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Man Utd and Arsenal ‘go head to head for cut price Kolo Muani transfer with PSG willing to sell France star for £33m’

PARIS-SAINT GERMAIN flop Randal Kolo Muani could be set for a cut-price move to the Premier League.

The 25-year-old striker joined the French giants from Eintracht Frankfurt for £77million last year.

a soccer player wearing a pink qatar airways jersey
Getty
Randal Kolo Muani joined PSG in a £77m deal in 2023[/caption]
a soccer player with the number 12 on his jersey
Getty
The French international has struggled for form and playing time in Paris[/caption]

Muani has struggled to find his shooting boots since his big-money switch to the Ligue 1 champions.

He has netted just 11 goals in 50 appearances and has been unable to nail down a regular place in the starting XI.

Reports suggest PSG bosses are ready to take a loss on the French international.

According to L’Equipe, both Manchester United and Arsenal are ready to battle it out for his signature.

The outlet claims the speedster could be available in January for between £33m and £42m.

Muani was linked with a £103m move to Man Utd in the summer of 2023.

It followed a stunning season with Frankfurt, with the former Nantes forward bagging 15 goals and 11 assists in just 32 Bundesliga games.

He ultimately made the move to the French capital instead.

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But the switch has not worked out, with Muani’s future with the club increasingly unclear.

Prior to joining PSG, the World Cup runner-up declared it would be a “dream” to play in the Premier League.

He said: “Honestly, who doesn’t dream of playing in the Premier League?

“It’s one of the best leagues that exists. You dream about it.

“These are childhood dreams. But I’m not searching for the perfect club or the best club in the world.

“I’m really looking for the club that will give me the chance to be able to express myself, to earn game time and most importantly allow me to grow.”

Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man Utd

WHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.

Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.

But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.

Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.

He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. 

The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.

And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.

Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.

Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.

United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”

And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.

For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.

Muani’s final decision could come down to Utd’s next managerial appointment.

The Red Devils parted ways with Erik ten Hag on Monday following weeks of speculation.

Old Trafford bosses have swooped for Sporting Lisbon head coach Ruben Amorim.

The club has agreed to pay Amorim’s £8.3m release fee.

The Portuguese coach – plus three of his backroom staff – are expected to fly into Manchester later this week for advanced talks,

Read More »

Bargain hunters rave about £5 Dunelm buy that’ll keep you super cosy and warm without central heating this winter

SHOPPERS are raving about a cheap buy from Dunelm that is sure to keep you super cosy and warm this winter.

So if you’re reluctant to turn your heating on as a result of rising costs, then fear not, you’ve come to the right place.

a white building with a green sign that says dunelm
Reuters
Bargain hunters are praising a £5 buy from Dunelm that will keep you warm without needing to turn the central heating on this winter[/caption]
a blue sherpa hot water bottle is sitting on a couch
Getty
So if you’re on a budget and are looking for cheap ways to stay cosy, you’ll need to check this out[/caption]
a blue sherpa hot water bottle is sitting on a couch
DUNELM
According to shoppers, this mini hot water bottle will keep you “nice and toasty”[/caption]
a pink hot water bottle is on a bed next to a book
DUNELM
It’s the perfect on-the-go size and comes with a two year guarantee[/caption]

Bargain hunters are raving about a £5 product from Dunelm that’s perfect for cosy evenings on the sofa and warm nights in bed. 

The Sherpa Mini Hot Water Bottle, which has an average rating of 4.7 out of five with many five star reviews, is a great buy for those looking to keep warm without breaking the bank.

Thanks to this brilliant buy, you’ll be able to snuggle up and feel warm and cosy in no time at all.

This bargain buy is super soft and boasts a simple yet stylish finish. 

Not only will it keep you warm, but it would also make the perfect Christmas gift this year too.

It has a stylish sherpa covering and is machine washable, so you won’t have to worry about messy hot chocolate or mince pie stains.

There’s three different colourways to choose from – teal, fuschia and charcoal.

Not only this, but thanks to its small size, it’s perfect for popping in your bag to take to work or abroad, and is a super cost-effective way to keep warm this winter

If that wasn’t enough, it also comes with a two year guarantee too. 

Dunelm shoppers flocked to the website to share their thoughts on the affordable buy, with many praising the material, its size and ability to keep you warm. 

