A relaxing getaway in the Welsh countryside awaits (Picture: Brook Aurora)
Picture this. You open your eyes in a cosy bedroom that feels like a ship’s cabin, slowly waking to the gentle sound of a flowing river and the scent of freshly baked bread. The only place you have to be today? The spa.
If this sounds like what you need, read on.
Metro has teamed up with a top-rated Welsh hotel to give one lucky reader (and a companion) a chance to win a restorative escape in the heart of the British countryside.
We’re giving away a two-night B&B stay at Albion Aberteifi in Cardigan, voted best hotel in Wales by the Times & Sunday Times in 2023.
Advertisement
You’ll also get cocktails for two at the hotel bar and a two-hour Nature Spa experience at fforest Farm (Welsh spelling, not typo), a short drive or a walk through a nature reserve.
For your chance to win this gorgeous spring getaway, enter your details into the form below before midnight on Sunday, April 19.
And don’t forget to sign up to The Getaway Expert, our seven-day guide to becoming a more confident traveller.
Advertisement
Housed in an old shipping warehouse, Albion Aberteifi is inspired by the rich maritime heritage of Cardigan, the charming town that sits at the mouth of the River Teifi as it flows into Cardigan Bay in West Wales.
The hotel is full of quirks that tell the story of its seafaring history, from its salvaged timber furniture, 19th-Century graffiti and wrought iron frame that protects the Grade II-listed building’s original masonry, to its ghostly residents, said to be from the brig Albion which set sail for Canada from Cardigan in 1819.
One of the cosy bedrooms at Albion Aberteifi (Picture: Heather Birnie)
But you won’t be disturbed by any bumps in the night, snuggled up in your cosy double bedroom. Each en-suite, wood-lined cabin boasts a stunning river view, Welsh wool blankets, handmade furniture and a super comfortable king-sized bed for a restful stay.
Guests have raved about the ‘fabulous hotel’, praising in particular the ‘thoughtful attention to detail’ in everything, down to the complimentary Aesop toiletries in the bathroom.
Relax with a handcrafted cocktail in the hotel bar (Picture: Heather Birnie)
The breakfast is unique: they serve up a Scandi-style feast, with a buffet of delights including sourdough, smoked salmon and charcuterie to graze on.
In the evening, head to the Albion’s bar for delicious handcrafted cocktails for two.
Advertisement
Up close and personal with nature
It’s the perfect place to take respite from everyday life. Recent guests have used their time at the hotel to complete a novel, take on the local famous coast path walks, birdwatch in the local nature reserve, or to learn traditional Welsh weaving at local craft workshops.
Just a ramble away on the other side of the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve is fforest Farm, a trendy hybrid of Welsh farm and Japanese forest retreat, where you can get up close and personal with nature.
Last year, they opened The Nature Spa, a woodland oasis where you’ll find everything you need for R&R, including individual cedar saunas, wood-fired hot tubs and cold plunge barrels.
Sweat it out in one of fforest farm’s cedar barrel saunas (Picture: Brook Aurora)
Wild swimming is encouraged(Picture: fforest Farm)
There’s also a tranquil spa lounge area, where you can curl up by the fire in the cosy lodge or relax on the sunlit terrace, along with complimentary herbal tea, showers and locker access.
For the more adventurous, wild swimming in the river Teifi or the hidden coves of the nearby West Wales coast is encouraged.
Advertisement
The area is the gateway to famous clifftop walks along the Ceredigion Coast Path, where you’ll find spectacular views over sandy bays, rugged rock formations and woodland gorges.
An artisan haven
Back in Cardigan, or Aberteifi as it’s called in Welsh, you’ll find one of the coolest up-and-coming towns in West Wales.
Once an old-fashioned merchant town, its colourful streets are now a haven for creatives and artisans, with galleries, theatres and cinemas.
Discover the fascinating history of the region at the recently renovated 900-year-old Cardigan Castle, peruse traditional Welsh crafts and artsy modern pieces in the local boutiques and market stalls, and pop into one of their gorgeous cafes for specialty coffees and indulgent handmade bakes. In the evening, head to the Castle Inn for a cosy pint of locally brewed beer and pizza.
Advertisement
What you need to know
How to get there: Although there’s no train station in Cardigan, it is easily accessible via car or bus from Carmarthen, Fishguard or Aberystwyth.
