'Having legal expenses cover could make all the difference'

It is possible to take legal action against the motorist and their insurer, and your insurer may be able to help. 

For a claim to be taken up, your insurer must be satisfied that you have a reasonable or better-than-average chance of winning your case. You should also note that some insurers limit the hourly rate they pay solicitors, which could reduce the quality of solicitor that you’re likely to get.

Check your policy schedule to see if your policy includes legal expenses cover, as in most policies it’s an optional add-on. 

Don’t confuse legal expenses cover with liability cover, which pays out if you’re responsible for damages.

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This means help is often provided informally, rather than through legal arrangements designed to manage someone else’s finances.

It comes as recent figures show applications for lasting power of attorney in England and Wales have fallen compared with the previous year. This is one of the main ways to formally give someone permission to act on your behalf. 

Here, Which? explores why so many people step in to help manage money and explains when setting up power of attorney could offer a safer alternative.

Millions stepping in to help with banking

The Lloyds Bank UK Consumer Digital Index 2024 estimates that around 11 million people act as ‘digital helpers’, supporting others with tasks such as checking balances and making payments. 

New research by Devon Fields Consulting, supported by cash machine network Link, gives further insight into why this support is needed. In a survey of 849 people who help someone manage money, the most common reasons were concerns about making mistakes (36%) and finding digital banking difficult to use (35%).

The most common tasks that people provided help with include checking bank balances (37%), helping with online payments when shopping online (29%) and making or scheduling payments (29%).

The report highlighted how financial help is increasingly essential, with several respondents reporting stepping in to help after a loved one was scammed or their local branch closed. 

Why informal help can carry risks  

The report highlights how digital banking and security measures are often designed for independent users. In reality, many people rely on trusted helpers to manage their money, and the lack of dedicated tools means some are resorting to risky workarounds.

Often, the person who receives support logs into their own accounts with guidance from their friend, family member or neighbour. But 26% of people who provide support said the person they help shares passwords and security codes with them.

Others go further. Around 17% said they use their own device to log in on someone else’s behalf, while 13% said they share a security device such as a card reader or key.

Much of this support takes place without formal permission. 54% of financial helpers said they had no formal authority, such as power of attorney, authorised access or a linked payment card.

Power of attorney applications fall

The latest HM Courts and Tribunal figures show that the number of people registering lasting power of attorney in England and Wales has fallen slightly.

There was a surge in lasting power of attorney (LPA) applications in England and Wales in recent years, with the number of applications more than doubling from 670,739 in 2020 to 1,490,215 in 2024. 

But the most recent figures show that the number of LPAs registered in 2025 is down 11% on the previous year.

This chart shows the number of LPA applications submitted in England and Wales each year since 2015.

In Scotland, the number of people applying for PoA has increased each year (except during the pandemic): 95,000 applications were submitted in 2024-25 – up 30% on 2016-2017, according to an update published by the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) in December 2025.

Equivalent statistics for Northern Ireland are not readily available.

The benefits of power of attorney 

While the power of attorney system isn't perfect, there are several reasons your loved ones may benefit from having it in place and why you should also consider putting one in place for yourself.

Power of attorney allows someone (the donor) to give a trusted person (the attorney) the legal right to make decisions on their behalf about finances or care.  

Remember, only the donor can decide who should act as their attorney. While you may want to discuss what power of attorney is with your loved ones and the benefits of setting it up, you should never pressure someone into appointing you as their attorney.

1. Plan ahead

You can only set up PoA while you have what’s known as ‘mental capacity’ – the ability to weigh up information and make decisions for yourself.

Putting it in place early helps you prepare for unexpected changes in capacity, for example if you have an accident or fall ill suddenly.

If you lose capacity and don’t have PoA in place, it can be much harder for your loved ones to support you, as they’ll need to apply to the courts for the right to act on your behalf. This can be time consuming and expensive, and they won’t be able to access your funds or make decisions on your behalf in the meantime.

2. Be clear about your wishes

Being proactive about power of attorney makes it easier for your attorney to act in your best interests.

When you set up PoA, you should have an open conversation about your wishes, plans for your money and property, and how you’d like to be cared for if you become unwell.

Being clear about your wishes will make it easier for your attorney to support you if you become unable to make decisions yourself.

3. Rights and protections

Power of attorney is a legal arrangement that provides additional rights and protections for both you and your attorney.

For example, once PoA has been set up, your attorney can formally request access to your bank accounts, making it easier for them to support you or make decisions on your behalf.

Your attorney also has a legal obligation to act in your best interests and should support you to make your own decisions wherever possible. If anyone has concerns about misuse of power of attorney, this can be reported to the relevant authority.

In this episode, Which? principal researcher and energy expert Sarah Ingrams joins us to explain what happened to the price cap that resulted in those on standard variable tariffs to see a reduction in their energy bills.

It wasn’t just those on variable tariffs that saw a fall in the price they pay for gas and electricity this month. Households on fixed tariffs saw their bills fall after government support schemes were adjusted, reducing costs outside of the usual price cap changes.

Plus, Tom Goswell, energy supply lead at Cornwall Insight, the company which predicts price cap changes, gets us up to speed on the Middle East crisis in a week which saw a ceasefire announced.

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The Which? podcast showcases the best content from across our website and magazine. 

Plus, keep an eye out for bonus episodes that tackle important issues, from motoring and tech to health and wellbeing and travel.

How to listen to the Which? podcast

We're always releasing new episodes, and the podcast is available from wherever you usually get your podcasts.

As part of your subscription, Which? members also get access to exclusive podcasts.

The National Insurance replacement credits service, originally due to launch in April 2026, is now expected in April 2027. It’s designed to help parents and carers who didn’t claim child benefit – often due to the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) – but in doing so missed out on NI credits that count towards their state pension. 

Here Which? explains what the service will offer, how it will work and what the delay means for parents looking to plug gaps in their records.

How child benefit affects your state pension

Child benefit is a weekly payment for parents or carers, worth £27.05 for the eldest child and £17.90 for each additional child in the 2026-27 tax year.

As well as providing extra income, claiming child benefit also gives you National Insurance (NI) credits if you’re responsible for a child under 12. These credits help fill gaps in your NI record and protect your entitlement to the state pension if you take time off work.

As a result, many parents chose not to claim child benefit to avoid the charge. However, this had an unintended consequence. By not claiming, they also missed out on NI credits, often without realising.

Because child benefit claims can only be backdated for three months, some parents who later realised they could claim the credits without receiving payments have been left with years of missing NI credits. 

You need 35 full years of NI contributions to get the new full state pension and you need 10 years to receive anything at all. To address this, the government announced a ‘replacement credits’ system in April 2023. This aimed to help parents who failed to claim child benefit in time. 

While originally slated for an April 2026 rollout, the service is now delayed until April 2027. The current delay is reportedly down to the complex technical nature of the project.

Who will be affected by the delay?

For those who do have gaps in their NI record, HMRC says most will not be affected by the delay because they will still be able to apply for NI credits once the service becomes available in April 2027.

HMRC said: ‘We can reassure parents and carers that when the service launches in April 2027, they will still be able to claim credits going back to January 2013, meaning no one will miss out on them.

‘Because those who benefit from the service will be families with children under the age of 12 since 2013, we expect very few to have reached state pension age by this April.’

However, some people may see a short-term impact on their state pension. This is most likely to affect people who are already receiving their state pension or will reach state pension age before April 2027.

This is because any missing NI credits may not be added to their record in time to increase their pension payments during that period

What to do if you are affected?

If you believe you will suffer financial loss due to the delay, HMRC says you can ask it to look at your case. To be considered, you will need to meet the following criteria, which include:

HMRC says it will review each case individually. If it agrees you have suffered a financial loss, it will calculate a payment to reflect the impact on your state pension up to April 2027. Any payments are expected to be made after the replacement credits service is introduced in April 2027.

3 reasons to claim child benefit

Alongside aiding your state pension entitlement, there are other benefits to claiming child benefit as a parent or carer. These include: 

Forking out for a top-of-the-range telly will get you an OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a broader array of speakers to make sound more precise and directional, and the latest processor to power it all. If reading that gave you a little buzz of excitement then you're likely a fan of high-end tech and the satisfaction you get from knowing you're seeing a TV show or film at its very best.

But the truth is, as much as TVs do benefit from all those fancy extras, they aren't necessary for good picture and sound. You can spend less to get a telly you'll be delighted with and, honestly, most people should. At £600 or less you'll find Great Value models at every size and even a Best Buy or two.

Here's why £600 is the sweet spot for your next TV.

What to expect from a £600 TV

TV prices range from £200 to £10,000 (and more for some specialist models) but at their core they all function the same way. Despite almost every TV being 4K and smart, there are some areas where high-end models differ from the models that are available for £600 or less.

1. The panel and resolution

Barring the smallest and cheapest models, any TV you buy will be 4K. We wouldn't recommend an HD TV unless you're buying something 32 inches or smaller where there aren't 4K options. In our experience, HD TVs seem to be an afterthought for manufacturers. We haven't tested one that looked or sounded good in years.

So, for your £600 (or less) you're getting a 4K TV and it will be backlit. That doesn't mean your TV is taking part in glamorous photo shoot, although what you do with your new TV is up to you. A backlight is a layer of bulbs behind the screen, or around the edge of it. They shine on a colour-producing layer to make the picture. At this price, it's most likely to be an LCD TV (liquid crystals make the colour here) or a QLED (also uses liquid crystals, but adds quantum dots for a colour boost).

It will be 60Hz, which means the screen can refresh the image 60 times every second. This is exactly enough for all the content you watch. Anything quicker is only a benefit for gamers.

2. HDR support

Paying £600 or less will typically mean you're only getting support for HDR10 and HLG. 

HDR's job is to broaden the contrast to make darker parts of the picture look denser and fuller, while brighter parts have a crisper gleam. HDR10 and HLG are basic formats that set a blanket contrast adjustment for each piece of content, while Dolby Vision and HDR10+ adjust contrast on a scene-by-scene basis. 

This finer contrast control from these advanced formats doesn't always look good though and we've tested cheaper TVs with better HDR use than some high-end models.

3. Screen size

You might be thinking that spending less means you'll have to settle for a smaller screen, but that's not necessarily the case. Yes, having a smaller budget means your big screen options are limited, but there are a handful of TVs as big as 65 and even 75 inches for around £600 that we recommend.

