Author: Glenn

  • Can a landlord still make you leave your rented home without a reason — and what does the Renters’ Rights Act mean for you?

    Can a landlord still make you leave your rented home without a reason — and what does the Renters’ Rights Act mean for you?

    Quick answer: No — since 1 May 2026, private landlords in England can no longer evict you without giving a legal reason. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 has abolished “no-fault” evictions, capped rent increases to once a year, banned discrimination against benefit claimants, and given tenants new rights around pets and deposits. If you rent your home privately, you are significantly better protected than you were even a year ago.

    Why does this matter so much if you are renting in your 50s, 60s or beyond?

    More people over 55 are renting privately than ever before. The number of households in this age group living in the private rented sector has grown by 70% since 2010 — nearly 870,000 households across England are now headed by someone aged 55 or over who rents their home.

    Many of those households have been renting the same property for years. Yet until very recently, all of that could be ended with two months’ notice and no explanation required. For someone in their 60s or 70s who has built their life around a home, that kind of insecurity can be genuinely frightening.

    The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 changes that picture substantially. Understanding what you are now entitled to is worth a few minutes of your time — especially since 42% of older private renters say they struggle to meet the cost of bills or essentials.

    Has “no-fault” eviction really been abolished — and what does that mean in practice?

    Yes. From 1 May 2026, Section 21 no longer exists in England. A Section 21 notice was the legal tool that allowed landlords to end a tenancy without giving any reason — sometimes called a “no-fault eviction” because no fault on the tenant’s part was needed.

    If your landlord now wants you to leave, they must serve a Section 8 notice and prove one of a specific list of legal grounds. These include things like significant rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, or the landlord genuinely needing to sell the property or move a close family member in. Crucially, they must give you four months’ notice in most circumstances — you only need to give two months’ notice if you want to leave.

    If you receive a notice that looks like a Section 21, it is unlawful. Contact Shelter (shelter.org.uk) or Citizens Advice straight away — they can help you challenge it for free.

    What has happened to fixed-term tenancies?

    Fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies — where you sign up for six or twelve months — have also been abolished. All private tenancies in England are now “periodic”, meaning they continue month by month until either you or your landlord ends them following the correct legal process.

    If your existing tenancy had a fixed end date, it automatically became a periodic tenancy on 1 May 2026. You do not need to sign a new agreement. This is actually good news: your tenancy cannot simply “expire” and leave you in a rushed scramble to find somewhere new.

    How do rent increases work under the new rules?

    Your landlord can only raise your rent once every twelve months. They must give you at least two months’ written notice before any increase takes effect.

    Importantly, if you think a proposed increase is unreasonable, you have the right to challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) — a free service. The tribunal can cap the increase at the local market rate. It cannot set the rent higher than what your landlord has proposed, so challenging an increase carries no risk of making things worse.

    Before May 2026, some landlords used the threat of a Section 21 notice to pressure tenants into accepting steep rent rises. With that threat now gone, you are in a much stronger position to push back if an increase seems unfair.

    What are your new rights around pets, deposits, and paying rent in advance?

    Several practical changes came in alongside the headline eviction reforms:

    • Pets: You now have the right to request permission to keep a pet. Your landlord can only refuse for a reasonable and specific reason — a blanket ban on pets is no longer acceptable. They may ask you to take out pet damage insurance as a condition.
    • Rent in advance: Landlords can no longer demand more than one month’s rent before you move in. Previously some asked for six weeks upfront, which could be a significant barrier.
    • Bidding wars banned: Properties must now be advertised at a fixed asking price. Landlords and agents cannot ask for, encourage, or accept offers above that price — so if you see a home you want to rent, you know the price is the price.

    Are you protected if you receive benefits — or if your landlord has refused to rent to you because of them?

    Yes — and this is one of the most significant changes for many people over 55. It is now illegal for a landlord or letting agent to discriminate against you because you receive Housing Benefit or other means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit. It is also illegal to refuse to rent to someone because they have children.

    Adverts that said “no DSS” or “no benefit claimants” were already being challenged in courts before this law — now the ban is explicit and enforceable. If you believe you have been turned down for a tenancy on these grounds, you can report it to your local council’s housing enforcement team.

    What should you do if your landlord has not given you an information sheet about your rights?

    All private landlords in England were required to give their existing tenants a copy of The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 by 31 May 2026. If you have not received one, you can download it directly from GOV.UK by searching “Renters Rights Act information sheet”. Landlords who failed to provide it could face a fine of up to £7,000.

    If you are unsure about your rights, think your landlord is not following the new rules, or have received any kind of eviction notice, get free advice as soon as possible:

    • Shelter: shelter.org.uk — free housing advice online, by phone (0808 800 4444), or in person at local offices
    • Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk — free, local, and covers benefits, housing, and legal rights
    • Your local council: most councils have a housing enforcement team for private rented sector complaints

    Key takeaway

    The Renters’ Rights Act is the biggest shake-up in private rental law for a generation. Your landlord now needs a legal reason to ask you to leave, rent rises are limited to once a year with two months’ notice, discrimination against benefit claimants is illegal, and you have new rights around pets and deposits. If anything feels wrong with how your landlord is treating you, the law is now firmly on your side — and free help from Shelter or Citizens Advice is just a phone call away.

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  • What is Attendance Allowance — and could you be missing out on up to £114 a week?

    What is Attendance Allowance — and could you be missing out on up to £114 a week?

    Attendance Allowance is a tax-free weekly payment of £76.70 or £114.60 (from April 2026) for people who have reached State Pension age and need help with personal care because of a physical or mental health condition. It does not matter how much you earn or have in savings — it is paid on the basis of need alone. Around 1.6 million people in the UK receive it, but many more are eligible and simply do not know.

    What is Attendance Allowance — and who is it for?

    Attendance Allowance is a benefit provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help with the extra costs that come with needing personal care. Despite its name, it is not about whether someone attends a day centre or receives formal care — it is about whether your health condition means you need help with things like washing, dressing, eating, using the toilet, or keeping safe.

    You can claim it whether you live alone, with family, or with a partner. You do not have to be receiving care from anyone at the time you apply — in fact, many people who live alone and simply struggle to manage qualify. The key question the DWP asks is: would you need help if it were available?

    To qualify you must be at or above State Pension age (currently 66), have needed help for at least six months because of a physical or mental health condition or disability, and normally live in England, Scotland or Wales. (Scotland has its own version, called Pension Age Disability Payment, which is being rolled out to replace Attendance Allowance for new Scottish claimants.)

    How much could you get — and which rate applies to you?

    From April 2026, Attendance Allowance is paid at two rates:

    • Lower rate: £76.70 per week — if you need help with personal care during the day or at night
    • Higher rate: £114.60 per week — if you need help with personal care both during the day and at night, or if you have a terminal illness

    The higher rate works out at around £496 a month — money that can go a long way toward help at home, equipment, or simply easing the cost of living with a health condition. Both rates are tax-free and paid directly into your bank account every four weeks.

