By James Sillars, business and economics reporter 

There's no clear signal of bond market concern over the state of the government this morning.

The yield - the effective interest rate demanded by investors to hold UK government debt - is up fractionally, however.

The four basis point increase in the benchmark 10-year gilt follows the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer's right-hand man in Downing Street.

Morgan McSweeney's departure has again thrown a spotlight on whether the prime minister himself can survive, with markets having previously shown concern that any replacement would likely come from a more left-wing background.

The FTSE 100 is starting the week just shy of record levels.

It has opened 0.4% up at 10,410. It is rising on the coat tails of a big rally on Wall Street on Friday that largely erased AI and software-related losses seen earlier last week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed on Friday above 50,000 points for the first time.

That boost to risk sentiment was bolstered in Asia following the landslide election win for Japan's prime minister Sanae Takaichi.

The Nikkei 225 was up almost 5% at one stage and ended the day 3.9% higher.

The capture of a two-thirds supermajority in the country's lower house of parliament is rare in Japan and should unlock some political stability and investment in key areas, including defence and AI that has been long-demanded by the market.

The UK's biggest tour operator is launching flights from Gatwick Airport next month. 

Jet2 has secured slots for six aircraft at the UK's second-busiest airport, with 29 destinations earmarked for this summer. Its first Gatwick flight will take off for Tenerife, the biggest of Spain's Canary Islands, on 26 March. 

Here's the full 2026 summer schedule...

One-way fares are said to start from £26.

Pierre-Hugues, chief executive of London Gatwick, said: "Jet2's arrival brings even more choice and flexibility to passengers across the South East and beyond, strengthening London Gatwick's vision to be the airport for everyone, whatever your journey."

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If you've ever spent your morning commute daydreaming about starting afresh with your career, this feature is for you. Each Monday, we speak to someone from a different profession to discover what it's really like. This week, we chat to Madison Godfrey, an automotive technician at the Steer Group. 

Apprentices, which is where I began my automotive career, earn around... £15,000 for the first year alongside studying. The salary once qualified is upwards of £40,000. 

I work a 45-hour week... and get 23 days holiday on top of bank holidays. After five years' service, we can earn an extra day of annual leave, and another after 10 years.

There aren't a lot of freebies on offer, unless you count the branded air freshener... but we do get discounted rates on parts, which could be useful if you have a project on the drive at home.

Haggling isn't generally appropriate... as we have fixed costs for labour, parts and supplies. It's not something that comes up very often, and the majority of costs go through the insurer, so customers only have to pay the excess.

You should always get quotes from different people... if you're not going through insurance for a repair. You shouldn't just go to one place because a friend of a friend recommended it. Gather quotes from independent garages and local franchises of manufacturers and check what is and isn't included, what costs are fixed and what is subject to change. Take your time to make an informed decision and it could save you a lot of money.

I would bring in mandatory driving test refreshers for people over a certain age... We are seeing a higher percentage of older drivers bringing in cars damaged in accidents. Reaction times diminish as we age, as does eyesight, and laws are changing all the time, so drivers really should be retested before they become a danger to themselves and others on the road.

The cost of living crisis has had a significant impact on how drivers maintain and look after their vehicles... We have seen a reduction in people bringing their cars in for services and smaller, cosmetic jobs as they want to save some cash. 

Many people have cut insurance premiums by increasing their excess... but that means they can't afford to claim in the event of a minor accident. People don't always realise that even a seemingly minor collision, with a small dent or scrape, can cause bigger problems. Damage may have been done to the structure or electrical elements of the vehicle, behind the visible panel, and we won't know how bad it is and how dangerous it is to drive the vehicle, until we take a look underneath.

To make sure you're not getting ripped off... Ask for itemised breakdowns so that you can see where your money is going. You don't need to be an expert to compare quotes and spot differences in what is and isn't included and at what cost.

Check the work before you leave... Alarm bells should ring if they've parked it so you can't walk around it. Check in the right light and dry weather, as rain reflects. An honest garage will be happy to enable you to carry out a thorough check and should be able to walk you through what has been done.

There are definitely some unscrupulous garages out there, I've been there... You must trust your judgement. Are they overselling things? Are they talking down to you? Are they brushing you off and not providing clear information when asked? It's also always worth checking customer reviews; they speak for themselves. But be objective, read a range of reviews, don't be put off by one negative among 1,000 glowing reviews.

If you're buying a second-hand car, check these things...

• Check if the engine is cold - if it's warm, you can't check things like oil, and a warm engine may suggest they had to jump start the car before your arrival;
• The service history for gaps in the logbook;
• Take a close look at the bodywork and check for any warning lights on the dashboard;
• The tyre condition - if these are neglected, it may suggest the vehicle has been poorly maintained and may have hidden issues;
• Look underneath the car to check for leaks visible on the ground;
• Listen out for unusual noises when the engine is running.

It's not uncommon to find underwear and adult toys in the car... It's hard to look the driver in the eye when they pick up the vehicle when you've found something like that stuffed between the seats.

