BRITS planning to send Christmas cards have been warned to stock up ahead of a major price change in just hours.

Royal Mail has confirmed first-class stamps will go up in price tomorrow.

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The stamps will rise for standard letters by 30p from £1.35 to £1.65 – the second hike in a year and a 22% increase.

First-class stamps for large letters will go up from £2.10 to £2.60 – a 24% rise.

However, you can beat the hike somewhat by stocking up on stamps now so you don’t need to buy new ones come Christmas.

Martin Lewis previously said: “For years, every time stamps go up in price I’ve suggested people stock up and bulk-buy in advance.

“Provided the stamp doesn’t have a price on it and instead just says the postage class, it’s still valid after the hike.

“So you may as well stock up now, even if it’s just for Christmas cards for the next few Christmases.”

Royal Mail said it had tried to keep any price hikes on stamps as low as possible in the face of inflation and slumping demand.

It also cited the costs associated with maintaining the Universal Service Obligation for deliveries six days a week.

But Ofcom said Royal Mail could be allowed to drop Saturday deliveries for second class letters under an overhaul of the service.

Under plans being considered, second class deliveries would not be made on Saturdays and would only be on alternate weekdays.

But delivery times would remain unchanged at up to three working days.

Ofcom said no decision had been made and it continues to review the changes.

The regulator aims to publish a consultation in early 2025 and make a decision in the summer of next year.

Royal Mail has urged the Government and Ofcom to review its obligations.

The firm argues that it is no longer workable or cost-effective, given the decline in number of letter volumes being posted.

The delivery giant has previously said volumes have fallen from 20billion in 2004/5 to around 6.7billion in 2023/4.

The average household now receives four letters a week compared to 14 a decade ago.

What is rising?

Royal Mail previously raised the price of first class stamps from £1.10 to £1.25 last October, before hiking them again in April.

Right now, a first class stamp costs £1.35, which covers the delivery of letters up to 100g.

Historically, the cost of stamps has steadily increased over the years, reflecting inflation and operational costs. For example, in 2000, a First Class stamp was priced at 41p.

A second class stamp is currently priced at 85p and also covers letters up to 100g. The cost of second-class stamps isn’t rising from October 7.

The stamps can be bought individually if you buy it at a Post Office counter.

Otherwise, you can typically buy them in sets of multiple stamps.

The first class service typically delivers your post the next working day, including Saturdays, while the second class service usually delivers within 2-3 working days, also including Saturdays.

For larger letters, the cost of a first class stamp is £2.10 for items up to 100g, and a second class stamp for the same weight is £1.55.

Parcel delivery prices vary based on size and weight, starting from £3.69 for small parcels.

Additional services include the “signed for” option, which requires a signature upon delivery and adds an extra level of security.

The cost for first class signed for is £3.05, and for second class Signed for, it is £2.55.

The “special delivery” service guarantees next-day delivery by 1pm with compensation cover, with prices starting from £7.95.

Royal Mail periodically reviews and adjusts stamp prices, so it is advisable to check the latest rates on their official website or at your local Post Office.

THOUSANDS of households could still be eligible for the £300 Winter Fuel Payment even if they do not claim Pension Credit.

The Winter Fuel Payment is a state benefit paid once a year to pensioners to help cover the cost of heating during colder months.

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The handout was previously available to everyone aged above 66 and helped with high energy bills.

But Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed earlier this year the cash would only be given to retirees on pension credit, or other means-tested benefits.

To meet the criteria for Pension Credit you must have a weekly income which falls below around £218 if you are single.

If you live with a partner and you are both state pension age then your weekly income must fall below around £350.

It is thought around 800,000 pensioners meet the criteria for pension credit and have not applied.

So it is always worth checking your eligibility to see if you have a chance.

However, the top-up is not the only way to qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment.

For example, older Brtis who are living in a different country can still get the £300 cash boost.

This is because of a loophole in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, which sets out the rights of British expats living in European countries.

Citizens who meet the criteria can claim a Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) if they move to an eligible country before December 31, 2020.