    One thing many people do not realise: if you are terminally ill, you automatically qualify for the higher rate and your claim is fast-tracked. You do not need to have needed help for six months.

    What conditions qualify — and does your condition count?

    There is no set list of qualifying conditions. What matters is how your condition affects you, not what the diagnosis is. People with the following conditions are among those who commonly qualify:

    • Arthritis, joint pain, or mobility problems
    • Heart disease or breathlessness conditions
    • Diabetes, especially where it affects eyesight or circulation
    • Dementia or memory problems
    • Depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions
    • Falls risk or balance problems
    • Chronic pain conditions

    You do not need a formal care package or a GP referral to claim. However, a letter from your GP, specialist, or district nurse explaining your diagnosis and the impact on your daily life can significantly strengthen your application.

    How do you claim Attendance Allowance?

    There is an important trick that many people miss: phone the Attendance Allowance helpline to request your form rather than downloading it. If you phone 0800 731 0122 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm), your claim date is recorded as the day of your call — as long as you return the completed form within six weeks. If you download the form instead, your claim date is only the day the DWP receives your completed form. That difference could cost you weeks of payments.

    The form is the AA1, which runs to around 32 pages. Most of it is straightforward — your personal details, health conditions, and medications. The section that determines your award is the one asking how your conditions affect your daily life, and this is where many claims succeed or fail.

    If you would like help completing the form, Citizens Advice, Age UK, or your local council’s welfare rights team will help you for free. They know how to present information in a way that gives your claim the best chance.

    What is the most important thing to get right on the form?

    More claims are refused or under-awarded because of how the form is filled in, not because the person genuinely did not qualify. The single most common mistake is understating your difficulties.

    When you describe how your condition affects you, always describe a bad day — not your best day or an average day. The DWP wants to understand the full range of your experience, including the days when things are harder.

    Instead of writing: “I manage to get dressed but it takes a while” — try: “On a bad day it takes me over an hour to get dressed. I cannot manage buttons or fasten my bra and need my daughter to help. Some days I am too fatigued to attempt it at all.”

    Be specific about time, frequency, and the help you actually need — or would need if it were available. If you go without help rather than asking for it, say so. If something takes much longer than it would for a healthy person, say how long. If there are times you simply cannot do something at all, say when and how often it happens.

    What else can Attendance Allowance unlock?

    Receiving Attendance Allowance can trigger other entitlements — which is another reason it is worth claiming even if you are not sure your care needs are “serious enough”.

    • Pension Credit top-up: If you already receive Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance can increase your entitlement through the severe disability addition.
    • Council Tax reduction: Some councils offer a council tax discount if you or someone in your household receives Attendance Allowance — contact your local council to check.
    • Carer’s Allowance for your carer: If someone cares for you for at least 35 hours a week, receiving Attendance Allowance can mean they become eligible for Carer’s Allowance of £86.45 a week.
    • Help with care costs: Local authority means tests for social care funding can look more favourably on your situation once Attendance Allowance is in payment, as it is disregarded as income in some calculations.

    In short, claiming Attendance Allowance is rarely just about the Attendance Allowance itself — it can open doors to a wider package of support.

    Key takeaways

    • Attendance Allowance pays £76.70 or £114.60 a week from April 2026 — tax-free, with no means test
    • You must be at State Pension age (66+) and have had care needs for at least six months
    • Phone 0800 731 0122 to start your claim — your start date is the day of your call, not the day the form arrives
    • Always describe your worst days on the form, not your best — and be specific about time and frequency
    • Getting Attendance Allowance can also increase Pension Credit, help your carer claim Carer’s Allowance, and trigger a council tax reduction

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  • What is a deputyship order — and how do you take over someone’s affairs if they have no Lasting Power of Attorney?

    What is a deputyship order — and how do you take over someone’s affairs if they have no Lasting Power of Attorney?

    If a family member loses mental capacity and never made a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), you cannot simply take over their finances or healthcare decisions — even as their closest relative. The legal route is a deputyship order from the Court of Protection. Applications cost around £421, typically take six to eight months, and come with ongoing responsibilities — but they are the only proper way to manage a loved one’s affairs when no LPA exists.

    Why can’t you just take over when a family member loses mental capacity?

    This is one of the most common — and most distressing — surprises families face. Many people assume that because they are a spouse, adult child, or next of kin, they have the right to manage a loved one’s bank account, deal with their pension, or make decisions about their care. Legally, you do not.

    Banks, pension providers, and local councils cannot take instructions from you unless you hold a formal legal authority. Without it, they are required to refuse — even if the person is your partner of 40 years. The authority you need is either a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), which must be set up while the person still has mental capacity, or a deputyship order, granted by the Court of Protection after capacity has been lost.

    What is a deputyship order?

    A deputyship order is a legal document issued by the Court of Protection — a specialist court that protects people who lack the mental capacity to make their own decisions. The court appoints you (or another person) as a deputy, giving you the authority to act on the person’s behalf in the areas the order specifies.

    Deputies are supervised by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) and must act strictly in the best interests of the person they represent, following the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The OPG monitors deputies regularly and can investigate complaints.

    What are the two types of deputyship?

    There are two distinct types of deputyship, and you may need one or both depending on your situation:

    • Property and financial affairs deputy — covers bank accounts, bills, benefits and pension claims, buying or selling property, investments, and managing tax affairs. This is the most commonly needed type.
    • Personal welfare deputy — covers decisions about day-to-day care, where the person lives, and consent to medical treatment. Courts grant this type less often, because carers and medical professionals can make many day-to-day decisions under the Mental Capacity Act without a formal deputy.

    If you need both types, you can apply for them together in a single application.

    How do you apply — and what forms do you need?

    The application goes to the Court of Protection and requires three official forms:

    • COP1 — the main application form
    • COP1B — a supporting statement explaining why the deputyship is needed
    • COP3 — a formal assessment of capacity, completed by a medical professional such as a GP, psychiatrist, or social worker

    Before submitting, you are legally required to notify at least three people who are close to the person — family members, close friends, or others with a significant relationship — and allow 14 days for any objections before lodging the application.

    All forms are available on GOV.UK (search “become a deputy”). The application can be submitted by post or, in some cases, electronically. Many families choose to use a solicitor, particularly if the person’s estate is complex — but it is entirely possible to do it yourself if the situation is straightforward.

    How long does it take — and what does it cost?

    This is where deputyship differs sharply from an LPA, and it is one of the strongest reasons to encourage loved ones to set up an LPA while they still can.

