ways

THE chancellor could raise tens of billions from tax reforms that don’t hit “working people”, leading economists have said.

Rachel Reeves is under pressure to fill an estimated £50billion black hole in the public finances ahead of November’s autumn statement. 

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Westminster is awash with rumours that Labour could extend the freeze on income tax thresholds.

However, critics say this would mean breaking Labour’s manifesto pledge not to increase taxes on “working people”.

But in a new report, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) urged the Chancellor to resist “half-baked” solutions like “simply hiking rates”. 

The IFS Green Budget Chapter report instead urges the chancellor to reform the “unfair” and “inefficient” tax system.

End capital gains tax relief on death

Reeves could scrap capital gains tax relief on death, the report said.

When you sell certain assets – like houses, land or other valuable items – you have to pay a tax on the profit you made on it.

However, there are some important exceptions.

For example, if someone dies and you inherit their asset, you don’t have to pay capital gains tax they would have paid.

But the IFS said Reeves should consider scrapping the relief, raising £2.3billion in 2029-30.

However, families could oppose the measure given Labour is already skimming more revenue off inherited wealth.

The inheritance tax threshold has been frozen at £325,000 since 2009.

And last year, Reeves announced she would extend the freeze until 2030.

Hit taxpayers with a ‘one-off’ wealth tax

Economists and politicians are often divided over whether a wealth tax would work.

Supporters argue that the UK’s richest 1% are wealthier than the bottom 70% – and that a wealth tax would reduce this inequality.

But critics say it would be an administrative nightmare and lead millionaires to leave the country, taking their businesses and tax revenues with them.

But if Labour does reach for wealth in the budget – it should opt for a “one-off” wealth tax, the IFS said.

The think tank argues this is a better option than a recurring wealth tax.

It would work by the government calculating how much people’s total assets are worth and taxing them over a certain threshold.

“An unexpected and credibly one-off assessment of existing wealth could in principle be an economically efficient way to raise revenue,” the IFS wrote.

However, a wealth tax that happened on a regular basis would have “serious drawbacks,” the think tank warned.

Valuing everyone’s wealth every year would be “extremely difficult,” it said.

Moreover, a regular tax could deter the highest tax payers from residing in the UK long-term, potentially hitting overall tax revenues.

But the IFS said that even a “one-off” levy could spell trouble if people don’t trust the government not to come back for more.

The report said: “The potential efficiency of such a tax could be
undermined, however, if announcing a one-off tax created expectations of, or uncertainty about, other future taxes.”

Double the council tax rates paid by highest value homes

A new council tax surcharge could raise up to £4.4billion.

Council tax is a local tax on residential properties in the UK, with homes assigned to Bands A to H based on their value.

Bands G and H generally include the highest value homes.

The IFS said doubling the council tax paid by these households could mean a £4.4billion boost.

However, critics already say the council tax system is “unfair and arbitrary”.

As reported by The Sun, families living in modest homes sometimes pay more than those in multi-million-pound mansions.

The root of the problem is simple – council tax bills are not based on what your home is worth today.

Instead, it’s based on its value way back in 1991, when homes were categorised into bands ranging from A to H. 

Decades of uneven house price growth mean this once-simple system is now riddled with inequalities.

Moreover, councils set their own tax rates – leading to a “postcode lottery”.

The average Band D council tax in England is £2,280, but councils set their own rates.

For example, in Wandsworth, people pay just £990, while in Nottingham, they pay £2,656.

This means that millions of homeowners pay much less compared to their property’s value than those in poorer areas, according to PropertyData.

Another potential problem is that the extra cash would go to local authorities rather than central government.

Local authorities use council tax to pay for local services like schools, bin collections and libraries.

So to make sure it reaps the benefits of the change, Downing Street could reduce the grants being paid to councils, the IFS said.

The UK government gives councils more than £69billion in funding – a 6.8% increase in cash terms compared to 2024-25.

But councils would likely still fight back against any funding downgrade – with sticky 3.8% inflation already eating into their grants.

Rejig inheritance tax

The IFS admits that changes to inheritance tax could ‘provoke’ strong reactions.

But its report said that the £9billion said annually is ‘modest’ – although high by historical standards.

Reforming death duties to abolish the additional £175,000 tax-free allowance could raise around £6billion, the economists wrote.

“One obvious option would be to increase the rate of inheritance tax from its current 40%,” the economists wrote.

