The UK State Pension age is gradually increasing from 66 to 67 between April 2026 and March 2028 for those born after April 1960

Advertisement

People are being advised to verify their State Pension age as the long-anticipated rise from 66 to 67 is currently taking place. The adjustment began in April and means those born in the early 1960s may not retire at 66, with their State Pension age instead being calculated according to their date of birth.

The State Pension age is rising from 66 to 67 between now and March 2028. Those born between April 6, 1960, and March 5, 1961, will have their retirement age extended beyond 66, with the precise age dependent on their birth date.

For some individuals, this could result in waiting several additional months before they can begin collecting their State Pension. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging those nearing retirement to verify their State Pension age so they understand precisely when they will qualify, as payments do not commence automatically.

DWP said: “Between April 2026 and March 2028, the State Pension age will gradually rise from 66 to 67, affecting those born on or after 6 April 1960.

“Use the free State Pension age calculator on GOV.UK to find your exact age – you just need your date of birth. You can also use the Check your State Pension forecast tool to see how much you might get and if you can increase it, for example, by filling any gaps in your record.”

Another crucial point is the State Pension does not commence automatically – individuals must actively claim it upon reaching State Pension age. The Pension Service typically dispatches an invitation letter approximately four months prior to an individual reaching their State Pension age, outlining the steps required to submit a claim, reports the Daily Record.

DWP said: “Remember, your State Pension doesn’t start automatically. The Pension Service will write to you around four months before you reach State Pension age to invite you to apply.”

Verifying your State Pension age is straightforward and can be completed online by entering your date of birth into the UK Government’s official State Pension age calculator.

The full New State Pension is now worth £241.30 a week, some £995.20 every four-week payment period. The precise sum an individual receives is determined by their National Insurance record.

Most people need around 35 qualifying years of National Insurance Contributions (NICs) to receive the full New State Pension, while those with fewer qualifying years may be entitled to a reduced amount. You need 10 years of NICs to qualify for any State Pension payments.

The rise in State Pension age forms part of the UK Government’s long-term strategy, intended to account for increasing life expectancy and the escalating expense of pension funding.

Additional increases are already scheduled, with the State Pension age anticipated to climb further to 68 in the mid-2040s, though the precise timeline for this adjustment remains under review.

For now, the DWP states that the key priority is ensuring those approaching retirement are fully aware of when they become eligible for their State Pension and how to go about claiming it.

WASHINGTON (AP) — After complaints about staffing cuts and long waits to get help at the Social Security Administration, its commissioner says he’s ready to make the case to Congress this week that things are getting a lot better at the embattled agency.

Frank Bisignano is expected to face pointed questions from lawmakers at a hearing on his agency’s customer service performance, its ability to pay Americans their benefits, protect their privacy, and other questions about the inner workings of the SSA.

He plans to tout shorter wait times and other customer service metrics to a House Ways and Means Committee hearing slated for Wednesday, and slam his predecessor for requiring appointments for field office visits, in a letter to lawmakers viewed by The Associated Press.

In the letter, Bisignano states that the SSA has cut phone wait times by 75% under his leadership, fixed frustrating website issues, and served 50% more people.

“I’ve been very clear. We will meet clients where they want to be met. You want to call us on a phone, we’ll have technology on the phone, or you can talk to somebody on the phone. You want to come to a field office, you can come with an appointment, or without,” Bisignano told The Associated Press in an interview.

Critics argue those gains are being achieved through temporary staffing shifts, increased reliance on online services, and workforce reductions that have created longer-term service risks, shifting bottlenecks around rather than solving staffing problems.

Bisignano dismisses the criticism. “People boo at Yankee Stadium, even when they’re winning,” he said.

Bisignano took over the agency after a series of chaotic customer service changes, leadership exits, and false allegations made by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk — who ran the Department of Government Efficiency cost-cutting program — that millions of dead people were receiving benefits.

The SSA cut 7,000 workers at the start of the Trump administration. Roughly 2,000 employees were reassigned last year into direct-service positions, including staff whose jobs don’t normally involve answering calls.

