As temperatures across the UK begin to rise, a doctor has warned that a common condition one in three Brits suffer from may starts to worsen as the weather warms up.

As the mercury rises across Britain and summer approaches, certain health conditions may see their symptoms become more pronounced during the warmer months. With varicose veins affecting one in three people in the UK, a doctor has issued advice to those living with the condition and explained how to properly manage its symptoms as temperatures increase.

Varicose veins occur when veins become enlarged and twisted, often appearing as bulging, bluish lines visible under the skin’s surface. They’re primarily caused by underlying problems, usually weakened vein walls and faulty valves, although factors including genetics, age, lifestyle choices, and pregnancy can all contribute to their formation.

While varicose veins pose challenges year-round, symptoms often worsen and become more noticeable when the weather gets hotter, reports the Express.

Dr Mark Bratby, Consultant Interventional Radiologist at VeinCentre, explains: “Warmer temperatures cause your veins to dilate more, meaning as your veins get larger, the valves struggle even more to deal with blood flow.

“This leads to more accumulation of blood inside your veins, resulting in swelling, bigger bulges, and ultimately greater discomfort.”

In addition to the uncomfortable symptoms that can trigger restlessness and frustration, many people with varicose veins also experience heightened self-consciousness during warmer weather, as they shed layers of clothing to keep cool.

Dr Bratby says: “For those who don’t have varicose veins, it’s easy to think that the impact is simply physical, but often weighs heavily on patients’ mental health.

“It can be a dent in people’s confidence levels, as the veins become more visible when they expand, making some feel apprehensive about wearing clothes that expose their legs and feet.”

However, there are numerous approaches to managing varicose veins when the weather gets warmer, from simple changes to your everyday habits right through to pursuing medical intervention.

Keep cool and stay hydrated

The most straightforward solution for dealing with overheating is to try and lower your body temperature. Avoid direct sunlight where you can to stop your veins from becoming overly dilated, and make sure you’re drinking enough water to stay well hydrated.

Dr Bratby adds: “If you’re on holiday in a warm country, try and get in the pool or paddle in the sea to lower your body temperature.”

Keep active

While exercising might be the last thing on your mind when it’s hot, it can actually be remarkably helpful for people dealing with varicose veins.

Dr Bratby shares: “Staying active can be beneficial for your veins, as it gets your heart pumping and encourages better blood flow, which will help your circulatory system to clear some of the blood that accumulates in your varicose veins.”

Raise your legs

This is a simpler change than some of the previously mentioned suggestions, and can be easily worked into your everyday routine.

Dr Bratby advises: “Elevating your legs when you’re sitting or lying down will give your veins a helping hand getting your blood back to your heart.

“It’s also beneficial to avoid standing up for prolonged periods, so make sure you have multiple breaks if you are out and about during the warmer weather.”

Seek treatment

For numerous sufferers, the discomfort – not just during the summer months but all year round – can become intolerable, especially as symptoms are only likely to worsen over time.

Fortunately, a range of effective and minimally invasive treatment options are on offer.

Dr Bratby says: “You can put the discomfort of varicose veins behind you and begin feeling more comfortable and confident by getting treatment.

“The best treatment for your varicose veins depends on their severity and your individual needs, but by booking a consultation with an experienced Vascular Consultant, you can take the first step to healthier looking skin.”

Here are your rugby morning headlines for Wednesday, May 13.

Under-fire Welsh boss gets public backing

Wales scrum-half Keira Bevan has publicly backed under-pressure head coach Sean Lynn ahead of this weekend’s crunch Women’s Six Nations clash with Italy.

Wales head into Sunday’s showdown at Cardiff Arms Park desperate to avoid a third consecutive Wooden Spoon after slipping to a ninth straight defeat in the competition following last weekend’s loss to Ireland.

Lynn only took charge at the start of last year’s Six Nations campaign after winning three successive Premiership Women’s Rugby titles with Gloucester-Hartpury, but pressure has intensified after a disappointing World Cup campaign and another difficult Six Nations.

Despite the scrutiny, Bevan insists the squad remain fully behind the coach and his staff.

“Yeah, 100%,” she said when asked if the players still backed Lynn. “And the help he has in the background, it’s massive.

“(Defence coach) Tyrone Holmes has been incredible for us. That’s probably one of the shining lights of this campaign, how good we’ve been defensively.

“And obviously Ash [Ashley Beck] has got such a way of attacking rugby and he wants you to express yourself. We’ve got the right people in the right place, it’s just about us being able to execute what they’re asking.”

