Money Blog: "I broke vague ticket rules - Northern Rail threatens to sue me for £1. 85

Glossop resident Sam Williamson is facing legal action from Northern Rail over vague railcard rules. Read this story and more of today's consumer and personal finance news below.

Thursday, October 10, 2024 12:58, UK

Top stories

• "I got my train ticket wrong by £1. 85 - Northern Rail threatens to sue me"
• Only six months left to boost state pensions in historic upgrade
• "Serious savings accounts to seriously consider"
• New employment rights - what you need to know

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"Northern Rail threatens to sack me over £1. 85 mistake on train ticket"

Megan Harwood-Baines, Cost of Living Specialist

A man is on the verge of being taken to court by Northern Rail after falling prey to vague card rules.

Sam Williamson, who lives in Glossop, is being threatened with prosecution after he mistakenly bought a £3. 65 ticket using his 16-25 railcard. The ticket's regular price was £5. 50, 1. 85 cents more expensive.

The ticket he bought was the cheapest available on the app, for a 10. 29am train, but was labelled as "daily single".

Sam used the ticket to catch a train just after 7am, not realising that the small print on his railcard rules meant his ticket was invalid. Tickets bought with the railcard before 10am have a minimum fare of £12.

He bought a single anytime ticket on the Northern Rail app, but said "nowhere does it say that my railcard is not valid for any services before 10am".

Sam was travelling from Broadbottom to London via Manchester, but had bought the first journey separately. His second ticket (Manchester to London) cost £22, exceeding the minimum fare of £12.

As soon as he boarded the first train, the conductor told him his ticket was invalid. Sam immediately offered to pay for a new ticket or a fixed penalty notice, but was told he would have to submit a report directly to Northern Rail.

A month later, he was asked to receive a letter (Sky News "saw) and explain the travel status.

"It was a mistake, but it was a innocent mistake," Sam says.

He said that many other people who used the same transportation were caught in this rule: "A man was traveling on a senior railcard, but before talking about the details. I got off the train.

Sam acknowledges his mistakes, but believes that the answer was "forced." If you are prosecuted, you will get hundreds of pounds and a criminal record.

He is not the only one who violated this rule. A 2 3-yea r-old young man living in Bolton was fined by 462 pounds, using day returns before 10 am. He was charged with the Manchester Security Court in May this year.

A 2 7-yea r-old man living in Kary was on the rush hour with an of f-peak ticket and was ordered to pay £ 462.

Northern Rail confirmed that Sky News was contacting Sam about Sam.

North North's spokeswoman said: "As with railway operators throughout the United Kingdom, everyone will buy valid tickets before getting on the train, or get a voucher that promises to pay, and when inspections, the piping protection. It is obliged to be able to present it to the government or the income officer.

"The majority of our customers (96 % or more) do so.

Pound, crude oil, and market

Business reporter, Daniel Bins

Hurricane "Milton" hit Florida directly, and the price of crude oil, which had been unstable for several days, has recovered.

Arashi fueled demand, and this morning's benchmark brent crude oil price rose nearly 1 %, 59 pounds per barrel.

As the riot in the Middle East intensified, it rose to nearly $ 80 (61 pounds) at the beginning of the week, but fell over two days.

There are still concerns that if Israel targets Iranian oil infrastructure, the supply may be hit, but if the prospects for China and the United States economy weaken, demand will decrease. Concerns are relieved.

On the other hand, FTSE100 this morning is almost flat. The rise rate immediately after the start of the transaction was only 0. 1 %.

The leader was a pharmaceutical giant GSK (formerly Glaxo Smith Cline), which rose more than 5 % due to reconciliation of potential damages in the United States.

On Thursday, the poor performance was Taylor Wimpy, a fell nearly 5 %.

In the foreign exchange market, you can buy one pound for one dollar and 20 cents per euro.

Interest rates have risen slightly in recent days as the pound has fallen on expectations that the Bank of England may soon cut interest rates again, making the UK less attractive to overseas investors.

