All posts tagged: lock

Plans to tamper with the pension triple lock might not be as dangerous for Labour as some believe

Plans to tamper with the pension triple lock might not be as dangerous for Labour as some believe

Published by Sam Flores

When Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the Labour conference that he is going to change the state pension’s triple lock mechanism, the backlash was immediate. For 15 years, the triple lock has been one of the few genuinely untouchable policies in British politics. Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite union, warned that Burnham’s plans could amount to “electoral suicide”. And Reform UK’s leader, Nigel Farage, said the prime minister was considering “an offensive against our elderly”. But, interestingly, the public’s reaction has been considerably more positive, reflecting changing views over what Britons consider fair and acceptable around elderly care and incomes. Despite some of the headlines, the triple lock is not being scrapped. Rather, the government’s proposed reform from 2030 envisions the state pension rising each year by the highest of inflation, 2.5%, or whatever is needed to keep pace with earnings. What is being scrapped is the mechanism that pushes the pension ever higher relative to wages. Under the current rules, whenever inflation or the 2.5% floor outpaces earnings growth, the pension gets …

The UK’s pension triple lock has done its job and needs to be retired

The UK’s pension triple lock has done its job and needs to be retired

Published by Sam Flores

The UK’s pension triple lock has only been in place for 15 years. But it’s done the job it was brought in to do, and now it should be scrapped. So the prime minister is right to want to change it. Because while it’s been widely treated as politically untouchable, the triple lock is very expensive. That’s not to say it was unnecessary. At the time that it was introduced in 2011 (by the Conservative-led coalition) to address the problem of pensioner poverty, the state pension was equivalent to only a sixth of national average earnings. To reverse the decline of the pension relative to earnings, the triple lock mechanism meant that every year, state pensions would rise by whichever is the greatest of three measures: 2.5%, the rate of price inflation, or average earnings growth. The overall idea was to reduce poverty and ensure that pensioners benefited from rising prosperity, if and when the economy grew. Individually, those measures were introduced for slightly different reasons. Increasing state pensions in line with price inflation for …

Brick launches colorful cases for its phone lock device

Brick launches colorful cases for its phone lock device

Published by skeptic

The Brick is a trendy app-blocking device that makes it easier to stay off your phone; one Mashable writer used it to cut her screen time in half. It’s a rather plain little gadget that’s gray and blocky — pretty brick-like, some might say — but now, you can change that. Brick has just launched Brick Cases, some colorful snap-on shells for its eponymous device. They’re priced at $39 each and sold exclusively in the U.S. through Brick’s website, the company announced on Instagram Sept. 22. There are four Brick Case styles available, each with names that reference activities you should be doing instead of staring at a screen: Mashable Light Speed Catch Rays (butter yellow) Unwind (brick red) Look Up (a cloudy sky pattern) Get Outside (a mossy green color with a grass-textured surface) According to an FAQ on Brick’s website, the Brick Case is merely an aesthetic upgrade for the Brick and doesn’t change how it functions. “Swap colors and textures to match your space or your style — because Bricking is personal and …

Will pensioners be poorer as a result of Burnham scrapping the triple lock? | State pensions

Will pensioners be poorer as a result of Burnham scrapping the triple lock? | State pensions

Published by Sam Flores

The prime minister has announced that the pensions triple lock will be scrapped in its current form, to partly fund a national care service. What is the new policy? On the existing triple lock, the state pension increases each April by inflation, 2.5% or average earnings, whichever is higher. From 2030, under what Labour is calling an “adjusted triple lock”, the pension will still rise either in line with prices, or 2.5% each year, whichever is higher – but it won’t rise in line with earnings unless its value has fallen behind. In that case, it will be adjusted so that it keeps pace. Why the change? The cost of providing the state pension in the 2026/27 tax year, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) thinktank, will be £154bn, making it the most costly benefit in the UK. Andy Burnham has outlined ambitious plans for a national care service that will need to be paid for. The new policy removes what thinktank the Resolution Foundation has called the “ratchet” effect, which can happen …

Politics Home | Andy Burnham Says He Will Scrap Triple Lock To Fund Social Care After General Election

Politics Home | Andy Burnham Says He Will Scrap Triple Lock To Fund Social Care After General Election

