Mexico, Canada and the USA are set to host the largest ever World Cup this summer, with 48 teams taking part in what promises to be a true festival of football.

Giants are set to collide, favourites will face off against outsiders, and debutants will be hoping for underdog glory in this edition of the world's most premier sporting competition.

Here, we take you through our picks of the best group stage matches, who to look out for and where you can watch the games.

World Cup key dates

• Group stages: June 11-27
• Round of 32: June 28 - July 3
• Round of 16: July 4-7
• Quarter Finals: July 9-11
• Semi Finals: July 14-15
• Third Place Play Off: July 18
• Final: July 19

Where to watch the World Cup

All 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup will be available to view, for free, on terrestrial television in the UK. The games will be split between the BBC and ITV.

How many teams in the world cup

This year's tournament is the largest yet, expanding from 32 teams to 48. The 23rd edition of the World Cup will feature over 1,000 players and 100 kits, taking place across 11 different stadiums.

1. England v Croatia

When: June 17th at 9:00 pm (UK time)

Where to watch: Live on ITV1

Croatia sent England crashing out in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, but the Three Lions have had the upper hand since, coming out victorious in the last two meetings.

Veteran playmaker Luka Modric is expected to be part of the Croatian squad and will undoubtedly play a key role in their success this summer, whilst England will have global superstars Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Bakayo Saka in their ranks.

It’s 4th vs 11th in the FIFA world rankings, making it one of the biggest heavyweight clashes of the group stage matches. If you’re planning to tune in, you’ll find the match live on ITV1 on June 17th, with kick-off at 9:00 pm (UK time).

2. Scotland v Brazil

When: June 24th at 11:00 pm (UK time)

Where to watch: Live on BBC

Scotland hasn’t qualified for a World Cup since 1998. They faced Brazil that year, too, coming agonisingly close to stealing a point in their opening match before a late own goal condemned them to a 2-1 defeat at the Stade de France.

As the only other home nation to qualify for this year’s tournament, Scotland will be hoping to cause an upset against a fancied Brazil side looking for their sixth World Cup crown.

Expect to see Joga Bonito stars such as Vinícius Júnior, Raphina, Casemiro and Matheus Cunha grace the field for the South Americans, under the stewardship of experienced boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Scotland manager Steve Clarke, meanwhile, will be looking to forward Lawrence Shankland and combative midfielders Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour and Kenny McLean to make the difference in Miami on June 24th.

You’ll be able to watch this match on the BBC, with kick-off set for 11:00 pm (UK time).

3. Brazil v Morocco

When: June 13th at 11:00 pm (UK time)

Where to watch: Live on BBC

Sitting at 8th in the FIFA world rankings, Morocco is a team to be taken seriously this summer. Featuring the likes of Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Díaz and Yassine Bounou, their squad breezed through the qualification stages, winning eight from eight.

Brazil, on the other hand, struggled for consistency during their qualification campaign, finishing fifth in the South American table and 10 points behind arch rivals Argentina.

Expect goals in this clash, with flair players on display for both sides. Kickoff will be at 11:00 pm (UK time), with live coverage on the BBC.

4. Netherlands v Japan

When: June 14th at 9:00 pm (UK time)

Where to watch: Live on ITV

The Netherlands stormed through World Cup qualifying and finished top of UEFA Group G without losing a match. Under manager Ronald Koeman, the Oranje expect to progress into the latter stages of the finals this summer and have the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Memphis Depay and Cody Gakpo on hand to help fire them to glory.

Japan have also shown some fine form over the last few years. Hajime Moriyasu’s side won every single game in qualifying and have picked up some notable wins in friendly matches since, including victories over Brazil, England and Scotland.

This game looks set to be another enthralling tie, with attacking talent evident on both sides. It’s a 9:00 pm kick-off for this one on June 14th, with all of the action live on ITV.

5. France v Norway

When: June 26th at 8:00 pm (UK time)

Where to watch: Live on ITV

France are without doubt one of the favourites to win the World Cup this summer. Manager Didier Deschamps, who will be stepping down after the tournament, has a plethora of talent at his disposal and will be eyeing a third championship title for Les Bleus.

Norway, playing at their first World Cup since 1998, caused a mini-upset by beating Italy to first spot in UEFA qualification Group I. Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, Oscar Bobb, Jørgen Strand Larsen and Kristoffer Ajer are some Premier League names that readers might be familiar with, and they’ll be looking to get their campaign off to a winning start.

It’s Mbappe v Haaland and Dembele v Ødegaard in Boston, and you can catch this game live on ITV at 8:00 pm on June 26th.

Players to watch

• Cristiano Ronaldo - age: 41, country: Portugal, club: Al-Nassr
• Lionel Messi - age: 38, country: Argentina, club: Inter Miami
• Harry Kane - age: 32, country: England, club: Bayern Munich
• Vinícius Júnior - age: 25, country: Brazil, club: Real Madrid
• Guillermo Ochoa - age: 40, country: Mexico, club: AEL Limassol
• Johny Placide - age: 38, country: Haiti, club: Bastia
• Weston McKennie - age: 27, country: USA, club: Juventus
• Mo Salah - age: 33, country: Egypt, club: Liverpool
• Jérémy Doku - age: 23, country: Belgium, club: Manchester City
• Lamine Yamal - age: 18, country: Spain, club: Barcelona
• Kylian Mbappé - age: 27, country: France, club: Real Madrid
• Erling Haaland - age: 25, country: Norway, club: Manchester City
• James Rodriguez - age: 34, country: Colombia, club: Minnesota United
• Luka Modrić - age: 40, country: Croatia, club: AC Milan
• Antoine Semenyo - age: 26, country: Ghana, club: Manchester City

From picky bits to sweet treats, we all know that Marks & Spencer has some of the best food on the market. And seasonal celebrations and holidays are certainly where they shine most.

With spring right around the corner, M&S has started releasing its highly anticipated Easter treats, and today, we’re talking hot cross buns.

Last year, shoppers were obsessing over their range of ooey-gooey, luxurious hot cross buns - and now, the wait is over. With their mouth-watering collection now available in stores, if you didn’t get to try them last year, now is your chance.

Marks and Spencer's has been making their signature hot cross buns as far back as 1975, so it’s no wonder how well they’ve perfected their recipes.

In fact, they sell a whopping 1.1 million packs of buns every year, and we’re not surprised, considering the delicious flavour combinations. Last year, they offered everything from the luxury fruit recipe, to extremely cheese, and extremely chocolate. And now, we’ve got three brand new, indulgent flavours.

M&S new hot cross bun flavours

First up are the red velvet filled hot cross buns. Inspired by the classic red velvet bake, these buns are filled with white chocolate and dark chocolate chips. And of course, they are gorgeously red in colour.

Calling all those who eat gluten-free - something is exciting in store for you. This year, the apple and brown sugar hot cross buns are wheat and gluten-free, and sound heavenly. With each bun made with a sweet, apple and spice flavour, and filled with fruit, they’re the perfect refreshing treat for Spring.

Finally, the flavour I’m most excited about is the Tiramisu hot cross buns. All fellow coffee lovers - don’t wait around. These are filled with a thick, creamy mascarpone and Belgian chocolate chips, which are sure to be delectable with the coffee flavour.

Whatever takes your fancy, we anticipate these to sell quickly, just as they have in previous years, so don’t wait around. I, for one, will be popping down to my local M&S the very next chance I get.

Calling all fellow gamers - our time has come. With the start of the Lunar New Year comes an astounding opportunity to save on some of the biggest games on the market. So, whether you've been saving up for a new game or been desperate to try an oldie but a goodie, now is the time to do it.

As a lover of gaming, I know how expensive video games are nowadays. That's why I wrote an entire piece dedicated to everything you need to know to save on video games to make your hobby a little more affordable.

Forget waiting for the big seasonal sales like Black Friday - these Lunar sales are going ahead right now across multiple platforms, and they're only running until the end of February.

Which platforms are taking part in the Lunar sales?

We've spotted Lunar New Year sales across some of the top gaming platforms, including Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam, too.

Xbox is offering savings of up to 95%, with a whopping 85% off Middle-Earth: Shadow of War Definitive Edition, which is priced at £5.99. This game is priced at £39.99 on Steam. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (a personal favourite) is now priced at £8.99, which is a £50 saving. If you're a fan of the movies or Mass Effect, you'll find a lot to love with this game.

If you're hyped for Resident Evil Requiem (as you should be), you'll be thrilled to know that the fantastic remake of Resident Evil 2 is on sale right now for as little as £7.99 (that's 75% off!) in the Lunar sales. You'll see the start of Leon S. Kennedy's story and then get ready for his next (and hopefully not final - Capcom, don't you even dare) with Requiem.

Oh boy, does Valve know how to put on a good sale. In fact, anybody familiar with Steam knows that the best time of the year to shop is the summer and winter sales. And now, the Lunar New Year sale has a lot to offer too.

At Steam, they're offering as much as 90% off some of the most-anticipated games in their Lunar sale. It's worth mentioning that the sale event is scheduled to end on February 26th, so act fast.

One of the best horror games of recent years was the remake of Silent Hill 2 (please don't watch the recent movie). And if you missed out on The Medium - the game made before Silent Hill 2, then now is your chance. The Medium is on sale for £11.99, which is 70% off its full price of £39.99.

You can find soul-inspired game Wuchang: Fallen Feathers on sale for £31.49 from £44.99 (30% off), as well as a personal favourite of mine, which is Balatro on sale with 20% off. Speaking from experience, this one is absolutely worth the money, and you'll get more than your money's worth.

While PlayStation doesn't currently have a Lunar New Year sale, they do have a Critics' Choice sale running. So you'll still be able to pick up some amazing games at discounted prices of up to 75% off!