The SSA’s Inspector General — its internal watchdog — has identified ongoing errors in benefit administration and claims processing. But its latest semiannual report to Congress also shows the agency has made measurable progress in improving telephone service and deploying technology to speed disability claims processing.

The union representing SSA employees and field office workers says some offices are severely understaffed. That includes Ironwood, Michigan; Decorah, Iowa; Havre, Montana; Big Spring, Texas; Sheridan, Wyoming; Glasgow, Montana; Pierre, South Dakota; Cedar City, Utah; and Cody, Wyoming, according to the American Federation of Government Employees Council 220.

But Bisignano said no field offices have been closed and noted that the agency is committed to meeting clients where they prefer.

“What I’m trying to achieve is to have a better way for the American public to interact with the Social Security Administration,” Bisignano said.

Bisignano also serves as chief executive of the IRS, in a role that was created by the Trump administration. Asked about a new tax audit immunity deal for Trump and his family that was part of the controversial settlement crafted to resolve Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS, Bisignano referred The Associated Press to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s recent comments to a congressional committee, where he refused comment on ongoing litigation.

Officials in Pomona, California, had to issue an apology after a recreation guide mailed out by the city reportedly included adult content.

“The City of Pomona is aware that some copies of the recently mailed Recreation Guide may include inappropriate images that should not have appeared in a publication distributed to residents,” the city wrote on its Facebook page on Monday.

Officials said that the materials had not been approved for inclusion in the mailer and assured residents that the images were not meant to be included.

According to the Los Angeles Daily News, the images were “pornographic” in nature.

“We sincerely apologize to our community, especially to families and children who may have been affected,” city officials wrote. “This content does not reflect the City’s values, and we take this matter very seriously.”

The city pulled the guide from further distribution and has launched an investigation into how the images wound up in the guide.

Pomona Assistant City Manager Mark Gluba told The Daily Bulletin that officials have confirmed that the images were not added by the print shop the city contracted to produce the physical guides.

He told the paper on Tuesday that the city was “awaiting the Pomona Police Department to come take a crime report and coordinate the investigation in conjunction with the US Postal Inspection Service.”

“Our Community Services Department coordinates the Recreation Guide and approval of the final proof. Per our vendor, US Printing, the errors did not originate from their print shop, thus the City is looking into the matter with the assumption that a rogue actor may have created and mailed the inappropriate material.”

Officials assured the public that they were taking steps to make sure a similar situation does not occur in the future.

“We recognize this incident has damaged public trust and are committed to transparency as we review the issue and implement corrective actions,” city officials wrote.

Residents who want to see the city’s recreation guide as it’s intended to be seen can do so on the city’s website.

Masked males set commercial bins alight and pushed them into the Glider bus on the Newtownards Road in the east of the city on Tuesday evening

Protesters have set fire to a bus in Belfast as disorder flared at an anti-immigration demonstration organised in response to Monday night’s stabbing attack in the city.

Masked males set commercial bins alight and pushed them into the Glider bus on the Newtownards Road in the east of the city on Tuesday evening.

It came as a large crowd gathered in the area for a scheduled anti-immigration protest.

Demonstrations are taking place in areas across Northern Ireland following Monday night’s incident. Multiple roads have been blocked by groups of masked protesters.

Earlier, a man arrested on suspicion of the Belfast knife attack was charged with attempted murder.

The 30-year-old accused, who is Sudanese, is also charged with possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place and making threats to kill.

He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

In Northern Ireland, the authorities do not release the name of accused persons before they appear in court.

The victim of the attack, a man aged in his 40s, remained in a serious condition in hospital on Tuesday receiving treatment for serious eye, face and back wounds.

There has been widespread condemnation of Monday night’s knife assault.

Police commanders and political leaders had appealed for calm amid concern the planned anti-immigration protests would turn violent.

Detectives have said there is no indication Monday’s knife attack was terror-related.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has launched a “critical incident” in response to the incident which was captured on video and appears to show a man stabbing at the victim’s head and neck while he was lying on the ground.

