Millions claiming Universal Credit will have to wait until June to receive increased payments despite rates rising in April due to arrears payment system

Millions of Universal Credit claimants face a lengthy wait to see increased payments in their bank accounts – despite rates rising in April.

The Universal Credit standard allowance – the basic amount recipients are entitled to before any deductions or additional elements are factored in – will increase above inflation from April 13.

For a single claimant aged over 25, their monthly standard allowance will increase from £400.14 to £424.90. However, because Universal Credit is paid in arrears, claimants won’t see the pay rise reflected until June.

The enhanced rates will only apply to Universal Credit assessment periods that began on or after April 13. Universal Credit payments are issued a week after the final date of each assessment period – meaning the new rates won’t come into effect until June payments.

Your assessment period determines how much Universal Credit you receive, calculated on earnings or deductions during this timeframe. Nearly eight million people across the UK claim Universal Credit, reports the Mirror.

Whether you qualify for Universal Credit depends on your individual circumstances, including your age, living arrangements, relationship status, income, savings, and in some cases, your physical and mental wellbeing.

For those in employment, a taper rate reduces your maximum Universal Credit payment as your earnings grow. The taper rate stands at 55 percent, meaning 55p is deducted from your maximum Universal Credit payment for every £1 you earn.

Some individuals are entitled to a “work allowance”, which is a predetermined amount you can earn before your Universal Credit is reduced. If you also receive assistance with housing costs, the “work allowance” is £411 per month, and if you don’t, it’s £684 per month.

Universal Credit payment rates for 2026/27 are as follows:

Single

• Under 25: £338.58 a month (from £316.98)
• 25 or over: £424.90 a month (from £400.14)

Couples

• Joint claimants both under 25: £528.34 a month (from £497.55)
• Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £666.97 a month (from £628.10)

Child amounts

• First child (born prior to 6 April 2017): £351.88 a month (from £339)
• First child (born on or after 6 April 2017 / second child and subsequent child (where an exception or transitional provision applies): £303.94 a month (from £292.81)

Limited Capability for Work

• Limited Capability for Work amount: £158.76 a month (no change)
• Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity amount (new claimants): £217.26 a month (from £423.27)
• Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity amount (pre-2026 claimant, severe conditions criteria claimant or claimant who is terminally ill): £429.80 a month (from £423.27)

Carer amount

Work allowances

• Higher work allowance (no housing amount) one or more dependent children or limited capability for work: £710 a month (from £684)
• Lower work allowance one or more dependent children or limited capability for work: £427 a month (from £411)

The complete list of additional elements and reductions or deductions for Universal Credit payments can be found on GOV.UK.

The BBC reboot, which is filmed in Utilita Arena (Sheffield), followed the original Gladiators, which aired on ITV between 1992 and 2000.

Before the current series began airing, it was revealed that four Gladiators had been injured while filming.

Legend (Matt Morsia), Bionic (Matty Campbell), Diamond (Livi Sheldon) and Athena (Karenjeet Kaur Bains) all suffered injuries.

Fan-favourite Legend discusses his injury with hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh on the latest episode.

Gladiators Legend opens up about injury

Walking out to the arena with his arm in a sling, Bradley asked Legend, “Ok first things first, what’s happened to the arm?”

As Legend revealed: “Unfortunately, I’ve damaged my bicep tendent so I’m going to be out.”

Adding: “It’s pretty devastating,” pausing before joking: “Devastating for you guys.

“Because everyone knows you only come here to see me.”

Before leaving the arena, Legend thanked the crowd and sent kisses to the audience.

But Bradley confirmed that Legend would still appear in the series, sharing,“he will be back.”

Which Gladiators were injured during Series 3?

Four Gladiators were injured during the filming of series 3, which took place in the summer of 2025:

• Legend (Matt Morsia) – Torn bicep tendon
• Bionic (Matty Campbell) – Shoulder injury
• Diamond (Livi Sheldon) – Knee and leg injury (including ACL)
• Athena (Karenjeet Kaur Bains) – Severe knee injury

During the time of the Gladiator’s injuries, a BBC spokesperson said: “The health and well-being of all Gladiators, contenders and crew is of paramount importance.

