The DWP has confirmed when the State Pension age will gradually increase from 66 to 67, with the DWP pension changes expected to be fully in place by 2028

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has set out the timetable for when the State Pension age will begin rising from 66 to 67, with the transition expected to be fully complete by 2028. The changes will be introduced gradually with twelve scheduled increments outlined by the DWP.

Those born between April 6 1960 and March 5 1961 will reach their State Pension age at 66 years plus a specified number of months determined by the Government department, rather than on a fixed date. This planned change to the official retirement age has been in the pipeline since 2014, with a further increase from 67 to 68 pencilled in to take place between 2044 and 2046.

The Pensions Act 2014 brought forward the rise in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 by eight years, with the UK Government also modifying the phasing of the increase. This means that rather than reaching State Pension age on a specific date, those born between March 6 1961 and April 6 1977 will become eligible to claim the State Pension upon turning 67.

Experts stress that people need to prepare for these changes in order to avoid being caught financially off guard. All those affected by alterations to their State Pension age will be notified directly by the DWP. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here

The State Pension age presently sits at 66, set to rise to 67 by 2028, and the government is legally obliged to periodically review the age. A timetable outlining when the changes will come into force was published alongside the Pensions Act 2014, reports Yorkshire Live.

Those in receipt of the State Pension can also use the government’s State Pension calculator to establish their State Pension age.

The DWP stated: “The Pensions Act 2014 brought the increase in the State Pension age from 66 to 67 forward by eight years. The State Pension age for men and women will now increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028.

“The Government also changed the way in which the increase in State Pension age is phased so that rather than reaching State Pension age on a specific date, people born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will reach their State Pension age at 66 years and the specified number of months.

“For people born after 5 April 1969 but before 6 April 1977, under the Pensions Act 2007, State Pension age was already 67.”

DWP timetable for the State Pension age increase from 66 to 67

Date of birth

Date State Pension age reached

6 April 1960 – 5 May 1960

66 years and 1 month

6 May 1960 – 5 June 1960

66 years and 2 months

6 June 1960 – 5 July 1960

66 years and 3 months

6 July 1960 – 5 August 1960

66 years and 4 months (1)

6 August 1960 – 5 September 1960

66 years and 5 months

6 September 1960 – 5 October 1960

66 years and 6 months

6 October 1960 – 5 November 1960

66 years and 7 months

6 November 1960 – 5 December 1960

66 years and 8 months

6 December 1960 – 5 January 1961

66 years and 9 months (2)

6 January 1961 – 5 February 1961

66 years and 10 months (3)

6 February 1961 – 5 March 1961

66 years and 11 months

6 March 1961 – 5 April 1977*

*For people born after 5 April 1969 but before 6 April 1977, under the Pensions Act 2007, State Pension age was already 67.

The ‘Pink Tax’ is a way of describing ‘when products and services marketed towards women cost more than men’s comparable products

It’s no shock to hear that over the years women have traditionally spent more money on health and beauty. This could be costly hair appointments, sanitary products or additional beauty treatments that men wouldn’t normally take part in. However, in recent years it has become more apparent that women pay a secret “Pink Tax” on everyday products which costs them hundreds of pounds annually.

Social media creator Chelsea, who goes by @Yourwealthwithchels on Instagram and TikTok, creates videos highlighting money tips and financial advice. In a video posted on Thursday, September 10, Chelsea spoke about the ‘Pink Tax’ and the increased prices that women pay in comparison to men.

So, what is the Pink Tax?

The social media creator says that the “Pink Tax” is a way of describing “when products and services marketed towards women cost more than men’s comparable products, despite being basically the same/ serving the same purpose.”

For example shower gels with different scents catered towards women and men, or perhaps razors that are different colours but do the exact same thing.

In 2024, the Co-Operative Bank shared an article which said: “There are just two apparent differences between a pink and a blue razor: the first is of course the colour, and the second? The price.

