logo
10 freebies and discounts for pensioners worth £7,437 in May including free passports and cinema tickets

10 freebies and discounts for pensioners worth £7,437 in May including free passports and cinema tickets

The Sun05-05-2025

MILLIONS of pensioners can ease pressure on budgets with free cash, and discounts stacking up to thousands of pounds worth of value.
Britons reaching state pension age can unlock a range of freebies through various schemes from companies and the government.
1
Making the most of perks can help ease cost pressures as well as enhancing the quality of life without spending more.
The range from public transport helping you to get out and about, to council tax discounts which keeps more cash in your budget each month.
Here's guide to the freebies and discounts available for pensioners this May.
Discounted days out and cinema tickets - £24
If you're over 60, you can get discounted days out and cinema tickets.
Empire has special Senior screenings for over-60s every Wednesday morning and tickets cost £4.50.
Odeon also holds weekly Silver Cinema screenings for over-60s with ticket prices starting at £3.50.
Both cinemas also provide free refreshments too.
Plus, Vue cinemas senior screenings are discounted for over 60s and include a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Showcase offers senior admission every Monday to any standard film starting before 12pm and it costs £5.
You can find your nearest branches using the locator tool on the website.
Existing National Trust members aged 60 who have been a member for the last three years or more can get 25% off the price.
This means that you'll pay £72 for individual senior annual membership instead of £96 for an adult membership, saving £24.
Discounted travel - £1,084
In England you can get an older persons bus pass for free travel when you reach state pension age, for both men and women.
In Wales and Scotland you can get a free bus pass when you reach 60.
Anyone over the age of 60 who lives in London can claim an Older Person's Freedom Pass.
This allows you to travel free on TfL services anytime Monday to Friday, except between 04:30-09:00. You can travel free anytime at weekends and on bank holiday
There are further other schemes that run across the country, check with your local council to see what financial support is available.
The value depends on how much a bus pass is in your local area. In London an annual bus and tram pass is £988.
If you often travel on trains, the Senior Railcard offers a third off train fares.
It costs £30 but the average cardholder saves £96 annually, add that to the cost of bus travel and you see savings of more than £1,000.
Free passport - £94.50
British nationals born on or before 2 September 1929 can skip the charges of a passport and get one for free.
This saves a pensioner up to £94.50.
However, if you need to use the fast track service you'll still need to pay.
Free prescriptions – worth £114.50 annually
Once you turn 60, prescriptions are free across England, Scotland, and Wales.
If you need regular prescriptions and buy an annual prepayment certificate, you can save up to £114.50 annually.
Free Eye Tests - £25
All over-60s qualify for free NHS eye tests, which typically cost between £20 and £25.
You should schedule a check-up once a year, as well as testing your eyesight, it also checks overall eye health.
National insurance exemption – £1,851.20
Many choose to keep working past state pension age, but as you have reached entitlement to the state pension you no longer need to pay National Insurance.
The amount you save depends on how much you earn.
But to give you an idea, someone earning £20,000 a year currently pays £594 in primary Class 1 NICs, while an employee earning £40,000 this year will pay £2,194, according to data from Tax.org.uk.
And the average weekly wage in the UK according to the ONS is £687 for total earnings which would mean a typical £1,851.20 in National Insurance, which you save after State Pension Age.
Pension Credit - £3,900
When you reach state pension the benefits you are entitled to change.
It's important to claim what you can as these are often the gateway for getting further discounts and freebies.
This is particularly the case with Pension Credit, which hundreds of thousands of eligible pensioners are failing to claim.
It tops up the income of pensioners on lower earnings.
It will take weekly income up to to £218.15 if you're single or joint income to £332.95.
The exact value will depend on your income but DWP says the average reward is worth more than £3,900 a year.
It's not difficult to apply for Pension Credit, you can do it up to four months before you reach state pension age through the government website or by calling 0800 99 1234.
Once you get pension credit you qualify for a while host of extra freebies, which we lay out below.
Free TV lic ence - £174.50
If you're 75 or over and you receive Pension Credit you can claim a free TV licence, saving you £174.50 a year.
Free NHS dental treatment – save £26.80
If you or your partner claim Pension Credit, you're entitled to free NHS dental care.
Depending on the treatment, this could save you anywhere from £26.80 for a routine check-up to £319.10 for dental work such as crowns or dentures.
Tell your dentist about your eligibility before receiving treatment.
Discounted broadband – save £142.92
Many broadband providers offer discounted social tariffs for those on low income.
Often you may need to be on certain benefits such as Pension Credit to qualify.
These plans often cost as little as £14.99 per month, compared to the average broadband cost of £26.90 per month, and they usually include line rental too.
Over the year, this could save you £142.92.
Discounted water bills
If you're on a low income, ask your water provider about social tariffs, which can knock hundreds of pounds of your bill.
Discounts vary depending on the provider, and some offer a flat rate, while others will give a percentage discount.
Contact your supplier to find out what's available.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data.
You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Family visa income threshold should not rise to skilled worker level
Family visa income threshold should not rise to skilled worker level

