Latest news with #MartinLewisMoneyShowLive
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Martin Lewis warns 800,000 parents are missing out on up to £2,000 every year
Parents who are eligible for the tax-free childcare scheme can open an online account, and for every £8 you pay in, the Government automatically adds in £2 Martin Lewis has warned how thousands of parents are missing out on up to £2,000 a year in free childcare. The help is issued through the Government tax-free childcare scheme. Parents who are eligible can open an online account, and for every £8 you pay in, the Government automatically adds in £2. If you're eligible, you can get up to £500 every three months for each of your children - so £2,000 over 12 months. For disabled children, the maximum amount you could get rises to £4,000. The money must be spent on a registered childcare provider, such as nurseries, nannies, after school clubs and play schemes. Martin Lewis flagged the tax-free childcare scheme on his latest Martin Lewis Money Show Live broadcast on ITV last week, where he explained how 800,000 parents are missing out. He said: "It's only for under 12s, or under 16s if the child has a disability. Do check whoever you're paying would take tax-free childcare payments. Almost all of them do, but it's worth checking. "You must both be working, or if you're a single parent, you must be working, and you need to earn the equivalent of 16 hours at national minimum wage – which depends on your age – but for someone aged over 22, is around £850 or more a month. "But if one of the parents is earning over £100,000 a year, you're not eligible. Your neighbours might be earning £99,000 each in a couple. They get it, you don't. Ridiculous system." There are some circumstances where you can claim tax-free childcare if you're not working. For example, if you're on sick leave, annual leave, on shared parental, maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or if you're in a couple and one of you is working, and the other claims certain benefits. You can open a tax-free childcare account for free through the But not everyone necessarily needs to pay for childcare in the first place. For example, parents can claim 15 or 30 hours free childcare a week, depending on the age of their child. Working parents of nine-month-olds and two-year-olds can access 15 hours of free childcare a week and this will rise to 30 hours from September 2025. You must be in work and earning the equivalent of the national minimum wage or for 16 hours a week, but less than £100,000 a year. Finally, if you claim Universal Credit and you're in work, you can claim back up to 85% of childcare costs, up to a maximum of £1,031.88 for one child or £1,768.94 for two or more children. Finally, if you claim Universal Credit and you're in work, you can claim back up to 85% of childcare costs, up to a maximum of £1,031.88 for one child or £1,768.94 for two or more children.
South Wales Argus
23-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
How to get the best UK mobile phone deals for your budget
When an upgrade becomes available, it's tempting to make a beeline for the latest handsets and the biggest data plans, but in both instances there's a good chance your bill will end up higher than it needs to be. It's often worth looking at how you can pare back your phone bill costs and still get the handset you want, without compromising on what you really need. Assess your current plan and phone usage First up, take a look at your historical usage from your current plan. Aside from the phone itself, the big-ticket item is data – how much are you using each month? 'Before starting your search, figure out what you need,' says Andy Aitken, CEO and co-founder of Honest Mobile. 'If you only use 4GB of data every month, there's no point paying an extra £10 per month for 20GB – no matter how good a deal it is. 'You can find your data consumption on previous mobile bills. Start there, and then look for a deal that matches what you need.' Next, ask what you're mainly using your phone for Is a powerful camera important to you? Do you live in an area with good 5G coverage? Do you regularly play demanding games and need a processor that can handle them? If you don't need particular features, don't prioritise them with your new phone. Even if you do want them, there's a good chance the budget version of a flagship device, or a slightly older model, will do everything you need at a fraction of the cost. If you want the newest phones, consider switching providers for the best phone deals If you have your heart set on a specific phone, it pays to shop around for it. While many of us upgrade time and again with the same network, often, the best deals on specific handsets are to be had