Sole traders and landlords earning more than £50,000 must use new software for quarterly updates to HMRC from April 6

Self-employed individuals and landlords with earnings exceeding £50,000 from self-employment and property are being encouraged to take action immediately, with only days remaining to get ready for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax.

From April 6 2026, those who qualify will be required to use approved software to maintain digital records and submit straightforward quarterly updates of their income and expenditure to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). It is worth noting that these are not additional tax returns.

HMRC is offering a variety of free resources to assist people in getting prepared, including online guidance, webinars and videos. Those who genuinely are unable to use digital tools may apply for an exemption, with further details and guidance available on GOV.UK.

Free software options are on offer and once income and expenditure have been logged, the software produces a straightforward summary to submit to HMRC.

At the close of the tax year on April 5, those within MTD for Income Tax will still be required to file a tax return by the subsequent January 31 — however, the software will already contain the information from the quarterly updates, eliminating any last-minute scramble for records or receipts, reports the Daily Record.

Craig Ogilvie, HMRC’s Director of Making Tax Digital, said: “A range of software is available and the system is straightforward and helps reduce errors. Thousands of volunteers have already used it successfully.

“This will make it easier for sole traders and landlords to stay on top of their tax affairs and help ensure everyone pays the right amount of tax.

“Spreading your tax admin throughout the year means avoiding that last minute scramble to complete a tax return every January. Go to GOV.UK and start preparing today.”

Thousands of sole traders and landlords have already enrolled in MTD for Income Tax, with more than 12,000 quarterly updates successfully submitted via a voluntary testing programme.

Those joining MTD this month will still file their tax return for the 2025 to 2026 tax year in the usual manner by 31 January 2027, as this covers the period prior to MTD commencing.

The first MTD tax return, covering the 2026 to 2027 tax year, will be due by 31 January 2028.

To ease the transition, the government has confirmed that customers joining MTD for Income Tax in April will not receive penalty points for late quarterly updates during the first 12 months.

Under the new system, penalty points will be issued for each late submission, with a £200 fine only applied once four points have been accumulated. This means the occasional oversight will not result in an immediate financial penalty.

HMRC is urging those within the scope of MTD for Income Tax to act promptly: read the guidance, select suitable software and sign up via GOV.UK.

Those who use a tax agent are advised to consult them about getting prepared.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The president of the University of Wisconsin system said in letters obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday that he’s been told to either resign or be fired, but has been given no reason and won’t step aside.

Jay Rothman, president of the multi-campus 165,000-student university system since 2022, said in a letter addressed to the head of the Board of Regents dated March 26 that he’s been given no reason why regents want him to leave.

Rothman said he’s been told that his options are to resign or retire, and that if he doesn’t then the board “was prepared to terminate my employment despite all that has been accomplished.”

The Board of Regents held a closed emergency meeting on Wednesday night to discuss personnel matters.

“The Board is responsible for the leadership of the Universities of Wisconsin and is having discussions about its future,” Amy Bogost, board president, said in a statement to AP. “We don’t comment on personnel matters.”

Rothman declined to comment when reached via email on Thursday.

“I believe my letter speaks for itself,” he said.

In the letter addressed to Bogost, Rothman said he had not been “provided any substantive reason or reasons for the Board’s finding of no confidence in my leadership.”

Because of that, Rothman said, “I am not prepared, as a matter of principle, to submit my resignation.”

Rothman also refused to resign in a second letter sent to two other regents on Wednesday after he said they urged him to step down during a Tuesday meeting. Rothman said the regents told him if he didn’t resign, the board was prepared to meet this weekend to fire him.

Rothman said those regents also could not give a reason for them wanting him to resign or be fired.

“I find this process to be nearly (if not completely) indefensible,” Rothman wrote.

Rothman said he asked for an opportunity to discuss the situation with the board and was told that would not happen.

Rothman’s tenure has been marked by his efforts to increase state funding amid federal cuts, debates over free speech on campus amid pro-Palestinian protests, and declining enrollment leading to eight branch campus closures.