This won't always be the case though. It's important to buy your TV at the right time if you want the best price, which is the spring and summer the year after they were released. You won't find 65 or even 55-inch TVs we recommend for below £600 if you buy them just after they launch.

4. Sound and picture quality

It's the screen and the speakers where you're going to see the biggest difference between a cheaper TV and a more high-end one.

If you're looking for five-star picture and sound then you'll need a top-tier TV, but there are numerous models that manage a respectable four-stars across SD, HD and 4K picture quality tests.

There are even a handful of standout models that manage five stars in at least one resolution.

The difference between four and five stars can be razor thin and sometimes spending hundreds more only results in small improvements, which makes cheaper sets even more tempting for anyone who is happy with good quality rather than excellent quality.

5. Operating system parity

Brands make their own operating systems (OS) or use one from Google or Amazon, and it's rare to see a brand use different ones for each range.

Buy a £300 or £3,000 TV from Samsung and you're getting the same OS and this is true of almost every brand. The remote may differ as you move up a brand's lineup and beefier processors mean high-end sets are typically more responsive, but the menus, app store and electronic programme guide will be the same.

You shouldn't be buying a TV that isn't smart either and, thankfully, almost all of them are. 

6. Fewer extras

TVs aren't exactly bedecked with bonus features, so you're not missing out on anything game-changing if you spend less, but there are a couple of things you won't find on a cheaper set.

7. More TVs to avoid

TVs tend to get better as their price goes up, which means there are more models to be wary of at the cheaper end of the spectrum. Be particularly wary of bigger sets that fall into the £600 price bracket. There are good options to be had, but they are scarcer.

Look out for cheaper sets promising high-end features, too. Some brands have a tendency to do this, but it's not good enough for the tech to simply be on the TV, it needs to be implemented well. 

Our favourite TVs for £600 or less

Which brands to look out for when you're spending less

Their TVs still tend to be cheaper than LG and Samsung, but the incredible success of these brands has driven down prices everywhere, which is why we're seeing more Great Value sets from every brand, not just Hisense and TCL.

When should you spend more?

There are two camps of people who should be looking at a more high-end TV: gamers and perfectionists.

The video above shows the serious safety failure that occurred.

What happened during testing?

When the seat was set up in a rear-facing configuration, with a Q1½ dummy (representing an approximately 18-month-old child), the seat shell detached from the base.

This caused the car seat to fly through the air, and would represent a real risk of injury to your baby and potentially to passengers sitting in the front seats of the vehicle.

What does the manufacturer say?

It's not yet clear what caused the seat to come loose, and the product has not been recalled by the manufacturer. But Kinderkraft has stated that it is investigating.

'We declare full compliance of the Mink Pro 2 and Mink FX 2 with the requirements of Regulation R129, which is confirmed by numerous verification tests conducted both before the product was launched at the beginning of 2025, as well as after its introduction,' Kinderkraft said.

'[We are] offering customers the opportunity to exchange the product or receive a full refund. Customer safety is of the utmost importance to us, and we are committed to meeting and exceeding customer expectations, even though our product fully complies with R129 standards. 

'To facilitate this process, customers can contact us via our dedicated email address safety@kinderkraft.com, which is handled with the highest priority.

'We would like to assure you that we take this matter very seriously, and the safety of children remains our top priority.'

What happened when the car seat was installed using the vehicle seatbelt?

The Kinderkraft Mink Pro 2 performs well in the crash tests when installed into the vehicle using the three-point seatbelt. It did not come loose and was able to provide safe protection during the crash test.

For this reason, customers could continue using this car seat if they remove the Isofix base from their vehicle and install it correctly via the seatbelt.

Ensuring they're cleaned thoroughly can take a little extra time and effort, but it's well worth it.

To cut through the noise, we asked our experts to explain how to clean and revive kitchen tools properly, so your collection can stay healthy and durable.

Can you put a wooden spoon in the dishwasher – or boil it?

It may be tempting to toss all your wooden utensils into the dishwasher, and you may have seen online advice saying you can.

Some social media hacks even suggest you can deep-clean your spoons by putting them in a pot of boiling water.

However, whether it’s spoons, boards or chopsticks, our experts strongly advise keeping anything wooden out of the dishwasher – and avoid treating them with boiling water. Instead, you should only wash them by hand.

Our expert says:

‘The high heat of a dishwasher will cause wooden spoons to splinter and split, and any cracks are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria. High heat and long wash cycles strip natural oils, leaving spoons dry, rough and more likely to absorb moisture and odours.’

How should you clean wooden spoons and utensils?

To wash your wooden utensils by hand, all you need is washing-up liquid and plenty of hot water. Wood absorbs odours and flavours quickly, so it’s key to wash them soon after use.

Are wooden spoons hygienic?

Wooden spoons and chopping boards are hygienic. However, it's important to wash them thoroughly between uses.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) says there is a 'significant risk of microbiological cross-contamination' if items such as chopping boards aren't kept clean.

How to clean a wooden chopping board safely

The same care rules for wooden spoons apply to chopping boards. Most manufacturers provide care instructions with their products, so be sure to check those first.

That being said, these tips apply to most wooden boards:

Our expert says:

'We don’t recommend using the same board for meat, poultry and vegetables, as there’s a risk of passing harmful bacteria from raw meat to other foods. Colour-coded chopping boards offer a smart solution to this problem.

'If separate boards aren't possible, cut veg first, then wash the board thoroughly with hot, soapy water and dry it fully before preparing raw meat. 

'Keep an eye out for deep cuts in your board. They can trap bacteria and make thorough cleaning harder. If your board is heavily worn down, it’s best to replace it.'

Are wooden chopping boards better than plastic ones?

We’ve tested both wooden boards and plastic ones. While our experts found wooden ones are harder to maintain and clean than plastic boards, which can usually go in the dishwasher, wooden boards offer an overall better chopping experience. 

Some studies have found fewer recoverable bacteria on wooden kitchen boards than plastic ones, but a well-cleaned plastic board is still very hygienic.

More broadly, the latest research suggests microplastics can cause significant environmental harm.

Our expert says:

‘Using plastic chopping boards can cause tiny fragments of plastic to break off into your food, and so could be a source of microplastics ingestion.

‘If you’re concerned about microplastics, we suggest avoiding plastic chopping boards.’

 Should you oil wooden spoons and chopping boards?

It’s a good idea to oil your wooden kitchen utensils regularly to help prevent splintering and cracking.

How often you do depends on how regularly they’re used, but here are signs it’s probably time to grab a bottle of oil:

It’s best to go with food-grade mineral oil and avoid cooking oils such as olive oil, as they can leave your utensils feeling sticky and unpleasant.

Once the mineral oil has been absorbed, add a little protection by rubbing in a small amount of food-grade beeswax. This can keep the wood in peak condition and extend your utensils’ lifespan.

We haven’t tested these ourselves yet, but these are some popular options for wooden board care:

When should you replace wooden kitchen tools?

At some point, there’s only so much cleaning you can do before it’s time to toss them out.

Experts suggest replacing wooden spoons, boards or rolling pins once they show deep cracks, splintering or if there are persistent smells. Otherwise, you run the risk of bacterial contamination.

However, with the right care quality wooden utensils can last for years – so regular gentle cleaning and proper oiling will help you get the most out of them.

I’m on the phone with ‘John’, who says he works for HP customer support and is based in Miami, Florida. He’s keen to help me install my printer, for an £89 fee. We’ve been speaking for 20 scrupulously polite and deferential minutes.

He has tolerated my slow repetition of all his instructions back to him and my meandering small talk. He has persevered in respectful silence as I spent minutes turning on my computer and then hunting for my glasses so I could see the screen. 

One reason the conversation is going so slowly is that neither of us is telling the truth. John's not an HP employee, but a scammer. And I'm not (quite) as technologically incompetent as I'm putting on. 

Instead I'm doing something I’ve spent a decade warning everyone against: engaging with a scam caller and giving them my time and attention. 

But I’ve done it with the benefit of specialist knowledge, advice and safeguards – which I’ll explain in a minute. So please, don’t try this at home.

Time-wasting for a good cause

My conversation with John was the culmination of several months learning about scambaiting. It's a world that encompasses all sorts of tactics, but one is simply wasting a scammer's time.

The note of irritation creeping into John's voice suggested my efforts were paying off. 

Crucially, I was pretending to follow his instructions without actually doing any of them. He has asked me to download AnyDesk, a remote viewing program, and read out a unique ID that would allow him to take control of my laptop – and ultimately ransack my bank account. 

Instead I used a random number generator to create a number of the right length, then subtly changing it by one or two digits each time he demanded I read it out again.

Eventually, he ended the call in bemusement, claiming there must be a technical problem and promising he’ll call me back in half an hour. That call never came.

I’m unsure if he suspected me; more likely, ‘John’ thought I was too incompetent to be worth his time. However, the copycat HP support website I’d lifted his number from does go offline very shortly after the call.

Why scambaiting has taken off

Far more alarming was the suggestion of blowing a whistle down the phone – something that is reputed to cause hearing damage (a woman was fined in Germany in 2012 for doing this to a telemarketer). 

Aside from any legal implications, this is unethical. Not all scam callers have a choice, both poverty or coercion can be factors, and being cruel won’t stop their next call. 

Research from the website scams.info found that wasting the scammer’s time was by far the most commonly tried tactic, tried by 64% of scambaiters surveyed, while 29% mocked or deceived the scammers and 10% hacked the scammers.

The allure of scambaiting is understandable. In a world of constant scam attempts, and with very few fraudsters being prosecuted, turning the tables (or feeling as if you are) can be both cathartic and entertaining. 

But it can put you at risk – particularly when done impromptu in response to a suspicious call. For a start, you might not be dealing with a scammer: the NHS often uses withheld numbers when contacting patients, for instance.

And if it is a crook, they could respond by abusing you, targeting you with more calls and – at the extreme end – identity theft and malware. 

Treating inbound calls with suspicion, disconnecting if in doubt, and checking claims with trusted contact details is a tried-and-tested approach. 

Even when done in a planned way, and armed with the right tools, the dangers of scambaiting cannot be ignored. Also, some aspects of it, like hacking, have the potential to land you in legal hot water.

Lessons from a viral prankster

Becky Holmes, author of Keanu Reeves is Not in Love With You and The Future of Fraud, rose to prominence during the pandemic for her comedic approach to romance scammers. 

