellent condition’ refurbished iPhone 13 going for just £20 a month.

If these deals don’t quite fit the bill, have a look at our roundup of the best SIM-only deals from all the big networks.

Smarty SIM-only deal, 8GB 24GB data for £7/month

A BIG high street banking chain is axing a lifeline service for all customers within weeks.

M&S Bank is stopping customers from paying off their credit card bills in-store, by cheque, or using bank giro credit – a move campaigners say will make life harder for older and vulnerable people.

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The bank, run as a joint venture between HSBC and M&S since 2004, had already paused in-store credit card payments back in April.

Now, the decision has been made permanent, according to This is Money.

To make matters worse, a letter sent to customers confirmed that from October, payments by cheque or giro credit will no longer be accepted at banks, building societies, or post offices.

The decision has caused a stir, with critics claiming it’s yet another blow to older people who are being left behind in an increasingly digital world.

Baroness Ros Altmann, a pensions expert, said: “You’re pushing away your most loyal, older customers who’ve probably shopped with you for decades.

“It might only be a minority who use these methods, but with M&S Bank’s huge customer base, it’s still a lot of people.

“These changes tend to hit older folks hardest.

“Many don’t have access to online banking or smartphones, and some prefer cash to help them budget better.”

M&S Bank currently offers credit cards, personal loans, travel insurance, store payment cards and a buy now pay later credit to over three million UK customers.

Caroline Abrahams, Age UK’s charity director, also raised concerns.

She highlighted research showing that 27% of people still manage their accounts through branches, while 31% feel uneasy about banking online.

“Reducing payment options will limit some older people, especially those who aren’t online or who prefer cash,” she said.

M&S Bank has defended the decision, saying only “1%” of customers use these older payment methods.

A spokesperson said: “Most customers are choosing to use digital channels for their banking needs.

“We’ve introduced a pay-by-bank option via the M&S Bank app, alongside direct debit and bank payments, to make things easier for them.”

They added that the axed options were “legacy payment methods” and pointed out that customers can still pay at a bank, but giro forms will no longer be printed with statements.

M&S Bank used to offer current accounts prior to 2021.

However, the bank closed this product offering on August 31, 2021, in a shock move that also resulted in the closure of all 29 in-store bank branches on July 2 of the same year. 

Since the shake-up, the bank has completely shifted its focus to credit cards, insurance and reward offerings.

What other banking changes are coming?

NatWest is making changes to its business current accounts by increasing fees for cash payments, cheque transactions, and certain online transfers.

From August 30, cash payments into and out of business accounts will see their fees surge from 70p per £100 to 95p per £100. 

Cheque payments, whether processed by hand or via mobile, will also jump from 70p to 75p per cheque.

The bank is also increasing some charges related to its BACS payment system.

The BACS system is a UK payment network used by businesses to make electronic bank-to-bank transfers, such as Direct Debits and Direct Credits.

The fee for processing each individual payment or instruction, will soon rise from 18p to 21p.

The cost to process a file containing multiple payments or instructions will also increase slightly from £5.25 to £5.35.

Meanwhile, Santander is closing its 123 Lite current account, which offers up to 3% cashback on household bills for a £2 monthly fee, on August 21.

Customers affected by the closure will be automatically switched to Santander’s Everyday Current Account.

This account has no monthly fee but does not include cashback benefits.

Plus, new customers applying for the bank’s Edge Credit Card will now face a monthly fee of £4, an increase from the previous £3.

Plus, customers of Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland will soon lose the ability to deposit their cheques at any of the 11,500 Post Office branches nationwide.

From December 31 this year, Lloyds Banking Group will withdraw this service for all customers.