Wales have dropped to 12th in the world rankings and criticism has mounted after another winless campaign appeared on the horizon.

Bevan admitted the players understand the frustration among supporters, but urged patience as the squad continues to rebuild.

“Nobody is more frustrated and disappointed than us,” she said. “Yes, we probably haven’t had the wins we want, but we are performing and getting better every game.

“It’s such a cliché, but stick with it because it’s going to come and hopefully soon.”

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The scrum-half also acknowledged Wales are currently operating without specialist kicking and breakdown coaches, additions she admitted would help strengthen the backroom team.

While there had been positives in earlier defeats to Scotland, France and England, Bevan conceded the performance in Belfast against Ireland felt like “a backwards step”.

Attention now turns to Italy, who travel to Cardiff full of confidence after impressive displays against Scotland and England.

“We’re under no illusions of what Italy can do,” she said. “It wasn’t a one-off last year because we’ve seen glimpses in this campaign of how physical and dominant they can be, so for us we’ve got to be on it.

“To get the win would be massive. It would set us up nicely heading into pre-season and then obviously the new WXV tournament as well, but we know we’re going to have to work for it.”

URC club launch review after major backlash

Munster Rugby have commissioned an independent governance and organisational review following the backlash surrounding the proposed appointment of New Zealander Roger Randle as attack coach.

Randle’s arrival was announced on April 15, but controversy quickly followed after a 1997 rape allegation resurfaced. The alleged incident took place in Durban, South Africa, during his time playing for Super Rugby side Hurricanes. The charge was later dropped by the complainant and Randle has always denied the allegation.

The fallout led to a series of resignations within the province. Former players Billy Holland, Killian Keane and Mick O’Driscoll stepped down as independent nominees on Munster’s Professional Game Committee, while members of the club’s voluntary Commercial Advisory Group also resigned.

On April 30, Munster confirmed that Randle would no longer be joining the province, describing the outcome as a “mutual agreement”.

General manager Ian Costello admitted at the time that it had been “a difficult conclusion”, but said it became clear ending the arrangement was “the best course of action for Roger, his family and Munster Rugby”.

Munster announced on Tuesday that an external review will now “assess the organisation’s governance, leadership, culture and communications structures and provide recommendations back to the board”.

The process will be carried out by The Governance Company, an independent consultancy specialising in corporate governance, and overseen by an independent chairperson who is expected to be appointed in the coming days.

Chief executive Ian Flanagan said: “It is clear that the past number of weeks have been difficult for staff, players, coaches, supporters, and everyone who cares about Munster Rugby.

“We recognise the impact that recent events and decisions have had on our stakeholders. This independent review is an important step in ensuring we can learn from past events and strengthen how we can positively operate going forward.

“We look forward to working fully with The Governance Company and independent chair to support an effective review process. The primary and clear objective of this important exercise is the overall wellbeing of Munster Rugby.”

Munster are currently sixth in the United Rugby Championship standings ahead of their final regular-season match against Lions on Saturday, May 16.

Lions star accuses South Africa of ‘getting personal’

Mack Hansen has opened up on the fierce rivalry between Ireland and South Africa, admitting clashes with the Springboks become “personal” and leave players feeling like they “hate their guts”.

The British and Irish Lions tourist was discussing Ireland’s growing rivalries on the For the Love of Rugby podcast when he gave a candid insight into the mentality inside the camp before facing the world champions.

Relations between Ireland and South Africa have intensified in recent years, particularly around the 2023 Rugby World Cup, when Andy Farrell’s side beat the Springboks in the pool stages before later being knocked out by New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

Hansen admitted the animosity ramps up significantly in the build-up to those huge Test matches.

“It does then become so personal leading up to the weeks when we’re playing South Africa or New Zealand,” he said.

“Again, you talk to them off the field and they’re like anyone in rugby — good fellas, you get on with them, they’re great blokes — but leading up to that week you despise them.

“You’re like: ‘These are some of the worst people in the world at this moment.’

“There’s a lot going on in the world and you’re like: ‘I honestly hate their guts.’ Then once it’s finished, it’s done.”

The full-back insisted that edge is ultimately good for the sport and helps bring the best out of players.

“But I think that’s what’s good about it,” he added.

“A bit of passion and intensity adds to the game. When you know there are two teams that genuinely dislike each other, you give it your everything.”

The Connacht wing also revealed Ireland’s Six Nations rivalry with Scotland has become increasingly heated in recent seasons.

