Money
Exact code to look out for when £300 Winter Fuel Payment lands in bank accounts in weeks
OVER one million pensioners still eligible for the winter fuel payment should look out for an exact code signalling it has landed in bank accounts within weeks.
The cash offers crucial support to pensioners struggling to afford energy bills over the colder months and is worth up to £300.
Those who are eligible for the benefit should have either received a letter, or will get one in the coming month, telling them how much they will be paid.
Payments will then be made automatically in November or December.
Previously, the winter fuel payment was available to anyone of state pension age, which is currently 66, but this autumn the government scrapped the scheme for millions.
Now pensioners must also be in receipt of pension credit or certain other means-tested benefits to qualify for the payment.
If you are still eligible for the winter fuel payment you should look out for a particular code on your bank statement to see that the payment has been made.
For those living in England and Wales, the payment will appear as the customer’s National Insurance (NI) number followed by “DWP WFP”.
Whereas those in Northern Ireland should look for their NI number followed by “DFC WFP”.
For example if you live in England and your NI number is QQ123456B the payment would show up as QQ123456B DWP WFP.
If you don’t think your winter fuel payment has come through, check for this code in your bank statement before consulting the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
And if you haven’t yet checked whether you meet the new criteria for the payment, make sure you’re up to date.
Pensioners who are worried about missing out on the payment this winter can seek support from a long list of schemes – which will also be detailed at the end of this article.
What is the winter fuel payment and who is eligible?
The winter fuel payment is issued to state pensioners on certain benefits to help cover the cost of hiked up energy bills over the colder months.
This is because households tend to use more energy for heating as temperatures drop.
The payment, which is made in November or December, is automatic meaning you don’t need to apply.
Those on Universal Credit with a joint claim where one member was over the state pension age previously had to apply to get the payment.
To automatically qualify this year, you need to be of state pension age and in receipt of one of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
You must have an active claim for these benefits during the “qualifying week” which is from September 16 to 22 this year.
You only need to apply this year if:
- you moved to an eligible country before January 1, 2021
- you were born before September 23, 1958
- you have a genuine and sufficient link to the UK – this can include having lived or worked in the UK and having family in the UK
Households can claim by phone from October 28 via the number 0800 731 0160.
They have until March 31, 2025 to do this.
Or to claim by post, you’ll need to fill in the winter fuel payment claim form and post it to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
This is available at www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-to-claim.
What energy bill help is available?
There’s a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
More energy help for pensioners
In response to the government’s slash to the winter fuel payments, Octopus Energy has launched a scheme offering discretionary credit of between £50 and £200 to pensioners.
British Gas has also set aside over £140 million this winter for its Individual and Families Support Fund.
And Scottish Power‘s Hardship Fund has handed out more than £60 million to its struggling customers.
To find out what you can get, check the offers from your own supplier first by going to their website or asking someone on the phone.
Most schemes are exclusive to customers, but the British Gas Individual and Families fund is available to everyone if your own supplier can’t help.
Help can also be accessed from your local council via the Household Support Fund, which has renewed a fresh pot of £421 million finding for vulnerable households.
To find out if you are eligible, go to your council’s website and read over the conditions of the scheme.
If you’re just looking for simple ways to reduce your bill this winter, each of these supplier schemes, as well as the Household Support Fund also offer free electric blankets as part of their deal.
For example, Octopus have said they will distribute 20,000 electric blankets from Dreamland to its most vulnerable customers, keeping them warm for “as little as 3p an hour”.
The “heat yourself not your home” approach is trending fast, with retailers such as B&M introducing ranges of affordable self-heating appliances.
However, it is important to note that the elderly should not avoid turning the heating on if they are cold – for energy help contact your provider or local council, or read our article here.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Money
State pension warning over easy mistake that could mean you miss out on £3,900 in benefits
A WARNING has been issued over an easy state pension mistake that could mean you miss out on £3,900.
Deferring your pension is often seen as an easy way to boost your savings pot when you do decide to retire.
That’s because for every year you delay, you boost your pension by just under 5.8%.
But for some, it might be a big mistake, because it may then put you over the threshold for Pension Credit – a handy benefit worth up to £3,900 a year which also unlocks the Winter Fuel Payment.