To be eligible, citizens must also:

• Have been born before September 23, 1958
• Be receiving a benefit paid by the UK, such as a State Pension
• Have a genuine and sufficient link to the UK, such as having lived or worked in the UK, or having family in the UK
• Receive a qualifying means-tested benefit from the country they live in

You will need to claim Winter Fuel Payment even if you have got it before. The payment is not made automatically when you live abroad.

The eligible countries you can live in and claim are:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• Germany
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Sweden
• Switzerland

If you live abroad and want to apply for the Winter Fuel Payment you can find out more about submitting your application by clicking the link here.

Other ways to meet the criteria

A partner below the state pension age may also be eligible for the £300 payment if they live with a partner who is over state pension age and they jointly claim benefits. These include:

• Universal Credit
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

So for example, if you are 65 and your partner is 66 and you both claim benefits, your partner will be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.

If you do not have a partner and still claim any of the above benefits you could still be entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment.

If you want to check your eligibility then it is worth checking out our article here.

You can also find free-to-use online benefits calculators to work out what you’re entitled to.

For example, Age UK has an online calculator which helps you work out what benefits you could be entitled to including the Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Credit.

According to the site, it takes 10 minutes to complete and you will need the following information:

• Your savings
• Your income, including your partner’s if you have one
• Any benefits or pensions you’re already claiming, including anyone you’re living with.

The calculator is free to use and confidential.

Help at hand

The Sun has launched a ­Winter Fuel SOS campaign to help thousands of pensioners worried about their energy bills.

We want to hear from you by phone or email — and it’s fine if you are calling or messaging on behalf of a friend or relative.

Our panel includes former ­pensions minister Sir Steve Webb, pensions expert Baroness Ros ­Altmann and consumer champion Martyn James.

They will be joined by The Sun’s Head of Consumer Tara Evans and Sun Savers Editor Lana ­Clements.

And even if you aren’t eligible for the payment, our team will be ­sharing tips on how to switch energy providers and save money, get help if you’re in debt or simply need to save this winter.

Your cases will be considered by our panel, who will aim to give you advice within one week of your call or email.

HOUSEHOLDS will start to guzzle through more energy as temperatures drop and the heating goes on but easy mistakes with the thermostat will cost you.

The cost of warming and powering homes is rising with the energy price cap leaping 10% from £1,568 to £1,717 on October 1.

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However, the exact amount you’ll pay for your energy bill depends on how much you use.

It means that it’s more important to make sure you are being as efficient as possible with energy.

Heating your home is one of the biggest costs of energy bills over the colder months.

Thermostats control the temperature of your home by linking to your boiler.

The heating is triggered to come on when the temperature dips below that set on the thermostat.

It’s not surprising that people try many different tricks to try make their home warmer for less.

However, there are some common mistakes that people make with the thermostat that piles the pounds on to annual bills.

Turning up the thermostat to get warm faster – £343

When you come home and it’s freezing cold outside, you just want your pad to be instantly toasty.

Turning up the dial on the thermostat can seem like a good way to hurry things along – but sadly that’s not how it works.

Nancy Emery, heating expert at online retailer Tap Warehouse, says: “A thermostat works as a limiter and not an accelerator, so turning it up in a bid to quickly heat your home won’t work…

“By turning your thermostat up, you’re essentially asking your heating to reach a higher temperature which could take longer, around an hour or so per degree increase.

“This just means your home will reach its optimal temperature in a set amount of time, and then go beyond costing you more money on your energy bills in the process. “

Setting the thermostat higher than needed means you are more likely to let the home overheat which will hammer your bills.

It’s estimated that you can save around 10% off your bill with every one degree the heating is turned down, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

The average fuel bill is now going to stand at £1,717 from October 1 meaning that if you crank the heating even two degrees higher and forget to put it back down you could add an extra £343 to your bill.

Nancy adds: “With the worry of the new energy price cap that’s looming, the best thing to do is to maintain your thermostat at a regular temperature to help keep costs down.”

Leaving your heating on low all day – £150

There is a belief that leaving your heating on low all day is cheaper than having it on for a few hours in the evening or morning at a higher temperature.

The Energy Saving Trust says that if you have a boiler, this isn’t true.

You will use more energy, which will ultimately cost you more money.

It’s more energy efficient, and better for your bills, to have your boiler come on when you need it.

