Government’s Help to Save scheme now open to 550,000 more people to help with cost of living · Those saving £50 a month can expect £25 Government top-up, putting more money in people’s pockets · Part of Government’s mission to grow the economy and deliver on our Plan for ChangeContinue Reading
As Easter approaches, thousands of families will benefit from early payments for Child Benefit and Universal Credit, among other benefits. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming changes to your payment dates. Key Points: With Easter on the horizon, many are gearing up for Easter eggs, extended breaks,Continue Reading
NatWest has issued an urgent call to action for customers to secure a £150 bonus payment by switching to the bank’s Reward account. Currently, NatWest is offering the £150 reward when customers switch their current account from a non-NatWest provider to a NatWest Reward account using the Current Account SwitchContinue Reading
Thousands of people across the UK who claim Universal Credit may be entitled to up to £546.10 in additional support this month through various government-backed discounts and one-off payments. Universal Credit, administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is designed to support individuals and families on low incomes.Continue Reading
Economic survey results released today (11 April) by the North East Chamber of Commerce show a picture of cautious optimism among the region’s businesses, with key indicators improving after a challenging Q4. However, the outlook is being clouded by growing concern about the impact of new US tariffs, which couldContinue Reading
Officers are urging the public to remain vigilant after three suspected parcel fraudsters have been arrested across the region after victims lose almost £20k. On Friday (March 28), officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) arrested a 23-year-old man in Newcastle believed to be linked to postalContinue Reading
The BBC issued nearly 41 million enforcement letters between 2023 and 2024, marking a sharp increase of four million compared to the previous year, as figures reveal a decline in licence fee revenue. These letters, often criticised for causing distress, warn recipients that not having a TV licence could beContinue Reading
A company which claimed to sell adult films has been shut down following concerns it was being used as a direct debit scam. Drawntear Limited was wound-up at a hearing of the High Court in Manchester on Wednesday 12 February. The company, which said it was based in Hull beforeContinue Reading
From 1 April 2025, registered keepers of electric, zero or low emission cars, vans and motorcycles will need to pay vehicle tax in the same way as registered keepers of petrol and diesel vehicles. This change will apply to both new and existing vehicles. This new measure removes band AContinue Reading
The data published yesterday shows that HMCTS has slashed average wait times in December 2024 to just over four weeks. This compares to twelve weeks at the end of 2023 and over eight weeks at the end of June 2024. The improvement is a result of decisive Government action to reduceContinue Reading
From tomorrow (17 February), Local Authorities can begin rolling out local schemes for tax relief to help filmmakers produce the country’s next box office hits, rom-coms and cult classics. Film studios are to receive business rates relief over the next nine years as the government rolls out a 40% reductionContinue Reading
· HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) ‘Help for Hustles’ campaign launched to support people earning extra income to understand any tax obligations As Valentine’s Day approaches, anyone who has turned the love for their hobby into a side hustle is being encouraged to put a ring on it and makeContinue Reading
UK businesses are, for the first time, being invited to have their say on the government’s electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) proposals. E-invoicing is the digital exchange of invoice information directly between buyers and suppliers. It could help businesses get their tax right first time, reduce invoicing and data errors, improve theContinue Reading
A 23-year-old loan shark who preyed on vulnerable customers, charging ‘crippling interest’ and threatening them when they couldn’t pay has today been given a suspended jail sentence. Hakeem Suleman, of Eastbourne Road, Middlesbrough, admitted illegal money lending and money laundering between October 2019 and May 2023, when he was arrestedContinue Reading
Food redistribution charities can now submit applications for a new £15 million Government scheme, which is helping to ensure surplus food is delivered to those who need it. Every year, an estimated 330,000 tonnes of edible food is either wasted or repurposed as animal feed before leaving farm gates. ThisContinue Reading
Millions of people are set to benefit from improvements to the way homes are bought and sold, saving them both time and money by helping stop property transactions from falling through. Under major new plans, the government has announced today [February 9] it will modernise the way the process worksContinue Reading
The UK government has announced a raft of plans to drive up participation in Horizon Europe by researchers, innovators and businesses from across the country – as tomorrow (Wednesday 1 January) marks the one-year anniversary of the UK’s association to the £80 billion programme that runs from 2021 to 2027.Continue Reading
A former professional footballer has been banned from being a company director for eight years. Kieron Minto-St.Aimie claimed a £25,000 Covid Bounce Back Loan for the St Aimie’s Sports Academy Community Interest Company in Brent, when it was entitled to much less. Elizabeth Pigney, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:Continue Reading
Workers at the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) office in Newcastle are set to commence an eight-week strike on Monday. The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) announced the strike to support three colleagues it claims were unfairly dismissed. A picket line is planned outside HMRC’s Benton Park offices, accordingContinue Reading
Thousands of people will receive their benefit payments earlier than usual this month due to the upcoming bank holidays for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. Here’s what you need to know: Why Are Payments Early? Benefit payments are typically not processed on bank holidays. If your paymentContinue Reading
A Company Director from Watford has been given a suspended prison sentence after claiming a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan and then dissolving her business. Irena Tokarczyk, 66, from Ashburnham Drive in Watford, was the sole director of Good Food Shops Ltd when she applied for a £50,000 Bounce Back LoanContinue Reading
