Hotels also know exactly when you checked in and checked out, and which room you were in. 

But our undercover investigation finds that many properties couldn’t care less. 

What happened when we left valuables in hotel rooms

We suspected that hotels aren’t doing enough to reunite guests with their lost items. 

So we deliberately left phones and wallets stuffed with cash in some of the UK’s biggest hotel chains: Premier Inn, Travelodge, Holiday Inn Express and Britannia.

For each iPhone, we activated Apple’s Find My Phone tracking system so we could check where they went and monitor the hotels efforts to locate them. We also hid an ultra thin tracker - resembling a bank card - in wallets, along with £30 in cash.

We checked into seven different hotels and put either a phone or wallet in an easy place for the cleaner to find. Then we waited for staff to call us about our missing items.

The disappearing act at Britannia

It was hard enough to get the Britannia Hampstead Hotel to look for the iPhone left in our room. A receptionist agreed to check with housekeeping the first time I called. I heard nothing. 

‘Ring back after 2pm when the manager is here,’ I was told when I chased it up the next day. 

I did that - only to be transferred to housekeeping where the phone rang out. 

I called reception for the fourth time and spoke to a very bored-sounding member of staff who told me no phone had been found. 

That’s despite the tracker showing that the phone was at the hotel the whole time suggesting staff didn’t look very hard. 

In the meantime I received several emails from Britannia inviting me to ‘rate my stay’ and book another room - which only added to my frustration. 

Eventually the phone ran out of battery and we lost its location. To this day, we still haven’t got it back.

When we approached Britannia, a spokesperson told us: ‘We are disappointed to hear about this experience, which falls short of the standard of service we aim to provide our guests. We take all reports of lost property seriously and are reviewing the circumstances of this case, along with our internal lost property procedures, to ensure items are handled consistently and every reasonable effort is made to reunite guests with their belongings. We are committed to learning from this feedback and improving our processes to help prevent this happening again.’  

Fobbed off by Holiday Inn Express

Meanwhile, I rang the Holiday Inn Express Wandsworth twice and spoke to two different staff members, who said that the wallet we left could not be located. That’s despite our tracker showing it also had not left the premises.

It was only when we turned up at the hotel unannounced three days later that we discovered it had been sitting in the lost property box (with our cash) all along. 

The eye roll I received from the receptionist when I told her about my previous phone calls spoke volumes. It appeared that neither staff member had bothered to check the box before fobbing me off over the phone.

At the time of going to press, Holiday Inn Express had not responded to our request for comment.

Don’t expect a phone call

For all but one hotel, we had to call and report our item missing - even when our phone or wallet had already been handed into reception. Only one hotel proactively contacted us: the Travelodge in London Battersea.

Hotels also have different policies for returning lost property to guests. Travelodge London City agreed to post our iPhone free of charge - although a poorly-labelled parcel meant it was returned to sender before the hotel eventually posted it a second time. In contrast, Holiday Inn Express Greenwich asked for us to arrange a £10 courier. 

Hotel guests not getting their lost property back

When we surveyed Which? members, 11% told us they’d mistakenly left something behind at a hotel in the last five years. The most commonly misplaced items were electronic devices (a phone, tablet or phone charger) followed by clothing, cosmetics and jewellery. 

Less than half (46%) told us that they successfully got their belongings back. 

One guest was told by a hotel in Manchester that her misplaced glasses could not be found. She explained: ‘Two weeks later I stayed there again and requested the same room. Lo and behold, my glasses were exactly where I said they would be - on the floor between the bed and the bedside table!’

Who is AO Mobile?

The AO company sells major and small domestic appliances, mobile phones and various electrical products. It has an in-house delivery network and will install new products and take away old appliances. AO Mobile is a step in a different direction of service. 

What network does AO Mobile use?

AO Mobile uses Vodafone’s network to deliver data, calls and texts.

What Sim deals does AO Mobile offer?

The Sim is £18 a month or £12 a month for AO Members, a scheme that costs £39.99 a year and includes a variety of perks such as discounts on electricals and free delivery. AO Members can also purchase up to nine additional Sims at the lower price.

Does AO Mobile offer free EU roaming?

Yes, AO Mobile Sims come with a 15GB of free EU roaming allowance. This is quite generous and more than you’ll receive with lots of networks, particularly the big four (EE, O2, Vodafone and Three), but not as substantial as the 30GB offered by Lebara and iD Mobile.

Are AO Mobile's Sim deals good value?

AO Mobile’s 500GB data deal is currently £18 a month (£12 for AO Members). That compares pretty favourably to the rest of the market.

Compared to the 'big four' providers – EE, O2, Three and Vodafone, you'll probably make a tidy saving. While most of these don't offer a 500GB tariff, based on one-month Sim-only deals including at least 500GB you're looking at upwards of £25 per month, plus you can expect price rises (typically by £2.50 per month) each April. You may find slightly cheaper deals on a longer contract length, but then you’re locked in and will be hit by multiple yearly price increases.

Smaller 'virtual' networks offer better value, but even there AO Mobile fares quite well purely on cost. You can typically find unlimited data with the likes of iD Mobile, Asda Mobile, Smarty or Lebara for £18-25 per month, plus you won't be hit by price rises. 

‘Although it has launched with just one Sim tariff, AO Mobile’s offering is a useful addition to the crowded mobile market. At £18 a month, it is comfortably more affordable than a similar contract with the big four, and it sits fairly competitively with the smaller networks. If you already have AO Membership then £12 a month for 500GB looks even more enticing. If joining AO Membership appeals to you, it works out at £3.33 a month, so the Sim deal would effectively be £15.33 a month and give you all the various benefits of membership alongside a huge amount of data. 15GB of free EU roaming is also a handy perk.’

Great value high and unlimited data deals

If you're paying hundreds for a mattress, you'd expect it to last a few years. We recommend you replace your mattress every eight to 10 years, but nearly half of the Which? members we asked in a recent survey* kept theirs for longer.

Read on for signs you need to replace your mattress and our expert advice on extending the life of your new one.

Is it time to replace your mattress?

1. It’s uncomfortable

Comfort is a big deal when it comes to getting a decent night's sleep. In our mattress survey*, comfort was cited as one of the main reasons Which? members ditched their old mattress. One third bought a new mattress because it felt comfortable when trying it out in the shop.

Comfort is subjective, though, which is why it's so hard to pin down one mattress that suits everyone. What works for you may not work for someone else.

To inform our reviews, we put each mattress through body support tests. We also measure pressure distribution. These tests are designed to reveal if you'll sink into a mattress in one spot more than another – this could aggravate existing back issues or cause problems in other places.

If you already have back pain, or any other aches and pains, a new mattress won't solve the underlying issue – you should see a medical professional instead.

2. It’s sagging or sinking in places

Are you sleeping in a dip? As a mattress ages, its layers can compress, causing it to sag or soften. However, you may not notice it as you become used to sleeping on it over the years.

Our durability tests mimic eight to 10 years of use by repeatedly rolling over mattresses with a large, heavy roller to compress them. We run our body support tests before and afterwards. The resulting data reveals how compressed the mattress becomes and highlights any reduction in body support for the three main sleeping positions (front, side and back).  

