Personal Finance

Lloyds and Halifax will close 250 UK bank branches in 2026 and 2027 as Lloyds Banking Group cuts its high street network amid online banking growth.

Full list of every Lloyds and Halifax bank branch closing down

Postcode Lottery ambassador Judie McCourt with the golden envelopes.

Postcode Lottery ambassador Judie McCourt with the golden envelopes.

Personal Finance

Chester residents celebrate £1,000 win per ticket in Saturday's Postcode Lottery

Postcode Lottery ambassador Danyl Johnson.

Postcode Lottery ambassador Danyl Johnson.

Personal Finance

Chester residents win £1,000 per ticket in latest Postcode Lottery draw

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden as The State Pension age is rising from 66 to 67, with another group affected from November 6.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden as The State Pension age is rising from 66 to 67, with another group affected from November 6.

Department for Works and Pensions

DWP confirms State Pension age change - people with these birthdays face longer wait

Nationwide is raising rates on most variable savings accounts from December 1, with some paying 3.55%. It comes as bank switching jumps 55% and more than one million switches are recorded in 2026.

Nationwide is raising rates on most variable savings accounts from December 1, with some paying 3.55%. It comes as bank switching jumps 55% and more than one million switches are recorded in 2026.

Bank of England

Nationwide savers set for a welcome boost from December – how much will you get?

Prime Minister Andy Burnham leaves 10 Downing Street, London, as a State Pension Age campaign passes 112,000 in a call to boost for jobs for younger workers

Prime Minister Andy Burnham leaves 10 Downing Street, London, as a State Pension Age campaign passes 112,000 in a call to boost for jobs for younger workers

Department for Works and Pensions

Calls to cut state pension age to 65 and free up jobs for younger workers grow

Ellesmere Port Postcode Lottery players to take home £1,000 prize

Prime Minister Andy Burnham as DWP Cold Weather Payments return, with £25 available for every seven-day period of freezing weather.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham as DWP Cold Weather Payments return, with £25 available for every seven-day period of freezing weather.

Cold Weather Payments

Cold Weather Payment launches today to help thousands with winter heating bills

Martin Lewis is telling viewers how to cut council tax bills and get a rebate

Martin Lewis is telling viewers how to cut council tax bills and get a rebate

Martin Lewis: How to cut council tax bills and get a rebate today

Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey delivering his Budget in the House of Commons. (Image: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire)

Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey delivering his Budget in the House of Commons. (Image: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire)

National government

130,000 Cheshire families to receive £100 help with energy costs

Chancellor John Healey has announced a £100 energy payment for 20 million households in council tax bands A to D, with money paid directly into bank accounts this winter.

Chancellor John Healey has announced a £100 energy payment for 20 million households in council tax bands A to D, with money paid directly into bank accounts this winter.

£100 energy bill support to be sent directly to bank accounts for 20 million people

Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell, Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby, Financial Secretary to the Treasury James Murray, Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds, Exchequer Secretary to the

Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell, Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby, Financial Secretary to the Treasury James Murray, Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds, Exchequer Secretary to the

DWP new State Pension to rise almost £500 to more than £13,000 a year

CH postcode takes home £1,000 prize in latest Postcode Lottery draw

How to check if you are one of the 20 million households who will get £100 from the Government this winter to help with energy bills

How to check if you are one of the 20 million households who will get £100 from the Government this winter to help with energy bills

How to check if you will receive £100 energy bill support payment

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to replace the Carers’ Allowance earnings cliff edge with a taper, in cost-of-living measures ahead of the Budget.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to replace the Carers’ Allowance earnings cliff edge with a taper, in cost-of-living measures ahead of the Budget.

