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Need help getting pension credit so you can keep your Winter Fuel Payment? Call our experts TODAY

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Need help getting pension credit so you can keep your Winter Fuel Payment? Call our experts TODAY

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.

We want to help the thousands of pensioners who are worrying about paying their energy bills

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We want to help the thousands of pensioners who are worrying about paying their energy billsCredit: Getty
We have gathered together a top line-up of experts — and our Winter Fuel SOS crew will be taking your calls

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We have gathered together a top line-up of experts — and our Winter Fuel SOS crew will be taking your calls
Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds has backed our Winter Fuel SOS campaign

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Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds has backed our Winter Fuel SOS campaignCredit: Roger Harris Photography

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.

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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.

READ MORE ON WINTER FUEL SOS

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.

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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.

Get in contact

Our panel of consumer champions and energy advisers will
be on hand to answer all your queries from 7am to 7pm.

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CALL 0800 028 1978 or email winterfuelSOS@the-sun.co.uk

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

Could you be eligible for Pension Credit?

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.

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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.

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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:

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  • 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.

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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?

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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.

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Huge restaurant chain to deliver Christmas dinner feast to your door this festive season

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Huge restaurant chain to deliver Christmas dinner feast to your door this festive season

THIS massive restaurant chain is to deliver a Christmas dinner feast to your door this festive season.

Côte restaurants have launched their indulgent range of Christmas meals designed by Gordon Ramsay’s former Executive Chef.

Côte restaurants have launched their indulgent range of Christmas meals

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Côte restaurants have launched their indulgent range of Christmas mealsCredit: Cote
The Côte Festive Turkey Feast

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The Côte Festive Turkey FeastCredit: Cote
The Côte Festive Chateaubriand Feast

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The Côte Festive Chateaubriand FeastCredit: Cote

Steve Allen – who previously ran Michelin-starred restaurants – has focused on fresh seasonal ingredients to showcase the classics, with a French twist, at Christmas.

This Christmas the premium delivery Côte at Home service has come up with three luxury Christmas feasts complete with simple instructions – so there’s less stress for the season.

In less than three hours, and with minimal fuss, the luxurious meals are ready to be served.

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All three Côte at Home Christmas boxes have been specially designed so that dishes can be heated at the same temperature, avoiding oven hassle and more time to relax with loved ones.

Three of the Côte at Home Christmas boxes

The Côte Festive Turkey Feast (£124.95) serves up to six people and includes:

  • A 2-2.5kg marinated British turkey breast from Larchwood Farm, East Anglia as the traditional centrepiece
  • Pigs in Blankets with a spiced honey glaze
  • Spiced Braised Red Cabbage
  • Brussels Sprouts au Gratin
  • Roast Potatoes
  • Rainbow Roasted Carrots
  • Sage & Onion stuffing
  • Shallot & Thyme Jus

The second box of Christmas comes with the same side dishes, but you and your guests will dine on 1kg Chateaubriand instead.

The Côte Festive Chateaubriand Feast serves up to six and costs £154.95.

Or you can opt for the third box which is a vegetarian feast for two costing £54.95, featuring:

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  • Two individual Butternut Squash Tarte Tatin’s with toasted almonds and Chèvre Buchette goat’s cheese served with all the trimmings
  • Spiced Braised Red Cabbage
  • Brussels Sprouts au Gratin
  • Roast Potatoes
  • Rainbow Roasted Carrots
  • Sage & Onion stuffing
  • Shallot & Thyme Jus

There’s also a selection of delicious festive starters including:

  • Chicken Liver Pâté (£8.95), infused with Grand Marnier and served with a fig chutney
  • Truffled Pumpkin Soup (£5.95) topped with crumbled chestnuts and pumpkin seeds
  • Brûlée Camembert (£5.95) which is sprinkled with sugar and caramelised to create a hard sweet crust, with grape chutney

All starters come with a freshly baked demi baguette.