If you're a football fan, then good news because EA Sports FC 26 is currently on sale for just £27.99. That means you're looking at an impressive 30% discount on one of the most popular games of the year.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is one of the greatest Spider-Man games to ever be created, and unfortunately, it's been highly priced ever since it came out in 2023. But luckily for you, you can now nab it for £34.99 (a massive 50% off its usual price of £69.99) in this sale event.

And finally, if you fancy a weekend of tearing up at jaw-dropping visuals and emotional storytelling, look no further than last year's game of the year winner, Expedition 33. This game is currently on sale for £35.99 from £44.99, and it's certainly a gem.

Valve's highly anticipated new Steam Machine, which was revealed to the world back in November 2025, has now seemingly had its price revealed by Czech retailer, Smarty.

The gaming and tech world has been ablaze with speculation and rumours surrounding the new shiny Steam Machine. What will it cost? How will it compare to the current console generation? And will it come with a GameCube-like handle? (I can dream).

But it appears we can put some of the speculation to rest as the Czech retailer, Smarty, may have accidentally given us a sneak peak at the price.

Smarty is an authorised seller of Valve's products in the Czech Republic and has preliminarily listed both editions of the Steam Machine: 512GB and 2TB.

The internet sleuths over at Clawsome Gamer discovered these listings and have reported that the 512GB model will be around £708 and the 2TB model will be around £796.

Valve's other piece of hardware, the Steam Deck (512GB), is priced at £479 - that's quite the jump in price. Though, Valve states that the Steam Machine will have "6 times the horsepower" of the Steam Deck, so perhaps the price increase doesn't seem so bad.

You can read all about the differences between the Steam Machine and Steam Deck over at our sister site, TechRadar.

Valve has yet to comment on these leaked prices and has not released the official price. So take it with a grain of salt - they may end up being slightly lower or higher than what's being reported. Nevertheless, it's a good starting point for what we can expect when the Steam Machine releases sometime later this year.

While priced higher than the Xbox Series X (£499), the PlayStation 5 (£479), the PlayStation 5 Pro (£689) and the Nintendo Switch 2 (£395), it's worth noting that the Steam Machine is much more than your standard gaming console.

The Steam Machine is also a fully working PC. So all your programs and software will still work. It's essentially a gaming PC that Valve has packed into a small game console-shaped box. The reality is that if we look at other gaming PCs, you'd be digging far deeper into your wallet.

If the rumoured pricing is true, I'll be honest, I'm not mad at it. My gaming laptop is now 6 years old and doesn't work without a charger plugged in, so I'm in the market for an upgrade, and the Steam Machine is looking like a viable option.

PC gamers are all too familiar with the rising cost of parts and hardware, so if Valve can stick to around £700-£800, I think it's more than a fair price.

When you click on one of our links to our discount code pages or a retailer page, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Here's how it works. Prices mentioned in this article were correct at the time of writing. All prices were correct at time of writing this article.

If you haven’t yet jumped on the cosy colouring TikTok trend, then now is the time to do it.

When it comes to the best hobbies to do in winter, you can be sure that I’ve tried them all. From junk journaling and creating punch cards for habit tracking, to testing a walking pad to keep my steps up during the colder months, I love finding fun habits to fill my time.

Fellow lovers of cosy, low-maintenance activities will be delighted to know that the OG Fuzzy Hygge colouring books that went viral on TikTok a few years ago are now available to buy in Tesco stores.

For just £5 each with the Tesco Clubcard (that’s a saving of almost £3 in comparison to Amazon), you’ll get the adorable, original Fuzzy Hygge book containing 40 pages of illustrations for you to colour in.

In my local store, they also had the Cozy Corner and the Cozy Vibes books available for £5 for Tesco Clubcard holders. While the Fuzzy Hygge has illustrations of animals in cosy settings, the Cosy Corner is perfect for those who want to colour cute interiors (like me).

As someone who has an abundance of colouring books and pens, you can be sure that when I saw these, I snapped up the chance to buy them. They’re available online, but are currently out of stock (unsurprisingly!), so it’s definitely worth checking your closest store.

They’re absolutely adorable, and the perfect hobby for a Sunday afternoon in front of the fire.

Calling all hot chocolate lovers – Tesco has officially launched its new hot chocolate flakes, perfect for making a luxury hot chocolate at home.

It’s no secret that I love a hot chocolate myself. Previously, I’ve spoken about whether I think the Velvetiser is still worth it, and the much-anticipated return of the Hotel Chocolat hot chocolate advent calendar. And this might just be the next best thing.

If, like me, you love getting more for your money, then you’ll be thrilled to know that the new range of Tesco Finest Belgian chocolate flakes might be a more affordable way to get your luxury hot chocolate fix.

For just £5.75 each, you’ll get a choice of four exciting options of their Belgian chocolate flakes. Flavours include 45% Milk, salted caramel & white chocolate, black forest, and 70% dark chocolate.

Like the Hotel Chocolat drinking chocolate, the Tesco alternative can be melted into hot milk for a smooth and rich hot chocolate. And yes – that does mean that you’ll likely be able to use them in your Velvetiser if you have one.

If you don’t have a Velvetiser, worry not. Tesco advises that the best way to use your chocolate flakes is to add 4 tablespoons to a mug, add a small amount of hot milk, and mix into a paste. Then add approx 200ml of warm milk and stir until smooth.

So, whether or not the Tesco Finest Belgian chocolate flakes are a good alternative to the more premium Hotel Chocolat drinking chocolate, they’re a good one to try if you’re looking for a more affordable option.

We anticipate that these will be popular, especially amongst those who regularly shop at Tesco. So, you might not want to wait around if you'd like to get your hands on some.

Budget-beauty lovers across the UK will be thrilled to know that there’s another affordable beauty advent calendar up for grabs this year. It’s official – Sainsbury’s has joined the list this festive season, offering up a tempting purchase for those prioritising affordability.

There’s certainly a fair share of beauty advent calendars to choose from these days, and it can be hard to know whether something is simply too good to be true.

If you’re wondering which are the best beauty advent calendars of 2025, we’ve compared several calendars, including this one, so you’ll know whether you’re really getting value for money.

What’s included in the Sainsbury’s beauty & skincare advent calendar?

Priced at £80, the Sainsbury’s beauty & skincare Christmas advent calendar includes 24 products, making it ideal for beauty lovers with a moderate budget. With everything from moisturisers and brightening serums to lip gloss, mascara, hairspray, and more, they’ve got a fantastic range of products to try.

You’ll receive brand names, including Nivea, BeautyPro, Rimmel London, Sally Hansen, and more. So whether you want to discover new and exciting products to add to your collection, or you’re just starting, the Sainsbury’s beauty calendar is great for beginners and seasoned professionals.

We expect that the Sainsbury’s Advent calendar will be popular, so don’t wait around to purchase it.

Full list of what’s included:

NIVEA Soft Moisturising Cream 75ml, Nivea Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover 125ml, NIVEA Intense Moisture Hand Cream 100ml, Q&A Vitmain C Brightening Serum 30ml, Q&A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum 30ml, BeautyPro Brightening Sheet Mask with Vitamin C x1, Pixi Glow Tonic Travel Size Exfoliating Toner 15ml, Biderma Sensibio H20 The Original Micellar Water 100ml, Rimmel London Oh My Gloss Crystal Clear Lip Gloss 6.5ml, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish Make it Snappy 9ml, Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly 50ml, Maybelline Lash Sensation Mascara Sky High Black 7.2ml, Maybelline Lifter Glaze Shade Clear Crave 19g, John Frieda Miraculous Recovery Shampoo 75ml, Tangle Teezer Ultimate Detangler Electric Raspberry Mini, L'Oreal Paris Elnett Strong Hold Hairspray 75ml, Garnier Moisture Bomb Pomegranate Hydrating Face Sheet Mask x1, Olay Super Serum with Vitamin C for Face, Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo 90ml, Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner 90ml, CeraVe Daily Moisturising Lotion for Dry Skin 88ml, Dr.Paw Paw Original Balm 10ml, Dr.PawPaw Peach Pink Balm 10ml, Opi Infinite Shine Gel 15ml.

You know that it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas when brands start launching their advent calendars. From hot chocolate and tea to jewellery and more, we all know there’s one kind of calendar that beauty lovers dream of.

Aldi has officially launched their very own beauty advent calendar, and you’ll be thrilled to know that it’s super affordable. With unbeatable prices on their groceries, it’s no surprise that their calendar is great value for money, too.

Beauty advent calendars are a wonderful way to try out new, luxury products for a fraction of the cost. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best beauty advent calendars of 2025 and worked out which are worth your time and money, and this is one of them.

What’s included in the Aldi Lacura Beauty advent calendar?

For just £19.99, you’ll get 12 doors with 12 beauty products (including 4 full-size) in the Aldi Lacura beauty advent calendar. Items vary from primers and liquid blush to hair oil, body scrub, and more, so you’ll feel pampered from head to toe, all for under £20.

The biggest perk of the Aldi Lacura Beauty advent calendar is by far the price. Considering that most beauty advent calendars retail for approximately £100+, it’s clear that Aldi’s new addition makes them more accessible for those on a budget.

It’s worth noting that you’re only getting one brand in the Aldi beauty advent calendar, while other calendars on the market offer as many as 30 different brands. What’s more, only 4 out of the 12 are full-size products. If you’re wondering how the Aldi calendar compares to others, we’ve dedicated an entire article to comparing the best beauty advent calendars of 2025.

That said, if you’re not looking for brand variety and just want to jump on the beauty advent calendar bandwagon without spending a fortune, this one is definitely a fantastic option.

The Aldi Lacura Beauty advent calendar is only available in stores, so don’t wait around.

