Latest news with #JamesMurray
Fox News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
James "Murr" Murray joins Jimmy for the comedy state of the union
Comedian, writer and 'Impractical Jokers' star James 'Murr' Murray joins Fox Across America with Jimmy Failla about the show business and what's going on in the comedy world. Mike Rowe discusses the value of work
Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP State Pension changes to help Brits receive 'higher' payments
The full new State Pension currently stands at £230.25 per week, which is around £11,973 for the 2025/26 financial year alone The UK Government has announced an upgrade to the 'Check Your State Pension' online service in a bid to help Brits get full State Pension payments when they retire. At present, the full new State Pension stands at £230.25 weekly, adding up to around £11,973 throughout the 2025/26 financial year. Qualification for the State Pension is linked to National Insurance Contributions (NICs), with a minimum of 10 years' worth to be eligible for any pension sum and about 35 years for the full rate. Extra years might be necessary if you were 'contracted out' - with in-depth information accessible on here. The Check Your State Pension forecast service enables anyone to make voluntary National Insurance contributions to bridge any gaps in their NIC history. Treasury minister James Murray says the planned amendments will improve the user experience. In a written statement to Parliament, the minister recently outlined a series of new simplified measures and updated guidance for the self-employed. It is also for those paying the High Income Child Benefit Charge, and anyone who wishes to maximise their State Pension by purchasing voluntary National Insurance Contributions. "The government also intends to further enhance the Check Your State Pension forecast service, which supports people who want to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill gaps in their National Insurance record," the statement from April 28 reads. "These measures build on the government's announcement at Spring Statement 2025 that from Summer 2025, employed individuals who become liable to the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) will be able to opt to pay HICBC directly through PAYE, without the need to register for Self Assessment." The State Pension age will rise from 66 to 67 for both men and women between 2026 and 2028, with a subsequent increase to 68 expected to be implemented between 2044 and 2046, according to the Daily Record. This implies that people born between March 6, 1961, and April 5, 1977, will be able to start claiming their State Pension as soon as they reach the age of 67. However, a recent study by Just Group has highlighted a worrying trend. Over a third of retirees did not check their State Pension forecast before retiring, even though for 1.2 million households, the State Pension constitutes the primary source of income during retirement. The survey, which questioned more than 1,000 people either already retired or approaching retirement age, revealed that 38% had not looked at their pension forecast. This figure increased to 40% among those aged 55 to 64 who were yet to reach State Pension age, and 46% among early retirees. Among those who did examine their prospective State Pension income, about 17% found out that it would be at least £250 less per year than they had expected. On the flip side, 9% were pleasantly surprised to discover that their pension would be higher than anticipated by a similar margin. Commenting on the findings, Stephen Lowe, group communications director at Just Group, said: "It's easy to see why people may assume they'll simply get the full State Pension, but for many people this won't be the case. The last thing these households need when they come to retire is the nasty surprise that their State Pension is less than they thought. "The government offers a State Pension forecast service and we urge anyone approaching retirement to use it - ideally in advance of beginning to retire. It will tell you if you are likely to receive less State Pension than you thought and that will give you the opportunity to take steps to increase what you will actually receive." State Pension payments 2025/26 Full New State Pension Weekly payment: £230.25 Four-weekly payment: £921 Annual amount: £11,973 Full Basic State Pension Weekly payment: £176.45 Four-weekly payment: £705.80 Annual amount: £9,175
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
New UK Government plans to make getting maximum State Pension payments simpler
The State Pension age is set to rise from 66 to 67 between 2026 and 2028. Income tax rises for Scots in April - how the changes affect you The UK Government has announced new plans to improve an online service to help more people receive full State Pension payments in retirement. The full new State Pension is now worth £230.25 per week, some £11,973 over the 2025/26 financial year. Payment rates are linked to National Insurance Contributions (NICs), you need at least 10 years' worth to qualify for any State Pension payment and around 35 years' for the full rate. However, this may be more if you were 'contracted out' - full details on this can be found on here. The Check Your State Pension forecast service supports people who want to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions to fill gaps in their National Insurance record and Treasury Minister James Murray has confirmed changes will improve the service. In a written statement to Parliament, he outlined a series of new simplified