It’s Friday, the sun is shining and it’s shaping up to be the hottest day of the year so far… what more could you want?

Well, if your answer was a free iced drink, then you’re in luck as your wish is Pret’s command.

The coffee chain is celebrating the warm weather and recent surge in sales of iced drinks by giving away free beverages at select shops.

There are of course a few caveats to this exciting news though – there are only two drinks to choose from: The Raspberry Lemonade Cooler & Feelin’ Peachy Cooler.

The Coolers, which usually cost £4.20 each, are limited to one drink per customer and they’re only available at four shops, three of which are located in London.

Customers can claim a free drink today (Friday, April 11) from the Hackney store on Amhurst Road, the Pret on Parsons Green Lane, 140 Aldersgate on Long Lane Street (all in London) and at Cross Street in Manchester. 

Briony Raven, Chief Customer and Product Officer at Pret A Manger, said: ‘We’re thrilled to bring a little burst of refreshment to customers with this cooler giveaway. We’ve seen Barista-made iced drinks boom in popularity recently and we thought no better time to share some joy with our customers than by giving them some free Pret Coolers on the hottest day of the year. 

‘Whether you’re grabbing one on your way to the park or just treating yourself to a midday pick-me-up, it’s the perfect way to welcome warmer days.’

If you prefer a hot drink instead of an iced one, there are also numerous ways to claim a free coffee from popular chains.

Customers with Octopus Energy are able to enjoy one free drink a week from Caffè Nero or Greggs if they have the app and a smart meter.

Freebie options at Caffè Nero include iced pistachio and cherry lattes of any size as well as all other cold and hot drinks that aren’t branded ‘luxury’, ‘speciality’ or ‘seasonal’. While the options at Greggs
range from speciality lattes, hot chocolate and espresso to cappuccino.

Meanwhile, if you sign up to MyWaitrose, you can claim a free americano, cappuccino, latte or tea from the self-service machines in Waitrose stores without making a purchase, as long as you bring a reusable cup and scan your loyalty card. This entitles you to one free drink a day.

You can also claim one free drink at Caffè Nero when you link your Caffe Nero app to MyWaitrose.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

Bad news for holidaymakers: the price of a British passport is going up again this week.

After years of hiking costs that have had a direct impact on travellers, the government has announced that new fees will come into place on Thursday, 10 April — and will see a variety of services provided by HM Passport Office put their prices up.

Across the board, prices will rise by 7%. In real terms, that means online passport applications for adults will climb to £94.50, while fees for children’s passports will rise to £61.50.

The move takes the total price rise in two years to 25 percent — more than twice the current rate of inflation.

In even bleaker news, it makes the UK passport one of the most expensive in Europe, putting it almost on par with Denmark (£100) and Italy (£97).

Alongside the price hike, Brits heading to EU countries, as well as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, are being urged to check their documents carefully.

UK passports must comply with strict entry rules, with a ‘date of issue’ that’s less than 10 years old when you arrive in the country, and an expiry date at least three months after the date you plan to leave.

Here’s everything you need to know about the passport price rise — including who should renew before 10 April.

How are people reacting?

Travellers have lashed out at the price hike on TikTok, with a man called Chris writing: ‘WHY IS EVERYTHING GOING UP EXCEPT WAGES …drives me insane.’

A woman named Naya added: ‘My daughter has a French passport and we are renewing for 17 euros, or £14. That’s a joke, we’ll keep the French passport then. My other daughter has a British passport and we will go for a French one for her now, too.’

Others said they haven’t been able to afford to renew their passports in recent years.

The price increase is the latest headache for Brits planning international trips. And, as experts tell Metro, it’s just another added expense that hits everyday people hardest.

‘Whether you’re a young person gearing up for your first adventure, or a family trying to sort passport renewals before the school holidays, this increase really lands at the worst time – especially with the cost of everything else still climbing,’ Jessie Chambers, senior travel expert at Global Work and Travel, says.

‘For young travellers, a passport is the starting point for any journey, and what should be a straightforward step suddenly feels like a financial obstacle.’

For families, it’s even harder. Jessie notes that passports often expire at the same time, so renewing one means renewing them all.

‘That can easily add up to hundreds of pounds in one hit,’ she says.

