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‘The kids would love these!’ praise parents over Aldi’s £1.49 Nutella-flavour pancakes dupe

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'The kids would love these!' praise parents over Aldi's £1.49 Nutella-flavour pancakes dupe

PARENTS are rushing to pick up Aldi’s brand-new chocolate pancakes – that taste just like Nutella.

The pancakes, which contain Nutoka chocolate chips, Aldi‘s Nutella dupe, come in servings of four, and sell for £1.49 in the bakery section.

The new breakfast treat has appeared in budget supermarket chain Aldi

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The new breakfast treat has appeared in budget supermarket chain AldiCredit: Getty
A picture of the Nutoka pancakes was posted on Facebook

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A picture of the Nutoka pancakes was posted on FacebookCredit: Facebopk

A picture of the breakfast item was posted on the Newfoodsuk Facebook group, and quickly wracked up more than 500 reacts and comments.

One commenter wrote: “I need these.”

Another said: “These look good”.

A third tagged another user, saying: “Think we need some of these x”.

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Several others were excited to get the pancakes for their children, with one saying: “The kids would love these.”

On the Instagram account John’s Snack Reviews, the item received a respectable six out of ten rating, with the poster praising the “chocolate quality”.

It comes as another new chocolatey treat, Cadbury’s Fuse Mini Treats, hit supermarket shelves.

Chocoholics were sent into a frenzy over the launch, having feared the classic Fuse bar was “extinct”.

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Meanwhile, B&M shoppers went wild for a new twist on the Dream bar.

And customers raved about a new type of M&M – the Candy Popcorn M&M Minis.

Shoppers beg Cadbury’s to bring back 2005 recipe on iconic bar – as they moan current one ‘tastes like candle wax’

Nestle has also added a new chocolate to its Quality Street “Favourites Golden Selection” pouch: the Toffee Penny.

But in sad news for chocoholic vegans, Aldi has axed its popular Moser Roth Vegan Blond chocolate.

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How to save money on chocolate

We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…

Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.

Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

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Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.

Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.

They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.

Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.

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So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.

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Idyllic cottage from legendary ITV thriller hits market for eye watering price… can you work out which show it’s from?

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Idyllic cottage from legendary ITV thriller hits market for eye watering price… can you work out which show it’s from?

ITV thriller fans have spotted this idyllic three bedroom cottage which has been put up for sale for an eye watering price – can you guess which show it’s from?

Avid serial watchers may recognise the home which has hit the market for a sale price of £850,000.

The quintessential English country home has a thatched roof and is surrounded by a private hedge

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The quintessential English country home has a thatched roof and is surrounded by a private hedgeCredit: mediadrumimages
Boasting three bedrooms and one bathroom, the cottage has been put up for sale for an eye-watering price

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Boasting three bedrooms and one bathroom, the cottage has been put up for sale for an eye-watering priceCredit: mediadrumimages
The quintessentially English cottage can be found in Buckinghamshire

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The quintessentially English cottage can be found in BuckinghamshireCredit: mediadrumimages
The home featured in a popular ITV thriller back in 2010

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The home featured in a popular ITV thriller back in 2010Credit: mediadrumimages

Known as ‘Well Cottage’ the 17th century grade II listed property is nestled in the country hills of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

The advertisement boasts three bedrooms, one bathroom and 1,601 square feet of living space.

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Interior pictures have revealed exposed wooden beams throughout property, low slung ceilings, wooden block flooring and a large inglenook fireplace.

While the exterior is that of a quintessential English country home with a thatched roof, and a typically English country style garden.

There is also a private hedge that surrounds the outside space with meticulously maintained formal gardens spanning over 100 feet.

The cottage was used in a 2010 episode of the popular ITV series, Midsomer Murders, called Blood on the Saddle which centred around a Wild West Show and rival farmers.

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The idyllic home includes the kitchen and breakfast room at the rear of the property as well as 100 feet of greenery outside.

There is a stone patio at the rear of the cottage, with a raised terrace area providing the perfect spot for outdoor dining.

The listing is held by estate agent Hamptons who commented on the property.

