{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1", "title": "Money Guide — UK personal finance news", "home_page_url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/", "feed_url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/feed.json", "description": "Independent UK personal-finance news from the Money Guide editorial team.", "language": "en-GB", "items": [ { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/tax-year-2026-27-key-changes/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/tax-year-2026-27-key-changes/", "title": "Tax year 2026/27: the key changes to know", "summary": "Most headline allowances are frozen again for 2026/27, so more people are pulled into higher tax bands as wages rise. Here's what that means for your pay, savings and investments.", "content_text": "Most headline allowances are frozen again for 2026/27, so more people are pulled into higher tax bands as wages rise. Here's what that means for your pay, savings and investments.", "date_published": "2026-05-28T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Tax" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/energy-price-cap-how-it-works-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/energy-price-cap-how-it-works-2026/", "title": "The energy price cap in 2026: how it works and what you pay", "summary": "Ofgem resets the price cap every three months. Understanding what it does — and what it doesn't — helps you judge whether a fixed deal is worth it.", "content_text": "Ofgem resets the price cap every three months. Understanding what it does — and what it doesn't — helps you judge whether a fixed deal is worth it.", "date_published": "2026-05-27T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Energy & bills" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/property-digital-assets-act-2025-what-it-means/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/property-digital-assets-act-2025-what-it-means/", "title": "Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025 — what it means for UK wills and estates", "summary": "The narrowly drafted Act, which received Royal Assent in December 2025, confirms that cryptoassets, NFTs and other digital property can be the object of personal-property rights in England and Wales — putting the Law Commission's 'third category' on a statutory footing.", "content_text": "The narrowly drafted Act, which received Royal Assent in December 2025, confirms that cryptoassets, NFTs and other digital property can be the object of personal-property rights in England and Wales — putting the Law Commission's 'third category' on a statutory footing.", "date_published": "2026-05-26T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Regulation" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/car-finance-compensation-where-things-stand-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/car-finance-compensation-where-things-stand-2026/", "title": "Car finance compensation: where things stand in 2026", "summary": "Hidden commissions on car finance could mean compensation for millions of drivers. Here's a plain-English update — and why you don't need a claims firm.", "content_text": "Hidden commissions on car finance could mean compensation for millions of drivers. Here's a plain-English update — and why you don't need a claims firm.", "date_published": "2026-05-25T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Regulation" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/energy-price-cap-summer-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/energy-price-cap-summer-2026/", "title": "Ofgem cuts energy price cap by 7% for summer quarter", "summary": "The cap on default tariffs falls for July to September, with typical dual-fuel bills dropping by around £130 a year.", "content_text": "The cap on default tariffs falls for July to September, with typical dual-fuel bills dropping by around £130 a year.", "date_published": "2026-05-23T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Energy & bills" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/bank-of-england-holds-bank-rate-at-4-25-may-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/bank-of-england-holds-bank-rate-at-4-25-may-2026/", "title": "Bank of England holds Bank Rate at 4.25% in May meeting", "summary": "The Monetary Policy Committee voted to keep the base rate unchanged for a second meeting running, with two members favouring a cut.", "content_text": "The Monetary Policy Committee voted to keep the base rate unchanged for a second meeting running, with two members favouring a cut.", "date_published": "2026-05-22T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Rates & inflation" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/uk-cpi-inflation-falls-to-2-1-percent-april-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/uk-cpi-inflation-falls-to-2-1-percent-april-2026/", "title": "UK CPI inflation falls to 2.1% in April", "summary": "Headline inflation edged closer to the Bank of England's 2% target, with goods prices broadly flat and services inflation easing.", "content_text": "Headline inflation edged closer to the Bank of England's 2% target, with goods prices broadly flat and services inflation easing.", "date_published": "2026-05-21T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Rates & inflation" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/right-to-buy-discount-reduced-2024-anniversary/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/right-to-buy-discount-reduced-2024-anniversary/", "title": "Right to Buy: where it stands two years on from the discount cut", "summary": "The maximum Right to Buy discount was sharply reduced in late 2024. Take-up has fallen as a result, with policy debate continuing.", "content_text": "The maximum Right to Buy discount was sharply reduced in late 2024. Take-up has fallen as a result, with policy debate continuing.", "date_published": "2026-05-20T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Mortgages & housing" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/pension-credit-take-up-campaign-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/pension-credit-take-up-campaign-2026/", "title": "DWP