    • Court application fee: £421 (2026 rate)
    • Annual OPG supervision fee: £320 per year for general supervision, or £35 for small estates under £21,000
    • Security bond: an insurance-style bond most deputies must hold, costing roughly £100–£200 per year depending on the size of the estate
    • Total first-year cost: typically £1,000–£1,500 including fees, bond, and any legal help
    • Timeline: six to eight months for straightforward applications; longer if the application is contested or documents are incomplete

    For comparison: registering an LPA currently costs £82 per document (£164 for both types), takes around 20 weeks, and never needs renewing. The difference in cost and waiting time — at exactly the most stressful point in a family’s life — is significant.

    What are your ongoing responsibilities once you become a deputy?

    Being appointed as a deputy is not a one-off event. You take on a set of continuing legal duties for as long as you hold the role:

    • Annual report to the OPG: on the anniversary of your deputyship order each year, you must submit a detailed report covering all decisions made, income and expenditure, any property transactions, visits made to the person, and compliance with the security bond.
    • Acting in their best interests: every decision must be made for the benefit of the person — not for your own convenience or that of other family members.
    • Keeping clear records: the OPG can audit your financial records at any time. Keep receipts and a running log of all transactions.
    • Maintaining the security bond: this must remain in place for the entire time you serve as deputy.

    If you need to step down — because of your own health, a move abroad, or any other reason — you can apply to the Court of Protection to be replaced by someone else.

    Is there anything you can do while waiting for the deputyship order to come through?

    Six to eight months is a long time when a family member urgently needs support. Here are some practical steps you can take while the court process is under way:

    • Notify the DWP and your local council that the person can no longer manage their own affairs. State pension and benefits can continue to be paid into their account while you wait.
    • Ask their bank about the appointee process, which allows someone to manage benefits payments on behalf of a person who lacks capacity. This is separate from — and simpler than — deputyship, but is limited to benefits only.
    • Contact your local authority’s social services team. They have a duty of care and can help arrange urgent care needs while the legal process is ongoing.
    • In genuine emergencies — for example, a household bill about to go into default — you can apply to the Court of Protection for an urgent or interim order. This is not routine, but the court can act quickly when the situation demands it.

    What are the key things to remember?

    • Without an LPA or deputyship order, no one — not even a spouse — has the automatic legal right to manage another person’s finances or healthcare when they lose mental capacity.
    • A deputyship order from the Court of Protection is the formal route when no LPA exists. It costs around £421 to apply and takes six to eight months.
    • There are two types: property and financial affairs (the most common), and personal welfare.
    • As a deputy, you must submit an annual report to the Office of the Public Guardian and keep clear financial records throughout.
    • The best way to avoid needing deputyship is to set up an LPA now, while you and your loved ones still have mental capacity. Read our guide: How do I set up a Lasting Power of Attorney — and why should I do it now?

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  • Can you still get affordable travel insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition?

    Can you still get affordable travel insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition?

    Yes — having a pre-existing health condition does not have to stop you getting travel insurance. Most people with conditions ranging from diabetes to heart disease can still find cover, though premiums may be higher or specific conditions may be excluded from the policy. The golden rule is always to declare everything honestly, shop around using specialist comparison sites, and use the two free government-backed helplines if mainstream insurers cannot help. New rules that took effect in January 2026 have also strengthened your right to be pointed towards specialist cover.

    What counts as a pre-existing condition for travel insurance?

    A pre-existing condition is any health issue you were aware of, diagnosed with, or receiving treatment for before you took out your travel insurance policy. This includes conditions that are well-managed and stable — not just serious or recent problems.

    You typically need to declare things like:

    • Heart conditions, including angina, previous heart attacks, or stents
    • Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
    • High blood pressure or high cholesterol
    • Cancer, even if you are in remission
    • Respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD
    • Mental health conditions including depression and anxiety
    • Recent surgery or planned procedures

    If you are not sure whether to declare something, declare it anyway. The cost of a higher premium is far less than having a claim refused when you most need it.

    Why does it matter so much to be honest with your insurer?

    This is where many people come unstuck. Research by the Association of British Insurers found that only one in five people understood they need to declare a pre-existing condition when buying travel insurance. If you do not disclose a condition and then need medical treatment abroad related to it, your insurer will almost certainly refuse the claim.

    When you make a claim, insurers can — and do — request access to your medical records. A trip to hospital in Spain for a heart episode when you never declared your angina will not be paid out, potentially leaving you with bills running into tens of thousands of pounds.

    The good news is that declaring honestly rarely means being refused outright. More often, it means a higher premium, or that the specific condition is excluded while everything else is covered. You can then decide whether that arrangement works for you.

    How have the rules changed in 2026 — and what are you now entitled to?

    If an insurer cannot offer you cover at all, or if your condition adds more than £200 to your premium, they are now legally required under rules overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to direct you to one of two specialist directories. This trigger point was raised from £100 to £200 in January 2026, meaning only people who genuinely need specialist help are referred — but when they are, the referral is mandatory.

    The two directories are completely free to use, and you can also contact them directly without waiting to be referred by an insurer:

    • British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) — call 0370 950 1790 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm). They can connect you with specialist brokers experienced in complex medical cases.
    • MoneyHelper — call 0800 138 7777 (free). This is the government’s Money and Pensions Service, and their directory lists insurers who specifically cover travellers with medical conditions.

    Which insurers specialise in covering people with health conditions?

    A number of insurers focus specifically on travellers with pre-existing conditions and do not impose maximum age limits on new customers. These include AllClear, Staysure, Saga, Just Travel Cover, Free Spirit, InsureandGo, and Co-op Insurance. This matters because some mainstream insurers quietly stop accepting new customers once they reach 65 or 70, so checking the small print is essential.

    If you are in your 60s, the picture is more reassuring than many people realise. Research by Which? found that a 60-year-old still has access to around 94% of the annual multi-trip policies available on comparison sites. Even at 79, there are typically more than 100 single-trip policies to choose from. Access does narrow with age, but it is far from disappearing.

    For comparing specialist options, try Medical Travel Compared (medicaltravelcompared.co.uk) alongside mainstream comparison sites. It focuses specifically on policies for people with medical conditions and often surfaces deals that standard sites miss.

    How can you bring the cost down without cutting the cover you actually need?

    Premiums for people with pre-existing conditions can feel steep, but there are genuine ways to reduce them without taking on unnecessary risk:

    • Get a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) — this replaced the old EHIC card after Brexit and entitles you to medically necessary treatment in EU countries at local cost. Many insurers will offer a lower premium if you hold one, because it reduces their potential bill. Apply free at GHIC.org.uk.
    • Consider single-trip cover if you only travel once a year — annual multi-trip policies save money for frequent travellers but not if you only go away once.
    • Raise your excess — agreeing to pay more yourself in the event of a claim usually brings the premium down noticeably.
    • Strip out add-ons you will not use — gadget cover, car hire excess insurance, and winter sports cover all add cost. Only pay for what is genuinely relevant to your trip.
    • Check MoneySavingExpert — their travel insurance guide for people with medical conditions is updated regularly and highlights the best-value specialist deals.

    What practical steps should you take before you travel?