With the average cost of gas central heating is around £1.68 an hour, according to Check-a-trade.com.

If you have the heating on for just one extra hour a day over a month that will cost you an extra £50.

And if you were to do it every day during the coldest months December to February, you’re looking at a total added £150.

However, there is an exception to this rule and that is if you have a heat pump.

The Energy Saving Trust says that it can be more beneficial to run a heat pump all day.

Drying clothes on radiators – £60

Many people try to make the most of having the heating on by drying clothes on radiators.

However, this can trick your thermostat into having the heating on for longer.

This is because when you put clothes on the radiator it blocks the heat coming out making it take longer for the room to reach the desired degree.

The heating will stay on until rooms reach the set temperature.

It means that if you have the heating on for an extra hour at £1.68 three times a week over 12 weeks when the weather is cold, you’re looking at around an extra £60 added to your bill.

As well as clothes, furniture can block heat from circulating in a room. So make sure there is plenty of space between radiators and sofas or beds, for example.

Putting your thermostat in the wrong place – £hundreds

If your thermostat is in the wrong place you could end up paying hundreds of pounds more in energy bills.

Thermostats monitor when your home has reached the temperature you want, and can be used to turn the heating up or down.

But if the thermostat is in a colder part of the house, it could be reporting that the temperature is lower than it really is in the rest of the home.

This means your heating is working harder than necessary.

You can read more about how that affects your bills here.

More ways to save on heating your home

It’s not just the thermostat that dictates the cost of heating.

There are lots of things you can do to help keep your home warm on a budget.

Putting reflective foil behind your radiator helps to reflect heat back into the room. You can get special packs fro around £10 or even using regular aluminium foil can help.

Check your radiators for any cold patches and bleed them if so. This will will help rooms heat evenly and efficiently and avoid overworking your boiler.

Give your radiators a good dust so that heat can move freely through the room.

Use thermostatic valves to control the heating in each room of your home.

In spare bedrooms or lesser used rooms, turn the heating right down or off to avoid heating spaces with no one in.

Turning down your boiler’s flow temperature can also help cut bills.

Reducing draughts will also help your home to stop losing heat keeping it much toastier – draught excluders cost from around £5 and will help stop cooler air entering through gaps and crevices.

DAVID Booth was on track to become a head teacher at his local primary school after he was promoted to head of maths, and thought his whole career was planned out.

His job was secure, he could walk to work easily, and he was able to live comfortably on his £45,000 annual salary.

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But with long hours and very little flexibility, David, 44 he started to have second thoughts about his career in teaching.

Despite the job security and comfortable salary, like many teachers, he craved more free time and a lifestyle change.

But, he didn’t have any other qualifications and felt his skills in teaching weren’t transferable to a different career.

Plus, he worried that a career switch would mean he’d need to take a much lower salary, which he couldn’t really afford as he needed to look after his family.

David, from Surrey, began researching online for a way to make at least the same amount of money but with more flexibility – and that’s when he stumbled across a “financial adviser academy” run by a company called St James’s Place (SJP).

The academy said it could help him switch into a career in financial planning from a different career – and he didn’t need any prior qualifications in the area, as he could train on the job.

David eventually decided to give up his career in teaching and have a go at learning to be a financial adviser – a total career switch.

Financial advisers help people manage their money, something he had no experience in.

While it’s a highly qualified job, it usually doesn’t require a degree or other qualifications, as training is usually done on the job.

After just three years working and training as a financial adviser, David was already on a £70,000 annual salary – far more than he had ever earned as a teacher – and now has more freedom with the hours he works, so he gets to spend more time with his family.

“I essentially went from a gold-plated job to self-employment at a time of great uncertainty, but I was determined to make it work and not look back,” David said.

“I have far more flexibility now, it’s been a life-changing shift.”

Leaving teaching behind

David is one of tens of thousands of teachers fleeing the sector.

In the financial year 2022-2023, 43,500 teachers left the state-funded education sector – representing around one in 10 qualified teachers – due to changing careers or joining a different education sector.

A recent study by the National Foundation of Educational Research found less than half – 45% – of teachers felt satisfied with their jobs, culminating in many eventually leaving the profession.

And research by SJP recently found a fifth of those who are dissatisfied with their career feel so because it isn’t flexible around their personal life.