The Sun was inundated with calls from hard-up pensioners during its Winter Fuel SOS phone-in last week who fear they will be unable to heat their homes without the payment this year.
Many had been disappointed to find that because they had put off taking their state pension, they were now over the limit for Pension Credit.
Now, people who might find themselves in the same position are being urged to not take the decision lightly.
The single-person Pension Credit rate is £218.15, while the full new state pension is £221.20 so if you get the full amount then you already are over the threshold.
The people who would be affected by this are those who get less than the full amount of state pension, due to the number of “qualifying” National Insurance years they have.
However, if your pension is below the full rate then if you take it on time you might get Pension Credit – as well as the WFP and cold weather payments.
Under current rules, you need 35 qualifying years to get the full amount of state pension.
For example, someone who has 34 qualifying years gets 34/35 of a full pension or £214.88.
If this person takes their pension on time, they are entitled to Pension Credit and everything that comes with it. We have explained all the perks you can get here.
But, if they defer for just one year, the extra 5.8% takes them up to £227.34 per week – above the Pension Credit level.
So, this means they then lose out for good on all the extras that come with Pension Credit.
Former pensions minister and partner at LCP told The Sun that “the lesson to learn” is that if your state pension is short of the full amount and you might therefore otherwise qualify for Pension Credit in retirement, “you should think very hard before deferring”.
He also pointed out that those who are perhaps working past pension age might think of deferring their pension for tax reasons.
This group could inadvertently end up worse off than if they had simply taken their pension on time.
Mr Webb said: “Not everyone takes their state pension as soon as they reach pension age, and the reward for deferring is an extra 5.8% on your pension for each year you defer.
“But for people whose pension is short of the full amount, there can be a sting in the tail.
“If your normal pension figure is below pension credit then claiming at retirement means you will get a top-up and all the extras which come with pension credit such as keeping your winter fuel payment.
“But if you defer even for one year, you might find your pension is now over the pension credit line and that you have lost all of that additional help – potentially for the rest of your retirement.”
Mr Webb believes that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) should flag to people who are thinking of deferring that they need to “think very carefully about the potential knock-on effects” of benefit entitlement before they make a decision.
If you’re not sure if you will be able to get Pension Credit, you can use our handy tool to check what benefits you’re eligible for.
What is Pension Credit and who is eligible?
Pension Credit is a government benefit designed to top up your weekly income if you are a state pensioner with low earnings.
The current state pension age is 66.
There are two parts to the benefit – Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.
Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner.
Savings Credit is extra money you get if you have some savings or your income is above the basic full state pension amount – £169.50.
Savings Credit is only available to people who reached state pension age before April 6, 2016.
Usually, you only qualify for Pension Credit if your income is below the £218.15 or £332.95 thresholds.
However, you can sometimes be eligible for Savings Credit or Guarantee Credit depending on your circumstances, even if you’re over these limits.
For example, if you are suffering from a severe disability and claiming Attendance Allowance, as well as other benefits, you can get an extra £81.50 a week.
Meanwhile, you can get either £66.29 a week or £76.79 a week for each child you’re responsible and caring for.
The rules behind who qualifies for Pension Credit can be complicated, so the best thing to do is just check.
You can do this by calling the Pension Service helpline on 0800 99 1234 from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday or by using free online calculators.
Those in Northern Ireland have to call the Pension Centre on 0808 100 6165 from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
It might be worth a visit to your local Citizens Advice branch too – its staff should be able to offer you help for free.
Pension Credit is known as a “gateway” benefit which means it opens up a host of perks, like theWinter Fuel Payment and a free TV licence if you are 75 or over.
It also unlocks discounts on your council tax and the Warm Home Discount, if you are on the Guarantee Credit part of the benefit.
How do I apply for pension credit?
YOU can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age.
Applications for pension credit can be made on the government website or by ringing the pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
You can get a friend or family member to ring for you, but you’ll need to be with them when they do.
You’ll need the following information about you and your partner if you have one:
- National Insurance number
- Information about any income, savings and investments you have
- Information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually three months ago or the date you reached state pension age)
If you claim after you reach pension age, you can backdate your claim for up to three months.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Money
‘Unprecedented shift’ in fee models used by financial advice firms
There has been an “unprecedented shift” in the variety of fee models used by financial advice firms, a new report from NextWealth suggests.
