Cars that spew more pollution will pay more (Picture: Getty)
Owners of 54 models of old classic cars could face eye-watering tax hikes very soon from the DVLA.
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), often known simply as road tax, sees people who drive or keep their cars on public roads pay an annual fee. But this year, the charge is set to increase for almost all petrol and diesel owners.
First-year VED rates will double, meaning that brand-new polluting models may pay more to be behind the wheel.
But cars registered between 1984 and 2001 will be hit hard by the tax overhaul as they fall under a different tax system. Experts say drivers in the lower power bracket will pay £220 in 2025/26, a hike of about £10 from £210 per year.
The tax increase affects Audis, Volkswagens, and even Lamborghinis. Those with more powerful engines above 1549cc will have to cough up £15 more every year, shooting up from £345 to £360.
But vehicles producing more than 255 g/km of carbon dioxide will see a £2,745 increase.
The rules will be rolled out by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) from April.
Hitting the roads will be a bit more expensive this year (Picture: Ashley Cooper)
New roadworthy car owners are expected to pay an additional £418 on average, according to GoCompare.com.
Diesel cars will be stung the hardest, however. The average increase will be £1,113, about double the rise facing petrol drivers.
Zero-emission vehicle drivers – think electric cars (EVs) – will no longer benefit from being tax-free for the first year.
Full list of vehicles affected
The Chevy Stingray is one vehicle affected
Audi RS6 4.0 TFSI V8
Audi S8 4.0 TFSI V8
McLaren GT 4.0T V8
Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10
Lamborghini Huracan 5.2 V10
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8
Volkswagen Amarok 3.0 TDI
Aston Martin DBX 4.0 V8
Ferrari Roma 3.8T V8
Audi SQ7 4.0 TFSI V8
Range Rover Sport 4.4P V8
Jaguar F-Pace 5.0 P575 V8
Aston Martin DB12 4.0 V8
Porsche 911 3.7T 992 Turbo
Jeep Wrangler 2.0 GME
Ford Ranger 2.0 TD EcoBlue
Audi RSQ8 4.0 TFSI V8
Lotus Emira 3.5 V6
Bentley Continental 4.0 V8
Audi SQ8 4.0 TFSI V8
Aston Martin Vantage 4.0 V8
Toyota Hilux 2.8D
Porsche Macan 2.9T V6
Mercedes-Benz SL55
Range Rover 4.4 P530 V8
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 4.0 V8
Porsche 718 Cayman 4.0 GT4
Lamborghini Urus 4.0 V8 BiTurbo
Audi RS7 4.0 TFSI V8
Ford Mustang 5.0 V8
Toyota Land Cruiser 2.8D
Bentley Continental 6.0 W12
Mercedes-Benz GLC63
Ford Ranger 3.0 V6
INEOS Grenadier 3.0P
Range Rover 4.4 P615 V8
Land Rover Defender 90 5.0 P425 V8
Rolls-Royce Ghost 6.75 V12
Ford Ranger 3.0 EcoBlue
Mercedes-Benz G63
Ferrari Purosangue 6.5 V12
Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.75 V12
Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo
Mercedes-Benz GLE63
Maserati Levante 3.0 V6
Porsche Cayenne 4.0T V8
BMW M8 4.4 V8
Maserati MC20 3.0 V6
Land Rover Defender 110 5.0 P425 V8
Mercedes-Benz G400D
Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12
Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8
BMW X7 M 4.4 V8
BMW X6 M 4.4 V8
BMW Alpina XB7 4.4 V8
Bentley Flying Spur 4.0 V8
Maserati Levante 3.8 V8
BMW X5 M 4.4 V8
Mercedes-Benz GLS63h
People who buy hybrid cars from April will pay an extra £135 and £327 extra on average. GoCompre says this is based on the model, however.
Tax rates are largely based on how much CO2 fossil-fuel-guzzling cars spew out – higher emission vehicles are placed in higher VED bands.
HMRC said: ‘This measure will uprate the Vehicle Excise Duty rates for cars (excluding first year rates) and all other rates for vans, motorcycles and motorcycle trade licences by the Retail Price Index, and will reflect the inclusion of zero-emission vehicles in Vehicle Excise Duty from 1 April 2025.
‘This is a standard uprating that comes into effect from 1 April 2025.’
You’ve got just four days left to save on UK-wide rail travel (Picture: REX)
Looking to shave a few pennies off your UK rail travel? According to Martin Lewis, you’ve got just four days to unlock a nifty discount.
The beloved Railcard is a widely used way to unlock savings on UK-wide train travel – and some of them, including the 16-25 and 26-30 versions, can even be connected to an Oyster card to whack 1/3 off off-peak travel on selected TfL services.
Now, the money-saving expert has reminded rail enthusiasts that there’s a limited period to nab a cheeky 25%-off deal – and pay £22.50 for a one-year Railcard or £52.50 for three years.
At present, the price comes in at £30 per year (or £70 for three years). This is set to rise to £35 and £80 respectively on March 2, as explained in this week’s MoneySavingExpert.com newsletter.
If you’re new to either TrainPal or Trip.com (both of which are third-party booking sites), you can use an exclusive code to access 25% off a digital Railcard – before the new price hikes.
‘To get 25% off a digital Railcard via TrainPal, use the code MSE25 (if buying through its app you’ll also need to purchase a train ticket to activate the Railcard…if buying through its website you won’t need to do this),’ the MSE newsletter reads.
Railcard prices are increasing on Sunday, March 2 (Picture: Getty Images)
If you’re going via Trip.com, simply use the code MSETRIPRC25, though you’ll need to buy a train ticket to activate it, and this needs to be done before March 2.