‘For many, it could be the difference between affording a break or having to cancel plans.’

Beyond individual cases, rocketing passport costs could change the face of travel as we know it.

‘If these costs keep rising, we’ll likely see fewer people able to afford trips abroad, and that could affect how many people from the UK choose (or are able) to travel in the years ahead,’ says Jessie.

She adds: ‘We shouldn’t be treating passports like a luxury item. When something so basic starts to feel out of reach, that’s a real issue.’

On the flip side, the rise could be good news for UK hotels and tourist businesses.

‘While the passport fee alone won’t likely deter international travel, these cumulative expenses following years of inflation may make European trips less accessible for budget-conscious families,’ Zoe Adjey, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of East London, tells Metro.

‘A potential silver lining could be increased domestic tourism as some Britons reconsider foreign holidays due to these mounting costs and barriers.’

How much does it cost to get a UK passport currently?

• Adult online application: £88.50
• Child online application: £57.50
• Adult postal application: £100
• Child postal application: £69
• Premium 1-day rapid adult application: £207.50
• Premium 1-day rapid child application: £176.50
• Online overseas adult application: £101
• Online overseas child application: £65.50
• Postal overseas adult application: £112.50
• Postal overseas child application: £77.

How much will getting a UK passport cost from April 10?

• Adult online application: £94.50
• Child online application: £61.50
• Adult postal application: £107
• Child postal application: £74
• Premium 1-day rapid adult application: £222
• Premium 1-day rapid child application: £189
• Online overseas adult application: £108
• Online overseas child application: £70
• Postal overseas adult application: £120.50
• Postal overseas child application: £82.50.

Why is the price of passports rising?

According to the Home Office, the new fees will cover the cost of passport processing and consular services such as support for lost or stolen documents abroad.

A statement from the department said: ‘The new fees will help the Home Office to continue to move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation.

‘The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.’

It said the fees will also go towards the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders.

HM Passport Office recommends holidaymakers renew their passports in good time.

How long does it take to renew a UK passport?

The Home Office says that last year, where no further information was required, 99.7% of standard applications from the UK were processed within three weeks.

It could however take longer if you’re applying from a different country.

There are premium or one-week fast-track services available for those who need a passport urgently.

People can call the passport advice line if they need to travel urgently for medical treatment or because a friend or family member is seriously ill or has died.

Should I renew before the price goes up?

Travel experts such as ‘the man who pays his way’, Simon Calder, say yes — on two conditions.

You should renew before 10 April – the day of the increase – if your passport is due to expire by 25 November 2025, or if you plan to travel abroad before that date.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

In just 50 seismic minutes, Donald Trump flipped the world’s trading system on its head, branded other nations ‘foreign scavengers’ and called the EU ‘pathetic’ for ‘ripping off’ the US.

The US president had been billing his ‘liberation day’ as one of the most important days in the country’s history – and it’s certainly lived up to it.

At the ‘Make America Wealthy Again’ address on the White House’s famous Rose Garden, Trump didn’t hold back, holding up his chart of ‘reciprocal’ tariffs to show to the world.

Ahead of the announcements, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: ‘A trade war is in nobody’s interest, and the country deserves and we will take a calm, pragmatic approach.

‘Our decisions will always be guided by our national interest, and that’s why we have prepared for all eventualities and we will rule nothing out.’

Now, the UK has been hit with a 10% tariff on exports to the United States – a bit of a relief for Britain, considering talks of 20% tariffs on UK goods were mentioned initially.

However, UK residents will still be impacted, and the price of certain goods will increase, economists said.

After the announcement, business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: ‘The US is our closest ally, so our approach is to remain calm and committed to doing this deal, which we hope will mitigate the impact of what has been announced today.’

Here’s a list of products and goods which could see price increases after Trump’s announcement.

Cars and the automotive industry

The UK car industry could take a hit after tariffs were introduced.

Some UK car brands which are sold in the US include: Jaguar Land Rover, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, McLaren, and Lotus.

Cars could soon increase in price for UK buyers as well after the European car market was slammed with tariffs from the US.

Many European car brands, such as BMW and Mercedes, rely on sales in the United States – so with these new tariffs, UK prices could increase as well.

