42 h. ago Charge homeowners with swimming pools and big gardens more for water, industry urges

Under Water UK’s suggestion, frugal users would be rewarded with cheaper pricing per unit, while excessive users would be forced to pay more

Politics

9 d. ago In a world full of wedgies, are you a wedger like Trump, or a wedgee like me? | Adrian Chiles

There are two sorts of people – those who pull others’ underwear, and those who have their underwear pulled. And we’d never have known it without the Lib Dems’ Ed DaveySir Ed Davey has made more than one significant contribution to the tone of political discourse over the past year. Obviously, there’s all the surfing, rollercoasting, bungee jumping and so on. There’s also his use of the word “wedgie” in relation to trade tariffs. That’s some trick to pull off. Respect. Here’s what he said earlier this month: “Despite backing the US in every major conflict this century – and offering to water down our tax on US tech billionaires – we’ve been rewarded with the same tariffs as Iran. It’s like we’re meant to be grateful Trump gave our friends a black eye and left us with just a wedgie.”This was quoted on The World at One on BBC Radio 4, which involved the presenter Sarah Montague using the word wedgie, too. Something else I never thought I’d hear. Even over where I work on BBC Radio 5 L...

Politics

1 week ago Asian shares sell off as US curbs on Nvidia chip sales to China fuel trade fears; UK inflation slows to 2.6% – business live

Gold surges nearly 2% to new record high; UK food inflation slows and fuel prices fall while clothes prices riseFinancial markets are betting on an interest rate cut from the Bank of England meeting at its May meeting, estimating an 86% probability.They have fully priced in three quarter-point rate reductions this year.A sharp pickup in inflation from April is all but guaranteed. Ofgem’s 6.4% increase to its price cap, after a large fall last year, means we expect the energy component will add 0.7ppts to CPI inflation in April. A significant increase in water bills means the contribution from the core goods category is also set to rise. In addition, we expect businesses to pass on some of the increase in labour costs caused by the recent rises in employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the National Living Wage onto consumers. Inflation is likely to peak in the autumn, before starting to cool as the contribution from the energy category fades.The MPC has lowered Bank R...

Economics

2 w. ago Royal Navy ship opens fire near UK city after keeping an eye on Russian vessels

A Royal Navy ship, HMS Somerset, was seen firing into the air with smoke billowing across the water as it arrived in a UK costal city on Friday morning after departing Hamburg on April 7

Events

2 w. ago Cut your energy bills £237 in 10 minutes with a bowl of hot water

Expert Robert Andrews says a common mistake means a lot of us are paying more than we should

Economics

3 w. ago The households that can claim up to 70% discount on water bills

Water bills in Wales have had a huge hike after the start of 'Awful April', but there may be a way for customers to slash their water bills by hundreds of thousands of pound

Politics

3 w. ago Households can get up to 90% off water bills after £123 hike

On April 1, water bills for households in England and Wales increased by an average of £123 a year - or £10 a month - bringing the average household bill to £603 a year

Economics

3 w. ago Sky's 50p per day TV and Netflix pack can help Brits avoid April bill increases

Household bills including water, council tax, broadband and TV are on the up this month, but we found a way to beat the hikes with Sky's new TV and Netflix package

Politics

3 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

3 w. ago Keir Starmer claims Brits will be better off despite rising bills in 'awful April'

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed that people will ultimately be better off despite soaring bills, including energy, water and council tax, in what has been dubbed 'awful April'

Politics

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 How much does the average water bill cost from each company and which regions do they represent?

Southern Water customers are set to see a large increase in their bills from April on

Economics

3 w. ago Watch in full: Economists grilled on Rachel Reeves’s spring statement as millions brace for bill rises (cloned)

Watch as UK economists appear before parliament's Treasury Committee on Tuesday, 1 April, to answer questions about Rachel Reeves's spring statement.

Economics

3 w. ago Watch live: Economists grilled on Rachel Reeves’s spring statement as millions brace for bill rises

Watch live as UK economists appear before parliament's Treasury Committee on Tuesday, 1 April, to answer questions about Rachel Reeves's spring statement.

Economics

3 w. ago Voices: Energy, water, council tax – how are you coping with rising bills this ‘awful April’? Join The Independent Debate

As ‘awful April’ brings another wave of rising bills, we want to know — are you feeling the pinch, and has Labour’s handling of the cost of living crisis so far changed your view of Sir Keir Starmer’s government?

Economics

3 w. ago Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves dodge pain of energy and water hikes thanks to 'cap' on bills at Downing Street flats... as they enjoy Westminster's low council tax

Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves only pay a taxable benefit on running costs at the grace-and-favour apartments in Downing Street .

Economics

3 w. ago The household bills rising today – from energy to council tax

April will be a tough month for struggling households this year

Economics

3 w. ago April Cruel Day: Millions of Londoners hit with big bills rises as tax changes 'to cost families £3,500'

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

Economics

3 w. ago Is 'April Bills Day' just the start? Brits are hit with hikes to council tax, energy, water, NICs and vehicle duty... amid fears burden will have to rise AGAIN due to Trump tariffs

Brits face an 'Awful April' of domestic tax rises and bill increases hammering family finances starting today - with fears Donald Trump 's tariffs will soon push the burden even higher.

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