Their statement read: “Dating back to the 17th century, this quirky grade II listed home offers beautifully presented living spaces that seamlessly blend old-world charm with modern amenities.

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“Settled in the middle of the prestigious Long Crendon High Street, this charming cottage was striking enough to be used in a couple of episodes of ‘Midsomer Murders’, and boasts a wealth of exposed beams throughout.

“Upon entering the cottage, you are greeted by an inviting entrance hall that leads to a series of reception rooms.

“Both the dining room and the double-aspect sitting room at the front of the home offer cosy inglenook fireplaces and more exposed beams, adding to the character of the property.

“The kitchen/breakfast room at the rear of the property boasts classic shaker style cabinets and overlooks the lush garden.

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“A useful utility area and downstairs cloak room provide further convenience.”

Interior pictures reveal exposed wooden beams and fireplaces throughout

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Interior pictures reveal exposed wooden beams and fireplaces throughoutCredit: mediadrumimages
The back garden is also typically English country in style

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The back garden is also typically English country in styleCredit: mediadrumimages
Some fans may recognise the home from an episode of Midsomer Murders

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Some fans may recognise the home from an episode of Midsomer MurdersCredit: mediadrumimages

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B&M shoppers go wild after rare Cadbury chocolate bar sold in India and Brazil spotted on shelves

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B&M shoppers go wild after rare Cadbury chocolate bar sold in India and Brazil spotted on shelves

CADBURY fans are shocked to notice an unexpected product not sold in the UK hanging about on B&M shelves.

The 5 Star Mini Treats are a rare Cadbury product currently selling in the superstore which is usually found only in other parts of the world.

The Cadbury 5 Star Mini Treats family pack is £2 in B&M

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The Cadbury 5 Star Mini Treats family pack is £2 in B&M

In fact, the places where you can typically get the treat are India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, South Africa, the Philippines and Egypt.

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The “family pack” bags are now appearing in B&Ms for £2 which is a similar price to its other UK Cadbury sharing products.

One shopper took to Facebook to share a photo of their discovery on the New Foods UK Group.

A person commented: “This looks good.”

Another said: “Right B&M are just aiming to take all my money!”

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While a third user wrote: “I wonder what these taste like.”

And a fourth added: “Ooh they look like Wispa Golds but with more caramel.”

In other countries the chocolate usually comes in 15g mini-bars, 45g standard bars or the 150g sharing bags available in B&M.

It is described as a “caramel and nougat” mix covered with “smooth chocolate“.

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Irish chocolate lovers set for frenzy as Cadbury to bring back ‘yummy’ 90s bar

B&M is yet to show the product on it’s website, meaning it may only be available for a limited time.

It’s also not available in any other UK stores as this moment in time.

Those wishing to try the product should run to their local B&M which they can find using the store locator tool on its website.

Bear in mind that it may not be available in all stores, but if it is, you’ll find it with all the other Cadbury products in the chocolate aisle.

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Prices may also vary between sites, so be mindful of how much you’re spending for the amount of chocolate you’re getting.

Cadbury has plenty of other exciting ranges which prop up on shelves every once in a while.

For example, this year a Cadbury’s mint-flavoured twirl appeared on shelves in B&M, originally launched in Australia, and only £1 for four.

There’s also loads of classic fan-favourites making a comeback in time for Christmas, such as the Dairy Milk Chocolate Puds.

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For individual pud it costs 75p in Sainsbury’s and just 70p in Waitrose.

You can also buy bags of mini puds for £1.65 in Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Poundland.

And the rare 360g Dairy Milk mint crisp bar has returned to some shelves this year – selling cheapest in Asda for £4.

Other Cadbury Christmas bars which are available in supermarkets this year also include the Dairy Milk Classic Wonderland and Mini Snow Balls edition.

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Remember to always compare prices when shopping so you know you’re paying the right amount for what you’re getting.

A great way to do this is via the comparison site Trolley which will show the prices for every store.

You can also visit the Cadbury website to browse all their latest products and launches.

How to save money on chocolate

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We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…

Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.

Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.

Advertisement

Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.

They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.

Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.

