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Our top tips for money management as a young professional 😁 #Starling #MoneyManagement #YoungProfessional #Tips #MoneyTok 

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GETTING PADS TO PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM.

We get free period and menstrual health supplies to refugees, asylum-seekers and those who can't afford or access them.

We believe everybody should be able to care for their period in a way that works for them and have the products, information and support they need.

Since 2017 we have provided over half a million packs of period products, meaning that people had one less thing to bloody worry about!

Why is it so bleeding important?

Everyone deserves a bloody good period, regardless of how much money they have. Our Ops team works hard to remove the barriers that prevent people getting vital period products they need.

We know that having a regular flow of menstrual products is really bleeding important. How? Our community partners told us so!
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"Please thank the people who give us these pads. They are making our stress less and our happiness flow." - Service recipient from Meeting Point Leeds​

"Women would not leave their hotel or home when menstruating if not for the pads and tampons that BGP provide." - West London Welcome
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"We appreciate all your donations you have given women back the confidence to go out and live without fear of their natural bodily occurrence each month. Thank you for being there." - Manchester Refugee Support Network

Our community partners have told us that having a free supply of period products helped to:

Remove a significant expense for people who menstruate

Improve wellbeing by reducing the stress, worry and shame that can come from having limited financial resources, as well as dealing with practicalities of heavy blood loss, irregular cycles and leaking through clothing.

Make people feel valued and dignified, as people can care for their bodies and health concerns such as heavy bleeding.

Reduce isolation for some people who were now able to go outside.

We partner with organisations across England and Wales as it's the most effective way to reach people who are struggling to afford or access products. This way of working centres around activities they already attend such as food banks, drop-in services and peer support groups. That's why our community partners are so bloody important to us!

Our superstar partners help us to:

Provide a range of high-quality disposable and reusable period products - so people can choose what works best for them and their bodies

Hold workshops where participants can learn about periods and tackle period stigma

Share best practice about delivering period products so that every partner is creating a safe and accessible space for *everyone*

Collect feedback to improve the experience of the people we work with and improve our service delivery

Just an FYI babes!

We no longer accept physical donations of period products.

​

If you have (unopened, in-date) period products to donate, please contact your local food bank to see if they can accept them.

We do accept brand donations if they are able to meet certain criteria and can deliver directly to our partners. Please email us with details of what you can offer - thank you.

Colddddd harrdddd cash honey! Seriously though. It takes £££ to buy products and get them to where they're needed - did you know we deliver 119.4K packs of products last year? We do it by bulk-buying the products requested by our partners (more on that below), direct from suppliers, and delivering them to partners in England and Wales. This way of working enables us to maximise the number of people we can help. Oh yeah, and we also deliver some bloody incredible education sessions on menstrual, sexual and reproductive health which we couldn't deliver without your support. You can be bloody awesome and donate here, or find out about organising a little (or big!) fundraiser here. You can also read more about our new way of working here. THANK YOU. *Please remember, we now have a pad-to-partner way of working, so we're unable to accept any physical donations of any products. Please don't send us any, thanks ever so.*

HOW DO YOU SPEND DONATIONS?

Where we give examples of how your donations can help (e.g. here), those examples are based on: Period products. We've taken an average of costs for the different product combinations that are most frequently requested by our partners. We bulk buy and negotiate some great bleeding discounts. Other costs to make our distribution happen. That includes transporting the products to where they're needed, storage costs for our reusable products, and staff costs to make the logistics, partnerships and magic happen. That magic includes.... Building sustainable, long-term relationships, so we can be sure to get period products to where they're needed, when they're needed - i.e. every single bloody month Supporting our partners with guides on period products and how to talk about menstruation, so we can better support the individual choice and autonomy of the people who receive products from us. We also run education sessions, getting menstrual, sexual and reproductive health information to those less likely to access it, and work to normalise periods for everybody, so your donations can also help us to do that bloody important stuff too.

WHO RECEIVES THE DONATIONS?

We work with over 100 partner organisations across England and Wales, getting period products to refugees, asylum-seekers and those who can't afford or access them. Our partners include foodbanks, Refugee and Asylum groups, and many more... Last year our education program reached 113 refugees and asylum seekers to access better menstrual health knowledge throughout England.

WHY DON'T YOU ACCEPT PHYSICAL PRODUCT DONATIONS ANYMORE?

Because we've changed our way of working, babes! We've refined a way of working that's helped us meet much higher levels of demand in a more efficient way, getting more products out to more people, across a bigger geographical area! Those products are also the ones SPECIFICALLY requested by the people we work with-guaranteed to be brand new and in-date. This model also means we have reduced costs on things like storage -so more money for more pads honey! You can read more about our new way of working here. You can also be bloody awesome and donate here, or find out about organising a little (or big!) fundraiser here. THANK YOU!

WHAT ABOUT MENSTRUAL CUPS, PERIOD PANTS AND WASHABLE PADS?

Bloody Good Period provides period products to refugees, asylum seekers and those who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford or access them. We have always prioritised the needs of the people we work with, trusting them to know which period products they prefer to use, or would like to try. We are mostly asked for disposable products, and we have increasingly included eco-friendly products in that provision. We also distribute menstrual cups, reusable pads and period pants. We have also been able to provide more information and support to those who would like to try reusable products, via our menstrual, sexual and reproductive health education sessions. We find that group support, expert knowledge and space to ask questions are often vital - it's not just about giving out as many cups as we can, but allowing people to understand and work with their bodies in an entirely different way. We are pleased to have been able to distribute a growing volume of reusable products. We have always recognised that there is no one way to manage everyone's periods or one magic solution to period poverty. As a small and growing charity, we also always planned to provide the right support to enable a greater switch to reusables over time, and are thrilled that this change is now happening - whilst also maintaining our focus on meeting the needs of the women and people we work with. Reusable products are not suitable for everyone, or a universal solution to period poverty. For example, refugees and asylum seekers generally live in accommodation without reliable access to lockable bathrooms to be able to practice using cups; or reliable washing facilities to keep cups or reusable pads clean. Many have also suffered trauma, at minimum displacement and the journey to reach this country, but possibly also including FGM, which makes using cups difficult or impossible. Our absolute focus, therefore, is always on getting women and people who menstruate the products they are familiar with and feel comfortable with. If you want to learn more, have a listen to our founder Gabby talking about product preference on Reni Eddo-Lodge's About Race podcast. *Please remember, our way of working has now changed, so we're unable to accept any physical donations of any products. Please don't send us any, thanks ever so.*

Tampons are simply not as popular as pads with the people we work with. We only give away about 1 pack of tampons for every 500 packs of pads! *Please remember, our way of working has now changed, so we're unable to accept any physical donations of any products. Please don't send us any, thanks ever so.*

DO BGP DO ANYTHING BEYOND DISTRIBUTING PERIOD PRODUCTS?

Damn, right we do! We run education sessions for asylum seekers, refugees, and people that cannot normally access it. We support workplace menstrual equity through our Bloody Good Employers program. We raise awareness of menstrual inequity and how it affects women and people who menstruate (read our report here). We talk about periods, helping to make them a normal, comfortable topic of conversation for everyone (check out our social feeds). And we campaign for real, meaningful change. Yep, we are all bloody over it.

I WANT TO HELP! HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

We would bloody love you to! Right now we need your help more than ever in getting pads and products to people who need them. We're seeing an ever-increasing demand for our services and we need £££ to support our work. You can be bloody awesome and donate here, or find out about organising a little (or big!) fundraiser here. THANK YOU.

DOES BGP WORK IN SCHOOLS?

We don't work with schools or colleges, so, unfortunately, are unable to provide products or other support to these institutions. The Government's scheme to provide free period products to all English schools scheme has now launched - find further guidance here. We know this scheme doesn't go bloody far enough in meeting the needs of all young people so we're supporting young activists, and organisations to raise their voice! We are delighted that so many schools are passionate about ending period poverty and are keen to fundraise for us - and we've made a special fundraising pack for you! Here it is!

DO YOU OFFER INTERNSHIPS / WORK PLACEMENTS?

We work with other organisations, including academic institutions, to recruit interns to join the BGP team. These internships are always paid. As we are a small team, we only have capacity to work with a very limited number of interns each year. Internship projects always align with our organisational objectives and work plans, as well as ensure interns gain valuable work experience and development opportunities within an intersectional feminist, activist organisation. We are unable to accept speculative applications.

If you'd like to support us in getting supplies to those who need them, the best thing you can do is to donate, or fundraise for us. THANK YOU, you bloody babe.

Sign up for the bloody newsletter already.

Join our community and stay up to date with our fight for menstrual equity.

​

If you want to support our work, please DONATE!

Your pounds will get turned into period essentials.​

​

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GETTING PADS TO PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM. We get free period and menstrual health supplies to refugees, asylum-seekers and those who can't afford or access them. We believe everybody should be able to care for their period in a way that works for them and have the products, information and support they need.

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The Budget Planner How to manage your money

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The Budget Planner How to manage your money

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How to manage your money

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It can be stressful when your pet is unwell and if you're also worried about money this can make the situation feel worse. The longer your pet is unwell the worse their illness can become. Seeking advice quickly will likely reduce costs overall and be best for your pet's health.

Get advice from your vet first

The first step towards helping your pet is contacting your local vet. Although it can feel awkward to talk about money, it's good to speak honestly with your vet about what you can afford as there may be alternative options.

Your vet should be able to give advice on how best to help your pet but if unable to, there are other options to consider depending on your circumstance and location. Options can sometimes be offered at a reduced cost, free through some pet insurance providers and your vet may provide treatment directly.

Avoid DIY remedies to cut costs

If you're worried about money, you may be tempted to use home remedies or ask people without a professional vet's qualification for help. Unfortunately, many common human products and medications can be very harmful when used on pets. For example, paracetamol is highly toxic to cats and ibuprofen is very toxic to cats and dogs. Complications can be serious and lead to vet costs much higher than the original concern. In some cases, it can result in the loss of the pet, as symptoms may not be seen until serious damage has been done.

Well-meaning people, who are not professionally trained, may also offer you pet health advice and this type of advice may not be suitable or safe to use on your pet for reasons only a trained vet would know.

This is why it's very important to speak to your vet practice if you notice a change in your pet's health or behaviour. Getting your pet to the vet quickly tends to lower the long-term cost of vet bills, as well as helping improve your pet's wellbeing sooner.

How to get medication at a cheaper cost

Costs can vary for the same medication, so it's worth asking your vet if they can write a prescription to use online or bring it to a pharmacy where the price may be lower.

Pharmacies that buy very large amounts of medications at a time can often put a lower price tag for each one. But many vet clinics are small businesses, they cannot buy this larger amount of medication and use it all before it expires.

Your vet will need to charge for writing the prescription and this goes to the cost of running their clinic, but buying some medication this way can still reduce your overall costs.

Can't afford a vet treatment estimate

Unfortunately, there's no NHS for pets and vets need to charge fees to keep their clinics running. While vets are usually unable to lower the cost of their treatments, there are options to consider and discuss with your vet.

Alternative treatments

There could be other treatment options your vet can offer. Lower-cost treatments can offer good results but these options may come with less certainty or with more risks than the higher-cost alternatives. This is something your vet can explain to you.

The more recent advances in medicine and equipment come with an increased cost, and on a low budget, the sort of things you might see on the TV probably won't be available. But there may still be an option that might help your pet feel better.

Credit-based payment plans

Some vets offer payment plans through a credit company if you need help spreading the cost. Not every vet can offer this, but it's worth asking if this is an option.

To decide if signing up for a payment plan is right for you, please contact:

Change your vet

Vet fees vary based on location, which equipment and tests are available, the vet's experience and speciality.

You may want to get a second opinion from a different vet clinic or hospital. There are some vets that set out to provide low-cost services and in some areas, you may find a not-for-profit clinic through companies like the Animal Trust.