Rothman raised the possibility of resigning in 2023 when the Board of Regents rejected a deal reached with the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature over diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The board later reversed its vote and approved the deal.

Rothman noted in the March letter that “among so many other things,” the university will need to replace the chancellor of the flagship Madison campus this year. Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin is leaving to take the job as president of Columbia University.

“I do not believe my resignation at this time is in the best interests of either the Universities of Wisconsin or the state of Wisconsin,” Rothman said.

Rothman said in the letter that he has devoted his “heart and soul to the mission of the Universities of Wisconsin” and that he was surprised when told “an unidentified majority of the Board of Regents had lost confidence” in his leadership.

“When I asked you to articulate reasons for the Board’s conclusion and apparent lack of confidence in me, you merely noted that each Regent has his or her own perspective on the matter,” Rothman wrote. “You did not provide any tangible reasons for the Board’s determination.”

Rothman, the former chair and CEO of the Milwaukee-based Foley & Lardner law firm, was chosen as UW president in 2022. He had no prior experience administering higher education.

The Universities of Wisconsin consists of 13 universities and several other branch campuses.

The update affects millions of members of the Boots Advantage Card, with changes set to roll out from May 2026.

“Your Boots Advantage Card is changing”

In an email sent to customers, Boots confirmed the shake-up is on the way.

The message told members: “Your Boots Advantage Card is changing.”

One of the biggest updates is the removal of a long-standing perk.

Boots said: “From May 2026, the current 10% Boots own brand discount for Advantage Card holders will be replaced…”

The perk that’s being scrapped

The 10% discount on Boots own-brand products – a favourite among regular shoppers – will be phased out.

Instead, the retailer says it will introduce a different kind of saving.

According to the email: “…with extra offers available through the Boots app, together with lower prices throughout our Boots own brand range.”

This means shoppers may still save money, but not in the same straightforward way as before.

What’s staying the same

Despite the changes, Boots has confirmed that core rewards will continue.

The email reassured members: “Advantage Card holders will continue to collect 3 points for every £1 spent.”

That means the basic points system – where points can be turned into money off future purchases – is not changing.

Recommended reading:

Extra reassurance for parents

There’s also good news for families using the Parenting Club.

Boots said: “As a member of Boots Parenting Club, you’ll still collect 8 points for every £1 spent on your baby shop.”

This higher earn rate remains one of the most valuable perks within the scheme.

From May 2026, Boots Advantage Card customers will see new personalised offers on the brands they love and shop the most in the Boots app and when shopping online at boots.com. This includes regular double points offers and exclusive price promotions on brands that customers choose most, including new and trending premium beauty and skincare brands.  Based entirely on customers’ shopping habits, even better deals will be available for those who shop more frequently. 

The change follows new Boots research that shows that the majority of UK shoppers are looking for value that feels relevant to them (58%). Two thirds (66%) of loyalty customers report that they want retailers to give them personalised offers on the brands and products they regularly buy, in addition to seeking more opportunities to build up points to spend in future on ‘treats’. 

Charlotte Lock, Chief Marketing Officer at Boots, said: “Boots Advantage Card is one of the most generous loyalty schemes on the market, and we continually evolve the programme to make sure it meets the changing needs and expectations of our customers.

“They have told us they want more personalised offers that make sense for them, based on the brands that they like to shop. Using our data, insights and flexible promotional programme, we’re able to do just that, making the scheme work even harder for each individual customer, by offering them their own personalised range of deals to activate each month.”

Jaafar Jackson has reflected on his memories of spending time with his uncle, Michael Jackson, ahead of the release of the biopic where he’ll play the late pop superstar.

Michael, from director Antoine Fuqua, is set to be released April 24. Teasers for the film have already featured Jaafar replicating his uncle’s famous dance moves, speaking in his high-pitched voice, and even doing his signature “hee-hee” vocalization.