measures and updated guidance for the self-employed, those paying the High Income Child Benefit Charge and people who want to maximise their State Pension by purchasing voluntary National Insurance Contributions. The State Pension age is set to rise from 66 to 67 for men and women between 2026 and 2028, with a further rise to 68 set to be phased in between 2044 and 2046. This means people born between March 6, 1961 and April 5, 1977 will be able to claim their State Pension as soon as they turn 67. Research from retirement specialist Just Group suggests more than a third of retirees did not check their State Pension forecast before they retired despite 1.2 million households relying on the State Pension as their primary source of income in retirement. The survey of more than 1,000 retired and semi-retired people aged over 55 found four in ten (38%) had not checked their forecast, rising to 40 per cent among those who had not yet reached State Pension Age (55-64 year olds) and 46 per cent for those who claimed to have retired earlier than they had expected. Among the two-thirds of retirees who checked their forecasted State Pension income, nearly a fifth (17%) said it was - at a minimum - £250 less per year than they were expecting. On the other hand, one-in-ten (9%) retirees said it was at least £250 more per year than they were expecting. Commenting on the findings, Stephen Lowe, group communications director at Just Group, said: 'It's easy to see why people may assume they'll simply get the full State Pension, but for many people this won't be the case. The last thing these households need when they come to retire is the nasty surprise that their State Pension is less than they thought. 'The government offers a State Pension forecast service and we urge anyone approaching retirement to use it - ideally in advance of beginning to retire. It will tell you if you are likely to receive less State Pension than you thought and that will give you the opportunity to take steps to increase what you will actually receive.' You can check your State Pension forecast online at here. State Pension payments 2025/26 Full New State Pension Weekly payment: £230.25 Four-weekly payment: £921 Annual amount: £11,973 Full Basic State Pension Weekly payment: £176.45 Four-weekly payment: £705.80 Annual amount: £9,175 Future State Pension increases The Labour Government has pledged to honour the Triple Lock or the duration of its term and the latest predictions show the following projected annual increases: 2025/26 - 4.1%, the forecast was 4% 2026/27 - 2.5% 2027/28 - 2.5% 2028/29 - 2.5% 2029/30 - 2.5%
RTÉ News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Things to do in Dublin this weekend (May 23-25)
From summer markets and walking tours to free film screenings and community street feasts, there is plenty to be doing in Dublin this weekend. South Dublin Summer Markets When: Saturday, 24 May Where: Tymon Park North, Tallaght, Dublin How much: Free entry The Tymon Park North Summer Markets are a weekly outdoor event, bringing together the best of local food, craft stalls, and family entertainment in one of Dublin's most scenic parks. Held from 11am-3pm, these markets are the perfect way to enjoy the weekend with kids, friends, or a solo adventure in the sunshine. On Saturday, the markets will be celebrating Africa Day. Expect artisan stalls, street food trucks, and plenty of live entertainment. When: Saturday, 24 May at 11am Where: Meeting Point: Hippocampus Merrion Square Park How much: €16 As part of International Literature Festival Dublin, James Murray is hosting a walking tour that explores Dublin's intimate relationship with the written word. People, places and texts of the city's queer past are explored on this unique new tour, which runs on Sat 24 May. Suitable for those aged 18 and over. Buy your ticket at ILFDublin. Dublin Dance Festival: Mosh by Rachel Ní Bhraonáin When: Friday, 23 May & Saturday, 24 May Where: Project Arts Centre, Space How much: €22 Get ready to dive into the heart-pounding chaos of the mosh pit, where dance and release collide. Taking place as part of the Dublin Dance Festival, this 60 minute performance is suitable for those aged 12+ and features loud music, smoke machines, strobe lighting and strong language, as well as references to adult topics and violence. Buy your ticket at Dublin Dance Festival. Hike and Film Screening When: Saturday, 24 May Where: Patagonia Dublin, 24 - 26 Exchequer Street How much: Reserve for free Patagonia has released Disaster Style, a new short film series following climber Zoe Hart as she navigates backcountry skiing, alpine living, and the messy, joyful reality of raising two young boys—Mika and Mathias—with her husband Max, in the mountains. The film will have screenings across Europe with a Dublin date set for Saturday, 24 May. Suitable for those ages 8 and up, the morning hike will take place in Glendalough, Co Wicklow, from 10am - 2pm. Then, the screening will open in Patagonia Dublin at 5:30pm, with free kid-friendly food and refreshments ahead of the film rolling around 6pm. Expect little people to be heading home to bed around 7:30pm. Head to Parenting: Disaster Style for more info and to reserve your spot. What A Difference A Day Made When: Saturday, 24 May, 11am - 7pm Where: Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, D07 XKV4 How much: Free / Donations accepted Celebrate the difference the YES vote made with a free community festival in Collins Barracks. This is a celebration of love, progress, and community — and everyone is welcome. There will be live music and performances