Brits are being urged to check the terms of their phone and broadband contracts and ensure they’re not overpaying council tax with bills rising from April 1.

This year ‘Awful April’ looks likely to be particularly painful, with nine in 10 councils taking the opportunity to raise taxes by the maximum allowed amount, and water bills rising by as much as 47%.

Although you can’t escape all hikes, with the right know-how, you can potentially save hundreds of pounds.

Below, we talk you through how to hack household bills as businesses and councils put up their prices to compensate for inflation and rising costs.

1. Council tax

Most of us will pay 5% more on our council tax from April – that’s an average of about an extra £109 a year for a Band D household – but a few unlucky folk will find the bill is much higher.

That’s because their council has been given permission to raise even more from customers because they are in dire financial straits.

Councils that can do this include Bradford, which will put up council tax by 10%, and the London borough of Newham, whose residents will pay 9% more.

Is there anything I can do about it?

Check you are not overpaying. There are a few reasons why council tax might be reduced. Full-time students, single people, carers and those with certain diagnoses are entitled to a discount, as are some people on low incomes, so check your council website to see if you are eligible.

You may also be able to apply to reduce your council tax band. The amount you pay in tax depends on the valuation of your house in 1991, and many properties have changed since then. There are more details on how to challenge the banding at 
gov.uk, though be aware that it comes with the risk you’ll go up a band, too!

2. Energy bills

The government cap on energy prices rises from April 1 to 6.4%, so if you’re on a capped energy tariff, the gas and electricity you are using will cost more. Energy regulator Ofgem says this will cost the average household £111 a year if prices remain at the new level. The cap itself only runs for three months, after which prices may rise or fall again.

Is there anything I can do about it?

If you are on a fixed-rate tariff, you won’t pay any more for your energy until that rate comes to an end.

If you aren’t, and your energy is on a capped tariff, now might be a good time to see if you can save by switching. Use comparison sites such as Uswitch, Moneysupermarket or Comparethe
market to find cheaper deals.

Taking steps to reduce your energy bills will also pay dividends, although the good news is that the latest hike is coming in as the weather gets warmer and energy demand reduces.

Fiona Peake, consumer finance expert at Ocean Finance, suggests the following tweaks to bring bills down further. ‘Leaving appliances on standby overnight can add up to £100 a year to your bills. Switching everything off at the socket (except essentials like your fridge) can be an easy way to save,’ she says. ‘Another simple fix is lowering your boiler’s flow temperature to 60C. It won’t impact the warmth of your home but it could save you another £100 a year.’

3. Water bills

Water bills alone are set to increase by an average of £123 a year from April 1, a 26% increase, according to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), which represents householders. Depending on where you live, some people will face even bigger rises, as water companies are raising their bills by different amounts.

Some of the highest rises include Southern Water, which is increasing bills by 47%, South West Water (32%), Thames Water (31%) and Yorkshire Water (29%).

Is there anything I can do about it?

Andy White, from the CCW, says that customers who are finding water bills difficult to pay should check whether they are eligible for a ‘social tariff’.

If you are eligible because you have a low income, you could save an average of £160 a year, while those with medical conditions that mean they use a lot of water could be eligible for WaterSure tariffs, with an average saving of £286 a year. Two in five households in the UK don’t have a meter and some would be better off if they switched.

You can try the CCW water meter calculator at ccw.org.uk to see if that could be you. You can also, unless you live in an area where water meters are compulsory, switch back again after two years if you are unhappy with it.

‘I saved £175 by switching to a water meter’

Sylvia Tillmann, from Ramsgate in Kent, is saving over £175 a year now she’s switched her water to a meter. Her bill used to be £300 a year, and now it is just under £125.

The 58-year-old lives in a one-bedroom flat, but still saved on her Southern Water bill by switching to a meter.

‘I’m not wasteful, very environmentally conscious, and take short showers rather than long ones,’ she says. ‘I only use the washing machine and dishwasher when it’s really full, so the meter hasn’t changed my behaviour at all, just saved me money.’

Sylvia says that she was prompted to get a meter by a friend who had also saved money, and although she had to wait a while for an engineer to come and fit it, the process was otherwise straightforward.

‘To start with, I was checking the meter all the time to see if it moved, and it only moved a little bit with each shower or use of the dishwasher,’ she says. ‘I couldn’t believe my savings, and I’d advise anyone who is careful with water like me to do this.’

4. Broadband and mobile bills

Broadband and mobile phone companies are allowed to put up your bills by an amount linked to inflation if this was in your contract when you signed up. Fiona, at Ocean Finance, says this could push bills up by six to 7.5%, adding £3-£5 per month to household expenses.

Is there anything I can do about it?

If you are out of contract, you can leave and get a better deal, or haggle with your current provider for a cheaper price by threatening to leave. Check out comparison sites such as Uswitch or Moneysupermarket for deals that might work for you.

If you’re in contract, chances are you’ll have to pay to leave, but do check whether they will waive exit penalties when prices rise. If the penalties are steep, make a calendar note of when the contract ends and switch as quickly as you can.

5. Car tax

How much more will I pay?

For most of us, the increase in car tax will be a relatively manageable £5 a year, to £195. For those with electric vehicles though, the increase will be high. These vehicles have been exempt from the tax but now will pay £10 for the first year before moving to the standard car tax rate.

Is there anything I can do about it?

Expensive vehicles attract more car tax, so ensuring you don’t have a vehicle with a ‘list price’ of over £40,000 will save you money. Otherwise you only get out of paying car tax if your car is off-road and declared as such, or is over 40 years old.

6. TV Licence

How much more will I pay?

The price for a standard colour TV licence is rising by £5 to £174.50.

Is there anything I can do about it?

If you want to watch live TV or BBC iPlayer then you will need a licence. If you watch only other catch-up services, you won’t, and can save the full amount. You can apply to cancel your licence online if this is the case at tvlicensing.co.uk. You can also fill out a declaration on the same site saying you don’t need a licence, to prevent TV Licensing pursuing you for the cash.

Beware, though, if you don’t pay and are discovered to be watching live TV or iPlayer, you could face a £1,000 fine. Otherwise if you’re over 75 and receive the pension credit benefit you’ll get a free TV licence, while those who are blind or significantly sight-impaired will receive a 50% discount.

Rosie Murray-West is Metro’s personal finance specialist.

If you want more tips and tricks on saving money, as well as chat about cash and alerts on deals and discounts, join our Facebook Group, Money Pot.

While smart meters are a handy way to save money on your energy bills, it turns out millions across Great Britain may not actually work.

According to official figures, there have been a number of issues with the nationwide smart meter rollout, with as many as 3.5 million currently operating in ‘dumb’ mode, unable to send energy usage information.

As such, Ofgem has called on providers to urgently fix broken devices, proposing they issue £40 automatic compensation to those who have to wait longer than 90 days.

Under the regulator’s plans, customers will also receive a payout if a smart meter installation fails due to a fault within their provider’s control.

Amid government targets for three-quarters of all homes to use one by the end of this year, Uswitch research shows up to 1.4 million households in England, Wales and Scotland have waited six months or longer for their broken meter to be fixed.

However, the new proposals mean anyone who requests a new meter from their supplier will have to be offered one within six weeks, while suppliers will be required to provide a resolution plan to those who report problems with their device within five working days.

Tim Jarvis, director general for markets at Ofgem, said: ‘We’re drawing the line on excuses – suppliers will need to follow our new rules or compensate their customers.

We know that many customers are still waiting too long to get a smart meter installed or facing lengthy delays on repairs when it stops working.

‘That’s why we’re stepping in to make the process quicker and easier for consumers and to make sure they’re fairly compensated if things do go wrong.’

Martin Lewis discussed the topic on a recent episode of his podcast with Octopus Energy boss Greg Jackson, who claimed repairs were often not prioritised because fixing existing smart meters doesn’t count towards the targets.

The Money Saving Expert (MSE) founder previously warned ministers that up to 20% of home smart meters are not working properly, urging them to change the current rules.

In a letter to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, he wrote: ‘Repairs are slow, if they happen at all, as resources are focused on installs, leaving consumers frustrated and at risk of mis-billing and further problems.’

Ofgem’s proposals are due to be consulted on until May, after which further details on the compensation scheme will likely be released.

Miatta Fahnbulleh, the UK Minister for Energy Consumers, commented: ‘We want to make sure more consumers feel the benefits of having one installed.

‘A crucial part of that will be improving the smart meter customer experience, so we welcome Ofgem’s proposals to introduce guaranteed standards of performance for smart meters.

‘This will help to ensure people who want to upgrade their meters are better supported through the process, and can make the most of their new smart meter.’

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According to Martin Lewis, 80% of households in England, Scotland and Wales currently overpay for energy — and in the coming months, it’s only going to get worse.

Ofgem just announced the price cap will be going up by 6.4% in April – following a 1% rise in January – with the energy regulator blaming an increase in the wholesale price of oil and gas.

That means the minimum bill for someone with typical dual-fuel use paying by Direct Debit will go up by over £100 a year, which Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley will pose ‘a huge challenge for many households.’

But thankfully, there is a way to avoid the worst of the hike, with Martin claiming it could result in a typical annual saving of £200.

And the personal finance guru’s advice is simple: ‘Most people should consider locking in a cheap fix to avoid the hike.’

On the Money Saving Expert (MSE) newsletter, he explained that ‘a fixed tariff is where you lock in a rate for a set time (you still pay more if you use more, though), giving you the peace of mind of price certainty’.

Martin also added on X: ‘The cheapest year-long standalone fixes right now are about 4% less than the current cap, never mind once it rises in April.’

As many people are nervous about switching to a relatively unknown energy company for their price fix, Money Saving Expert has managed to wrangle an exclusive 16-month fix with British Gas, that’s available for new and existing customers.

However, it’s only available until 5pm on Friday, March 28. So you’ll want to act ‘urgently’ if you want to snap it up as there are just three days from now until then.

According to the experts, there’s only one smaller firm (Outfox the Market) that has a cheaper deal right now, and this is the ‘most competitive deal’ British Gas has offered in a while.

Martin says that in general the deal ‘looks strong’ but the exact fixed rate tariff that’s best for you will depend on your region and how much energy you use.

To find this out, you’ll want to put your details into a comparison tool (like MSE’s Cheap Energy Club) to see more personalised options.

Regardless of which deal you choose, the new price cap will come into play on April 1 and will last for three months, so you definitely have to switch before then.

However, Martin also warns that deals are being snapped up fast, so ‘getting it done ASAP is safest’ as ‘each day you sit on the Price Cap is a day you pay more than needed’.

Alongside fixed rate tariffs, it’s worth looking into specialist alternatives that could save you cash.

EDF’s new Simply Tracker Extra tariff, for example, slashes £100 a year off the standing charge, and could be good for those with lower usage (roughly under £135 per month).

Alternatively, there are electric vehicle tariffs which could help EV drivers keep costs down, and rapid price-change options offering lower prices outside of peak periods for those who are able to shift their daily usage routine.

If you’re still struggling to pay, Martin recommends speaking to your energy provider to see how they can help.

‘Be polite and straight with it, and make sure you explain if you’re vulnerable,’ he says.

They may be able to put you forward for a hardship and debt grant, or work with you to negotiate a payment plan you can afford – everything’s decided on a case-by-case basis.

Under Ofgem rules, suppliers are obligated to help struggling customers, so get in touch with yours as soon as possible if you’re worried about your ability to pay.

A version of this story was first published on February 25, 2025.

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An average family in Britain could be £1,400-a-year poorer by 2030, according to new analysis.

Frozen tax thresholds, rising mortgage and rent costs, and falling real earnings are all predicted to leave people worse off in the next five years.

The hardest blows will fall on the poorest third, who will bear the impact at twice the rate of middle and high earners, according to the analysis by thinktank The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).

The anti-poverty charity’s report predicts that the Labour government will miss one of its stated ‘milestones’ to raise living standards before the next election.

The £1,400 drop by April 2030 equates to a 3% fall in disposable income for the average family.

The lowest income households will be £900 per year worse off – a 6% fall, it said.

Average earnings are also set to fall by £700 per year by 2030, according to the JRF.

And the situation could be even worse for some as the analysis doesn’t account for the £5bn cut to disability benefits announced this week.

The charity used modelling forecasts from the Bank of England and others to create its prediction.

It also polled of 5,000 people with YouGov.

Alfie Stirling, its director of insight and policy, said Labour risks running the ‘first parliament on modern record to see a fall in average living standards from start to finish’.

It branded the welfare cuts ‘wrong’ and wants the plan scrapped.

Instead the government should instead raise cash by increasing tax on wealth and investments, it said.

This is unlikely to happen after by chancellor Rachel Reeves ruled out any more tax rises earlier this week.

When asked about the foundation’s findings, Reeves rejected the claims that living standards are falling.