You can find a list of vets in your area.

End of life decisions

At times, very sadly the only way to end a pet's suffering is for you to make the final decision about their life. If you would like to talk to someone about this, please know that free help is available through:

Charities that can help

Some animal charities help owners struggling with vet bills, either by providing some of the payment or by offering reduced costs through their own clinics. In most cases, you'll need to fit specific criteria to use them so check first.

To see if any of the below charities offer services that are available in your area please visit their websites. You may find there are charities for your specific area.

PDSA

People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) provides low-cost and free vet care to the sick and injured pets of people in need. Depending on your location and benefit status you may be eligible for support from PDSA.

Cats Protection

Cat's Protection offers free and low-cost neutering schemes throughout the UK.

Dogs Trust

Dogs Trust offers free and reduced-cost vet assistance for people who are in housing crises or are homeless. Visit Dogs Trust to find out more.

RSPCA

The majority of our funding goes to rescuing animals who have been treated cruelly, however through our local branches and hospitals we can sometimes help with vet bills.

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Veterinary Financial Assistance In Your Local Area | RSPCA

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It can be stressful when your pet is unwell and if you're also worried about money this can make the situation feel worse. The longer your pet is unwell the worse their illness can become. Seeking advice quickly will likely reduce costs overall and be best for your pet's health.

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Use our handy eligibility checker to see if you’re eligible for PDSA services.

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How to donate items the right way and change more lives

We're incredibly grateful that so many people support Tŷ Hafan by donating items to our shops, but there are some items that we cannot sell or recycle. Please make sure that you read the guidance below before donating, as it does cost us vital money to dispose of we can't sell.
Find the items you're looking to donate
Visit our Donate your preloved items page and find the items you're looking to donate.
Read our Guidance
Read our guidance about what we can and can't accept, and the items we can recycle to raise funds for our life-changing services.
Take a look at our top tips
Read and follow our pre-donate top tips. This will help us process and sell your items quicker, saving us valuable time and money.
Find your local shop
Use the search tool above to find your nearest Tŷ Hafan shop and its opening times. We have a number of shops across South and West Wales, all brimming with a vast range of quality pre-loved items.
Get in touch
Give your local Tŷ Hafan shop a ring to check if it's currently receiving donations. We have limited space in our shops, which means we sometimes have to stop accepting items for a short period.
Visit your local shop
Visit your local Tŷ Hafan shop, meet our friendly staff and volunteers, and drop off your items.
Don't forget to Gift aid it
If you're a UK taxpayer, don't forget you can use Gift Aid to boost the value of your donation by a huge 25%. Sign up online now, ask about Gift Aid in your local Tŷ Hafan shop, or show your Gift Aid donor card if you're already signed up.
Feel proud
Sit back and feel proud that you've done something wonderful to support children with life-limiting shortening conditions and protect our planet.

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We're incredibly grateful that so many people support Tŷ Hafan by donating items to our shops, but there are some items that we cannot sell or recycle. Please make sure that you read the guidance below before donating, as it does cost us vital money to dispose of we can't sell.

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© 2012 St David's Foundation Hospice Care, Registered Charity Number: 1010576. Registered in Wales Number: 2700097.
Registered Office: Blackett Avenue, Newport, NP20 6NH. Company Limited by Guarantee.

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St David's Hospice Care | St. David's provides hospice care to over 2000 people with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses

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© 2012 St David's Foundation Hospice Care, Registered Charity Number: 1010576. Registered in Wales Number: 2700097. Registered Office: Blackett Avenue, Newport, NP20 6NH. Company Limited by Guarantee.

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Advicelink Cymru - Free, Independent, Impartial Advice

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Advicelink Cymru are an independent charity that provides free, confidential and impartial information and advice to the residents of Wales.

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Advice, tips and tools to help you make the best choices about your health and wellbeing.

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Get help to work out how much money you owe and which debts you should pay back first.

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Debt advice | Free debt advice | National Debtline | National Debtline

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National Debtline is a debt advice service run by the Money Advice Trust. The Money Advice Trust is a registered charity: no. 1099506. A company limited by guarantee Registered in England and Wales: no. 4741583.

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Where to get help with debts - Shelter Cymru

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Get free, confidential and independent advice on dealing with debt problems across the UK - telephone, fax, opening hours, website

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Advice, tips and tools to help you make the best choices about your health and wellbeing.

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Advice, tips and tools to help you make the best choices about your health and wellbeing.

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Enter your postcode and locate your nearest branch of the British Heart Foundation. Find our offices, charity shops, heart clubs, CPR training centres and more

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Work out the best ways to save money and how to reach your savings goal | National Debtline

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Gaming and Gambling/ Chwarae Gêmau a Gamblo

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Gaming and Gambling/ Chwarae Gêmau a Gamblo

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Benefits and Entitlements/ Budd-daliadau a hawl i fudd-daliadau

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Benefits and Entitlements/ Budd-daliadau a hawl i fudd-daliadau

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Keeping my money, possessions and myself safe/ Cadw fy hun, fy arian a'r eiddo sydd gen i yn ddiogel

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Keeping my money, possessions and myself safe/ Cadw fy hun, fy arian a'r eiddo sydd gen i yn ddiogel

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Healthy Start Vouchers/ Talebau Cychwyn Iach 

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Healthy Start Vouchers/ Talebau Cychwyn Iach 

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What is Healthy Start?

If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

If you're eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. We'll add your benefit onto this card every 4 weeks.

You can use your card to buy:

plain liquid cow's milk

fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables

fresh, dried, and tinned pulses

infant formula milk based on cow's milk

You can also use your card to collect:

Healthy Start vitamins - these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding

vitamin drops for babies and young children - these are suitable from birth to 4 years old

If you live in Scotland

You can get help from Best Start Foods (opens in a new tab) instead.

Advice on healthy eating

For more advice on healthy eating, visit:

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If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. If you're eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops.

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DryNites® Pyjama Pants give unbeatable protection, so kids can go to bed worry free, have a dry night's sleep, and wake up awesome.

5 layers for unbeatable protection

Discreet for comfort and confidence

Designed to look and feel like real underwear

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DryNites® Pyjama Pants - Request A Free Sample | DryNites® UK

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DryNites® Pyjama Pants give unbeatable protection, so kids can go to bed worry free, have a dry night's sleep, and wake up awesome. 5 layers for unbeatable protection Discreet for comfort and confidence Designed to look and feel like real underwear

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Apply for a chance to test Pampers New Baby or Active Fit nappies

As part of the Pampers Comfort & Care Club project, 2 teams of lucky Squaddies will try out Pampers New Baby and Pampers Active Fit taped nappies, and introduce them to their soon-to-be parent & parent pals!
Click here and apply now!

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As part of the Pampers Comfort & Care Club project, 2 teams of lucky Squaddies will try out Pampers New Baby and Pampers Active Fit taped nappies, and introduce them to their soon-to-be parent & parent pals! Click here and apply now!

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One-to- one workshops/ Gweithdai un-i-un

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One-to- one workshops/ Gweithdai un-i-un

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We can run workshops for young people on any of the topic areas covered in our resources.

In the one-to-one workshops we are able to go into more depth on an issue, providing guidance based on the individual's needs.

For more information contact Bethan Wilson, Development Officer, Children in Wales. gettingready@childreninwales.org.uk

Gallwn ni gynnal gweithdai i bobl ifanc ar unrhyw rai o’r meysydd pwnc sy’n cael sylw yn ein hadnoddau.

Yn y gweithdai un-i-un byddwn ni’n gallu edrych yn fanylach ar rywbeth, a rhoi arweiniad ar sail anghenion yr unigolyn.

I gael rhagor o wybodaeth, cysylltwch â Bethan Wilson, Swyddog Datblygu, Plant yng Nghymru. gettingready@childreninwales.org.uk

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Birthday Freebies/ Rhoddion am ddim ar dy Ben-blwydd

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Birthday Freebies/ Rhoddion am ddim ar dy Ben-blwydd

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Get free birthday stuff including food and drink as well as other discounts with newsletter subscriptions, loyalty cards, coupons and more.

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Healthy Start Vouchers/ Talebau Cychwyn Iach 

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Healthy Start Vouchers/ Talebau Cychwyn Iach 

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Get an application leaflet - see below where you can get it from. You need to fill in Part A of the application form carefully in black ink using CAPITAL letters.

Due to changes in the law, you no longer need to get a health professional to sign your Healthy Start application form. This means you can leave Part B blank. However if you are pregnant you need to complete your estimated due date in Part B. Don't forget that you/the applicant still needs to sign the application in Part A, Section 7.

Make sure all the information on the form is correct and that you have signed and dated it.

Send the form to us at the address below - either write the address on a plain envelope (you don't need a stamp) or use the freepost envelope at the back of the application leaflet if you have one.

Applying for Healthy Start FAQs:

Do I still need a midwife/health visitor to sign my application form?

Since 6 April, a health professional signature is no longer required.

I've completed my application (apart from the healthcare professional signature). Can I just send it in now?

Since 6 April, you no longer need a health professional to sign your Healthy Start application form. This means you can leave Part B blank. However if you are pregnant you need to complete your estimated due date in Part B. Don't forget that you or the applicant still needs to sign the application in Part A, Section 7.

Why can't you just issue vouchers automatically to everyone on benefits? Why do I still need to apply?

Not everyone who is on benefits or tax credits is eligible for Healthy Start vouchers and by law Healthy Start vouchers can only be issued after a completed application is received. If you are eligible for Healthy Start vouchers, you will be invited to apply - all eligible families are sent a partly filled in form for them to complete and send back.

How to get the application leaflet

You can get an application leaflet by:

asking your midwife or health visitor for one

calling the Healthy Start helpline on 0345 607 6823 and asking them to send one to you by post

filling in the form online and then printing it off to check and sign

emailing a blank form (PDF) to yourself

or downloading it directly from this website. If you are emailing a blank application form to yourself or downloading it from this website, you will need to have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print it.

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Get an application leaflet - see below where you can get it from. You need to fill in Part A of the application form carefully in black ink using CAPITAL letters. Due to changes in the law, you no longer need to get a health professional to sign your Healthy Start application form.

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Little Village only operates in London, but there are more than 200 baby banks across the UK.

If you'd like to support a baby bank local to you, or if you need support, check out this interactive map to see who's where.

This map may not include all baby banks. If you would like your baby bank to be added to the map, please click here.

If you are struggling to look at the map on your phone, try rotating your phone to landscape.
Creating a national alliance of baby banks
Four partners ( Little Village, Baby Bank Network Bristol, Save the Children and Purposeful Ventures) are working together to explore the creation of a new national baby bank alliance whose aim is to increase the profile and impact of the vital work undertaken by over 200 baby banks run in local communities across the UK. Our hope is that an alliance will help baby banks to share knowledge and resources, attract funding, in kind donations, corporate partners that they couldn't secure alone and grow the overall baby bank movement.

For more information on the Baby Bank Alliance, please visit the website here: www.babybankalliance.org

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Little Village only operates in London, but there are more than 200 baby banks across the UK. If you'd like to support a baby bank local to you, or if you need support, check out this interactive map to see who's where. This map may not include all baby banks.

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Cow & Gate™ Pregnancy, Baby Advice, Weaning | Join C&G baby club

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Register for C&G Baby Club - Free Pregnancy Advice & Cute Cuddly Cow - C&G baby club

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Discover the benefits of joining C&G baby Club. Free pregnancy advice, baby freebies including a cuddly cow, a free pregnancy diary, offers & more. Join today!

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Lots of free goodies for Ella's Friends | Sign-Up to become friend

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Welcome to the Ella's Kitchen family! As one of our very special Friends you can look forward to your free weaning pack.