Be aware that if your old mattress is soft or sagging, it can affect how you feel about your new one - you could find a new mattress feels a lot firmer than you're used to.

3. It’s more than 10 years old, or there are signs of wear and tear

The NHS recommends seven to nine hours of sleep per night; assuming 10 years of use and seven hours sleep a night, this equals around 22,550 hours of use for your poor mattress. 

That's not taking into account any other use, such as working from bed, or when you're ill or recovering from an operation where you are likely to be in bed for longer periods.

If you notice any damage to the foam, springs poking out or stitching coming loose, it's probably time to consider a replacement.

4. It’s dirty or smelly 

The National Bed Federation says that by the time your mattress is seven years old, it could have absorbed the equivalent of a bathful of body moisture, depending on how much you sweat each night.

It will also accumulate around 450g of dead skin in that time, which isn't ideal if you are sensitive to dust mites.

Plus, spills and stains can accumulate over time.

That means an old mattress can be a pretty grim place to sleep.

How to make a new mattress last longer

There are plenty of things you can do to help make your mattress last longer. 

Reading the care instructions is a good place to start – otherwise you could inadvertently void the mattress warranty or cause damage, by using it incorrectly or not looking after the mattress as recommended. 

Regular cleaning will help keep it in good condition, and airing your mattress regularly as well as vacuuming it will help stop moisture lingering and dust accumulating.

Avoiding eating and drinking in bed and stopping pets or kids jumping about on your mattress will all help to keep it in good condition. 

The text tells me to click a link to update my card details. How can I tell if this request is genuine?

Name disclosed

Faye Lipson, Which? senior researcher, says: 

Apple Pay, along with Google Wallet and Samsung Pay, offer a way to upload your card details to a digital wallet on your mobile phone or tablet. The device can then be used to tap your phone on a card reader to pay in shops. When shopping on your phone, some websites and apps will also allow you to pay using these wallets, without manually entering your card details.

The problem comes when fraudsters steal your card details and then use them to set up wallets on phones and devices they control. And gaining these details is exactly their aim when they send out these scam texts.

The scam works when you click through and provide your long card number, CVV number and billing address on an online form – thinking it will get your mobile wallet working again. But your wallet was never broken. Instead, you’re providing your details to a scam website being monitored in real time by criminals. 

These criminals will quickly enter your card details into their device to set up a new wallet. You’ll then receive a push notification or one-time passcode on your phone to set up a wallet. What you don’t realise is that it’s not your own wallet but the fraudsters’ that you’re approving, allowing them to freely spend your cash.

In some versions of the scam, you receive a phone number for a scam call centre where fraudsters request your card details. Another variant is fake shopping sites or social media adverts offering fake bargains. In any case, the outcome is the same.

Stay safe by never clicking the links or phone numbers in these messages. Problems with your digital wallet can usually be resolved in your phone settings.

If in any doubt, you can call 159 (run by Stop Scams UK) to be connected with your bank’s fraud team. 

According to a survey of 5,000 retirees by financial advice firm Quilter earlier this year, 57% withdrew their pension savings prematurely, with 41% of survey respondents doing so out of fear that the 25% tax-free lump sum would be capped or scrapped. 

While there is no sign Prime Minister Andy Burnham plans to alter the rules, pension providers are calling for official reassurance ahead of the Budget on Wednesday 28 October to prevent another wave of panic withdrawals. 

But acting on Budget rumours isn't the only way you can incur unnecessary tax charges when accessing your retirement savings. Complex rules also apply to lump sum withdrawals.

We've talked to the experts about common misconceptions and your options if you've already taken money from your pension pot.

How much can you take from your pension pot?

Under current rules, you can take up to 25% of your pension tax-free from age 55 – rising to 57 in April 2028 – capped at a total limit of £268,275 across all your pensions.

Before April 2024, pensions were managed under a different pension rule called the Lifetime Allowance which had a limit of £1,073,100 (hence the lump sum withdrawal limit, which is a quarter of this). The Lifetime Allowance was the most money you could save in a pension without extra tax. 

The Lifetime Allowance has been scrapped. But any tax-free cash taken under those old rules still counts toward your current £268,275 allowance.

Final salary pensions, or defined benefit pensions, calculate tax-free cash differently using individual scheme formulas.

The Budget and pension lump sums

According to HMRC, flexible pension withdrawals reached a record £22.4bn in the 2025-26 tax year, up £3.8bn from 2024-25 and £7.1bn from 2023-24.

Jon Greer, head of retirement policy at Quilter, noted that HMRC data alongside findings from Quilter shows how speculation ahead of last year’s Budget led many retirees to act out of fear rather than genuine need at that moment.

He added: 'This research underlines just how sensitive retirement planning has become to continuous budget speculation. Those saving towards and planning their retirement need and deserve certainty, and there should be a clear commitment to avoid another prolonged period of speculation ahead of future Budgets.

'The Chancellor only ruled out changes to the tax-free lump sum in the final days before the Budget, by which point the damage had already been done. This cannot be repeated in the run-up to the 2026 Budget.'

4 common tax-free cash misconceptions

Andrew King, pensions specialist at wealth management firm Evelyn Partners, notes that even though the 25% tax-free entitlement is a valued feature of defined contribution pensions, it is still widely misunderstood.  

He has listed four ways the lump sum is misunderstood:

1. 'You can only take tax-free cash once'

Many people think that once you access tax-free money, you cannot build your pension back up. This is incorrect. Taking your pension lump sum does not stop you from saving more later, nor does it prevent you from taking more tax-free cash in the future – provided you stay under the £268,275 limit. 

For example, if you have a £600,000 pension at age 60 and take £150,000 tax-free to pay off a mortgage, you leave £118,275 of your allowance unused. If you keep working and rebuild your pension to £473,100, you can take that remaining £118,275 tax-free later.

Taking tax-free cash from a final salary pension permanently reduces your guaranteed yearly income.

2. 'You must withdraw tax-free cash in a single payment'

Believing you must take your tax-free cash all at once is another common mistake. Taking it in stages can help your money last longer and benefit from compound growth. However, how you structure phased withdrawals matters:

3. 'Small pension pots can be cashed out tax-free'

'Small pot rules' allow you to withdraw up to three personal pensions worth £10,000 or less without triggering the lower £10,000 annual saving limit (MPAA). However, these rules offer no extra tax advantage, only 25% of each small pot is tax-free, while the remaining 75% is taxed as income. 

4. 'Taking tax-free cash limits future savings'

Taking only your tax-free cash will not lower your future contribution limits. However, the moment you access any of the taxable 75% portion of your pension (such as through UFPLS), you trigger the money purchase annual allowance. 

Once triggered, the maximum amount you can save back into a pension each year with tax relief drops from £60,000 to £10,000. If you plan to rebuild your pot, taking only the tax-free cash and leaving the rest in drawdown protects your £60,000 allowance.

What can you do if you regret taking your pension lump sum? 

Once you've taken your lump sum payment, you typically cannot reverse the move. 

However, there are a few things you can consider: 

If you don't want to spend the money soon, reduce the chances of it being devalued by inflation by making sure it earns the most interest possible.

Ideally you'd add it into an Isa, to stop that interest being taxed, but with large sums you may have to add it into Isas over several years.