RAVE REVIEWS

One person said: “Great size for tucking anywhere to warm up. Cover feels fluffy and warm.”

Another added: “I brought these to take away with us. I wanted something small to pack, but still give us the warmth and comfort of a hot water bottle.

Cheap gadgets to help you stay warm

MARTIN Lewis' MoneySavingExpert shared six gadgets that can help you keep the heating off but stay warm.

Heating “the human not the home” means you warm yourself instead of turning on the heating and heating the whole house.

This can save money on your heating bill and means you don’t have to sit in the cold.

  • USB gloves – initial cost £10, cost to run less than 1p an hour
  • Heated insoles – initial cost £10, cost to run less than 1p an hour
  • USB hand warmers – initial cost £15, cost to run less than 1p an hour
  • Electric gilet – initial cost £50 (including battery pack), cost to run less than 1p an hour
  • Microwaveable wheat bag – initial cost £4, cost to run less than 1p per hours
  • Reusable hand warmers – initial cost £5 for a pair, cost to run less than 1p per hour

“It was perfect to take away the chills.”

A third commented: “A great small size hot water bottle. This is ideal for camping, motorhomes, camper vans and for working from home.

The perfect addition as a reading buddy to keep you nice and toasty

Dunelm shopper

“It is also useful for ailments where heat can provide comfort and pain relief.” 

Whilst someone else penned: “Cute and lovely fluffy cover. Like the size. Good to keep you warm camping or just at home.” 

Not only this, but another Dunelm shopper beamed: “Wonderful to keep warm in winter.

“The perfect addition as a reading buddy to keep you nice and toasty.” 

5 ways to keep your house warm in winter

Property expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.

1. Curtains

“Windows are a common place for the outside cold to get into your home, this is because of small gaps that can let in air so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.

This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth as it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.

2. Rugs

“Your floor is another area of your home where heat can be lost and can make your home feel chilly,” he continued. “You might notice on cold days, that your floor is not nice to walk on due to it freezing your feet.

“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have a carpet, this provides a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”

3. Check your insulation

Check your pipes, loft space, crawlspaces and underneath floorboards.

“Loose-fill insulation is very good for this, and is a more affordable type of insulation, with a big bag being able to be picked up for around £30,” Joshua explained.

4. Keep your internal doors closed

“Household members often gather in one room in the evening, and this is usually either the kitchen or living room,” Joshua said.

“This means you only have to heat a small area of your home, and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”

5. Block drafts 

Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and letterboxes, as they can let in cold air if they aren’t secure.

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Shoppers race to Primark as Christmas Grinch collection has launched in stores with matching items for the whole family

THE Grinch may have stolen Christmas but Primark say they are “here to return it” this year with their new inspired range.

From themed matching pjs for the whole family, to comfy slippers and even Grinch stockings, you can turn your home into a Who-ville haven this year.

Shoppers are already going into a frenzy to pick up items from the collection based on the Christmas-hating Dr Seuss character.

a family posing for a picture wearing green grinch pajamas
Instagram/Primark
Primark is selling Grinch-themed Christmas pjs for the whole family[/caption]
three children wearing grinch pajamas are sitting in front of a christmas tree
Instagram/Primark
There are even furry onesies for your little Grinches[/caption]
a green christmas stocking with a grinch face on it
Instagram/Primark
There are also furry stockings in the range which could add a splash of colour to your lounge[/caption]

The furry green icon – played by Jim Carrey in the 2000 hit movie – has become a staple beloved character over the years, for both kids and adults alike.

Primark are known for bringing out collections on popular franchises such as Harry Potter and Disney movies, so this could be the perfect launch for the festive season.

The budget retailer shared clips of the products in their stores, and people seemed desperate to stock up.

First up were their matching Grinch pjs, which could be perfect for wearing on Christmas Day.

They have a number of comfy options, from fleecy onesies to mix and match loungewear – and they were even adorable baby grows too.

Primark said: “Available to Click & Collect in selected UK stores or check stock in your local store.”

On TikTok they showed items from the full range, including cushions, slippers and a travel pillow.

Perfect for parties, Primark is also selling fun headbands with Grinch bobbles on the top, along with scrunchie sets.