In a new interview on Today, Jaafar said he’d worked hard to prove himself worthy of taking on the high-pressure role in his film debut.

“It was a process that I really had to earn, and it really proved to the filmmakers and myself and my family that I can get to that point where I can pull it off,” said the 29-year-old.

Jaafar was just 12 years old when Michael died on June 25, 2009, but he says he has fond memories of spending time with his uncle.

“I remember just growing up, and we would have family time,” he said. “Michael would come over to where I was growing up … and we’d have some some days where we’d all get together, play family game day.

“We’d have wonderful times at Neverland and just playing hide-and-go-seek, getting as much candy, going on rides, watching movies. It was all fun.”

As to how he’s feeling ahead of the release of the film, Jaafar added: “There’s definitely a responsibility that you feel going into something this big, and the scope, and to tell it in a cinematic way.

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“There’s so many moments that I wanted to nail and make sure I had the true essence and that feeling. I had to feel it to make sure I believed in it, first.”

In a previous statement, Michael’s producers said: “The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world.

“Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.”

Besides the lead, Colman Domingo will be playing Jackson’s father with Nia Long as his mother. The cast also includes Miles Teller as Jackson’s attorney, Laura Harrier as music executive Suzanne de Passe, and Kat Graham as Diana Ross.

I’m A Celebrity hosts Ant and Dec appeared on The One Show ahead of the South Africa spin-off launch

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I’m A Celebrity presenter Ant McPartlin was swift to issue an apology after appearing to let slip a “spoiler” before the South Africa special edition.

The all-stars instalment of the popular ITV reality show is just days away from returning, as previous campmates venture into the South African bush to compete for the title of Legend of the Jungle.

The latest series was shot late last year and promises drama, eye-watering trials, and naturally, an abundance of creepy crawlies.

In the run-up to the programme, which launches on Monday (April 6) evening, I’m A Celeb presenters Ant and Dec made an appearance on BBC’s The One Show to offer audiences a sneak peek at what’s in store this series.

Yet within moments of their chat beginning, Ant felt compelled to apologise, questioning: “am I saying too much?”, reports the Express.

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READ MORE: Manchester Gogglebox star teases return to Channel 4 show after quittingREAD MORE: Last One Laughing season 2 winner crowned as comedians go head-to-head in finale

The presenting pair will see numerous well-known personalities return to the camp, from Emmerdale’s Adam Thomas to former Towie favourite Gemma Collins.

Discussing the celebrity-packed roster with presenters Clara Amfo and Angellica Bell, Dec revealed: “These are all people who have done brilliantly in Australia, they either won it or did really well or they’ve been big characters in there. So the camp, there is nowhere to hide – there are a lot of big characters in the camp, it’s a really tough challenge for them.”

Angelica raised the subject of Gemma’s memorable return, following her brief three-day stint during her first appearance in 2014. She remarked: “Well talking of big characters, let’s bring in the GC. 2014, I remember when she was like ‘nope, that’s it, early exit’ but you think she’s here to redeem herself or she didn’t know what she let herself looking for.”

Dec observed: “Well she 72 hours in Australia. She refused to get in a helicopter -well she got in a helicopter, then she got out of the helicopter, she wouldn’t let the helicopter take off. So, she’s come back for a redemption arc. She’s come back to right some wrongs.”

He went on: “She says she can’t walk down the street without taxi’s stopping her and saying, ‘oh, you didn’t last long in the jungle, you couldn’t hack it’ so she wants to change everybody’s mind. Let’s see if she can do it.”

Angellica was eager to learn more about the camp dynamics, asking: “I heard there is some drama. She loves a bit of drama.” Ant seemed to let slip a teaser as he responded: “This series gives you everything. There is drama, there’s arguments.. Am I saying too much? Fight… Am I saying too much? I’m sorry, ITV. There is everything, it’s on another level. It’s a must watch.”

Looking ahead to the finale, Ant disclosed: “So the final will be live in three weeks time. So at the end of the series, we will go live back here in London, bring everybody back together and the public this time will choose who they think has done the best out of the campmates that are remaining to choose the I’m A Celebrity legend.”

