The hours you need to work to afford an ‘average’ life in different UK cities revealed

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.

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Inside the baby bank: ‘People never think they will be in this position’

Carly keeps a watchful eye out the window of Babyshed’s headquarters in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

With items like nappies, formula milk and baby wipes available, the charity has become a lifeline to mums in the area. Reaching out for help for the first time can feel daunting, however.

‘We want people to come in and not feel judged,’ Carly, Babyshed’s coordinator, tells Metro. ‘There was one lady who sat in the car for half an hour crying her eyes out because she was so embarrassed to come in. People shouldn’t feel scared to ask for help.

‘Sometimes you see people literally shaking as they come in, they never thought they would be in this position. It can be very unexpected, like when a woman has a baby then her husband leaves. Nursery costs are so high which means they might not be able to go back to work, or they might not feel ready to.’

When Metro visits Babyshed on a crisp, cold day, there’s a steady stream of new mums passing through. They gather around a play mat as their babies gurgle and giggle. The temperatures are due to drop this weekend, so there’s a selection of winter jackets on display alongside more usual items like baby food and nappies.

‘I came into the country from Nigeria as a student with my husband,’ one mum, who prefers to stay anonymous, tells Metro. The 31-year-old has a six-month-old boy and lives in the town centre of Stevenage. ‘When I gave birth I was still studying so my finances weren’t okay. We had to pay bills, school fees, payments – it was a lot. As the baby grew, it became hard to afford new clothes.

‘I went to Bedfordshire Foodbank to get some things and the staff there told me about Babyshed, it was much closer to me. My first time here, I remember I stood outside and felt really scared about how they might treat me. But then I came in and knew I didn’t need to be scared. I was treated with love. They are so supportive. I’ve got things like nappies, wipes and toiletries here. Sometimes I forget to ask for things and they go “oh, do you need this as well?”’

‘This is my fourth time here,’ another mum, 31, explains as her eight-month-old plays nearby. ‘It has been a lifesaver. Whenever I need anything I think “Babyshed.” Without it, I would find a way to survive, but it would be very difficult.’

Babyshed was launched following the Covid-19 pandemic by Stevenage Vineyard Church to support families in need. The charity has gone on to become vital for nearby refugees housed in a local hotel, with volunteers making a dedicated trip each week to offer support. 

Carly heads through a set of doors to a vast warehouse where donations are stored. Shelves of nappies stretch down the room, new prams are illuminated by the winter sun and boxes of baby food are neatly labelled. There’s also drawers for more specific items, like breast pads, nappy cream and cotton wool. Carly wants to give mums as much autonomy as possible.

She continues: ‘Just because someone is in a certain section of their life, it shouldn’t mean they lose the ability to choose. I think things like, does this mum like Disney? Would she prefer frilly outfits? Will this family be outdoors a lot? The same baby clothes don’t suit everyone. We also don’t mind second hand donations, but we want good quality. I wouldn’t want to give something out which I wouldn’t feel comfortable using for my own kids.’

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In one heartbreaking incident last year, a police officer informed Babybank staff he had been forced to arrest a woman who stole formula milk. He took a leaflet from the charity to give to her. Babyshed – which is backing Metro’s Formula for Change campaign that aims to improve access to essential items like formula – want mums to feel empowered to reach out for help.

‘Everybody is one short step away from poverty,’ Carly adds. ‘If your life circumstances have led that way, it doesn’t make you any less of a human being or a good mum.

‘We want to help facilitate people to be the best parents they can be, we’re non-referral so anybody can come here. Come, see us, have a hot drink, have a chat, have a cry.

‘It might look like we’re just giving someone a pack of nappies, but it’s much more than that. It’s a vehicle for change. Some of the mums we support actually come back and give us donations once they’re back on their feet. It’s always really special to see that. If you throw a stone, it causes ripples. We want ripples of kindness to spread as far as they can.’

There are ten volunteers at Babyshed and extra support from the local community vital. Bags of sweets have been delivered from Tesco this morning while staff from GSK, a pharmaceutical company in Stevenage, recently visited the charity to paint the walls.

Babyshed has also received several vouchers from a local trampoline park, which means parents they support will be able to treat their child to a special day out they might not otherwise have been able to afford.

When Ann arrived for her first volunteering shift at her local baby bank, she could never foresee just how much of an impact she would have. The mum-of-three had previously helped with a foodbank run by Stevenage Vineyard Church, where she had been pastor. 