They said an increase of just 1% would raise £0.3billion in 2029–30.

The government could also reduce the threshold at which the tax begins to be paid.

Currently, people can pass on up to £325,000 of wealth tax-free.

Then there’s an additional £175,000 tax-free allowance that can be used only when passing on a primary residence to a direct descendant.

Abolishing the second of these allowances, for example, could raise around £6billion in 2029–30, the IFS said.

Crack down on businesses underpaying their taxes

The think tank has urged Labour to tackle tax non-compliance.

Corporation tax, a tax on company profits, has become increasingly important to the Treasury’s coffers in recent years.

Over the course of the 2010s, revenue averaged 2.4% of national income, rising to 3.3% in 2025–26.

But corporation tax dodging meant 15.8% of liabilities went unpaid in 2023-24, up from just 8.8% in 2017-18.

Small businesses are mainly to blame, the IFS said, admitting that claiming the prize of missing corporation tax “would not be straightforward in practice”.

The think tank added: “More work is needed to understand why so many small companies are submitting incorrect tax returns.

“It is likely that tackling the gap would require targeted
compliance activities from HMRC, such as auditing small businesses.”

The IFS also said “more revenue could be raised from corporation tax”.

However, it did warn that, while a 1% increase would raise £4.1billion, there could be adverse consequences.

The authors wrote that investment in the UK could become “less attractive” and reduce future tax yields.

However, critics may argue that any tax hike hitting members of the public – even if targeting inheritance or council tax – will still feel like a broken promise.

What must the chancellor avoid doing?

The personal tax allowance has been frozen at £12,570 since April 2021.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the freeze would remain until April 2026 and Labour extended it until April 2028.

Extending the freeze on personal tax thresholds including national insurance contributions would raise around £10.4billion a year from 2029-30.

But IFS economists say Reeves must not do this – and instead lift the threshold amid rising inflation.

Extending the freeze would be a breach of Labour’s manifesto pledge not to increase taxes for “working people” which includes income tax, national insurance and VAT, the IFS said.

The report’s authors also said restricting income tax relief on pension contributions would raise large sums but should be avoided.

Currently, when you put money into a pension, the income tax you’ve already paid on that money is essentially returned via a government top-up.

The IFS said restricting relief would be “unfair” to penalise pensions again when pension income is already taxed.

The Chancellor should also resist the temptation to up stamp duties, the IFS said.

The think tank fears it would cause people to avoid selling their homes when they want to – hitting the jobs market and holding back growth.

“Changing rates and thresholds is all very well, but unless the Chancellor is willing to pursue genuine reform it will be taxpayers that shoulder the cost of her neglect,” the report, which forms a chapter in the IFS’s wider budget assessment for 2025, said.

Isaac Delestre, a senior research economist at the think tank and an author of the chapter, said Ms Reeves would have “fallen short” if she reaches for quick revenue without wider reform.

“Almost any package of tax rises is likely to weigh on growth, but by tackling some of the inefficiency and unfairness in our existing tax system, the Chancellor could limit the economic damage,” he said.

In Netflix series Love Con Revenge , Norwegian-born Cecilie sets out on a quest to ‘unmask other scammers’. In an exclusive interview she gives her top ways to spot a love scammer

Cecilie Fjellhoy was 29 when she was swooned by Simon Liviev (real name Shimon Hayut) but her world came crumbling down when she realised she was a victim of a cruel scam.

The relationship left her in thousands of pounds worth of debt. Disclosing the first stages of her relationship with the infamous Tinder Swindler, she said: “He was very handsome and very charismatic. I felt so well taken care of and truly loved. I felt really lucky to be around him.”

In their short relationship of 54 days, Cecilie lost more than $200,000 (£150,000) to ‘Simon’ who was posing as the heir to a diamond empire and often needed Cecilie’s finances to evade his ‘enemies’.

In Neflix’s new show Love Con Revenge, Norwegian-born Cecilie sets out on a quest to ‘unmask other scammers’.

READ MORE: ‘Tinder love of my life conned me out of £150,000 but I got my revenge’READ MORE: ‘I was on Emmerdale Dingle wedding set and bride Gabby is hiding massive secret’

The fraudsters here are not claiming to be billionaire diamond dealers escaping thugs as in Cecilie’s case – but have similarly extraordinary covers in a bid to defraud victims.

