
Scottish rural broadband project secures £50m new investment
It said the new investment would help it to extend its reach to more than 150 towns and villages in the coming year.Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has welcomed the funding.On a visit to Grantown-on-Spey, she said: "This is a significant success story for Scotland. "The roll-out of Highland Broadband's network has made a real difference to people and businesses in rural areas, supporting jobs and boosting economic growth."
'Digitally isolated'
Earlier this year, the UK government said "digitally isolated" communities would be connected to fast, reliable broadband.It has been working with the Scottish government to roll out improvements across Scotland.The £157m contract with telecoms firm Openreach was awarded under the UK government's Project Gigabit.Households and businesses in Skye, Islay, Tiree, Applecross, Durness were to be offered gigabit-capable broadband.The UK government said the locations had some of the slowest broadband speeds.
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The Guardian
25 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Warm home discount: why you must check your name is on your energy bill
The government is urging people who qualify for the warm home discount to check they are named on their energy bills so that this winter's price cut can be made automatically. The annual scheme gives households on low incomes £150 off their electricity bill, and is applied by the energy companies rather than sent out to customers. To qualify, you or your partner need to receive one of a list of benefits. These include housing benefit, income-based jobseeker's allowance and pension credit. To get the discount, you also need your, or your partner's, name to be on the bill. In England and Wales, the energy companies will automatically match people's eligibility using their customer records from 24 August. In Scotland, the discount will automatically go to people who get pension credit guarantee and are named on their electricity bill. They will need to apply to their provider from October if on other qualifying benefits. It is not too late to get the discount after next Sunday, but you will need to wait for a letter to apply. Eligible customers on prepayment meters, who use a key or card to top up, should also ensure their household's account is registered in their name. The government has expanded eligibility to the warm home discount this year, and it says that, as a result, 6 million households will receive the discount this winter – an increase of 2.7 million on last year. The minister for energy consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh, says: 'If you know someone who might be eligible, please start spreading the word to family and friends, encouraging them to check they are named on their energy bill.' Richard Neudegg, the director of regulation at the price comparison website Uswitch, says the discount could be 'a lifeline for vulnerable customers'. He adds: 'Anyone struggling to pay their bills should contact their supplier, who may be able to offer help or support.' This year the government has also reversed the move that took the winter fuel payment from all but the poorest pensioners. As a result, about nine million pensioners will get the allowance of up to £300, which will be paid to everyone who receives the state pension. Those with an income of £35,000 or more will have theirs clawed back through tax. Scammers have been taking advantage of confusion over the payments to target vulnerable people. Fraudulent messages are sent to people saying they need to register for this year's 'winter heating allowance', and asking them to follow a link and submit personal details. The Department for Work and Pensions says it never texts people to ask for their information. The energy price cap is likely to change at the start of October, with analysts recently predicting that it will fall from its current level of £1,720 a year for a typical household.


The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Could you be owed £1,000s in overpaid loans? 15-minute check to get a hefty refund
FORMER University students could be owed £1,000s in overpaid loans - here is how to check if you can get a refund. In the last tax year, over one million third level education leavers overpaid their student loans, according to figures released by the Student Loans Company (SLC). 1 But there are a number of reasons you may have been overcharged on your loan. According to MoneySavingExpert, this includes beginning to repay the loan during some months, despite not earning enough in the full year. You are only required to pay your loan back once your income exceeds a certain annual threshold. This varies depending on what type of plan you were on when you started university. There are five plans in total. For example, those on Plan 1, who attended university between 1998-2011 are required to earn a minimum of £26,065 before they begin paying back their loan. Minimum earnings thresholds vary from plan to plan, with those on Plan 2 who attended university between 2021-22 being required to earn £28,470 before they start making repayments. The blog said that if your earnings vary throughout the year, i.e. if you received a bonus, this could lead you to start making repayments before you are actually required to. Another reason you may have overpaid is if you were put on the wrong plan. This can happen if you filled in the student loan section of the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) starter checklist form wrong. Martin Lewis reveals little-known suncream tip You can check which plan you are on by visiting the website. Alternatively, you may be overcharged if you began repaying your loan too early or you had money deducted after the loan was fully repaid. How to get a refund if you have overpaid If you think you have been overcharged, you can get the money back and there a few ways