The same applies if you’re making your purchase through the TrainPal app, but notably, not through the TrainPal website, which will automatically activate it for you.
‘Neither site charges a booking fee, and there’s no minimum spend, so if you need to buy a ticket to activate your railcard, you could just buy the cheapest possible fare,’ MSE adds.
‘While the ticket needs to be bought before 2 March, it can be valid for travel after this date. If you don’t activate your railcard (this only applies to those purchased through the TrainPal app or via Trip.com’s site or app), you’ll be issued an automatic refund.’
You won’t be able to transfer the Railcard to the official app (Picture: Getty Images)
Critically, the code can only be used to buy a 16-17 Saver, 16-25 Railcard, 26-30 Railcard, Family & Friends’ Railcard, Network Railcard, Senior Railcard and Two Together Railcard. It doesn’t include the Disabled Person’s Railcard or the Veterans’ Railcard.
You also won’t be able to transfer your purchase to the official Railcard app after purchasing.
What’s more, the codes are valid until 11.59pm on December 31, 2025, but as the newsletter explains, should you choose to purchase after March 1, you’ll pay more after the price hikes on March 2.
Already a customer of TrainPal or Trip.com? Fear not: Martin’s got you sorted.
You can unlock 10% off a digital Railcard and 2% off a train ticket using the code MSE25 (TrainPal), MSETRIPRC10 (for 10% off a digital Railcard through Trip.com), or MSETRIP2 (for 2% off your first train ticket through Trip.com).
How to save money on TfL travel with a Railcard
There’s one little-known hack that could save Railcard holders a considerable amount – and that’s by connecting it to an Oyster card.
Those in the know will be aware that countless Gen Zs (and a handful of Millennials) can unlock 1/3 off during off-peak travel on TfL (and a reduced daily cap) if they have a Railcard – but never before have they been able to access it only using their bank card.
This month, the Mayor of London revealed plans to potentially connect the discount with contactless cards as well as Oysters.
To qualify for the discount, all Railcard holders need to do is bring either their 16-25 Railcard or their 26-30 Railcard with them – just as they would when getting on a train out of London.
Then, they can ask any TfL staff member to connect it for them – which can be done in mere seconds at an Oyster top-up station.
But it isn’t just young people who qualify for the discount: it also works on the Senior and HM Forces Railcards.
At present, the daily cap for various zones stands at £8.50 (Zones 1-2), £10 (Zones 1-3), £12.30 (Zones 1-4) and £14.60 (Zones 1-5).
While the Railcard discount won’t save any money on the daily commute (as it doesn’t work during peak times), it’ll reduce the price of an off-peak journey worth £2.80 (between Zones 1 and 2) to just £1.87.
Ofgem, the energy regulator, sets a new price cap every three months (Picture: Justin Tallis/AFP)
Energy prices are rising yet again after Ofgem hiked the cap by 6.4%.
Annual bills for electricity and gas are estimated to reach around £1,849 for the average household in England, Scotland and Wales from April 1.
This rise of more than £100, up from £1,738, is being largely blamed on an increase in the wholesale price of oil and gas, the energy regulator said.
Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley said: ‘We know that no price rise is ever welcome, and that the cost of energy remains a huge challenge for many households.
‘But our reliance on international gas markets leads to volatile wholesale prices, and continues to drive up bills, which is why it’s more important than ever that we’re driving forward investment in a cleaner, homegrown system.’
What is the energy price cap and who sets it?
Many households fell into debt when energy prices surged in 2022 – and Ofgem warns the problem could get worse (Picture: Tang Ming Tung/Digital Vision via Getty Images)
Every three months, Ofgem – the government energy regulator – assesses the energy market and sets a new maximum price per unit providers can charge households on a standard, or default, tariff.
On January 1, this rose by 10%. It means 2025 is turning out to be a year of rising energy prices.
But it is still low compared the the peak of the energy crisis that followed Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, just as the opening up of economist post-lockdown was starting to fuel inflation.
Skyrocketing wholesale costs, associated with Europe’s turn away from reliance on Russian gas, pushed the energy price cap to its worst level yet – £4,279.
It fell to £2,500 by June 2023 thanks to the government’s emergency Energy Price Guarantee. By July last year, it reached a low of £1,568 before the current rise began.
What is the new energy price cap and what does it mean for my bills?
You could save yourself from the stress of price hikes by switching to a fixed-price plan (Picture: Olga Dobrovolska/Moment RF/Getty Images)
From April 1, when the latest energy price cap kicks in, households paying bills by direct debit face an average annual bill of £1,849.
Until June 30, households on a standard variable – or default – tariff will pay an average of 27.03p per kilowatt hour (kWh), along with a daily standing charge of 53.8p.
For gas, they will pay 6.99p per kWh, along with the daily standing charge of 32.67p.
To help households cope with these rising bills, Ofgem has announced an extension of the debt allowance, intended to support energy suppliers help customers who are struggling to keep on top of bills.
But Brearley warned this may not be enough to help the growing problem. He said: ‘Energy debts that began during the energy crisis have reached record levels and without intervention will continue to grow.
Gas and electricity have separate tariffs (Picture: Shutterstock / M-Production)
‘This puts families under huge stress and increases costs for all customers. We’re developing plans that could give households with unmanageable debt the clean slate they need to move forward.
‘We welcome the Government’s support for these plans, and their plans to expand the Warm Home Discount, which will also offer financial help to nearly three million more households that need it most.
