ENTREPRENEUR Ryan Howsam, who grew up in a council house and now runs a £1.3billion business, has slammed Labour’s Budget as an ‘absolute disaster’ for small firms.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, the insurance boss warned that Labour’s recent Budget will kill family businesses and force firms to cut wages.

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The founder and chairman of insurer Staysure blasted changes to inheritance tax, National Insurance and minimum wage.

Mr Howsam set up his first business at 19 and is now the chief executive of a major, family-run insurance company which employs over 700 people.

Family-run businesses form around 86% of the UK’s private sector, according to the Family Business Research Foundation, most of which are considered “small to medium” businesses (SMEs).

But several changes announced in the Budget last week were targeted at increasing costs for those firms, which Mr Howsam says will see more firms close and a loss of opportunities for everyone.

For example, he said the government’s increase to the Living and Minimum Wages by 6.7% and 16%, respectively, as well as employers’ National Insurance will mean firms have to cut wage growth.

Meanwhile, he said the changes to bring family business assets into the scope of inheritance tax (IHT) will force more family businesses to close, or their families will have to sell them at a reduced price to pay the tax bill.

“I don’t really think [the Budget] served lower-income households very well, as minimum wage growth and the National Insurance increase will hit businesses’ ability to grow, and that will ultimately mean there’s less wage growth and less opportunity,” he explained.

“And the changes to inheritance tax are an absolute disaster.

“I come from a council house background, so I’m as working class as you get and I understand people having less disposable income.

“But this narrative that Labour has got that we should hammer anybody who has got money and wants to succeed is like biting the hand that feeds you. Why would you do that?

“These are the people bringing the cash in and paying the majority of our tax.”

‘Changes to IHT will kill family businesses’

Changes to bring family businesses into the scope of inheritance tax (IHT) will mean families having to pay 20% tax on assets over £1million.

Previously, family businesses were exempt from IHT if left to a loved one.

But now this exemption will only apply to the first £1million of assets in the businesses, which Mr Howsam says means families will have to sell their busniess at a reduced price to pay the remaining tax bill.

“Most family businesses are not quoted on the stock market, which means HMRC will have to put an arbitrary value on them, and then the family has just got to come up with that money,” he explained.

“If you take a business valued at £4million, that business might only have £100,000 in the bank, but 20% of £4million (without business relief on the first £1million) is £800,000. Where are the family going to get £800,000 from, plus interest?

“They won’t – the only way the money will come in is it they sell the business for a lot less than it’s worth because they are desperate.

“So, these families have worked their whole lives, but they will be forced to sell the business or try to come up with an awful lot of money. It’s a really stupid move.”

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‘Targeting the wealthy will mean more tax for everyone’

Mr Howsam added that targeting wealth and businesses will ultimately end up increasing taxes for everyone if those people decide to leave the UK.

“Around 4,500 millionaires left the country last year, and this year it’s forecast to be 9,500 millionaires,” he said.

“You may think that doesn’t matter, but it does matter, because the top 1% of taxpayers pay 28% of HMRC‘s tax take – and then there’s the money they spend, which puts their tax take up to 36%.

“If those people leave, who do you think is going to have to pay more? The country is just getting less well off as a result.”

The government’s plan to also include pensions in the scope of IHT will also mean far more people end up paying the death tax, he said.

Currently, only around 4% of families pay IHT, but Mr Howsam says the changes in the Budget will trickle down and start hitting mid-to-low income families.

“IHT is going to hit middle income people in a big way, and then it’s going to start coming down towards lower-income people too, if they have a bigger pension pot,” he said.

Other announcements in the Budget

In the Budget last week, Labour announced a raft of measures to fill a £22billion “black hole” in the country’s finances allegedly left by the previous government.

A few of those measures included the changes to IHT, a crackdown on benefit fraud, a hike in tobacco duty and a stamp duty increase on second homes.

However, there was some good news for savers in the Budget.

Benefits like Universal Credit and Attendance Allowance will rise by 1.7% in line with September’s inflation figure. Ms Reeves also confirmed the state pension will rise by up to £473 next year.

The minimum wage is also set to rise for workers aged 21 and over by 6.7% from next April from £11.44 to £12.21.

We have rounded up legal ways to avoid inheritance tax here.

A MAJOR bank is gearing up to launch a brand new “buy now, pay later” product to rival the likes of Klarna, ClearPay and PayPal.