North Wales Chronicle

timean hour ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Family visa income threshold should not rise to skilled worker level

Skilled workers are only eligible to come to the UK if they earn a salary of £38,700 or more, compared to £29,000 required mainly for British citizens or settled residents to bring their partner to the country under family visas. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) set out its recommendations after a review requested by the Home Secretary to look at how to set a minimum income requirement (MIR) for family visas that balances economic wellbeing and family life. The previous government planned to introduce the higher threshold for family visa applicants to be equivalent to the skilled worker level. But the committee's report said: 'Given the family route that we are reviewing has a completely different objective and purpose to the work route, we do not understand the rationale for the threshold being set using this method. 'We do not recommend the approach based on the skilled worker salary threshold as it is unrelated to the family route and is the most likely to conflict with international law and obligations (e.g. Article 8).' Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights is the right to private and family life that can be applied to migration cases in the UK. The UK's current £29,000 threshold is high compared to other high-income countries reviewed by the MAC. The analysis found a high proportion of applicants for partner visas are women and 90% are under the age of 44. Pakistan is the largest nationality to use the route applying from outside the country. The committee's analysis gave some options that a threshold of £24,000 to £28,000 could give more priority to economic wellbeing, such as reducing the burden to taxpayers, than on family life. It also suggested a criteria of £23,000 to £25,000 to ensure families can support themselves but not necessarily require them to earn a salary above minimum wage. Chairman of MAC, Professor Brian Bell, said: 'While the decision on where to set the threshold is ultimately a political one, we have provided evidence on the impacts of financial requirements on families and economic wellbeing, and highlight the key considerations the government should take into account in reaching its decision.' While the committee said it is not possible to predict how different threshold changes would impact net migration, it said lowering the amount to £24,000, for example, could mean an increase of around one to three percent of projected future net migration. The report added: 'Determining the MIR threshold involves striking a balance between economic wellbeing and family life. 'Whilst a lower threshold would favour family life and entail a higher net fiscal cost to the taxpayer, a higher threshold (below a certain level) would favour economic wellbeing. 'But a higher number of families would experience negative impacts relating to financial pressures, prolonged separation, relationships, adults' mental health and children's mental health and education.' The committee advised against raising the threshold for families with children as despite them facing higher living costs, the impacts on family life appear 'particularly significant' for children. It also recommended keeping the income amount required the same across all regions of the UK. The MAC also said their review was 'greatly hindered' by insufficient data and urged for better data collection by the Home Office on characteristics of each applicant to be linked to outcomes to inform further policy decisions. Reacting to the recommendations, shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the report shows that raising the salary threshold will drive migration numbers down and urged for the threshold to be increased to £38,000. 'Migration figures remain far too high. It's time to end ECHR obstruction, raise the salary thresholds, and take back control of who comes into this country,' he said. 'As Kemi and I said on Friday, if the ECHR stops us from setting our own visa rules, from deporting foreign criminals or from putting Britain's interests first, then we should leave the ECHR.' A Home Office spokesperson said: 'The Home Secretary commissioned the independent Migration Advisory Committee to undertake a review. 'We are now considering its findings and will respond in due course. More broadly, the government has already committed to legislate to clarify the application of Article 8 of the ECHR for applicants, caseworkers and the courts.'

Luxury UK car makers hit by ‘multiple geopolitical headwinds'
Luxury UK car makers hit by ‘multiple geopolitical headwinds'

North Wales Chronicle

timean hour ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Luxury UK car makers hit by ‘multiple geopolitical headwinds'