Watch out for pension recycling

If you are working and have sufficient earnings, you can pay money back into your pension. However, you must be careful not to break any HMRC pension recycling rules. 

These rules are in place to prevent people from reinvesting tax-free cash to gain extra tax relief. You could face a tax charge if all the following conditions are met: 

For it to be classed as pension recycling, HMRC must also prove intent. If they can do this, then you will face a severe tax charge.

If not, you’re not alone. It’s an often-overlooked summer issue and many of us aren’t aware of the potential risks.

What’s more, hot conditions can also affect how certain medications work if they’re not stored properly.

There’s no need to panic, though. A few simple changes can help take the stress out of this common problem.

We asked Professor Azeem Majeed, of Imperial College, about the medication mistakes to be mindful of during a heatwave, and the steps you can take to store your medications safely when temperatures soar.

It’s important to note that this guide is for general wellness purposes only and you should not stop or alter prescribed medication yourself. For medical advice best suited to your needs and health conditions, speak with your pharmacist or GP.

Our expert

Professor Azeem Majeed is head of the department of primary care and public health at Imperial College London and an award-winning GP.

How can hot weather affect your medicines?

‘High temperatures increase the risk of dehydration, which can alter how some medicines work and increase the likelihood of side effects,’ explains Professor Majeed.

For example, if you’re taking diuretics, you’ll be going to the toilet more often, thereby losing more fluid. Combined with increased sweating in hot weather, this can further fuel dehydration.

‘Heat can also change how the body absorbs, distributes and eliminates medications,’ he says. ‘In addition, some medicines interfere with the body's natural ability to regulate temperature or increase sensitivity to sunlight, making people more vulnerable during hot weather.’

Heat can also break down the active ingredients in medicines, so being careful about where and how you store them can be especially important during a hot spell.

What medications make it hard to cope in the heat and why?

‘Several commonly prescribed medicines can increase vulnerability to hot weather,’ Majeed says.

They may increase your risk of dehydration, affect your body’s ability to cool down, make you more sensitive to sunburn or increase dizziness.

Scroll down to see a list of commonly used medications that could make you less tolerant to the heat. If you’re concerned, speak to your GP or pharmacist instead of stopping your medications yourself, as this can be dangerous. 

‘Pharmacists are an excellent source of advice,’ says Majeed. ‘They can review medications, explain potential heat-related effects and advise when medical review may be needed.’

Medicines that can increase your risk of dehydration

These include:

Dehydration may also increase the risk of acute kidney injury in people taking blood pressure medicines such as ACE inhibitors.

Medicines that can affect your body’s ability to cool down

Examples include:

Medicines that can make you more sensitive to the sun

Some medicines can cause photosensitivity, including:

Anyone who's taking these kinds of medicines should use sunscreen, wear protective clothing and avoid prolonged direct exposure to the sun. 

Medicines that can increase dizziness

Heat can cause your blood vessels to dilate and lower your blood pressure. Some medicines can also lower blood pressure or affect the body's response to heat, potentially increasing the risk of dizziness or fainting.

These include:

Make sure you stand up slowly, stay well hydrated and seek medical advice if symptoms persist.

What steps can you take to minimise these risks?

Majeed offers these practical tips:

‘Most importantly, do not to stop prescribed medication without medical advice,’ cautions Majeed. 

Top tips for storing your medications safely in hot weather

A heatwave can make it harder to store your medications safely; also storage requirements can vary between medicines. ‘Most medicines should be stored below 25°C, although some can be safely stored below 30°C,’ says Majeed. ‘Always check the packaging or patient information leaflet.’

This was because the retailer found that standard cold-chain packaging couldn’t reliably keep them within their required temperature range (below 8°C) during transit once outdoor temperatures exceeded 30°C. Collection for these medicines was recommended instead.

According to the MHRA, it can be helpful to take the following steps to minimise the risk of the heat breaking down the active ingredients in your medications:

Watch out for changes that could signal heat damage. These include changes to colour, smell or texture, and the overall look of your medications.

‘If medicines have been exposed to temperatures outside their recommended storage conditions, seek advice from your pharmacist before using them,’ advises Majeed.

Who is more susceptible to heat-related issues?

While the effects of a heatwave can be felt by anyone, certain people should take extra care – with Majeed highlighting these groups:

If you're at increased risk of dehydration, it's important to drink regularly rather than relying on thirst alone, unless you've been advised to restrict your fluid intake.

Dehydration can lead to headaches, tiredness, confusion, lack of concentration, constipation and urinary tract infections.

Heatwave myths: by expert scientists

We're yet to find out when the next sale is taking place, but it's expected to land some time in October. Before it does, we'll be rounding up the best deals that are worth adding to your shopping list, including everything from air fryers to toilet roll.

In the meantime, here's everything you need to know ahead of the event.  

What is Amazon Prime Day?

Amazon Prime Day is an exclusive sale that's only open to Amazon Prime members. It tends to take place several times a year.

When is Amazon Prime Day?

Amazon usually holds two Prime Day sales each year, one in the summer and one in the autumn. 

The online retailer held its summer Prime Day a few weeks earlier than usual in June 2026. We're yet to hear anything about when its autumn sale will take place. 

Here's a look at when Amazon launched its previous Prime Day sales:

Most popular Amazon Prime Day deals from October 2025

Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone AF400UK

This model is larger than the Ninja AF300UK, which can hold 7.6 litres in total. Ninja says that you can feed around eight people when this air fryer is completely full.

It has six functions: air fry, max crisp (for frozen food), roast, bake, dehydrate and reheat. There’s a useful sync function that ensures the food in both drawers is ready to serve up at the same time. 

The image above is of the original black Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone we tested. The version on offer was an Amazon-exclusive limited-edition copper and black version.

Anker Nano Power Bank

This super portable power bank is designed to conveniently clip onto the bottom of your phone using a folding USB-C input, so you don’t have to deal with tangled wires in the bottom of your bag.

It’s available in five different colours – black, blue, green, pink and yellow.

Apple iPhone 16e

This was the first iPhone to launch with Apple Intelligence. It has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 2,532 x 1,170 resolution and a USB-C headphone socket.

It’s available in black or white, and during last year's sale, you could buy it for less than £500.

Fairy Platinum Plus Dishwasher Tablets

These Fairy tablets are designed to tackle stubborn food stains.

To help you decide whether to buy them or not, we’ve tested them on how well they prevent filming and cloudiness, plus their cleaning power when dealing with tea stains, milk and grease.

Echo Show 8

The third generation of Amazon’s smart display has a familiar wedge-shaped design and is a little larger than the previous version. On the top of the device, you’ll spot a mechanical privacy shutter for the camera, plus buttons to mute the microphone or adjust the volume.

You can tune into the radio, listen to music streaming services or audiobooks (these may require subscriptions), ask for weather updates, connect smart home devices and more.

Is Prime Day only for Amazon Prime members?

Yes, only Amazon Prime members get access to the Amazon Prime Day discounts. This includes Amazon Prime monthly and annual members, free trial members, and Amazon Student and Amazon Household members.

How much is Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime membership costs £8.99 per month, or £95 per year. If you pay annually, you save just over £12 per year.