It’s feared the 25% tariffs could put 25,000 jobs in the UK at risk, while Range Rovers could be almost $30,000 more expensive in the US.

Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders statement Chief Executive Mike Hawes said: ‘ Our cars were already set to attract a punitive 25% tariff overnight and other automotive products are now set to be impacted immediately. While we hope a deal between the UK and US can still be negotiated, this is yet another challenge to a sector already facing multiple headwinds.

‘These tariff costs cannot be absorbed by manufacturers, thus hitting US consumers who may face additional costs and a reduced choice of iconic British brands, whilst UK producers may have to review output in the face of constrained demand.

‘Trade discussions must continue at pace, therefore, and we urge all parties to continue to negotiate and deliver solutions which support jobs, consumer demand and economic growth across both sides of the Atlantic.’

Cans and kitchen foil

Aluminium prices could be impacted – ranging from kitchenware to drinks and even kitchen foil.

Trump previously said he would place tariffs on aluminium imports to the United States.

But the impact aluminium tariffs could be felt hard in the hospitality industry on both sides of the Atlantic, analysists have warned.

Trump introduced a 25% levy on all beer imports and added beer cans to existing aluminium tariffs.

Micaela Pallini, president of Italian trade association Federvini, said in a statement: ‘Many labels, which cannot be replaced by local production, will disappear from the tables of US consumers, while a serious production and employment crisis is looming in Italy and Europe,.’

Mortgages

Believe it or not, tariffs on goods can actually affect your mortgage.

Inflation caused by the turmoil in the global economy (ie, tariffs), could affect interest rates in the UK.

Currently, the Bank of England’s base rate of a mortgage is currently 4.5%. That could be subject to change, depending on how bad inflation is.

Could any prices come down?

Thomas Sampson, Associate Professor in Economics at the London School of Economics, told Metro: ‘Many countries – particularly big exporting Asian countries – are now facing high tariffs on exports to the US, so it’s likely that some of that trade will be diverted elsewhere and could reduce prices in other countries.

‘We might see some of that trade being diverted to the UK, which could bring some downward pressure on UK prices.

‘But my guess is that will be a relatively small effect – because you know the countries that are facing the highest tariff they’re mostly countries that are a long way away from the UK that we don’t trade a huge amount.’

How else could the tariffs affect your money?

The main way is interest rates.

These range from loans to credit cards and mortgages, as mentioned above. The rates could remain higher for longer, experts said.

But Mr Sampson points out: ‘The UK is such a service is lead economy because over half export is service-led. So we are less directly exposed to these tariffs than many other countries.

‘But this is why I think that the main effect is not going to come directly through the tariffs themselves, but the broad economic slowdown I’m expecting to come from them.’

What other countries are set to a 10% tariff?

Quite a few.

Brazil, Singapore, Chile, Australia, Turkey, Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago and Morroco have all been slapped with 10% tariffs.

Others got it worse. Now facing 54% tariffs on exports to the US, the world’s number two economy China vowed countermeasures, as did the European Union.

Both allies and foes united in criticism of measures they believe will deal a devastating blow to global trade.

‘The consequences will be dire for millions of people around the globe,’ EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement, adding the 27-member bloc was preparing to hit back if talks with Washington failed.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Brits are being urged to check the terms of their phone and broadband contracts and ensure they’re not overpaying council tax with bills rising from April 1.

This year ‘Awful April’ looks likely to be particularly painful, with nine in 10 councils taking the opportunity to raise taxes by the maximum allowed amount, and water bills rising by as much as 47%.

Although you can’t escape all hikes, with the right know-how, you can potentially save hundreds of pounds.

Below, we talk you through how to hack household bills as businesses and councils put up their prices to compensate for inflation and rising costs.

1. Council tax

Most of us will pay 5% more on our council tax from April – that’s an average of about an extra £109 a year for a Band D household – but a few unlucky folk will find the bill is much higher.

That’s because their council has been given permission to raise even more from customers because they are in dire financial straits.

Councils that can do this include Bradford, which will put up council tax by 10%, and the London borough of Newham, whose residents will pay 9% more.

Is there anything I can do about it?

Check you are not overpaying. There are a few reasons why council tax might be reduced. Full-time students, single people, carers and those with certain diagnoses are entitled to a discount, as are some people on low incomes, so check your council website to see if you are eligible.