I’m A Celebrity . . . South Africa broadcasts on ITV from 6 April at 9pm and The One Show airs weekdays from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer

From April 6, the state pension age will begin rising again to 67, affecting people in their mid-60s who now face waiting longer before receiving payments.

The warning comes from Centre for Ageing Better, which says the shift could push thousands into financial difficulty almost immediately.

“People will be left waiting for a lifeline”

The charity estimates around 100,000 people could be pushed into poverty as a result of the change.

Elaine Smith, Head of Employment and Skills at the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “While raising the state pension age has considerable financial benefits for the Treasury, it also has negative real-life consequences for people in their 60s.”

She added: “The last time the state pension age increased, poverty for 65-year-olds doubled. This rise is likely to have even bigger effects.”

According to the charity, many people in their early-to-mid 60s already rely on the state pension as a “financial lifeline” and delaying access could leave them struggling to cover basic costs.

Why this change could hit harder than before

The increase is part of long-term government plans to reflect longer life expectancy.

But experts say the reality has shifted.

Smith said: “Life expectancy is now lower than before the pandemic, and healthy life expectancy has fallen to its lowest level in years.”

She added that many people simply cannot keep working into their late 60s due to:

• Ill health
• Caring responsibilities
• Age discrimination
• Job availability

“Working up to state pension age is not the norm,” she said. “By age 66, fewer than one in three people are still in work.”

Calls for urgent financial support

The Centre for Ageing Better is urging the government to step in with targeted help for those affected.

Smith said: “People are being asked to work for longer before they can access their state pension, but without any additional help from government to make that possible.”

Proposals include:

• Early access to Pension Credit
• Extra support through Universal Credit
• More funding to help over-50s stay in work

The charity argues that even a small portion of the estimated £10 billion savings from raising the pension age could make a significant difference.

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Inequality concerns growing

Experts warn the change will not affect everyone equally.

Those most at risk include:

• Single people
• Renters
• Lower-income households
• People with health conditions

Smith said: “State pension age increases deepen inequality. Those already out of work are the least likely to benefit and the most likely to struggle.”

Police are asking anyone who has seen him to contact the force

Cambridgeshire Police are appealing for the public’s help in finding a missing 15-year-old boy. Alfie Caney, 15, was last seen in Orton, Peterborough, at about 6pm on March 28 wearing a green hoodie, black jogging bottoms and trainers.

He is described by police as white and about 175cm tall with brown hair. He has links to the Chatham area of Kent.

Anyone who has seen Alfie or has information about his whereabouts is asked to quote incident 338 of March 28 and report it through the force website. Anyone without internet access should call 101.

You can’t hide secrets in a small village. Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) and Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) would do well to remember that, as another Emmerdale resident has now spotted them in close proximity.

Rhona has said she isn’t interested in Graham so many times now, she might as well have it written across her forehead to prevent saying it again.

Even though Rhona has made it clear that her heart lies with Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock), she is struggling to ignore the chemistry she still has with Graham.

They had a brief interaction in tonight’s episode, which ended up getting witnessed by someone very close to Marlon.

Rhona left the vets just as Graham went to open the door, which meant they more or less bumped into each other. Graham had arrived to pick up some medication for a horse at Home Farm, but a flustered Rhona got her words muddled and ended up saying Kim’s horse was in the vets reception.

Watching this unfold was Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt), who was sat outside the café. He couldn’t hear what was being discussed, but grew suspicious due to how close Rhona was standing to Graham.

This comes just days after Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick) witnessed Graham and Rhona together. She confronted Rhona about it after, who denied that there was something going on between her and her ex.

Unfortunately for Marlon, Rhona will give into her feelings next week in the show, as she tries to tend to Graham after learning that he’s been stabbed.

As she works on him, Marlon secretly arrives behind her having grown suspicious of her behaviour, and he witnesses an intimate moment where she and ailing Graham almost kiss.