Percentage of assets remains the most common charging structure, used by 71% of respondents’ firms.
The study shows that while this charging model continues to dominate, its use is in decline – with popularity of all other charging structures rising.
Of “particular interest” is the marked rise in the use of subscription fees, which are used by 22% of financial advice firms all or most of the time, up from just 1% in 2023.
A growing number of firms are experimenting with alternative models, the report shows.
The cost of advice
The report also reveals the average basis point fee paid by clients for ongoing advice, funds, platform and portfolio management.
The total client cost increased in the past year from 1.75% to 1.89%, as estimated by financial advice professionals who participated in the survey.
Platform fees remain consistent and both funds and portfolio management are slowly trending down.
The average cost of ongoing advice is 77 bps, up 13 bps from 2023, and remains the largest share of total client costs.
Platform fees represent the smallest share at 27 bps – broadly consistent with the previous three years.
NextWealth data show that ongoing fees are fairly consistent across various firm sizes.
However, product charges tend to be higher in large firms.
Clients of financial advice firms with more than 10 advisers are paying 68 bps for funds, compared to an average of 43 bps.
NextWealth said it believes this difference is down to a higher allocation to active rather than a more expensive like-for-like product.
Initial fees
The proportion of respondents citing that they charge an initial advice fee decreased slightly by 6% compared with last year.
The big change is in the proportion that aren’t charging an initial fee, up two-fold to 23%.
Respondents from larger firms with over six financial advice professionals are more likely not to charge an initial fee.
Over half of these respondents say they do not charge an initial advice fee.
Among those that charge an initial advice fee, the average is £1,995 up from £1,800 last year.
The report revealed that the average portfolio size of clients in 2024 is £369,689.
In fact, 79% of respondents said that that clients are required to have £100,000 or more to be a client.
NextWealth said this shows an interesting dynamic – regulation is pushing financial advice professionals to provide more value for their clients but according to a significant proportion of respondents, this isn’t viable for those with under £100,000.
Confident in delivering value for money
Advisers and planners have high confidence in the service they provide their clients, but are much less impressed by some issues that are not in their immediate control.
Overall, 92% are confident in their firm’s ability to deliver good value for money, while 89% are confident in their ability to meet the advice needs of clients.
Only 26% are confident in the capability of the regulator, while under half 46% are confident in the stability of the economy.
Money
Iconic high street shop to start selling vinyl after thirty years off shelves – see the full list of locations
AN iconic high street retailer will start selling vinyl records again after thirty years off the shelves.
WHSmith said it will begin restocking the vintage disc in response to growing demand from shoppers.
As part of the roll-out, music buffs will be able to snap up records from new talent such as Taylor Swift alongside 80’s icons like Queen.
Over 80 sites across Canterbury, Chester, Edinburgh Gyle and York will stock the records – you can see the full list below.
The newsagent, which has over 1,000 stores across the high street and travel locations, has not sold records at its sites in over three decades.
Collecting vinyl records has become trendy among music fans, as they seek tangible ways to connect with music amid a rise in streaming sites such as Spotify.
Records also come with larger packaging and can include freebies such as posters or clothing.
Sales for the product grew for the 16th year in a row in 2023, with nearly six million units sold, according to data from the British Phonographic Industry.
Demand for records also helped turn around the fortune of struggling high street retailer HMV.
Last November, the music retailer reopened its site on Oxford Street after a four-year hiatus following investment from Canadian businessman Doug Puttman.
HMV shut the flagship store in 2019 after the retail chain tumbled into administration and was forced to axe stores and jobs.
It sells popular culture merchandise lines, some 20,000 vinyl albums and CDs, in excess of 8,000 4kUHD, Blu-rays and DVDs, as well as music technology products.
Meanwhile classic high street chain Our Price officially relaunched online earlier this year.
The record store was once a staple of the UK high street from the early 1970s until 2004.
Shoppers can browse the catalogue online for now only, owners have not ruled out the return to physical stores at some point in the future.
Ourprice.com stocks around 20,000 vinyl, t-shirts and a range of hi-fi and audio equipment.
