Samantha Leathers.
Writer
When she's not knee-deep in HMRC stats, Samantha enjoys being mediocre at crochet and slightly worse at pub quizzes.
Blogs by Samantha Leathers.
30 hours free childcare 2027: Who qualifies and how to apply before the deadline
Parents of babies born in 2026 could qualify for 30 hours of free childcare a week from January 2027. But families hoping to claim from the start of the year must apply by 31 December 2026. Here's how to check eligibility, income requirements, maternity leave rules and the application process.
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3 common money myths debunked: Budgeting, investing and credit scores
From budgeting to investing and debts, we dive into the most common things people are getting wrong about their money and how much it could be costing you. Getting to grips with your money can be a complicated matter when every expert online seems to be pointing you in a different direction. In the chaos, there are a few money myths that have emerged and while most have been debunked, there’s a few that most people still believe in, and it could even be costing you a good few pennies.
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Why can't young people afford to buy a house? It's not the avocado toast
Is avocado toast really stopping young people from buying their first home? With first-time buyers now averaging 34 years old in England, we look at the real barriers to homeownership, how house prices compare with wages and whether the government's new 2.5% deposit scheme could help.
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3 Budget announcements that could hit your wallet this October
The UK Budget will have a range of financial updates, but three specific changes could help everyday people make their money stretch further. These are the announcements to look out for.
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How the 2026 Budget could change the future of PIP
Personal Independence Payments could see a major revamp in the next few months, with Chancellor John Healey’s first Autumn Budget expected to bring the first round of changes ahead of the Timms Review final report. Here’s what we know so far and what could be on the chopping block.
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