OVER three million struggling households will start receiving letters from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) detailing £150 worth of energy bill help.

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off tax-free discount on your electricity bill.

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If you are eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. The money is not paid to you.

To qualify you usually need to be claiming one of a number of means-tested benefits during the qualifying week, which is usually in August,

The DWP said it will start sending letters to those who qualified for the scheme from today, October 14.

But do not panic if it does not arrive on your doorstep today, as it may take up until mid-December for it to be posted out.

Miatta Fahnbulleh, minister for Energy Consumers, told The Sun, that today is important for “worried about energy costs”.

She explained: “If you don’t receive [a letter] but think you might be eligible then you can visit gov.uk for an eligibility checker.

“Today we are also launching a helpline, open until February, which you can call to find out whether you meet the criteria.”

Meanwhile, the Post Office is urging families who receive the discount in voucher form to act urgently.

Those who use pre-payment meters often receive the £150 boost in a voucher which can be redeemed at their local Post Office or PayPoint shop.

However, data from the firm showed that last year up to £3million worth of vouchers went unclaimed at their sites.

If this applies to you, it is important to redeem the voucher soon after receiving it as they do expire, some in as little as 30 days.

However, if the voucher is lost or expired, households can contact their supplier to have it reissued.

News of the cash boost comes as Brits remain worried about their energy bills this winter.

Energy regulator Ofgem has raised its price cap, meaning energy bills are set to rise by around £149 a year.

Elsewhere, cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment mean 10million pensioners are set to miss out on £300 worth of fuel support.

How to apply for the Warm Home Discount

You will get the discount automatically if you’re eligible and claim one of the following benefits:

• Housing Benefit
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• the ‘Savings Credit’ part of Pension Credit
• Universal Credit

You could also qualify if your household income falls below a certain threshold and you get either:

• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

Applications for the scheme opened in October, however, you may not get the help until next March.

To get the cash you’ll usually need to be actively claiming one of a the means-tested benefits listed above in the qualifying week – which is usually in August.

However, if you later launch a successful claim for backdated benefits, you may still be able to qualify after this date and once it’s confirmed.

If you qualify for the WHD, you should receive a letter telling you. 

The Warm Home Discount Helpline number is 0800 030 9322 to provide assistance and help customers who have received a letter regarding their eligibility.

You can also use the government’s free online eligibility checker to see if you are missing out on the help.

This can be found at https://www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-eligible-for-warm-home-discount.

If you are worried about your energy bills, check out The Sun’s article on the full list of support worth over £5,000 here.

The latest Financial Conduct Authority Retail Mediation Activities Return findings are a stark revelation.

They confirm that the decline in the number of small advice firms is more than a trend — it’s a rapidly accelerating one. In 2023, there were 10% fewer sole traders than in 2022, and 8% fewer firms with two to five advisers.

The numbers have remained steady over recent years, defying expectations. However, consolidation activity, with elderly advisers retiring and exiting, is beginning to kick in.

Although one swallow does not a summer make, there is no doubt small advice firms in the UK have encountered increased challenges, such as:

• Rocketing regulatory requirements;
• Competition from larger firms; and
• Rising demand for digital financial services.

Regulatory changes, such as Mifid II and the Consumer Duty, have imposed more significant compliance burdens on small advice firms, making it harder for them to operate profitably.

Larger firms have more resources to invest in technology and compliance

The growing preference for online and automated financial services further threatens their prospects. Larger firms have more resources to invest in technology and compliance, giving them an increasingly competitive edge.

Going niche

For some small firms, the answer is to specialise in niche markets, offering personalised services. If executed well, this can be a beacon of hope in the face of challenges.

However, niche focuses expose firms to a significant shift in a chosen target market. For instance, companies that specialised in annuities found their business model torpedoed with the arrival of the pension freedoms.

The client will demand a seamless ‘Soup to nuts’ experience driven by great tech

Similarly, the desire to outsource, particularly tech, is the way forward for some. However, this, too, is not without risk.

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) recently upheld a complaint from a client who had lost £100,000 after a missed rebalancing because of delays in moving to a new white-label platform. The FOS found against the firm, arguing its recommendations to move to a new platform in 2020 had been “significantly misrepresented”.

Interestingly, the platform was not subject to the FOS complaint because it did not relate to its services. The advice firm was wholly exposed.

In January this year, M&G decided to sell or wind down its platform. With £16.3bn of assets on it, advisers who adopted it will worry whether a wind-down is more likely. In this case, advisers must find a suitable alternative provider with the same access, investment range, fee model and share classes. This is a significant piece of work for simply backing the wrong horse.