“Gladiators is one of the toughest and most physically demanding programmes on TV, and due to the high-impact nature of the show, it is not unusual for those competing to suffer injuries.

“In each instance, as soon as it became apparent that a potential injury had occurred, the correct protocol was immediately followed.

“The injured Gladiators are currently following medical advice and working on their recoveries.”

You can watch the Gladiators on Saturday evenings at 5.45pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

CambridgeshireLive readers have voted for their favourite charity shops in the county

Cambridgeshire is a county full of many charity shops, and our readers have had their say on what one is the best. With everything going up in price, everyone will be in search of a bargain.

The one place you can almost guarantee you will find a bargain is a charity shop. Whether you are buying some clothes or looking for some cheap household goods, a charity shop will have what you need.

We asked you, the CambridgeshireLive readers, where you thought the best charity shop is in Cambridgeshire. The votes are in and there is a clear winner!

Before we get to number one, here is a look at some honourable mentions.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Shop in Great Shelford

The Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Shop in Wollards Lane, Great Shelford was voted as one of the best. People said it offers an “eclectic mix of interesting high-quality items”.

The staff are also described as “friendly” and “helpful”. The shop window displays are “frequently changed” and “make for an attractive shop in the village centre”.

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice in Ely

The East Anglia’s Children’s Hospital charity shop is based in Ely High Street. This charity shop is said to offer “high quality items” that are displayed in a “boutique environment”.

The stock is also “always changing” and it is “well worth a visit”.

The Hospital charity shop in Ramsey

The Hospital charity shop in Great Whyte, Ramsey, also got an honourable mention. A worker in the shop called Dee was described as “amazing” and “friendly”.

She was also said to be “always happy to help”. The shop itself was described as a “superb place”.

Scope in Cambridge

The one that topped the list was Scope in Burleigh Street, Cambridge. This charity shop won by a landslide, getting the most votes.

It’s described as “amazing”, and offers “lots of fresh stock daily”. The staff and volunteers do a “wonderful job”, and are also “very friendly”. People also said “you will always find a bargain”.

The 2026 edition of The Masked Singer UK began early last month (January 3), with celebrity judges Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan, along with host Joel Dommett, all returning.

The ITV show sees famous contestants, disguised in elaborate costumes, singing in front of the celebrity panel who must try to guess their identity.

Who has been unmasked so far on The Masked Singer 2026?

Seven celebrities have been unmasked on The Masked Singer so far this series:

There are now just five characters left on The Masked Singer:

• Moth
• Can of Worms
• Conkers
• Toastie
• Sloth

What time is The Masked Singer on tonight?

The series seven semi-final of The Masked Singer airs on ITV1 and ITVX tonight (Saturday, February 7) at 7pm.

Host Joel Dommett and panellists Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall, Maya Jama, and Mo Gilligan will be joined this week by special guest Katherine Ryan (comedian).

The remaining five masked singers will all perform this week, in the hope of remaining anonymous and making it through to next weekend’s final.

Tonight’s semi-final will see another double elimination, with two more celebrities set to be unmasked and eliminated.

RECOMMENDED READING:

When is The Masked Singer final?

The remaining three characters after tonight’s episode will go on to compete in The Masked Singer final, which will air on ITV1 and ITVX next Saturday (February 14) at 7pm.

Who do you think is going to win The Masked Singer in 2026? Let us know your prediction in our poll above or in the comments below.

A Co Fermanagh teenager has agreed to sign to Premier League giants Arsenal from next season

A Co Fermanagh teenager has agreed to sign to Premier League giants Arsenal from next season.

Daniel McCarron has already made his senior debut for Dungannon Swifts this season and had been tipped for big things by manager Rodney McAree.

The 16-year-old has represented Northern Ireland U15, Northern Ireland U17 and captained the 2024 County Fermanagh Junior Super Cup side. A year ago, he was selected to represent Northern Ireland in the UEFA Development Tournament held in Cyprus and captained the team on one occasion.

The Swifts starlet has also attended the Arsenal Youth Academy as a trialist and he was selected in the Arsenal U17 team that participated in the Flamengo Adidas Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 12 months ago. The world-renowned London club went on to win the tournament.

A statement on the clubs website, Arsenal.com, read: “We have reached an agreement for young defender Daniel McCarron to join us from Northern Irish side Dungannon Swifts, as part of our 2026/27 scholar intake.