launches new Pension Credit take-up campaign", "summary": "Around 760,000 pensioners are estimated to be missing out on Pension Credit worth, on average, over £3,900 a year.", "content_text": "Around 760,000 pensioners are estimated to be missing out on Pension Credit worth, on average, over £3,900 a year.", "date_published": "2026-05-19T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Benefits" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/isa-allowance-frozen-at-20000-for-2026-27/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/isa-allowance-frozen-at-20000-for-2026-27/", "title": "ISA allowance frozen at £20,000 for 2026/27", "summary": "The Treasury confirmed the annual ISA subscription limit will remain at £20,000 for the new tax year, with no change to Junior ISAs or LISAs either.", "content_text": "The Treasury confirmed the annual ISA subscription limit will remain at £20,000 for the new tax year, with no change to Junior ISAs or LISAs either.", "date_published": "2026-05-18T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Tax" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/ai-overviews-financial-advice-warning/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/ai-overviews-financial-advice-warning/", "title": "FCA warns consumers against relying on AI chatbots for financial advice", "summary": "The Financial Conduct Authority urged consumers to treat AI-generated financial guidance with caution and to verify with regulated sources.", "content_text": "The Financial Conduct Authority urged consumers to treat AI-generated financial guidance with caution and to verify with regulated sources.", "date_published": "2026-05-17T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Consumer rights" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/renters-rights-act-section-21-abolition/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/renters-rights-act-section-21-abolition/", "title": "Section 21 'no-fault' evictions formally abolished", "summary": "The Renters' Rights Act provisions ending Section 21 evictions and converting all assured shorthold tenancies into periodic tenancies are now in force.", "content_text": "The Renters' Rights Act provisions ending Section 21 evictions and converting all assured shorthold tenancies into periodic tenancies are now in force.", "date_published": "2026-05-15T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Mortgages & housing" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/mortgage-fixed-rates-fall-below-4-percent/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/mortgage-fixed-rates-fall-below-4-percent/", "title": "Sub-4% two-year fixed mortgages return for high-deposit borrowers", "summary": "Falling swap rates have pushed the cheapest two-year fixes for 60% LTV remortgages back below 4% for the first time since 2022.", "content_text": "Falling swap rates have pushed the cheapest two-year fixes for 60% LTV remortgages back below 4% for the first time since 2022.", "date_published": "2026-05-15T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Mortgages & housing" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/winter-fuel-payment-2026-eligibility/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/winter-fuel-payment-2026-eligibility/", "title": "Winter Fuel Payment rules confirmed for winter 2026/27", "summary": "Eligibility remains tied to receipt of Pension Credit or other qualifying benefits, with the £200/£300 payment paid automatically in November and December.", "content_text": "Eligibility remains tied to receipt of Pension Credit or other qualifying benefits, with the £200/£300 payment paid automatically in November and December.", "date_published": "2026-05-14T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Benefits" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/current-account-switch-service-bonuses-spring-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/current-account-switch-service-bonuses-spring-2026/", "title": "Bank switch bonuses return as competition heats up", "summary": "Several major banks are again offering £150–£200 to switch through the Current Account Switch Service, with conditions on direct debits and deposits.", "content_text": "Several major banks are again offering £150–£200 to switch through the Current Account Switch Service, with conditions on direct debits and deposits.", "date_published": "2026-05-12T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Banking" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/scam-warning-impersonation-of-banks-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/scam-warning-impersonation-of-banks-2026/", "title": "FCA warns of surge in bank impersonation scams", "summary": "The regulator and UK Finance warned of an increase in highly convincing scams in which fraudsters pose as a customer's bank using spoofed numbers and stolen personal data.", "content_text": "The regulator and UK Finance warned of an increase in highly convincing scams in which fraudsters pose as a customer's bank using spoofed numbers and stolen personal data.", "date_published": "2026-05-11T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Scams & fraud" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/warm-home-discount-2026-27-eligibility/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/warm-home-discount-2026-27-eligibility/", "title": "Warm Home Discount eligibility broadened for winter 2026/27", "summary": "More low-income households will qualify automatically for the £150 winter rebate, with the high-property-cost screen narrowed.", "content_text": "More low-income households will qualify automatically for the £150 winter rebate, with the high-property-cost screen narrowed.", "date_published": "2026-05-10T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Energy & bills" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/vehicle-excise-duty-evs-april-2025/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/vehicle-excise-duty-evs-april-2025/", "title": "EV road tax has been in force for over a year — what changed", "summary": "Electric