National insurance rate to be cut for 27 million workers

The family of a much-loved grandad are urging people to look out for him after searching for him for more than four days. Gary Alder, a dad-of-five from Swinton, was last seen on Tuesday (December 5) and his relatives have not heard from him since.

Good afternoon Insiders, here we go again with a busy old week in TV and film. Max Goldbart penning the newsletter. Read on and sign up here.

Martin Lewis has issued a message to anyone with a student loan, as over one million people overpaid on their loan repayments in the last tax year. It means students could be owed hundreds of pounds.

Martin Lewis has issued urgent Student Loan advice to over 1m people tonight.

Millions of people on disability benefits including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance will see their payments rise by 6.7 per cent next April after the uprating was confirmed by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt during the recent Autumn Statement.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published the proposed new weekly payment rates for people claiming Child Benefit or Guardian’s Allowance, which will come into effect next April. The guidance was published on GOV.UK following Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s announcement at the Autumn Statement that State Pensions will rise by 8.5 per cent (triple Lock earnings growth) and benefits will increase by 6.7 per cent (September inflation rate).

Music streaming service Spotify will cut about 17% of its global workforce, becoming the latest big tech company feel the bite of the economy.

More than 8 million people across Scotland, England and Wales received a £300 cost of living payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) between October 31 and November 19, 2023. The second part of the £900 means-tested cost of living payment provided a financial boost for those on Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Tax Credits and other income-related benefits.

UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt wants North East England to get in on the all-consuming Barbie hype. 

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a series of new measures to reward people in work, help make work pay, and reform the welfare system, during the Autumn Statement on Wednesday. The measures aim to build on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) new ‘Back to Work’ plan, which focuses on helping disabled people and those with long-term health conditions who have difficulties finding employment to overcome barriers to secure and stay in work.

OK! has put together a comprehensive guide to the shopping event with answers to common questions like when is Black Friday 2023? Skincare enthusiasts, listen up! Elemis has kicked off its Black Friday sale, offering discounts and freebies that will have you jumping for joy, and if that wasn't enough, we've even figured out a way to make the most of the deal. Elemis has been known to offer some amazing deals and discounts lately, and this latest sale is no exception, because you can save nearly two-thirds on the regular retail price.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in his autumn statement that National Insurance will be slashed in the New Year.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered his autumn statement in the House of Commons on Wednesday (November 22) saying the country's economy is "back on track".

London Mayor had turned down plans to build an MSG Sphere in Stratford, citing issues of light pollution and negative impacts on residents.Plans for the venue – which would have been the city’s equivalent to the MSG Las Vegas Sphere – were first announced back in 2018, when the Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp (MSG) submitted a planning application to the London Legacy Development Corporation, requesting to transform a site in Stratford.If it had come to fruition, the 21,500-capacity venue would have been the largest concert arena in the UK. It would also have contained a smaller 1,500-capacity venue inside the orb-like arena for grassroots artists, as well as shops and restaurants.Now, following the plans being rejected by Khan, the operators for the company have issued a response, stating that they are disappointed in the decision and will now be directing their developments to more “forward-thinking cities” instead.In a statement shared with NME, a spokesperson for Sphere Entertainment said: “While we are disappointed in London’s decision, there are many forward-thinking cities that are eager to bring this technology to their communities.

Benefits could be slashed in the upcoming Autumn budget as the government looks to get more people into work.

Benjamin Mendy is taking former club Manchester City to an employment tribunal under claims of unpaid wages.

Zack Snyder has been teasing his director’s cut of Rebel Moon and is now opening up about what viewers can expect from the R-rated version of the film.

Scotland’s Finance Secretary has urged the Chancellor to avoid "ill-timed tax breaks" for wealthy people in the upcoming Autumn Statement.

Martin Lewis has a word of advice for shoppers after Amazon kicked off its Black Friday sale early.

A Martin Lewis fan has figured out a way to indulge in luxury food products for a fraction of the price. Fans of Hotel Chocolat can nab £113 of the delicious treats for just £33 using a Money Saving Expert tip - a massive £80 saving.