“The player has also signed a pre-contract agreement that will lead to him signing professional terms with us. “The 16-year-old, who has been part of the Dungannon Swifts first team squad in the NIFL Premiership this season, is a versatile centre-back with the ability to play on both sides.

A Northern Ireland youth international, who has already spent a successful time on trial with us, Daniel will join up with the rest of our new scholars in July this year, ahead of next season.

“Everyone at Arsenal welcomes Daniel to the club and looks forward to supporting him with his continued development.”

Dungannon Swifts added: We’re delighted to announce that 16-year-old defender Daniel McCarron has signed a pre-contract with Arsenal FC.

Daniel has represented Northern Ireland at U15, U16 and U17 level and heads to Spain next week with the U17s.

“A key part of Dungannon Swifts NI Cup-winning and Cross-Border Championship teams, Daniel will remain with DSFC for the remainder of the season while completing his studies before joining the London club.

“Everyone at Dungannon Swifts are incredibly proud of what Daniel has achieved so far and we wish him every success in this next stage of his football career.”

McCarron local GAA team, St Joseph’s GAC Ederney, also sent their congratulations, stating: “Daniel is a massively talented footballer and hurler.

Its a massive achievement for Daniel and as a Club we are extremely proud. Ederney and Fermanagh GAA loss is certainly Arsenal’s gain.”

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Whether it was a deliberate, pointed pick, we’ll never know.

But as Wales’ replacements jogged out ahead of their team for the start of the second half, the Allianz Stadium DJ launched into the Kaiser Chiefs’ noughties shout-a-along I Predict a Riot.

At 29-0 up, it wasn’t the boldest forecast.

And in the end, Wales showed enough fight and quality to prevent England vandalising their national pride as they did in Cardiff last March.

But, by any measure, England’s 48-7 win was a walloping.

Ball in hand, they made nearly twice the metres of the visitors.

Wales were spinning like tops in defence, chasing back after 16 line-breaks. The visitors made only six in the opposite direction.

England had almost 60% of territory. By 25 minutes in, Wales had a decimal point of hope. At best.

Afterwards, England head coach Steve Borthwick thought the scoreline stat should have been even more lopsided in England’s favour.

“I thought we defended exceptionally well, we kicked really well and we scored some nice tries, but I think we left a lot out there on the grass.,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“We’ll review this game and say there’s a load of things we could do a lot better. Those are the things we need to step up next week.

“Second half we were in the 22 a lot but didn’t come away with points on as many occasions as we’d have liked.”

Ultimately, England made enough stick to the scoreboard to sit atop the Six Nations table after round one.

More interesting than the early-stage standings to Borthwick will be the lessons, albeit limited and caveated by the quality of the opposition, that he can take.

Henry Arundell, all low-slung power and top-end speed, inevitably took the headlines after helping himself to a first-half hat-trick.

The 23-year-old, who, as a teenager, scored a try with his first touch of the ball in the Test game, has a sky-high international strike-rate.

In 12 Tests, he has 11 tries.

That stat is inflated by his five against Chile in the last Rugby World Cup, as well as Saturday’s work, but his ability to turn a half-break into a full five points is precious.

When Fraser Dingwall scooped up and shovelled the ball to him for England’s fourth try of the afternoon, the cover was instantly blow-torched.

Arundell’s improvement under the high ball this season – most notably in Bath’s win over Saracens opposite Noah Caluori – and defence, are qualities that have been coached into him. His fast-twitch physicality, though, is an ability beyond anyone’s gift.

With the amount of slapped-back kick-chase and subsequent broken-field chaos in the modern game, it is a more of a lethal weapon than ever.

A unique cruise liner offering intimate voyages to remote parts of Alaska has abruptly shut down, according to the company.

Alaska Dream Cruises announced on its website that it is ceasing operations and cancelling all of its planned cruises.

“Effective immediately Alaskan Dream Cruises has ceased business operations and will no longer be operating any future sailings,” the website says.

Because the company primarily sails during Alaska’s cruise season from May through September, Alaska Dream Cruise was not actively running trips at the time of its closure announcement. Guests with already-booked trips for the upcoming cruise season will receive full refunds. Alaska Dream Cruise also said it was working with UnCruise Adventures to help guests find other bookings, according to the Daily Sitka Sentinel.

