The tax rules and allowances differ depending on your situation

HMRC has spoken out to clarify how a particular tax applies to pensioners. The update comes ahead of a hike in the rates people have to pay which is just around the corner.

A member of the public contacted the tax authority over social media asking for help about how the regulations work. They asked: “Can you confirm that a pensioner does not have to pay tax on the first £1,000 of interest earned on savings.”

Under the personal savings allowance, those on the basic rate of income tax can earn up to £1,000 in savings interest each tax year without incurring any tax liability. This allowance is halved for higher rate taxpayers, dropping to £500, while those on the additional rate receive no allowance whatsoever and must pay tax on all interest earnings they accrue.

This differs entirely from money held in cash ISAs, where all interest earned is completely exempt from tax. Similarly, stocks and shares held within an ISA wrapper are not subject to any tax on investment growth.

How the tax rules work

Responding to the query, HMRC made plain how the rules work. The group said: “Pensioners have the same rules as everyone else. So if they are a basic rate taxpayer only, then yes they have a £1,000 tax-free allowance.”

The rate applied to any taxable interest mirrors your income tax band, meaning basic rate taxpayers are charged 20 per cent, higher rate taxpayers face a 40 per cent levy, and those on the additional rate are liable for 45 per cent. However, it’s important to note that significant changes are on the horizon here.

From April 2027, the rate levied on interest earnings will rise by two percentage points. This means basic rate taxpayers will see their rate climb to 22 per cent.

Higher rate taxpayers will face an increase to 42 per cent, while those on the additional rate will be required to pay 47 per cent. Other changes taking effect from April 2027 could also push up the tax burden on your savings.

Tax allowance reduced

The ISA allowance is being reduced. At present, savers can put £20,000 into ISAs and divide this between cash ISAs and stocks and shares ISAs as they wish.

Under the new regulations, however, only £12,000 of the allowance can be allocated at your discretion. The remaining £8,000 must be directed towards stocks and shares ISAs.

Nevertheless, many older savers will be exempt from these new regulations. Those aged 65 and above will keep the existing £20,000 allowance.

So what are this year’s hot tickets? “We’re really excited to have people like Michelle Obama with her brother, Craig Robinson, and Sir Tim Berners-Lee appearing, as they are legends in their respective worlds,” explains Arnander. “Then there’s Brian Eno, who is amazing; a musician, a visionary around AI and someone deeply engaged with climate change. Sharon Horgan, who’s brilliant as an actor and a screenwriter, but as a business owner, she’ll also be able to talk about the broadcast industry, which is currently going through hard times.”

You’ve had a spring clean and decluttered your wardrobe, and now you’re wondering what to do with the pile of unwanted clothes in the corner.

With the growth of online secondhand sales channels such as eBay and Vinted, the alternatives to putting old clothes in the bin have grown. But are these a green option?

Globally, most discarded clothing is landfilled or incinerated. But most unwanted clothing in Europe is suitable for reuse – many people get rid of clothing because it’s gone out of fashion or it doesn’t fit, not because it’s worn out.

Is reselling a sustainable choice?

So what about selling on your unwanted clothes on Vinted or eBay? Extending the useful life of clothing reduces its environmental impact, such as water and chemical usage, carbon emissions and textile waste, as well as the resource consumption and waste involved in producing new goods.

But don’t forget online selling requires shipping individual items to individual households, which entails carbon emissions from the delivery process. Companies use a mix of on-foot deliveries, e-bikes and a range of vehicles.

Some parcel operators are innovating to reduce emissions. For instance, Royal Mail has 7,000 electric vans and a fleet of e-bikes, while DPD has also invested heavily in electric vehicles. In 2025, Royal Mail claimed to have the lowest average CO₂ emissions per parcel in the UK market (165g).

It is also worth using cardboard or paper wrapping for your Vinted parcel, as plastic packaging isn’t easily recyclable. Even if it can be reused a few times, it ends up being incinerated, landfilled or littering. Incineration generates carbon emissions while landfill and littering lead to microplastic pollution.

Secondhand sales represent a small share of the overall global clothing market (10% in 2025), but this is predicted to grow twice as fast as the broader clothes market up to 2030.

Increasing secondhand shopping could reduce the need to produce new garments, counteracting the environmental impacts of production and end-of-life textile waste. But reselling or donating unwanted clothing doesn’t address the root cause of fashion’s environmental impact, which is overproduction and overconsumption.

