Government changes guidance on energy bill support payment
Some government guidance to give some people a \xa3150 council tax rebate in April to help with record energy bills has been changed. The treasury says it was always clear, including its press notice and the leaflet which went out to millions of households, that the \xa3150 council tax rebate to help with the cost of living would be paid \u201cfrom\u201d April. More on this story.
More than two million people who rely on six means-tested state benefits are going to be moved to the newer benefit Universal Credit over the next couple of years. Just over half of them will be better off on Universal Credit, but the government estimates 900,000 people will be entitled to less money. The Department for Work and Pensions says Universal Credit is a dynamic system which adjusts as people earn more or indeed less, and simplifies the safety net for those who cannot work.\nWe'll speak to a benefits advisor about the transition.
And, we'll hear from an 83-year-old grandmother who says her financial independence has been taken away after extra security measures her bank brought in mean she can no longer shop online. It's part of new procedures were imposed across the banking industry.
Presenter: Paul Lewis\nReporter: Dan Whitworth\nResearcher: Sandra Hardial\nEditor: Jess Quayle