Matthew Jenkin

London

Senior Content Producer and Writer at Which? Money

Journalist for Which? Money. Email [email protected]

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Articles

Isa allowances renew today – is now the best time to open an account? - Which?

2 weeks ago | which.co.uk | Matthew Jenkin

By clicking a retailer link you consent to third-party cookies that track your onward journey. This enables W? to receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase, which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion. Today marks the start of the new tax year, meaning your Isa allowance has now reset. Isas allow savers to put away up to £20,000 a year without paying tax on the interest they earn. However, not everyone understands how the allowance works.
April 2025 premium bond winners – how to reinvest your winnings - Which? News

3 weeks ago | which.co.uk | Matthew Jenkin

Two premium bond holders have bagged £1 million each in the latest National Savings & Investments (NS&I) monthly prize draw. The winners are from South Yorkshire and Hertfordshire. A further 78 savers secured the next-best prize of £100,000. April price rises will hit everyone this month, with energy, water and council tax bills all going up.
5 things we learned from the Spring Statement

4 weeks ago | which.co.uk | Matthew Jenkin

Rachel Reeves was true to her word when she said the Spring Statement would not be a full-on Budget, but it wasn't all growth forecasts and spending cuts. The Chancellor used her speech in the House of Commons to reaffirm the government's promise not to raise personal taxes, and also provided more details about planned benefits reforms. A possible shake-up of the Isa system was also hinted at in the statement's small print, published after Reeves had finished her speech.
Inflation drops to 2.8% – how to find the best savings account - Which?

4 weeks ago | which.co.uk | Matthew Jenkin

Inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell from 3% to 2.8% in February, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The main driver was a drop in the cost of clothing and shoes, which the ONS says was due to an unusually high number of sales last month. Read on to find out more about why inflation has dipped, and which savings accounts and cash Isas offer inflation-beating returns.
Council tax rates 2025-26: how does your bill compare?

1 month ago | which.co.uk | Matthew Jenkin

Council tax in England will rise by an average of 5% in April, adding £106 to the annual bill. But some areas will see rates rocket by double that amount in 2025-26. The latest government data shows residents in Bradford will be stung with a 9.99% increase, after the local authority sought special permission from the government to raise rates above the 4.99% cap for England.
Rates tumble on instant-access savings accounts: how to get the best deal

1 month ago | which.co.uk | Matthew Jenkin

Rates on instant-access savings accounts have fallen to the lowest levels since August 2023, with deals offering 5% or more largely consigned to the past. Data from Moneyfacts shows the average instant-access rate is currently 2.84% AER, down from 3.18% a year ago. This is far from the rock-bottom rates recorded during the pandemic, but is the lowest average for 19 months. Read on to find out why rates are falling and where you can find the best deals.
7 of the biggest Isa myths debunked

1 month ago | which.co.uk | Matthew Jenkin

A third of people are missing out on tax-free savings by not having an Isa, according to new research by NatWest. The bank's survey of 10,000 UK adults also revealed confusion over what an Isa offers, with a third of respondents saying they are unaware of the annual tax-free allowance of £20,000. Young savers are particularly in the dark, with over a fifth of 18-24-year-olds admitting they haven't even heard of Isas. Here, Which?
April price rises: how much more will you need in emergency savings?

1 month ago | which.co.uk | Matthew Jenkin

Upcoming price rises in April are set to squeeze household finances, and new research shows savers will need an additional £1,780 in their rainy day funds to cover essential expenses. The financial services company Hargreaves Lansdown has calculated how much you might need in emergency savings should you fall on hard times, ahead of a series of bills going up in what's being dubbed 'Awful April'. Here, Which?
HMRC crackdown: do you owe tax on Vinted or eBay income? - Which? News

1 month ago | which.co.uk | Matthew Jenkin

Online marketplaces such as Vinted, eBay and Depop are popular platforms to make some extra cash, but regular sellers who fail to pay tax on their income could face fines. HMRC is sending out around 6,000 letters to people it suspects are not declaring taxable earnings from side hustles. Read on to find out more about HMRC's crackdown and for advice on how much you can make before facing a tax bill.
Why millions face council tax hikes of more than 5% this spring

1 month ago | which.co.uk | Matthew Jenkin

More than two million people will see their council tax bills rise by more than 5% from April, after six local authorities in England were given permission to increase rates above the usual threshold. Many councils have yet to confirm their rates for the new financial year, but initial data suggests the majority of areas will impose the maximum increase of 4.99%. But why is council tax going up next month, and is there anything you can do to reduce your bill?