But many teachers feel like they don’t know where to go when they quit the profession, as they aren’t sure if their skills are transferrable.

This is particularly the case for people further into their careers.

How to switch careers

But experts say it’s really important that people are able to move into a career they find fulfilling more easily.

“Finding fulfilling work can have a positive impact on your physical and mental health, your relationships, your self-esteem, and, over time, your bank balance,” explained Natasha Stanley, head coach at Careershifters.

“But career change takes time, and big journeys are much easier with a team of supporters.

“Surrounding yourself with other career changers, trusted family and friends, experts and mentors can inspire you, help you find solutions to obstacles, and stay accountable.”

Experts say it’s vital the government and businesses also make it easier for people to switch sectors for the benefit of the economy.

Catherine Foot, director of Phoenix Insights, said: “Employers, government and providers need to do more to inspire and support people to actively plan their careers across what might now be 50 or 60 years of working life.

“In our latest report in partnership with cross-party think tank Demos, we have argued for expanding access to the information and support people need to make career changes and get back into work.”

However, make sure you have enough money set aside before leaving your job, and don’t make any rash decisions.

Experts suggest having around three to six months’ worth of your salary saved for a rainy day.

Ten places where you can get on the UK property ladder with a £20,000 salary have been revealed.

Top of the list is Inverclyde, where buyers can purchase a property with a salary of £20,040, according to data from Zoopla, provided exclusively to The Sun.

This west-central Scottish region has the cheapest house prices in the UK, with typical values of just £106,100.

It means those with an annual salary of £20,040 could afford to buy the property, based on borrowing 4.5 times their income, which is a standard amount banks and building societies might lend.

The top 10 list from Zoopla also includes Blackpool, where the average house price is £123,600.

A borrower could afford to buy a property in the popular seaside town with such a price tag if they earn a salary of £23,340.

Also on the list is Burnley, where the average house price is £120,100 and the annual salary required is £22,680.

Borrowers would need to meet all of a bank’s other lending criteria, something that could include having minimal debt.

Zoopla calculated what salary a borrower would need to secure a mortgage on the properties in its list by assuming they had saved a 15 per deposit and were able to borrow 4.5 times their salary.

While some lenders will allow first-time buyers to borrow more than 4.5 times their salary – if they meet certain lending criteria – the mortgage industry widely sees this income multiple of 4.5 as the maximum that borrowers can stretch to.

The calculations by Zoopla are a simple estimate of the annual salary required and do not take into account individual circumstances.

Take, for example, the Inverclyde average house price of £106,100 and subtract a 15 per cent deposit. This leaves £90,185. 

Divide this figure by 4.5 and the salary required to get a mortgage on that property is £20,040.

Scotland dominates the top three places in the list of the cheapest places where you can get onto the property ladder with a salary of around £20,000.

In second place is East Ayrshire, with an average house price of £106,800.

Once a 15 per cent deposit and income multiples are taken into account, borrowers will need a salary of £20,160 to buy a typical property in this region.

Ranked in third place is West Dunbartonshire, where the average value of a home is £110,000 and where the annual salary needed to buy is £20,770.

While house prices tend to be cheaper north of the border, there are still places in England that are in the list.

These include Hartlepool, which is ranked fourth in the list. It has an average price of £114,100 and an annual salary required of £21,550.

Also in the list is Middlesbrough at £115,900 and £21,890 respectively.

The remaining areas in the list are Kingston Upon Hull, North Ayrshire and Sunderland, where the annual salary required to buy a property is £21,630, £21,660, and £23,000 respectively.

The average values of the properties in the list are in sharp contrast to the typical price of a UK home, which currently stands at £329,648.

Zoopla defined the areas as local authorities and the data covers England, Scotland and Wales.

The data follows the first interest rate cut by the Bank of England in four years earlier this summer.

The Bank of England kept interest rates on hold this month, but is widely expected to cut them again before the end of the year.

When the Bank of England cuts the cost of borrowing, this tends to be passed on via cheaper mortgage rates.

Mortgage rates have shot up in the past couple of years, but have dropped off their peak during this time.

The average two-year fixed-rate mortgage currently stands at 5.46 per cent, according to Moneyfacts.

