Universal Credit

Helicopter view of Blackpool

'They’ve helped me to get back on track and keep a roof over my head'

More than 76,000 families across the North West have saved money on childcare through the Government’s Tax-Free Childcare scheme, according to the latest figures from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Over 76,000 North West families save cash with Tax-Free Childcare

Appearing at Preston Crown Court Hegarty was handed a 10-month custodial sentence suspended for 12 months, as well as to 100 hours of unpaid work.

Meet the £70K benefits cheat caught out in Facebook engagement post

A benefit cheat who falsely claimed more than £70,000 by saying he was single - was caught out by a Facebook post which showed him proposing to his partner.

£70K benefits cheat caught in Facebook post proposing to partner

Regardless of a child’s home financial situation, every pupil should be able to access a hot, nutritious meal during the school day without families feeling exploited or penalised

School meals: Parents warned prices could jump at start of new term

Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers a speech in the media briefing room of 9 Downing Street on November 4, 2025. She has hinted that the two-child benefit cap could be scrapped in the 2025 Budget (Photo: WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Budget 2025: Chancellor Reeves hints at extra support for families

Pictured: James Kelly from the Money and Pensions Service

The end-of-year money checklist for people in the North-West

(Photo: SUSANNAH IRELAND/AFP via Getty Images)

DWP brings forward benefits and pensions for August bank holiday

(Photo: SUSANNAH IRELAND/AFP via Getty Images)

5 one-off benefit payments due in 2025 that could net you over £1,500

(Photo: SUSANNAH IRELAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Free benefits checker helps1000s find support – it’s open to everyone

(Photo: Pexels)

Urgent DWP warning for over-60s as four key benefits set to be axed

68 per cent of parents agree with the charter

Ad Feature Breakfast charter launched as 8 in 10 parents fear poor school meals

The Government says that thousands of children from struggling households had been missing out on free school meals

Number of Lancashire kids eligible for free school meals revealed

The Government says that thousands of children from struggling households had been missing out on free school meals

Number of Blackpool kids eligible for free school meals revealed

(Photo: SUSANNAH IRELAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Households urged to claim £1,000 in support before local deadlines hit

The Government says that thousands of children from struggling households had been missing out on free school meals

How to know if your family is eligible, as free school meals expanded
Thousands more parents will be able to save hundreds of pounds per child 💷
Amber Allott

(Photo: SUSANNAH IRELAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Change to Help to Save scheme opens free cash eligibility to millions

(Photos: Getty Images/Alex Nelson)

Spring Statement: relief but unconvinced - I’m still reeling from cuts

Chancellor Rachel Reeves leaves 11 Downing Street to deliver her spring statement to Parliament on March 26, 2025 (Photo: Peter Nicholls/Getty Images)

Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement: will it put more cash in your pocket?

Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, leaves 11, Downing Street to deliver her Spring Statement to Parliament on March 26, 2025 (Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images)

8 takeaways from Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement - including welfare

(Photos: Getty Images/Alex Nelson)

Labour's benefits shake-up - my takeaways as a finance specialist

(Photo: SUSANNAH IRELAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Universal Credit: health element changes and above-inflation rise news

Liz Kendall, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, leaves after attending the weekly Cabinet meeting of ministers at 10 Downing Street on March 18, 2025 (Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images)

Government announces major changes to PIP and Universal Credit

(Photo: SUSANNAH IRELAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Housing Benefit to rise in April – here's how much more you could get

(Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images)

9 ways you can get council tax support - as millions face huge rises

(Photo: SUSANNAH IRELAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Millions receiving Universal Credit can expect increases of £10 soon

(Photo: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Households across the UK to receive up to £500 in cash support
Thousands of households can apply for help with food, energy, and bills 💰
Alex Nelson

New Year 2024: all the early DWP and HMRC benefit payment dates

SEA LIFE Blackpool is offeringb a discount deal for people on Universal Credit

SEA LIFE centre offering £5 tickets for Universal Credit claimants

A study of 2,000 adults found 26 per cent of these have received financial help with presents

4 in 10 households have relied on generosity to get through Christmas

Rachel Reeves poses with the red Budget Box as she leaves 11 Downing Street to present the government's annual Autumn budget to Parliament (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

UK families to get free cash as Household Support Fund is extended

(Photos: Getty Images/SWNS)

'I'm scared' - pensioner warns of 'dire' winter as energy costs rise

The free school breakfast clubs will build on support for families already available, the Department for Education says

When Labour's free school breakfasts will start - what we know so far

(Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)

Thousands of households to receive £500 summer holidays payment

The money will people most in need

Families to get £200 via Household Support Fund - but funds are low

Martin Ingram Flowers (60) who broke his leg at work and was told by the DWP to quit his £40k a year job in order to claim benefits.

Watch: DWP told me to quit my job to claim benefits when I broke leg

DWP holiday warning to anyone claiming PIP or Universal Credit

What you need to know about the new Universal Credit rules

Benefit fraud gang shower floor with £20 notes

Watch: Benefit fraud gang shower floor with £20 notes

The leap year may impact when people will receive Universal Credit payments

How the 2024 leap year could affect Universal Credit payments

Dozens of celebrities join petition with anti-poverty charities

Find out if you are eligble for Cold Weather Payments.

Who is eligible for Cold Weather Payments?

Universal Credit and other benefit payments will be paid earlier than expected during the Christmas period.

When will Universal Credit be paid during Christmas period

People walk near the Jobcentre in Westminster.

DWP warning over Universal Credit changes coming in October

There are seven big money changes that could affect your wallet coming in September 2023 including Universal Credit and student loans shake-ups.

Cost of living: 7 money changes to be aware of in September 2023

Which? has revealed the cheapest place to get school uniform this year

Cheapest shop to buy school uniform revealed by Which?

Benefit claimants may find their payments arrive earlier than normal this month.

Universal Credit & benefit claimants hit by another payment change

Here are eight important money changes coming in August 2023.

8 money changes coming in August 2023 including Ofgem price cap

Thousands of Universal Credit claimants are to be affected by new rules that have been introduced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) this week.

Universal Credit rule change launches this week - are you affected?

Michelle Hanney pictured riding a horse. (DWP/SWNS)

‘Disabled’ woman on benefits caught after horse riding photo found

If you claim benefits, including Universal Credit, you may find you get paid early next month due to the August bank holiday.

Full list of benefits that could be paid early next month

Universal Credit claimants will no doubt want to be aware of the rules for going abroad if they’re going on holiday this summer.

DWP explains rules around Universal Credit and going on holiday

Universal Credit and other benefit claimants are set to be hit by another payment shake-up this week.

Benefit claimants will be hit by another payment shake-up this week

Universal Credit and other benefit claimants are set to be hit by another payment shake-up this week. If you’re claiming benefits, you may find your payments arrive earlier than normal.

Universal Credit and benefit claimants have payment change coming up

Universal Credit and other benefit claimants are set to be hit by another payment shake-up this week. If you’re claiming benefits, you may find your payments arrive earlier than normal.

Universal Credit and benefit claimants hit by another payment change

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