Budget shake-up expected to bring major DWP benefit changes for households

Chester street named among winners of latest Postcode Lottery draw

Julie McCourt, Postcode Lottery ambassador 2026

Julie McCourt, Postcode Lottery ambassador 2026

Personal Finance

Lucky CH postcode street is named Postcode Lottery winner

Prime Minister Andy Burnham making a statement, as a petition calling for the state pension age to be cut to 65 for everyone has passed 100,000 signatures

Prime Minister Andy Burnham making a statement, as a petition calling for the state pension age to be cut to 65 for everyone has passed 100,000 signatures

Department for Works and Pensions

State pension age could be cut to 65 under calls that would free up jobs for young

Two CH postcodes selected among winners for daily Postcode Lottery prize

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has asked the Chancellor and Energy Secretary to examine removing standing charges from gas bills

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has asked the Chancellor and Energy Secretary to examine removing standing charges from gas bills

Andy Burnham orders review of gas bills with move that could help households

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden as the campaign wants the state pension age reduced to 65 for everyone, but the Government has initially rejected the proposal

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden as the campaign wants the state pension age reduced to 65 for everyone, but the Government has initially rejected the proposal

Department for Works and Pensions

Calls to cut DWP State Pension Age to 65 grow as parliamentary debate draws closer

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden as DWP benefits including PIP, DLA and Attendance Allowance could rise from April 2027 after September CPI inflation reached 3.5%.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden as DWP benefits including PIP, DLA and Attendance Allowance could rise from April 2027 after September CPI inflation reached 3.5%.

Universal Credit and other DWP benefits could increase after latest inflation figures

Cost of living crisis

Nine million UK homes enter winter with no energy bill buffer

Chester MP welcomes PM's proposals to stop 'rip-off' private parking providers

Chester is among the Cheshire areas ranked as England’s best places to raise a family

Chester is among the Cheshire areas ranked as England’s best places to raise a family

The Cheshire areas ranked among England’s best places to raise a family in new study

Millions of pensioners and benefit claimants could receive the DWP Christmas bonus.

Millions of pensioners and benefit claimants could receive the DWP Christmas bonus.

Department for Work and Pensions

DWP Christmas bonus - pensioners and benefit claimants will get extra bank payment

Postcode Lottery ambassador, Danyl Johnson.

Postcode Lottery ambassador, Danyl Johnson.

Personal Finance

Two lucky CH postcodes scoop £1,000 in Postcode Lottery win

DWP Secretary Pat McFadden. The DWP has set out new benefit eligibility checks involving banks, conforming which account information can be shared, which benefits are affected and what happens if your claim is reviewed.

DWP Secretary Pat McFadden. The DWP has set out new benefit eligibility checks involving banks, conforming which account information can be shared, which benefits are affected and what happens if your claim is reviewed.

Department for Works and Pensions

DWP benefit checks explained as new bank account rules come into force

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden as the State Pension Age row takes a new turn and Government responds to the campaign

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden as the State Pension Age row takes a new turn and Government responds to the campaign

Department for Works and Pensions

DWP State Pension Age row takes new turn as Government responds to campaign

Postcode Lottery ambassador, Danyl Johnson.

Postcode Lottery ambassador, Danyl Johnson.

Personal Finance

Latest lucky CH postcode scoops £1,000 in Postcode Lottery win

The team from Planned Future

The team from Planned Future

Firm launches cost-of-living workshop as only 8 per cent feel financially comfortable

Winter Fuel Payments are expected to reach most eligible pensioners in November or December 2026. Find out when letters will arrive, who qualifies and how much you could get.

Winter Fuel Payments are expected to reach most eligible pensioners in November or December 2026. Find out when letters will arrive, who qualifies and how much you could get.

Winter Fuel Payment

When will Winter Fuel Payments arrive? Pensioners could get up to £300 this winter

Royal Mail has increased parcel prices in a range of categories

Royal Mail has increased parcel prices in a range of categories

Royal Mail parcel prices increase by up to £1.45 - full list of key changes

Julie McCourt, Postcode Lottery ambassador 2026

Julie McCourt, Postcode Lottery ambassador 2026

Personal Finance

Lucky CH postcode street named Postcode Lottery winner

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (left) with Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey as the state pension triple lock is facing renewed pressure ahead of the October Budget.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (left) with Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey as the state pension triple lock is facing renewed pressure ahead of the October Budget.

Department for Works and Pensions

What is the triple lock? The DWP state pension rule facing Budget pressure

Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivering his keynote speech during the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool. He has pledged that low-income pensioners will not be dragged into paying Income Tax during this Parliament as he sets out his national

Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivering his keynote speech during the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool. He has pledged that low-income pensioners will not be dragged into paying Income Tax during this Parliament as he sets out his national

Pensioners given major tax promise as Andy Burnham reveals new care plan

Residents in Chester are celebrating a win on the Postcode Lottery.