A CHANCE TO WIN A TWO-NIGHT STAY PLUS NATURE SPA EXPERIENCE FOR TWO IN WEST WALES
Conditions of entry
This prize draw (the ”Promotion“) is only open to legal residents of Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland). Any employees or agents of either the Promoter and/or the Prize Administrator and/or any company connected with the production or distribution of this Promotion, as well as any members of their immediate family (e.g., spouse, parent, child, sibling) and persons living in the same household as them, whether or not related, are not eligible to enter this Promotion. All bookings at Albion Aberteifi and Fforest Farm, including redemption of the Prize and the winner’s stay, are subject to the Promoter’s standard terms and conditions and rules of stay.
Entrants must be aged 18 years or over at the time of entry. Proof of eligibility must be provided upon request. By entering the Promotion, you are deemed to accept and be bound by these terms and conditions.
Enter between 00:01 GMT 6th April 2026 to 23:59 GMT 19th April 2026 inclusive (the “Promotion Period”).
The Promotion is free to enter; however internet access is required.
To enter, entrants must visit this page and submit their full name, email address, phone number, date of birth and postcode into the form on the page
Only one (1) entry will be accepted per person.
Winner
There will be one (1) winner of the Prize. The winner will win a two-night bed and breakfast stay in one (1) double bedroom at Albion Aberteifi (the “Hotel”) for two (2) adults, cocktails (max one cocktail (1) per person) for two (2) adults at the Hotel bar, and a two-hour Nature Spa experience at Fforest Farm, Cwm Plysgog, Cardigan, Cilgerran SA43 2TB for two (2) adults (“Prize”).
The Prize must be redeemed by 31st May 2026 and is subject to availability. No pets are allowed.
The winner will be selected in a random draw, conducted by a computer process that produces verifiably random results, from all eligible entries, held on 20th April 2026.
Excludes travel and transfers to (and from) the Hotel and Fforest farm. All extras (e.g., mini-bar items) taken are to be paid for by the prize winner on departure. Preferred dates subject to availability.
The Albion Aberteifi will contact the winner directly to book their stay, which must be taken by the 31st May 2026. Once the winner has booked their stay directly with Albion Aberteifi or Fforest Farm, any cancellation of that booking by the winner will result in the Prize being forfeited.
The winner will be notified by the Prize Administrator by email within one (1) week of this date and will be given details of how to accept their Prize. Reasonable efforts will be made to contact the provisional winners, but it is each winner’s responsibility to monitor their email address (including spam folder). Failure by the winner to accept the Prize in the manner specified within fourteen (14) days of the Prize Administrator’s email will make any claim invalid and the Promoter will then select another winner using the same random process.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Prize does not include travel/transportation, accommodation, food, beverages, souvenirs, gratuities, car parking charges, or any other costs of a personal nature (including spending money) that are not explicitly set out in these Terms and Conditions and neither the Promoter nor the Prize Administrator nor any provider of any part of the Prize will be responsible for any such costs.
Gifts, prizes and other promotional items can only be redeemed once, are not transferable nor exchangeable for cash, may not be re-sold and are subject to availability.
Once the winner has booked their stay directly with Albion Aberteifi, any cancellation of that booking by the winner will result in the Prize being forfeited.
The Promoter and the Prize Administrator reserve the right in their reasonable discretion to substitute any such gift, prize or item with a gift, prize or item of equal or greater value.
By entering the Promotion, each entrant acknowledges that in the event of a win, their surname and county of residence may be disclosed to persons enquiring, where permitted by law. Provided no objection is received from the winners, a winners list will be made available by the Promoter and/or the Prize Administrator four (4) weeks after the end of the Promotion Period, for a period of eight (8) weeks. To request the winners list, please email competitions@mailnewspaper.co.uk. Without prejudice, the Promoter and/or the Prize Administrator will provide winner information to the Advertising Standards Authority when requested by them.