vehicles registered after April 2025 now pay standard VED, with the £40,000 'expensive car supplement' adding £410 a year.", "content_text": "Electric vehicles registered after April 2025 now pay standard VED, with the £40,000 'expensive car supplement' adding £410 a year.", "date_published": "2026-05-08T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Tax" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/pension-inheritance-tax-2027-changes/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/pension-inheritance-tax-2027-changes/", "title": "Pensions in scope of Inheritance Tax from April 2027", "summary": "Most unused pension funds will fall within the Inheritance Tax net from April 2027, ending the long-standing 'death benefit' planning advantage.", "content_text": "Most unused pension funds will fall within the Inheritance Tax net from April 2027, ending the long-standing 'death benefit' planning advantage.", "date_published": "2026-05-07T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Pensions" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/universal-credit-managed-migration-completion/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/universal-credit-managed-migration-completion/", "title": "Universal Credit 'managed migration' enters final phase", "summary": "Most legacy benefit claimants have now been moved to Universal Credit. Around 600,000 households on Employment Support Allowance remain in the final wave.", "content_text": "Most legacy benefit claimants have now been moved to Universal Credit. Around 600,000 households on Employment Support Allowance remain in the final wave.", "date_published": "2026-05-06T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Benefits" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/fscs-protection-limit-review-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/fscs-protection-limit-review-2026/", "title": "PRA consults on raising FSCS deposit protection above £85,000", "summary": "The Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority opened a consultation on increasing the £85,000 per-bank deposit protection limit, unchanged since 2017.", "content_text": "The Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority opened a consultation on increasing the £85,000 per-bank deposit protection limit, unchanged since 2017.", "date_published": "2026-05-05T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Regulation" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/childcare-30-hours-from-9-months-anniversary/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/childcare-30-hours-from-9-months-anniversary/", "title": "30 funded childcare hours from 9 months: where the scheme stands", "summary": "The September 2025 expansion is fully bedded in. Providers report continued pressure on places, with codes needing to be renewed every three months.", "content_text": "The September 2025 expansion is fully bedded in. Providers report continued pressure on places, with codes needing to be renewed every three months.", "date_published": "2026-05-04T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Benefits" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/energy-debt-relief-scheme-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/energy-debt-relief-scheme-2026/", "title": "Energy suppliers launch debt relief scheme for arrears", "summary": "A new industry-funded debt relief mechanism will help households written off energy debts accumulated during the 2022–24 price crisis.", "content_text": "A new industry-funded debt relief mechanism will help households written off energy debts accumulated during the 2022–24 price crisis.", "date_published": "2026-05-02T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Energy & bills" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/premium-bonds-prize-rate-change/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/premium-bonds-prize-rate-change/", "title": "NS&I trims Premium Bonds prize fund rate to 3.6%", "summary": "NS&I cut the Premium Bonds prize fund rate by 0.2 percentage points, reflecting falling rates across the savings market.", "content_text": "NS&I cut the Premium Bonds prize fund rate by 0.2 percentage points, reflecting falling rates across the savings market.", "date_published": "2026-05-01T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Banking" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/buy-now-pay-later-regulation-comes-into-force/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/buy-now-pay-later-regulation-comes-into-force/", "title": "Buy-now-pay-later regulation comes into force", "summary": "BNPL providers are now FCA-authorised, with affordability checks, Section 75 protection on larger purchases, and Ombudsman complaints rights.", "content_text": "BNPL providers are now FCA-authorised, with affordability checks, Section 75 protection on larger purchases, and Ombudsman complaints rights.", "date_published": "2026-05-01T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Regulation" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/two-child-benefit-cap-review/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/two-child-benefit-cap-review/", "title": "Government to review the two-child benefit limit", "summary": "Ministers confirmed a formal review of the two-child limit on Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit. Any change would not take effect until at least 2027.", "content_text": "Ministers confirmed a formal review of the two-child limit on Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit. Any change would not take effect until at least 2027.", "date_published": "2026-04-30T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Benefits" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/child-trust-fund-unclaimed-savings/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/child-trust-fund-unclaimed-savings/", "title": "Over £1.7bn in Child Trust Funds still unclaimed", "summary": "HMRC estimates around 670,000 young adults aged 18 to 23 still haven't claimed their matured Child Trust Fund, holding an average of £2,200.", "content_text": "HMRC