Lidl's £3.99 middle aisle bargain will save you hundreds on getting the handyman in – & it's less than half price of B&Q
LIDL has the perfect DIY bargain to help you save hundreds on getting handymen in, and it's less than half the price of B&Q's version.
With temperatures skyrocketing to 28C today many Brits will be spending time in the garden, basking in the heat.
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However, whilst settling down to relax, you may have noticed that your outdoor space is in need of a bit of a TLC.
Getting the handyman in to do up your garden can cost a fortune, but thankfully Lidl's Middle Aisle is currently stocked full of bargains to help you do it up yourself.
Lidl Multifunctional Angle Gauge
In stores now is the Parkside Multifunctional Angle Gauge, which costs just £3.99.
It can be used for marking and transferring angles, heights and depths, making it perfect for building outdoor furniture, or sprucing up your fence or decking.
The nifty tool helps you to easily record and mark measurements, and has a scale of 0-30cm.
The angle range is 0–90° and the angle scale is 0–180°.
The bargain tool can be found in the middle aisle of your local Lidl.
However, as with all Middle of Lidl bargains, you better be quick, as once they're gone, they're gone.
Cheaper than B&Q
Lidl's bargain tool is currently on sale for less than half the price of B&Q's Magnusson Stainless steel Angle measurer, which is currently on sale for £8.99.
The B&Q tool measures angles between 0°-180° and depth between 0-100mm.
I made a DIY fence for £68 with pallets from Facebook Marketplace - it gives more privacy & people say it's 'fantastic'
It also features a brass locking nut, nickel-plated and stainless steel washer.
More Lidl DIY Bargains
Lidl's Parkside 4V Cordless Rotary Tool is another perfect product for doing some garden DIY.
The £11.99 gadget can be used for routing, grinding, polishing, cleaning and engraving.
It has an adjustable power speed with an LED display and comes with an abundance of accessories, including three polishing wheels, four sanding sleeves and one threaded mandrel.
Why do Aldi and Lidl have such fast checkouts
IF you've ever shopped in Aldi or Lidl then you'll probably have experienced its ultra-fast checkout staff.
Aldi's speedy reputation is no mistake, in fact, the supermarket claims that its tills are 40 per cent quicker than rivals.
It's all part of Aldi's plan to be as efficient as possible - and this, the budget shop claims, helps keep costs low for shoppers.
Efficient barcodes on packaging means staff are able to scan items as quickly as possible, with the majority of products having multiple barcodes to speed up the process.
It also uses 'shelf-ready' packaging which keeps costs low when it comes to replenishing stock.
Plus, it's a whopping £55 cheaper than the Dremel Cordless Lite Rotary tool 3.6V which is currently on sale at B&Q for £67.
DIY fans will also be pleased to know that Lidl has launched a £4.99 toolkit that will save you hundreds on buying a new phone.
The Parkside Smartphone Repair Set comes with 32 pieces, including screwdrivers and suction cups, to help you take apart your smartphone, and fix it yourself.
The kit can be used to fix any smartphone including Apple and Samsung devices, and can also be used to fix laptop and tablet screens as well.
Anyone who has been struggling to sleep in the extreme heat will be pleased to know that Livarno Home Double TopCool Duvet has landed in Lidl stores just in time for the heatwave.