“Another one in the Six Nations for us is probably Scotland,” Hansen said.

“There’s a bit of a thing going on there. We’ve maybe got the better of them recently, but whenever we’re playing them they’re normally on a bit of a roll, we’re locked into it, we dislike them and we want to beat them.

“We don’t want them to get one over on us. That’s a testament to them. It adds a lot to you as a person when you have those rivalries going into a game.”

Fans think they’ve spotted another change to the show’s hosting line-up, as they await news from the BBC on who has landed the main hosting gig

Strictly Come Dancing fans think they have spotted ‘confirmation’ of another change to the show’s hosting line-up as they await news from the BBC as to who has landed the main hosting gig.

The broadcaster recently said that further plans for the next series of the BBC One dance show, including who will be the new hosts following the exits of both Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, would be announced in due course.

It came as it was confirmed that Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke would be returning as judges for the 24th run of the popular competition programme, set to kick off in the autumn, alongside the line-up of professional dancers.

Returning from 2025’s series are Alexis Warr, Amy Dowden, Aljaz Skorjanec, Dianne Buswell, Johannes Radebe, Jowita Przystal, Julian Caillon, Kai Widdrington, Katya Jones, Lauren Oakley, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Vito Coppola, and Carlos Gu, who won last year’s series with former England footballer Karen Carney.

The BBC also confirmed new professionals would be recruited and announced closer to the dancing show’s return in autumn to replace Gorka Marquez, Michelle Tsiakkas, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova and Luba Mushtuk, who have all left Strictly.

But there have also been reports that changes are ahead of Strictly’s spin-off show, It Takes Two, which airs every weeknight on BBC Two, bringing fans extra interviews with the show’s stars as well as behind-the-scenes insight. It is currently hosted by Fleur East and Janette Manrara.

However, it was recently reported that the show, launched in 2004 with Claudia originally helming it, will be no more when Strictly returns for its 2026 run, with a suggestion that the entertainment programme will follow the vodcast route used by The Traitors and The Apprentice.

Now, eagle-eyed Strictly fans have claimed to have spotted a major move from both Janette and Fleur that reveals their future, despite it not being confirmed by the two stars themselves or the BBC.

@superTV247 said: “Fleur East & Janette Manrara have removed ‘#Strictly It Takes Two’ from their Instagram profiles following rumours that the show’s format will be changing, seemingly confirming that it will have new hosts too. But could Fleur or Janette be joining Emma Willis on the main show?” @RyanSoapKing25 also noted: “UPDATE: Janette Manrara & Fleur East have now BOTH removed #ItTakesTwo from their Instagram bios. Does this mean #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing It Takes Two is really getting scrapped for a “Visualised Podcast” this year? What do we think of this move?”

@PhilipCarm96996 replied: “I hope not as it’s part of our Strictly experience watching ITT. Hopefully it’s staying but with different hosts which if so is a shame as they’d made it their own.” @AMG_Review added: “Makes zero sense for a VISUAL first show about dancing to prioritise podcast format for its spin off Yes have a podcast if you want but ITT works so well in its own format.”

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easyJet boss has hit out at a new rule expected to come into force

Passengers flying within Europe could soon see a significant shift in baggage rules, and travellers are being put on notice.

At present, those travelling on basic fares with easyJet, as well as with Ryanair, are restricted to one small personal item, with any extra luggage attracting additional fees. Following changes to EU regulations, Ryanair was required to enlarge the maximum dimensions of its personal bags last year. The revised rules permit passengers to carry hand luggage measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20cm, a 20% boost from the former 40 x 20 x 25cm restriction.

easyJet’s personal bag specifications already complied with these requirements, meaning no adjustment was necessary. And now further EU regulatory shifts could enable travellers to bring both a cabin bag measuring up to 100cm and a personal bag without incurring additional charges.

In February, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly to grant all passengers the entitlement to carry a small case in addition to the complimentary under-seat bags currently allowed. The Parliament’s proposal would give passengers the right to bring on board, at no extra charge, one personal item (such as a handbag, rucksack or laptop) and one small piece of hand luggage with maximum combined dimensions of 100cm (length, width and height) and weighing up to seven kilos.

The proposed reforms, which must receive approval from the European Council before becoming law, would apply to all travellers flying to or from an EU airport on an EU-based airline. This directly affects the overwhelming majority of short-haul flights departing from the UK.