estimates around 670,000 young adults aged 18 to 23 still haven't claimed their matured Child Trust Fund, holding an average of £2,200.", "date_published": "2026-04-29T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Banking" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/open-banking-vrp-rollout-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/open-banking-vrp-rollout-2026/", "title": "Variable Recurring Payments roll out beyond pilot in 2026", "summary": "Open Banking's 'VRP' technology is moving beyond sweeping into commercial use, opening the door to a direct-debit alternative for subscriptions.", "content_text": "Open Banking's 'VRP' technology is moving beyond sweeping into commercial use, opening the door to a direct-debit alternative for subscriptions.", "date_published": "2026-04-28T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Banking" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/savings-rates-cuts-following-bank-rate/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/savings-rates-cuts-following-bank-rate/", "title": "Easy-access savings rates drift below 4% as base rate cuts bite", "summary": "Average easy-access savings rates fell to 3.8% as banks passed on this year's Bank Rate cuts, although the best buys still pay over 4.5%.", "content_text": "Average easy-access savings rates fell to 3.8% as banks passed on this year's Bank Rate cuts, although the best buys still pay over 4.5%.", "date_published": "2026-04-25T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Rates & inflation" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/motor-finance-commission-fca-redress-update/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/motor-finance-commission-fca-redress-update/", "title": "FCA confirms motor finance redress scheme after Supreme Court ruling", "summary": "The Financial Conduct Authority will run an industry-wide compensation scheme for undisclosed commission on car finance agreements taken out between 2007 and 2024.", "content_text": "The Financial Conduct Authority will run an industry-wide compensation scheme for undisclosed commission on car finance agreements taken out between 2007 and 2024.", "date_published": "2026-04-22T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Consumer rights" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/investment-scams-tiktok-influencers-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/investment-scams-tiktok-influencers-2026/", "title": "FCA action against unauthorised investment promotions on social media", "summary": "The regulator brought further enforcement action against unauthorised individuals promoting investments to followers on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.", "content_text": "The regulator brought further enforcement action against unauthorised individuals promoting investments to followers on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.", "date_published": "2026-04-19T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Scams & fraud" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/pension-dashboards-staged-launch-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/pension-dashboards-staged-launch-2026/", "title": "Pension Dashboards staged launch begins for large schemes", "summary": "Larger occupational and personal pension schemes have started connecting to the new dashboards platform, with public launch planned for 2027.", "content_text": "Larger occupational and personal pension schemes have started connecting to the new dashboards platform, with public launch planned for 2027.", "date_published": "2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Pensions" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/marriage-allowance-claim-deadline-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/marriage-allowance-claim-deadline-2026/", "title": "Reminder: Marriage Allowance can be backdated four tax years", "summary": "Couples claiming Marriage Allowance can backdate to 2022/23, worth up to £1,260 in total tax savings.", "content_text": "Couples claiming Marriage Allowance can backdate to 2022/23, worth up to £1,260 in total tax savings.", "date_published": "2026-04-12T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Tax" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/cold-weather-payment-replacement-scotland/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/cold-weather-payment-replacement-scotland/", "title": "Scotland's Winter Heating Payment continues in place of Cold Weather Payment", "summary": "Eligible Scottish households receive a fixed £58.75 payment regardless of temperature, replacing the trigger-based system used elsewhere.", "content_text": "Eligible Scottish households receive a fixed £58.75 payment regardless of temperature, replacing the trigger-based system used elsewhere.", "date_published": "2026-04-08T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Benefits" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/vat-threshold-stays-90000-april-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/vat-threshold-stays-90000-april-2026/", "title": "VAT registration threshold stays at £90,000", "summary": "The VAT threshold remains at £90,000, with the deregistration threshold at £88,000, as the government chose not to raise it further in the Spring Statement.", "content_text": "The VAT threshold remains at £90,000, with the deregistration threshold at £88,000, as the government chose not to raise it further in the Spring Statement.", "date_published": "2026-04-06T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Tax" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/making-tax-digital-april-2026-launch/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/making-tax-digital-april-2026-launch/", "title": "Making Tax Digital launches for self-employed earning over £50,000", "summary": "From this tax year, sole traders and landlords with combined income above £50,000 must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC.", "content_text": "From this tax year, sole traders and landlords with combined income above £50,000 