So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.

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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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‘Perfect for Christmas!’ cry parents over Sainbury’s toy sale as mega-shot rifle with foam bullets scan at tills 50% off

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'Perfect for Christmas!' cry parents over Sainbury's toy sale as mega-shot rifle with foam bullets scan at tills 50% off

PARENTS are rushing to Sainsbury’s to get their hands on toys for sale, with a mega-shot rifle with foam bullets scanning at tills with 50 per cent off.

It’s one of the biggest pre-Christmas sales around, with loads of parents stocking up on bargain presents for their kids.

Parents are rushing to Sainsbury's to get their hands on toys for sale

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Parents are rushing to Sainsbury’s to get their hands on toys for saleCredit: Facebook
It's one of the biggest pre-Christmas sales around

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It’s one of the biggest pre-Christmas sales aroundCredit: Alamy

Many savvy savers recently spotted the cheap toys in their local branches and finished festive shopping for the children in their family.

The shoppers posted their find on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group after snapping up various toys – with some half price.

One of the members who posted about their finds said that they’d have a “happy grandson at Christmas” after picking up a Zuru Xshot for £20 instead of £40 – a 50 per cent saving.

Another member gushed over their items, saying they “will have two very happy little girls at Christmas” after picking up various Barbie dolls and Bluey toys.

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The savvy shoppers found the goods in Sainsbury’s highly-anticipated toy sale.

Other shoppers were quick to comment on the purchases.

One comment said: “That’s a great haul I hope you have good hiding places for them!”

Another said: “Hardly anything left in our local.”

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And: “Great find!”

The sale, which is just in stores and not online, is expected to last a week.

I did a massive Lidl wooden toy haul for Christmas – the quality’s great & I got extra money off with little-known hack

It’s also a good idea to check your local store’s opening times, as previous years have seen lengthy queues of shoppers desperate to nab a good deal.

As an added bonus, shoppers can both collect and redeem Nectar points on any purchases made in the toy sale.

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“One of the great benefits of shopping at Sainsbury’s is the ability to collect and redeem Nectar points,” the Coupon Queen wrote in a post on her website.

“These points can indeed be used during the Sainsburys toy sale, allowing you to save even more on your purchases.

“So, not only can you find great deals on toys, but you can also use your Nectar points to get additional discounts.”

It’s also a good idea to check the return deadlines for any toys before purchasing them.

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And remember to check whether or not the toys need batteries to work – and if they’re included.

How to save money on Christmas shopping

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save money on your Christmas shopping.

Limit the amount of presents – buying presents for all your family and friends can cost a bomb.

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Instead, why not organise a Secret Santa between your inner circles so you’re not having to buy multiple presents.

Plan ahead – if you’ve got the stamina and budget, it’s worth buying your Christmas presents for the following year in the January sales.

Make sure you shop around for the best deals by using price comparison sites so you’re not forking out more than you should though.

Buy in Boxing Day sales – some retailers start their main Christmas sales early so you can actually snap up a bargain before December 25.

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Delivery may cost you a bit more, but it can be worth it if the savings are decent.

Shop via outlet stores – you can save loads of money shopping via outlet stores like Amazon Warehouse or Office Offcuts.

They work by selling returned or slightly damaged products at a discounted rate, but usually any wear and tear is minor.

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‘Will cause havoc’ warn experts over fears Rachel Reeves will change pension rules in autumn statement

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'Will cause havoc' warn experts over fears Rachel Reeves will change pension rules in autumn statement

MILLIONS of workers could end up with less money in retirement under new government plans which are being considered.

Experts have warned that Britain will face a “retirement crisis” and it would “cause havoc” if the Chancellor imposes national insurance on employers’ pension contributions in her budget next week.

Rachel Reeves is expected to announce a range of changes in the Budget next week

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Rachel Reeves is expected to announce a range of changes in the Budget next weekCredit: PA

The move is predicted to raise £15.4 billion, which would help to plug a £40 billion funding gap in the public finances.

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Meanwhile, experts suggest that public sector businesses such as National Health Service workers, teachers and government employees could be spared the change.