Marlon confronts her and asks if it’s Graham she truly wants, and her eyes tell him everything he needs to know.

Is this the end?

MORE: Emmerdale fans have ‘solved’ who Graham called – and it would be huge

MORE: Emmerdale’s Graham reveals his grand plan to destroy Kim Tate for good in early ITVX release – to someone unexpected

MORE: All Emmerdale spoilers for next week as legend left for dead

Things will be different with the long weekend

The long Easter weekend is here and for many it will be a welcome break to spend time with family and friends and likely indulge in some Easter treats. The weekend brings two bank holidays for most in the UK, on Good Friday, April 3, and Easter Monday, April 6.

That means that various services that would normally be open on those days will be closed to allow employees to enjoy the break as well. The clue is in the name, so this will of course include banks and building societies.

However, if you need to access a bank over the long weekend, it will still be possible in some instances. Banking has changed in modern times, with many towns losing branches and those that remain often operating reduced hours even on normal working days.

It’s worth remembering that cash can usually be withdrawn and paid into bank accounts via Post Offices and Post Office Banking Hubs as well. Below is a round-up of the major banks and their opening plans for the long weekend. These generally apply in England, Wales and Northern Ireland – Easter Monday isn’t a bank holiday in Scotland.

Nationwide

Timings vary by branch, with smaller sites opening for fewer hours than larger ones. Nationwide has a branch locator, where people can check their local branch. They will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, but some will be open on Saturday.

Lloyds

Lloyds says its standard banking hours are Monday to Friday from 9am or 9.30am until 3.30pm or 4pm with some open until 5.30pm. Many bank branches stay open late once per week, until 5.30pm or 6pm, as well as being open on Saturdays, generally from 9am or 9.30am until 12.30pm or 3.30pm. Banks in England and Wales remain open over lunch, but many of their counterparts in Scotland and Northern Ireland close for one-hour at lunch.

Branches will be shut on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, but some will open as usual on Saturday. Customers can check their local branch via the Lloyds website.

TSB

Opening hours vary widely for TSB branches, with some operating limited hours, often only opening on weekday mornings. This varies and customers can check their local branch via a branch locator. Branches will be shut on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, but some will open on Saturday.

Halifax

Different branches operate different opening times, depending on their size and location. They will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, but some will be open on Saturday. Customers can check their local timings via the branch locator. Customers can also use a Lloyds or Bank of Scotland branch to manage their account.

HSBC

Times vary depending on location and HSBC points customers to its locator tool to check. Branches won’t open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday or Easter Monday, but some are open on Saturday.

Santander

On its website, Santander says that its “branch opening hours have permanently changed”. It adds that “the way many customers manage their money and banking has continued to change and the recent pandemic has accelerated this. Fewer customers are visiting our branches and many are finding it convenient to use Mobile or Online Banking or contact us by telephone for their day-to-day banking.

“So, we’ve looked at how we can help our branch staff to continue providing a face-to-face service as well as supporting those customers that now prefer to contact us by telephone. If you need help that we can’t provide using Mobile, Online or Telephone Banking or during our branch opening hours, please call us on 0330 9 123 123. We’ll then work with you to understand how best we can help. Where necessary we will be able to help arrange a branch appointment in line with our previous branch opening hours.”

It offers a branch locator tool for customers to check on their local branches. Many smaller sites are only open on certain days during the week and it varies from branch to branch. Largers branches usually operate more traditonal hours. That said, branches will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Some larger city and town centre branches will be open on Saturday morning.

NatWest

Times vary considerably depending on your local branch’s operations. NatWest points customers towards its branch locator to find exact times. Branches will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, but some larger branches may operate on Saturday.

Barclays

Barclays also points customers to its branch locator so they can check on their local bank. Again, they will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, but some larger branches may be open on Saturday.

DENVER (AP) — A Colorado appeals court ruled Thursday that a former county clerk convicted in a scheme that sought to prove fraud in the 2020 presidential election should be resentenced because a judge wrongly punished her for statements protected as free speech.

