Reliable UK mobile networks for shoppers, including EE and Lyca after Three issues
If you've been affected by the Three downtime and are considering looking elsewhere, these two networks have branded one of the most reliable
With Three experiencing a serious outage on Wednesday, thousands of customers were left unable to make or receive calls, or send messages. The service has now been restored to "near-normal levels" according to a statement from Three, but that's still left a lot of angry customers.
If the downtime has left you thinking about switching, you might be wondering which is the most reliable mobile phone network in the UK?
According to Rootmetrics, an independent mobile analytics firm, EE is the most reliable network in the UK. The data comes from the second half of 2024, but sees EE as the best network overall, leading in Rootmetric's scoring.
That scoring assesses reliability, accessibility, speed, data, calls, text and video, with EE sitting in the top spot and Vodafone coming in second in UK-wide performance.
For those Three customers wondering how their network came out, the Rootmetrics data sees Three's scores declining slightly from the first half of 2024 in terms of overall performance, with the company in third place from the big four networks.
EE summer sale
EE is currently offering a range of summer deals, including unlimited data SIMs from £24 a month, the iPhone 16 from £43 a month or the Pixel 9 Pro from under £40 a month, both with 5GB data on a 24-month contract.
Note that in these deals there's £30 upfront and the phone payments are spread across 36 months, separate from the SIM tariff.
If those prices sound a little high, then there's another way to access EE's service through a virtual network. Lyca Mobile runs on the EE network, where you can get a 30GB data, unlimited UK calls and texts and 100 international minutes, for £9 a month on a 12-month contract.
Switching is now incredibly easy, all shoppers have to do is send the word "PAC" to 65075 and the switching process will be started. Once you receive the PAC code, you'll pass that over to your new network and that's it.
If you're planning to stick with Three, the company is undergoing transformation as the newly merged Vodafone Three network. That's going to bring together Three and Vodafone and should result in customers getting better network access.
When Vodafone Three was announced recently, the company said that millions of customers would get a 4G speed boost "within just two weeks", but it seems that instead those customers were faced with no connectivity instead.
In the longer term, Three customers will benefit from Vodafone's existing network with plans to invest £11bn in infrastructure and in the next couple of months, Three customers will be able to use Vodafone's network to boost their own connection.
Currently, it hasn't been confirmed what caused the Three network problems on 25 June.
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Telegraph
35 minutes ago
- Telegraph
How to earn £7,500 tax-free from your home
Have you ever rented out a room in your home to a lodger? We'd like to hear from you. Email money@ If you have a spare bedroom in your home, the Government's rent-a-room scheme could be an extremely tax-efficient way to boost your income. The scheme allows you to earn up to £7,500 tax-free per year, completely legally, and regardless of your personal income tax bracket, simply by taking a lodger into your home. It's a welcome boon to those seeking a supplementary source of income and who have a spare bedroom gathering cobwebs. Designed to encourage homeowners to make better use of underutilised space, the scheme has the ability to turn your spare bedroom into a profitable financial asset, provided it is furnished and within your main residence. But while this may sound straightforward, making use of the scheme and letting someone into your home can be anything but. For instance, who is eligible for the scheme, do you need to inform HMRC and what happens if you exceed the £7,500 limit? In this comprehensive guide, we break down everything you need to know about the rent-a-room scheme. We will cover the following: What is the rent-a-room scheme? How rent-a-room tax relief works Lodgers vs tenants How to find the right lodger in six simple steps Conclusion and final thoughts Rent-a-room scheme FAQs Quick takeaways You can earn up to £7,500 tax-free by renting out a furnished room in your main residence. The scheme is available to both homeowners and tenants, provided the latter have landlord approval. It can be used with short-term rentals through bed and breakfasts, or student hosting, as long as the criteria are met. There is no need to file a tax return unless you exceed the income threshold or choose to opt out of the scheme due