The State Pension age in the UK is now rising from 66 to 67, with the phased increase due to be completed for all men and women across Great Britain by 2028, as experts warn a further rise to 68 faces significant challenges.

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The State Pension age has begun its gradual rise from 66 to 67, with the transition scheduled to be finalised for all men and women throughout Great Britain by 2028. The planned adjustment to the official retirement age has been enshrined in law since 2014, with a subsequent increase from 67 to 68 set to take effect between 2044 and 2046.

The third State Pension age review was initiated in July last year. It will examine future increases, considering factors including life expectancy, employment patterns, expenditure, and long-term viability.

Under the Triple Lock mechanism, State Pensions rise annually in accordance with whichever is highest among average annual earnings growth from May to July, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate in the year to September, or 2.5 per cent.

It’s crucial to note that any modifications to the State Pension age must adhere to the principle of providing people with 10 years’ notice of any alteration to their retirement age – or risk repeating a situation which has impacted an estimated 3.6 million women born in the 1950s.

Phoenix Insights has cautioned that approximately 3 million people could face postponed retirement plans if the State Pension age rise to 68 is accelerated, reports the Daily Record.

The most recent DWP statistics reveal there are currently 13.2 million people of State Pension age, including over 1.1 million in Scotland. Some 34 per cent receive the New State Pension (post-April 2016) while 66 per cent are claiming the Basic (or Old) State Pension (pre-April 2016).

Those receiving the full New State Pension are currently entitled to £241.30 per week, and as payments are typically issued every four weeks, this equates to £965.20 per payment. Over the 2026/27 financial year, recipients will receive an annual sum of £12,547.

It is worth noting, however, that not all of the 4.1 million people on the New State Pension receive the full amount, as entitlement is tied to National Insurance Contributions.

Recipients must have made at least 10 years’ worth of National Insurance Contributions (NICs) to qualify for any State Pension, with approximately 35 years required for the full rate — though this figure may be higher for those who have been ‘contracted out’.

Those on the full Basic State Pension currently receive weekly payments of £184.90, or £739.60 per four-week payment period. Over the 2026/27 financial year, annual payments will amount to £9,614.

Patrick Thomson, Head of Research Analysis and Policy at Phoenix Insights, said: “The State Pension remains at a critical juncture with questions remaining over its long-term affordability and the future of the Triple Lock. Projections suggests there will be five million more State Pensioners in the UK by 2070 compared to just one million more people of working-age.”

The Northumbria Mysteries is currently in production in Northumberland and stars Robson Green as Joe Ruby, who teams up with DI Rose O’Connell to unravel a series of compelling crime mysteries.

The BBC One and iPlayer drama is produced by Lonesome Pine and distributed globally by Banijay Rights.

Robson Green (Image: PA MEDIA)

On his Instagram at the end of March, Robson Green said: “We have lift off! “Filming starts soon on ‘The Northumbria Mysteries’

“So proud to be part of this New Series set against the stunning, dramatic and spiritual backdrop of Northumberland. “It’s about two people who are opposites of each other, but who want to change.

“Joe has so many regrets and is seeking redemption, while Rose has always done the ‘right’ thing but not always had the best outcomes.

“They want to make a difference in different ways. One wants to become more spiritual, the other wants to become more meaningful.

“They both have good hearts, but bad habits, and they are at a time in life where they are ready to think outside the box to make a difference.

“So when they unexpectedly find a connection in solving a mysterious murder, it takes them ages to realise what that connection is!

“And then even longer to work out what to do about it.

“It’s a show for everyone who’s ever made mistakes, but who hasn’t given up just yet! “And just when you, as the audience, think you’ve solved the crime, you haven’t.”

Banijay Rights revealed: “Produced by Lonesome Pine and starring Robson Green, the drama brings together a compelling crime and the Northumberland coastline.”

First-look images from filming in Morpeth have now been released, showing Robson in character for the upcoming series.

An official broadcast date for The Northumbria Mysteries has not yet been announced, but people have been expressing their excitement online at the upcoming TV show.

Chelsea may have won the football lottery twice but, this time, the return on investment under owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital is being questioned.

Chants of “we don’t care about Clearlake, they don’t care about us, all we care about is Chelsea FC” are increasingly becoming the anthem of a turbulent season.