While this may seem like a positive development for passengers, easyJet has slammed the proposals to enforce free additional baggage as a “lunatic idea”. Chief executive Kenton Jarvis insisted that granting all passengers the right to extra free carry-on luggage would be “crazy” and “terrible for the consumer”.

The easyJet boss described it as “politicians completely not understanding their subject and getting involved with things they shouldn’t”, adding: “There just isn’t the space in the cabin, so that’s another lunatic idea. We would go back to the days of having to offload cabin bags and put them in the hold – it was one of the number one causes of delayed boarding in the old days.”

Baggage fees accounted for a significant portion of easyJet’s more than £2.5bn in annual income from extras, or ancillary revenue, “and that would have to be passed on” through increased fares for all passengers, he warned.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Scientists are tweaking a powerful cancer therapy in hopes it could fight HIV instead, by supercharging patients’ own immune cells.

On Tuesday, researchers said a single dose of those revved-up cells strongly suppressed HIV in two people — one for nearly a year and the other for nearly two years — without requiring their usual medicines.

Larger and longer studies are needed to prove if what’s called CAR-T cell therapy might really offer long-lasting help for HIV, cautioned Dr. Steven Deeks of the University of California, San Francisco, who led the research.

“We find the fact that two people have had such a really sustained response provocative,” he said. “There is a real need for a one-and-done, safe and scalable cure … and this is one of the strategies that we’re pursuing.”

The data is being presented at a meeting of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy in Boston.

There are nearly 40 million people living with HIV around the world. Today’s medicines have turned the virus that causes AIDS from a fast killer into a manageable chronic disease, often keeping the virus at undetectable levels, but only if people can afford the drugs and stick with them. The virus hides out in reservoirs in the body and rebounds fast if people stop treatment.

Researchers have long hunted an elusive cure, pursuing such clues as a rare gene mutation that makes some people naturally resistant to HIV or how a handful of HIV patients who also had certain cancers were declared cured or in long-term remission after receiving a stem cell transplant, something too risky for most people.

CAR-T therapy involves taking immune soldiers called T cells out of a person’s blood, genetically engineering them into “living drugs” and infusing them back into the patient. They’re widely used to cure certain types of cancer and are being studied for other diseases.

For HIV, scientists at the nonprofit drug developer Caring Cross created CAR-T cells with dual features. They’re programmed to better find and kill HIV-infected cells — and engineered with protection against infection by the very virus they’re supposed to fight.

With that added armor, they should be able to reproduce enough to keep HIV in check, said Caring Cross executive director Boro Dropulić.

Deeks’ early-stage experiment tested different dosing strategies in people who stopped their HIV medicine the day they received their CAR-T cells. There were no serious side effects. The first three recipients showed no response and resumed their usual medicines.

Six others received a small amount of chemotherapy to make space for the new T cells. Those two strong responders saw their HIV drop to undetectable levels, inching up only occasionally when the CAR-T cells presumably got to work again. A third patient had a temporary response and resumed regular HIV treatment.

Those three patients all had started their original HIV treatment soon after they’d been infected, Deeks said. That makes sense because people treated early tend to have less HIV hiding in the body and a healthier immune system.

“This is certainly very fascinating that they’ve had this positive response,” said Dr. Hans-Peter Kiem, a gene therapy expert at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center who wasn’t part of the new study. He cautioned that it will take additional research to prove if CAR-T really works.

But the strategy is exciting because it’s “boosting what our body, our immune system, can already do,” said Andrea Gramatica, vice president for research at amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, which is funding some work to create easier-to-use versions.

___

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Hartlepool Masonic Hall will host a charity race night from 7pm on Saturday, May 23, as part of its relaunch as a hub for both Freemasonry and the wider community.

The event is organised by Hartlepool Freemasons in support of the Hartlepool Masonic Benevolent Association (HMBA).

Kris Middleton, secretary of HMBA and the new communications officer for the hall, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity not only to enjoy a great evening together, but also to showcase the Hall and the work of HMBA to the wider community.

“We are keen to demonstrate that Freemasonry in Hartlepool is active, welcoming, and committed to making a positive difference.”

The race night will follow a traditional format, offering a lively and engaging atmosphere for guests to support charitable work while enjoying an evening of entertainment.

All proceeds will go towards the HMBA’s efforts to support individuals and organisations in Hartlepool.

This includes acts of kindness, financial assistance, and practical guidance for those in need.

The event is part of a broader effort to increase community engagement and raise awareness of Freemasonry’s charitable work.

