All posts tagged: Money saving

Wetherspoon confirms it’s slashing prices at 800 pubs | UK | News

Wetherspoon confirms it’s slashing prices at 800 pubs | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

A standard children’s meal at the chain will now cost £5.03 – a £0.72 reduction from the previous price of £5.75. The nationwide scheme, announced in May by the Chancellor, reduces VAT from 20% to 5% on family-focused activities and dining, running from June 26 to September 1. Wetherspoons joins numerous major retailers from across the hospitality and entertainment sectors participating in the cost-cutting programme, which aims to help ease the cost of living during the school holidays. McDonald’s is among the high street names embracing the tax reduction, with Happy Meals dropping 27% to just £2.99 across all restaurants. Fast food rival KFC has similarly signed up to the Government scheme, offering families additional options for cheaper dining out. Theme parks and attractions are also delivering savings under the scheme, with Merlin Entertainment reducing prices across its 20 venues. Advance tickets for both Alton Towers and Legoland have fallen from £34 to £29.75 following the adjustment. As an additional summer measure, children aged five to 15 can access free bus travel on participating local …

Morrisons update as customers told to check app over 10 per cent offer | UK | News

Morrisons update as customers told to check app over 10 per cent offer | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

All Morrisons shoppers are being encouraged to open their apps following the supermarket’s launch of a new scheme that could unlock a substantial discount. The retailer is giving selected customers the opportunity to earn a 10% reward by spending £250 before the end of the month (June). The offer is available through Morrisons’ More loyalty programme and runs until 30 June. Those who have received an invitation simply need to scan their More Card each time they shop in-store, or ensure their card is linked to their Morrisons online account. Spending is tracked automatically and can be monitored through the Morrisons More app, website or on receipts. Morrisons has confirmed that shoppers can work towards the target through several smaller purchases rather than a single large shop. The supermarket said: “You can shop as little and as often as you like to build up your total, this includes any shops you do both in-store and online as long as you scan your Morrisons More card with each transaction.” Online purchases also count towards the target, …

UK households urged to ‘switch off and unplug’ appliances on Tuesday | UK | News

UK households urged to ‘switch off and unplug’ appliances on Tuesday | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

It’s another scorcher today and more hot weather is set to bake the UK again on Tuesday, the Met Office has forecast. A record breaking few days of sizzling weather will draw to an end from Wednesday, but for now, we’re all still struggling to exist in our thick, well insulated British houses, let alone work, rest or sleep. That’s why many of us will be looking to do whatever we can to cut the heat and keep our homes as cool as they possibly can be for as long as this hot spell lasts. According to charity The Red Cross, one way to cut heat in your home is to unplug and switch off appliances.This is because various appliances, especially electronics like TVs, games consoles, PCs and kitchen appliances, continue to use up electricity and produce heat when left plugged in and on standby. The Red Cross says in its guidance: “Even when in standby mode, electrical items can generate heat. Make sure any in the bedroom are turned off and unplugged.” It adds: …

Tesco Clubcard shoppers can triple voucher value at over 800 locations | UK | News

Tesco Clubcard shoppers can triple voucher value at over 800 locations | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

Tesco Clubcard shoppers can triple the value of their hard earned points at more than 800 locations across the UK. Normally, Clubcard points are worth 1p each, so 100 points is equal to a £1 spend in-store or online. But it’s possible to double the value of these points by exchanging them for vouchers to spend at more than 100 of Tesco’s Reward partners. When points are exchanged with a Reward Partner, one point is worth 2p instead of 1p, so 100 points would give you £2 to spend – double the amount than if you simply used your points in Tesco supermarkets. But it’s possible for shoppers to make their points go even further and get triple the value with a select few Reward Partners. At the major restaurant chains, which include Frankie & Benny’s, PizzaExpress, Zizzi and ASK Italian, every 50p will give you £1.50 to spend when dining in, allowing you to triple your voucher value. So if you have £5 worth of Clubcard vouchers, these will be worth £15 to spend …

British Gas issues ‘energy bills update’ for all customers | Personal Finance | Finance

British Gas issues ‘energy bills update’ for all customers | Personal Finance | Finance