Lloyds Bank is creating its own “split payments” option that will allow its customers to spread the cost of items and services bought online over time, The Sun understands.

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The product will be fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which most buy now, pay later (BNPL) products currently aren’t, but will be by 2026 under plans by the government.

It is understood the product will be an entirely new and independent payment option that will appear at checkouts like Klarna or ClearPay and won’t be linked to existing products like credit cards.

In some cases, it may be offered as an exclusive split payment option for its 27million customers, while at other merchants it will appear alongside other similar payment options.

Lloyds will also launch a dedicated mobile app for the product where users will be able to see all of their instalment plans in one place.

While Lloyds could not confirm exact timings, it is understood the product could be available from as early as next year.

It will only be available with a small number of merchants initially and will then roll out more widely, with the long-term goal being to “show up at the end of millions of online purchase journeys”.

The focus will be on targeting merchants that offer goods and services where it makes sense to spread payments.

It is not currently known whether the product will charge any extra fees or what the interest rate will be, but Lloyds said it will update The Sun when it has more details to share.

Lloyds is creating the product following feedback from customers that they wanted more payment options when buying online.

Lloyds has also reported seeing an increase in customers choosing to spread their payments over time, which has led to it wanting to create its own offering.

It is understood that the bank is currently recruiting extra staff internally to help with the rollout of the product, and is working with New Day, the firm behind the John Lewis Partnership Card.

The plans follow the launch of US BNPL brand Affirm in the uK earlier this week. It will let users pay in instalments such as six, nine or 12 months and will not charge any extra fees.

They also come after a recent announcement from the government to pass legislation to regulate the buy now, pay later (BNPL) sector by early next year, with regulation in place by 2026, as revealed exclusively by The Sun.

The new rules will mean BNPL users will get extra protections when using the products, including Section 75 protection and the ability to complain to the Financial Ombudsman if things go wrong.

It’s important to make sure you can afford to meet any payments before taking out an instalment plan to avoid damaging your credit score or ending up with any late fees.

The history of banks and BNPL products

Lloyds Bank is not the first lender to venture into the BNPL space.

Rival high street bank NatWest has previously had its own BNPL product, which was available for its 18million customers – although was used by far fewer.

NatWest launched the product, which allowed customers to spread purchases over four interest-free monthly instalments, to much fanfare in summer 2022, saying it had seen “clear demand” for BNPL.

But the bank axed the product on May 7 last year after seeing far lower take-up than expected.

Credit card provider American Express also launched its own BNPL option, “Plan It”, in February this year.

The option allows customers to spread payments over three, six or 12 months interest-free with a fixed monthly fee.

Usually with a credit card you pay off the full balance each month at no extra cost, or make the minimum repayment and pay interest. But Plan It means they can extend the interest-free period for a small fee.

For example, repaying £1,000 over six months would come with a £10.70 monthly fee – so £64.20 overall – while borrowing with 30% interest would cost £95.79 per month.

Credit card need-to-knows

Not using a credit card effectively can wreak havoc on your finances and your credit score.

If you don’t keep up with repayments or default on your debt, you are likely to get a black mark on your credit record, which could affect your ability to get a credit card, loan or mortgage in the future.

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It’s important not to let yourself get sucked into overspending.

You should always clear the full balance as soon as possible.

If you have a poor credit score, don’t bank on being approved for a card or getting the 0% deal you’d hoped for.

Card providers only have to give the advertised rate to 51% of applicants, so you could end up paying more interest than you bargained for.

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If you’ve got a poor credit record, you’re less likely to get the best rates.

And if you are looking for a new credit card, don’t apply for lots at once.

After your 0% period is up, lenders can charge upwards of 40% interest, so if you have not repaid the debt fully by then, try to move the debt onto another 0% deal.

What are the BNPL regulation changes?

The Labour government confirmed last month that it intends to legislate to bring BNPL products under the FCA’s rule by early 2025, which would mean regulation would kick in by 2026.

Plans to regulate these products have been repeatedly delayed, which is bad news for shoppers as no regulation means customers aren’t protected if things go wrong.

Under the plans, firms will have to be clear and transparent about late fees and how they could impact customers’ credit ratings.

Affordability checks will also be strengthened and shoppers who feel they’ve been treated unfairly will be able to complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), which resolves disputes with financial firms.

These products will also be subject to the Consumer Credit Act and Section 75, so shoppers will be able to complain if products are falsely advertised and can get their money back if items are faulty.