by switching providers. It's worth checking out the best current deals, for example Vodafone currently has an Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB, with a deal saving up to £360 on your Airtime, or a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 256GB saving up to £576 on your Airtime with a 24-month 5GB Xtra Airtime Plan. There's a Google Pixel 9a 128GB, with a saving of up to £480 on your airtime on a 36-month Phone Plan with a 24-month 5GB Airtime Plan, and a SIMO Unlimited deal, with unlimited data half price for the first six months when you buy a 24-month Unlimited max SIM only plans. Terms apply to all those deals, so check they work for you before you purchase. Recommended reading: Check out smaller providers The big-name brands, such as EE, O2, Vodafone and 3, have the biggest phone selections and claim to have the best coverage, but if you're more flexible on the handset you want, there are plenty of lesser-known names that offer more competitive prices. Check out giffgaff, iD, Tesco Mobile, Lebara, Lyca Mobile, and VOXI, for example. Many of these use the same networks as the biggest players, but their contracts tend to offer better value. Be sure to browse and compare before locking in. Text the magic number On his Martin Lewis Money Show Live broadcast on ITV, the consumer champion explained that 14 million people are out of contract on their mobile phone bill, and thus free to switch to a cheaper deal. SIM-only deals normally offering the best prices, as they aren't tied into paying back a contract. The easiest way to find out if you're still locked into a contract is to text this number, and it wont cost you a penny: Martin said: 'You text 'INFO' for free to 85075 to check. If you're on Three, or ID Mobile, or SMARTY, you will need to confirm this by entering your date of birth once they've messaged you. Those of you still in contract, you can't switch at the moment, you'd have to pay a termination fee. Those of you who aren't, well you're a free agent - you can go and get the cheapest deals and you can cut your cost.' Find out if you're out of contract in seconds for free… #MartinLewis — Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) January 14, 2025 Consider SIM-only plans and refurbished handsets Is your current phone still running okay? Even if it's showing the slowdown and finicky qualities typical of a late-contract smartphone, ask yourself whether you can live with those minor niggles. If you can, you can forgo the phone-based upgrades and just change your SIM plan to cut the costs by a fair margin. If your phone's long past its best, or if the manufacturer has stopped delivering updates for it, you still needn't splash out on a brand new device. Refurbished handsets are a brilliant option for getting a high-end phone at a bargain price, and they help to minimise environmental waste too. It's an idea that's backed by Aitken: 'I'd recommend opting for a SIM-only plan and simply keeping your current phone or getting a refurbished one. The refurbished market is growing and you can get the latest model that seems as good as new, all while doing your bit for the planet and saving money.' Haggle with your provider You might be pleasantly surprised by what a little negotiation will land you. When you're at the end of your contract, give your provider a call and see what they can offer. Call centre agents will often offer better deals than what you'll see on the website, especially if you mention packages from other providers that have caught your eye. If you've been a customer for a few years, mentioning your loyalty can help, too. Be sure to go into the conversation with some competitor research under your belt, plus a clear understanding of what you need from your new plan, and you'll stand a good chance of getting a solid discount. According to Ofcom, there are three steps to a better deal: Check your account and see if you are out of contract Use a price comparison site to find the best deal in the market Contact your provider to see if they will match it They estimated that in 2022, more than 20 million customers were out of their initial contract period, and many of these were paying a lot more for their services than they needed to. They tightened up the rules for broadband, phone and pay-TV contracts from February 2020, meaning your provider must now tell you when your contract is coming to an end – and they must also tell you about their best available deals. If you're already out of contract, you must be reminded you're out of contract, and told every year about your firm's best deals. But you don't have to wait to hear from them. By shopping around and speaking to your provider you could save a huge amount - and it all starts with one simple text.