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Telegraph
10 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Reeves expected to extend stealth raid on income tax
Rachel Reeves is expected to freeze income tax thresholds in her autumn Budget to fill a £40 billion black hole. The Chancellor has been put under pressure by three policy U-turns by Sir Keir Starmer, which are set to increase public spending by about £4 billion later in the year. Some within the Labour Party believe she may not survive the year if she is forced to raise taxes and impose further cuts at the same time. The latest policy reversal, on benefit cuts, will mean the Government will save just half of the £5 billion it hoped to recoup from sickness and disability payments. But Ms Reeves has left herself with few options to raise funds. As well as committing not to increase the rates of income tax, National Insurance or VAT, nor to raise corporation tax, she has insisted she will not break Labour's fiscal rules. Freezing the threshold for the additional rate of income tax was one of the suggestions in a memo from Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, to Ms Reeves which was leaked to The Telegraph last month. The current freeze, which was due to be lifted in 2028, dragged seven million people into higher tax brackets last year, raising around £15 billion. Paul Johnson, the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, an independent think tank, said a further freeze in thresholds would be 'pretty high up the attractiveness scale' in this year's Budget. 'I think it's fairly likely, as a politically easy way to raise something of the order of £10 billion in additional revenue by the end of the Parliament,' he told The Telegraph. One Labour MP said the Chancellor was now 'in deep trouble' because she has already ruled out several of the easiest ways to raise revenue. 'It's hard to forgive her for where we are now. She locked herself in, foolishly, to a set of commitments that have become unsustainable,' the MP said. The Treasury was already facing a black hole of between £20 billion and £30 billion because of lower-than-expected growth forecasts, partly driven by Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs. The £4 billion cost of Sir Keir's U-turns is expected to be compounded by a revision to the Office for Budget Responsibility's (OBR) medium-term productivity forecast this summer and growth forecast this autumn, which could have an impact on revenues of between £7 billion and £8 billion. This week's decision to maintain benefit payments for existing claimants has cost the Treasury £2.5 billion, while the U-turn on winter fuel payments for pensioners cost a further £1.25 billion. Ms Reeves is facing backlash from Labour MPs over her proposal to cut benefits, which was designed to bring down the cost of welfare at the expense of thousands of claimants. Sir Keir, who watered down the measures to avoid the biggest rebellion of his career, insisted that his 'common sense' welfare reforms now strike 'the right balance'. But the situation leaves the Chancellor with little choice but to freeze income tax thresholds, which were due to rise in line with inflation from 2028. The policy would likely raise around £8 billion a year in tax receipts, but would cost a worker earning on an average salary thousands more in income tax by the end of the decade. Independent economists say a further freeze in the autumn is now all but certain, and that further increases on smaller taxes or a new raid on pensions could be required to make up the shortfall. Downing Street refused to rule out further tax rises on Friday, with a spokesman saying: 'As ever, as is a long-standing principle, tax decisions are set out at fiscal events.' However, Ms Reeves's team remains optimistic that good economic performance between now and the Budget will reduce the £105 billion cost of servicing government debt, which currently accounts for 8.2 per cent of public expenditure. The Bank of England is widely expected to cut interest rates at its next meeting on Aug 7, although gilt yields are not directly determined by the base rate. Treasury officials also hope that the cost of energy will continue to fall, although it is acknowledged that instability in the Middle East could drive up the price of crude oil once again. Ms Reeves is adamant that she will not break her fiscal rules – to increase public sector borrowing as a percentage of GDP or raise money on the markets to fund day-to-day spending – and believes that maintaining market stability should be the Government's primary goal. Balancing the books with a stealth tax on income has been a favoured policy lever of successive chancellors. The current freeze to 2028 was introduced by Sir Jeremy Hunt in his 2022 Budget. But the policy results in more people paying higher rates of income tax as their wages increase – an economic phenomenon known as fiscal drag. OBR figures show that in 2024-25, some £15.3 billion extra was due to be raised thanks to the frozen thresholds. In the same year, the OBR predicted that the total welfare bill was set to shoot up by £16.6 billion. Figures released on Thursday show that seven million people have been dragged into paying higher rates of income tax as a result of the stealth raid on wages. Frozen thresholds forced an extra 520,000 taxpayers into the 40p bracket in the last year, according to estimates by HMRC. It brings the total to just over seven million in 2025-26, a 60 per cent rise from the 4.4 million in 2021-22 when income tax thresholds were first frozen under the Tories. The number of 45p additional-rate taxpayers has more than doubled from 520,000 to 1.2 million over the same period. Last November, Ms Reeves told MPs she would not raise taxes again or increase borrowing and that the Government would need to 'live within the means we've set ourselves' for the remainder of the Parliament. 'We're not going to be coming back with more tax increases, or indeed more borrowing,' she told the Treasury select committee.