“The reason for this cost difference is simply because pink razors are marketed towards women — a phenomenon more formally known as the ‘pink tax’.”

At the time they revealed that their research across seven commonly purchased toiletry products, showed that women paid nearly 40% extra for their lower-cost essentials on average. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

Chelsea decided to find out for herself just how much more women pay for everyday products as a result of the “Pink Tax”.

The content creator headed to her local supermarket and compared the prices of women’s and men’s toiletries including shampoo, shower gel and razors.

She discovered

The following price comparisons (at the time of posting):

• Women’s Sanex 450ml shower gel cost £3.73 (83p per 100ml) and the men’s Sanex 400ml shower gel cost £2.25 (56p per 100ml).
• Women’s Gillette Venus razors were over £10, but the men’s Gillette Match 3 razor retailed for £8.
• Women’s L’Oreal Elvive 400ml shampoo/conditioner cost between £4- £5 ( £1+ per 100ml) and then L’Oreal Men Expert 400ml cost £2.74 (68p per 100ml).
• Women’s Radox 450ml shower gel cost £2 (44p per 100ml) and men’s Radox 450ml cost £1.64 (36p per 100ml).
• Gillette Women’s 200ml shaving gel cost £2.97 (£1.48 per 100ml) and Gillette Men’s 200ml shaving gel cost £2.54 (£1.27 per 100ml).

Chelsea said: “Well, the results speak for themselves. And this is just a VERY small example of products where women can end up paying more.

“But pink tax isn’t just about shampoo and razors. Women can also pay more for things like hairdressing services, skincare & personal care products, beauty treatments, clothing and underwear And there’s also a wider cost that’s harder to put a price on.

“There’s often an expectation that women should look more ‘put together’: hair done, makeup on, nails done, skin looking good, the list goes on.“According to Monster’s 2026 Beauty Bias at Work Report, 70% of workers said women face significantly more appearance related pressure at work than men.

“So when women are expected to meet higher standards around appearance, that can translate into a very real financial cost over time = PINK TAX.”

UK Government’s new passkey rollout will now let users sign in to their GOV.UK One Login using just their fingerprint, Face ID or PIN.

The Government has introduced a new login feature for Brits’ online services in a bid to protect more than 23 million against ‘scammers’. The new passkey rollout will now let users sign in to their GOV.UK One Login using just their fingerprint, Face ID or PIN.

This means people will now have access to these government services in a faster and more secure way as they will no longer have to remember a password. The introduction of passkeys will also help protect users from phishing and other cyber threats as there will be ‘no password for scammers to steal through a phishing email or fake website’.

This is because passkeys are tied to the specific device or websites and cannot be guessed or reused. At present more than 300,000 users have already switched to using passkeys as part of the government’s initial trial of the safer log in option.

And now the passkey option is being made available to millions of GOV.UK One Login users. The new passkey sign-in feature will still be optional so users can continue to use a password to login if they prefer.

But it is said passkey logins are eight times faster than signing in with a username, password and 2-step verification code process. The new sign-in rollout can be used to login to a wide range of government services such as managing tax services, accessing childcare support and checking your State Pension.

The Government said the new ‘secure’ sign-in can even be used when trying to renew your driving licence. Stephanie Peacock, The Digital Government Minister, said: “Nobody enjoys hunting for a forgotten password or waiting for a text message code just to check their tax return or renew a document.

“Passkeys mean people can access the services they rely on in seconds, using the same face or fingerprint scan they already use to unlock their phone. This is about making government services safer and simpler for everyone, while giving people stronger protection against the fraudsters who target passwords.”

Jonathon Ellison, NCSC director for national resilience, said: “The introduction of passkeys for GOV.UK One Login will give users a simpler, faster and more secure way to sign in to many public-facing government services while leaving password headaches behind. Cyber criminals often look for the easiest route to access important accounts, which means login details remain a common target.

