Guernsey could introduce UK digital travel scheme
Guernsey could introduce a new electronic travel scheme, if proposals from the island's government are approved.Policy and Resources (P&R) and Home Affairs have published a policy letter recommending the bailiwick introduces new rules to align it with the UK.If adopted, part of the UK's Nationality and Borders Act 2022 would be applied to Guernsey, including introducing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme for people entering the Bailiwick.Deputy Rob Prow, president of Home Affairs, said updating immigration legislation would "ensure the safety and security of our borders".
British and Irish citizens as well as people with limited or indefinite leave to remain would not need an ETA, the States said.The new legislation would also introduce fines for travel companies carrying passengers without correct documentation, as well as visa penalties for citizens of certain countries.If agreed the scheme would come in towards the end of the year, the States said.
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STV News
19 minutes ago
- STV News
SNP calls on Labour to match Scottish Government action on poverty
Almost two million families would be lifted out of poverty if Labour matched Scottish Government action on the issue, the SNP has claimed. Ahead of the UK spending review, the SNP asked the House of Commons Library to produce an independent analysis on the number of British children in poverty and the impact that replicating Scottish Government policies across the UK would have. The research showed 1.83 million families would be lifted out of poverty if policies were matched, including abolishing the two-child benefit cap, scrapping the bedroom tax and raising the child element of Universal Credit to match the Scottish child payment, according to the SNP. Statistics showed a third of British children were anticipated to be living in poverty by 2029-30 unless action was taken. Sir Keir Starmer was urged to act on the figures ahead of the UK spending review on Wednesday amid warnings the number of British children living in poverty is expected to rise to a record 4.6 million by 2029-30. Over the past decade, the number of children living in poverty has risen from 3.7 million (27%) in 2013/14 to 4.5 million (31%) in 2023/24, the SNP said. The SNP said Scotland is the only part of the UK where child poverty is falling, due to 'bold' policies such as the Scottish child payment of £27.15 per child, per week, paid in addition to other benefits. Replicating it UK-wide, by raising the child element of Universal Credit by the same amount, would lift 732,000 families out of poverty, including a further 38,000 families in Scotland, analysis showed. The SNP said it has also mitigated the bedroom tax and is in the process of ending the two-child benefit cap in Scotland. It said replicating the policies would lift a further 609,000 British families out of poverty, with the combined impact of introducing all three policies lifting 1.83 million families out of poverty, including a further 75,000 in Scotland. The UK Government delayed its child poverty taskforce review to the autumn and last year Labour MPs voted against abolishing the two-child benefit cap, in a motion tabled by the SNP. The Chancellor has previously rejected proposals to abolish the bedroom tax. The SNP said the UK Government's own impact analysis showed planned cuts to disability benefits will push 250,000 more people into poverty, including 50,000 children, with families losing out on £4,500 a year on average as a result of the cuts, branding it 'shameful'. SNP work and pensions spokeswoman Kirsty Blackman MP said: 'The evidence shows Keir Starmer's Labour Government is keeping almost two million families in poverty by failing to match SNP action across the UK. 'It's shameful that UK child poverty is rising to record levels under the Labour Government, which has pushed thousands more children into deprivation by imposing punitive welfare cuts. 'It's vital that the Prime Minister finally listens to families struggling with the soaring cost of living – and takes the long-overdue action needed to end child poverty at the UK spending review this week. 'That means abandoning the devastating austerity cuts to disabled families, matching the Scottish child payment UK-wide, abolishing the bedroom tax and scrapping the two-child limit and benefit cap. 'With 4.5 million children living in poverty in the UK, only bold and immediate action will do. 'The two-child benefit cap and bedroom tax must be abolished immediately, but that alone isn't enough to end child poverty. It's vital the Labour Government matches the Scottish child payment by raising the child element of Universal Credit across the UK. 'Scotland is the only part of the UK where child poverty is falling – and families receive the best cost-of-living help of anywhere in the UK. 'Westminster must match this action – or it will leave millions more children languishing in poverty.' A UK Government spokesperson said: 'We are determined to bring down child poverty and we have already expanded free breakfast clubs, increased the national minimum wage for those on the lowest incomes, uprated benefits in April and supported 700,000 of the poorest families by introducing a fair repayment rate on universal credit deductions. 'We will also publish an ambitious child poverty strategy later this year to ensure we deliver fully funded measures that tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty across the country.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Metro
34 minutes ago
- Metro
I'm trapped on a pricey heat network and can't switch to a cheaper supplier
