Finanse

From 1 January, the minimum wage will increase by PLN 140 to PLN 4,806 gross, and the minimum hourly rate to PLN 31.40 gross. The take-home pay will be approximately PLN 3,605. In the last 25 years, the largest increase in the minimum wage was in 2024. At that time, the benefit increased by a total of PLN 700.more

Almost 20 postcodes across the UK have fallen below freezing, making thousands of people eligible for Cold Weather Payments. The Department for Work and Pensions began making payments in November.more

The wealth of the world's 500 richest people increased by a record $2.2 trillion over the past year, reaching $11.9 trillion thanks to gains in the stock, metal, cryptocurrency and other asset markets, according to Bloomberg.more

Many households’ energy bills are to rise on Thursday, just as a swathe of cold health alerts have been issued for large areas of the UK. The 0.2% increase to Ofgem’s energy price cap will equate to a rise of about 28p a month for the average household in England, Wales and Scotland remaining on a standard variable tariff.more

As 2025 draws to a close, we’re taking a look at the data to see how life in London was lived. From the cost of renting a room to the price of a pint, we’ll crunch the numbers, analyse the trends, and sum up what it meant for you.more

Air passengers are being warned to brace for ticket rises as regional airports across the UK face “unprecedented” rises in property tax next year. Analysis of government data for PA Media has revealed regional airports are among those facing the steepest increases in business rates of any sector in the UK amid an overhaul of property valuations underpinning the tax.more

While most regions saw an increase, Londoners actually tightened the purse strings over the past year, writes MyLondon.news.more

Thousands more Londoners will face average council tax bills of over £2,000 for the first time next year, analysis by the Standard has revealed. Most benchmark Band D London homes will see almost £80 added to their annual levy from April 2026 if boroughs increase payments by an expected 5%. It means Hackney, Hillingdon and Lambeth residents face paying more than £2,000 for thmore

Christmas is typically a boozy period, but British people are drinking less alcohol than at any time on record, a new study has shown. UK adults consumed on average 10.2 alcoholic drinks a week last year, which is the lowest figure since 1990 when data collection began, according to research from company IWSR.more

Keir Starmer’s government has been told a closer EU trade deal is a “strategic necessity” for companies in Britain as growing numbers of exporters find it tougher to do business under the UK’s post-Brexit agreement. more

The National Lottery has created 365 millionaires in 2025 – one for every day of the year, the operators have announced in a round-up of its year. The winners shared £702 million between them, with four EuroMillions winners scooping a total of £199 million.more

Just over half of the British public are cutting back on the number of presents they are buying for friends and family this Christmas, a poll suggests. Rising prices for household goods have influenced 51% of Britons to buy fewer gifts this year, the Savanta polling revealed.more

Millions of people will be able to set their own contactless card payment limits or even have no limit at all, a regulator has confirmed. Banks and card providers will be given the power, from March, to set a maximum - or unlimited - single payment amount without the need to enter a four-digit PIN.more

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced yesterday before the House of Commons that he is prepared to release the frozen assets of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, former owner of Chelsea FC, in order to help Ukraine. This was in response to a question from a Member of Parliament regarding the United Kingdom's support for Ukraine.more

69% of Poles intend to reduce their Christmas spending, most often by taking advantage of promotions, foregoing the purchase of new decorations and clothes, and preparing meals themselves, according to a survey by ANG Odpowiedzialne Finanse.more

Falls in food, alcohol, and clothing prices last month helped drive inflation to its lowest level in eight months in November. The inflation rate fell to 3.2% from 3.6%, a larger fall than analysts expected.more

Resident doctors across England began a five-day strike today, demanding, among other things, higher wages. With the flu season in full swing, hospital directors are warning of overcrowding in medical facilities and numerous difficulties that may affect patients.more

According to a survey conducted by BIG InfoMonitor, the average Pole will spend PLN 1,122 on this year's Christmas celebrations, which is one third less than last year. Respondents declared that they would spend the most on gifts (PLN 447) and food (PLN 413).more

Pub landlords are banning Labour MPs from entering their pub due to increased business rates that allegedly threaten their survival. Around 50 pubs across Britain have put up a sign saying "No Labour MPs" to show their disapproval, according to restaurateurs behind the rallying cry. more

Liverpool is the most generous city in the UK this year, according to figures from a fundraising platform. GoFundMe ranked the Merseyside city at the top of its list, based on the number of donors and population figures, for the second year in a row.more

HMRC is contacting Self Assessment taxpayers to remind them that tax bills can be paid through monthly installments. With the Self Assessment deadline looming, taxpayers may be concerned about paying their upcoming bills, especially with the financial pressures of Christmas.more

People who might otherwise turn to friends, family, or social media influencers for financial advice are to be given new help to invest their money. Targeted support from registered banks and other financial firms is being given the go-ahead by the City regulator and should start in April.more

Christmas dinner will be slightly cheaper this year compared to last, according to new industry data. The cost of a traditional turkey dinner is £32.46, a few pence cheaper than in 2024 due to lower prices on two items. more

Young people will be stripped of their right to claim benefits if they refuse a taxpayer-funded job after 18 months without a job, the work and pensions secretary says. Pat McFadden told the BBC they would need a "good reason" to decline one of the 55,000 six-month placements, to be rolled out from next April.more

London’s high streets are bracing for more disruption as Halifax prepares to shut another 14 branches across the UK in 2026 - including one in the capital. The latest round of closures comes as banks continue to scale back their physical presence in favour of digital services. One of the branches set to disappear next year is the Halifax in Wandsworth, scheduled to close on January 15, 2026.more