August 2026 Newsletter | Cylchlythyr Misol Awst 2026
1. What a summer of heat! As we near autumn, you may have missed a couple of developments on energy bills. VAT will be removed from electricity bills from 1 October 2026 (typical annual saving of £45), however Ofgem have recently announced that the energy price cap will rise in October by 4%, adding £60 to annual costs. Keep shopping around for the best deals.
2. Does your home rely on heating oil? Thinking of installing a heat pump? The Boiler Upgrade Scheme has increased from £7,500 to £9,000 for those using heating oil, to help with the cost of installing a heat pump. If your home does not use heating oil, grants of up to £7,500 remain available.
Full details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/thousands-of-homes-will-be-eligible-for-9000-off-a-heat-pump
3. The Government have launched a consultation on reforming intestacy laws for cohabitants. Currently, if one partner in an unmarried cohabiting couple dies without leaving a valid will, the surviving partner has no automatic right to inherit from their estate.
The intention is for a “clear and simple model”, where qualifying cohabitants (details to be confirmed), receive the same intestacy rights as spouses/civil partners. In the meantime, if you are co-habiting, check you have a valid will to ensure your estate is distributed according to your wishes, instead of according to the severe rules of intestacy, which strictly follow the bloodline.
Ask Huw & Aled
Q: My nephew got himself into a financial mess recently, so I decided to help him clear his debts, on the condition he paid me back in full over the next few years. He was very thankful for the help, so all the terms were agreed verbally. After only a few months, completely out of the blue, he’s stopped his monthly repayments to me and told me he does not intend to repay the rest. What are my rights here, and what can I do? I feel such a fool.
A: This is an incredibly difficult and upsetting situation, and one where a written agreement would have made a huge difference. The first step is to think back to when you gave your nephew the money originally. What precise terms did you agree, and is there any written evidence of this, such as an email or text, that would help show what was agreed at the time?
If no progress can be made in reconciling with your nephew, you should contact your solicitor to see which legal options are available to you. These options can include a court claim to recover the debt, or if the amount owed is more than £5,000, you may be able to serve your nephew with a ‘statutory demand’. Where money is owed between family members, it is generally sensible to try to reach an amicable resolution before starting legal proceedings.
The key lesson is a simple one: whenever you lend money to family or friends, however much you trust them, make sure the terms of the agreement are clearly set out in writing.