I understand small business owners’ desire to remain in complete control of their business. However, the mounting pressures are huge, so the ability to stay on the front line and look after clients is an impossible circle to square.

Consolidation activity, with elderly advisers retiring and exiting, is beginning to kick in

In reality, absolute control means having total control and ownership of the means of production.

Firms will continue to grow, through either organic growth or acquisitions. These firms will have an in-house investment proposition, which will become an expectation for clients. They will have greater control over their tech. For all the talk about platforms, they are simply a utility and will increasingly be absorbed into the overall value chain rather than being remote from the firm.

The client will demand a seamless ‘Soup to nuts’ experience driven by great tech. In the FOS example above, where the firm switched platform, 891 individual transfer cases were required to be processed manually via an individual processed stock transfer form. This is because the receiving platform could not make electronic transfers.

Clients are increasingly reluctant to deal in ‘wet signatures’. Turning up at the client’s home with another form to sign will fail to cut the mustard.

In 1960, there were around 43,000 butcher shops in the UK; by 2019, that number had dropped to around 6,000. The same can be said for greengrocers and fishmongers.

The advice market gives every indication it is heading that way too.

Tim Sargisson is former chief executive of James Hay and Sandringham Financial Partners, among others

This article featured in the October 2024 edition of Money Marketing. 

If you would like to subscribe to the monthly magazine, please click here.

WASHING machines are typically used three or four times a week, but half of homes are not using them correctly, research has found.

Price comparison site uSwitch found just 50% of households run their machine when it’s not full, which could add another £8 to yearly bills.

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There are other mistakes to be made, like putting them on at the wrong temperature, and not running service washes.

Here we explore how to get the most from your machine.

What’s the right temperature?

The consumer group Which? tested a range of washing machines to see how laundering at lower temperatures affects cleaning and energy use.

It found switching from 40°C to 30°C saved an average 38 per cent energy and washing at 20°C saved 62 per cent.

The average washing machine costs about £59 a year to run four washes a week, so switching to 30°C cycles would shave off £22 off, while washing at 20°C will cut that cost by £37.

It also found that unless the clothes were badly stained, modern machines would still do a good job most of the time regardless of the lower temperatures.

Katy Phillips, of price comparison site Idealo, said: “Washing clothes at 30 degrees is usually sufficient for a thorough clean, and running dishwashers on eco or lower temperature settings can significantly reduce energy use”.

Load it up efficiently

The most energy-efficient way to wash clothes is to run a normal cycle with a full drum rather than washing one or two items on a quick wash program.

Quick programs – or speed-up buttons – slightly reduce how much energy is used, but not by the same amount that the capacity is reduced. So it’s much more economical to do fewer big loads than daily smaller ones.

Which? worked out the difference would amount to an annual saving of around £9 for the average washing machine, with additional savings by using less detergent.

But never overload the machine as it could damage your machine, according to researcher and expert Hannah Jackman.

That’s because machines are designed to wash a certain weight, and overloading could damage the way the drums spin. There should be a space about the width of your palm between the top of the load and the top of the drum.

Experts say if you’re not doing any particularly messy or strenuous activities, you can wear underwear once, bras up to three times, tee-shirts up to two times, jeans up to 10 times and jumpers up to six times. 

Get the right detergent

Choosing the right washing powder might feel like a choice between quality and cost.

But in fact our tests – run in January this year – found the best performers were some of the cheaper supermarket brands.

Sun tester Lynsey Hope found Sainsbury’s non bio powder to be among her favourites, leaving her clothes stain-free, soft and smelling fresh, but without a heavy scent. 

A 2kg box cost £4.75 for 40 washes, or 12p a wash, scored 10/10 for effectiveness and 9/10 for value.

Lidl’s Formil non bio powder also did a great job at keeping whites bright, and clothes soft after washing, scoring 9/10 for effectiveness and 10/10 for value.

It currently costs £3.75 for a 40-wash pack, amounting to 9p a wash.

In contrast Lynsey found that Fairy’s Non Bio, which costs £9 for 40 washes, or 22.5p a wash, was no better than Sainsbury’s. 

Assuming one wash a day and an approximate 14p saving on each wash between the most expensive and cheapest powders considered, there would be an annual saving of just over £50. 

Keep it serviced regularly

Keep your machine in tiptop condition by running a regular, hot, service wash at least once a month. Check your instruction manual for which cycle is best for this.

Clean the rubber seal with a microfibre cloth dipped in warm water and washing up liquid, and use an old toothbrush to scrub off any dirt.

Leave the machine’s door and drawer open to prevent mould.

One tablespoon of detergent will suffice, too much can leave marks on your clothes.

