"Lottery-winning" pension payouts?

The 1-minute read to get all the money news plus expert adviser views.

Women could be owed thousands

Women pensioners on £1-a-week State Pensions could be owed tens of thousands. Retirees who haven’t built up enough National Insurance contributions aren’t entitled to the State Pension. But there’s an exception for married women, entitling them to extra cash. Up to 5,000 women could be owed huge refunds from the government, after years of underpayments.

Housing market still booming

The stamp duty holiday extension is pushing up house prices once again, according to the Royal Institute for Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Activity was slowing down before the March announcement, which extended the tax break until June for anyone buying a home under £500,000. RICS also reckons prices will continue to rise, with demand for homes continuing to outstrip supply.

Hiring spree

UK companies have stepped up hiring efforts and are offering juicer pay, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation. They’re recruiting at the fastest rate in 6 years, with the vaccine rollout going strong and lockdown restrictions set to loosen up on schedule. Who’s getting hired? Nurses, IT workers and finance people apparently.

Boohoo bargains?

If you need a new coat, better go to Dorothy Perkins. It would set you back £55 - but the same one cost £89 at Coast. The online retailer has been accused of charging different prices for the same clothes across its shops. Boohoo, who bought both brands when the retailers went under, says the price differences were a mistake and have been fixed.