It compares to significantly more a year ago, when average two-year mortgage rates were more than one percentage point higher at 6.59 per cent.

Mortgage experts said further falls in mortgage rates should make life easier for borrowers in the months ahead.

Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, says: “Getting on the housing ladder may feel like an impossible ask, given rising rents, the high cost of living, mortgage rates and property prices. 

“However, there are parts of the country where it can be achievable even on a relatively low salary although these locations may not be terribly convenient for work or family.

“For those with their hearts set on more expensive locations, saving hard, asking family for assistance and taking on longer mortgage terms are the usual routes to home ownership. 

“Falling mortgage rates should make life easier in coming weeks and months but even so, the goal of home ownership remains beyond many.”

Next month sees the first autumn statement by the new Labour Government.

Many first-time buyers will be hoping for an announcement in their favour.

Such an announcement could come in the form of stamp duty benefits.

First-time buyers are currently benefiting from reduced stamp duty rates. But these are due to come to an end in April next year.

Some may be hoping that the currently level is extended, reducing the cost of buying for first-time buyers.

If no further announcements are made in the upcoming Budget, it means more first-time buyers will end up paying stamp duty as the threshold reduces from the current level of £425,000 to £300,000.

First-time buyers purchasing homes priced between £500,000 and £625,000 will also lose out as they currently only pay the lower rate of 5 per cent on the amount that falls in this bracket.

Daniel Copley, consumer expert at Zoopla, said: “Although house prices are still on the rise in many parts of the country, if you’re willing to broaden your horizons there are some more affordable pockets where you can get on the property ladder for under £20,000. 

“These include areas in Scotland, the North East and North West, many of which have easy access to major cities and good transport links.”

CHOCOLATE fans are racing to fill their baskets with a brand new Oreo flavour scanning for just £1.

Iceland shoppers were delighted to see an exciting edition hit the shelves – and they could become a festive favourite.

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The budget supermarket rolled out Gingerbread Oreo sweet treats just in time to welcome in the Autumn season.

And, the tasty bikkie could also be the perfect fit for Christmas.

A helpful customer shared the information in the Extreme Couponing and Bargains Facebook group.

“Oreo Gingerbread Biscuits Spotted In Iceland,” they wrote.

One fan penned: “Already had some from them!”

Another bargain hunter added: “Right that’s it, I know where I’m going tomorrow.”

“We have to try these,” wrote a third.

Other glowing reviews read: “These are amazing!”

However, some claimed the goodies boasted more of a cinnamon taste, rather than gingerbread.

“Very strong cinnamon taste. They’re ok but you have to love cinnamon and be in the mood for them. Wish they were more like gingerbread,” said one.

This isn’t the first time chocolate fans were overjoyed to discover a different flavour of Oreo.

A picture of Vanilla Latte flavoured Oreos was posted in the popular Facebook group ‘New Foods UK’.

The post read: “Brand new Vanilla Latte Oreo, these are really good!

“The creamy vanilla flavour works so well with the coffee flavour, we are stocking up on these, Now available at Co-op.”

If this doesn’t take your fancy, Oreo also one-upped their iconic peanut butter flavour.

They’ve now blended it with a rich milk chocolate to create a mouth-watering taste.

Hitting the shelves alongside it came a fresh new flavour, blueberry ice cream.

The blueberry ice cream edition features a rich, smooth blueberry creme sandwiches between two of the classic crunchy chocolate biscuits that features in an ordinary Oreo.

It comes as shoppers also can’t get enough of a new festive McVitie’s biscuit.

The iconic biscuit maker also launched a new gingerbread variety of milk chocolate digestives in the run up to Christmas.

And, the company rolled a new “indulgent” product earlier this year that will make your tastebuds excited.

The flavours include Caramel Chocolate Rounds, Chocolate Cream Swirls, and Chocolate Caramel.

Meanwhile, more sweet-tooth shoppers raved about Quality Street bringing back a favourite flavour.

And it’s set to return in time for the festive season.

The coffee creme flavour chocolate was last seen in Quality Street tubs over 20 years ago, until the chocolatier reintroduced it last year.

Nestle has confirmed that the sweet treat will be available once again this Christmas.