to wanting to claim expenses. Renting a room may affect council tax discounts, benefits and mortgages, so check first. Take time to identify and vet potential lodgers to ensure a smooth process and an amicable long-term living arrangement. What is the rent-a-room scheme? The rent-a-room scheme is a longstanding government initiative that permits homeowners or, in some cases, tenants, to earn tax-free income by having a lodger rent a room in their property. The income is capped at £7,500 per year, so if you share rental income with another person, then the threshold is split in half to £3,750 each. The first iteration of the scheme was introduced in 1992 as rent-a-room relief, aiming to 'incentivise individuals to make spare capacity in their homes available for rent'. It was an attempt to increase the supply of affordable housing and encourage the efficient use of residential space, especially in high-demand areas like London and other major cities. Matt Hutchinson, director at the flat-share site SpareRoom, notes a significant rise in lodgers since the pandemic: 'Landlords still make up the largest share of ads on SpareRoom (26.4pc), but homeowners are close behind at 22.3pc. 'Lodger numbers dropped during the pandemic, as people were more wary about having people in their homes, but we've since seen a sharp increase in homeowners advertising rooms – up 38.4pc between January 2022 and 2025.' Example A homeowner rents out a spare bedroom for £500 per month, which comes to £6,000 per year, well below the tax-free threshold. Therefore, they pay no tax on this income and don't need to inform HMRC. Who can use the rent-a-room scheme? The rent-a-room scheme can be used for more situations than you may think. To qualify, you can be either a resident landlord or a tenant in rented accommodation. Here are some aspects that must apply: Main residence: The property must be your primary home, where you live. You cannot claim the relief if you're renting out rooms in a property that isn't your main residence. Resident landlords: If you own and live at the property, you are considered a resident landlord and can therefore rent out a room and benefit from the scheme. Tenants: If you rent the property you live in, you can be eligible for the rent-a-room scheme, provided you have express written permission from your landlord. Furnished accommodation: This is an essential piece of criteria; the room you rent out must be furnished. Unfurnished rooms do not qualify for the scheme. Short-term lets: You can use the scheme for short-term rentals as long as the property remains your main residence. This means you can benefit from the scheme even if you run a bed and breakfast or advertise a room on Airbnb. While the scheme can be used for short-term lets, homeowners should be mindful of local regulations. Chris Norris, of the National Residential Landlord Association (NRLA), said: 'Provided the homeowner has the right to sublet, there should be relatively few legal risks. There are some areas where the amount of time that a property can be subject to a short let is limited, though – this is the case in London [where there is a limit of 90 nights]. In those cases, a landlord would need to be cautious about breaching planning rules.' Ineligible scenarios Certain situations disqualify you from using the scheme: Second homes: The room must be located at your main residence, not a second home. Also, if you live abroad and rent out your UK home, you cannot claim the relief. Separate properties: If the room is in a separate building from your main home, such as an annexe with its own entrance, it doesn't qualify. Homes converted into separate flats are also ineligible. Business use: Rooms used primarily for business purposes, like offices, are excluded. How rent-a-room tax relief works The way the rent-a-room scheme tax relief works is remarkably simple, especially if you are earning below the £7,500 threshold through rent paid by any lodgers. However, making sure you follow these rules correctly is still essential to ensure everything remains above board. Automatic tax exemption The reason the application of tax relief through the rent-a-room scheme is so simple is that it's automatic. In other words, if you earn below the £7,500 threshold through this form of income, you do not have to alert HMRC or even submit a tax return (providing you do not already have to submit one due to other income sources). However, it is still strongly recommended to keep records of your rental income in case HMRC requests it. Earning above the threshold If you generate enough rental income to exceed the £7,500 threshold (£625 per month), then this additional income will need to be declared in your self-assessment tax return. In this case, you'll need to indicate that you're opting into