If you're paying over the odds for energy, the typical advice is to switch provider – but that's not an option for some. Around 500,000 people in the UK are connected to a heat network, a system that supplies multiple properties from a single central source rather than each individual home. London-based Alfonso, 39, is one of them. And like more than half of his fellow heat network customers, he feels his bills are too high. In this week's Metro's Money Problem, personal finance journalist and consumer champion Sarah Davidson gives him the no-nonsense advice he needs. Have you been ripped off by a romance scammer? Fighting with family or friends over who should pay for what? Struggling to get by despite a decent income? Or simply want to vent about how you've been treated by a major company? If you've got a money problem you'd like Sarah to look into, fill in this form or email providing as much detail about your situation as possible. No issue is too big or small, and all submissions will be treated with the strictest confidence. I moved into a new build rental flat last year and am really struggling with cost of heating and hot water. When we viewed the place, the letting agent mentioned it was part of an energy-efficient communal heat network, which sounded like a good thing. However, the reality has been very different. Not only are my bills much higher than in my previous place of around the same size, no-one seems to be able to give me any answers as to why. From what I can tell, the amount I pay is down to how much the operator bulk-buys the gas for, but my bills don't explain how this is decided, why my unit rate is more than Ofgem's price cap, or whether I'm paying for heating in hallways and other communal areas. It's so confusing. Normally I'd switch to a different provider but this isn't an option for heat network customers, so I'm effectively locked in. Aside from reducing my consumption even further (I'm already wearing jumpers and timing my showers) or moving somewhere new, it feels like I'm out of options. Is there anything else I can do? An interesting and important question Alfonso, thank you for raising it. The problem you're facing is a serious one and it's going to start mattering to more of us over the next few years, as in order to slash meet net zero, the government wants one in five British homes to ditch gas boilers and join a heat network by 2050. That's 6 million households across the country. For those who haven't yet come across them, a heat network is a single centralised source of heating, cooling systems and hot water that supplies multiple households – from a block of flats to an entire town. The theory is that the heat network can buy energy in bulk, thereby keeping costs down for each household. In practice, as you are clearly only too aware, that's far from the reality. There are several reasons for this. First, heat networks have been unregulated for years, making (some of) them effectively a wild west. Currently, there are no rules dictating how heat networks set their prices, why or when they can increase prices, or even what they charge for, so you may well be paying for heating communal areas without being aware. Second, as you correctly point out, they don't have to stick to the Ofgem energy price cap, and can charge whatever they like without explanation. This also means that when wholesale energy prices are very high – as they have been in recent years – heat networks will likely pass that extra cost straight onto homeowners and tenants. And third, not all heat networks are particularly efficient – they can lose an awful lot of heat in the process of transferring it from the central source to your home, meaning you are probably being lumped with the bill for that wastage on top of what you're actually using. Now, your question is what you can do to bring the costs of your heating down. For the moment, the answer is possibly not a huge amount more than you're doing already. However, if you haven't yet, try these options: Contact your landlord explaining the situation . Ask if they will agree to subsidise your heating bills for a period of time – they might even be prepared to take on some of the cost permanently if it means you stay a tenant. . Ask if they will agree to subsidise your heating bills for a period of time – they might even be prepared to take on some of the cost permanently if it means you stay a tenant. Tell your heat network you're struggling – they might be able to lower your bills temporarily or have some other form of support available. Don't hold your breath but do ask the question. – they might be able to lower your bills temporarily or have some other form of support available. Don't hold your breath but ask the question. Check whether your electricity is supplied centrally. Heat networks only provide heating, hot water and air cooling systems, and some buildings may allow individuals to switch electricity provider. Electricity is more expensive than gas, so switching to a cheaper tariff is likely to see you save. Additionally, being with a mainstream electricity supplier will also mean you're protected by the Energy Price Cap for this part of your bill. Take a look at the Energy Saving Trust or use any of the comparison sites to find the best deals on offer. The usual advice also applies: turn off appliances when not in use instead of leaving on standby; only use the washing machine and dishwasher when you've got a full load and run a lower temperature wash; shower rather than bath; use an air fryer or microwave to cook smaller portions instead of the oven. Consider asking your landlord to have a smart meter installed too, as that will give you an accurate real time view of the energy you're using and what it's costing you. This will help you understand where you can make tweaks to keep costs down. The other thing you can now do is complain – and with rather more teeth than you would have had just a couple of months ago. The law changed at the start of April, meaning