No wardrobe is complete without a Christmas jumper or a bold shirt, and there are also Grinch versions of these to snap up with the slogan “Merry Whatever.”

Meanwhile, for daywear, you can pick up adorable kids’ hoodies and sweaters, emblazoned with the popular character.

When the weather gets chillier, there are themed green hats and also mugs for hot chocolate.

For Christmas Day itself, there are furry Grinch stockings, plush toys, 

And it wouldn’t be a proper range of Grinch goodies without some cute buys for all the loyal Max’s out there.

a grinch sweater is hanging on a rack
Instagram/Primark
Pick up Christmas jumpers themed on the Scrooge-like character[/caption]
a pair of red slippers with the grinch on them
Instagram/Primark
These slippers could be the perfect stocking fillers[/caption]
a person is holding a grinch hot chocolate drink and mug set
Enjoy a hot chocolate in this Grinch-themed mug
Instagram/Primark
Instagram/Primark
Treat the Max in your life to these pet balls[/caption]
a person is holding a stuffed grinch in a santa outfit
Instagram/Primark
There are also themed toys for your pooch[/caption]

If you’re looking to spoil your dog this Christmas, you can pick up some Grinch-themed tennis balls, chew toys and poo bag dispensers.

Primark bosses say: “We wouldn’t normally advocate feeling Grinchy but this is one occasion we’ll allow it!”

Many shoppers seemed keen to snap it all up, with one saying: “Oh just take all of my money! My heart grew three sizes when I saw these prints!!”

Another added: “So gorgeous.”

a woman and two children wearing green grinch sweatshirts
Instagram/Primark
There are numerous matching clothes sets in the Dr Seuss collaboration[/caption]
a green beanie with a grinch face on it
Instagram/Primark
Keep warm with these Grinch hats in multiple sizes[/caption]
a white sweatshirt that says the grinch on it
Instagram/Primark
Get your wardrobe looking festive with the clothing items themed on the green Christmas-hating character[/caption]
a grinch stuffed animal with a heart on its chest
Instagram/Primark
These Christmas plushies could be presents on December 25[/caption]

Why is Primark the place to go to for bargains?

JUST how does Primark do it? Continue delivering on-trend items at such incredible prices? According to bosses, it's down to four points.

  • They “sell a lot of items” – Thanks to that, they are able to make savings by buying in bulk for their 191 UK stores
  • They “do very little advertising”
  • While their clothes offer the “latest trends”, they “don’t use expensive hangers, tags or labels”.
  • And lastly, they try to be “as efficient as possible when transporting products from factories to stores”. This includes things like asking “suppliers to pack our t-shirts so they are ready to go straight on shelf”.

For more information about how Primark keeps their costs so low, and are able to deliver such amazing bargains, visit the Primark website.

Read More »

Three arrested after US YouTuber Elliot Eastman is kidnapped on speedboat in Philippines as FBI hunt for missing vlogger

THREE have been arrested as cops continue to search for kidnapped American YouTuber Elliot Eastman.

Eastman, 26, was shot in the leg and snatched by a group of men with machine guns in a remote coastal town in the Philippines earlier this month.

a man stands in front of an information desk
ViralPress
Three have now been arrested for the kidnapping of American Elliot Eastman[/caption]
Facebbok
Eastman had just got married to a local woman[/caption]
Asia Pacific Press via ViralPress
Police are still looking for three for the kidnapping and Eastman himself[/caption]

Cops have now arrested three people – who have reportedly identified the other three accomplices who remain at large.

Filipino police were looking for the abductors on complaints of kidnapping and serious illegal detention.

Eastman remains missing, with a local mayor launching a 150,000PHP ($2,570) reward for information that could help find him.

No ransom demand or proof of life has since been received from Eastman’s abductors.

Philippine National Police spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said they had activated all available resources to find Eastman.

He said: “Based on their statements, the three in custody were directly involved in the abduction of the American national.”

Eastman’s kidnapping in the village of Sibuco, in the southwest of the country, came just months after he got married to a local.

He was last seen on October 17 before the Vermont native was ambushed, shoved into a white speedboat, and taken away.

FBI agents have now arrived in the country and are working with local police searching for the missing American.

The American officers spoke to Eastman’s wife with whom he lives in a run-down concrete shack belonging to his father-in-law.