Her Twitter (now X) account @deathtospinach was targeted by romance scammers posing in a variety of traditionally masculine occupations including soldier, pilot or offshore oil rig worker. 

Eventually, this morphed into attempts by bogus celebrity accounts impersonating stars such as Brad Pitt and Keanu Reeves. Holmes found fame – and an accidental new career in counter-fraud education – documenting her chats with them. 

One of her viral pranks was to panic the scammer by pretending she’d flown out to wherever they claimed to be, showing tickets and airport snaps as proof. What makes her unusual is that most scambaiters are male (72%, according to research by scam.info).

She describes her modus operandi as seeing ‘how much silliness I can get away with’. She also never makes the first direct move. At most, she will follow an obviously fake celebrity account and wait to see if a private message comes in. For this reason, she’s still unsure whether she considers herself a scambaiter. 

She explains: ‘When I started messing around with these scammers, I didn’t know that it was called scambaiting. For me, it was just amusing myself in lockdown.’

As interest has surged and Holmes’ expertise has grown, her approach has become much more cautious. She rarely posts pictures of herself as she’s conscious they might be stolen. Her X account is now devoted purely to scam awareness, while her account on Facebook is locked down and hard to find.

Holmes has become increasingly concerned about well-meaning but flawed amateur scambaiting attempts. She explains: ‘A lot of people end up educating the fraudsters by saying, “Oh, no, an English person wouldn’t say that.” Fraudsters learn a lot from people playing around with them while unaware of the damage they could be doing.’

Fear of these amateur attempts has impacted her own activity: ‘I used to post a couple of times a week; it’s now once a month. One reason for this is because I was getting so many people messaging me with screenshots saying, “Oh, look, I’m doing what you’re doing.” And I was thinking, “Oh god. You’re doing it on [your] Facebook so they’ve got access to all this stuff.”

‘Secondly, they’re teaching them by saying to them: “I know you’re from such-and-such a country because they say this.” I feel like I’m balancing a bit of a line now where I don’t want people to risk their own security trying to have as much fun as I have.’

Risks and reprisals

The BBC’s Bafta-winning Scam Interceptors takes the fight to scammers and their victims, with ethical hacker ‘Jim Browning’ reverse-engineering his way into the scammers’ machines and exposing them using their own webcams. This also enables presenters Nick Stapleton and Rav Wilding to contact the victims and attempt to break the scammer’s spell in real time.

Stapleton regularly spends weeks away intensively filming series of the show and, concerned for the safety of his wife and dogs, has installed an alarm system and panic button. He fears he’s considered a potential ‘feather in the cap’ for scammers, and has been on the receiving end of scams specifically tailored to him (a practice known as ‘spear phishing’). 

The most convincing was a fake copyright infringement message about a Facebook video he’d posted. Sent to his private email address, it contained a link to a beautifully animated (but fake) ‘Meta for Business’ support page. 

He was suspicious, but the spell was only fully broken when he was asked for his password.

As for Browning, scambaiting has replaced IT as his full-time job. His work has generated his own momentum; the 10 phone numbers he uses for this work are now on so many so-called ‘suckers lists’ that he receives constant scam calls without looking for leads. 

It’s a slick operation; the numbers all exist on the same physical phone (via internet calling technology) so he doesn’t need to tote multiple phones around. He uses multiple fake identities, and a voice changer (his distinctive Northern Irish accent has been recognised by scammers before). 

He also runs a ‘virtual machine’ – a virtual cloned version of his laptop – he allows scammers access to this while his device stays safe. Scam Interceptors, now in its fifth series, contains many euphoric moments where victims are successfully persuaded to disengage from scams in real time. But in a minority of cases, the scam can’t be stopped. Stapleton describes some ‘very very low moments where we’ve been trying for hours to get through to someone and haven’t been able to stop them’.

He doesn’t mention receiving any death threats, but his co-star Browning has received them, as has Becky Holmes. It sounds traumatic, but neither reported any real sense of fear or credibility about these threats.

Bot or not?

Mindful of Holmes’ warning about educating fraudsters, I decide to play my own scam call relatively straight, pretending I believe the scammer and acting accordingly, never breaking the fourth wall for that tempting ‘gotcha’ moment. It makes for a less amusing recording, but the approach works; I do manage to keep them talking for almost half an hour before they give up.

Whether timewasting attempts are actually useful depends at least in part on whether the scammer is human or a bot, and how you are communicating. A human scammer operating via WhatsApp could be conducting several different conversations at once, and a bot can conduct many more. 

Baiting could still be worthwhile if used by someone with a high profile, to educate the public. But in either case it’s labour intensive: for every minute I waste of the scammer’s time, I also use one of my own. 

One firm I spoke to, AVIEL Intelligence, is using artificial intelligence (AI) to disrupt scammers at scale. Its AI chatbots and voice agents engage scammers to the point at which they hand over the details of the bank account the victim should pay. AVIEL then reports these to its partner banks, who take enforcement action – shutting them down or blocking payments to scammers as appropriate. It currently works with TSB plus several other UK banks.

YouTube scambaiter Kitboga also harnesses AI: he built a ‘bot army’ of AI voice agents in order to scam the scammers. By deploying lots of these at once, he can tie up a whole scam call centre by targeting all the scammers at the same time.

Scammers can of course deploy this technology too; Holmes said she had encountered romance scammers that were clearly bots. But both she and Browning said that even where scams start with AI, human fraudsters then step in to close the deal, as that part of the process is too lucrative to risk automating. Both said that’s likely to continue.

Given what I’ve learned, I’m unlikely to spend much of my own time snaring scammers in the future; it’s simply too labour-intensive. An AI voice agent that could battle fraudsters while I sleep sounds tempting. But in the meantime there’s plenty I can do to protect potential victims – much of which you can do too. 

Talking about the scams I’ve encountered or read about to friends and family – particularly the vulnerable people in my life – is much more satisfying than spending the day in conversation with crooks. Even if a scammer isn’t caught, reporting scam attempts helps the authorities warn others and shut down scam websites, adverts and phone numbers. 

And please help us spread the word about new threats by using the tool below to share your scam story. 

The move is designed to recover Winter Fuel Payments worth up to £300 that were sent to pensioners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland last winter, but which must now be repaid by some higher earners.  

Under current rules, if your total income is above £35,000, you’ll still receive the payment but will have to repay it through the tax system. This means if you earned above this limit and received the payment, the money will be collected through extra tax over the coming tax year. 

Here, Which? explains who will be contacted, how the money will be collected, and how you can opt out in future if you don’t want to repay it. 

Who will be contacted by HMRC?

The Winter Fuel Payment is made annually to those over state pension age to help with the costs of heating their homes over the winter months. You can be eligible for payments between £100 and £300, depending on your personal circumstances. 

Previously, all pensioners over the age of 66 received the payment. In July 2024, the rules changed to limit the payment only to those on pension credit. Following a backlash, the government changed the rules again for 2025-26. 

Because the payment was issued automatically, the government is now using the tax system to recover the money from higher earners. This is done through your tax code, which tells your pension provider or employer how much tax to deduct before paying your income. HMRC will adjust your tax code to collect the payment.

HMRC will contact you if: you received a Winter Fuel Payment in winter 2025, your individual income is over £35,000 a year, and you do not usually complete a self-assessment tax return. 

It’s important to note that some people may have received a tax code notice earlier this year that did not include this change. If that applies to you, HMRC says you do not need to take any action and will receive an updated tax code.

How will the Winter Fuel Payment be repaid?

In most cases, you do not need to do anything. HMRC will automatically update your tax code and your pension provider or employer will adjust the amount of tax you pay. 

For those who received a £200 Winter Fuel Payment, HMRC says this will typically mean paying back around £17 a month over the current 2026-27 tax year.

In the following tax year, 2027-28, deductions may temporarily increase to around £33 a month. This is because HMRC may be collecting payments for two winters at the same time.

This is the first year the government is using the tax system to recover Winter Fuel Payments from higher earners.

What if I file a self-assessment tax return?

If you are registered for self-assessment, then you won't receive any communication from HMRC about a change in your tax code. Instead, the payment will automatically be included on your tax return for 2025-26 and will be recovered through it. 

The Civil Service Pensioners Alliance says that, for online filers, the payment will be labelled as: Winter Fuel Payment charge or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment charge. 

If the charge is missing, you will need to add it. Anyone who believes the calculation is incorrect can challenge the decision with HMRC.

If you file a paper return, you will need to include the correct amount yourself before the deadline of 31 October 2026.

How to opt out of next year’s payment

If you know your income for the 2026-27 tax year will stay above the £35,000 threshold, you can choose to opt out of receiving the Winter Fuel Payment next winter.

Opting out means you will not need to repay the money through your tax code later.

You can opt out of getting this year's payment from April 2026, and you'll need to do one of the following: 

What about Scotland?

In Scotland, the equivalent of the Winter Fuel Payment is the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. Managed by Social Security Scotland, it has the same eligibility criteria.

Scottish recipients received between £101.70 and £305.10 for winter 2025-26. This is set to rise to between £105.55 and £316.70 for winter 2026-27.

The same income rules apply in Scotland. If your income is over £35,000, HMRC will reclaim the payment in the same way.

For winter 2025-26, Social Security Scotland accepted opt-outs from people who had previously told the Department for Work and Pensions they did not want the payment. You could also opt out by contacting Social Security Scotland directly.

Details of how to opt out for winter 2026-27 are expected in the coming months

Now, my home cleaning kit isn’t stuffed with gimmicks; it’s a tight line-up of problem-solvers that save me time and sanity.

If you’ve ever wondered what a pro really relies on, here are the items I still swear by long after hanging up my Marigolds.

1. A decent glass cleaner

Water marks are one of my biggest pet peeves when cleaning, so a good glass cleaner is a must-have in my cleaning kit.

It's also handy for getting a great shine on mirrors and any stainless steel in your home, such as your hob, kettle or temperature knobs in the shower. 

I use the cheap and cheerful spray from Elbow Grease – you can compare prices for this and other options, below.

Can you use vinegar to clean glass?

If you want a more natural cleaning solution, a 1:1 vinegar-water mix is a good option. Simply combine the two and pop into a spray bottle.

You'll want to make sure you use white vinegar – ideally, distilled – and not vinegar that you would cook with or put on chips. You may find it advertised as 'cleaning vinegar'.

2. Scrub Daddy sponges

Sponges might not seem like a big deal, but in my experience the right one can completely change how easy and sustainable your cleaning routine feels.

