EXCLUSIVE Do you live in one of Britain's fastest shrinking towns? Find out with our interactive tool that charts the underpopulation crisis
Deaths outnumber births in half of neighbourhoods, according to analysis laying bare the 'alarming' baby bust.
Some of the worst-hit areas across England and Wales are shrinking naturally at a pace of 5 per cent a year, in trends which have spooked experts. Parts of Wales, Merseyside, Devon, Dorset and Sussex are threatened by 'underpopulation', data suggests.
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BBC News
41 minutes ago
- BBC News
Wake Up to Money Government Spending: Nukes, New Homes and Nuclear Power
The government's Spending Review has been published and Wake Up to Money has been combing through the detail. Will Bain goes through the highlights with Kevin Brundish, chief executive of the battery scale-up company Lionvolt; Emma Wall, head of platform investments at Hargreaves Lansdown; and Simon French, chief economist at Panmure Liberum. With technology, AI and nuclear energy getting boosts in investment in this spending round, we also hear from former boss of both Rolls Royce and semiconductor design firm ARM, Warren East. Plus, a new report from Deloitte suggests that the English football system is "under strain," even though Europe's 'Big Five' leagues are collectively breaking records. Deloitte Sports Business Group's head of insights, Jennifer Haskel, explains why.
Telegraph
44 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Five loopholes wealthy pensioners can use to claim winter fuel payments
Pensioners are being advised on how to tweak their annual income to ensure they receive the winter fuel payment. Those earning above £35,000 a year are frozen out of keeping the government-funded cash boost under new rules unveiled by Rachel Reeves. Financial planners told The Telegraph that those just above the £35,000 limit could make small behavioural changes which will give them a cash boost this winter. Alice Haine, of wealth manager Bestinvest, said the new threshold 'is effectively another tax cliff-edge'. 'Paying attention to what constitutes as income may become very important for those whose incomes hover around the £35,000 mark, as a minor adjustment could be the difference between receiving the payment or handing it back through tax.' Income from the state pension, private pensions, savings interest and dividend payments all constitute the annual pot which determines winter fuel eligibility. How the new rules work Following a barrage of criticism for swiftly axing the winter fuel payment for millions last year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves about-turned on the policy this week. She said the decision to reinstate winter fuel payments for the majority of elderly people meant 'no pensioner on a lower income will miss out'. Under the new rules, those earning over £35,000 will receive the money, but it will be effectively clawed back via HMRC based on an individual's taxable income. If both occupants of a household have an income over £35,000, they will be required to return their full winter fuel payment via a tax return or PAYE. If one occupant has an income over £35,000 and the other less, half the money must be returned. In households where both pensioners earn less than the threshold, they will keep the full payment. Around 75pc of pensioners in England and Wales, approximately nine million people, will be entitled to the payment. Five ways to become eligible Sarah Coles, of Hargreaves Lansdown, said 'there are some sensible no regrets moves you can make'. Here are the five steps pensioners could consider. Reduce pension drawdown income Those who take their income from a pension drawdown could reduce their taxable earnings. For example, they could take a smaller income and top up their spending needs from tax-free cash instead. 'This could keep them just under the line, but they need to be sure this still aligns with their overall retirement plan,' said Jon Greer, of tax firm Quilter. By making use of this tactic, you wouldn't lose any income, as the money not taken as a monthly payment will remain in your pension pot for drawdown further down the line. Ms Haine said it would make most financial sense for pensioners to reduce their regular drawdown in February and March in the run-up to the end of the tax year. She added: 'This ties in with the break households receive on their council tax bill, which is typically charged across 10 months with a two-month pause in February and March.' 'Stopping drawdown in those months might ensure the loss of income coincides with the point when there are no council tax charges to pay.' Transfer assets to a lower-earning spouse In situations where one partner earns above the £35,000 threshold and their partner doesn't, couples could shift assets to the lower earner to ensure they can receive the full winter fuel allowance. While a pension cannot be transferred to someone else's name, other income-generating assets such as investment portfolios can. As an example, Tom and Sally are both retired and married. Tom receives £36,000 per year from a mix of the state pension, private pensions and dividends. Sally's income is around £20,000. If Tom transfers part of his portfolio that delivers £2,000 in annual dividends to Sally, this lowers his annual income to £34,000, while boosting hers by £2,000. Tom now falls below the threshold, and from a household wealth point of view, they are no different. Sally would also benefit from using her tax-free dividend allowance (up to £500) too, meaning they get the winter fuel payment and potentially less tax on the dividend income. Move savings into an Isa The tax havens, which can prove beneficial in a host of scenarios, can once again prove a shrewd tactic for those just missing out on the winter fuel payment. Ms Haine said: 'With savings interest, even if it falls within your personal savings allowance, it's considered taxable income, so the chunk you don't pay tax on will count towards the £35,000.' For instance, if a pensioner earns £2,000 a year in savings interest, that sum will count towards their annual income in the eyes of winter fuel eligibility. 