With changes being regularly made to the state pension age, it is important people are aware of when they will be able to start receiving their state pension. An online tool can provide the answer.

People can find out various pieces of information relating to their state pension age through the official Government website (Gov.uk).

The “Check your state pension age” tool can be used to check when someone will reach state pension age.

They can also find out their Pension Credit qualifying age.

Finally, Britons can check when they will become eligible for free bus travel.

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They will also be told their Pension Credit qualifying age, which is usually the same as their state pension age.

Pension Credit is a benefit which can be claimed by pensioners on lower incomes.

In terms of free bus travel, people who live in England usually get their free bus pass when they reach state pension age.

However, those who live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland can get free bus travel from age 60.

By 2028, the state pension age is set to rise to 67.

It is then scheduled to increase again to age 68 by 2046.

The state pension age is currently under review, meaning more changes to the Government’s plans could potentially be implemented.

The review will be completed by May 2023.

Households all over the UK are currently feeling the squeeze, with inflation increasing the cost of living for millions of Britons. A single mum of three explained how she saved an eye-opening amount just by cancelling three monthly bills.

Lynn Beattie said: “In the past few months, I have cancelled Amazon Prime (£7.99), Disney+ (£7.99), bi-weekly Mindful Chef recipe boxes (£60 per month).

“Just these three cancellations saved me £76 per month, or £912 per year. It really is worth being strict and cancelling what you do not need.”

Along the same lines as Ms Beattie’s comments to the Mirror, Andy Dunbar, Head of Customer Experience at abrdn, has provided some tips which could help Britons “spring clean” their finances and save money.

Declutter outgoings

He said: “The best way to start your financial spring clean is to revisit your budget and identify potential savings.

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Mr Dunbar explained: “There are some fantastic apps these days that can help you find some great food bargains, including for free or heavily reduced items. For example, Olio connects you with millions of people who are giving away food and household goods.

“Similarly, Too Good To Go tells you when restaurants and shops are getting rid of leftover food for a fraction of the cost.

“Another tip is to get to know the world food aisle in your supermarket (it often has savings of up to 75 percent on cupboard staples including rice, lentils, beans, spices and sauces).

“Also try to shop in the evening’s for better discounts, and look at lower supermarket shelves for smaller prices as well as buying certain items in bulk. And always opt for long-life bags instead of paying for a plastic bag for every shop.”

He added that social media savvy shoppers can check out the trending money saving tips and hashtags, such as the ‘#moneysaving’ challenge on Instagram or TikTok.

“According to Martin Lewis, the site has delivered 2.75 million water-saving devices to more than one million customers so far, saving over 51 billion litres of water.”

Claim working from home rebate

Millions of people who have worked from home over the past year have until April 5 to claim some tax relief from HMRC, which could provide a welcome boost.

Mr Dunbar concluded: “The ‘work from home’ rebate applies even if you’ve only worked one day from home – and it’s easy to claim online.

“The money – which can cover broadband and heating costs – can be claimed as £6 a week from April 6, 2020 (for previous tax years the rate is £4 a week). You’ll get tax relief based on the rate at which you pay tax.

“For example, if you pay the 20 percent basic rate of tax and claim tax relief on £6 a week you would get £1.20 per week in tax relief (20 percent of £6).”

The invasion of Ukraine left the Bank of Russia scrambling to support the rapidly plummeting currency amid international sanctions which froze many of its foreign currency reserves. Among the emergency measures enacted was a hike in interest rates to 20 percent in a bid to avert a run on the banks as Russians queued to withdraw money and exchange it into more stable forms. In the weeks since, the central bank has also bought in currency controls limiting the amount of foreign money Russians can buy.

Having reached as little as 138 to the dollar the ruble has outwardly recovered considerably, now standing at just over 83 to the dollar.

However many argue the excessive intervention by the Bank of Russia means this is far from a true reflection of value.

Tim Ash, an emerging markets strategist at BlueBay Asset Management, described the ruble as now having an “artificial exchange rate”.

While the measures have bought some stability to the ruble they are also not without risk for an economy under enormous pressure.

Around half of the total $640 billion (£488.73bn) war chest has been frozen by sanctions putting further limits on available funds.

In the long run he suggested other interventions such as emergency interest rates would slow growth with the Russian authorities “shooting themselves in the foot.”

Questions now turn to how long Russia will try to keep the ruble steady against the risks to growth.

This week the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development predicted Russia would face its deepest recession since the early 1990s with the economy set to shrink 10 percent.

Russia is already seemingly trying to inch back towards normality with limited reopening of Moscow’s stock exchange in recent weeks and a more recent relaxing in foreign currency restrictions.