    Once your cover is in place, a few simple steps will make any potential claim much smoother:

    • Keep all medication in its original packaging and carry a letter from your GP explaining what it is and why you take it — particularly important if you travel with injectable medication or controlled drugs.
    • Make sure your GHIC card is current before you leave. Renewal is free and takes minutes at GHIC.org.uk.
    • Save your insurer’s 24-hour emergency assistance number in your phone before you travel — not after something has gone wrong.
    • Tell your insurer straight away if you receive a new diagnosis or change of treatment between buying the policy and travelling. Failing to update them can invalidate your cover just as surely as not declaring in the first place.
    • Know your NHS number — some overseas emergency helplines and hospitals will ask for it when arranging repatriation or verifying your cover.

    What is the key takeaway?

    A health condition does not have to mean staying at home. Always declare every condition honestly — it is the only way to make sure your cover will actually pay out when you need it. If mainstream insurers cannot help or add more than £200 to your premium, call BIBA on 0370 950 1790 or MoneyHelper on 0800 138 7777 — both are free and can connect you with specialist cover. Getting your free GHIC card and comparing prices on Medical Travel Compared as well as mainstream sites gives you the best chance of finding cover that is both affordable and genuinely comprehensive.

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  • What built-in settings on your smartphone could make it so much easier to use?

    What built-in settings on your smartphone could make it so much easier to use?

    Your smartphone almost certainly has free built-in settings that can make text easier to read, calls easier to hear, and tapping easier if arthritis is an issue. You don’t need a new phone or any downloads — these accessibility features are already there, hidden in your Settings app, and adjusting them could transform how you use your phone every day.

    Why do so many people put up with a phone that feels harder than it should be?

    Most people assume that if their phone is difficult to use — the text is too small, calls are hard to hear, or they keep accidentally tapping the wrong thing — that’s just how it is. Either they need a bigger phone, or their eyesight is getting worse, or technology simply isn’t for them.

    None of that is true. Every modern smartphone sold in the UK comes with a range of accessibility settings designed precisely for people who find the default setup uncomfortable. The problem is that nobody tells you they’re there. Phone manufacturers bury them inside settings menus, and the staff in phone shops rarely mention them.

    A 2026 survey by AARP found that 9 in 10 adults aged 50 and over now own a smartphone — but many use only a fraction of what the device can do, struggling with tasks that a simple setting change could fix in minutes.

    How can you make the text bigger and easier to read?

    This is the most common complaint — and the easiest fix. Both iPhone and Android let you increase text size across the entire phone, so everything from your messages to your emails to your browser displays in larger, clearer letters.

    On iPhone: Go to Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size → Larger Text. Turn on “Larger Accessibility Sizes” and drag the slider to your preferred size. While you’re there, switching on Bold Text makes everything noticeably crisper and easier to scan.

    On Android: Go to Settings → Accessibility → Display Size and Text (the exact wording varies by manufacturer — look for “Font size” or “Text size”). Drag the slider and you’ll see an instant preview on screen before you confirm.

    You can also increase the overall display size — not just text but icons, menus and buttons — using Display Size on Android, or Zoom on iPhone under Settings → Accessibility → Zoom.

    What can you do if the screen is too bright or tiring on your eyes?

    Bright white screens are particularly hard on eyes that are older or sensitive to light. Most phones now have a Night Shift (iPhone) or Night Light (Android) mode that shifts the screen to warmer tones in the evening, which many people find far easier on tired eyes.

    On iPhone, go to Settings → Display & Brightness → Night Shift. You can schedule it to switch on automatically at sunset — so you don’t need to remember. On Android, look for Night Light or Blue Light Filter under Display settings.

    If you find white backgrounds dazzling, Dark Mode — available on both iPhone and Android — switches the whole phone to a dark grey or black background with light text. Many people over 55 find this dramatically more comfortable, especially in low light or in bed. Try it: you can switch straight back if you don’t like it.

    Can your phone help if you find it hard to hear calls or notifications?

    Yes — and often more than you might expect. If the speaker feels too quiet even at full volume, a few settings changes can make a real difference:

    • Flash alerts — if you miss calls because you don’t hear the ringtone, you can set your phone’s camera flash to blink as a visual alert. On iPhone: Settings → Accessibility → Audio/Visual → LED Flash for Alerts. On Android: Settings → Accessibility → Hearing Enhancements → Flash Notification.
    • Phone noise cancellation — on iPhone, go to Settings → Accessibility → Audio/Visual and turn on Phone Noise Cancellation. This filters background noise during calls, making the other person easier to hear.
    • Hearing aid pairing — if you wear modern hearing aids, there’s a very good chance your phone can stream calls and audio directly into them via Bluetooth, giving you crystal-clear sound with no feedback or interference. iPhone has a specific “Made for iPhone” standard that many major brands — including Phonak, ReSound, Oticon and Starkey — now support. Go to Settings → Accessibility → Hearing Devices to pair them. On Android, search “Hearing aids” in your Settings app.

    What if arthritis or unsteady hands make tapping and typing a struggle?

    This is more common than most people let on, and the solutions built into your phone are genuinely effective.

    Voice control is the single most transformative option if your hands are the problem. You can tell your phone to open apps, send messages, make calls, set reminders and search the internet — all by speaking. On iPhone this is called Voice Control (Settings → Accessibility → Voice Control). On Android it’s called Voice Access, available free from the Play Store and then enabled under Settings → Accessibility.

    You can also adjust how the touchscreen responds to your touch:

    • Touch accommodation / hold duration — sets a short delay before the screen registers a tap, so accidentally brushing the screen doesn’t trigger anything. On iPhone: Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Touch Accommodations.
    • Ignore repeated touches — useful if a single intended tap sometimes registers as two or three in a row.
    • Wider keyboard — simply turning the phone sideways (landscape) often gives you a much bigger keyboard to type on. Both iPhones and Android phones support this in most apps.

    Where do you start — and does it matter whether you have an iPhone or an Android?

    The good news is that both types of phone have excellent accessibility features. You’re not missing out whichever you have. The settings are in slightly different places, but the features themselves are broadly comparable.

    The simplest starting point: open Settings on your phone and type “Accessibility” into the search bar at the top. This takes you straight to a dedicated menu, usually grouped into Vision, Hearing, and Interaction or Motor sections. You don’t need to read through everything — just find the section that applies to you and start there.

    If you’d like hands-on help, both Age UK and AbilityNet offer free one-to-one support where a volunteer will go through the settings on your specific phone with you. AbilityNet’s free helpline is 0800 048 7642 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). You don’t need to be technical — that’s exactly what they’re there for.

    Key takeaway

    You don’t need a new phone or a tech-savvy relative. Every smartphone sold in the UK already has free built-in settings for larger text, bolder fonts, dark mode, louder and clearer audio, flash alerts, hearing aid pairing, and voice control. Spend 10 minutes in Settings → Accessibility and your phone could become a very different — and much easier — device to live with.