You may also be able to apply to reduce your council tax band. The amount you pay in tax depends on the valuation of your house in 1991, and many properties have changed since then. There are more details on how to challenge the banding at 
gov.uk, though be aware that it comes with the risk you’ll go up a band, too!

2. Energy bills

The government cap on energy prices rises from April 1 to 6.4%, so if you’re on a capped energy tariff, the gas and electricity you are using will cost more. Energy regulator Ofgem says this will cost the average household £111 a year if prices remain at the new level. The cap itself only runs for three months, after which prices may rise or fall again.

Is there anything I can do about it?

If you are on a fixed-rate tariff, you won’t pay any more for your energy until that rate comes to an end.

If you aren’t, and your energy is on a capped tariff, now might be a good time to see if you can save by switching. Use comparison sites such as Uswitch, Moneysupermarket or Comparethe
market to find cheaper deals.

Taking steps to reduce your energy bills will also pay dividends, although the good news is that the latest hike is coming in as the weather gets warmer and energy demand reduces.

Fiona Peake, consumer finance expert at Ocean Finance, suggests the following tweaks to bring bills down further. ‘Leaving appliances on standby overnight can add up to £100 a year to your bills. Switching everything off at the socket (except essentials like your fridge) can be an easy way to save,’ she says. ‘Another simple fix is lowering your boiler’s flow temperature to 60C. It won’t impact the warmth of your home but it could save you another £100 a year.’

3. Water bills

Water bills alone are set to increase by an average of £123 a year from April 1, a 26% increase, according to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), which represents householders. Depending on where you live, some people will face even bigger rises, as water companies are raising their bills by different amounts.

Some of the highest rises include Southern Water, which is increasing bills by 47%, South West Water (32%), Thames Water (31%) and Yorkshire Water (29%).

Is there anything I can do about it?

Andy White, from the CCW, says that customers who are finding water bills difficult to pay should check whether they are eligible for a ‘social tariff’.

If you are eligible because you have a low income, you could save an average of £160 a year, while those with medical conditions that mean they use a lot of water could be eligible for WaterSure tariffs, with an average saving of £286 a year. Two in five households in the UK don’t have a meter and some would be better off if they switched.

You can try the CCW water meter calculator at ccw.org.uk to see if that could be you. You can also, unless you live in an area where water meters are compulsory, switch back again after two years if you are unhappy with it.

‘I saved £175 by switching to a water meter’

Sylvia Tillmann, from Ramsgate in Kent, is saving over £175 a year now she’s switched her water to a meter. Her bill used to be £300 a year, and now it is just under £125.

The 58-year-old lives in a one-bedroom flat, but still saved on her Southern Water bill by switching to a meter.

‘I’m not wasteful, very environmentally conscious, and take short showers rather than long ones,’ she says. ‘I only use the washing machine and dishwasher when it’s really full, so the meter hasn’t changed my behaviour at all, just saved me money.’

Sylvia says that she was prompted to get a meter by a friend who had also saved money, and although she had to wait a while for an engineer to come and fit it, the process was otherwise straightforward.

‘To start with, I was checking the meter all the time to see if it moved, and it only moved a little bit with each shower or use of the dishwasher,’ she says. ‘I couldn’t believe my savings, and I’d advise anyone who is careful with water like me to do this.’

4. Broadband and mobile bills

Broadband and mobile phone companies are allowed to put up your bills by an amount linked to inflation if this was in your contract when you signed up. Fiona, at Ocean Finance, says this could push bills up by six to 7.5%, adding £3-£5 per month to household expenses.

Is there anything I can do about it?

If you are out of contract, you can leave and get a better deal, or haggle with your current provider for a cheaper price by threatening to leave. Check out comparison sites such as Uswitch or Moneysupermarket for deals that might work for you.

If you’re in contract, chances are you’ll have to pay to leave, but do check whether they will waive exit penalties when prices rise. If the penalties are steep, make a calendar note of when the contract ends and switch as quickly as you can.

5. Car tax

How much more will I pay?

For most of us, the increase in car tax will be a relatively manageable £5 a year, to £195. For those with electric vehicles though, the increase will be high. These vehicles have been exempt from the tax but now will pay £10 for the first year before moving to the standard car tax rate.