A lot of cheaper sponges disintegrate after a few uses, which means you’re constantly tossing them and reaching for a new one. It's not great for your wallet or the environment. 

I’ve found it worth investing a little more in Scrub Daddy sponges. They last significantly longer than anything else I’ve tried, and the scrubbing surface makes quick work of even the toughest, stuck-on messes. 

The brand makes a few different shapes to suit your cleaning needs. Compare options and prices below.

3. Microfibre cloths

Microfibre cloths are an absolute necessity in my cleaning kit. They're large, versatile and can be used for any number of cleaning tasks, including removing both invisible and visible dirt, and dusting, polishing and buffing shiny surfaces.

Like sponges, I've found it worthwhile to spend a little more to get good-quality microfibre cloths. The cheaper ones tend to shed a lot of microfibres into the water when washed, which can be harmful to the environment, and I've found they degrade faster.

To get the most out of them, a little care goes a long way: wash your microfibre cloths separately from regular laundry, and skip the fabric conditioner. It can leave a residue that reduces their ability to pick up dirt, making them far less effective over time.

4. An electric scrubbing brush

These handy tools take a lot of the effort out of scrubbing, saving your arms (and your patience) in the process. Most brushes come with interchangeable brush heads in different sizes, so you can easily tackle everything from grout lines and tight corners to larger surface areas.

Some models also feature extendable handles, which means no more getting down on your hands and knees to scrub floors. It’s a small upgrade that makes a surprisingly big difference, especially for tougher or more time-consuming jobs.

We've rounded up a few popular electric scrubbers so you can compare options and prices below.

5. Laundry sanitiser

Have you ever found it impossible to shift the musty smell you sometimes get on clothes, no matter how many times you wash them?

I've found laundry sanitiser to be the best way to bring the freshness back to items like smelly gym wear and second-hand or vintage clothes. 

Usually, you'll just have to add it to the fabric conditioner drawer in your washing machine and run a cycle as usual, but make sure you check the manufacturer's instructions before use.

*Please note we have not lab tested the products highlighted on this page.

Lough Erne Resort review — what our undercover inspectors said

When might you come to the conclusion that this expansive estate in the tranquil lake lands of County Fermanagh is the best-value stay in the country? Perhaps when you’re climbing the hidden staircase connecting bedrooms to the spa and swimming pool, having unpacked your worries in the whirlpool, steam room or sauna (included in the room rate).

Rooms at Lough Erne Resort

Inspired by old country houses in Scotland, this modern interpretation has the same character, with its grand staircase and drawing room, but none of the creaks and cracks. Accommodation is spread across 25 lodges and 95 bedrooms. Our standard double room in the main house is generously sized, with lake views. Rich teal and velvet furnishings, Egyptian cotton bedding and a claw-foot bath offer muted luxury.

Dining at Lough Erne Resort

Almost everything at breakfast is locally sourced. Ours eggs benedict were freshly laid at a farm down the road, with bacon from County Armagh and a delicately tangy butter and tarragon sauce from County Derry. It’s all served in the formal Catalina restaurant, where you can also indulge in well-priced AA rosette-awarded food overlooking the Nick Faldo golf course. We dine at the Blaney bar bistro next door, accompanied by a roaring fire and views of Castle Lough Hume. The beef bourguignon with slabs of warm Guinness bread is so richly flavoured and comforting that it almost rocks us to sleep.

Verdict on the Lough Erne Resort

A destination hotel in a stunning corner of Northern Ireland, and only the second five-star rating we’ve awarded in eight years.

How to book Lough Erne Resort

In this episode of Which? Shorts, we explain what hearing glasses are. They’re a relatively new addition to the market, aimed at offering a more stylish alternative to hearing aids to help those with mild to moderate hearing loss hear and see more clearly – with just one product. But just how effective and cost-effective are they?

More podcasts from Which?

The Which? podcast showcases the best content from across our website and magazine. 

Plus, keep an eye out for bonus episodes that tackle important issues, from motoring to tech, and from health and wellbeing to travel.

How to listen to the Which? podcast

We're always releasing new episodes, and the podcast is available wherever you usually listen to podcasts.

As part of your subscription, Which? members also get access to exclusive podcasts.

From April 2028 you will no longer be able to open a Lisa, as it’s being replaced with a new savings product for first-time buyers only.

Here, Which? explains what’s happening to the Lisa and explores whether it’s worth opening one for retirement saving.

How long you have to open a Lisa

The Lisa was launched in 2017 to help people save for retirement or to buy their first home. The generous government bonus has proved a hit with savers – the number of open accounts nearly doubled from 706,000 in 2020-21 to 1,338,000 in 2023-24, according to HMRC figures published last year.

HMRC has confirmed that it will be possible to open a Lisa until the new Isa becomes available and you'll be able to continue saving under the current rules indefinitely.

How a Lisa works for retirement

You can deposit up to £4,000 a year in a Lisa and receive a 25% bonus from the government – worth up to £1,000. You need to be aged between 18 and 39 to open one, but can continue saving into it until you turn 50.

If you use a Lisa to save for retirement, you won’t be able to withdraw the money until you turn 60. And if you withdraw the money for anything other than retirement or purchasing your first home, you have to pay a 25% withdrawal penalty – which can leave you with less money than you originally put in.

It’s unclear exactly how many people use their Lisa to save for retirement: HMRC figures published last year stated that 45% of holders used their account for retirement savings, but these figures were recently withdrawn due to methodological issues.

Lisa vs pension: which is better?

For example, if you earn £34,000 and are automatically enrolled in a workplace direct contribution scheme.

If you pay the minimum 5% into your workplace pension, you'll contribute £1,110.40 a year and receive £277.60 in tax relief from the government, plus £832.80 from your employer (assuming they contribute the minimum 3%), taking your total annual pension savings to £2,220.80.

The gains could be even bigger if you pay income tax at a higher rate, or your employer contributes more than the minimum.

When to consider a Lisa

Auto-enrolment has significantly increased the amount of people who pay into a pension: for employees, pension-scheme participation has increased from 60% in 2014-15 to 80% in 2024-25, according to the DWP’s most recent figures.

But if you don’t have access to a workplace scheme, for example if you’re self-employed or not working, a Lisa can be a useful alternative.

If you’re a basic-rate taxpayer, the 25% bonus is equivalent to the money you’d receive in the form of pension tax relief. And when it comes to accessing your money, you won’t be taxed on withdrawals (you can take 25% of your pension tax free and the rest will be taxed like income).

If you're a higher or additional rate taxpayer (or intermediate, higher, advanced or top rate in Scotland), pension tax relief will be worth more than the government Lisa bonus.

Ultimately it's not a binary choice and you can save in a Lisa alongside your pension (this is a good option if you've reached your annual allowance for pension contributions).

How to start saving for retirement

1. Understand your options

If you’re employed, 22 or over and earn at least £10,000, you’ll be automatically enrolled into your workplace pension. While you have the option to opt-out, it’s best not to if you can afford to, as employer contributions and tax relief will significantly boost your savings.

If you’re self-employed, consider opening a personal pension or self-invested personal pension (Sipp), or Lisa.

2. Consider how much you can save

If you get a pay rise or bonus, consider paying more into your pension. Increasing your contributions by a small amount can make a big difference over time, thanks to compound interest.

3. Keep track of your pensions

Lots of people end up with multiple pension pots as they move between jobs. Keep track of the details of your pension scheme for all your employers, and make sure your details are up to date with your pension providers.

If you’ve lost track of a pension pot, contact your employer or use a pension-tracing service.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recommends that savers have at least three months’ take-home pay saved for emergencies. But where's the best place to keep those funds? And do you budget for a crisis?

Here, Which? lays out the do's and the don'ts of building an emergency savings fund.

DO open a savings account

Instant-access accounts are best suited for emergency savings. They allow you to deposit money whenever you want, and many will let you dip into your pot as often as you need to.

This table shows the best rates for instant-access accounts, ordered by rate and excluding those that impose restrictions on opening and withdrawals. 

Instant-access cash Isas, which allow you to save up to £20,000 a year tax-free, also offer competitive rates. Moneyfacts data shows the average rate for an instant-access cash Isa has beaten instant-access savings accounts for the past two years.

Now is also a great time to open a cash Isa, as providers boost rates to entice savers looking to maximise their allowance at the end of the financial year and beginning of a new one on 6 April.

This table shows the best rates for restriction-free instant-access cash Isas, ordered by rate.

DON'T stick to the high street

Savers need to look beyond the high street for the most competitive instant-access deals. The best rates are offered by smaller, challenger banks – most of which are online or app-only accounts. 

We analysed Moneyfacts data on 7 April 2026 and found the average rate on an instant-access saver provided by one of the UK's 'big four' high street banks (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and NatWest) was just 1.70% AER.

That's almost three times lower than the top-paying rate of 5% AER, offered by Cahoot.

If you have a large lump sum, failing to switch to a higher interest rate could cost you a significant sum. For example, if you invested £10,000 in the average high street account paying 1.34% AER, you could expect to earn £134 in interest over a year. 

But let's say that balance was invested in an account paying 4.75% AER - that's the top rate for all deals (including those with restrictions) that allow a deposit that large. Your annual interest income with this account would increase to £475.

DO come up with a savings plan

How much more you need to save will depend on your individual circumstances. For example, you may have a family to support, or health problems that mean you don't have a reliable source of income. 

The FCA recommends having enough money to cover you for three months. If you're retired, however, you may need much more to tide you over – think one to three years' worth.

Building a safety net can feel daunting, especially if money is tight. But starting small and contributing consistently will add up over time, and you’ll be glad of every penny if you ever need it. Go through your current spending to identify the things you simply can't live without and work out what each costs. Then set a target to aim for.

Clare Stinton, senior personal finance analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, told Which?: 'Consider what financial support you’d have if life threw you a curveball – any insurance? Could family help you out? Or would you be on your own? 

'Those going it alone or with irregular income may prefer to err on the side of caution and build a larger buffer.'

DON'T restrict access

The most important thing to consider when starting an emergency savings fund is how quickly you get at your cash when an urgent need arises. Unfortunately, many of the top rate instant-access accounts come with restrictions that could affect your ability to make withdrawals in a hurry.

Which? analysis of Moneyfacts data on 7 April 2026, for example, showed that half of the top 10 instant-access accounts place limits on the amount of withdrawals you can make during the year. With some accounts, the penalty for making too many withdrawals could see your interest rate drop sharply, while others will lock you out. 