“But passkeys offer a highly phishing-resistant alternative to passwords, frustrating attackers and saving the public time. We strongly encourage users to set up a passkey for GOV.UK One Login and to do so wherever passkeys are available across digital services. By taking this small but significant step, you can help protect your online accounts and raise our collective resilience, making the UK safer.”

New figures show how much the pension could increase by next year

The state pension may is likely to increase by £488 next April reaching £13,036.40 per year, according to new official figures. Under the triple lock pension guarantee, the annual uplift is determined by whichever is highest out of average wage growth, inflation or 2.5%.

Average wage growth, including bonuses, eased to 3.9% between May and July this year, according to the Office for National Statistics, however it continues to outpace inflation, which currently stands at 2.9%.

Labour made a manifesto commitment to maintain the triple lock which is something Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to honour, though the expense of the policy has faced increasing scrutiny as the number of pensioners is projected to grow in the years ahead. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

Ruth Curtice, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, speaking to the BBC’s Today programme said the triple lock is generating a “ratchet effect” where “pensioners’ living standards grow even faster than just a typical worker.”

Curtice said: “It’s not affordable in any situation to simply have pensions rising faster than earnings because earnings are a big part of the tax base.

“Pensioners have seen living standards grow three times more than typical workers over the last 20 years.”

Nearly 13 million people in the UK currently receive the state pension. Should it rise by 3.9%, the flat-rate state pension would exceed the personal allowance threshold of £12,570, making it liable for income tax.

The Labour government has previously pledged that pensioners who depend entirely on the state pension would neither be required to submit a tax return nor be pursued for payment.

The rise to next year’s state pension will not be confirmed until September’s inflation figures are released in October. Inflation currently stands at 2.9% and is not anticipated to exceed the wages figure.

This means that the flat-rate state pension for those who reached state pension age after April 2016 will likely be £250.70 a week, or £13,036.40 a year, an increase of £488.

The old basic state pension for those who reached state pension age before April 2016 will likely be £192.10 a week, or £9,989.20 a year, an increase of £374.40.

The ONS also released data on the UK labour force that showed while the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.9%, both the number of vacancies and employees on payrolls declined in recent months.

The motoring organisation said pressure was ‘building’

The cost of filling a family car with fuel has risen by almost £5 since the start of September, the RAC said on Tuesday. According to the motoring services company, the average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts reached 170.54p on Tuesday, while diesel climbed to 192.86p.

The price of diesel is now at its highest since July 29, 2022, while petrol prices have not been this high since August 23 2022, the RAC said.

Prices look set to continue rising as the cost of a barrel of oil is now consistently trading for more than 100 dollars, RAC head of policy Simon Williams said.

“Since the start of this month, the cost of filling a family car has already risen by almost £5, to £94 for petrol and £106 for diesel,” he said.

“So the pressure on the Chancellor to act to support households, so many of whom are dependent on the car, is building.

“Fuel duty is set to start rising from January, but as we’ve said previously, there is a strong argument for leaving it at its current level, at least until the end of the Parliament.”

Earlier this month, oil prices rose above 100 dollars a barrel for the first time since July after the latest round of strikes in the Iran war.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “Six months into the conflict in the Gulf and drivers have paid billions of pounds in ‘war premiums’ over and above what they might have expected to pay had oil and pump prices remained near the level they were before the war began.

“The bad news is that they are likely to pay billions more before peace is restored. The Government can’t end the war, but it can recognise the financial hit to drivers and businesses caused by surging petrol and diesel prices.

“Surely the Chancellor is considering a cut in fuel duty at the budget to reverse this hike in the cost of living? It’s worth remembering that the Exchequer currently receives more than 80p per litre of fuel sold on the forecourts, in the form of duty and VAT.”

The Treasury has been contacted for comment by the Press Association.

Home Bargains is selling a heater with a 24 hour timer that keeps homes ‘warm and cosy’

Summer is in the rear-view mirror, and with cold weather set to make a return in the coming months with winter on the horizon, many of the UK’s major retailers are selling affordable heaters to help keep homes warm. Home Bargains is no different with the high street brand selling a product that looks almost identical to high-end alternatives available elsewhere.