Telegraph
25 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Dyson Airwrap i.d. review: After six months of use, this is what I love (and what could be better)
£479.99 Buy now Price at Dyson What is the Dyson Airwrap i.d.? The Dyson Airwrap i.d., released in August 2024, is the latest version of Dyson's popular hair styling tool. Sitting at the higher end of the market, it introduces built-in Bluetooth – a first for Dyson's hair tools – which links the device to the MyDyson app. This allows users to set up a personal hair profile, and lets the Airwrap automate the curling process based on individual hair type, aiming for more consistent and longer-lasting results. With its premium price and updated features, the Airwrap i.d. is positioned as a high-spec option for those interested in the latest technology. It comes in two models: 'straight and wavy' for those with straight or wavy hair and 'with diffuser' for those with curly or coily hair. The idea is that the £480 Dyson Airwrap i.d. is the only hair styler you need, allowing you to ditch your hair dryer and hot brushes. JUMP TO: How we test hair stylers I've been reviewing beauty technology for a decade and I've not only used every hair styler Dyson has introduced over the last 10 years, from the original Supersonic hair dryer to the Airstrait, but I have also used many competitor hair stylers, including Shark's FlexStyle and SmoothStyle Hot Brush, as well as GHD's hair stylers such as the latest GHD Wave. When we test hair curlers, we predominantly use five testing metrics to score against: ease of use; curl performance and hold; comfort and safety (whether there is any scalp discomfort or risk of burns); suitability for different hair types and build quality and features. It isn't just about how a hair curler scores on a spreadsheet though, and the Airwrap is more than just a hair curler too so it requires extra testing and considerations. As such, I have been using the Dyson Airwrap i.d. for six months so I now have a very good idea what I like about it and what could be better. I've used each of the straight and wavy model's six attachments on my own locks to create different hair styles during those months, but I have also tested the Airwrap i.d. on friends and family with various hair types, requesting images and feedback from each person afterwards to see how long styles lasted. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All reviews are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. Ease of use Score: 9/10 Using the Dyson Airwrap i.d. is refreshingly straightforward, whether you're new to hair styling or have years of experience. I've found it easier than most curlers, and definitely simpler than earlier Airwrap models. To curl, you just section your hair and hold the end near the barrel; the device's airflow technology does the rest, automatically wrapping your hair around the attachment. There's no manual twisting required. Setting up a hair profile in the MyDyson app is quick – about a minute – asking a few questions about your hair type, skill level and how well your hair holds a curl. Once set, activating 'i.d. curl' mode means the Airwrap automatically adjusts timing and technique for your hair type. You can tweak these settings in the app if needed. Changing attachments is also hassle-free: they lock in with a click and release with a button push. While magnetic attachments would be a welcome upgrade, overall, the Airwrap i.d. is exceptionally easy to use. Curl performance and hold Score: 10/10 The Dyson Airwrap i.d. (Straight and Wavy) includes six attachments: two curling barrels, a round volumising brush, an anti-snag loop brush, a dryer and flyaway smoother, a fast dryer and a filter cleaning brush. I use the 40mm long barrel most for bouncy curls and waves, which takes me around 45 minutes and lasts for days, while the slimmer conical barrel creates tighter curls that work better on finer hair. You can switch curl direction with a twist of the barrel top, which is much easier than swapping barrels as with earlier models. Both barrels use negative ions to reduce static and Coanda airflow, a technology that helps hair wrap around the barrel and creates a smooth finish. The dryer and flyaway smoother tames frizz and is handy for rough drying, though I prefer the flyaway attachment from Dyson's Supersonic range. The round brush adds volume, which I particularly love for my fringe, and the fast dryer speeds up the process. For straight styles, the anti-snag brush is effective, though not as smooth as a hair straightener. Comfort and safety Score: 9/10 The Dyson Airwrap i.d. is not the smallest styler out there, but I've never found it heavy or uncomfortable to use, even during my 45-minute styling sessions. Its larger size brings a variety of styling options, which I consider a fair trade-off. There are two heat settings plus a cold option. I find even the hottest setting comfortable on my scalp, including when using the narrower conical barrel that curls closer to the roots for tighter curls. For my fringe, I prefer the lower heat on the round brush to avoid discomfort. The Airwrap i.d. uses intelligent heat control to keep temperatures below 150C, protecting hair from damage common with traditional ceramic curlers. Its high-speed motor spins fast to generate the Coanda airflow that wraps hair using air rather than extreme heat. The device also shuts off automatically if the filter needs cleaning and reduces airflow when a curl sequence finishes. Suitability for different hair types Score: 9/10 The Dyson Airwrap i.d. comes in two models tailored to