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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Top 40 jobs most at risk from being taken over by AI - and ones that are safe
It comes after research revealed more than a quarter (26%) of workers are worried that AI will lead to job losses The jobs that are most at risk from being taken over by Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been revealed by Microsoft. It includes interpreters and translators, historians, as well as sales representatives and telemarketers. You can find the full list below. Microsoft has also revealed the jobs that are most safe from AI. The roles that are least likely to be taken over by machine include rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators, as well as surgical assistants, massage therapists and dishwashers. It comes after a woman claimed 'scammers tried to trick me out of £1,600 but four words gave the game away'. Kiran Tomlinson, senior researcher at Microsoft, said: "Our study explores which job categories can productively use AI chatbots. It introduces an AI applicability score that measures the overlap between AI capabilities and job tasks, highlighting where AI might change how work is done, not take away or replace jobs." He continued: "Our research shows that AI supports many tasks, particularly those involving research, writing, and communication, but does not indicate it can fully perform any single occupation. As AI adoption accelerates, it's important that we continue to study and better understand its societal and economic impact." Get the best deals and tips from Mirror Money WHATSAPP GROUP: Get money news and top deals straight to your phone by joining our Money WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Jobs most at risk from AI Interpreters and translators Historians Passenger attendants Sales representatives of services Writers and authors Customer service representatives CNC tool programmers Telephone operators Ticket agents and travel clerks Broadcast announcers and radio DJs Brokerage clerks Farm and home management educators Telemarketers Concierges Political scientists News analysts, reporters, journalists Mathematicians Technical writers Proofreaders and copy markers Hosts and hostesses Editors Postsecondary business teachers Public relations specialists Demonstrators and product promoters Advertising sales agents New accounts clerks Statistical assistants Counter and rental clerks Data scientists Personal financial advisors Archivists Postsecondary economics teachers Web developers Management analysts Geographers Models Market research analysts Public safety telecommunicators Switchboard operators Postsecondary library science teachers Jobs safest from AI Dredge operators Bridge and lock tenders Water treatment plant and system operators Foundry mold and coremakers Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators Pile driver operators Floor sanders and finishers Orderlies Motorboat operators Logging equipment operators Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators Maids and housekeeping cleaners Roustabouts (oil and gas) Roofers Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators Helpers–roofers Tire builders Surgical assistants Massage therapists Ophthalmic medical technicians Industrial truck and tractor operators Supervisors of firefighters Cement masons and concrete finishers Dishwashers Machine feeders and offbearers Packaging and filling machine operators Medical equipment preparers Highway maintenance workers Helpers–production workers Prosthodontists Tire repairers and changers Ship engineers Automotive glass installers and repairers Oral and maxillofacial surgeons Plant and system operators (all other) Embalmers Helpers–painters, plasterers, and similar Hazardous materials removal workers Nursing assistants Phlebotomists It comes after research from Acas revealed more than a quarter (26%) of workers are worried that AI will lead to job losses. The poll also found that just under a fifth (17%) were worried about AI making errors, while 15% were concerned about a lack of regulation. A further 5% were worried about the environmental effects of AI and 11% were concerned about data protection.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Buy now, pay later shake-up explained as shoppers face being refused credit
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has just announced that buy now, pay later is going to be fully regulated from July, 2026 - here is what you need to know In recent years, a new form of 'free' credit has revolutionised the way we Brits shop. It's simple, popular and you can use it to buy pretty much anything you can think of, from clothes to cars. Buy now, pay later (BNPL) credit is available at virtually every online store you visit. Retailers love it, because it allows us all to buy more than we can afford. It also makes us more likely to commit to buy what's in the online basket, rather than walking away if money is tight that month. Credit firms love it as they get paid in a variety of ways for offering this type of lending on behalf of retailers. And many readers love it too, as I find out every time I write about my BNPL concerns when I criticise aspects of the industry! But those concerns are justified. BNPL allows, or even encourages people to 'sleepwalk' in to debt, by making it easier to purchase things we neither want or need – and can't afford. It's been used for silly, frivolous purchases like pizza. And most concerningly, some firms have been worryingly quick to lend to people massively in debt, or to pass on outstanding balances to debt collectors far too quickly. So it's good news that the regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has just announced that BNPL is going to be fully regulated from 15 July, 2026. The FCA has also announced a whole range of new rules and requirements for the industry to tackle some of these concerns. Here's my guide to how BNPL works. Get the best deals and tips from Mirror Money WHATSAPP GROUP: Get money news and top deals straight to your phone by joining our Money WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. What is buy now, pay later credit? BNPL works by giving you a short-term loan, with or without interest, so you can buy goods or services even if you can't afford to pay the full price up front. Retailers have been actively pushing BNPL credit and you'll be hard pressed to find one that doesn't offer BNPL when you shop online. There are three main types of BNPL credit. Limited instalments The most well-known form of BNPL deal works by letting you pay in a