The Pifco Convector Heater with Turbo & Timer retails for £29.99 and is described as “the perfect solution for your heating needs”. It is free-standing and compact in size, meaning you should be able to find a place for it, and boasts a simple white aesthetic so it shouldn’t stick out like a sore thumb.

Describing the product, Home Bargains said: “Stay warm and cosy with the Pifco Convector Heater! This lightweight, free-standing heater features a turbo fan for an extra heat boost, adjustable thermostat, and a handy 24-hour timer, ensuring your room is toasty when you need it most.

“This free-standing turbo convector is the perfect solution for your heating needs. It features two heat settings and an adjustable thermostat, so you can easily customise the temperature to your preference. The fan helps to quickly and evenly distribute the heat throughout the room, while the adjustable thermostat allows you to maintain the desired temperature. The heater is also designed with safety in mind as it features an overheat protection system.”

Product features – full list

• 2 Heat settings 1250w/2000W
• Turbo fan for extra heat boost
• 24 hour timer for a pre-warmed room
• Adjustable thermostat
• Overheat protection
• Lightweight and portable
• Free standing design
• Easy to operate
• Near silent operation
• Fast heat-up
• Carry handles
• Rated Voltage: AC 220-240V–50-60Hz
• Power Consumption: 1800-2000W
• Net Weight: 3.05KG
• Cable Length: 1.3m (Approx)
• Size (Approx): L60 x W26 x H38.5cm

Shoppers interested in finding out more are urged to head to the Home Bargains website. There, they can find additional product images and information, as well as browse a selection of similar items also on sale.

It can be picked-up in any of the over 600 Home Bargains locations nationwide, stock permitting, while home delivery is also an option. To avoid a wasted trip, check stock levels at your nearest branch using the online store finder – just enter your postcode and a list of locations with stock indicators will appear.

Home Bargains offers UK mainland delivery for £3.95, with free shipping on orders over £100, and large items incurring an additional £10 charge. Orders typically arrive within four working days, with tracking available via email upon dispatch.

It bears a striking resemblance to the Prem-I-Air 2kW Convector Heater (£31.99) at Tesco and the BUSH DF2361 2KW Convector Heater with Timer (£35) at Argos. Both have a versatile, portable design that can be picked up and moved around, as well as multiple different heating settings for added flexibility.

The Tesco product description reads: “This contemporary 2kW Convector Heater from Prem-I-Air blends sleek design with practical heating features. Finished in matt graphite, it offers three heat settings (650W, 1250W, 2000W) via simple push button controls, a 24-hour timer for scheduled warmth, and a rotary thermostat for precise temperature control.

“Built-in overheat safety cut-out ensures safe operation. Floor-standing and stylish, itâ€s ideal for well-insulated rooms or occasional use in homes and small offices.”

Meanwhile, Argos explained: “When a room needs reliable warmth without the fuss, the Bush DF2361 convector heater delivers 2kW of straightforward heating power with an elegant, simple design that fits into any space. This freestanding heater gives you the freedom to move it wherever the chill strikes, with a 1.5m cord that reaches comfortably across the room – whether that’s your living room on a frosty evening or a bedroom that needs warming before bedtime.

“Three heat settings and an adjustable thermostat let you dial in exactly the temperature that suits you, whilst the built-in timer means you can set it and forget it without worrying about leaving it running all day. The safety cut-out prevents overheating, and the tip-over protection switch kicks in if it gets knocked, giving you peace of mind whether you’re working from home or just getting on with your day. At just 2.8kg and measuring 52.8cm wide, it’s light enough to carry from room to room and compact enough to tuck away when the weather warms up.”

Just 53,000 opted out of the payments – and a change to the way payments are clawed back by HMRC mean this year more is taken in tax

New statistics show that more than 2.2 million people are set to be hit by having to repay their Winter Fuel Payments. The Department for Work and Pensions today released new data showing just how many people received the payment after it was reinstated for millions last year.

