Family & Health

Thousands of public sector workers in England could soon see their redundancy packages cut under new rules set out by the Government that will see additional "special severance payments" (SSPs) drastically reduced. Here is all you need to know.

Renters in England can no longer be evicted for no reason under a new bill introduced by the Government this week – though the rules are yet to take effect. The Renters Reform Bill will also see the introduction of an ombudsman for private tenants among other measures.

More than 2.5 million people on legacy benefits will start to be moved over to universal credit from today in an automatic process that was previously halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Government's own figures show that the move could leave 900,000 people worse off – though many others will see their circumstances improved. Here's all you need to know.

Prospective university and college students who plan to go through a process known as 'clearing' to get onto a course should not wait for their exam results before applying for student finance. The Student Loans Company (SLC) says people should instead apply as soon as possible. Students who've already been offered a place but have yet to apply for funding should also do so now.

The price of the cheapest sanitary pads sold by major retailers and supermarkets - a 10-pack of Tesco Essentials maxi towels - has almost doubled since this time last year, MoneySavingExpert.com can reveal. The hike is a blow to those trying to keep costs down as the cost of living soars but there are still ways you can save.

Low-income households eligible for the Government's Healthy Start vouchers have just a few days to apply for a prepaid card to avoid missing out on payments. The existing paper vouchers are being phased out this month and families and expectant mothers must switch to the new system to continue to get help with food and milk costs.

More than one million people in England missed out on average savings of £40 in the 12 months to April 2021 because they did not use a prescription 'season ticket', according to data from our Freedom of Information request. These certificates typically offer savings to users who pay for more than one prescription a month. 

Households who signed up for an annual subscription to Disney+ before 23 February 2021 will see their bills increase by £20 from this month. Instead of continuing to pay £59.99 a year, these customers will now be billed £79.90 a year. Below is all you need to know and what you can do about it.

The coronavirus pandemic fundamentally changed the way we live. While the primary concern has always been health, many have struggled - and are still struggling - with financial wellbeing too. Wide-ranging payment holiday help was put in place, but those schemes have now ended. 'Tailored help' is now the order of the day. Our guide tells you what help's still available and how to apply.

Households across the country are set to face an income hit of £1,200 a year due to rising energy prices, tax increases and wage stagnation, according to a report by the think tank Resolution Foundation.