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  • Could NHS Continuing Healthcare pay for all your care costs — and how do you find out if you qualify?

    Could NHS Continuing Healthcare pay for all your care costs — and how do you find out if you qualify?

    NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is free, fully-funded care arranged by the NHS for adults with complex, ongoing health needs — covering 100% of the cost, whether that is care at home or in a care home. It is not means-tested, so your savings and property are irrelevant. Around 80,000 people in England currently receive it, but many thousands who would qualify have never been assessed — often because nobody told them it existed.

    What is NHS Continuing Healthcare — and why do so few people know about it?

    NHS Continuing Healthcare is a care package funded entirely by the NHS for adults whose primary need is health-related, rather than social. If you qualify, the NHS pays for all of your care — including nursing home fees, care workers at home, specialist equipment, and personal care. There is no cap on costs and no financial assessment.

    The key word is “primary.” Everyone’s care needs contain a mix of health and social elements, but CHC applies when your health needs are so significant that they are the main driver of the care you require.

    So why don’t more people know? Partly because the responsibility for raising it falls to NHS and social care professionals — and they don’t always do so. Research by the charity Beacon CHC suggests many families only discover CHC exists after spending large amounts on private care fees. You are legally entitled to ask for an assessment at any time, and the NHS has a duty to carry one out.

    Who is likely to qualify — and what does “primary health need” mean in practice?

    CHC is not restricted to any particular diagnosis. People living with advanced dementia, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, serious strokes, or complex wound care needs have all qualified. So have people with severe respiratory conditions, uncontrolled epilepsy, and those who require frequent clinical intervention throughout the day and night.

    Assessors look at four key characteristics of your needs:

    • Intensity — how much support you need and how often
    • Complexity — how difficult or interrelated your needs are to manage
    • Unpredictability — how quickly your condition can change without warning, and the risk this creates
    • Nature — whether your needs require a level of skill that only a trained clinician can safely provide

    You do not need to be terminally ill or housebound to qualify. But your needs must go significantly beyond what most people manage day to day.

    What are the 12 care domains used to assess your eligibility?

    If you pass the initial checklist, a multidisciplinary team (MDT) carries out a full assessment using the Decision Support Tool — a structured framework that scores your needs across 12 care domains:

    • Behaviour, Cognition, Psychological and emotional needs
    • Communication, Mobility, Nutrition (food and hydration)
    • Continence, Skin and tissue viability, Breathing
    • Drug therapies and medication, Altered states of consciousness, Other significant care needs

    Each domain is rated from no needs through low, moderate, high, and severe — or, for some domains, priority. A “severe” rating in any single domain is a strong indicator of eligibility. A “priority” rating in behaviour, cognition, breathing, or medication almost always triggers a CHC award.

    One practical tip that families often find valuable: keep a diary of the person’s care needs in the weeks before an assessment — noting night-time needs, any incidents or falls, how often clinical help is called on, and what happens when care is delayed or unavailable. This kind of detailed, dated evidence can make a real difference to the outcome.

    How do you request an assessment — and what actually happens next?

    You can request a CHC assessment through your GP, hospital consultant, district nurse, or your local council’s adult social care team. You can also contact your NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) directly — a search for your area name plus “Integrated Care Board” will find the right organisation.

    If you or someone you care for is being discharged from hospital, ask the discharge team about CHC before agreeing to any care home placement or private home care package. Once a person is settled in privately funded care, CHC tends not to be revisited — but it should be, because needs may well have met the threshold at the point of discharge.

    The process has two stages: a Checklist assessment (usually carried out by a nurse or social worker), followed — if positive — by the full MDT Decision Support Tool assessment. The NHS Integrated Care Board should give you a written decision within 28 days of receiving the completed tool.

    What if your application is refused — is it worth challenging the decision?

    Yes — and many families do, successfully. A significant proportion of CHC appeals result in eligibility being granted, particularly when better evidence is gathered or specialist support is sought. If you are turned down, you have six months to request an Independent Review. However, once you make that request, you have just six weeks to submit all of your written evidence — so do not delay in building your case after a refusal.

    The charity Beacon CHC provides free, independent support to families throughout the assessment and appeal process. Age UK and Carers UK can also help you find local advocacy. Getting specialist support significantly improves outcomes, particularly where needs are complex or fluctuating.

    Is there a faster route if someone is very seriously ill?

    Yes. The CHC Fast Track is designed for people with a rapidly deteriorating condition or who are approaching the end of their life. A senior clinician can complete a Fast Track assessment on the same day, and care can be arranged within 48 hours — bypassing the usual two-stage checklist and MDT process entirely.

    If someone you care for is in hospital and staff are discussing end-of-life care, ask specifically about Fast Track CHC. It can allow the person to return home with full NHS-funded support, rather than remaining in hospital or paying for private care in their final weeks. This is a right that is too often not mentioned unless families know to ask for it.

    What do you need to remember about NHS Continuing Healthcare?

    • CHC covers 100% of care costs — at home or in a care home — with no means test and no savings threshold.
    • You can request an assessment yourself. No GP referral is required — contact your local NHS Integrated Care Board, GP, or adult social care team.
    • If a hospital discharge is being planned, ask about CHC before agreeing to any care arrangements.
    • If you are turned down, appeal — many families succeed on review when they gather stronger evidence.
    • Beacon CHC (beaconchc.co.uk) offers free independent support throughout the process.

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  • What is an advance decision — and how do you make sure your wishes about medical treatment are respected?

    What is an advance decision — and how do you make sure your wishes about medical treatment are respected?

    An advance decision (sometimes called a living will or ADRT — Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment) is a legal document that lets you refuse specific medical treatments in advance, in case you later lose the ability to speak for yourself. It is free to make, legally binding under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and does not require a solicitor. Once in place, NHS staff must follow it — as long as it meets the legal requirements.

    What exactly is an advance decision — and is it the same as a living will?

    The legal term is an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment, or ADRT. In England and Wales, this is the document’s official name under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 — but you will also hear it called a living will, an advance directive, or simply an advance decision. They all refer to the same thing.

    An advance decision lets you state, in writing, which medical treatments you would refuse in specific circumstances — before those circumstances arise. That might mean refusing to be placed on a ventilator, declining resuscitation, or refusing artificial nutrition if you were ever in a persistent vegetative state. The key point is that it only applies when you are no longer able to make or communicate your own decisions.

    It is not the same as an Advance Statement, which is a broader written record of your general preferences and values. An advance statement is not legally binding — doctors should take it into account, but they are not required to follow it. An advance decision, by contrast, is legally binding, provided it is properly made.

    Why does it matter if you already have a Lasting Power of Attorney?

    Many people assume that giving someone a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for health and welfare covers all eventualities — but there is an important gap. Your LPA attorney can make health decisions on your behalf, but only in areas where you have not already refused a specific treatment in a valid advance decision. An ADRT takes legal priority over your attorney on the treatments it covers.