Full list of what’s included:

Lacura Vitabase Moisturisng Primer 15g, Lacura ‘Peachy Pink’ Liquid Blush 2.1ml, Lacura Stay Illuminated ‘Champagne’ highlighter 2.1ml, Lacura Scalp & Body Scrub 50g, Lacura Honey Infused Hair Oil 25ml, Lacura Dramatic Lash Mascara 6ml, Lacura Silky Kajal ‘Matte Black’ Eyeliner 1.2g, Lacura ‘Berry Bliss’ Tinted Lip Oil 2ml, Lacura Collagen Lip Oil 8ml, Lacura Creaseless Hair Clips 2pc, Lacura 100% Silk Scrunchie, Lacura Illuminate Setting Spray 32ml

It’s no secret that the festive season is when Hotel Chocolat truly comes to life. Whether it’s a delicious stocking filler or a selection box to indulge in while watching a Christmas movie, they know how to make the most of this time of year.

But if there’s one thing that never disappoints, it’s the ultimate hot chocolate. And hot chocolate fanatics will be thrilled to know that the long-awaited and much-loved Drinking Chocolate advent calendar is officially back.

If you’re loving the All-New Velvetiser upgrade, having read my review on whether the Velvetiser is still worth it, then you might be wondering whether this should be the next seasonal purchase for you.

What’s included?

For just £40 (£10 cheaper than last year), you’ll get 24 doors with 24 full-sized sachets of drinking chocolate. Flavours include two of their bestsellers, as well as some highly anticipated ones, like black forest gateau, blood orange, and even pumpkin spice (a new edition).

It’s worth noting that you don’t need the Velvetiser to enjoy these, though this is how Hotel Chocolat advise you to use their drinking chocolate to get the best results.

If you haven’t yet purchased their iconic Velvetiser appliance, you can simply heat some milk in a pan on the hob and empty the sachet into it. Then all you need is your favourite festive mug for the best hot chocolate experience.

Be it a Christmas present to enjoy for the remainder of Winter, or enjoyed in the lead up, the Hotel Chocolat drinking chocolate advent calendar has been known to sell out quickly, so don’t wait around.

If you would like to purchase one, take a look at our available Hotel Chocolat discount codes to help you save.

Full list of flavours available:

• Classic 70%
• Milky 50%
• Salted caramel
• Vanilla white
• Dark 85%
• Chili
• Black forest gateau
• Ginger
• Nutmilk 45%
• Salted caramel & clementine
• Hazelnut praline
• Blood orange
• Peanut butter
• Mint
• Coconut white
• Pumpkin spice

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Calling all book lovers – The Works has finally launched their Black Friday sale in stores, and it’s better than we imagined.

Whether you’re building out your dream book collection or looking for sneaky ways to save a few pounds on your hobbies, it’s handy to know all of the best tips and tricks for buying books on a budget.

Now you can shop your most anticipated reads of the year for as little cost as possible in their new 4 for £7.50 book deal - that works out as approximately £1.90 per book (almost as cheap as the Kindle 99p book deals), which is an enormous saving.

It’s fair to say that The Works has quickly become a firm favourite amongst readers on a budget. We’ve consistently seen impressive discounts on books throughout the year, including The Works viral £1 book sale back in September.

Fans of Freida McFadden, Christina Lauren, and Lindsey Kelk will be thrilled to know that they can purchase their books for a fraction of the cost in The Works well-awaited Black Friday sale.

The Works has confirmed that their Black Friday sale will take place from November 3rd to November 20th, so it’s worth heading down to your local shop to take advantage of the savings.

On top of a fantastic selection of adult fiction and non-fiction books, parents will be thrilled to know that The Works 10 for £10 on picture books is now 12 picture books for £10 in the Black Friday sale. So if you’ve got a budding bookworm, you can purchase a range of wholesome reads as the perfect stocking fillers.

So, if you’re shopping for yourself or looking for a Christmas read for a fellow book-lover, The Works Black Friday sale is the place to do it.

If you'd like to find out more ways you can save at The Works, take a look at our dedicated The Works discount code page which we regularly update with the latest discounts and promotions.

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Having reviewed the OG Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser and as a hot chocolate fanatic myself, I was super excited to find out that Hotel Chocolat had released an upgraded version.

While I indulge in a warm beverage during the cosy months, I love an iced drink all year round – and the all-new Velvetiser now makes that easier.

Since the original Velvetiser made its appearance in 2018, it quickly became a firm favourite amongst aspiring hot chocolate connoisseurs looking to achieve a luxury hot chocolate drink at home. With its sleek appearance and silky smooth hot chocolate, it has remained a well-loved product even now.

But if you’re anything like me, you might be wondering how the new model is different, and whether it’s worth the splurge this Christmas.

What does a Velvetiser do?

A Velvetiser creates a luxury hot chocolate with chocolate flakes and your milk of choice. The appliance heats the ingredients while whisking them, which gives it its smooth, rich texture.

The All-New Velvetiser returns with an entirely refreshed look, with subtle ridged detailing and a slightly bulkier design, making it a little more of a feature in your kitchen. Available in three new, exciting colour ways – chalk, pebble, and pewter – you’ll be able to opt for one that fits your preferred aesthetic.

Retailing at approximately £149.95, the new model comes with improved functionality too. The upgraded, fluted design ensures your chocolate sachets no longer get stuck beneath the whisk, like the original product.

Arguably, the question we're all asking is can the Velvetiser make cold drinks? With just the flick of a switch, the All-New Velvetiser can now make deliciously refreshing cold beverages – though it is worth mentioning that for iced drinks, you’ll need to pour it over ice.

The new model comes with a Podcup and a Podglass so you can drink in style, as well as Hotel Chocolat’s new hot & cold drinking chocolate selection. Flavours include classic, mint, banana, mandarin & orange, and creme brulee.

In short, if you’ve got the budget, the All-New Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser is likely worth it if you’re a lover of both hot and cold drinks. If it’s warm, silky hot chocolates that make you swoon, then the OG is probably the one for you.

As of the 7th of October, Tesco and Cineworld launched 'Tesco Tuesdays', aiming to make Tuesdays the new 'movie night' for Clubcard members.

For just £2.50 in Clubcard vouchers, members can enjoy all of the latest 2D blockbuster releases in participating Cineworld cinemas. Alternatively, Clubcard members can purchase standard Cineworld tickets for £5, instead of using £2.50 of their vouchers. Clubcard members will need to exchange at least 50p of their vouchers to unlock the reward code.

Clubcard members will be able to purchase up to four standard 2D Cineworld tickets at a time.

Excluded cinemas include Leicester Square, Dublin and Jersey. Event cinema and selected films are also excluded. Format uplifts apply for IMAX, 4DX, ScreenX, Superscreen and 3D. 3D glasses will come at an extra cost. The booking fee is included in the £5 standard ticket price.

Tesco Group Membership and Loyalty Director, Shama Wilson, said, "Tuesday night can now be movie night every week for Tesco Clubcard members. Whether you want to watch a spooky horror film in the run up to Halloween or the big Christmas blockbuster – as long as you see it on Tuesday, you can snap up a ticket at Cineworld for just £2.50 in Clubcard vouchers."

Head of Corporate Sales & Partnerships at Cineworld, Grainne Clarke, said, "Tesco Tuesdays is the next step in our ongoing partnership with Tesco Clubcard. Over the past year, we’ve worked closely together to strengthen that collaboration and find new ways to reward loyalty on both sides. This always-on offer gives Clubcard members £5 cinema tickets every Tuesday - a simple, rewarding way to enjoy the big screen for less.”

Morrisons has introduced Morrisons Now, a same-day service that delivers fresh groceries in as little as 60 minutes from participating stores.

The supermarket says the offer is live in around 158 locations and will expand to over 400 stores by the end of October through Morrisons.com and the Morrisons app.

Customers can order up to 30 items, track the delivery and earn More Card points on eligible purchases.

Morrisons confirmed a £4.50 delivery fee and a £15 minimum order for the service, which seems pricey compared to the £1 delivery days offered by Sainsbury's and the £1.50 delivery days by Tesco.

Morrisons Now is aimed at being a fast delivery service from local stores, and Morrisons suggested it's for "forgotten ingredients, surprise guests or last-minute cravings", not full shops.

Charlotte Exell, Group Online Director, said: "We are delighted to offer this service to our customers across the country... delivering what you need, within as little as an hour."

The move places Morrisons alongside other grocers with rapid delivery options while keeping the experience inside its own site and app. Morrisons is focused on "doing it themselves" rather than relying on third-party delivery services and marketplaces like their previous Deliveroo deal.

The company has not given an end date, indicating this is a permanent addition to their options rather than a short-term promotion.

The Argos Big Red sale is back once again, offering 1000s of exciting items at fantastic discounted prices. Not only that, but Nectar members will earn double points on each purchase.

To earn Nectar points on each purchase, make sure to link your Nectar account to your Argos account. On normal purchases, you will earn 1 Nectar point for every £1 spent.

The sale went live on the 8th of October and is scheduled to end on the 14th of October at 23:59.

Items on sale can be found on the homepage, but if you're looking for a specific product, look for the red banner that states it's on sale.

The sale features tiered discount codes; there will be products you can use the code 'RED10', 'RED20' and 'RED30'. Items labelled with 'RED10' will be 10% off, 'RED20' gets you 20% off and 'RED30' gets you 30% off.

A few examples of what you can pick up on sale right now include 10% off a new Samsung A36 5G phone, 20% off the Shark Anti Hair Wrap & Flexology Cordless Vacuum Cleaner and 30% off the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3.

These aren't the only voucher codes on offer at Argos; we have a range of voucher codes on our discount page, where you'll find offers such as 20% off made-to-order sofas and 10% off laptops.

When you click on one of our links to our discount code page or a retailer page, we may receive a small commission if you purchase something from the retailer's website.

ASDA has lowered the price of 956 grocery products across stores and online. The supermarket reports that the reductions average around 6%, with some cuts reaching 30%.

The changes cover cupboard staples, household goods, and more, including 49 free-from products with prices reduced by up to 15%.