For example, Virgin Money's Double Take E-Saver, which pays a competitive 4.16%, only allows two withdrawals per calendar year, including account closure. Once the second withdrawal has been made, you will not be able to access your funds until the next calendar year.

Even if an instant-access account has no limit of withdrawals, you may still face delays taking out money. Research commissioned by savings provider Spring found that 67% of the top 30 easy access accounts either impose a cut-off time or don’t offer faster payments (which allow near-instant electronic transfers) within two hours. 

Only three of the top 10 instant-access providers offer faster payments, the remaining seven set cut-off times or only offer access to funds the next working day. Of the top 30 providers, 14 set a cut-off time for same-day access to funds. 

Six require requests before 3pm; otherwise transfers occur on the next business day, posing a challenge if you need immediate access. Some providers even impose a cut-off time as early as 11am.

DO seek professional help if you are worried

If you have lost your financial safety net, are struggling to pay the bills or have fallen into debt, there are a number of independent charities that can help.

If you're worried about keeping up with your mortgage, credit card or loan repayments – or you've missed payments already – you should always contact your lender in the first instance.

DON'T neglect other savings and investments

Building an emergency savings net is vital, but not at the expense of other aspects of your finances. 

For example, you should still think about longer-term savings goals and consider locking money away in a fixed account. Unlike an instant-access account, which has a variable rate that can change at any time, fixed-term bonds guarantee you the same returns for a set period – usually between one to five years.

It's also crucial that you keep paying into your pension. If you’ve got surplus income, split it so you can build your cash buffer while still contributing to a pension. Once your emergency fund is solid, shift gears and invest more fully.

And remember: an emergency fund is meant to be used. When you dip into it, top it back up while keeping your long-term investments on track.

I’ve reached the point where I’d try just about anything to stop the night cramps.

Add in achy legs, swollen ankles and the kind of general stiffness that can creep up on you after decades of doing a desk-based job, and it certainly started to look worth a shot.

Could a plug-in footpad that pulses your muscles really make a difference? I used the Revitive almost every day as instructed, tracked how I felt and took notes along the way. 

Find out what changed, what didn't and whether I think it’s worth spending your money on.

Where to buy the Revitive Essential Circulation Booster

Here are the latest prices and availability:

We aren't always able to show every retailer, and cheaper prices may be available. Check before you buy.

Why you can trust my Revitive review

I'm a researcher with over forty years of experience working for Which? in the research and product testing team. As a result I'm not easily swayed by marketing hype, and well-practised in making a cool and considered assessment of a product to see if its really worth buying.

But we wanted to get more in-depth insight over time from someone with relevant health issues. And as I fitted the bill I took on the challenge and took the Revitive home with me. 

I tried it as instructed initially for six weeks, to get a view on whether it might be helpful for symptom relief, and I have since continued using the Revitive for more than six months. 

Why I wanted to try a circulation improver

I’m in my sixties and my day-to-day life is fairly sedentary because of my full-time office job, although I do fit in regular walking and Taiji classes. 

Over time, I’ve developed a handful of health issues that often come with age: stiffness, aching legs, swollen ankles and, most frustratingly, agonising leg cramps at night.

These aren’t mild twinges. They start in my foot and shoot up through my calf and thigh, forcing me out of bed, trying to stretch out the pain. 

I sometimes need to grab a microwaveable heat pad just to get any relief. And once I'm up, sleep is often out of the question.

I’ve already been doing the basics – staying hydrated, wearing leg warmers (even in summer) and making sure I keep moving throughout the day. But nothing has really made a meaningful difference. 

So I was interested to give the Revitive a go. It's claimed to stimulate the muscles in your feet and legs to improve circulation and reduce symptoms such as swelling, discomfort and cramping, and I was intrigued to see if it could help.

How I trialled the Revitive Essential Circulation Booster

I planned to use the Revitive twice a day: once while working at my desk and again in the evening while watching TV. 

But straight away, I ran into a few hiccups – mainly that building it into my day and making a habit of using it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. 

I realised I actually don't sit on a sofa with my feet on the floor very often (which you need to do to use the product) – I'm usually curled up with a book or lying flat out watching TV.

So, I moved to having two sessions per day while working, but it wasn't until I linked the Revitive use to set times – starting work and coming back from lunch – that it became routine. 

At weekends, I'm out of the house more or spending a couple of hours on chores. Again, I found it helped to link using it to existing habits – having a break after housework or when coming back home after outings or shopping. This would usually involve having a cup of tea and sitting down, so it was easy to do at the dining room table or sitting up on the sofa.

Setting it all up

I found the Revitive easy to set up and use, but I’d strongly recommend reading the user manual properly – something I didn’t do at first, as I wanted to see how intuitive it was to use.

I had to go back to check things, such as how to adjust the intensity and what to expect. The guide explains that your experience might vary day to day and helps set realistic expectations.

The first time I used it, I was surprised by the sensation. I expected a slight vibration, like a massage chair, even though the user guide says that it doesn’t vibrate.

Instead, it felt like a rhythmic, throbbing contraction – quite pleasant once I got used to it, but definitely unusual. It was a bit like having my muscles contract on their own, at varying speeds.

Some family members tried it, too, just out of curiosity and described it totally differently. Everyone seemed to feel something slightly unique, so I’d say go in with a curious and open mind. 

What I found after using the Revitive Circulation Booster for six weeks

Tips for getting the best out of the Revitive Circulation Booster

Remember that if you have certain health conditions, such as DVT, you have a pacemaker or are pregnant, a circulation improver may not be suitable for you. Check the product's warnings and consult a health professional first.

NAD+ is an acronym for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide. It is a co-enzyme – an organic molecule that binds temporarily to an enzyme to help it carry out specific functions. 

NAD+ is found in every cell of your body, and its role is to help turn food into energy, and to repair damaged DNA. But can supplementing really bring benefits? We've delved into the science to find out.

What does NAD+ have to do with ageing?

As we age, our levels of NAD+ naturally drop. However, why exactly this happens, and what we might be able to do about it, is still far from clear. Scientists are still investigating whether falling NAD+ levels are the cause of ageing, or a symptom of it. 

If a decline in NAD+ levels were found to be the cause, or one of the causes, of ageing, then it is of course theoretically possible that taking a NAD+ supplement could help slow down the ageing process. 

But if falling levels are simply a symptom of ageing, then taking them might be like pouring water into a leaking bucket - the problem that would need ‘fixing’ is the leak that allows their levels to fall in the first place. 

While some newer supplements include NAD+ (some with special coatings designed to survive digestion and enable absorption), it is still uncertain how well these versions are actually absorbed by the body.

Is there any evidence that NAD+ supplements actually work? 

The buzz around NAD+ supplements is certainly tempting - who wouldn't want more of the 'longevity molecule'? And some trials have indeed shown impressive results. With one very large disclaimer: these experiments have largely been conducted on rodents, not humans. 

But humans are, of course, not mice. Many drugs that have worked well at the 'testing on mice' stage have failed totally in human clinical trials. 

For a start, mice only have a lifespan of around two years and have much faster metabolisms, so what looks like ‘age-reversal’ in a mouse might actually equate to a tiny, unnoticeable boost in a human being. 

But again there is a major caveat: there is not yet any firm proof that these raised levels lead to any actual physical improvements. And while some people say they feel mentally ‘sharper’, many clinical trials show no significant difference in energy between those taking the pill and those taking a placebo.

Is it worth trying NAD+ supplements?

For now, we'd say probably not. As yet, no definitive proof that boosting your NAD+ levels prevents age-related disease or slows ageing in any way. At £50 or more a month, this is a very expensive 'maybe'.  

Like most supplements in the UK, they are regulated as food supplements or wellness products, not as prescription medications. This means regulation is not as strict, and you can't always be sure that what is on the label is actually what is in the bottle. 

Where to buy NAD+ supplements

If you are interested in trying these supplements, stick to well-known brands and retailers. 

Here are some of the main products available in big retailers, though please note this is for information only and does not mean we recommend these products:

NAD+ supplements are generally considered suitable for most healthy adults, but not if you're pregnant, breastfeeding or have a history of cancer. 

As always, if you are taking medication or have a medical condition, or are unsure if they're suitable for you, it's best to discuss this with a health professional first.

Are there better - and cheaper - alternatives?

While the idea of an anti-ageing pill in a bottle might sound great, the reality is that there are cheaper and more proven ways to boost your NAD+ levels, and your healthy lifespan: including the classic pillars of health - exercise, sleep and nutrition. 

Diet and B3

Opt for foods containing Vitamin B3 such as dairy, fish and whole grains. Vitamin B3 is the raw material that your body uses to manufacture NAD+ and you can get it from a balanced diet or a supplement. 

You do need to consume it regularly, as you can't store it in your body, but it's generally easy to get enough from your daily diet.

If supplementing, be aware that taking high doses of Vitamin B3 (Niacin) can cause a ‘Niacin Flush’, or a prickly red itchy feeling on the skin (and may be dangerous for your liver if taken long term). NR doesn't cause this flush, which is one of the reasons the companies selling it say its better. 

Intermittent fasting

When you don't eat for a set time period (usually 16 hours or more), your body undergoes a metabolic shift. Since there is no new fuel coming in from food, your cells have to become more efficient.

A fraudster in the United States is using my name and email address to open accounts and buy goods and services in the US. 

Recent examples include a hotel booking and opening an account with an online store selling medicines and supplements. 

I’m spending a lot of time trying to convince various retailers that this is a case of identity fraud and that they should shut down the offending accounts. Often, there is no clear way to contact the site to report identity fraud, and/or the retailer has no system for dealing with my reports

Name and address supplied

How much value does a loft conversion add?

The report goes on to say that increasing the floor area of your home by 10% could add up to 5% value, while adding an extra bathroom could add up to 4%.

Commenting on the figures, Andrew Harvey, Nationwide's Senior Economist, said: 'We’ve used our house price data to look at the factors that affect the values of homes as well as the potential to add value. 

'Location remains key to house values, but other factors, such as the number of bedrooms, are also important to homebuyers. Home improvements that increase the size of the property, such as an extension or loft conversion, remain a compelling way to add value.'

Why an extra bedroom is key

'This analysis from Nationwide offers more proof that adding space is the key to adding value to your home. 

