How the BBC licence fee actually gets spent
The £174.50 licence fee funds roughly two-thirds of BBC income, but collection costs, evasion, sport rights inflation, World Service…
Rachel Stone
Rachel Stone
Personal Finance Editor
Rachel Stone writes about borrowing, budgeting, credit and consumer rights, with a focus on clear, practical guidance and pointing readers to trustworthy help.
Ofgem July price-cap rise: what households need to check
The energy price cap for a typical direct-debit household is GBP1,862 from July to September 2026, a 13% rise on the previous cap period.
Rachel Stone
Cost of Probate in the UK 2026: Solicitor Fees, Inheritance Tax and What Executors Actually Pay
Probate costs in the UK range from £300 for a DIY application on a simple estate to £15,000+ in solicitor fees for a complex estate with…
Rachel Stone
Cost of a Divorce in the UK 2026: Legal Fees, Financial Settlements and the Real Total
The average UK divorce now costs £14,500 in legal fees alone when contested, and far more when you add the financial settlement. Here is a…
Rachel Stone
Cost of Raising a Child to 18 in the UK 2026: The Lifetime Total
Raising a child from birth to 18 now costs upwards of £170,000 for a couple and over £220,000 for a lone parent, according to the Child…
Rachel Stone
Contents vs Buildings Insurance: What UK Homeowners and Renters Actually Need
Buildings insurance covers the structure; contents covers your stuff. Homeowners usually need both; renters only need contents. We explain…
Rachel Stone
Cost of Moving House in the UK 2026: Stamp Duty, Solicitors, Removals and the Hidden Extras
Moving house in the UK now costs an average of £12,400 when you add stamp duty, legal fees, surveys, removals and estate-agent commission…
Rachel Stone
UK Interest Rates 2026: What the Bank of England's Next Move Means for You
The Bank of England's rate decisions affect mortgages, savings and the broader economy. Here's what experts expect in 2026 and what it…
Rachel Stone
Cost of a Funeral in the UK 2026: Burial, Cremation and What Families Actually Pay
The average UK funeral now costs £4,285, according to SunLife, with burial significantly more expensive than cremation and London prices…
Rachel Stone