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Parenting Club | Earn Extra Points | Expert Parenting Advice - Boots

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Exclusive to Boots, collect 8 points for every £1. Get expert advice to help you through the early years of parenthood

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'Refurbished phones': what does it mean?

The term 'refurbished phone' generally refers to a pre-owned handset that has been sent back due to a fault and has been repaired for re-sale.

Not all phones described as refurbished were at one stage faulty, though. Some networks and retailers classify 'refurbished phones' as handsets that were returned by customers who changed their mind within the 30-day cooling-off period after they signed up for a contract.

Before being put on sale, all refurbished phones have been thoroughly checked and tested to ensure they're in full working order.

Tests carried out by the seller typically include whether the battery charges and checking the buttons and cameras work. The seller will also verify audio quality and screen responsiveness, as well as how the phone connects to Wi-Fi and 3G/4G.

In keeping with Data Protection Act, the seller will securely wipe any data on the phone. So to all intents and purposes, you'll be starting afresh.

Some refurbished phone sellers update the handset to the latest version of the operating system that powers it.

Should I buy a refurbished iPhone?

Let's face it, an iPhone has been the must-have piece of tech for the last decade. But unfortunately they come with a price tag to match. So, if you're looking into getting an iPhone but don't want to spend a fortune, buying a refurbished iPhone might be a good alternative.

Where can I buy a refurbished iPhone?

When buying a refurbished iPhone, we always recommend using a reputable retailer. Luckily, most of the best-known UK providers now sell refurbished phones on monthly contracts.

If you want to buy a refurbished phone outright, mobile specialists such as Carphone Warehouse and Direct Mobiles stock a huge range of refurbished iPhones. Alternatively, popular sites such as Amazon and eBay will also have a wide variety to choose from. Just be sure you read the small print to check what condition it's in before you buy it.

You can even buy a refurbished iPhone direct from Apple.

Will a refurbished iPhone be covered by Apple if it has any software issues?

Yes. If you have any problems with the software, you can take it into an Apple Store and an Apple Genius will take a look at it for you.

Buying a refurbished iPhone that's almost as good as new

We bought a certified pre-owned (CPO) refurbished iPhone 6S from buymobiles.net. And I have to say, we were very impressed.

It came in official iPhone-branded packaging with an Apple charger included in the box. So far, so good. Even more impressive, the device itself looked every inch the shiny new smartphone, without a single scratch or blemish to indicate that the device was refurbished.

And once we fired it up, the iPhone 6S worked just as smoothly and speedily as any brand-new Apple device we've tried. As the reviews on the site attested, it really would be difficult to spot the difference between the refurb and a new handset.

Buying a refurbished iPhone in good condition

We ordered a refurbished iPhone 6s and iPhone 7 from Direct Mobiles.

As you'll note from the photos, this time around they didn't come in the original packaging and instead arrived tucked in generic white packing boxes.

They also didn't include chargers, headphones or the pin you require to open up the phone and insert your SIM.

The Lightning Connector cables that you'd find in the box if you bought the phones new were missing too.

So you'd have to stump up extra to get hold of those. Unless you've got old ones hanging around, that is.

Any nicks and scratches, though? Well, under forensic inspection we noticed the tiniest blemish at the top right on the rear of the iPhone 7. But we had to look very hard to see it.

Conversely, the iPhone 6s looked perfect. If you'd positioned it next to a genuinely new 6s and tasked us to tell the difference a la Pepsi Challenge, we'd have been stumped.

Once again, we spent a week with them for testing purposes. We got a day's full use out of the iPhone 7 on a full charge and about six hours or so from the 6s. Both worked with the sort of zip you'd expect from a new handset too.

When you buy a pre-owned phone from Direct Mobiles you don't get a manufacturer warranty.

But you are covered by a 12-month warranty from Direct Mobiles, so you've got some recourse in the event that a fault does become apparent some way down the line.

Should I buy a refurbished Samsung phone?

In the interests of research, we bought a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and brand new edition of the same phone from mobilephonesdirect.co.uk.

So what was the difference? What were we missing out on buying a nearly-new phone? Essentially, nothing at all.

On the right in the photos here is a freshly unboxed, brand new S7 Edge.

On the left is the refurbished model. Housed in an identical Samsung-branded box, the refurbished phone arrived free of blemishes, nicks or scratches to the screen or body. It's genuinely as good as new.

In the box for the refurbished S7 Edge, there was an official Samsung charger, Samsung headphones, instructions and a pin for opening the SIM tray. These were all identical to those supplied with the new handset.

The refurbished phone was also fully wiped, so there's no trace of the former owner's data. Or any intimate photos that you really don't want to see.

We used the phones for a week and in that time found the refurbished phone to be just as speedy and smooth as the new one. From the camera to the responsiveness of the screen, everything was in full working order. And we found no difference in battery life either.

It's perhaps not too surprising that refurbished phones from mobilephonesdirect.co,uk are a good buy.

A bit of research reveals that the previously-owned phones the retailer classes as refurbished have been used for a maximum of 14 days, before being returned by a customer who changed their mind.

They weren't returned because they were faulty, so there's peace of mind in that. And they'll have been tested by engineers before being resold too.

It's also well worth nothing that the retailer's refurbished phones come with a 12-month warranty. Unless you opt for an iPhone that is, in which case your warranty is six months.

One thing we did discover is that although the headphones were included with our refurbished S7 Edge, they're not included with all refurbished phones sold by mobilephonesdirect.co.uk.

But given that you can pick up pretty good headphones for not much more than £10 on Amazon, that's something we can live with.

As for pricing, there's certainly money to be saved by opting for a refurbished phone.

We found a deal from mobilesphonesdirect.co.uk that got you 3GB of data and unlimited calls and texts for £32 a month, with no upfront cost for the handset. Which means that, over a 24-month contract, you'll pay a total of £768.

If you'd bought the phone brand-new from O2's website with the same allowances, you'd be looking at paying £40 a month, plus £9.99 upfront for the handset. Which, over the course of the 24-month contract, would set you back a total of £969.

So that's a saving of £201 overall. Which means you can book a citybreak or that spa weekend you've been promising yourself.

Compare mobilephonesdirect.co.uk refurbished phone deals.

Refurbished phones: pros and cons

'Should I buy a refurbished phone?' is a question Uswitch Tech is frequently asked via its Twitter feed and on Facebook. We can't make that decision for you. But here's what you need to know to help you make up your mind.

With some brands and retailers you can make significant savings, especially if you don't mind whether you've got the latest handset.

When you buy from a big network or established retailer you'll get a warranty, which is usually 12 months.

They'll also include a charging cable or charger.

It's not guaranteed whether you'll receive other accessories that were originally bundled with the phone, such as headphones.

You definitely won't get the original packaging. Refurbished phones tend to come in plain boxes or network-branded packaging. So you won't quite have that nice feeling of unboxing a brand new phone. But if you manage to save money on the deal, that might not bother you.

Where to buy refurbished phones

Lots of networks and specialist phone retailers sell refurbished phones, including O2, Vodafone and Mobilephonesdirect.co.uk.

You can also pick up a refurbished phone from auction sites, high-street retailers and specialist re-sale-and-recycle sites such as Envirophone.

How much cheaper are refurbished phones?

That depends. With newer handsets, especially iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s, there's often very little, if any, difference in price between refurbished phones and brand-new ones. So you may as well buy brand new.

But with some brands, you can definitely save money.

For instance, at the time of writing, the total price difference over the course of a two-year contract between a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S7 on EE and a brand new one also on EE was about £100. That's for the same monthly allowances.

You can also save money if, say, you want an iPhone but aren't fussed whether it's a newish edition. Discontinued models, such as the iPhone 5s, can he had very cheaply on refurbished phone contracts.

Do refurbished phones come with a warranty?

Warranties with refurbished phones depend on where you buy them.

Buy from a major network or retailer, which are the only refurbished phone vendors we have on Uswitch, and you'll get a 12-month guarantee.

That's the case with O2, for instance. And same goes for Vodafone and Carphone Warehouse subsidiary Mobiles.co.uk.

Buy from a trader on eBay or Amazon and they'll also typically offer a guarantee of up to 12 months.

If you're buying from an individual/private seller rather a trader on eBay, the process of getting a refund is more complicated and could depend on the written description of the phone on the listing.

What's better refurbished or used?

If a phone is described as refurbished and you're buying it from a network, an established retailer or a trader on an auction site, you can be sure the phone has been tested, cleaned, wiped and is covered by a warranty. So you've got peace of mind in every way.

The term 'used' is harder to define, so you'll need to be more cautious. It's usually favoured by private sellers on auction sites and could mean anything from a few scratches, to battered by frequent drops.

Under eBay's terms of use, a faulty item can still be returned to a private seller within 30 days for a refund.

Refurbished phones grading

All refurbished phones are given a grade that reflects their condition. There's no universally applied standard for grading, so it's best to check before buying.

But as a rule of thumb, the grades range from A-D and break down like this:

Grade A. This is as nearly new as nearly new gets. At best, it'll be a phone returned within the 30-day cooling-off period, so is to all intents and purposes still a brand new phone. At worst, it'll show negligible signs of wear.

Grade B. Expect the odd chip or scratch, but nothing too unsightly.

Grade C. Refurbished phones graded 'C' will have perhaps up to five blemishes and will look like they've been used.

Grade D. A grade D refurbished phone will be broken in some way, will look second-hand and will have been well used.

Most networks will only sell grades A-C. You can get grade D phones from some refurbished phone traders on eBay, but even they'll typically recommend you only buy one if you're able to repair phones yourself.

To complicate things further, some networks use their own grading system. O2, for instance, favours the grades 'Perfect', 'Almost Perfect' and 'Perfectly Fine'.

But where networks do use their own system, you can usually find a key explaining grades on their site.

Found a refurbished phone you like off contract?

Good news. Now you just need a good SIM only plan.

You can compare SIM only contracts at our dedicated comparison page.

Looking to sell your old phone?

From how to write product descriptions to tips for cleaning up your phone so it looks its best, head to our guide to help you get the best price when you sell your phone.

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Should you buy a refurbished phone? A complete guide

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The term 'refurbished phone' generally refers to a pre-owned handset that has been sent back due to a fault and has been repaired for re-sale. Not all phones described as refurbished were at one stage faulty, though.

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If you are entitled to NHS treatment and meet certain conditions you may get help with the costs of:

NHS dental treatment

sight tests

glasses and contact lenses

necessary travel to and from hospital for NHS treatment under the care of a hospital consultant

To find out if the scheme can help you, try the online checker or complete a HC1W form.

You can apply for the scheme as long as your savings, investments or property (not including where you live) do not exceed:

£24,000 for people who live permanently in a care home

£16,000 for everyone else

Please note that the Low Income Scheme does not entitle you to NHS treatment. It helps people who are entitled to NHS treatment with certain costs.

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Low income scheme: help with NHS health costs

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If you are entitled to NHS treatment and meet certain conditions you may get help with the costs of: NHS dental treatment sight tests glasses and contact lenses necessary travel to and from hospital for NHS treatment under the care of a hospital consultant To find out if the scheme can help you, try the online checker or complete a HC1W form.

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To find a dentist in your area use theSearch for a Dentist facility.
How do I know if I am registered with a dentist?
Since 1st April 2006 patients are no longer required to be registered with a particular dentist. Patients can continue to see their usual dentist, who can choose to maintain a list of regular patients to whom they provide regular or ongoing treatment or care.

How do I access a dentist?
You can use our Search for a Dentist facility to look for a dentist in your area. You can then contact the practice to see if they can make an appointment for you or include you on their patient list.

What am I entitled to when I am treated by a NHS dentist?
When you are treated by an NHS Dentist you are entitled to:

A written estimate and treatment plan that details NHS treatment and any private treatment you have agreed

A practice information leaflet

All treatment necessary to secure and maintain oral health

Advice and, where necessary, treatment in an emergency

A national set of charges

A maximum charge per course of treatment

Free or reduced cost treatment for some groups of patients

For some patients, an examination and sometimes care provided at their home

Access to a formal complaints procedure

Private treatment as an alternative to, or in addition to, NHS treatment.

