Financial news

• Full list of new smart meter rules as households get £40 payments from Monday

  16-02-2026 14:55 via express.co.uk
  It's hoped that the new rules will set clear expectations of suppliers and push them to improve their smart meter standards.
  
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• HMRC says boost State Pension payments with £26 a week claim

  16-02-2026 14:41 via express.co.uk
  Payment rates are due to rise from April to give claimants £27.05 per week.
  
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• Martin Lewis explains key age limit that applies to pensioners

  16-02-2026 14:16 via express.co.uk
  He said you can save hundreds of pounds with some deals
  
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• Lloyds Bank to close 14 UK branches in March – full list

  16-02-2026 13:47 via express.co.uk
  Branches are due to close in Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent and Glossop, among others.
  
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• Morrisons makes major change in 343 supermarket cafes in 2026

  16-02-2026 13:22 via express.co.uk
  The change announced today will benefit millions of families across the UK.
  
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• Tesco Clubcard launches new £1 rule - customers will be happy

  16-02-2026 13:15 via express.co.uk
  Tesco has just made a major new announcement that's set to delight many of its customers.
  
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• HMRC sending new tax codes to state pensioners to take winter fuel payment back

  16-02-2026 12:52 via express.co.uk
  HMRC is sending new tax codes out to state pensioners to take their winter fuel payment back if they go over the £35,000 threshold.
  
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• Three groups could miss out on full State Pension payments - check if you're affected

  16-02-2026 12:35 via express.co.uk
  You could be missing out on a full State Pension due to National Insurance gaps, historic childcare rules and contracted-out schemes.
  
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• Rachel Reeves' cash ISA limit cut sparks warning

  16-02-2026 12:26 via express.co.uk
  Rachel Reeves announced in November that the annual cash ISA limit would be cut from £20,000 to £12,000
  
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• American in London shocked by Tesco as she praises UK as grocery 'paradise'

  16-02-2026 11:49 via express.co.uk
  An American who moved from a place where it's "normal to spend senselessly on food" to the UK was shocked by the prices in Waitrose, but then they "went to Tesco"
  
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• Why did I get a £100 parking fine when charging my electric car?

  16-02-2026 08:00 via theguardian.com
  The charger firm claimed the site operated 24 hours a day, but the parking operator had different ideasI charged my electric car at the 24-hour Mer EV charging station in my local B&Q car park.I then received a £100 parking charge notice (PCN) from the car park operator, Ocean Parking. It said no parking is allowed on the site between 9pm and 6am. Continue reading...
  
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• Rural drivers to face steepest bills under UK’s mileage-based electric vehicle tax

  16-02-2026 07:00 via theguardian.com
  Analysis reveals big regional disparities as critics say Labour’s proposed levy could slow uptake of EVsDrivers in the south-west of England would pay nearly four times as much as those in London as a result of Labour’s mileage-based tax on electric cars, according to analysis of official data.The 3p-a-mile road charge, announced in the autumn budget and due to take effect in 2028, is expected to raise £1.1bn a year, partly offsetting the loss of fuel duty revenues as drivers s
  
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• Bank of England should cut rates to boost consumer spending, says TUC

  16-02-2026 07:00 via theguardian.com
  Union analysis finds consumers lag behind international peers as some rate-setters remain anxious about inflationThe Trades Union Congress is urging the Bank of England to cut interest rates and rekindle economic growth, pointing to analysis showing that cash-strapped consumers are lagging their international peers.The Bank’s monetary policy committee voted 5-4 to leave borrowing costs unchanged this month, after six cuts since mid-2024. Continue reading...
  
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• What technology takes from us – and how to take it back – podcast

  16-02-2026 06:00 via theguardian.com
  Decisions outsourced, chatbots for friends, the natural world an afterthought: Silicon Valley is giving us life void of connection. There is a way out – but it’s going to take collective effortBy Rebecca Solnit. Read by Laurel Lefkow Continue reading...
  
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