Kyle Weinberg was flying from London Stansted Airport to Paphos, Cyprus, for a five-day getaway to enjoy some winter sun.

The 30-year-old paid £80 for his return flights, which included one small personal bag measuring 40x30x20cm that must fit under the seat.

After purchasing two bottles of aftershave in duty free, Kyle stuffed them inside his manbag to save adding another bag to his luggage and made his way to his airport gate.

Ryanair allow holidaymaker to fly without paying baggage charge – as he used this simple trick (Image: Kennedy News and Media)

But while attempting to board, Ryanair staff allegedly told the company director that his satchel had to be put inside his carry-on bag or he would be unable to board.

Baffled, Kyle explained his manbag wouldn’t fit inside his carry-on due to his duty-free purchases – and claims gate staff questioned why he didn’t get a carrier bag to avoid the extra charge.

Adamant he wasn’t stumping up an extra £60, Kyle darted to a nearby Costa Coffee for a free bag to stuff his satchel into – after which he says he was able to board without any issues.

A Ryanair spokesman said the passenger was advised to place their second bag into hand-luggage or into their duty-free bag in order to travel on the flight.

Stunned Kyle has since slammed Ryanair’s policy as a ‘stupid, money-grabbing scheme’ to make passengers cough up before boarding.

Kyle, who lives in Hornchurch, Essex, said: “It was my first time in Cyprus, I was going out there for a bit of winter sun.

“So I bought two bottles of Paco Rabanne aftershave in duty free for £72 each.

“I thought I’d just put it in my manbag. I’ve flown so many times before and never encountered any issues with it. It’s only a small satchel, it’s literally 20cm.

“When I was queuing up, the check-in lady said ‘you need to take your bag off your shoulder and put it in your main bag’.

“I said ‘I can’t do that because I bought two duty free bottles and there’s no way it’s going to fit in my carry-on bag’.

“She said ‘can you not try and squeeze it in?’ I said no and she said ‘well you can’t come on with two bags, it’s policy’.

“I said ‘it’s not really a bag and if I’d put it underneath a jacket you would never have known’. It’s not as if I’m trying to be sneaky and put a whole load of clothes in a bag.

“It literally has my boarding pass, my wallet, my phone and charger – just my necessities.”

Kyle claims airport staff refused to let him board the plane without paying a charge to upgrade his baggage allowance.

After stuffing his satchel into a free bag from Costa Coffee, Kyle says he was allowed through despite him carrying an extra bag.

Kyle said: “She told me I’d have to upgrade to priority to take on an additional bag. She asked me why I didn’t keep the duty free bag from the perfume shop.

“But why would I walk around the airport holding another bag if I can fit in my bag? I felt like I was losing brain cells trying to understand her thought process.

“Right behind my gate was a Costa Coffee stand. I went over there and asked if I could nick a bag of them so I could put my bag in a bag.

“They just gave me a bag for free. I put my manbag in the Costa bag and she said ‘that’s fine, have a safe flight’ but there’s no difference.

“She literally watched me go and get the bag.

“A lot of people would’ve just paid the upgrade fee which is about £60 to save the inconvenience. It’s not cheap.

“It’s a money-grabbing scheme. They’re just trying to make money at all costs. I’m always trying to do things to not waste material as well.

“It’s a stupid policy. I can’t see why other people don’t try it too.”

A spokesman for Ryanair said the passenger had booked a basic fare ticket that entitled them to carry one small personal bag onboard.

Ryanair says they advised the passenger that they could place their second bag into their permitted bag or into their duty-free bag in order to travel on this flight.

A Ryanair spokesman said: “This passenger booked a basic fare ticket for this flight from London Stansted to Paphos, which allowed them to carry a small personal bag onboard.

“This passenger attempted to board with an additional carry-on bag and was advised to either place their additional bag within their permitted bag, or to pay a standard gate baggage fee.

“This passenger travelled on this flight from London Stansted to Paphos.”

Manchester United face Crystal Palace on Sunday as they look to strengthen their hold on fourth place

Manchester United return to action on Sunday against a Crystal Palace side buoyed by a midweek European triumph. Oliver Glasner’s Eagles are coming off a 2-0 win over in the Conference League play-offs with the result setting up a round of 16 tie against AEK Larnaca.