These include an ‘army veteran’ who says he needs money to give to the family of his war comrade who died taking a bullet for him, ultimately defrauding his girlfriend of $50,000 (£36,883). Meanwhile, another woman pretends she had MS so her boyfriend will fund her lifestyle.

In an interview with The Mirror, Cecilie said of the fraudsters she exposes on the new show: “There is nugget of truth in every single one – so you believe them. In my case, Shimon Hayut was playing a character called Simon. He was not a diamond dealer, but I went on a private jet with him. That’s why it seemed real.”

She adds that all the people she investigated in the new series: “They are straight out of the romance con artist playbook.”

Jessica Hampson, CEO of fraud specialists CEL Solicitors added: “Cecilie has done fantastic work in raising awareness of romance fraud. More than any other type of scam, romance fraudsters manipulate the emotions of their victims, playing with their feelings and their trust.

“It can be difficult for people to come forward after this type of scam but the more the crime is reported, the better it can be prevented. It is possible to recover the money lost but you must first report the crime to the police and your bank.”

In 2019, Cecilie’s ex was convicted of four charges of fraud – unrelated to her allegations – and sentenced to 15 months in prison, but he was released after serving five months.

The conviction followed the two-year sentence he received in Finland in 2015 over the defrauding of three women in that country.

Here are Cecelie’s seven ways to spot a lover scammer:

Super successful careers or trustworthy jobs

Love Con Revenge features a doctor and an army veteran. The doctor turned out not to be a medical one and the army vet only served briefly before being thrown out for drug taking.

“What impresses people is occupations that we can trust. We see time and time again that fraudsters will try to pretend that they’re doctors or successful businessmen,” says Cecilie.

It’s difficult not to take someone at face value, but it’s important to be alert to anything that sounds too good to be true.

Borrowing small amounts of money and paying it straight back

Online dating should be about getting to know each other, not talking about finances. But some love con artist can attempt to use this to build trust initially.

“This builds trust with your fraudster – because they have paid you back before you don’t worry or are concerned you won’t get the money back,” says Cecile.

They pay it back quickly and sometimes even add interest. This is shown by one love conman on the Netflix series who lures his victim into a false sense of security that her money will always be returned.

Push and pull relationship

Fraudsters will abruptly end the relationship, Cecile says, withdrawing their affection before starting things back up again. This leaves the victim deeply insecure and feeling like they’re walking on eggshells – desperate not to do anything that might upset the relationship again.

“They reel you in with love and attention. Once you’re hooked, they will unexpectedly pull away,” warns Cecilie. “Suddenly, you’re the one chasing their love and affection, and that’s the power shift that they want. You’re not thinking straight. That’s when they can get even more money from you!”

Love bombing

Fraudsters will often move in at lightening speed, making the target feel like are being swept off their feet. They want move to into a relationship very quickly – for example moving in with you, within a few months of dating.

Cecilie was treated to 100 red roses on her birthday, taken on fancy dates and the scammer proclaimed his love to her very early in the relationship.

“This is called ‘love bombing’. They love you, they shower you with compliments, they want to move in, you’re their dream woman. Everything is happening very quickly – watch out for that,” Cecilie explained.

Sending several romantic messages in a short space of time is also a way of “lovebombing” a way into a relationship. Scammers will often shower you with affection to draw you in and make you feel special.

Cecile says she wishes people shouldn’t have to be on their guard for this of behaviour. “I’ve always loved very fast. You hear those stories – ‘we went on a date and we’ve been married for 30 years’ – It’s sad (to feel that can’t happen).”

Sunk cost fallacy

Cecilie said: “Sunk Cost Fallacy is what you put into a relationship, and the further in you get, the more difficult it is to admit that something’s wrong because you already spent so much time, and so much money, that you go deeper and deeper into it instead of retracting.”

By the end victims have invested so much that they don’t want to listen to their inner doubts and abandon a course of action they have invested so heavily in. “You don’t want to confront your nightmare,” the campaigner says.

Never wanting to meet in person

In Cecilie’s case, she did meet her scammer in person often, but he was faking his identity. In most cases of romance fraud, scammers have a reluctance to take the relationship beyond the realm of online.

Cecilie said: “If they always have an excuse, like that they’re travelling, if they can never meet up or they’re always busy – be very wary. Meet up with them in person to make sure that the person you’re talking to online is the real one.”