    The two documents work together rather than replacing each other. Your advance decision handles the specific treatments you know you would never want. Your LPA attorney handles everything else — the day-to-day health and care decisions that are harder to predict in advance.

    If you have neither document, doctors will make decisions based on what they judge to be in your best interests. That may not reflect what you would have chosen — and by then, there is no way to ask you.

    What treatments can you refuse — and what can you not refuse?

    You can refuse almost any medical treatment, including:

    • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
    • Ventilation and artificial breathing support
    • Artificial nutrition or hydration through a tube
    • Dialysis
    • Specific medications, operations, or blood transfusions

    What you cannot do is request a specific treatment — doctors are not legally required to provide any treatment just because you have asked for it in writing. You cannot request assisted dying, which remains illegal in England and Wales. And you cannot refuse basic comfort care: pain relief, warmth, mouth care, and personal hygiene will always continue, regardless of your advance decision.

    What makes an advance decision legally binding?

    This is where many people go wrong. A vague or incomplete advance decision may not be followed, and doctors cannot be held responsible for acting without it if it did not meet the legal standard. For it to be valid under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, you must:

    • Be 18 or over when you make it
    • Have mental capacity at the time of writing
    • Name the specific treatment you are refusing
    • State the circumstances in which the refusal applies
    • Not have said or done anything since that contradicts it

    If your advance decision covers life-sustaining treatment — anything that keeps you alive, such as CPR, a ventilator, or a feeding tube — there are additional requirements. It must be in writing, signed by you, signed by a witness, and include a statement confirming it applies even if your life is at risk as a result. Without that phrase, for life-sustaining refusals, the decision is not legally binding.

    How do you make an advance decision — and does it cost anything?

    No, it is completely free. You do not need a solicitor. You can write your advance decision yourself or use a free template — and using a template is strongly recommended, because the wording needs to be precise.

    The best starting point is the charity Compassion in Dying, which offers a free downloadable advance decision pack at compassionindying.org.uk. The pack includes clear guidance on how to word your decisions correctly, a model form, and instructions for what to do once it is signed. Age UK also has a helpful factsheet, and the NHS website (nhs.uk) explains the process in plain English.

    Before you finalise anything, speak with your GP. They can advise on which treatments might be relevant given your particular health situation, help you word decisions accurately, and — crucially — add your advance decision to your medical record so it is accessible in an emergency. They cannot override your decision, but their input can make the difference between a document that stands up and one that leaves room for doubt.

    Review your advance decision regularly — especially after any significant change in your health or circumstances. There is no expiry date, but an advance decision written ten years ago may no longer reflect your current wishes, and an outdated one could be challenged.

    Where should you keep it — and who needs a copy?

    An advance decision is only useful if the right people can find it when it matters. Once you have signed and witnessed it, take these steps:

    • Give a copy to your GP — ask them to add it to your medical records and flag it so it appears in an emergency
    • Give a copy to any hospital consultants who manage your ongoing care
    • Give a copy to your LPA attorney, so they know what you have already decided
    • Tell close family members that it exists and where the original is kept
    • Keep the original somewhere accessible at home — not locked in a safe or held at a solicitor’s office where it cannot be retrieved quickly

    One practical tip that many people overlook: the NHS Summary Care Record in England does not automatically store advance decisions. Sharing it directly with your GP practice is the only reliable way to make sure it is on your file. Some people also carry a card in their wallet noting that an advance decision exists and where it is held — particularly useful if they are taken to hospital by ambulance and cannot speak for themselves.

    Key takeaways

    • An advance decision is a free, legally binding document that lets you refuse specific medical treatments in advance — you do not need a solicitor
    • It must clearly name the treatment and the circumstances — vague wishes are not legally binding
    • For life-sustaining treatment refusals, it must be signed by you and a witness, and must state it applies even if your life is at risk
    • Use the free template from Compassion in Dying (compassionindying.org.uk) and ask your GP to add it to your medical record
    • An advance decision works alongside a Lasting Power of Attorney — they are not alternatives to each other

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  • Is an Interrail pass the best-value way to explore Europe after 60 — and how does it actually work?

    Is an Interrail pass the best-value way to explore Europe after 60 — and how does it actually work?

    An Interrail pass lets you travel by train across 33 European countries with a single ticket — and if you’re 60 or over, you qualify for a Senior pass at around 10% off the standard adult price. UK residents can still buy and use one, Brexit notwithstanding. A seven-day Senior pass costs around £290, which compares very favourably with flights once you factor in baggage fees, transfers, and the stress of airports.

    What is an Interrail pass — and can UK residents still use one after Brexit?

    An Interrail pass is a single train travel pass that gives you the freedom to hop on and off trains across 33 European countries without buying a separate ticket for each journey. You buy it in advance, activate it through a free app on your phone, and then you’re free to travel across the continent at your own pace — stopping wherever you like, for as long as you like.

    One of the most common questions since Brexit is whether UK residents can still use Interrail. The answer is yes — absolutely. Interrail is open to anyone who has been resident in Europe (including the UK) for at least six months. You are not affected by the change in the same way as Eurail, which is designed for visitors coming from outside Europe. Your UK passport and address are all you need to qualify.

    Is there a discount if you’re over 60?

    Yes. Anyone who is 60 or over on the first day their pass becomes valid qualifies for a Senior pass, which costs around 10% less than the standard adult fare. Both First and Second Class options are available at the discounted rate.

    For most routes, Second Class on European long-distance trains is perfectly comfortable — often considerably more spacious than a budget airline seat, with proper luggage space, a dining car, and the scenery rolling past the window. First Class is worth considering for very long journeys or if you want guaranteed peace and quiet.

    It’s also worth knowing that grandchildren aged 4 to 11 can travel free on a Child Pass when accompanied by a Senior or Adult pass holder — making a European adventure with the grandchildren entirely feasible.

    How much does an Interrail Senior Pass actually cost in 2026?

    Passes come in two types: flexi-passes (a set number of travel days spread across a month) and continuous passes (unlimited travel for a set number of consecutive days). The flexi option suits most leisure travellers well, because you can rest in a city for a few days between journeys without using up a pass day. Here are the approximate 2026 Second Class Senior prices:

    • 4 days within 1 month — around £215 (€255)
    • 7 days within 1 month — around £290 (€343)
    • 1 month continuous travel — around £530 (€626)

    To put that in perspective: a return flight from London to Rome in summer can easily cost £300 or more per person before bags. A seven-day Interrail Senior pass covering Italy, France, Austria, and Switzerland for roughly the same price starts to look like exceptional value.

    You can buy a pass from the official Interrail website (interrail.eu), through The Trainline, or through Rail Europe. Prices are quoted in euros but your card will convert at the going rate.

    Which countries can you visit — and do you need to book seats in advance?

    Your pass covers 33 countries including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Belgium, and many more across central and eastern Europe. The coverage is genuinely remarkable.