United have European qualification in their sights themselves and go into this weekend’s round of fixtures occupying fourth spot in the Premier League. Rivals Liverpool could pull level on points should they defeat West Ham on Saturday afternoon, although Michael Carrick’s side hold the superior goal difference at present, while Chelsea are also ready to pounce if United slip up.

There’ll be little time for rest following Sunday’s home fixture, with Carrick’s squad travelling to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle on Wednesday. Eddie Howe’s Magpies are seeking to build momentum in the league having secured a Champions League meeting with Barcelona by clinching a play-off victory over Qarabag.

United, in the meantime, are determined to maintain their unbeaten run under interim manager Carrick. Here are our latest updates from around Old Trafford.

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Simeone in the managerial mix

Diego Simeone has surfaced as a surprise contender for the Manchester United manager’s position. It would mark the Argentine’s first venture into English football and a dramatic change for a man who is closing in on 15 years at the helm of Atletico Madrid.

Simeone clinched he La Liga title on two occasions with Atlético, seven years apart. He has also claimed the Europa League twice as manager, triumphing in 2012 and 2018, whilst guiding his side to Champions League finals in 2014 and 2016 and narrowly missing out on glory.

Luis Enrique is understood to be the preferred candidate among members of United’s hierarchy. However, there’s no certainty the Spaniard would consider a switch and some are believed to fear he might end speculation by agreeing fresh terms with current employers Paris Saint-Germain.

Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti were also linked with the position following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal. Since then, however, both have penned contract extensions to remain in their present international roles beyond this summer.

Champions League qualification route

United will be keen to secure their place in next season’s Champions League without leaving anything to chance. Finishing fourth will guarantee them entry into the league phase, although fifth could still prove sufficient.

There are a lot of moving parts at play but, as matters stand, the Premier League is in pole position to earn one of two additional ‘European Performance Spots’ for next season’s Champions League. Newcastle United benefited last term and have already reached the last 16 this time round.

Fifth position is virtually assured of Champions League qualification thanks to six English teams reaching the round of 16 in that tournament and three more making the knockout stages in other European competitions. However, a series of round of 16 exits could jeopardise that prospect.

United still control their own destiny and have the opportunity to consolidate their grip on fourth place this weekend. That additional spot could prove a valuable safety net but even that is far from guaranteed, with just three points between fourth and sixth.

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Pakistan’s defence minister has said the ​country ‌is in an “open ​war” with neighbouring Afghanistan, after both nations launched strikes overnight.

Khawaja ‌Muhammad Asif said Islamabad’s ​patience ⁠had ⁠run out as tensions escalated, with casualties reported on both sides.

“Our cup of patience has ⁠overflowed,” he said in a social media post. “Now ​it is ​open war between ​us and ⁠you [Afghanistan].”

He alleged the Taliban had turned Afghanistan “into a colony of India”, gathered militants from around the world and had started “exporting terrorism”.

There has been no reaction from Afghan government officials to Mr Asif’s comments.

Pakistan carried out strikes on the Afghan capital Kabul and two other provinces overnight, Afghanistan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, just hours after Afghanistan launched a cross-border attack on Pakistan.

Security sources in Pakistan said the strikes involved air and ground strikes against Taliban posts, headquarters and ammunition depots ​along the border.

A Reuters news agency witness in Kabul said many ambulance sirens could be heard following a series of loud blasts.

Both sides reported heavy losses, issuing ‌sharply differing figures that have not been independently verified.

Afghanistan’s defence ministry said overnight that 55 Pakistani soldiers had been killed, including some whose bodies were taken into Afghanistan, and that “several others were captured alive”.

It said eight Afghan soldiers were killed and 11 wounded. The ministry also said it destroyed 19 Pakistani army posts and two bases and that the fighting ended around midnight, about four hours after it began on Thursday.

Ahmed ​Sharif Chaudhry, a spokesperson for the Pakistan military, claimed its armed forces had killed 274 members of the Taliban forces and militants.

He also said 22 Afghan military targets were hit, adding that at least 12 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the fighting.

None of these figures has been independently verified.

