Universal Credit
Budget 2023: Childcare support to be boosted for children from nine months and for parents on universal credit – here's what you need to know
The announcements form a package of new measures designed to help parents, revealed by the Chancellor in today's Budget.
22 March 2023
State pensions could rise 10.1% from April as Prime Minister 'committed' to the triple lock - though no certainty over benefits rise
Millions claiming the state pension or benefits could receive a 10.1% increase in payments from April next year. However, the Government has yet to confirm whether this will be the case or whether pension and benefit payments will rise by a different amount.
25 October 2022
Vodafone launches cheapest broadband tariff for households on benefits - here's how it compares
Vodafone has launched a £12 a month social tariff called 'Vodafone Essentials Broadband' for those receiving universal credit and other support payments. It is the cheapest social tariff on the market.
21 October 2022
More than seven million people now struggling to pay their bills - here's the help you can get if you're facing financial difficulty
Almost eight million people in the UK are currently struggling to pay their bills, according to the financial regulator. If you are facing financial difficulty, we explain how to check if you're eligible for support and how to try and cut costs and save on essential bills.
21 October 2022
Universal credit rule change to put tens of thousands of people at risk of having benefits cut – here's what you need to know
More than 100,000 people claiming universal credit will be asked to "take active steps" to increase the hours they work or find better paid jobs – or face having their benefits reduced.
22 September 2022
Children in Wales in reception, year one and year two to get free school meals by April 2023 - here's all you need to know
All reception year schoolchildren in Wales will start receiving free meals from September this year, with pupils in year one and year two to get free meals by April 2023, the Welsh Government has announced. It's expected that all 200,000 primary school children in Wales will receive free school meals by 2024.
7 September 2022
More than 2.5 million people to be moved onto universal credit from today, leaving 900,000 worse off - here's all you need to know
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.
9 May 2022
Universal credit and other benefits to rise from today - how to check you're not missing out
Millions of people will see a slight increase to their benefit payments starting from this month. Benefits such as universal credit, child benefits and state pension payments will see a rise. Here’s everything you need to know.
11 April 2022
Martin Lewis: Up to 7 million missing out on benefits they're entitled to - are you?
Up to seven million people in the UK are missing out on benefits they're entitled to, according to MSE founder Martin Lewis in the latest episode of his ITV show.
24 January 2022
Autumn Budget 2021: Universal Credit cash boost confirmed for millions of workers but £20 uplift won't return
The taper rate, which is the amount Universal Credit payments are reduced by when you're in work, will fall from 63% to 55%.
27 October 2021
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22 March 2023
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New cost of living payments to start on 25 April – here's who qualifies, how much you'll get and if you need to apply
27 March 2023![]()
Millions of the UK's poorest households will start to receive the first third of their £900 cost of living payment from 25 April, the Government has confirmed today. Here's all you need to know on whether you're eligible and when you'll get your payment. -
Ovo launches one-year fixed tariff – Martin Lewis gives his quick analysis on if it's worth considering
27 March 2023![]()
Almost every household has been charged the same price for their energy over the last year under the Energy Price Cap (EPC) and the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG), with no cheaper fixed deals to switch to. That has now changed, with Ovo launching a one-year fix for existing customers that undercuts the EPG level of £2,500 a year. -
Barclays to shut 14 more branches in yet another round of closures – here's the full list, plus alternatives
27 March 2023![]()
The latest closures now mean Barclays will close at least 55 branches by the end of the year. -
BT customers 'forced into overdrafts' after duplicate payment error - here's what you need to know
24 March 2023![]()
BT customers have complained that they've been forced into overdrafts after payments were wrongly taken twice this month. The telecommunications giant said it will refund any duplicate payments taken automatically. -
Martin Lewis: Four urgent ways you may be due £1,000s in tax back – if you're married, had a PPI payout, wear a work uniform or even just pay tax
23 March 2023![]()
If you're married or in a civil partnership, have ever had a PPI payout, wear a uniform to work or pay any income tax, you could be due £100s or even £1,000s in tax back – but you'll need to check urgently.
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Martin Lewis: Is it time to ban unnecessary Christmas presents?
5 December 2022![]()
Update September 2017: It’s eight years since I first braved this subject, expecting a snowstorm of protest. Instead, year after year more join in, like Julia who recently tweeted me, “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told my family I can’t afford Christmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.” One year even the Archbishop of... -
Martin Lewis: The one thing everyone aged over 66 needs to know
29 November 2022![]()
It is a national tragedy that getting on for a million pensioners, many of whom have been paying into the system for years, are missing out on a critical boost to their income. It's called pension credit, and this year it also means you get an extra £650 to help with energy bills.
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