He was staying at the father-in-law’s home when he was reportedly attacked by four armed men.

The attackers falsely claimed they were police and reportedly shot him in the leg when he tried to resist, officials said.

He was then bundled away in the speedboat off the coast of Zamboanga del Norte – one of the most dangerous parts of the country.

When police arrived at the home to investigate they found a blood smear across the vinyl floor and an empty bullet cartridge from an M16 rifle.

Cops previously said: “We confirm that there was a report of the alleged abduction of an American national.

“We want to assure the public, particularly the community of Sibuco, that we are doing everything in our power to secure the safe recovery of the victim.”

Filipino news site Rappler cites reports saying the abduction may be tied to personal conflicts involving his wife.

Her former partner is now a person of interest in the case with residents claiming he may have wanted to rekindle the relationship.

Eeastman’s YouTube bio reads: “I came to the Philippines about a year and half ago where I met the love of my life deep in the mountains of the red zone of the Philippines.” 

The southern Philippines has seen decades of stark poverty and insurgency.

Facebbok
Eastman is from Vermont[/caption]
Asia Pacific Press
Armed Filipino cops are searching for the American[/caption]

Read More »

Autumn Budget 2024: Brits brace tax raid in Rachel Reeves’ gloomy Halloween Budget – with fags, booze & benefits at risk

BRITS are bracing for a tax raid in Rachel Reeves’ gloomy Halloween Budget – with fags, booze and benefits at risk.

Today is the first Labour budget for 14 years – and the first ever to be delivered by a female Chancellor.

28/10/2024. London, United Kingdom. Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares for the Autumn Budget 2024 in her office in No 11 Downing Street. Seen behind is a portrait of Ellen Wilkinson, a former Minister for Education, taken on the 25/06/1924 by Bassano Ltd. Treasury. Picture by Kirsty O'Connor / Treasury
Brits are bracing for a tax raid in Rachel Reeves’ gloomy Halloween Budget
a woman stands behind a podium that says change begins
Today is the first Labour budget for 14 years – and the first ever to be delivered by a female Chancellor
AFP

A raft of tax hikes are set to hit as Rachel Reeves tries to plug the “£22billion black hole” she says she’s found in government accounts.

Writing in The Sun on Sunday, Reeves said she will have to make “tough decisions” – but the pain will be worth it.

We revealed the Chancellor will pledge £500million more for fixing roads and ending the pothole crisis.

WATCH RACHEL REEVES ON NEVER MIND THE BALLOTS

By Ryan Sabey, Deputy Political Editor

RACHEL Reeves will be grilled in a special Budget edition of The Sun’s Never Mind The Ballots show today.

Our Political Editor Harry Cole will put the Chancellor on the spot shortly after she’s finished delivering her crucial address in the House of Commons.

It will be available to watch on thesun.co.uk, YouTube and Sun social channels.

Topics will include her decision on whether to spare motorists a fuel duty rise, and the expected eye-watering tax rises she will impose.

Since its launch earlier this year, NMTB has cemented its place at the heart of British politics.

During the General Election campaign The Sun was the only print publisher to host back-to-back grillings of Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer.

Footage from The Election Showdown has been viewed over 15 million times.

NMTB has also featured interviews with ex-PMs Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, as well as senior politicians Nigel FarageJames CleverlyWes StreetingSteve Reed and Bridget Phillipson.

She will spend billions freeing up two million extra NHS appointments.

And more than 1million workers are set to get a bumper pay rise as the National Living Wage goes up

But Reeves is set to hike bus fares and freeze income tax thresholds for years.

Carers and homebuyers could be among the winners in today’s Budget – while drivers and pensioners could be the worst hit.

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to ­listen to Sun readers ahead of a make-or-break Fuel Duty decision.

But voters have been warned to brace themselves for a salvo of tax rises.

Stay tuned for live updates on today’s Budget – and what it means for you.

BRITAIN’S MOST MEMORABLE BUDGETS

By Harry Goodwin

Today is the first Labour budget for 14 years – and the first ever to be delivered by a female Chancellor.

Brits are bracing for a raft of tax hikes as Rachel Reeves tries to plug the “£22billion black hole” she says she’s found in government accounts.

Here are five other budgets which have caused a stir over the years.