the scheme, which will be an option on the tax return. The amount you earn over the £7,500 threshold will be taxed depending on your personal income tax rate, i.e. how much you earn through all income sources. For instance, if you are a basic-rate taxpayer, you will pay 20pc on any income generated above the threshold, provided you have opted into the scheme. Expenses One thing to consider before claiming rent-a-room relief is expenses. You can't deduct allowable expenses and benefit from the rent-a-room scheme at the same time, so you'll need to weigh up which option will be most tax-efficient for you. The two options for tax relief are: Claim rent-a-room relief: Pay tax on the gross income that exceeds the £7,500 threshold, without deducting any expenses. Actual profit basis: Pay tax on your actual profit, which equates to total rental income minus any allowable expenses such as maintenance, utilities, insurance, etc. Example 1 You earn £10,000 in rental income and have £2,000 in expenses: Claim rent-a-room relief: Taxable income = £10,000 – £7,500 = £2,500 Actual profit basis: Taxable income = £10,000 – £2,000 = £8,000 In this example, claiming rent-a-room relief is far more profitable. Example 2 You earn £10,000 in rental income but have had to pay £3,000 on a new boiler and another £5,000 on structural repairs. Claim rent-a-room relief: Taxable income = £10,000 – £7,500 = £2,500 Actual profit basis: Taxable income = £10,000 – £8,000 = £2,000 In this example, claiming expenses reduced your taxable income by £500. Remember, you can always choose the more tax-efficient method at the end of the tax year, depending on any expenses you've incurred throughout the year. Lodgers vs tenants: legal differences and implications There are some distinct legal differences between tenants and lodgers. Tenants have more rights, whereas for lodgers, the arrangement is typically more flexible. Mr Norris clarifies the fundamental distinction: 'I think the most common misunderstanding is that a lodger in someone's home is not a tenant. They have a licence to occupy part of the property, which does not imbue the same rights or security as a tenancy. Landlords still have a responsibility to provide a safe home, but the arrangement is different.' With a lodger, landlords can: Retain access to the room, whereas they need permission to access the property when a tenant is renting it Receive a deposit without entering it into a deposit protection scheme, which is required for tenants Be on the hook for council tax, whereas tenants are typically responsible for paying this. Evicting a lodger One of the main benefits of having lodgers rather than tenants is in relation to eviction. Evicting a tenant can be an arduous process, which is to get even more difficult when the Renters Rights Bill is introduced. For lodgers on the other hand, landlords can terminate the agreement by providing 'reasonable notice', usually in line with the rental payment period. The amount of time you need to provide is dependent on whether they are an 'excluded occupier' or have basic protection. However, resident landlords should still be aware of the potential challenges. Mr Norris cautions: 'Resident landlords have to be very aware of their own safety and security, and just because you have the legal right to ask someone to leave doesn't mean that there are not risks involved or that the lodger will necessarily comply.' According to government guidance, the lodger is considered an excluded occupier if 'you or a member of your family share a kitchen, bathroom or living room with them'. Citizens Advice says, the notice period for an excluded occupier should be the same as the 'rent period'. If you do not share these common areas with your lodger, you will have to get an order from the court to evict your lodger. One thing to be aware of is that a lodger can automatically become a tenant if you move out of the property, in which case your legal obligations would change. Health and safety obligations As a landlord, benefiting from the rent-a-room scheme or otherwise, you are still responsible for ensuring the property is safe and habitable. This includes the following legal obligations: Gas safety: Annual checks by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Electrical safety: Regular inspections and maintenance of electrical installations. Fire safety: Installation of smoke alarms on each floor and carbon monoxide detectors where applicable. Furniture compliance: All furniture provided must meet fire resistance standards. If you are a homeowner, taking in a lodger can void your mortgage terms if you don't inform you're provider first. It can also void your home insurance policy, so be sure to check the conditions. Paula Higgins, of the Homeowners Alliance, also advised homeowners to make sure they've factored in the full financial implications of taking in a lodger beforehand. 