She claimed that living standards in the last Consversative-run parliament ‘were the worst ever on record’.

The analysis came shortly before the chanellor’s spring statement in which more cuts are set to be announced in a bid to improve the country’s finances.

Today Reeves said the Civil Service’s administrative running costs will be slashed by 15% as part of her efficiency drive.

Whether this helps drive economic growth – the government’s top priority – remains to be seen.

The Bank of England recently halved its growth outlook for the UK economy this year to 0.75% – pouring more water on hopes of the economy reigniting after years of tepid growth.

There are also worries next month’s hike to employer national insurance and the minimum wage will create further drag on investment.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Last year, Nationwide paid 3.85 million members £100 each as part of its Fairer Share scheme — and it looks like the building society will be issuing a fresh round of bonuses in the next few months.

While the exact details of the 2025 initiative – which is separate to recent £50 payouts marking Nationwide’s acquisition of Virgin Money – have yet to be released, Martin Lewis has offered some urgent advice to help you qualify.

In the latest edition of his Money Saving Expert (MSE) newsletter, he shared a guide on possible conditions for the ‘reward’, urging: ‘Go quick to boost your chances.’

MSE explained: ‘In previous years, the scheme has been announced in May and paid in June, though whether you got it depended on if you met the qualifying criteria in the first three months of the year.’

That means existing members have just a few weeks left to ensure they fulfil any requirements, while non-nembers need to switch to Nationwide ASAP to be eligible.

Assuming the initiative comes with the same prerequisites as in 2023 and 2024, what you have to do will depend on the account you have and how you used it in January or February this year.

If you’re already a Nationwide customer, your account must still be open on March 31, 2025, so don’t close it between now and then. Additionally, you need to have used it within the first three months of the year, with slightly different criteria for different types of account:

FlexAccount, FlexBasic, FlexDirect accounts

To qualify for a Fairer Share payout, you must have either received £500 and made two payments out of your account, or made at least 10 outgoing payments in January and February this year.

However, MSE adds that if you didn’t do this, ‘you may still be able to qualify by switching.’

FlexPlus packaged accounts

No payments in or out are required here, but you need to have kept up with your fee to be eligible.

FlexOne, FlexGraduate, FlexStudent accounts

The deadline for these members is slightly later, so you’ll have until the end of March to qualify by making at least one payment in or out of your account.

‘Payments out can include debit card transactions, Direct Debits, bank transfers and standing orders but not transfers to other Nationwide accounts you have,’ explains the MSE site.

Mortgages and savings accounts

Mortgage customers must owe at least £100 by end of March, while savings accounts must have a balance of at least £100.

MSE advises: ‘If you don’t have either of those, stick £100 (or maybe £200 to be safe in case it changes its terms) into one of Nationwide’s savings accounts before Monday 31 March.’

Not with Nationwide or missed the deadline to qualify?

If you use the Current Account Switch Service to switch an account you hold with another bank to a Nationwide FlexDirect one by March 31, you may still meet the criteria for the £100 Fairer Share payment — and you may even be eligible for a £175 new customer bonus too.

Keep in mind though, there isn’t long left to act, as the process normally takes seven working days to go through.

Alongside switching your current account, MSE recommends you also ‘stick £100 (or £200 to be even safer) into a Nationwide savings account or owe at least £100 on a Nationwide mortgage in March 2025′ to maximise your chances of qualifying.

When will the Nationwide bonus be paid out?

Last time around, the bank contacted eligible members by May 31, with bonuses deposited into members’ accounts between June 13 and June 28.

Nationwide plans to release information such as the amount and exact payout dates around the same time in 2025, so there’s still a while to wait.

However, all the hard work’s done for you, so you don’t need to make a claim or request the money yourself.

If you think you qualify and haven’t heard anything from Nationwide by June, get in touch. And don’t forget to stay aware of fraudulent attempts at obtaining your personal information to apply for the payment.

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You may notice something different about Aldi on your next visit, with a new change being praised for ‘setting an example’ by shoppers.

Today, the retailer became the first major UK supermarket to roll out free period products across its in-store toilets – no code word or loyalty scheme needed.

By the end of May 2025, all locations will be be fitted with fixtures stocked with tampons and pads, allowing customers to simply take what they need when they need.

Aldi has also partnered with Bloody Good Period, pledging to donate over a million period products to support the charity’s fight against period poverty. 

The move comes after new research from the supermarket which found 41% of people who menstruate admit they’re unable to afford to buy period products – 15% of whom say this is ‘very often’ or ‘always’ the case.

Additionally, third of Brits (30%) have had to decide whether to buy period products or choose other essential items for themselves and their family, with milk, fresh fruit and veg, bread, and household cleaning supplies among the items most likely to be sacrificed.

Clara Amfo, broadcaster and Bloody Good Period ambassador, commented: ”Aldi partnering with Bloody Good Period to raise awareness of period poverty and providing free products in their store toilets is a fantastic step in the right direction that will help millions across the country.’

‘We never want our customers to have to choose between buying the period products they need and feeding themselves or their families,’ added Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi UK.

‘For millions of people across the country, having access to period products is a basic and essential need, and we believe the provision of these in public toilets is as vital as toilet paper and soap.’

Customers welcomed the news, including @Rob140638 who wrote on X: ‘Well done to @AldiUK… Setting an example.’

‘Aldi winning again,’ said Sarah Maslen-Roberts on Facebook, while Natalie Rachel Chand wrote: ‘Yes Aldi UK, this is not a choice or a luxury, it’s a necessity! Thank you for being part of the solution.’

Another commenter, Emily Louise Denton, added: ‘This is top tier! I cannot believe in this day and age that girls and women should go without, struggle to afford or make do with something so natural that we don’t have a choice over. Well done.’

This follows a Morrisons scheme whereby shoppers can ask staff for a ‘package for Sandy’ to be discreetly given a pack with two pads inside.

Last year, the Scottish government also made history with a law making it compulsory for public places such as schools, colleges and universities, libraries and leisure centres to provide menstrual products free of charge.

Although it’s not legally required elsewhere in the UK, you can check for local hubs offering free period products near you via the My Period Live website – or, if you’re in a position to, find out where you can donate much-needed sanitary items to help people in your neighbourhood.

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If you feel like you’re working all hours without much to show for it, the maths is in proving you’re probably right.

A new study has analysed the number of hours you need to work to afford a comfortable lifestyle in 45 cities around the UK — and it’s pretty depressing reading.

Expenses like rent, bills, food, transport and leisure activities were compared average salaries in each city, creating a ranking of the best (and worst) when it comes to work/life balance.

‘Our study shows how hard it’s becoming for people to balance work and the cost of living in the UK’s biggest cities,’ commented David Overmars from CVwizard, who compiled the research using ONS data.

‘With rents and everyday expenses going up, many are having to work longer hours just to get by. This highlights the need for better solutions — higher wages, more stable living costs, and a work-life balance that lets people enjoy life without working nonstop just to afford it.’

Perhaps unsurprisingly, London came out as the place where you need to do the most work to stretch to an ‘average’ standard of living; 2394.51 hours a year, to be exact, which equates to over 46 hours a week.

Despite having the highest median net salary of £34,189.20, rent is significantly higher in the capital than the other cities studied, with a whopping 76.8% of all working hours going towards this alone.

In at second was Oxford, whose residents need to put in
2139.71 hours a year – just over 41 a week – to cover the cost of a decent standard of living.

While rent in the historic cathedral city is lower than the Big Smoke, utilities are more expensive, totalling to 243.5 working hours each year for the likes of electricity, mobile phone plans, and fast internet. 

Third on the list was Manchester, followed by Bristol and Nottingham. A comfortable life in each of these locations means dedicating at least 2033 hours a year to work, which sits on the higher end of the ‘full time’ spectrum at 39 hours every week.

In contrast, Southend-on-Sea offers a median net salary £32,642.40, withrelatively low rents at roughly £840.33 per month and low utility and leisure costs, making it the best for work/life balance.

Here, residents need to work just 1364.24 hours a year, or less than 27 a week, to afford an average life — plus it’s by the beach, which is always an extra bonus.

Aberdeen was next up, while Mansfield, Northampton and Bradford rounded out the top five. If you’re looking to get out of the rat race, these are the places to be, requiring 30 hours a week or less to cover everyday expenses and a few treats here and there.

A growing backlash against ‘hustle culture’ has arisen in recent years, with comments from Google CEO Sergey Brin calling 60 hours a week the ‘sweet spot for productivity’ drawing harsh criticism online.

‘I’m not working 12 hours a day because some tw*t thinks money matters more than having a life,’ tweeted @Farore13, while @milolzx wrote: ‘We are humans and we deserve rest and a life outside of work.’

In response to increasing levels of overwork, nearly 1 in 5 employees (19%) are instilling greater boundaries by not taking on tasks outside of their specific job descriptions, and a further 20% say they refuse to answer work messages outside of their contracted hours.

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Carly keeps a watchful eye out the window of Babyshed’s headquarters in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

With items like nappies, formula milk and baby wipes available, the charity has become a lifeline to mums in the area. Reaching out for help for the first time can feel daunting, however.

‘We want people to come in and not feel judged,’ Carly, Babyshed’s coordinator, tells Metro. ‘There was one lady who sat in the car for half an hour crying her eyes out because she was so embarrassed to come in. People shouldn’t feel scared to ask for help.

‘Sometimes you see people literally shaking as they come in, they never thought they would be in this position. It can be very unexpected, like when a woman has a baby then her husband leaves. Nursery costs are so high which means they might not be able to go back to work, or they might not feel ready to.’

When Metro visits Babyshed on a crisp, cold day, there’s a steady stream of new mums passing through. They gather around a play mat as their babies gurgle and giggle. The temperatures are due to drop this weekend, so there’s a selection of winter jackets on display alongside more usual items like baby food and nappies.

‘I came into the country from Nigeria as a student with my husband,’ one mum, who prefers to stay anonymous, tells Metro. The 31-year-old has a six-month-old boy and lives in the town centre of Stevenage. ‘When I gave birth I was still studying so my finances weren’t okay. We had to pay bills, school fees, payments – it was a lot. As the baby grew, it became hard to afford new clothes.

‘I went to Bedfordshire Foodbank to get some things and the staff there told me about Babyshed, it was much closer to me. My first time here, I remember I stood outside and felt really scared about how they might treat me. But then I came in and knew I didn’t need to be scared. I was treated with love. They are so supportive. I’ve got things like nappies, wipes and toiletries here. Sometimes I forget to ask for things and they go “oh, do you need this as well?”’

‘This is my fourth time here,’ another mum, 31, explains as her eight-month-old plays nearby. ‘It has been a lifesaver. Whenever I need anything I think “Babyshed.” Without it, I would find a way to survive, but it would be very difficult.’

Babyshed was launched following the Covid-19 pandemic by Stevenage Vineyard Church to support families in need. The charity has gone on to become vital for nearby refugees housed in a local hotel, with volunteers making a dedicated trip each week to offer support. 

Carly heads through a set of doors to a vast warehouse where donations are stored. Shelves of nappies stretch down the room, new prams are illuminated by the winter sun and boxes of baby food are neatly labelled. There’s also drawers for more specific items, like breast pads, nappy cream and cotton wool. Carly wants to give mums as much autonomy as possible.

She continues: ‘Just because someone is in a certain section of their life, it shouldn’t mean they lose the ability to choose. I think things like, does this mum like Disney? Would she prefer frilly outfits? Will this family be outdoors a lot? The same baby clothes don’t suit everyone. We also don’t mind second hand donations, but we want good quality. I wouldn’t want to give something out which I wouldn’t feel comfortable using for my own kids.’

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In one heartbreaking incident last year, a police officer informed Babybank staff he had been forced to arrest a woman who stole formula milk. He took a leaflet from the charity to give to her. Babyshed – which is backing Metro’s Formula for Change campaign that aims to improve access to essential items like formula – want mums to feel empowered to reach out for help.

‘Everybody is one short step away from poverty,’ Carly adds. ‘If your life circumstances have led that way, it doesn’t make you any less of a human being or a good mum.

‘We want to help facilitate people to be the best parents they can be, we’re non-referral so anybody can come here. Come, see us, have a hot drink, have a chat, have a cry.

‘It might look like we’re just giving someone a pack of nappies, but it’s much more than that. It’s a vehicle for change. Some of the mums we support actually come back and give us donations once they’re back on their feet. It’s always really special to see that. If you throw a stone, it causes ripples. We want ripples of kindness to spread as far as they can.’

There are ten volunteers at Babyshed and extra support from the local community vital. Bags of sweets have been delivered from Tesco this morning while staff from GSK, a pharmaceutical company in Stevenage, recently visited the charity to paint the walls.

Babyshed has also received several vouchers from a local trampoline park, which means parents they support will be able to treat their child to a special day out they might not otherwise have been able to afford.