Liz Hunter, director at Money Expert, said: “If you’re in the market for a new appliance such as a refrigerator, washing machine or tumble dryer, choosing one with a rating of A+ or above (A+++ is the top rating) will ensure that it’s more energy efficient but also kinder to the environment too.”

THE Snowman is back just in time for Christmas, appearing on a brand new 50p coin.

The Royal Mint has revealed a special edition coin featuring Raymond Briggs’ beloved festive character, making it a perfect collectible for the holiday season.

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The new design, created by illustrator Robin Shaw, captures the heart-warming scene of The Snowman placing a star at the top of a Christmas tree.

It’s a fitting tribute to one of the UK’s most iconic Christmas stories, with this being the seventh time The Snowman has appeared on a 50p coin.

The Snowman 50p has quickly become one of the most sought-after coins from The Royal Mint, and this latest release is no exception.

Since 2018, around 700,000 Snowman coins have been snapped up by collectors worldwide, making it a firm festive favourite.

Fans of the classic story will be excited to know that this year’s edition comes with an extra special touch.

A limited number of the coins will be produced in full colour, bringing the snowy scene to life in even more detail.

From 11 November, fans will be able to strike their very own 50p featuring The Snowman.

The coins won’t be entering general circulation, so eager collectors will need to head to The Royal Mint’s website to get their hands on one.

Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, says the Snowman 50p has become a Christmas tradition.

She said: “We’re thrilled to continue this much-loved story on UK coinage.

“Robin Shaw’s design captures the magic of Christmas and adds to the timeless appeal of The Snowman.”

Robin Shaw, the artist behind the design, has a long history with the character, having worked as the art director on The Snowman and The Snowdog, the TV sequel to the original The Snowman.

Speaking about the new coin, Shaw said: “It’s an honour to see my design on a 50 pence piece once again, and this year’s edition is truly special.”

For die-hard fans of the festive favourite, there’s an extra reason to celebrate this year.

The Royal Mint has hidden a solid gold Snowman coin behind door 24 of a limited-edition Snowman advent calendar.

One lucky buyer will strike gold on Christmas Eve.

The Snowman 50p coin is available in a variety of finishes, including precious metals, and collectors can also visit The Royal Mint Experience in South Wales from November 11 to strike their very own Snowman coin.

Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman, first published in 1978, has sold over 5.5 million copies worldwide and continues to capture the magic of Christmas for young and old alike.

The animated short film, first aired on Channel 4 in 1982, remains a Christmas TV staple.

This year’s 50p coin is the perfect way to celebrate the enduring appeal of The Snowman, offering fans a lasting keepsake to treasure.

Whether it’s placed in a collection or passed down as a family heirloom, The Snowman 50p is sure to be a festive hit.

Meanwhile, 50p coins seem to be all the rage, with one special edition 50p selling for triple its value.

And unlike The Snowman coin, not all collectables feature fun illustrations, in fact some coins can prove majorly valuable because of errors or mistakes.

That doesn’t just apply to coins, a tiny marking on a £10 note could actually make it 1,700 more valuable as one note sold at an auction for a whopping £17,000.

How much can I buy the new Snowman coin for?

You can purchase the Snowman coins from The Royal Mint website.

Prices start from £11 for a brilliant uncirculated coin and £20 for a colour version, all the way up to £1,220 for a gold proof coin.

Collectors are already listing the coins on eBay too.

At the moment you can find one of the brilliant uncirculated 50p coins listed for £9.49 and the coloured version for £14.99.

Also listed on the bidding site is a silver-proof coin for £109.50.

Remember that just because an item is listed for a certain amount it does not mean that someone will buy it for that price.

Another thing to bear in mind is if you can still buy the coin directly from The Royal Mint website then it is unlikely you will get much more for it on eBay.

Usually, collectors buy these limited edition coins in the hope that they will go up in value as there is only a certain number of them available, but this is not always the case.

However, in 2018 one rare Snowman coin did fetch quite a sum.

The coin was launched on the Isle of Man in 2003 and only 10,000 were ever minted.

It was released as a limited-edition coin to mark the 25th anniversary of the release of The Snowman.

The rare 50p coin sold on eBay for £292 in October 2018.

In 2022 fans of The Snowman were able to add to their collection with new coins celebrating ten years since the release of The Snowman and Snowdog.

One of the silver proof coins in this range sold for £70 on eBay which was just a couple of pounds more than the list on The Royal Mint web website.

At the moment other coins in The Snowman range are also listed on eBay.

A 2018 Snowman silver proof coin is listed for £100, while a gold proof coin of the same year is listed for a whopping £1,750.

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SHOPPERS are left in awe after this trendy footwear scanned for only a pound at Sports Direct.

The offer had fans flocking to the store to grab a pair of popular shoes for a staggeringly low price.