Indeed, some evidence from the US suggests that using secondhand sales platforms may inadvertently drive, rather than mitigate, increased consumption and shorter garment retention, especially in younger consumers.

How does it compare to charity donations?

Donating to a charity shop could be an environmental bonus, as you probably won’t need to use packaging to get your item there. Lower levels of transport are also likely to be needed (possibly you will walk to your local shop).

However, some charities struggle to sell high volumes of fast fashion and low-resale-value textiles. The remainder are passed on to textile recyclers, who may send items for sale into global second-hand markets or recycling.

So what about just putting your unwanted gear in a recycling bank? The UK textile sorting sector manages approximately 469,000 tonnes of textile waste annually, with the majority (421,000 tonnes) exported for reuse or recycling, while 34,000 tonnes is kept in the UK for recycling. On top of that, around 727,000 tonnes of used textiles are incinerated or put in landfill.

This scale of reuse is still more efficient than individual online sales, as items are packed into bales weighing between 55kg and 200kg, which may contain up to 600 garments. These are shipped in containers to international markets.

À lire aussi :
Expecting charity shops to recycle your unwanted clothes is creating a rubbish pile – here’s how to help to avoid that

But the mounting avalanche of unwanted clothing exceeds the capacity of the many originating countries to sort and process. This means collected items are frequently exported for sorting, processing, and resale – sometimes taking long and circuitous routes, only to be resold in the country they were originally collected from.

There’s a lot to think about, but there are steps you can take even before you make the initial purchase to make your clothes shopping more sustainable.

It’s worth considering that most modern clothing is made from material blends such as polyester/cotton or cotton/elastane, which are difficult to recycle. Recent research confirms the increase in blended fabrics is likely to increase the costs and complexity of recycling. Therefore, it’s unlikely that your unwanted clothes made from those fabrics will be recycled into new clothing.

Additionally, the proportion of these textiles (predominantly fast fashion) going into UK household residual waste is increasing. They produce high levels of greenhouse gases during incineration.

Here are some easy steps you can take to be a more sustainable clothes shopper.

Five ways to go greener

1) Items for resale should be in good, clean condition – a good test is whether you would be happy to buy it yourself.

2) If donating to charity, try to share items between different charities if possible.

3) Keep it local – organise a clothes swap or pass items on to neighbours, friends, family or local community groups.

4) Keep clothes in a good state of repair to support longer product lifetimes. If you cannot do the repair yourself, ask a friend or family member, or use a repair cafe.

5) Reuse packaging to reduce plastic. Include clear photos, measurements and descriptions with your advert to ensure the buyer can make an informed decision about whether or not to purchase, and avoid returns.

A man organised a weekend trip to Cambridge, but was horrified when he realised which hotel he had booked – as he soon learned he had made a huge mistkae

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There’s one mistake you should never make when visiting Cambridge. The city has lots to offer tourists, from visiting the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens, the market square, and the Fitzwilliam Museum, to taking in the gorgeous architecture and views on any number of walks.

Anyone wanting to visit Cambridge for the weekend will likely need to book into one of the many great options for hotels in the city. But one man on social media has confessed that he made a terrible mistake when he tried to visit Cambridge for the weekend – as his choice of hotel was an absolute disaster.

Christopher Golds shared a WhatsApp message exchange on X earlier this week, where he said he was going to be staying in Cambridge for the weekend. But the anonymous person he was texting soon pointed out he’d made a huge error with his booking that meant he’d have a miserable time in the city.

Instead of booking to stay in a hotel in Cambridge, England, he’d somehow managed to book a weekend stay at a Travelodge in Cambridge, Ontario, in Canada.

The text message exchange opened with the anonymous person stating: “CANADA??!! You’re going to Ontario, Canada, just for a weekend?! Canada is NOT an ‘overnight destination’.”

Confused, Christopher replied: “What? No. When?”

The responder, who seemingly had access to Christopher’s calendar, then said: “You’ve got a confirmed reservation in a hotel in Ontario Canada – it’s appearing in the digital calendar for 10/11 June.”

Christopher told the other person that they must be mistaken because he was planning a trip to Cambridge, and not Canada.

However, they then sent him another message with the details of the hotel, which clearly stated he had booked a hotel in a different Cambridge entirely. He then replied: “Oh. My god.”

In his post on X, Christopher clarified this wasn’t a new story, and had actually happened to him three years ago, as he captioned the image: “Three years ago today since I booked a hotel in the wrong country.”