    One thing first-timers are sometimes caught out by: in some countries, a pass alone does not guarantee you a seat. You may also need to book a seat reservation separately, which adds a small extra cost. Here’s a rough guide:

    • France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Sweden — high-speed trains are fully reserved, like flights. You will need to book a seat reservation for each leg, typically £8–£20 per journey. Book through the national rail website or at station ticket offices.
    • Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands — most trains do not require advance reservations. You can board freely and find a seat. Optional reservations cost £3–£6 and are worth having on busy routes in peak season.
    • Eurostar (London to Paris, Brussels, or Amsterdam) — you need to add a Eurostar supplement of around £30, booked separately. This is the train you take to leave the UK.

    If your route takes you through France or Italy, build the reservation costs into your budget from the start.

    How do you actually use the pass on the day?

    Modern Interrail passes are entirely digital. You download the free Rail Planner app (available on iPhone and Android), load your pass using your pass number, and your ticket lives on your phone. When the conductor comes round, you show them a QR code on the app which they scan — no paper, no printing, nothing to lose.

    A few practical things worth knowing before you travel:

    • The app needs to connect to the internet at least once every three days to keep your pass valid. Make sure you have a data roaming plan or access to Wi-Fi at your hotels.
    • As a UK resident, you receive two “home country” travel days — used for the journey to St Pancras in London to board the Eurostar, and back again at the end.
    • Overnight sleeper trains use only one pass day, regardless of when you arrive the following morning. Taking a night train between, say, Paris and Barcelona saves both a hotel night and a travel day — one of the great hidden advantages of Interrail.
    • You can buy your pass up to 11 months in advance and choose when to activate it — useful if you want to lock in today’s price but haven’t yet decided your exact dates.

    What are some of the best routes for a first Interrail trip after 60?

    One of the genuine pleasures of train travel is the journey itself. You arrive in the heart of a city, watch the landscape change from your window, and move at a pace that lets you actually absorb where you are. Here are a few well-loved routes that suit a relaxed, comfortable pace:

    • London → Paris → Lyon → Nice — a beautiful progression from the French capital through Provence to the Mediterranean, over four or five days.
    • London → Brussels → Amsterdam → Cologne → Bruges — a gentle loop through the Low Countries, mostly without seat reservation requirements, very easy for first-timers.
    • London → Paris → Basel → Zurich → Innsbruck → Vienna — the classic Alpine route, with some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Europe visible from the train window.
    • A One Country Pass for Italy or Spain — if you’d prefer to focus on one destination rather than multiple countries, Interrail sells One Country Passes at a lower price. Italy by rail — Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi Coast — is one of life’s great travel experiences.

    A well-kept secret: Germany is one of the very best countries for Interrail travel. The network is vast, most trains do not require reservations, and you can move between cities freely. Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Heidelberg, and the Rhine Valley are all within easy reach of each other.

    Key takeaways

    • UK residents can still buy and use an Interrail pass — Brexit did not change this.
    • If you’re 60 or over, you qualify for a Senior pass with around 10% off the adult price.
    • A 7-day Second Class Senior flexi-pass costs around £290 and covers 33 countries.
    • In France, Spain, Italy, and some other countries, you’ll also need to book seat reservations (typically £8–£20 per journey). The Eurostar requires a separate supplement of around £30.
    • Your pass lives on the free Rail Planner app. Make sure you have internet access every three days to keep it active.
    • Overnight sleeper trains use only one pass day — a smart way to cover distance and save on a hotel night in one go.
    • Buy from interrail.eu, The Trainline, or Rail Europe. You can purchase up to 11 months ahead and activate when you’re ready.

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  • What is GOV.UK One Login — and how do you use it to access your tax, benefits and government services online?

    What is GOV.UK One Login — and how do you use it to access your tax, benefits and government services online?

    GOV.UK One Login is the government’s new single sign-in system, replacing the old Government Gateway for most online services. If you already have a Government Gateway account, you do not need to act right now — you will be contacted when it’s time to switch. If you’re setting up access for the first time, GOV.UK One Login is where you start.

    What exactly is GOV.UK One Login — and why is the government introducing it?

    Until recently, accessing government services online meant juggling different login details for HMRC, DWP, the DVLA, and dozens of other departments. Each had its own username, password, and identity-checking process — a frustrating and confusing system for anyone who needed to use more than one.

    GOV.UK One Login changes all of that. It gives you a single account — one email address, one password — that works across more than 220 government services. You verify your identity once, and that proof is accepted right across the system. As of June 2026, over 16.6 million people have already signed up.

    The biggest recent changes: HMRC migrated to GOV.UK One Login in February 2026, so anyone setting up access to their personal tax account for the first time now uses One Login instead of Government Gateway. DWP — which handles State Pension, Pension Credit, and Universal Credit — has also been working through a similar migration.

    Which government services can I use it for?

    Over 220 services are now connected to GOV.UK One Login, including many that people over 55 use regularly:

    • Your personal tax account (HMRC) — check your tax code, claim a refund, or update your details
    • Check your State Pension forecast and National Insurance record
    • Apply for or manage DWP benefits including Pension Credit
    • Renew or update your driving licence (DVLA)
    • Check vehicle tax and MOT history
    • Access your NHS account and health records
    • Apply for or update a Blue Badge

    The full list is updated regularly at home.account.gov.uk/services-using-one-login as more departments join the system.

    Do I need to do anything if I already have a Government Gateway account?

    No — not yet. If you already have a Government Gateway account and currently use it to access HMRC or other services, nothing changes for you right now. You will receive a notification when it is time to migrate, and the process will be guided step by step.

    If you do not yet have a Government Gateway account and are signing up to access HMRC services for the first time, you will be set up with GOV.UK One Login from the start. The old Government Gateway sign-up process is no longer available to new users.

    How do I create a GOV.UK One Login account?

    The process takes around 10 minutes. There are three stages: creating your sign-in details, confirming your email, and verifying your identity. Here is how each step works:

    • Step 1: Go to sign-in.service.gov.uk and click “Create a GOV.UK One Login”
    • Step 2: Enter your email address and choose a strong password. You will receive a six-digit code by email to confirm the address is yours.
    • Step 3: Set up two-step verification. You can choose to receive a code by text message, or use an authenticator app on your smartphone.
    • Step 4: Verify your identity. For most services, you will need to prove who you are. The quickest way is the GOV.UK ID Check app on your smartphone, which scans your passport or driving licence and takes a short face video. If you prefer not to use the app, there are alternatives — see below.

    Once set up, you use the same email and password every time. You do not need to verify your identity again each time you use a different service.

    What if I don’t have a smartphone or photo ID?