Is there anything I can do about it?

Expensive vehicles attract more car tax, so ensuring you don’t have a vehicle with a ‘list price’ of over £40,000 will save you money. Otherwise you only get out of paying car tax if your car is off-road and declared as such, or is over 40 years old.

6. TV Licence

How much more will I pay?

The price for a standard colour TV licence is rising by £5 to £174.50.

Is there anything I can do about it?

If you want to watch live TV or BBC iPlayer then you will need a licence. If you watch only other catch-up services, you won’t, and can save the full amount. You can apply to cancel your licence online if this is the case at tvlicensing.co.uk. You can also fill out a declaration on the same site saying you don’t need a licence, to prevent TV Licensing pursuing you for the cash.

Beware, though, if you don’t pay and are discovered to be watching live TV or iPlayer, you could face a £1,000 fine. Otherwise if you’re over 75 and receive the pension credit benefit you’ll get a free TV licence, while those who are blind or significantly sight-impaired will receive a 50% discount.

Rosie Murray-West is Metro’s personal finance specialist.

If you want more tips and tricks on saving money, as well as chat about cash and alerts on deals and discounts, join our Facebook Group, Money Pot.

While smart meters are a handy way to save money on your energy bills, it turns out millions across Great Britain may not actually work.

According to official figures, there have been a number of issues with the nationwide smart meter rollout, with as many as 3.5 million currently operating in ‘dumb’ mode, unable to send energy usage information.

As such, Ofgem has called on providers to urgently fix broken devices, proposing they issue £40 automatic compensation to those who have to wait longer than 90 days.

Under the regulator’s plans, customers will also receive a payout if a smart meter installation fails due to a fault within their provider’s control.

Amid government targets for three-quarters of all homes to use one by the end of this year, Uswitch research shows up to 1.4 million households in England, Wales and Scotland have waited six months or longer for their broken meter to be fixed.

However, the new proposals mean anyone who requests a new meter from their supplier will have to be offered one within six weeks, while suppliers will be required to provide a resolution plan to those who report problems with their device within five working days.

Tim Jarvis, director general for markets at Ofgem, said: ‘We’re drawing the line on excuses – suppliers will need to follow our new rules or compensate their customers.

We know that many customers are still waiting too long to get a smart meter installed or facing lengthy delays on repairs when it stops working.

‘That’s why we’re stepping in to make the process quicker and easier for consumers and to make sure they’re fairly compensated if things do go wrong.’

Martin Lewis discussed the topic on a recent episode of his podcast with Octopus Energy boss Greg Jackson, who claimed repairs were often not prioritised because fixing existing smart meters doesn’t count towards the targets.

The Money Saving Expert (MSE) founder previously warned ministers that up to 20% of home smart meters are not working properly, urging them to change the current rules.

In a letter to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, he wrote: ‘Repairs are slow, if they happen at all, as resources are focused on installs, leaving consumers frustrated and at risk of mis-billing and further problems.’

Ofgem’s proposals are due to be consulted on until May, after which further details on the compensation scheme will likely be released.

Miatta Fahnbulleh, the UK Minister for Energy Consumers, commented: ‘We want to make sure more consumers feel the benefits of having one installed.

‘A crucial part of that will be improving the smart meter customer experience, so we welcome Ofgem’s proposals to introduce guaranteed standards of performance for smart meters.

‘This will help to ensure people who want to upgrade their meters are better supported through the process, and can make the most of their new smart meter.’

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

According to Martin Lewis, 80% of households in England, Scotland and Wales currently overpay for energy — and in the coming months, it’s only going to get worse.

Ofgem just announced the price cap will be going up by 6.4% in April – following a 1% rise in January – with the energy regulator blaming an increase in the wholesale price of oil and gas.

That means the minimum bill for someone with typical dual-fuel use paying by Direct Debit will go up by over £100 a year, which Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley will pose ‘a huge challenge for many households.’

But thankfully, there is a way to avoid the worst of the hike, with Martin claiming it could result in a typical annual saving of £200.

And the personal finance guru’s advice is simple: ‘Most people should consider locking in a cheap fix to avoid the hike.’

