Money blog: Pension rise confirmed; Ryanair value drops; Disney+ prices going up (2024)

The majority of parents say fines for unauthorised school absences do not stop them going on holiday during term-time.

In a survey of 5,500 parents across the UK, 57% said they had pulled or would consider pulling their child from school.

The same percentage told the charity Parentkind that receiving a fine for the absence would not affect their decision.

School absence fines increased from £60 to £80 this academic year.

A parent who receives a second fine for the same child within a three-year period will automatically receive a £160 charge.

The Department for Education has said other actions, such as a parenting order or prosecution, will be considered if a parent exceeds two fines per child within a three-year period.

Those who are prosecuted could receive a fine of up to £2,500.

The RAC is warning learner drivers to avoid booking overpriced tests through unofficial websites.

The breakdown specialists said those wanting to beat the four-and-a-half month wait for practical driving tests are being sucked into a "black market" offering slots at more than three times the official price.

A driving test through the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is £62, but research by the RAC has found some sites are reselling tests for up to £195.

But it's not just money that learner drivers need to be concerned about.

Freelance journalist Lara Olszowska paid £169 for a black market test to try to pass her practical test before her theory ran out.

She told the RAC that after giving her details - including driving licence number, theory certificate number and home address - the company used them to book 52 tests under her name.

A single ticket-holder who won £7.4m in Saturday's Lotto draw has claimed their prize, the National Lottery has said.

The winner had all six main numbers (02, 11, 13, 17, 39 and 41) and the bonus ball (37) to claim a total of £7,422,407.

Today, the National Lottery's operator, Allwyn, confirmed it received the claim.

The National Lottery needs to ensure the winner adhered to the rules of the game before the cash is released.

Once it all goes through, it's up to the winner if they want to go public.

Last week we revealed the most commonly drawn numbers...

Some couples are moving in together sooner than normal due to the cost of living crisis, a new survey has found, but when it comes to love and money, it can be a tricky one to navigate.

Research from Creditfixfound that higher mortgage rates and soaring rent prices mean one in six couples are moving in together sooner than they feel ready to in order to save money.

And for many, one of the first steps in living together is opening up a joint bank account - but what exactly should you use it for?

We want to hear from you - what should the joint bank account be used for, what is an absolute no, and what is a grey area?

Send us your thoughts:

• WhatsApp us here
• Use the form above
• Email news@skynews.com with the subject line "Money blog"

Every Wednesday we ask Michelin-starred chefs to take part in ourCheap Eats feature.This week we speak toJean Delport from one-starred Interlude in West Sussex.

Hi Jean, what is your go-to cheap eat to cook at home when you have a night in?

When I'm not feeling up to a long cook and want to prepare something wholesome for myself at home, one of my go-to cheats has to be the store bought stuffed pasta parcels.

I normally knock up a quick spicy tomato sauce from some tins in the cupboard, all sautéed off with some onions and fresh pork bangers that I empty from the casings.

Finished with a little grating of Parmesan and some freshly chopped herbs from the garden.

Done in 15 minutes, healthy and super tasty, also great for the budget.

What are your favourite places in Sussex to get a meal for two for less then £40?

Patty & Bun - Brighton

When out and about in Brighton for the day, one of my favourite quick stops has to be Patty & Bun. Always guaranteed a great burger.

Monte Forte - Horsham

Great Neapolitan pizzas just down the road, I love great ingredients, kept clean and cooked simply. A huge bonus is their lunchtime deal during the week, you can grab a pizza and a drink for under £11.

The White Lion Inn- Thakeham

After a peaceful country walk, this classic pub hits all the notes for me. Great little menu cooked really well for any time of the day. Plus, they have a great little beer garden to catch the last of the summer.

How did you get into the industry?

It was more intrigue and interest.

I loved being kept busy and the fascination with the whole cooking process.

I knew I couldn't be stuck behind a desk, and so it seemed the perfect fit for me. I jumped straight in.