He added that military operations were ongoing on the orders of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Read more from Sky News:
Zelenskyy tells Sky News the US has the power to end the war
UK’s delicate deal to get the Bayeux Tapestry loaned from France

Cross-border battles have intensified following months of tensions and skirmishes between the two nations.

The escalation threatens a fragile ceasefire along the 1,615-mile border and deepens a dispute over Islamabad’s claim that Kabul harbours Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants – an accusation ​the Taliban deny.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper wrote on X: “The UK is deeply concerned by the significant escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“We urge both sides to take immediate steps toward de‑escalation, avoid further harm to civilians, and re‑engage in mediated dialogue.”

The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) informatics team was named Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) Team of the Year at the SDN NENC Digital Conference 2026.

The award recognises the team’s success in implementing a fully automated data flow into the Secure Data Environment (SDE).

Emily Turnbull, head of informatics, said: “This award recognises work that often happens behind the scenes but makes a real difference.

“By improving how we handle and protect ambulance service data, we are helping to support better understanding of patient care, while always putting confidentiality first.”

The new system reduces manual handling, improves data consistency, and strengthens controls on who can access information.

It ensures that ambulance data can be used securely and responsibly to support patient care, research, and service improvements across the region.

The winning project was described as a team effort.

Jill Spencer supported early development discussions, Connor Rice initiated the build phase, Jake Bays drove the core delivery and completed the majority of development work, and Emmanuel Okutue led the creation of the fully automated process now in place.

Ms Turnbull said: “It reflects the commitment of colleagues across Informatics and Information Governance to use data responsibly, in a way that supports staff, protects patients and helps improve services for the communities we serve.”

The information governance team played a key role in keeping the data sharing process secure, compliant, and focused on patient privacy.

NEAS’s approach means health information can be shared more safely across the North East and North Cumbria, contributing to service improvement and research while maintaining strict confidentiality standards.

The award highlights NEAS’s broader commitment to using data responsibly to benefit staff and patients.

The work of the NEAS informatics and information governance teams supports ethical research and service improvements.

Their efforts help shape better care across the region while prioritising patient privacy and data protection.

More than half of the UK’s electrical power was supplied by renewable energy on February 25 2026.

That consisted mainly of solar, wind and hydroelectric sources. The next day, a new source of electricity started feeding into the grid for the first time – geothermal power.

At a site near Redruth called United Downs, in Cornwall, a company called Geothermal Engineering Ltd has started producing geothermal electricity.

To generate power (electricity), this project is using two of the deepest wells ever drilled in the UK – down to three miles beneath the surface. A considerable feat of engineering.

To understand why the Cornish landscape is so suitable for geothermal power, imagine life on Earth roughly 300 million years ago, when magma from deep beneath the Earth’s surface cooled to formed large bodies of granite. This igneous rock with a crystalline structure contains small amounts of naturally radioactive elements, such as uranium, thorium and potassium.

Over a long geological timescale, these give off heat. Geologists call this a “granite‑hosted geothermal system”. Fractures throughout this granite provide pathways for fluids to flow. This is key to harnessing the thermal energy (heat) from within these rocks.

To exploit the heat in the rocks, Geothermal Engineering Ltd has drilled two angled wells. The production well reaches a depth of approximately three miles, intersecting an area known as the Porthtowan fault zone. This well produces hot fluid, at over 150°C. The vapour from this fluid is used to turn a turbine to produce electricity. The second well, drilled to a depth of almost 1.5 miles is used to inject the slightly cooled fluid back into the ground after it has passed through the turbine.

Unlike wind and solar which are weather-dependent sources of renewable energy, geothermal is always “on”. Geothermal heat is not susceptible to changes at the surface – and this means it can produce power steadily, day and night, all year round.

The deep geothermal power plant at United Downs will produce approximately 3 megawatts (MW) of electricity, the equivalent of enough power for 10,000 homes. This will meet only around 0.01% of the UK’s electricity demand. But capacity isn’t the only consideration. We need to look beyond the capacity to understand the full picture and future opportunity.

First, there is the cost of generation. Geothermal, like other renewable sources, has lower operating costs compared with traditional gas power, however the upfront costs for developers and investors are high. The cost of electricity from wind and solar has fallen significantly over the past decade. Geothermal is just at the start of its cost reduction journey. As the potential for reduced drilling time and costs increases, the scale up of geothermal could become more affordable.