‘If anyone is worried about paying their bills, I would urge them to reach out to their supplier to make sure they’re getting all the help they can.
‘Where possible, switching or fixing tariffs now could also help to bring costs down and provide certainty over coming payments.’
Should I take a meter reading?
Expert advice is to submit a meter reading when prices rise so you won’t be charged the wrong rate for use that pre-dates the rise.
Taking a reading later means you could be charged a higher rate for energy used before the price increased.
Can I fix my energy tariff and what is happening to prepayment customers?
Taking a meter reading too late could cost you money (Picture: Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock/Rex Features)
A default tariff puts you at the whim of fluctuations in the energy markets. You could see your bills drop, but equally they could soar.
If you want more stability, you could opt into a fixed-price deal that sets your tariff for a specific period of time. Often this is for a year.
Four million households have made this move since the last price cap was announced in November, according to Ofgem.
The largest move to fixed tariffs since the energy crisis, it brought total on fixed-price plans to 11million.
Is the government doing anything to help?
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has announced new proposals that would mean nearly three million more families receive the £150 Warm Home Discount next winter.
Calling the latest rise in the cap ‘worrying news for families’, Miliband said the government is ‘determined to do everything we can to protect people from the grip of fossil fuel markets’.
He added: ‘Expanding the Warm Home Discount can help protect millions of families from rising energy bills, offering support to consumers across the country.
‘Alongside this, the way to deliver energy security and bring down bills for good is to deliver our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower with homegrown clean power that we in Britain control.’
But the Conservative Acting Shadow Energy Secretary Andrew Bowie said the hike was a ‘betrayal to the families who Ed Miliband promised to save £300 on their bills’.
And Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for the increase to be scrapped for the pensioners who recently lost their Winter Fuel Payment.
New Zealand’s latest attempt to grow tourism has been met with mixed reviews (Picture: Getty Images)
New Zealand’s latest tourism campaign has not achieved the effect it was hoping for.
Instead, the new tagline, ‘Everyone must go!’ has caused controversy, with many describing it as ‘tone-deaf’ at a time of record emigration and unemployment rates in New Zealand.
The marketing ploy launched last weekend on social media and radio and was designed to encourageAustralians – the country’s biggest tourism market – to visit.
But the advert, which cost $500,000 (£226,494), has drawn backlash. Critics, including Labour MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel, have questioned the slogan’s quality and cost.
RNZ, New Zealand’s public media service, shared the campaign on their socials, reporting that residents have been mocking the slogan.
‘Everyone must go? They are going, leaving in droves because they have no work or prospects left here,’ one person commented, while another questioned: ‘How much for that branding?’
The advert cost the equivalent of £226,494 (Picture: NZ Tourism)
Others said they were embarrassed by the advert, while further commenters suggested it was ‘trying to fill the vacancies made by record Kiwis that left.’
Green Party tourism spokesperson Celia Wade-Brown told RNZ: ‘I think ‘Everyone Must Go’ might refer to the need for toilets in some of our high-tourist spots. I mean, the queues are ridiculous’
Cushla Tangaere-Manuel, Labour’s tourism spokesperson agreed that it ‘makes New Zealand sound like we’re in a clearance bin at a sale.’
Tangaere-Manuel referred to the ‘many cuts’ taking place across the country, and stated: ‘The irony of that messaging is, that’s how Aotearoa New Zealanders are feeling right now.’ Aotearoa is the Māori name for New Zealand.
However, government officials have been defending the advert.
The government has unveiled its new $500,000 ‘Everyone Must Go’ tourism campaign aimed at enticing Australians to pop over the ditch for a visit, but not everyone is convinced the slogan hit the mark.
In a news release, Tourism Minister Louise Upston said: ‘What this Tourism New Zealand campaign says to our Aussie mates is that we’re open for business, there are some great deals on, and we’d love to see you soon.’
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he ‘[knows] there’s lots of chat about whether everyone loves the slogan or not.’ But ‘the fact that we’re talking about it is a good thing.’
The campaign comes at a time of mounting job cuts, high cost of living, and mass relocation.
New Zealand’s economy has been struggling in recent years, falling into a technical recession in the third quarter of 2024.
HSBC described the country as ‘suffering the biggest hit in the world in 2024’ as interest rates and inflation strained the country’s economy.
People have been joking the advert sounds like a ‘clearance sale’ (Picture: Getty Images)
Recent data released by Statistics New Zealand revealed that 127,800 people left the country in the 12 months through November. This was a 28% rise compared to last year.
These figures also mark the highest number of people leaving the Pacific nation in an annual period at any point in history.
In January, New Zealand announced they would relax visa rules to allow digital nomads to work remotely for a foreign employer, in the hope of boosting visitor spending.
In the latest edition of his newsletter, the Money Saving Expert founder shared the ‘bad news’ that the Ofgem Energy Price Cap is due to increase by more than expected in April.
Based on current wholesale rates, utilities firms are predicting a rise of 5% to 7%, following a 1% rise in January.
That means the minimum bill for someone with typical dual-fuel use paying by Direct Debit will go up by between £87 and £122 a year.
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: ‘Compare to find your cheapest fix and lock in a rate now.’
It’s easy to switch suppliers – and you could save £100s (Picture: Getty Images)
‘A fix means the rate you pay for energy can’t change (though use more and you’ll pay more),’ he adds. ‘The current cheapest is almost 7% less than today’s cap, which is around 13% less than it’s predicted to be after April.’
The exact fixed rate tariff that’s best for you will depend on your region and how much energy you use, so put your details into a comparison tool (like MSE’s Cheap Energy Club) to see more personalised options.