Students can get an Amazon Prime membership for six months free and then for 50% less, paying £4.49 per month. That's a total of  £26.94 a year, meaning the monthly payment plan is the best option. If students pay annually, it costs £47.49 per year, saving just over £6. With a subscription, you get access to Prime Video, plus unlimited premium delivery, among other things.

Get a free trial for Amazon Prime Day

To cancel your membership before the trial expires, you'll need to visit the Amazon Prime membership page, choose Manage membership and select End membership.

How to return Amazon purchases

If you buy a product on Amazon Prime Day and it arrives on your doorstep damaged, the retailer is fully responsible.

Under the Consumer Rights Act, your purchase needs to be of satisfactory quality (not faulty or damaged), fit for purpose and as described. If your Prime Day product doesn't meet one of these requirements, the retailer (not the manufacturer) is in breach of the Consumer Rights Act.

Amazon will refund the cost of sending an item back if it was sold or dispatched by Amazon. If the item you bought isn't eligible for a free return, and you’re using a pre-paid return label, Amazon will deduct the cost of the return from your refund.

How to recycle your old tech

If you're looking to replace older technology by shopping in the Prime Day sale, make sure you dispose of your outdated items in a responsible way.

You have a few options if you want to offload your unwanted electronics. Kerbside collection is suitable for small electrical items – in many cases, your local council will collect smaller items such as toasters and kettles. Alternatively, you can drop items at a local recycling centre.

'The answer depends on what age you live to'

To recap, if a person is over the age of 75 when they die, then any money they leave in their pension is subject to income tax at the beneficiary’s marginal rate. 

If a person dies before the age of 75, their pensions can be inherited free of income tax.

If the estate doesn’t have enough cash to cover an inheritance tax bill, then this can be paid from pension savings. HMRC will set up a direct payment system, which allows the tax due (the proportional amount) to be paid directly from the pension pot. This is similar to what is already in place for banks and NS&I. 

If part of your pension is used to pay the inheritance tax directly, this would not be subject to income tax. 

Or, if the beneficiary takes the pension income and uses it to pay an inheritance tax bill, the income tax on this can be reclaimed.

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.

During that time, the average instant-access savings rate has risen to 15 times what it was in June 2021.

Here, we look at how much loyalty could cost, why many savers don't switch, and I explain how I manage my own savings to stay on top of changing rates.

A third of savers haven't switched since 2021

Savers who haven’t moved their money could be missing out on big returns, thanks to soaring interest rates since the end of the pandemic. 

This chart shows how average interest on an instant-access account, one-year fixed bond, and bonds lasting more than one year have changed over the past five years:

Why now is a great time to shop around

While rates on all types of savings account have been steadily dropping since the end of 2023, they are now climbing again.

Instant-access savings rates have seen their biggest monthly increase since October 2023, with Moneyfacts data showing they rose to 2.53% on 1 August. That's the highest level in almost a year.

Average one-year fixed savings rates also hit a high at the beginning of this month, climbing to 4.23%. That's the best since November 2024. Longer-term fixed rates also rose to 4.25% – their strongest in more than two years.

Cash Isa rates have risen too. The best instant-access product that lets you transfer your tax-free pots from another account paid 1% in July 2021. The top rate now is 4.66%. For a one-year cash Isa, the best rate has gone from 0.71% to 4.67%.

The choice of savings deal in August is also booming, hitting record levels for the sixth month running. Moneyfacts data shows there are 2,617 savings accounts available to open, excluding Isas. That's the highest number since Moneyfacts' records began in 2007.

How much could you gain by switching?

Interest rates can change quickly, so it's worth checking whether your savings are still earning a competitive return. 

We looked at three examples to see what staying put could mean for your returns.

Sticking with one provider

Instant-access rates can fall fast

High street savings rates lag behind

How today's top savings deals compare

The table shows the top rates currently available for instant-access and fixed-rate savings accounts and cash Isas, ordered by term.

Some banking apps and specialist fintech providers offer free ways to track your subscriptions, and some can also help you cancel them. This means you can take charge of your subscriptions before the government's changes come into effect. 

Here, Which? explains how your banking app can help you find subscriptions, and we compare the fintech apps that make managing your payments easier. 

How do subscription payments work?

Direct debits are protected by the direct debit guarantee. This means you can cancel direct debits with your bank or building society and have the right for any payments taken in error to be immediately refunded. You must also be notified of any changes to your payment terms. 

Recurring card payments work differently. A company uses the long number on your debit or credit card to take payments, meaning that you don’t have the same protections as you would with a direct debit. 

Recurring payments can also be easy to overlook, particularly if you've signed up for a free trial and forgotten to cancel before it becomes a paid subscription.

How are subscription rules changing?

From January 2027, new rules will make it easier for you to cancel subscriptions, require companies to give you clearer information when you sign up, and introduce a 14-day cooling-off period after a trial or certain longer-term contracts renew.

The changes will exclude some charitable memberships offered by cultural and heritage organisations.

The government will also ban deceptive pricing practices, such as misleading discounts that don't represent a genuine saving – something that Which? has long been campaigning for. In fact, Andy Burnham publicly acknowledged our work. 

How can my banking app help me?

One of the main issues with ‘subscription traps’ is that they appear in banking apps or your statement like any other card transaction, making them difficult to spot among other payments. 

The government is planning to fix this by requiring subscription providers to send regular reminders. However, your banking app may be able to help you identify subscriptions before these changes come in.

Barclays, Monzo, NatWest, Revolut, Santander and Starling Bank all have tools in their mobile apps that can help you identify recurring or subscription payments.

Monzo and Barclays list recurring payments in the 'scheduled payments' section of their apps. In Revolut , you can find them by selecting 'payments' and then the calendar icon.  

Starling Bank lets you stop recurring payments within its app, while NatWest and Santander provide links to subscription providers to make it easier to cancel.

If you're struggling to cancel a recurring card payment, you can ask your card provider to stop it. However, this won't necessarily cancel your subscription or any money you still owe, so you should also contact the subscription provider to cancel your contract.  

My bank doesn’t list subscriptions, what can I do?

There are still ways to identify your subscriptions and make it easier to cancel. 

There are several open banking tools that can help you find your subscriptions. Some are free, while others charge for some or all of their features. 

Little Birdie

With the free version of Little Birdie, you can manually add subscriptions such as Netflix and Disney+. You'll need to select the provider and enter details including the cost, payment dates and when any free trial or contract ends. This means you'll need to know which subscriptions you're already paying for.

Little Birdie will then send you reminders, based on the information you've entered, including when a free trial or contract is due to end. It also provides advice on how to cancel subscriptions.

With Little Birdie Plus, the app uses open banking data to automatically identify your subscriptions and alerts you to upcoming payments and price changes.

Emma

Emma uses open banking to list your recurring payments from up to two connected bank accounts. To connect more than two, you'll need to upgrade.  

With Emma Plus, it can list subscriptions from four connected accounts. The Plus subscription also includes exclusive cashback offers and access to Emma's savings accounts. 

With Emma Pro, it will list subscriptions from all connected accounts. The Pro subscription also includes customisation options within the app, such as splitting transaction listings and renaming transactions. 

Snoop

With Snoop's free account, you can connect your accounts using open banking, identify your subscriptions and get daily money-saving tips. 

