People over State Pension age living on their own could be due £3,900 income top-up this year

Thousands of disabled children and young people across Scotland will receive a one-off payment for £251.50 later this year to help with higher heating bills during the 2024/25 winter season. The Scottish Government has now confirmed all the new payment rates for devolved benefits and payments, including the Child Winter Heating Payment.

NBCUniversal has confirmed that its new Jurassic World movie will film this year at its own Sky Studios Elstree in the UK.

A report published by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said it is “very concerned” the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reported yet another historic underpayment of State Pension last year, which it estimates may have left some 210,000 pensioners - mostly women - out of pocket by a total of £1.3 billion”, going back decades.

Millions of people claiming their State Pension can look forward to an inflation-busting boost next month when payments rise by 8.5 per cent from April 8, 2024. Under the wages growth measure of the Triple Lock policy, those on the full New State Pension can expect an annual increase of £902, while those on the full Basic State Pension will see an uplift of £692.

Searches for German Shepherds have risen by a staggering 235% in Scotland as wannabe dog owners hunt for an alternative to XL Bullies.

People from Bury and Manchester were among 11 interviewed in a nationwide investigation into illegal streaming services. The scam includes providing access to Premier League football matches.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging people to help any older family members or friends check if they could be eligible for Pension Credit. The benefit provides people over State Pension age on a low income with an average of £3,900 each year to help with daily living costs and can also act as a gateway to access help with housing costs, fuel bills and Council Tax.

Wedding bells are ringing for two of the Married At First Sight UK stars - and this time they're real! MAFS couple Ally Acklan and Paul Todd are set to marry later this year after the pair's stint on the E4 show was cancelled due to Covid. The couple had signed up for Married at First Sight UK's 2020 series and had been paired up by producers. However, the wedding and whole series was cancelled when a national lockdown was announced.

Stranger Things fans have been left confused by Millie Bobby Brown‘s accent, which appears to have shifted from the British accent they’re used to hearing.Brown appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon accompanied by her dog Winnie, but many viewers picked up on the fact her accent was British one minute and then American the next, or perhaps a hybrid of both.The actress moved to Florida with her family when she was eight but her British accent has still largely stuck for most of her career.In the new interview, where Brown was promoting a new film Damsel, that no longer appears to be the case.“since when did millie bobby brown lose her british accent… HELLO??” one fan pointed out, while another said: “millie bobby brown developing an american accent was not on my bingo cards for 2024”millie bobby brown developing an american accent was not on my bingo cards for 2024— bry (@forgetmetwo) March 1, 2024since when did millie bobby brown lose her british accent… HELLO?? pic.twitter.com/SjvY4jmqrK— banjo (@flamingpuddle) March 4, 2024Whatever happened to Millie Bobby Brown’s accent happened really fast because even six months ago she didn’t sound this American— AMAAAA (@OhMyPerd) March 2, 2024millie bobby brown losing her southern english accent makes me sad DONT BECOME AMERICAN.— mya˚ʚ♡ɞ˚is missing louis (@l1ttlefreakkrry) March 4, 2024The change in her accent might also be explained by the fact that she is currently filming the final season of Stranger Things.Elsewhere in the interview, Brown revealed how she got engaged to Jake Bongiovi. ”Jake and I bonded over diving,” she said.

Forestry England has said that the mild winter and spring could cause bluebells to bloom early. Bluebells usually flower from late March to early May, but this year's mild weather means they may well be early.

Retirement expert Helen Morrissey is urging nearly one million people over State Pension age on a low income not to miss a crucial deadline to claim the £299 cost of living payment. New claims for Pension Credit made before the end of March 5, which later turn out to be successful, will also qualify for a backdated payment of the final round of cost of living support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures indicate that fraud and error in the benefit system is falling after the UK Government restated its determination to drive levels down further and protect taxpayers’ money. The latest national statistics show that in the 2022/23 financial year, fraud and error rates fell to 3.6 per cent (£8.3 billion) from 4.0 per cent (£8.7 billion).

More than 42,200 people have signed an online petition calling for a ‘universal’ weekly State Pension payment of nearly £550 in order to match the current hourly rate of the National Living Wage. Petition creator Michael Thompson has also suggested making the State Pension available to everyone from the age of 60.

A fifth of households claiming legacy benefits have had them stopped after failing to switch to Universal Credit before the deadline on the Migration Notice letter, a new report has found. The National Audit Office (NAO) called on the UK Government to ensure people are getting the benefits they are entitled to as the Managed Migration process of moving people from the older benefits system continues.

Netflix are expected to raise their prices again this year, according to a new analysis by investment bank UBS Securities.Rumours about a possible price increase gained some ground at the end of January when the streamer released its quarterly shareholder letter, which contained details of a potential hike for subscribers.The letter read: “As we invest in and improve Netflix, we’ll occasionally ask our members to pay a little extra to reflect those improvements, which in turn helps drive the positive flywheel of additional investment to further improve and grow our service.”Now, the UBS analysis indicates that price rises are likely to be imminent for Netflix subscribers. “We expect to see rate increases this year,” wrote John Hodulik, who works for the Wall Street bank (via Independent).They predict the shift will contribute to an overall company growth of 15 per cent in 2024, compared to 7 per cent last year.Currently, a basic subscription costs £7.99 a month, while a standard subscription in the UK, which allows for HD and a second device, costs £10.99 a month.

The heartbreaking murder of heiress Joanna Simpson is to be explored in a new ITV documentary, titled The British Airways Killer. Joanna was killed by her husband, British Airways pilot Robert Brown, in 2010. The documentary will give an in-depth insight into the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit’s complex investigation into Joanna's murder.

Six bank branches around Greater Manchester are set to close this year with some being the last branches available in their respective areas. Around 250 banks are set to close, or have already shut, as financial services continue to be stripped away from UK high streets.

A Labour peer has urged the UK Government to review the decision to freeze the personal allowance at £12,570 until 2026 as it could see future New State Pension payments exceed the income threshold resulting in more people paying tax in retirement. Lord Davies of Brixton warned that if no changes are made, the State Pension and personal tax allowance are on course to “collide” by the 2027-28 financial year.

People living in Scotland are in a unique position as there will be 15 benefits and payments only available for those living north of the border by the end of this year. A pilot rollout of Carer Support Payment began in November in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and the Western Isles and will gradually replace all new claims for Carer's Allowance, delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Newly updated figures show that during the ongoing cost of living crisis, people in the UK claiming their State Pension entitlement only just break even despite a record-breaking increase to weekly payment rates in April. The research, conducted by pension advisors Almond Financial, looked at the State Pension in comparison to the average cost of living in the UK.