limited number of instalments interest-free – usually in three payments. This means you can buy things up front that you may not have the money for in full at point of purchase. However, you have committed to buy. This is unregulated at the moment. Try before you buy This is where you have a short period of time – usually 30 days but sometimes as low as 14 days – to 'inspect' goods before committing to buy them. These deals allow you to try things on, check goods out and see if they work for you before committing to buy. However, if you don't return the goods on time, you could find you've bought them. Bear in mind the 14 days just mirrors your existing online shopping rights under the Consumer Rights Act. This is unregulated at the moment. Credit agreements These deals are closer to the older credit deals in that you pay in instalments over a longer period and pay interest. This isn't as high as some retailers charged in the past – it's usually less than credit card interest - but is still higher than a standard bank loan. How popular is buy now, pay later lending? There are lots of different types of regulated credit agreement out there. These include: Personal loans Overdrafts Car finance Short term, high interest loans (formerly payday lending, but over longer periods of time) Catalogue credit Regulated BNPL loans Unregulated buy now, pay later loans are referred to by the regulator as 'Deferred Payment Credit (DPCs) – and they are massively popular. It's estimated that around 11 million people used BNPL credit last year alone for short term borrowing. That's 20% of all adults (up 3% from the year before). However, 1.1 million people had over £500 outstanding on their unregulated BNPL loans. Just under 10% of people used BNPL to pay for essential goods, like food or utility bills. What happens if you can't pay? While BNPL firms may not charge debt interest, many readers have reported that businesses are quick to pass on debts to debt collectors who have a whole range of penalties and pressure tactics they can apply – and they can register financial debts with credit reference agencies. Worryingly, this can happen for relatively small sums. What do the new rules say? According to the FCA, from next year businesses offering BNPL will have to: Carry out upfront checks to make sure people can repay what they borrow. Offer 'fairer and faster access to refunds' You'll also have the right to complain to the Financial Ombudsman like other regulated forms of credit. At present, BNPL firms are rather vague about the checks they undertake to see if you can afford to borrow money. With most forms of lending the business will undertake a 'soft' or 'hard' credit check to see if you can afford to borrow. Soft checks don't go on to your credit file, hard ones do. If the lender doesn't check your credit file, it won't know how much you've borrowed – which means you might be hopelessly in debt and they won't know. You might also have multiple BNPL loans too. At the height of the payday lending frenzy, the average number of loans per borrower was seven. So people were drowning in debt and just getting in deeper. These new proposals will mean that stricter affordability checks will be required which should identify people who are overstretched financially and are already in debt. The FCA estimates that over the next decade, this will mean that people will be £1.8 billion better off. Assuming that they don't borrow money elsewhere instead, that is.
Daily Mirror
23-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Exact age you can get your state pension as millions set to work for longer
The state pension age is the earliest you can start claiming the state pension and it is separate to any workplace or private pension you may have The state pension age is set to start rising again from next year - so how old exactly will you be when you can start claiming it? The state pension age for men and women is currently 66 - but this is set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028. The first people to see their state pension age increase are those born between April 6, 1960 and May 5, 1960. If you are born between these dates, you won't be able to start claiming your state pension until you are age 66 and one month. The age will gradually keep increasing over the following year until the state pension age hits 67. Those born from April 1977 onwards are currently set to see their state pension age rise to 68. There have been calls to bring this forward, but a decision on this has been delayed. It comes after a major review into pension saving was announced this week, amid fears that today's workers face a greater risk of poverty in retirement. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall will revive the Pensions Commission, which last met in 2006, to look at ways to encourage workers to save more money for their retirement. Get the best deals and tips from Mirror Money WHATSAPP GROUP: Get money news and top deals straight to your phone by joining our Money WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. State pension age rising - see when you can retire The following timetable shows your date and birth and the age you will be when you can claim your state pension. It was published with the Pensions Act 2014. April 6, 1960 – May 5, 1960 - 66 years and 1 month May 6, 1960 – June 5, 1960 - 66 years and 2 months June 6, 1960 – July 5, 1960 - 66 years and 3 months July 6, 1960 – August 5, 1960 - 66 years and 4 months August 6, 1960 – September 5, 1960 - 66 years and 5 months September 6, 1960 – October 5, 1960 - 66 years and 6 months October 6, 1960 – November 5, 1960 - 66 years and 7 months November 6, 1960 – December 5, 1960 - 66 years and 8 months December 6, 1960 – January 5, 1961 - 66 years and 9 months January 6, 1961 – February 5, 1961 - 66 years and 10 months February 6, 1961 – March 5, 1961 - 66 years and 11 months March 6, 1961 – April 5, 1977 You can check your state pension age on by entering your date of birth. The state pension age is the earliest you can start claiming the state pension. It is separate to any workplace or private pension you may have. The earliest age you can access your private pensions is currently 55 - but this will rise to 57 from April 2028. Anyone retiring now will claim the new state pension, which is worth £221.20 a week if you're eligible for the full amount. Most people need 35 qualifying years on their National Insurance record to get the full amount. The state pension rises every year in line with the triple lock promise. Your state pension is separate to any private or workplace pension you may have.