Not A Project CFC, a growing but still fringe protest group, are planning two further protests. The first will take place on the steps of Wembley Way before the FA Cup final against Manchester City. A second protest to take place inside Stamford Bridge, where fans are asked to turn their backs in the 22nd minute of the final home game vs Tottenham.

There have also been previous chants of “Roman Abramovich” but those recollections are rose-tinted, particularly towards the end of the Russian oligarch’s reign, where Chelsea were widely regarded as a cup team and had lagged behind their rivals in terms of revenues.

The £490.9m turnover last season was Chelsea‘s second highest on record but still lagged well behind their rivals in the so-called ‘big six’. That gap needs to be bridged as debt grows within the parent company.

Inside Chelsea they say debt is part of a highly-structured investment approach, common in elite sport, and there is a long-term plan for sustainability.

Still, Chelsea spent the most on agents’ fees and the third most on both transfers and wages last season, despite a reduction in overall spending following the unprecedented outlay in the early BlueCo years.

The cost remains evident through a league-high ‘amortisation’ bill – where they have spread transfer fees across the length of a contract up to five years – of more than £200m.

What has been squandered by this ownership is the strong Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) position they inherited. More than £1.5bn has been spent on talent, but the return in terms of consistent success in the Premier League has yet to materialise.

Chelsea are looking to add some experience to their squad at the end of the season, but more drastic decisions are not being discussed openly, with mid-campaign decisions to be avoided, especially with an FA Cup final still to come.

Yet, club sources have also stressed that accountability across the organisation is embedded through annual reviews and could draw in anyone at any level should poor performance be identified.

The possibility of star players such as Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Levi Colwill being sold is constantly denied by the club, but some player sales have always been necessary, since Abramovich and into the BlueCo era, to balance the books.

“Chelsea have always been very successful in terms of player sales, which have generated substantially more money for the club than ticket sales over the last decade,” Maguire said.

“The 22 Holdco business model is similar to that of a hedge fund in that signing young players on long-term contracts can be profitable and reduces the chances of players leaving on a Bosman deal for no fee.”

However, everything is threatened, even attracting a new high-profile manager, without Champions League football.

Omar Majed was ordered to go down to the cells part-way through an 11-minute hearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The court was told thousands of fans had to be evacuated after the teenager allegedly “barged” his way into Birmingham’s Utilita Arena without a ticket.

Prosecutor Ros Buttler told the court that Majed was alleged to have indicated to a police constable and others that a bomb may have been left at the venue.

The alleged hoax had “serious repercussions” at an event with an expected crowd of almost 13,000 people, she added.

The charge against Majed alleges that he communicated to a police officer and others information, which he knew or believed to be false, that a bomb was present in the arena.

After confirming his address and date of birth at the start of the hearing, Majed, of Graham Road, Saltley, Birmingham, was repeatedly asked to be quiet by District Judge Michelle Smith.

District Judge Smith, appearing in court via a video-link, also made several requests for Majed to sit down.

After Majed shouted that proposed bail conditions for him were “not acceptable” he was taken down to the cells before the end of the hearing.

Majed gave no indication of plea to a single charge of communicating false information to police contrary to the Criminal Law Act.

Adjourning the case after submissions from the prosecutor and defence lawyer Lauren Clark, District Judge Smith also refused a bail application.

The judge said: “Based on everything I have read and have heard I am satisfied that the case should be dealt with in the Crown Court.

“The case will be sent to Birmingham Crown Court on June 1.”

READ MORE: Update on tonight’s Peter Kay show after ‘suspicious bag’ forces gig to be evacuated

READ MORE: Teenager charged after ‘bomb hoax’ halts Peter Kay performance

Kay, aged 52, was ushered off stage during his show at the Utilita Arena on Friday.

The show was cancelled after the evacuation and West Midlands Police later said “nothing suspicious was found” during searches.

In an update on Saturday evening, the force said: “An evacuation of the arena was ordered yesterday evening after a report of a suspicious bag being left in the area.

“Following searches, nothing suspicious was found and we are grateful to everyone for their co-operation and understanding.

“As always our priority is the safety of the public.”

The show was part of Kay’s Better Late Than Never national tour, which will see all proceeds donated to 12 cancer charities.

Bills and other financial responsibilities can sometimes seem like an overwhelming task to deal with.

However, a concept called ‘Admin Nights’ has gained traction on platforms like TikTok this year to help deal with that.

The basic premise is that you meet up with your friends to get through all your tedious bits of admin.