Commenters on the post were sympathetic to Christopher’s mistake. Many said they had made similar errors before, while Canadians said they have this problem often because so many of their cities are also the names of big cities in other parts of the world – not just the UK.

One person said: “That’s pretty funny. Not as bad as when people actually land in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, under the mistaken belief that they got a great price on tickets to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia!”

Another added: “I don’t have a screenshot, but seven years ago I booked a 7am flight instead of 7pm. Got ready and went to the airport only to be told that the flight had landed at its destination.”

While a Canadian native shared: “Welcome to Canada. We’ve got London, Paris, Berlin (now is Kitchener), Dublin, Brussels, Athens and even more, all in Ontario.”

A second Canadian posted: “You’d be disappointed with our Cambridge, Christopher. And our London. And our Windsor. And our Hamilton. And our Paris.”

You know the Pixies. Black Francis’ surreal, shrieked lyrics about Old Testament Christianity, UFOs, good, evil, death and incest. The loud-quiet-loud dynamic of their sometimes punk, sometimes hardcore, sometimes even surf rock sound. Across 29 songs, it’s all here tonight. This, the first of two shows at the Royal Albert Hall, is to celebrate 40 years since their genesis in 1986 – before their split in 1993.

The event last happened almost two years ago and will not be seen again until December 31, 2028

Stargazers who look up to the skies this weekend may enjoy a rare treat with a special lunar event which last happened almost two years ago. May 2026 will have two full moons appearing in the same calendar month.

The second full moon, which is known as a blue moon, will rise on Saturday night giving stargazers an extra chance to enjoy one of the year’s most impressive sights. And while it is usually not blue but often just the same colour as a normal moon, there are times when it does change colour.

The event is rare as most months will only have one full moon, with the last blue moon being in August 2024. Astronomy expert Alan Jones from 365 Astronomy explains why this blue moon is unusual, when to see it in the UK, and how to get the best view.

When to see May’s blue moon

Alan explained: “The blue moon reaches peak illumination on Sunday, the 31st, although the best time for stargazers will be on the evening of Saturday, May 30th, when the moon rises shortly after sunset and stays visible throughout the night. It will sit relatively low in the southern sky, so choosing a location with clear views of the eastern and southern horizon, away from tall buildings and trees, will provide the best experience.”

Why this blue moon is special

“A blue moon is the second full moon within a single calendar month, something that happens only every two to three years. Despite the name, the moon will not actually appear blue, ” said the expert.

“This year’s event is also a micromoon, meaning the moon is near the furthest point in its orbit from Earth. It may appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual, although the difference is subtle.”

Why the moon can appear orange or red

Alan said: “As the moon rises or sets near the horizon, it can take on orange, amber or reddish tones because Earth’s atmosphere scatters shorter blue wavelengths of light. The well-known ‘moon illusion’ can also make the moon appear larger when it is low in the sky, even though its actual size does not change.”

Is the blue moon worth observing?

“Full moons are excellent targets for casual observers, families and beginner astronomers,” said Alan. “A blue moon also carries a sense of rarity reflected in the phrase ‘once in a blue moon’. While not exceptionally rare astronomically, these events still capture people’s imagination and encourage more of us to look up at the night sky.”

Tips for viewing and photographing the moon

“Binoculars are a great way to enhance the view, revealing darker maria and brighter crater regions on the lunar surface,” said the expert. “Smartphones can also capture impressive images when mounted on a tripod and used with manual exposure settings.

“For dramatic moonrise photos, include buildings, trees or landscape features in the foreground to help show the moon’s scale against the horizon. For closer lunar photography, a telescope with an aperture of around 80mm or more will provide crisp detail. Smart telescopes such as the Dwarf 3, Seestar S30 or S50, eVscope 2 and Vespera II are also excellent beginner-friendly options for capturing detailed lunar images.”

When is a blue moon blue

According to the Royal Museums Greenwich there are times that a blue moon actually does appear blue. It said: “Blue moons aren’t blue! Blue moons remain the same colour as any other full moon except in two rare cases:

• During a lunar eclipse, the moon can turn blood red, lit only by the light bent around the Earth by its atmosphere onto the face of the moon. As lunar eclipses occur only during full moons, and blue moons are one type of full moon, it’s very rare that a blue moon will be red!
• In very rare circumstances, the moon can appear blue, but in this case the colour would be caused by viewing the moon through a haze of dust particles in our atmosphere, perhaps from a recent volcanic eruption. From space, however, the moon will look just as grey as it always has!