Future faking

Future faking is manipulation based on an elaborate lie. It is when false promises are made about a shared future, such as a romantic relationship, business partnership, or investment.

This tactic involves feigning a deep connection and using elaborate, long-term plans to keep the victim invested.

“From the female and one male victim in the series, we can see that everyone wants that future with someone – it’s what we all want. Throughout this series, I saw text messages that the fraudsters were sending,” says Cecilie.

APPLES are ripening and tumbling from branches across gardens and hedgerows.

Or you may find that generous neighbours or friends with apple trees are offering the fruit for free.

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Here’s how to make the most of the harvest . . . 

APPLE STORE: Apples are often stored in fruit bowls, but they will last longer in the fridge.

The fruit also emits a gas that can speed up the ripening of other produce such as oranges, giving another reason to keep them separated.

NICELY PUDD: Apple pie or crumble is the perfect autumnal dessert. Crumbles are slightly quicker to make and great with kids. Use the following recipe from Tesco. Peel and core and cut three or four cooking apples into chunks.

Pop the fruit in a saucepan with two tablespoons of caster sugar, and two tablespoons of water, cooking until the apples have softened.

If you have a glut of apples, you could prepare double or triple the mix and freeze portions for using at a later date.

Pop in a greased ovenproof dish. Then mix 110g of self-raising flour, 40g of demerara sugar, 40g of diced salted, butter and two tablespoons of rolled oats in a bowl until it’s breadcrumb texture.

Add to the apple mix before baking for around 45minutes until golden.

GO DRY: Dried apples are a great healthy snack — perfect for lunchboxes.

Slice the apples thinly and bake for a few hours on a low heat.

The longer you leave them in, the crispier they become. Then store in an air-tight container.

JUICE IT: Use apples to make a delicious juice without a juicer. Start by chopping and deseeding three or four apples.

Boil and cover with around 120ml of water until the apples are soft and mushy.

Line a colander with muslin cloth and put over a bowl before pouring in the cooled mixture.

Press down on the mixture and let the bowl collect the juice. You can then add honey or lemon juice to taste.

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

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Apple TV+ has implemented an 11% price rise but there are ways to watch hit shows like Severance, Slow Horses and The Morning Show for less.

Apple TV+ has quietly increased the price of a monthly subscription, but there are several ways to get it cheaper if you know where to look. Last month, the streamer upped its subscription fee £8.99 to £9.99 for both new and existing customers.

This 11% rise may not seem like a huge increase, but it makes Apple TV+ one of the more expensive platforms compared to the basic subscription tiers of Netflix (£5.99), Disney+ (£4.99) and Prime Video (£8.99). However, each of these plans has adverts, while Apple TV+ is ad-free.

Apple told the BBC that while the new price applies immediately for new users, existing subscribers have until 30 days after their next renewal before they start paying more. It comes as Apple TV+ is gearing up for the return of hit shows including The Morning Show (September 17) and Slow Horses (September 24).

Also on its 2025 slate is Matthew McConaughey survival drama The Lost Bus (October 3) and Pluribus (November 7), a new sci-fi series from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan. With this in mind, we’ve pulled together several ways to get an Apple TV+ subscription for less.

Watch for free with a seven-day trial

New Apple TV+ members can watch everything on the platform without paying a penny by signing up for a seven-day free trial. This is ideal for those only wanting to watch a particular series as it allows members to binge every episode in one week, just remember to cancel the trial before it moves to a paid subscription.

However, there is a way to reduce the cost for those happy to stick with the service.

Apple TV+ Annual Plan

£119.88

£89

Apple TV+

Get Apple TV+ here

Apple TV+ members can save £30.88 by paying for a year up front.

Save £31 with an annual plan

Members who have no intention of cancelling their subscription anytime soon may want to consider an Apple TV+ annual plan. Paying for a year’s access up front has not increased so still costs the usual £89, while 12 monthly payments will now end up costing £119.88 on the new rate.

This means those who are loyal to Apple TV+ can save £30.88 if they’re happy to make the commitment.

Get 3 months free with an eligible device

Apple offers three months of Apple TV+ access to shoppers buying an eligible Apple device including iPhones, iPads and MacBooks. They don’t have to be bought from Apple, with new devices bought from retailers including Sky Mobile and Amazon usually eligible for the deal.

