Life-insurance and pensions provider, part of Lloyds Banking Group
Ofgem has confirmed the energy price cap will increase by 13% from July, pushing typical annual bills to £1,862. The shift is driven by higher wholesale gas prices amid the Middle East conflict. About 40% of accounts are on fixed tariffs and are unaffected. Households are advised to consider fixed deals and smart-meter off-peak pricing.
Germany’s pension commission has proposed a fund-based pillar, with mandatory employer and employee contributions invested in markets. It also recommends gradually increasing retirement age to about 70 by the early 2090s and scrapping early retirement options, with swift parliamentary action anticipated.
NatWest and Lloyds report higher half-year profits, with NatWest posting 4.3bn pre-tax profit and Lloyds following with 4.3bn, as AI and cost-cutting drive efficiency and expansion in wealth management and digital services.
Across Independent, The Guardian, and other outlets, students and families are urged to master budgeting as cost-of-living pressures intensify. The guidance covers saving, budgeting basics, investing, and loan planning to help manage finances from university onward.