How often should I have a routine check up with a dentist?
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) have published guidelines to help dentists decide on how often each patient needs a routine check up. If you have been used to regular check ups every 6 months, this is not always the case any more. The time between routine check ups can be longer or shorter depending on how healthy your teeth and gums are. Your dentist will discuss this with you and decide on the length of time needed until your next check up.

Can I register for NHS or private care?
At the outset your dentist will agree with you whether your treatment will be under the NHS, or private, or a mixture of both. If you are not sure at any time, do not hesitate to ask your dentist or the practice receptionist.

Will I have to pay for treatment?

You can get free NHS dental treatment if when the treatment starts you:

Are aged under 18;

Are aged 18 and in full time education;

Are pregnant or have had a baby within the 12 month before treatment starts;

Are an NHS in-patient and the treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist;

Are an NHS Hospital Dental Service out-patient;*

*There may be a charge for dentures and bridges. Or, when the treatment starts or when the charge is made:

You receive or are included in an award of someone receiving Universal Credit and meet the criteria.

You get or are included in an award of someone getting: Income support, or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Related Employment & Support Allowance or Pension Credit guarantee credit; Income groups page

You are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate;

You are named on a valid HC2W certificate.

Partial Help: If you are named on a HC3W certificate you might get some help towards the cost of your NHS dental treatment. Read Low Income Scheme

Free NHS Dental Examination

You get free dental examinations if you are:

Aged under 25 on the day you are examined in Wales; or

Aged 60 or over on the day you are examined in Wales.

Any subsequent treatment as a result of the free examination carries the appropriate charge.

More information is available on the help with health costs website.

What if I am not entitled to free treatment?
Before treatment begins, your dentist will discuss the procedures that are required and the probable cost, based on the new dental charging system. Your dentist must give you a written treatment plan and confirmation of the cost of the treatment if:

You ask for one at any time

You are seeing that dentist for the first time

You are considering having all or part of your treatment carried out privately

You are having a relatively long or complicated course of treatment

When you pay for your treatment you will be given a receipt. Your dentist will discuss methods of payment with you. The dentist is entitled to ask you to pay before you receive your treatment.

Since 1 April 2006, you will not have been charged for missed appointments - but if you continue to miss appointments they may decide not to offer you treatment in the future. A dentist may also terminate a course of treatment if the patient is violent or refuses to pay any charge due.
How much does NHS dental treatment cost? Charges for NHS Dentistry

If you are exempt from NHS dental charges, you will receive free treatment and care.

If you pay for NHS dental treatment, there are three standard charges.

You pay one charge even if you visit more than once to complete a course of treatment.

The amount you pay will depend on the treatment you need.

You will pay one of the three charges below:
£14.70
This includes examination, diagnosis and preventative care. If necessary, it will include X rays, scale and polish and planning for further treatment. Urgent and out-of-hours care costs £14.70.

£47.00
This includes all necessary treatment covered by the £14.70 charge PLUS additional treatment such as fillings, root canal treatment or extractions.

£203.00
This charge includes all necessary treatment covered by the £14.70 and £47.00 charges PLUS crowns, dentures and bridges.
There is no charge for an NHS prescription.
Dentures
Repairs to dentures remain free of charge. If you lose or damage your dentures beyond repair, it will cost £58.50 to replace them.

For more information contact your local health board.
Click here to download a poster with this information.
What do I do if I need emergency treatment?
You should try arranging an appointment with a dentist. To find a dentist in your area use our Search for a Dentist facility.

What do I do if I need treatment in an emergency when the surgery is closed?
Since 1st April 2006 responsibility for arranging out-of-hours dental services has been taken over by the Health Boards. This means that if you have a dental emergency when the dentist you usually see is closed, the Health Board will have a system in place to help you. You will be able to gain appropriate clinical advice (and treatment when necessary) by telephoning a local number. This number will be advertised by your dentist on their answerphone.

What is a dental emergency?
The following are classed as emergencies:

Dental bleeding that will not stop.

Acute Spreading infection (Swelling of the lip, tongue or cheek).

Damage to teeth or jaws as a result of accident.

Toothache, no matter how bad, is not classed as a dental emergency. If you would like advice on pain relief you should contact your dentist. You can also find out who to contact for information from the Useful Numbers and Links section of our Dentists-Information and Links page.
What happens if my NHS dental treatment goes wrong?
If you were provided a restoration (filling, root filling, inlay, porcelain veneer or crown) as part of your course of treatment, and it fails within 12 months, your dentist should carry out any work needed to repair or replace the restoration free of charge. For example, if you have a filling that falls out after six months, your dentist should replace it for free. This also applies to dental appliances, such as dentures, bridges and braces. However, if you lose or damage an appliance (denture, bridges and braces), or if it needs replacing due to wear and tear, you will have to pay the full NHS dental charge for replacing it.

If your dental treatment does need repair work or replacement within 12 months, you should return to the same NHS dentist that did the original work.
How do I make a complaint about my dentist? The NHS Wales operates an independent process for raising concerns and complaints called 'Putting Things Right' More information on the 'Putting Things Right' process can be found here.
Under Putting Things Right, if you wish to complain about any aspect of the services provided by your dental practice, you should raise these concerns directly with your dental practice, or via the practice manager, within 12 months of the incident or problem occurring. If you do not want to deal with the practice directly, you can contact the concerns team at your local Health Board instead. Your local Community Health Council can also provide free confidential advice and support to patients who have a complaint about NHS services.

If you are not satisfied with the final response to your complaint, you can address your complaint directly to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. The Ombudsman is independent of all government bodies and the service provided is impartial and free of charge. You can find out more about the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales by viewing the website of The Public Service Ombudsman for Wales.

How do I complain about a private dentist?
The Dental Complaints Service has been set up to assist private dental patients and dental professionals resolve complaints about private dental services. To seek their help with a dental complaint, telephone 020 8253 0800 in office hours (Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm) or complete a form via their website www.dentalcomplaints.org.uk

Can my dentist change from being an NHS to a private dentist?
Yes; dentists are independent practitioners so they can change from being an NHS to a Private dentist. As an NHS patient you are entitled to 3 months notice prior to the change over. It is up to you whether you decide to stay with your dentist and pay privately or look for an alternative NHS dentist.

Can I ask for a second opinion?
You can ask your dentist to refer you for another opinion if you are unsure about a treatment plan. Your dentist may refer you to a hospital or to a Dental Reference Officer. If you see another dentist for a second opinion you may have to pay a private charge.

Am I entitled to see my dental records?
NHS & Private patients have a right to copies of their dental records. To obtain copies patients should make a written request to the dentist and, in certain circumstances, provide proof of identity. You may be required to pay a fee for obtaining your records (up to £50 for manually held records and up to £10 for computer held records) this is to cover administration costs. The dentist must normally supply copies of the requested record within 40 days.

What is the Community Dental Service (CDS)?
Community Dental Services provide treatment for people who may not otherwise seek or receive dental care, such as people with learning disabilities, elderly housebound people, people with mental or physical health problems or other disabling conditions which prevent them from visiting a dentist.

What should I do if I'm holidaying in Wales and need access to a dentist/orthodontist?
If you need to see a dentist or orthodontist (for damaged braces that are causing pain/discomfort and cannot be left until you return home), and it is during normal dental practice working hours, it is advisable to contact a dental practice or orthondontist that is close to where you are staying to see if they can see you as an emergency patient.

As you will be seen as a private patient, private fees will apply. The total cost will depend on what treatment is provided. It is advisable to discuss costs with the practice before having the treatment.

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NHS 111 Wales is available 24 hours a day, every day. You can call if you are feeling ill and unsure what to do. You can also access a wide range of health information on conditions, treatments and local health services.

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Council Tax exemption/ Eithriad i’r Dreth Gyngor

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Council Tax exemption/ Eithriad i’r Dreth Gyngor

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The plan to take forward regulations to exempt care leavers under 25 from paying council tax is set out as responses to a consultation with local authorities, voluntary organisations, taxpayers and care leavers themselves are published.

The feedback to the consultation has been very positive, with 91% of respondents supporting the proposal to provide this additional help to care leavers and 80% agreeing the exemption should be extended to the age of 25.

The principle of exempting care leavers from paying council tax has been widely accepted for some time, but the level of support available to care leavers across Wales has been inconsistent.

The new legislation is the latest in a series of measures designed to make council tax fairer in Wales - a key Welsh Government commitment.

Finance Minister Rebecca Evans said:

"I am keen the Welsh Government and local authorities do everything possible to support care leavers and support their successful transition into adulthood and independent living.

"Today's announcement is another positive step in our pledge to make council tax fairer and I want to thank everyone who took part in the consultation."

As council tax bills start to arrive through the letterboxes of homes across Wales, the Finance Minister is urging people to check if they are entitled to help paying their bill.

The minister added:

"There are many discounts, reductions and exemptions available and I would encourage everyone to check the Welsh Government website to see if they could be paying less council tax."

More information about the support on GOV.WALES
The regulations to exempt care leavers from paying council tax will be laid before the National Assembly in early March.

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Young care leavers to be exempt from paying council tax

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The plan to take forward regulations to exempt care leavers under 25 from paying council tax is set out as responses to a consultation with local authorities, voluntary organisations, taxpayers and care leavers themselves are published.

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If you have submitted an application in May 2020, due to restrictions implemented relating to the Covid-19 virus, we ask you to to please bear with us during these challenging times. As a small team, we are working hard to request and receive relevant references and supporting information for the Trustees, and to purchase and organise deliveries where grants have been agreed and goods can be ordered. If we have not yet contacted you please be assured we will do so as quickly as we can, given the current situation.
The Capstone Foster Care group, has historically made donations to charities that work to assist disadvantaged young people to help them get started in adult life. The creation of The Capstone Care Leavers Trust has enabled young people who have been in local authority care to benefit from financial support not available elsewhere.

Many young people who have been in 'Care', either in Local Authority foster care placements or in children's homes, are expected to live independently from as young as 16 years old. They do not have access to the same financial and family support systems that most young people experience, when able to continue living in the parental home as young adults. So many care leavers begin their adult lives with no family support at all, no-one to rely on, and minimal financial resources.

Typically, we would consider awarding grants for:-

It is not however, the intention, or responsibility of the CCLT to replace grants, funding or any other types of financial support and services available to care leavers from statutory, or voluntary organisations. These areas of support must have been thoroughly explored before we are able to consider an application for a grant.

All information that you provide to us will be treated confidentially and will only be shared with third parties relevant to the decision making process. We will monitor outcomes of grants we make, in order to help us evaluate our effectiveness and improve our service for care leavers in the future.
Please Note: The Capstone Care Leavers Trust (CCLT) is a charity in England and Wales. As such its Trustees are free to make, or refuse grants within its officially registered areas of operation. A refusal is usually made with regret and often with explanation and/or advice. We are prepared to listen if you have got evidence that we have got something wrong. However, the Trustees' decisions, usually communicated through the Manager, are final.

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If you have submitted an application in May 2020, due to restrictions implemented relating to the Covid-19 virus, we ask you to to please bear with us during these challenging times. As a small team, we are working hard to request and receive relevant references and supporting information for the Trustees, and to purchase and organise deliveries where grants have been agreed and goods can be ordered.

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Discretionary Assistance Fund/ Cronfa Cymorth Dewisol

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Discretionary Assistance Fund/ Cronfa Cymorth Dewisol

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The Discretionary Assistance Fund provides 2 types of grant that you do not need to pay back.

