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Cost of living crisis help

Cost of living crisis help

Latest cost of living news...

All London primary age children to get free school meals again from this September – here's what you need to know

Every primary age child in London will get free school meals again in the 2024/2025 academic year, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has confirmed. Here's what you need to know.
Real living wage to rise to at least £12 an hour

Over 460,000 workers in the UK are set to see their hourly rate rise by 10% due increase in the real living wage; a voluntary employers' pay scheme that's based on the cost of living.
Urgent: On non-smart prepay for energy? You have until 30 June to use or lose your £400 Government help vouchers

Over 1.7 million vouchers (15%) – worth over £110 million in total – have yet to be redeemed, according to the latest official statistics.
On universal credit and struggling to pay your mortgage? Check if you can get help with the interest as Government scheme is expanded

An extra 200,000 homeowners on universal credit are now eligible for state help with their mortgage repayments as changes to the 'support for mortgage interest' scheme have kicked in on 3 April.
Live in Northern Ireland, in a park home or use alternative fuel? Here's everything you need to know about energy grant payments in 2023

More than a million households - including those in Northern Ireland, living in park homes or using alternative fuels - that have been waiting for energy support payments have now finally started to receive them.

Live in Scotland? Check you're not missing out on a FREE £150 towards your energy bills

Scottish households on certain benefits can get £150 off their energy bills under the Warm Home Discount scheme – but, unlike in England and Wales, many in Scotland still need to apply. Here's how to check if you're eligible.
Council tax to rise for millions from 1 April with most facing 5% hikes – here's what's happening

Council tax bills will increase for millions of people in England from 1 April, with the majority of local authorities set to hike rates by 5% – though in some cases bills will rise by up to 15%.
Warm Home Discount: Minister promises to look at complaints after MSE identifies 10,000s may be falling through eligibility cracks

Tens of thousands of financially vulnerable people are likely slipping through eligibility cracks in the £150 Warm Home Discount support scheme, according to MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE).
Energy suppliers are paying households up to £100 to cut electricity use at peak times this winter – here's how it works and how to sign up

Over a million households and businesses have joined energy firm schemes offering to pay people for cutting their usage at peak times this winter. We explain how these schemes work, which energy suppliers are offering them and how you can sign up.
Martin Lewis: Wholesale energy rates have plummeted and there are lots of myths about it – here's how it'll impact your energy bills

MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis looks at why energy bills continue to rise despite falls in the price of wholesale gas. In the latest episode of ITV's The Martin Lewis Money Show Live (watch the full episode) Martin also looks at what's in store for energy bills for the rest of 2023.
More cost of living payments of up to £1,350 to be paid after 5 April - here's what you need to know

Millions of struggling households will receive additional 'cost of living' payments in 2023 and 2024, with the first set of cash to be paid after 6 April, the Government has today confirmed.
Energy grants worth millions of pounds are STILL available to help you pay your energy bills – check what your supplier is offering

Struggling to pay energy bills? Check if you can get a grant worth £1,000s from your supplier – plus how to apply.

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Cost of living crisis help

With soaring energy and fuel bills, as well as rising interest rates, the cost of living crisis is now biting. This page has our latest help, from what to do about energy bills to how to budget and how to get free or cheap food, and everything in between. Yet, a good place to start is to check you're receiving all the benefits you're entitled to. Once that's done, use the Money Makeover to ensure your bills are as cheap as they can possibly be.

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Updated 12 October 2023 | Created 12 September 2019