must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC.", "date_published": "2026-04-06T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Tax" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/carers-allowance-earnings-limit-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/carers-allowance-earnings-limit-2026/", "title": "Carer's Allowance earnings limit rises to £196 a week", "summary": "The weekly earnings threshold above which Carer's Allowance is withdrawn rose for the new tax year, with the DWP continuing to review overpayment recovery.", "content_text": "The weekly earnings threshold above which Carer's Allowance is withdrawn rose for the new tax year, with the DWP continuing to review overpayment recovery.", "date_published": "2026-04-06T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Benefits" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/high-income-child-benefit-charge-threshold/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/high-income-child-benefit-charge-threshold/", "title": "High Income Child Benefit Charge threshold stays at £60,000", "summary": "The April 2024 reform that lifted the HICBC threshold from £50,000 to £60,000 is now baked in, with no change for 2026/27.", "content_text": "The April 2024 reform that lifted the HICBC threshold from £50,000 to £60,000 is now baked in, with no change for 2026/27.", "date_published": "2026-04-06T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Tax" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/personal-allowance-frozen-until-2028/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/personal-allowance-frozen-until-2028/", "title": "Income tax thresholds remain frozen until April 2028", "summary": "The Personal Allowance stays at £12,570 and the higher-rate threshold at £50,270, dragging more workers into higher tax bands through fiscal drift.", "content_text": "The Personal Allowance stays at £12,570 and the higher-rate threshold at £50,270, dragging more workers into higher tax bands through fiscal drift.", "date_published": "2026-04-06T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Tax" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/state-pension-rises-4-1-percent-april-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/state-pension-rises-4-1-percent-april-2026/", "title": "State Pension rises 4.1% under triple lock from April", "summary": "The new full State Pension reached £241.30 a week — an extra £494 a year — under the triple lock formula based on average earnings growth.", "content_text": "The new full State Pension reached £241.30 a week — an extra £494 a year — under the triple lock formula based on average earnings growth.", "date_published": "2026-04-06T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Pensions" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/council-tax-2026-27-average-rise-5-percent/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/council-tax-2026-27-average-rise-5-percent/", "title": "Council tax bills rise by around 5% across most of England", "summary": "The vast majority of upper-tier councils raised council tax by the maximum allowed without a referendum, with several given permission to go higher.", "content_text": "The vast majority of upper-tier councils raised council tax by the maximum allowed without a referendum, with several given permission to go higher.", "date_published": "2026-04-01T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Tax" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/stamp-duty-changes-april-2025-anniversary/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/stamp-duty-changes-april-2025-anniversary/", "title": "One year on: Stamp Duty thresholds back to pre-2022 levels", "summary": "The temporary nil-rate band uplift introduced in 2022 ended a year ago, returning the first-time buyer threshold to £300,000.", "content_text": "The temporary nil-rate band uplift introduced in 2022 ended a year ago, returning the first-time buyer threshold to £300,000.", "date_published": "2026-04-01T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Tax" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/national-living-wage-12-21-april-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/national-living-wage-12-21-april-2026/", "title": "National Living Wage rises to £12.21 for over-21s", "summary": "The 21-and-over hourly minimum increased by 6.7%, with even sharper rises for 18–20-year-olds as the government moves towards a single adult rate.", "content_text": "The 21-and-over hourly minimum increased by 6.7%, with even sharper rises for 18–20-year-olds as the government moves towards a single adult rate.", "date_published": "2026-04-01T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Benefits" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/leasehold-reform-act-implementation-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/leasehold-reform-act-implementation-2026/", "title": "Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act provisions take effect", "summary": "Long-awaited reforms removing ground rents on most new long leases and cutting lease extension costs began to come into force this spring.", "content_text": "Long-awaited reforms removing ground rents on most new long leases and cutting lease extension costs began to come into force this spring.", "date_published": "2026-03-31T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Mortgages & housing" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/household-support-fund-extended-2026-27/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/household-support-fund-extended-2026-27/", "title": "Household Support Fund extended through to March 2027", "summary": "Councils receive a further year of funding to provide crisis grants and energy support to low-income residents, with rules set locally.", "content_text": "Councils receive a further year of funding to provide crisis grants and energy support to low-income residents, with rules set locally.", "date_published": "2026-03-26T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Benefits" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/credit-card-section-75-reminder/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/credit-card-section-75-reminder/", "title": "Reminder: Section 75 still protects credit card spending of £100–£30,000", "summary": "Despite the rise of debit cards and account-to-account payment, paying any part of a £100–£30,000 purchase on credit card still triggers full Section 75 protection.", "content_text": "Despite the rise of debit cards and account-to-account payment, paying any part of a £100–£30,000 purchase on credit card still triggers full Section 75 protection.", "date_published": "2026-03-22T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Consumer rights" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/consumer-duty-review-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/consumer-duty-review-2026/", "title": "FCA publishes first major review of the Consumer Duty", "summary": "The regulator's first comprehensive look at how firms are applying the Consumer Duty highlighted progress on price and value but ongoing weaknesses in vulnerable customer support.", "content_text": "The regulator's first comprehensive look at how firms are applying the Consumer Duty highlighted progress on price and value but ongoing weaknesses in vulnerable customer support.", "date_published": "2026-03-18T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Regulation" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/auto-enrolment-extension-18-year-olds/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/auto-enrolment-extension-18-year-olds/", "title": "Auto-enrolment extension to 18-year-olds confirmed for 2027", "summary": "The age at which employees must be automatically enrolled into a workplace pension is set to drop from 22 to 18, with contributions calculated from the first pound earned.", "content_text": "The age at which employees must be automatically enrolled into a workplace pension is set to drop from 22 to 18, with contributions calculated from the first pound earned.", "date_published": "2026-03-05T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Pensions" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/lifetime-isa-25-percent-penalty-debate/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/lifetime-isa-25-percent-penalty-debate/", "title": "Lifetime ISA: pressure grows to reform the early withdrawal penalty", "summary": "Consumer groups and the Treasury Committee continue to call for reform of the 25% LISA withdrawal charge, which can leave savers worse off than they put in.", "content_text": "Consumer groups and the Treasury Committee continue to call for reform of the 25% LISA withdrawal charge, which can leave savers worse off than they put in.", "date_published": "2026-03-04T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Regulation" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/lifetime-allowance-replacement-update/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/lifetime-allowance-replacement-update/", "title": "Lifetime Allowance replacement: lump sum allowance rules clarified", "summary": "Two years after the Lifetime Allowance was abolished, HMRC published further guidance on the lump sum allowance and lump sum and death benefit allowance.", "content_text": "Two years after the Lifetime Allowance was abolished, HMRC published further guidance on the lump sum allowance and lump sum and death benefit allowance.", "date_published": "2026-02-26T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Pensions" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/first-time-buyer-stats-2025-record/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/first-time-buyer-stats-2025-record/", "title": "First-time buyer numbers rebound in 2025, says UK Finance", "summary": "Around 354,000 first-time buyer mortgages were completed in 2025, up around 15% on 2024, as rates fell and the post-Stamp Duty rush boosted Q1.", "content_text": "Around 354,000 first-time buyer mortgages were completed in 2025, up around 15% on 2024, as rates fell and the post-Stamp Duty rush boosted Q1.", "date_published": "2026-02-13T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Mortgages & housing" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/crypto-promotions-rules-anniversary/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/crypto-promotions-rules-anniversary/", "title": "FCA crypto promotion rules: two years on", "summary": "The financial promotion regime for crypto assets has been in force for over two years. Many firms have left the UK market; others have complied.", "content_text": "The financial promotion regime for crypto assets has been in force for over two years. Many firms have left the UK market; others have complied.", "date_published": "2026-02-08T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Regulation" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/tax-self-assessment-deadline-results-2026/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/tax-self-assessment-deadline-results-2026/", "title": "Self Assessment: 96% filed on time, HMRC reports", "summary": "HMRC said 11.5 million tax returns were filed by the 31 January deadline, with around 600,000 missing it and facing an automatic £100 penalty.", "content_text": "HMRC said 11.5 million tax returns were filed by the 31 January deadline, with around 600,000 missing it and facing an automatic £100 penalty.", "date_published": "2026-02-04T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Tax" ] }, { "id": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/broadband-mid-contract-rises-pounds-pence/", "url": "https://moneyguide.org.uk/news/broadband-mid-contract-rises-pounds-pence/", "title": "Broadband mid-contract price rises now in pounds and pence", "summary": "Ofcom's new rules require providers to state any in-contract price rises as a single £-per-month figure at the point of sale, rather than as a CPI-linked formula.", "content_text": "Ofcom's new rules require providers to state any in-contract price rises as a single £-per-month figure at the point of sale, rather than as a CPI-linked formula.", "date_published": "2026-01-17T00:00:00.000Z", "tags": [ "Consumer rights" ] } ] }