North Wales Chronicle
22-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
How to get the best UK mobile phone deals for your budget
When an upgrade becomes available, it's tempting to make a beeline for the latest handsets and the biggest data plans, but in both instances there's a good chance your bill will end up higher than it needs to be. It's often worth looking at how you can pare back your phone bill costs and still get the handset you want, without compromising on what you really need. First up, take a look at your historical usage from your current plan. Aside from the phone itself, the big-ticket item is data – how much are you using each month? 'Before starting your search, figure out what you need,' says Andy Aitken, CEO and co-founder of Honest Mobile. 'If you only use 4GB of data every month, there's no point paying an extra £10 per month for 20GB – no matter how good a deal it is. 'You can find your data consumption on previous mobile bills. Start there, and then look for a deal that matches what you need.' Is a powerful camera important to you? Do you live in an area with good 5G coverage? Do you regularly play demanding games and need a processor that can handle them? If you don't need particular features, don't prioritise them with your new phone. Even if you do want them, there's a good chance the budget version of a flagship device, or a slightly older model, will do everything you need at a fraction of the cost. If you have your heart set on a specific phone, it pays to shop around for it. While many of us upgrade time and again with the same network, often, the best deals on specific handsets are to be had by switching providers. It's worth checking out the best current deals, for example Vodafone currently has an Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB, with a deal saving up to £360 on your Airtime, or a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 256GB saving up to £576 on your Airtime with a 24-month 5GB Xtra Airtime Plan. There's a Google Pixel 9a 128GB, with a saving of up to £480 on your airtime on a 36-month Phone Plan with a 24-month 5GB Airtime Plan, and a SIMO Unlimited deal, with unlimited data half price for the first six months when you buy a 24-month Unlimited max SIM only plans. Terms apply to all those deals, so check they work for you before you purchase. Recommended reading: The big-name brands, such as EE, O2, Vodafone and 3, have the biggest phone selections and claim to have the best coverage, but if you're more flexible on the handset you want, there are plenty of lesser-known names that offer more competitive prices. Check out giffgaff, iD, Tesco Mobile, Lebara, Lyca Mobile, and VOXI, for example. Many of these use the same networks as the biggest players, but their contracts tend to offer better value. Be sure to browse and compare before locking in. On his Martin Lewis Money Show Live broadcast on ITV, the consumer champion explained that 14 million people are out of contract on their mobile phone bill, and thus free to switch to a cheaper deal. SIM-only deals normally offering the best prices, as they aren't tied into paying back a contract. The easiest way to find out if you're still locked into a contract is to text this number, and it wont cost you a penny: Martin said: 'You text 'INFO' for free to 85075 to check. If you're on Three, or ID Mobile, or SMARTY, you will need to confirm this by entering your date of birth once they've messaged you. Those of you still in contract, you can't switch at the moment, you'd have to pay a termination fee. Those of you who aren't, well you're a free agent - you can go and get the cheapest deals and you can cut your cost.' Find out if you're out of contract in seconds for free… #MartinLewis Is your current phone still running okay? Even if it's showing the slowdown and finicky qualities typical of a late-contract smartphone, ask yourself whether you can live with those minor niggles. If you can, you can forgo the phone-based upgrades and just change your SIM plan to cut the costs by a fair margin. If your phone's long past its best, or if the manufacturer has stopped delivering updates for it, you still needn't splash out on a brand new device. Refurbished handsets are a brilliant option for getting a high-end phone at a bargain price, and they help to minimise environmental waste too. It's an idea that's backed by Aitken: 'I'd recommend opting for a SIM-only plan and simply keeping your current phone or getting a refurbished one. The refurbished market is growing and you can get the latest model that seems as good as new, all while doing your bit for the planet and saving money.' You might be pleasantly surprised by what a little negotiation will land you. When you're at the end of your contract, give your provider a call and see what they can offer. Call centre agents will often offer better deals than what you'll see on the website, especially if you mention packages from other providers that have caught your eye. If you've been a customer for a few years, mentioning your loyalty can help, too. Be sure to go into the conversation with some competitor research under your belt, plus a clear understanding of what you need from your new plan, and you'll stand a good chance of getting a solid discount. They estimated that in 2022, more than 20 million customers were out of their initial contract period, and many of these were paying a lot more for their services than they needed to. They tightened up the rules for broadband, phone and pay-TV contracts from February 2020, meaning your provider must now tell you when your contract is coming to an end – and they must also tell you about their best available deals. If you're already out of contract, you must be reminded you're out of contract, and told every year about your firm's best deals. But you don't have to wait to hear from them. By shopping around and speaking to your provider you could save a huge amount - and it all starts with one simple text.