Snoop Plus doesn't offer any additional subscription-tracking features, but it does include spending alerts, refund tracking and customisation options.  

What else to watch out for

Recurring payments can be taken from credit cards as well as debit cards. So, if you're looking for subscriptions you may have forgotten about, don't just check your current account. It's worth checking your credit card statements too.

If you pay for a budgeting app to help manage your subscriptions, make sure you're using enough of its features to justify the cost. After all, you don't want to end up paying for another subscription you don't use.

Since April 2026, sole traders and landlords with a qualifying income of more than £50,000 have been required to follow new digital reporting rules for income tax. This means keeping digital records and sending quarterly updates to HMRC using compatible software. 

The first deadline, on 7 August, covered income and expenses recorded during the first three months of the 2026-27 tax year.

Official HMRC figures show that 436,000 people submitted their first update by the deadline, out of 864,000 taxpayers expected to follow the new rules. 

Here Which? explains what to do if you missed the first deadline, how to stay on track from now on and what taxpayers have made of this major change to the system.  

How many people signed up for MTD?

Taxpayers must register for MTD in advance. 

Before the deadline, HMRC reported that 570,000 taxpayers had registered – well below the total number expected to fall within the scheme's scope.

While taxpayers were initially expected to register themselves, HMRC has announced that it will begin automatically signing up eligible taxpayers from September 2026. New guidance is expected in late August explaining what you need to do if you receive an HMRC auto-enrolment letter.

Missed the deadline? Here's what to do next

Don't worry if you missed the deadline – HMRC isn't issuing penalty points just yet.

HMRC has confirmed that it will not issue penalty points for late quarterly updates during the 2026-27 tax year. However, you will need to submit if you are now mandated to do so.

So, as soon as possible, you should: 

It's important to note that there is no grace period for late annual final declarations.

When is the next MTD deadline?

The quarterly deadlines are fixed, so knowing them in advance can help you stay on track.

If you use HMRC's standard update periods, the deadlines are:

Alongside this, you will need to submit an 'End of Period Statement (EOPS) and your ‘Final Declaration’ by the self-assessment deadline on 31 January.

An EOPS applies annual accounting adjustments – such as claiming expenses and capital allowances – to finalise the net profit or loss for each of your businesses or properties. Your final declaration then combines these figures with any non-business income, such as employment earnings, dividends, and savings interest, to give you your overall tax return. 

These are then submitted by the usual self-assessment deadline of 31 January following the tax year. HMRC says both filings will give it a complete picture of your total earnings and the tax you owe on them. 

How did the first MTD deadline go?

Millions of sole traders and landlords are not yet required to comply with MTD reporting rules. We spoke to a few taxpayers who are part of that cohort to hear about their experience:

‘I’ve joined earlier than I need to, but I’d rather be prepared’

Glen Kelly, 24, left his sales job this year to become a full-time professional bagpiper. Though he is not yet required to adopt digital tax reporting, he signed up early to stay ahead of upcoming thresholds so he will be 'completely prepared and in control' when it becomes mandatory for him. 

Previously using spreadsheets when bagpiping was a side hustle, Glen switched to the online accountancy service QuickBooks upon going full-time to avoid the 'stress' of once-a-year self-assessment filings. 

He signed up under a discounted introductory sole trader plan after hearing about it through his professional networks. He now uses the platform to log expenses, manage receipts, automatically calculate business mileage, and track estimated tax liabilities in real-time. 

Glen says the software is more 'cost-effective' than hiring an accountant, particularly as he is just starting his business. 

If he had been required to submit an update in August, Glen says he was confident that he could easily pull together his income and expenditure records for HMRC for the April to June 2026 period. 

‘I’ve had to make a new routine after 20 years of self-assessment’

Having been a self-employed builder for over 20 years, Stuart Bogazzi says he was initially concerned about the new reporting rules, fearing it would add extra administrative work to his day. 

Stuart chose to use Sage as his MTD software, choosing the platform primarily because it was free. He adapted to the new rules by establishing a regular logging routine, processing transactions daily or weekly rather than leaving paperwork for his annual tax return. 

He takes photos of paper receipts on his phone, uploads them to the app, and throws the physical paper away, calling the process 'fairly simple.' 

Because the software links directly to his business bank account, it automatically categorises expenses like materials, fuel and wages. Stuart notes that this real-time tracking makes identifying and claiming eligible business expenses much easier.

He also says keeping his digital records up to date has actually reduced his accountant's workload, saving him money on fees.  

Stuart says his new routine meant he was able to complete the first quarterly update entirely on his own. His advice to other sole traders is to download MTD software early and adopt a new routine or regular habits to get used to things before it becomes mandatory. 

'I needed a lot of help to get started'

Michael, 70, is a buy-to-let landlord with several properties across east and southeast London. While he manages his properties hands-on, his accountant handled his finances and taxes. 

Ahead of the changes from April 2026, Michael had to part ways with his accountant after their annual rates rose to cover the new reporting requirements. He has yet to find another, and managed the first MTD deadline with his daughter's support. 

Michael found the search for MTD software difficult due to sponsored ads on platforms like Google. He initially signed up for a free MTD platform but is now looking for software that better supports his multi-property portfolio and mixed income.

Michael is confident that his first update was accurate, however he said he had to lean on his daughter for more support than he wanted to. Now he is aware of what is required from him, he is working to make the next update smoother. 

Despite the initial friction, Michael sees benefits in changing to quarterly updates and says he wants to be more hands-on with the finances going forward.

In this episode, insurance expert Dean Sobers shares the findings of his research into haggling for a better deal on car insurance, showing that it is an effective tool to fight rising insurance premiums.

He explains the commonsense tactics needed to haggle with your insurer, which may be simpler than you expect.

Plus, Dean tells us why the new Which? insurance comparison tool can make shopping around for a new policy easier than ever.

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.

But how much should you read into an August dip? Could prices simply rebound in September, as they typically do after summer?

Here, Which? outlines the latest house price forecasts, explores the main factors behind the August dip and explains what could happen to mortgage rates over the next few months.

Why asking prices fell in August

The average UK asking price fell by 2% between July and August – the largest August drop since 2018, according to Rightmove. Asking prices are also down 1% compared with a year ago. 

Rightmove says increased competition among sellers is one factor behind the drop. The number of homes for sale is at a 12-year high for this time of year. Combined with a quieter summer holiday period, this has led sellers to cut asking prices to catch buyers' eyes. 

House price trends vary across the UK. In the North East, the average asking price rose by 0.6% month on month, making it the only region to record an increase since July.

At the other end of the spectrum, the average asking price in London has fallen by 4.4% since July and 3.1% over the past year.

Prices remain higher than in August last year in several regions, with annual growth concentrated in Scotland and the North of England.

If you're considering selling your home, don't be too alarmed by headlines about falling house prices. Trends can vary significantly between regions and even local authorities.

Will house prices bounce back in September?

Autumn is typically a busy time for the housing market, with house prices often rising as activity picks up. So will that happen this year?

We spoke to Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank estate agents. He told us a bounce is likely in September, but it is expected to be smaller than usual for the time of year. 

High mortgage rates are one factor weighing on prices. For house prices to rise, mortgage rates would need to fall further, which is unlikely given continued uncertainty in the Middle East. Bill told Which? that he hasn't seen any indication there will be a 'meaningful' drop in mortgage rates in the short term. 