Then there is the wider grid benefits. As the UK grid will rely more heavily on wind and solar in the future, it will require much more flexibility. Any source that is less susceptible to variability in energy generation can better match supply to demand. This makes it easier to incorporate other less consistent renewable sources into the grid.

While the capacity of some geothermal power plants such as United Downs is not comparable to the scale of an offshore wind development or a nuclear plant, they can deliver meaningful grid support, resilience and, in particular, benefits for consumers. For example, the UK government’s planned expansion of AI and data centres could further increase electricity demand; cooling them alone currently accounts for about 40% of a data centre’s electricity use, so matching them with local sources of energy makes sense.

While electricity production is the primary goal, United Downs will also produce lithium, a critical mineral that is essential for batteries. Fluids at depth contain relatively high concentrations of lithium. Locally sourced lithium can help reduce the UK’s reliance on importing sources.

The future outlook

Geothermal Engineering Ltd is currently developing two other sites in Cornwall. These could deliver a further 10MW of geothermal power in the UK by 2030. Recent estimates suggest that the eventual resource potential for electricity from geothermal is around 25GW nationally – roughly 2.5 times the contribution that wind currently provides.

However, it took wind more than 25 years to scale to 30GW of installed capacity in the UK. So perhaps the most pertinent question isn’t a geological one, but rather a question of economic feasibility: can geothermal electricity compete on the same scale and cost as other options for low-carbon electricity?

Looking beyond power generation, several recent reports, including work commissioned by Department of Energy Security and Net Zero shows that geothermal can be a significant low-carbon source of heating and cooling. Resource estimates for heating and cooling are more than 100 times greater than the estimated electricity generation potential. Geothermal heating can help address the cost of heating and greenhouse gas emissions associated with natural gas.

This single development in Cornwall, or even a small number of other projects, probably won’t change household electricity bills in the near future. However with gas still setting the price for electricity in the UK, the cumulative potential for geothermal energy to complement other renewable energy sources and deliver energy that could reduce this reliance is considerable.

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The Pilgrim Way, written by Nick and Becky Drake of Songs for School, invites children to reflect on life as a pilgrimage and explore their journey of faith.

The pair said: “We’re delighted to share our new song, The Pilgrim Way, with everyone.

“It’s all about life and the journey of faith, with its highs and lows.

“It’s about how our story fits within the broader story of God’s people who have gone before and those who go ahead of us.

“We hope The Pilgrim Way inspires children to see their place in this story, and journey on through life knowing God is with them.”

A free resource pack has been released alongside the song to support use in schools and churches.

It includes a lyric video, singalong video, backing track, printable lyric sheet, and sheet music.

Makaton and British Sign Language (BSL) video resources will also be made available soon.

The Pilgrim Way is part of a wider collection of materials from Faith in the North, which includes ‘Pilgrim Pathways’ collective worship resource and materials that explore the stories of the Northern Saints.

Mercury blends with Venus today, offering a welcome break from a tense start to the planet in retrograde. Romance will flow easily through the day ahead.

Aries, Taurus and Gemini, allow yourself to soften today. Whether around others, or towards your own inner goals, letting your guard down will serve you well.

Focus on watering connections today. Whether it’s a new bond or a long-term commitment, go that extra mile today.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Saturday February 28, 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 download your free Unique Personal Horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com/free-birth-chart/.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

Your sharp edges soften into graceful charm, and you might surprise yourself with how sweetly you’re speaking. Your inner romantic, artist and empath are invited to the conversation, making this a perfect time to express love, beauty or emotions with a soft touch. Say what you feel, not just what you think. Your heart has something wise to share, and others are ready to listen.

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

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Your words can flow like honey, and your presence feels like a warm hug in a cold world. Today’s special blend lights up your social and dream zones, making it a good time to connect with friends, revisit big goals or express your creativity. Conversations flow easily and whether you’re inspiring a group chat or doodling your next big idea, use warmth and imagination.

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

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

As Mercury merges with Venus, this celestial duet lights up your career and public image, helping you charm bosses, clients or anyone within range. You’ll blend logic with feeling, making your ideas not just smart, but poignant. It’s a golden moment to share, present or upgrade your professional presence. Just don’t over promise anything in the haze of inspiration.