When Ann arrived for her first volunteering shift at her local baby bank, she could never foresee just how much of an impact she would have. The mum-of-three had previously helped with a foodbank run by Stevenage Vineyard Church, where she had been pastor. 

‘Some people just want someone to talk to,’ Ann tells Metro. ‘They might not have their own support system or a mum of their own to help. I remember one woman walked in through that door and just burst into tears, it turned out she was pregnant and her husband had just left her. 

‘One day she said, “I thought I could do this by myself, but I can’t. I know this is a really big ask, but would you be with me at the birth?” Of course I said yes. I cut the baby’s cord and cuddled him, it was absolutely wonderful.

‘His mum still tells me “when he hears your voice he looks for you in the room.” She doesn’t come back here a huge amount, because she’s back on her feet now with a new job and a council house.’

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Call me boring if you want, but I love a good supermarket shop.

Take me to big Tesco or Sainsbury’s and I’ll be in my element looking at homeware and cute pyjamas that I don’t really need, before stocking up on my favourite snacks. Simple pleasures and all that.

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise then, that going to Costco for the first time ever would be a big deal for me.

Standing outside the warehouse in Hayes, I was giddy with excitement. It wasn’t quite on par with the way a child feels at Disneyland for the first time, but it was up there. 

The wholesale chain has pretty strict membership criteria and I’d never previously met the requirements to get in. But thanks to my husband switching jobs, that had all changed.

Finally armed with my very own Costco card I headed inside the store… and was met with utter chaos.

If you’ve never been to Costco before, it’s my duty to warn you never to go on a weekend – it’s akin to being in London when the Christmas lights are switched on, or at a UK beach in the height of summer. There were people absolutely everywhere and endless queues, both to get into the store and for the checkouts. It isn’t for the weak.

The layout of the shop itself was also rather chaotic, although this is definitely part of the experience. I never knew what I was going to find from one moment to the next – there were sports bras on a shelf next to blenders, and children’s toys near power tools. 

While I was busy adapting all of this, my husband, who usually hates any form of grocery shopping, was having a blast. According to him it’s because the warehouse set up feels remarkably like being in a B&Q, thanks to the really tall shelving, as well as the drills and furniture for sale.

We quickly realised we’d never be able to do a proper grocery shop here. Everything is sold in bulk, which is ideal if you’re running a business or feeding a large family, but rather unnecessary for just the two of us, as there’d be too much waste. 

That said, there were some store cupboard essentials, that would not only last for ages, but proved to be better value when bought this way.

For instance, a 600g tub of Marmite cost us £5.99 at Costco, while a 250g jar is £3 at Sainsbury’s (our nearest shop). Similarly, Twinings English Breakfast Tea Bags are £4.80 for 80 bags at Sainsbury’s, but £7.99 for 300 bags in Costco.

And it’s not just kitchen staples, there were more bargains to be found in the toiletries section, with a 96 pack of Tampax Pearl Compak costing £11.99. In comparison, a 16 pack is £3.25 at Sainsbury’s. You do the math.

For the Micellar Water girlies, this is also notably cheaper to buy at Costco, with a two-pack of 700ml Garnier bottles costing £8.49 – at Boots, one 700ml bottle is £9.99. 

Not everything was necessarily good value for money though, especially products in the bakery section. A 12 pack of croissants was priced at £5.49, whereas 12 croissants in Sainsbury’s work out at £3.20.

I also audibly gasped when I saw that a six-pack of chocolate muffins was going for £7.99, but thankfully a kind stranger pointed out the fine print on the label, which said you could get two packs for £7.99. There were a few sneaky offers like this, so definitely worth keeping your eyes peeled to get the most bang for your buck.

Outside of nabbing a bargain, you can get pretty much everything and anything from Costco, including an eye test for £19.99 at the in-store opticians. Over the course of our two hour exploration of the store we also found a £73,000 diamond ring (who is buying this from Costco?!), smutty fantasy books, and salvage palettes which contained everything from clothing, to nappies and washing machines.

There were two things that really surprised me during our visit though – one positive, the other not so much. We’ll start with the negative.

I was gobsmacked by how much money we spent, despite shopping pretty carefully. Our haul was mostly practical purchases like cereal, spaghetti, cheese, vegetables, condiments, and butter.

We’d tried to limit the number of ‘rogue’ items we added in for the hell of it, although we did also take home a tub of pretzels bigger than my head, a pack of 36 Babybels and a tray of 24 of the viral cookies (sadly not worth the hype, too artificial tasting).

Our total spend came to over £100, which is more than our weekly shop, and we had much less food to show for it. I was flabbergasted, and had immediate buyer’s remorse. I pushed the trolley from the till to the food court by the exit in a bit of a daze.

After all that shopping, we’d definitely worked up an appetite so we ordered a slice of pepperoni pizza, a hot dog and soda.

Little did we know that this pit stop at the back of the store would be the highlight of the whole visit.

I was sceptical about the kind of food we’d receive from what was essentially a hatch at the back of a warehouse, especially given that it was so cheap – £1.50 for a hot dog and drink and £1.99 for a slice of pizza – but the food really blew me away.

The pepperoni pizza was better than the likes of Domino’s, Pizza Hut or Papa John’s. That’s fighting talk, I know, but I’m not the only one who thinks it. Reddit users agree, even going as far as to proclaim it the ‘best takeaway pizza in the whole of the UK’.

I enjoyed it so much, I was already chomping away before I remembered to snap a quick pic for this article, hence the giant bite mark.

My husband felt similarly about the beef hot dog, which can be ordered with or without onions, and along with a soda of your choosing for less than £2. He could have added in an ice cream as well and the price would still have put supermarket meal deals to shame. 

There’s plenty more on the menu, including a chicken sandwich, jacket potato, chicken and bacon bake, gelato, plus those famous cookies, which can be bought individually – something I wish I’d known before buying 24 of them.

Everything was under £5, except for whole pizzas which cost £9.99, but in today’s climate, that’s still felt like a steal.

The only downside was that there were only a handful of seats in the food court, and like the rest of the store it was heaving with people. Being too hungry to wait for a table, we tucked in there and then slumped over the handlebar of our trolley.

The pizza was messy and theawkward standing position made for one of the most undignified eating experiences of my life, but I enjoyed the meal none the less. 

Will I be going back to Costco again any time soon?

I’d go back for another slice of the pizza in a heartbeat, but I’m no longer feeling the same levels of excitement about shopping there. But that’s ok, because it’s not really meant for me.

If I’m ever planning a big dinner party it could be worth another visit, but otherwise I think I’ll be sticking with Sainsbury’s and Tesco for now.

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A major British supermarket will hand out food for free in a bid to reduce food waste and hit net zero goals.

Tesco plans to give away food which is about to go out of date at absolutely no cost.

The cost-slashing yellow sticker will be revolutionised and mean marked items are completely free after 9.30pm.

Potentially thousands of tonnes of food could avoid the bin and go home with customers.

The plan will first be trailed in a small number of Express stores across the country.

At present, Tesco’s yellow label system reduces the cost of food items by 90%.

The supermarket also gives unsold food to charities in order to reduce the amount of produce they have to throw away, which they will continue to do under the new scheme.

Despite these schemes, Tesco reported more than 35,000 tonnes of food waste in the UK last year.

But now staff will get priority on food which have been reduced earlier in the day and then customers will be able to take home almost out-of-date items in the run-up to closing time.

An internal memo said the plan would allow Tesco to ‘continue with our drive to reduce food waste within our own operations’, The Telegraph reports.

Tesco has pledged to be ‘carbon neutral’ by 2035 and net zero by 2050

The supermarket chain has already cut food waste by 18% between 2017 and 2023, with its long term goal being a 45% reduction.

The store has already redistributed 166 million meals through their Community Food Connection Scheme, according to their 2024 food waste report.

A spokesman for the supermarket said: ‘We are constantly looking for innovative new ways to reduce food waste. 

‘This trial, in a small number of our Express stores, will allow customers to take any remaining yellow stickered items for free at the end of the day, after they have first been offered to charities and colleagues.’ 

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Owners of 54 models of old classic cars could face eye-watering tax hikes very soon from the DVLA.

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), often known simply as road tax, sees people who drive or keep their cars on public roads pay an annual fee. But this year, the charge is set to increase for almost all petrol and diesel owners.

First-year VED rates will double, meaning that brand-new polluting models may pay more to be behind the wheel.

But cars registered between 1984 and 2001 will be hit hard by the tax overhaul as they fall under a different tax system. Experts say drivers in the lower power bracket will pay £220 in 2025/26, a hike of about £10 from £210 per year.

The tax increase affects Audis, Volkswagens, and even Lamborghinis. Those with more powerful engines above 1549cc will have to cough up £15 more every year, shooting up from £345 to £360.

But vehicles producing more than 255 g/km of carbon dioxide will see a £2,745 increase.

The rules will be rolled out by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) from April.

New roadworthy car owners are expected to pay an additional £418 on average, according to GoCompare.com.

Diesel cars will be stung the hardest, however. The average increase will be £1,113, about double the rise facing petrol drivers.

Zero-emission vehicle drivers – think electric cars (EVs) – will no longer benefit from being tax-free for the first year.

Full list of vehicles affected

• Audi RS6 4.0 TFSI V8
• Audi S8 4.0 TFSI V8
• McLaren GT 4.0T V8
• Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10
• Lamborghini Huracan 5.2 V10
• Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8
• Volkswagen Amarok 3.0 TDI
• Aston Martin DBX 4.0 V8
• Ferrari Roma 3.8T V8
• Audi SQ7 4.0 TFSI V8
• Range Rover Sport 4.4P V8
• Jaguar F-Pace 5.0 P575 V8
• Aston Martin DB12 4.0 V8
• Porsche 911 3.7T 992 Turbo
• Jeep Wrangler 2.0 GME
• Ford Ranger 2.0 TD EcoBlue
• Audi RSQ8 4.0 TFSI V8
• Lotus Emira 3.5 V6
• Bentley Continental 4.0 V8
• Audi SQ8 4.0 TFSI V8
• Aston Martin Vantage 4.0 V8
• Toyota Hilux 2.8D
• Porsche Macan 2.9T V6
• Mercedes-Benz SL55
• Range Rover 4.4 P530 V8
• Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 4.0 V8
• Porsche 718 Cayman 4.0 GT4
• Lamborghini Urus 4.0 V8 BiTurbo
• Audi RS7 4.0 TFSI V8
• Ford Mustang 5.0 V8
• Toyota Land Cruiser 2.8D
• Bentley Continental 6.0 W12
• Mercedes-Benz GLC63
• Ford Ranger 3.0 V6
• INEOS Grenadier 3.0P
• Range Rover 4.4 P615 V8
• Land Rover Defender 90 5.0 P425 V8
• Rolls-Royce Ghost 6.75 V12
• Ford Ranger 3.0 EcoBlue
• Mercedes-Benz G63
• Ferrari Purosangue 6.5 V12
• Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.75 V12
• Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo
• Mercedes-Benz GLE63
• Maserati Levante 3.0 V6
• Porsche Cayenne 4.0T V8
• BMW M8 4.4 V8
• Maserati MC20 3.0 V6
• Land Rover Defender 110 5.0 P425 V8
• Mercedes-Benz G400D
• Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12
• Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8
• BMW X7 M 4.4 V8
• BMW X6 M 4.4 V8
• BMW Alpina XB7 4.4 V8
• Bentley Flying Spur 4.0 V8
• Maserati Levante 3.8 V8
• BMW X5 M 4.4 V8
• Mercedes-Benz GLS63h

People who buy hybrid cars from April will pay an extra £135 and £327 extra on average. GoCompre says this is based on the model, however.

Tax rates are largely based on how much CO2 fossil-fuel-guzzling cars spew out – higher emission vehicles are placed in higher VED bands.

Vehicles manufactured after 2001 don’t have the size taken into account.

VED increases will be in line with inflation, HMCR confirmed, much the same as it did last year.

HMRC said: ‘This measure will uprate the Vehicle Excise Duty rates for cars (excluding first year rates) and all other rates for vans, motorcycles and motorcycle trade licences by the Retail Price Index, and will reflect the inclusion of zero-emission vehicles in Vehicle Excise Duty from 1 April 2025.

‘This is a standard uprating that comes into effect from 1 April 2025.’

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Looking to shave a few pennies off your UK rail travel? According to Martin Lewis, you’ve got just four days to unlock a nifty discount.

The beloved Railcard is a widely used way to unlock savings on UK-wide train travel – and some of them, including the 16-25 and 26-30 versions, can even be connected to an Oyster card to whack 1/3 off off-peak travel on selected TfL services.

Now, the money-saving expert has reminded rail enthusiasts that there’s a limited period to nab a cheeky 25%-off deal – and pay £22.50 for a one-year Railcard or £52.50 for three years.

