Millions of Brits are about to get a £100 fine through the post

Residents in every corner of the United Kingdom are being warned about a £100 fine coming their way if they don’t act fast.

January is tough enough as it is, with the gap between Christmas and first payday of the year feeling like an absolute age and a half.

Well, things could get worse if you don’t do the boring stuff that is required at the start of a new year.

In this case, we’re talking about ending up with a hefty fine if you don’t listen to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

HMRC warning for Brits born on certain dates
Credit: X/HMRC
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HMRC warning explained

HMRC, or the ‘bloody taxman’ as you’re more likely to refer to it under muttered breath when reading your payslip deductions, is behind the advice and subsequent warning issued this month.

Now, as February approaches, HMRC has warned that Brits have just days to get their ducks in a row or face the penalty issued by them.

It’s all to do with self-assessment tax returns.

And while it is a group of words that is enough to send most people to sleep, it’s incredibly important to get it done.

Self-assessment tax returns are filed every January (Getty Stock Images)

Self-assessment tax returns are filed every January (Getty Stock Images)

Late payment

The deadline for filing your self-assessment tax returns to HMRC is the end of the month which is this Friday (31 January).

Miss this deadline and you’ll find yourself facing a HMRC penalty, something no ones wants amid the years-long cost of living crisis.

Alastair Douglas, CEO of TotallyMoney, said: “With Friday’s deadline fast approaching, it’s important to get your tax return filed as soon as possible – and even if there’s nothing to pay. That’s because the taxman will be waiting to dish out £100 fines as soon as the clock strikes midnight.

“After that, you’ll have three months of breathing space before HMRC issues daily penalties of £10, up to a maximum of £900, with fines getting more severe after that.”

The forms must be filled out if you're self employed or have a side hustle to a main job where you've earned more than £1,000 (Getty Stock Images)

The forms must be filled out if you’re self employed or have a side hustle to a main job where you’ve earned more than £1,000 (Getty Stock Images)

Do I need to file a self-assessment tax return?

You’ll need to file a self-assessment tax return if you are self-employed.

Even if you are employed and get your wage via PAYE – where tax is deducted automatically on your payslip – those with a side hustle will need to check if they need to file one.

So if you’ve had a successful year on Vinted, and your extra cash was more than £1,000 (the tax-free allowance per year), you’ll need to get the paperwork filled out.

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On top of the £100, there will also be a 7.25 percent charge on any late payment. So if your bill is big, it’s going to get a whole lot bigger.

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Topics: UK NewsMoneyBusiness

More than one million Brits at risk of £1,000 fine for ignoring simple drivers licence rule

More than one million Brits at risk of £1,000 fine for ignoring simple drivers licence rule

Don’t fall foul of this easily avoidable rule

Brenna Cooper

Brenna Cooper

A driving expert has warned that a million Brits could be at risk of incurring a fine for ignoring a simple rule regarding their licences.

Learning to drive seems like the biggest obstacle when it comes to motoring, with the end result of spending countless hours perfecting how to turn right and memorising the Highway Code being a sparkly set of your own car keys and the promise of infinite freedom.

Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news but passing your test is only the beginning of a lifetime of unexpected costs and MOT trips.

Driving is a never ending roundabout of unexpected costs (Getty Stock Images)

Driving is a never ending roundabout of unexpected costs (Getty Stock Images)

Your car isn’t the only thing which could pull in unexpected costs either, as the motoring world is filled with numerous pitfalls which could see you slapped with fines and/or points – one of these being your an out of date driving licence.

Be honest, when was the last time you looked at your driving licence? Was it while applying for car insurance, being ID’d in a bar or moments before shoving it into your wallet after passing your test?

READ MORE:

BRITS WARNED ABOUT 10 CARS MOST LIKELY TO FAIL AN MOT

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If this is the case then you may want to dig out the piece of plastic and pay attention, as one driving expert has revealed how failure to keep your licence up to date could find you on the wrong side of a £1,000 fine and potential disqualification.

According to BigWantsYourCar.com, there are around 3% of UK drivers continue to drive with expired licences – which can have severe legal consequences for those who are caught out.

“This isn’t a trivial matter. A valid driving licence is a legal requirement, and driving without one leaves motorists exposed to fines and even invalidates their insurance,” a spokesperson from BigWantsYourCar.com explained.