If these workers were included then it could mean that public sector budgets would need to be significantly cut, which could worsen their service.

It would cost the government millions of pounds to implement this change so only businesses and private-sector workers will feel its impact.

The decision to increase national insurance on employers’ pension contributions could leave millions of workers with lower wages and less generous pensions.

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Felicia Hjertman, CEO of investment platform TILLIT, said the decision could worsen Britain’s retirement savings.

“Britain is on the brink of a retirement crisis,” she said.

“Increasing employers’ national insurance contributions on private pensions is a step in the wrong direction.”

While Baroness Ros Altman added: “This kind of change would cause havoc for UK pensions and derail the success of auto-enrolment.

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“Because of the prevalence of salary sacrifice arrangements in auto enrolment pensions across all employers, and the widespread problems already known in pensions administration due to excessively complex rules, any such sudden significant change in the Budget will create havoc for many employer schemes and would be seriously ill-advised.”

How does national insurance work?

Employers currently pay national insurance for most workers earning more than £9,100 a year.

The amount they pay is equivalent to 13.8% of the employees earnings above this figure.

So for an employee earning £30,000 the employer would pay £2,884.20 in national insurance.

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Former pensions minister Steve Webb estimates that putting the national insurance rate up by 1% could raise £8 billion a year.

What could it mean for me?

If employers have to pay more tax then their costs will go up, so they would need to save money elsewhere.

What are the different types of pensions?

WE round-up the main types of pension and how they differ:

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  • Personal pension or self-invested personal pension (SIPP) – This is probably the most flexible type of pension as you can choose your own provider and how much you invest.
  • Workplace pension – The Government has made it compulsory for employers to automatically enrol you in your workplace pension unless you opt out.
    These so-called defined contribution (DC) pensions are usually chosen by your employer and you won’t be able to change it. Minimum contributions are 8%, with employees paying 5% (1% in tax relief) and employers contributing 3%.
  • Final salary pension – This is also a workplace pension but here, what you get in retirement is decided based on your salary, and you’ll be paid a set amount each year upon retiring. It’s often referred to as a gold-plated pension or a defined benefit (DB) pension. But they’re not typically offered by employers anymore.
  • New state pension – This is what the state pays to those who reach state pension age after April 6 2016. The maximum payout is £203.85 a week and you’ll need 35 years of National Insurance contributions to get this. You also need at least ten years’ worth to qualify for anything at all.
  • Basic state pension – If you reach the state pension age on or before April 2016, you’ll get the basic state pension. The full amount is £156.20 per week and you’ll need 30 years of National Insurance contributions to get this. If you have the basic state pension you may also get a top-up from what’s known as the additional or second state pension. Those who have built up National Insurance contributions under both the basic and new state pensions will get a combination of both schemes.

They may do this by increasing the price of their products for customers, giving employees smaller pay rises or reducing the amount that they pay into employees’ pensions.

Employers currently have to pay in at least 3% of an employee’s salary into their pension each month.

The employee then pays 5% of their salary in, bringing the total contribution up to 8%.

But some companies offer much more generous packages and may pay in up to 10% of an employees’ salary.

These packages could be cut if the planned changes come into effect.

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Sir Steve Webb said: “Changing national insurance contributions could leave hundreds of thousands of people with a poorer retirement.

“People are not saving enough money for their retirement as it is. This could mean even more people are not saving enough.”

Tom Selby, director of public policy at AJ Bell, said only taxing private sector workers would be difficult to explain.

“Applying national insurance to private sector companies while giving the public sector a get-out-of-jail-free card would be more difficult to justify,” he said.

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“Particularly given public sector pensions are far more generous than their private sector equivalents.”

How would it affect different schemes?

There are concerns that introducing national insurance on pension contributions could undermine salary sacrifice schemes.

At the moment some employers offer schemes where employees can give up part of their salary, which is then paid directly into their pension, avoiding tax.

If national insurance is applied to an employer’s pension contribution then it could remove the incentive  for  companies to offer these schemes.

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If these schemes were removed then it could mean that employees have to pay tax on their pension contributions, which would reduce the amount they pay into their nest egg.