At present, the price comes in at £30 per year (or £70 for three years). This is set to rise to £35 and £80 respectively on March 2, as explained in this week’s MoneySavingExpert.com newsletter.

If you’re new to either TrainPal or Trip.com (both of which are third-party booking sites), you can use an exclusive code to access 25% off a digital Railcard – before the new price hikes.

‘To get 25% off a digital Railcard via TrainPal, use the code MSE25 (if buying through its app you’ll also need to purchase a train ticket to activate the Railcard…if buying through its website you won’t need to do this),’ the MSE newsletter reads.

If you’re going via Trip.com, simply use the code MSETRIPRC25, though you’ll need to buy a train ticket to activate it, and this needs to be done before March 2.

The same applies if you’re making your purchase through the TrainPal app, but notably, not through the TrainPal website, which will automatically activate it for you.

‘Neither site charges a booking fee, and there’s no minimum spend, so if you need to buy a ticket to activate your railcard, you could just buy the cheapest possible fare,’ MSE adds.

‘While the ticket needs to be bought before 2 March, it can be valid for travel after this date. If you don’t activate your railcard (this only applies to those purchased through the TrainPal app or via Trip.com’s site or app), you’ll be issued an automatic refund.’

Critically, the code can only be used to buy a 16-17 Saver, 16-25 Railcard, 26-30 Railcard, Family & Friends’ Railcard, Network Railcard, Senior Railcard and Two Together Railcard. It doesn’t include the Disabled Person’s Railcard or the Veterans’ Railcard.

You also won’t be able to transfer your purchase to the official Railcard app after purchasing.

What’s more, the codes are valid until 11.59pm on December 31, 2025, but as the newsletter explains, should you choose to purchase after March 1, you’ll pay more after the price hikes on March 2.

Already a customer of TrainPal or Trip.com? Fear not: Martin’s got you sorted.

You can unlock 10% off a digital Railcard and 2% off a train ticket using the code MSE25 (TrainPal), MSETRIPRC10 (for 10% off a digital Railcard through Trip.com), or MSETRIP2 (for 2% off your first train ticket through Trip.com).

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According to Martin Lewis, 80% of households in England, Scotland and Wales currently overpay for energy — and in the coming months, it’s only going to get worse.

Ofgem just announced the price cap will be going up by 6.4% in April – following a 1% rise in January – with the energy regulator blaming an increase in the wholesale price of oil and gas.

That means the minimum bill for someone with typical dual-fuel use paying by Direct Debit will go up by over £100 a year, which Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley will pose ‘a huge challenge for many households.’

But thankfully, there is a way to avoid the worst of the hike, with Martin claiming it could result in a typical annual saving of £200.

And the personal finance guru’s advice is simple: ‘Compare to find your cheapest fix and lock in a rate now.’

On the Money Saving Expert (MSE) newsletter, he explained that ‘a fix means the rate you pay for energy can’t change (though use more and you’ll pay more).’

Martin also added on X: ‘The cheapest year-long standalone fixes right now are about 4% less than the current cap, never mind once it rises in April.

‘So if you get a good fix now, you lock in at a cheaper rate for a year, get price certainty, save instantly and save relatively more once we get to April.’

The exact fixed rate tariff that’s best for you will depend on your region and how much energy you use, so put your details into a comparison tool (like MSE’s Cheap Energy Club) to see more personalised options.

Regardless of which deal you go with though, it’s vital you act ‘urgently’.

The new price cap will come into play on April 1 and will last for three months, so it definitely has to be before then.

However, Martin also warns that sine deals are being snapped up fast, so ‘getting it done ASAP is safest.’

Alongside fixed rate tariffs, it’s worth looking into specialist alternatives that could save you cash.

EDF’s new Simply Tracker Extra tariff, for example, slashes £100 a year off the standing charge, and could be good for those with lower usage (roughly under £135 per month).

Alternatively, there are electric vehicle tariffs which could help EV drivers keep costs down, and rapid price-change options offering lower prices outside of peak periods for those who are able to shift their daily usage routine.

If you’re still struggling to pay, Martin recommends speaking to your energy provider to see how they can help.

‘Be polite and straight with it, and make sure you explain if you’re vulnerable,’ he says.

They may be able to put you forward for a hardship and debt grant, or work with you to negotiate a payment plan you can afford – everything’s decided on a case-by-case basis.

Under Ofgem rules, suppliers are obligated to help struggling customers, so get in touch with yours as soon as possible if you’re worried about your ability to pay.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

Energy prices are rising yet again after Ofgem hiked the cap by 6.4%.

Annual bills for electricity and gas are estimated to reach around £1,849 for the average household in England, Scotland and Wales from April 1.

This rise of more than £100, up from £1,738, is being largely blamed on an increase in the wholesale price of oil and gas, the energy regulator said.

Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley said: ‘We know that no price rise is ever welcome, and that the cost of energy remains a huge challenge for many households.

‘But our reliance on international gas markets leads to volatile wholesale prices, and continues to drive up bills, which is why it’s more important than ever that we’re driving forward investment in a cleaner, homegrown system.’

What is the energy price cap and who sets it?

Every three months, Ofgem – the government energy regulator – assesses the energy market and sets a new maximum price per unit providers can charge households on a standard, or default, tariff.

On January 1, this rose by 10%. It means 2025 is turning out to be a year of rising energy prices.

But it is still low compared the the peak of the energy crisis that followed Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, just as the opening up of economist post-lockdown was starting to fuel inflation.

Skyrocketing wholesale costs, associated with Europe’s turn away from reliance on Russian gas, pushed the energy price cap to its worst level yet – £4,279.

It fell to £2,500 by June 2023 thanks to the government’s emergency Energy Price Guarantee. By July last year, it reached a low of £1,568 before the current rise began.

What is the new energy price cap and what does it mean for my bills?

From April 1, when the latest energy price cap kicks in, households paying bills by direct debit face an average annual bill of £1,849.

Until June 30, households on a standard variable – or default – tariff will pay an average of 27.03p per kilowatt hour (kWh), along with a daily standing charge of 53.8p.

For gas, they will pay 6.99p per kWh, along with the daily standing charge of 32.67p.

To help households cope with these rising bills, Ofgem has announced an extension of the debt allowance, intended to support energy suppliers help customers who are struggling to keep on top of bills.

But Brearley warned this may not be enough to help the growing problem. He said: ‘Energy debts that began during the energy crisis have reached record levels and without intervention will continue to grow.

‘This puts families under huge stress and increases costs for all customers. We’re developing plans that could give households with unmanageable debt the clean slate they need to move forward.

‘We welcome the Government’s support for these plans, and their plans to expand the Warm Home Discount, which will also offer financial help to nearly three million more households that need it most.

‘If anyone is worried about paying their bills, I would urge them to reach out to their supplier to make sure they’re getting all the help they can.

‘Where possible, switching or fixing tariffs now could also help to bring costs down and provide certainty over coming payments.’

Should I take a meter reading?

Expert advice is to submit a meter reading when prices rise so you won’t be charged the wrong rate for use that pre-dates the rise.

Taking a reading later means you could be charged a higher rate for energy used before the price increased.

Can I fix my energy tariff and what is happening to prepayment customers?

A default tariff puts you at the whim of fluctuations in the energy markets. You could see your bills drop, but equally they could soar.

If you want more stability, you could opt into a fixed-price deal that sets your tariff for a specific period of time. Often this is for a year.

Four million households have made this move since the last price cap was announced in November, according to Ofgem.

The largest move to fixed tariffs since the energy crisis, it brought total on fixed-price plans to 11million.

Is the government doing anything to help?

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has announced new proposals that would mean nearly three million more families receive the £150 Warm Home Discount next winter.

Calling the latest rise in the cap ‘worrying news for families’, Miliband said the government is ‘determined to do everything we can to protect people from the grip of fossil fuel markets’.

He added: ‘Expanding the Warm Home Discount can help protect millions of families from rising energy bills, offering support to consumers across the country.

‘Alongside this, the way to deliver energy security and bring down bills for good is to deliver our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower with homegrown clean power that we in Britain control.’

But the Conservative Acting Shadow Energy Secretary Andrew Bowie said the hike was a ‘betrayal to the families who Ed Miliband promised to save £300 on their bills’.

And Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for the increase to be scrapped for the pensioners who recently lost their Winter Fuel Payment.

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New Zealand’s latest tourism campaign has not achieved the effect it was hoping for.

Instead, the new tagline, ‘Everyone must go!’ has caused controversy, with many describing it as ‘tone-deaf’ at a time of record emigration and unemployment rates in New Zealand.

The marketing ploy launched last weekend on social media and radio and was designed to encourageAustralians – the country’s biggest tourism market – to visit.

But the advert, which cost $500,000 (£226,494), has drawn backlash. Critics, including Labour MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel, have questioned the slogan’s quality and cost.

RNZ, New Zealand’s public media service, shared the campaign on their socials, reporting that residents have been mocking the slogan.

‘Everyone must go? They are going, leaving in droves because they have no work or prospects left here,’ one person commented, while another questioned: ‘How much for that branding?’

Others said they were embarrassed by the advert, while further commenters suggested it was ‘trying to fill the vacancies made by record Kiwis that left.’

Green Party tourism spokesperson Celia Wade-Brown told RNZ: ‘I think ‘Everyone Must Go’ might refer to the need for toilets in some of our high-tourist spots. I mean, the queues are ridiculous’

Cushla Tangaere-Manuel, Labour’s tourism spokesperson agreed that it ‘makes New Zealand sound like we’re in a clearance bin at a sale.’

Tangaere-Manuel referred to the ‘many cuts’ taking place across the country, and stated: ‘The irony of that messaging is, that’s how Aotearoa New Zealanders are feeling right now.’ Aotearoa is the Māori name for New Zealand.

However, government officials have been defending the advert.

In a news release, Tourism Minister Louise Upston said: ‘What this Tourism New Zealand campaign says to our Aussie mates is that we’re open for business, there are some great deals on, and we’d love to see you soon.’

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he ‘[knows] there’s lots of chat about whether everyone loves the slogan or not.’ But ‘the fact that we’re talking about it is a good thing.’

The campaign comes at a time of mounting job cuts, high cost of living, and mass relocation.

New Zealand’s economy has been struggling in recent years, falling into a technical recession in the third quarter of 2024.

HSBC described the country as ‘suffering the biggest hit in the world in 2024’ as interest rates and inflation strained the country’s economy.

Recent data released by Statistics New Zealand revealed that 127,800 people left the country in the 12 months through November. This was a 28% rise compared to last year.

These figures also mark the highest number of people leaving the Pacific nation in an annual period at any point in history.

Last year, over 3.3 million tourists visited New Zealand – a 12% increase from 2023. Out of these travellers, 1.2 million were from Australia.

In January, New Zealand announced they would relax visa rules to allow digital nomads to work remotely for a foreign employer, in the hope of boosting visitor spending.

According to Martin Lewis, 80% of households in England, Scotland and Wales currently overpay for energy — and in the coming months, it’s only going to get worse.

In the latest edition of his newsletter, the Money Saving Expert founder shared the ‘bad news’ that the Ofgem Energy Price Cap is due to increase by more than expected in April.

Based on current wholesale rates, utilities firms are predicting a rise of 5% to 7%, following a 1% rise in January.

That means the minimum bill for someone with typical dual-fuel use paying by Direct Debit will go up by between £87 and £122 a year.

But thankfully, there is a way to avoid the worst of the hike, with Martin claiming it could result in a typical annual saving of £200.

And the personal finance guru’s advice is simple: ‘Compare to find your cheapest fix and lock in a rate now.’

‘A fix means the rate you pay for energy can’t change (though use more and you’ll pay more),’ he adds. ‘The current cheapest is almost 7% less than today’s cap, which is around 13% less than it’s predicted to be after April.’

The exact fixed rate tariff that’s best for you will depend on your region and how much energy you use, so put your details into a comparison tool (like MSE’s Cheap Energy Club) to see more personalised options.

Regardless of which deal you go with though, it’s vital you act ‘urgently’.

The new price cap will come into play on April 1 and will last for three months, so it definitely has to be before then.

However, Martin also explains: ‘There are only a couple of cheap fixes left – many have been pulled as underlying wholesale rates have risen. So getting it done ASAP is safest.’

Alongside fixed rate tariffs, it’s worth looking into specialist alternatives that could save you cash.

EDF’s new Simply Tracker Extra tariff, for example, slashes £100 a year off the standing charge, and could be good for those with lower usage (roughly under £135 per month).

Alternatively, there are electric vehicle tariffs which could help EV drivers keep costs down, and rapid price-change options offering lower prices outside of peak periods for those who are able to shift their daily usage routine.

If you’re still struggling to pay, Martin recommends speaking to your energy provider to see how they can help.