different hair types, and I've tested it on my own very long, thick and naturally wavy hair that is hard to style. I've always found the Airwrap effective, but the i.d. model gives me longer-lasting curls, especially thanks to the i.d. curl mode, which sets each curl with a longer cool shot than I'd manage manually. The dryer and flyaway smoother attachment is also useful, as it means I don't need a separate Supersonic hair dryer just for taming frizz. On friends with finer or shorter hair, the slimmer barrel produced curls that held for about a day, compared to several days on my hair. If your hair struggles to hold a curl, the i.d. curl sequence can help, but it may not work miracles. For very curly hair, I found the Airwrap i.d. worked best from wet. Overall, I think those with medium to thick, mid to long hair will see the best results. Build quality and features Score: 9/10 The Dyson Airwrap i.d. is offered in several colours, including jasper plum, but all versions have the same attachments and design. The build quality is excellent, with a smooth aluminium handle that feels cool in the hand and matte-finished plastic on the controls and attachments. I would have liked to see magnetic attachments, like those on Dyson's Supersonic hair dryers, which snap on easily. RFID, or radio frequency identification, would also be useful here – a technology that allows the device to recognise which attachment is connected and automatically adjust settings, which would be handy since I often change heat and airflow for each tool. The Airwrap i.d. can store only one hair profile, so if someone else wants to use it, they'll need to style manually. Setting curls without the i.d. curl mode takes a bit more effort than on older models, as you now have to adjust the temperature control rather than just sliding to the cold shot button. The controls are easy to reach and the 2.68m cord is practical. Technical specifications I've compared the Dyson Airwrap i.d. to the older Dyson Airwrap (Complete Long) to show the differences between the models and help you understand what the new model offers apart from Bluetooth connectivity. Should you buy the Dyson Airwrap i.d.? The Dyson Airwrap i.d. is a fantastic multi styler that has a premium build quality, some excellent attachments for multiple hair styles and uses Bluetooth connectivity to deliver personalised curling results that can last for days on certain hair types. It is expensive and only being able to save one hair profile means it's not a hair styler you could easily share in a household, but if you're looking for bouncy, effortless curls with the option of a few other styles, it is the only hair styler you'll need in your life. Yes, if: You want bouncy curls with minimal effort You want a hair styler that can deliver multiple styles You want to protect your hair from extreme heat No, if: You have short hair that doesn't hold a curl You are more interested in wearing your hair straight You're on a budget Dyson Airwrap i.d. FAQs What is the Dyson Airwrap i.d.? The Airwrap i.d. is the latest Airwrap hair styler from Dyson. It was announced in August 2024 and it offers a personalised curling sequence when you connect it to the MyDyson app and set up a hair profile. How is it different from previous Airwrap models? The biggest difference between the Dyson Airwrap i.d. and previous Airwrap models is the Airwrap i.d. works with a companion app – MyDyson – to allow you to create a hair profile to get a personalised curling sequence. When in i.d curl mode, the Airwrap i.d. will use your profile to wrap, style and cool hair in a pre-defined sequence automatically, lowering air flow when the section is complete. The Airwrap i.d. also has three new attachment options and it's lighter. Is the Dyson Airwrap i.d. worth it? Yes, the Dyson Airwrap i.d. is worth every penny, if you have the right hair for it. Results do somewhat depend on your hair type despite the clever technology on board. On my hair, it is superb and my favourite hair styler, but on some friends I tested it on, the results weren't as impressive or the curls held for less time. If your hair has never managed to hold a curl, there's a good chance the Airwrap i.d. won't be able to perform a miracle. What does the 'i.d. curl' feature do, and how does it work? After you connect the Dyson Airwrap i.d. to the MyDyson app, you can set up a hair profile. This involves answering six questions, which include your hair length, type, skill level and how well your hair holds a curl as well as what styles you're trying to achieve. The MyDyson app then creates a personalised styling sequence, called i.d. curl, with timings for wrapping, curling and setting your hair based on your profile. When you push the power button all the way up, the i.d curl sequence will start. You hold a section of hair up to the Airwrap i.d. and it will wrap it automatically for a set number of seconds, style it for a further few seconds and set it with a cold shot at the end. The Airwrap i.d. will then enter 'ultra low flow mode' when the sequence is finished, releasing the curl. You then start the sequence again with another section of hair and another push up of the power button. Do I need the MyDyson app to use the Airwrap i.d.? No, you can use the Airwrap i.d. without the MyDyson app but you won't get the most out of it. Each attachment can be used without any setup through the app, but to get the best curling results, I'd recommend using the i.d. curl feature, which you do need the MyDyson app for. Are the new Dyson Airwrap i.d. attachments compatible with old Airwrap models?