Examples include Yorkshire teabags 240 pack moving from £6.32 to £5, ASDA gravy granules from £1 to 0.69p and ASDA chicken tikka masala from £2.40 to £1.57.

Linking the decision to drop prices to the pressure on household budgets ahead of winter, Chief Customer Officer Rachel Eyre said, "We understand the pressure families are under from rising living costs." She added that ASDA is "cutting prices on the everyday products they rely on the most, helping them bring down their food bills and get even more value every time they shop with us.”.

The announcement drew a swift market response, with Tesco and Sainsbury's shares slipping on concerns about a sharper price battle ahead of the Christmas period. The Financial Times reports an average of 6% cut across over a thousand lines.

ASDA has not provided an end date, indicating that many of the new ticket item prices are intended to remain in effect rather than revert after a brief period.

Since the 23rd of September, Sainsbury's has been running their 'Taste the Difference' sale on over 500 products. Nectar card members can claim 25% off Taste the Difference products to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Taste the Difference range.

Hitting shelves in October 2000, Taste the Difference has been offering customers a fantastic range of food, covering everything from delicious home-cooked meals to healthy ready meals.

The 25% discount is available for Nectar members online or in-store. Simply scan your Nectar card at the checkout or link your Nectar account online.

Nectar customers must act fast, however, as the sale is ending today, Tuesday 7th of October 2025.

So if you're looking for creamy macaroni cheese, mouth-watering slow-cooked smoky gammon shanks or warm sticky toffee pudding, make sure to jump on this sale today to grab yourself an amazing discount.

If you don't currently have a Nectar card and want to know more about it, we have an extensive article that thoroughly explains everything you need to know about the Nectar card.

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days run in the UK on 7–8 October. Several retailers have overlapping promotions, with dated pages that span the same window. Amazon confirms the two-day event on its UK newsroom.

• Currys: The homepage flags Epic Deals with an “Ends 21/10/25” banner across tech and appliances, creating a clear overlap with the dates of 7–8 October. Currys’ discount and codes pages carry matching October offers.
• John Lewis: My John Lewis members can receive an e-gift card for selected electrical items. The offer window is from October 1 to 29. They're also running an early Christmas sale.
• eBay UK: A tiered coupon, OCTSAVINGS, runs from 10:00 on October 2 to 23:59 on October 7, overlapping with the first day of Prime Big Deal Days. Terms sit on eBay’s official coupon page.
• Very.co.uk: The Latest Offers hub displays a dated window from October 2 to 9, 2025, featuring offers on fashion, home, and tech. That spans both Amazon sale days.
• Argos has started its Christmas sales early, and its voucher codes and offers page lists multiple live codes, including AUTUMN10 and AUTUMN20, which end on October 7, as well as HOME25, running until October 28.
• AO: AO’s product pages display October-dated promotions for selected products such as Hisense and Haier models. These are item-specific but run across the Amazon window.

Amazon positions its event as a Prime member sale ahead of peak season, which usually marks the start of the sale season. Prime Big Deal Days 2025 is returning October 7–8.

Amazon's Autumn Sale, Prime Big Deal Days, runs in the UK on Tuesday, 7th October, and Wednesday, 8th October. The event is limited to Prime members and features millions of deals across home, tech, toys, beauty, and more, ahead of the gifting season.

The sale is scheduled for 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on October 7th, which is 8:01 a.m. BST here in the UK.

Access requires an active Prime membership. In the UK, pricing is £8.99 per month or £95 per year, with discounted plans available for students and the 18-22 age group at £4.49 per month or £47.49 per year after the student trial.

A preview round-up of what is set to be discounted is now live on Amazon's newsroom, and the Prime Big Deals hub on Amazon.co.uk is already showing teaser tiles and early promotions, primarily focused on Amazon-branded products, such as Ring and Alexa.

Today's Deals continues to refresh in the run-up, which is where some early drops typically appear before the main window opens. Please ensure you sign in so that member pricing displays correctly in your basket.

It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas… okay, maybe it is. Nevertheless, if you’re starting to muse over tree decorations and seasonal pyjamas, you’re probably not the only one.

After a significant 145% increase in online Christmas purchases at John Lewis, it’s clear that customers are eager to start shopping for festive items. As a result, the brand has officially launched its festive collection in stores as of 24th September this year. Here’s what you can expect.

In comparison to previous years, the John Lewis Christmas edit has been designed with nostalgia in mind. It’s all about adding those whimsical, retro touches that make you smile.

It’s clear that this year John Lewis are going for the maximalism vibe, with their stunning range of bold stripes and harlequin decorations – some of our personal favourites.

Think ‘playful baubles with faces to bold stripes and nostalgic character decorations,’ says Lisa Cherry, head of Christmas at John Lewis. It’s all about ‘mixing tradition with a twist.’

With a impressive selection of four decorating themes, you’ll be able to shop based on the exact vibe you’re after this year.

Whether it’s Heirloom Splendour with it’s luxury and elegance; Enchancting Tales for statement pieces that add drama; Worldy Treasures with it’s elcecltic, colourful vibe; or Ancient Wonders full of the weird and wonderful, they’ve got something for everyone.

‘We’ve invested more than ever before in our Christmas decorations, gifts, and experiences this year so customers can create magical moments that feel uniquely theirs,’ Cherry states.

So, despite whether you think it’s far too early to start shopping for Christmas just yet or you’re in for the ride, don’t miss out on John Lewis Christmas shop 2025. It certainly won’t disappoint.

Once deemed as 'the best deal in gaming', Microsoft has once again increased the price of their Xbox Game Pass subscription service. Not only that, but this increase has also arrived with a complete reshuffling of the subscription, offering new tiers and different benefits.

This has resulted in the majority of the existing tiers having undergone name changes, for example: the Core membership is now the Essential membership, and Standard is now Premium.

The Game Pass Ultimate subscription is the tier that has come with a huge price hike. What was once priced at £14.99/month is now £22.99/month. This means Ultimate subscribers have gone from paying £179.88 per year to £275.88.

Xbox claim that the changes they've made comes down to offering more flexibility and options for gamers, with an official statement from Team Xbox saying, "We know not everyone wants the same thing in their Xbox experience, so we’re evolving Game Pass to offer more flexibility, choice, and value to all players, whether you love day one releases, discovering hidden gems, or playing across multiple devices and screens and across Xbox consoles, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Cloud."

These tiers have come with substantial changes alongside the price hike. Essential subscribers will now have access to over 50 games (was 25 before the change) and the ability to cloud stream video games. Premium subscribers will gain access to a list of over 200 video games, access to Xbox-published games within 12 months of release and shorter wait times for cloud streaming. Ultimate subscribers get to play over 400 video games, new games on day one of release, EA Play, Ubisoft+ Classics and the best quality for streaming.

Ubisoft+ Classics is a new addition to the Ultimate perk list, as before, only EA Play was available.

This change has put Xbox Game Pass more in line with what PlayStation offers with PS Plus, which has a very similar 3 tier subscription setup.

The change has caused outrage within the gaming community, with gamers crashing the Game Pass membership site from mass cancellations.

With this news following the announcement that Microsoft are raising the price of their Xbox consoles, it has many gamers questioning the viability of Xbox's future and whether or not the Xbox brand is strong enough to handle the amount of backlash it has received this year.

As of the 30th of September 2025, all plans at Disney+ will be facing price increases. See below for all changes.

Customers who have purchased one of the annual plans at Disney+ before the increase took into effect on the 30th of September will not have to pay the increased price until their membership renews the year after.

In comparison, here are how other streaming services are priced.

It's worth noting that with the Prime Video membership, you will also come with an Amazon Prime membership.

Streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime have also received price increases over the last two years, showing industry-wide pressure. February 2025 saw Netflix increase the Standard subscription price by £2, from £10.99 to £12.99.

With rising prices, it's worth shopping around for different streamers and having them on rotation, i.e. one month for Disney+, the next month for Netflix, etc. This way, you won't have to pay these prices continuously, and you can pick and choose.

Ofgem's new default tariff cap takes effect from Wednesday, 1 October 2025, to Tuesday, 1 December 2025. The regulator sets a typical annual bill at £1,755 for a dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit, up approximately 2% from July to September.

The cap limits unit rates and standing charges, not your total bill, which still depends on your usage.

For the period from October to December, Ofgem's explainer lists average example rates of 26.35p per kWh for electricity, with a daily standing charge of 53.6p, and 6.29p per kWh for gas, with a daily standing charge of 34.03p.

Actual prices vary by region, payment method and company. Ofgem has published the full regional tables, allowing you to look up the exact unit rate and standing charge for your location.

If you're on a standard variable tariff and don't have a smart meter, submitting a meter reading tonight helps ensure that usage up to the 30th of September is billed at the outgoing rates.

As the Guardian reported last week, "millions of Britons risk overpaying on their energy bills if they fail to submit meter readings before the upcoming price cap increase on October 1st." Smart readers usually send readings automatically.

What to check this evening:

First, locate your region and payment type in Ofgem's tables, and note the new unit rates and standing charges that take effect tomorrow.

Second, record and submit your electricity and gas readings through your supplier's app or account by midnight, then keep a photo of the submission for your own records.

Third, if your supplier provides a next-day confirmation, verify that it displays today's date (30/09/25) so that your opening balance rolls over cleanly at the price change. These are standard billing steps tied to the cap change rather than recommendations to switch tariff.

Ofgem has also published a short news note that lets you compare July to September rates with those for October to December at a glance. If you need a refresher on how the cap works or what "typical use" means, the regulator's explainer provides clear explanations in plain terms.

If you're a student looking to save a little cash, then Spotify has you covered. Spotify are currently offering all students 4 months of Premium completely for free. After the 4 months are over, students will be charged £5.99/month.

The price of the subscription for students is significantly cheaper than the Individual subscription, which comes in at £11.99. That's a 50% discount for students. You must act fast to get this offer, as the deadline is at 23:59 on the 30th of September 2025.