Côte at Home also offers a selection of festive desserts:

  • Pear & Almond Frangipane Tart with winter berry coulis (£8.95)
  • Brandy Butter Madeleines with whipped brandy butter (£8.95)
  • Bûche de Noël, a traditional chocolate roulade with pistachio cream (£15.95)

If you want to fill the fridge with other meals during the festive season, Côte’s chefs have designed another two exclusive boxes.

These mean you have more time to sit back and less time needing to focus on the big shop.

Brûlée Camembert is sprinkled with sugar and caramelised to create a hard sweet crust, with grape chutney

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Brûlée Camembert is sprinkled with sugar and caramelised to create a hard sweet crust, with grape chutneyCredit: Cote
Truffled Pumpkin Soup topped with crumbled chestnuts and pumpkin seeds

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Truffled Pumpkin Soup topped with crumbled chestnuts and pumpkin seedsCredit: Cote
Chicken Liver Pâté infused with Grand Marnier and served with a fig chutney

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Chicken Liver Pâté infused with Grand Marnier and served with a fig chutneyCredit: Cote

The Côte Christmas Breakfast Box (£64.95), for two or more people

You can enjoy a Continental breakfast of croissants, mini jams, French bread and butter, yoghurts, our Côte granola and Valencian orange juice.

There’s also smoked salmon, Comté cheese and Jambon de Savoie ham, alongside Cumberland sausages, Boudin Noir black pudding, Dingley Dell smoked back bacon and free-range eggs.

The Côte Christmas Evening Box (£74.95), for two or more people

Enjoy a selection of French cheeses, charcuterie and luxury fish perfect for a cold buffet of luxury food. All accompanied by crackers, confit jams, cornichons, olives and sourdough demi baguette.

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Côte Christmas Drinks Package (£84.25)

Côte at Home also offers a range of drinks gift packages this year, alongside some chocolate and Champagne gifting options.

Start (or end) the day with their exclusive house blend coffee, followed by Buck’s Fizz courtesy of Montaudon Champagne and Valencian orange juice.

Côte’s Les Mougeottes Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with your main meal, and there’s a bottle of Quinta do Crasto Port to enjoy alongside desserts of one of our French cheese boxes.

There’s also a range of wine packages – mixed, white and red wines, three bottles of exclusive French wine for £39.95.

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And a Champagne and Crémant package for £59.95.

If you’re looking for a smaller gift, this year Côte are partnering with Montezuma chocolates and offering their ‘Into the Dark’ and ‘Dairy Beloved’ gift boxes with your choice of Champagne, Crémant or Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Rosé for £34.95 – £39.95.

Executive Chef, Steve said: “Our Côte at Home Christmas boxes have everything you need to creative a fabulous festive feast.

“From seasonal starters through to the main event and show-stopping desserts, you’ll find a selection of classic Christmas dishes with a touch of French flair.

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“What’s more, everything is effortless to prepare in your own kitchen, so you won’t miss out on that all-important time with friends and family. Joyeux Noël!”

Delivered direct to your door Côte at Home festive menus and dishes are now on sale with delivery available nationwide from 18th – 23rd December.

Visit coteathome.co.uk to book your delivery and view the complete Christmas menu.

Brandy Butter Madeleines with whipped brandy butter

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Brandy Butter Madeleines with whipped brandy butterCredit: Cote
Bûche de Noël, a traditional chocolate roulade with pistachio cream

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Bûche de Noël, a traditional chocolate roulade with pistachio creamCredit: Cote
Pear & Almond Frangipane Tart with winter berry coulis

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Pear & Almond Frangipane Tart with winter berry coulisCredit: Cote

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Three ways to get a glowing complexion at home without needing pricey salon services

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Three ways to get a glowing complexion at home without needing pricey salon services

REGULAR facials help keep your skin in top condition especially during cold and windy weather.

But rather than fork out on pricey salon services, treat yourself at home instead.