Wilko is back (genre)

Wilko has launched an online store on Amazon, with the discount seller reviving the brand with a digital extension.

Own-brand homewares and DIY products have appeared on the giant e-commerce site.

Clicking on the storefront, a large banner reads "Your favorite brand! Coming soon to you."

The discount retailer went into administration in August last year after being hit by the Truss government's disastrous September 2022 mini-budget.

It was then bought by CDS Superstores (the company that runs The Range) and reopened seven stores in Exeter, Luton, Plymouth, Poole, Rotherham, St Albans and most recently Uxbridge.

There are only six months left to increase your state pension with the historic renewal

If you want to increase your state pension entitlement, you have only six months to fill the gaps in your National Insurance record (from 2006 onwards).

New figures published by HMRC this week show that more than 10, 000 payments (worth £12. 5 million) have already been made since the new digital service was launched in April this year.

Normally, people can pay voluntary renewal fees for the past six years, but the previous government opened it up to 6 April 2006 to make payments.

However, the deadline is 5 April next year.

Who can join?

Men born on or after 6 April 1951 and women born on or after 6 April 1953 are eligible to make voluntary NI contributions to increase their new state pension. More information about contributions can be found online. Further analysis of the use of its online service showed that the majority (51%) of customers had completed a year's worth of NI records, with the average amount paid online being £1. 193.

Why it matters

If you reached pension age after 6 April 2016, you need 10 years of NI contributions to qualify for the state pension, and 35 years to qualify for the full £221. 20 per week. Before 6 April 2016 it was 30 years.

There are many reasons why people have gaps in their records, including being unemployed, on a low income, self-employed, working overseas or taking time off work to have a family.

How much will you gain by updating?

The results showed that it would cost £907. 40 to cover all NI contributions until 2023-24.

If you enjoy retirement for 20 years after this, you would get £6. 000 back. It would take just three years to recoup the original investment of £907. 40.

Would anyone want to reconsider?

The first thing to consider is whether he can fill the gap naturally through work, i. e. whether it makes sense to top up.

There are many other things to consider, so you should seek independent financial advice.

According to wealth management company Charles Stanley, the key consideration is whether a high pension:

Would mean paying tax in retirement.

Would mean you would no longer be eligible for certain benefits.

• "Some of it is taken as income tax so you may not enjoy the full amount of the extra pension.
• In addition, any increase in your state pension income may affect your entitlement, particularly if you claim pension allowances, which supplement the income of very low-income earners above state pension age, so an increase in your state pension will usually mean a reduction in the amount you receive.

Another consideration, and this is something most people don't want to think about, is that if you don't think you'll live long enough into old age to benefit from the supplement (because you're in poor health or have a terminal illness), it's probably not worth it to supplement.

Alternative ways to supplement

Advice "Before considering making voluntary NI contributions for a particular year, make sure you're entitled to NI allowances.

These are free and apply, for example, if you're looking after a family member's children as a parent or grandparent, if you're claiming statutory sick pay, or if you're looking after a sick or disabled person.

New employment rights - what you need to know

The Workers' Rights Bill was introduced into Parliament today, bringing in 28 new legislation to improve workers' rights. Measures will be included.

New employment rights - what you need to know

Along with this measure, new employees will have a legal probationary period of up to nine months, during which they can be fired with a "light procedure".

However, due to mandatory consultation, it is expected that the measure will not be included in legislation until autumn 2026 at the earliest.

The bill includes measures such as:

Right to statutory benefits from the first day of illness, abolishing the current three-day waiting period and removing the low-income threshold.

Right to paid and unpaid paternity leave from the first day. Currently, fathers must be employed for 26 or 52 weeks respectively to receive benefits, but there will be a new statutory right to leave.