Police called at 1.17am yesterday (Thursday) to reports that a woman had been sexually assaulted at a house in Northallerton

An enquiry was launched which resulted in a 26-year-old man from County Durham being arrested.

He was detained during a high-profile search of the area by a significant number of officers yesterday evening and he currently remains in custody.

A man in his 40s and a man in his 20s were also arrested in connection with the investigation yesterday morning.

They have now been released with no further action following full enquiries and eliminated from the investigation.

The victim is being offered specialist support following the incident.

Inspector Rory Sadler, of Hambleton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This has been a hugely distressing incident for the victim and has caused alarm in the wider community.

“It’s been a fast-moving investigation and there will continue to be a visible police presence in the area to reassure concerned residents.

“I’d like to provide some clarity about rumours circulating in the community. A white British man from the Durham area has been arrested in connection with this incident. I’m aware there is some speculation about links to a separate burglary in the Hambleton area. However, I can confirm police are treating these incidents as unrelated.

“I’d also stress that the incident in Northallerton is isolated and we are not looking for anyone else as part of our investigation.”

Rachel Pyrah’s mobile home hit a kerb, swerved across the path of a Volkswagen T-Roc coming the other way and overturned, said Matthew Moore-Taylor, prosecuting.  

Inside the Volkswagen car were the baby, a teenager who was also seriously injured, and their parents. They were on their way to a glamping holiday near Ripon on May 31, 2024.  

York Crown Court heard Pyrah was on a two-week travelling holiday in the vehicle which was then her home to help her cope with her grief after the recent death of her mother.

“What happened was not just an accident, it was a single moment that has forever changed our lives,” the father of the baby said. He also described it as a “tragedy”.

The family’s “happy, hopeful baby just beginning to explore the world around her” had become a child with severe disabilities including communication problems that prevented her playing and interacting with other children and affected her development, he said.

Mr Moore-Taylor said the baby was critically ill in Leeds General Infirmary for some days after the crash.

The teenager, who had been studying for her A-levels at the time, suffered broken ribs, and a scarred forehead that she said reminded her of the crash every time she looked at it.

She had forced herself to go to college before her injuries healed because her education was so important to her.

She said she was grateful to be alive and “it was heartbreaking” to know what the baby had gone through.

Recorder Paul Reid said the results of the collision had been “catastrophic”.  

It happened on the B6265 between Glasshouses and Risplith above Nidderdale on Friday, May 31, 2024, which had been a sunny day.

The judge said the road had grassy verges and two vehicles could pass with care. The mobile home and Volkswagen were doing between 40mph and 50mph.

At the place where the crash happened there was a raised kerb on the mobile home’s side of the road. Pyrah had moved to the left to ensure the two vehicles passed safely but had clipped the kerb and her vehicle had gone into the path of the family’s vehicle.

It was a “momentary” action which had had “catastrophic” consequences.   

The judge said he had to follow national sentencing guidelines which suggested he should pass a community order.

Pyrah, of High Street, Claythorpe, Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty to two charges of causing serious injury by careless driving. She was given a 12-month community order with 60 hours’ unpaid work and banned from driving for 12 months.

A probation report said she was “utterly remorseful” for her actions and had accepted full responsibility.

Defence barrister Hayley Brickel handed in references which she said described Pyrah as a “careful and courteous driver,  safe, considerate, competent and courteous.”

The annual event, which celebrates love, diversity and inclusion, is taking place tomorrow on Saturday (May 30) at The Sands in Durham.

The traditional parade from Durham Cathedral will set off at 11am, with The Sands opening to the public at the same time and festivities continuing until 11pm.

Organisers say Durham Pride 2026 will “celebrate love, diversity and community spirit” with a packed programme including live performances, bars, food vendors, market stalls and funfair rides.

Palace Green and the Cathedral will again form the backdrop to the march, with around 3,000 people expected to join the parade through the city.

The route

The annual parade will set off from Palace Green, outside Durham Cathedral, at 11am before making its way to The Sands for a day of celebration.

From Palace Green, the parade will head down through Owengate and into Saddler Street.

The procession will then move into the Market Place, where thousands of crowds gather to watch the floats, banners and performers go past, before continuing along Claypath and looping via Providence Row and Freemans Place to reach The Sands.