Published by Sam Flores

The energy supplier shared an update for customers (stock photo) (Image: Getty) British Gas has shared an important update for customers regarding their bills. The energy firm has explained how UK households could be affected by market shifts in a YouTube video. The head of pricing at British Gas answered questions for customers in the post, which was titled: “Iran war and UK energy prices – current impact and what it means for energy bills.” In the caption, British Gas wrote: “Find out how the Iran war is affecting UK energy bills, what changes to tariffs and prices could mean for your household, and practical steps to stay in control.” In the ‘energy update’, the British Gas employee addressed questions about potential price rises and whether the UK faces a gas shortage, reports the Mirror. Discussing the ‘energy crisis’, the pricing expert said: “Hi, I’m Simon, head of pricing at British Gas. Today, I’m going to be answering customer questions about the energy market.” Simon said: “Are energy prices going up because of global events? …

NS&I warning as taxpayers set to be hit with £400m bill | Personal Finance | Finance

NS&I warning as taxpayers set to be hit with £400m bill | Personal Finance | Finance

Published by Sam Flores

Chancellor Rachel Reeves (Image: Getty) National Savings and Investments (NS&I) is preparing to hand back up to £400 million to around 37,000 savers whose money was misplaced in a major scandal that has left hard-working taxpayers facing the bill. The Government-backed savings giant, which holds £240 billion for more than 24 million customers, is in urgent talks with the Treasury over the payout, expected to be the largest in its 160-year history. The exact sum is still being finalised, but sources indicate it could reach £400m after years of systemic failings that saw life savings lost, bereaved families denied access to funds, and Premium Bond prizes withheld. Treasury officials are working through the “very complex issue”, with the bill likely to fall on the taxpayer. The Treasury provides 100% backing for NS&I deposits, meaning any shortfall comes directly from public funds. Read more: Higher petrol prices, mortgages and council tax as economy in crisis Read more: Rachel Reeves ‘will impose another tax raid or increase borrowing’ amid Iran war The scandal was first exposed by …

Major supermarket group planning redundancies with as many as 1,000 jobs at risk | Personal Finance | Finance

Major supermarket group planning redundancies with as many as 1,000 jobs at risk | Personal Finance | Finance

Published by Sam Flores

British supermarket group Ocado is planning significant redundancies as part of a renewed cost-cutting drive, according to reports. As many as 1,000 jobs could be at risk as the company seeks to recover from a difficult year. According to the Times, it is understood that the majority of the cuts will be in the company’s UK-based head office, which could see several back office functions cut, including human resources, legal and technology roles. The company is set to report its annual results on February 26, but committed to shareholders last month that it would turn cashflow positive in the next financial year “underpinned by rigorous cost and capital discipline”. Founded in 2000, the Hertfordshire-based group sells automation technology allowing retailers to pick and dispatch online food orders from giant robotic warehouses. It also runs a UK online grocery firm as a joint venture with Marks & Spencer. Last year, it announced plans to axe 500 technology and finance roles as it reduced spending on research and development, having made 1,000 group-wide redundancies in 2023-24. Ocado suffered …

‘My husband of 60 years chose a different send off and I’ve saved £5k’ | UK | News

‘My husband of 60 years chose a different send off and I’ve saved £5k’ | UK | News

Published by Sam Flores

A woman has hailed the benefits of choosing a different send off for her husband of nearly 60 years as more Brits make the switch. Monica Hayden, 80, from Merriott in Somerset, lost David Hayden, 86, in April. He had decided that he would like to be directly cremated – which entails a body being cremated without a formal funeral service nor mourners present. Instead, family and friends had a service in a church and “lovely” wake for £2,000, during which they remembered Mr Hayden, who was much-loved by many, including those who had played for the local youth football team he ran. Mrs Hayden, who met her companion during an inter-village skittles match, said: “It was all just a service to celebrate the life that he’d led, all his life.” The former child-minder and foster carer added that she has chosen a direct cremation for herself as she was left impressed with the cheaper and more pleasant process after her husband’s death. “It was very cheap,” Mrs Hayden said. “It was much cheaper.”  She …