THE advertising watchdog has ruled against six major broadband companies after they failed to meet advertising standards.

BT, EE, Plusnet, TalkTalk, O2 and Virgin have all been told to take down certain ads on their web pages by The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) after it said they did not make potential price increases clear.

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The watchdog ruled that the firms had not been clear about how much customers’ bills would go up due to mid-contract price hikes.

Mid-contract price hikes are increases to your bill during your contract term.

Broadband and mobile phone firms typically increase bills every March/April in line with Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation, plus an extra fixed amount – often 3% – to account for other rising costs.

But the ASA said telecoms firms had made information about these rises too difficult for customers to find and that the adverts “must not appear again”.

For example, it said in some cases the firms had placed this information separately to the headline prices quoted on the advert, and in a less prominent position.

The watchdog said it had received multiple complaints from customers who felt they had been misled, and stated that the companies had “fallen foul of guidance” .

For example, it said an advert on the BT website featured the headline: “Get Ultrafast Full Fibre 100 for only £29.99 a month.”

But in much smaller text, the ad said: “Prices rise each year on 31 March by £3 – 24 month [sic] contract.”

And the ASA said the relevant information about price rises in EE’s ad “would likely have been overlooked because of its placement at the bottom of the page.”

The providers have been reminded that in future such price increases must be displayed prominently rather than in small print.

These rulings came as a reminder of CAP’s most updated guidance which was released December 2023.

The guidance said that “certain material information must be provided to consumers, in a specified format, before they can agree to enter into a contract for phone or broadband services.”

A Virgin Media O2 spokesperson told The Sun: “After working closely with the ASA to update our website and provide prominent advice about any price changes, we are surprised and disappointed by their ruling.

“Consumers visiting our website are greeted with a prominent message at the top of the page explaining in large bold font how and when price rises take effect, and this explanation is also always visible when consumers scroll, ensuring they are not misled.

“While we’re confident in the steps we’ve taken to repeatedly provide consumers with clear and easy-to-understand information about any price rises, we’ll carefully review their judgement and implement any necessary changes.”

The Sun also offered the other broadband providers the opportunity to reply and have not heard back – we will update readers if this changes.

This is not the only time providers have been warned about transparency with customers lately.

Last week, it also emerged that the regulator Ofcom had set new rules for network providers, so they must now warn customers when they might be hit with data roaming costs.

Data roaming is when you connect to another country’s network while travelling, costing as much as £6 per MB of data used.

The regulator ruled that providers must tell customers when these fees were happening to prevent them being unexpectedly charged.

Uswitch’s mobiles expert Ernest Doku pointed out that “while this is good news there is still inconsistency between providers – meaning a lack of clarity for consumers, who were hit with £539 million in unexpected roaming charges in 2023.”

To check your network or broadband rate visit your online account or phone your provider.

We recommend you always read the small print when buying into new contracts or making any changes to your location.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

Brits care almost four times as much about the cost of living as they do about climate change, a new survey has shown.

The figures underline long-held concerns that many cash-squeezed Brits have to prioritise their budgets rather than considering more expensive green electric cars or heat pumps and solar panels.

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While net zero is considered a pressing issue, it still falls far behind Brits’ lists of concerns and after the cost of living, the quality of the NHS, the economy and immigration, according to a survey of 12,000 households by British Gas.

However, threat of climate change is still seen as the fifth most important issue to Brits and even comes above housing, crime, Brexit, welfare spending or terrorism.

Despite the government’s net zero obsession, almost two-thirds of Brits reckon the UK will not hit its targets by 2050.

The survey also revealed that almost half of Brits believe that heating bills should be kept low, even if it means doing so will contribute more to climate change.

While eight in ten Brits said they would be willing to make changes to their home to tackle climate change, two thirds are put off by the cost of installations and worries that upfront costs won’t actually reduce energy bills.

More than half of the survey respondents said that the current system of grants and subsidies for energy reduction schemes was difficult to understand.

BELOVED homeware chain Wilko is back on the high street having closed 400 stores last year after going into administration.

Wilko has confirmed that its Uxbridge store will open its doors to customers at 9am on 22nd November – right in time for Christmas.

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Brits were heartbroken when beloved Wilko announced it would be closing all of its shops back in October 2023.

But almost a year later, Wilko is making a comeback, launching new stores across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Uxbridge store launch marks the household and garden retailer’s return to West London.

It is also its seventh opening since the brand was acquired by CDS Superstores.

Spanning approximately 30,000sqft, the store will be situated in its former trading location at The Pavillions Shopping Centre.

It looks to offer local shoppers access to products they know and love – including Christmas essentials.

The store’s launch day will feature goody bags for the first 50 shoppers in the queue and an exclusive prize for the first person in line, along with great value deals across many key categories.

Shoppers will also get to try their luck at the spin the wheel, with a chance to win gift cards and pick-n-mix vouchers.

