Samantha Leathers

Lifetime ISA savers can face a 25% withdrawal penalty when accessing funds for reasons other than retirement or buying a qualifying first home. Because the penalty applies to the total balance, including the government bonus, a saver who contributes £4,000 and receives a £1,000 bonus could lose £1,250, including £250 of their own money. About £56 million has reportedly gone to HMRC through such penalties since 2018. Experts are calling for reforms, including raising the £450,000 property-price limit and reducing the penalty, while the Treasury says it is consulting on a new first-time-buyer product without withdrawal penalties.

A Swansea University study of 281 parents found that nearly 40% had used unsafe infant-feeding practices because formula was too expensive, including reusing leftover formula, reducing sterilisation and watering down feeds. Almost half had taken on difficult-to-repay debt, 10% reported considering or taking formula without paying, and nearly all said the costs affected their mental health. Researchers led by Professor Amy Brown linked rising prices and inadequate breastfeeding support to anxiety, guilt and postnatal depression, and called for holistic support to improve infant nutrition, health and family wellbeing.

The British Heart Foundation has identified 10 UK areas as “defibrillator deserts,” where residents may face dangerously long waits to retrieve an automated external defibrillator after a cardiac arrest. In rural West Tyrone, the average retrieval time is 19 minutes and 20 seconds. The BHF says early CPR and defibrillation can more than double survival chances, while each minute without treatment can reduce survival by up to 10%. It is urging local leaders to apply for funding from a programme offering 400 defibrillators, which will be registered on the national Circuit network.

Taxpayers who make Self Assessment payments on account must pay their next instalment by midnight on July 31. Missing the deadline can lead to daily interest and late-payment penalties. Those unable to pay are advised to contact HMRC promptly to request a time-to-pay agreement, with Citizens Advice warning that applicants may need to provide detailed information about their finances and household spending.

Many PIP applicants may weaken their claims by understating difficulties or describing only their better days. Applications should explain whether tasks can be completed reliably, safely, repeatedly and in a reasonable time, using real-life examples from the applicant’s worst days. PIP awards depend on how a condition affects daily living and mobility rather than on diagnosis alone, with at least eight points needed for the lower rates. Government data shows that only about 43% of new claims under the normal rules received an award over the past five years.

The Motability Scheme has reduced its standard annual mileage allowance from 20,000 to 10,000 miles, with excess mileage now charged at 25p per mile rather than 5p. An additional 3,000 miles will be provided to eligible customers in rural and isolated postcodes, identified using government data and journey times to essential services. MP Sorcha Eastwood asked whether eligibility could be broadened, but DWP minister Stephen Timms said Motability Foundation and Motability Operations control the scheme. Customers who travel extensively for healthcare, education or employment may be eligible for alternative support.

The new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, announced the removal of VAT on domestic electricity bills from October to ease household costs, but Martin Lewis noted the benefit will be offset by a predicted rise in the energy price cap. Lewis called the tax cut welcome yet warned most households will see little net change in their bills. The measure will be funded by ending the Digital ID programme, with further long‑term plans expected in the next Budget. The government says all energy suppliers will pass the VAT cut on to customers.