One of our favourite options at the moment is Sky Mobile’s iPhone 16e deal, which is down to a record low price of £18 when spreading the cost. The catch with this plan is that it only comes with 100MB of data, but larger allowances are available for those happy to pay a little more.

Sky also offers the new MacBook Air 13” M4 for £20. Other options include Amazon’s £101 discount on an iPhone 16 for £698, or £70 discount on the latest iPad Air M3 for £529.

Save 44% with Apple One

This option is ideal for customers subscribed to multiple Apple services such as Apple TV+, Apple Music and iCloud. An Apple One bundle rolls all of these into one monthly subscription offering discounts up to £28.99 per month compared to paying for each service separately – a saving of 44%.

A subscription can also be shared by up to five people on select plans, perfect for cutting costs for the whole family. Apple One comes in a choice of three plans:

• Individual (£18.95) – TV+, Music, Arcade, iCloud+ 50GB.
• Family (£24.95) – TV+, Music, Arcade, iCloud+ 200GB.
• Premier (£36.95) – TV+, Music, Arcade, iCloud+ 2TB, Fitness+ and News+.

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.

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BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Immigration and Customs Enforcement is an agency inside the Department of Homeland Security that is integral to President Donald Trump’s vision of carrying out the mass deportations he promised during the campaign. Deportation officers within a unit called Enforcement and Removal Operations are the ones who are responsible for immigration enforcement. They find and remove people from the United States who aren’t American citizens and, for a variety of reasons, no longer can stay in the country.

Some might have gone through immigration court and a judge ordered them removed. Or they were arrested or convicted of certain crimes, or they’ve repeatedly entered the country illegally or overstayed a visa. ICE also manages a growing network of immigration detention facilities around the country where it holds people suspected of immigration violations.

Overall, its activities — and how it carries them out — have polarized many Americans in recent months.

After years when the number of deportation officers largely remained even, the agency is now rapidly hiring. Congress this summer passed legislation giving ICE $76.5 billion in new money to help speed up the pace of deportations. That’s nearly 10 times the agency’s current annual budget. Nearly $30 billion is for new staff.

Last week, The Associated Press got a chance to visit the base in southern Georgia where new ICE recruits are trained and to talk to the agency’s top leadership. Here are details about four things ICE is doing that came out of those conversations.

It’s surging hiring

ICE currently has about 6,500 deportation officers, and it is aggressively looking to beef up those numbers. Acting Director Todd Lyons says he wants to hire an additional 10,000 by year’s end.

The agency has launched a new recruiting website, offered hiring bonuses as high as $50,000, and is advertising at career expos. Lyons said the agency has already received 121,000 applications — many from former officers.

New recruits are trained at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia. That’s a sprawling facility near the coast where federal law enforcement officers — not just ICE agents — from around the country live and train. ICE is looking to more than double the number of instructors who train deportation officers.

Caleb Vitello, who runs training for ICE, says it has cut Spanish-language requirements to reduce training by five weeks, and he’s been looking for ways to streamline the training and have recruits do more at the field offices where they’re assigned.

It’s preparing for conflict

As Trump’s effort to deport millions of people has intensified, violent episodes have unfolded as ICE seeks to arrest people. Critics have said ICE is being too heavy-handed in carrying out arrests while ICE says its people are the ones being attacked.

Vitello said the agency tracks every time officers use force as well as any time someone attacks its officers. According to the agency’s data, from Jan. 21 through Aug. 5 there were 121 reported assaults of ICE officers compared with 11 during the same period last year.

Lyons said that after recent operations in Los Angeles turned violent, ICE is making gas masks and helmets standard issue for new agents. “Right now we’re seeing and we’re having to adapt to all different scenarios that we were never trained for in the past,” he said.

Lyons says the agency is also starting to send out security teams to accompany agents making arrests: “We’re not gonna allow people to throw rocks anymore, because we’re going to have our own agents and officers there to protect the ones that are actually out there making that arrest.”

It’s beefing up specialized units for high-risk situations

About eight deportation officers dressed in military-style camouflage uniforms, helmets and carrying an assortment of weapons stand outside a house yelling “Police! We have a warrant!” before entering and clearing the house.

They are members of a Special Response Team taking part in a demonstration at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. These officers are like a SWAT team — deportation officers with special training to assist in difficult situations. They also accompany detainees the agency deems dangerous when they are deported.