All students must be verified via SheerID to gain access to this offer and must be over 18. Students can use their Premium Student subscription for up to 4 years. Students must also be new Premium subscribers; they can't be returning or existing subscribers.

A Student Premium account nets you nearly all of the benefits of the Individual plan, but does exclude 15 hours a month of audiobook listening. Students still get ad-free music listening, offline listening and that premium sound that Spotify users love.

For comparison, Apple is currently offering students 1 month for free and then £5.99 thereafter. The Individual plan at Apple Music comes in at £11.99, once again saving students 50%.

Students at Apple Music also get access to Apple TV+ for free with their student subscription. Apple TV+ doesn't come with the Individual plan.

ASDA has introduced a fixed-price Meal Deal set at £3.74 for all shoppers. The supermarket states that the offer is available across all ASDA stores, online, and at 478 ASDA Express sites. It replaces ASDA's previous three-for-two format at its Food to Go counters.

The range is extensive, featuring 132 mains, 336 snacks, and 222 drinks across its own label and branded lines. ASDA says customers can save up to 50% compared with buying the items separately.

Amy Wotherspoon underscores the deal, saying, "Great value should be available to everyone." The company is positioning its newly set price as the lowest, no-membership-required meal deal among the major chains, and it projected selling more than 700,000 in its first week.

Before you buy, ensure the meal deal badge is displayed on the product you want or on a shelf with a corresponding label.

ASDA's move comes at a time when many rivals are increasing prices across meal deals and lunchtime offers. Hardly surprising, given the cost-of-living squeeze and the price inelasticity that usually follows it.

ASDA has maintained the entry price for everyone with its new meal deal, and appears to be signalling that it has undercut its rivals during a time of food price hikes.

IKEA is running a tiered "Spend & Save" offer for IKEA Family members across the kitchen and dining categories. The promotion runs until September 28, 2025, and is applicable in-store and online.

The headline thresholds are simple: Spend £50 and save £10, spend £100 and save £20, spend £250 and save £50.

The offers page lists the dates and mechanics and requires you to use the IKEA voucher code "SECRETSAUCE50" on your order.

The discount code applies to select products in the kitchen and dining categories. The full list of items is available on the IKEA page, which includes everything from wall storage to dining, handles, lighting, and sinks.

You will need to have an IKEA Family card to redeem your offer, which is available for one transaction per IKEA Family member. Therefore, try to group all your purchases together to maximise your savings.

There is also a 15% discount on Kitchen Installation Services until October 26, 2025. This is listed under IKEA's offers and events page. However, customers should note that these offers do not stack together, but are helpful if you are planning a fitting.

IKEA Family membership is free to join and is required for this promotion, as well as most other promotions of this scale offered by IKEA.

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Sainsbury's is running a prize draw with Birds Eye that gives shoppers the chance to "win your share of 2 million Nectar points."

To enter, customers must purchase any Birds Eye product and scan their Nectar card or app in-store or online before Monday, 7th October 2025.

Sainsbury's reports that there are three prizes in total. One shopper will win 1,000,000 points, and two shoppers will win 500,000 points each. The winners will be notified within 28 days.

The real value is in entering without changing your weekly shop. Look for Birds Eye lines that already carry Nectar prices so you're not paying full RRP just to take part.

At the time of writing, I found Birds Eye Omega 3 fish fingers 10-pack are £1.50 with a Nectar card, double check your local store however, as prices and offers can vary from store to store.

This offer is great if you already have a Nectar card as the entry is automatic, just remember to bring your card or the app to the store!

Amazon has confirmed that its autumn event, Prime Big Deal Days, will take place on October 7th and 8th, 2025. The company describes it as a two-day, Prime-member event with "millions of deals" across categories such as home, toys, apparel and beauty.

This is a member-only sale. If you are eligible for a 30-day Prime trial, Amazon's help page explains how to start it and when it converts to a paid plan. Younger readers should check out the Prime Student discount, which now includes a six-month trial and a half-price membership.

If you're a student, it's definitely worth going the half-price Prime route, which is £4.49 per month or £47.49/year. This includes Prime Video, Music, books, access to the student deals page, a Twitch Prime subscription, and free delivery.

To prepare without overspending, line up products you already plan to buy and use Amazon's tools to track them. You can also use CamelCamelCamel and Keepa to track prices before and after, just in case.

You can also use your Alexa to track items you have saved, so you can see when their prices drop.

If previous years are anything to go by, readers should expect a mix of Lightning Deals and longer promotions. Lightening Deals are strictly time-limited and quantity-limited, and Amazon notes you can join a waitlist for select items. But beware and don't fall prey to FOMO, or you may spend more than you planned.

For our money-saving readers, be sure to do some research before making a purchase. Compare the deal price on the product page with the listed previous price and any voucher that stacks on the page, and confirm whether Amazon sells the item or a third-party seller.

Amazon also suggests consolidating deliveries into a single "Amazon Day", which can reduce multiple deliveries to a single drop.

Tesco has reduced the price of the Quality Street 550g tub to just £3.95 for Clubcard holders, with the offer available for deliveries and collections until September 30th.

The product page shows the standard shelf price at £7 and confirms the promotional window and unit pricing. You will need a Tesco Clubcard or the Tesco app to get the Clubcard price at checkout.

When shopping online, add the item while logged in to ensure the promotional price is applied to your basket.

Similar tubs are available at a comparable price this week. Tesco's chocolate tubs shelf shows Celebrations tubs joining the £3.95 Clubcard tier from September 24th to 30th.

A quick checkout tip for those stocking up early and ordering online. Tesco's delivery and Click & Collect charges vary depending on the time slot and location. Click & Collect typically incurs a small slot fee, and a minimum basket value applies for groceries.

It's cheaper to add your tubs to an existing order or your weekly shop rather than paying separately.

This deal puts Tesco at the top for the cheapest price on 550g Quality Street tubs, with Nectar prices at Sainsbury's costing £4.50 and Morrisons at £7 per tub.

To help make travelling across Scotland more affordable, ScotRail has removed all peak rail fares from its train services. This will take effect as of the 1st of September 2025.

This choice will come as good news for commuters who are currently facing rising prices in energy and everyday items such as chocolate, butter and eggs. Train fares will now cost the same amount throughout the day.

First Minister John Swinney said, "Scrapping ScotRail peak fares will keep more money in people’s pockets and make train travel more appealing to commuters, providing savings on journeys to and from work. It will also ensure tickets can be used at any time of day, avoiding confusion and making people’s journeys simpler. "

The Managing Director at ScotRail, Joanne Maguire, also said, "The removal of peak fares from ScotRail services is fantastic news for both our existing customers and for people across the country thinking about rail travel for commuting or leisure journeys."

As an example of the savings that commuters can now make, during peak times, Glasgow to Edinburgh used to cost £32.60 and now just costs £16.80 (which is a saving of 48%), and Stirling to Glasgow used to cost £18.20 and now costs £10.80 (a saving of 41%).

This news follows a promise made by ScotRail earlier this year, with Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, announcing, "ScotRail also continue to develop fares initiatives which can help attract more passengers, while offering savings and added value to existing rail users.”

Further discounts are still available with a Railcard, so you'll be able to save even more money on your train journey.

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Working parents in England can now get 30 hours a week of government-funded childcare for children from nine months up to school age. The final stage of the rollout took effect at the beginning of September, doubling the previous 15-hour offer for under-twos.

The Department for Education (DoE) says families who use the full entitlement could save up to £7500 a year per child.

The entitlement is 30 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. Some providers allow families to "stretch" the hours over more weeks by taking fewer hours each week. Eligibility runs from the term after a child turns 9 months.

Eligibility includes yourself and your partner (if you have one,) although generally you need to be in work and each expects to earn at least the equivalent of 16hours at National Minimum or Living Wage, with individual income under £100,000.

There are exceptions if one parent is on certain types of leave or cannot work due to disability or caring responsibilities. Check the official guidance to confirm your situation.

You can apply online via GOV.UK to receive an eligibility code, which you should then provide to your childcare provider. You must have a valid code before the start of the term, with standard cut-offs of 31st of August, 31st December and 31st of March for Autumn, Spring and Summer starts.

You also need to reconfirm every three months to keep the code active. Local councils publish the exact dates and reminders.

This scheme sits alongside tax-free childcare, which can reduce fees by 20% for eligible families, and other support such as free hours for some two-year-olds. Use the government childcare calculator to see how the options stack up for your household.

For parents comparing places, the government says take-up is expected to exceed early projections, with over half a million children set to benefit from the scheme. Sector groups continue to press on staffing and capacity, so it is worth contacting providers as early as possible if you need particular times or dates.

Sixth-formers could soon get fairer access to member-only prices. Co-op and children's charity Barnardo's have called on UK grocers to let 16-17 year olds join loyalty schemes in their own right, arguing that age-18 limits lock younger shoppers out of cheaper "member price" baskets at the till.

Co-op says it is currently the only national food retailer offering independent membership for 16-17-year-olds. This makes sense, given that 18+ year olds shop for food, particularly meal deals, which are a lunchtime staple for students nationwide.

The push comes as students head back to college. Co-op's membership lead Rachel Halter said: "It seems wrong that we're close to giving 16-year-olds the right to vote, yet they are still denied access to basic savings on food in many stores."

Rachel continues to say “We see first-hand the volume of young people that come into our stores to buy food and drink, a number which increases during term times, as they depend on our stores during their studies. Research from Co-op has uncovered that 73% of 16 and 17-year-olds have chosen not to buy food or drink products from a retailer due to higher prices when not using a loyalty card.

The retailer says its young members save around £60 a year on average. Barnardo's chief executive, Lynn Perry, added that "nearly one in four secondary and college-aged students" struggle to access healthy food, urging rivals to expand discounts to under-18s.