The clip shows people, including one with a hurling stick, intervening to stop the man attacking the victim in the Kinnaird Avenue residential area close to the busy Antrim Road in north Belfast.

A kitchen knife was recovered from the scene.

Earlier on Tuesday, police revealed details on the arrested man’s immigration status and how he travelled to the UK.

He entered Northern Ireland across the Irish border in February 2023 having flown to Dublin from Paris.

He claimed asylum upon arrival and in September 2023 was granted leave to remain in the UK until 2028.

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher briefed reporters on the status of the investigation as he appeared alongside Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Justice Minister Naomi Long at a press conference at Stormont on Tuesday afternoon.

Commenting on the prospect of disorder, the police chief warned people against being influenced “from afar through social media”.

“I understand that last night’s attempted murder will leave people feeling enraged with emotions from fear to anger, but please, please let the PSNI, let the police do their job unfettered and undistracted by wider concerns there may be about disorder,” he said.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the knife attack.

“The horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening,” he said.

“I have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets.

“My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, and I thank the first responders, including members of the public who intervened.”

Later, the leaders of the five largest parties at Stormont issued a joint statement in response to the attack.

Sinn Féin vice president Ms O’Neill, DUP leader Gavin Robinson, Alliance Party leader Ms Long, UUP leader Jon Burrows and SDLP leader Claire Hanna said they were “united in our condemnation of the horrific incident in North Belfast last night”.

The political leaders urged anyone with information that could help the police investigation to assist detectives.

They also issued an appeal for calm.

The scene outside an apartment complex off Kinnaird Avenue remained cordoned off on Tuesday, with markers visible on the ground where the attack had taken place.

For the latest on this developing story follow our live blog here.

In March this year, Craig Gordon travelled to London to see a man called Usamah Jannoun, a spine doctor who didn’t sugarcoat the risks involved in the treatment the 43-year-old needed to fix a neck injury.

“You’ve read the information leaflet,” Jannoun told the injured Hearts and Scotland goalkeeper.

“You could get paralysis, you could die…”

From there to here – in Charlotte, North Carolina getting ready for a World Cup that must have seemed like an impossible dream only a few short months ago.

Behind-the-scenes footage of Gordon talking to Jannoun features in Icons of Football, a BBC Scotland documentary on Gordon’s life and times, available on BBC iPlayer from Wednesday at 06:00 BST. It’s by turns emotional, harrowing and inspirational.

Gordon says his entire career has been a series of comebacks, a litany of fights against the odds.

Through a succession of serious injuries – ankle issues, broken arms, broken leg, knee surgeries, neck and shoulder problems – he has missed an estimated 1,975 days of football or around 200 games. Way back in 2012 he suffered patellar tendonitis, a career-threatening condition that kept him out for two years.

He visited experts in Sweden and Spain, had three surgeries and visited a psychologist because his club at the time – Sunderland – thought the pain that left him in major difficulty when trying to climb the stairs or walk down the street might have been all in his head. It was not.

A surgeon advised Gordon to retire. He decided to carry on. From 2012 to 2014 he played no football. He was the forgotten man, cast into a recurring nightmare of rehab and hope.

“I suppose I try and hide it,” he says of the upset caused by all the physical trauma. “There are definitely times where I’ve cried because of injury. I just probably don’t show it to everybody else.”

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — The World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States after arriving in Miami and subsequently cut from the tournament by FIFA was set to make history for his country.

Omar Artan was going to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making FIFA’s final list for the tournament, which was announced two months ago. He is one of Africa’s top referees and was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025.

He was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday over “vetting concerns,” U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement without giving details of those concerns. Artan was issued a visa to travel to the U.S. last week, according to the Somalia Embassy in Kenya that processed it.

Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said Tuesday the referee was denied admittance for “very good reason” but also declined to go into details.

The move to deny a FIFA-appointed match official permission to enter a World Cup host country is highly unusual. Artan was due to meet up with other World Cup referees at their training base in Miami.