‘Some people just want someone to talk to,’ Ann tells Metro. ‘They might not have their own support system or a mum of their own to help. I remember one woman walked in through that door and just burst into tears, it turned out she was pregnant and her husband had just left her. 

‘One day she said, “I thought I could do this by myself, but I can’t. I know this is a really big ask, but would you be with me at the birth?” Of course I said yes. I cut the baby’s cord and cuddled him, it was absolutely wonderful.

‘His mum still tells me “when he hears your voice he looks for you in the room.” She doesn’t come back here a huge amount, because she’s back on her feet now with a new job and a council house.’

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I went to Costco for the first time — it isn’t for the weak

Call me boring if you want, but I love a good supermarket shop.

Take me to big Tesco or Sainsbury’s and I’ll be in my element looking at homeware and cute pyjamas that I don’t really need, before stocking up on my favourite snacks. Simple pleasures and all that.

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise then, that going to Costco for the first time ever would be a big deal for me.

Standing outside the warehouse in Hayes, I was giddy with excitement. It wasn’t quite on par with the way a child feels at Disneyland for the first time, but it was up there. 

The wholesale chain has pretty strict membership criteria and I’d never previously met the requirements to get in. But thanks to my husband switching jobs, that had all changed.

Finally armed with my very own Costco card I headed inside the store… and was met with utter chaos.

If you’ve never been to Costco before, it’s my duty to warn you never to go on a weekend – it’s akin to being in London when the Christmas lights are switched on, or at a UK beach in the height of summer. There were people absolutely everywhere and endless queues, both to get into the store and for the checkouts. It isn’t for the weak.

The layout of the shop itself was also rather chaotic, although this is definitely part of the experience. I never knew what I was going to find from one moment to the next – there were sports bras on a shelf next to blenders, and children’s toys near power tools. 

While I was busy adapting all of this, my husband, who usually hates any form of grocery shopping, was having a blast. According to him it’s because the warehouse set up feels remarkably like being in a B&Q, thanks to the really tall shelving, as well as the drills and furniture for sale.

We quickly realised we’d never be able to do a proper grocery shop here. Everything is sold in bulk, which is ideal if you’re running a business or feeding a large family, but rather unnecessary for just the two of us, as there’d be too much waste. 

That said, there were some store cupboard essentials, that would not only last for ages, but proved to be better value when bought this way.

For instance, a 600g tub of Marmite cost us £5.99 at Costco, while a 250g jar is £3 at Sainsbury’s (our nearest shop). Similarly, Twinings English Breakfast Tea Bags are £4.80 for 80 bags at Sainsbury’s, but £7.99 for 300 bags in Costco.

And it’s not just kitchen staples, there were more bargains to be found in the toiletries section, with a 96 pack of Tampax Pearl Compak costing £11.99. In comparison, a 16 pack is £3.25 at Sainsbury’s. You do the math.

For the Micellar Water girlies, this is also notably cheaper to buy at Costco, with a two-pack of 700ml Garnier bottles costing £8.49 – at Boots, one 700ml bottle is £9.99. 

Not everything was necessarily good value for money though, especially products in the bakery section. A 12 pack of croissants was priced at £5.49, whereas 12 croissants in Sainsbury’s work out at £3.20.

I also audibly gasped when I saw that a six-pack of chocolate muffins was going for £7.99, but thankfully a kind stranger pointed out the fine print on the label, which said you could get two packs for £7.99. There were a few sneaky offers like this, so definitely worth keeping your eyes peeled to get the most bang for your buck.

Outside of nabbing a bargain, you can get pretty much everything and anything from Costco, including an eye test for £19.99 at the in-store opticians. Over the course of our two hour exploration of the store we also found a £73,000 diamond ring (who is buying this from Costco?!), smutty fantasy books, and salvage palettes which contained everything from clothing, to nappies and washing machines.

There were two things that really surprised me during our visit though – one positive, the other not so much. We’ll start with the negative.

I was gobsmacked by how much money we spent, despite shopping pretty carefully. Our haul was mostly practical purchases like cereal, spaghetti, cheese, vegetables, condiments, and butter.

We’d tried to limit the number of ‘rogue’ items we added in for the hell of it, although we did also take home a tub of pretzels bigger than my head, a pack of 36 Babybels and a tray of 24 of the viral cookies (sadly not worth the hype, too artificial tasting).

Our total spend came to over £100, which is more than our weekly shop, and we had much less food to show for it. I was flabbergasted, and had immediate buyer’s remorse. I pushed the trolley from the till to the food court by the exit in a bit of a daze.