‘Be polite and straight with it, and make sure you explain if you’re vulnerable,’ he says.

They may be able to put you forward for a hardship and debt grant, or work with you to negotiate a payment plan you can afford – everything’s decided on a case-by-case basis.

Under Ofgem rules, suppliers are obligated to help struggling customers, so get in touch with yours as soon as possible if you’re worried about your ability to pay.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

If you bank with Nationwide, you could be due a windfall — a welcome prospect for those in need of a cash boost.

The building society operates as a mutual rather than a traditional bank, meaning it’s owned by and run for the benefit of its members.

As such, Nationwide shares profits among account holders (rather than shareholders) as part of its Fairer Share Payment initiative, with almost 4 million customers nabbing a £100 bonus earlier this year.

‘The Fairer Share Payment is our way of rewarding those members who choose us for their everyday banking as well as having savings or a mortgage with us,’ the bank said in a statement.

The exact details of Nationwide’s next one-off payout have yet to be announced, but ahead of the Board’s decision, this year’s eligibility criteria can help you work out what to expect.

When will the Nationwide bonus be paid out?

Last time around, the bank contacted eligible members by May 31, with bonuses deposited into members’ accounts between June 13 and June 28.

Nationwide plans to release information such as the amount and exact payout dates around the same time in 2025, so there’s still a while to wait.

However, all the hard work’s done for you, so you don’t need to make a claim or request the money yourself.

If you think you qualify and haven’t heard anything from Nationwide by June, get in touch. And don’t forget to stay aware of fraudulent attempts at obtaining your personal information to apply for the payment.

Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Expert said it was ‘likely’ Nationwide would run the bonus scheme again this year, adding: ‘In previous years, the scheme has been announced in May and paid in June, though whether you got it depended on if you met the qualifying criteria in the first three months of the year – so now’s the perfect time to maximise your chances.’

Who is eligible for the Nationwide bonus?

If the scheme comes with the same prerequisites as it did for 2023-2024, to be in the running, customers must hold both a qualifying current account as well as a qualifying savings or mortgage account.

Each of the bank’s current accounts were eligible, providing certain criteria are met.

The first of these is that the account was open on March 31, the end of the financial year — although those who switched accounts between January 1 and March 31 were exempt from any additional requirements.

Otherwise, Nationwide explained that FlexAccount, FlexDirect or FlexBasic holders must have either received £500, made two payments from their account, or completed at least 10 payments out of the account between January and March to qualify.

Meanwhile, FlexPlus account holders must have paid their monthly fee, and FlexOne, FlexStudent or FlexGraduate customers need to have made at least one payment in or out during March.

Those with investment accounts and stocks and shares weren’t included in the criteria, but savings account holders qualified if they had a minimum of £100 in total across Nationwide personal savings accounts or cash ISAs at the end of any day in March.

When it came to mortgages, customers must have owed at least £100 on their residential mortgage with the building society on March 31.

Home loans through subsidiaries such as The Mortgage Works, UCB Home Loans Corporation Limited, or Derbyshire Home Loans Limited are excluded from the bonus, as are commercial mortgages and those not completed by March 31.

If you’re not sure whether you fit the bill, you can use Nationwide’s eligibility checker to work it out (although be aware this criteria may change for 2025).

This article was first published on December 12, 2024.

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Travellers hoping for a cheap and cheerful break may want to avoid one of the US’s most popular destinations – Miami. 

The sunny spot in Florida just placed last in the latest Which? world city survey, which asked more than 1,500 UK tourists to rate their experiences of cities outside of Europe over the past year. 

Almost 2,500 destinations were assessed across seven categories, including the quality of cultural attractions, accommodation, and food and drink. 

And, of the 35 listed, Miami came in last, with an overall customer score of 56% – a stark contrast to Cape Town, which topped the list with an impressive 91%. 

Visitors dismissed it as ‘overrated’, and the destination scored pretty dismally across all categories, finishing up with two stars for food and drink, accommodation, ease of getting around and lack of crowds. 

Meanwhile, Miami’s cultural attractions and value for money were rated even lower, earning just one star each. One particularly unimpressed Which? member even described it as a ‘total rip off’. 

The city’s only saving grace? Its shopping options, which earned a three-star rating – the highest of all categories.  

Known for its white-sand beaches, Art Deco architecture, vibrant nightlife scene and year-round sunshine, Miami is undoubtedly an attractive destination to tourists. Yet it also has a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in the US.

A recent study by real estate company Redfin declared it the second most unaffordable city in America after Providence in Rhode Island. 

According to Redfin, an annual income of $84,920 (£68,450) is required to pay the average rent price of $2,373 (£1,912) per month, yet the estimated median income in the city last year was $57,157 (£46,070), nearly 40% lower.

Sky-high rent prices and the cost of living are just a few reasons why Miami is often criticised, according to a recent Reddit thread.  

One user, AdviceHistorical7057, asked in the Miami subreddit: ‘Why does everyone hate it here?’ to which WrongLeadership5351 replied: ‘The cost to living ratio is terrible.’

Another, MyCatHasCats, commented: ‘There are a million people, traffic is the worst and houses are unaffordable $2,800 for a 1,000 sqft 3 bedroom apartment is absolutely bonkers.’

‘For me, it’s the s*** pay, insane cost of living and perpetual traffic,’ Keepinitoldskool said, while another added: ‘The drivers are horrible, the people are shallow and superficial, and everything is expensive as hell.’

In another Reddit thread, one user asked: ‘Does anyone have any positive experiences living in Miami?’

While the question prompted varied responses, people continued to cite its unaffordability as a major downside. 

‘Nope. The worst city in the US,’ wrote No_Target7407. ‘Unless you enjoy constant noise, highly rude people, materialism, vanity, insane traffic and people who think they’re superior.’

Another, Freelennial, commented: ‘I lived in Miami for a year and loved the sunshine, beaches, nightlife and food options. However, the awful people, bad service, classism, superficiality and horrible job made it hard for me to give it a glowing review.’

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Maggie Ratcliffe carries around a small piece of paper in her handbag with instructions in case she has a stroke. With no family and few friends, she is worried that if she ends up in hospital, no one will be around to ensure her wishes are carried out. 

Maggie, 84, has lived alone since the breakdown of her marriage when she was 27. An only child, her mother died when she was six and her father when she was 18. She has no children and no family. 

‘I see things on television about people who haven’t spoken to anyone for a week and I know what that’s like,’ Maggie, from Sandhurst, tells Metro.

‘Days will go by when I haven’t spoken to anyone – apart from carers. It’s difficult. I don’t have anybody I can just go out and have a coffee with. Everybody is so involved with family and friends and I don’t get included. If I’m not well, no one checks in on me.’ 

Maggie, who used to work in cabin crew, has survived cancer, two failed knee operations and has spine degeneration so is unable to walk more than a few yards. She manages to do a little gardening while sitting on a chair, and she used to volunteer, but is no longer able due to her poor mobility. 

‘If it’s a lovely day I often think how I would like to have someone to go to a garden centre with or something. But I can’t do that. I can’t even go for a day out on a coach with the garden club, as people are in pairs or couples. You end up sitting on your own. It’s hard,’ she says. 

The loneliness epidemic

While it may feel like society is more connected than ever with phones, the internet and social media – thousands like Maggie have wound up feeling more alone than ever.

Such is the issue that the World Health Organisation branded loneliness a ‘global health concern’ in 2024. In the media, there have been tragic headlines about people whose deaths go unnoticed for months, even years, as a result of an increasingly disconnected society.  

This was the case for Michael Roy Palmer, who cut off contact with his family and spent much of his later life as a recluse. Overgrown hedges encased his home in Cornwall and many of his neighbours had no idea what he looked like. In September 2023, a man delivering leaflets glanced at a window and spotted Michael’s body lying on his living room floor. It later emerged he had been dead for months and no-one had noticed. 

In another tragic case, 41-year-old Laura Winham’s ‘mummified and almost skeletal’ remains were found at her flat in Woking, Surrey three years after she died. Her body was found on May 24 2021 and a calendar found in the property had dates crossed off until 1 November 2017. She had cut contact with her loved ones after years of mental health struggles.

Pensioners like Maggie are especially becoming increasingly isolated. New research from Age UK has found that 1.5 million older people now rarely leave their home.

Staff on the charity’s Silverline Helpline, a free telephone service, routinely hear heartbreaking tales, explains Ruth Lowe, head of loneliness services at Age UK.

‘There have been times we can’t carry out the whole call because the older person’s voice begins to hurt due to the fact they haven’t spoken in so long,’ Ruth tells Metro over Zoom. ‘We know that 270,000 older people go a week without speaking to a family member or a friend. Not having a connection with anyone meaningful is something quite hard for a lot of us to imagine.

‘We find that older people can often become trapped in a sort of chronic cycle where they feel lonely and their health becomes worse, so they become more isolated. Older people who are feeling this way might find it harder to take care of themselves and their home; they might even start to misuse drugs or alcohol.

‘Loneliness can bring up such a lot of negative feelings and make people feel like there is no point to their existence, that nobody is interested in them or values them.’

‘I had cancer and my neighbours never came to see me’

Although Maggie goes for a ‘wonderful’ coffee and a chat at a church friendship group every Tuesday, the problem for her is that it’s miles away from her home. ‘If I don’t turn up, nobody will send me a text,’ she says.

‘I wish people would think for a minute and look out for their elderly neighbours. I had cancer in 2011 and my neighbours never came in. When I was lying in bed with a knee replacement I didn’t see anyone. I got so depressed, it was awful.

‘I live in fear of having a stroke, and not being able to talk and nobody knows my wishes. I don’t want to go into a home, but I have written a few down in a list in my handbag, so if someone from the hospital looks in there, they don’t just put me anywhere. I have to think these things through because I have no-one else to do it for me.

‘I’ve already organised a woodland burial. I don’t want people coming to my funeral when they couldn’t come and see me in real life. If people want to come and have a drink and think of me – fine. But I don’t want them standing by my grave.

I’m not miserable, but I wish I had somebody who cared about me. I’m a tactile person, but I never get a hug,’ Maggie adds. 

Modern life and an isolated society

In the lead up to the 2024 general election, over 100 sector organisations, including Age UK, came together to call for the incoming government to tackle loneliness and build community.

The axing of public transport routes and closure of public toilets [many older people need to use the bathroom more regularly] are among the cutbacks which have left people more and more anxious about leaving their home. Meanwhile modern technology has also left a void where human interactions used to be. Bank branches have vanished from our high streets, train ticket offices have closed in their droves and more traditional check-outs have been replaced with self service machines.

‘The whole world is more set up now for us all to become more isolated,’ warns Ruth. 

‘We’ve recently published a report on loneliness where we are calling for change from government, private, public health and social care sectors to take a joined up approach to loneliness. As individuals we can all also play our part in making our communities more friendly for older people. Look out for older friends, relatives and neighbours and consider making a phone call, sending a letter or suggesting a cup of tea.’

Ruth joined Age UK 13 years ago as a volunteer befriender. Since then, she has seen conversations about mental health and loneliness improve, but says there’s still a stigma which needs to be broken down.

‘I think a lot of people don’t want to think about it [loneliness] as it’s hard to imagine ourselves in that situation,’ she continues. ‘We want to change how we age and we want to make things better for everyone in later life. Loneliness is a perfectly natural human emotion, we’ve all experienced it at some time in our life, there’s no need to be embarrassed or ashamed about it. If we’re happy to talk about it, we can reduce the stigma. 

‘When elderly people join our telephone friendship service, we ask about their hobbies and interests to match them with a volunteer. We’ve had older people in tears on these calls in the past as they just can’t believe that someone is interested in them and wants to hear about them. And sometimes, a short call can be enough to get them back on their feet.’

Maggie eventually found a lifeline in Glenda, a call companion volunteer from charity Reengage, who, for more than two years, has been calling once a week to chat. 

’It’s wonderful. I love speaking to her. We discuss just about everything – her family, music, art. There’s nothing we don’t talk about,’ she explains. ’The calls with her are very important to me. I always look forward to them.’ 

Jenny Willott, CEO of Re-engage tells Metro that the charity supports thousands of older people every year. ‘We know just how devastating loneliness can be for them. Some may go weeks without talking to or seeing anyone which leaves many feeling they have been abandoned by a society that has no interest in them.

Our call befriending services, free tea parties and activity groups all provide a crucial lifeline to the outside world for these older people and it’s astonishing to see just how much even a short period of social contact improves their mental and physical wellbeing.’ 

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Claie.Wilson@metro.co.uk 

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MPs have gathered in Westminster to throw their support behind Metro’s Formula for Change campaign with charity Feed, calling for infant formula milk to be more affordable and accessible.

At a parliamentary drop-in event held by Labour MP for Blackpool South Chris Webb, the MP showed his support for Metro’s campaign at an event he put on to encourage peers to push for legislative change to help families buy formula.