Published by Sam Flores

Andy Burnham spoke to conference in Liverpool on Tuesday (Alamy) 6 min read2 hr Andy Burnham has pledged to reform the pension triple lock after the next general election to fund a new social care system. It is one of several announcements the Prime Minister made in his Labour Party conference speech in Liverpool. He also said he would launch a national commission on changing the voting system, and look at pursuing closer ties with the European Union. Burnham said he would use his first conference speech as PM to “break the mold”, saying that “more of the same isn’t good enough” to get the country back on track. He said he would “make a break with the direction of the past 40 years” and create a Britain “where people feel the country has got their back again. A Britain for everyone, no matter who we are or where we’re born, we would be unstoppable, and we will be.” Burnham paid tribute to his predecessor Keir Starmer “for the historic victory he achieved for us” at …

Palm Vein vs Face vs Fingerprint: Which Smart Lock Is Actually Secure?

Palm Vein vs Face vs Fingerprint: Which Smart Lock Is Actually Secure?

Published by skeptic

Biometric smart locks are increasingly integrated into home security systems, offering advanced ways to control access. Technologies like palm vein recognition, face recognition, and fingerprint recognition each bring distinct approaches to authentication. For instance, palm vein recognition relies on near-infrared light to detect unique vein patterns beneath the skin, making it highly resistant to forgery. […] The post Palm Vein vs Face vs Fingerprint: Which Smart Lock Is Actually Secure? appeared first on Geeky Gadgets. Source link

What Is a Smart Lock? Why I Recommend This Security Upgrade for Everyone

What Is a Smart Lock? Why I Recommend This Security Upgrade for Everyone

Published by skeptic

When I’m asked about smart home gadgets, I typically suggest people start at their front door, such as with a video doorbell or smart lock. Smart locks, in particular, are an obvious first step (and only step, if you prefer) into smart home tech, and they can benefit nearly anyone with a front door. But many people without a smart lock in their lives still don’t know what it is, how it works or why they should spend money on one. It’s time for a clear explanation of this important home technology, and why I’m such a fan. Best Smart Locks of 2026: Excellent Door Upgrades These powerful, connected locks are useful every day. We’ve tested the latest to find the best. Smart lock basics Retrofits typically only require replacing the thumb turn. Amazon A smart lock replaces the standard deadbolt found on nearly any front door (and many other doors) in a residential building. Many models replace the deadbolt entirely, which tends to allow extra features like keypads and fingerprint readers. Other types replace …

Triple lock to boost pensions by 3.9pc as Reynolds refuses to rule out tax raid

Triple lock to boost pensions by 3.9pc as Reynolds refuses to rule out tax raid

Published by Sam Flores

The Business Secretary refused four times to rule out retirees paying tax on the state pension from next year. Jonathan Reynolds declined to reassure pensioners that they would not pay income tax on the benefit for the first time, saying it was a question for the Chancellor. The comments on Tuesday raised concern for millions of retired people expecting to see their state pension surpass £13,000 from April, forcing them to pay income tax. However, pensions minister Torsten Bell later insisted Labour would not put up taxes on people who rely on the state pension. It is still unclear how this will be implemented given the complexity of separating the tax arrangements of different groups of pensioners. The rise under the triple lock guarantee would drag many pensioners into paying income tax for the first time because their state income would surpass the personal allowance of £12,570. Rachel Reeves, the former chancellor, said last year that people solely reliant on the state pension would not have to pay the tax. However, Mr Reynolds was repeatedly …

I Pretended to Be on Vacation to Test This Rental-Ready Smart Lock

I Pretended to Be on Vacation to Test This Rental-Ready Smart Lock

Published by skeptic

This smart lock is built for rentals in all-new ways. / Tyler Lacoma/CNET Pros & Cons Affordable for its tech and design quality Many access options including fingerprint, included cards, keys, keypad and more Extra-large battery case rated for up to three years Easy to manage access and logs through the app Unique sleep mode if the home is going unused for a while Effective and simple TapCom communication include for vacation renters and similar situations The rental-focused design may not be suited for every home The deadbolt requires manual turning when locked/unlock, which differs from most smart locks Many smart locks introduced innovations in 2026. We saw charging solar panels and ultrawideband sensing. But Lockly went the opposite way: The security company has launched a new lock called Lyro, which aims at a unique mix of affordability, battery life and new features made specifically for vacation rentals, short-term renting, landlords and similar situations. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. To test the Lockly Lyro Lasta ($169), I set it up as if I …