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

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

Head and heart are swimming in the same gentle sea and it’s truly special. This means your zone of travel, wisdom and big thinking is activated, making it the perfect time to express your beliefs. Whether you’re planning a trip, writing something heartfelt or having a deep conversation, your words can heal. Share your story, send that message or dream out loud.

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

Leo

July 24 to August 23

Today’s celestial line-up stirs your intimacy zone, making emotional healing or soul-level bonding feel natural and irresistible. You’re almost telepathic too. It’s a good time to mend fences, share secrets or write something that peels back the layers. Finances and shared resources may also benefit from a wise approach. Let your guard down and prepare to be enchanted.

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

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

Your relationships get wrapped in a soft, sparkly glow. Communication with partners, whether romantic, platonic or professional, takes on a tender, sensitive tone. You’re usually the master of details, but now it’s all about reading between the lines and speaking from the heart. This is a beautiful time to heal rifts or write love notes. Logic takes a back seat and it’s enjoying the ride.

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

Libra

September 24 to October 23

Your daily life is touched by charisma and even mundane moments shimmer. Work, wellness and routines feel softer, sweeter and more inspired. You’ll blend instinct with intention, making it a great time to beautify your workspace or approach health with gentleness over force. If it feels good and does good, you’re on the right path. Even your to-do list deserves a little pampering.

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

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

As Mercury ties with Venus, it lights up your romance, fun and artistic expression zone, making it the perfect time to flirt and create. Your creative side is humming a love song and the universe is listening. Your words have charm and mystery, and your sixth sense is on fire. Lovers and creative muses may bring unexpected delight. Today pleasure is a powerful form of alchemy.

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

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Sentimental conversations, artistic redecorating urges or a sudden craving for comfort food and connection may sweep in. You’re thinking and feeling your way through memories and meanings. This is a lovely time to write openly, heal old emotional patterns or make peace with your past. Get friendly with creativity, kindness and those you call family, chosen or otherwise.

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

Capricorn

December 22 to January 20

Today’s charming blend lights up your communication zone, turning everyday chats into meaningful moments. Whether you’re writing, speaking or sending a text, your message reaches others in the best way. It’s a great time to express affection, share a lovely idea or soften your stance. Today, diplomacy isn’t weakness, it may be your most eloquent power move.

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

Aquarius

January 21 to February 19

Money, values, self-worth and your relationship with them get a gentle upgrade. This isn’t about spreadsheets, it’s about soul-aligned abundance. You’re thinking about what really matters and how to speak, spend and save with wisdom. This is a lovely time to make peace with your finances, gift yourself something beautiful or share kind words that feel like healing currency.

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

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

You are the universe’s favourite muse right now, radiating charm, creativity and sweetness. Your words sparkle with warmth, your presence feels like poetry and people are drawn to your special qualities. As Mercury blends with Venus, this is the moment to speak your truth, share your vision or bathe in the beauty of being you. Your natural grace makes everything feel delightful.

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 February here.

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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been mocked online, with some comparing him to the last Queen of France, Marie Antoinette, after suggesting Americans eat liver over beef to save on groceries.

Speaking at an event for MAHA Action, an advocacy group aimed at advancing the Make America Health Again movement, Kennedy said, “Most of the cheap cuts of meat are very inexpensive.”

“If you buy a Porterhouse steak or a strip steak, it is gonna set you back,” the health secretary said. “You can buy liver or the cheaper cuts of steak that are very, very affordable.”

A clip of Kennedy’s comments was shared on X Friday and was met with a series of mocking posts, suggesting the secretary was out of touch.

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Democratic Representatives Ted Lieu of California and Nikki Budzinski of Illinois shared photos of Kennedy’s face edited onto the body of Marie Antoinette, who became a symbol of selfish luxury as her people went hungry.

As the story goes, the French queen was told the public had no bread, so she said, “Let them eat cake.” While there is no evidence Marie Antoinette actually said those words, the quote stuck and is now being used to call out the Trump administration’s response to Americans’ cost-of-living concerns.

