Latest news with #AliceBeer
North Wales Chronicle
8 hours ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
More than £100 million Premium Bonds winnings unclaimed
NS&I said that in the financial year 2024-25, more than £166 million was reunited through 52,693 NS&I accounts for holders who had lost touch with their savings and investments, thanks to NS&I's tracing service and My Lost Account. This includes more than £120 million in Premium Bonds savings and unclaimed prizes, £11.4 million paid out from old savings certificates and £1.3 million from old children's bonus bonds. This Morning consumer editor Alice Beer says: "For the first time, unclaimed prizes, the amount of money of unclaimed prizes, has gone beyond £100 million. So it's sitting there, it's yours whenever you want it. It's waiting for you. She adds: "Look around the country at where those those amounts are. "Go onto the website and get your winnings. Have a look and check." You can check your numbers here. In 2024-25 more than £6.2 million from 192,071 previously unclaimed Premium Bonds prizes was paid out to 51,310 Bond holders, either through tracing services, customers updating their details or checking for unclaimed prizes. NS&I has successfully paid out over 99% of all Premium Bonds prizes to its winners since 1957. It highlighted the importance of customers updating their details and opting to have Premium Bond prizes paid directly into their bank accounts. Andrew Westhead, NS&I's retail director, says: 'These figures are a timely reminder to update your details, talk to your loved ones about your savings and make sure your money stays firmly in your hands, both now and in the future.' Premium Bond prizes are considered by NS&I to be 'unclaimed' after 18 months, but there is no time limit to claiming them. NS&I defines unclaimed assets as holdings in closed products and assets kept in open products where there have been no customer financial transactions for a period of 15 years or more. Recommended reading: Sarah Coles, head of personal finance, Hargreaves Lansdown, adds 'Eleven people in the UK have £100,000 with their name on it, just sitting, collecting dust, in the vaults at NS&I. 'They're among an eye-watering £103 million worth of unclaimed Premium Bond prizes, so it's worth checking whether you've already won big. 'People tend to get separated from their accounts when they move house and forget to update their address with all the companies they hold money with. 'It's not just Premium Bonds, vast sums of savings, investments and pensions go astray this way too. It's why in the first few weeks after you have moved in, it's essential to make a list of everything you hold, and methodically work your way through contacting every company to let them know your new address. 'It can also make sense to consider consolidating accounts so you don't have so many to keep track of in future. 'The easiest way to avoid losing track of Premium Bond prizes is to have your winnings automatically paid into your bank account – or automatically used to buy more bonds.'
Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
ITV This Morning expert issues summer passport warning
Failing to carry out one check before flying could scupper your holiday plans. An expert has warned Brits planning a holiday abroad to do one thing or risk having their summer plans ruined. Consumer journalist Alice Beer urged travellers to check their passport in advance. This includes checking it for any potential damage as well as its expiry date. This needs to be done as soon as possible to allow time for a replacement travel document to arrive. Speaking on ITV's This Morning, Alice explained: 'If you're planning on making the most of the school holidays and getting out of here, the minute your kids break up, you have got to do one thing and check your passport. Not just your passport, all the family's passports and you're checking for some really key things.' If your passport is damaged you could get turned away at the airport. HM Passport Office will consider your passport damaged if: You cannot read any of your details Any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing There are holes, cuts or rips in the cover The cover is coming away There are stains on the pages (for example, ink or water damage) Alice continued: 'One, check they're not damaged. I saw someone on Instagram whose airline had stuck the luggage tag on the photo page of their passport, when they came to peel it off it damaged it. 'And she didn't know, is this good to fly, is this not? So she spent a week, she got the fast turnaround passport. Cost her a couple of hundred quid, just in case.' On top of potential passport damage you need to be looking at its expiration date. Alice said: 'So, you're looking for how many months have I got to run, how many months do I need on my passport to go where I'm going, you'll find that on the Government website.' Some countries require that your passport has at least another three or six months left on it by the end of your holiday. Before flying you should therefore check the individual requirements of each country. However, some countries, including in the EU, don't accept a passport that is more than 10 years old. 'Is my passport, more than 10 years old?' Alice said. 'This keeps coming up, time and time again. If you renewed your passport, and you've got a carry over of extra months, you might find your passport is currently more than 10 years old. 'That will not get you entry into some countries and you'll simply turned down at the gate. So check your passports, check everyone's passports for damage and for validity.' A standard passport renewal takes around three weeks. You can apply either online or via the post. Online passport application To apply online, visit Key requirements include a digital photograph, a valid payment method (credit or debit card), and the old passport for renewal applications. Additionally, applicants must provide proof of identity and citizenship. The application fee for adults stands at £94.50, while children's passports cost £61.50. For those requiring assistance with the online application, local Post Office branches are available to offer support. Their staff are equipped to: Capture your digital photo Assist with completing the application online However, be aware that this service incurs an additional charge. For postal applications You can get a paper passport application from a nearby Post Office to apply by post. Keep in mind, applying via post generally takes more time than submitting an application online. You are required to dispatch a fully completed application form along with your supporting documents, two photographs, and the necessary fee. Post Office team members can assist in ensuring your form is accurately filled out - though you must supply your own photos. Note that this service will cost you extra. Payments can be made with cash, or through debit or credit card transactions. Fast-track applications If three weeks is cutting it too close with your holiday, there are two ways to apply for an urgent passport. says: 'You can pay to get a passport urgently if you think the standard service will take too long.' For both of these options you will need to go to a passport office for an appointment: One day premium - This service costs £222 (or £235 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport) One week fast track - £178 for an adult passport (or £191 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport), or £145 for a child passport (or £158 for a 54-page frequent traveller passport)
