Pounds and Sense is a UK blog covering financial and other matters from an older person's viewpoint. I'm Nick, a now-retired freelance writer & editor.
West Midlands, England
Joined December 2016
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PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
A new modelling study claims that heatwaves killed 4,354 people in the UK this summer. But if you look at the actual data, says Paul Homewood, there's no sign of any extra deaths at all. dailysceptic.org/2026/11/08/…
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
Today's Daily Sceptic update is here. At Cop31 even the UN is giving up, says Tilak Doshi; the British state is acting like an occupying power, write David Betz and Michael Rainsborough; and why do the English suffer from a death wish? asks James Alexander dailysceptic.org/todays-upda…
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
Today, on #RemembranceSunday, we remember all those who served and died for our country.
From past generations to those who wear the uniform today, we honour their courage, dedication and service.
We will remember them.
#LestWeForget
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
Here's what you might've missed on MSE this week:
🚙 Martin: should you take an early Barclays car finance payout?
📈 Fixed savings rates are creeping up – lock in up to 5.18%.
🤑 Pocket £30 cashback when you spend £10+.
And more:
moneysavingexpert.com/mse-we…
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
#China is increasingly competitive with the US on AI, and leading the world in areas such as robotics and clean energy.
How can you #invest in its technology boom, while swerving the more challenging aspects of China’s economy?
moneyweek.visitlink.me/T5tjd…
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
Labour MPs have accused Andy Burnham of hypocrisy over his ban on drilling for new oil and gas in the UK, saying that importing oil and gas while banning Britain's own drilling is an absurd "act of self-harm". dailysceptic.org/2026/11/05/…
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
The Net Zero climbdowns to ease the 'cost of living' are coming thick and fast now. Wind and solar subsidies cut, EV quotas reduced, and now airline biofuel targets loosened in an unravelling of the climate agenda. dailysceptic.org/2026/11/06/…
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
Andy Burnham is facing a Labour backlash over plans to ban new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, with his own MPs accusing him of hypocrisy for allowing Britain to become increasingly reliant on imported energy.
Backbenchers said the government’s decision to outlaw new exploration licences amounted to an “act of self-harm”, which would put jobs at risk and deprive the Treasury of billions in potential tax revenues.
Will the net-zero zealots in Downing Street listen?
#CostOfNetZero
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
Who fancies staying in a mansion for free? Or even better … getting paid to do so moneymagpie.com/make-money/g…
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
It’s the first hike in THREE YEARS, and follows six consecutive holds. 😱
We explain why it's gone up now, the latest predictions for when it could change again, and what the new rate means for you: moneysavingexpert.com/news/2…
ALT MSE NEWS: Base rate increased to 4%\u00A0 \u2013 what it means for your mortgage, savings and more.
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
The government has collected a record amount of inheritance tax in recent years – but there are steps you can take to cut your liabilities moneyweek.com/personal-finan…
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
Today's Daily Sceptic update is here. The John Lewis ad's portrait of modern families is accurate, says Lee Taylor; Tim Sargent says King Charles should shut up about slavery; and Abdul El-Sayed becomes the first Muslim senator to be elected to the Senate. dailysceptic.org/todays-upda…
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
Martin's Budget ISA briefing: what's been scrapped, what's being improved and what’s being taxed👇
moneysavingexpert.com/tips/2…
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
Putting money into someone else’s pension can make a big difference to the recipient’s retirement savings. We explain the rules around third-party contributions moneyweek.com/personal-finan…
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
Today's Daily Sceptic update is here. Paul Birch on the state putting words into the mouths of the Nowak family; Mark Littlewood bets on the end of the Trump era; and Ben Pile on how the climate-obsessed Lancet tortures data to push its alarmist agenda. dailysceptic.org/todays-upda…
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
Today's Daily Sceptic update is here. Laurie Wastell on Sir Mark Rowley's tacit admission that multiculturalism is failing; Steven Tucker on the anti-Christian face of the French riots; and Andy Burnham refuses to say whether migration is too high. dailysceptic.org/todays-upda…
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
Britain has the highest industrial electricity prices in the world.
Factories in chemicals, glass and metals are closing week by week.
Ed Miliband is locking in offshore wind at £117 per MWh while the market price is £72, plus extra costs for backup and turning farms off.
The Climate Change Act forces these higher prices even as it fails to cut global emissions.
If the result is more imports from coal-powered nations, what climate benefit remains?
wattsupwiththat.com/2026/11/…
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
The latest predictions for the January Price Cap - AWFUL, up 28.8%! This is our internal MSE document where we average three forecasts and how its changed over the past few weeks as wholesale rates have continued to rocket.
PS Jan prediction is getting much more locked in as we're 85% through the 19 August to 17 November 2026 assessment period. April & July predictions are much more crystal ballgazing.
ALT Week-by-week predictions for how much the January 2027 energy price cap will rise from the current cap, averaged from British Gas, E.ON and EDF forecasts: 15 Sep: up 24.9% 22 Sep: up 22.9% 29 Sep: up 21.0% 6 Oct: up 20.9%, the low point 13 Oct: up 25.0% 20 Oct: up 25.7% 27 Oct: up 27.0% 3 Nov: up 28.8%, the highest yet The predicted rise eased through September, then has grown every week since early October.
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
🚨 "I DON'T THINK EMPLOYERS ARE WORKING PEOPLE"
That's the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds.
So who are Britain's employers?
🔴 1.42 MILLION businesses employ staff
✅ 81% of them have fewer than 10 staff
❌ Just 8,335 are large firms
💷 SMEs provide 16.9 MILLION jobs, 60% of private sector employment
Not faceless corporations. The builder with an apprentice. The café owner. The local hairdresser.
Perhaps ministers should meet a few of them.
Are business owners not working people?
PoundsandSense 🇬🇧 retweeted
New on PAS: my Investments Update - November 2026 poundsandsense.com/my-invest…