Last year 10.9 million people recieved between £100 and £300 to help pay for heating last winter. This was up from 1.3 million the year before when it was withdrawn from everyone except those getting Pensions Credit.

However estimates provided by the DWP showed that millions will have to pay it back. Anyone who gets more than £35,000 in taxable income and doesn’t opt out of the payment will have to pay it back through tax.

This means if people received £200 – they will be paying it back at the rate of £17 a month. However from April 2027, HMRC will start recovering Winter Fuel Payments in advance through PAYE in the same tax year they are paid.

This means some could effectively be paying back double – for example, an individual who received £200 of winter fuel payment in 2025/26 and a further £200 in 2026/27 may see their monthly tax increase by around £30 to £33 during the period both payments are being recovered from January 2027.

People could avoid this by opting out of the payment entirely – but the new figures showed that 53,000 pensioners opted-out from receiving a WFP for winter 2025 to 2026. It added: “A HMRC impact assessment estimates that 2.2 million pensioners (including those from Northern Ireland) would be impacted by recoveries.”

Consumer expert Rebecca Wilcox explained to BBC Morning Live viewers earlier this year that anyone who has more than £35,000 taxable income may want to opt out of the 2026 Winter Fuel Payment or face paying back a sum of ‘£33 each month’ back.

She warned that from April millions of households are being contacted by HMRC and told they may need to repay their Winter Fuel Payment. And she explained that some may want to take action to stop themselves from getting the money to avoid the repayment process.

Ms Wilcox said that a key change later this year means people would be paying back double the full amount. On cancelling it in advance, she explained: “If you know your personal income is going to be over the threshold of £35,000 then opt out of it for the next year and then you don’t have to worry about the next payment.

“The reason you’ll want to opt out is because the payments are going to double just for one year.”This is because the taxman is in debt, he’s in arrears, because he’s paid out all this money and it wants to claw this money back. For one year it is going to charge everybody double on their repayments so it can get back into the normal process of taking the money from you and then returning it. It wants to have its money so for one year it is going to charge you, say you were doing, for example we were talking about, of £17 per month tax deductions, it’s going to charge you double, £34 per month for that one year and then it will go back to £17.

“So that’s why you might want to opt out if you know you’re going to be earning £35,000 and above. If your income then drops just be aware you will have to opt back in to receive the Winter Fuel Payment.”

Statistics from the DWP showed the number of WFP recipients in winter 2025 to 2026 was 10.9 million, an increase of 9.6 million since winter 2024 to 2025, when WFP were made to eligible pensioners receiving certain means tested benefits, and 290 thousand from 2023 to 2024 when the policy was universal and most pensioners received a WFP

Of all WFP recipients, 37% received £100, 9% received £150, 38% received £200 and 17% received £300

It added: “WFP were introduced in 1997 to help pension aged people pay their heating bills. It is an annual tax-free payment, to those eligible, to help meet the costs of heating their home in the winter. For winter 2025 to 2026 this payment was between £100 and £300.

WFP amounts depending on age of recipient and age of the person they live with if they are not in receipt of benefits

Scenario // Amount if of State Pension age but under 80 // Amount if 80 or over

You qualify and live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify) // £200 // £300

You qualify and live with someone under 80 who also qualified // £100 // £200

You qualify and live with someone 80 or over who also qualifies // £100 // £150

You qualify, live in a care home and do not get certain benefits // £100 // £150

You can opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment using the Manage your State Pension service or by completing the online opt-out form before 11:59pm on 20 September 2026.

Newly issued DWP guidance explains what claimants need to know about the system’s rules

The Department for Work and Pensions has explained the rules surrounding a particular aspect of Universal Credit. The DWP update, released on Friday, September 11, came after a question raised in Parliament.