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This morning’s story, published on April 6, claimed that a team of amateur archaeologists have unearthed stunning evidence of the world’s first ever cash machine dating back to the Roman Empire at a site in Hatfield, England. Our apologies. While the Roman Empire was technologically for advanced for its era, it wasn’t that advanced.

The truth is we made it up, with the help of independent ATM operator Cardtronics. It’s the type of things newspapers do, once a year.

However, our April Fool’s gag wasn’t totally daft, it also had a serious point.

Millions of Britons face being unable to access their money after 13,000 cashpoints have been axed in just three years.

Worst, many live are in some of the poorest areas, where local services are already depleted.

While many people are happy to do digital banking, the elderly and vulnerable tend to get left behind as a result.

Cash was essential in Roman times, and it remains vital for millions of people today.

That’s why we wanted to highlight the damage that banks are doing when they remove local services, and close branches.

Banks and building societies have announced the closure of almost 5,000 branches over the last seven years, at an average rate of 54 a month, according to Which?.

In March, Lloyds Banking Group said it would close another 60 branches for subsidiaries Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland.

This followed news that HSBC said will shutter 69 branches between July and October this year. That’s on top of last year’s tally of 82 closures.

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Marc Terry, managing director of Cardtronics, which runs 285,000 cash machines worldwide, is keen to defend the future of cash.

He said: “The impact of cash within British history and culture can’t be underestimated and now, more than ever, access to cash must be protected to maintain this cornerstone of British communities well into the future.

“We are calling on the Government to ensure that cash continues to be accepted in-store, so the underbanked are not left behind and the British public’s right for payment choice is safeguarded.”

Cash remains an essential service. Its threatened disappearance is no joke.

On its website Santander said: “While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to protecting yourself from fraudulent activity, we’ve put together a list of things that can help you spot and avoid fraud and scams.

“Always think carefully before making a payment, especially if it’s a lot of money for you. Speak to someone you trust first, like a friend or family member, before making payments.

“Pay extra attention to the warnings we provide when making a payment.

“They’re in place to help you bank safely and avoid being scammed.”

Inflation rose to 7.5 percent in March, up from 5.9 percent in February, according to statistics body Eurostat. Energy has continued to be the dominant driver with inflation in prices now at 44.7 percent compared to 32 percent the month before. Prices for food, alcohol and tobacco also increased as costs increasingly ripple down the supply chain. With Russia supplying 40 percent of Europe’s natural gas, energy prices have become highly volatile since the conflict began with recent threats from Putin to demand payment in rubles sending prices spiralling further. Russia is also a major exporter of metals and, along with Ukraine, grains are adding further pressure to food and manufacturing.

Across the bloc, the biggest jump was seen in the Netherlands where inflation rose 4.7 percent on the previous month – to reach 11.9 percent.

The Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are also firmly in double digits.

Germany, meanwhile, has seen inflation soar to its highest levels since the 1980s – adding to fears over this year’s economic outlook.

Recession fears had already been sparked in Europe’s largest economy after central bank the Bundesbank warned of the possibility of a second quarter of negative growth this year.

Speaking this week, ECB President Christine Lagarde acknowledged there was “no question” of higher inflation this year.

In a speech on Wednesday, she said: “The longer the war lasts, the higher the economic costs will be and the greater the likelihood we end up in more adverse scenarios.”

The ECB’s Vice President Luis de Guindos also expressed concern for the Eurozone’s outlook, saying: “In the second quarter of the year, my impression is that growth will be hovering (around) zero.”

Christopher Dembik, head of macro analysis at Saxo Bank, said: “Looking at the latest business surveys in euro area core countries (notably Germany), the risk of stagflation has incredibly increased over the past few months.”

The same can be said for credit card providers.

However, if Britons are unhappy with a service, they can submit a claim in the hopes of getting money in their pocket.

American Express acknowledged “multiple technical problems” which have occurred today.

The organisation thanked customers for their patience concerning the matter.

Income tax rates and thresholds will remain unchanged in the new tax year which kick in from April 6, 2022. While on the surface this may appear like good news, there are potential implications to bear in mind.

One expert has described the matter as a potential stealth tax, which may have a big personal effect on Britons.

Adrian Lowery, personal finance expert at Bestinvest, said: “If your salary doesn’t change, your income tax payments will remain the same.

“Although, the purchasing power of your disposable income is falling thanks to inflation.

“However, if you receive a pay rise – whether it’s below, in line with or above inflation – you will pay more tax.”

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Income tax rates and bands show how much a person will pay, using a base line of the standard Personal Allowance of £12,570 – the amount of income people do not have to pay tax on.