1979 – Geoffrey Howe, Conservative

Margaret Thatcher’s Chancellor Geoffrey Howe slashed both the top rate of income tax and the standard rate.

He also doubled VAT – shifting the tax burden from income to consumption in a huge change for Brits.

Howe also eased controls on foreign exchange in a bid to control inflation.

The budget signalled a massive break from the last Labour government and set the pattern for decades to come.

1988 – Nigel Lawson, Conservative

Nigel Lawson (dad to domestic goddess Nigella) massively slashed income tax again.

The deputy Commons speaker twice cleared the chamber amid noisy protests from Labour MPs slamming the tax cuts.

Lawson also set off a property bonanza by announcing an end to double mortgage tax relief for couples buying homes.

1993 – Norman Lamont, Conservative

In March 1993 the economy was still reeling from Black Wednesday, when the pound crashed out of the European exchange rate mechanism.

Lamont announced tax rises including VAT on domestic gas and electricity.

Later that year Lamont’s successor Ken Clarke froze personal tax allowance and brought in stealth taxes on insurance and plane passengers.

The Lamont and Clarke budgets marked the end of the Tories’s scything tax cuts – and set the stage for Labour’s return to office in 1997.

2002 – Gordon Brown, Labour

Brown raised national insurance by a penny on the pound to fund higher spending on the NHS.

The future PM had fretted over a possible backlash from voters who had re-elected Labour in 2001.

But he managed to pull off the largest rise in health spending in the history of the NHS.

2009 – Alistair Darling, Labour

Labour’s last budget before today came amid the credit crunch and soaring unemployment.

Darling ramped up taxes and borrowing in a bid to fill up draining Treasury coffers.

Tory leader David Cameron blasted Labour’s ‘utter mess’ – and was in power a year later.

2022 – Kwasi Kwarteng, Conservative

Kwarteng unveiled his economic package less than a month after becoming Liz Truss’s Chancellor.

Technically, it was a fiscal statement rather than a budget – but it turned out to be just as seismic.

Rising Tory star Kwarteng announced £45billion in tax cuts including a drop in all rates of income tax.

Markets took frights and the pound went into freefall before the Bank of England waded in to stop a run on UK pension funds.

Mortgage rates soared and Kwarteng was out of the job just three weeks later.

Read More »

Jack Branning’s blackmail hell takes sinister turn in EastEnders – and he has no idea who’s really behind it

JACK Branning’s blackmail nightmare takes a darker turn as he remains oblivious to who’s pulling the strings.

While he’s desperate to stop the blackmail, Jack remains in the dark about the true identity of the person orchestrating his turmoil, leaving him vulnerable as the situation spirals out of control.

a man and a woman are looking under the hood of a car
BBC
Penny and Harry continue to blackmail Jack[/caption]
a group of people standing in a living room including a woman in a wheelchair
BBC
After Jack chose to save Chelsea from prison over her[/caption]

Next week on EastEnders, Harry turns the screw on Jack by telling him that he’s got a job for him.

Although Jack angrily declines, Harry reminds him that if he doesn’t collect a stolen motor as instructed, he’ll destroy Jack’s career and put him behind bars, using the incriminating video.

The next day, Jack is in a dire situation as he realises that Harry’s job clashes with Amy’s physio appointment.

He prioritises Amy but makes it back just in time to do the car job.

Lurking nearby, Harry takes photos of Jack picking up the dodgy motor.

Back in the Square, Jack is distracted by a text from Harry and drives into the back of Reiss’ car, causing damage to the stolen motor.

Meanwhile, Penny is thrilled to see her dad in anguish as she watches on.

BBC viewers know that Penny vowed to get revenge on her dad after he chose to save Chelsea from a prison sentence over her.

Chelsea caused the crowd crush after changing the number of ticket sales available at Peggy’s.

The crowd crush caused fatal injuries for both Amy and Lauren.

Everyone blamed Penny for the incident, until Denise revealed it was Chelsea doing.

Initially, Jack apologised to Penny and demanded Chelsea to hand herself in.

However, after realising her infant son Jordan needs her, Jack told Penny to take the blame for the crush, as it would be a lesser sentencing for her than Chelsea who had intent.

Penny had no choice to but to go along with it, although inside she was seething and vowed to get revenge.