One of the things I love most about being a chef and cooking at Interlude is that I have so many ingredients on my doorstep, literally on the estate at Leonardslee Gardens, which is such a privilege.

I can't imagine doing anything else, and I haven't really looked back since.

Ryanair shares have slumped after the company said it would cut passenger traffic estimates for next year.

Chief executive Michael O'Leary blamed uncertainty over how many aircraft it would receive from Boeing.

The discount airline's stock dropped 2%.

Mr O'Leary told Reuters the company was supposed to get 20 deliveries by the end of December, but they would now come in January and February.

"That's fine," he said. "We'll have them in time for next summer.

"The big issue for Ryanair is we're due 30 aircraft in March, April, May and June of next year, and how many of those will we get?

"I think we're clearly going to walk back our traffic growth for next year because I don't think we're going to get all those 30 aircraft."

Elderly homeowners who are expected to lose winter fuel payments are being targeted in a new scam.

Fraudsters claiming to be from fake companies like UK Energy Hub and UK Eco Home Services are pressuring homeowners over the phone to upgrade to a safer and more efficient loft insulation, according to consumer choice group, Which?

They claim their insulation products are endorsed by the charity, the British Lung Foundation - an organisation that no longer exists.

One victim was allegedly told that the British Lung Foundation recommends urgently replacing the fibreglass insulation currently installed in her loft because a "recent study" carried out by the charity found it's "extremely harmful" to lung health.

There is no evidence that these health risks exist.

Which? recommends people get a second opinion or check with trusted family and friends before getting any work done on their home.

It is the last day to potentially save on Disney+ before it hikes the price of its ad-free standard and premium plans.

From tomorrow, customers on the ad-free standard plan will pay £8.99 a month - up from £7.99.

Those on the premium plan will pay £12.99 a month - up from £10.99.

Customers may be able to beat paying more by signing up or switching to an annual membership by midnight tonight.

Depending on the plan, people will either be able to save £10 or £20 upfront as a newbie, or £27.98 (for the ad-free standard plan) or £45.98 (for the ad-free premium plan) over the year as an existing member.

To change the plan, log into Disney+ and select "manage account". From the "your plans and billing" section, select your subscription and click "change".

London Underground workers, including drivers, are walking out next month in a row over pay.

Finn Brennan, Aslef's full-time organiser on London Underground, said managers had refused to discuss any reduction in the working week or paid meal relief "to bring Underground drivers in line with those on the Elizabeth line and London Overground".

Aslef said a pay offer of 3.8%, plus a variable lump sum, would result in Tube drivers staying on a lower salary than those on other Transport for London services while working longer hours.

The union said train operators and management grades would strike on 7 and 12 November, and engineering drivers would not book on for 24 hours from 6pm on 1 November.

Elsewhere, the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) announced its members, including signalling and station staff, would walk out on different days between 1 and 8 November after rejecting a "wholly inadequate" pay offer.

The hospitality sector faces paying an extra £914m in business rates next year if help is not announced in the budget, the industry's leading trade body has warned.

UKHospitality said businessesin Englandwere already facing a £866m increase due to a 75% business rates relief coming to an end next year.

But, today's inflation figures mean they may need to pay an extra £48m on top of that, it said.

Business rates rise every year based on September's inflation figure, which was released today and came in lower than expected at 1.7%.

For a large pub or restaurant, the two hikes combined would mean a £33,500 increase in rates bill, UKHospitality added.

At the moment, properties that are used for retail, hospitality or leisure purposes in England can each claim a maximum discount of £110,000 per year, or £315,000 over three years, under the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Rates Relief scheme.

But this is due to end in March 2025.

"These inflation figures confirm that hospitality is set for an eye-watering £914m tax bill in April, if the chancellor doesn't act at the budget," Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said.

"Business rates must be addressed, or venues at the heart of communities will see their rates bills quadruple and find themselves making awful decisions about whether to shorten hours, close more days, lay off staff, or even close their doors for good."

We've only talked about England in this post - that's because business rates are devolved to each UK nation.