A senior minister has provided a response – but it has also highlighted an issue some claimants may not be aware of. The enquiry concerned payments for Universal Credit claimants and the effect this might have on debt.

Henry Tufnell, Labour MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, asked the DWP what assessment it had made of the potential impact on Debt Management and debt recovery of making advance payments to Universal Credit claimants before the conclusion of their assessment period.

In response, Stephen Timms, Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities), The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions, said on: “New Claim Advances give customers the option to spread twenty-five Universal Credit payments over twenty-four months, giving them more flexibility over the payments of their Universal Credit award. Advances are not considered a loan so no interest is charged, nor any enforcement action taken, however Advances are recoverable.

“They are ordinarily repaid through deductions from subsequent Universal Credit awards over an agreed repayment period of up to 24 months. Customers must repay their advances over a maximum period of 24 months.”

So what are New Claim Advances? The gov.uk website says that if you need help to pay your bills or cover other costs before you get your first Universal Credit payment, you can apply to get an advance.

The amount you can get depends on your circumstances. The most you can get is the amount of your first estimated payment. You must usually pay back the advance within 24 months.

You usually start paying it back out of your first payment. If you cannot afford your advance repayments, you can ask for your repayments to be delayed for 3 months.

The government says that if you’re no longer claiming Universal Credit you’ll still need to pay back your advance. If you move to another benefit, the deductions will usually continue from your payments. If you move off benefits, you’ll get a letter from DWP Debt Management explaining how to repay and manage money you owe.

You can pay back what you owe in full or set up monthly repayments. Officials say that if you want to discuss your repayments you can call DWP Debt Management. For further information, visit the relevant gov.uk web page.

What to do if your Universal Credit advance claim is rejected

The Money Helper website has provided guidance for those whose applications are declined, noting several potential reasons why an advance payment may not be approved – for instance, if you live with family or friends, have enough money or savings to last until your next payment or haven’t had your ID checked at a Jobcentre Plus. The site says: “If you’re unhappy or think there’s been a mistake, you can ask the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to reconsider the decision. This means someone else will look at your application.”

The site also warns Universal Credit claimants of another issue they may encounter. It says that if someone you don’t know offers to apply for Universal Credit or a free government loan for you, it’s a scam. The site warns: “They’ll want to take some of your money as a fee and get your ID and bank details. If they apply on your behalf using false details, this can also be classed as benefit fraud and might mean you have to pay a large fine or be taken to court.

“You might see adverts online or receive cold calls from someone claiming to work for Jobcentre Plus.” If you are targeted, you can report it to Report Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

The Money Wellness website reported in 2024 that debt levels were considerably higher amongst those claiming Universal Credit (UC) compared with those receiving so-called legacy benefits such as Income Support, according to DWP data.

It noted that the average outstanding debt owed by UC claimants stood at £4,754 — with almost one in five owing at least £10,000.

The UK Government’s official Prepare campaign sets out simple steps families can take today

Families are being urged to take a few quick, no-cost steps now that could make a big difference if the unexpected happens later. The Government has launched a new push encouraging households to think through what they’d do in a range of scenarios, from fires and flooding to power cuts and water outages.

It says many of the most useful actions don’t involve buying anything at all – they are simple checks and conversations that can be done in an evening. The advice is published on the official Prepare website and sits alongside guidance on putting together supplies.

The campaign comes as more people show interest in “prepping” – keeping essentials in place in case everyday routines are suddenly disrupted. But ministers say you don’t have to be a survivalist to be ready; basic planning, up-to-date information and a few safety habits can help households cope if disruption lasts hours, days or longer.

10 free things households can do now

1. Test your smoke alarms

The Government says you should set a monthly reminder to check alarms are working. It adds that children can be involved in the test so they recognise the sound and understand what it means.

2. Check your flood risk

Even if your property has never flooded before, the Government recommends checking the long-term risk for your area. It also advises signing up for flood and weather warnings so you get alerts if conditions worsen.

