MILLIONS of Brits are eligible for a free £150 bill discount this winter, as the cost of living continues to rise.
The Warm Home Discount, which is designed to help Brits on lower incomes keep their homes heated during the winter, will be sent automatically to all those who claimed certain benefits on or before Sunday, August 21.
The payment, which will likely arrive in early December, will be made by energy companies to struggling Brits who need to heat their homes.
To qualify, you will need to have claimed one of the following benefits; Income support, Income based jobseeker’s allowance, Income related employment and support allowance, Housing benefit, Universal credit, Child tax credit, Working tax credits, Pension credit guaranteed and Pension credit savings credit – with the cold weather payment also available to those who need it.
Meanwhile Martin Lewis this week urged anyone aged 45 to 70 to find out if they can boost their state pension up to £5,800 – but you need to act quickly as this perk of the scheme ends in April 2023.
Read our cost of living live blog below for the latest updates…
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Firework displays cancelled across the UK due to costs
It has been reported that events have been cancelled this year as local councils cut back on costs.
Manchester Councillor Lee Ann Igbon announced that its firework display has been cancelled.
According to InYourArea, she said: “It is with great reluctance that we’re announcing that council-organised bonfire events will not be taking place this year.
“Manchester is one of the only major cities that continues to host council-organised firework and bonfire events.”
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What is the pension triple lock?
There have been many talks about the pension triple lock, but what exactly is it?
The pension triple lock is a policy implemented by the government that protects people’s pensions from being impacted by any rise in the cost of living.
It imposes, that the pension must rise by any of which the average earnings or inflation or 2.5% is the highest.
The three rates are normally looked over in September and then the rise is made in April.
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Gender pay gap rises in 2022
The gender pay gap has widened in 2022, according to new statistics.
The gap between men and women is highest in those over 40.
People between 40 and 49 had a 10.9 per cent pay gap.
Meanwhile, those under 40 had a much smaller 3.2 per cent gap.
David Freeman, of the Office for National Statistics, said: “The gender pay gap is now some way below where it was before the pandemic.
“Although it’s up on the last two years, those figures were distorted by the effects of Covid-19, so it’s better to look at longer-term trends.”
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How much does your dishwasher cost to run?
Brits are looking for ways to cut back on bills this winter, so every saving helps.
With that in mind, how much does a dishwasher take to run?
Well, standard dishwashers use between 1.2kWh and 1.5kWh per load, according to research by Compare The Market.
This comes to around 27p under the current Energy Price Guarantee.
It is important to remember that new dishwashers are often more cost-effective.
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Families aren’t eating together as costs soar
According to a new report, families aren’t sitting down together for dinner, due to the soaring cost of living.
A poll of 1,050 families who collectively earn below £25,000 a year found they worry about not having enough food at home as often as three times a week.
Lindsay Boswell, FareShare chief executive, said: “The research shows that many families are not eating together due to worries about cost and we know that the rise in the cost of living means more people will be turning to local charities this winter.
“The food we provide does not just alleviate hunger, eating meals together helps people build relationships and tackles issues such as loneliness and mental well-being.
“The money raised by Crockpot will help us to continue to support nearly 9,500 charities providing care and support in their local communities so hopefully fewer families will be worrying about putting food on the table.”
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Use an electric blanket to save on heating bills
Energy bills went up at the start of the month, despite the government’s Energy Price Guarantee.
So, if you are looking for ways to save on bills, an electric blanket could be the way to go.
Using one of these handy appliances will set you back 24p an hour, or, if you use it an hour per day, £12.48 per year.
Overall, while it isn’t a free way to stay warm, using an electric blanket instead of turning the heating up could still save you cash off your bill this winter.
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Are you eligible for the 2022 Christmas bonus?
Millions of Brits could be eligible for the £10 Christmas bonus.
To get the automatic payment, you will need to be in the UK during the first full week of December (5th to 11th) and claim at least one of the following benefits:
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Child Disability Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim)
- Disability Living Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
- Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)
- Mobility Supplement
- Pension Credit – the guarantee element
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
- Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
- Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- War Disablement Pension at State Pension age
- War Widow’s Pension
- Widowed Mother’s Allowance
- Widowed Parent’s Allowance
- Widow’s Pension
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What is the pension triple lock?
There have been many talks about the pension triple lock, but what exactly is it?
The pension triple lock is a policy implemented by the government that protects people’s pensions from being impacted by any rise in the cost of living.
It imposes, that the pension must rise by any of which the average earnings or inflation or 2.5% is the highest.
The three rates are normally looked over in September and then the rise is made in April.
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ANOTHER free day out for the kids this Autumn
We’ve got you covered if you are looking for a cheap day out with the kids this half term.
Children love finding creepy crawlies and it is a great way to get them to interact with the environment.
Go for a walk through your local park or woods and you can whittle away hours looking in the mud for slugs and worms — or under logs and leaves for spiders and beetles.
For more cheap days out, click here.
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Air fryers are a great way to save as the cost of living rises
Air fryers are much cheaper to run than ovens, according to experts at Uswitch.
Per meal, a standard air fryer costs 10p.
So if you used an air fryer five days a week for a year, that would cost a total of £26.52.
In comparison, an oven will run you back 71p an hour, a much bigger outgoing.
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Gender pay gap rises in 2022
The gender pay gap has widened in 2022, according to new statistics.