Regardless of which deal you go with though, it’s vital you act ‘urgently’.
The new price cap will come into play on April 1 and will last for three months, so it definitely has to be before then.
However, Martin also explains: ‘There are only a couple of cheap fixes left – many have been pulled as underlying wholesale rates have risen. So getting it done ASAP is safest.’
Popular price capped tariffs
If you’re on one of the following, what you pay is determined by the price cap, which Martin says means you’re ‘likely overpaying and should sort now’.
British Gas Standard Variable
EDF Standard (Variable)
E.on Next Next Flex
Octopus Flexible Octopus
Ovo Simpler Energy
Scottish Power Standard
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.
Comment nowHave you taken Martin Lewis’ advice to save on energy bills?Comment Now
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.
How can I lower my energy bills?
Amy Knight, personal finance expert at the financial comparison website NerdWallet UK, told Metro: ‘While cutting down on energy use can help save money on bills, this isn’t always an option. Instead, focus on getting more value from the money you spend heating your home.’
Here are her top tips to keep fuel bills low this winter:
Ask for a refund if you’re overpaying into your energy bill by direct debit
If you’re several hundreds or even thousands in credit, your direct debit is probably set too high.
You can ask for a refund of most of the balance and adjust your direct debit to be lower. Be aware though, it is normal to be in credit this time of year because most households use less energy in the summer versus the winter when we have the heating on.
How hot do you need your water?
Heating water uses a lot of energy, so you can turn down the flow temperature of your boiler to shave a little off your bills.
As long as the water from your hot tap is comfortable to have a bath in, you don’t need to set it any hotter. You can do this manually or you may be able to ask a heating engineer to fit a device called a ‘weather compensator’.
Remember where warm air comes from
Keep radiators uncovered to maximise the benefit when they’re on. If you have long curtains covering your radiators, leave them open to make sure the warm air circulates into the room, not out of the window.
Look at the label
When shopping for a new appliance such as a washing machine or fridge, look at the efficiency ratings. If your budget can stretch to A or B-rated white goods, these can help lower your energy usage long term.
The mutual insitution shares profits with members rather than shareholders (Picture: In Pictures via Getty Images)
If you bank with Nationwide, you could be due a windfall — a welcome prospect for those in need of a cash boost.
The building society operates as a mutual rather than a traditional bank, meaning it’s owned by and run for the benefit of its members.
As such, Nationwide shares profits among account holders (rather than shareholders) as part of its Fairer Share Payment initiative, with almost 4 million customers nabbing a £100 bonus earlier this year.
‘The Fairer Share Payment is our way of rewarding those members who choose us for their everyday banking as well as having savings or a mortgage with us,’ the bank said in a statement.
The exact details of Nationwide’s next one-off payout have yet to be announced, but ahead of the Board’s decision, this year’s eligibility criteria can help you work out what to expect.
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.
Exact dates should be revealed in May (Picture: Jaque Silva/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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.
Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Expert said it was ‘likely’ Nationwide would run the bonus scheme again this year, adding: ‘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 – so now’s the perfect time to maximise your chances.’
Who is eligible for the Nationwide bonus?
If the scheme comes with the same prerequisites as it did for 2023-2024, to be in the running, customers must hold both a qualifying current account as well as a qualifying savings or mortgage account.
Each of the bank’s current accounts were eligible, providing certain criteria are met.
The first of these is that the account was open on March 31, the end of the financial year — although those who switched accounts between January 1 and March 31 were exempt from any additional requirements.
Over 4 million customers are eligible (Picture: In Pictures via Getty Images)
Otherwise, Nationwide explained that FlexAccount, FlexDirect or FlexBasic holders must have either received £500, made two payments from their account, or completed at least 10 payments out of the account between January and March to qualify.
Meanwhile, FlexPlus account holders must have paid their monthly fee, and FlexOne, FlexStudent or FlexGraduate customers need to have made at least one payment in or out during March.
Those with investment accounts and stocks and shares weren’t included in the criteria, but savings account holders qualified if they had a minimum of £100 in total across Nationwide personal savings accounts or cash ISAs at the end of any day in March.
When it came to mortgages, customers must have owed at least £100 on their residential mortgage with the building society on March 31.
Home loans through subsidiaries such as The Mortgage Works, UCB Home Loans Corporation Limited, or Derbyshire Home Loans Limited are excluded from the bonus, as are commercial mortgages and those not completed by March 31.
If you’re not sure whether you fit the bill, you can use Nationwide’s eligibility checker to work it out (although be aware this criteria may change for 2025).
This article was first published on December 12, 2024.
Visitors have called it ‘shallow’ and ‘superficial’ (Picture: Getty Images)
Travellers hoping for a cheap and cheerful break may want to avoid one of the US’s most popular destinations – Miami.
The sunny spot in Florida just placed last in the latest Which? world city survey, which asked more than 1,500 UK tourists to rate their experiences of cities outside of Europe over the past year.
Almost 2,500 destinations were assessed across seven categories, including the quality of cultural attractions, accommodation, and food and drink.
Visitors dismissed it as ‘overrated’, and the destination scored pretty dismally across all categories, finishing up with two stars for food and drink, accommodation, ease of getting around and lack of crowds.
Meanwhile, Miami’s cultural attractions and value for money were rated even lower, earning just one star each. One particularly unimpressed Which? member even described it as a ‘total rip off’.
The city’s only saving grace? Its shopping options, which earned a three-star rating – the highest of all categories.