you can go about this. The blog said that former students who began repaying the loan despite not meeting the earnings thresholds can request a refund online. This is done via the government's Student Loan Company (SLC) online portal. To do this, you will need to sign in to your online repayment account and select 'request a refund'. Once you've requested a refund through your online account, it will be processed in 28 days. The money will get paid into your bank account. It is also worth nothing that this only applies for tax years up to 2023-24. More ways to claim Alternatively, students can speak to their employer or call the SLC. This may be applicable if you entered the wrong plan when filling out an HMRC starter form. Ahead of your call, you can check what plan you are on in your online account and download an 'active plan type letter". You can call on 0300 100 0611 to discuss the matter with the SLC. You can also call the helpline if you began repaying your loan too early. The MSE blog said: "When you get through, explain your situation and ask to reclaim the money you're owed. "To make the process smoother, before ringing see if you can dig out any old payslips, your payroll number, and/or your PAYE reference number." There is no restriction on how far back you can claim, so if you think you may have been affected years ago you can still ring up. If you had money deducted after the loan was fully repaid, HMRC should pay you back this money automatically, Readers of the blog have claimed back as much as £3,773 by using these methods. One said: "Thank you so much. I knew something wasn't right when I lodged my tax returns and reading Martin's article was the catalyst for a sustained attempt to work out what had happened. I received £3,773 back." While another said the process only took 15 minutes. They explained: "I spent 15 minutes on the phone and got £555 back for overpayments on my student loan. "Most was because of my maternity leave. Thanks so much, couldn't have come at a better time." How student loan plans work If you wish to attend university you may take out a loan to help cover the costs. The loan is paid directly to the university or college on your behalf. Repayments start from the first April after you finish or leave your course. You repay 9% of your income above the repayment threshold. This means that the majority or basic-rate taxpayers lose 37p for every £1 they earn above the threshold - 20p as income tax, 8p as national insurance and 9p for a student loan. Your repayment threshold will vary depending on when you studied at university. Interest is charged on your loan from the day you receive the first payment until it is repaid in full. How the different student loan plans work HERE'S the rules and repayment thresholds for all the different student loan plans: Plan one You're on Plan 1 if you're: an English or Welsh student who started an undergraduate course anywhere in the UK before 1 September 2012 a Northern Irish student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course anywhere in the UK on or after 1 September 1998 an EU student who started an undergraduate course in England or Wales on or after 1 September 1998, but before 1 September 2012 an EU student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course in Northern Ireland on or after 1 September 1998 You'll only repay when your income is over £382 a week, £1,657 a month or £19,895 a year (before tax and other deductions). Plan two You're on Plan 2 if you're: an English or Welsh student who started an undergraduate course anywhere in the UK on or after 1 September 2012 an EU student who started an undergraduate course in England or Wales on or after 1 September 2012 someone who took out an Advanced Learner Loan on or after 1 August 2013 You'll only repay when your income is over £524 a week, £2,274 a month or £27,295 a year (before tax and other deductions). Plan four a Scottish student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course anywhere in the UK on or after 1 September 1998 an EU student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course in Scotland on or after 1 September 1998 You'll only repay when your income is over £480 a week, £2,083 a month or £25,000 a year (before tax and other deductions). Postgraduate loan an English or Welsh student who took out a Postgraduate Master's Loan on or after 1 August 2016 an English or Welsh student who took out a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan on or after 1 August 2018 an EU student who started a postgraduate course on or after 1 August 2016 If you took out a Master's Loan or a Doctoral Loan, you'll only repay when your income is over £403 a week, £1,750 a month or £21,000 a year (before tax and other deductions).


The Independent
7 hours ago
- The Independent
William and Kate moving to new home in Windsor
The Prince and Princess of Wales are to move into a new home in Windsor. William and Kate are moving to eight-bedroom Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park, with their children George, Charlotte and Louis. A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: 'The Wales family will move house later this year.' According to The Sun, the royal couple are paying for the property and renovations themselves, avoiding any extra cost to the taxpayer. The paper reported that work has already started on minor renovation at the Grade II-listed property. The move will be a short one from their current main home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, and the children attend nearby Lambrook School. They also have homes at Anmer Hall in Norfolk and Apartment 1A in Kensington Palace in London. As heir to the throne, William inherited the Duchy of Cornwall estate, a portfolio of land, property and investments valued at more than £1 billion, when his father became King. According to The Sun, Forest Lodge would be worth about £16 million on the open market. The freehold is owned by the King.