'To maximise the value added, ensure the space is practical and well-designed. You won't see the same increases in value for a poor quality conversion, or a conversion added to a house that already had plenty of bedrooms. 

'You should also bear in mind the number of bathrooms you have – ideally, you want a bathroom on every floor where there's a bedroom.

'If your home is in a high-demand location (eg, with good schools and transport links) or an area in which space is at a premium you will likely see a greater increase in value following a loft conversion.'

Navigating the loft conversion process

Planning permission and building regulations for lofts

One of the most common reasons homeowners regret renovations is that costs spiral or the end result doesn't meet expectations.

Ensuring your conversion complies with local laws is essential for a smooth sale later on.

In March 2025, we surveyed 33 Which? members who had converted their loft in the last 10 years. 

One member regretted not being more conscious of the regulations during the conversion: 'I was not aware of all the height lost in the loft due to the suspended flooring and the extent of the insulation required at roof levels as compared to the loft pre installation.'

Another said they regretted not going for a full conversion: 'I would like to have had a hip roof at the front as well as the back.'

How to find a reputable builder or loft conversion specialist

Finding a reputable specialist is key to ensuring a successful project. The figures above assume that the conversion is well executed – a poorly finished conversion may have a detrimental impact on the value of your home. 

A vetted professional will also ensure your project meets building regulations, protecting your investment and preventing legal headaches when you eventually try to sell the property.

'A free holiday still counts as a gift

Unfortunately, paying for the holiday is likely to be considered a gift by HMRC. 

That might not be an issue if you live for another seven years, in which case the holiday would not be liable for inheritance tax (IHT). If you die before then, the holiday’s value could be counted as part of your estate. 

If you plan to leave your home to direct descendants you’ll also benefit from the residence nil-rate band of £175,000. So your estate would need to be worth more than £500,000 (£1m for couples) before any IHT is due. 

If it’s a smaller trip and you spent less than £250 per person, this could be covered by the small gifts allowance. This can only be used for gifts to people who haven’t also benefited from your annual allowance in the same tax year, meaning that any other gifts you give those family members during the same tax year could be taxable. 

Which? Money 1-to-1 guidance

Our team of money experts can answer your questions big and small, on topics from pensions to tax and savings to scams.

Which? Money members and their immediate family get unlimited access to 1-to-1 guidance sessions.

New data from comparison website Compare the Market shows how much this can add to your annual premium. If your home has flooded before, you could pay £437 a year for your cover – £239 more than the UK average annual premium of £198. 

Even living near water can push costs up slightly, with average annual premiums at £210 – around £12 higher than the UK average of £198.

But the effects vary across the UK. Here, we break down where customers pay the most and least because of flood risk, and what you can do to get the best available price.

Where you live makes a difference

Check how affected you are in your region using the table below.

How flooding is getting worse

According to Met Office statistics, the winter of 2025-26 was the wettest since 1836 for the West Midlands, Cornwall and Leicestershire. The trend was widespread, with various UK counties recording seasonal rainfall rates among the top 10 on record. Of the four UK nations, only Scotland had a drier-than-average winter. 

These form part of a longer term UK trend of generally wetter weather, driven in part by climate change. 

According to the Association of British Insurers, ‘adverse weather claims’ – such as floods and storms – are responsible for an increasing proportion of the total costs insurers pay out per year. In 2025, the amount spent on flood claims rose by 38% to £312m. 

How this affects premiums

However, this trend could change if flood claim costs continue going up, with those living in high-risk areas likely to see the worst of it. And more of us will find ourselves in this category. 

In England alone, approximately 6.3m homes and business are considered to be at risk of flooding, according to the Environment Agency. It estimates this figure to rise to 8m by around 2050.

Amy Rootham, home insurance expert at Compare the Market, said: 'With millions of homes across the UK already at risk – and climate change expected to increase that number significantly in the coming decades – it’s becoming increasingly important for homeowners to understand their property’s flood risk and consider taking steps to improve resilience where possible.'

How you can get affordable flood cover

If your property presented a higher-than-average flood risk, it used to be the case that insurance could be unavailable or impractically expensive. Fortunately, there are options to find reasonably priced cover. 

But while generative AI might still feel new, there are even more sophisticated agentic AI models being developed. These systems don't just answer prompts – they also perform pre-agreed tasks independently. 

A retailer's AI agent might, for example, repeat orders of milk or toiletries, placing these orders autonomously for you. They might also independently seek out deals and organise deliveries on your behalf.

Your rights on misleading or inaccurate information 

The AI tools we have access to now aren't always accurate. 

So what will this mean when retailers start using agentic AI? 

It says all key information provided by AI agents – around prices, product information and your rights – must be accurate and in line with consumer law.

If a company uses an AI agent to provide a deal comparison service, for example, the AI agent must provide accurate results, as well as clearly disclose important information, such as how results are ranked and any links with suppliers.

How AI hallucinations are going to be managed

AI models can misinterpret data and 'hallucinate' results that are inaccurate.

The CMA suggests that businesses using AI should ensure there is a human actively checking that the AI agent is making correct decisions as part of the process.

If using AI for returns processes, for example, the CMA suggests that someone with appropriate experience should regularly review exchanges with consumers to make sure the AI agent is acting in line with the law and the retailer's policy.

It also advises companies to train their AI systems in consumer law.

Who is responsible if an AI agent breaches consumer law?

If a retailer's AI agent doesn't adhere to the rules outlined above – or if it makes it difficult for you to exercise your statutory consumer rights – it might be hard to tell who is responsible.

Retailers could be fined up to 10% of their worldwide turnover or face enforcement action if their AI agents break consumer protection law.

Crucially, the CMA states that businesses must act quickly if they spot that their AI agent is making mistakes or if there are problems.

The rules aren't clear on dodgy retailers and products

With this in mind, Which? recommends always doing your due dilligence – and following the below tips – before making any purchases recommended by an AI platform or agent.

How to shop safely online

We always recommend that you follow these simple steps to ensure you're shopping safely – and getting the best price – online.

Income protection insurance is designed to replace part of your income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.

A survey of 1,500 UK adults by financial services provider Shepherds Friendly found 59% of respondents didn’t realise income protection can cover mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety or depression.

Here, Which? explains what income protection covers, how it pays out and whether it’s worth considering.

What does income protection cover?

Income protection covers a wide range of conditions – essentially, any illness or disability that leaves you unable to work for a period of time. This might include physical conditions, such as cancer or a heart attack, or mental health conditions, including stress.

As with any claim, you will need to meet the insurer’s definition of being unable to work, which may involve medical evidence.

However, what is covered will depend on the policy. Pre-existing conditions are usually excluded, and income protection will not pay out if you are made redundant.

How income protection pays out

Income protection typically pays out a regular income rather than a lump sum, usually covering around 50% to 70% of your salary.

Payments don’t start immediately. Most policies include a waiting period, known as a deferral period, which can range from a few weeks to several months after you stop working. 

Once payments begin, they will usually continue until you are able to return to work, or until the policy ends.

How your ability to work is assessed can also vary. Some policies will only pay out if you cannot do your specific job, while others may consider whether you could do a different type of work.

Why many think they don't need it

The survey by Shepherds Friendly found 43% of workers said they don’t need insurance because they don’t earn enough, while 37% said they don’t need cover because they are healthy.

This suggests many see income protection as something they either can’t justify paying for, or won’t need.

But these assumptions can be risky. Lower earners are often the least able to absorb a loss of income, meaning even a short period off work could put pressure on savings or day-to-day finances.

While some employees may be able to rely on sick pay, this is often limited. Once it runs out, income can drop significantly, leaving many without a clear financial fallback.

Is income protection right for you?

Whether income protection is worth it depends on your circumstances. To work out if you might need it, consider:

If you already have strong financial support in place, such as substantial savings or long-term sick pay, income protection may be less necessary.

As with any policy, the level of cover, cost and exclusions will vary, so it is important to check what is included and whether it fits your needs.

5 ways to cut the cost of cover

If you are considering income protection, there are ways to lower the cost, depending on how much cover you need and what you can rely on financially.

In this episode, Which? Money’s Ruby Flanagan joins us to share her research into pension transfers, and reveals the reality faced by Which? members trying to navigate the process and to make managing their savings for later life easier.

Also, Lisa Picardo, chief business officer at PensionBee, explains why she thinks there should be an industry-standard 10-day timeframe for transfers, rather than relying on decades-old legislation that allows firms to take up to six months.

With pension dashboards set to roll out over the next year or so, more people are expected to locate and review their pension pots, likely leading to a rise in transfer requests. Without faster processes and updated regulation, this could create even longer backlogs, highlighting the urgent need for reform.

More podcasts from Which?

The Which? podcast showcases the best content from across our website and magazine. 

Plus, keep an eye out for bonus episodes that tackle important issues, from motoring and tech to health and wellbeing and travel.

How to listen to the Which? podcast

We're always releasing new episodes, and the podcast is available from wherever you usually get your podcasts.

As part of your subscription, Which? members also get access to exclusive podcasts.

Choosing the right sunscreen should be simple, but our experts have found that many shoppers are still being caught out by persistent myths regarding what is – and isn’t – safe when it comes to sun protection.

To help you stay safe, we’ve debunked five common sunscreen myths that could be compromising your protection.

Wearing a high SPF means less frequent application - MYTH

High SPF sunscreen isn't a free pass to reapply less often. 

While SPF30 sun cream will filter out 97% of UVB rays, SPF50 filters out 98%. You should still reapply every two hours to maintain protection, and top it up more often if you've been in the water or sweating heavily.

Once-a-day sunscreens last all day - MYTH

While there aren't masses of 'once a day' sun creams on the market these days (the term has fallen out of favour in the cosmetics industry with 'durable' being the preferred term), it's still worth watching out for the claims they might be making.

We previously tested once-a-day sun creams in 2016, which showed an average decrease of 74% in SPF protection on the products after six to eight hours of typical daily or holiday activities such as swimming, sweating and wearing clothes. 

Claims that these sun creams provide consistent SPF protection throughout the day could give people a false sense of security. Opting for a regular SPF30 or SPF50 sun cream and reapplying regularly is a better option.

SPF in make-up will protect your skin - MYTH

Make-up with built-in SPF shouldn't replace sunscreen. You'd have to apply a large amount to get the required level of SPF that it's claiming, and could leave you looking very odd when you're slathering on foundation.

A better option is an SPF50 face sunscreen applied under your make-up.