Rightmove also points to high mortgage rates, geopolitical uncertainty and the first Budget from new Chancellor John Healey as factors behind the downgrade of its house price forecast for 2026. It now expects asking prices to fall by between 0% and 2% in 2026. 

If you're keeping an eye on where prices are headed, other property portals and estate agents have updated forecasts. In June, Savills revised its estimate to a 2% fall in 2026. While Zoopla now expects 1% growth in asking prices.

These are forecasts for national averages, and the picture differs across the UK. If current trends continue, Scotland and the North of England are the most likely areas to record house price growth in 2026. In London, Wales and the South of England, prices are expected to fall.

Will mortgage rates continue to drop?

Rates are edging down, but borrowing remains expensive, and you shouldn't assume the downward trend will continue.

Geopolitical uncertainty has caused mortgage rates to fluctuate over the past few months, with periods of falling tensions followed by renewed escalation. Until conflict in the Middle East fully stabilises, we could continue to see periods of mortgage rate cuts followed by increases. 

The best mortgage rates currently sit around 4%, according to Moneyfacts data. However, these deals are reserved for borrowers with at least 40% equity and require you to choose a variable rate. The lowest fixed-rate mortgages are currently around 4.5%.

New Which? research has revealed that an increasing proportion of retirees are worried about covering the costs.

This comes as the prime minister Andy Burnham has committed to reforming the ‘broken’ social care system in England.

Here, we explain what’s happening to care costs and your options for funding care.

How much will care cost?

Of the UK retirees we surveyed in May 2026, 55% said they’re concerned about affording care in the future, up from 46% in 2024 and 51% in 2025.

Care in a residential home typically costs £1,300 per week in the UK if you pay yourself, according to data from care-finding service Lottie. But how much you’ll pay will depend on the type of care you need, as well as where you live.

Nursing care costs on average £1,512 per week, while nursing dementia care – typically the most extensive type of support – costs £1,585.

And costs can vary widely by region. This map shows the average cost of residential care by region:

But knowing the weekly cost alone won't help you calculate the total bill, as it's far more difficult to predict how long you'll be in a care home.

The British Geriatrics Society reports average life expectancy as 24 months in care homes without nursing and 12 months for those with nursing, but everyone's health is different.

If you do run out of money and have care needs that qualify you for local authority support, funding will kick in but in some situations this may require moving care homes.

What's happening to care costs?

Research from social care consultancy Carterwood found that across Great Britain, the average quoted weekly fee for personal residential care for self-funders rose 8.5% between 2024 and 2025

Rising wages and the increasing cost of things such as food and energy have increased the cost of providing care in recent years, but there are other factors at play.

For years, there has been a substantial gap between the fees paid by self-funders and local authorities, as councils on tight budgets face rising demand for services.

The majority of care homes in the UK are run by private companies, and researchers have warned that funds are leaking out of the care system, rather than being reinvested to improve services

Analysis by Reclaiming our Regional Economies in 2025 found that private care companies delivering public-sector-funded care in the North East, South Yorkshire and West Midlands made £256m profit between 2021 and 2024.

And despite providing a vital service, care workers are some of the lowest paid across the job market.  The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has warned that turnover related to low pay is a huge drain on the social care sector, from the cost of covering vacancies to the time lost to hiring and training staff.

Will I be eligible for help?

If you need care, there are three ways you might pay for it: local authority funding, NHS funding (in certain cases) or from your own savings.

Local-authority funding is means-tested, and how much support you’ll receive depends on your savings, assets and income. This table shows the capital limits across the UK for 2026-27

If your savings are above the upper capital limit, you’ll need to pay for care yourself in most circumstances.

You’ll qualify for full support if your savings are below the lower capital limit, but you’ll likely have to contribute some of your income (including the state pension) towards the cost of care. If your savings are between the two limits, you’ll also have to pay a tariff income of £1 a week for every £250 of savings.

You must be allowed to keep a certain amount for day-to-day spending, known as the personal expenses allowance (or minimum income amount in Wales). Here are the 2026-27 allowances:

What you need to know about paying for care

1. Check whether you’re eligible for local authority funding

If you need care, the first step is to contact your local authority for a needs and financial assessment, even if you think you might need to pay your own care fees.

This is because the needs assessment may offer solutions other than moving into a care home, or show you’re eligible for NHS funding.

And owning a home doesn’t automatically disqualify you from support: the value of your home usually isn’t included in the means test if you receive care at home, or if certain people still live there (a spouse or civil partner, relatives aged 60 or over, disabled relatives, your children under the age of 18 or an estranged/divorced partner if they're a lone parent).

2. Understand other forms of support

If your needs are primarily health-related, you may qualify for support under the NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This funding isn’t means-tested, but the chances of receiving it are slim: in the first quarter of 2026-27, just 18% of those assessed for standard continuing healthcare in England were deemed eligible.

NHS CHC isn’t available in Scotland, but the NHS may pay for ongoing care in a hospital setting, depending on your needs.

And make sure you're receiving all the benefits you're entitled to: attendance allowance and pension age disability payment in Scotland aren't means-tested, and provide support with care costs.

3. Consider your options for self-funding

If you need to pay for your own care, there are various options to consider.

If you already have health insurance or long-term care insurance, this can help cover the costs.

You won't usually get your original payment back if you no longer need care, so you should consider seeking financial advice if you're considering this option. This type of annuity can only be arranged via a regulated financial adviser who holds appropriate qualifications in long-term care, such as those accredited by the Society of Later Life Advisers.

In some cases, you may need to sell your home to cover the costs of care. If you don’t want to sell your home straight away, you may be able to get a deferred payment agreement from the local council.

Under this agreement, the council pays your care fees, and you don’t have to repay them until you’ve sold your home or after you’ve died. 

As the editor of Which? Gardening, I’ve learnt that you don’t necessarily need someone to water the entire garden while you’re away. I concentrate on the plants that need it most, then use a few simple tricks and watering systems to keep them going.

Whether you’re away for a long weekend or a couple of weeks, a little preparation goes a long way. Here’s what I do before a holiday to keep my plants watered while I’m away.

1. I focus my efforts where they count

The whole garden doesn’t need watering while I’m away. The lawn and established shrubs and perennials will cope fine without me. Instead, I make sure I keep more vulnerable plants watered. 

Patio pots and hanging baskets are top of my list, as the compost can dry out quickly. Small pots are particularly vulnerable in hot weather because there’s less compost to hold moisture.

I also prioritise fruiting and greenhouse veg, along with anything I’ve planted in the past few months. New plants are still establishing their roots, so they’re less able to reach moisture deeper in the soil.

Before I go away, I check the forecast too. Cool or wet weather takes some of the pressure off, but if several hot, sunny days are on the way, I know pots and newly planted plants will need more attention.

2. I keep it simple

For a short break, such as a long weekend, move patio pots and baskets into a shady spot so they don’t dry out as quickly. I group pots together too, then give them a thorough soak before I leave.

You can stand pots in saucers of water to give them a little extra moisture, but don’t leave them sitting in water for long periods, as this can cause the roots to rot.