As with its fellow six concept stores launched to date, the new Uxbridge store will feature additional services, including a Click and Collect offering.

This store launch forms part of Wilko’s expansion plans, with a further national roll-out planned.

It’s the brand’s latest store, joining recent openings in Poole, Exeter, Luton, Plymouth, St Albans and Rotherham.

What other retailers have made a comeback?

It has been a tough time for retailers since Covid and the last few years have seen many vanish from our high streets.

The rising cost of living and expensive rents have all been playing a part in the demise of some of our much-loved high street names.

This week saw the return of the beloved record chain Our Price.

The record store was once a staple of the UK high street from the early 1970s until 2004.

The first store was on London‘s Finchley Road, and the brand had as many as 300 branches at its peak, making it one of the biggest music store chains in the UK.

Last week Our Price revealed it would be making a return as music lovers will once again be able to buy thousands of vinyls and other merch.

Shoppers can browse the catalogue online for now only, owners have not ruled out the return to physical stores at some point in the future.

Toys R Us is also among those which has managed to make a comeback.

The popular toy brand opened up nine new shops in 2023 after vanishing from the high street in 2018.

However, the new stores are slightly different as they are “shop-in-shops” and are located inside WHSmith stores.

Toys R Us will be opening 30 new shops across the UK this summer following the successful opening of almost a dozen stores last year.

In October last year, Paperchase also made a return after closing all of its 134 shops and concessions earlier in the year.

Fans of the brand were devastated when the retailer disappeared from the high street in April after falling into administration.

However, supermarket giant Tesco stepped in and bought the rights to the brand and then went on to launch it in some of its stores.

A total of 261 Tesco stores now stock Paperchase products – we have the full list here.

M&Co, previously called Mackay’s, fell into administration for the second time in two years in December 2022.

Fellow retailer Yours Clothing bought the M&Co brand and intellectual property.

The retailer launched a new M&Co website in June 2023 and The Sun exclusively revealed its plans to open up physical stores starting in May 2024.

Meanwhile, we also visited the new Toys R Us shops when they first reopened.

Plus, have a look inside an iconic fast food chain’s training centre with a fake restaurant simulator.

COCA-COLA has confirmed the return of one its limited edition drinks just in time for Christmas after it was axed four year ago.

One fan described the drink as their “favourite ever” after a post on Facebook revealed the product had returned to UK shelves.

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The drinks manufacturer has confirmed its Zero Sugar Cinnamon flavour will be available across the UK from mid-October until the “end of the year.”

A post in group Newfoodsuk about the drink rapidly gained traction and amassed over 500 comments and 700 reactions.

Some fans rejoiced at the news following the product’s axing in 2020.

One user commented: “Lovely stuff, wish it was available all throughout the year.”

Another added: “Best coke, should be permanent.”

Some described it as their “favourite” while others were excited to “try” the unusual flavour.

However, not all reception was positive.

Some were sceptical of the item’s taste, while others had less than fond memories of it from the past.

One commenter said: “Don’t like the sound of cinnamon coke.”

Another said: “Not something I’d want to try doesn’t sound appealing.”

One unhappy user commented: “Why do Coca-Cola insist on making it zero sugar when it’s flavoured?

“Coke zero is awful.”

The product is currently available exclusively at Tesco in 2L bottles and retails for £1.85.

This places it in line with the price of the brand’s entire Zero range, which also includes regular Zero, Zero Caffeine-Free, Zero Lemon, and Zero Cherry.

Coca-Cola Cinnamon was first introduced in the UK back in 2018 as a “limited-time offer for the holiday season.”

It then returned for the festive season again in 2019 and 2020 but hadn’t been seen in UK supermarkets since.

A ranking of the best Coke flavours in 2024 by lovefood.com placed the cinnamon version 10th on its list.

While fans were split over the revival, some people also took the opportunity to express their sadness at other axed Coca-Cola products.

One user said: ” I wish Coca Cola should bring back the Diet Vanilla Coke that was delicious.”

Just last month, the drink’s giant had to apologise for discontinuing its Cherry Vanilla flavour, citing “consumers’ taste preferences and lifestyles constantly changing.”

TEN million pensioners face losing the Winter Fuel Payment – if you are one of them call our team of experts TODAY.

We want to help the thousands of pensioners who are worrying about paying their energy bills with tips and advice. And we want to help determine if they may be in line for Pension Credit.

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Our Winter Fuel SOS Crew, including energy experts and consumer champions, are available today to answer your questions from 7am to 7pm, or you can email.

You can even contact on behalf of pension-age friends with their permission.

PENSIONS Minister Emma Reynolds has backed our Winter Fuel SOS campaign to help thousands of older people with their bills and heating costs this winter.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in July that only households in England and Wales that receive Pension Credit or certain means-tested benefits will be entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment this year.

Previously it was available to everyone aged over 66.