It provides an opportunity to get all these bits done in one go, with the idea that you all help each other out if needed.

Lora Rowley, personal finance expert at Starling Bank, has shared that there are multiple things to bear in mind when taking part in one of these meet-ups.

What four steps should you go through on an admin night?

Focus on a specific topic at a time

Lora explains that looking at your finances as a whole can be “overwhelming”, but you can break it down.

She said: “To make things easier, I’d first draw out a specific topic, e.g. budgeting, or reviewing subscriptions.

“This will focus your attention as a group, allowing you to delve into the details and make greater progress, and you can then move onto the next topic.”

Tackle the important things first

Lora advises prioritising actions like paying bills or preventing a fine if you take part in an admin night.

She added: “Let your admin night buddies know you have something important to do first, and use the spirit of community to break the procrastination cycle.

“Tackling something bigger or more important to start with is also a great way to kick off the event with a sense of achievement, or relief!”

Set the tone of the evening

Keeping focus during an admin night is crucial to making sure you tick a few things off your list.

Lora suggested: “When guests first arrive, set a 30-min timer for a focused boost and make sure you’ve got the creature comforts like snacks or drinks if you want them – this will start the evening off right!”

Create a to-go list

Once the admin night ends, Lora suggests making sure it doesn’t falter in the long term.

She said: “Set reminders to check in with your friends in between admin nights, or schedule regular admin nights instead of it being a one-off occasion.

“External accountability can be a great procrastination breaker, so it’s important to keep up the momentum.”

This advice was echoed by Vicky Reynal, financial psychotherapist and money columnist for The Times and Sunday Times.

She said it was important to “shift your identity from avoidance to agency”.

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Vicky added: “Every time you engage with your finances you are giving yourself the experience that you can deal with it.

“Confidence comes from repeated exposure and experience, it doesn’t come from knowing everything or having it all sorted. Over time, what once felt overwhelming becomes familiar.

“So basically, overcoming paralysis is about creating the conditions that make follow-through easier and reminding ourselves that we pay a high cost for avoidance – and not just in financial terms.”

Have you tried out an admin night yourself? Let us know in the comments.

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard are both available for Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

Odegaard started the first leg but was withdrawn early in the second half before missing Saturday’s 3-0 win over Fulham.

Havertz, meanwhile, has missed the Gunners’ last two games after picking up an injury during their 1-0 win over Newcastle.

But the pair could be in line to return to the starting lineup at the Emirates on Tuesday as Arsenal bid to reach their first Champions League final since 2006

‘They’re available, in the squad both of them,’ Arteta confirmed in his pre-match press conference.

‘It’s great. We need options, we need the capacity to play different games tomorrow, whether it’s from the start or after.

‘It’s really, really good news for us to have them both back.’

Arsenal, though, will still be without Jurrien Timber as his frustrating end to the season continues.

Havertz’s return to fitness could leave Arteta with a selection conundrum at the top of the pitch given Viktor Gyokeres’ impressive performances in the last week.

The Swede scored Arsenal’s goal in the first leg from the spot and notched a brace at the weekend against Fulham.

Bukayo Saka also impressed against Fulham and looks poisedto start again on Tuesday, having been brought off at half-time on Saturday to manage his comeback from an injury.

On Saka’s return to fitness, Arteta added: ‘Great, that’s what we need when we arrive in this stage of the competition – the players not only to be available, but to be in top condition to perform and make the difference, and Bukayo will certainly give us that.’

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MORE: Atletico Madrid drop Julian Alvarez injury hint ahead of Arsenal showdown

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Ardal O’Hanlon was a firm favourite on Death in Paradise as DI Jack Mooney before leaving in 2020

Death in Paradise star Ardal O’Hanlon has taken a savage swipe at the show, three years after his exit.

The actor portrayed DI Jack Mooney in the popular BBC crime drama, after joining in 2017. And during his stint, he became a firm favourite with fans, who often dubbed him the programme’s ‘best’ detective.

However, in 2020, Ardal left the cherished Caribbean-set show after three years. During his appearance on The One Show this week, the Irish star reflected on his time on the programme.

Revealing how filming Death in Paradise inspired his new book, A Plot to Die For, Ardal said: “I did 24 episodes. It must have been at least 30 murders. I didn’t even have to read the script, I knew who did it.”