from Gloria, Dublin Gay Men's Chorus, Choral Confusion and The Belle Harmonics along with some very special guests. Reserve your spot on Eventbrite. Luxury Exchange Pop Up When: Thursday, 22 May - Sunday, 25 May Where: Studio 10 on Dublin's Wicklow Street How much: Free to enter Luxury Exchange, an Irish start-up that curates collections of pre-loved designer handbags, clothing, and accessories, all at incredible value, is popping up in Dublin city centre from Thursday, 22 May - Sunday, 25 May. Each day upon opening the first visitors will receive a raffle ticket with one winner chosen daily to receive a €500 voucher for use in the pop-up. Cookbook Club X TANGO When: Sunday, 25 May from 5:30pm to 8:30pm Where: Camerino Bakery, Blackrock How much: €99-€120 A celebration of heritage, comfort food and bold Argentine flavour, every course of the Cookbook Club's TANGO event tells a story. The intimate event will bring the pages of this colourful cookbook to life through a specially curated menu. Guests will enjoy a multi-course supper at Camerino Bakery, Blackrock, along with a signed copy of TANGO to take home. Authors, Facundo and Pamela, will be there on the night, hosting a Q&A between courses. Tickets available on Eventbrite. Street Feast 2025 When: 24 & 25 May Where: Your area! How much: Whatever you put into food & drinks Host a party with your neighbours on 24 & 25 of May as part of Streat Feast 2025. Sponsored by Tesco Ireland, this neighbourhood network initiative encourages people to bring people together in front gardens, on streets and greens, in car parks, laneways, local parks and community centres. You must register your street feast at Change X and be sure to check out their website to get your free bunting, invites, posters and an informational folder. To kick the weekend off a little early, check out the improvised musical that is set to be Ireland's biggest ever homegrown fully-improvised show! After a year of sold out performances, including Scene+Heard and Dublin Fringe, Bum Notes are taking to the stage of Dublin's Royal Irish Academy of Music's Whyte Recital Hall. Get your tickets here.
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
HMRC confirms exact date huge change to income tax will start and what it means
From April next year, taxpayers earning over £50,000 from self-employment or property income will need to comply with new Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax rules A major tax change will be introduced next year, affecting thousands of Brits. HMRC has confirmed that the next phase of the rollout for Making Tax Digital (MTD) will go ahead on April 6, 2026. From this date, taxpayers earning over £50,000 from self-employment or property income will need to comply with new MTD for Income Tax rules. This is a new system for recording and reporting income and expenses, and all businesses' records will need to be kept digitally, and you will need to file quarterly updates on your earnings to the tax office. The move is expected to affect approximately 780,000 people in its first wave. The next wave will be introduced from April 2027 for those earning between £30,000 and £50,000, with another 970,000 people affected. A further expansion to those earning £20,000 will be introduced from April 2028 under the current plans. According to HMRC, the change is designed to improve accuracy, reduce errors, and save time. They believe the digital transition will help taxpayers stay on top of their obligations while offering a clearer picture of their tax position year-round. HMRC is currently encouraging early adopters to join the Making Tax Digital testing programme, which the tax office says will give people extra time to familiarise themselves with the new system and access dedicated support. Making Tax Digital has already been rolled out for VAT and has reportedly helped over two million businesses reduce errors and increase efficiency. A 2021 report found that 69% of businesses saw at least one benefit, with 67% reporting fewer record-keeping mistakes. Last month, James Murray MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said: "MTD for Income Tax is an essential part of our plan to transform the UK's tax system into one that supports economic growth. By modernising how people manage their tax, we're helping businesses work more efficiently and productively while ensuring everyone pays their fair share. 'This is a crucial step in this government's decade of national renewal and our Plan for Change, as we clear away barriers that hold back growth.' Join Money Saving Club's specialist topics For all you savvy savers and bargain hunters out there, there's a golden opportunity to stretch your pounds further. The Money Saving Club newsletter, a favourite among thousands who thrive on catching the best deals, is stepping up its game. Simply follow the link and select one or more of the following topics to get all the latest deals and advice on: Travel; Property; Pets, family and home; Personal finance; Shopping and discounts; Utilities. Craig Ogilvie, HMRC's Director of Making Tax Digital, said: "MTD for Income Tax is the most significant change to the Self Assessment regime since its introduction in 1997. It will make it easier for self-employed people and landlords to stay on top of their tax affairs and help ensure they pay the right amount of tax. "By signing up to our testing programme now, self-employed people and landlords will be able to familiarise themselves with the new process and access dedicated support from our MTD Customer Support Team, before it becomes compulsory next year.'