With costs soaring by 25% in the past two years, desperate parents have been reduced to watering down formula and even stealing tubs off shop shelves, to ensure their babies get fed.

Speaking to Metro, Webb said: ‘It’s expensive and there are so many barriers.

SIGN METRO’S FORMULA FOR CHANGE PETITION HERE

‘I’ve seen this in Blackpool – and myself becoming a new dad – parents asking money for formula, borrowing money for tins, as they can’t get through the month.

‘We want to make it that little bit more accessible by working with government, suppliers, supermarkets and food banks.’

As the room filled with MPs eager to pledge their support and find out more about the issues surrounding the accessibility of formula, some spoke about how necessary the campaign was, while others admitted they were shocked by the lack of clear guidance on offer for retailers and foodbanks.

Some were also keen to share their own experiences, such as Josh Newbury, the Labour MP for Cannock Chase, Staffordshire.

He recently fostered Ryland, a five-month-old boy, and told Metro: ‘I put three boxes of infant formula into my trolley on Saturday and it was nearly £40.

‘That made me really think: “How could somebody on a lower income sustain this?” As your baby gets older, they’re drinking more and more.

‘Even compared to when my daughter was a baby five years ago, a lot of the cheaper supermarket own-brands have disappeared off the shelves. The milk we use has gone up £4 a box.

‘I just want to make sure that something as basic as this is affordable for parents, there’s choice and prices aren’t going up, and up, and up.’

Meanwhile, Lizzi Collinge, a Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, attended the drop-in as she feels current infant feeding policies are ‘not helpful for mums or babies’.

‘Barriers to accessible formula put vulnerable babies in danger,’ she said.

‘As someone who is fully formula-fed and combined fed two children,’ she said, meaning she breastfed and used infant milk, ‘it’s clear how expensive formula is.

‘Formula feeding is often not a choice. It’s something that absolutely necessary for a baby to thrive and the cost of formula and the restrictions on its sale are really unhelpful.’

Webb added that as well as supporting mothers who breastfeed we needed to take away the stigma surrounding formula too. ‘My son wouldn’t take to breastfeed so we had to take to formula,’ he said. ‘That’s becoming more and more common.’

Another attendee was Adam Thilthorpe, co-founder of the AI health start-up Change-Box.net. He told Metro how his team are working to make formula milk, nappies and other essentials more easily available.

His team’s focus is ensuring ‘food deserts’ – such as rural areas that don’t even have a supermarket – are fully stocked. Their aim is to encourage companies like multi banks to donate essentials to small convenience stores that are lifelines in such communities to help remove any stigma.

‘We want to make sure that no one in the queue knows you just benefitted from donations,’ he said.

Clare Murphy, the chief executive officer of Feed, added that formula prices are rising ‘faster’ than other essentials during the cost of living crisis.

So much so that the NHS’s Healthy Start Scheme, a free voucher for people on low-wage or social welfare to pay for baby essentials, no longer covers the cost of formula milk.

‘There are some quite simple things that can slightly alleviate the pressure, one of which is changing or reinterpreting the regulations to allow the use of loyalty points and vouchers that many families collect and spend on their food shops which can make a difference,’ Murphy said.

She added that the current guidelines that decide how baby formula in Britain can be made, promoted and sold are ‘confusing’.

Murphy stressed that the regulations treat baby formula like tobacco and lottery tickets, so can’t be purchased using supermarket loyalty points.

‘We seem to have ended up in a situation where a normal product that most families will need in the first months of the baby’s life has been made unaffordable and inaccessible,’ she said.

Since Formula for Change was launched by Metro with Feed in 2023, our petition has netted over 106,000 signatures, while Katherine Ryan, LadBaby and Health Secretary Wes Streeting are among the figures championing it.

An change is being made. Just last month the Department of Health and Social Care officially confirmed via Chris Webb that food and baby banks can supply cash-strapped families with formula tubs.

Webb told Metro that Health Minister Andrew Gwynne will hold a roundtable next month to discuss changing the regulations.

‘Organisations, charities and baby formula suppliers will look at how we can review the current regulations and make it easier for families to get access,’ he said.

‘This is at the minister’s forefront of what he’s looking at to help make healthier babies.’

In the weeks ahead, Webb said he intends to head to Number 10 with Metro and Feed to hand in the Formula For Change petition calling for clearer guidelines and better support. ‘It’s to keep that conversation going,’ he explained.

James Frith, Labour MP for Bury North, a region about eight miles north of Manchester, said he hopes for the same.

‘I’m a dad of four. I know how important those first thousand days are,’ he said . ‘Good nutrition is absolutely vital to those early years of development and their chances of success later in life.’

‘I can’t imagine any MP that would disagree with the argument at the heart of this,’ added Frith.

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Octopus Energy customers who haven’t upgraded to a smart meter have been warned their power could be cut off.

The firm is the largest supplier of energy in the United Kingdom, serving more than 7,300,000 customers as of 2025.

For years, there’s been a push for smart meters to help customers save money and better track their usage.

Those who still have radio teleswitch meters (RTS) have now been warned that if they don’t switch the obsolete meters, their power will be cut off on June 30.

Upwards of 600,000 customers could be affected if they don’t get a new smart meter.

Octopus said they plan to fast-track upgrades for customers who need them in a bid to make sure ‘no one’ is left without heating.

CEO John Szymik said: ‘Octopus has boosted its service capability to offer fast-tracked assistance and ensure that no one is left without heating.

‘We urge all affected customers, of any supplier, to book their meter exchange now to ensure a smooth transition.’

Those who want to switch their meter before the cut off can do so on their Octopus Account.

The Energy Saving Trust previously said every home and office in England, Scotland and Wales would be offered a smart meter by mid-2025.

Smart meters replace the meters monitoring your gas and electricity usage, and via a display panel show you exactly how much energy you’re using.

These meters are connected to your exact tariff for both gas and electricity, too, so you’ll also see how much everything costs as you go.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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On July 2 2024, I was told by an NHS oncologist that I had incurable breast cancer.

As I received this life-changing news, I thought about how my family would react, and the treatment I was about to undergo. I didn’t feel scared of the illness – more numbed by the thought of the inevitable upheaval.

But there was one thing I was afraid of. How was I going to manage financially?

Depleted funds are a consequence of this disease and I don’t think that is talked about enough. How does a cancer patient manage the cost? 

I first noticed the lump in my breast back in April, the result of a check while I was getting dressed. There was no panic, just a practical decision made to contact my GP.

Following an initial consultation there were a significant number of appointments with breast surgeons and oncologists over 10 weeks, as well as scans – many of which meant 40-mile drives. 

The cost of those trips, around £150, began to hit me hard.

I’m a baker and, at the time, I had two branches of my business. One was teaching other bakers how to run a business, mainly online, but the other was as a wedding cake maker.

My income was around £2,000 a month. But after my diagnosis, hospital visits took at least one day out of each working week, meaning I had to postpone and cancel online training and squeeze cake preparation into fewer days.

No sick pay and time away from the business for hospital visits meant more lost income – not to mention, the days when I’d be unwell and unable to work.

I have a small teaching pension that covers the cost of my mortgage and council tax, but that means I’m not eligible for benefits.

This also means I can’t claim the cost of hospital travel, or apply for a PIP.

But there was another issue. The thing with wedding cakes is that they are often booked at least a year in advance – sometimes two years or more.

It soon became apparent, due to the prognosis of a limited life expectancy, that taking bookings years in advance wasn’t going to be viable.

That was devastating. 

Even though the oncologist had given me hope that I would live for a number of years, there was no guarantee that my health wouldn’t start failing sooner, meaning that any wedding bookings would need to be cancelled and refunded – an added stress that I wasn’t prepared to accommodate.

So, over the summer months of 2024, while I was undergoing all the initial post-diagnosis checks and starting treatment, I had to make plans to close my business.

That meant an almost immediate loss of income, losing up to £1,000 a month. 

Once my initial round of tests, scans and results appointments finished, and I had my final diagnosis and the routines kicked in, things got slightly better.

My hospital trust gives free parking to cancer patients, for example. This was a significant saving as, during July, August and September, I had to make at least six visits a month to the hospital and that saved me £100.

Free prescriptions also saved about £20 a time. 

But despite these helpful ways to cut costs, I still couldn’t just do without what I’d been earning before – so I decided to change my business structure.

I needed to create income streams that didn’t rely on my being 100% well on any given day; and I realised that, while a wedding day can’t be delayed, a training session can be.

Teaching bakers how to run a business now needed to become my main source of income.

I had to create a plan… quickly.

I’m not afraid to ask for help, so I reached out to my business friends and they helped me with strategy.

And it worked. My previous training income of around £600 went up to £1,500 in October and £2,000 in November, with it rising still more over the next few months.

In the time that has passed since my diagnosis, I’ve been productively getting on with my life. During that time I’ve seen the loss of one business, but the growth of another, which I love just as much.

My plans are now to pay off my mortgage in the next two years. 

But I can’t help but wonder how many lives affected by cancer would be made that bit more manageable if financial support was offered as a matter of routine.

I’m now spending a great deal of my time setting up a Community Interest Company (CIC), which will benefit young adults whose parents are diagnosed with a life limiting illness, and spreading awareness about cancer issues.

And my advice is simple to anyone who finds themselves affected by cancer and subsequent financial struggles: Visit the Macmillan website for financial advice.

They have a simple online form that can point you in the direction of help for your situation, as well as a comprehensive list of resources and links that could help; they even offer advice on the cost of looking after your pets.

In the face of life-changing challenges, I’ve learned that, while cancer takes so much, it doesn’t have to take everything. 

By seeking support, adapting to new realities, and advocating for better awareness, I’ve found strength, resilience, and a renewed purpose – and I’m determined to help others do the same.

And, although I initially felt apprehensive about the potential disruption to my income, I’ve discovered that with careful planning and the right support, my financial future is secure – whatever happens with this disease.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk. 

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People across the UK are set to be hit with a 26% rise in their annual average water bill.

This means the average water bill will rise from £480 to £603 – an increase of £123 from April 1 this year.

The rise, announced by industry body Water UK, equates to a £10 average increase a month – from £40 to £50.

But millions are set to face even steeper rises than this including customers who use Southern Water which will see a 47% increase.

This means those who use Southern Water will endure a £703 yearly increase.

Hafren Dyfrdwy and South West Water bills will rise by 32%, Thames Water customers bills will be hiked by 31% and Yorkshire Water customers will see a 29% rise.

Matthew Topham, Lead Campaigner at We Own It, told Metro: ‘It is an outrage that the richest firms are profiting over water bill rises.

‘People up and down the UK are having to stomach unaffordable price rises.

‘We know this means that one in four people will cut back on everyday essentials like food to pay these bills.

‘While water bills are not as big as other energy bills, this will push some people over the edge during this sharp cost of living crisis.’

Why are water bills rising?

Water firms need to spend billions of pounds fixing sewers, drains and reservoirs that have dumped pollution into waterways up and down the country.

But because water firms are privatised they need to turn over a profit to get more investment from shareholders.

On top of this many are in debt, with the biggest water companies having a combined debt of £60billion.

Mr Topham explained to Metro: ‘These hikes are only necessary because firms underinvested in sewage and leak prevention while taking on billions in debts to make shareholders and creditors rich.

‘Now their debts are unaffordable and they’ve turned once again to us to pick up the tab. Ofwat has factored in a staggering rate of profit for the fat cats behind our firms. 

‘Scotland’s publicly owned water firm has hiked bills by a fraction of those in England. Why? Because every penny they make goes towards the actual business, not shareholders, and it’s cheaper to run.’

What role does Ofwat play?

All regional water companies submit plans to Ofwat every five years which include how much they will spend upgrading sewers, drains and reservoirs.

Ofwat sends a draft ruling in July and then six months of negotiations start about how much firms can charge.

Ofwat then publishes its final decision in December and Water UK announces the increases.

But these increases are higher than those announced by Ofwat in December because they include inflation.

Water UK chief executive David Henderson said: ‘We understand increasing bills is never welcome and, while we urgently need investment in our water and sewage infrastructure, we know that for many this increase will be difficult.

‘Water companies will invest a record £20 billion in 2025-26 to support economic growth, build more homes, secure our water supplies and end sewage entering our rivers and seas.’

Water UK argue that the water bill increases are only 5% higher than in 2010.

What have critics said?

Critics argue the problem of rising water bills has worsened since privatisation in 1989.

For example, not a single reservoir has been built in England and Wales in those 30 plus years.

Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Tim Farron hit out at the water firms and said it is ‘a national scandal’.

He said companies are ‘failing to invest in fixing leaky infrastructure, whilst company executives are stuffing their pockets with bonuses’.

What has the government said?

Environment Secretary Steve Reed has launched an independent commission to review how Ofwat operates.

