Rory Poulter

Paramount+ will raise UK prices on 27 August 2026, increasing Basic with Ads from £4.99 to £5.99 a month, Standard from £7.99 to £9.99, and Premium from £10.99 to £12.99. The increase comes amid rising costs across streaming and sports services: a high-end combination of major subscriptions could cost about £151.91 per month, or £1,822.92 annually, rising to £2,002.92 when the £180 BBC TV licence is included. Households can reduce costs by using bundles from providers such as Sky, EE and Virgin Media, reviewing bank statements, cancelling unused services and rejoining subscriptions only when needed.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency says motorists should not panic when an MOT certificate includes an advisory, because an advisory is not a failure or proof that a vehicle is unsafe. However, drivers are urged to discuss the warning with a garage and arrange repairs where necessary. RAC research found that 17% of motorists who ignored advisories later experienced a breakdown or collision, while warnings involving brakes, tyres, steering and suspension should be treated especially seriously. The AA also stresses that an MOT is not a service and does not guarantee a vehicle will remain trouble-free for the following year.

Spain’s updated hospitality-sector labor agreement requires bars and restaurants to assess extreme heat and other severe-weather risks and protect outdoor staff. Measures may include shade, cooling, shift changes, staff rotation and limiting outdoor work; terraces could be suspended if conditions remain unsafe, but closures are not automatic. Official AEMET alerts may trigger reviews, and employers could face fines of up to €50,000 for exposing workers to serious weather risks without adequate protection.

A GP warns that tick bites can cause not only Lyme disease but also the rare alpha-gal syndrome, an allergic reaction to a sugar found in mammalian meat. Symptoms may be delayed for hours and range from rashes and stomach pain to potentially fatal anaphylaxis. The warning follows reports that Tom Holland and Zendaya asked for long grass to be cordoned off at Belvoir Castle. People are advised to remove ticks promptly, monitor for symptoms, seek medical help if unwell, and note that routine preventive antibiotics are generally not recommended under NICE guidance.

HMRC is urging taxpayers to submit their 2025–26 Self Assessment returns early rather than waiting for the 31 January 2027 deadline. Early filing can help people budget for their tax bill, correct mistakes, receive refunds sooner and, in some cases, arrange payment through their PAYE tax code. Filing early does not require payment before the January deadline, although first-time filers must register for Self Assessment before using the online service.

Eligible teenagers and first‑time university students in England are being urged to book the free MenB vaccine within the next two months as the NHS launches a campaign prompted by a recent deadly meningitis B outbreak in Kent. The programme targets 17‑ and 18‑year‑olds born between specified dates and under‑25s starting higher education, with vaccinations available via GP bookings and participating pharmacies. Health officials warn the disease can progress rapidly and stress the importance of early protection before the academic term begins. Symptoms requiring urgent medical attention are highlighted, and international and non‑GP‑registered students remain eligible.

MPs warn that raising the UK state pension age to 67 will leave more people in their mid‑60s reliant on the £425 monthly Universal Credit standard allowance. The Work and Pensions Select Committee urges government action, including increasing support for 66‑year‑olds facing barriers to employment and higher poverty rates. Charities including the Centre for Ageing Better and Age UK stress that many older adults with health issues or limited work prospects need additional financial help. The Department for Work and Pensions says it will consider the committee’s recommendations.

UK health authorities warn that high temperatures can degrade medications such as inhalers, insulin, EpiPens, and hormone patches, reducing their effectiveness. The MHRA advises storing medicines in cool, shaded places and notes that vehicles and bags in sunlight can quickly reach unsafe temperatures. Heat can also impair blood glucose monitors and increase dehydration risks for those taking diuretics, blood pressure drugs, antipsychotics, and diabetes medications. Many common treatments, including antibiotics and painkillers, may heighten sunburn susceptibility, with methotrexate posing severe photosensitivity risks. People are urged to check medication leaflets, consult pharmacists, and report adverse effects via the MHRA Yellow Card system.

EDF is launching a trial reducing standing charges by £6.25 per month per fuel, giving eligible households savings of at least £150 while pairing the scheme with its FreePhase time-of-use tariffs. The initiative follows pressure on Ofgem to reform standing charges, which disproportionately affect low‑usage households. Around 150,000 homes will benefit through a pilot involving multiple suppliers, though unit prices may rise to offset reductions. EDF highlights additional potential savings through its FreePhase Dynamic and Static tariffs, which provide lower overnight or fixed‑rate pricing. The move is expected to push other suppliers toward similar offerings amid continued high household energy costs.

The Department for Work and Pensions is urging pensioners born on or before September 22, 1960 to decide whether to opt out of receiving Winter Fuel Payments ahead of deadlines in mid‑September, as anyone earning over £35,000 annually will have the payment reclaimed through the tax system. Opt‑outs will carry forward automatically unless reversed by March 31, 2027. The reminder follows a government U‑turn restoring Winter Fuel Payments to all pensioners above State Pension age, while still clawing back payments from higher‑income recipients. Campaigners warn the rules may cause confusion, and pensioners are advised to review their circumstances and report any changes promptly.