Tina Peters is serving a nine-year prison term after being convicted of state crimes for sneaking in an outside computer expert to make a copy of her county’s election computer system during a software update in 2021. A photo and video of confidential voting system passwords were later posted on social media and a conservative website.

Calls for Peters’ release have become a cause celebre in the election conspiracy movement. President Donald Trump has sought unsuccessfully to pardon Peters and pressured Colorado to set her free.

Judges on the Colorado Court of Appeals upheld her conviction in a 74-page ruling that rejected the notion that Trump has authority to pardon her state crimes. But they said a lower court judge should not have considered Peters’ continued promotion of election fraud conspiracies when he sentenced her in 2024.

One of Tina Peters’ lawyers, John Case, said the court’s ruling affirmed the importance of free speech.

“Tina Peters was punished for words that she used to criticize our insecure and illegal voting system,” Case said. “The decision affirms that people are free to speak what they believe in Colorado as well as the rest of the United States of America.”

Case said he would likely ask at resentencing for Peters to receive the approximately 540 days she’s served already. That would allow her to be freed.

Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who has been considering granting clemency to Peters, praised the court’s decision for rejecting Trump’s pardon but upholding her free speech rights.

“This case has been very challenging and a true test of our resolve as a state to have a fair judicial system, not just for people we agree with but a fair system for Coloradans that we vehemently disagree with,” Polis said in statement.

Peters was the former clerk in Mesa County, in the far western part of Colorado, and convicted by jurors in the Republican stronghold that has supported Trump.

She was unapologetic when she was sentenced by Judge Matthew Barrett and insisted that she tried to unearth what she believed was fraud for the greater good. He ripped into her, calling her a “charlatan” who had used her position to “peddle snake oil.”

The appeals court found that Barrett violated her rights to free speech by punishing Peters for persistently alleging fraud in the 2020 election. They noted that because Peters is no longer serving as an election clerk, she can no longer engage in the conduct that led to her conviction.

“The trial court obviously erred by imposing sentence at least partially based on Peters’ protected speech,” Judge Ted Tow wrote in Thursday’s ruling.

The court sent Peters’ case back to a lower court for a judge to issue a new sentence.

Trump has threatened to take “harsh measures” against Colorado unless the state releases Peters. In February, Trump said Colorado was “suffering a big price” for refusing to release her.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, a Democrat who is running for governor, has accused the Trump administration of waging a revenge campaign by choking off funds and ending federal programs over the state’s refusal to free Peters.

Weiser said in response to the ruling that the original sentence had been “fair and appropriate.”

“Whatever happens with her sentence, Tina Peters will always be a convicted felon who violated her duty as Mesa County clerk, put other lives at risk, and threatened our democracy. Nothing will remove that stain,” Weiser said in a statement.

The Justice Department inserted itself into Peters’ bid to be released while her state appeal was considered. The federal Bureau of Prisons also tried to get Peters moved to a federal prison. After both efforts failed, Trump in December announced a pardon for Peters.

However, the appeals court judges said they could find no prior example of a president pardoning someone for a state crime. And they rejected her attorneys’ claims that Peters actions had been carried out while “defending a federal interest.”

“We have found no instance where the presidential pardon power has been stretched in such a way as to invade an individual state’s sovereignty,” they said, adding that the President’s pardon has “no impact” on the state’s case against Peters.

The Associated Press left messages with the White House for comment.

She was convicted of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant and one count each of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, violation of duty and failure to comply with the requirements of the secretary of state.

Peters’ lawyers didn’t deny that she used the security badge of a local man she pretended to hire to allow the an associate of MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell to make a copy of the Dominion Voting Systems election computer server during an annual software update in 2021.

But they said she only wanted to preserve election data and find out whether any outside actor had accessed the system while ballots were being counted. They said she didn’t want the information made public.

____

Brown reported from Billings, Montana.