“Let them eat liver,” Lieu and Budzinski jokingly quoted Kennedy as saying.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked President Donald Trump in an X post, “Is liver on the menu tonight at the Mar-a-Lago dining room? Or is that just for the rest of America?”

open image in gallery

Representative Jimmy Gomez shared an ad from the president’s former “Trump Steaks” business venture with a photo of a platter of steaks and the tagline “The World’s Greatest Steaks.” Next to that photo was an edited image of the same ad but with the words “Trump Liver,” a platter of the iron-rich organ meat and the tagline “The World’s Cheapest Liver.”

“What Trump promised vs what we got,” the California Democrat said.

Comedian Jay Black wrote: “For the masses: liver and cheap cuts. For the rich: steak and zero consequences. For RFK Jr.: bear carcass and toilet seat cocaine. It’s not a fair world.”

Black was referring to Kennedy’s admissions that he once dumped a dead bear in New York City’s Central Park and used to snort cocaine off toilet seats.

X user Jamie Bonkiewicz wrote, “We could afford beef when [former President Joe] Biden was president. Now RFK Jr. says, ‘Just eat liver, peasants’ Are we great yet?”

The Independent has reached out to the Health and Human Services Department for comment.

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Uncooked ground beef was up 17.2 percent and uncooked beef steaks were up 12.9 percent last month compared to the same time the year before, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index.

These beef prices make it harder for Americans to follow the Department of Agriculture’s new dietary guidelines, which suggest Americans eat more protein and less whole grains.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins was also mocked online last month for suggesting an affordable, but dull meal of “a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, corn tortilla and one other thing” during a NewsNation interview.

Rollins’ suggestion was called a “depression meal” and compared to prison food.

“Private jets and tax breaks for them and their rich friends, and one piece of broccoli *AND* a tortilla for you!” Chasten Glezman Buttigieg, the husband of former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, wrote on X.

More than 8.4 million Universal Credit claimants must report nearly 20 changes of circumstances to the DWP

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Recent data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reveals that by December’s end, approximately 8.4 million people throughout England, Scotland and Wales were claiming financial assistance via Universal Credit, whether employed or unemployed.

Yet many recipients might be unaware that certain changes in circumstances require notification to the DWP, as failure to do so could affect their eligibility or payment amounts and, in certain instances, result in penalty charges or court proceedings.

Almost 20 different changes require reporting, including acquiring a new mobile telephone number or email address, transferring to another bank account, relocating home, and fluctuations in rental costs.

According to the Daily Record, DWP guidance on GOV.UK warns: “You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.”

Change of circumstance you need to report to DWP

DWP guidance on GOV.UK advises that you must report any changes in your circumstances promptly to ensure you receive the correct monthly amount. It emphasises reporting changes ‘as soon as they happen’ because delays ‘may result in receiving too much money and the need to repay it’.

DWP adds: “Changes in your circumstances can affect how much you’re paid for your whole assessment period – not just from the date you report them.”

Changes can include:

1. Finding a job
2. Finishing a job
3. Having a child
4. Moving in with your partner
5. Starting to care for a child
6. Starting to care for a disabled person
7. Your child stopping or restarting education or training, if they’re aged 16 to 19
8. Changing your mobile number
9. Changing your email address
10. Moving to a new address
11. Going outside Great Britain for any length of time, if you live there
12. Going outside Northern Ireland for any length of time, if you live there
13. Changing your bank details
14. Your rent going up or down
15. Changes to your health condition
16. Becoming too ill to work or meet your work coach
17. Changes to your earnings (only if you’re self-employed)
18. Changes to your savings, investments and how much money you have
19. Changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen

Reporting a change

DWP states that claimants can notify a change of circumstances by logging into their online Universal Credit account.

If you get a job or increase the hours you work

Use a benefits calculator or consult your work coach to understand how gaining employment or a higher income could impact your Universal Credit claim.

Most employers will handle reporting your earnings. You typically only need to report your monthly income if you’re self-employed.

If you have been paid too much by DWP

You may have to repay the money if you:

• did not report a change straight away
• gave wrong information
• were overpaid by mistake

Additional details about benefit overpayments can be found on GOV.UK here.

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Among those calling for a change in direction from Labour’s leadership in the wake of the defeat is former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, who said the result should be a “wake-up call” for the party, and called for her colleagues to “rededicate” themselves to “a Labour agenda that puts people first”.