'When you're thinking about the finances, remember to factor in all the costs,' she said. 'The rent you charge will need to cover the increase in your utility bills. Crucially, if you currently live alone, you will lose your 25pc single-person discount on council tax, so it's vital to build that into your calculations to ensure the arrangement is financially worthwhile.' How to find the right lodger in six simple steps Once you've decided to take in a lodger, finding the right one can be a daunting task. Here, we've outlined six simple steps to guide you through the process. Steps 1-3: Finding a lodger Define your ideal lodger: Before jumping into the search process, make sure you know exactly who you're looking for, and what kind of person aligns with your lifestyle. For instance, if you are an early riser who typically likes to be in bed early then this is probably something you will value in a lodger. Create a compelling advert: By determining exactly the kind of person you're looking for in step 1, you will be able to craft the perfect advertisement for your spare room. Highlight key features of your property, such as location and amenities (high-speed internet, for example), and set out the house rules and what you're looking for in a lodger to filter out inappropriate applicants. Include high-quality images to show your property in the best light. Make use of multiple advertising channels: Don't feel limited to just one online platform. These can include but are not limited to: dedicated flat-share portals like SpareRoom and Roomies, social media forums, community boards like a local gym or cafe and educational centres if you're open to housing a student. You can also use platforms like Airbnb for short-term rentals. Steps 4-6: Screening potential lodgers Conduct thorough interviews: A potential lodger may look great on paper, but you won't really know without meeting them in person. Conduct a thorough interview with candidates to get a feel for your compatibility as housemates. Perform background checks: Make sure to request references from previous landlords or employers to validate their credentials. You can also conduct credit checks to clarify their financial stability. It is a legal obligation to check if they have the right to rent in the UK. It is of vital importance to ensure that your screening process is as thorough as possible. Ms. Higgins said: 'It's not just about ticking boxes; it's about making sure their story adds up. Take the time to check employment details and follow up on references. Ask yourself, why are they looking for a room right now? Are they a young professional starting a new job, or a student here for a few months? A clear and plausible story is a good sign. Don't be afraid to trust your instincts if you spot any red flags.' Establish a clear agreement: Draft a written lodger agreement outlining the terms of the arrangement, including rent amount, payment schedule, notice period and house rules. This sets a precedent for the relationship and can prevent future misunderstandings. Miss Higgins outlined why a clear agreement can be invaluable: 'Clear communication from day one is the absolute key to a successful lodging arrangement, and that's precisely why a written lodger agreement is so valuable. It's the foundation for managing expectations. 'Be specific about the practical, day-to-day things to avoid future conflict. For example, what are the rules around using the kitchen and where should things be stored? What is the policy on overnight guests? Even small details, like a personal preference for no candles in bedrooms, should be included. Getting this all in writing prevents misunderstandings and ensures everyone feels respected.' Conclusion: Making the most of the rent-a-room scheme The rent-a-room scheme represents a tax-efficient way to boost your income. This can be especially beneficial when entering into retirement should you want to supplement your pension income. But the appeal of the scheme extends across different age groups. Mr Hutchinson said: 'While renters in their late-20s and early-30s still dominate the flatshare market, over-65s using SpareRoom have increased elevenfold in the past decade, and over-55s have tripled, showing how the cost of living is affecting all age groups.' Miss Higgins, who has used the scheme herself, believes the benefits can be personal as well as financial. 'I've rented out a room a few times, and it was a huge help with the mortgage when we first moved into a bigger house. But it's more than just income. There's a sense of security from having somebody else in the house when you're away. Rent-a-room scheme FAQs
The Guardian
39 minutes ago
- The Guardian
