Rory Poulter

NHS dental patients in England do not have permanent GP-style registration: their formal relationship with a practice generally ends after a course of treatment, although some surgeries maintain informal patient lists. Practices may stop offering NHS treatment to patients who repeatedly miss appointments or cancel at short notice, usually under clearly stated policies. Healthwatch England says many patients misunderstand these rules and is calling for permanent registration, while limited appointments, the NHS contract’s activity-based funding model and movement toward private practice continue to restrict access.

Savers are being urged not to make rushed financial decisions ahead of Chancellor John Healey’s October 28 Budget, amid speculation about changes to pension relief, inheritance tax, investment taxes and savings. AJ Bell estimates that panic surrounding previous Budgets may have led to £10 billion being withdrawn unnecessarily from pensions. Its recommended steps include using Stocks and Shares ISAs and Cash ISAs, reviewing how assets are shared between spouses, considering affordable lifetime gifts, increasing pension contributions where appropriate, and making planned pension payments before existing tax-relief rules change. The Cash ISA allowance for under-65s is expected to fall to £12,000 from the next tax year.

People who find a British passport should complete the official Recovered British Passport form and send it with the document to HM Passport Office using the designated Freepost address. Before posting it, they must cut off the passport’s top-right corner to reduce the risk of interception and misuse. Passports found overseas should be taken or sent to the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate, and finders do not have to provide their own personal details.

HM Revenue and Customs is urging university leavers entering the workforce to download its free app. The app allows users to find their National Insurance number, check tax codes, monitor income and deductions, review employment history, claim refunds and manage other tax and pension-related services. Checking tax details early could help new workers avoid emergency tax codes, payroll delays, overpayments or unexpected bills.

The NHS has launched a temporary vaccination campaign urging people born between September 2007 and August 2008, as well as new university and residential college students under 25, to receive the MenB vaccine following several deadly outbreaks this year. The programme aims to boost protection before the autumn term, with appointments available through GPs, participating pharmacies and a national booking line. The MenB vaccine, administered in two doses, protects against meningitis and septicaemia, which spread easily in close‑contact settings such as university accommodation.

Research from comparison site Uswitch outlines how households can reduce summer energy costs by making small changes such as taking cold showers, drying laundry outdoors and using natural light. Potential savings across the season could exceed £72, though high‑consumption garden items like hot tubs can offset gains. Uswitch urges consumers to consider switching to fixed energy tariffs, which currently offer average savings of £249.

Ofgem warns UK households that overfilling kettles and other common habits are wasting money as energy bills rise following a 13% price cap increase linked to higher wholesale gas prices. Consumer groups criticise the hike and call for government action on long-promised debt relief measures. Ofgem’s ten-point guide outlines practical steps such as reducing kettle use, improving insulation and using appliances more efficiently, which could save households over £300 annually. Vulnerable consumers are encouraged to contact suppliers for hardship support and payment assistance.

UK health authorities warn that July’s heatwave could render many common medications ineffective, particularly when stored in hot cars, bags or direct sunlight. Insulin, liquid antibiotics, inhalers, EpiPens and hormone patches are among the drugs vulnerable to heat damage, while some medications also increase risks of dehydration or sun sensitivity. Officials advise keeping medicines in cool, shaded areas, watching for signs of deterioration, monitoring for dehydration symptoms and consulting pharmacists if concerns arise.

The Department for Work and Pensions has launched a six‑week review of Carer’s Allowance to modernise rules that have remained largely unchanged since 1976. Proposals include replacing the current earnings threshold with a taper, improving support for carers with fluctuating incomes and reconsidering restrictions on paid work. The initiative follows the Sayce Review, which found existing rules outdated and linked them to unintended debts among carers. Government ministers and major carers’ organisations welcomed the review, which will help shape future policy changes after the consultation closes on August 18, 2026.

HMRC is urging sole traders and landlords earning over £50,000 to register for Making Tax Digital ahead of the first quarterly update deadline on 7 August 2026. Registration numbers remain far below expectations, with only 250,000 of an estimated 864,000 affected taxpayers enrolled in the first week. The system requires digital record‑keeping and quarterly submissions, replacing traditional annual returns. A grace period for late filings applies in 2026–27, but a points‑based penalty regime begins the following year. Accountants warn that early errors may affect later submissions, and HMRC advises taxpayers to register promptly and adopt compatible software.

EDF is launching a trial offering eligible customers monthly standing charge discounts that could reduce annual energy costs by at least £150. The initiative adds to savings already achieved through its FreePhase tariffs and comes amid calls for reforms to standing charges that disproportionately impact low-usage households. The trial, part of an Ofgem-backed pilot involving multiple energy suppliers, adjusts unit rates to offset reduced standing charges and has prompted concerns about deals falling outside the price cap. EDF highlights the potential for greater savings through its dynamic and static time-of-use tariff options, while pressure mounts on other suppliers to introduce similar measures as households struggle with rising bills.

The Department for Work and Pensions warns pensioners born on or before September 22, 1960 that Winter Fuel Payments will be reclaimed through the tax system for those earning over £35,000 unless they opt out before September deadlines. Opt-outs carry over to future years unless reversed. The measure follows a Labour policy reversal that restored payments for all pensioners over State Pension age but introduced income-based tax clawbacks, prompting concerns about potential confusion among elderly recipients. Pensioners are urged to verify their circumstances and report changes promptly to avoid repayment issues.

The NHS will expand eligibility for the free RSV vaccine from September 1 to include adults aged 65 to 74 with chronic respiratory conditions or weakened immune systems, adding hundreds of thousands of people to the programme previously limited to those over 75, pregnant women and older adult care‑home residents. RSV poses significant risks for infants and older adults, particularly those with lung disease, and the vaccine provides multi‑year protection with generally mild side effects. Vaccinations will be available through GP surgeries, selected pharmacies in several regions and routine antenatal appointments, and can usually be administered alongside other major vaccines except flu unless clinically necessary.

The Department for Work and Pensions will introduce new powers from October 2026 to recover benefit-related debts, including accessing funds directly from bank accounts and seeking temporary driving licence bans in severe cases. A new Code of Practice explains how the measures will be applied to Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Employment and Support Allowance. Ministers say the changes aim to target deliberate debt avoidance and protect public funds, with enforcement rolled out gradually. Citizens can check and manage debts through the DWP’s online services, and benefit payments will continue to be reduced until debts are settled.