Emergency Assistance Payment (EAP)

A grant to help pay for essential costs, such as food, gas, electricity, clothing or emergency travel if you:

are experiencing extreme financial hardship

have lost your job

have applied for benefits and are waiting for your first payment

You cannot use it to pay for ongoing bills that you cannot afford to pay.

Individual Assistance Payment (IAP)

A grant to help you or someone you care for live independently in their home or a property that you or they are moving into.

What you can use the grant for

Use the grant to pay for:

a fridge, cooker or washing machine and other 'white goods'

home furniture such as beds, sofas and chairs

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The Discretionary Assistance Fund provides 2 types of grant that you do not need to pay back.

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St Davids Day Fund/ Cronfa Dydd Gwyl Dewi

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St Davids Day Fund/ Cronfa Dydd Gwyl Dewi

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The St David's Day fund is money that you can ask for to help with your health and wellbeing, development and independence.

It isn't instead of other money you can get, it is extra support and does not have be paid back.

What can you use the money for?

You can use it for things like equipment to help you learn, taking part in activities or enjoying a hobby, or furniture for your home.

Who can get the money?

There are some rules about who the local authority can give the money to but it includes young people in lots of different situations, like:

young people looked after aged 16 or 17

care leavers under 18

care leavers aged 18 or over

young people who have left care but get back in touch with the local authority because they want to go back to education or training

young people who left care under a Special Guardianship Order

young people aged between 21-24 who are not in education or training but need help with money to live on their own

Make sure you ask

Ask your social worker or personal advisor for information about how the St David's Day fund works in your Local Authority and whether in your situation you can apply.

Don't miss out by not asking!

Things to ask

Ask your social worker or personal advisor what you can apply for, if they can give you examples of how others have used it and whether there is anything you cannot use it for.

You might also want to ask if they have any written information about it that you can take away to read, or if they can send you a link to online information.

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St David's Day fund - Children's Commissioner for Wales

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The St David's Day fund is money that you can ask for to help with your health and wellbeing, development and independence. It isn't instead of other money you can get, it is extra support and does not have be paid back.

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Use the Turn2us Grants Search to find out which grants you may be eligible for.

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Welsh Water - HelpU Tariff/ Cynllun HelpU Dŵr Cymru

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Welsh Water - HelpU Tariff/ Cynllun HelpU Dŵr Cymru

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How does it work?

The HelpU tariff helps the lowest income households in our region. If you qualify, we will cap your water bill so you won't pay over a certain amount for the year.

If you have a water meter, you will never pay more than the amount you have used. If your consumption is less than the HelpU cap amount, you will only be billed for the amount of water you have used.
The annual HelpU charge is £250.00 (£108 for water, £142 for sewerage). The tariff is open from 1st August 2020.
Are you eligible?

To qualify for the tariff:

the water supply to the household must be for domestic use only

someone in the household must receive at least one means-tested benefit

the combined annual household income must be on or under the threshold for the household size as shown in the table below.

It's important to let us know the total number of occupants (including children) in your household and to include all the income your household receives from occupiers who live at your property who are aged 16 years and over.
Here's a list of types of the means-tested benefits which someone in the household must be receiving at least one of:

Pensions Credit

Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

Income Support

Income-related Employment & Support Allowance

Child Tax Credit

Working Tax Credit

Universal Credit

Housing Credit

Housing Benefit

Council Tax Reduction / Support

Special Note: We exclude some types of income from the combined annual household income calculation (such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and disability/carer benefits and premiums).

You would also need to reapply for the tariff at the end of every 12 month period.

For more information please refer to our Terms and Conditions.

How do I apply?

You can apply online with our HelpU application form.

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The HelpU tariff helps the lowest income households in our region. If you qualify, we will cap your water bill so you won't pay over a certain amount for the year. If you have a water meter, you will never pay more than the amount you have used.

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Priority Services Register/ Cofrestr Gwasanaethau â Blaenoriaeth

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Priority Services Register/ Cofrestr Gwasanaethau â Blaenoriaeth

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If you find it hard to deal with your energy supply you could get extra help from your energy companies - for example, large print bills or more support during a power cut.

To get extra help, you can apply to be added to your electricity network priority services register. Your electricity network is the company that manages your electricity cables.

Your electricity network will give your details to your energy supplier so they can add you to their priority services register as well.

Check if you're eligible

You'll normally be able to get priority services if your energy companies class you as 'vulnerable'.

You could be classed as vulnerable if you:

are disabled or have a long-term health condition

are recovering from an injury

have mental health problems

don't speak or read English well

have children under 5 or are pregnant

have reached your State Pension age

If your situation isn't listed, you might still be able to sign up for priority services for other reasons - for example, if you're recently bereaved or you've returned to living independently after some time in residential care.

If you're eligible for support from your energy provider because you're vulnerable, you might also be able to get help from an NHS volunteer.

You can ask a volunteer to go shopping for you or collect a prescription. You can also talk to a volunteer on the phone if you're feeling lonely because you're self-isolating.

Check how to get help from an NHS volunteer on the Royal Voluntary Service website.

After you've applied

Your energy companies might contact you to ask extra questions about what help you need.

It's worth calling them if you don't hear anything within 2 weeks - you can find their phone numbers on their websites.

Ask them:

if you're on their priority services register

what support they can offer you - give as much detail as you can about your needs

If you move home

Your new home might be covered by a different electricity network. This means you'll need to apply for priority services again.

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Getting extra support from your energy supplier

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If you find it hard to deal with your energy supply you could get extra help from your energy companies - for example, large print bills or more support during a power cut. To get extra help, you can apply to be added to your electricity network priority services register.

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Warm Home Discount Scheme/ Cynllun Disgownt Cartref Cynnes

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Warm Home Discount Scheme/ Cynllun Disgownt Cartref Cynnes

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You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2023 to 2024 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

The money is not paid to you - it's a one-off discount applied to your electricity bill between early October 2023 and 31 March 2024.

You'll usually get the discount automatically if you're eligible. You only need to apply if you're on a low income in Scotland - contact your energy supplier to apply.

If you might be eligible, you'll get a letter by early January 2024.

If you do not get a letter and you think you're eligible, you must contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme before 29 February 2024.

You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you're eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.

The discount will not affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.

Eligibility

There are different ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme depending on where you live.

If you live in England and Wales

You qualify if you either:

If you live in Scotland

You qualify if you either:

Pre-pay or pay-as-you-go meters

You can still qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter.

Your electricity supplier can tell you how you'll get the discount if you're eligible, for example a voucher you can use to top up your meter.

Park (mobile) homes

You apply a different way if you live in a park home.

Apply for the Park Homes Warm Home Discount.

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The Warm Home Discount Scheme could take £150 off your winter electricity bill - eligibility, how to get your discount, deadlines.

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If you need emergency food, want to make a food donation or are interested in volunteering, find your nearest Trussell Trust food bank using our map.

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FREE books online/ Llyfrau AM DDIM ar-lein

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FREE books online/ Llyfrau AM DDIM ar-lein

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Listened to a good book and know someone else who'd enjoy it? If you've bought any Audible books (from Amazon's audiobook service), there's a trick which allows you to gift copies of them to friends and family.

To send a book, you'll need to own it already and have it in your 'My Library' section of the Audible app - but what's good is to do this trick you don't need to be a current Audible subscriber, and neither does the person you're sending it to.

Select the three vertical dots next to your chosen title and hit 'Send this book', then you can pick whether to send it by email or messaging app.

You can send as many of your audiobooks as you like, but bear in the mind the person you're sending it to will only be able to download and listen to it for free if it's the first time they've been sent an Audible book, so whichever you send them, make sure you pick wisely.

The recipient can then send the book to others themselves in the same way. You're also able to download your first book sent by a friend for free.

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20 tricks to access 1,000s of free e-books & audiobooks

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Lockdown has brought out the bookworm in many of us. And with libraries and bookshops currently off limits for most people, digital books can't be beaten for convenience. So we've updated our 20 easy tricks to access thousands of e-books and audiobooks for free.

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Make the most of the child's HWB account/ Gwneud yn fawr o gyfrif HWB plentyn

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Make the most of the child's HWB account/ Gwneud yn fawr o gyfrif HWB plentyn

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Mobiles- shopping around/ Ffonau symudol – cael y fargen orau

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Mobiles- shopping around/ Ffonau symudol – cael y fargen orau

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Compare our best mobile phone deals, phone contracts and SIM-only offers on Uswitch

We compare mobile phone deals on hundreds of thousands of offers, from pay monthly smartphone contracts to SIM only offers, to help you find the best package for your needs.

As well as highlighting attractive time-limited offers that you might otherwise miss, we negotiate exclusive Uswitch deals and tariffs you won't find anywhere else. And which always have our customers' needs in mind.

Compare mobile phone deals

Whether it's the most popular handset, cheap phone contracts, or you need a generous data allowance, we're confident we can help you find the mobile deal online that you're looking for. And if you're happy with your existing phone and just want a cheap SIM only deal, we can definitely assist you with that too. Our comparison tables help you look through our cheapest phone plans and take the fuss out of finding mobiles deals.
Compare phones and check out our best mobile phone deals here: Mobile phone deals online
Compare phone contracts: tools and tables

Maybe you need a lot of call minutes on a SIM only deal? Or maybe you want a 4G phone from a particular network? Perhaps you don't want to pay anything upfront for your handset?

The good news is that you we've got all those buying criteria covered in our extensive, but simple-to-use mobile phone comparison tables.

That's not all, though. We've also got handy filters that let you search by monthly cost, contract length, 4G or 3G service and much more.

Whether you prefer to buy direct from a network or want to seek out a cheaper mobile phone deal from a retailer, we've got that covered too.

If you're not sure how much data you need, we can help with that too. Our mobile Data Calaculator asks a few quick questions about your smartphone usage then gives you a useful estimaate of how much data you need.

Maybe you just want to switch phones or weigh up our best upgrade deals? See how the latest iPhone 12 compares to the iPhone 11, which Samsung Galaxy has the best camera or even which smartphone is best for gaming. Check out our handy Handset League Table to compare specs and features of all the latest smartphones.

Our best mobile phone deals 2021: news

Updated daily, Uswitch Mobile Phones' news section brings you the latest news about unreleased smartphones, hands-on videos, rumours round-ups and bite-size, easy-to-digest guides to the latest handsets.

You'll also find news and consumer guides about new tariffs and customer incentives from networks, as well as improvements to coverage and service outages.

And we'll highlight deals and price reductions that we think are worthy of your attention too, to help you make an informed buying decision.
Get up to speed with new mobile phones deals, info and releases at our dedicated news section: Mobile phone news
How does Uswitch make money?

When you buy a phone or sign up for a SIM only deal from Uswitch, we receive a fee from the relevant network or retailer. This allows us to provide you with a market-leading, free-to-use comparison service.

The commercial arrangements we have with providers also enable us to make the switching process smoother and negotiate exclusive deals that you'll only find at Uswitch.

Sponsored content and adverts

At Uswitch, we work with our providers to highlight select deals and offers. We receive a fee for this, which helps us keep our site free for users.

This can include sponsored content or promoted deals and adverts. Anything that has been paid for by a provider or manufacturer is clearly labelled on our website.

How do you determine the order of mobile phone deals in your comparison tables?

We take the hassle out of comparing mobile phone deals. Our service includes thousands of deals - so we have developed a formula to highlight the ones we think are good value and balance any upfront and monthly costs. To make it clear which these are, we label them 'promoted'.

Our promoted deals may not always be the cheapest option, but you can be sure you're getting a fair price and competitive monthly allowance from a reputable provider. We're confident that highlighting these is the most effective, time-saving way of helping our customers find a deal that works for them.

If you prefer to filter deals by monthly cost, though, you can. And you can apply filters for call minutes, upfront cost and contact length too.

Why are some networks not represented in Uswitch's comparison tables?

We cover the vast majority of the mobiles market, including major networks and retailers. But with hundreds of thousands of mobile tariffs available online, it's not possible to show every single combination to our customers.