Somalia is one of nearly 40 countries subjected to new travel restrictions under the Trump administration’s strict crackdown on immigration. That raised concerns that fans, players and officials from those countries — most of which are African — might be caught up in the crackdown and denied entry for the World Cup despite having valid visas.

The Somalia Youth and Sports Ministry said on Tuesday that its embassy in the U.S. was trying to resolve the problem to allow Artan to referee at the World Cup, which opens on Thursday.

The refusal to allow him into the U.S. might be related to the larger travel restrictions on Somalia “rather than any specific allegation against him,” Isse Aden Abshir, a senior adviser at the Somalia sports ministry, told The Associated Press.

Artan subjected to ‘additional inspection’

Customs and Border Protection said in a statement Monday that Artan “underwent additional inspection” on arrival and called it “a routine part of CBP’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility.”

“Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry,” CBP said.

CBP said all travelers seeking entry into the U.S. — including World Cup players, coaches and staff — were subject to CBP inspection and vetting.

“Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection,” the CBP statement said. “CBP officers have the authority to question travelers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility consistent with U.S. law.”

FIFA drops ref from World Cup

FIFA said it was not involved in the immigration processes and was informed by U.S. authorities that Artan’s “status will not be changed at present.” It said Artan wouldn’t be able to train and officiate at the World Cup.

“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country,” FIFA said.

Still, FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino built close ties to U.S. President Donald Trump’s government as the U.S. prepared to co-host with Mexico and Canada and had publicly stressed how that would help the World Cup run smoothly.

Infantino did not immediately comment on the issue, while FIFA released a statement on behalf of Artan.

“Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career,” Artan said in the statement.

He was to make history for Somalia

Artan was praised as one of Africa’s best referees and was the ref for the decisive leg of the African Champions League final last month — Africa’s biggest club soccer game.

He spoke in a recent interview with the Al Jazeera TV network about how he was honored to be selected as the first Somali to referee at the World Cup and how he faced challenges in his conflict-torn country in East Africa, including sometimes having to change his route to training because of explosions in the streets of the capital, Mogadishu.

“You cannot give up as a referee,” Artan said in the interview. This (going to the World Cup) was my big, big target and I’m really excited.”

___

Imray reported from Cape Town, South Africa. AP Sports Writer Graham Dunbar in Geneva and AP writer Seung Min Kim in Washington contributed.

___

AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Scarborough Fringe has launched its 2026 programme for its ten-day festival, which will run from Friday (June 12) to Sunday (June 21).  

Free and ticketed performances will feature theatre, music, comedy, spoken word, children’s shows, talks and workshops.

Recommended reading:

Artists and performers will also be offering meditative sound baths, immersive experiences, and theatre and street performances.

Resident glass expert on the BBC’s The Repair Shop, Matt Nickels, will open up his studio (Image: Scarborough Fringe Festival)

Speaking about this, Festival Manager for The Scarborough Fair, Catherine Goble, said: The Fringe programme is really exciting this year. We’re showcasing local, national and international talent in venues across the town, in a wide array of genres.

“There really is something for everyone.

“What sets Scarborough apart from bigger fringe festivals in the UK is the financial accessibility.

“All our shows are free or low-cost. We aim to mainly sell advance tickets, to ensure nobody is disappointed on the door, and we really encourage early purchases to guarantee a seat.

“Some of our venues are small capacity and we want as many people to enjoy the shows as possible.”

Carter Sampson is set to take centre stage on June 20 (Image: Scarborough Fringe Festival)

Scarborough Fringe is part of The Scarborough Fair, a year-round culture and sports programme.

The festival’s line up includes a performance by Aidan Jones, an Australian pianist who combines his love of stand-up comedy with his music – a performance hailed by The Guardian as “side-splittingly funny” on June 19.

Meanwhile, chart-topping singer Carter Sampson is set to take centre stage on June 20 at the Woodend Gallery & Studios, with resident glass expert on the BBC’s The Repair Shop, Matt Nickels, opening up his Studio 26 – where he works alongside established Scarborough artist Rachel Welford – on July 11.