“Everybody is trained to serve a warrant,” Vitello said. “These guys are trained to serve high-risk warrants.”

There are roughly 450 deportation officers with the special training to serve on these teams, and Lyons says they have been deployed to assist with immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, Portland, Oregon, and Washington.

He said he’d like to have more such units but wouldn’t put an exact number on how many. Vitello said they’re also in the process of getting more of the specially armored vehicles.

It’s teaching whom agents can arrest — and when

New recruits to ICE receive training on immigration law and the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unlawful searches. Longtime officers get regular refreshers on these topics.

In limited situations, ICE agents are allowed to enter someone’s home. Generally when they’re seeking someone they’re trying to remove from the country, they have an administrative warrant as opposed to a criminal warrant. That administrative warrant doesn’t allow them to enter the house without first getting permission.

Vitello says the new recruits are taught about the different warrants and how the rules differ. And they’re taught how those who allowed ICE to enter their house can change their mind.

“If somebody says ‘Get out,’ and you don’t have your target, you have to leave,” he said.

Multiple videos on social media have shown ICE officers breaking car windows to pull someone out of a vehicle and arrest that person.

The Fourth Amendment doesn’t extend to someone’s vehicle, so Vitello said deportation officers do have the authority to arrest someone in a car or truck. Vitello said in the rare case where a target was in a motor home, officers would talk to the agency’s lawyers first to figure out what protections apply.

Santana writes for the Associated Press.

KEYLESS cars are becoming increasingly vulnerable to theft as criminals turn to sophisticated tools like Game Boy-style emulators, experts warn.

Alarmingly, most mechanics now consider traditional car alarms ineffective as deterrents.

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The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) says vehicle theft in the UK has surged by 75% over the past decade, with 130,000 cars stolen annually.

This trend has sparked calls for smarter, tech-based solutions to deter car thieves.

According to Fix My Car, car owners should adopt multiple layered security strategies and modern tools to help protect their motors – including engine immobilisers and GPS trackers.

Indeed, only 5% of mechanics trust traditional car alarms as effective deterrents, although everyday precautions, such as keeping keys hidden, parking in well-lit areas and checking on vehicles regularly remain essential habits.

Matt Wrankmore, Head of Garage Network at FixMyCar, said: “Car theft is no longer just about smashing windows or hot-wiring ignitions.

“Criminals are more cyber-savvy than ever, so drivers need to respond with a balanced approach using both smart technology and visible deterrents.”

And he added: “There are definite benefits to using traditional deterrents in your car, and many manufacturers still recommend steering wheel locks despite advances in vehicle security tech.

“I believe drivers returning to these methods are on the right track but we need to use all the tools available.

“That means combining mechanical immobilisers and telematics trackers with visual deterrents like steering wheel locks and alarm stickers.

“And let’s not forget the cheapest and most overlooked measure of common sense.

“Keeping your keys hidden, parking in well-lit areas with CCTV, and checking on your car regularly are all simple habits that still go a long way.”

The rise in car thefts has also exposed vulnerabilities in high-end vehicles, such as Hyundai’s electric Ioniq 5.

A furious driver, Adam Metselaar, threatened to sue the firm last year after his £47,000 keyless car was stolen in just 31 seconds using a gadget disguised as a Nintendo Game Boy.

Despite keeping his car keys in a protective box to prevent cloning, the thieves bypassed the system using a hi-tech “emulator” hidden inside the casing of the gaming device.

The grey Ioniq 5 was traced four miles away using an Apple AirTag, but it had sustained £10,000 worth of damage.

Hyundai admitted that similar thefts have affected at least 26 cars in London, as per September last year.

They later updated their Bluelink software to introduce additional anti-theft features.

As summer holidays prompt many motorists to leave their cars unattended, FixMyCar is encouraging drivers to take proactive measures to protect their vehicles.

A combination of modern tracking devices, visible deterrents and simple precautions can go a long way in safeguarding cars from increasingly sophisticated thieves.

Worried about a stock market drop hurting your retirement savings?

As someone who’s spent years writing about personal finance, I know how scary it can be to watch investments fluctuate. It’s even worse when you’re just about to retire.

The good news is there are lots of low-risk investment options that can protect your savings while still earning a decent return. Here are four reliable choices.