The arithmetic is tricky for a Shell bid for BP today. Next year may be different
BP is a sitting duck for a takeover bid by most criteria. Its share price has underperformed rivals' for years. The latest strategic 're-set' was a bits-and-pieces production involving disposals, which do not happen overnight, plus a dilution of green energy ambitions that upset one sub-set of shareholders and didn't go far enough according to another. Meanwhile, the chair, Helge Lund, exits next year, pursued by an activist investor. So Shell, the most credible possible bidder by a distance, would be asleep at the wellhead if it were not taking a look and calculating what costs could be removed, which development licences it fancies and how regulators and governments might react. That's standard stuff, and Shell, one assumes, will have maintained a version of such modelling for about 20 years, which is roughly as long as tales of a combination of the two companies have been running. But here comes a response to media reports that was as definitive as these things tend to come: Shell says it has 'no intention' of making an offer for BP, a statement that takes it off-side as a bidder for six months under Takeover Panel rules. One should still remember the small print about the circumstances in which the Panel's Rule 2.8 does not apply, because two are not unimaginable – somebody else taking a pop, or BP's board agreeing to a bid. But Shell also said it 'has not been actively considering making an offer' and 'has not made an approach', which was a strong signal to the market to cool its jets. The share prices of the two companies, after a brief burst of excitement in New York trading, went back to where they were. We're also back to the same place in terms of pin-pointing the biggest obstacle to a deal: Shell's share price. Or, more precisely, it is Shell management's loud declarations that its shares are dirt cheap and therefore should be bought by the company itself in large quantities for cancellation. Buy-backs have run at $3bn or more for 14 quarters in a row. 'I have said in the past that we want to be value hunters,' Wael Sawan, the chief executive, said in May. 'Today, value hunting – in my view – is buying back more Shell.' That doesn't in itself rule out mega bids, but it sets 'an incredibly high bar,' as the finance director, Sinead Gorman, put it. The thinking makes sense. Any £60bn-plus bid for an ailing rival would inevitably involve Shell issuing oodles of new paper. That is tricky to justify if you genuinely believe your acquisition currency is seriously undervalued and you add value by maintaining buy-backs. BP is not a must-do deal for Shell, as argued here previously. The arithmetic might work if BP's board agreed to roll over and be bought at a tiny takeover premium – but that possibility must be remote. None of which is to deny the industrial logic in a combination. There probably are huge costs that could be ripped out. Panmure Liberum's analyst notes that BP has more than 100,000 staff, yet Shell delivers far higher returns with 96,000. Equally, one could imagine Shell offering to buy chunks of BP's oil and gas acreage but not the whole company, something that is not excluded under Rule 2.8. But the takeover dance feels like it requires Shell's share price to be higher to make the numbers work. On that front, the recent trend is in the right direction but more progress is surely needed, which is why a 'nothing for six months' statement is costless from Shell's point of view. Next year the arithmetic may stack up more easily. As for BP, this is starting to feel like a proper crisis. Its share price has drifted even lower since the unveiling in February of the supposedly 'exciting' new strategy. Disposals to ease the strain on the balance sheet remain a work in progress. One assumes a new chair, with authority to re-set the re-set, will be found before the six months are up. But the appointment can't come soon enough.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
FTSE up as pound hits near four-year high
Miners and defence stocks helped support the FTSE 100 on Thursday, shaking off a stronger pound, which serves as a headwind for the international earner-heavy index. The pound spiked to its best level against the dollar since October 2021. The dollar fell on reports that US President Donald Trump is looking at naming a new Federal Reserve chief. Weaker US data also did little for the dollar. The FTSE 100 index rose 16.85 points, 0.2%, at 8,735.60. The FTSE 250 added 176.62 points, 0.8%, at 21,474.66, and the AIM All-Share climbed 6.59 points, 0.9%, at 767.04. In European equities on Thursday, the CAC 40 in Paris ended flat, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt added 0.6%. The pound was quoted higher at 1.3733 dollars at late on Thursday afternoon in London, compared to 1.3622 dollars at the equities close on Wednesday. The euro stood at 1.1698 dollars, higher against 1.1626 dollars. Against the yen, the dollar was trading at 144.48 yen, lower compared to 145.60 yen. The single currency had hit an intraday high of 1.1744 dollars, its best level since September 2021, while sterling had bought 1.3764 dollars, its loftiest level since October 2021. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Mr Trump is considering naming a new chair of the Fed as early as September or October, undermining Jerome Powell, whose term has another 11 months to run. Citing 'people familiar' with the matter, the newspaper said Mr Trump's impatience with the US central bank's slow approach to cutting interest rates has prompted him to consider accelerating his announcement of a successor as Fed chair. Under consideration as replacements, according to the WSJ, are Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, economic adviser Kevin Hassett, and former Fed governor Kevin Warsh, with Mr Trump evaluating each's commitment to cutting interest rates. The news knocked the dollar, sending the euro and sterling to multi-year highs against it. The Bureau of Economic Analysis said the US economy shrunk 0.5% on an annualised quarter-on-quarter rate in the first three months of the year. The second estimate had put the decline at 0.2%. On Friday, BEA will release personal consumption expenditure data for May, including core year-on-year PCE data, which is the key inflationary gauge for the Federal Reserve. The yield on the US 10-year Treasury was quoted at 4.28%, narrowing from 4.32% a day earlier. The yield on the US 30-year Treasury was quoted at 4.84%, narrowing from 4.86%. In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.7%, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite each added 0.6%. Brent oil was quoted lower at 67.83 dollars a barrel late on Thursday afternoon in London, down from 68.18 dollars on Wednesday. Gold was lower at 3,322.21 dollars an ounce against 3,323.77 dollars. In London, miners shone on the FTSE 100. Anglo American surged 6.9%, Antofagasta added 6.0% and Glencore perked up 5.5%. Defence stocks were also higher, with BAE Systems up 3.8%. 3i Group climbed 4.8%. It said Action continued to perform 'strongly', with like-for-like sales growth of 6.9% in the year to date and net new store openings of 111 on track with expansion plans. Action's product assortment includes decoration, DIY, garden and outdoor, household goods, multimedia, health, stationery and hobby, toys and entertainment, food and drink, laundry and cleaning, personal care, pet, fashion and linen. 'The like-for-like performance continues to be transaction driven with a strong contribution from seasonal sales,' 3i said. BP rose 1.3%, while Shell added 0.5%. Shell formally denied a press report that it is in talks to buy rival oil major BP. 'In response to recent media speculation Shell wishes to clarify that it has not been actively considering making an offer for BP and confirms it has not made an approach to, and no talks have taken place with, BP with regards to a possible offer,' the London-based energy company said in a statement. 'Shell confirms it has no intention of making an offer for BP,' the company added. Volex climbed 18%. It reported increased earnings for the 2025 financial year and raised its dividend in an 'outstanding year'. The manufacturer of critical power and data transmission products said revenue was up 19% at 1.09 billion dollars in the 12 months to the end of March from 912.8 million dollars a year ago. Pretax profit climbed 25% to 64.3 million dollars from 51.6 million dollars, while operating profit was up 30% to 82.9 million dollars from 63.9 million dollars. Next 15 slumped 28%. The stock is down around three-quarters over the past 12 months. It warned that profit for the current financial year will fall materially short of expectations, citing a weaker dollar, rising investment costs, and pipeline conversion issues at its innovation business Mach49. The London-based business growth consultant said more than half of its revenue is dollar-denominated, exposing it to adverse foreign exchange movements. The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 were Anglo American, up 138.0p at 2,143.5p, Antofagasta, up 104.0p at 1,830.0p, Glencore, up 14.9p at 288.2p, Entain, up 44.8p at 900p, and 3i Group, up 189.0p at 4,138.0p. The biggest fallers on the FTSE 100 were Unilever, down 114.0p at 4,388.0p, British American Tobacco, down 74.0p at 3,443.0p, Hikma, down 37.0p at 1,999.0p, HSBC, down 14.5p at 875.5p, and Haleon, down 5.8p at 377.6p. Friday's economic calendar has the US PCE data at 13:30 BST, after eurozone consumer confidence data at 10:00 BST.