Soap's biggest whodunnits

EastEnders – Who shot Phil Mitchell?

The “Who Shot Phil?” storyline was a whodunit mystery that captured the attention of viewers and the media. The episode revealing the culprit was watched by 23 million viewers. Lisa Shaw, Phil Mitchell’s former girlfriend and the mother of his child Louise, was revealed as the killer as Phil slept with Lisa’s best friend. Phil forgave Lisa, and they agreed to keep the truth a secret.

Coronation Street – Who killed Tina McIntyre ?

The popular actress Michelle Keegan played Tina McIntyre for several years on the Cobbles, but she ended up being killed by Rob Donovan in a tragic turn of events back in 2014 when he chased her onto the balcony of the Builder’s Yard. When she tried to leave, he pushed her and she fell off the roof, with Rob convinced he killed her. With Tina still alive, he attacked her with an iron bar but she survived that attack and was rushed to hospital as doctors tried to save her.

Emmerdale – Who pushed Emma Barton?

Emma was then pushed off a viaduct by Moira after she talked ill of her dead daughter Holly, who died of an overdose in October 2017. Although Moira was responsible for Emma’s death, her son, Adam Barton, took the fall for the murder since he was already a prime suspect and he didn’t want Isaac to grow up motherless.

Hollyoaks – Glove Hand Killer

The Gloved Hand Killer was a mystery serial killer, who claimed the lives of 7 characters between January and October 2015, all by injecting them with potassium chloride. The Gloved Hand Killer’s targets were all people who had done wrong in some shape or form. There were 6 suspects for who the Gloved Hand Killer was, and the killer’s identity was revealed in October 2015. It was revealed to be doctor Lindsey Butterfield who had been killing people at the hospital.

Now her and Harry are working together to see Jack fall from grace.

But we he figure out his daughter is really behind it?

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Read More »

How to get the maximum state pension and avoid missing out on cash in retirement

IN August, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced that 6% of State Pension claims are underpaid.

This means that approximately 750,000 people might not be getting the full amount they are entitled to. 

a pile of coins sits on top of a stack of british pound notes
We explain how to get the maximum state pension.

Depending on why your pension was underpaid, you might get the backdated payments automatically, or you might have to apply.

The primary reasons for these underpayments include errors in National Insurance (NI) records and the DWP’s failure to update pension amounts when circumstances change, such as after the death of a spouse.

National Insurance record mistakes 

One common issue is that some parents did not receive the correct “credits” for taking time out of work to raise children.

This is a particular problem for people who had caring responsibilities between 1978 and 1979 and should benefited from Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP).

HRP was designed to protect the pension record of those unable to work and pay NI contributions because of bringing up children.

But the Government has admitted that large numbers of parents – mostly mothers – are missing the credits. 

The DWP says that a computer error meant that 210,000 people didn’t get all the money they’re entitled to.

Around 150,000 of the affected people – most of whom are women – are still alive, while around 60,000 are deceased.

In its 2022/23 Annual Report, DWP said that just over £1 billion would have to be paid out in arrears.

The error came about because many Child Benefit claim forms submitted before 2000 did not include a National Insurance number and the HRP was not carried across to the National Insurance computer.

HMRC started writing out to potential victims last Autumn, but a report in July revealed that by the end of March 2024 DWP had assessed just 419 cases out of an expected 194,000. 

Just £2.2m in arrears had been paid out compared with an estimated final bill of £1.15 billion.

A more recent Freedom of Information request carried out by LCP found that the letters being sent only explained how to claim online, despite 29% of pensioners not using the internet.

Steve Webb, a partner at LCP and the former pensions minister said: “Once the government realised that nearly 200,000 mothers may have been underpaid their State Pension, action should have been taken to fix the problem with much greater urgency, especially as many of those who have lost out are now elderly. 

“Instead, the DWP has so far assessed fewer than 500 cases out of that total, and the exercise is proceeding at a snail’s pace.

When the Government talks about continuing the exercise into 2027/28, it is clear that this issue is not getting the priority that it deserves”.

If you reached pension age on or after April 6, 2010, it is easy to check for your credits using your NI record.

The years of protection should have been converted into full qualifying years of credits. If these aren’t showing, then you are missing out.

If you reached pension age before that date, you will need to call the NI contributions helpline to verify whether you received your credits. 