'But if you move that money into a cash Isa, all the interest is tax-free, which takes it out of the calculation,' Ms Haine said. The same goes for taxable income from investments. Moving these into a stocks and shares Isa would reduce your taxable income and could also bring you under the threshold. Draw money from your Isa rather than pension For those already with hefty Isa savings, you could dip into the savings to reduce your reliance on your pension income. In doing so, you'd need to sacrifice growth in your Isa, so it might not be worth taking such action for the sake of earning the winter fuel payment. Ms Coles said: 'It's not going to work for everyone, but if you have Isa savings and investments alongside your pension, you can consider where you draw your income from. 'If you were planning to draw money from a pension that would take all your taxable income slightly over £35,000, for example, you could take some of it from an Isa and stay under the threshold – it would protect you from tax as well.' Donate to charity Alternatively, you could donate to charity to reduce your overall income, and slip below the £35,000 line. Ms Haine said: 'Charitable donation can be another way to reduce an individual's taxable income, as the charity takes the donation and then reclaims the tax paid by the giver from HMRC. 'For couples, making sure the charitable donations are made by the spouse or civil partner with the higher marginal tax rate has the potential to reduce taxable income below the £35,000 threshold. What to do next Wealth managers expect to see increased queries from middle-earning pensioners in the coming months over whether they could make minor changes to become eligible for the winter fuel allowance. When determining what to do next, make sure to weigh up the overall implications of any changes. Mr Greer said: 'We could see some very small behavioural changes among those with flexible income streams, particularly couples with a bit of financial wriggle room. 'But the fact remains that £200 or £300 isn't a big enough carrot for most to make major changes, especially when the rules risk becoming even more complex.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Cover ugly walls or fences with a beautiful, fast-growing flower – it also adds privacy to your garden
IF your garden has an ugly wall or fence that needs brightening up, there's one flower for the job. You can cover the eyesore and help to elevate your garden's privacy in one go. The experts at Gardener's World named the best plant for the job, and detailed how to grow and prune it. They recommended adding trumpet vines, officially known as Campsis, to your walls and fences. The deciduous woody climbers feature red, orange, or yellow tubular flowers that bloom from late summer through to autumn. Give these plants a large space to grow, ideally on a south-facing wall or a pergola in direct sunlight. They will quickly cover a framework, but experts advise annual pruning to control growth. Trumpet vines are known to cause skin irritation, so always wear gloves when handling. Plant these vines against a large wall or fence, or you can train them up a trellis or pergola, They can also be grown in large pots placed in a warm sheltered spot against a wall or fence. While they are frost hardy, they thrive in warmer conditions, with full sunlight helping to ripen the new wood. This improves hardiness and promotes prolific flowering, with the plants often growing to 12 metres with wall support. I transformed my garden patio into summer haven for less than £100 with cheap B&M buys including gadget to keep bugs out They are ideal for adding privacy to your space and can spread for up to four metrese in width. But be warned, trumpet vines can be invasive so be sure to grow them in containers to help restrict their spread. TikTok garden pro Michael (@themediterraneangardener) also recommended the climbing plant for quick coverage of walls and fences. He described the flower as "fast-growing", explaining "it will quickly cover a wall or a fence". Trumpet vines are best planted in spring or early autumn and need to be watered thoroughly. How to create privacy in your garden CREATING privacy in your garden can be achieved in a number of ways depending on your budget, and the size of your space. Here are some effective ways to enhance privacy in your garden: 1. Fencing Install a tall, solid wooden or vinyl fence. This is one of the most straightforward ways to gain immediate privacy. Or use lattice panels, trellis, or slatted fencing to add a decorative touch while still offering privacy. 2. Hedges and Plants Fast-growing evergreen shrubs or trees like Leylandii, Thuja, or Bamboo along the boundary of your garden can help with privacy. Grow a dense hedge using plants like Boxwood, Privet, or Laurel. It may take time to grow, but it provides a natural and green privacy screen. Use climbers like Ivy, Clematis, or Wisteria on fences or trellises to create a lush, green privacy barrier. 3. Outdoor Curtains Hang outdoor curtains around pergolas, gazebos, or patios for an easy-to-adjust privacy solution. 4. Sound Barriers A water fountain or small waterfall can help drown out noise, adding to the sense of privacy. Or install fencing designed to reduce noise if privacy from sound is also a concern. For the best results, mix organic matter such as garden compost into the planting area. Dig a hole at least twice as wide as the pot and around the same depth. This should be placed approximately 45 centimetres from the base of the wall or fence. Loosen the soil at the edges of the hole and remove the plant from its pot, teasing out the roots. Place the vines in the hole levelling the top of the rootball with the soil. Then refill the hole and gently firm the soil around the plant, removing any air pockets. As well as watering the plant, you should mulch with compost or chipped bark. You can also tie the shoots into supports to start training the vine. 2