Charity Age UK yesterday published an impact assessment that showed 800,000 hard-up pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit and will now also lose the Winter Fuel Payment. Many wrongly believe they aren’t entitled to it.

Backing our campaign to help older people register for Pension Credit, Emma Reynolds said: “It is vital we make sure that pensioners know about all the support they are entitled to.

Not only does Pension Credit top up income, it also opens up further support

Emma Reynolds

“Our drive to boost Pension Credit take-up has already seen a 152 per cent increase in claims and Sun readers can help spread the word.

“If you have a friend, neighbour or relative who is a pensioner and on a low income, telling them about Pension Credit could boost their income by an average of £3,900.

“Not only does Pension Credit top up income, it also opens up further support, such as the Winter Fuel Payment.”

Pension Credit can be back-dated by three months, which means the last date to claim and still get the Winter Fuel Payment is December 21.

As our Winter Fuel SOS experts take your calls, here we bust some Pension Credit myths.

What is Pension Credit?

If you are over state pension age Pension Credit tops up your retirement income to a minimum of £218.15 per week if you are single and £332.95 for couples. It also opens up access to other benefits.

I have savings and own a home, can I still get it?

You can still be eligible. You may even get help towards interest payments on your mortgage. How much you get depends on your income and savings.

Is there any point if I will only get a small amount?

Yes. If you get any amount of Pension Credit you may also be able to get help with other costs including Housing Benefit if you rent, a free TV licence if you’re over 75, help with your heating costs and more.

My mum has a severe disability, is there any additional help for her?

Yes, those with a severe disability could get an extra £81.50 a week if they get any of the following:

• Attendance Allowance.
• Armed Forces Independence Payment.
• The middle or highest rate from the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
• The daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
• The daily living component of Adult Disability Payment (ADP) at the standard or enhanced rate.

I am a carer for my grandchild, is there any additional help for me?

Yes, if you’re a carer you could get an extra £45.60 if you get Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment.

And, if you and your partner have both claimed or are getting Carer’s Allowance, you can both get this extra amount.

I was turned down for Pension Credit before, is it worth claiming again?

Definitely, especially if your circumstances have changed.

Is there a way of estimating how much I could get?

There is a Pension Credit calculator at gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator to help you work out how much you could be eligible for before applying.

Alternatively, you can contact the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 046 if you’re not sure whether you’re eligible for extra amounts.

OK, so how can I apply and is it complicated?

Claiming is straightforward. You can do it:

• Online at gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim.
• Over the phone by calling 0800 99 1234.
• By printing out and filling in a paper application form.

And if you need some extra support, a friend or voluntary organisation such as Age UK can help you make a claim.

ALDI has revealed the exact date its wooden toy range will hit stores just in time for Christmas.

Prices start from just £2.99 for the supermarket giant’s sell out range which includes more than 50 products.

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The German retailer’s range varies widely and includes items such as Wooden 2D Wheeled Animals and a Wooden Climbing Triangle and Cube.

Other gift ideas include a brand new Wooden Horse Box and a Beauty Station to let your child’s imagination run wild, both retailing for £24.99 each.

Shoppers will have to act fast, however, as the range sold-out when it was released last year.

The chain also laid out its top 10 wooden toys as gifts to “help mum, dad, and Santa’s little helper with what to choose.”

The list included, in no particular order:

• Wooden Kettle, Coffee & Hot Chocolate Maker 
• Wooden Kitchen Sets 
• Double Sided Easel 
• Wooden Climbing Arch and Slide 
• Wooden Toy Kitchen 
• Wooden Birthday Cake 
• Wooden Cupcakes and Doughnuts Assortment 
• Wooden Tabletop Assortment 
• Toy Roleplay Bags 
• Wooden Grocery Sets 

The discount retailer chain is also bringing back the wooden Cuthbert which previously caused a stir with M&S fans.

In 2021 M&S lodged an infringement claim against Aldi arguing the chocolate cake was too similar to its classic Colin the Caterpillar which has been around for 30 years with an unchanged design.

But Cuthbert returned to shelves in February 2022 after the two supermarkets called a truce in an agreed settlement. 

Aldi claims this years range of wooden toys is its “biggest ever” and that shoppers can expect the “same great value” as 2023’s set.

This comes as rival Lidl announced its own range of wooden toys.

Its set of products are expected to arrive in stores across the UK from October 17 with Aldi’s range available from October 10.

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How to save money at Aldi

Unlike other major supermarkets, Aldi does not have a rewards or point card system but that does not mean you cannot save on your shop. 

Every week the store releases a list of special buys, which are unique bargain products you find online at Aldi and in-store. 

The store releases a fresh range of deals every Thursday and Sunday, so be sure to check regularly to see what’s new. 

Meanwhile, the store also regularly sells fruit and vegetables at highly discounted prices, as part of its ‘super six’ deal.

It also does weekly saving offers on typically pricey items such as meat and fish.