• Right to flexible working. If employers say no, they will have to prove that their decision is reasonable in light of eight criteria.
• Banning "exploitative zero-hours contracts". Employees on zero-hours or short-time contracts should be offered a contract based on their working hours in a 12-week reporting period, be notified of shift patterns and be entitled to payment if they cancel short-time shifts.
• Among the measures left out of the bill is the introduction of a single category of worker. This measure has long been intended by trade unions and is seen as essential to eliminate exploitation and inequality in the gig economy.
• Currently, there are three broad categories: worker, employee and self-employed, with many economy providers, such as food delivery and apps, classifying workers as self-employed and denying them access to patient and other benefits.

The "right to switch off," which prevents employers from contacting employees outside of working hours, will also be removed and will be subject to an agreed code of conduct.

Patient savings accounts should be "seriously considered"

In this week's savings guide, Anna Bowes, co-founder of Savings Champion, gives a rundown of the top alert accounts to target. She writes:

A relatively unloved and overlooked area of ​​the savings market, anti-notice accounts often offer higher interest rates than easy access accounts but have more access flexibility than term bonds.

Anti-notice interest accounts have not been spared from the current interest rate reduction climate, but with many still paying interest rates of over 5% AER, they currently represent many of the highest interest rates of any term bond. But of course, interest bills on notice are volatile and therefore likely to be affected by further base rate cuts.

As the name suggests, the notification account must be updated to use the funds without a penalty. The standard notification period is 30 to 120 days, but there are also accounts that need to be notified six months or one year ago.

Most of the notification accounts need to be notified to access cash, but some allow immediate access by imposing a penalty equivalent to the notification. This penalty may be taken by primary if there is no sufficient interest before access is allowed.

It is also important to note that when interest rates are reduced, the amount of notification to customers differs depending on the provider. Some providers give their customers a complete notification period before conducting interest rate reductions. Basically, customers can notify them and withdraw funds from their accounts before new low interest rates are enabled.

Other companies may only notify the number of days shorter than the notification period, in which case your funds will be operated at a low interest rate.

This is especially important in the standard interest rate tracking account because interest rates decrease immediately or immediately after the reference interest rate is reduced.

Since there are no solid rules in this regard, it is important to check the terms of accounts in order to know what the situation will be when interest rates begin to fall.

Being unable to access your money is an important thing in continuing savings, and a way to get a high return from money that you know that it is not immediately needed.

From Labrador of arthritis to the life of goldfish-Questions about pets

Sean, the chief veterinarian of the custom pet food company Tails. com, has solved the owner's question for 10 years.

Sean Credit: Getty to help readers of Labrador suffering from arthritis

Sean Makomac, the chief veterinarian of TAILS. com, promises to help pets happy and healthy.

Ask if you want to know your pet, sick, or want to eat or exercise. I will help my pet happy and healthy. " Q) Our mug dog is arthritis, and my body is stiff in the morning.

Is there an alternative treatment that can be recommended with the medicine?

It is a 1 1-yea r-old Labrador.

Read more pet news

A girl and a boy who survived for 96 hours in a house where a bear appears.

3 days warning to pet owners before a major change in basic rules

Sam Carpenter, Essex

Sean says: Management of arthritis is to always combine a lot of techniques and efforts.

Ant i-inflammatory and painkillers are only a few.

The biggest thing you can do is to maintain your pets with a healthy weight, with their needs and quantities tailored to their needs.

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This is the basic part of what is done on tails. com.

Second, regular and calm exercise can help maintain a moving joint.

Most dog owners care about pet health than their own health

Nutritional foods can help support healthy joints.

Talk to the veterinarian for clinically proven.

There are many people on the Internet who want to sell products that have no evidence that they are effective.

Water treatment and physiotherapy may help.

We recommend that you use a mat or slope to improve your home environment.

Most veterinarians take a holistic approach.

This is not about Chinese medicine or crystal, but a whole picture.

Q) There is a goldfish that has been kept for 5 years.

How long is the goldfish life? Credit: getty

I think that if Clarian can't live, he may have to exchange him.