Some split payment products are already regulated. For example, Zilch, which is considered a BNPL firm, is already under FCA regulation.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing squeezeteam@thesun.co.uk

NEARLY a third of Brits (29%) feel a “rainy day fund” is outdated and would rather save for specific things to look forward to.

A poll of 2,000 adults found 36% adopt a “you can’t take it with you” approach, preferring to spend their cash while they can, rather than putting it aside for emergencies.

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And 34% have a plan in place for how to spend their savings on a big-ticket item, with 67% finding it rewarding to spend what they’ve saved.

While 42% feel they work hard for their money and enjoy putting it towards something they really want, financial advisor and content creator Mr MoneyJar references this to be “saving for a sunny day”.

More than one in 10 (11%) are planning to put their cash towards a memorable experience like a festival, concert or spa day.

Sean Morley, head of savings at Post Office, which commissioned the research, said: “Attitudes to savings are changing, with more people placing emphasis on saving for the good times rather than for a ‘rainy day’.

“Our findings show that there’s a growing demand to cater for different types of savers – with some wanting to achieve lifetime milestones, and other savings reserved for enjoyment.”

“We recognise that people prefer to save in different ways for different reasons, whether you want to open a savings account in branch or online, we’re committed to making saving accessible for everyone, no matter their goals.”

The research also found 31% of adults recall being told by their parents how to save money but were given the freedom to decide when to save and spend.

Although 20% remember being encouraged to save as much as they could but weren’t advised on what they should spend the money on.

It emerged 30% find saving money more exciting than five years ago, with 40% claiming they “always or often” manage to hit their goals.

More than half (57%) put their money in a regular savings bank account, while 46% opt for ISAs, and 18% use schemes like Premium Bonds.

However, one in five don’t feel confident they know the difference between an ISA and a normal savings account, with Gen Z the least sure about these savings options and over 65s the most clued up.

The research, conducted via OnePoll, also found only 22% of Gen Z and 34% of Millennials are putting money aside for unforeseen costs.

But this figure rises to 44% of Gen X and 43% of Baby Boomers.

And while Millennial savers are the most likely to be working towards a house deposit (22%), they are also commonly saving up for special occasions – such as weddings and stag or hen dos (15%).

More than half (59%) of those aged 18 to 24 even find excitement in saving money, compared to just 14% of those 65 and over.

Mr MoneyJar, who has teamed up with Post Office, added: “While saving is essential for financial security, we all work incredibly hard for our money and so it’s entirely right that we get to enjoy the fruits of our labour, not just in the future, but in the present too, and spend it on experiences and things we enjoy.

“Money is a tool, and spending money on things that will create positive memories and enjoyable experiences today is just as important as saving for tomorrow as memories and experiences improve your overall quality of life and encourage personal growth.

“Different types of savings work for different types of people and it’s important to save for things in a balanced way.

“So absolutely save for that sunny day or that special purchase you’ve always wanted, but make sure to have a separate pot of cash set aside for a rainy day as well.”

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

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MARTIN Lewis has revealed how thousands on Universal Credit can access an “unbeatable” savings account that pays a 50% bonus.

The MoneySavingExpert website founder told viewers of his ITV Money Show last night you can earn £1,200 in free cash with a Help to Save account.

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Those on tax credits or Universal Credit and earning a certain amount can open one of the accounts.

You can put in between £1 and £50 each calendar month and receive a 50% bonus on any cash saved.

Martin explained: “Totally unbeatable is Help to Save via gov.uk.

“It’s amazing. You put in up to £50 a month and then you get a 50% bonus.”

Jeanette Kwakye, who also co-hosts the Money Show alongside Martin, went on to share the story of a viewer who got a £500 bonus after opening one of the accounts.

What is Help to Save?

Help to Save is a type of savings account available to those on tax credits and Universal Credit.

It is a Government-backed scheme which means your money is protected and you won’t lose any put in.

You can save between £1 and £50 each calendar month and get a 50p bonus for every £1 saved.

You can save into one of the accounts for a maximum of four years, with bonuses paid out at the end of the second and fourth year.

That means if you put in the maximum £50 a month for four years, you could get £1,200 in free money overall.

One major benefit to a Help to Save account is that you get a bonus at the end of the second or fourth years regardless of what your final balance is.