Organisers aim to foster understanding of the craft by welcoming guests from outside the Masonic community.

Lodges that meet at the hall have been invited to host tables, ensuring a strong Masonic presence.

The evening will also serve as an opportunity to introduce prospective candidates and guests to the fellowship and charitable ethos of Freemasonry.

Mr Middleton said: “We are keen to demonstrate that Freemasonry in Hartlepool is active, welcoming, and committed to making a positive difference.”

Tickets are priced at £7.50, which includes a Pies, Peas and Chips meal.

Organisers hope the night will mark the start of a new chapter for Hartlepool Masonic Hall.

Further events are already being planned to continue strengthening community ties and supporting charitable projects.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.hartlepoolfreemasons.org.uk.

Enquiries about alternative payment methods, such as BACS, Cheque, or cash, can be directed to hmba@hartlepoolfreemasons.org.uk.

The Woolpack has changed hands many times over the years in Emmerdale, but never has it fallen into the wrong ones before.

Charity Dingle’s (Emma Atkins) tenure as the landlady is fast coming to an end, all because of that evil Dr Todd (Caroline Harker).

Dr Todd is blackmailing her because she knows the true parentage of baby Leyla and she’s in need of some serious money.

It’s all Chas ‘Loose Lips’ Dingle’s (Lucy Pargeter) fault – just after Leyla was born, Chas chose the hospital carpark to give Ross (Michael Parr) both barrels to remind him that though he fathered the baby, she isn’t his daughter. Todd overheard and decided to use this information to pump Charity for every penny she’s worth.

After learning Charity’s dirty secret, the first thing Todd did was make her make Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) drop his grievance against her. Next, she began piling on the pressure, forcing Charity to hand over wads of cash. The Doc retired early after Jacob caught her out in an HR lie, and now she needs money to survive. The current pub landlady with the devastating secret is a perfect money spinner.

Charity was forced to take out a loan to pay off Caitlin, but it wasn’t enough and she needs more. She tries for a loan extension, but is gutted to learn she can’t get one, right when Todd texts to remind her that she still owes money.

This means Todd will be hanging around even longer, much to Vanessa’s joy and everyone else’s hell.

Charity has no choice but to sell the pub to pay off the debt, and things look momentarily positive when Ruby (Beth Cordingly) seems interested. But Caleb (William Ash) puts a spanner in the works. He feels it just wouldn’t be good optics, and Charity loses the sale.

Feeling rattled, Charity is left even more perturbed when she returns from upstairs to find Todd holding the baby. Todd calmly demands to know what Charity and Caleb were talking about and Charity gives up the information easily. So now Todd knows her scheme is working and that Charity is prepared to sell the pub. Charity has one week to get the money, or else.

Todd later goads her again and Charity decides to stand up to her foe, but it quickly becomes clear that she does not hold a single card in this equation.

Oblivious Vanessa thinks she’s on cloud 9 when she learns Dr Todd is hanging around longer, no clue with who she’s getting into bed with.

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Charity has no choice but to go nuclear – she offers to sell the pub to Kim Tate (Claire King).

Kim? KIM?! This one decision could change the face of Emmerdale forever.

MORE: Emmerdale star confirms Dr Todd’s next victims as she ‘gets darker’

MORE: Is Cain Dingle leaving Emmerdale and does he die?

MORE: Dr Todd reveals her true plans for gobsmacked Jacob in grim Emmerdale twist

Now, just six months later, the pair have secured a coveted pop-up shop at John Lewis store in Newcastle.

Emma Lindsay, who lives in York, co-founded NinetyOne Jewellery with her mum Karen Jones after deciding to leave behind her corporate career in marketing and sustainability consulting to build a business – and life, on their own terms.

The mother-and-daughter duo officially launched NinetyOne Jewellery online in November 2025, handmaking jewellery in small batches from mum’s Stokesley studio.

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Now, the pair have been selected from hundreds of applicants to host a week-long pop-up at John Lewis in Newcastle, with support from Harrogate based business Pop-up Indie, who support small brands to break into large retailers.

Mum and daughter Karen Jones and Emma Lindsay outside John Lewis in Newcastle (Image: Pic supplied)

Before launching the business, Emma started her career at Nestlé in York, then moving to London, San Francisco and Edinburgh for different roles before returning to York, commuting between York and London while working with major global brands in marketing and sustainability consultancy roles.

Emma tired of the constant travelling and corporate life and wanted something more creative, flexible and meaningful, recalling how she made jewelery with her mum whilst growing up.