What else could be announced in the budget?

The Chancellor is expected to freeze income tax thresholds in the Budget, which could drag 1.5 million pensioners into higher tax bands.

The State Pension is expected to rise by 4.1% in April, equivalent to a boost of £473.

A single pensioner would see their income rise from £221.20 to £230.30 a week.

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But with income tax thresholds frozen it could mean that many pensioners have to pay tax on the state pension for the first time.

The Chancellor is also believed to be considering whether to make huge changes to inheritance tax in order to raise billions of pounds.

Only about one in 20 estates now attract inheritance tax but it is still known as Britain’s most hated tax.

Rachel Reeves is considering whether to make changes to the exemptions, allowances and reliefs available at the moment.

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For example, the Government could decide to reduce the amount that you can give to a friend or family member before you die.

It could also reduce the seven year rule, which currently allows someone to give away items or money to friends and family tax free so long as they live for seven years afterwards.

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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Starbucks menu and prices to see huge shake-up as boss promises CHEAPER drinks

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Starbucks menu and prices to see huge shake-up as boss promises CHEAPER drinks

STARBUCKS has promised to make major changes to its menu and prices in an attempt to win back customers and boost dwindling sales.

In a video message, Starbucks chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian Niccol said the company will simplify its “overly complex menu”.

Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol has outlined new plans for the business

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Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol has outlined new plans for the businessCredit: Getty

He added that the coffee chain will fix its “pricing architecture” and “ensure that every customer feels Starbucks is worth it”.

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He also outlined said he wants the chain to return to the welcoming atmosphere of its early locations.

The strategy is a bid to win back customers who are visiting less often, which has caused sales to tumble.

To succeed Niccol said the chain will address staffing issues in its cafes, remove bottlenecks and simplify things for baristas.

It will also improve the mobile order and pay system so it does not overwhelm the cafe experience.

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“We know how to make these improvements, and when we do, we know customers will visit more often,” he said.

“Getting ‘Back to Starbucks’ is our plan, and we’ll share our progress as we go.”

It has not been confirmed when the company plans to implement these changes or how they will be introduced.

Niccol, who previously ran the Mexican food chain Chipotle, was brought in to Starbucks to help turn the company around.

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Its preliminary results showed that global store sales were down 7% between July and September.

The downturn was more prominent in China, where sales fell 14% over the same period.

High prices for drinks and long queues at busy times have been blamed for the tumbling sales.

How much does Starbucks cost?

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Starbucks has a wide range of coffees on offer. Its menu includes:

  • Caffe Latte – £4.25
  • White Chocolate Mocha – £5.40
  • Caffe Mocha – £4.90
  • Caramel Macchiato – £5.15
  • Cafe Americano – £3.80
  • Cappuccino – £4.25
  • Filter Coffee – £2.55
  • Caffe Misto – £3.00
  • Iced Caffe Latte – £4.30

The coffee chain’s seasonal coffees and Frappuccinos can cost more than £6 for the largest size.

In comparison, a latte from Pret costs around £4.05 while Costa Coffee charges around £3.45.

Last week Starbucks announced that it is scaling back its promotional offers through its mobile app to get customers to pay full price for its coffees and teas.

The move is part of a strategy to reposition Starbucks as a premium brand.

It will also reduce pressure on employees, who can get flooded with orders when promotions are on.

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In September the company offered extra loyalty points on Tuesdays and had deals on several drinks purchases on Saturdays.

This moved away from promotions which lasted many months such as “buy one, get one free” and 50% off.

Starbucks is not planning to introduce offers during the festive season and will instead promote its seasonal drinks with advertisements, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Starbucks has previously avoided coffee promotion but it dialled them up earlier this year to lure back customers.

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This strategy has now been put in reverse by Niccol since he took over last month.

Starbucks shares fell 4% on Tuesday and it suspended its financial forecasts for the next year due to the “current state of the business”.

The company’s full results are still scheduled for release on October 30.

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

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Tens of thousands of older state pensioners missing out on £1,000s due to DWP error – are you one of them?