Emma Smyth, commercial director, WHSmith High Street said: “After thirty years vinyl is back at WHSmith,
“I’m sure there are many customers out there who remember spending hours in record shops browsing the latest vinyl LPs and the artistic record covers.”
She added: “It’s no surprise that vinyl is growing in popularity again, and we are very excited to be bringing back record selections to more than 80 different stores across the UK for both seasoned fans and new listeners alike.”
The full list of locations where you c an pick up the latest records are:
- Berkhampstead
- Bromley
- Canterbury
- Chester
- Crawley
- East Kilbride
- Epsom
- Exeter
- Gloucester
- Gyle
- Henley
- High Wycombe
- Kingstonis:
- Lichfield
- Marlborough
- Monks Cross
- Preston Deepdale
- Romford
- Salisbury
- Watford
- White City
- York
- Jersey
- Perth
- Stafford
- Weston-super-Mare
- Northallerton
- Douglas
- Scarborough
- Buxton
- Argyle Street
- Beeston
- Brecon
- Brent Cross
- Broughton Parc
- Bury St Edmunds
- Carlisle
- Cirencester
- Cribbs Causeway
- Darlington
- Bluewater Park
- Deal
- Dumfries
- Elgin
- Ely
- Exmouth
- Grantham
- Great Yarmouth
- Hamilton
- Harpenden
- Haslemere
- Hastings
- Havant
- Haywards Heath
- Hempstead Valley
- Hereford
- Honiton
- Leighton Buzzard
- Lewisham
- Liverpool
- Llanelli
- Marlow
- Monmouth
- Morpeth
- Newport (Isle of Wight)
- Petersfield
- Sevenoaks
- Meadowhall
- Southport
- Southsea
- Swanage
- Taunton
- Teesside Retail Park
- Temple Fortune
- Twickenham
- Uckfield
- Wallington
- Warrington
- Wimbledon
- Witney
As for WHSmith, the introduction of records will be the latest move from the business to revamp its product line.
Since last year, shoppers have been able to purchase Toys ‘R’ Us products in a number of its stores.
The American toy retailer collapsed in 2018 and closed all of its 100 UK branches, but announced plans for a relaunch in October 2021.
A total of 76 WHSmith sites will have a Toys ‘R’ Us section by the end of the year.
The iconic British brand has struggled on the high street following the aftermath of the pandemic, but its travel arm has been booming.
In September it closed two stores in Sale and Bridgewater.
Despite this, WHSmith has announced plans to open 110 new shops this year in airports, railway stations and hospitals.
Retailers making a comeback
It has been a tough time for retailers since Covid and the last few years have seen many vanish from our high streets.
The rising cost of living and expensive rents have all been playing a part in the demise of some of our much-loved high street names.
Last year much-loved retailer Wilko fell into administration and closed all of its shops in September 2023, leaving Brits heartbroken.
However, a glimmer of hope was given when the brand name was scooped up by The Range, in a £5million deal – meaning that the name would live on.
Customers were overjoyed after learning the store was being relaunched online, and even more so when in a surprising turn of events, physical branches started to open up again.
Elsewhere, Paperchase is now available to purchase at Tesco stores following its collapse almost three years ago.
And there has been talk that Topshop could return to the high street after a nearly four-year hiatus.
Owners ASOS said last month it would sell a 75% stake in the brand to Bestseller, a Danish retail group that owns Jack & Jones.
José Antonio Ramos Calamonte, chief executive of ASOS, told reporters that the deal would make Topshop “more accessible”.
Retailers opening stores
IT’S not all bad news on the high street as several retailers are bucking the trend and opening shops.
- German discounter Aldi has announced it will open 35 new UK stores this year. The openings form part of Aldi‘s long-term target of operating 1,500 stores in the UK.
- Asda has been opening hundreds of convenience stores as it looks to rival major players Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
- Purepay Retail Limited , the parent company of Bonmarché, Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM) and Peacocks, Purepay Retail Limited, has said it wants to open 100 new high street stores over the next 18 months.
- Home Bargains has said it wants to “eventually have between 800 and 1,000 retail outlets open”.
- Primark is also opening new branches and investing and renovating more than a dozen of its existing shops.