1. High-yield savings accounts (HYSAs)

If you want to keep full access to your cash while still earning solid interest, a high-yield savings account is a great starting point.

Many top online banks now offer HYSAs with rates at or above 4.00% APY. Key benefits to look for include:

• FDIC insurance up to $250,000 per account
• No monthly fees
• Little or no minimum balance requirements

Because of their flexibility, HYSAs are ideal for immediate cash needs. Whether it’s an emergency fund or short-term savings, your money can stay liquid while still earning a competitive rate.

Ready to earn more on your savings? Check out our favorite high-yield savings accounts available today.

2. Certificates of deposit (CDs)

CDs offer steady, predictable returns, allowing you to deposit money for a set amount of time in exchange for a guaranteed interest rate. That’s especially valuable if you want to protect your savings from market swings.

Many CDs’ rates are also hovering in the 4.00% range, meaning you can guarantee a strong return by locking up your money.

One smart way to keep your money accessible while still earning high rates is to set up a CD ladder. For example, you could open CDs that mature in 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.

This way, part of your money becomes available every few months while the other CDs keep earning. Then you can either use the earnings as needed or reinvest them to keep the ladder going.

Explore all of our favorite CDs and build a smarter savings strategy today.

3. Treasury bills (T-bills)

Treasury bills (T-bills) are another strong choice if you’re willing to lock in cash for a short period. These are short-term debt obligations offered by the U.S. government, with terms ranging from four weeks to a full year.

Right now, T-bills are offering yields around 4.00%. Retirees like them them because:

• They’re fully backed by the U.S. government
• The interest isn’t subject to state or local income taxes
• You can buy them in increments as little as $100

You can buy T-bills through a brokerage firm for a small fee, or directly from TreasuryDirect.gov.

Finally, a fixed annuity works similarly to a long-term CD, but often offers higher guaranteed returns — currently around 5% to 6% annually.

Like CDs, you deposit a lump sum, earn a fixed interest rate, and then receive payment — the difference being that your payments can be dispersed over time, instead of given in one lump sum. This turns your investment into a stream of income.

Deferred annuities let your money grow before payouts start, while immediate annuities provide income right away. When considering a fixed annuity, check for a death benefit so your heirs can receive any remaining funds if you pass away before the money is fully paid out.

Using a mix of HYSAs, CDs, T-bills, and fixed annuities can diversify your savings and protect it from market drops. They all provide a nice balance of safety, accessibility, and value, giving you the confidence you need to comfortably enter retirement.

As fighting continues between factions in southern Syria and the country’s army faces threats from Israel if it intervenes, Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr says Israel’s posture poses a major challenge to the Syrian government.

While going on a plane is exciting for a holiday adventure, it can be uncomfortable and a shock when our ears pop during a flight – a doctor has detailed how to help this

Jetting off on holiday is thrilling, but the journey can sometimes be a bit of a grind. You have got to pack your bags, rock up to the airport early, track down your gate, and if you’re not a fan of flying, settle those last-minute jitters. Then, just as the aircraft lifts off, many of us end up with blocked ears, which isn’t exactly pleasant when you’re thousands of feet above ground.

The climb or descent of the plane and the resulting changes in cabin air pressure can lead to an unpleasant sensation in your ears. While you’re gazing out at the fluffy clouds and expansive blue, you might be curious about the cause behind this discomfort.

Specsavers has explained: “Stress is put on the eardrum as a result of high-pressure environments and it is usually caused by rapid changes in altitude. You’ll recognise it if you’ve ever felt your ears ‘pop’ after a flight or going diving.”

Now, one doctor has delved into the reasons behind why our ears feel blocked on a flight and how we can alleviate the issue. Doctor Michael, a popular health guru on TikTok with a following of half a million, reassures that the common ear-popping experience should not cause alarm.

READ MORE: Noel Gallagher’s daughter Anais sums up Manchester Oasis gig with one word

Using a diagram to illustrate, he points out the eustachian tube [between your nose and ear and goes across your cheek], explaining: “It is caused by this tube that connects the back of your nose with the inner ear.”

He elaborated: “When you’re flying, you probably hear your ears popping and that’s this tube kind of equalising the pressure of your inner ear. You can do it yourself by swallowing or holding your nose and breathing against it.”

Dr Michael also suggested opening your mouth really wide. If these techniques don’t work – or if they exacerbate the problem – it’s likely you’re dealing with something called eustachian tube dysfunction.

