Money news
Changes to tax, benefits, pensions and the rules that protect your money, and what the firms you deal with are doing, reported from official and independent sources. Every story is dated and cites its sources. We report what changed and who it affects; we do not give advice or recommend a provider.
- November 2026
Chancellor announces plan to abolish gas standing charges
Chancellor John Healey has asked Ofgem to remove gas standing charges for around 23 million homes in 2027 or as soon as possible after, with fixed costs moved onto unit rates.
Guided Retirement consultation launched by DWP, FCA and TPR
The Department for Work and Pensions, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Pensions Regulator have opened a consultation on Guided Retirement, which would require pension schemes to offer a default pension to savers approaching retirement.
SI laid on third-party data for interest income and card sales
HMRC laid regulations on 3 November 2026 covering third-party data on interest income and payment card transactions, with the policy due to come into force on 1 March 2028.
Cold Weather Payment scheme opens for 2026-27 winter
The Department for Work and Pensions has opened the 2026-27 Cold Weather Payment season, paying £25 for each seven-day period of freezing weather in England and Wales until 31 March 2027.
New first-time buyer scheme Your First Home to be unveiled next month
The government will confirm a new equity loan scheme, Your First Home, at next month's Budget, supporting 2.5% deposits with 20% government-backed loans for new-build purchases in England.
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment payments begin in Scotland
Social Security Scotland has confirmed the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will be issued automatically from November 2026 to around 1.4 million pensioners in Scotland, with amounts of between £105.55 and £316.70.
Warning issued that UK households could be missing out on substantial sums from forgotten pension pots
The Pensions Policy Institute says more than three million UK pension pots remain lost, worth £6k on average, while Birmingham Live reports a warning that lost funds average over £6,220.
- October 2026
Nationwide House Price Index shows annual house price growth slowing to 0.5% in October
Nationwide's House Price Index shows UK annual house price growth slowed to 0.5% in October 2026, the weakest pace since January 2024, with the average home worth £273,566.
Warm Home Discount £150 payments to begin on Monday for around six million households
The Warm Home Discount takes £150 off energy bills once during winter, and around six million households now qualify, with payments beginning on Monday 2 November 2026.
JRF Budget day analysis projects household incomes to fall by £450 over the parliament
Joseph Rowntree Foundation analysis of OBR forecasts projects average annual household disposable incomes will fall by £450 in real terms over the current parliament, from April 2024 to April 2029.
Budget 2026 extends 5p fuel duty cut to 30 June 2027
Chancellor John Healey has extended the 5p cut to fuel duty for a further six months until 30 June 2027, announced in Budget 2026 on 28 October.
Chancellor announces abolition of standing charges on household gas bills
Chancellor John Healey has said he will ask Ofgem to remove standing charges from household gas bills, a fixed fee of £108 a year for the typical household, in 2027 or as soon as possible after.
Fuel duty freeze extended until July next year
Chancellor John Healey's Budget 2026 extended the 5p cut to fuel duty for six months to 30 June 2027, alongside a three-month extension of 0% VAT on household electricity bills.
Government announces removal of two-year rule on lump sum death benefits at Budget 26
The government will remove the two-year rule on tax-free pension and lump sum death benefits for payments made on or after 28 October 2026, through Finance Bill 2026-27.
Government temporarily removed 5% VAT from electricity bills until March 31 next year
The government has cut VAT on electricity bills from 5% to zero for six months from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, worth around £45 a year, while gas stays at 5%.
OBR forecasts extra £17.4bn a year of income tax and NICs revenue by 2030-31 from frozen thresholds
The Office for Budget Responsibility said income tax and national insurance revenues will be £17.4bn a year higher by 2030-31 than forecast in March, mainly because personal tax thresholds are frozen.
Temporary removal of VAT on domestic energy extended to July 2027
Chancellor John Healey has extended the temporary removal of VAT on domestic energy until July 2027, a measure that benefits households able to charge electric vehicles at home.
Budget to introduce new tax allowance for low-income pensioners
Chancellor John Healey is expected to announce a new Pension Tax Allowance in his first Budget so that pensioners whose income is at or below the full new state pension pay no income tax.
DWP confirms next groups facing state pension age rise to 67
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed the monthly timetable for raising state pension age to 67, covering people born from November 1960 to April 1977, with the phased increases finishing in 2028.
DWP issues first Eligibility Verification Notice under new anti-fraud powers
The Department for Work and Pensions has issued its first Eligibility Verification Notice, requiring banks to share information to help check benefit entitlement, under powers expected to save £1.2 billion by 2030/31.
Government announces end to Carer's Allowance earnings cliff edge
HM Treasury has announced that the Carer's Allowance earnings cliff edge will be replaced by a taper of £1 lost for every £1 earned above the weekly limit, but not until 2030-31.
CSJ analysis finds council tax arrears rose by £782 million in 2025/26 to £7.4 billion
The Centre for Social Justice says unpaid council tax in England rose by £782 million in 2025/26 to £7.4 billion, and is calling for clearer notices and earlier signposting to free debt advice.
Chancellor to deliver first Budget next week
Chancellor John Healey delivers his first Budget on 28 October 2026, with measures on energy bills, fuel duty, wages and pensions announced alongside extra funding for the devolved governments.
Money Box reports £18.7bn in 3mn lost pension pots
Research by the Pensions Policy Institute puts £18.7bn in an estimated 3mn lost pension pots, worth an average of just over £6,000 each, BBC Radio 4's Money Box reported on 24 October 2026.
Over 128,000 remedial pension savings statements issued to NHS staff under McCloud remedy
More than 128,000 remedial pension savings statements have been sent to NHS staff under the McCloud remedy, with 48,725 flagged as possibly needing tax action and only 18,577 HMRC submissions received by late September.
Financial Services Regulation Committee publishes report on home and travel insurance regulation
The House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee has published a report on how the Financial Conduct Authority regulates consumer home and travel insurance, calling for clearer timetables and better claims data.
DWP publishes income-related benefits take-up estimates for 2024/25
The Department for Work and Pensions has estimated that up to 2.6 million families were entitled to Universal Credit or equivalent benefits but did not receive them in 2024/25, with up to £12.7 billion unclaimed.
Full state pension to rise by £9.40 a week to around £250.70 from April 2027 under the triple lock
The full new State Pension will rise by £9.40 a week to around £250.70 from April 2027, after average earnings growth of 3.9 per cent set the triple lock increase.
New Private Parking Code of Practice laid in Parliament
The Private Parking Code of Practice was laid in Parliament on 20 October 2026, introducing grace periods, appeal rights, a £20 cap on charges for minor mistakes and a £100 maximum charge.
Welsh Government to defer council tax revaluation to next Senedd term
The Welsh Government will bring forward legislation next month to defer the planned council tax revaluation until the next Senedd term, citing implementation costs and up to £80 million to support households facing higher bands.