We want to make sure that providers on our site have a track record of delivering a decent service to customers. For this reason, you may find some 'virtual networks' are not listed on our tables.

What's a Uswitch exclusive deal?

When you're looking through our mobile comparison tables you may see a deal marked as 'Uswitch exclusive'. This means that it features a substantial discount or is bundled with a free voucher, and that the retailer has listed this particular deal exclusively on Uswitch. You won't find it anywhere else.

To secure exclusive, money-saving offers for our customers, we negotiate extensively with our full range of partners. Not only does this generate competition between retailers, but it ensures that our customers are offered some of the UK's leading mobile phone deals and tariffs.

If a deal is 'promoted' on Uswitch's tables, then it has been lent additional visibility as a result of us securing exclusivity on a great deal, or a commercial agreement to showcase what we believe to be market-leading value to consumers.

Our promoted deals may not always be the cheapest option, but you can be sure you're getting a fair price and competitive monthly allowance from a reputable provider.

Mobile phone end of contract notifications

Are you in or out of your mobile phone contract?

Networks are now legally obligated to let you know when you're nearing the end of your contract with them. And they also have to get in touch with you once a year if you're eligible to switch with a reminder that you can move to a different tariff.
Want to find out more? Take a look at our guide to mobile end of contract notifications.
Mobile phone reviews

From the highest-end smartphones at the cutting edge of technology to more affordable, less fully featured handsets, Uswitch Mobile Phones puts all the latest smartphones to the test in our reviews section.

If you need help choosing between phones, you can take a look at our head-to-head reviews, where we compare two smartphones vying for your cash.

You can trust us to get behind the marketing hype for fair and honest reviews. Just as importantly, we promise we won't blind you with techy jargon.

Here's a selection of handsets that were especially well received by our team of reviewers:

Mobile phone guides

How do you get the most out of your mobile internet allowance? What exactly is an MVNO? How much will international roaming cost you? And what do the smartphones of the future have in store for us?

Our jargon-busting guides are where we answer all these questions. And a lot more besides. It's everything you ever wanted to know about mobile phones, but were too afraid to ask.
Need some help? Take a look at Uswitch Tech's consumer guides. Can't see what you're looking for? Check out the top 10 mobile phones at our dedicated comparison page: Top mobile phones

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Best Mobile Phone Deals - Compare our Cheap Contracts

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We compare mobile phone deals on hundreds of thousands of offers, from pay monthly smartphone contracts to SIM only offers, to help you find the best package for your needs. As well as highlighting attractive time-limited offers that you might otherwise miss, we negotiate exclusive Uswitch deals and tariffs you won't find anywhere else.

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Could you get an interest free overdraft?/ Allet ti gael gorddrafft heb log?

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Could you get an interest free overdraft?/ Allet ti gael gorddrafft heb log?

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If you use an overdraft this is borrowing money.
Only use an overdraft if you need to!/

Os wyt ti’n defnyddio gorddrafft, rwyt ti’n benthyg arian.
Paid â defnyddio gorddrafft oni bai bod angen!

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Many banks have recently hiked their overdraft rates after the financial regulator gave them the green light last year. Here's how to pay less.

New measures to make overdrafts easier to understand with a simple, single interest rate were introduced in 2020 by banks following pressure from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Unfortunately, the FCA didn't cap the cost of an overdraft, so many banks decided to hike their rates, which was permitted after months of investigation by the regulator.

The FCA believes that seven out of 10 overdraft users will be better off or see no change, but it's worth flagging it is possible to pay nothing for your overdraft.

That's because a number of banks offer free arranged overdrafts - for the time being.
How do I get out of debt? Cheapest ways to pay off what you owe
Best bank accounts for free overdrafts

Below is a list of accounts that still offer an interest-free overdraft.

You should arrange an overdraft when you first set up the account.

In some cases, you'll need to use the Current Account Switching Service to be eligible for the fee-free overdraft.

As a final point, these accounts are by no means an answer to persistent debt problems.

If you find yourself constantly in the red and struggling to keep your head above water, it's time to get free debt help.

We've arranged this table first by the duration of the free overdraft and then by free overdraft limit.
*You'll need to use the Current Account Switching Service to switch to this account and there's no interest charged for the overdraft for the first four months only. It's also worth flagging the 1|2|3 account has a £5 monthly account fee, which will fall to £4 a month from 12 April.
First Direct 1st Account

First Direct offers an ongoing £250 fee-free arranged overdraft, which should be enough to deal with the odd, unexpected bill.

Beyond that point, its overdraft charges are pretty hefty at 39.9% although First Direct's customer service is consistently rated as excellent.

First Direct's account is free and you'll also have access to a 1% regular saver account.

Unfortunately, you won't be able to get £100 for joining First Direct, but you can get £100 for leaving the bank if you're unhappy with the service.

M&S Bank Current Account

The M&S Bank Current Account comes with an ongoing fee-free arranged overdraft of £250 although after that point, you'll pay a hefty 39.9%.

This account has no monthly fee and unfortunately you won't have access to a regular saver account (at the time of writing).

Lloyds Bank Club Lloyds

The Club Lloyds current account has a fee-free arranged overdraft of £50 with a typical interest rate of 29.9% for over this amount.

The account comes with many perks like in-credit interest of 0.6% (recently cut from 1%) on balances between £1 and £4,000 and 1.5% (down from 2%) for balances between £4,000 and £5,000, but you'll need to pay out two separate Direct Debits every month.

You also get the choice of one lifestyle benefit like six free cinema tickets, an annual magazine subscription, annual Gourmet Society membership or 12 digital movie rentals.

You will need to pay in at least £1,500 a month in order to avoid a £3 monthly fee.

Nationwide FlexDirect

If you've got a good credit rating but know you've got a tumultuous year coming up, then Nationwide's FlexDirect account could be a good option.

That's because it provides a 12-month fee-free arranged overdraft.

The credit limit you'll get depends on your status but could be considerably higher (they give an example of £1,200) than the ongoing fee-free overdraft accounts discussed above.

However, you'll need to know that you can pay off your overdraft by the end of the 12-month period - otherwise be prepared to pay a high 39.9% in interest.

This account is free and offers 2% interest on balances of up to £1,500 for the first 12 months.

If you know you are likely to need to borrow money, then a 0% purchase card could give you far longer to pay off your debts.

Santander 1|2|3 and Everyday current accounts

Both of these accounts offer a fee-free arranged overdraft for four months.

The bank gives an example of £1,200, but it may be less, depending on your credit rating.

But you'll need to use the Current Account Switching Service to move your banking to Santander.

For the 1|2|3 account, you must pay in a minimum of £500 a month to the account, set up at least two Direct Debits and it will cost you £5 a month.

The monthly fee will drop to £4 from 12 April - but the amount of interest will also be cut from this date.

The Everyday account is free.

Paying off your overdraft

If you only have a limited interest-free arranged overdraft period, like those offered by the Santander accounts, you'll need to have a plan in place to pay it off - or you'll start being charged interest.

For some top tips, read our guide to getting rid of your overdraft for good.

If you're struggling with your debts, there are plenty of places to get free, expert, confidential debt advice - we've listed them in Where to get free debt advice.
This article is regularly updated.
More on banking and borrowing:
How to get an interest-free loan: cheap and free borrowing The best 0% money transfer credit cards

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Cheap and free overdrafts: best current accounts for those who go overdrawn

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New measures to make overdrafts easier to understand with a simple, single interest rate were introduced in 2020 by banks following pressure from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Unfortunately, the FCA didn't cap the cost of an overdraft, so many banks decided to hike their rates, which was permitted after months of investigation by the regulator.

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Local marketplaces etc/ Marchnadleoedd Lleol etc

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Local marketplaces etc/ Marchnadleoedd Lleol etc

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https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/
https://www.depop.com/
https://www.shpock.com/en-gb
https://www.freecycle.org/
https://www.freeads.co.uk/
https://www.ebay.co.uk/

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Discounts & Vouchers/ Gostyngiadau & Talebau

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Discounts & Vouchers/ Gostyngiadau & Talebau

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https://www.groupon.co.uk/
https://www.vouchercodes.co.uk/

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https://www.quidco.com/
https://www.topcashback.co.uk/

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Broadband- Shopping around/ Band eang – cael y fargen orau

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Broadband- Shopping around/ Band eang – cael y fargen orau

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What is a good broadband deal?

A good broadband deal is one that suits the needs of your household. It isn't always the cheapest, the fastest, or the deal with the most extras - it's the deal with the most of what you need.

If you only use your broadband occasionally and usually just use it for email and social media, a good deal could well be the cheapest one you can find.

If you have avid gamers living with you, Netflix shows constantly on the go, children at home using the internet, or you regularly work from home, a good broadband deal could be one that offers the most reliable connection and fast download speeds.

At the end of the day, the best broadband deal is the best one for you.

But remember, the needs of your household can change over time, which means that whatever makes a good broadband package now may not be suitable for you a year or two down the line.

When searching for the best package for your household, consider what you'll be using the internet for, what extras you'd like to get (TV bundles, landline services, mobile phone deals, etc) and what you definitely want to avoid.

You can compare a wide range of broadband deals with Uswitch.com. Just filter your postcode search results by speed, price and provider to help you make the most accurate choice.

See our guide for more info on how to choose a broadband package that's right for you.

Best broadband deals on Uswitch.com in January 2021

What are the best broadband deals in my area?

The best broadband deals in your area will depend on the fixed lines and the infrastructure where you live, meaning not all broadband deals will be available to your home.

If you have your heart set on a provider that advertises 300Mbps download speeds, you might end up being disappointed if it turns out your house could only get a fifth of that because the network is not established in your neighbourhood.

If your street has had a full fibre, or fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) network installed then ultrafast, or even gigabit broadband speeds, could be yours for the taking. However if you only have access to traditional copper phone lines, you'll be limited to more widely-available but slower connections like superfast FTTC (fibre-to-the-cabinet) broadband or standard copper-based ADSL.

Before browsing and comparing broadband deals online, first use our broadband postcode checker to narrow your search down to deals that you can actually get. You'll then have to confirm the availability at your specific address on the provider's site after you click on a deal you like.

We recently launched a much more accurate broadband checker that can actually tell you which broadband deals and speeds you can get at your home, not just your local area. Try our Broadband Network Checker for more specific results from several of the UK's biggest providers.

How to compare broadband deals

Here are a few things to consider when finding the right deal for your household:

Check the monthly price

The first thing most of us look at when comparing internet deals will be the price. And if you've finished your initial contract, a new broadband deal will usually be cheaper than your current one.

You would have committed to a fixed-term contract when you initially signed up, but when that period runs out your provider will likely hike up the price by a significant amount - which Uswitch has found to be as high as 61% at times.

So straight away when comparing new deals, you know that you'll be able to save money by switching.

End of contract notifications

Organising your household bills can be complicated. With so many contracts to keep track of, it's easy to forget when you initially signed up for each service. But it's important to know that if you've unknowingly finished your fixed-term broadband contract, you might be paying more than you should be right now.

If you can't remember when you signed up, there's no need to worry. Ofcom has made it compulsory for broadband providers to remind you when your contract is ending - or to let you know if you're already out of contract - in order to help you avoid an expensive price hike.

This notification must also come with an offer of similar deals that the provider currently has available, but it's worth noting that those deals won't necessarily be better than other offers on the market. So it's always helpful to browse deals across a range of providers before you go for the first one you see.

To get more information, like when you should be notified and additional services the provider might offer, check out our full guide on end of contract notifications.

Compare broadband speeds

After price, broadband speed is usually the most important deciding factor when choosing a broadband package.

Faster download speeds let you do a lot more online at any one time and allow you to stream in a higher quality, but they typically come with a higher monthly price as a result. So make sure you choose a broadband service that's fast enough, but don't go for more speed than you need if you want to keep costs down.

