The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced the Triple Lock will become a Double Lock for the coming year only Why break only one manifesto commitment in a day when you can break two? So, it was that while the focus was on the Prime Minister’s long awaited announcement about Social Care reform combined with national insurance (NIC) increases, the DWP issued a statement (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/legislation-to-ensure-fairness-for-pensioners-and-taxpayers

A new Health and Social Care Levy and an increase in dividend taxes have been confirmed as the care funding solution for England Highlights Government reforms to social care will impact those entering care in England from October 2023. The cap for full self-funding will rise to £100,000 from £23,250. The lower end means test capital limit will rise to £20,000 from £14,250. A total lifetime fee cap will initially be set at £86,000. A new ‘Health and Social Care Levy’ (HSCL) of

At the end of August the CEO of Australian airline Qantas said that the pandemic had cost “billions” in lost revenue. No shock there – but on the same day another airline did come out with a surprising announcement. America’s third-largest airline, Delta, said that it would impose a $200 (£145) monthly surcharge on employees not vaccinated against Covid-19. In addition, it would only pay sick pay for Covid to people who had been double-jabbed, but still became infected. In a