Telegraph
25 minutes ago
- Telegraph
As Rayner and McSweeney sealed £3bn U-turn, Reeves looked at tractors 140 miles away
Rachel Reeves was looking at tractors when a new £3 billion black hole was blown in the public finances. Thursday was a hi-vis day for the Chancellor, who sported a fluorescent green waistcoat for her visits first to a nursery supplier and then JCB World Headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire. The business tour was an attempt to drum up interest in the Government's new trade strategy. However, 140 miles south, a huge about-turn on a welfare cuts package that Ms Reeves had personally demanded was being bartered away in her absence. Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff who masterminded Labour's huge general election victory, was one of the three figures present to negotiate the new terms. That was notable – the softly-spoken Irishman had been the target of vicious briefings from rebels, some of whom darkly muttered about ousting him in a 'regime change'. Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, was the most senior elected figure in the room. As the most prominent Left-winger in the Cabinet, and privately a critic of the welfare cuts when they were first adopted, she was deemed best placed to win rebels over. The third member of the Government's negotiating team was Sir Alan Campbell, a Labour MP since Tony Blair's 1997 victory, who is now Sir Keir's number-cruncher as Chief Whip. Ms Reeves's absence was eye-catching. Would it not have been wise to have the person in charge of the nation's finances in the negotiations as billions of pounds were being bandied around? Apparently not. Treasury sources have waved away the idea that she was out of the loop. Ms Reeves was kept abreast of negotiations by Mr McSweeney personally, taking calls and texts as she toured the nursery manufacturers and construction companies of Middle England. Negotiations between the rebel leaders, who threatened to vote down flagship welfare legislation next Tuesday, and the three Government figures hand-picked to offer concessions did not happen in Downing Street. Instead, it took place in the Palace of Westminster to avoid drawing attention to what had snowballed into the biggest rebellion of Sir Keir Starmer's year-old premiership. 'It was somewhere on the parliamentary estate where you would not expect it to happen,' said a source tapped into rebel strategy. But the location had symbolism, too. This was the home turf not of ministers, but MPs. A total of 127 Labour backbenchers had publicly attached their names to an amendment to effectively kill off the cuts to disability benefit payments. It was enough to comfortably overturn Sir Keir's vast Commons majority, and No 10 knew it. So it was the Government that came, cap in hand, to the rebels – and not the other way round. The rebels were headed by three Labour MPs – Dame Meg Hillier, Debbie Abrahams and Helen Hayes. Each of them leads a Commons select committee, respectively scrutinising the Treasury, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education. These were not your usual Left-wing parliamentary agitators but moderate, highly respected Labour MPs. The profiles of the masterminds behind the amendment reflected the core strength of the rebellion, and how widely across the Labour backbenches it reached. Meetings had taken place on Wednesday too, but came to a head around lunchtime on Thursday. Critics were said to be pushing for moderate tweaks – perhaps a change in exactly how the new points system would work for recipients of the personal independence payments (Pip). Cuts to Pip, which gives money to people with disabilities to cover the extra costs brought about by their condition, was at the heart of the stand-off. However, the rebels went much further. The rebels insisted central parts of the package, which the Prime Minister had defended as recently as Wednesday and dismissed criticisms as 'noises off', had to go. The Government team, so exposed by the size of a rebellion that had caught them off guard, was left with little power to argue back. And so there was celebration from the three committee heads, whose actions were driven by a sincere concern about the 800,000 disabled people who would lose out under the initial plan. 