We have three ways to care for your skin at home without needing expensive facials

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We have three ways to care for your skin at home without needing expensive facialsCredit: Getty

Here’s how to get a glowing complexion on a budget . . . 

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CLEANSE: Start by getting rid of make-up and grime.

You can use your own regular cleanser, or baby oil is a cheap product that will clean your face.

Then fill your sink with hot water and dip in a clean flannel or face cloth.

Wring out the cloth before laying it over your face. The steam should help open your pores.

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You can then use the cloth to exfoliate and buff your face by rubbing in small gentle circles over the skin.

SPECIAL CARE: When you head for a facial, your skin is usually lavished in extra products to give it a nice boost.

Retinol can help reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Aldi’s Lacura retinol toner, £2.99, is a budget alternative to expensive brands.

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Serums are absorbed by the skin and applied after cleansing and toning.

I’m an aesthetician – everyone thinks they need to stop exfoliating & moisturise more for winter skin but it’s the opposite

Try a vitamin C serum to help boost collagen production and make skin feel more supple.

Tesco’s Skin Saints vitamin C serum is £4.

MOISTURISE: As temperatures drop, your skin can quickly dry out.

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Keep it well moisturised to plump your face and help it looking healthy.

Hyaluronic acid helps dry skin look revived — Tesco’s Skin Saints version is £4.

No need to splash out on exra pricey moisturisers. Vaseline works well and a 50ml tub is £1.79 from Superdrug.

Finish with an SPF to protect your skin from sun damage all year round.

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Tesco’s kind & pure daily moisturiser and SPF 15, £2, is an affordable everyday option.

  • All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

Deal of the day

Save £50 on the Breville Elite Diamond clothes steamer

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Save £50 on the Breville Elite Diamond clothes steamerCredit: Supplied

DRY your clothes in rainy weather with this three-tier heated airer, down from £94.99 to £59.99 at The Range.

SAVE: £35

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Cheap treat

Lyle’s new gooey golden syrup flapjacks are £2.50 for a pack of five at Tesco

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Lyle’s new gooey golden syrup flapjacks are £2.50 for a pack of five at TescoCredit: Supplied

TUCK into Lyle’s new gooey golden syrup flapjacks, £2.50 for a pack of five at Tesco.

What’s new?

POP Holy Moly’s new cheese dips in the microwave for a couple of minutes to get a warm accompaniment perfect for nachos.

The range is £1.75 with a Nectar card at Sainsbury’s, down from £2.75.

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Top swap

Ganni’s buckle ballerinas are £325

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Ganni’s buckle ballerinas are £325Credit: Supplied
Primark has similar flats, for £16

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Primark has similar flats, for £16Credit: Supplied

PUT some style in your step with Ganni’s buckle ballerinas, £325 at ganni.com.

Or head to Primark and bag its similar flats, for £16.

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SAVE: £309

Little helper

IN Morrisons toy sale, customers with More cards can save up to 50 per cent on brands such as Hot Wheels and Barbie.

This Barbie Dollhouse set is now £25, was £50.

Shop & save

This Dunelm throw is down to £25.20

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This Dunelm throw is down to £25.20Credit: Supplied

SNUGGLE up on the sofa on dark evenings with this throw, down from £36 to £25.20 at Dunelm.

SAVE: £10.80

Hot right now

LIDL’S reward scheme has been updated – customers who spend £250 in a month can get ten per cent off their weekly shop.

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

Join thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle

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Join thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle

JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.

Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.

The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!

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Channel 4 reports biggest loss ever and calls for upcoming Budget to restore business confidence

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Channel 4 reports biggest loss ever and calls for upcoming Budget to restore business confidence

CHANNEL 4 yesterday reported its biggest loss ever   — and called for this month’s Budget to restore business confidence.

Boss Alex Mahon said: “That’s what advertisers need, that’s what consumers want, that’s what we want.”