He said: ‘The public are right to be angry after they have been left to pay the price of Conservative failure.

‘This Labour government will ringfence money earmarked for investment so it can never be diverted for bonuses and shareholder payouts. We will clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.’

What happens next?

People across the UK are now coming to terms with massive hikes to their water bills.

Mr Topham added: ‘The simple answer is to bring water companies under public ownership, something that the UN has called for.

‘This is a fairer way of doing this and 90% of the world already does it.’

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The £100 cap on contactless payments may be scrapped in a major shakeup of how people shop.

Contactless payments are currently limited by regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

But as the cost of living sends the price of every items ever higher, it is considering scrapping it to support growth.

If approved, caps would be set by banks and payment providers themselves.

This already happens with Apple Pay and Google Pay, which has no limit in the UK although some retailers set their own. 

The FCA recently sent a letter to the Government on the steps it is taking to support growth.

It suggested that one step could be to remove the contactless limit.

This would ‘allow firms and customers greater flexibility and level the playing field with digital wallets’, it said.

The move would bring the UK in line with the US, where there is no fixed limit.

This allows customers in shops to use contactless for the majority of their payments and transactions.

In October, a study by UK Finance found contactless payments accounted for 65% of all credit card and 77% of all debit card transactions.

Overall Britons made 1.6billion contactless card transactions in that month. 

Contactless payments were first introduced in 2007 with a cap of £10. The limit gradually increased until 2021 when the £100 limit came in. 

A spokesman for UK Finance said: ‘We are continuing to speak to the FCA to understand their thinking and plans. 

‘We understand they are looking at whether industry can have greater involvement and flexibility in the limit in the future.’ 

The suggestion by the FCA was one of the changes it is considering to help secure growth.

Other suggestions include relaxing mortgage rules to make it easier for first time buyers to get on the property ladder.

They also suggested requiring firms to accept electronic verification of death to speed up bereavement claims in insurance.

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There are many reasons why Minreet Kaur has never moved out of her parents’ house, but none of them are to do with money.

At 43 years old, Minreet’s mum and dad are her best friends. She’s lived in the same West London two-bed terrace with them, which they’ve owned since the 1970s, for more than four decades.

Every morning, Minreet and her mum, Pritpal, 73, make a cup of Indian tea, before going for a walk or a swim. They enjoy baking cakes, and Minreet’s introduced her mum to Netflix. The family are all avid runners; Pritpal completed the London Marathon in 2023, while Minreet crossed the finish line with her dad, Rajinder, 76, this year.

Minreet, a journalist, has slept in the same bedroom since childhood. The white cupboards, pink walls and white door have been there for 40 years.

‘All random colours chosen by my dad, who’s never wanted to change anything,’ Minreet tells Metro. She hasn’t added too much in the way of personal effects as she ‘doesn’t feel it’s her room.’

But she says that living with her parents is infinitely more comfortable than any home she’d be able to make for herself. She worries she’d feel isolated living alone.

‘They let me do what I want, and they leave decisions to me as they know I’ve always taken care of them,’ Minreet shares.

‘When I changed career, they told me not to worry if I have to do some unpaid work as they can support me — that’s a really nice thing for them to do too.’

Minreet contributes to the household bills and pays for the weekly food shop, petrol, and insurance policies — and she never asks her parents to chip in.

‘They have worked all their lives. It’s my duty to look after them,’ she says.

She spends around £500 per year on car insurance, £100 per month on energy bills, £37 per month on water and £50 per week on food. She’s also now a carer for Pritpal who lives with myeloma, a form of bone marrow cancer.

Can Minreet ever see herself moving out? Yes — but only if her parents came with her.

‘I want to buy a house as a first-time buyer, but I would still move my parents in with me,’ she says.

Of course, there are challenges to living with your parents in your 40s. Organising plans can be difficult, as her parents like to know where she’s going and when she’ll be home. ‘I feel guilty if I’m out and want to come home whenever I like. They will stay up and wait — it’s an Indian cultural thing and they worry a lot,’ Minreet adds.

Minreet, who is single, says dating is also tricky. She says men are ‘put off’ by her living arrangements — and there are other challenges too. Rajinder sleeps downstairs, and Minreet says she’d never want to wake him up when coming home late, whether with friends or with a date.

For Pritpal and Rajinder though, having their daughter at home is a blessing.

‘It’s brought us closer together,’ Pritpal tells Metro. ‘She brings a lot of warmth and noise to the house in a good way. She makes us laugh, and we are so blessed to have her.’

But, Pritpal does encourage her daughter to move out: ‘We do worry about her, as we would hate to see her on her own when we aren’t here anymore.’

It’s little surprise that adult children are actively choosing to stay at home. For many, money – and the general state of the housing market – is a huge obstacle.

It’s estimated that Gen Z are facing average monthly mortgage payments of £1,739 – double the Millennial average of £863, and almost thrice that of their Boomer grandparents who have paid around £775. And, in 2023, just 20.1% of 25 to 34-year-olds and 28.4% of 35 to 44-year-olds were homeowners.

And, in other cultures, multi-generational households are nothing unusual. In Italy, grandparents play a significant role in family life, and there’s even a Grandparents’ Day: Festa dei Nonni. In India, according to a national survey, only 40% of elderly couples live without their children (or only with their unmarried children).

And in 2025, fresh research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) finds that the number of 25 to 34-year-olds living with their parents has now increased by more than a third since 2006.

Then, 13% of this cohort were living at home, while by 2024, this figure had increased to 18%, equating to around 450,000 more young adults.

‘Stronger bond’

Back in the UK, Conor Lindsay, 27, is at the age you’d expect he’d fly the nest, but he’s enjoying fostering a closer relationship with his parents.

Conor hasn’t always lived at home in adulthood. He spent time in Australia, and has also lived with a friend. But after returning to the UK, with a small amount of savings and no job, he temporarily moved back in with his mum, Carmel, 56, and dad, Gary, 57 — a set-up which has now become long-term.

Conor, who lives in central Scotland, tells Metro: ‘I’ve always got on well with my parents as they’re quite laidback, but the older I’ve got, I think it’s turned into more of a friendship, rather than just being parented by them. It’s made our bond 10 times stronger.’

Conor pays £250 per month for both rent and bills. He does a separate food shops, but they share household items, like butter and milk.

‘We all do our own housework but I clash with Mum over cleaning,’ Conor says, dubbing Carmel a ‘clean freak’ before adding that, deep down, ‘I know she’s right.’

The family also have shared hobbies. Both Gary and Carmel, who have an older daughter, Jess, 30, play dominos together most nights. ‘I’ll join in and play which is nice,’ Conor adds. Conor and his dad also enjoy a weekend ‘tradition’ of watching Soccer Saturday.

The electrical engineer adds that he likes having a ‘support system’ around him. ‘As a single man, living alone can be very quiet. I don’t struggle with loneliness, but living alone is a lot less homely. I don’t think that feeling can be replicated unless you live with your family.’

But there are a few drawbacks to his situation – namely that, since his parents work different shifts, there is always someone at home.

‘I can’t really bring a date to the house unless I’m sure it’s going to be serious,’ Conor adds. ‘Weirdly when I was younger it didn’t bother me, but now I cringe at the idea!’

By comparison, all of Conor’s friends are on the property ladder, but he acknowledges that he simply prioritised travel over buying a home.

‘I’d like to buy my own place one day, but it’s going to take a while to save,’ Conor shares.

Meanwhile, Carmel and Gary love having their son at home. ‘We all get on well together,’ says Carmel. ‘We have plenty of room and we all eat at different times. We set him an amount and it’s always paid. Conor’s respectful of us, so it all works.’

While Conor pays his parents, not all families opt for this set up.

‘The best part of every day’

Shakila Karim, 26, lives at home with her mum, Sultana, 49, and dad, Karim, 51, in Hertfordshire. As an aspiring musician with no fixed income, she doesn’t pay her parents any rent, bills, or money towards the family food shop.

‘If I want specific snacks or alcohol I buy that myself, as my parents don’t drink,’ says Shakila, who is the reason for her family’s Ferrero Rocher sweet tooth — a treat she likes to buy the family.

When it comes to other household expenses, she pays for her own phone bill and car.

Shakila says their living arrangement works because they’re all so close. ‘I help Mum with her makeup, especially applying false eyelashes!’ says Shakila. ‘And I’m always borrowing her accessories, especially if I need more traditional clothing for a wedding. One time I needed to borrow her clothes for a Bollywood night in Hackney.’

And, her parents are always keen to hear her new material. ‘My dad always wants to be the first to hear my songs,’ she says. ‘He’s not very good at giving constructive criticism — he’s always a fan.’

Like Conor, Shakila’s initial motives for living at home were financial — she can save money while building her career. But she adds that now, ‘even if she had the cash to move out’ she’s not sure she would.

‘My parents are from a South Asian culture so they don’t really push their kids to move out as soon as possible. For me, it’s a cultural thing as well.’

Sometimes though, living at home is challenging for Shakila, who feels that her parents might use her as a safety net. ‘They rely on me a bit too much to be available when it comes to things like giving lifts,’ she says, remembering a rather early drive to Stansted Airport.

And, her ex-boyfriend used to ‘mock’ her for living at home. ‘I’m happy to always introduce my family to new partners, but it is a bit annoying how early it has to be, because I don’t have much of a choice to avoid it.’

But for Karim, continuing to live with his daughter has been nothing but positive.

‘My favourite thing is seeing her every day and having a chat whenever possible. I enjoy learning so much from Shakila,’ he says. ‘It’s beautiful to have someone who is so knowledgeable and compassionate.’

And, despite Shakila’s insistence that she enjoys living at home, Karim thinks her mind will change.

‘We don’t know how long she will be living with us, but we’re hopeful she will get a lucky break and have a career in music. I think she will want to live in her own property then.’

This article was originally published on November 19, 2024.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

Millions of people who rent are just one paycheque away from being homeless, a charity has warned.

Shelter estimates that 1.7 million private renters don’t have enough savings to pay rent if they found themselves unemployed.

This happened to software developer Emma Harris, 49, from Birmingham who was made redundant in August.

She receives Universal Credit of £600, but rent for her three-bedroom house is £995, excluding bills. Currently she is in rent arrears of more than £2,000.

She told Metro: ‘It is a continuous struggle. It is very depressing trying to balance whether I eat or pay bills.

‘Since being made redundant, I’ve been paying my bills late including the phone and internet bill.

‘I’ve had to reduce the amount of rent I pay because I’ve got to eat.’

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the average rent across the UK increased by 9.1% to £1,362 for the 12 months ending in November 2024.

This is reflected through Shelter’s own stats that show 56% of private renters had their rent increased in the last year – putting immense strain on people’s finances.

Of these, one in three have had their rent increased by more than £100.

This is an issue experienced by Emma, who says her rent was increased, which on top of losing her job, has impacted her lifestyle.

She said: ‘I used to have certain hobbies like woodturning but I had to abandon that.

‘I meet up with friends very rarely now so I experience isolation and always have to decide whether paying for petrol and driving is cheaper or using public transport.

‘I cancel hair appointments and other nice activities because I’ve got to eat.

‘I support what the Labour government are doing in terms of building 1.5 million homes but this housing must be affordable for those of the living wage or on Universal Credit.’

Meanwhile, Emma is actively looking for a new job and also considering retraining as a HGV driver and says she will hear back from a recent positive job interview tomorrow.

What is the Renters Rights Bill?

The new Labour government has introduced a Renters Rights Bill to transform private renting.

This follows record levels of evictions, rising rent rates and demands to pay several months rent in advance at the start of contracts.

Most significantly, it will scrap the section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions and introduce more fairness to the system.

As of October 2024, the bill is currently at the ‘committee stage’ of reading – where a cross party group of 17 MPs read through the legislation line by line, and debate any changes which could be made ahead of the next phase – ‘report stage’.

Shelter is calling for the government to commit investment in the Spring Spending Review to build the 90,000 social rent homes a year for ten years needed to give everyone a genuinely affordable secure home. 

How is the government supporting working renters?

In response, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, told Metro: ‘Our Renters’ Rights Bill will deliver on our promise to transform the private rented sector, so that people can put down roots and save for the future without fear of being evicted on a whim – including plans to end ‘no fault’ evictions for all existing and new tenants.

‘Through our Plan for Change, we will tackle the wider housing crisis we inherited head on, building the homes we need, delivering the biggest boost in social and affordable housing in a generation.’

What has Shelter said in response?

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, told Metro that crippling rents are leaving renters unable to save money.

She said: ‘Decades of failure to build social homes has forced millions into private renting, leaving renters paying out eyewatering sums for often shoddy rentals.

‘For so many, the worry of being slapped with an unaffordable rent increase that would force them out of their homes and into homelessness looms large.  