    The government has built in two alternatives specifically for people who cannot use the app-based route:

    • Security questions online: You can verify your identity by answering questions about your credit history — things like a previous address or the name of a mobile provider you use. This works entirely in a web browser with no app or photo ID needed.
    • Post Office in-person check: Many Post Office branches offer a face-to-face identity verification service. You bring your passport or driving licence, a member of staff scans it and takes your photo, and your identity is usually confirmed within one working day. You can find participating branches on the GOV.UK website.

    If you get stuck at any point, there is a live chat service at home.account.gov.uk/contact-gov-uk-one-login, available Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm. A digital assistant is also available outside those hours.

    Is GOV.UK One Login safe — how does it protect my personal information?

    GOV.UK One Login is run by the Government Digital Service (GDS), part of the Cabinet Office, and is built to government security standards. Several layers of protection are built in:

    • Two-step verification means that even if someone gets hold of your password, they would also need access to your phone to log in.
    • Identity verification checks that you are genuinely who you say you are, making it much harder for someone else to set up an account in your name.
    • No automatic data sharing between departments — proving your identity through One Login does not mean your tax records are suddenly visible to DWP or vice versa.

    One important thing to know: the government will never send you an unexpected email or text asking you to click a link and log in to your GOV.UK One Login. If you receive something like that, treat it as a scam and go to the website directly by typing the address yourself.

    Where can I get free help setting it up?

    If you would like a hand getting started, several organisations offer free support:

    • Age UK — free digital skills sessions and telephone support. Find your local branch at ageuk.org.uk
    • AbilityNet — free home visits from trained tech volunteers for anyone over 65 or with a disability. Visit abilitynet.org.uk
    • Your local library — many libraries run free digital drop-in sessions with one-to-one help for online accounts and devices
    • GOV.UK support team — live chat at home.account.gov.uk/contact-gov-uk-one-login, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm

    Key takeaways

    • GOV.UK One Login is the government’s new single account for accessing HMRC, DWP, DVLA and 220+ other services online
    • If you already have a Government Gateway account, you do not need to switch yet — you will be guided when the time comes
    • You can verify your identity via app, security questions online, or in person at a Post Office — no one is left without a route
    • Free help is available from Age UK, AbilityNet, local libraries, and the GOV.UK support team (Mon–Fri, 8am–8pm)
    • The government will never send you an unexpected link asking you to log in — if you get one, it is a scam

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  • Do you have a lost pension pot — and how will the new Pensions Dashboard help you find it?

    There are an estimated 3.3 million lost pension pots in the UK, holding around £31 billion in unclaimed funds. If you’ve had more than one employer over your working life, the chances are at least one old pension has slipped through the cracks. A new government-backed Pensions Dashboard, expected to open to the public in late 2026 or early 2027, will let you see every pension you’ve ever built up — including your State Pension entitlement — in one secure place online.

    Why do so many pension pots go missing?

    It’s easier than it sounds. Each time you change jobs, you typically build up a new workplace pension with a different provider. Over a working life, that can easily add up to five, six, or more separate pots — and keeping track of all of them, especially after address changes or the passage of decades, is genuinely difficult.

    Research shows that 79% of people aged 55 to 64 don’t know how much is in their pension pot. With the average worker now changing jobs many times over their career, the UK’s pension system has created a paperwork trail that’s almost impossible to follow manually. The Pension Policy Institute estimates those 3.3 million lost pots contain around £31 billion — money that belongs to real people who simply don’t know it’s there.

    What is the Pensions Dashboard — and what will it show you?

    The Pensions Dashboard is a new digital service backed by the government that will let you log in and see all your pension information in one place. You’ll access it through the MoneyHelper website (the government’s free money guidance service), using GOV.UK One Login — the same system used to access HMRC, your personal tax account, and other government services online.

    Once you’re logged in, you enter your name, date of birth, and National Insurance number. The system then searches across almost all UK pension providers to find any pensions linked to you. Here’s what it will show:

    • Workplace pensions you’ve built up but are not yet drawing
    • Personal pensions you’ve set up yourself
    • Your State Pension entitlement — how much you’re on track to receive
    • Contact details for each pension provider, so you can get in touch directly

    It will not show pensions you’re already drawing income from — those are already in payment and not considered lost. It also won’t show very old small-pot pensions where records are incomplete, though providers are working to include as much historical data as possible.

    When will the Pensions Dashboard actually be available to use?

    There’s no confirmed public launch date yet, but the picture is becoming much clearer. Under the Pension Schemes Act 2026, which received Royal Assent in April 2026, all pension providers must be connected to the national dashboard by 31 October 2026. The largest schemes were required to connect earlier — from late 2025 — with medium-sized schemes following by September 2026.

    Once the final providers connect at the end of October, the government-backed MoneyHelper dashboard is expected to open to the public in late 2026 or early 2027. There may also be private regulated versions — apps and financial services approved by the FCA as Qualifying Pensions Dashboard Services — launching around the same time.

    What can you do right now to find a lost pension?

    You don’t have to wait for the dashboard. The government already runs a free Pension Tracing Service on GOV.UK that can help you track down old workplace or personal pensions today. You just need to remember the name of the employer or pension provider — it won’t tell you whether there’s money waiting for you, but it gives you the contact details so you can check directly.

    To use it, search for “Pension Tracing Service” on GOV.UK. You’ll need:

    • The name of your old employer or pension provider
    • Roughly when you worked there — even approximate years will help
    • Your National Insurance number

    How do you get ready for the dashboard before it launches?

    The dashboard matches your pensions using your personal details — your name, date of birth, and National Insurance number. If these don’t match what pension providers have on file for you, your pots may not appear. So one of the most useful things you can do right now is make sure your details are up to date with every pension provider you can remember.

    You should also set up a GOV.UK One Login account if you haven’t already — it’s the same login used for HMRC’s personal tax account, and having it ready means you can access the dashboard the moment it goes live. You can create one at account.gov.uk. It takes about ten minutes and just requires an email address and a form of ID.

    Will the dashboard tell you what to do with your pensions?

    No — and this is an important point to understand. The dashboard is an information tool, not a financial advice service. It will show you what you have, but it won’t tell you whether to consolidate your pots, how to draw them down, or whether your investments are right for your situation.

    If you discover you have several old pots and you’re wondering whether to combine them, or if you have a defined benefit (final salary) pension that may be worth considerably more than you realise, it’s worth getting proper guidance before taking any action. MoneyHelper (moneyhelper.org.uk) offers free, impartial guidance from pension specialists — not full financial advice, but enough to help you understand your options clearly before you decide what to do.

    Key takeaways

    • There are 3.3 million lost pension pots in the UK — if you’ve had multiple jobs, you may have one you’ve forgotten about
    • The government-backed Pensions Dashboard is expected to launch publicly in late 2026 or early 2027 via MoneyHelper
    • You can search for lost pensions right now using the free Pension Tracing Service on GOV.UK
    • Set up a GOV.UK One Login account now so you’re ready the moment the dashboard goes live
    • The dashboard shows information only — for guidance on what to do next, contact MoneyHelper or a regulated financial adviser

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