After all that shopping, we’d definitely worked up an appetite so we ordered a slice of pepperoni pizza, a hot dog and soda.

Little did we know that this pit stop at the back of the store would be the highlight of the whole visit.

I was sceptical about the kind of food we’d receive from what was essentially a hatch at the back of a warehouse, especially given that it was so cheap – £1.50 for a hot dog and drink and £1.99 for a slice of pizza – but the food really blew me away.

The pepperoni pizza was better than the likes of Domino’s, Pizza Hut or Papa John’s. That’s fighting talk, I know, but I’m not the only one who thinks it. Reddit users agree, even going as far as to proclaim it the ‘best takeaway pizza in the whole of the UK’.

I enjoyed it so much, I was already chomping away before I remembered to snap a quick pic for this article, hence the giant bite mark.

My husband felt similarly about the beef hot dog, which can be ordered with or without onions, and along with a soda of your choosing for less than £2. He could have added in an ice cream as well and the price would still have put supermarket meal deals to shame. 

There’s plenty more on the menu, including a chicken sandwich, jacket potato, chicken and bacon bake, gelato, plus those famous cookies, which can be bought individually – something I wish I’d known before buying 24 of them.

Everything was under £5, except for whole pizzas which cost £9.99, but in today’s climate, that’s still felt like a steal.

The only downside was that there were only a handful of seats in the food court, and like the rest of the store it was heaving with people. Being too hungry to wait for a table, we tucked in there and then slumped over the handlebar of our trolley.

The pizza was messy and theawkward standing position made for one of the most undignified eating experiences of my life, but I enjoyed the meal none the less. 

Will I be going back to Costco again any time soon?

I’d go back for another slice of the pizza in a heartbeat, but I’m no longer feeling the same levels of excitement about shopping there. But that’s ok, because it’s not really meant for me.

If I’m ever planning a big dinner party it could be worth another visit, but otherwise I think I’ll be sticking with Sainsbury’s and Tesco for now.

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Tesco to start handing out free food to stop food waste

A major British supermarket will hand out food for free in a bid to reduce food waste and hit net zero goals.

Tesco plans to give away food which is about to go out of date at absolutely no cost.

The cost-slashing yellow sticker will be revolutionised and mean marked items are completely free after 9.30pm.

Potentially thousands of tonnes of food could avoid the bin and go home with customers.

The plan will first be trailed in a small number of Express stores across the country.

At present, Tesco’s yellow label system reduces the cost of food items by 90%.

The supermarket also gives unsold food to charities in order to reduce the amount of produce they have to throw away, which they will continue to do under the new scheme.

Despite these schemes, Tesco reported more than 35,000 tonnes of food waste in the UK last year.

But now staff will get priority on food which have been reduced earlier in the day and then customers will be able to take home almost out-of-date items in the run-up to closing time.

An internal memo said the plan would allow Tesco to ‘continue with our drive to reduce food waste within our own operations’, The Telegraph reports.

Tesco has pledged to be ‘carbon neutral’ by 2035 and net zero by 2050

The supermarket chain has already cut food waste by 18% between 2017 and 2023, with its long term goal being a 45% reduction.

The store has already redistributed 166 million meals through their Community Food Connection Scheme, according to their 2024 food waste report.

A spokesman for the supermarket said: ‘We are constantly looking for innovative new ways to reduce food waste. 

‘This trial, in a small number of our Express stores, will allow customers to take any remaining yellow stickered items for free at the end of the day, after they have first been offered to charities and colleagues.’ 

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Warning to UK drivers over 2025 vehicle tax hike for older cars

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.

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

• 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.

Vehicles manufactured after 2001 don’t have the size taken into account.

VED increases will be in line with inflation, HMCR confirmed, much the same as it did last year.

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.’

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Martin Lewis issues urgent four-day warning to save on UK rail travel

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.

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.’

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).

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Ofgem increases energy price cap again – here’s how much your bills will be

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?

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?

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.

‘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?

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.

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New Zealand tourism slogan slammed for sounding like ‘we’re in a clearance bin’

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?’

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.

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.

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.

Last year, over 3.3 million tourists visited New Zealand – a 12% increase from 2023. Out of these travellers, 1.2 million were from Australia.

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.

Martin Lewis shares ‘urgent’ steps to save £100s ahead of nationwide bill hike

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.

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.’

‘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.’

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.

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Nationwide £100 customer bonus payout date — what we know so far

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.

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.

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.

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