Check for pots in easy-to-miss places too, such as by the front door or down the side of the house. It’s surprisingly easy to forget one when you’re getting ready to go away.

For a short trip, you probably won’t need to buy any special watering kit. If you’re away for longer, it’s worth setting up something that can keep your plants watered while you’re gone.

3. I choose watering gadgets carefully

Neither system can be used with hanging baskets at height. Instead, bring baskets down and place them in a bucket to hold them upright before using the Big Drippa. Whichever system you choose, set it up a few days before you leave so you can check that every plant is getting enough water.

Other watering gadgets were less impressive. We found spikes that attach to drinks bottles difficult to use and ineffective. Some bottles collapsed, while others emptied too quickly.

Whatever you use, give it a trial run before your holiday. You’ll want to know how long the water lasts and whether the compost stays moist before you leave it to look after your plants

4. I use an irrigation system

If you regularly go away during the summer, an automatic irrigation system can take much of the worry out of keeping your plants watered. It’s particularly useful if you have lots of pots, a greenhouse or plants that need frequent watering.

The systems we’ve had the most success with connect to an outdoor tap, although you can also buy ones that use water from a water butt, provided there’s enough water to last while you’re away.

Drip irrigation delivers water directly to individual plants, rather than soaking a larger area. You can also adjust how much water each plant gets, so thirstier plants get more.

We’ve found battery-powered water timers more reliable than solar-powered models. An irrigation system controlled by a water timer can also be used during a hosepipe ban, although you should check the restrictions imposed by your water company. Set everything up well before you go away so you have time to check for leaks and make sure every plant is getting enough water.

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Thanks to new CT scanners rolled out recently at UK airports, it’s now possible to place your bag on the conveyor belt without the inconvenience of unpacking liquids, and in some cases electronics.

That should, in theory, make things speedier in the security lane for holidaymakers. But, while some airports such as London City have reported the scanners have increased the pace of queues, there remains the possibility that your bag could be set aside for a second hand-search. 

This can cost you precious time at the airport, especially during busy travel periods when bags pile up.

As a frequent traveller, I’ve picked up a number of tips which help me to avoid setting off the new scanners. We’ve also reached out to Smiths Detection, a major manufacturer of 3D scanners used in UK airports, to figure out what else travellers could be doing to avoid having their bags checked manually by security staff.

Read on for the five mistakes to avoid if you want to speed your way through airport security.

1. Keeping all items in your bag

Due to the new scanners, you may spot signs at security instructing you to leave your bag fully packed, including liquids and electronics. 

But I’ve come to learn that certain items I travel with set off the scanners, for example a powdered protein supplement in a sealed bag or tupperware. Because of this, I’ve begun voluntarily unpacking items that seem to trigger second searches, placing them beside my bag in the tray.

Security staff may encourage you to leave your bag packed when placing it on the belt, or ask you to explain why you’re unpacking items. I’ve had no issues in this instance, but always follow their instructions if they insist you leave your bag packed.

On my most recent flight, I travelled with both a tablet and laptop, stowed in a protective pocket in my backpack. This seemed to trigger a manual search, with security asking me to unpack both items for closer inspection.  

Smiths Detection confirmed that layering items in this way is a mistake to avoid, adding: ‘where possible, avoid stacking multiple electronic devices directly on top of one another in cabin baggage. Instead, place them side by side,’ it told us when we reached out for more information.

3. Packing water bottles incorrectly

Another item I’ve noticed getting attention from security staff at the airport is my double-walled insulated water bottle. For that reason, I’ll always empty it and place it into the tray alongside my bag — although if you’re keen to avoid delays, you could forego these types of items altogether.

4. Getting mixed up on new liquid rules

But watch out on your return journey — many EU airports still follow the previous rules, and may confiscate liquids over 100ml, or that do not fit into a transparent bag on your way back home.

5. Forgetting to check for bookable security slots

A growing number of UK and EU airports now offer passengers the chance to pre-book security slots for free. Many airports offer the slots to help ease congestion at peak travel times, and they can be a method for spending less time queuing to go through the scanners.

While microwaving might seem like a speedy shortcut to a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner, some foods can't withstand a microwave's rapid heat, leading to health hazards, messy kitchens and rubbery, chewy or soggy textures.

Our expert tips, along with trusted advice from the Food Standards Agency (FSA), will help you navigate the cooking myths and save time in the kitchen.

Read on to learn which foods are best kept out of the microwave, plus how to cool, store and reheat leftovers safely.

What foods should you avoid reheating in the microwave?

1. Hard-boiled eggs

Reheating hard-boiled eggs in the microwave can be a recipe for disaster. This is because the intense heat causes steam to build up inside eggs, which can consequently lead to explosions.

Not only can they explode while cooking, creating a sticky, smelly mess inside your microwave, but they can also burst after being taken out, potentially scalding your hands or mouth.

How to reheat hard-boiled eggs

Place and submerge your eggs in a bowl of freshly boiled water, allowing them to sit covered for a few minutes until they are warmed through. Or simply eat them cold.

2. Pastry dishes

While the microwave is often one of the fastest kitchen appliances for reheating leftovers, the rapid heat creates steam, which compromises the flaky, crispy texture of pastry.

Unless they are specifically designed for the microwave, pastry-topped dishes, such as pies, can become soft, limp and soggy after being reheated.

How to reheat pastry dishes

To restore the golden, flaky texture of pastry dishes, we recommend using an air fryer or oven instead.

3. Pizza

When it comes to leftover takeaway pizza, there are two types of people: those who happily enjoy it cold, and those who try to revive its fresh, hot taste.

For those who prefer it hot, tossing the remaining slices in the microwave might seem convenient. However, this reheating method is likely to result in a soggy base, chewy crust and rubbery cheese.

How to reheat leftover pizza

Ovens are particularly good at reheating slices of pizza – and covering them with foil helps to prevent them from drying out.

4. Steak

Although it's possible to reheat meat in the microwave, thick cuts, such as steak, can become tough, dry and rubbery due to the intense heat.

Microwaves also heat food unevenly, which can cause meat to become burnt around the edges while remaining cold in the centre.

How to reheat steak

Slowly warm it in the oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 45°C (110°F), and finish by quickly searing both sides of the steak on your hob.

5. Chips

Microwaving leftover chips might feel like a speedy shortcut to a quick meal. But the steam generated by the microwave can spoil their texture, leaving them soggy and limp.

How to reheat leftover chips

For the crispiest and most delicious results, either an oven or air fryer can be used to reheat leftover chips.

6. Homemade frozen meals

Batch cooking and freezing meals, such as lasagne or cottage pie, is quick, easy and saves both money and time in the kitchen.

But there is a risk that large, dense portions of homemade meals, especially layered dishes containing dairy products or minced meat, can cook unevenly from frozen.

How to reheat homemade frozen meals

Always defrost your homemade meals thoroughly in the fridge before reheating and serving.

The FSA also advises against thawing food at room temperature, as this encourages the growth of bacteria.

7. Foods that have already been reheated

To reduce the risk of food poisoning, the FSA recommends only reheating food once. This is because repeated cycles of cooling and reheating can increase the growth of harmful bacteria.

The quality of leftovers can also degrade with each round of reheating, resulting in tough, dry and chewy textures.

