Jade Wright

HMRC has refunded more than £50 million to around 12,500 pension savers over three months, with an average repayment of nearly £4,000. The overpayments commonly resulted from emergency tax codes applied to flexible or initial pension withdrawals. Savers are advised to check withdrawals, deductions, tax codes and other taxable income, and to apply directly to HMRC where appropriate. Updated guidance also confirms that the State Pension counts as taxable income, with HMRC calculating liability from annual entitlement and collecting tax through other income, adjusted tax codes or Simple Assessment.

Students celebrating A-Level, GCSE and Leaving Certificate results in 2026 can claim a range of food, drink and entertainment promotions across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Zizzi is offering more than 3,700 free pizzas to early arrivals, while PizzaExpress, Bella Italia, Frankie & Benny’s, Las Iguanas, Nando’s, Slim Chickens and other chains are providing free or discounted meals, starters, desserts and drinks under varying conditions. Additional offers include a free Moonpig card with a Millie’s Cookies purchase, free iced matcha from Bird & Blend and free Urban Outfitters photobooth sessions. Many deals require results slips, student identification, vouchers or advance registration, and several are limited or first come, first served.

Tesco is offering free apples to children at participating UK stores until August 30 and extending its Kids Eat Free café promotion until September 1. The café deal provides a free children’s meal with the purchase of an adult item and a scanned Clubcard. Tesco is also supporting families and food charities through discounted food-donation bags, a checkout donation campaign, and continued investment in its school fruit and vegetable programme. The initiatives respond to increased holiday-hunger pressures, with food-bank support for children and demand for redistributed food reported to be above pre-pandemic levels.

Guidance outlines which DWP benefits provide automatic eligibility for a Blue Badge, including higher‑rate DLA, certain PIP mobility scores, War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement and qualifying Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments. Individuals registered blind also qualify automatically, while others may still be eligible after assessment by their local council. The article details circumstances under which applicants without qualifying benefits may receive a badge and explains required documentation and application steps via the Government’s online service.