Residents in Chester are celebrating a win on the Postcode Lottery.

Personal Finance

Chester residents celebrate £1,000 win per ticket in Monday's Postcode Lottery

The DWP has confirmed the exact birth date and qualifying week for the 2026 Winter Fuel Payment, worth up to £300 for eligible pensioners.

The DWP has confirmed the exact birth date and qualifying week for the 2026 Winter Fuel Payment, worth up to £300 for eligible pensioners.

DWP confirms exact birth date for £300 Winter Fuel Payment and key week to qualify

Around 3.2 million pensioners are due HMRC refunds after a state pension tax calculation error.

Around 3.2 million pensioners are due HMRC refunds after a state pension tax calculation error.

Millions of pensioners could be owed money after HMRC mistake

Pension withdrawals have soared by 70% in two years ahead of a major inheritance tax change due from April 2027

Pension withdrawals have soared by 70% in two years ahead of a major inheritance tax change due from April 2027

Pension warning as savers rush to access their money before death tax changes

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden as thousands are backing a petition to cut the State Pension age to 65.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden as thousands are backing a petition to cut the State Pension age to 65.

Department for Works and Pensions

Thousands are backing this major change to take DWP State Pension age back to 65

Prime Minister Andy Burnham as the government is urging people to see if they could be eligible for a payment - HMRC says 827,000 matured Child Trust Funds remain unclaimed

Prime Minister Andy Burnham as the government is urging people to see if they could be eligible for a payment - HMRC says 827,000 matured Child Trust Funds remain unclaimed

Thousands could be sitting on £2,310 without even realising it, says HMRC

The team at Cheshire based CanDo Payments.

The team at Cheshire based CanDo Payments.

Cheshire payments firm CanDo Payments achieves B Corp and Living Wage status

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, with Minister for the Cabinet Office Louise Haigh and Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey, as Labour is reportedly considering a £15,570 personal allowance boost

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, with Minister for the Cabinet Office Louise Haigh and Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey, as Labour is reportedly considering a £15,570 personal allowance boost

HMRC £15,570 personal allowance plan could give millions a £3,000 tax boost

Residents urged not to miss out on free quotes for solar panels and battery storage

A free Nationwide benefits checker has helped households uncover an average £555 a month in potential extra income as families struggle with summer costs.

A free Nationwide benefits checker has helped households uncover an average £555 a month in potential extra income as families struggle with summer costs.

Nationwide warns millions could be missing out on £555 a month

Library picture of Postcode Lottery ambassador Judie McCourt with the golden envelopes

Library picture of Postcode Lottery ambassador Judie McCourt with the golden envelopes

Personal Finance

Postcode Lottery win for lucky CH postcode residents

Bents Garden and Home has been named on the Government list

Bents Garden and Home has been named on the Government list

Bents Garden Centre named over minimum wage failures affecting 272 staff

Millions more Brits could face the £100,000 tax trap by 2031 as a frozen threshold creates an effective 60% marginal tax rate.

Millions more Brits could face the £100,000 tax trap by 2031 as a frozen threshold creates an effective 60% marginal tax rate.

HMRC Personal Allowance ‘deep freeze’ warning for 2.5m taxpayers

Lucky CH postcode named among winners of £1,000 Postcode Lottery draw

The Bread and Butter Thing has four clubs in and around Chester.

The Bread and Butter Thing has four clubs in and around Chester.

Cheshire West branches celebrate 10th anniversary of national food charity

The birthday rule that could leave you waiting for a free bus pass

The birthday rule that could leave you waiting for a free bus pass

Born between these dates? You could wait even longer for your free bus pass

£1,000 Postcode Lottery win for residents in Ellesmere Port

Millions face changes to benefits, energy support and school costs before the end of 2026.

Millions face changes to benefits, energy support and school costs before the end of 2026.

Department for Work and Pensions

Major DWP changes hitting millions of pensioners and claimants before the year is out