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Can I get Pension Credit? How to figure out if you’re entitled to up to £3,900 free cash plus Winter Fuel Payment

TENS of thousands of older state pensioners could be missing out on thousands of pounds due to a historic error.

The mistake, which was first revealed in 2022, has seen 187,000 people miss out on retirement money they’re entitled to.

Older state pensioners could be missing out on thousands of pounds

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Older state pensioners could be missing out on thousands of poundsCredit: PA

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been on a mission to identify the pensioners, mainly women, who have been affected by the error.

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Now an expert has revealed that more pensioners could be owed cash but have been unable to claim.

Those affected are parents who claimed Child Benefit before 2000 and are missing out on the extra cash due to gaps in their National Insurance (NI) records.

These mothers should have had ‘Home Responsibilities Protection’ (HRP) on their NI record since 1978 when they were raising children, but in many cases, this is missing which means they aren’t getting paid all the state pension they should.

READ MORE ON PENSION ERRORS

It’s understood that of the 187,000 affected by the historic error around 43,000 are now deceased.

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In an effort to track these women down, HMRC has so far issued more than a quarter of a million letters to people over pension age with no HRP on their record, encouraging them to put in a claim.

They may then be issued backdated payments, as well as a new monthly income if they’re found to have been affected.

However, a Freedom of Information (FOI) response to former pensions minister and current partner at LCP Steve Webb has revealed that tens of thousands still may not be aware they’re missing out.

Mr Webb received a copy of the letter which is sent out to those potentially affected.

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He found that it relies largely on internet-based claiming.

Could you be eligible for Pension Credit?

Recipients are told not to apply until they have used an online check for HRP entitlement and then to put in their application online.

The letter makes no reference to any alternative way of claiming, despite the existence of a simple paper claim form (CF411) which can be used instead.

Research from Age UK suggests that almost 30% of people aged 75 or over never use the internet, which suggests that many of the recipients of these letters may not be able to act upon them.

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Mr Webb is now calling on HMRC to review its communication strategy for older pensioners and to make paper claim forms readily available.

He said: “Whilst I understand the desire of government departments to cut costs, it is completely inappropriate to write letters to hundreds of thousands of pensioners which suggest that the only way to apply is online. 

“At the very least, the letter should make it clear that other ways of claiming are available for those who are not online. I am concerned in particular for older pensioners who may not have friends or family to help them. 

“Those who have been underpaid have typically missed out on thousands of pounds, and they deserve to have this put right.  Unless HMRC addresses this issue it is highly likely that tens of thousands of older pensioners may continue to miss out on money which is rightfully theirs”.

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What are state pension errors?

STEVE Webb, partner at LCP and former Pensions Minister, explains what state pension errors are and how they can occur:

The way state pensions are worked out is so complicated that many thousands of people have been paid the wrong amount for years without even realising it.  

The amount of retirement pension you get usually depends on your National Insurance (NI) record. 

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One big source of errors has been cases where NI records have been incorrect, particularly for years spent at home with children. 

This is a system known as ‘Home Responsibilities Protection’.

Alternatively, particularly for older pensioners, the amount you get can depend on the NI contributions made by your spouse. 

Errors have arisen where the Government has failed to adjust the pensions of married women when their husbands retired or failed to increase pensions when someone was bereaved and lost a husband or wife.

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Although the Government has spent years trying to fix these problems, there are still many thousands of people – many of them older women – on the wrong pension.

If you have always thought that your pension seems low, then it is worth contacting the Pensions Service to ask them to check, especially if you spent time at home raising children or if you were widowed and your pension didn’t change when your spouse died.

The DWP estimates that a total of £1.3billion is owed to those affected – that equates to an average amount of £5,000 owed to each individual.

When the mistake was uncovered the DWP described it as the “second largest” source of errors in state pensions.

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Those affected are people who claimed child benefit, largely women who were stay-at-home mums, before May 2000 as they could have gaps in their NI record which in turn affects the amount of state pension they get.

The amount of state pension someone gets is based on their NI contributions and the number of “qualifying years” they have.