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said companies such as Aston Martin, McLaren and Morgan are having to cope with volatile trading conditions, decarbonisation rules and production cost pressures. The study found the total turnover of the UK's high-value, small-volume manufacturers in 2024 was more than £5.5 billion, with around nine in 10 of their vehicles shipped overseas. They were responsible for just 4% of the UK's car production, but accounted for 12% of its value. In excess of 15,000 people are employed in high-skilled, well-paid jobs by the companies, the SMMT found. The report stated: 'The UK's small volume manufacturers face a series of challenges … (which) threaten competitiveness and growth.' SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: 'Britain's luxury, performance and niche vehicle makers are exemplars of automotive design, engineering and manufacturing – and a quintessential British success story. 'Government rightly recognises the importance of these high-value and iconic brands to the UK economy and, amid multiple geopolitical headwinds, the industry is looking to work together to ensure the sector can not just survive but thrive. 'A successful sector would deliver the economic growth, well-paid jobs and exports that Government craves, helping keep Britain firmly on the global automotive map.' Industry minister Sarah Jones, said: 'Our luxury automotive manufacturers are iconic British brands recognised worldwide, and this report rightly highlights the huge contribution they make to the UK economy. 'We're ensuring our carmakers go from strength to strength as we deliver our Plan for Change, and we've already secured landmark trade deals with the US and India, which will cut tariffs for the sector and create new export opportunities. 'Our modern industrial strategy will set out a long-term plan to support our manufacturers, including by creating the right conditions for increased investment, bringing growth, jobs and opportunities to every part of the UK.' The UK-US trade deal was confirmed in a call between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump on May 8. It included American tariffs on UK cars being 10% for the first 100,000 vehicles exported. Mr Trump had previously set the tariff rate on car exports to the US at 27.5%.

Five-word warning for Brits visiting tiny island flooded with over 6m tourists
Five-word warning for Brits visiting tiny island flooded with over 6m tourists

Daily Mirror

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mirror

Five-word warning for Brits visiting tiny island flooded with over 6m tourists

Despite witnessing a record-breaking number of international tourists last year, one picture postcard island has witnessed a surge in incidents relating to methanol poisoning A tiny island famed for its pristine beaches and lively nightlife has seen its tourism boom in recent years - despite stark travel warnings. Whether you're after a chilled beach club, silent yoga retreat, or TikTok-inspired spiritual awakening, Bali's mass appeal is undeniable. It has some pretty stunning temples, sugar-like beaches, lush rice paddies, and an unbeatable cuisine. Last year, the hotspot, located in Indonesia, welcomed a staggering 6.3 million international tourists, surpassing its pre-pandemic peak. ‌ Unsurprisingly, Australia accounted for the majority of tourists, due to its close proximity. But, last month (May 30) the country's government reviewed its advice for Indonesia following a series of recent incidents involving drownings and methanol poisoning. Urging Aussies to 'exercise a high degree of caution' when travelling to the country - the body said: "Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks. Cases of methanol poisoning in drinks have previously been reported in Indonesia, including in Bali and Lombok." ‌ The Mirror contacted the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) - which advises Brits on which countries are safe to travel to - asking whether it was also updating its warning page for Indonesia to reflect the recent surge. A spokesperson did not explicitly comment on Australia's updated advice, and instead sent over the organisation's guide for Indonesia - which hasn't been updated since April 8, 2025. The FCDO currently advises against all travel to a number of volcanoes in Indonesia, including Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, Mount Sinabung, Mount Marapi, Mount Semeru, and Mount Ruang. However, it does not have a current warning against Bali for either essential or non-essential travel. Still, under its 'Safety and Security' section, the FCDO has issued a blunt five-word warning for travellers: "Watch your drinks being prepared." It adds: "There have been reports of drink spiking linked to sexual assault in Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands. "Do not leave [your drinks] unattended. Do not accept drinks from strangers at clubs or parties. Tourists have been assaulted or robbed after taking visitors to their hotel rooms, and in some cases have found that their drinks were spiked." ‌ The FCDO clearly states that many people, including British nationals, have died or suffered serious illness in Indonesia after drinking spirits that contain methanol due to inadequate distillation. Affected drinks have included: local spirits, including arak/arrack (a local rice or palm liquor) spirit-based mixed drinks, such as cocktails counterfeit brand-name bottled alcohol in shops or behind the bar To protect yourself from methanol poisoning, it is recommended to only buy alcohol from licensed liquor stores or bars, and make sure the bottle seals are intact. It's also worth checking for poor print quality or incorrect spelling on your beverages, as well as avoiding homemade alcoholic drinks. ‌ The FCDO also warns tourists to be 'alert' when out at night and avoid poorly-lit areas due to a high number of reported rapes and sexual assaults. "If you call a taxi, use only registered companies, such as Bluebird, Silverbird or Express, and check the driver's identity," it states. "If you book with a mobile app, check the driver is the same as the person on the app, and share your journey with a friend using the app. Be wary of drivers claiming to be registered with app companies and trying to pick up passengers on the street." Other safety warnings include credit card fraud, bag-snatching, and pickpocketing. "Conceal your bag as much as possible to reduce the risk. Carry only essential items and take care of your passport and bank cards," the FCDO advises.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store