The sunny Floridian city was declared ‘overrated’ by Which? members (Picture: Getty Images)
Is Miami really that expensive?
Many criticised the city’s high prices, but it’s certainly possible to keep costs down on a trip to South Florida.
According to budgetyourtrip.com, travellers spend between $106 (£85) and $597 (£482) per day in Miami, so it all depends on how extravagant you wish to be.
A one-week trip to the city – including accommodation, food, local transportation and sightseeing – usually costs $1,806 (£1,458) for one person and $3,612 (£2,916) for two people.
Prices for a one-night stay at a three-star hotel on Booking.com start at £76.44 for one night, based on two adults sharing one room. However, if you’re looking for centrally-located hotels, you can expect to pay over £100 per night.
The cost of food in Miami can also vary depending on what you eat. Street food is a more affordable option costing around $8-15 (£6-12), while meals at mid-range restaurants typically range between $15-35 (£12-28) per person.
The price of beer varies depending on the venue too. In casual bars, a domestic beer typically costs between $5-8 (£4-9), while craft beers can set you back between $7-12 (£5-£9.60) range between $5-15 (£4-12).
Cocktails tend to be pricier, ranging between $12-$20 (£9-16) at casual bars. While in high-end venues such as rooftop bars prices can climb to $25-30 (£20-£24).
Metro’s Alice Giddings visited the Floridian city last year in search of the best (and cheapest) experiences she could find, and ventured to the TikTok famous La LeGGenda Pizzeria for ‘the best pizza in the world’.
The ‘unbelievably tasty’ Salame & Bell Peppers Pizza cost around $23 (£18.50). And while it may not be cheap as such, according to Alice, ‘it was worth every penny’.
And when it comes to purse-friendly retail therapy, she says: ‘For an amazing boutique to shop in that won’t break the bank, head to the Wynwood Shop. From artwork to jewellery and clothing to sunnies, the cost of the items will set you back just $20, rather than the hundreds I got used to seeing on price tags.’
For getting around, Alice recommends avoiding Ubers, which can quickly add up, commenting: ‘The Metrorail and Metrobus have a £4.44 ($5.65) daily fare cap, no matter how many times you ride.’
Known for its white-sand beaches, Art Deco architecture, vibrant nightlife scene and year-round sunshine, Miami is undoubtedly an attractive destination to tourists. Yet it also has a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in the US.
A recent study by real estate company Redfin declared it the second most unaffordable city in America after Providence in Rhode Island.
According to Redfin, an annual income of $84,920 (£68,450) is required to pay the average rent price of $2,373 (£1,912) per month, yet the estimated median income in the city last year was $57,157 (£46,070), nearly 40% lower.
Sky-high rent prices and the cost of living are just a few reasons why Miami is often criticised, according to a recent Reddit thread.
Miami is known for its vibrant nightlife and Art Deco architecture (Picture: Getty Images)
One user, AdviceHistorical7057, asked in the Miami subreddit: ‘Why does everyone hate it here?’ to which WrongLeadership5351 replied: ‘The cost to living ratio is terrible.’
Another, MyCatHasCats, commented: ‘There are a million people, traffic is the worst and houses are unaffordable $2,800 for a 1,000 sqft 3 bedroom apartment is absolutely bonkers.’
‘For me, it’s the s*** pay, insane cost of living and perpetual traffic,’ Keepinitoldskool said, while another added: ‘The drivers are horrible, the people are shallow and superficial, and everything is expensive as hell.’
Comment nowHave you been to Miami? Share your thoughts in the comments belowComment Now
Residents of Miami have called out the city’s ‘absolutely bonkers’ rent prices (Picture: Getty Images)
In another Reddit thread, one user asked: ‘Does anyone have any positive experiences living in Miami?’
While the question prompted varied responses, people continued to cite its unaffordability as a major downside.
‘Nope. The worst city in the US,’ wrote No_Target7407. ‘Unless you enjoy constant noise, highly rude people, materialism, vanity, insane traffic and people who think they’re superior.’
Another, Freelennial, commented: ‘I lived in Miami for a year and loved the sunshine, beaches, nightlife and food options. However, the awful people, bad service, classism, superficiality and horrible job made it hard for me to give it a glowing review.’
Why do people love Miami?
Despite its pricey reputation and low Which? scores, the Magic City is still a dream destination for many. Miami-born Jules Castro claims there’s much more on offer than you might think.
The 26-year-old, who moved to the UK in 2023, tells Metro: ‘Tourists who come to Miami only for Instagram stories and mainstream clubs are missing the magic of the city entirely. Miami’s multicultural community means that the arts and design scene is unlike anywhere else.
‘Local artists are always pushing forward inclusivity in a way that invites tourists to see the heart of the city off the beaten path, whether in North Beach or Little Haiti.
‘The food scene is amazingly international, and the seafood is incredibly fresh – new restaurants like Tam Tam and Four show the city at its best.’
There are plenty of other reasons to keep Miami on your bucket list too:
Year-round sunshine – With warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine, Miami’s tropical climate draws travellers in year-round. Even in winter, temperatures rarely drop below 18°C.
Vibrant Nightlife – Miami has long been a famous party destination, with the city’s nightlife expanding underground during the 1920s Prohibition era through speakeasies and secret bars. Today, Miami is a world-famous party spot renowned for buzzing rooftop lounges, rooftop bars and clubs.
Stunning architecture – Miami Beach has the highest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world, with over 800 preserved structures built between the 1920s and 1940s. A walk along Ocean Drive ‘feels like stepping into a movie’, according to Tripadvisor reviews.