Entrants agree to provide reasonable cooperation to allow the Promoter and the Prize Administrator to use the name and/or likeness of the winner for advertising and publicity purposes in connection with this Promotion including but not limited to publication of the winner’s name and photograph on the Prize Administrator’s and the Promoter’s websites. In addition, by submitting an entry and in consideration of the Promoter and the Prize Administrator granting a right to enter the Promotion, entrants agree to grant the Promoter and the Prize Administrator a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sub-licensable right and licence to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute and exercise all copyright and publicity rights with respect to any materials contained in the entry (including but not limited to text, images or video materials) (the “Materials”) worldwide and/or to incorporate the Materials in other works in any media now known or later developed for the full term of any rights that may exist in the Materials. By submitting Materials to the competition, an entrant:
warrants that the Materials are its own original work and that it has the right to make them available for all the purposes specified above; that it does not infringe any law; that it is not obscene or libellous; and that it does not violate the rights of any third party;
agrees to indemnify the Promoter and the Prize Administrator against all legal fees, damages and other expenses that may be incurred as a result of a breach of the above warranty; and
agrees to waive any moral rights in the Materials for the purposes of its submission to, and publication by, the Promoter and the Prize Administrator and the purposes specified above.
Personal information
Any personal information provided to us during the entry process (including but not limited to your name, e-mail address, telephone number and date of birth) must be correct. We accept no responsibility for any incorrect personal information provided to us.
The Prize Administrator will hold your personal information in accordance with these terms and conditions and its privacy policy (available here).
The Prize Administrator will only share your personal information with the Promoter where you are the winner of the Promotion or where you have opted in to receive direct marketing from the Promoter (if relevant). The Promoter will hold your personal information as a separate controller in accordance with its privacy policy (available here) and shall implement and maintain appropriate technical and organisational security measures in compliance with the GDPR and any other applicable law.
General
The determination and decision of the Promoter and the Prize Administrator on all matters shall be final and no promotional correspondence or discussion will be entered into.
The Promoter and the Prize Administrator reserve the right in their reasonable discretion:
to disqualify any claimant, competitor or nominee whose conduct is contrary to the spirit of the rules or the intention of the promotion and to declare as void any or all of their claims or entries based on such conduct;
to declare as void any claims or entries resulting from any printing, production and/or distribution errors (including but not limited to any error(s) on any website of the Promoter and/or the Prize Administrator, any game cards and/or other printed materials) or where there has been error(s) in any aspect of the preparation for or conduct of the promotion materially affecting the result of the promotion or the number of claimants or the value of claims;
to add to or to waive any rules on reasonable notice; and/or,
to cancel the promotion or any part of it at any stage in the event of circumstances beyond the Promoter’s and/or the Prize Administrator’s reasonable control.
No entries will be accepted in bulk, from agents or third parties.
To the fullest extent permitted by law (and subject to paragraph 27 below), the Promoter and the Prize Administrator hereby exclude all warranties, representations, covenants and liabilities (whether express or implied) relating to this Promotion and/or the Prize.
The Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with any social media platform or any other third party. All third-party trademarks and other intellectual property rights are hereby acknowledged. Use of and entry to promotions via social media platforms is always subject to the rules, terms and policies of those platforms. By participating in the Promotion, entrants are providing information to the Promoter and the Prize Administrator, not to any relevant social media platform. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the relevant social media platforms shall have no liability to any person in connection with or arising out of the Promotion howsoever caused, including for any costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities.
Nothing in these terms and conditions shall exclude the Promoter’s or the Prize Administrator’s liability for:
death or personal injury as a result of its negligence;
fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or
any liability that cannot be limited or excluded by law.
The Promoter and the Prize Administrator reserve the right, in their discretion, to modify, suspend or cancel the Promotion should virus, bugs, tampering, fraud or other causes beyond the reasonable control of the Promoter or the Prize Administrator corrupt or hinder the administration, security or proper play of the Promotion.
If any of the provisions of these terms and conditions are held to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part that part shall be severed from the remainder of the provisions and the validity of the other provisions and the remainder of the provision in question shall not be affected.
These terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales and any dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, except that residents of Scotland may also bring proceedings in the Scottish courts.
Promoter
The Promoter is Albion Aberteifi, Cardigan Quays Limited, Bridge Warehouse, Cardigan, SA43 3AA (company number 03855973) (“Promoter”).
The Prize Administrator is Associated Newspapers Limited, Northcliffe House, 9 Derry Street, London, United Kingdom, W8 5HY, (company number 00084121) (“Prize Administrator”).
The organisation has supported thousands of unemployed South Lanarkshire residents into work, skills and training.
The long-serving chairperson of Routes to Work South (RTWS) has stepped down after 17 years in the role.
Advertisement
It means the search is on to find a replacement for Bill McBride at the organisation that has supported thousands of unemployed South Lanarkshire residents into work, skills and training.