Three local theatre groups will also be performing shows – all written, directed and performed by local creatives.

For younger audiences, the Astro Dog Planetarium is inviting families to join them for an immersive solar system experience at the Scarborough Market Hall Mezzanine on June 20.

In total, 115 events are signed up to appear at the festival.  

For more and a full programme of events, please see here.

North East artisan bakery firm Deep North will be taking over the former Hobo Coffee House on the town’s High Street. 

The independent brand prides itself on being a by-scratch bakery, meaning everything from the dough and jams to fillings and glazes are homemade.

From crème brûlée and ‘Homer’ doughnuts to brown butter and miso caramel, the chain is hailed for its “to die for” offerings.

The firm teased doughnut lovers on Monday with an Instagram post saying: “Yarm… fancy a doughnut?”

Deep North is opening in Yarm (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Deep North currently operates three sites in the North East; Front Street in Tynemouth, Stepney Bank in Ouseburn, Newcastle, and Sheepfolds Stables in Sunderland. 

It also operates from the Mother Mercy cocktail bar in Heaton, Newcastle, on weekends. 

Deep North has now erected signs on the former coffee shop in Yarm for its new venture, saying artisan doughnuts and speciality coffee will be coming “very soon”.

What Yarm residents can expect from Deep North (Image: DEEP NORTH)

The company was founded by schoolfriends Phil King and Tom Clark, who opened in Tynemouth in summer 2022. 

Phil King of Deep North (Image: NEL)

Before setting it up, Phil had worked on the commercial side of professional football, and having trained as an apprentice chef at Café 21 in Newcastle, Tom went on to enjoy a 20-year career in the Navy. 

The news of Deep North’s expansion comes just days after “best of the best” patisserie Soigné confirmed it was moving into the former Fourteen Drops in Yarm after putting up new signs on the windows.

Soigné, which is run by father and son Stephen and Josh Palmer, has seen huge success since opening in Ingleby Barwick last May.

The upcoming Deep North unit has been empty since Hobo Coffee House closed in May 2025, having been based there for the last ten years. 

Hobo has since moved to Padel Up, on Preston Farm Industrial Estate. 

Last September, UJI Matcha announced it was due to move into the unit and even put up a sign, but this never came to fruition. 

All Saints’ Primary has been on this journey for a few years, encouraging and motivating not just the children, but the whole school community to read for enjoyment.

All Saints’ Primary in Airdrie have recently achieved the prestigious Gold Reading Schools Award from the Scottish Book Trust.

All Saints’ has been on this journey for a few years, encouraging and motivating not just the children, but the whole school community to read for enjoyment.

The All Saints’ Reader Leaders, a group of children and staff, have worked hard to change the reading culture and attitudes across the school, where reading is viewed as a treat rather than a chore.

From CAR (chill and read) time, reading challenges, book fairs, the creation of 2 in-school libraries, comic club, visits and projects with Airdrie Library and support from local businesses and establishments, All Saints’ have found the fun and joy in reading and actively share and talk about books they enjoy.

All Saints’ are proud to be a Gold Reading School.

*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.

Available for over a year

Today, a Sudanese man in his 30s is being held on suspicion of attempted murder after a knife attack in North Belfast.

Footage of the attack has been widely shared on social media. Politicians in Westminster and Stormont have appealed for calm while the police carry out their investigation, while some have called for faster transparency and information about the identity and immigration status of the suspect.

Adam is joined by Chris Page, the BBC’s Ireland correspondent, and Joe Pike, senior political correspondent, to discuss what we know about the events and the political reaction.

Plus, SpaceX, Elon Musk’s spaceflight corporation is set to debut on the stock market this week giving members of the public the opportunity to buy shares in the company. Simon Jack joins Adam in the studio to explain why investors will be closely watching the debut.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say “Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you’re in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Anna Harris. The social producer was Jem Westgate. The technical producer was Ricardo McCarthy. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Programme WebsiteShow less