- Screwfix is set to open 40 new stores nationwide as its owner, Kingfisher, seeks to expand the DIY brand’s national presence.
- Tesco has revealed plans to open 70 more stores across the UK over the next year as part of major expansion plans.
- WHSmith has turned its focus to the travel side of its business, with plans to open new sites in airports, railway stations and hospitals.
Money
Exact location to place your heated airer that dries clothes more effectively and can slash £50 off bills
HEATED airers have become a popular cost-friendly appliance which help households save on energy bills.
However, many are still draining away important cash each month by placing their airers in the wrong place.
The average energy bill is currently capped at £1,717 but you could pay more and less than this depending on your usage.
With the cap having rose this month by 10%, households are looking to reduce expenses as much as they can.
And while heated airers are usually a cheap alternative to running a tumble dryer or hiking up the heating – they could be costing you more than what they should.
Placing your airer in the wrong part of your house can extend the drying process, meaning you have to run the appliance for longer and at greater cost.
In fact, according to USwitch this could mean spending an extra 38p a wash load – pushing your bill up by as much as £90 across the year.
Energy spokesman Ben Gallizzi told The Sun: “It’s worth thinking about where to place your heated dryer in order to maximise its efficiency.”
“Try to avoid large, cold rooms that will slow down the drying process.”
He said that the appliances can cost different amounts to run depending on the amount of kWh, but under the new energy price cap can cost anywhere between 7p and 29p per hour.
This is compared to a tumble dryer which uses 2.5kWh of energy per cycle and costs 61p.
However placing your airer in a bigger room could add at least two hours to your drying time, costing as much as 38p extra every wash load.
This means if you have several people living in your home and dry three loads a week you could be overspending up to £90 on bills across the year.
This figure of course varies depending on how many people are in your home and how often you dry clothes.
The expert also advised people to “avoid areas of the house where there is little ventilation to minimise the potential build-up of damp.”
By opening windows a crack, you can make sure that all condensation leaves the room and the clothes don’t get more cold and damp.
However, it’s important to note that if you have your windows open wide, the heated airer won’t work as effectively.
This means the perfect places to dry clothes in smaller spaces such as utility rooms or spare rooms, with a window slightly opened.
It’s also useful to place the heated airer in a spot of sunlight, or a room which is slightly warmer than other parts of the house.
Other appliances which might be draining your bills
Your heated airer isn’t the only thing in your home which could be sat in the wrong spot and costing you cash.
Your fridge freezer might be eating away at your bills if there’s not enough space around it – by moving it to a spacier area, you could improve its efficiency by 15%.
Your food being stored in the wrong parts of your fridge could also be costing you cash, causing it to perish quicker and ramping up your shopping bill.
Meanwhile, your washing machine might also be positioned in the wrong part of your home which can cause mould and lead to damage costs.
And if you use dehumidifiers to tackle damp and mould in your home, they could be draining your energy bill if placed in the wrong spots.
Placing your rug or sofa over draughty areas of flooring, such as between floorboards, can also massively slash your energy usage.
And make sure that your sofa isn’t blocking the heat from your radiator – by helping the heat get the rooms of your home you could stretch your energy further.
4 ways to keep your energy bills low
Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips.
1. Turn your heating down by one degree
You probably won’t even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70.
2. Switch appliances and lights off
It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills
3. Install a smart meter
Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used.
4. Consider switching energy supplier
No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you’ve let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven’t browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
How else you can save on energy
One important energy-saving tip to know is to never dry your clothes on the radiator, as this stops it from heating your home efficiently.
As a result, up to £55 could be wasted across the year.
The exact wastage depends on the size of your house and how much energy you use.
Heat can also escape your home through your chimney – The Sun recently wrote an article on how newspaper can be used to stop it from escaping.
By filling a bin bag with newspaper and stuffing it inside of your chimney, you could save as much as £90 across the year and reduce bills by 5%.
You could also buy a damper, which is designed to seal your chimney by blocking the flue system.
However these cost anywhere from £21 on Amazon, and as much as £84 from TLC Electrical.
Don’t forget to do regular annual boiler service checks either – they could save you up to £550 a year.