From 1978 to 2010, protection was provided for parents to avoid these gaps by a system known as Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) credits.

This system was then replaced in 2010 by the one we have now, called National Insurance Credits.

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If someone claimed child benefit before May 2000 and did not provide their NI number on the form, it’s possible that their credits may not have been transferred to their NI account from the child benefit computer. 

This may affect their pension entitlement and women who are now in their 60s and 70s are most likely to be affected.

The DWP has already started sending letters to people who might have been entitled to HRP between 1978 and 2010 but have no HRP on their NI record.

It says so far it has written to 370,000 people, of which 257,000 were over State Pension Age.

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It expects to send several hundred thousand letters to those affected over the next 18 months.

Where errors are found, NI records will be corrected and the DWP will then recalculate state pensions and pay arrears.

This could result in increased pension payments as well as a lump sum payment.

An HMRC spokesperson said: “Contrary to what’s been claimed, the letters do include a helpline number to request a paper application form – although for most people it will be much quicker and easier to use our online service.”

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Last year, The Sun spoke to Susan Burton, 66, who almost missed out on £50,000 for her retirement because of this error. 

Another woman, 74, has received a £17,000 windfall after falling victim to the error.

It means that finding out if you have been missing out, could mean a big payday.

What do I need to do now?

The DWP says it has begun the process by writing to those already over pension age.

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For the tens of thousands of those affected who have died, it will be a matter of tracking down the families of the deceased.

Mr Webb told The Sun: “The scale of this problem is such that it is going to take 18 months to try to track down all those who may have missed out.

“But HMRC’s records give them only very limited information about who to contact, so anyone who thinks they were eligible for Home Responsibilities Protection which may be missing from their state pension should check if they were entitled and put in an application.”

What is Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP)?

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BELOW we reveal what Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) is and why if you received it before 2000 you could be missing out on cash.

From 1978 to 2010, protection was provided for parents to avoid gaps in their “qualifying years” by a system known as Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) credits.

This system was then replaced in 2010 by the one we have now, called National Insurance Credits.

Most people got HRP automatically if they were getting child benefit in their name for a child under the age of 16 and they had given the child benefit office their National Insurance (NI) number.

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If someone claimed child benefit before May 2000 and did not provide their NI number on the form, it’s possible that their credits may not have been transferred to their NI account from the child benefit computer. 

This may affect their pension entitlement and women who are now in their 60s and 70s are most likely to be affected.

If you think you may be entitled, but you have questions, the Pension Service can be reached using the Gov.UK website or by calling 0800 731 0469.

Anyone who has received child benefit since 1978 should check their NI record.

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If the payment is missing, there is a form that can be filled in to get the information added to your record.

It is called a CF411 form and it can be found on the government’s website.

You can also contact the HMRC National Insurance helpline for an application form.

Your state pension will then be automatically recalculated and the arrears will be paid.

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You can still apply for HRP if, for the full tax years (April to April) between 1978 and 2010, if you were either:

  • Sharing the care of a child under 16 with a partner you lived with and they claimed Child Benefit instead of you 
  • Caring for a sick or disabled person

Any HRP you had before April 6, 2010, have converted to National Insurance credits.

You must have reached state pension age on or after April 6 for these credits to go towards your pension.

Elsewhere, the exact amount you need to retire comfortably – including holidays abroad – has been revealed.

Plus, a Martin Lewis fan has revealed how the expert’s little-known tip helped them to boost their state pension by £7,000.

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How much is the state pension worth?

YOUR State Pension amount depends on your National Insurance record.

The new State Pension is a regular payment from the government that most people can claim in later life.

You can claim the new State Pension when you reach State Pension age if you have at least 10 years of National Insurance contributions and are:

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  • a man born on or after 6 April 1951
  • a woman born on or after 6 April 1953

The full rate of the new State Pension will be £221.20 per week in 2024-25 but you may get more or less, depending on your National Insurance (NI) record.

If you were born before the above dates you’ll get the old State Pension instead.

The full basic State Pension under the old system is currently £169.50 per week for people who have all the qualifying years of NI contributions for their date of birth. 

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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