Most big schemes still require you to be 18 to join. Tesco Clubcard terms state members must be 18+. Morrisons More also requires 18+ membership and recently tightened its rules from 16 to 18; myWaitrose is 18+. Sainsbury's Nectar says Primary Collectors must be over 18, but under-18s can be added as additional collectors on a parent/guardian's account (the adult remains responsible).

Note: Access to Your Nectar Prices requires the account holder to be 18+, but scanning that adult account at checkout unlocks members' pricing.

The campaign has been widely covered in national and retail press and follows a Co-op/Barnardo's policy push that began last year. The Independent reported that Co-op, Barnardo's and Which? have written to ministers seeking support to end under-18 exclusion in food retail.

Trade titles say the ask is straightforward: let 16-17s sign up independently so they're not paying more than adults for the same basket.

For money-savvy readers, the bottom line is practical. If you're under 18, use the existing routes (co-op membership or an adult Nectar/Clubcard scanned at checkout, as per scheme rules) while the sector decides whether to open up wider access. It's a small change that could cut the cost of lunches and top-ups throughout the term.

UK students are swapping big gestures for small, sustainable habits to keep costs down this term. A Guardian round-up asked current and recent students for the tactics that actually moved the needle, from classic discount hacks to rethinking first-year housing.

Several students say the simplest wins start before you buy anything: sign up to UNiDAYS and Student Beans and check for student discount codes every time you shop. Others found that leaving Apple Pay at home and taking a set amount of cash on nights out stopped impulse spending.

Planning ahead helps too, look up menus and deals before you head to bars or venues so you're not blindsided by prices.

Not every saving comes from buying "cheap". One contributor to the round-up said spending a little more on durable bedding and kitchenware cut their replacement costs over time. On campus, joining societies can be a low-cost way to learn a new skill because activities are often subsidised. Some universities also fund travel or internships if you apply early.

Create a plan, select a few rules you can actually follow, and utilise the discounts and support available to you. Housing is the big outlay, and the boldest tip came from a first-year student who shared a room. "It more than halved" their rent, taking the annual bill to around £3000. It won't suit everyone, but in high-rent cities like London (which can reach £178/week), the savings can be dramatic if your university offers the option.

If you're mapping out a term-time budget, UCAS has a straightforward student budget planner to tot up income and essential costs. And if your overdraft or freebies will influence where you bank, MoneySavingExpert keeps an up-to-date guide on the best student bank accounts.

The overall message? Make a plan, pick a couple of rules you can actually follow, and lean on the discounts and support you have access to. Those small, repeatable choices, plus the occasional bigger decision on things like housing, add up fast.

UK wage data out today points to a state pension uplift next April. Average earnings grew by 4.8% in the three months to July 2025, excluding any bonuses, and 4.7% including bonuses, according to the ONS.

Under the triple lock, the State Pension rises by the highest of earnings, September CPI inflation, or 2.5%. The exact rate is confirmed after the September inflation figures are published.

For money-saving readers, the priority is to ensure you receive everything you are entitled to and that routine bills are managed sensibly around any rise.

Start with the basics. Check your State Pension forecast on GOV.UK and review your National Insurance record in the UK to check for gaps that could reduce your benefits.

If you do have missing years, the government advises contacting the Future Pension Centre before paying voluntary class 3 contributions, so you only top up years that actually increase your pension.

If your income is modest, Pension Credit can boost your weekly income and open the door to other support. You can check eligibility and apply online or by phone. You can also contact Citizens Advice online or via 0808 223 1133 for advice on everything you can claim.

Energy help returns for winter. The Warm Home Discount is due to return in October 2025, with the government confirming plans to widen eligibility in England and Wales for 2025-2026.

Most eligible households in England and Wales are identified automatically. In Scotland, some people apply via their supplier. The Winter Fuel Payment of £100-£300 is paid automatically to most who qualify. If you rely on extra help with utilities, ask to join your suppliers' Priority Services Register.

Council bills are another area to check. If you live alone, you can get a 25% Council Tax single person reduction. If you are on a low income, Council Tax Reduction can cut bills further, in some cases up to 100% depending on local rules.

There are everyday travel and household savings, too. The Senior Railcard gives 1/3 off most rail fares for those aged 60 and over. Couples where one partner pays no tax can look at the Marriage Allowance, which lets you transfer part of a personal allowance to a basic-rate-paying spouse or civil partner, reducing their tax bill.

If broadband or phone costs are high, ask about social tariffs. Ofcom keeps an up-to-date list of low-cost packages for people on certain benefits.

Note: This article is general information, not financial advice. Check details on GOV.UK or speak to Citizens Advice if you are unsure.

Millions of households could be leaving serious money on the table because they're not claiming the support they're entitled to. New analysis from Policy in Practice suggests more than £22-24 billion in benefits and social tariffs go unclaimed each year across the UK.

A large slice of that relates to Universal Credit (UC). Anti-poverty charity Turn2us estimates that over £9.6 billion in UC wasn't claimed over the past year as families grappled with rising costs.

Reports citing Policy in Practice put the number of households missing out on UC in the region of 1.6 - 1.7 million, with average gains for some households worth several thousand pounds a year.

The backdrop is a system that's complicated and, for many, hard to navigate. Policy in Practice's director Devan Ghelani says "over £24 billion is left on the table at a time when many are struggling to stay afloat," calling for a simpler, more proactive approach to support.

Meanwhile, official DWP statistics show that 6.4 million households were on UC in January 2024, rising to 7.5 million in January 2025, over 50% of which were families with children, underlining how central the benefit has become.

If you're unsure if you qualify, checking takes minutes and doesn't commit you to a claim. The government signposts independent benefits calculators on GOV.UK, while charities run their own tools and one-to-one help.

With living costs still biting, even a modest monthly award can be the difference between staying on top of bills or falling behind. A five-minute check is a low-effort way to find out what you're due.

Morrisons has added a new perk for More Card members this month: if you spend £10 or more in a single in-store transaction and scan your card at the till, you receive a voucher for a free hot drink to use in a participating Morrisons café. The promotion runs until Sunday, 28th September 2025, with one free drink per week per member.

The mechanics are straightforward. After your qualifying £10 shop, the voucher either prints at the till or lands in your Morrisons More Card app as a digital coupon. If it's digital, you may need to activate it in the app before ordering at the café.

Drinks included range from standard coffees and teas to cappuccinos, lattes, hot chocolate and herbal teas, but the offer is for cafés only, not takeaways. It also doesn't apply online, in Morrisons Daily convenience stores, or at Brew Bars, and the £10 spend is counted after any discounts are applied.

Several outlets have already flagged the short once-per-week limit, so the best play for regulars is to time a weekly grocery run to trigger the voucher, then redeem it the same week on your next visit (or straight after your shop). If you don't use the app, keep an eye on your till receipt for a printed coupon.

Morrisons' own terms and conditions page directs members to check and activate promotions through the My Offers tab in the app, which is helpful if you aren't seeing the voucher straight away. It's a nice extra perk, but it doesn't appear to compete with the Waitrose free coffee so far.

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Almost one in five UK households found it difficult to pay their water bills in the past year, according to new figures from Citizens Advice.

The charity's survey, carried out in August, revealed that 21% of those who struggled with payments ended up in debt to their water supplier. The findings come after the biggest single-year rise in household water charges since the industry was privatised in 1989 under the government of Margaret Thatcher.

The hike, announced in January, saw the average annual bill jump from under £500 to more than £600. Households have been particularly hard hit since April, when an average increase of £86 (around 20%) was front-loaded into the current financial year. Once inflation is added, the typical bill in 2025-26 is £123 higher, a rise of 26%.

The consequences of this massive rise in cost for many families have been stark. Over two-fifths (42%) of those struggling said they had cut back on groceries or energy to keep up with bills. More than a third (35%) reported rationing water, with some reducing showers, flushing the toilet less often and washing clothes less frequently.

Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty said that "long overdue and much-needed investment in the water sector cannot come at the cost of higher bills that push low-income households into debt or impossible choices. Every winter, we hear of families turning off the heating. Now we anticipate those same households will have to ration showers or cut down on laundry for fear of their water bill."

The charity is calling for a single nationwide social tariff to support households on the lowest incomes. At present, eligibility for reduced bills depends on the supplier, which Citizens Advice describes as a "postcode lottery."

For anyone finding it difficult to keep up with essential household costs, help is available. Citizens Advice offers free guidance on paying bills and managing debt. The Government-backed Help for Households hub lists available cost-of-living support, while the Consumer Council for Water provides information on water company schemes and reductions.

The report comes as the Consumer Council for Water said household complaints about suppliers in England and Wales reached their highest levels in nine years, rising 3% in 2023-24.

In a bid to help parents across the UK while they battle the rising prices of energy and food in the UK, Aldi is freezing the price of their Mamia baby formula through to the end of 2025.

The price of Mamia First Infant Milk will stay at £6.99 throughout 2025. In comparison, at ASDA, for the same size tub of formula, Cow & Gate currently costs £9.28, Aptamil costs £12.82, and Little Steps costs £8.43.

Julie Ashfield, the Aldi UK chief commercial officer, said, "Shoppers should not be paying over the odds for the essentials. As the UK’s cheapest supermarket, we’re committed to keeping prices low on the products our customers rely on most."

"As formula prices remain at historic highs across the market, we want to reassure parents that at Aldi, there will be no unwelcome surprises at the checkout – we’re keeping our Mamia First Infant Formula at just £6.99 for at least the remainder of this year."

Despite Mamia and all branded baby formula being nutritionally adequate for infants, the most expensive formula available at ASDA, Kendamil Goat, is currently almost three times the price of Mamia.

The UK regulations require that all baby formula meet the same nutritional standards. This means you'll be getting the same nutritional value in Mamia formula that you would in the big-name brands.