On the Money Saving Expert (MSE) newsletter, he explained that ‘a fixed tariff is where you lock in a rate for a set time (you still pay more if you use more, though), giving you the peace of mind of price certainty’.

Martin also added on X: ‘The cheapest year-long standalone fixes right now are about 4% less than the current cap, never mind once it rises in April.’

As many people are nervous about switching to a relatively unknown energy company for their price fix, Money Saving Expert has managed to wrangle an exclusive 16-month fix with British Gas, that’s available for new and existing customers.

However, it’s only available until 5pm on Friday, March 28. So you’ll want to act ‘urgently’ if you want to snap it up as there are just three days from now until then.

According to the experts, there’s only one smaller firm (Outfox the Market) that has a cheaper deal right now, and this is the ‘most competitive deal’ British Gas has offered in a while.

Martin says that in general the deal ‘looks strong’ but the exact fixed rate tariff that’s best for you will depend on your region and how much energy you use.

To find this out, you’ll want to put your details into a comparison tool (like MSE’s Cheap Energy Club) to see more personalised options.

Regardless of which deal you choose, the new price cap will come into play on April 1 and will last for three months, so you definitely have to switch before then.

However, Martin also warns that deals are being snapped up fast, so ‘getting it done ASAP is safest’ as ‘each day you sit on the Price Cap is a day you pay more than needed’.

Alongside fixed rate tariffs, it’s worth looking into specialist alternatives that could save you cash.

EDF’s new Simply Tracker Extra tariff, for example, slashes £100 a year off the standing charge, and could be good for those with lower usage (roughly under £135 per month).

Alternatively, there are electric vehicle tariffs which could help EV drivers keep costs down, and rapid price-change options offering lower prices outside of peak periods for those who are able to shift their daily usage routine.

If you’re still struggling to pay, Martin recommends speaking to your energy provider to see how they can help.

‘Be polite and straight with it, and make sure you explain if you’re vulnerable,’ he says.

They may be able to put you forward for a hardship and debt grant, or work with you to negotiate a payment plan you can afford – everything’s decided on a case-by-case basis.

Under Ofgem rules, suppliers are obligated to help struggling customers, so get in touch with yours as soon as possible if you’re worried about your ability to pay.

A version of this story was first published on February 25, 2025.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

An average family in Britain could be £1,400-a-year poorer by 2030, according to new analysis.

Frozen tax thresholds, rising mortgage and rent costs, and falling real earnings are all predicted to leave people worse off in the next five years.

The hardest blows will fall on the poorest third, who will bear the impact at twice the rate of middle and high earners, according to the analysis by thinktank The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).

The anti-poverty charity’s report predicts that the Labour government will miss one of its stated ‘milestones’ to raise living standards before the next election.

The £1,400 drop by April 2030 equates to a 3% fall in disposable income for the average family.

The lowest income households will be £900 per year worse off – a 6% fall, it said.

Average earnings are also set to fall by £700 per year by 2030, according to the JRF.

And the situation could be even worse for some as the analysis doesn’t account for the £5bn cut to disability benefits announced this week.

The charity used modelling forecasts from the Bank of England and others to create its prediction.

It also polled of 5,000 people with YouGov.

Alfie Stirling, its director of insight and policy, said Labour risks running the ‘first parliament on modern record to see a fall in average living standards from start to finish’.

It branded the welfare cuts ‘wrong’ and wants the plan scrapped.

Instead the government should instead raise cash by increasing tax on wealth and investments, it said.

This is unlikely to happen after by chancellor Rachel Reeves ruled out any more tax rises earlier this week.

When asked about the foundation’s findings, Reeves rejected the claims that living standards are falling.

She claimed that living standards in the last Consversative-run parliament ‘were the worst ever on record’.

The analysis came shortly before the chanellor’s spring statement in which more cuts are set to be announced in a bid to improve the country’s finances.

Today Reeves said the Civil Service’s administrative running costs will be slashed by 15% as part of her efficiency drive.

Whether this helps drive economic growth – the government’s top priority – remains to be seen.

The Bank of England recently halved its growth outlook for the UK economy this year to 0.75% – pouring more water on hopes of the economy reigniting after years of tepid growth.

