Robert Rowlands

A man celebrating being cancer‑free collapsed while on holiday in Gran Canaria after suddenly vomiting blood, later discovering he had life‑threatening internal bleeding caused by an ulcer linked to previous pancreatic surgery. After an initial misdiagnosis abroad, he returned to the UK, where Manchester Royal Infirmary treated him with multiple blood transfusions and surgery. He spent 18 days in hospital, is now recovering, and remains fearful of travelling again after the ordeal.

Millions of UK households are missing out on water bill support through social tariffs, with an estimated 3.8 million eligible homes failing to claim the benefit. Unclaimed assistance totals roughly £745 million annually, averaging £194 per household. Martin Lewis and Citizens Advice criticised the system’s lack of clarity, inconsistent criteria and poor publicity, arguing these barriers prevent many from accessing available discounts. Calls for a standardised, single social tariff were rejected by the government, which critics view as a missed opportunity. Guidance urges households to contact their water providers to check eligibility and seek support if struggling with payments.

Martin Lewis warned MPs that UK energy companies still backbill customers for more than 12 months despite rules preventing it. He said many people are wrongly charged because they are unaware of protections that prohibit billing for energy used over a year earlier when the fault lies with the supplier. Ofgem’s rules outline the conditions under which backbilling is disallowed, and Citizens Advice advises affected customers to dispute such charges and file complaints if necessary.