Money saving

The next prime minister is facing calls to immediately increase Universal Credit payments to stop vulnerable people spiralling further into poverty when fuel bills increase again this winter. The poorest in society are suffering three major blows to their income in the year to October 2022, according to a report commissioned by former prime minister Gordon Brown. As well as losing the £20-a-week uplift to Universal Credit, benefits are failing to keep up with inflation - and a jump in the energy price cap is expected this autumn. It means some families are up to £1,600-a-year worse off because of the cost of living crisis - even after government help is taken into account. Poverty expert Professor Donald Hirsch, who wrote the report, says the package of measures offered by the government falls far short of what low income households need - and urgent action is required. Advertisement He told Sky News that "exceptional measures" are needed, like an … [Read more...] about Calls for emergency increase to Universal Credit as report finds some families £1,600 worse off

Liz Truss was not ruling out future cost of living support when she said she would reject "handouts", her supporters have said, with prominent backer Penny Mordaunt claiming the comments were "misinterpreted". Leadership rival Rishi Sunak attacked the comments saying the foreign secretary needs to "get real", while claiming her plan to cut taxes immediately will do little to help the most vulnerable. But Penny Mordaunt , who is backing Ms Truss to become the next prime minister after her own leadership bid failed, claimed on Sky News that her remarks had been "misinterpreted". Ms Truss told the Financial Times that as prime minister she would "look at what more can be done" to help families facing spiralling fuel bills. But she added: "The way I would do things is in a Conservative way of lowering the tax burden, not giving out handouts." Advertisement Ms Mordaunt insisted Ms Truss was making a "general point about the merits of enabling … [Read more...] about Liz Truss ‘misinterpreted’ over ‘no handouts’ remark, her supporters say

CHEESE is a delicious fridge staple that many of us Brits will often buy on our weekly food shop. But if you store cheese incorrectly or leave it in your fridge for too long, it can quickly go mouldy. But thanks to one chef, there’s a simple hack to prevent cheese from going mouldy, making it last up to four times longer. According to Kathleen Ashmore, it turns out that we’ve been storing our cheese all wrong. And yes, if you use it and then put it straight back in the fridge, in the plastic wrapper it came in, we’re talking to you. Kat, known as ‘ katcancook ’ took to TikTok to share her cheese storage hack. Read more food hacks SWEET RELIEF I’m a grandma-of-8 & you’re making brownies wrong…everyone loves my hack MEATY REVELATION You’ve been cooking your steak wrong - this hack will make it taste great She dubbed the video "cheese storage 101" and showed exactly how people could prolong the … [Read more...] about I’m a chef and you’ve been storing cheese all wrong – this hack stops it going mouldy & makes it last four times longer

AN expert has shared the list of jobs to do in your kitchen before going on holiday - these will avoid a common disaster. As holiday season has begun, many will travel lovers will be heading off to soak up some sun and enjoy a well-deserved break. However, before you leave to hop on the plane, it is crucial to ensure the house has been properly prepared to avoid any mishaps and unpleasant surprises on your return. Here, one expert, Lizzie Beesley, kitchen specialist from Magnet , emphasised that kitchen is the one area in the house that requires pre-holiday prep the most. Speaking to The Express , she said: ''Whilst it’s important to ensure the security and state of your whole home, it’s the kitchen that calls for the most amount of pre-travel prep to ensure your mind is at rest on holiday and is ready for a blissful homecoming.” Many will be familiar with the classic and the more common security advice, for example, locking the windows and ensuring the doors and shut … [Read more...] about Nine things to do in your kitchen before going on holiday – it will avoid a common disaster

By Malu Cursino Published 49 minutes ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown has called for an emergency budget before the UK hits a "financial timebomb" this autumn. Mr Brown said millions would be pushed "over the edge" if the government does not address the cost of living crisis. Conservative leadership rivals Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak have clashed over how they will address high inflation. He wants them to agree an emergency budget with PM Boris Johnson this week, or for parliament to be recalled. Writing in the Observer , Mr Brown said: "The reality is grim and undeniable: a financial timebomb will explode for families in October as a second round of fuel price rises in six months sends shock waves through every household and pushes millions over the edge." A new report commissioned by Mr Brown, carried out by … [Read more...] about Gordon Brown demands emergency budget before ‘financial timebomb’

Published 20 July Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Three bereaved fathers who have raised almost £1m for a suicide charity are to take on an even bigger challenge. Andy Airey, Mike Palmer and Tim Owen, known as 3 Dads Walking, caught the attention of Hollywood star Daniel Craig with a 300-mile walk last year. The trio from Morland in Cumbria, Sale in Greater Manchester and Shouldham in Norfolk all lost daughters to suicide. Now they plan to visit all of the parliaments in the UK during a month-long, 600-mile fundraising trek. They hope their latest challenge will encourage the inclusion of compulsory age-appropriate lessons on suicide awareness on the curriculum to help children to talk about their emotions. The men did not know each other before their daughters died. At the school Mr Owen's daughter, Emily, attended in Downham Market, suicide has been … [Read more...] about Three Dads Walking: Trio announce UK-wide challenge

A Whanganui councillor says reporting back to council on the Whanganui port upgrade Te Pūwaha is inadequate and he’s calling for more accountability and transparency. Councillor Rob Vinsen has asked for more information on the project and its budget. “What I’m particularly interested in is what the ratepayer is paying, how it’s being accounted for, who it’s going to and whether it’s on budget. It’s very difficult to understand,” he told a meeting of Whanganui District Council this week. In particular, he questioned the cost of Te Mata Pūau, a group representing local hapū and leading community engagement for Te Pūwaha, including running inductions for workers and consultants. READ MORE: Whanganui port project could use dredged material to create community space Climate change approach tips balance for NZ’s only Smart City ‘Mammoth task’: River tribes launch $7.86m river restoration plan Vinsen said the council was paying $300,000 toward Te Mata Pūau, with … [Read more...] about Councillor demands answers on Whanganui port project budget