As well as freezing the price of their baby formula, Aldi is supporting parents with the Mamia New Parent Fund. This scheme allows parents to apply to win a £100 voucher a week to spend in any UK Aldi store. Simply email mamiaparentfund@aldi.co.uk with a receipt showing your latest Mamia nappy purchase.

One parent will be chosen each week, and this scheme will remain open until March 2026.

Julie Ashfield comments, "As the UK’s cheapest supermarket, we’re committed to doing whatever we can to support parents in making their money go further, including through our award-winning Mamia brand. Our Mamia New Parent Fund is just another way that we’re supporting parents to help them better enjoy every moment with their new arrival."

Book lovers unite. Whether it’s fantasy, romance, or thrillers, cosy season is upon us, which means it’s the best time to snuggle up with a good book – and there’s never been a better time.

The Works has launched an in-store sale, meaning you can stock up on your favourite, most anticipated reads for an absolute bargain.

The Works themselves have kept this fairly under wraps, but after TikTok trends revealed ‘The Works £1 books’ as a trending search term, it has been confirmed by booktokers across the UK that the retailer is offering books for £1 each.

If you head into your closest store, look out for books marked with red £1 stickers. One of our very own money-saving experts managed to bag books by romance author Emily Henry, dark academia author Olivie Blake, and romance author Hannah Bonam Young.

What’s more, fellow booktokers have also spotted the likes of Ali Hazelwood, Richard Osman, and Adam Silvera in The Works £1 book sale. So, whether you're looking for your next spooky read or something a little different, now is a great time to do it.

While content creators are proudly sharing their discounted book hauls from The Works book sale, commenters are debating how long the sale will last.

It’s worth mentioning that there are speculations that the sales will end when the stores run out of books, so it’s worth heading down to your local store to see if you can bag a bargain or two.

If you do find that you’ve left it too late, fear not. You can still shop The Works online sale. Alternatively, check out our handy article on the ultimate guide to buying books on a budget where we cover the best possible ways to save on your favourite reads.

If you'd like to find out more ways you can save at The Works, take a look at our dedicated The Works discount code page which we regularly update with the latest discounts and promotions.

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Energy regulator Ofgem has confirmed the price cap for 1st October to 31st December 2025 will rise by 2% to £1,755 a year for a typical household paying by Direct Debit. That's about £2.93 more per month than the current £1,720 level. As ever, it's a cap on unit rates and standing charges, not on your total bill.

Ofgem says the uptick is mainly down to policy and network costs, including the expanded Warm Home Discount and higher balancing and network charges. Standing charges will also rise on average (electricity up ~4% and gas up ~14%).

"While today's change is below inflation, we know customers might not be feeling it in their pockets," the regulator said, adding that switching to Direct Debit or smart prepay typically trims costs.

Consultancy firm Cornwall Insight thinks the cap should fall in January to roughly £1,712, reflecting softer wholesale prices. Still, it warns that the new policy costs (for example, the proposed RAB nuclear levy) could limit how far bills drop. Forecasts aren't promises, so treat them as guidance rather than a sure thing.

So, fix or stay variable? Suppose your supplier offers a fixed tariff that's clearly below the new cap (some deals have been under the cap in recent weeks). In that case, fixing can buy certainty through winter, especially if you're a heavier-than-average user.

If your offer is only level with, or just below £1,755, staying on the standard variable tariff could make sense if that January dip happens.

Always factor in exit fees, term length, and your own usage pattern; paying by Direct Debit typically costs less than standard credit (Ofgem estimates a saving of about £135.60 a year for those who switch payment method).

Make sure to confirm your current tariff and payment type with your supplier before October 1st. If you're struggling, remember suppliers must offer support like tailored repayment plans or emergency credit.

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Commuters may be finding themselves priced out of catching the train in 2026 as fares could rise by 5.8%. Rail fares are usually calculated by adding one percentage point to July's inflation readings on the retail prices index.

In 2024, the retail prices index (RPI) read that inflation was at 3.6% as of July. This caused ministers to raise the price of rail tickets by 4.6% in March the following year (2025).

As of July 2025, the RPI read that inflation was at 4.8%. If ministers follow the same rules set in the previous year, we can expect train fares to rise by 5.8%.

This price is higher than the predicted 5.6% rise, after the retail prices index and the consumer price index measured that inflation rose higher than expected.

With the rising prices on food and other everyday items, people may find themselves struggling to use the train to commute, something that Bruce Williams, a spokesperson for Railfuture said, "It’s ripping off the customer, driving people off the trains and on to our congested road network, which is in no one’s interest."

With the projected rise in fares, commuters can expect annual season tickets from Woking to Leeds to rise from £4260 to £4507 and from Gloucester to Birmingham to rise from £5384 to £5696.

A spokesperson from the Department for Transport had this to say about the potential price increase: "The government is putting passengers at the heart of its plans for public ownership and Great British Railways, delivering the services they deserve and driving growth."

"No decisions have been made on next year’s rail fares, but our aim is that prices balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers."

Morrisons is trimming the cost of around 650 everyday products, and doing it for a defined window, not just a weekend flash sale. The supermarket reports an average reduction of about 18%. This change will be live in-store and online for four to eight weeks from the beginning of September.

The list of products leans heavily on weekly staples and household basics such as chicken breast fillets, rice and pasta, and fresh vegetables, plus kitchen and toilet roll and laundry pods. There's also a cold-weather nudge with soups and cold and flu tablets among the lines going down in price.

Morrisons' pricing lead Alex Paver says the aim is straightforward: make the shop feel better value on the things people actually buy. As he put it, "We're cutting the prices of over 650 items… so customers can trust they're getting real value."

The retailer is backing the movie with national ads and in-store signage to make reduced lines easier to spot. It's important to remember that these are temporary reductions, not a long "price-lock", so try and plan your cupboard top-ups inside the 4-8 week window

September is when supermarkets start jockeying for position ahead of peak season and Christmas food shops. Recent coverage suggests this is Morrisons' opening move in this annual pricing contest.

Luckily, this means that other stores are likely to follow suit with competitive pricing, particularly Lidl, which overtook Morrisons as the fifth-largest supermarket. So if Morrisons isn't your local store, don't worry too much about it.

As always, check the app for additional deals and make sure you make the most of your Morrisons rewards card to maximise your savings.

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M&S has announced that it's investing £340m ($465m) into a state-of-the-art food automation hub. Promising to revolutionise the way products are moved from the supplier to the shelves.

By using advanced technology such as AI and robotics, this automated distribution hub will cut waste, improve efficiency and allow products to reach store shelves faster.

The Managing Director at M&S Food, Alex Freudmann, said, "This investment will boost capacity for future growth, lower our cost to serve over the long-term, and improve product availability – ensuring customers find the right products in the right place at the right time."

The construction of the distribution hub aims to create more than 2000 jobs, and once construction is complete, 1000 permanent jobs will be available.

Alex Freudmann said, "Our new site will strengthen our network and help us get ahead of the volume curve as we build a bigger, better Food business. By using the latest, proven automation, we are future-proofing both our business and UK retail logistics, as well as creating 1000 jobs permanently on site and 2000 during the construction phase."

The Regional Head of Prologis UK, Paul Weston, said, "This development goes beyond real estate – it’s a long-term infrastructure platform tailored to M&S’s future supply chain. Together, we’re combining automation, sustainability and smart energy systems to deliver a site that supports growth, resilience and net zero ambitions.”

The facility is expected to open in 2029 and will be based at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal.

Families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis have been hit with another hurdle, with food inflation rising by 4.2% from 4% in July. This is the highest inflation since February 2024.

High prices of chocolate, butter and eggs seem to be the main culprits, while fresh food has also risen by 4.1% from 3.2% in July.

The chief executive of the BRC, Helen Dickinson, said, "This adds pressure to families already grappling with the cost of living. Retailers continue doing everything they can to limit price rises for households, but as the Bank of England acknowledged, the £7 billion in new costs flowing through from last year’s budget has created an uphill battle for retailers."

"Staples such as butter and eggs saw significant increases due to high demand, tightening supply, and increased labour costs. Chocolate also got more expensive as global prices of cocoa remain high owing to poor harvests."

Over 60 retail bosses that including Sainsbury's, Tesco's and Boots, have sent a letter warning Chancellor Rachel Reeves against raising taxes further in the autumn budget, as it will contradict her plans to improve UK living standards.

They later go on to say that they're expecting food and drink inflation to rise to 6% later this year.

Mike Watkins, head of retailer and business insight at NIQ, said, "The uptick in prices reflects several factors: global supply costs, seasonal food inflation driven by weather conditions, the conclusion of promotional activity linked to recent sporting events, and a rise in underlying operational costs."

"As shoppers return from their summer holidays, many may need to reassess household budgets in response to rising household bills"

Lovers of arts and crafts will be happy to know that Hobbycraft has finally confirmed the launch of their new Freeview TV shopping channel jam packed with handy crafting tutorials.

After nine stores were set to close in summer 2025, with more potential closures in late 2025, the crafting brand has reassured its customers that it was a tough decision, but that exciting things are coming.

Alex Willson, Chief Exectuive at Hobbycraft says that ‘the launch of Hobbycraft TV marks an exciting chapter for the business,’ and we’re certainly intrigued.

Willson states that the shopping channel itself will ‘offer a seamless shoppable experience with daily demonstrations, expert guidance, and creative content, all designed to inspire, educate and connect with both new audiences and our existing crafting community.’

If you’re keen to find out more about this, then you’ll be pleased to know that Hobbycraft TV is scheduled to go live on Freeview channel 97 from 7:30am on 4th September this year.

What’s more, previous episodes will be available to stream on the business’s YouTube page, if you’d like to get a sneak peek of the kind of things you can expect from the official channel after its launch in September.

So, while customers might lose their local Hobbycraft stores on the high street, they will still be able to get their craft on with their exciting new TV channel.