And for more energy saving tips, make sure to read our handy guide.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Money
From Spotify to Amazon Prime, five hidden extras that come with subscription services
WITH so many services and subscriptions available, it’s easy to lose track of all the perks bundled into your monthly payments.
From free courses to exclusive entertainment deals, here are some hidden extras you might not know about . . .
LISTEN UP: Spotify is known for music and podcasts, but did you know they also offer courses?
Typically costing up to £80, you can now access these for free until November 30.
Choose from a range of courses such as photography, crafting or even DJing, and pick up a brand-new skill this month.
Visit courses. spotify.com to explore the options there are.
READ MORE MONEY SAVING TIPS
SHOW OFF: Film buffs will love this.
Sky Cinema customers not only get the latest films at home, and Paramount+, but can also claim two free Vue cinema tickets every month.
With the rising cost of watching movies on the big screen, this is the perfect perk for a cheap monthly date night.
PRIME SAVING: Amazon Prime members enjoy a host of perks but one that is often overlooked is Deliveroo Plus Silver membership.
This means free delivery and extra savings on your take-away orders for a whole year.
It’s usually £3.49 per month for the membership alone, and then you will make those extra savings on the food you order.
You can quickly and easily link up your account right now at deliveroo.co.uk/amazon-prime.
ENTERTAINMENT EXTRA: O2 customers should check for free extras with their mobile plan.
One is six months of Disney+ Standard, usually £4.99 a month, free through O2’s “Choose Extra” programme.
There’s also a free Amazon Prime offer. Head to o2.co.uk/extras.
DINNER DATE: Love dining out? Vodafone VeryMe Rewards offers a year’s membership of Eat Local, powered by the Gourmet Society.
This gives you 2-for-1 meal deals or 25 per cent off on food and drinks at restaurants in your area.
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability
Deal of the day
STASHING presents for Christmas?
This week, get the Nivea For Men Got It Covered gift set, usually £20 for £10 at Superdrug.
SAVE: £10
Cheap treat
FANCY a Cadbury Fudge?
A £1.40 pack is now £1 if you scan your Tesco Clubcard.
SAVE: 40p
What’s new?
FANCY a last-minute trip?
If you can be flexible on dates and times, head to snap.
Eurostar.com to find up to 50 per cent off fares for last-minute Eurostar departures.
Top swap
BRING the scent of autumn indoors with a large Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl Yankee Candle, £29.99 from yankeecandle.co.uk, or find the similar large Pumpkin Spiced Latte candle, at The Range for £3.99.
SAVE: £26
Little helper
TREAT the family to dinner at Frankie & Benny’s and, until November 1, for every adult main meal, get a free kids meal deal including a main, side, dessert and drink worth £8.30. Offer is seven days a week.
Shop & save
THIS So’home lamp will look chic on your bedside table.
Was £30, now £15 at laredoute.co.uk.
SAVE: £15
Hot right now
CHECK out the Lidl Plus app. This week you can get a free eye test when spending £50. See the partners section of the app for details.
PLAY NOW TO WIN £200
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!
Money
Rachel Reeves will hit 1.5million pensioners by dragging them into higher tax bands at Budget, experts fear
RACHEL Reeves will hit 1.5million pensioners in the pocket by freezing income tax thresholds at the Budget, experts fear.
The move risks them being dragged into higher tax bands, as the state pension is set to rise.
It will be a fresh blow to retirees, many of whom have been stung by the Chancellor’s axing universal winter fuel cash.
Jon Greer, from finance firm Quilter, said: “The triple lock may increase state pensions but, with tax thresholds frozen, many will find themselves paying taxes on what should be a lifeline.
“For those with state and private pensions, the hit will be felt sooner, eroding their incomes at a time when financial security is crucial.”
Thresholds were fixed by the Tories until 2028 but Ms Reeves is thought likely to extend the freeze.
Meanwhile, she has been pressed to find money to help support struggling town halls — as one in four councils expect to, in effect, go bust in the next two years.
One in ten council heads say they have considered asking the Government for support.
The body’s Labour chairwoman Louise Gittins described the current financial crisis as “extraordinary” ahead of their annual rally in Harrogate, north Yorkshire, from today.
She said: “The autumn Budget must provide councils with the financial stability they need to protect the services our communities rely on every day.”
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