So, if for example you had £600 in your account and then took £300 out for an emergency and had £300 left at the end of the first two years, you would still get a £300 bonus – 50% of £600.

Currently, you can only open a Help to Save account if you are on Universal Credit and you, or you and your partner, had take home pay of £793.17 or more in your last monthly assessment period.

Take home pay is what your pay is after deductions such as National Insurance.

However, Budget documents revealed the scheme will be rolled out to all Universal Credit claimants who work from April 6 next year.

It’s worth bearing in mind, if the savings you have stashed away in a Help to Save account mean you breach £6,000 it could see your Universal Credit payments reduced.

This does not apply to those on working tax credits who have opened an account.

Other help you can get if you’re on Universal Credit

It’s worth checking you can claim Universal Credit as not only will you get payments on a regular basis, it can unlock other perks.

The Household Support Fund is a giant pot of cash worth £421million that has been shared between councils in England.

They then decide how to distribute their share of the cash, and who to distribute it to.

But, in most cases you will get help if you are on a low income or benefits, like Universal Credit.

The eligibility criteria varies from council to council but if you are on a low income or benefits it’s worth checking if you qualify for help.

You can find out what council area you fall under by using the Government’s council locator tool via gov.uk.

You can also get 85% of the cost of your childcare covered if you’re on Universal Credit.

The most you can get each month is £1,015 for one child and £1,739 for two or more kids.

And new or expectant mothers on Universal Credit can get one-off payments worth £500 through Sure Start Maternity Grants too.

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

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PEOPLE living with a specific illness are eligible for a whopping £500 worth of cost of living payments.

The MND Association – a charity which supports people affected by motor neurone disease – has announced that the value of its Cost of Living Support Fund is increasing to a maximum of £500 from £350.

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This is an uplift of £150.

MND affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time.

The fund can be applied for by those with a confirmed diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of MND or Kennedy’s disease.

The scheme was set up in 2023 for those who are struggling with household bills, food or shopping costs.

It’s not means tested, so you will not be required to provide proof of income, and no quotes or receipts are required as part of
the application process.

With many people living with MND experiencing their bills rise, the charity made the changes to the fund on 1 November.

It was partly in response to the latest survey from the charity which revealed that over 80% of carers of people with MND have used savings or retirement plans to cover household costs.

Furthermore, research in 2023 found households affected by MND spend an average of £14,500 a year on costs associated with living and managing the condition – a clear indication that the financial impact of the disease has never been higher.

Those who have already received the previous amount can still apply for the difference, should they need to.

Sally Hughes, director of services and partnerships at the MND Association, said: “We know many people living with and affected by MND will be anxious and worried as household costs continue to rise. 

“As we head into the colder months, we want to ease the financial burden on people with MND. People shouldn’t have to worry about whether to eat, heat their home or turn on vital equipment. 

“It is once again another example of charities stepping up where statutory services have failed to do so.  

“What we really need is for the Government to do more to help vulnerable people rather than take away support, as they have with the recent changes to the Winter Fuel Payment.”

How can I apply?

If you would like to apply, a simple form asks you to outline why the Cost of Living fund is required and how it will be used.

You can download the application form from The MND Association’s website.

Once you have completed the form, you will need to email it to support.services@mndassociation.org and your application will be considered.

If you are awarded the fund, the MND Association will arrange for the payment to be made to you.

What other cost of living payments are available?

The current economic climate is seeing more charities step in to fill the gap left by a lack of support from the Government and statutory services. 

For those living with cancer, Macmillan’s Financial Grants Scheme was established to help support those who are struggling to cover essential living costs.

So anyone living with cancer and who needs help with bills and other essentials can apply for the grant.

It’s worth up to £350 and is a one-off payment and can be used to help with things like:

• Energy bills
• Home adaptions
• The cost of travel to and from hospital
• Any extra costs you might have because of cancer

However, unlike the MND Association fund, it is means-tested.

This means both the following need to apply to become eligible:

You must have no more than £6,000 in savings for a household of one person or no more than £8,000 for a household of two or more people

You must have a weekly income of no more than £323 per week for a household of one person or no more than £442 per week for a household of two or more people.

Benefits like personal independence payments (PIP), disability living allowance (DLA) or attendance allowance (AA) do not count towards income for this.

To apply you can call 0808 808 00 00 or you can speak to one of your healthcare team, like a district nurse or Macmillan nurse, care professional or benefits adviser who can fill in the form with you online.