If you’ve got missing credits you need to fill in a form. It is called a CF411 form and it can be found on the government’s website.

Once this is done, your state pension should be recalculated and any missing money sent to you. However, getting what’s owed could take some time.

Universal Credit mistakes 

Many people receiving Universal Credit may not have received the automatic NI credits they were entitled to. 

If you received UC, and you’re not getting the full state pension amount, check your national insurance record to make sure you haven’t missed out.

If you’re not yet of state pension age, you can still check your record to make sure that all the years that should be recorded have been.

If any are missing, call the Universal credit helpline, or speaker to your work coach or case manager.

Married women and over-80s

There are significant issues affecting married women including:

  • Married women who should have seen an increase in their pension when their husbands retired after March 17, 2008.
  • Widowed women (and sometimes men) whose pensions were not reassessed following the death of their spouse.
  • Over-80s who were on low pensions but should automatically be assessed for the higher £93.60 a week rate 

The exact rules depend on why your pension was underpaid and when you retired, but we break it down by group in our guide here.

The government is working to repay over £1.1 billion in owed funds.

It said it planned to review all approximately 650,000 cases by late 2024.

However, its annual report reveals that just under 100,000 people (99,558) had received payments by the end of March 2024, with a combined value of £594m.

This included around 44,000 married women, 23,000 widows/widowers and 33,000 over 80s.

You can either wait for the DWP to review your case or contact them directly if you have evidence of underpayment.

If you prefer not to wait, consider reaching out to your local MP to help speed up the process.

Anyone who gets less than £93.60 a week

Married women, widows and those aged over 80 should get their payments reassessed without having to take any action. 

But other groups, such as married women whose husband turned 65 before 17th March 2008 and women who divorced after pension age, will still need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions if they want their pension to be reassessed.

Indeed, Steve Webb says that anyone whose state pension is less than £93.60 per week should ask to get it checked.

Mr Webb said: “Now that the DWP has finished checking for state pension errors among married women and the over 80s, anyone still on a low pension needs to take action. The ‘magic number’ is £93.60 per week. 

“The vast majority of pensioners should be getting at least this amount.

Anyone on less than this amount needs to contact the Pension Service to see if an error has been made and/or if they need to put in a further claim to get the higher rate.”

Next of kin to affected people

Even if you’re not in an affected group, you might be the next of kin to someone who was owed money and has died before it can be reclaimed.

A response to a freedom of information (FOI) request by consultants LCP revealed that at the end of July 2024, 1,859 people who had received letters from the DWP telling them about potential underpayments of State Pension to their late parents or late spouse had not responded.

Unless the DWP receives a reply to these letters, the underpayment will remain unclaimed.

The DWP says that it only works out the amount owed once it has received a reply to the letter, but in the past underpayments have ranged from a few pounds to over £100,000.

These letters arrive seemingly out of the blue and people may not realise the importance of responding.

If the DWP cannot trace a next of kin, then any underpaid monies will be retained by the Government.

Webb said: “We know that well over 100,000 people were underpaid state pensions and DWP has spent more than three years trying to track them down.

“In thousands of cases, the person who was underpaid is sadly no longer with us, but their heirs should still benefit from any underpayment.”

He added: “The recipients of these letters could be sitting on a pensions goldmine.

“If you have received a letter from the DWP about a potential underpayment to a loved one, I would urge you to respond as soon as possible.”

How does the state pension work?

AT the moment the current state pension is paid to both men and women from age 66 - but it's due to rise to 67 by 2028 and 68 by 2046.

The state pension is a recurring payment from the government most Brits start getting when they reach State Pension age.

But not everyone gets the same amount, and you are awarded depending on your National Insurance record.

For most pensioners, it forms only part of their retirement income, as they could have other pots from a workplace pension, earning and savings. 

The new state pension is based on people’s National Insurance records.

Workers must have 35 qualifying years of National Insurance to get the maximum amount of the new state pension.

You earn National Insurance qualifying years through work, or by getting credits, for instance when you are looking after children and claiming child benefit.

If you have gaps, you can top up your record by paying in voluntary National Insurance contributions. 

To get the old, full basic state pension, you will need 30 years of contributions or credits. 

You will need at least 10 years on your NI record to get any state pension. 

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