“This decision was intentional and necessary,” Jamey Cagle, one of the owners, said in a statement. “After careful evaluation of our long-term objectives, we determined that concluding cruise operations allows us to responsibly focus our resources where they will have the greatest impact.”

The Sitka-based cruise company began in 2011 and primarily offered voyages through Alaska’s Inside Passage, a stretch of deep water that sees heavy use from cruise ships as well as cargo and fishing vessels.

Unlike some of the larger cruise vessels, Alaska Dream Cruise used smaller ships that allowed the company to push into more remote areas. The smaller ships offered a more intimate voyage, with many tours only hosting between 40 and 80 passengers.

“We are deeply grateful for the trust our guests have placed in us over the past 15 years,” Cagle said. “We have had the privilege of sharing the wonders of Alaska and the richness of our Alaska Native heritage with incredible passengers from across the globe. It has been an honor to work alongside extraordinary communities, partners and crew throughout this journey.”

Alaska Dream Cruise’s parent company, Allen Marine Tours, will continue its regional day tours. Zak Kirkpatrick, a spokesperson for Allen Marine, said the company would continue to be a present and influential part of the region’s marine and tourism industry, according to the Daily Sitka Sentinel.

“This chapter is closing and that’s always tough, and little nostalgic,” Kirkpatrick told the paper. “But there are many, many more incredible chapters to come in the book of Allen Marine. We’ve been around 50 years and are excited to see what the next 50 bring.”

Restrictions on electronic items may vary between airlines – here’s what you should know

When preparing for a holiday abroad, it’s easy to get carried away and overpack. But did you know that several airlines, including Ryanair, British Airways and Lufthansa, limit certain items in the cabin?

This rule specifically applies to electronic items, with only 15 at a maximum of 100Wh each allowed in your carry-on. While numerous firms maintain this restriction, it’s still best to check your airline’s website for the most up-to-date information before flying.

Official advice from Ryanair reads: “You may carry up to 15 personal electronic devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, handheld game consoles, headphones, power banks). You may also carry up to 20 spare lithium batteries or power banks, provided they do not exceed 100Wh each.” It then also adds: “Devices or batteries over 100Wh are not permitted in the cabin or the hold.”

British Airways (BA) similarly states: “For your own personal use you can take up to 15 battery-operated Personal Electronic Devices (PED) that containing lithium batteries such as laptops, tablets, smart phones, cameras, music players, smart baggage tags (e.g. Apple AirTag).”

It adds: “If the watt hour (Wh) rating is not shown on the battery or cannot be determined, then the battery cannot be accepted onboard.”

Both airlines are among those that also have strict rules around ‘smart bags’. This generally describes rucksacks, backpacks, and other luggage that may include a built-in power bank for phones and laptops.

For Ryanair, passengers cannot bring a smart bag in the cabin if it has ‘non-removable batteries above 2.7Wh’. If the battery is removable, it must be ‘removed and placed in small cabin baggage underneath the seat in front’. Smart bags containing non-removable batteries are not allowed in the hold.

Meanwhile, BA does not allow any smart baggage on the flight if the ‘lithium battery/power bank for recharging devices cannot be detached from the bag by the customer’. If it is detachable, it will be permitted, provided it meets certain criteria.

For more information, visit BA’s website here and Ryanair’s website here.

Government advice for electronics in luggage

While some airlines might have specific restrictions, the Government lists nine main items allowed in your hand and checked luggage. These include:

• Hairdryers
• Straighteners
• Travel iron
• Electric shaver
• Most cameras
• Mobile phones
• Laptops
• Tablet devices
• MP3 players

Despite this, its site adds: “Check the restrictions on certain types of batteries or contact your airline if you’re not sure what you can carry[…] You can take hair curlers containing a gas cartridge in hand or hold luggage as long as the safety cover is fitted at all times. You must not take separate gas cartridges on board.”

Passengers using e-cigarettes should keep them in their hand luggage rather than in hold luggage. During security checks, placing electronic devices in a designated tray allows staff to quickly see and verify that no prohibited items are hidden.

Additional details are available at GOV.UK here.

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