Culture – Despite scoring just two stars for its cultural attractions, Miami is a melting pot of cultures, heavily influenced by Latin American and Caribbean influences. Little Havana is the city’s ‘Cuban heart’, offering colourful street art, cafecitos, cigars and salsa everywhere you turn. The Wynwood neighbourhood, meanwhile, is home to countless art galleries, eclectic bars and open-air street art installations.
LGBTQ+ friendly – Miami is often referred to as a ‘gay mecca’, with the city attracting more than 1 million LGBTQ+ visitors. The city has a long history of LGBTQ+ nightlife too, dating as far back as the 1930s, and you can find gay bars and drag shows all over town.
Beaches – Miami’s beaches are world-famous, all white sand and crystal-clear waters. From the renowned South Beach with its world-famous art deco background to the more hidden Virginia Key Beach – there’s plenty to explore.
When someone is feeling lonely, they can feel misunderstood and shut themselves off from their loved ones (Picture: Getty)
Maggie Ratcliffe carries around a small piece of paper in her handbag with instructions in case she has a stroke. With no family and few friends, she is worried that if she ends up in hospital, no one will be around to ensure her wishes are carried out.
Maggie, 84, has lived alone since the breakdown of her marriage when she was 27. An only child, her mother died when she was six and her father when she was 18. She has no children and no family.
‘I see things on television about people who haven’t spoken to anyone for a week and I know what that’s like,’ Maggie, from Sandhurst, tells Metro.
‘Days will go by when I haven’t spoken to anyone – apart from carers. It’s difficult. I don’t have anybody I can just go out and have a coffee with. Everybody is so involved with family and friends and I don’t get included. If I’m not well, no one checks in on me.’
Maggie, who used to work in cabin crew, has survived cancer, two failed knee operations and has spine degeneration so is unable to walk more than a few yards. She manages to do a little gardening while sitting on a chair, and she used to volunteer, but is no longer able due to her poor mobility.
‘If it’s a lovely day I often think how I would like to have someone to go to a garden centre with or something. But I can’t do that. I can’t even go for a day out on a coach with the garden club, as people are in pairs or couples. You end up sitting on your own. It’s hard,’ she says.
‘Days will go by when I haven’t spoken to anyone,’ says Maggie (Picture: Re-engage)
The loneliness epidemic
While it may feel like society is more connected than ever with phones, the internet and social media – thousands like Maggie have wound up feeling more alone than ever.
Such is the issue that the World Health Organisation branded loneliness a ‘global health concern’ in 2024. In the media, there have been tragic headlines about people whose deaths go unnoticed for months, even years, as a result of an increasingly disconnected society.
This was the case for Michael Roy Palmer, who cut off contact with his family and spent much of his later life as a recluse. Overgrown hedges encased his home in Cornwall and many of his neighbours had no idea what he looked like. In September 2023, a man delivering leaflets glanced at a window and spotted Michael’s body lying on his living room floor. It later emerged he had been dead for months and no-one had noticed.
Michael’s home was ‘heavily overgrown’ and police had to force entry through the front door
In another tragic case, 41-year-old Laura Winham’s ‘mummified and almost skeletal’ remains were found at her flat in Woking, Surrey three years after she died. Her body was found on May 24 2021 and a calendar found in the property had dates crossed off until 1 November 2017. She had cut contact with her loved ones after years of mental health struggles.
Pensioners like Maggie are especially becoming increasingly isolated. New research from Age UK has found that 1.5 million older people now rarely leave their home.
Staff on the charity’s Silverline Helpline, a free telephone service, routinely hear heartbreaking tales, explains Ruth Lowe, head of loneliness services at Age UK.
‘There have been times we can’t carry out the whole call because the older person’s voice begins to hurt due to the fact they haven’t spoken in so long,’ Ruth tells Metro over Zoom. ‘We know that 270,000 older people go a week without speaking to a family member or a friend. Not having a connection with anyone meaningful is something quite hard for a lot of us to imagine.
Ruth Lowe, head of loneliness services at Age UK, says there are many ways we can all help to create connections with others (Picture: Age UK)
‘We find that older people can often become trapped in a sort of chronic cycle where they feel lonely and their health becomes worse, so they become more isolated. Older people who are feeling this way might find it harder to take care of themselves and their home; they might even start to misuse drugs or alcohol.
‘Loneliness can bring up such a lot of negative feelings and make people feel like there is no point to their existence, that nobody is interested in them or values them.’
‘I had cancer and my neighbours never came to see me’
Although Maggie goes for a ‘wonderful’ coffee and a chat at a church friendship group every Tuesday, the problem for her is that it’s miles away from her home. ‘If I don’t turn up, nobody will send me a text,’ she says.
‘I wish people would think for a minute and look out for their elderly neighbours. I had cancer in 2011 and my neighbours never came in. When I was lying in bed with a knee replacement I didn’t see anyone. I got so depressed, it was awful.
‘I live in fear of having a stroke, and not being able to talk and nobody knows my wishes. I don’t want to go into a home, but I have written a few down in a list in my handbag, so if someone from the hospital looks in there, they don’t just put me anywhere. I have to think these things through because I have no-one else to do it for me.
‘I’ve already organised a woodland burial. I don’t want people coming to my funeral when they couldn’t come and see me in real life. If people want to come and have a drink and think of me – fine. But I don’t want them standing by my grave.
I’m not miserable, but I wish I had somebody who cared about me. I’m a tactile person, but I never get a hug,’ Maggie adds.