South Lanarkshire council’s head of enterprise and sustainable development, Alison Brown, said: Alison Brown said: “Bill’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping RTWS into a respected, stable, and forward‑looking organisation. Under his guidance, Routes to Work South has expanded its services, deepened its community partnerships, and delivered programmes that have helped many residents overcome unemployment and build brighter futures.
“We are immensely grateful for his contribution.”
A new chairperson and up to five independent directors are now needed for RTWS.
Advertisement
It is an arms-length external organisation of South Lanarkshire Council that celebrated their 20th anniversary last year.
The positions are voluntary (with expenses reimbursed) and successful applicants will attend quarterly board meetings and sub-committees.
The organisation welcomes applications from individuals with experience in:
■ Finance, audit, or risk management
Advertisement
■ Human resources / people and culture
■ Legal and regulatory compliance
■ Strategic leadership and organisational development
■ Digital, data or information governance
Advertisement
■ Employability, skills, health or economic development
■ Community development / third sector leadership
Alison added: “RTWS has grown into an award‑winning Scottish charity and a key contributor to tackling poverty and promoting economic inclusion across South Lanarkshire. The organisation supports residents to develop the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to progress into sustainable employment.
“We would love to hear from people interested in helping us grow the service, guide its strategic direction, strengthen governance and ensure high‑quality delivery of employability programmes.”
Advertisement
Applications should be submitted by Thursday 30 April by sending a CV and short supporting statement by email, or informal enquiries can also be emailed or call 0141 584 2915.
*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
It’s no secret that there are some fantastic spots to get some great grub across the region, a place home to so many talented and dedicated restaurants.
And this year we’ve once again been looking to shine a spotlight on the best of the best, along with the help of our readers.
We can now reveal the top ten finalists in our competition – and we want you to now vote for your favourite.
Advertisement
This year’s top ten are:
Burtree Inn – Burtree Gate, Darlington, DL2 2XZ
Stable Hearth – 33-35 Duke Street, Darlington, DL3 7RX
Taipan Asia – 10 Crown Street, Darlington, DL1 1LU
The Talbot – 47–49 The Green, Bishopton, Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 1HE
To vote, you simply need to cut out a coupon printed in The Northern Echo this week and next. You have until Wednesday, April 22 to vote for your favourite.
In the meantime, we’ll be highlighting each of the restaurants and gastropubs in our top ten to help you decide which one to vote for.
The Northern Echo editor Gavin Foster said: “We have some fantastic restaurants across Darlington and County Durham and our best restaurant or gastropub competition is the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on that.
“We are delighted to once again be launching our search for the best of the best. Get your votes in now!”
Advertisement
To vote, you simply need to cut out a coupon printed in The Northern Echo this week and next. You have until
Last year’s activities included a Best Hopscotch competition, play garden, a reading nook, Best Military Card Writing Station and more.
But the crown jewel of the event every year in the White House Easter Egg Roll and Egg Hunt. First Lady Melania Trump announced the details for the 148th White House Easter Egg Roll which is set to take place on Monday, April 6 in Washington.
This year, the White House Easter Egg Roll will honor America’s 250th birthday by incorporating patriotic themes throughout the event and each year there is a ticket lottery for people to apply to join in.
The event sees children given wooden eggs to partake in a host of games and activities from rolling competitions to egg races on the lawns of the White House.
Advertisement
Here’s everything we know about the tradition.
What is the White House Easter Egg Roll?
The White House Easter Egg Roll is a historic annual event held on the South Lawn on Easter Monday for children aged 13 and younger, featuring egg rolling races, games, and entertainment.
It is one of the oldest annual events at the White House. Newspaper accounts from as early as 1872 recount stories of children of all ages joining together to roll eggs on the west side of the Presidential Capitol grounds.
Advertisement
But it all came to an end when families and their children apparently caused such a ruckus on the congressional grounds in 1876 that the Turf Protection Law was signed by President Ulysses S. Grant citing landscape concerns and stopping the grounds from being used for egg rolling fun.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, stand with the Easter bunny as they participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 21, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
AP
The egg rolling party was rained out in 1876 and in 1878 notice was posted that children would not be allowed to roll eggs at the Capitol.
Advertisement
In 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes instructed his guards to let the youngsters through the gates again after becoming aware of their disappointment.
From then – and barring times of war – an annual egg rolling event has been held on the South Lawn.
Just when you thought you’d nailed your supplement routine, we’re here to tell you that you might need to shake things up for spring.