The British Legion has also set up a Cost of Living grant, which can be applied for here using the Lightning Reach portal.

You can also find out what grants may be available to you using Turn2Us’s grant search on the charity website.

There are a huge range of grants available for different people – including those who are bereaved, disabled, unemployed, redundant, ill, a carer, veteran, young person or old person.

What is the Household Support Fund?

You may also be eligible for up to £500 worth of cost of living payments from the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF) which is worth £421 million in total.

It’s available to support those who are struggling to afford household basics including food, energy, wider essentials, and exceptional costs.

The fund has been split up between councils in England who are in charge of distributing their allocation.

It was set up in 2021, however, it has been extended by the UK government a number of times. 

How much you are eligible for is usually based on what benefits you already receive and your financial circumstances. 

To be eligible for help, you usually have to be in receipt of a council tax reduction or show proof of being in financial difficulty.

Each council has a different application process – so you’ll have to ask your local authority or find out via your council’s website.

To find out how to contact your local authority, use the gov.uk authority tool checker.

In the last round of funding, some residents received their share automatically, while others had to apply.

For example, Haringey London Council is issuing automatic payments to eligible residents, as well as a support fund which can be applied to.

It is also issuing payments to schools, which means they can distribute free school vouchers.

AMAZON has revealed its top 10 toys for Christmas this year including iconic brands like Play-Doh and Lego – but they come with a hefty price tag. 

The online giant has tipped a £60 Play-Doh pizza delivery scooter set as being one of the top gifts for kids this year. 

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As well as a £149.99  LEGO Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer Starship Building Toy set, which includes seven Lego Star Wars minifigures, including Darth Vader.

The wishlist was handpicked by Amazon experts and it does include cheaper options, including a £7.99 Snackles Surprise Capsule plush soft toy. 

Matthew Redfearn, toys category leader at Amazon UK said: “Our Top Ten Toys list has something for all ages, interests and budgets, making it easier to find that perfect gift this holiday season. 

“With thousands of glowing customer reviews, people can shop with confidence, knowing that our Top Ten Toys list offers the latest in fun and entertainment.”

Shoppers can get 10% off any toy in the list by visiting –  amazon.co.uk/toptentoys2024.

Although, you only have until November 12 to take advantage of the deal. 

It’s worth keeping an eye out on Amazon though because prices may drop on Black Friday, which this year takes place on November 25.

Before splashing your cash on these toys, remember to check sites such as Price Spy and Idealo to find out if you can buy items cheaper at another store.

Free online price trackers like Price History and CamelCamelCamel will also give you an idea of whether you can save cash by buying it later in the year.

Here are the top toys Amazon reckons your children will want under the tree this year, in price order starting with the cheapest.

Snackles – £7.99

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This ultra-squeezable 12.7cm plush is made from cotton and is bound to but a smile on any kids’ face.

The soft plush is perfect to snuggle with while relaxing at home, watching a movie, or taking a long car or plane ride.

There are 11 Snackles to chose from and each one comes with its own snack including a Krispy Kreme doughnut, Mentos and a tub of Baskins Robins ice cream.

It’s the cheapest item on Amazon’s Christmas list.

We did find this item for sale at Argos for £8, which is just a penny more than at Amazon.

If you chose to visit your local branch of Argos, you could save cash by buying it there instead of Amazon and save on delivery.

Blue Orange Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza Card Game – £10

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Blue Orange has launched the perfect card game for kids and parents to enjoy on Christmas Day.

This card and word game is a race to see who can slap their hand on the pile of cards in the middle first once there’s a match.

The last one to do so must take them all, so players will want quick to be the first to get rid of all their cards.

Amazon describes the game as “addictive” and “unique”.

We also found this game for sale in Argos and John Lewis for £10, so you could save yourself on delivery by visiting one of these stores.

Simba SCREAMERZ Babbling Bear – £11.99

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The ScreamerZ bear has fluffy blue fur, sticking-up ears and crazy big round eyes – but don’t get draw in by his cuteness.

All you have to do is press the toy’s belly gently to hear him let out a little scream.

If you press his belly harder, he will let out a scream at the top of his lungs.

But if you shake it, the ScreamerZ lets out a funny, shaky scream.

Amazon’s price is the lowest on the market, we could only find it on sale at The Entertainer for £15.