Of course, you could always prioritise finding the cheapest broadband package on offer, but if it's not a fast enough speed for your household's demand, it won't really be that much of a deal for you.

Check the contract length

Broadband contracts tend to be offered as either 12- or 18-months long, with a few providers offering flexible rolling plans or, at the other end of the spectrum, 24-month contracts. But don't be scared of longer contracts - despite being a lengthy commitment, they often just mean that you'll be paying a lower monthly price for a longer period of time.

Just be cautious if you're a student or renting your home, as you don't want to get stung with early termination fees if you have to move before your contract is finished.

Keep in mind setup costs

Make sure to check for setup costs on the deal you want as they can offset some of the savings you make from a low monthly price.

Setup costs are clearly shown below monthly prices on all of the deals we display - they typically include all the delivery, installation and activation costs you will incur when purchasing a specific broadband package.

Extras, add-ons and bundles

There's more to life than just broadband - there's a whole host of additional services that are available with many broadband packages. You can compare broadband packages from providers that combine services like landline call plans, pay-TV subscriptions (known together as triple-play) or even mobile contracts (quad-play) from larger providers.

Free gifts, vouchers, reward cards and cashback

In order to make their deals stand out, providers will often "sweeten the pot" with some kind of reward or incentive - like cashback, bill credits or a free gift of some kind.

Depending on the value of these rewards (and specifically their value to you), they can make the effective monthly cost more 'worth it', or enrich your package a little bit more. These rewards are typically limited-time offers, but don't let that force you into making a decision too quickly.

If you know what you want from a new broadband deal, try not to be seduced by short-term wins like a £100 gift card if it's not the right deal for you. However, if the deal is what you're looking for, don't wait too long because you might miss out on some good freebies.

What broadband speed do I need?

The higher the speed, the faster you can download files and the higher quality your streaming content will be. But how much broadband speed do you really need, and are the top-end options really worth you paying a higher monthly price?

Broadband speeds are usually quoted in Mbps, which stands for "megabits per second". This refers to the amount of data you can download (and upload) in a second.

If you're happy with how fast your current broadband connection is, then it's a good idea to only search for deals that provide your current speed. It's very easy to filter out deals with higher or lower speeds than what you're looking for on all of our Uswitch deals tables - just go through the left sidebar and choose the speeds you'd like.

Read our guide for more detail on what broadband speed you need.

What's my broadband speed?

A good way to find out what speed you currently have is to run a broadband speed test while you're at home and connected to your Wi-Fi. This will tell you the download and upload speeds you have with your current package.

You can then use that reading to search for broadband deals that match your speed criteria. If you're finding your broadband is slow, unreliable, constantly buffering or taking ages to download content, then it would make sense to look for something faster.

Broadband speeds for your home

0-30Mbps (1 - 2 people per household)

Fine for those that don't use the internet for much more than browsing the web or social media.

Mostly serviced by ADSL broadband, which offers average download speeds of 10Mbps.

30-60Mbps (3+ users per household)

Suitable for multiple people using the internet at the same time, especially when streaming video.

Infrequent streamers and smaller houses can likely get away with a broadband deal offering these speeds.

Fibre broadband packages will give a more consistent, reliable service.

60-100Mbps (serious streaming households)

You'll want to make sure you've got a steady connection to try to avoid buffering, especially if multiple members of the household are streaming or gaming at once.

Aim to have at least 63Mbps to ensure uninterrupted streaming, gameplay and frequent file downloads for larger households.

Faster fibre broadband deals are usually only a few pounds more per month and are worth it for heavier broadband users.

100Mbps or higher (working with large files and downloads)

Ideal for serious online gamers and those with a lot of connected devices throughout their home.

Great for people who often work from home and need to download lots of large files.

Faster connections are vital for households with multiple conference calls at once and those that want the fastest speeds for high-quality gaming.

To get more detail on how much download speed certain devices use up, check out our broadband download speed calculator.

Which are the most popular broadband providers in the UK?

BT: The UK's largest telecommunications provider - and the most established - with a history spanning back over 160 years.

Sky: Best known as one of the biggest TV brands in the UK, Sky has a great selection of broadband and TV bundles.

Virgin Media: Virgin Media is one of the few providers that runs on its own dedicated cable broadband network, offering some of the fastest speeds in the country.

TalkTalk: Known for its range of competitively-priced offerings that focus on value for money.

Plusnet: A popular brand for value-led broadband products and great customer service.

Vodafone: One of the UK's largest and best-known mobile network operators, Vodafone also provides superfast fibre services with discounts available for mobile subscribers.

Will I get the advertised broadband speed?

Broadband speeds are always advertised as 'average speeds', meaning you won't always be guaranteed to get that speed every time you use the internet on your Wi-Fi.

In order to be accurate, average speeds are measured during peak times - between 8pm and 10pm when most people are online - and must be available to at least 50% of users. This means you've got a 50/50 chance of getting speeds above or below this number.

What can affect your broadband speed?

There are a range of factors that can impact the broadband speed you get.

1. The type of connection you have

In general, fibre broadband offers faster and more reliable speeds than ADSL broadband, which makes sense since fibre-optic cables transfer more data in a given time period and suffer from fewer interruptions than the copper wires ADSL relies on.

2. How far you live from the exchange or cabinet

Despite its name, fibre broadband doesn't necessarily mean your connection is serviced entirely by fibre-optic cables. In a lot of cases, it just means that most of it is.

If your fibre package is fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC), the final journey of the connection from the local street cabinet to your home is serviced by the same traditional copper wires as ADSL broadband. Therefore, the farther you are away from that cabinet, the more reliant you are on copper cables, which means your connection might be slower.

However, fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) technology, commonly known as full fibre, does in fact connect fibre-optic cables straight from the broadband exchange to your property, which eliminates the slowdown you get between the cabinet and your home. This results in the fastest connections available, with gigabit speeds (1000Mbps/1Gbps) potentially in reach.

3. Where you put your router

If you're experiencing slow internet speeds, the solution could be as simple as moving your Wi-Fi router to a better spot. Let's face it - routers aren't the prettiest of things, so we tend to hide them behind furniture or in cabinets.

However, this interferes with the Wi-Fi signal in your home and could slow your broadband connection down significantly, especially if it's blocked by thick walls, surrounding metal, or even a fish tank. For a better signal throughout your home, keep your router in a central location out in the open and ideally away from any other electronic devices.

Take a look at our guide for more help on how to fix broadband connection problems in your home.

4. The time of day

Just like rush hour traffic, the busier the internet is, the slower it tends to be. With more people using their Wi-Fi during peak times, the demand on broadband providers drastically increases, which results in slower speeds for each household. Again, this is an issue that mainly affects people on ADSL broadband plans.

Sometimes a provider's Fair Usage Policy measures will kick in, which might occasionally cause slower speeds for you if there are others in the area who aren't getting their fair share of bandwidth.

Read more about the Fair Usage Policy in our dedicated guide.

Can I get fibre broadband?

Fibre broadband is far superior to ADSL, and is now available to over 95% of the UK. Also, as its availability has increased the market has become much more competitive, meaning fibre broadband is usually very reasonably priced these days and often not much more expensive than ADSL deals.

The majority of providers offer fibre broadband deals that are well worth the few extra pounds per month. Compared to ADSL, fibre broadband has a couple of significant benefits:

Faster speeds: Fibre broadband will always be faster than ADSL and can range from roughly 36Mbps to 1000Mbps (or 1Gbps), depending on the type of fibre connection you choose. By comparison, ADSL broadband can usually offer around 10Mbps.

Reliability: Due to the infrastructure behind it, fibre broadband offers a more reliable connection than ADSL. Fibre-optic cables can carry more data than copper wires, so households with fibre broadband won't experience the same sluggish broadband during peak times.

Compare broadband bundles and packages to find a better deal

While broadband is pretty much a household utility nowadays, it probably isn't the only essential service you'd get from a telecoms provider. So if you're looking to get a landline or TV subscription as well as broadband, it could work out cheaper to combine them into a bundle of services.

Broadband and phone packages

A number of broadband providers offer call packages as well, which can potentially save you money if you're still using your landline. If you're interested in finding a broadband deal with calls included, check out our dedicated comparison page for broadband and phone deals.

Broadband and TV bundles

In addition to calls packages, a number of major broadband providers offer pay-TV services bundled together with their broadband deals. These are better value only when you're looking to take full advantage of your TV package, whether that's by watching exclusive content, recording shows or watching live sports or events.

Once you know what features and channels you want out of a broadband and TV bundle, you can compare broadband and TV deals on our featured page.

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Broadband Deals - Compare Best January 2021 Broadband Packages | Uswitch.com

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We scour the entire market and the leading broadband providers to bring you the top broadband, TV and home phone offers and use our market position to secure market-leading exclusive deals that you won't find anywhere else. Compare broadband, TV & home phone deals BT, EE, TalkTalk, O2, Sky, Virgin Media and more.

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You get Child Benefit if you're responsible for bringing up a child who is:

Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child.

There's no limit to how many children you can claim for.

By claiming Child Benefit, you can get:

an allowance paid to you for each child - you'll usually get it every 4 weeks

National Insurance credits which count towards your State Pension

a National Insurance number for your child without them having to apply for one - they'll usually get the number shortly before they turn 16 years old

If you choose not to get Child Benefit payments, you should still make a claim to get the other advantages.

If your circumstances change

You must report any change of circumstances to the Child Benefit Office.

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Child Benefit - child benefit rates, eligibility, how to claim, child benefit claim form CH2.

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£125 Pupil Development Grant/ Grant Datblygiad Disgyblion o £125

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£125 Pupil Development Grant/ Grant Datblygiad Disgyblion o £125

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Children whose families are on lower incomes and qualify for certain benefits can apply for a grant of:

£125 per learner

£200 for learners entering year 7 (to help with increased costs associated with starting secondary school)

All compulsory school years from reception to year 11 are now eligible.

All looked after children qualify for the grant, whether they receive free school meals or not. Learners who receive free school meals due to transitional protection arrangements do not qualify.

Families are only entitled to claim once per child, per school year.

The 2023 to 2024 scheme is now open and will close on 31 May 2024.

To apply for this grant please contact your local authority.

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Funding to buy school uniform, equipment, sports kit and kit for activities outside of school for your child.

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Check if your child can get free school meals and find out how to apply on your local authority's website.

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Welcome to the offers hub, where you can find our best exclusive discounts sourced just for Mumsnetters. Join our Insight panel to sample products, complete surveys, or enter one of our fabulous family competitions. Plus, sign up for our weekly Money Saver newsletter to get weekly deals straight to your inbox, or chat about deals and offers on our Talk boards.

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Best offers, deals & discounts 2020 | Mumsnet

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Welcome to the offers hub, where you can find our best exclusive discounts sourced just for Mumsnetters. Join our Insight panel to sample products, complete surveys, or enter one of our fabulous family competitions. Plus, sign up for our weekly Money Saver newsletter to get weekly deals straight to your inbox, or chat about deals and offers on our Talk boards.

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Find out all about Bounty Packs | Bounty

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Find out how to get hold of one of the world famous Bounty Packs. See what packs are available, information about the packs and how to receive your pack

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Switch to 0% credit card/ Newid i gerdyn credyd 0%

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Switch to 0% credit card/ Newid i gerdyn credyd 0%

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Using a credit card means you are borrowing money.
Only use one if you can afford to and you need the item you are buying/

Mae defnyddio cerdyn credyd yn golygu dy fod yn benthyg arian. Paid â defnyddio un oni bai dy fod ti’n gallu fforddio gwneud, a bod angen yr eitem rwyt ti’n ei phrynu arnat ti

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If you spend on cards but don't repay in full, try a 0% credit card with up to 20 months' interest-free spending. See Martin Lewis' top picks on 0% credit cards.