He explained: “It happens when you’ve had a cough or a cold or you’re really congested here and that eustachian tube just closes over.”

The medical expert advised that if this often occurs while you’re flying, there are preventative measures you can take before boarding a plane to avoid this issue.

Dr Michael recommended using eucalyptus oil. He said: “Put it in some boiling water and let the steam go up into your nose and open up this sensation tube.

“Or if you want something a bit more long lasting, a couple of days before your fly, you should start using a steroid nose spray. I would do a spray in each nostril twice a day, about three or four days before you fly.”

If you’ve tried all these methods and none have worked, Dr Michael suggests it’s time to consult an ears, nose and throat specialist.

For more information see the NHS website/app or consult your GP.

Do your ears suffer when you go on a plane? Comment below…

During Love Island’s explosive Movie Night, Helena was exposed for calling her best friend Meg ‘a mug’ behind her back and criticising Dejon to others

Love Island viewers were left cheering from their sofas during Movie Night as Helena’s true colours were finally exposed to the entire villa. Once seen as Meg’s closest friend, Helena’s behind-the-back digs were aired for everyone to see, revealing a brutal betrayal that stunned both Islanders and Love Island fans alike.

In a clip titled “Mugged Off,” Helena was seen calling Meg “a mug” for giving Dejon another chance, just hours after comforting her to her face. The footage also showed Helena slamming Dejon to other Islanders in private, creating further chaos in the already tense villa.

Meg looked shocked and visibly upset as the truth played out in front of her, while Dejon sat in silence, taking in the brutal commentary. Meanwhile, the rest of the group watched in awkward disbelief as Helena’s two-faced behaviour was laid bare on the big screen.

Fans took to social media instantly to share their reactions. One viewer tweeted, “Helena got caught in 4K and it was beautiful to watch.” Another added, “Meg deserves better. That girl has been smiling in her face and stabbing her in the back.”

Someone else said: “OMG so happy Helena’s ways have finally been exposed.” Another echoed: “Meg can finally see how sneaky Helena and Harry actually are. Saying one thing to their face and another behind their backs. So weak.”

While Helena tried to defend herself after the screening, the damage appeared done. Many Islanders grew visibly cold toward her, with some questioning where her loyalties really lie.

Elsewhere, drama reached boiling point on Love Island tonight as the long-awaited Movie Night delivered one of the most explosive episodes of the season. Shocking footage from Casa Amor triggered a major fallout between Meg and Dejon, whose relationship now hangs in the balance.

Islanders gathered under the stars to watch secret clips from their time apart, but what was meant to be entertaining quickly turned tense. A montage of Dejon’s flirty behaviour, particularly his interactions with Andrada and Malisha, left Meg visibly shaken.

“F**ing hell, any more flirting?”, Meg exclaimed after watching her partner entertain connections during Casa Amor. The comment sent a ripple through the group as Dejon attempted to defend himself, but the damage had already been done.

The tension escalated when Andrada, who had formed a connection with Dejon during Casa, was pulled into the confrontation. Putting her foot down, she said: “I’m going to stand my ground,” as Dejon tried to interject.

Later that evening, Meg pulled Dejon aside to confront him privately, accusing him of embarrassing her in front of the entire villa. “I feel violated in front of all of the girls,” she told him, holding back tears.

Dejon, seemingly caught off-guard by the intensity of her reaction, struggled to explain himself. He admitted to being confused, saying he didn’t know if he was truly being honest, with Meg or himself after his true actions were finally exposed to the girl he had been coupled up with from day one.

Meanwhile, social media lit up with mixed reactions. Some viewers backed Meg’s emotional response, while others questioned her decision to direct her anger at Andrada rather than Dejon. One viewer on X said: “Meg was WAY too calm for what she just saw. If I were her? Explosions. Nuclear. #LoveIsland”

Another echoed: “Dejon fumbled Meg for a Casa flirt and a laugh? Make it make sense. #MovieNightMadness.” Someone else added: “I actually think Meg was more mad at Andrada than Dejon?? Redirect that anger, babe.”

Elsewhere, another fan said: “Dejon is acting confused like he didn’t just get EXPOSED on the big screen. Please. And Andrada staying calm while getting glares from Meg is iconic.”

Love Island continues on Sunday night at 9pm on ITV and ITVX.

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