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Ardal went on: “When I was there I was always trying to dream up imaginative kind of murders.” Although he then said he “loves” the show, Ardal made a savage swipe at it’s storylines.

“But you would be thinking to yourself, ‘have we not done this plot before?’ You know, someone falling off a balcony again!” as his co-stars and show hosts laughed along with him.

Ardal was previously asked whether Jack Mooney leaving the show was a mutual decision. He told the Mirror: “From day one, it was always going to be like three series.

“As it turned out, I ended up doing part of a fourth series as well, before the handover to Ralf Little’s character [Neville Parker]. So to be honest with you, like you just wouldn’t be fit to do any more than that.”

He added: “It’s very gruelling, and you’re away from home for a very long time. So, you know, that was always the plan, and there was really very little that was going to change my mind about that.”

Ardal also went on to say that he believes the reason for the show’s success is the constant rotation of detectives. He stated: “I think the secret of the show’s success is constantly changing the lead detective, you know, before people get bored with them.”

What’s more, despite enduring “very harsh” weather conditions during filming of the show, Ardal branded the experience a “lovely job to do”.

Death in Paradise airs on BBC One and iPlayer

Two people have been killed and three others injured after a small plane crashed into a building in Belo Horizonte, the capital city of south-east Brazil’s Minas Gerais state

A small plane has crashed into a building in a city in south-east Brazil, killing two people and injuring three others.

Shocking images show the wreckage from the single-engine aircraft after it crashed into a residential building in Belo Horizonte, the capital city of the Minas Gerais state, on Monday. The ⁠pilot and co-pilot died, while three passengers were ⁠seriously injured and taken to João XXIII Hospital, the local fire department said in a ‌statement.

The plane took off from Pampulha Airport in Belo Horizonte at 12.16pm local time and crashed into a building in the Silveira neighbourhood shortly after take-off, Brazilian outlet G1 reports.

Residents near the crash site said they were startled by how low the aircraft was flying. Fabiana Parreiras told the outlet: “I was in my room with the window wide open. I heard the noise was from a plane flying very low. I caught the moment it passed and veered away from my building. I immediately imagined something was going to happen. Unfortunately, it did.”

The pilot reportedly told Pampulha Airport control tower he was experiencing difficulties during take-off. According to records from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency, the aircraft was an EMB-721C model, manufactured in 1979.

The Brazilian Air Force has deployed investigators to determine the cause of the crash. The Civil Police of Minas Gerais are also investigating the case.

Doris Fisher, who founded the major fashion brand GAP in the late 1960s, has died at the age of 94

Doris Fisher has died at the age of 94.

The businesswoman, who cofounded the Gap in 1969 with her late husband Don Fisher and saw it become one of the biggest fashion brands in US history, passed away on Sunday in San Francisco surrounded by family.

An tribute posted to GAP’s official website from GAP CEO Richard Dickson read: “I’m writing to share the sad news that Gap Inc. co-founder, Doris Fisher, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, at age 94.

Many of us were fortunate to have known Doris personally, an extraordinary human being whose brilliance, quiet determination, and heart shaped everything from Gap Inc.’s indelible influence on fashion and retail to philanthropy and the San Francisco art scene.

“There is simply no equal to Doris Fisher. In Gap-speak, she was a true original. Doris was a full partner in Gap Inc.’s founding and a path-breaking entrepreneur at a time when that was highly unusual for women. She understood first-hand the value of self-expression, diversity, and inclusion. And she worked tirelessly to ensure that Gap Inc. always did more than sell clothes. So, it’s no coincidence that there’s a whole lot of Doris in Gap Inc.’s purpose: we bridge gaps to create a better world.

“Never content with what is, Doris continuously imagined what might be and then made it happen. In fact, a great deal of Gap Inc. culture at its best derives from Doris’s influence. Saying what you mean. Doing what you say you’re going to do. And then doing it with kindness, candor, and respect.

“As one of fashion’s great power couples, Doris and Don created a remarkable company that revolutionized fashion retail. They introduced the world to some of America’s most iconic brands, including energetic new perspectives on everything from denim and khakis to white shirts and safari jackets. Most of all, they gave us, the future of Gap Inc., a powerful legacy to grow.

“And that’s foremost on my mind as we evolve Gap Inc. to become a high-performing house of iconic American brands that shape culture.

“The team will share details soon on our plans to celebrate Doris’s life, together as one Gap Inc. family.”

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