Modern life and an isolated society
In the lead up to the 2024 general election, over 100 sector organisations, including Age UK, came together to call for the incoming government to tackle loneliness and build community.
Nearly a million older people in the UK are often lonely (Picture: Stock – Getty Images)
The axing of public transport routes and closure of public toilets [many older people need to use the bathroom more regularly] are among the cutbacks which have left people more and more anxious about leaving their home. Meanwhile modern technology has also left a void where human interactions used to be. Bank branches have vanished from our high streets, train ticket offices have closed in their droves and more traditional check-outs have been replaced with self service machines.
‘The whole world is more set up now for us all to become more isolated,’ warns Ruth.
‘We’ve recently published a report on loneliness where we are calling for change from government, private, public health and social care sectors to take a joined up approach to loneliness. As individuals we can all also play our part in making our communities more friendly for older people. Look out for older friends, relatives and neighbours and consider making a phone call, sending a letter or suggesting a cup of tea.’
How loneliness can impact physical health
Loneliness is linked with an acceleration of frailty and increased risk of physical and mental illness, including:
29% increase in risk of incident coronary heart disease,
32% increase in risk of stroke
25% increased risk of dementia
Ruth joined Age UK 13 years ago as a volunteer befriender. Since then, she has seen conversations about mental health and loneliness improve, but says there’s still a stigma which needs to be broken down.
‘I think a lot of people don’t want to think about it [loneliness] as it’s hard to imagine ourselves in that situation,’ she continues. ‘We want to change how we age and we want to make things better for everyone in later life. Loneliness is a perfectly natural human emotion, we’ve all experienced it at some time in our life, there’s no need to be embarrassed or ashamed about it. If we’re happy to talk about it, we can reduce the stigma.
‘When elderly people join our telephone friendship service, we ask about their hobbies and interests to match them with a volunteer. We’ve had older people in tears on these calls in the past as they just can’t believe that someone is interested in them and wants to hear about them. And sometimes, a short call can be enough to get them back on their feet.’
Age UK works to combat loneliness through influencing, campaigning and service provision (Picture: Getty Images)
Maggie eventually found a lifeline in Glenda, a call companion volunteer from charity Reengage, who, for more than two years, has been calling once a week to chat.
’It’s wonderful. I love speaking to her. We discuss just about everything – her family, music, art. There’s nothing we don’t talk about,’ she explains. ’The calls with her are very important to me. I always look forward to them.’
Jenny Willott, CEO of Re-engage tells Metro that the charity supports thousands of older people every year. ‘We know just how devastating loneliness can be for them. Some may go weeks without talking to or seeing anyone which leaves many feeling they have been abandoned by a society that has no interest in them.
Our call befriending services, free tea parties and activity groups all provide a crucial lifeline to the outside world for these older people and it’s astonishing to see just how much even a short period of social contact improves their mental and physical wellbeing.’
'Gen Z must be the Radio Silent Generation’
In April 2024, The Belonging Forum polled 10,000 Brits from across demographics, finding young women aged 18 to 24, renters and those living with disabilities were least likely to report a strong support network, unrooting the traditional perception that isolation is an old-person’s problem. Simple things such as going to the cinema, the pub or the shops are no longer taken for granted due to the cost of living crisis. And often, digital connections just don’t suffice.
Sionna Hurley-O’Kelly previously wrote for Metro about her experience of loneliness, explaining: ‘My generation is notorious for the habit of “quiet quitting friendships” – passively ending friendships by putting in minimum effort – and our preference for “low maintenance friendships”. We’re experts at ignoring each other, blanking texts or declining to meet up and dressing it up as ‘self care’. If War Babies are the Silent Generation, then Gen Z must be the Radio Silent Generation.’
The drop-in event in Westminster was attended by MPs eager to pledge support for our Formula For Change campaign (Picture: Belinda Jiao)
MPs have gathered in Westminster to throw their support behind Metro’s Formula for Change campaign with charity Feed, calling for infant formula milk to be more affordable and accessible.
At a parliamentary drop-in event held by Labour MP for Blackpool South Chris Webb, the MP showed his support for Metro’s campaign at an event he put on to encourage peers to push for legislative change to help families buy formula.
‘I’ve seen this in Blackpool – and myself becoming a new dad – parents asking money for formula, borrowing money for tins, as they can’t get through the month.
‘We want to make it that little bit more accessible by working with government, suppliers, supermarkets and food banks.’
Lorraine Beavers, Labour MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood with Chris Webb MP Blackpool South (Picture: Belinda Jiao)
Chris Webb speaks to fellow MP Kate Osborne about the Formula For Change campaign (Picture: Belinda Jiao)
As the room filled with MPs eager to pledge their support and find out more about the issues surrounding the accessibility of formula, some spoke about how necessary the campaign was, while others admitted they were shocked by the lack of clear guidance on offer for retailers and foodbanks.
Some were also keen to share their own experiences, such as Josh Newbury, the Labour MP for Cannock Chase, Staffordshire.
MP Josh Newbury has firsthand experience of the soaring price of formula (Picture: Belinda Jiao)
He recently fostered Ryland, a five-month-old boy, and told Metro: ‘I put three boxes of infant formula into my trolley on Saturday and it was nearly £40.
‘That made me really think: “How could somebody on a lower income sustain this?” As your baby gets older, they’re drinking more and more.
‘Even compared to when my daughter was a baby five years ago, a lot of the cheaper supermarket own-brands have disappeared off the shelves. The milk we use has gone up £4 a box.