Great British Bake Off broadcaster Channel 4 reported its biggest loss ever

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Great British Bake Off broadcaster Channel 4 reported its biggest loss everCredit: PA
C4, which also runs Married at First Sight, spent £663million on programming, its second-highest annual figure

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C4, which also runs Married at First Sight, spent £663million on programming, its second-highest annual figureCredit: Channel 4

And she insisted that would help more than government assistance in its ownership, as briefly flirted with by the last administration.

The Great British Bake Off broadcaster fell to a deficit of £52million last year, compared to a £3million surplus the year before.

Overall revenues edged ten per cent lower to £1billion.

It blamed a near ten per cent slump in advertising revenues, plus piling cash into content.

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It said the ad slump caught the entire market unaware — “even the highly paid forecasters”.

The publicly owned but commercially funded channel, which also screens Married At First Sight and The Piano, spent £663million on programming, its second-highest annual figure.

Bosses admitted they had hoped to spend even more, but the ads downturn meant budgets had to quickly be trimmed.

Ms Mahon said of the spend: “We did it knowing the single biggest contribution we can make to the financial health of the creative economy is what we spend on British intellectual property.”

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She reasserted the importance of the Government maintaining tax credits for film and drama productions.

Channel 4’s results showed consuming video content will overtake traditional linear TV.

Channel 4’s shocking new dating show Baddest in the World sees woman gag and scream during disgusting date

Streaming now makes up 15 per cent of its viewing after growing by a quarter last year.

It has been investing heavily in its digital partnerships, including YouTube which also streamed its Paralympics coverage.

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The advertising slowdown meant Channel 4 has already tightened its belt by cutting around 240 jobs and shelving shows including Banged Up and Scared of the Dark, despite good ratings.

It will quit its London HQ on Horseferry Road, due to hybrid working.

Boss Alex Mahon has called for this month’s Budget to restore business confidence

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Boss Alex Mahon has called for this month’s Budget to restore business confidenceCredit: Getty
The programme also screens The Piano

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The programme also screens The PianoCredit: PA

Sum mistake for Vistry with £1bn hit

MORE than £1billion was wiped off the value of housebuilder Vistry Group yesterday after it admitted that it had got its maths wrong.

The FTSE 100 group, formerly called Bovis Homes, put out an unscheduled update revealing that it had underestimated building costs on around nine of its 300 developments.

Vistry said the blooper would knock £80million off its profits and it will now make around £350million — below last year’s £419million.

Shares in the housebuilder tumbled by as much as a third as investors took fright at the error.

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Investec analyst Aynsley Lammin said the key question for the City to consider going forward would be whether this was a one-off error or “more systemic and reflective of inherent risk within the group’s model”.

The business said it believed the issues were “confined to the south division” and it was starting a review to get to the root of the cause.

Vistry has been growing at a faster pace than all of its large competitors and recently upped its forecasts for house completions, despite others blaming higher mortgage rates for lower demand.

Boom in sarnies

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BRITAIN’S biggest sandwich maker Greencore has boosted its profit forecasts for the year after a rise in sales.

Like-for-like sales were up by 3.7 per cent in the past quarter, the firm reported.

Workers returning to offices pushed up demand for its sandwiches, sushi and salads that it makes on behalf of supermarkets and retailers.

Greencore said it expects to make around £95million of profits this year, compared to £76million last year.

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Shining results at Shein

FAST-fashion retailer Shein made £1.5billion in UK sales last year — more than its British online rivals Boohoo and Asos.

Young shoppers have snapped up its cheap goods.

Shein made £1.5billion in UK sales last year

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Shein made £1.5billion in UK sales last yearCredit: Getty

And fresh company accounts for Shein Distribution UK Ltd reveal its revenues rose from £1.1billion for 2023.

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Its growth eclipses the £1.4billion revenues Asos made in the UK and Boohoo’s £921.5million of UK sales.

As it gears up for a potential London stock market listing, Shein reported its UK profits doubled to £24.4million.