The route has remained the same since it began in 2017, taking in some of Durham’s most popular streets and landmarks.

Road closures will also be in place along the parade route to accommodate the event.

Owengate, Saddler Street, Market Place, Claypath, Providence Row and Freemans Place will all be closed to traffic between 10.30am and midday, with the restrictions in force for the full duration of the parade window.

Durham County Council is advising drivers to avoid the city centre during the march and to allow extra time for journeys.

The Moon’s arrival in Sagittarius brings a buzzy energy to the weekend before you. Connections are brimming with possibility.

Aquarius, Pisces and Sagittarius, your social circle blossoms completely naturally today. There is no need to work hard at networking.

All that is meant to be yours will be, as the comsos gives you reassurance and loving guidance. Life is abundant, so relish in it.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Saturday May 30, 2026.

Like checking your horoscope every morning? You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.

To order your unique personal horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

We have a celestial switch of emphasis today, as the Moon moves from intensity to a freer vibe. This is going to be a weekend of plentiful conversation, movement, and travel as the Blue Moon approaches tomorrow. However, whatever you are discussing or doing, Mars, your action-loving ruler, wants to experience what feels really valuable.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Go-getter Mars in Taurus is not his most dynamic location, but it can still be significant for you. He gives you the platform to focus more on your individual strengths or the things that inspire you, and push forward in your steady, consistent way. Someone may challenge your approach this weekend, but if so, stay cool and be resolute around your goals.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

The Moon has moved into a sector of balance and harmony for you. She can help you think about how those around you are, but here’s the thing, Gemini: this is a rare time for your sign, one that really urges you to keep your focus on what’s important to you personally. However, with feisty Mars stirring things in the background, don’t take anyone for granted.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

With the two planets of fortune, Venus and Jupiter coasting along in your sign, Cancer, they have likely kindled your natural creativity and flair. However, this weekend may be a call to action to circle back and refocus on more practical matters. Also, your energy is not infinite, so you may need to prioritise what’s essential, even if it is more mundane tasks.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

July 24 to August 23

The Sagittarius Moon energy this weekend can draw you to pleasurable pursuits and social meet-ups. And it can prove to be fun. Indeed, with Mars’s assertive energies influential, you could be the one leading the way and helping bring people together. However, if you are not minded to join in, it’s cool, look to enjoy watching your latest box set or series or pottering at home.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

With all the energy fizzing away around your job or life responsibilities, some personal downtime can call to you this weekend. Mars in your sector of freedom can push you to assert your need for space, but there may still be some work/life balancing issues to contend with. Heading off into nature at some point can be just the antidote to this, Virgo.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

As an air sign, you are a natural communicator and also a thinker, Libra. This part of your nature can be amplified this weekend. Expect some lively exchanges. However, powerful Mars is in a deep, passionate part of its journey, and what starts as friendly banter could become more intense. Anticipate the possibility of this, and what not to get caught up in.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

When you feel strongly about something, Scorpio, it can consume you. This is not a flaw; rather, it shows a deep, passionate understanding of what you consider right or wrong. Something can unfold now around this. It will likely be rooted in your values, and it may be something or someone you want to protect. Soon enough, people will know how you feel.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

The Moon’s arrival in your sign can be the perfect spark to begin your weekend. With three glittering planets in your relationship sector, you can be in the mood and mode to connect and enjoy yourself. Yet her fleeting opposition to the electric Uranus may mean plans can be fluid and changeable, but they are unlikely to be dull. Buckle up, Sagittarius!

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

Venus and Saturn are still tentatively engaging with one another. The Moon dives deep, into an area of quiet reflection. This may see you gently draw in and let the events of the week percolate down within you. This could be an intermittent theme over the next two years, but it will give you the chance to keep checking on your emotional bases.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

Expect to be in demand, Aquarius, as lovely celestial energies burst into life. In fact, things can be so buzzy that you find yourself turning down some situations. The trick will be to do so graciously, but your ready wit and charm suggest you can. Your creative juices can also bubble up, so you can find yourself showcasing your flair and industry.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

The Moon phase this weekend can emphasise how supportive and caring you are of people close to you, especially family members. Mind, there may be a bit of juggling to do this. To make this work, set out what you are prepared to do, but freedom-loving Uranus is making you more aware of your need for personal space. So, do look to get some.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

Head here for this week’s tarot horoscope reading, and see what the cards have in store for you!

Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of May here.

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