There are also worries next month’s hike to employer national insurance and the minimum wage will create further drag on investment.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Last year, Nationwide paid 3.85 million members £100 each as part of its Fairer Share scheme — and it looks like the building society will be issuing a fresh round of bonuses in the next few months.

While the exact details of the 2025 initiative – which is separate to recent £50 payouts marking Nationwide’s acquisition of Virgin Money – have yet to be released, Martin Lewis has offered some urgent advice to help you qualify.

In the latest edition of his Money Saving Expert (MSE) newsletter, he shared a guide on possible conditions for the ‘reward’, urging: ‘Go quick to boost your chances.’

MSE explained: ‘In previous years, the scheme has been announced in May and paid in June, though whether you got it depended on if you met the qualifying criteria in the first three months of the year.’

That means existing members have just a few weeks left to ensure they fulfil any requirements, while non-nembers need to switch to Nationwide ASAP to be eligible.

Assuming the initiative comes with the same prerequisites as in 2023 and 2024, what you have to do will depend on the account you have and how you used it in January or February this year.

If you’re already a Nationwide customer, your account must still be open on March 31, 2025, so don’t close it between now and then. Additionally, you need to have used it within the first three months of the year, with slightly different criteria for different types of account:

FlexAccount, FlexBasic, FlexDirect accounts

To qualify for a Fairer Share payout, you must have either received £500 and made two payments out of your account, or made at least 10 outgoing payments in January and February this year.

However, MSE adds that if you didn’t do this, ‘you may still be able to qualify by switching.’

FlexPlus packaged accounts

No payments in or out are required here, but you need to have kept up with your fee to be eligible.

FlexOne, FlexGraduate, FlexStudent accounts

The deadline for these members is slightly later, so you’ll have until the end of March to qualify by making at least one payment in or out of your account.

‘Payments out can include debit card transactions, Direct Debits, bank transfers and standing orders but not transfers to other Nationwide accounts you have,’ explains the MSE site.

Mortgages and savings accounts

Mortgage customers must owe at least £100 by end of March, while savings accounts must have a balance of at least £100.

MSE advises: ‘If you don’t have either of those, stick £100 (or maybe £200 to be safe in case it changes its terms) into one of Nationwide’s savings accounts before Monday 31 March.’

Not with Nationwide or missed the deadline to qualify?

If you use the Current Account Switch Service to switch an account you hold with another bank to a Nationwide FlexDirect one by March 31, you may still meet the criteria for the £100 Fairer Share payment — and you may even be eligible for a £175 new customer bonus too.

Keep in mind though, there isn’t long left to act, as the process normally takes seven working days to go through.

Alongside switching your current account, MSE recommends you also ‘stick £100 (or £200 to be even safer) into a Nationwide savings account or owe at least £100 on a Nationwide mortgage in March 2025′ to maximise your chances of qualifying.

When will the Nationwide bonus be paid out?

Last time around, the bank contacted eligible members by May 31, with bonuses deposited into members’ accounts between June 13 and June 28.

Nationwide plans to release information such as the amount and exact payout dates around the same time in 2025, so there’s still a while to wait.

However, all the hard work’s done for you, so you don’t need to make a claim or request the money yourself.

If you think you qualify and haven’t heard anything from Nationwide by June, get in touch. And don’t forget to stay aware of fraudulent attempts at obtaining your personal information to apply for the payment.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

You may notice something different about Aldi on your next visit, with a new change being praised for ‘setting an example’ by shoppers.

Today, the retailer became the first major UK supermarket to roll out free period products across its in-store toilets – no code word or loyalty scheme needed.

By the end of May 2025, all locations will be be fitted with fixtures stocked with tampons and pads, allowing customers to simply take what they need when they need.

Aldi has also partnered with Bloody Good Period, pledging to donate over a million period products to support the charity’s fight against period poverty. 

The move comes after new research from the supermarket which found 41% of people who menstruate admit they’re unable to afford to buy period products – 15% of whom say this is ‘very often’ or ‘always’ the case.

Additionally, third of Brits (30%) have had to decide whether to buy period products or choose other essential items for themselves and their family, with milk, fresh fruit and veg, bread, and household cleaning supplies among the items most likely to be sacrificed.

