HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) marks its 20th anniversary on Friday 18 April 2025. The department was established in April 2005 through the merger of the Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise, combining tax administrations to reduce overlap and enhance service delivery. The creation of HMRC by the thenContinue Reading

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

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

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 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

Families have faced rocketing energy bills as a direct consequence of an overreliance on international gas markets, while at the same time thousands of tenants have been left exposed to cold, draughty homes, pushing bills up even higher. The government is now calling time on this inheritance by consulting onContinue Reading

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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