Helen Knapman

News & Investigations Editor

Latest from Helen Knapman

NS&I to increase Premium Bond prize rate to 4% – here's all you need to know

NS&I to increase Premium Bond prize rate to 4% – here's all you need to know

NS&I will increase its Premium Bond prize-fund rate to 4% from 3.7% for its August 2023 draw and beyond, with an extra £30 million in prizes up for grabs.

11 July 2023

Budget 2023: Martin Lewis rounds up today's key announcements and what they mean for your finances

Budget 2023: Martin Lewis rounds up today's key announcements and what they mean for your finances

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced major changes to childcare support, pensions and benefits in his 2023 Spring Budget.

17 March 2023

Budget 2023: Energy Price Guarantee to remain at £2,500 in win for Martin Lewis and MSE – here's what it means for your bills

Budget 2023: Energy Price Guarantee to remain at £2,500 in win for Martin Lewis and MSE – here's what it means for your bills

The announcement follows a month-long campaign led by Martin Lewis, which has been backed by 130 charities and consumer organisations.

15 March 2023

Sainsbury's 'technical error' leaves disgruntled supermarket shoppers without bonus Nectar points worth up to £25

Sainsbury's 'technical error' leaves disgruntled supermarket shoppers without bonus Nectar points worth up to £25

Unhappy Sainsbury's shoppers say the supermarket failed to issue them with vouchers for bonus Nectar points worth up to £25 over the weekend - despite them meeting the minimum spend required.

8 February 2023

Sainsbury's shopper? You can get up to £25 in bonus Nectar points – but there are some catches

Sainsbury's shopper? You can get up to £25 in bonus Nectar points – but there are some catches

Nectar cardholders can get between 50 and 5,000 extra points, worth 25p to £25, when shopping at Sainsbury's this Saturday (4 February). But you'll need to spend at least £20 at a larger story to qualify.

7 February 2023

Martin Lewis: Outdated LISA rules COSTING first-time buyers and need a radical overhaul

Martin Lewis: Outdated LISA rules COSTING first-time buyers and need a radical overhaul

Change is needed to help half a million younger people with Lifetime ISAs as many risk lock-out and £1,000+ in fines to get their money back.

22 January 2023

Joules falls into administration - your refund and shopping rights

Joules falls into administration - your refund and shopping rights

If you're a Joules shopper, we've rounded-up your refund and shopping rights below as the retailer has officially fallen into administration. Joules has appointed Interpath Advisory to handle the process, though it is continuing to remain open and to trade, albeit on revised terms, while a buyer is sought.

6 December 2022

Chancellor's Autumn Statement 2022: Martin Lewis's instant reaction to tax changes, state pension rises and further cost of living help

Chancellor's Autumn Statement 2022: Martin Lewis's instant reaction to tax changes, state pension rises and further cost of living help

The measures come as part of today's Autumn Statement, which also contains major changes to the Government's energy support package.

17 November 2022

Swap Avios to Nectar before 16 November as the value of points is set to plummet - here's what you need to know

Swap Avios to Nectar before 16 November as the value of points is set to plummet - here's what you need to know

Avios collectors planning to convert their rewards currency into Nectar points should do so before 16 November when the value of the conversion is set to plummet.

3 November 2022

Chancellor's emergency fiscal budget – Jeremy Hunt scales back energy support and reverses tax reforms: Here's what you need to know

Chancellor's emergency fiscal budget – Jeremy Hunt scales back energy support and reverses tax reforms: Here's what you need to know

New Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has reversed a host of tax reforms and drastically scaled back energy help previously announced in September's mini-budget.

18 October 2022

Martin Lewis' round-up of the new £2,500 energy price cap – here's what's happening

Martin Lewis' round-up of the new £2,500 energy price cap – here's what's happening

Energy bills will be capped at £2,500 a year for a typical household from 1 October 2022 for the next two winters, Prime Minister Liz Truss has announced. A £400 energy rebate will also continue to be paid as planned from October.

12 September 2022

Lloyds Banking Group to close a further 66 branches from October - here's the full list, plus alternative options

Lloyds Banking Group to close a further 66 branches from October - here's the full list, plus alternative options

Lloyds Banking Group has announced more bank branch closures with a further 66 outlets set to close across England, Northern Ireland, and Wales between October 2022 and February 2023.

25 July 2022

Watch Martin Lewis's Q&A with Rishi Sunak on the new cost of living support package – plus more info on today's announcement

Watch Martin Lewis's Q&A with Rishi Sunak on the new cost of living support package – plus more info on today's announcement

Martin puts his, MSE users' and his social media followers' questions to Rishi Sunak following today's announcement of a new cost of living crisis support package.

28 June 2022

Sweeping proposals designed to help people on to the property ladder announced by the Prime Minister – here's what you need to know

Sweeping proposals designed to help people on to the property ladder announced by the Prime Minister – here's what you need to know

Sweeping changes designed to get more people onto the property ladder, have been announced by the Prime Minister today (9 June).

9 June 2022

HSBC cuts branch opening hours as it makes Covid timetable permanent - here's what it means for you

HSBC cuts branch opening hours as it makes Covid timetable permanent - here's what it means for you

HSBC has today (1 June) made its temporary Covid-19 opening hours permanent across its UK branch network. The move means a cut to some hours based on their pre-Covid levels.

1 June 2022

Easyjet or Ryanair passenger? You can claim a refund and £100s in compensation if you're wrongly told your passport isn't valid

Easyjet or Ryanair passenger? You can claim a refund and £100s in compensation if you're wrongly told your passport isn't valid

Some EasyJet and Ryanair passengers have wrongly been told at the departure gate that they can't board flights because their passports are invalid. If you've been incorrectly turned away but your passport is fit for travel, here's how to get a full refund and £100s in compensation on top. Plus, we confirm the passport rules for European travel.

13 May 2022