‘The only genuinely affordable alternative to private renting is social homes with rents tied to local incomes. 

‘Until the government delivers the 90,000 social homes a year needed to end the housing emergency, Shelter will continue to be there for people who are at risk of homelessness to provide vital support and advice.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

It’s 2025, and that means if you were born in 1995 you’ll be – gasp! – celebrating your 30th birthday this year.

This might make you feel really really old, but it may also lead you to reflect on what a different place the world is now compared to how it was back then.

The past 30 years have seen our lives transformed by everything from social media to streaming platforms, but many of the other products and bills we bought and paid in the 90s are still very much present and correct.

The only difference being that the prices are quite different to how they were back then – as highlighted recently by the Instagram page My90sthings.

So just how much did it cost to purchase a house, pay your council tax and buy some of your favourite foods, drinks and treats back in 1995 compared to now?

Read on to take a step back thirty years, while staring dejectedly at the contents of your 2025 wallet…

1. A pint of milk

How much is a pint of milk? It might have been a popular celebrity interview question back in the 90s, but back then it wasn’t remotely expensive to snap up some milk for your cuppa.

In 1995 the average pint cost around 36p, meaning you could get two for a little over 70p. Enough to top up your hot drinks for days.

Now though? Well, a pint of semi-skimmed has more than doubled and will set you back around 85p in Sainsbury’s. If you go to Waitrose you’ll have even less change from that pound coin since it’ll cost you 95p.

2. A pint of beer

From a pint of milk, we move on to a pint of something stronger. Popping to the pub remains as popular an activity in the UK in 2025 as it was in 1995 but back then it would set you back a whole lot less.

The average price of a pint of beer 30 years ago was a mere £1.68. And today? Well according to the Office For National Statistics, as of November 2024, your average pint costs around £4.81.

This, of course, varies depending on where you are in the country. This Is Money reported last year that Gloucester is the cheapest place in the country to enjoy a pint, at a cost of around £3.61 – while in London your after-work tipple could cost you as much as £6.75.

3. A cinema ticket

Going to the movies was a pretty big deal in 1995 and with such films as Toy Story, Jumanji and Die Hard With A Vengeance hitting screens, it’s not hard to see why.

But how much would it have cost you to go and watch all those films at your local multiplex instead of waiting for them to be released on video?

Well, back in 1995 you could pay a mere £3.48 for the privilege of watching Buzz Lightyear lark around onscreen. These days? According to the UK Cinema Association, the average price of a cinema ticket in the UK is £7.92. Again it depends on where you are in the country, with some London cinemas – such as the one in Selfridges – costing as much as £20 a ticket.

4. A Mars bar

So you’ve bought your milk, you’ve had your pint, you’ve stopped by the local Odeon to catch a flick and now you pick up a Mars bar to munch on your way home. How much is it costing you? Well if you’d done this back in 1995 you could expect to part with just 25p for the privilege of chowing down on the chocolate favourite.

These days if you get it in Tesco you can expect to pay a whopping 85p for one single Mars bar, while it’s even more expensive in other places, such as Waitrose where the chocolate costs £1. That’s a whole lot of money for your Mars.

5. A dozen eggs

As the saying goes, you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs – and if you pick up a dozen you’ll have one big omelette on your hands. But just how much would that jumbo breakfast have cost you a few decades ago?

You could buy a box of 12 for a paltry – or poultry – 63p. Nowadays? A pack of medium free-range eggs from Tesco will cost you £2.65, and if you want large eggs it’ll set you back an even pricier £3.15. So much for that cheap weekend brunch.

6. A litre of petrol

If you drive on a regular basis, chances are you’ll be complaining about petrol prices. Back in 1995, a litre of petrol came in at a lowly 53p.

Now, according to RAC Fuel Watch, the average price of a litre across the UK is around £1.36 for your unleaded, and £1.41 for diesel. Which, while cheaper than it was a couple of years ago, could still make topping up your car pretty darned pricey.

7. A Manchester United season ticket

Hands up everyone who’d love to go and watch every Manchester United home game of the season? Nobody? Well if you do want to do that the easiest way to is invest in a season ticket, of course.

If you were going to Old Trafford in 1995 and wanted to show your dedication to the title-winning Red Devils, how much would it have cost you? Well, you’d have been expected to part with £228 for the privilege. These days? Well, Ticket Compare recently reported that the cheapest Man United season ticket costs £579 – over twice what you would have paid thirty years ago to watch a team half as good. Although it’s still cheap compared to Arsenal, whose cheapest season ticket is a whopping £1,073.

8. A Pot Noodle

Who doesn’t love a Pot Noodle from time to time? In 1995 a Pot Noodle would set you back around 67p. In 2025 your standard chicken and mushroom noodles will cost around £1.10 in both Tesco and Asda.

However prices vary, and supermarkets do sometimes have special offers on them which can knock the price down to 1995 levels, allowing you to relive the glory days.

9. A loaf of bread

OK, so you don’t fancy a Pot Noodle – how about a sandwich, or a round of toast when you stumble in from that night out? Well back in 1995 that was competitively priced, with the average sandwich loaf costing you around 53p.

Astonishingly though this is one area where you could end up saving money compared to 1995, depending on which loaf you buy. Tesco’s cheapest loaf – HW Nevil’s white bread – currently costs 47p, while Sainsbury’s equivalent Stanford Street loaf is 50p.

Want anything fancier than a white sandwich loaf though? Then expect to pay more, with Tesco’s standard white bread costing 74p and a Warburton’s toastie loaf costing £1. And you might need a mortgage for sourdough.

10. Sony PlayStation

OK, so we get that the 90s may not have had all the trimmings when it came to the technology we rely on today (imagine, for example, living in a decade when mobile phones were used mainly for making phone calls). But one thing which did come along to distract us all that decade was the Sony PlayStation.

Originally hitting the market in Japan at the end of 1994 before arriving in Europe in September 1995, the first PlayStation would have set you back around £200. These days – and several generations of the console down the line – a brand new PS5 will cost you anything from £390 to just under £500 depending on which model you get and whether it comes with any games.

11. Fish and chips

Ah, fish and chips. Wherever you live in the country, you can’t avoid this oh-so-British of delicacies. My90sthings reckons your Friday night takeaway would have set you back a mere £1.68p in 1995. Fast forward thirty years and, according to the Office for National Statistics, the average price of your fish supper in 2024 was around £9.88.

In some places, it can even be much, much more. For example, chippie chain Poppies in London charges a massive £22.95 for an equally massive cod or haddock with chips. Since we can’t confirm the price at every chip-selling establishment in the country, all we can say is the cost varies depending where you’re buying them. Expect to pay a fair bit more than £1.68 though.

12. A house

With so many struggling to get on the property ladder these days, it’s fair to say that the price of owning a home has soared over the past few decades – but how much did it cost back in 1995? Well, you could nab the keys to your own place for an average price of £55,762, which sounds like a bargain but it’s also worth remembering the average wage was lower, so buying a property wasn’t an option for everyone even back then.

Now? Zoopla reported in November that the average price of a house in the UK is £267,500 – and of course, it depends on what type of property you buy and where you live. Zoopla also revealed that the average property price in London is an eye-watering £537,500. Ouch.

How much was the average wage in 1995?

So, we’ve told you how much everything cost back in 1995 and you may well have stared at all the figures in despair, willing those Mars bar prices to drop. But looking back, just how much was the average wage in 1995?

According to the Office for National Statistics, the average full-time male worker aged 30-39 would have earned around £389.70 per week, compared to £306.50 for a full-time female worker of the same age.

In 2024, the average annual weekly wage in the UK was £728. So while everything might have been cheaper, it’s worth remembering we all had a lot less money to buy it with.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

As the UK is hit with freezing temperatures, some households may be eligible for a special payment for cold weather.

If the mercury drops to 0°C or below for seven days in a row in a particular postcode, people living there could qualify for a payment of £25 to help with their heating costs.

This is separate to the Winter Fuel Payment, a benefit for pensioners which hit the headlines after Labour announced it would become means tested.

Low income households in England and Wales are eligible for Cold Weather Payments between November and March if the weather is particularly wintry.

With several parts of the UK facing yellow warnings for snow and ice, with amber warnings also in place over the weekend, it is possible the cold snap could last long enough to trigger the payments.

It is now possible to check whether your area will be included and see whether you are entitled to the money by visiting the website of the Department for Work and Pensions.

When are cold weather payments made?

These Cold Weather Payments are made between November 1 and March 31 to people who receive a range of benefits across England and Wales.

They have not yet been issued this winter, but it is possible that the first payments could be made this month if the cold weather stays for seven days or longer.

The scheme links postcode districts to Met Office weather stations which report temperatures on a daily basis. Each postcode district is assigned to a weather station with the most similar climate in terms of 1981 to 2010 average winter temperature.

How to check the latest Cold Weather Payment Postcodes

The latest Cold Weather Payment postcodes are available via the Gov.uk postcode checker.

How much is the Cold Weather Payment?

Those eligible will receive £25 for each seven-day period over the winter months between November 1 and March 31.

If you are eligible, the money will be paid directly into your bank account automatically.

The DWP has confirmed that households do not need to apply or take any action to ensure they get the money.

In the 2022 to 2023 winter season, an estimated £137.6m was paid out in the scheme.

An estimated 5.5million payments were made to around 3.7million people.

A version of this article was first published on November 18 2024.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: UK braces for wet and windy weekend as more weather warnings announced

MORE: Expert warns freezing weather can harm your phone – and how to avoid it

MORE: Vet issues warning on putting boots on dogs in cold weather

As the UK is hit with freezing temperatures, some households may be eligible for a special payment for cold weather.

If the mercury drops to 0°C or below for seven days in a row in a particular postcode, people living there could qualify for a special payment of £25 to help with their heating costs.

This is separate to the Winter Fuel Payment, a benefit for pensioners which hit the headlines when the government announced plans to means test it this summer.

Low income households in England and Wales are eligible for Cold Weather Payments between November and March if the weather is particularly wintry.

With the whole of England put under a rare amber alert for cold weather this weekend and snow falling in several parts of the country, it is possible the cold snap could last long enough to trigger the payments.

It is now possible to check whether your area will be included and see whether you are entitled to the money by visiting the website of the Department for Work and Pensions.

When are cold weather payments made?

These Cold Weather Payments are made between November 1 and March 31 to people who receive a range of benefits across England and Wales.

They have not yet been issued this winter, but it is possible that the first payments could be made this month if the cold weather stays seven days or longer.

The scheme links postcode districts to Met Office weather stations which report temperatures on a daily basis. Each postcode district is assigned to a weather station with the most similar climate in terms of 1981 to 2010 average winter temperature.

How to check the latest Cold Weather Payment Postcodes

The latest Cold Weather Payment postcodes are available via the Gov.uk postcode checker.

How much is the Cold Weather Payment?

Those eligible will receive £25 for each seven-day period over the winter months between 1 November and 31 March.

If you are eligible, the money will be paid directly into your bank account automatically.

The DWP has confirmed that households do not need to apply or take any action to ensure they get the money.

In the 2022 to 2023 winter season, an estimated £137.6m was paid out in the scheme.

An estimated 5.5 million payments were made to around 3.7 million people.

There are yellow snow and ice weather warnings in place for much of the UK on Friday, with a mix of snow, ice, wind and rain warnings for large swathes of the country on Saturday.

Rain and snow warnings have been issued for most of Scotland and northern England for Sunday, while a rain warning is issued for south west England.

A version of this article was first published on November 18 2024.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: UK braces for wet and windy weekend as more weather warnings announced

MORE: Expert warns freezing weather can harm your phone – and how to avoid it

MORE: Vet issues warning on putting boots on dogs in cold weather

Billionaires like SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, and Nvidia boss Jensen Huang have accumulated a record amount of wealth.

The richest 500 people in the world now have a combined net worth of £8trillion – or $10trillion.

Meanwhile, nearly 700million people are in extreme poverty, living on less than £1.71 per day, according to the World Bank.

Just under half the population – 44%, or 3.5 billion people – live on less than £5.46, which is thepoverty line in upper-middle income countries like Brazil, Algeria, Ukraine and China.

Musk, Zuckerberg and Huang may top the charts, but they aren’t the only tech titans up there, Bloomberg reports.

They’re closely followed by Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, Michael Dell and Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

Collectively, the eight of them gained more than £477billion in wealth this year.

This accounts for 43% of the £1.2trillion increase seen by the 500 richest people tracked by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Musk, the world’s richest man, saw his own worth nearly double to £352billion in 2024.

This was aided by the re-election of his ally Donald Trump as President of the United States, who he backed with money and the power of his social media platform X.

He may be increasingly controversial, but it resulted in boost to the stock prices of his companies Tesla, SpaceX and xAI.

This saw him pull further ahead of second-placed Jeff Bezos than ever before – with a record gap of £188billion.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.