You don't need sun cream on a cloudy day - MYTH

Don't assume you're safe from the sun's rays behind clouds or windows. 

Having a base tan will stop you burning - MYTH

A tan is your skin's distress signal, and a sign that it's already damaged. When UV rays hit your skin, the body produces melanin to try to protect it, which is what causes it to turn brown.  

Building up a 'base tan' so that you can bypass the sun cream for the rest of the week is a bad idea, and every skin tone can be damaged by the sun's UV rays, so wear a sunscreen with at least SPF30 in it.

The travel team has revealed six underrated Spanish cities worth visiting that are easily accessible. An arty hub at the foot of the Pyrenees, an overlooked Andalucian foodie spot and a crowd-free medieval city in the south are among our favourites.

So whether you choose to tag a day trip on to your next holiday or are in search of somewhere new without the crowds, we have expert recommendations for your next Spain trip.

Jerez de la Frontera, Andalucia

Jerez sits in the shadow of Seville, Cordoba and Granada, its showy neighbours who between them embody the popular image of Andalucia. Yet its orange blossom smells just as sweet, its flamenco is just as fiery, and at its heart Jerez is as historic as any of the big hitters – but without the tourist prices. 

It’s also the centre of the Spanish sherry scene, which, even if you’re not a fan, means you’re never far from fabulous food, particularly in the city’s tabancos - rustic, hole-in-the-wall bars where the wine flows straight from the barrel and spontaneous music can erupt at any time. You can fly direct from Birmingham, Gatwick, Leeds, Manchester and Stansted.

Cuenca, Castilla La Mancha

You’ll find plenty of drama in Cuenca – a medieval walled town which clings to towering limestone cliffs in the Castilla La Mancha region. It is most famous for its Casas Colgadas, or hanging houses, which spill precariously over the rocky ridge – and look in danger of being swallowed by the Huécar River below. You’ll get the best view of them from the Puente de San Pablo, an elegant iron footbridge that spans the gorge. 

Cuenca’s Unesco World Heritage centre has everything you’d expect from an enchanting Spanish town – a 12th-century Gothic cathedral and narrow, cobblestone streets lined with pavement cafes and flamenco taverns. It is also home to the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art. Day trip it from Madrid (the train takes just over an hour) or go all out with a stay at the Parador de Cuenca, in the former monastery of San Pablo – part of the Which? Recommended Paradores hotel chain.

Figueres, Girona

Figueres, the birthplace of Salvador Dalí, is just far enough away from Barcelona (60-90 minutes) that only more adventurous city breakers — or surrealist art enthusiasts — make the pilgrimage. But it’s a mistake to overlook this picturesque Catalonian city, and not just because of the huge, unmissable Dalí museum and reasonable accommodation prices (compared to pricier stays in Spain’s major cities). 

Keen walkers will be happy to hear that Figueres is located at the foot of the Pyrenees, surrounded by three national parks, and is conveniently close to the medieval city of Girona. And, importantly for summer holidays, it’s just 20 minutes’ drive from the beaches of Costa Brava, too.

A Coruña, Galicia

Beautiful, green Galicia, on the north west coast of Spain, looks more like Ireland than the southern Costas – thanks to an only slightly drier climate – but the food is amazing, the beaches and countryside are beautiful and direct flights from London take just over two hours. 

A Coruña’s long history as a great port is evident in the handsome Tower of Hercules lighthouse – built by the Romans and still guiding local shipping 1,900 years later. More recently the city’s become a summer refuge for visitors fleeing Spain’s sweltering interior. On a sunny day, the golden sands of Riazor Beach are far more inviting than better known beaches further south.   

Cáceres, Extremadura

If they ever build an international airport next to this fantastically preserved medieval city in the southern region of Extremadura, it will be overrun by tourists. As it is, it's mostly left to the cartoonishly huge storks that nest on the ancient walls and a few adventurous visitors who've driven the two and a half hours from Seville airport or the almost four hours from Madrid. 

The centre is almost like a living museum, with its high walls and narrow, cobbled streets, but there’s life in the atmospheric tapas bars around Plaza de Santiago. Stay for a plate of the exquisite local Iberian ham (from pigs fed on acorns from Extremadura’s great, oak forests) in Plaza de Santiago or – if you can afford it – visit the fantastic, three-Michelin starred Atrio, one of Spain’s great restaurants.  

Logroño, La Rioja

The changes were announced as part of the November 2025 budget, and will affect UK nationals living and working overseas, although HMRC estimates around 46,000 people currently paying voluntary Class 2 contributions abroad will be directly impacted.

Here Which? explains the upcoming changes, the new costs for workers, and the best alternatives to consider.

What’s changing and why does it matter?

To get the full rate of the new state pension in the UK, you need 35 years of National Insurance contributions. To get anything at all, you need 10 years. 

From 6 April 2026, workers living abroad will no longer be able to pay Class 2 voluntary National Insurance contributions to build their UK state pension. Instead, they will have to pay Class 3 contributions, which are more expensive. 

It currently costs workers £3.50 per week – or about £182 a year – for Class 2 contributions in the 2025-26 tax year.  

From April 2026, workers must use the Class 3 rate, which for the 2025-26 year, costs £17.75 per week, or £923 per year. For the 2026-27 tax year, the price rises to £18.40 per week, totalling nearly £957 per year.

According to the wealth managers at Skybound Wealth, this change means people living abroad will pay roughly £767 more each year at current rates to maintain their state pension record. Over 10 years, that adds up to more than £7,600 in extra costs, depending on how NI rates change.  

Any contributions you've already made will remain on your record and count toward your state pension. If you are currently paying voluntary Class 2 contributions from abroad, you can still complete your payments for the 2025-26 tax year.

How you pay determines when your final lower-rate contribution is collected:

HMRC is writing to workers affected by the change in July 2026 to let them know they cannot pay Class 2 for the 2026-2027 tax year.

The new 10-year rule

This isn’t the only change affecting people living abroad.

From the 2026-27 tax year, those living abroad must meet stricter eligibility criteria even to make Class 3 voluntary National Insurance contributions. 

You’ll either need to have lived in the UK for 10 consecutive years or have made 10 years' worth of UK-based NI payments. Previously, this limit was three years. 

However, HMRC guidance does offer an olive branch to certain taxpayers, with the previous three-year limit potentially retained for those who:

HMRC has also confirmed that those already paying Class 3 contributions from abroad do not need to reapply under the new rules.

The government says the changes are designed to ensure that individuals building a state pension from outside the UK have a ‘sufficient link’ to the country. It also argues that the higher Class 3 rate better reflects the value of the benefits paid out.

What happens to your private pension abroad?

If you move abroad, your UK workplace or private pension remains yours and stays invested, but your tax position and banking arrangements may change.

Additionally, some UK banks may require you to close or change your account if you move overseas permanently, meaning you may need to switch to an international account, which often carries higher fees and minimum balance requirements.

If you move your UK pension to an overseas provider, it will need to be moved to a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS). These are international schemes that HMRC has approved because they follow rules similar to the UK’s and report to it directly. 

Typically, UK providers will not allow you to transfer your money to any overseas plan that is not an official QROPS. However, even with an approved scheme, you may still face a 25% tax charge, alongside potentially high setup fees and management costs.

How your state pension changes overseas

The state pension will increase by 4.8% due to the triple lock in April 2026. The triple lock guarantees that state pension payments are boosted each year by the highest of inflation, wage growth, or 2.5%.

This year, the full new state pension amount is rising from £230.25 per week to £241.30 (£12,547 a year). Meanwhile, the full old basic state pension is increasing from £176.45 per week to £184.90 per week, taking the full annual amount to £9,614.

However, whether you receive this increase depends on where you live.

The UK state pension is only uprated if you live in the UK, the European Economic Area (EEA), Gibraltar, Switzerland, or certain countries with a social security agreement with the UK, including the United States.

If you live elsewhere, your pension may be frozen at the rate when you first start claiming or when you left the UK.

According to the End Frozen Pensions campaign, around 450,000 retirees are affected, and those affected have lost out on over £26,000 in state pension increases over the past 15 years.  

Who else won’t get the full triple lock increase?

State pensioners who move to certain overseas destinations are not the only people who will miss out on the triple-lock increase this year. Others include: 

Originally developed as an assistive technology to help people who found traditional input methods difficult, voice control is now built into modern operating systems. Windows 11, for example, includes Voice Access, which lets you dictate text, navigate menus and control apps using spoken commands. It’s not an AI feature, so you don’t need a new Copilot+ PC to use it.

Below, we explore how voice control can be a powerful way to interact with your devices, whether you’re writing, multitasking or going hands-free.

On your smartphone

Control your phone hands-free

Voice control can be genuinely useful when you can't pick up your phone and type as you would usually – for example, when cooking, gardening or powering through an exercise routine in the living room. Both Android and iOS let you open apps, send messages, set reminders and search the web using simple spoken commands.

On both Android and iOS, you can also choose whether the voice assistant is active on the lock screen. There’s a potential security issue here, as a thief could take your phone and say 'Siri, take me home' to get directions straight to where you live. For this reason, many people prefer to switch it off. 

Use voice control safely while driving

Voice control on phones extends to their use while driving. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect to the entertainment systems of modern cars and enable you to offload things such as navigation and music streaming to your phone.

Being able to control this by voice is a much better option than trying to use a touchscreen – it’s illegal to hold and use a phone while you’re behind the wheel, unless you’re safely parked. Simply saying 'ask Spotify to play my playlist' or 'plot a route to Doncaster' gets you what you need (unless you don’t want to go to Doncaster) with the minimum of fuss.

It even ties into messaging apps such as Messages and WhatsApp. So your texts can be read to you – and a reply composed and sent – without you having to touch your phone. The same goes for phone calls. 

On your computer

Voice Access on Windows

Voice Access is Windows’ built-in tool for controlling your PC with your voice, and it offers three distinct modes. None of them require an internet connection to function.

Once it’s on, you’ll need to agree to a privacy policy, then choose your microphone and go through a short setup procedure that teaches you how it works.

Type with your voice

There’s a more interesting option here, too: Automatic Punctuation. With this off, you’ll need to say things like ‘comma’ or ‘hyphen’. But when it's switched on, it will infer them from your speech, which saves a lot of time and can make your dictation flow more naturally.

Switch apps and navigate your PC faster

Control your cursor more precisely

In this way, you can move your pointer over an icon with great accuracy. It’s also possible to number the icons on your home screen, so you can say 'tap seven' instead of having to say the full app name.