After what feels like the longest winter, the days are finally getting lighter and brighter, and with the change in weather comes the perfect time to kickstart a path to a healthier life. You might already feel like you’re striving to do everything right — racking up your plant points each week, working out consistently, getting your sleep hygiene in place and trying your best to keep a lid on stress, but taking a seasonal approach to wellness can give your efforts an extra boost.
Supplements can play a part in supporting your health, but rather than viewing them as a quick fix, think of streamlining your routine to sync with the seasons. That said, it’s always wise to consult a registered healthcare professional, such as a nutritionist, before introducing new supplements. And remember, supplements should complement (not replace) a balanced diet, since nourishing your body through whole foods should always come first. As winter fades and we welcome spring, certain nutrients may become more important — here’s an overview of what to consider.
The change in seasons naturally brings with it a fluctuations in the microbiome as your diet, environment, and activities change. Longer days often mean more travel, al fresco dining, and shifts in routine, all of which can temporarily disrupt gut balance. A probiotic during these months may help maintain healthy gut flora, support digestion, and keep your immune system strong. It’s always worth choosing formulations that contain multiple well-studied strains, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, to maximise the benefits across your digestive system.
Advertisement
The noise around collagen has been loud for a while now, and with good reason. This protein (which is the most abundant protein in the body) supports skin elasticity, hydration, and overall firmness. During spring and summer, increased sun exposure and higher temperatures (they don’t have to be that high to cause an effect) can accelerate moisture loss and the breakdown of collagen in the skin. Supplementing with collagen (especially hydrolysed collagen peptides) may help maintain skin hydration, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and support natural repair processes. Combining collagen with vitamin C-rich foods can further enhance collagen synthesis and help protect skin from seasonal environmental stressors. Most collagen supplements contain animal derivatives, however, there are vegan alternatives available, meaning you can easily find an option that works for you.
You don’t have to be an athlete or even a seasoned gym-goer to benefit from including electrolytes in your routine. Crucial for maintaining fluid balance, muscle function, and nerve signalling, these minerals are lost through sweat. Even modest increases in temperature can leave you feeling fatigued, sluggish, or prone to cramps — which is when the benefits of electrolytes shines.
While UK summers aren’t exactly Dubai-esque, the Met Office predicts 2026 will be among the four warmest years on record, with March already experiencing unusually high temperatures. Replenishing electrolytes through hydration on these hotter than usual days with mineral-rich foods, or targeted supplements can help sustain energy levels, support workout performance, and keep your body functioning at its best during the warmer weather. Electrolytes usually come in powder sachets or dissolvable tabs, making them easy to add to water to stay hydrated on the go.
Magnesium is an ‘all rounder’ mineral that supports everything from stress to sleep, so generally speaking, it’s one of those supplements that you could probably do with topping up. Magnesium is utilised by the body to support hundred of day-to-day processes and it’s readily available in foods like dark green leafy veg, nuts, seeds and legumes. Yet even with a balanced diet, many people don’t get enough, especially during periods of stress when the body uses more. Certain medications such as some antibiotics, and acid reflux proton pump inhibitors can lower absorption rates, and even taking GLP-1 medications can also lower levels due to reduced appetite. Magnesium bisglycinate or citrate are two of the highly absorbable forms to choose when it comes to supplementing.
Advertisement
In the spring and summer months Vitamin C can be obtained from eating well
Pexels
The supplements you might no longer need
The nutrients that may be less essential during spring…
We need vitamin D for brain health and bone health, and unlike most other vitamins, which are readily absorbed from our diets, our main source of vitamin D comes from sunlight. From March to September, the sun’s UVB rays are high enough in the sky to penetrate through our skin, so unless you fall into a category of people that might need to supplement all year round (such as people with darker skin, shift workers and the elderly), you are probably ok to ditch the bottle over the spring and summer months.
Advertisement
In winter, vitamin C supplements are often used as a buffer against colds and infections. By spring, exposure to sunlight, more activity, and fewer circulating viruses reduce that pressure. That’s not to say vitamin C isn’t important, but you’ll be able to obtain it from seasonal fruits and vegetables like strawberries, citrus, spinach, and peppers which the body is generally able to absorb well.