What to do instead

Always use leftovers no more than two days after initially cooking. If you're not going to use up all the food you've cooked, you can freeze and reheat it, provided it hasn't already been reheated.

Can you reheat rice in the microwave?

You may read conflicting advice online about whether it's safe to reheat rice. However, it depends on how the rice was originally handled, stored and cooked.

Rice can contain spores from a type of harmful bacteria. If cooked rice is left out at room temperature, the bacteria can start growing again from the spores, multiplying and producing toxins that cause food poisoning. Reheating will not get rid of these toxins.

If you've cooked too much rice and don't want to use it all straight away, the FSA advises cooling it down as quickly as possible – ideally within one hour – and then storing it in the fridge.

Leftover rice that has been covered and stored correctly in the fridge should be used within 24 hours and reheated in the microwave until it is steaming hot throughout with no cold spots.

The FSA also recommends taking extra care when reheating takeaway rice. This is because some takeaways pre-cook rice and reheat it before serving, but you should avoid reheating food more than once.

Can you reheat chicken in the microwave?

It's safe to reheat chicken in the microwave, provided you follow food safety guidelines and only reheat it once.

The FSA says you must reheat chicken so that it reaches 75°C (165°F) for 30 seconds to ensure harmful bacteria, such as salmonella and campylobacter, are destroyed.

If you don't have a food thermometer, cut the meat open with a clean knife to ensure it's steaming hot all the way through. Additionally, cutting chicken into smaller pieces beforehand can help it heat more evenly and quickly.

The microwave is best suited to chicken in sauces or other moist dishes, while plain pieces such as fillets, drumsticks and fried chicken are usually better reheated in an oven or air fryer for more even heating and a better texture.

To ensure an even temperature throughout saucy chicken dishes, it's helpful to stir and rest them halfway through microwaving. This eliminates cold spots where bacteria survive. 

How to reheat food safely 

To reduce the risk of food poisoning, it's important to take extra care when storing, cooking and reheating food. 

If you're not going to eat all of the food you have cooked straight away, the FSA says you should cool it as quickly as possible and then store it in the fridge.

No matter what kitchen appliance you use to reheat your leftovers, always ensure the food is steaming hot throughout to kill harmful bacteria that may have grown since it was cooked.

If you're using a microwave, food can become very hot at the edges and remain cold in the centre – stirring helps to prevent this, distributing the heat evenly.

Alternatively, you can freeze leftovers after they have been cooked, as long as they haven't already been reheated.

Which food containers are safe for the microwave?

Not all kitchen dishes are suitable for microwave use, and some can even be a safety hazard.

Below, we've explained what you can safely use to reheat your leftovers.

1. Glass containers

Glass dishes are generally a good option because they help food to reheat evenly. However, they must be marked as safe for microwave use.

Watch out for glass containers with metal parts, such as jars with clip-top lids, as these can cause sparks and potentially damage your microwave or pose a safety hazard.

2. Plastic containers

In most cases, plastic containers are safe for microwave use. But as with glass containers, they must be labelled as microwave-safe.

It's also best to avoid putting plastic takeout containers, margarine tubs or other plastics, such as yoghurt pots, into the microwave, as they're not intended for use in high temperatures.

3. China or ceramic dishes

China and ceramic dishes are safe to use in the microwave as they can withstand high heat.

However, even if fine bone china is labelled as microwave-safe, it has a higher risk of breaking when exposed to sudden temperature changes. Allow the dish to cool off before removing it from the microwave to reduce the risk of damage.

When using china or ceramic dishes in the microwave, ensure they're free from any metal accents, such as gold or silver trims, as these can cause sparks and uneven heating.

A recent survey by pensions company Standard Life indicated that 62% of people felt confident they could spot a pension scam.

Yet it found that common misunderstandings around pension rules could open the door to scammers.

In addition, it has warned that some of the ways in which people checked pension firms could be easily circumvented by crooks.

Here, we reveal the red flags and how to spot them yourself.

People failing to identify scam warning signs

Cold calling about pensions has been banned since 2019, so any cold call about pensions can be treated as a scam.

And 40% of people either wrongly believed that you can withdraw money from your pension at any age or said they didn't know. The earliest you can access money saved in a private pension is 55 (rising to 57 in 2028).

The FCA, the industry regulator, regularly issues warnings about firms claiming to be authorised, or impersonating other authorised firms, but it may take time for them to be detected. So you'll need to check that the firm's contact details match what's on the register.

Beware increasingly sophisticated scams

Savers now have to be wary of more sophisticated scams enabled by artificial intelligence (AI) or so-called ‘deepfake scams’.

The Pensions Regulator and the Society of Pensions Professionals have both recently highlighted the threat represented by deepfake impersonation (of a real person’s appearance, voice or mannerisms), fraudulent member or trustee instructions, malicious documents and AI-generated phishing.

Standard Life found that some people may be placing trust in factors that don't necessarily indicate whether a pension opportunity is genuine. 

In its research, 20% believed a professional-looking website and positive online reviews are reliable indicators that a pension opportunity is genuine, while 14% believed adverts on professional or social networking sites mean a company is trustworthy and can act in their best interests.

Donna Walsh, pensions expert at Standard Life, warned: ‘Pension scams do not always look like scams. They can come with convincing websites, positive reviews, familiar names and paperwork that appears genuine, which is exactly why they can be so dangerous.

‘What stands out from our test is that many people could benefit from greater awareness of some key pension rules and warning signs. That's important because understanding how pensions work can help people make more confident decisions and better protect the savings they've worked hard to build.’

Fraudsters are often quick to exploit periods of change and uncertainty to come up with new ways to steal your money, so the period up to April 2027 and beyond could see a proliferation of IHT-based scams. 

Red flags to look out for

It's always important to remind yourself of the warning signs, to protect your nest egg from scammers in the face of increasingly sophisticated tactics:

Report any suspected scams

If any alarm bells have sounded, you can carry out independent checks for reassurance. You should avoid relying solely on information provided by the person or company that contacted you. 

Contact your pension provider directly using details you trust, check whether any firm or adviser is properly authorised using the Financial Conduct Authority’s company register, and verify that the contact details match. 

If you're still unsure, consider seeking guidance or regulated financial advice before making any significant decisions.

If you’ve been approached by scammers, even if you haven’t lost money, it’s important to report it. You can: 

On the plus side, checking which apps can track your whereabouts takes less than a minute. Both iPhone and Android have built-in controls that let you review permissions and block location access. Below, we explain how to take control of your location privacy and what to look out for.

Check app permissions on Android

Check app permissions on Samsung

Check app permissions on iOS (iPhone)

Some apps need your location to work properly

'It's always healthy to question why an app is asking for your location. The best approach is to look at context and whether tracking makes sense for what the app actually does.

'Map apps, taxi and food delivery services are obvious examples where location can be important. For other apps, you might find that limiting access to when you're using the app is enough. Apps that frequently check your location in the background can also use additional battery power.

'If you're unsure, you can always restrict an app's location access and see whether the features you use still work as expected. You can change the permission again later if you need to.'

Other app permissions worth checking

While reviewing permissions, look through your installed apps for anything unfamiliar. An app you don't recognise isn't necessarily suspicious, but it's worth checking what it is.

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