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These Sports Direct Cloggs were marked as a tenner on the price tag, but one lucky shopper realised they were scanning for a mere £1.

Thrilled with this bargain, she took to social media to show off her outstanding find mentioning the charms were removable as well.

The post racked up hundreds of likes with Facebook users commenting excitedly about the discovery.

One user wrote: “I need.”

Another tagged a friend commenting: “Go on you have to get these.”

A third user reassured the post admin that the price wasn’t a mistake: “They’re online at this price too, have been for weeks.”

The shoes are no longer on the Sports Direct website but shoppers are desperate to head in store to get their hands on their very own one-pound Cloggs.

The foamy footwear has had a resurgence of popularity in recent years with actors, supermodels and influencers all sporting the look.

Their practicality, comfort and affordability have allowed them to become to the top of many Christmas lists.

With removable charms, also known as Jibbitz, you’re also able to personalise them however you like.

The £1 Cloggs come with Sports Direct-themed charms including the company logo, a football – and of course, the oversized Sports Direct mug.

For those in the Cloggmas spirit, these aren’t the only pair the sports retailer is selling at a slashed price.

You can grab a kids bubblegum pink pair of Cloggs for £3.50 or a bright cobalt blue for £5.

If you’re prepared to jump up to £6 you can even get a range of swirled colours and patterned Cloggs.

For even more offers and bargains the Sports Direct outlet offers up to 70% on the entire brand.

Given that the Classic Croc on the Crocs official website sells them at a price of £44.99, if you’re looking for a winter steal Sports Direct might be the place for you.

CAFFEINE enthusiasts can save a bean or two by joining a coffee club.

Here’s how to cut back on the cost of your cuppas . . . 

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LEON ROAST REWARDS: Leon’s Roast Rewards subscription is £25 a month and gives five barista-made drinks a day, with an hour’s gap between each.

Also, get 20 per cent off the breakfast and all-day food menus, except meal deals.

A latte is about £3.95, so three a week is £11.85, or £51.35 per month, ­versus the Leon monthly subscription of £25.

CLUB PRET: Pret A Manger’s Club Pret was £30 per month and gave five free coffees a day.

But it is now £5 per month, rising to £10 from March 31, 2025, and instead you get 50 per cent off five hot or cold barista-made drinks a day.

They can be taken every 30 minutes.

A latte is about £4.05, so three per week is £12.15, or £52.65 a month, versus £31.33 a month with the Club Pret £5 monthly sub and half-price deal.

BLANK STREET REGULARS: Blank Street coffee is famed for its iced matchas but its rewards club is trickier to join.

You must be referred by a pal already on the subscription, or download its app to keep an eye on its wait-list opening — it’s currently full.

Club membership is about £12 a week (£52 per month) and you get 14 free barista-made drinks a week, redeemable every half hour, plus 20 per cent off other drinks and ten per cent off food.

A latte is about £3.50, so three a week is £10.50, or about £45.50 per month, versus the Blank Street sub of £52 a month, so you would need to be a real regular for this pay.

COFFEE CLUB: The Coffee Club app is best if you don’t want to use just one coffee chain.

For £3.99 per month or £24.99 a year, get 25 per cent off barista-made drinks at participating coffee shops, including Caffe Nero and Black Sheep Coffee.

Scan the code on the app when in cafes.

There’s a 30-day free trial.

A Caffe Nero latte is about £4.10, so three a week is £12.30, or about £53.30 per month, versus £43.97 a month with Coffee Club’s £3.99 monthly sub and 25 per cent off.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

Deal of the day

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GET settee for some huge savings down at The Range, such as £100 off the Wembury Chaise sofa, previously £599.99, now £499.99.

SAVE: £100

Cheap treat

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CHOMP on a Cadbury milk chocolate variety pack – usually £3.50, but £1.95 with a Tesco Clubcard.

SAVE: £1.55

What’s new

TOMORROW, boots.com shoppers can get 50 per cent off when they spend £30 by mix and matching beauty products from NYX Professional Makeup, L’Oreal Paris, Garnier, Maybelline and more. This is an online-only deal.

Top swap

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YOU might have spotted the cult Bottega Veneta earrings, £560, on fashionfans.co, but you can get a similar pair at amazon.co.uk for £10.99, and a silver version is included.

SAVE: £549.01

Shop & save

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TOP up lunchboxes with a DairyLea Dunkers Jumbo Tubes triple-pack, was £2.25 now £1.50, at Iceland.

SAVE: 75p

Hot right now

THE Sports Direct big brand clearance has savings including 70 per cent off Adidas clothing, starting with men’s trainers at £25.

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

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JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.

Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.

The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!