MILLIONS OF Brits claiming tax credits are due to receive the first half of a £650 cost of living grant as initial payments roll out.
One million people receiving tax credits began receiving the first tranche of their Cost of Living Grant from the HMRC at the end of last week.
The £326 payment began to hit bank accounts on September 2, with all recipients to get the instalment before September 7.
To get the cash, you must have been eligible to receive tax credits between April 26 and May 25.
Brits receiving child tax credit and working tax credit should receive this round of support.
You should not need to do anything to receive the payment if you are eligible – it should appear in your bank account automatically.
Tax credit claimants who also receive benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions will have already received their first Cost of Living Payment in July 2022.
The second means-tested payment of £324 will be issued later this year – from the autumn for DWP benefit claimants, and some time in winter for tax credit-only customers.
Read our live blog below for the latest updates….
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Single mother skips meals to save money
A teaching assistant from Lincolnshire admitted “I’m really low,” about the cost of living crisis that has hit her family.
Helen Somers, 52, told Lincolnshire Live that the rise in prices has meant she cannot afford to have dinner, so she can feed her children.
She told the publication: “I had four children and we could afford to go out, we could afford to do things.
“Whereas now, it’s school holidays and I can’t afford for us to go anywhere.”
Helen said she is constantly checking her bank account, to see how much money she has left, “watching every penny.”
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Tesco forced to increase security measures as shoplifting is on the rise
As the UK enters its cost of living crisis, supermarkets are having to up their security against thefts.
The chairman John Allan told Times Radio that there are “desperate people seeking desperate measures.”
Speaking on combating shoplifting, he said: “There’s a limit to the amount you can do. Yes, we are putting more security into those of our stores that are most impacted.
But we’re doing that selectively.”
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Liz Truss considering £100bn bill freeze, reports claim
Following the announcement that Liz Truss will be Britain’s next PM, reports have emerged that she plans a dramatic solution to the cost of living crisis.
It can be revealed she is looking at freezing the wholesale cost of gas produced in Britain to force energy companies to sell it at a loss and drive down bills.
This would reportedly cost an eye-watering £100bn, as the government desperately looks for solutions to the growing crisis.
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How else can I save when shopping at Aldi?
Every two weeks, Aldi picks six of its favourites to offer to shoppers at low prices.
Right now, for example, you can get cucumbers, apples, pears and tomatoes each for 59p a pack.
You can also get oranges and potatoes for just 79p a pack in this leg of the fortnightly offer.
Each of the fruits and veggies are usually 95p a pack, so shoppers can save up to 36p during the limited run this time around.
The prices don’t change over the two weeks that the offer is live so really you can cash in at any time – though what’s on offer will change every fortnight.
But if you want to be sure to get the best of the bunch, then heading to the store at the start of the week to pick the freshest items won’t hurt.
-
Tip to save money on your game console’s energy bills
A Twitter user has revealed one key tip to save money on your game console’s energy footprint this winter.
On its default setting, an Xbox Series X will reportedly cost you £132 a year while on standby.
According to Twitter user Alex Hern, this can be solved by changing the default setting to “energy saver” in the console’s options menu.
-
John Lewis to offer free food to staff this Christmas
In an attempt to help its employees this Christmas, the high street chain will over 4,000 seasonal staff members free meals.
Andrew Murphy, chief operations officer at John Lewis, said: “We pride ourselves on creating a happy workplace because it’s our partners who make the difference and it’s thanks to them that John Lewis and Waitrose are two of the UK’s best-loved brands.
“We are looking forward to welcoming people across the country to grow our team and ensure we deliver a great Christmas for our customers.”
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Supermarket giant boss has calls on the government for immediate action
Amid the cost of living crisis, the managing director for Iceland said the government need to take radical action.
Richard Walker told the Observer: “This is absolutely urgent.
“I’ll happily share our data and findings with [the business department] and with the Treasury.
Let’s get a plan up and ready for whoever the next prime minister is, because it really is urgent.
“Where markets dislocate completely, like they have with the energy markets, it’s time for the government to step in, otherwise what are they for?”
-
Here are the energy operators offering support this winter
As bills continue to skyrocket, energy suppliers are offering help to struggling Brits.
To check if your energy operator is offering a support scheme, either contact them or check the list below.
-
Are you eligible for the £150 disability payment?
The one-off cash payment will start being paid to roughly six million people from September 20.
If you claim any of these, you should be eligible:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
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Germany unveils €65bn plan to solve cost of living crisis
It is not just Britain being gripped by a worsening cost of living crisis, with European countries being gripped by rising bills.
Yesterday, Germany announced a €65bn package to help its citizens.
The package will be paid for by a tax on electricity companies, and a 15% cooperation tax.
-
How to apply for Universal Credit
Universal Credit can net single Brits up to £334 and couples over £520 per month.
You can apply for Universal Credit online by creating an account on the gov.uk website.
You will need to provide your bank details, a form of identity, evidence of how much you make (if anything) and what your outgoings are (like rent).
You will then need to attend a meeting at Jobcentre Plus.
-
More than ‘two people every minute’ contacting Citizens Advice
Brits are desperately contacting Citizens Advice, as they look to find solutions to the cost of living crisis.
Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “On a daily basis our advisers raise red flags about the situations people are facing: those who are terminally ill and unable to heat their homes, parents going days without food to feed their kids and people unable to afford the bus fare to get to a food or school uniform bank.
“They describe helping people during this crisis as trying to hold back the tide with a bucket.
“The cost of living crisis is the single biggest problem facing us and the new prime minister. Every day that passes without a lifeline being thrown is another day without reassurance for those who are already struggling to stay afloat.”
-
Liz Truss considering £100bn bill freeze, reports claim
Following the announcement that Liz Truss will be Britain’s next PM, reports have emerged that she plans a dramatic solution to the cost of living crisis.
It can be revealed she is looking at freezing the wholesale cost of gas produced in Britain to force energy companies to sell it at a loss and drive down bills.
This would reportedly cost an eye-watering £100bn, as the government desperately looks for solutions to the growing crisis.
-
How else can I save when shopping at Aldi?
Every two weeks, Aldi picks six of its favourites to offer to shoppers at low prices.
Right now, for example, you can get cucumbers, apples, pears and tomatoes each for 59p a pack.
You can also get oranges and potatoes for just 79p a pack in this leg of the fortnightly offer.
Each of the fruits and veggies are usually 95p a pack, so shoppers can save up to 36p during the limited run this time around.
The prices don’t change over the two weeks that the offer is live so really you can cash in at any time – though what’s on offer will change every fortnight.
But if you want to be sure to get the best of the bunch, then heading to the store at the start of the week to pick the freshest items won’t hurt.
-
Tip to save money on your game console’s energy bills
A Twitter user has revealed one key tip to save money on your game console’s energy footprint this winter.
On its default setting, an Xbox Series X will reportedly cost you £132 a year while on standby.
According to Twitter user Alex Hern, this can be solved by changing the default setting to “energy saver” in the console’s options menu.
-
John Lewis to offer free food to staff this Christmas
In an attempt to help its employees this Christmas, the high street chain will over 4,000 seasonal staff members free meals.
Andrew Murphy, chief operations officer at John Lewis, said: “We pride ourselves on creating a happy workplace because it’s our partners who make the difference and it’s thanks to them that John Lewis and Waitrose are two of the UK’s best-loved brands.
“We are looking forward to welcoming people across the country to grow our team and ensure we deliver a great Christmas for our customers.”
-
Supermarket giant boss has calls on the government for immediate action
Amid the cost of living crisis, the managing director for Iceland said the government need to take radical action.
Richard Walker told the Observer: “This is absolutely urgent.
“I’ll happily share our data and findings with [the business department] and with the Treasury.
Let’s get a plan up and ready for whoever the next prime minister is, because it really is urgent.
“Where markets dislocate completely, like they have with the energy markets, it’s time for the government to step in, otherwise what are they for?”
-
Here are the energy operators offering support this winter
As bills continue to skyrocket, energy suppliers are offering help to struggling Brits.
To check if your energy operator is offering a support scheme, either contact them or check the list below.
-
Are you eligible for the £150 disability payment?
The one-off cash payment will start being paid to roughly six million people from September 20.
If you claim any of these, you should be eligible:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
-
Germany unveils €65bn plan to solve cost of living crisis
It is not just Britain being gripped by a worsening cost of living crisis, with European countries being gripped by rising bills.
Today, Germany announced a €65bn package to help its citizens.
The package will be paid for by a tax on electricity companies, and a 15% cooperation tax.
-
How to apply for Universal Credit
Universal Credit can net single Brits up to £334 and couples over £520 per month.
You can apply for Universal Credit online by creating an account on the gov.uk website.
You will need to provide your bank details, a form of identity, evidence of how much you make (if anything) and what your outgoings are (like rent).
You will then need to attend a meeting at Jobcentre Plus.
-
More than ‘two people every minute’ contacting Citizens Advice
Brits are desperately contacting Citizens Advice, as they look to find solutions to the cost of living crisis.
Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “On a daily basis our advisers raise red flags about the situations people are facing: those who are terminally ill and unable to heat their homes, parents going days without food to feed their kids and people unable to afford the bus fare to get to a food or school uniform bank.
“They describe helping people during this crisis as trying to hold back the tide with a bucket.
“The cost of living crisis is the single biggest problem facing us and the new prime minister. Every day that passes without a lifeline being thrown is another day without reassurance for those who are already struggling to stay afloat.”
-
Liz Truss considering £100bn bill freeze, reports claim
Following the announcement that Liz Truss will be Britain’s next PM, reports have emerged that she plans a dramatic solution to the cost of living crisis.
It can be revealed she is looking at freezing the wholesale cost of gas produced in Britain to force energy companies to sell it at a loss and drive down bills.
This would reportedly cost an eye-watering £100bn, as the government desperately looks for solutions to the growing crisis.
-
What you need to know about Cost of Living payments
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What has Liz Truss said about the cost of living crisis?
Following the announcement today that Liz Truss would be Britain’s next PM, she promised to work to end the cost of living crisis.
“I will deliver on the energy crisis dealing with people’s energy bills, but also dealing with the long-term issues we have on energy supply,” she said.
This comes as a number of reports claim she is considering an energy bill freeze in the coming months.