you now have the option to challenge your heat network bills with the Energy Ombudsman. If you feel you've been unfairly charged and want to complain, you'll need to follow these steps. If you haven't had a response from your heat network after eight weeks or they send you a 'deadlock letter', you can take your complaint to the Energy Ombudsman which will investigate independently and may be able to force your network to give you some money back depending on what they find. Get some free help and advice from Citizens Advice if you live in England or Wales and from Consumer Scotland if you're north of the border. Write to your landlord (or managing agent) lodging a formal complaint. This should include evidence, perhaps using data from your smart meter to compare your usage and unit costs to some of the better deals on offer from other suppliers. They may be able to take this up with the heat network for you. If not, lodge your complaint with the heat network directly – they should have a formal complaints procedure on their website and on your bills. You could also contact your neighbours to see if they would also be prepared to join a complaint. Some buildings or communities have official residents' associations or Facebook groups. There can be power in numbers. More rules will start to come in from January next year, when the industry regulator Ofgem takes on responsibility for heat networks. This should mean customers get better service, more reliable energy supplies, fair pricing and bills that are easier to understand. More Trending Right now, that may be cold comfort for you, but it does at least hint at a fairer future for heat network customers. In the meantime, talk to your landlord. If it's a choice between them covering £20 a month of your heating bills or losing you as a tenant, I reckon they'll go with the former. Sarah Davidson is an award-winning financial editor and head of research at WPB View More » Got a money worry or dilemma? Email Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Map reveals the cheapest London station to live near — where rents are £835 less than average MORE: What I Spent: The therapy you actually get for £100, £50, or free on the NHS MORE: Free school meals to be extended to 500,000 chilldren across the country Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Daily Mirror
38 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Waitrose makes major change to popular perk with loyalty card
Supermarket giant is conducting a trail in 9 stores which reverses a previous cut - but could incur a £3 fine Waitrose is shaking things up with its loyalty programme by introducing a new feature that's bound to get people talking. The posh grocer is now allowing customers to borrow a reusable coffee cup to enjoy their complimentary brew while they shop, as part of an innovative trial aimed at cutting down on plastic waste. Customers will have a week to return the cup to a specific drop-off point or face a £3 charge. This "circular" initiative is currently being tested in nine Waitrose stores, with the Newark branch confirmed as one of the participants. To take advantage of the "Borrow a Free Cup" scheme, shoppers simply need to scan their MyWaitrose card. They can then help themselves to a hot drink from the store's machine as per usual. A spokesperson for Waitrose commented: "We're currently conducting a reusable cup trial in nine of our branches - it kicked off this week and is available for MyWaitrose members to use when redeeming their free coffee, or for our cafe customers to use if purchasing one." Those who prefer to bring their own mug can still snag their free coffee, provided their cup fits under the self-service machine's nozzle. It's worth noting that previously, Waitrose only dished out the gratis beverage to customers who made a purchase first. This rule harks back to the original offer launched back in 2013. To claim the complimentary beverage, customers were required to bring a reusable cup. In January last year Waitrose brought back free tea and coffee for customers signed up to its loyalty card, even if they do not buy anything from the supermarket. The company emailed customers to inform them of the change from January 27, saying: 'You'll be able to get your free hot drink without buying anything in store first. Don't forget your reusable cup!' Previously, the upmarket grocer requires myWaitrose members to buy something before they can claim their free drink. The myWaitrose scheme, which is being re-branded as My Waitrose, was introduced in 2011 and has nine million members. It began offering a free tea or coffee without a purchase in 2013, making the supermarket the second-largest provider of coffee in the UK and raising concerns about its effect on smaller, independent coffee shops. That year, the Gelateria Gazzeria, a cafe 20 yards from the Waitrose in Buckingham, filed a complaint with the Office of Fair Trading. The regulator said it would not be taking any action. A year later, Andy Sawford, then the shadow communities minister, claimed it would 'further destroy the British high street'. Waitrose said the claim was 'nonsense'. However, it changed its policy following long queues and complaints from regular shoppers who claimed that it was attracting freeloaders rather than genuine customers. Waitrose clamped down on the scheme in 2017, requiring loyalty card members to make a purchase. A year later, the supermarket stopped providing disposable cups, requiring customers to bring in their own reusable ones. The supermarket said: 'Some of our My Waitrose members like to have the free coffee before they shop or during the shop, rather than afterwards, so we are just offering a bit of flexibility in response to customer feedback. 'In practice, lots of customers do this already, so this is just a formality as part of updated T&Cs.'
