Everyday UK money, explained simply
Short, clear answers on savings, tax, pensions, credit, banking, mortgages and benefits — with links to official sources.
Topics
Cash ISAs, tax on savings interest, and how your deposits are protected.
Income Tax, tax codes, allowances and how to check what you owe or are owed.
State Pension, workplace pensions and tracing pensions from past jobs.
Borrowing responsibly, credit agreements and protection when you pay by card.
Current accounts, everyday banking and switching your bank.
Buying a home, mortgage basics and Stamp Duty Land Tax.
Child Benefit, Universal Credit and how to claim support you may be entitled to.
Latest articles
Tricked into a bank transfer? Your bank must usually refund APP fraud up to £85,000, normally within 5 business days. Who is covered and how to claim.
Basic bank accounts: who is eligible, what the account must offer, no fees for standard sterling services, no overdraft, and the refusal and closure rules.
How the Current Account Switch Service works: the seven working day switch, automatic payment redirection, the Switch Guarantee and what to check first.
Child Benefit explained: £27.05 a week for the eldest child, £17.90 for others, who qualifies, backdating, National Insurance credits and the tax charge.
Universal Credit explained: who can claim, the £16,000 savings limit, monthly standard allowances, the 55p taper, work allowance and the first payment.
Stamp Duty Land Tax in England and Northern Ireland: residential rates from £125,000, first-time buyer relief up to £300,000, the 5% surcharge, deadlines.
Section 75 makes your credit card provider jointly liable for purchases costing more than £100 and up to £30,000. What is covered and how to make a claim.
How to trace a lost workplace or personal pension with the free Pension Tracing Service: what you need, what it can and cannot tell you, how to contact it.
How pension tax relief works: net pay and relief at source, extra relief if you pay 40% or 45% tax, the £60,000 annual allowance and the earnings limit.
Check your State Pension forecast online: what it shows, the full new State Pension of £241.30 a week, the 35 and 10 qualifying year rules, filling gaps.
Auto-enrolment explained: who must be enrolled, the 8% minimum contribution with at least 3% from your employer, tax relief, opting out and re-enrolment.
FSCS protects savings up to £120,000 per person, per bank, building society or credit union. How joint accounts, shared licences and high balances work.
Our approach
Every article cites its sources: legislation and guidance on GOV.UK, HMRC, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Pensions Regulator and other official bodies. Each piece shows when sources were last checked. To learn who runs this site, see About.
This article is general information and not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Check your own situation with HMRC, GOV.UK or a regulated adviser.