Ben Hurst

People who provided care for children or other dependants between 1978 and 2010 may be eligible for corrections to their State Pension under Home Responsibilities Protection. Historical errors in linking National Insurance records with Child Benefit and Family Allowance claims may have affected around 210,000 people, with average compensation reported at £8,377. More than 370,000 letters have been sent, but HMRC’s earlier outreach received only an 8% response rate. Eligibility is not automatic: applicants generally need to have reduced or stopped work while providing care, and successful claims can result in corrected pension awards and arrears. Processing typically takes four to six months.

New EU rules due to take effect in 2027 will require airfares to include a small carry-on case measuring 40cm by 30cm by 15cm, alongside the usual under-seat personal item. Airlines may still offer cheaper fares without a suitcase, but budget carriers could raise headline ticket prices. The agreement also strengthens disruption and compensation procedures, requiring electronic information about eligible claims, prompt acknowledgment and a response within 30 days, as well as refreshments, meals and communications support during lengthy disruptions. UK airlines will have to follow the rules on flights returning from the EU, and consumer group Which? expects carriers such as easyJet to apply similar policies more broadly to avoid inconsistent baggage rules.

New Civil Aviation Authority regulations restrict how power banks and lithium batteries may be carried on flights, limiting them to hand luggage, requiring protection against short circuits, and banning onboard charging. Ryanair, easyJet, TUI and other carriers have outlined their own detailed compliance rules, largely prohibiting power banks in checked bags and setting watt‑hour limits. Recent safety incidents and concerns over thermal runaway have prompted the changes, with some airlines imposing full bans.

Record UK heatwave conditions triggered amber health alerts, with Dr Amir Khan urging that most people do not need electrolyte supplements to stay hydrated. He explained that electrolytes are essential minerals but mainly helpful for extreme exercise, illness or heavy sweating. He cautioned against unnecessary salt additions to water, noting potential blood pressure risks, and advised relying on plain water and balanced diets for everyday hydration.

Residents are being warned not to place crisp packets in home recycling because most are made from non‑recyclable metallised plastic film. Under the new Simpler Recycling scheme, councils must collect specific waste types separately, though nationwide rollout has encountered delays. Authorities advise disposing of crisp packets in general waste unless taken to soft‑plastics collection points at larger supermarkets. A major change in March 2027 will add plastic bags and film, including crisp packets, to kerbside recycling to reduce contamination and increase effective recycling rates.

The government is implementing new housing benefit regulations on October 6 to align rules with Universal Credit and remove disincentives to work for people in supported accommodation. The Department for Work and Pensions says the changes will allow claimants to retain more of their earnings and address a system that previously discouraged employment. Five new earned income disregards are being introduced, forming part of wider welfare reforms that also include support for disabled people seeking work and expanded employment programmes.