Many regulations treat baby formula like tobacco and lottery tickets, so formula can’t be purchased using supermarket loyalty points (Picture: Belinda Jiao)
‘I just want to make sure that something as basic as this is affordable for parents, there’s choice and prices aren’t going up, and up, and up.’
Meanwhile, Lizzi Collinge, a Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, attended the drop-in as she feels current infant feeding policies are ‘not helpful for mums or babies’.
‘Barriers to accessible formula put vulnerable babies in danger,’ she said.
‘As someone who is fully formula-fed and combined fed two children,’ she said, meaning she breastfed and used infant milk, ‘it’s clear how expensive formula is.
Chris with the team behind Formula For ChangeL (L to R): Erin Williams, Founder of Feed; journalist Kat Romero; Claie Wilson, Metro’s Deputy Editor and Deborah Arthurs, Editor In Chief of Metro (Picture: Belinda Jiao)
The award-winning Formula For Change campaign is set to take its petition calling for clearer guidelines and better support to Downing Street (Credits: Belinda Jiao)
‘Formula feeding is often not a choice. It’s something that absolutely necessary for a baby to thrive and the cost of formula and the restrictions on its sale are really unhelpful.’
Webb added that as well as supporting mothers who breastfeed we needed to take away the stigma surrounding formula too. ‘My son wouldn’t take to breastfeed so we had to take to formula,’ he said. ‘That’s becoming more and more common.’
FORMULA FOR CHANGE: HOW YOU CAN HELP
Join Metro.co.uk and Feed in calling on the government to urgently review their infant formula legislation and give retailers the green light to accept loyalty points, all food bank vouchers and store gift cards as payment for infant formula.
Our aim is to take our petition to No.10 to show the Prime Minister this is an issue that can no longer be ignored.
The more signatures we get, the louder our voice, so please click here to sign our Formula for Change petition.
Things need to change NOW.
Another attendee was Adam Thilthorpe, co-founder of the AI health start-up Change-Box.net. He told Metro how his team are working to make formula milk, nappies and other essentials more easily available.
His team’s focus is ensuring ‘food deserts’ – such as rural areas that don’t even have a supermarket – are fully stocked. Their aim is to encourage companies like multi banks to donate essentials to small convenience stores that are lifelines in such communities to help remove any stigma.
‘We want to make sure that no one in the queue knows you just benefitted from donations,’ he said.
Adam Thilthorpe chats to the team at Feed (Picture: Belinda Jiao)
Clare Murphy, the chief executive officer of Feed, added that formula prices are rising ‘faster’ than other essentials during the cost of living crisis.
‘There are some quite simple things that can slightly alleviate the pressure, one of which is changing or reinterpreting the regulations to allow the use of loyalty points and vouchers that many families collect and spend on their food shops which can make a difference,’ Murphy said.
She added that the current guidelines that decide how baby formula in Britain can be made, promoted and sold are ‘confusing’.
Guests were invited to share their pledges to support families (Picture: Belinda Jiao)
‘We seem to have ended up in a situation where a normal product that most families will need in the first months of the baby’s life has been made unaffordable and inaccessible,’ she said.
Since Formula for Change was launched by Metro with Feed in 2023, our petition has netted over 106,000 signatures, while Katherine Ryan, LadBaby and Health Secretary Wes Streeting are among the figures championing it.
Webb told Metro that Health Minister Andrew Gwynne will hold a roundtable next month to discuss changing the regulations.
‘Organisations, charities and baby formula suppliers will look at how we can review the current regulations and make it easier for families to get access,’ he said.
Last month the Department of Health and Social Care officially confirm to Webb that food and baby banks can supply cash-strapped families with formula tubs.(Picture: Belinda Jiao)
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‘This is at the minister’s forefront of what he’s looking at to help make healthier babies.’
In the weeks ahead, Webb said he intends to head to Number 10 with Metro and Feed to hand in the Formula For Change petition calling for clearer guidelines and better support. ‘It’s to keep that conversation going,’ he explained.
James Frith, Labour MP for Bury North, a region about eight miles north of Manchester, said he hopes for the same.
‘I’m a dad of four. I know how important those first thousand days are,’ he said . ‘Good nutrition is absolutely vital to those early years of development and their chances of success later in life.’
‘I can’t imagine any MP that would disagree with the argument at the heart of this,’ added Frith.
600,000 customers could be completely cut off (Picture: ZUMA)
Octopus Energy customers who haven’t upgraded to a smart meter have been warned their power could be cut off.
The firm is the largest supplier of energy in the United Kingdom, serving more than 7,300,000 customers as of 2025.
For years, there’s been a push for smart meters to help customers save money and better track their usage.
Those who still have radio teleswitch meters (RTS) have now been warned that if they don’t switch the obsolete meters, their power will be cut off on June 30.
Upwards of 600,000 customers could be affected if they don’t get a new smart meter.
Octopus said they plan to fast-track upgrades for customers who need them in a bid to make sure ‘no one’ is left without heating.
Octopus is the largest energy supplier in the UK (Picture: Shutterstock)
CEO John Szymik said: ‘Octopus has boosted its service capability to offer fast-tracked assistance and ensure that no one is left without heating.
‘We urge all affected customers, of any supplier, to book their meter exchange now to ensure a smooth transition.’
Those who want to switch their meter before the cut off can do so on their Octopus Account.
The Energy Saving Trust previously said every home and office in England, Scotland and Wales would be offered a smart meter by mid-2025.
Smart meters replace the meters monitoring your gas and electricity usage, and via a display panel show you exactly how much energy you’re using.
These meters are connected to your exact tariff for both gas and electricity, too, so you’ll also see how much everything costs as you go.