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Share a plan & save, stop Netflix from using up your mobile data and more in this guide from Money Saving Expert.

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Energy Saving Tips/ Cynghorion arbed ynni

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Energy Saving Tips/ Cynghorion arbed ynni

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Information taken from Youth Cymru Energy toolkit https://youthcymru.org.uk/resources/

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Energy Saving Tips/ Cynghorion arbed ynni

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Energy Saving Tips/ Cynghorion arbed ynni

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Whether you're a homeowner, private or social renter, student, or you live at home with your parents, there are many things you can do to reduce how much energy you use and how much is spent.

We're all responsible for the energy we use in our homes. Take a look at our quick tips and see if you're saving as much energy as you could be.
Please note, all savings on this page are based on figures for Great Britain and are not applicable to Northern Ireland.
1. Understand your bill

The information on a typical energy bill can be confusing, but understanding it can go a long way to helping you get to grips with your energy usage at home.

This video from Home Energy Scotland provides a helpful guide.

2. Switch off standby

You can save around £30 a year just by remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode.

Almost all electrical and electronic appliances can be turned off at the plug without upsetting their programming. You may want to think about getting a standby saver which allows you to turn all your appliances off standby in one go.

Check the instructions for any appliances you aren't sure about. Some satellite and digital TV recorders may need to be left plugged in so they can keep track of any programmes you want to record.

3. Careful in your kitchen

You can save around £36 a year from your energy bill just by using your kitchen appliances more carefully:

Use a bowl to wash up rather than a running tap and save £25 a year in energy bills.

Cutback your washing machine use by just one cycle per week and save £5 a year on energy.

Only fill the kettle with the amount of water that you need and save around £6 a year.

4. Get a head

If you've got a shower that takes hot water straight from your boiler or hot water tank (rather than an electric shower), fit a water efficient shower head. This will reduce your hot water usage while retaining the sensation of a powerful shower.

A water efficient shower head could save a four person household (e.g. a family of four or even a shared student flat) as much as £70 a year on gas for water heating, as well as a further £115 a year on water bills if they have a water meter.
Calculation is based on the assumption that a family of 4 takes 20 showers a week and replaces a 13 litre/minute power-shower head with a 7.7 litre/min water efficient shower head, and the family are charged £2.97 per cubic meter of water used (includes sewage charge).
5. Spend less time in the shower

Spending one minute less in the shower each day will save up to £7 a year off your energy bills, per person. With a water meter this could save a further £12 off annual water and sewerage bills.

If everyone in a four-person household did this it would lead to a total saving of £75 a year.

6. Draught proofing

Unless your home is very new, you will lose some heat through draughts around doors and windows, gaps around the floor, or through the chimney.

Professional draught-proofing of windows, doors and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards can cost around £200, but can save around £20 a year on energy bills. DIY draught proofing can be much cheaper.

Installing a chimney draught excluder could save around £15 a year as well.

7. Take control of your heating

More than half the money spent on fuel bills goes towards providing heating and hot water.

Installing a room thermostat, a programmer and thermostatic radiator valves and using these controls efficiently could save you around £75 a year.

If you already have a full set of controls, turning down your room thermostat by just one degree can save around £80 a year.

Whatever the age of your boiler the right controls will allow you to:

Set your heating and hot water to come on and off when you need them

Heat only the areas of your home that need heating

Set the temperature for each area of your home.

8. Get savvy with smart controls

Smart heating controls are the latest innovation to help you control your heating and understand your energy use.

They allow you to control your heating remotely via a mobile app, meaning that you can manage the temperature of your home from wherever you are, at whatever time of day.

A smart meter with in-home display or energy monitor can help householders save energy by increasing awareness of energy use, helping to cut waste. Government estimates that a display or monitor could typically help reduce a household's electricity use by 2.8% and gas use by 2%.

9. Switch to LEDs

You can now get LED spotlights that are bright enough to replace halogens, as well as regular energy saving bulbs ('compact fluorescent lamps' or CFLs). They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and fittings.

If the average household replaced all of their bulbs with LEDs, it would cost about £100 and save about £35 a year on bills.

10. Turn off lights

Turn your lights off when you're not using them. If you switch a light off for just a few seconds, you will save more energy than it takes for the light to start up again, regardless of the type of light.

This will save you around £14 a year on your annual energy bills.

Are you a homeowner?

If you're a homeowner, there are some other things you can consider to improve the energy efficiency of your home. These can be more costly to put in place, but will benefit you in the long term.

Are you renting?

Potential tenants don't always apply the same level of scrutiny to their potential home as buyers. But when it comes to energy efficiency, this could be a key mistake.

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Whether you're a homeowner, private or social renter, student, or you live at home with your parents, there are many things you can do to reduce how much energy you use and how much is spent. We're all responsible for the energy we use in our homes.

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Deals and comparison/ Bargeinion a chymharu prisiau:

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Deals and comparison/ Bargeinion a chymharu prisiau:

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Compare prices on thousands of products and read user & expert reviews to make the best purchase decisions.

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Store baked goods at room temperature in sealed bags to prevent them from going stale. Beyond Best Before? Most packaged bakery products can be eaten up to a week after the best before. If mould is present, do not use. Some bakery items e.g.

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There is an app for that/ Mae ’na ap ar gyfer hwnna! 

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There is an app for that/ Mae ’na ap ar gyfer hwnna! 

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Let's not waste our wonderful world. Connect with your neighbours to give away food & other household items, plus lend & borrow, for free.

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There is an app for that/ Mae ’na ap ar gyfer hwnna!

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There is an app for that/ Mae ’na ap ar gyfer hwnna!

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READY TO FIGHT
FOOD WASTE?

RESCUE MAGIC BAGS OF SURPLUS, UNSOLD FOOD

Every day, delicious, fresh food goes to waste at cafes, restaurants, hotels, shops and manufacturers - just because it hasn’t sold in time. The Too Good To Go app lets you buy and collect this food - at a great price - so it gets eaten instead of wasted. You won’t know exactly what’s in your order until you pick it up - it’s all part of the surprise. Download the app to get started.

MORE THAN 1/3 OF FOOD IS WASTED

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Do you have a business with surplus food?

Too Good To Go can help you cut down on food waste - all while finding new customers and winning back sunk costs.

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The app that lets customers rescue unsold food from shops and restaurants to save it from going to waste. Try it today.

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SCIENTISTS have revealed the secret to bagging the best yellow sticker discounts at supermarkets.

University researchers have published a report on the best tactics, times and strategies that top money savers use to pick up heavily reduced items from shelves.

They found shoppers who get the best bargains:

"Wait around" in the aisles for reductions - One shopper revealed they check the expiry dates of items such as cream cakes and then wait for a staff member to reach them with the yellow sticker gun so they can grab them straight from the reduction trolley.

Are competitive - One shopper told the researchers that she loitered by a supermarket worker printing off yellow stickers for raspberries which were reduced from £3 to 25p each for a 150g punnet. She got there before another couple and managed to pick up 15 punnets, compared to the couple who only bagged four.

Use trolleys as weapons - The report claims "shoppers are described as 'sharks' who use their 'trolleys as weapons' to prevent others from reaching reductions."

Follow staff reducing items around the supermarket - Shoppers who regularly pick up yellow sticker items say they "stalk" reducers.

Schedule shopping trips for when items will be reduced - The research found there is no universally good time for picking up reduced items, but that "final reduction usually takes place sometime in the afternoon or evening". The report said that shoppers who researched to find out when items are reduced in their local supermarkets had better luck with bargains. Shoppers said they did this by observing reducers day-to-day or by simply asking a member of staff.

Can create recipes based on their reduced buys - You don't just need to be a good bargain hunter to bag the best yellow sticker items. The research found that you need to think like the TV show "Ready, Steady Cook" and come up with ideas for "what can be 'done' or made with the item". It says the best savvy shoppers will have "food, its storage and preparation and cooking and recipe knowledge". The report adds: "Competent yellow-sticker shopping depends on 'using' what is purchased."

Look in the baskets of other shoppers - Look in the baskets or trolleys of other shoppers to check for yellow-sticker items you may have missed.

Look in random chiller cabinets and end-of-aisle shelves - Yellow sticker food may not be in the right aisles so signs won't tell you where to look. They also won't be promoted. Shoppers say they often find reduced items at random in chilled cabinets or at the end of an aisle.

The research led by Leeds Beckett University's Leeds Business School was published in the academic journal Area.

To find out the best ways of shopping for yellow sticker items, a team of three researchers analysed 968 posts on MoneySavingExpert.com from 326 contributors between March 2013 and July 2016.

Sarah Kelsey, senior lecturer at Leeds Beckett University, who led the research, said: "The findings from our paper reveal just how competent, creative and skilful yellow-sticker shoppers are in negotiating the unconventional rhythms of the supermarket and the unpredictable products available and in putting them to use within the home."

Calling on supermarkets to make yellow sticker shopping more accessible, she added: "Retailers are aware there are many shoppers that are interested in purchasing perishable short-dated food, but this facet of food retailing is not the most visually attractive.

When does your supermarket start reducing prices?

YELLOW sticker discounts allow shoppers to nab a bargain, often stocking up on more expensive items like meat and fish.

MoneySavingExpert has put together a list of reduction times per store, although it does vary depending on the location of the supermarket. As a rough guide, the first yellow stickers tend to appear mid-morning, and silly-price reductions begin early evening, when stores cut prices by 75 per cent and more. Here's where it thinks you can spot a bargain, store-by-store:

Asda - Reductions start around 7pm and most have gone by 9pm.

Co-op - Varies by store. Expect 50 per cent discount around 5pm, then 75 per cent by 8pm.

M&S Food - Final reductions at 6.30pm in stores that close at 7pm and 8pm at stores that close at 9pm. Some items are marked down due to sell-by date after lunchtime rush.

Morrisons - Reductions start late morning or lunchtime.

Sainsbury's - Some stores start at 1.30pm, others don't start until 7pm. Dependent on store location and opening times.

Tesco - No hard and fast rule. Some big stores start reductions at 8am, others don't start until early evening.

Aldi - All items are reduced - to 50 per cent of recommend sales price - before stores open on their best before or use by dates.

Lidl - Not enough info to say

Waitrose - Dependent on store but usually just before closing time, according to shoppers.

"This is perhaps why supermarkets 'hide' this aspect of their operations in dark corners of the store or disperse the activity across the shop floor."

She said supermarkets could do more to promote yellow sticker food to make it easier to find and buy in stores.

The researchers now plan to find out how shoppers use yellow sticker food at home, including how they meal plan, store food, cook the items and if they waste anything.

They are looking for shoppers, reducers and supermarkets to take part in their study. To get involved, email Ms Kelsey at s.kelsey@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.

THANK YOU, NEXTNext to reopen 108 more stores from tomorrow - see the full list

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HACKTIVITYThorpe Park Resort: How to beat the queues and make the most of your day

OUT OF TIMEMartin Lewis warns drivers to check licences as extension granted for renewals

TEA TIMEM&S reopens 47 more cafes for takeaway hot drinks - here's the full list

POP YOUR CHERRYKopparberg is launching a spiced cherry rum and you can buy it in Asda

We've put together a guide to bagging reduced item discounts at Lidl, Aldi and B&M.

Last month we revealed how a dad-of-one saves £1,000 a year on supermarket shops by bagging free food.

Meanwhile, one shopper shared a snap of a huge haul of food which cost her just £3.21.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team? Email us at money@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 78 24516. Don't forget to join the Sun Money's Facebook group for the latest bargains and money-saving advice.

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The secret to getting best yellow sticker discounts at supermarkets, according to science

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SCIENTISTS have revealed the secret to bagging the best yellow sticker discounts at supermarkets. University researchers have published a report on the best tactics, times and strategies that top money savers use to pick up heavily reduced items from shelves.