Author: Editor

Millions of UK households will see energy pricing change from Thursday, 1 October, but the headline figures do not tell the whole story. Ofgem is raising its price cap by 4%, while the Government is simultaneously removing VAT from domestic electricity bills. For a typical household paying by Direct Debit, Ofgem’s annualised price-cap figure will rise from £1,663 to £1,723. But that does not mean every household will receive a £1,723 bill, and the VAT cut means the impact is different depending on how much electricity and gas you use. What’s actually changing on Thursday? From 1 October to 31…

Truro’s annual Bonfire Night and fireworks display will not go ahead in 2026, leaving some residents disappointed after last year’s cancellation. The decision has prompted questions about why the event cannot simply return with tighter crowd controls — and whether new terrorism-safety legislation is effectively making community fireworks displays impossible. The council’s explanation is more complicated than that. Safety, crowd management, affordability, traffic arrangements and the requirements being considered under Martyn’s Law have all formed part of the planning process. (Truro City Council) What’s actually true about Truro Bonfire Night Truro City Council confirmed on 22 September that its 2026…

A Walt Disney World holiday can cost thousands of pounds once flights, park tickets, accommodation and food are added together. So the news that guests can receive $50 for every night of their hotel stay is bound to catch the attention of families planning a Florida trip. But which hotels are included, and does the offer mean UK visitors can genuinely save money? The promotion applies to three hotels in Disney World’s EPCOT resort area. Here is how the deal works, what restrictions matter and what British holidaymakers should check before booking. What’s actually true: The three hotels included Walt…

WASHINGTON, September 17 — The United States Federal Reserve has raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time since 2023, signalling a sharp policy shift as inflation refuses to loosen its grip on the world’s largest economy. The Federal Open Market Committee, the central bank’s policymaking body, voted 12-0 on Wednesday to raise the overnight funds rate by a quarter of a percentage point, bringing the target range to 3.75–4 per cent. The increase undoes one of the three rate cuts delivered last year. (CNBCCNN) The decision marks the first major move under the new Fed chairman, Kevin Warsh,…

For anyone planning an extension, renovation or major home repair, the biggest worry is often not the work itself but what happens after the money changes hands. A new government-backed crackdown on so-called cowboy builders is now being rolled out, with measures designed to make it harder for homeowners to lose money when building work goes wrong. But there is an important catch: despite the headlines, this is not a new compulsory licensing system for every builder. Instead, the government is backing two schemes intended to give consumers more information and greater control over payments. What is actually changing? The…

The closure of a family-run haulage business that had been operating since 1968 has highlighted the mounting financial pressures facing smaller transport firms. VG Mathers Limited, based in Kintore, Aberdeenshire, has ceased trading and entered liquidation, with seven employees losing their jobs. For customers and other small businesses, the story raises a wider question: why are established haulage companies still struggling, and could more transport firms face the same problem? What’s actually true VG Mathers was founded by Vic Mathers in 1968 and was later run by his son Colin Mathers. The Kintore business provided haulage-related services as well as…

The Netherlands has moved part of its gold reserves out of the United States and Canada and into London, raising an obvious question: is this a sign that European countries no longer trust America under Donald Trump? The reality is more measured. De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) says the move is about crisis preparedness, liquidity and geographical diversification, rather than an announcement that Dutch gold is unsafe in the US. But the decision does underline how geopolitical tensions are changing the way central banks think about their reserves. What’s actually true Between March and August 2026, DNB transferred around 86 tonnes…

Brits hoping summer has one final surprise may have seen headlines claiming a 29°C September heatwave is on the way, complete with exact dates and maps showing where temperatures could soar. But the picture is more nuanced: while warmer weather is certainly possible in early September, the UK’s official forecast does not currently confirm a nationwide heatwave or guarantee those headline temperatures. The key question many readers are asking is simple: Will September really feel like summer again, and should you expect 29°C where you live? Here’s what the latest forecast actually says. What’s actually true about the September forecast…

A letter asking for bank statements can be unsettling, particularly if you rely on Pension Credit and worry that your payments could suddenly be stopped. But receiving a review letter does not automatically mean you have done anything wrong. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has started contacting selected Pension Credit claimants as part of case reviews designed to check that awards are still correct. Some people may be asked for additional evidence, including recent bank statements. (Brum Daily) What’s actually true about the bank statement requests? First, the headline needs one important clarification: this is about selected Pension…

For many families, Beefeater has been a familiar stop for birthdays, Sunday lunches and meals during Premier Inn stays. So headlines claiming that every Beefeater in the UK is set to close have understandably left customers wondering whether their local restaurant is about to disappear. The short answer is yes — but not immediately. Parent company Whitbread has confirmed that its remaining Beefeater restaurants are scheduled to cease trading on 10 September 2026 as part of a wider strategy to exit the branded restaurant business and focus on its Premier Inn hotel operations. (The Guardian) What’s actually true? Unlike previous…