Rhyl Journal
22-05-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
How to get the best UK mobile phone deals for your budget
When an upgrade becomes available, it's tempting to make a beeline for the latest handsets and the biggest data plans, but in both instances there's a good chance your bill will end up higher than it needs to be. It's often worth looking at how you can pare back your phone bill costs and still get the handset you want, without compromising on what you really need. First up, take a look at your historical usage from your current plan. Aside from the phone itself, the big-ticket item is data – how much are you using each month? 'Before starting your search, figure out what you need,' says Andy Aitken, CEO and co-founder of Honest Mobile. 'If you only use 4GB of data every month, there's no point paying an extra £10 per month for 20GB – no matter how good a deal it is. 'You can find your data consumption on previous mobile bills. Start there, and then look for a deal that matches what you need.' Is a powerful camera important to you? Do you live in an area with good 5G coverage? Do you regularly play demanding games and need a processor that can handle them? If you don't need particular features, don't prioritise them with your new phone. Even if you do want them, there's a good chance the budget version of a flagship device, or a slightly older model, will do everything you need at a fraction of the cost. If you have your heart set on a specific phone, it pays to shop around for it. While many of us upgrade time and again with the same network, often, the best deals on specific handsets are to be had by switching providers. It's worth checking out the best current deals, for example Vodafone currently has an Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB, with a deal saving up to £360 on your Airtime, or a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 256GB saving up to £576 on your Airtime with a 24-month 5GB Xtra Airtime Plan. There's a Google Pixel 9a 128GB, with a saving of up to £480 on your airtime on a 36-month Phone Plan with a 24-month 5GB Airtime Plan, and a SIMO Unlimited deal, with unlimited data half price for the first six months when you buy a 24-month Unlimited max SIM only plans. Terms apply to all those deals, so check they work for you before you purchase. Recommended reading: The big-name brands, such as EE, O2, Vodafone and 3, have the biggest phone selections and claim to have the best coverage, but if you're more flexible on the handset you want, there are plenty of lesser-known names that offer more competitive prices. Check out giffgaff, iD, Tesco Mobile, Lebara, Lyca Mobile, and VOXI, for example. Many of these use the same networks as the biggest players, but their contracts tend to offer better value. Be sure to browse and compare before locking in. On his Martin Lewis Money Show Live broadcast on ITV, the consumer champion explained that 14 million people are out of contract on their mobile phone bill, and thus free to switch to a cheaper deal. SIM-only deals normally offering the best prices, as they aren't tied into paying back a contract. The easiest way to find out if you're still locked into a contract is to text this number, and it wont cost you a penny: Martin said: 'You text 'INFO' for free to 85075 to check. If you're on Three, or ID Mobile, or SMARTY, you will need to confirm this by entering your date of birth once they've messaged you. Those of you still in contract, you can't switch at the moment, you'd have to pay a termination fee. Those of you who aren't, well you're a free agent - you can go and get the cheapest deals and you can cut your cost.' Find out if you're out of contract in seconds for free… #MartinLewis Is your current phone still running okay? Even if it's showing the slowdown and finicky qualities typical of a late-contract smartphone, ask yourself whether you can live with those minor niggles. If you can, you can forgo the phone-based upgrades and just change your SIM plan to cut the costs by a fair margin. If your phone's long past its best, or if the manufacturer has stopped delivering updates for it, you still needn't splash out on a brand new device. Refurbished handsets are a brilliant option for getting a high-end phone at a bargain price, and they help to minimise environmental waste too. It's an idea that's backed by Aitken: 'I'd recommend opting for a SIM-only plan and simply keeping your current phone or getting a refurbished one. The refurbished market is growing and you can get the latest model that seems as good as new, all while doing your bit for the planet and saving money.' You might be pleasantly surprised by what a little negotiation will land you. When you're at the end of your contract, give your provider a call and see what they can offer. Call centre agents will often offer better deals than what you'll see on the website, especially if you mention packages from other providers that have caught your eye. If you've been a customer for a few years, mentioning your loyalty can help, too. Be sure to go into the conversation with some competitor research under your belt, plus a clear understanding of what you need from your new plan, and you'll stand a good chance of getting a solid discount. They estimated that in 2022, more than 20 million customers were out of their initial contract period, and many of these were paying a lot more for their services than they needed to. They tightened up the rules for broadband, phone and pay-TV contracts from February 2020, meaning your provider must now tell you when your contract is coming to an end – and they must also tell you about their best available deals. If you're already out of contract, you must be reminded you're out of contract, and told every year about your firm's best deals. But you don't have to wait to hear from them. By shopping around and speaking to your provider you could save a huge amount - and it all starts with one simple text.