Daily Mirror
20-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Warning issued to anyone thinking of getting a puppy or cat this summer
MoneyMagpie Editor and financial expert Vicky Parry shares some seasonal money-saving hacks to keep pets healthy without a huge bill Our pets are part of the family – but they are an added expense to the household budget. From pet insurance to vet bills and even day-to-day food and treats, the cost of owning a pet can be a financial pressure. The good news is there are plenty of ways to reduce the costs of owning a pet this summer. Don't be fooled by summer living The sun makes everything seem better – and that includes the idea of getting a (or another) puppy to add to your family. If you haven't thought through getting a puppy, but your summer routine of being outside more, walking, and going on beach trips tempts you to consider a new puppy: think twice! It's easy to think life will be really easy with a new puppy. But the summer can be misleading: it makes it easy to forget about the rainy days and long nights of autumn and winter, which will arrive just in time for a summer puppy's most crazy time: adolescence. If you've been thinking of getting a puppy and have made plans, by all means go for it. But don't get one on a whim while you're inspired by outdoor living in the few months of the year it's possible to do in the UK. Think about how you'll cope with a young dog when bad weather, long nights, and no-annual-leave-left-til-Christmas hits. Use monthly flea and tick subscriptions Keep your pet healthy with monthly flea and tick medication. It's far cheaper to prevent fleas or tick-related disease than treat it. Your vet is likely to run a monthly payment scheme that includes monthly flea, tick, and wormer medication, as well as extras such as annual vaccination boosters, discounts on dental treatment and discounts on prescription food. However, it can run quite expensive to use these plans, especially if you don't intend on using the other benefits such as nail clipping appointments or physio discounts. There are mail-order subscriptions that can reduce the cost of monthly flea and tick medication, sent to you each month so you don't forget to renew. Check the terms and conditions, as some might lock you into an annual plan in the fine print! However, these plans often work out much cheaper than the vet's scheme if you only want the regular medication and not the extras. Pets at Home and VetBox are examples of these schemes. ItchFlea for Cats and Dogs starts from £7.95 a month with the first month free. Get the best deals and tips from Mirror Money Get a tick remover Ticks carry disease that might not show in your dog immediately – and can be very expensive to sort out. When you've taken your dog for a walk in long grass or in areas where deer are known to roam, always check them over for ticks after the walk. You don't need to go to the vet to remove one. A tick remover tool costs less than £4 and fits in any pocket to take wherever you go. Keep an eye on any bites once removed in case a ring 'bullseye' rash appears – if this happens, take your dog to the vet. Use vet-approved over the counter medications Your vet is only legally allowed to recommend animal-specific medications. However, there are often human over-the-counter alternatives that are more affordable and safe to use. Don't be scared to ask your vet for the alternatives – they're used to the question and will know what they can recommend. Never give an animal human medications without talking to your vet first. Keep your pet cool to avoid emergencies With two heatwaves already gone this summer, it's likely we're going to see more of them over the coming months. Overheated pets can be a medical emergency, racking up a huge vet bill that you may not have planned for. Some pet insurance may also not cover treatment for what could be argued as a preventable problem, too. It's vital to be prepared to keep your pets cool. This might mean running a fan for them near to their bed, or investing in a cooling mat. Ensure they always have access to water – lots of people like to pop ice cubes in the bowl to keep it nice and cold, too. If you have an outside space, splash pads or kids' paddling pools offer cheap and effective cooling. Choose ice and cooling toys, too. You can freeze some chicken broth in an ice cube tray for a salty delicious cool treat, or get a reusable freezable toy to keep them cool while they chew. You may also wish to consider investing in a portable air conditioning unit to keep your bedroom cool at night. This will ensure your pet stays cool too, and that means a better night's sleep, which is good for everyone's health. While it's an investment, if you look for one with a dehumidifier function, like the S1 Pro Personal Air Conditioner by Morphy Richards, it'll be useful all year around as the dehumidifier can help reduce damp in the winter