17 h. ago ‘Honest folk are paying for this’: the fight against Britain’s billion

From raids on marijuana farms to illegal bitcoin miners, suppliers are finding new ways to tackle the rise in gas and electricity theftMore British households struggling with bills will resort to energy theft, campaigners sayBy the time a team of police officers and engineers stormed a disused office block in Wigan, Greater Manchester, on a November morning last year, the building had been abandoned.Left behind were rooms filled with thousands of cannabis plants: a nursery on the first floor, the growing crop on the second, and leaves drying out on the third. The criminal gang behind the marijuana farm is thought to have fled after the grid operator cut off the stolen electricity used to power scores of LED lamps. Continue reading...

Economics

17 h. ago Council tax bills would rise under plan for huge shakeup of the system in Scotland

EXCLUSIVE: The Green proposal for a council tax revaluation aims to overhaul the historic council tax banding system.

Economics

6 d. ago UK inflation falls to 2.6%, increasing pressure on Bank to cut interest rates

March annual rate comes before expected rise because of household bills going up this monthBusiness live – latest updatesUK inflation dropped to 2.6% in March, increasing the pressure on Bank of England policymakers to cut interest rates next month.Prices growth was weak ahead of an expected rise in April as households begin to pay higher council tax and utility bills, as well as an uncertain outlook posed by Donald Trump’s tariff war. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago ‘Hands Off’ protests take off across US and Europe to oppose Trump agenda – live

Protesters gather at more than a thousand events across the US and in cities abroad, such as London, Berlin and ParisHundreds of protesters gathered in central London on Saturday as part of global demonstrations against Donald Trump’s administration.Crowds gathered in Trafalgar Square with banners that read “No to Maga hate” and “Dump Trump”. The rally is one of hundreds of so-called “Hands Off” demonstrations around the world – including in cities across the US, Paris and Berlin.We see the foundations of our society, social security, Medicare, Medicaid, the very safety nets that people have fought for, for generations, to ensure that our country lives up to its promise, are being targeted by the billionaires and the oligarchs and the corporations.This insidious rise of authoritarianism is fueled by corrupt billionaires and mega corporations who believe that they have the right to control every aspect of our lives, our healthcare, to our schools, to our thoughts, to our very free sp...

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Hands Off’ protests take off across US and in Europe to oppose Trump agenda – live

Protesters gather at more than a thousand events across the US and in cities abroad, such as London, Berlin and ParisHundreds of protesters gathered in central London on Saturday as part of global demonstrations against Donald Trump’s administration.Crowds gathered in Trafalgar Square with banners that read “No to Maga hate” and “Dump Trump”. The rally is one of hundreds of so-called “Hands Off” demonstrations around the world – including in cities across the US, Paris and Berlin.We see the foundations of our society, social security, Medicare, Medicaid, the very safety nets that people have fought for, for generations, to ensure that our country lives up to its promise, are being targeted by the billionaires and the oligarchs and the corporations.This insidious rise of authoritarianism is fueled by corrupt billionaires and mega corporations who believe that they have the right to control every aspect of our lives, our healthcare, to our schools, to our thoughts, to our very free sp...

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Hands Off’ protests take off across US to oppose Trump agenda – live

More than a thousand events expected in a show of defiance against US president’s ‘authoritarian overreach’Hundreds of protesters gathered in central London on Saturday as part of global demonstrations against Donald Trump’s administration.Crowds gathered in Trafalgar Square with banners that read “No to Maga hate” and “Dump Trump”. The rally is one of hundreds of so-called “Hands Off” demonstrations around the world – including in cities across the US, Paris and Berlin.We see the foundations of our society, social security, Medicare, Medicaid, the very safety nets that people have fought for, for generations, to ensure that our country lives up to its promise, are being targeted by the billionaires and the oligarchs and the corporations.This insidious rise of authoritarianism is fueled by corrupt billionaires and mega corporations who believe that they have the right to control every aspect of our lives, our healthcare, to our schools, to our thoughts, to our very free speech under...

Politics

2 w. ago World’s richest billionaires lost $200bn in single day after Trump’s tariffs rocked markets

Carlos Slim was one of few to see his net worth rise - but Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and others saw billions wiped off their wealth

Economics

2 w. ago Martin Lewis' 'bedroom rule' could save you up to £700 on your water bill

The personal finance expert was speaking on ITV's This Morning as households face a rise in their water bills. But he has a simple tip that could help consumers save money

Economics

2 w. ago Lanarkshire Tesco customers can pick up extra bag to support struggling families

The popular donation bags pre-packed with healthy long life food items will be available in every large Tesco store across the UK over the Easter break to make donating the most-needed items easier.

Economics

3 w. ago ‘Awful April’ bills rise will push people to poverty, homelessness and foodbanks, charities warn

Increasing cost of bills ranging from gas, electricity, water and council tax has left many ‘dangerously exposed’

Events

3 w. ago Energy supplier goes bust in latest blow to households as bills rise

The firm supplies energy to about 80,000 domestic customers and 10,000 non-domestic customers

Science

3 w. ago These are all the bills which are set to rise in 'awful April'

Households will be hit by a whole series of rises over the coming month

Politics

3 w. ago Council tax calculator 2025: How much your bills will rise TODAY amid huge increases

Analysis by The Mirror of local authority budgets found the vast majority were planning to increase bills by 4.99% - the highest allowed without a referendum

Economics

3 w. ago April Cruel Day: Millions of Londoners hit with £400 rise in annual utility and council tax bills

Across London, average increases in council tax, water and energy will cost households around £400 a year

Economics

3 w. ago Households urged to seek fixed energy deals as latest price cap hike takes effect

The third consecutive increase to Ofgem’s price cap sees the bill of a typical household paying by direct debit rise 6.4% to £1,849 a year.

Economics

3 w. ago National living wage rise kicks in as households brace for tax and bill hikes

The wage increase coincides with hikes to council tax, employer national insurance contributions and household bills.

Economics

3 w. ago AD FEATURE: 'I needed investment to grow my business, and NatWest was a huge part of that process'

The bank is expanding its free Accelerator to reach 10,000 entrepreneurs in 2025 – celebrating the milestone with launch of new competition to help UK businesses grow

Economics

3 w. ago How to beat Rachel Reeves' savage bill hikes TODAY: From council tax to cars, utilities and housing

Over half a dozen major household bills are set to rise this April meaning millions of households will be forced to pay hundreds of pounds a year more.

Economics

3 w. ago Are you worried about 'Awful April'? Take our poll as bills set to rise

April is bringing a wave of price hikes across the UK - from council tax to energy bills. With costs rising and wages stagnating, we're asking if you're worried

Politics

3 w. ago Exactly which bills will go up from April 1 and how much will they cost you

Council tax, water bills, car tax and broadband bills are all set to rise

Economics