UK house price growth halved in April, ONS says
June 18 (Reuters) - British house price growth halved in April, when a hike in property transaction taxes took effect, official data showed on Wednesday.
Annual house price growth cooled to 3.5% from 7.0% in March, the Office for National Statistics said.
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The Independent
19 minutes ago
- The Independent
Pensioners warned to watch out for Winter Fuel Payment scam texts after Labour changes
Pensioners have been warned to watch out for scam texts about the Winter Fuel Payment changes after Labour confirmed millions more will be able to receive it this year. Eligibility for the payment was slashed for 2024, excluding all but the very poorest pensioners from claiming it. The government has now responded to calls to undo this measure, raising the threshold so that anyone with an income of or below £35,000 will receive it this winter. Just over three-quarters of pensioners – nine million people – will now receive the benefit, the government estimates. The further two million pensioners with taxable incomes above the threshold will remain exempt. Crucially, pensioners now don't need to do anything to receive the payment. It will now be paid automatically to all, with those with incomes over the threshold having it clawed back automatically through the tax system. This means any text purporting to be from the DWP urging pensioners to 'apply' for their Winter Fuel Payment a scam, the department has confirmed. Those receiving these texts should be especially wary if they contain requests for bank details, payment, or claim there is a time limit. The issue was recently raised by Cheshire West and Chester council, whose trading standards officers are warning pensioners in the area against falling foul of the scam texts after seeing a rise in them. The local authority has shared an example of a fraudulent text that was sent to a pensioner in the area: 'DWP Service Centre: You have not yet completed your application for an energy subsidy for 2024-2025. The subsidy is £300. It is important that you submit your application by 10 June. Late applications will not be processed. (LINK) (Please reply 'yes' and then exit the text message and re-open to activate the link, or copy the link and open it in your browser). Have a great day, DWP.' One woman on social media shared how she fell foul of a scam earlier this year: 'I'm absolutely furious! I have just been the victim of a scam targeting older people. I was sent a text message supposed to be from the D.W.P, telling me about the winter fuel payment. The text continues to say that I can't get this because I have not completed the application form yet. 'They said that the deadline is tomorrow and therefore I must complete the form urgently. So they wanted details my full name phone number email address and they wanted to test my card by saying if I pay them £1 then they would reimburse me. 'When I tried to use my debit card it wasn't acceptable so I used my credit card. After that it said that I should send the code that they had sent me to make sure my money was safe. But they hadn't sent me a code. And everytime I pressed help nothing happened. 'They have details to all my money and I am unbelievably stressed so please people be very careful and don't fall for a scam like I did.' Fortunately, she was able to contact her bank to cancel both of her cards, meaning no money had been lost. The pensioner revealed that the scammers had attempted to add her credit card to a mobile phone, but failed because it was cancelled. Cheshire West and Chester council cabinet member for community safety, Stuart Bingham said: 'This latest scam appears timed to coincide with the chancellor's announcement this week of the changes to the winter fuel payment, extending the eligibility criteria. Watch out for fake text messages claiming to be from the Government, inviting you to apply for a new winter fuel payment. 'This scam is a repeat of a similar scam in the autumn of 2024. There is no requirement to apply for the payment. Do not give anyone your personal data after receiving a text message. Please also check on vulnerable neighbours and relatives to ensure they are aware of this scam.'
Daily Mail
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
American Express makes major change to credit card eligibility - are YOU affected?
American Express is changing the minimum income requirements for three of its most popular credit cards. The credit card giant reintroduced minimum income requirements for its cards in 2023, having scrapped them in 2016. American Express is now tweaking the income requirements for three of its credit cards so they have a lower threshold. The minimum income requirement for the British Airways American Express credit card is now £15,000 where previously it had been £20,000. The minimum income requirement for both the American Express Rewards credit card and the Amex Cashback Everyday credit card has also dropped to £15,000 from £20,000. The popular American Express Gold and Platimum cards' minimum income requirement remains unchanged at £20,000 and £35,000 respectively. The Platinum card's minimum income requirement was £40,000 in 2016. The only card which has seen a jump in the minimum income requirement since 2016 is the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card. It was available on a £20,000 income in 2016 but now requires £35,000. Rob Burgess, editor of frequent flyer website Head for Points, said: 'The previous limits were not exactly tough for anyone in a full time job. 'Someone on minimum wage doing 40 hours per week would qualify for every American Express card except The Platinum Card and the British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card.' 'The winners from these changes are probably the retired or part-time workers, who may now find they earn enough to apply for specific products.' Income for the purpose of an American Express card is your personal annual pre-tax income, this can include wages and savings. The minimum income requirements for other credit cards American Express offers have not changed. These are:
The Independent
34 minutes ago
- The Independent
Government urged to do more to show it values public services
A senior union leader has urged the Government to do more to show it values public services and the workers who deliver them. Christina McAnea, general secretary of Unison, told her union's annual conference in Liverpool that if the Government could change its mind on so many issues, it could change it on taxation. 'Tax wealth and profits, and raise the money needed to fix our country. That's the message I'll continue to take to Government,' she told delegates. 'I want Labour to do more to show it values our public services, and the people – our members – who deliver them. 'How do I think they should pay for this? 'Not by taking money away from those least able to afford it, but by taking it from those with the deepest pockets.' Ms McAnea said Unison's job was to hold Labour to account, to tell the party to do its job better. She added: 'Just as we did when they attacked benefits – we were one of the first unions to come out against the cut to the winter fuel allowance. 'They've changed their stance, we've not. 'Some commentators say Labour changing their policies is a sign of weakness. 'I disagree – I think it's a sign of maturity, and of growing into the role of Government after 14 years out in the cold – and it's a sign they're listening to us.'