If you'd like to see more about Hobbycraft, then check out our available Hobbycraft discount code page so you can stock up on all of your crafting essentials for less. Alternatively, check out out guide on how to buy art materials on a budget.

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As of July 1st, 2025, Ofgem announced that UK energy prices have fallen by 7% thanks to the latest price cap. Those on standard variable tariffs can expect their annual bill to drop to £1720 on average.

This news will come as a welcome helping hand when compared to the high energy cap price seen in 2022-23, where the average bill is estimated to be around £2,316 annually.

While the price drop is great news, households are still paying far more than pre-energy crisis levels. Before the energy crisis came into effect, households were paying on average £1000 less annually than they currently pay.

Energy bills have fallen by 7% thanks to wholesale energy prices settling down, but unfortunately, they still remain volatile due to risks with gas storage levels in Europe and global demand.

In the latest energy price report, Ofgem has announced that bills will be rising by 2% as of 1 October. Meaning the typical dual-fuel household can expect their annual bill to increase to £1755.

Fortunately, energy consultancy Cornwall Insight predict that energy bills will fall again by 2.6% in the first quarter of 2026.

Principal consultant at Cornwall Insight, Dr Craig Lowrey, said, "There is better news on the horizon with bills currently expected to ease in January, driven by a forecast fall in wholesale prices."

EDF Energy and British Gas also predict that energy prices will be lower in the first quarter of 2026 by 0.5%.

British Gas, however, also forecasts that prices will go up in April 2026 by £1830 per year. It's worth noting that British Gas forecast this price increase with 'very low' confidence.

As Spotify subscription fees continue to creep up, you might be wondering whether there is anything you can do about it – as it turns out, there is.

MoneySavingExpert writer, Peter Lekarski, says that ‘Most of Spotify's existing 'Premium' plans … include 15 hours a month of listening time from its audiobooks catalogue, although on the Duo and Family plans, this is only available for the primary account holder.’

While there have been rumours that removing audiobooks from your Spotify plan can reduce your monthly bill, it seems this option is no longer available to most regular users. The good news, though, is that you can still save by downgrading your Spotify package.

As of 2025, Spotify family subscriptions cost a whopping £19.99 per month, but if it’s just two of you using it, you can save a whole £3 by switching to Spotify Duo instead.

Similarly, if you’re signed up to a Duo account but now only use it for yourself, opt for an Individual Spotify account instead for £11.99 a month, to save yourself up to £5 per month.

If you’re a student, don’t make the mistake of paying for a regular subscription. Spotify has a dedicated Student subscription option for £5.99 a month, so you don’t have to waste your student budget.

Alternatively, customers can also save even more by paying for a year’s subscription upfront using a Spotify gift card. MoneySavingExpert found that Amazon and Currys offer digital gift cards that mean you can enjoy 12 months of Individual Premium for £99.

So, while the option to remove audiobooks to save on your subscription is no longer available to most Spotify users, there are a few alternatives that can help reduce the monthly cost.

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Thousands of struggling families across the UK will receive a helping hand thanks to Ofgem announcing a £9 million grant.

Aimed at helping families throughout the cost-of-living crisis, the £9 million grant will be distributed between 31 organisations that will use the money to support struggling families in communities across the UK.

Ofgem are supporting 9,500 households in total, with the families at the highest risk of fuel poverty being targeted.

The head of enforcement at Ofgem, Russell Ogilvie, said, "This funding, which is a direct result of Ofgem’s enforcement and compliance work, shows that when energy companies fall short, we hold them to account and help deliver tangible support for those who need it most."

You don't need to do anything to apply for this grant. The selected charities will check the NHS's vulnerable patient finder tool, EPC and Council Tax data to find the households that are at the highest risk of fuel poverty.

Full List of Grants

• Age Concern Tyneside South - £104,829
• Age UK Bolton - £210,693
• Ashden Climate Solutions - £89,753
• Bath and West Community Energy - £656,258
• Bristol Energy Cooperative - £242,543
• Burmantofts Community Projects - £635,086
• Caritas Diocese of Salford - £249,658
• Cwm Arian Renewable Energy - £246,725
• Citizens Advice Liverpool - £772,091
• Citizens Advice Mid Mercia - £441,435
• Community Action Northumberland - £303,994
• Derby City Mission Ltd - £91,506
• Derbyshire Districts Citizens Advice Bureau - £356,199
• Grand Union Community Energy - £366,200
• Greener Kirkcaldy - £272,542
• Huntly Development Trust Limited - £127,659
• Isles of Scilly Community Venture CIC - £147,204
• KeyRing-Living Support Networks - £99,205
• Moray Food Plus - £81,119
• Nadder Community Energy - £70,000
• North Kensington Community Energy - £485,133
• Nottingham Energy Partnership - £235,733
• Opening Doors - £47,163
• PEC Renewables - £685,121
• Repowering Limited - £447,070
• South East London Community Energy - £100,137
• South Hams Citizens Advice Bureau - £447,349
• Swindon and District Citizens Advice Bureau - £187,996
• South East London Community Energy - £100,137
• The C.H.E.E.S.E. Project CIC - £158,759

Brits are changing the way they shop as supermarket own-label ranges continue to rise.

However, at the same time, shoppers are still spending more on organic products. Two trends, both running hot.

Figures from the Soil Association show sales of organic food and drink jumped 7.3% in 2024. That pushed the market to £3.7 billion, almost twice the size it was ten years back. Shoppers are still opting for organic eggs, milk, and fresh vegetables, even while cutting costs elsewhere.

And then there’s own-label. Cheap pasta. Bread. Frozen chips. The basics. Data from The Grocer shows supermarket-brand goods grew by more than 3% in value last year.

A Savills report in July said growth was closer to 4.2%. Analysts at Atlante now estimate that own-label products make up over half of all grocery sales by value in the UK.

So what’s going on? It’s a balancing act. Households are trading down on basics but still spending a bit extra on food they feel good about. McKinsey’s State of Grocery report states that retailers are leaning into this mix, building up their private brands while keeping organic lines on shelves to capture shoppers who won’t give them up.

However, that's not to say that expensive brands mean better quality. McKinsey also reports that 81% of shoppers believe that own-brand products are equal in quality to A-brands.

Supermarket trolleys are combining the cheaper items with the pricier ones: store-brand pasta in one bag, organic carrots in the other. Families are cutting costs but not completely sacrificing quality.

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Iceland has confirmed it is scrapping its long-running Bonus Card and moving customers onto a fully digital loyalty scheme called the Bonus Club.

The new programme launches on 26 August and will be rolled out across stores and online. Instead of simply loading money onto a plastic card, members will earn £1 back for every £20 spent, enjoy free delivery on orders over £40, and get access to discounts on more than 500 everyday items.

To encourage sign-ups, Iceland is offering a £5 welcome credit to new customers. In comparison, existing Bonus Card holders will automatically receive a £2 thank-you credit if they activate the app between August 26 and September 1.

Shoppers will need to download the Iceland app or register online to access the new offers. However, the retailer states that anyone without a smartphone can still join by linking their account to their phone number in-store.

Richard Walker, Executive Chairman of Iceland Foods, said, “We’re evolving our Bonus Card into the new Bonus Club, bringing more value, more benefits and even more reasons to shop with us. What better way to celebrate than by going big with our Mega Deals Event?”

The timing is no coincidence. Food inflation has eased from last year’s highs, but prices for many frozen and packaged goods remain stubbornly elevated.

By replacing the paper card with a digital set-up, Iceland can issue weekly personalised offers as well as run “mega events” on bulk buys, something the old system couldn’t manage.

Iceland’s shake-up also puts it more directly in line with other big supermarkets. Tesco’s Clubcard already gives members exclusive “Clubcard Prices” on thousands of products.

At the same time, Sainsbury’s Nectar scheme now offers personalised “Your Nectar Prices” at the till, with some households saving up to £150 a year.

Unlike those, however, Iceland’s Bonus Club adds a clear cashback element, with money credited straight back onto the account, and free home delivery thrown in too.

For regulars, the appeal is straightforward: free delivery plus cashback on top of special offers could add up quickly. A household spending £80 a week could earn around £200 a year back in Bonus Club credit, alongside access to regular price cuts.

With loyalty schemes becoming increasingly central to supermarket pricing, Iceland’s overhaul is another sign that shoppers are expected to sign up and tap in to get the best deals.

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Tesco has raised the price of its lunchtime meal deal for the third time since 2022, and some customers say the "deal" isn't living up to its name.

From this week, the popular offer of a sandwich, snack and drink is £3.85 with a Clubcard or £4.25 without. The premium option, which includes hot food and branded items such as Yo! Sushi has climbed to £5.50 with a Clubcard and £6 for non-members.

It's been a steady climb since 2022 when a Clubcard meal deal was £3. By 2023, it had reached £3.40, and last year it increased to £3.60. The latest rise represents a 28.33% increase over the past three years, while the cumulative effect of inflation since 2022 has been 21.98%.

In short, this means shoppers are paying 6.35% more than inflation for their meal deals, and supermarkets warn that the price could increase even further.

The change comes while food inflation remains stubbornly high. Prices for basics like meat, coffee, and juice are still around 5% higher in July than they were a year earlier. Rival Sainsbury's upped its deal to £3.95 earlier this year as a result.

Not all shoppers are taking it in stride, and it's understandable given the cost of a British staple is rising faster than inflation.

One shopper posted on X (formerly Twitter): "Discovering that a Tesco meal deal will be £3.85 with a Clubcard from Thursday was truly devastating." While another questioned if it was even a deal anymore.

Retailers argue they're under pressure too. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that new business taxes or packaging rules could push food inflation up to 6% this year, making it harder to keep popular offers affordable.

For now, the math technically still works: buying the same items separately can cost nearly £8. But after three hikes in three years, many shoppers scrolling through social media are asking the same question: Is it still a deal worth grabbing, or is it time to start looking elsewhere for a better deal?

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