Charlotte Smith

Bathroom retailer CEO Brian Toward warns that baking soda’s abrasive texture can scratch mirrors, shower doors, windows, grout, natural stone, and acrylic bathtubs. He recommends gentler alternatives such as diluted vinegar, hydrogen peroxide solutions, pH-neutral stone cleaners, or mild dish soap, and advises testing any cleaning method on a small area first.

Tourists in Italy are warned not to leave towels, chairs, parasols or tables overnight on free public beaches to reserve a spot. Authorities may confiscate the items and impose fines of up to €500, with enforcement operations reported in Campania, Sicily, Molise and elsewhere. The rules are intended to preserve public access, facilitate beach cleaning and maintain emergency access. Travellers are advised to remove all equipment when leaving for the day or use licensed lidos and official reservation systems.

Nationwide customers are being warned about phishing emails that falsely claim a new monthly direct debit has been set up for a dental practice. The messages use Nationwide-style branding and urge recipients to click a malicious link, which can lead to theft of personal and banking details. Which? and Norfolk Trading Standards advise customers not to click links or use contact details supplied in unexpected messages, and instead to contact Nationwide through official channels. Suspicious emails can be forwarded to [email protected], while Nationwide’s Scam Protection Promise covers certain electronic payments but excludes cash withdrawals, cheques, card payments and some international transfers.

The government’s decision to scrap VAT on electricity bills from October 2026 will save households £45 annually, but rising energy prices driven by a 5.1 percent Ofgem price cap increase will leave typical bills around £48 higher overall. Critics including UK Debt Expert and the End Fuel Poverty Coalition argue the six‑month VAT cut offers only limited relief and does not address the broader issues behind rising energy debt and fuel poverty. Ministers describe the move as significant support for families, while campaign groups and analysts call for more targeted assistance and structural reforms to reduce bills long term.

Lidl is trialling an educational scavenger hunt for children using updated mini trolleys in 100 UK stores from mid-July to encourage learning about fruit and vegetables. The initiative extends the retailer's existing Lidl Foodies schools programme and includes recyclable tags, clues about produce, and summer vouchers for free fruit and vegetables. The scheme targets communities with higher deprivation levels and aims to make grocery shopping more engaging for families while improving children’s understanding of nutrition and food origins.

A sleep specialist recommends a simple method to cool bedrooms during a UK heatwave by placing a tray of ice in front of a fan to create makeshift air conditioning, suggesting it can lower room temperatures within 20 minutes. Additional advice includes ventilating rooms when outside air is cooler, sleeping on lower floors, blocking sunlight during the day, avoiding oven use, and switching to breathable bedding.

Morrisons and Kellogg's relaunched their free summer holiday Breakfast Clubs, offering complimentary cereal, milk and fruit to adults and children at all Morrisons Cafés until September 6 to ease financial pressures on families. Research by the supermarket indicates that many parents struggle during school holidays, with breakfast often the first meal cut when budgets tighten. Company representatives emphasise the importance of providing a welcoming space and continued meal support while schools are closed, and additional in‑café activities and the ongoing Kids Eat Free deal aim to further assist families throughout the summer.

NatWest is notifying customers of major ISA rule changes taking effect on April 6, 2027, following UK government and HMRC reforms. The total £20,000 ISA allowance remains, but those under 65 will be restricted to contributing a maximum of £12,000 to cash ISAs, with the remainder directed to investments. Transfers from stocks and shares ISAs to cash ISAs will be prohibited, and interest on cash held in investment ISAs will incur a 22% charge. The changes aim to encourage retail investment and prevent circumvention of new limits, while pre‑2027 cash ISA savings remain protected.

Royal Mail will end Saturday deliveries for 2nd class letters and shift to an alternating weekday schedule while maintaining a three‑day delivery target. The change follows Ofcom’s 2025 regulatory reforms and is attributed to falling letter volumes. First class and parcel deliveries will continue as normal, with the new system phased in across the UK in 2026.

Royal Mail is ending Saturday deliveries for 2nd class letters as part of reforms prompted by declining letter volumes and Ofcom’s updated Universal Service requirements. The revised system will deliver 2nd class mail on alternating weekdays while maintaining a three‑weekday delivery target. Implementation will roll out across the UK in 2026, with 1st class letters and parcel services continuing their existing schedules.