Energy levels often slump in winter, which is why CoQ10, a compound that facilitates cellular energy production is a popular supplement to take during the darker, colder months when fatigue can feel more pronounced. In summer, however, your energy naturally benefits from longer daylight hours, increased physical activity, and given that your body usually produces enough on its own when you’re active and eating well, you might be able to sidestep supplementing with an energy-boosting supplement such as CoQ10 and include lots of CoQ10 foods such as oily fish including salmon and sardines, nuts and seeds, chicken and spinach in your diet.
Ashley Smith, 23, spent 13 years in care from age eight, alongside his twin brother Nathan, for nine of those years.
Mr Smith is one of four siblings and lived with three different foster families during his time in care.
He said: “I would ask more local families to think about fostering and offering a safe and loving home to a child who needs one, and I would especially ask for brothers and sisters to be kept together whenever possible.”
He credits his progress to his final foster carers, Diane and Stuart Kelly from Harrogate.
Advertisement
Ashley with his final foster parents Diane and Stuart Kelly from Harrogate (Image: North Yorkshire Council)
He added: “They offered a warm and loving home where I felt I belonged.
“Diane and Stuart have done a lot for me emotionally and financially too.
“Truly caring and treating a young person as part of the family makes all the difference.”
Ashley now lives in York and is studying children, young people, and society at university, where he then hopes to become a social worker.
Advertisement
Cllr Janet Sanderson, executive member for children and families at North Yorkshire Council, said: “We are incredibly proud of Ashley and everything he has achieved.”
Hotel rooms, cabins and apartments are all available for rent and included in the price are the endless lakes, woodlands and meadows to romp in. It would be impossible to get bored here, with paddleboarding, fresh-water wild swimming, cycling, kayaking, zip wire, archery, bushcraft and tennis all on the menu.
Mike Kearney, a National Education Union (NEU) representative, received the award at the NEU’s national conference in Brighton for his solidarity work supporting teachers in Ukraine.
Daniel Kebede, president of the union, said: “Congratulations to Michael for his exemplary international solidarity work.
“Michael’s commitments to Ukraine’s teachers and pupils have been unwavering.”
Mr Kearney is travelling with support from the NEU Ukraine Solidarity Network (Image: York Green Party)
Mr Kearney was honoured for his ongoing efforts to support Ukrainian teachers and students, and is travelling with support from the NEU Ukraine Solidarity Network.
Advertisement
On April 2, he set off from Brighton in a van delivering aid to Ukraine.
The van included educational materials donated by York schools, along with Easter eggs for children and families.
He will leave the van in Ukraine to assist with ongoing aid delivery.
UK state pension triple lock rise: Everything you need to know
Pensioners across the UK will see significant changes to their state pensions from April, with both payment amounts and retirement ages being affected.
The state pension will increase by 4.8% under the triple lock guarantee, meaning those receiving the full new state pension will see their weekly income rise from £230.25 to £241.30. Those on the basic state pension will see payments increase from £176.45 to £184.90 per week.
Pensions minister Torsten Bell said: “After a lifetime of work and contribution, people deserve a decent retirement.”
Simultaneously, the state pension age is beginning a phased rise from 66 to 67, which will affect new pensioners in monthly increments. People born on or after April 6 1960 may qualify at 66 and one month, gradually increasing to a full state pension age of 67 for those born on or after March 6 1961.
Zoe Alexander from Pensions UK warned: “Because the change happens in monthly steps, a single day’s difference in your birthday can shift your state pension age by weeks or months.” She advised people to check their eligibility dates on gov.uk and plan for any potential financial gaps.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies said the age increase will save around £10 billion annually but warned it could increase poverty rates among affected groups. Those planning early retirement will need to bridge the gap until their state pension begins.
Experts recommend checking pension forecasts annually and using government calculators to avoid retirement planning shocks.
Every year at San Mames, the iconic home of Athletic Club in Bilbao, local fans pause to recognise and celebrate players not from their own club, but those who share a unique value with the Basque outfit – loyalty.
Athletic Club – famous for only fielding players born or raised in the region – introduced the One-Club Award in 2015, honouring those who dedicated their entire professional career to a single team.
“We wanted to create an award that recognised most kids growing up dream of playing for one club,” explains Dan Parry from the La Liga side’s communications department.
“On the other side, we wanted to show despite all the big-money transfers in modern-day football, there are top players all over the world who want to become one-club players.
Advertisement
“It’s an individual award, but it’s also an award that celebrates the union between the football team, fans and the player.”
Keeping those values in mind, then, this week I’m ranking football’s top 10 one-club men – you can have you say below, too.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login