It is facing scrutiny for exploiting an import duty loophole by shipping goods in small parcels directly to consumers.

The China-founded group has recently shifted its headquarters to Singapore.

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But its Companies House filings confirm the ultimate controlling firm is registered in Cayman Islands, a known tax haven.

IMP’s cig boost

THE maker of Golden Virginia and Lambert & Butler is giving shareholders a £1.5billion award after benefiting from the rising prices of cigarettes.

Imperial Brands said it would increase the amount returned to investors in buybacks from £2.4billion to £2.8billion in the year ahead.

Imps still makes the bulk of its sales and profits from cigs but has been investing heavily in “next generation” products.

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It expects sales of its Blu vapes and nicotine pouches to grow by between 20 and 30 per cent in the next year.


THE CAFE and bars chain Loungers has opened 17 new sites in the past six months and has plans for 18 more.

The business now has 273 in the UK and openings are fuelling its growth, with half year sales rising by 19 per cent to £178.3million.


Oxtail of woes

THE miserable weather in September had chilly shoppers stocking up on soup and hot chocolate, according to the latest grocery figures.

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Hot chocolate sales rose 28 per cent and soup was up ten per cent at supermarkets, Kantar stats showed.

Brits are still spending more as food inflation ticked back up to 2 per cent, from 1.7 per cent in August.

They are buying more items on promotion.

Of the discounters, Aldi’s growth slowed to 1.8 per cent over the month.

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Lidl’s sales rose by 8.8 per cent.

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Six major broadband providers’ ads BANNED for misleading consumers over mid-contract price rise rules

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Six major broadband providers’ ads BANNED for misleading consumers over mid-contract price rise rules

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.

The ads failed to clearly specify expected mid-contract increases to broadband prices

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The ads failed to clearly specify expected mid-contract increases to broadband prices

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

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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.

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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.”

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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.”

Martin Lewis’ reveals how 7 MILLION Brits can halve their broadband bill

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.

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“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.

How to save on broadband and TV bills

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HERE’S how to save money on your broadband and TV bills:

Audit your subscriptions

If you’ve got multiple subscriptions to various on-demand services, such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Sky consider whether you need them all.

Could you even just get by with Freeview, which couldn’t cost you anything extra each month for TV.

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Also make sure you’re not paying for Netflix twice via Sky and directly.

Haggle for a discount

If you want to stay with your provider, check prices elsewhere to set a benchmark and then call its customer services and threaten to leave unless it price matches or lowers your bill.

Switch and save

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If you don’t want to stay with your current provider check if you can cancel your contract penalty free and switch to a cheaper provider.

A comparison site, such as BroadbandChoices or Uswitch, will help you find the best deal for free.

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.

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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.

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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

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Brits care four times as much about cost of living as they do about climate change

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Brits care four times as much about cost of living as they do about climate change

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.

Brits care almost four times as much about the cost of living as they do about climate change

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Brits care almost four times as much about the cost of living as they do about climate changeCredit: Getty
Figures underline long-held concerns Brits have to prioritise their budgets rather than considering more expensive things like green electric cars

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Figures underline long-held concerns Brits have to prioritise their budgets rather than considering more expensive things like green electric carsCredit: Getty

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.

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READ MORE ON COST OF LIVING

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.

Simon Harris says Budget 2025 will include substantial cost of living package

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Wilko returns to another high street before Christmas – see the full list of locations and if there’s one near you

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Wilko returns to another high street before Christmas - see the full list of locations and if there's one near you

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.

Beloved homeware chain Wilko is back on the high street

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Beloved homeware chain Wilko is back on the high streetCredit: Getty

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

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But almost a year later, Wilko is making a comeback, launching new stores across EnglandScotlandWales 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.

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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.

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

Huge budget retailer to shutter ANOTHER former Wilko store just months after opening

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Retailers opening stores

IT’S not all bad news on the high street as several retailers are bucking the trend and opening shops.

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