time, making the investment more valuable. Never, ever leave your pet in a locked car in the summer, even for a few minutes. Heat exhaustion can strike much faster than you think! Take your pet on holiday If you're going away in the UK, consider taking your pet with you. Not only will you be able to create some wonderful family memories together, it can save a lot on kennel boarding or pet sitting costs. While some accommodation options will include a pet fee, this will be cheaper than other options like kennels. But if you've already booked non-pet approved accommodation, or you're heading abroad, look at alternative options to expensive boarding kennels. House sitters can look after your home and pet at the same time, and many people will do it for free (and expenses) because it gives them a small holiday from home, too. TrustedHouseSitters is a reputable site to find someone to look after your pet without extortionate costs. Some of the brands and websites we mention may be, or may have been, a partner of However, we only ever mention brands we believe in and trust, so it never influences who we prioritise and link to.
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'I'm a money expert - 3 simple rules will help you become instantly richer'
Multi award-winning Chartered Financial Planner, Certified Coach, author of The Money Plan, and Sunday Mirror columnist It's time to get serious about your money... The cost of everything has increased, yet wages and pensions haven't kept up. It's tough out there. Therefore it's essential you know your numbers – money isn't as complicated as you might think. Clarity gives you the ability to make better decisions and live the life you want to live. We can't put life on pause because the economy is out of whack. I often refer to ALIE as every financial planner's best friend: assets, liabilities, income and expenditure. The hardest step is the first one – so where should you begin? Get organised Start by working out what's coming in and what's going out. If you're struggling financially, or anticipate you will be soon, it's so easy to bury your head in the sand and ignore the problem. It's also the worst thing you can do. List all of the money coming in and going out every month (some of the online-only banks can automate this process for you) so you know where you stand. You might even find direct debits for things you stopped using long ago. Look through credit card statements – regular payments made by a credit card can often be missed when you review your expenditure, make sure you include these too. Next, look at what you owe and what you own. If you've got outstanding debts, write them down. Make sure you're on the lowest interest rate you can get by contacting any credit card providers. It's fair to expect interest rates to start to reduce, therefore your borrowing costs may also reduce. Take this opportunity to review the market and consider a better deal. Finally, don't forget to organise what you own, including which companies your pensions are held with. Get the best deals and tips from Mirror Money WHATSAPP GROUP: Get money news and top deals straight to your phone by joining our Money WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Cut outgoings Go through each item of expenditure and ask yourself three things: Do I need this? Do I want this? Can I get a similar experience for less? Unless you plan to rely on savings, you've simply got to have more coming in than going out. If you're taking a financial hit at the moment, that might mean making tough choices and some cuts you don't want to make. Your TV subscriptions might need downgrading, or that phone upgrade might just have to wait. Also, consider reviewing your energy bill and fuel costs. I regularly look at the price of the electricity I use and I shop around to get a better deal. Remember, if you're struggling, this period doesn't have to last forever; it's to get you through this difficult time until you're back on an even keel. Increase incomings At the same time, think about any ways you can improve your earnings. Thanks to the likes of eBay, Vinted and Facebook Marketplace, it's never been easier to sell unwanted items my 18-year-old daughter sells her unwanted clothes on Vinted and Depop, I am sure you can too. If you're on a modest income, have lost your job or have children, it may be worth checking out the website to check your eligibility for any benefits. It's a great resource that may surprise you. And you could also consider any online training or upskilling you could do to improve your salary in the future, or returning back to full-time education using the Advanced Learner Loan at If you already have a skill, you could consider a side hustle using sites like or Armed with information, you can improve your financial position and make it through the storm, you may decide to carry on your new habits to build the financial future you desire.
