Coles says: “If you’re counting down the days until you get help dealing with skyrocketing prices, it helps to know exactly how many days are left to count. And while you’re preparing for blows and bad news, you also need to know when they’re coming.
“There is still no official announcement on some of the most important dates – including the second cost of living payment for those on Universal Credit – but some key dates are already on the agenda and deserve to be announced. to be known.
The dates are:
September 2
More than one million families benefiting from tax credits receive their first cost-of-living allowance from September 2. The £326 is automatically paid into bank accounts and there will be a second payment during the winter.
September 5
The new Prime Minister will be announced today – giving us an idea of what to expect in terms of financial support with prices skyrocketing.
September
In England, a law to protect parents from unnecessary school uniform costs for branded items is due this month – the law already exists in Scotland. However, schools will have until September 2023 to make the changes if it means finding a new supplier.
September 13
Wage data announced today feeds into the triple lock-in guarantee for the increase in state pensions in April. This figure should not be the driver of the rise, as the inflation figure – measured in September and announced in October – should be higher.
September 14 or September 21
If Foreign Secretary Liz Truss becomes the new Prime Minister, we expect a financial statement, outlining plans to help deal with the cost of living crisis and major financial changes.
September 15
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee will make its next announcement on interest rates and, for now, a 0.5 percentage point hike is widely expected.
September 20
Disability cost of living payment of £150 will be made from today. Anyone who qualifies will receive the money automatically and most will do so in early October.
September 22
New UK and London living wage rates for 2022-23 will be announced. This is the actual voluntary living wage – rather than the government minimum.
September 30
The old £20 and £50 notes will be withdrawn. You won’t be able to spend them in shops, but you can still deposit them at your bank, and the Bank of England will continue to exchange any notes withdrawn.
September
The law should change to allow unmarried parents to claim bereavement benefits.
October 1
The horrific 80% rise in the energy price cap will hit, pushing the annual cost of dual fuel for an average household from £1,971 to £3,549.
October 1
It’s the Don’t Pay protest deadline. If a million people sign up to participate by then, it will encourage people to cancel direct debits on their energy bill in protest at rising prices. Anyone considering joining the campaign should understand that their energy supplier will always chase the money, you will rack up debt, and failure to pay could have a profound impact on your credit rating. The supplier might insist on installing a prepaid meter, so you can’t use the energy without paying for it – and the energy cost will be even higher.
October 5
HMRC deadline to register for self-assessment tax returns.
October 31
Deadline for filing paper tax returns.
October
All households who pay an energy bill directly will receive £400 paid directly to their supplier in installments between October and March.
October
The Warm Home Discount is a £150 discount paid by suppliers between October and March. If you are eligible and your provider is part of the scheme, you will usually receive it automatically now in England and Wales.
October 19
The September inflation figure is announced today. This is used as one of the measures of the triple locking of the state pension and also serves as the basis for the revaluation of benefits. This raises concerns this year because it will not reflect the October energy price cap hike or any other hikes in January and April next year, so by the time the hike inflationary starts next April, prices may have risen significantly beyond that level.
End of October
If the new prime minister doesn’t make financial changes sooner, the budget would typically be due by the end of October.
Autumn
The first cost-of-living payment for those receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit and other means-tested benefits was made in July. The second – for £324 – will be made in the autumn, but the date has yet to be announced
November
The cost of living payment for pensioners is combined and paid for with the Winter Fuel Allowance – which is paid to anyone over retirement age in November or December. The total you receive will depend on your age and living conditions.
From November
Cold weather payments can be made from this point. In England and Wales, older people and those on specific benefits will receive £25 for each seven-day period between November and the end of March when the average temperature is below zero. In Scotland, this has been replaced by a one-off payment of £50 paid to everyone who qualifies in February, regardless of the weather.
November 3
Announcement of interest rates. At the moment, the market expects a further rise, which could reach 0.5 percentage points.
November 24
The energy price cap for January is announced, and it is widely expected to bring more bad news.
November 25
Black Friday.
November 28
Cyber Monday.