Protect your Pocket

Evri has been ranked the worst parcel delivery firm in an annual poll of MoneySavingExpert (MSE) users. The firm rebranded from Hermes in March 2022 after earlier reports of parcel mishandling – yet despite the name change, MoneySavers rated their experience with the firm as significantly worse this year.

You will still be able to use non-barcoded 'everyday stamps' after 31 January for another six months, MoneySavingExpert.com can confirm. The deadline to use these stamps is 31 July. This is despite a series of misleading adverts from Royal Mail saying otherwise. 

You've now got less than six months to use any non-barcoded everyday stamps – those with the Queen's profile on – before they become worthless. Alternatively, you can swap them for barcoded versions for free through the Royal Mail scheme. We take you through what you need to know below.

Higher earners in Scotland will be hit with income tax rises from April next year, while most Scottish social security benefits will rise by 10.1% in line with inflation, deputy first minister John Swinney has announced. The changes come as part of today's Scottish budget – we round up what the new measures mean for you below.

Some claiming Personal Independence Payments (PIP) say they have yet to receive their money for this month, leaving many struggling for cash ahead of Christmas. The disability payments were due to be paid on Monday (5 December).

If you get a text message from the Metropolitan Police in the next 48 hours asking for help fighting fraud, don't ignore it. The organisation is sending text messages to 70,000 people who may have been targeted by fraudsters using a sophisticated online tool to spoof the phone numbers of legitimate companies such as banks. 

Royal Mail has warned that households across the UK could face delays to both parcel and letter deliveries between 24 November and Christmas Eve as 115,000 postal workers walk out for 11 days during the period, which includes Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Here's what you need to know and what you can do if you're facing delays.

Thousands of people whose wills are being held by law firm April King Legal have now been told they'll have to pay for this service, which was previously free. How much you'll be charged depends on the option you pick, but it could be as much as £72 a year or a one-off £125 upon death.

The Prime Minister today (19 October) said she was "completely committed" to the triple lock, meaning millions of people claiming the state pension could receive a 10.1% increase in payments from April. However, given the ongoing cost of living crisis and economic uncertainty the Government has yet to officially confirm whether this will be the case, or whether benefits will rise by the same amount. 

You've now got just 100 days to use any non-barcoded everyday stamps – those with the Queen's profile on – before they become worthless on 31 January 2023. Alternatively, you can swap them for barcoded versions for free through Royal Mail's scheme. We take you through what you need to know below.