Time to dig out your driving licence and make sure you're up to date (Getty Stock Images)

Time to dig out your driving licence and make sure you’re up to date (Getty Stock Images)

What are the risks of not renewing your driving licence?

According to BigWantsYourCar.com the main penalty for an out of date licence is a £1,000. However, drivers can also receive between three to six points on their licence or even a discretionary driving disqualification.

Which is certainly one way to ruin your day.

“Driving with an invalid licence can lead to severe consequences, especially if an incident occurs and the driver is found uninsured,” the spokesperson explained.

The spokesperson added that renewing your licence isn’t only an administrative procedure but a crucial way for insurers to have up-to-date coverage about what is happening on the roads.

“Drivers should view this as part of responsible vehicle ownership—both for their safety and for peace of mind on the road,” they added.

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What is considered an out of date driving licence?

Worried about the status of your driving licence? There are two ways to check if it’s out of date.

The way is to check the straightforward expiry date, listed under ‘4b’. You need to renew your driving licence every 10 years unless you are over 70 years of age, in which case it becomes every three years.

Featured Image Credit: (Getty Stock Images)

Topics: DrivingUK NewsMoney

Millions of Brits are about to get a £100 fine through the post

Millions of Brits are about to get a £100 fine through the post

Brits have less than a month left to avoid the fine

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

January is about to get even worse for millions of Brits who will get a £100 fine through the post if they don’t act quickly.

LAD: Is ‘Dry January’ Worth It?
Credit: ITV/Good Morning Britain
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The first month of the year is always a struggle – going back to work, stretching your budget until payday and the freezing weather – don’t get me started on the weather.

But don’t worry, you’re not the only one who feels it.

‘Around 2 million people in the UK‘ have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is ‘a type of depression that you experience during particular seasons or times of year’.

“Depression is a low mood that lasts for a long time, and affects your everyday life,” according to mental health charity, Mind.

“If you have SAD, you’ll experience depression during some seasons in particular, or because of certain types of weather or temperature. You can experience it in winter or summer.”

Experts say a change in diet, increase in exercise and doing things you actually enjoy can all combat against SAD.

Now, financial concerns are, of course, big in January and as the age old saying goes, ‘when it rains it pours’.

January is about to get even worse for millions of Brits who will get a £100 fine through the post if they don't act quickly.

Getty Stock Photo

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has said that 5.7 million people have less than a month left to file their 2022-23 tax return.

So, make sure you don’t miss the 31 January deadline and risk a £100 fine, plus further potential penalties.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s director general for customer services, said: “The clock is ticking for those customers yet to file their tax return.

“Don’t put it off, kick start the new year by sorting your self-assessment. Go to gov.uk and search ‘self assessment’ to get started start today.”

HMRC said the quickest and easiest way that customers can pay their tax bill is via its app.

Information about the different ways to pay can be found on GOV.UK. People who are unable to pay in full can also access support and advice on the site.

MHRC has said that 5.7 million people have less than a month left to file their 2022-23 tax return.

Getty Stock Photo

The penalties for late tax returns include an initial £100 fixed penalty, which applies even if there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time.

Further penalties could also apply, including:

  • After three months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900, may apply.
  • After six months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater, could be imposed.
  • After 12 months, another 5% or £300 charge, whichever is greater, may apply.

You can submit your tax returns and pay any tax owed at GOV.UK.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Photos

Topics: MoneyUK News

Brits warned phones could stop working and you’ll need to buy a new one after major 2025 network change

Brits warned phones could stop working and you’ll need to buy a new one after major 2025 network change

Millions of Brits could be impacted

Tom Earnshaw

Tom Earnshaw

Brits may soon be left with phones that don’t work and be forced into buying a new one due to a major change to technology and networks used in the United Kingdom.

Millions of people will be impacted, with the UK pushing ahead with a technology revolution based around modern ways of communicating.

It means that this year, we will be saying our goodbyes to the 3G mobile network.

And once it is turned off, it means some phones will no longer be able to connect their calls or send messages to another person, meaning you’ll have to fork out for a new one if you’re impacted.

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The 3G switch off explained

Telecommunications regulator Ofcom said the main reason for the 3G switch off is to free up the network for expanded 4G and 5G coverage, meaning those with devices accessing these should experience greater coverage. After all, we’ve all experienced those dead spots where signal disappears and our old mate 3G returns for the first time in a decade.

Those on a Vodafone network need not worry regarding 3G, with the service switching off it off back in February 2024.