The gap between men and women is highest in those over 40.
People between 40 and 49 had a 10.9 per cent pay gap.
Meanwhile, those under 40 had a much smaller 3.2 per cent gap.
David Freeman, of the Office for National Statistics, said: “The gender pay gap is now some way below where it was before the pandemic.
“Although it’s up on the last two years, those figures were distorted by the effects of Covid-19, so it’s better to look at longer-term trends.”
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How much does your dishwasher cost to run?
Brits are looking for ways to cut back on bills this winter, so every saving helps.
With that in mind, how much does a dishwasher take to run?
Well, standard dishwashers use between 1.2kWh and 1.5kWh per load, according to research by Compare The Market.
This comes to around 27p under the current Energy Price Guarantee.
It is important to remember that new dishwashers are often more cost-effective.
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What appliances to switch off during planned blackouts?
With Brits possibly facing planned blackouts this winter, here is which appliances you should switch off before hand.
Non-essential appliances like TVs and cookers should be unplugged.
This is so that when the power comes back, the surge of electricity doesn’t fry the circuit.
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Martin Lewis urges women to check if they’re owed thousands in pension funds
The Money Saving Expert said up to 230,000 women could be missing thousands after a government IT failure.
If you reached the state pension age before April 2016, Martin says you should check if you’re due a payout in the latest weekly newsletter.
Women over 80 could be owed around £6,000, click here to find out how you can get your money back.
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House prices could fall by 8% next year, warns bank
Property prices could drop by a significant amount, forecasts Lloyds Banking Group.
It is thought that next year, house prices could drop by as much as eight per cent, and remain stagnant for the following four years.
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Train ticket avoiders to be fined extra
The fee for not buying a train ticket is increasing.
For those who don’t buy a train ticket and are caught, the fee has risen to £100.
Currently the fee is only £20, but a whopping £80 will be added by January 2023.
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University of Warwick pledges £3.5 million to help with the cost of living
The University offered the package to help students of low income families, and workers.
Bursary students will see a 10 per cent increase, and those working for the University will get a cost of living payment of £550 in January.
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Which benefits must rise in line with inflation?
The following nine benefits are legally required to have their payments rise with the previous September’s rate of inflation each April:
Each of the above benefits are expected to rise by 10.1% from April 2023, though the government has yet to confirm that.
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Putin could skip G20 in Indonesia
The Kremlin leader said he would send officials in his place if he is unable to attend the summit.
Scheduled for the 15 to the 16 November, it is not clear yet whether Putin will attend in person.
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Charity warns of of ‘two-tier’ university system
This comes after the cost of living crisis adds extra “stress” for many students who are struggling.
“It’s never been a level playing field,” Sarah Atkinson, announced the chief executive of The Social Mobility Foundation.
“But we’re looking at a two-tier system for this cohort,” she said.
The charity conducted a survey of 1,819 students and found almost hald of students from poorer backgrounds consider getting a job.
Only a third of students who weren’t struggling financially, would consider getting a job, reported the BBC.
Those who were feeling the additional financial stress, were suffering with their grades, the study suggested.
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University of Manchester staff to receive £1,000 cost of living payment
Staff of the University will receive the payment which will be split into two instalments.
The payment is for those earning between £19,838 per annum up to £71,644.
Professors, earning £80,000 to just under £100,000, won’t be eligible for the payment,” reports Mancunion.
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Firework displays cancelled across the UK due to costs
It has been reported that events have been cancelled this year as local councils cut back on costs.
Manchester Councillor Lee Ann Igbon announced that its firework display has been cancelled.
According to InYourArea, she said: “It is with great reluctance that we’re announcing that council-organised bonfire events will not be taking place this year.
“Manchester is one of the only major cities that continues to host council-organised firework and bonfire events.”
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Top tricks on drying bed sheets without using the tumble dryer
Georgia Metcalfe, founder of online bedroom retailer French Bedroom, has shared the advice as we head towards colder months.
She explained how sheets can dry effectively inside and smell nice as well as how to prevent mould when doing so, all whilst lowering bills.
Georgia explains that the best way to dry sheets indoors is to hang them on bannisters.
She said: “Bedding needs a large surface area to dry quickly so drape wet sheets around the bannister to maximise indoor space and allow the fabric to breathe.
“Many will use an airer, but these can be too small to work efficiently for large sheets.
“You could also create a beautiful scent by using lavender fabric softener in the washing machine as this will act as a diffuser whilst the sheets dry.”
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Latest on pensions triple lock
The new Conservative Party Chairman told Sky News this morning he understands pensioners are “uniquely unable to work”.
But the minister added he “can’t pre-empt” any of the measures coming up in the Autumn Budget.
The popular triple lock sees pension payments increase in line with whichever of the following is highest:
- Earnings – the average percentage growth in wages in Great Britain
- Prices – the rising cost of living in the UK, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI)
- 2.5%
Yesterday, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt made a bombshell announcement that the government’s Halloween mini budget will be delayed until November 17.
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Interest rates could rise next week
The Bank of England could be set to raise interest rates next week, by 75 basis points to 3%.
This planned hike is meant to encourage people to save, rather than spend, which in theory should help bring rampant inflation under control.
Reports suggest interest rates could hit 5% in a matter of months.