3. Agree a family meeting point

Think ahead about where you would meet if you were separated or couldn’t get home. The Government advises talking through escape routes and planning for events such as flooding.

4. Find out how to shut off your utilities

Make sure everyone knows where and how to turn off gas, electricity and water. The Government says this can be important during flooding, leaks or other emergencies.

5. Write down important phone numbers

Don’t rely only on a mobile phone. The Government advises keeping key numbers written down somewhere easy to find if the electricity goes off. It says this should include 105, used to report a power cut in England, Scotland and Wales, as well as other essential contacts.

6. Check your emergency contact details

The Government says it’s worth confirming that schools, childcare providers and other organisations caring for children have your current numbers. It’s a quick check that could prevent confusion if something happens.

7. Teach children how to call 999

Children should know when and how to call 999, the Government says. It also advises teaching them their home address and, where possible, a parent’s or guardian’s mobile number — and practising regularly.

8. Get to know your neighbours

Among the suggestions is swapping contact details with neighbours. The Government says people could set up an instant messaging group for a street or building to share information during an emergency, and consider whether anyone nearby might need extra help.

9. Check whether you can get extra help

People with additional support needs are advised to see if they’re eligible for their energy or water company’s Priority Services Register. This helps suppliers identify customers who may need extra assistance during any disruption.

10. Learn basic first aid

The Government recommends learning basic first aid so you can help yourself or others while waiting for professional help. It suggests looking for training, including whether your employer offers it.

The campaign warns emergencies can happen with little or no warning, and the disruption may last from a few hours to several days or longer. The Government’s guidance is available via its Prepare campaign.

One sector is calling for a change in the rules

Many young people are struggling to take a first step into work due to a lack of prior experience, ending up caught in an “experience trap”, according to analysis by Hilton and WPI Economics. Recent Office for National Statistics figures show 400,000 yiung people not in education, employment or training are actively looking for work, but a quiarter cite a lack of experience as their biggest barrier to getting a job.

Sectors such as hospitality that have traditionally provided a first job without the need for prior experience, are seeing vacancies fall as rising energy, tax and employment costs have reduced employers’ ability to create first job opportunities for young people. Hilton and UKHospitality have called for a package of measures to be introduced, including reducing employer National Insurance Contributions for hospitality, delivering reforms to business rates to support the hospitality, cutting hospitality VAT to 10% in line with Europe and scrapping the proposed holiday tax.

Steve Cassidy, Senior Vice President, UK & Ireland, Hilton, said: “Hospitality has always been one of the UK’s strongest routes into employment and we see firsthand how taking that first step into work can have a lasting impact on a young person’s confidence, skills and future career prospects. This research backs up just how valuable those first-job opportunities continue to be, not only for young people but for the wider economy.

“Yet too many young people are now caught in an experience trap, unable to get the experience employers are looking for because they cannot access that crucial first opportunity.

“Hospitality can play an important role in fixing this. At Hilton, we continue to open the door to work for thousands of young people, but our owner community and businesses across the sector also need the confidence to grow, invest and hire. With 85% of hospitality leaders saying higher tax burdens are limiting their ability to recruit young or inexperienced workers, government should look at ways to reduce the cost of employment. If we want businesses to invest in the next generation, we need policies that encourage employers to create more jobs and give young people the chance to prove what they can do.”

Allen Simpson, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: “The ‘experience trap’ thousands of young people are caught up in is the result of the last two years adding billions of costs onto critical employment sectors like hospitality.

“Hospitality is the sector of experience and opportunity, regardless of your background, qualifications or circumstances, but the jobs it creates and supports are being taxed out of existence. It’s costing the economy and taking away the first step on the career ladder for a whole generation.

“The benefits of backing hospitality are clear. Billions in economic benefit, opportunities for young people and thousands of people back in work. The new Prime Minister should continue to show his support for hospitality, reduce its tax burden and allow the sector to fulfil its potential to drive economic growth and create new jobs in every postcode.”