EE turned off its 3G in the same month, with Three also turning it off last year.

The changes in 2025 are relating to Virgin Media O2 customers.

But it goes further than that, with other providers using the O2 network for their services. In particular, we mean Tesco Mobile, Giffgaff, and Sky Mobile.

Goodbye 3G (Getty Stock Images)

Goodbye 3G (Getty Stock Images)

Where will 3G be turned off first for the O2 network?

Durham in the northeast of England will see 3G turned off on the O2 network in April 2025.

Virgin Media, which is part of the same company as O2, said the switch-off in that city will be a ‘key milestone’ in its technological future.

The roll out will continue after that, but little is known about the specific regional switch-offs.

Jeanie York, Virgin Media O2’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “Switching off 3G will be an important milestone in the evolution of our network, enabling us to focus our attention and investment on faster and more reliable 4G and 5G networks that will deliver improved services for our customers.

“By starting in just one location and by putting careful monitoring in place, we’ll minimise disruption to customers and ensure the success of this essential modernisation programme.

“While the vast majority of our customers already have a 4G or 5G device and will not be impacted, our priority is to provide support to those who need it. That is why we are reaching out directly to customers who do not have a 4G or 5G-ready device, and calling those we know are vulnerable, to help them prepare. We will continue to support our customers as we complete the switch off of our 3G network.”

We've come a long way (Getty Stock Images)

We’ve come a long way (Getty Stock Images)

2G still exists – for now

In what might seem like an odd move, 2G still exists despite 3G being phased out. The Government said the deadline for the death of 2G is 2033.

O2 network devices using 3G will switch to the 2G network when it is switched off.

There is caution around the move, with the Digital Poverty Alliance previously saying there would be ‘detrimental effects’ on those who lack the financial ability to access newer technology with 4G and 5G networks.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images

Topics: MoneyPhonesSamsungTechnologyUK NewsiPhoneScienceBusiness

Millions of Brits to get pay rises under government plans to launch ‘genuine’ living wage

Millions of Brits to get pay rises under government plans to launch ‘genuine’ living wage

The move could make a difference to millions of people in the UK

Lucy Devine

Lucy Devine

Millions of Brits could be in line to get a pay rise under government plans to launch a new living wage.

At present, there are various minimum wage rates for the different age groups. For example, 18-20-year-olds must earn a minimum of £8.60 an hour, while those over 21 must earn at least £11.44 per hour.

In potential new changes, however, the age factor could be eliminated and instead a new single ‘genuine’ living wage announced.

The move would impact millions of Brits, who could be in line for a pay rise if the plan goes ahead.

Millions of Brits could be in line to get a pay rise (Getty Stock Photo)

Millions of Brits could be in line to get a pay rise (Getty Stock Photo)

In a press release, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “For too long working people have faced the worst of the cost-of-living crisis, but this Government is taking bold action to address it and make work pay.

“The new remit to the LPC is the first of many vital steps we will take to support more people to stay in work and improve living standards.

“Our focus remains on putting more money in working people’s pockets and boosting economic growth.”

The change could bridge the gap between the minimum wage for 18-20-year-olds and the living wage for over-21s in the UK. Essentially, it would create a new rate for all adults.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “Economic growth is our first mission, and we will do everything we can to ensure good jobs for working people. But for too long, too many people are out of work or not earning enough.

“The new LPC remit is an important first step in getting people into work and keeping people in work, essential for growing our economy, rebuilding Britain and making everyone better off.”

It could narrow the gap between the minimum wage and the living wage (Getty Stock Photo)

It could narrow the gap between the minimum wage and the living wage (Getty Stock Photo)

The Trades Union Congress has also spoken out on the potential change, calling it ‘significant first steps’ towards a ‘real living wage’.

“These are significant first steps towards making the minimum wage a real living wage and will make a difference to millions,” said TUC general secretary Paul Nowak.

“We welcome the government’s decision to ask the Low Pay Commission to be more ambitious next year and into the future.

“We also support the government’s commitment to ending discriminatory age bands for minimum wage workers.

“Young people face the same cost-of-living pressures as other adult workers and will welcome their pay being brought into line.”

The proposed changes are said to be the ‘first steps’ in the government’s mission to grow the economy and improve living standards.

It’s important to note that the minimum wage for those under 18 will not be changing – so children aged 16 and 17 will still be on the same hourly minimum rate of £6.40.

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