Sarah Bakston, Newcastle Apon Tiny, Carleille

Sean said: If you take care of the aquariums and filtration of the appropriate size, Clare will not be alive 20 years later.

Krary is a lon g-lived fish.

You should not be in a small bowl.

There is no sufficient water and space, and it is very difficult to grow.

In fact, it's like living in a bathroom for a lifetime, including unnecessary things. Isn't it a very fun idea?

Q) Do you think you can teach old dogs new art?

We had a boxer billy, but we were not good at dating other dogs.

He climbs another dog, but I think he is scared.

I also thought about hiring a beehebiurist.

Sarah Ferguson, Leeds

Sean says: You have a point.

In fact, I think a new adoption, a new home, a new owner would really help him adjust and also help you understand his behaviour.

As we say on tails. com, all dogs are unique and have complex emotions and needs.

And the old saying is just a myth. It's really hurting the dog.

So I would recommend a qualified behaviour therapist.

Find one on the Association of Pet Animal Behaviour Consultants (apbc. org. uk) website.

Q) Should I declaw my inner cat Percy?

I've been using a scratching post and a wooden board but his claws are still growing.

Do you recommend clipping his nails? And should I get a vet to do it or can I do it myself?

KAY BROWN, Norfolk

Sean says: I generally don't recommend it unless they are too overgrown.

Because, unlike dog claws, cat claws tend to split when you cut them and the outer layer peels off quickly afterwards.

So, using a scratcher and a board encourages natural claw grooming.

But my best advice is, if there's no problem, don't try to fix it.

STAR OF THE WEEK

PEPPER the dachshund is the star of a new picture book that inspires children to help others and overcome obstacles.

Sophie Wolbohf, an artist who splits her time between Kenya and London, illustrated this story by Ian Strathcarron in tribute to our furry friend.

PEPPER the dachshund is the star of a new picture book that inspires children to help others and overcome obstacles.

Sophie, 63, who published Pepper and Poncho with Afable Media, said: "Whenever we took Pepper on safari she would get so excited every time she saw an animal.

"I used to suffer from terrible panic attacks in my twenties but since having Pepper I haven't had any.

"In our book Pepper is also a therapy dog.

WIN: Self-cleaning litter tray

THE Sun on Sunday has teamed up with PetSafe to give one lucky reader a new ScoopFree SmartSpin self-cleaning litter tray (worth £399. 99).

It provides a fresh layer of litter with every use, is four times more odour-resistant than standard trays and only needs to be changed every two weeks.

The app also lets you keep track of your cat's weight and litter box usage.

To enter send an email to sundaypets@the-sun. co. uk by October 20th with the SCOOPFREE e-mail address. Send us an email.

Alarming numbers of abandoned cats

The RSPCA is urging cat owners to neuter their cats after an alarming rise in the number of kittens being abandoned in rescue centres.

Stapley Grange Cattery in Nantwich, Cheshire, is currently looking after 45 kittens under six months of age.

The RSPCA is urging cat owners to rehome their pets after rescue centres are seeing an alarming increase in the number of abandoned cats.

Five-week-old kittens Nick, Charlie, Elle and Tao are in intensive care after being rescued in heavy rain last month in a town near Crewe.

Three days earlier, black kittens Galaxy, Smarty, Sherbert and Skittle, Smarty, Sherbert and Skittle and Sherbert and Skittle were also found without their mother after being found in a local village.

Cattery's Nicola Chilton says: "We've never known a summer as tough as this.

Read more Helium stories

BBC hit show makes big comeback after 46 years.

This morning Dr Zoe from Dr Zoe rushes to respond to A& amp; R. A& E& A? E& A? Will Will' in hospital

"We think pet owners may avoid spaying and neutering their cats because they're worried about the cost." And other owners may believe they can easily rehome their kitty pups but find they can't.

Anyone thinking about getting a cat should first check the RSPCA's checklist at rspca. org. uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/cats/kittens.

Animals

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Second, regular and calm exercise can help maintain a moving joint.

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