'Major concessions' had been won, a senior rebel source told The Telegraph on Thursday evening, adding: 'We wanted to unite around something better. We are getting there.' As news of the victory spread, the full scale of the concessions began to leak. Gone was the plan to cut Pip from existing claimants, meaning 370,000 disabled people would keep their payments in full. Those currently receiving the health top-up to Universal Credit would also be spared. The U-turn also allowed the rebels to reassure constituents that current claimants would not lose out, after MP inboxes had flooded with concerns from residents. There were other concessions too, such as speeding up the new £1 billion fund to help people get back into work and a promise to properly consult with disability charities before the new system kicks in. In a sign of how scrambled negotiations had been, Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary who put the initial package together, sent a letter out to Labour MPs explaining the new deal at 12.27am. Formal government communications issued after midnight are usually a tell-tale sign that all is not going to plan. The rebels had won. The Iron Chancellor's tab But Ms Reeves now has to pick up a tab. The promise that current Pip and Universal Credit recipients will remain untouched is a costly one. The rollback of the benefits cuts has created an estimated £3 billion dent in original savings of £4.6 billion savings from the original package. Given it was Ms Reeves herself who insisted that the cuts were announced before her spring statement in March to help balance the books, it is hard to not read the climbdown as a Treasury defeat. The Chancellor is already facing an incredibly tough autumn Budget. Worsening economic forecasts and increased government debt interest payments mean she is at risk of missing her promises to control borrowing. But No 10's newly-found penchant for U-turns is making her task much harder. The recent reversal on the winter fuel payment cut lost her £1.5 billion. Sir Keir has also hinted at lifting the two-child benefit cap, which would cost another £3.5 billion. The 'Iron Chancellor' has staked her credibility by sticking to her fiscal rules. A determination not to break them could well mean substantial tax rises are coming, clashing with another of her past positions – that she would not impose more tax rises before the general election. Reeves in 'deep trouble' Those in the Chancellor's inner circle insist there are still a 'huge number of moving pieces' between now and the autumn Budget, including new growth and productivity forecasts, energy price changes and interest rate decisions from the Bank of England. Officials widely expect the Bank to cut rates in the coming weeks, in line with external forecasts, which would reduce the cost of borrowing for the Treasury. The Office for Budget Responsibility's (OBR) latest forecast predicts that debt interest payments will exceed £100 billion in this financial year – accounting for more than eight per cent of total public spending. But polling shows that two thirds of Labour MPs oppose the party's fiscal rules, and see breaking them and borrowing more as the best solution to the Chancellor's dilemma. 'It's hard to forgive her for where we are now,' said one MP. 'She chose to target the poorest.' There are few MPs now openly discussing Ms Reeves leaving the Government, but most are calling for a 'reset' in Downing Street, and for Sir Keir to consider his political strategy more carefully. One rebel said simply that based on the economic statistics alone, the Chancellor is in 'deep trouble'. Dr Simon Opher, another of the rebels, said: 'The changes do not tackle the eligibility issues that are at the heart of many of the problems with Pip. 'The Bill should be scrapped and we should start again and put the needs of disabled people at the centre of the process.' On Friday, some rebels were vowing to continue the fight. Members of the Socialist Campaign Group, made up of a few dozen Left-wingers, plan to vote against the welfare legislation on Tuesday. Exact numbers remain to be seen. But government insiders and decisive rebel leaders are confident enough critics will support the new package that the legislation will comfortably pass. The Chancellor is left to clean up the mess. She could yet still dig herself out of this growing fiscal hole come autumn – but it may well be the public that ends up paying.