Mum and daughter Karen John and Emma Lindsay are in business together (Image: Pic supplied)

“It’s been amazing that the business is something my mum and I could do together.”

Karen, who recently stepped back from a career in nursing aged 60, said starting the business together felt like “coming full circle”.

A piece of the jewelry (Image: Pic supplied)

She said: “I’ve always loved making jewellery, but I never imagined this little idea at our kitchen table would lead to John Lewis. It’s been amazing to build something together at this stage in our lives.”

Emma credits York’s independent business community with helping NinetyOne Jewellery grow quickly in its early stages.

Some of the pieces made (Image: Pic supplied)

Emma is a member at Patch, the coworking and creative workspace in York, and the pair both use Patch as a base for building the brand (as well as being the spot for their first professional product and model photoshoot for the brand!).

She has also received support from both the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub, the locally based Enterprise Cube team and, more recently, the NatWest Accelerator programme in York.

Emma said: “The support network in York has genuinely been incredible.”

“Places like Patch make it feel possible to start something new because you’re surrounded by other people building businesses too. The Growth Hub and NatWest Accelerator have also given us support, confidence and connections at a really important stage.”

NinetyOne Jewellery creates small-batch, handmade and personalisable jewellery designed around wearable seasonal colour palettes and timeless styling.

Emma added: “We’re aimed towards shoppers who are more intentional about what they buy.

“Through setting up this business we’ve identified a real appetite for small businesses and products that feel high quality and personal rather than mass-produced.

Mum Karen Jones and daughter Emma Lindsay (Image: pic supplied)

“We knew to compete in the jewellery space we needed to already meet a high bar.

“We create hand-finished, understated, everyday jewellery and offer complete personalisation of colour and engraving, as well as a stylish selection of 4 new colours every season, but we think what really sets us aside from others is our brand.

“We want people who wear our jewellery to really ‘feel’ our story and feel inspired themselves about creating life on their own terms”

NinetyOne Jewellery will be at John Lewis Newcastle during June 1-7.

For more information visit www.ninetyonejewellery.co.uk or follow @ninetyonejewellery on Instagram.

Child Benefit payments will stop automatically after a child’s 16th birthday unless parents confirm their teenager’s educational plans here’s what you need to do

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Parents are being warned they could lose out on vital funds if they neglect to complete one crucial task. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is calling on parents of 16 to 19-year-olds to renew their Child Benefit claim if their teenager plans to continue with certain types of education or training after completing their GCSEs or National 5s.

HMRC has warned that Child Benefit payments will cease automatically on August 31 on or after a child’s 16th birthday unless parents confirm their teenager’s future plans.

According to the Daily Record, approximately 1.5 million reminder letters are being sent out to parents and guardians between now and early May.

Yet parents needn’t wait for their letter to arrive. HMRC’s digital renewal service went live on April 1, enabling those who already know their teenager’s plans to take action straight away to avoid any interruption to monthly payments of £108.20.

Claim renewals can be made through the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK. The letters also include a QR code giving direct access to the digital service.

Child Benefit is valued at £27.05 weekly and paid every four weeks, delivering some £2,406.60 throughout the 2026/27 financial year for the eldest or only child.

HMRC pays £17.90 weekly for each additional child. Last year, 874,000 parents extended their claim, with over half doing so online or through the HMRC app.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Child Benefit is a real financial boost for families, so if your teenager already knows they’re staying in education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s, you don’t need to wait for our letter.

“You can extend your Child Benefit claim today in minutes via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK.”

Child Benefit can continue to be paid for children who are studying full time in approved non-advanced education, which includes:

• A levels or Scottish Highers
• International Baccalaureate
• home education – if it started before their child turned 16, or after 16 if they have a statement of special educational needs and it was assessed by the local authority
• T levels
• NVQs, up to level 3

Child Benefit will also continue for children studying on one of these unpaid approved training courses:

• Scotland: Employability Fund programme and No One Left Behind
• Wales: Foundation Apprenticeships, Traineeships or the Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme
• Northern Ireland: PEACEPLUS Youth Programme 3.2, Training for Success or Skills for Life and Work

If a child changes their mind about further education or training, parents can simply inform HMRC online or in the app and payments will be adjusted accordingly.

If a Child Benefit claimant or their partner has an individual income of between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner may be liable for the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC).

Use the Child Benefit tax calculator on GOV.UK for an estimate. Parents can pay the charge through their PAYE tax code using the HICBC digital service, or through Self Assessment.