On your smart speaker

Make announcements around your home with Alexa

You can also change the Echo wake word from 'Alexa' to Amazon, Echo, Ziggy (if you’re a Quantum Leap fan) or Computer, so you can feel like Jean-Luc Picard, although its Earl Grey tea-making facilities leave a bit to be desired. This can be useful if you have multiple speakers and don’t want to trigger them all with one word. But when we tried it in a family home, we found that Echo responded more reliably to 'Alexa' than the other options.

Tips to get the best from voice control

Join Which? Tech Support

Which? Tech Support can help you keep on top of your home tech. Our experts explain things clearly so that you can resolve issues and feel more confident using your devices.

On 6 April 2026, the new tax year begins and the annual £20,000 tax-free allowance for stocks and shares Isas resets.

Here, we look at the advantages and risks of investing sooner rather than later.

Should you use your Isa allowance straight away?

‘That means money is invested earlier within the tax-efficient wrapper, giving it longer to benefit from the magic of compounding and potential growth. 

‘We can see how powerful early action can be in practice. For example, 28% of Interactive Investor Isa millionaire contributions for the year were made between 6 and 30 April 2025, shortly after the new tax year began.’

Is now a good time to invest?

It’s not just the Isa allowance to consider, as we head into the new tax year amid an ongoing war in the Middle East and the continuing fallout from global tariffs.

Some investors like to buy stocks and funds during downturns in the hope that share prices will recover, although it’s hard to know whether a drop is as low as prices will go or just the beginning of a major decline.

The longer you stay invested, the more likely it is (although not guaranteed) that you’ll be able to recover any losses sustained in difficult circumstances.

Should you try to time your investments?

If you time your investments perfectly, you’ll walk away with the biggest returns.

But no one has a crystal ball, and it’s a lot easier said than done. Getting the timing wrong can also mean you limit your chance to grow your money.

An alternative strategy is to invest a set amount every month over a longer period. 

You might not see the same highs as getting the timing exactly right, but you have a better chance of mitigating the lows of getting it wrong. 

As a regular investor, the value of your existing investments may fall (at least temporarily) in times of turmoil and when share prices drop, but you’ll also get more for your money when your regular investment buys up shares or funds at a lower price.

How to save with regular investing

Some investment platforms will offer discounts on trading fees when you set up a direct debit for monthly investments.

But some of the most intriguing recent research isn’t about energy at all. It’s about ageing at a cellular level, and how it might also help certain health conditions. 

The key takeaways

If your goal is… 

The study focused on people with severe mental disorders, who tend to have shorter telomeres and a life expectancy up to 15 years lower than average. The researchers’ actual conclusion was more cautious: coffee intake within recommended levels was linked to telomere length equivalent to an estimated five years younger biological age in this group.

What are polyphenols and how do they affect ageing? 

Polyphenols are natural, bioactive compounds found in plants that act as antioxidants, protecting cells from damage and reducing inflammation. 

Researchers tracked 3,100 adults over a decade and found that those whose diets were rich in coffee polyphenols had a cardiovascular ‘age’ that progressed more slowly than that of their peers who drank little or no coffee.

The reason may lie in phenolic acids, which help keep blood vessels flexible and also may help support healthy cholesterol levels. We cannot stop the ageing process, but while cardiovascular risk rises with age, the KCL research found that people with high polyphenol intake saw that risk climb at a significantly slower rate.

'Our findings show that long-term adherence to polyphenol-rich diets can substantially slow the rise in cardiovascular risk as people age. Even small, sustained shifts towards foods like berries, tea, coffee, nuts, and whole grains may help protect the heart over time,' explained Ana Rodriguez-Mateos, Professor of Human Nutrition at King's College London.

Can coffee help keep your gut healthy?

Can coffee lower your dementia risk?

A total of 131,821 participants were followed for up to 43 years, and the results found that drinking two or three cups of caffeinated coffee a day was associated with an 18% lower relative risk of dementia. 

Decaffeinated coffee, however, did not show the same level of protection. This suggests that while polyphenols (also found in decaffeinated coffee) help the heart, caffeine itself may help keep the brain healthier as we age.

The research also found that there is a ‘sweet spot’ in terms of how much coffee is best – a two-to-three-cup habit was beneficial, whereas drinking more than four cups didn’t add any extra protection, and indeed could disrupt sleep, having negative effects. 

The study also found that coffee’s benefits held up regardless of your genetic risk for Alzheimer’s. So even if dementia runs in your family, that two-to-three-cup habit appeared to offer a consistent layer of protection.

The lead author, Yu Zhang from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, noted that, of course, this isn't a ‘cure,’ but rather a tool for risk reduction.  

Coffee and diabetes

However, caffeine is a stressor. So, in the short term, particularly if drinking on an empty stomach and after a poor night’s sleep, caffeine can temporarily make your cells more resistant to insulin. 

Decaf or regular? Does the roast of your coffee or the caffeine content matter?

The answer to this question is, as so often the case, ‘it depends’.

The recent 2026 ZOE findings suggest that coffee's benefits for your gut are independent of caffeine. As mentioned above, the study found that Lawsonibacter thrived just as well on decaffeinated coffee.

If your goal is simply to maximise the amount of polyphenols you get, but you don’t like the effects of caffeine, then decaf is the perfect choice. As the polyphenols survive the decaffeination process, you get the health benefits without the sleep disruption.

Instant, espresso, or filter? Do they all have the same pros and cons?

Whether you choose your coffee based on convenience or taste,  2026 research shows that the method by which it changes the chemical fingerprint, and therefore its impact on your health.

Coffee and sleep 

Caffeine has a half-life of around 5-6 hours, meaning an afternoon coffee can still be active in your system at bedtime, disrupting deep sleep. Even if you fall asleep easily, this can leave you feeling unrefreshed.

What about milk – and other extras?

However, not all milks are created equal, and your choice can change how your body handles the caffeine hit. 

If you find that black coffee leaves you jittery, the solution may be as simple as a splash of dairy or soy milk. Adding a protein-rich milk may help some people feel a steadier energy release rather than the sharp adrenaline spike and subsequent insulin drop you might get from a black Americano on an empty stomach.

Oat milk is a favourite with many coffee drinkers for its flavour and ‘creamy’ texture. However, it has come under increased scrutiny in recent years. Because oats are processed into liquid, the starches are broken down into maltose, which can cause a higher glucose response in some formulations, even in unsweetened versions.

For the healthiest cup, the latest nutritional data points toward three clear winners

Some soundbars come with a subwoofer, others claim to have subwoofers inside, while most at least give you the option to buy and connect one separately.

Subwoofers from popular audio brands, including Marshall, Sonos and JBL, start at over £400, so they are far from a cheap addition to your TV audio setup.

We've tested several soundbars with and without their subwoofers, so we've got a good idea of whether it's worth forking out for one.

Why don't all soundbars have subwoofers?

TVs typically struggle to produce low frequency sound, often because the speakers are just too thin to create the resonance required. 

Soundbars are deeper to fit bulkier speakers and do a much better job creating bassy low-end, but even the very best soundbars can't create the lowest audible frequencies that you'd expect to hear in a cinema.

That's what subwoofers are for. Interestingly though, our highest-scoring soundbars don't have one, and there are various reasons why manufacturers don't include them:

Do subwoofers improve the sound?

Sort of, but it's important to know that a subwoofer isn't a silver bullet that will turn a bad soundbar into a good one.

A subwoofer is only interested in the lowest frequencies and deepest bass, so it's not impacting the mid and high tones at all. 

Think of it as a drawer: with a good soundbar, you can pull it out most of the way, but adding a subwoofer lets you pull it out just a bit further. What's in the drawer is still the same, you're just seeing a bit more of it.

Subwoofers aren't always welcome either. We've tested several where the bass lacks subtlety and is out of sync with the rest of the mix. A good sub should blend seamlessly with the rest of the audio and when it doesn't, you'll find you're better off without one.

When they work well, they create a thick bedrock of low-end that makes whatever you're watching sound more immersive and atmospheric.

To subwoofer or not to subwoofer?

All that subwoofer information brings us neatly to our recent tests.

We tested three soundbars with and without their optional subwoofers to see if they made a big difference.

1. Marshall Heston 60 + Heston Sub 200

The Marshall subwoofer is almost as expensive as the soundbar and we weren't overly impressed. Does it add bass? Sure. Is that bass welcome? Not always.

The low-end is imprecise and sits separately from everything the soundbar does rather than blending in. For the hefty price, we expect the bass to be more subtle and refined. 

Sonos Arc Ultra + Sub 4

We had high hopes for the Sub 4, not least because it costs the better part of £1,000.

It's definitely one of the better optional subwoofers we've tested. The bass is punchy and precise, and never really felt separate from the rest of the soundbar audio, which is vital.

The low-end is strong, but doesn't overpower the rest of the sound.

3. Klipsch Core 300 + Flexus Sub 200

The Core 300 is one of the pricier soundbars on the market, but its subwoofer is at the cheaper end, particularly compared with the Sonos Sub 4.

Despite its price, the Flexus is impressive. It expertly renders the long deep drones that make thrillers and horror films so intense, and the louder rumbles from explosions and thunder without ever feeling out of step with the soundbar.

Whether you've bought one separately or the soundbar you have comes with one, make sure you're getting the most out of it.

Put it in the right place

Where you put it in your room is important.

They are typically designed to be understated, but subwoofers are bulky, so you're probably not going to want it too out in the open and it will need to be plugged in.

You want to find a spot in your room where the bass is strong and consistent. The easiest way to do this is to put your sub at ear height where you sit, then move around the room listening for that sweet spot.

Put on a piece of music with a lot of low-end to really hear the bass clearly. Once you've marked the places where the bass sounds best and is out of the way enough for your tastes, you've found your sub's new home.

Use your soundbar's equaliser

Most soundbars have a way of tweaking the subwoofer strength with an equaliser. 

In the settings you'll be able to reduce or increase the strength of the bass, or sometimes there's a separate setting for the subwoofer.

You'll find options to tweak mid and high tones, too, so experiment and see what sounds best to you.

Don't feel pressured to use one

Many soundbars come with a subwoofer, but you don't need to use it. If you find the bass off-putting, too powerful, or maybe your neighbours don't like it, then you don't have to plug it in.

A good soundbar will have a lot more bass than your TV and that might be enough for you.