Finance
The Rachel Reeves Budget: A Year Later, and Still No One’s Happy
By Samuel Turner
So I’m watching the Rachel Reeves budget of October 2024, yeah? First woman chancellor ever. Historic moment. Labour’s initial budget in 14 years. It should’ve been a celebration. Instead? My WhatsApp was going mental. Farmers are fuming. Business owners are panicking. Everybody’s asking, “What has she done to my taxes?” Six months later, people are […]
When NS&I Sends Your Money to a Complete Stranger
By Samuel Turner
My aunt Barbara has been purchasing Premium Bonds since 1972. She was diligent about purchasing them, buying bonds on every birthday, Christmas, and any other occasion; any spare cash would be invested directly into bonds. Therefore, when she phoned me last Tuesday in an absolute state, I knew something was definitely amiss. “They’ve sent my […]
HMRC Clarifies Rules for Pension Providers on Returned Tax-Free Lump Sums
By Samuel Turner
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has given a strong message to pension providers that once a tax-free lump sum is taken out of a pension scheme, it cannot be undone, even if the money is returned. This is a big change that has shaken up the UK pension market. This clarification, which came out in […]
Why the Santander Branch Closures Hit Harder Than You Think
By Samuel Turner
So I visited my nearest Santander branch last Tuesday to deal with some payment thing; one of those things you can’t manage on the app because it’s too much faffing around. Huge sign on the door: “This branch will close permanently on 30th July 2025.” What?! I’m standing there like a mug reading this notice, […]
Here’s Why the Diversity Built Britain Coin Is Creating a Right Fuss
By Samuel Turner
So it’s Tuesday morning, and here I am, standing behind this complete loon at Tesco. There he is counting his money like he’s looking for buried treasure. Properly holding up the queue, too. Then he’s telling us about a 50p coin that is worth loads. I assumed he was bonkers, but as it happens, the […]
Barclays Potential Acquisition of Santander UK: What’s Really Going On?
By Samuel Turner
Alright, so here’s the deal. The banking world’s been buzzing with chatter about whether Barclays might snap up Santander UK. It’s been proper mental trying to keep up with all the rumours flying about. I caught up with a mate working in the city last week, and not even he knew what was going on. […]
M&S Cyber-Attack Impact on Sales: When Hackers Hit Britain’s High Street
By Samuel Turner
What a mess this has been. I’ve been buying stuff at M&S since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. This cyber-attack chaos was like watching a car crash in slow motion. The cyber-attack’s impact on M&S sales has been devastating. Left me gobsmacked at how vulnerable our favourite high street stores are. When the Lights […]
Rolls Royce Share Price: What’s Really Happening With Britain’s Aviation Giant
By Samuel Turner
My mate Tony called me up last Thursday, proper excited. “Have you seen the Rolls Royce share price lately?” he asked. “I bought some shares two years back when they were dirt cheap. Now I’m wondering if I should cash out or hold on.” Fair question, really. I’d been watching RR shares myself and couldn’t […]
What Are Some Passive Income Ideas UK: 10 Brilliant Ways to Make Money While You Sleep
By Samuel Turner
Blimey, I wish someone had told me about passive income twenty years ago! I was chatting to my neighbour Steve last month; he’s been getting £400 a month from his buy-to-let flat for the past five years whilst I’ve been grafting away at my 9-to-5. Made me properly jealous, if I’m being honest. So I […]
Major DWP Benefits Warning: What Disabled People Need to Know About 2025 Changes
By Samuel Turner
My mate Judy got the letter last Tuesday. You know the type; an official DWP envelope that makes your stomach drop before you even open it. “Your benefits are changing,” it said. Simple as that. No explanation about how she’s supposed to manage on less money when her multiple sclerosis hasn’t magically improved. That’s when […]
Bank Holiday Early Benefit Payments DWP: What You Need to Know About August Changes
By Samuel Turner
My mate Violet rang me last week in a bit of a panic. “I’ve just heard my Universal Credit might come early in August,” she said. “What’s all that about then?” Honestly, I wasn’t sure myself at first. But after doing some digging around, it turns out the DWP has some pretty important changes coming […]
Santander Share Price Today: Why I’ve Been Watching This Bank Stock All Week
By Samuel Turner
My dad rang me Tuesday morning. “That Santander share you mentioned, what’s it doing today?” Fair question. He’d bought some shares a few months back after I told him the bank looked solid. The problem is, he checks the price about seventeen times a day and panics every time it drops a penny. “Dad,” I […]