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
New Martin Lewis State Pension update for people trying to boost retirement payments
The full New State Pension is now worth £230.25 per week. Martin Lewis has reassured people who were trying to top-up their State Pension before the deadline last month that they will not miss out on the chance to increase their retirement income. People were able to plug gaps in their National Insurance - which determines the amount of State Pension someone receives - until the end of the 2024/25 financial year on April 5. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) urged people to arrange a callback before the deadline to ensure they would not miss out. During the Martin Lewis Money Show Live summer special on ITV on Tuesday, the consumer champion explained that DWP will make the callbacks, but is dealing with a backlog and prioritising those closest to State Pension age. Robert contacted the programme about the issues and said: 'My wife and I have requested calls with the DWP about our State Pension. As of yet, neither of us has received a call. At what point should we be getting worried that they haven't called us?' Martin responded: 'I've had calls in to the DWP about this and I've had half an answer, I'm still waiting on the other half. The basic answer is they're prioritising people at State Pension age, or near State Pension age so that they will get their uplift straightaway - or as soon as possible. 'The younger you are, the further away you are from State Pension age you are, the lower down the queue you will likely be. Should you be worried? No.' He continued; 'Some people are getting calls now, but many people haven't had calls. What I haven't had an answer from the DWP is, how long this process is likely to take - my guess is it could be another three or four months so I wouldn't be panicking yet.' The financial guru added that he will post updates from the DWP on his social media channels as soon as he has them. He added: 'The truth of it is, as long as you made the call before the 6th of April deadline, once the DWP calls you, you're still going to be able to get it within the cut-off.' People were able to buy missing NI years going back as far as 2006 before the April deadline, now they can only buy voluntary NI contributions going back six tax years - to 2019. It's important to be aware that plugging NI gaps can only help boost payments for those who reached State Pension age after April 2016 who are not in receipt of the full weekly rate of the New State Pension - now worth £230.25 per week, or those under the current State Pension age of 66. How to get any New State Pension payment You will need at least 10 qualifying years on your National Insurance record to qualify for any State Pension, but they don't have to be 10 qualifying years in a row. This means for 10 years at least one or more of the following applied to you: you were working and paid National Insurance contributions you were getting National Insurance credits for example if you were unemployed, ill, a parent or a carer you were paying voluntary National Insurance contributions If you have lived or worked abroad you might still be able to get some New State Pension. You might also qualify if you have paid married women's or widow's reduced rate contributions - find out more about this on the website here. How to get full New State Pension payments The first thing to understand is that the term 'full' means the maximum amount of New State Pension a person can receive. You will need around 35 qualifying years to receive the full New State Pension if you do not have a National Insurance record before 6 April 2016 - this may be more if you were 'contracted out', find out more here. For people who have contributed between 10 and 35 years, they are entitled to a portion of the new State Pension, but not the full amount unless they buy additional NI years. Qualifying years if you are working When you are working you pay National Insurance and get a qualifying year if: you're employed and earning over £242 a week from one employer you're self-employed and paying NI contributions You might not pay National Insurance contributions because you're earning less than £242 a week. You may still get a qualifying year if you earn between £123 and £242 a week from one employer - find out more here. Qualifying years if you are not working You may get National Insurance credits if you cannot work - for example because of illness or disability, or if you're a carer or you're unemployed. You can get National Insurance credits if you: claim Child Benefit for a child under 12 (or under 16 before 2010) get Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance receive Carer's Allowance If you are not working or getting National Insurance credits You might be able to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions if you're not in one of these groups but want to increase your State Pension amount. Find out more on the website here. What if there are gaps in your National Insurance record? You can have gaps in your NI record and still get the full New State Pension. You can get a State Pension statement which will tell you how much State Pension you may get. You can then apply for a National Insurance statement from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to check if your record has gaps. If you have gaps in your National Insurance record that would prevent you from getting the full New State Pension, you may be able to: get National InsuranceI credits make voluntary National Insurance contributions Check your National Insurance record on here. Check your State Pension age Check your State Pension age to find out when you can retire and claim State pension using the free online tool at here. This will tell you: when you will reach State Pension age your Pension Credit qualifying age
