£301 cost of living payments start next week - check if you are due money

More than seven million households across the UK have now received a £301 cost of living payment directly from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). A ‘small number’ of payments have still to be made and will continue until May 17, 2023.

Councils across England and Northern Ireland are preparing for the local elections this May.

Maribel Guardia has shown incredible strength, the past few weeks have been difficult. The actress said goodbye to her only son, Julián, who passed away suddenly on April 9th.

The race for next week's Official Albums Chart Number 1 hasn't even started yet, and already the battle lines are being drawn! 

A support worker who was employed at a children’s daycare service has been struck off by the Scottish Social Services Council after offences involving children.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will soon issue its first wave of Cost of Living payment for 2023.

Millions of households are missing out on discounted broadband deals which they are eligible for, the latest research from Ofcom has shown.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed scheduled payments including State Pension, Universal Credit and Carer’s Allowance which are due on the May Day bank holiday next Monday will land in bank accounts this Friday, April 28. Payments from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) such as Child Benefit and Tax Credits will also arrive early.

Donald Trump is expected to come to Scotland next month to visit his luxury golf resorts. Reports from the States suggest the former president is planning to roll up at his links courses in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire.

The remaining tickets for the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool will go on sale next week, the BBC has announced. A final batch of tickets for each of the nine live shows held in May will be up for grabs on Monday, April 24, at midday.

The May Day bank holiday falls on Monday, May 1 and payments delivered by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), including Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance, due on that date will be made early next week instead. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is also expected to announce similar changes soon.

The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that in August last year there were 956,448 people receiving weekly payments for Carer’s Allowance, including 83,196 living in Scotland.

People struggling to pay their Council Tax during the ongoing cost of living crisis are being encouraged to check if they are eligible for money off their new bill which starts this month. The Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme is unique to Scotland and helps people on low incomes save an average of £750 a year off their bill.

More than seven million households across Scotland, England and Wales are set to receive a £301 cost of living payment from next week from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). However, updated guidance clarifies who will receive the first part of the £900 means-tested payment, even if they have a ‘nil’ award.

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic A touring production of the stage version of “The Bodyguard” was brought to a halt and canceled in Manchester, England on Friday night after patrons would not stop singing along with the musical’s songs, leading to house lights coming up during the climactic number “I Will Always Love You.” Two women were forcibly pulled out of the theater by security, and several police cars arrived to oversee the evacuation of the theater after what patrons on social media described as “fights in the aisles” and even “a mini-riot.” According to news reports out of Manchester and tweets from those inside the Palace Theatre, the show — based on the hit 1992 film — had already been temporarily halted once during the first act because of the disruptive audience sing-alongs, but was resumed. Later, though, with only about 10 minutes to go before the end, it was put on pause again while its star, Pussycat Dolls member Melody Thornton, attempted to sing the climactic song made famous in the movie by Whitney Houston, “I Will Always Love You,” over the sound of semi-tuneless howling coming from audience members. Thornton’s mic was cut mid-song, the house lights came up and offenders were evicted — struggling against being pulled out by their shoulders, in video footage captured by attendees — and the show was officially called off.

Easter bank holiday weekend is here and will see most of the country bask in some much-needed sunshine over the long weekend. While the spring break is a welcome breather from the norm for a few days, it is also the perfect time to check you are not missing out on benefits or payments.

An estimated 19.2 million families and 39.8 million individuals across Great Britain currently in receipt of State Pension or benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will see their payments go up by 10.1 per cent next week. However, due to payments made in arrears most people will not see a difference until May.

The life of Love Island 's Jessie Wynter has changed dramatically since the start of the new year, after the Australian native starred on the UK version of the show, filmed in South Africa. The 26 year old, who is originally from Tasmania, found love with TikTok farmer Will Young in the villa, and she's not left his side since they exited the show - having moved in with him and his parents on their farm in Buckinghamshire. And it seems like Jessie is sold on life in the UK, as she spoke exclusively to OK! about her plans to move here permanently, and moving in to her own place with Will in the near future.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has blasted “Progressive Scotland 2023” after a rapist who attacked a 13-year-old girl in a park was spared jail.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced that over one million households currently receiving Tax Credits, and no other means-tested benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), will receive the £301 cost of living payment between May 2 and 9, 2023.