The basic rate is from £12,571 to £50,270, where people will pay 20 percent tax.

The higher rate band spans £50,271 to £150,000 with a tax rate of 40 percent.

Finally, the 45 percent additional rate is applicable for those who have income over £150,000.

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Paying into a pension can be a good way of protecting wealth against income tax – particularly as contributions attract tax relief at a person’s marginal income tax rate.

Mr Lowery added: “Moreover, if your employer offers a salary sacrifice arrangement for paying into a pension – where you agree a salary cut or waive a bonus in favour of a pension contribution instead – then it is possible for those earning just above a tax threshold to drop a tax band.”

Many people will still be working from home as pandemic restrictions have only recently been lifted.

If an employer does not reimburse a person for their costs, then they may be entitled to claim tax relief directly from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Finally, a marriage allowance could be particularly useful in terms of income tax.

Mr Lowery explained: “If one partner in a marriage or civil partnership earns less than the personal allowance, and the higher earner is a basic-rate taxpayer, then you can transfer any unused personal allowance from the low-earning partner to the higher. Up to £1,260 can be transferred in 2022-23, potentially saving you up to £250.”

April brings several price increases on essential utilities including energy bills and council tax, meaning many households will start to struggle more than ever. Meanwhile, many feel that the Government is not doing enough to help counteract this.

The energy price cap rise comes in on April 1 and, for 22 million households, bills will increase by £693 per year.

​​The average customer’s bill will rise from £1,277 to £1,971 and prepay customers will see an increase of £708 from £1,309 to £2,017.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak told the Daily Express yesterday: “I know people are concerned about the rising cost of living in the face of record global energy prices as we emerge from the pandemic.”

In his Spring Statement last week, he set out several support measures including an energy bill rebate, but he has been criticised for not doing more.

The £9billion plan was revealed in February and aims to “take the sting” out of price rises by taking £200 off energy bills, as well as £150 off council tax.

When speaking to the Daily Express, he added: “From October, all domestic electricity customers will receive a £200 reduction to their energy bills. The cost of this will be spread over five years when we expect global prices to have fallen back to normal levels.”

The price cap prevents energy companies from making excessive profits and ensures a fair price for consumers.

The increase reflects the unprecedented rise in gas prices and experts believe the next cap in October could push bills to £3,000 per year.

Writing for inews.co.uk in March, Paul Waugh suggested subsidising energy bills by expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

This is a £140 subsidy towards energy bills for low-income households and could provide much-needed support to more people who are struggling.

Mr Sunak said: “We’ll continue to monitor how global events impact on energy bills here at home into the autumn, and will consider further support if needed.”

In an interview with the BBC, Mr Sunak said: “The biggest risk we face now is high inflation. I’m confident in what we’ve done. I know it’s tough for people.

“We’re facing a very difficult situation with the price of things going up and I want to do what we can to ameliorate some of that, but I’m also honest with people that we can’t ameliorate all of it, sadly.

“That’s difficult for people to hear and the toughest part of this job is not being able to do everything that people would like you to do, because we’re already borrowing quite a large amount of money, and I don’t think borrowing lots more would be sensible.

“Actually, it has the risk of making the problem worse when you’ve got inflation and interest rates going up.”

 So what do YOU think? Should the UK subsidise energy bills of low income families? Vote in our poll and join the debate in the comment section below.

A state pension petition which has now garnered over 8,000 signatures has called for the sum to rise to £380 per week. If this was actioned it would be in line with the National Living Wage at the equivalent of full time work for 40 hours per week.

Posted on the official Parliament website, the petition asserts the current state pension is “not enough to live on” and “unacceptable”.

It added: “Most pensioners live active lives and have to pay the same bills as others have to find money for but are expected to do it on less than half the income of those on the national living wage.

“Level up and treat everyone the same, this is the right thing to do.”

The state pension will rise this month by 3.1 percent, although inflation is has so far risen to 6.2 percent. 

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While LIMEY57 wrote: “Absolute silly talk as two thirds of pensioners have private and/or property. The third in poverty can get means tested top ups.

“We have more than enough and cannot put further debt on future generations due to our greed!”

Bristolboy7 added: “Our generation was the first to benefit from free healthcare, free secondary education and free tertiary education – a privilege no longer available for our children and grandchildren.

“We have little to complain about.”

Previously responding to the petition, a DWP spokesperson told Express.co.uk: “We are committed to ensuring that older people are able to live with the dignity and respect they deserve.

“From April, the full yearly amount of the basic state pension will be over £2,300 higher than in 2010 and we continue to encourage those eligible for Pension Credit, and the wide range of other benefits it can provide, to make a claim.”