Rainbow High Watercolour and Create DIY Fashion Doll – £24.99

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Rainbow High Water Colour and Create Brown Eyes Fashion Doll lets you custom your own Rainbow High doll in so many different ways, even with Tie-Dye.

Just add water to the six rainbow-coloured powders to create watercolours, then dip her clothes and hair using the included dual end application sponge.

You can even use the washable watercolours on your own hair.

Repeat play, just wash in soap and water, let dry and start creating again.

We found the same doll on sale for exactly the same price at The Entertainer.

However, we did find it slightly cheaper at Very for £21.99.

Lexibook Disney Stitch, Electronic Diary – £39.99

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This beautiful Disney Stitch Electronic Secret Diary is perfect for any stitch fan who wants to closely guard their secrets.

The electronic diary can be locked with a four-digit password and hidden in the diary is a secret compartment with an adorable notebook to store notes away from curious eyes.

With lots of fun features like voice recorder, voice changer, photo frame, or magical sound effects this is a perfect place to store memories.

The only other retailer we could find selling this toy was The Entertainer, and it was marked at the same price as on Amazon.

Hape Marble Run – £48.44

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Get ready for some marble madness with this do-it-yourself block set.

You children can build the towers and tracks then send the marbles rolling down through all the tricks, twists and surprises.

The set includes blocks, tracks, slides, marbles, marble trays, a jump, a bell-bucket, a spiral funnel, a ringing bell and a sliding track for your marbles to get through.

But do note that it is only suitable for children aged three and above.

HATCHIMALS Alive, Mystery Hatch Pufficorn – £49.99

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This Hatchimals Mystery Egg needs love to hatch.

Cuddle, tap, lift and rock the egg to encourage your character to hatch — the egg lights up and rocks and you’ll even hear the Hatchimal reacting from inside.

Once the egg has been given enough love, it will be ready to hatch.

Magical mist will appear and the egg will glow rainbow colours, building the anticipation.

Inside every Mystery Hatch Hatchimals egg is one of two characters, so the hatching will will be an exciting surprise to see which is revealed.

The Entertainer and Argo are also selling this toy for the same price as Amazon.

Gabby’s Dollhouse – £54.99

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The Rainbow Celebration Dollhouse is two-foot-tall and rainbow-themed.

It also comes with a 3.5-inch Gabby Girl figure, dollhouse furniture, and 10 accessories, like a kitty-themed Toilet and a Piano/DJ Table.

You can also Drop deliveries in the delivery tower and press the button to discover secret treasures hidden in the house.

You can also buy separate accessories and dollhouse furniture for the house too, but of course these come separately.

Play-Doh Pizza Delivery Scooter Playset – £59.99

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This isn’t just a scooter for children, it’s also a Play-Doh pizza toy that lets them make and deliver their own kitchen creations on wheels.

The stamp and spin action in the toy oven at the back of the scooter makes it fun to make pretend pizza creations again and again.

Box them up and put them in the slot on the side of the scooter for delivery, then sound the horn when it arrives.

The checkout station on the side of the toy scooter has a make-believe credit card reader and moulds to make Play-Doh money.

This toy is also suitable for children aged three and over.

Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer Starship Building Toy – £149.99

Dominate the galaxy with this Lego Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer buildable toy starship playset for kids.

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Lego said it would make a great Christmas presents for boys, girls and fans aged 10 and up.

The Star Wars starship building toy features a hidden foldout carry handle for flying and two spring-loaded shooters, with a lift-off top panel and foldout side panels for easy access to the detailed interior.

Playful details inside include the bridge, command room, break room, armory, control panels and cargo box with thermal detonator elements.

It also comes with seven Lego Star Wars minifigures, including Darth Vader, Commander Praji and a special Lego Star Wars 25th anniversary minifigure of Cal Kestis.

Hundreds of toys from the must-have list will be donated to families in need in time for Christmas, as part of The Multibank charity initiative, co-founded by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Amazon.

The Multibank initiative was initially created to meet the needs of families and individuals living in poverty by taking surplus products donated by businesses and giving them to families in need.

To date, the initiative has donated more than three million items to help over 400,000 families experiencing poverty.

The toys will be delivered on the back of another iconic childhood toy – a life-size toy train, which is on track to tour the UK in the lead up to Christmas, stopping off at Multibank sites including:

• Felix’s Multibank in London
• The Big House Multibank in Scotland
• Cwtch Mawr Multibank in Swansea
• Brick-by-Brick Multibank in Wigan.

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