Clara Amfo, broadcaster and Bloody Good Period ambassador, commented: ”Aldi partnering with Bloody Good Period to raise awareness of period poverty and providing free products in their store toilets is a fantastic step in the right direction that will help millions across the country.’

‘We never want our customers to have to choose between buying the period products they need and feeding themselves or their families,’ added Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi UK.

‘For millions of people across the country, having access to period products is a basic and essential need, and we believe the provision of these in public toilets is as vital as toilet paper and soap.’

Customers welcomed the news, including @Rob140638 who wrote on X: ‘Well done to @AldiUK… Setting an example.’

‘Aldi winning again,’ said Sarah Maslen-Roberts on Facebook, while Natalie Rachel Chand wrote: ‘Yes Aldi UK, this is not a choice or a luxury, it’s a necessity! Thank you for being part of the solution.’

Another commenter, Emily Louise Denton, added: ‘This is top tier! I cannot believe in this day and age that girls and women should go without, struggle to afford or make do with something so natural that we don’t have a choice over. Well done.’

This follows a Morrisons scheme whereby shoppers can ask staff for a ‘package for Sandy’ to be discreetly given a pack with two pads inside.

Last year, the Scottish government also made history with a law making it compulsory for public places such as schools, colleges and universities, libraries and leisure centres to provide menstrual products free of charge.

Although it’s not legally required elsewhere in the UK, you can check for local hubs offering free period products near you via the My Period Live website – or, if you’re in a position to, find out where you can donate much-needed sanitary items to help people in your neighbourhood.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

If you feel like you’re working all hours without much to show for it, the maths is in proving you’re probably right.

A new study has analysed the number of hours you need to work to afford a comfortable lifestyle in 45 cities around the UK — and it’s pretty depressing reading.

Expenses like rent, bills, food, transport and leisure activities were compared average salaries in each city, creating a ranking of the best (and worst) when it comes to work/life balance.

‘Our study shows how hard it’s becoming for people to balance work and the cost of living in the UK’s biggest cities,’ commented David Overmars from CVwizard, who compiled the research using ONS data.

‘With rents and everyday expenses going up, many are having to work longer hours just to get by. This highlights the need for better solutions — higher wages, more stable living costs, and a work-life balance that lets people enjoy life without working nonstop just to afford it.’

Perhaps unsurprisingly, London came out as the place where you need to do the most work to stretch to an ‘average’ standard of living; 2394.51 hours a year, to be exact, which equates to over 46 hours a week.

Despite having the highest median net salary of £34,189.20, rent is significantly higher in the capital than the other cities studied, with a whopping 76.8% of all working hours going towards this alone.

In at second was Oxford, whose residents need to put in
2139.71 hours a year – just over 41 a week – to cover the cost of a decent standard of living.

While rent in the historic cathedral city is lower than the Big Smoke, utilities are more expensive, totalling to 243.5 working hours each year for the likes of electricity, mobile phone plans, and fast internet. 

Third on the list was Manchester, followed by Bristol and Nottingham. A comfortable life in each of these locations means dedicating at least 2033 hours a year to work, which sits on the higher end of the ‘full time’ spectrum at 39 hours every week.

In contrast, Southend-on-Sea offers a median net salary £32,642.40, withrelatively low rents at roughly £840.33 per month and low utility and leisure costs, making it the best for work/life balance.

Here, residents need to work just 1364.24 hours a year, or less than 27 a week, to afford an average life — plus it’s by the beach, which is always an extra bonus.

Aberdeen was next up, while Mansfield, Northampton and Bradford rounded out the top five. If you’re looking to get out of the rat race, these are the places to be, requiring 30 hours a week or less to cover everyday expenses and a few treats here and there.

A growing backlash against ‘hustle culture’ has arisen in recent years, with comments from Google CEO Sergey Brin calling 60 hours a week the ‘sweet spot for productivity’ drawing harsh criticism online.

‘I’m not working 12 hours a day because some tw*t thinks money matters more than having a life,’ tweeted @Farore13, while @milolzx wrote: ‘We are humans and we deserve rest and a life outside of work.’

In response to increasing levels of overwork, nearly 1 in 5 employees (19%) are instilling greater boundaries by not taking on tasks outside of their specific job descriptions, and a further 20% say they refuse to answer work messages outside of their contracted hours.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.