People don't always realise how much it costs to repair that little scrape... from turning too tightly in the multistorey car park. While some may only cost a couple of hundred pounds, the average repair bill is around the £2,000 mark. We don't just touch up the scratch with paint we have lying around. Once any dents or misshapen areas are popped out, we spend a lot of time prepping the entire area to ensure the paint goes on smoothly, and of course the paint must be precisely colour-matched to the rest of the vehicle so that you can't tell the damage was ever there. Specialist coatings are more expensive, such as tinted, pearl and matte clear coats seen on Mazda, Toyota, Honda, Ford and BMW models.

Repairs are becoming more expensive with the advances in technology... and training for these systems and how to safely repair them can be expensive. Smaller garages may struggle to afford the training as well as the essential equipment required. Compounding this challenge, insurers are likely to lean more towards garage franchises that are geared up for EVs, and steer away from smaller independents, to keep costs lower.

In the boot, every car should have... a hazard triangle, safety kit and first aid kit, a big bottle of water for the car as well as drinking water for occupants, and you should know where to find your lock and wheel nuts.

Lots of the chemicals I use in my job are very dangerous... so it is vital to wear PPE. I always wear gloves and paint overalls, and a mask and hood when I’m spraying. I also ensure I have a good stock of heavy-duty hand cleaner available to get my hands clean at the end of the day.

I had no prior experience... In fact, I gained a degree in dance and performing arts and then went on to work as a barista at Costa when I came across the opportunity, so, despite a love of cars, I had a lot to learn. I was keen to fast-track my learning, and trained by apprenticeship provider Auto Access, and Steer. I completed the three-year course eight months early. I am proof that if you're willing to put in the hours and the dedication, the opportunities are there for you.

I don't see this industry as male-dominated at all... and have never experienced any sexism since joining automotive. I work with so many women and see even more at every event I attend. If a woman wants to get into this sector, she shouldn't let an outdated fear of sexism put her off. If she wants it, she should just go for it, get involved and see where it takes her.

Welcome back to the Money blog for another week of live updates on consumer and personal finance news.

Regular readers will know we start each day with a longer read for your commute or to digest over your first brew.

On Mondays, we'll continue asking What it's really like to be a... - you can catch up on the careers feature here.

Every Tuesday, we answer a reader's Money Problem. Submit yours to moneyblog@sky.uk and catch up on the series here.

On Wednesdays, we mix things up, with Cheap Eats interviews with chefs, Our Verdict taste tests and a new feature called Buy Like a Pro, where we'll tell you what you should be considering when purchasing items such as steak, TVs, honey and more.

Our weekly Savings Guide is published every Thursday, and Friday is Tips day - from the freebies you can get on your birthday to all the help and grants available with your energy bills.

We'll also continue to bring you a money-focused Long read every Saturday.

EDF has added £250 to my bill for gas I used between January and March 2024 due to an error they made at the time. EDF has said it will review it, but will I have to pay it? 

Christina

This case dropped into our inbox from a Paste BN colleague, but it sounded so familiar that we decided to feature it in this mailbag edition.

A quick scour of internet forums and social media shows back billing is still a common issue despite clear rules being in place.

Before telling you what happened in Christina's case, let's look at what constitutes back billing and what the rules are...

What is back billing? 

If your energy supplier thinks you haven't been billed accurately for the energy you have used, they can send you a new bill, known as a back bill or a catch-up bill. 

This can be done if your energy supplier identifies a billing problem or gets a meter reading from you that suggests estimated readings have previously been wrong. 

Sometimes this means you have underpaid for the energy you have used and therefore have to make up the difference. Or it could mean you have overpaid and credit needs to be added to your account. 

What are the rules?

A supplier cannot charge you for any shortfalls in payment for energy you've used more than 12 months ago. 

This means the maximum period you can be back billed for is one year back from the date on the new bill.

Ofgem's wording is that you can't be charged for energy used more than 12 months ago if:

• You have not had an accurate bill for it before, even though you asked for one;
• You have not been informed about any charges due via a statement of account before;
• Your direct debit amount was previously set too low to cover any charges due.

Suppliers must make these rules clear in their contract terms and conditions.

But they don't apply in all circumstances... 

You have a responsibility to ensure that the energy supplier is able to obtain accurate meter readings.

So, these rules do not apply if you have acted "unreasonably". 

Ofgem describes examples of "unreasonable behaviour" as blocking access to your meter, ignoring requests for payment from your supplier or stealing electricity or gas.

What should you do if you get a bill? 

The energy ombudsman says "many people have reported problems with recalculated bills that go back further than 12 months", despite the rules set by Ofgem. 

If you get a bill, you first need to check the billing dates to make sure they are within the timeframe you can be charged for. 

If it's not within 12 months, point this out to your supplier, saying you don't believe it needs to be paid under Ofgem's back-billing rules.

If it's unclear, then ask the energy supplier to explain it to you. 

Make sure you review the amount that is owed - you can ask your supplier to do this. 

You can also get the company to send you a breakdown showing the meter readings and how they have calculated the charges. 

The ombudsman says you should give the supplier eight weeks to resolve the issue. 

If you get a deadlock letter (a letter that signals a final response and that your complaint cannot be resolved), you can contact the ombudsman for free to investigate. 

What happened with Christina?

Despite telling her it would review the case, the £249.69 had already been added to her account.

When the rules were pointed out to EDF, it agreed £127.52 of the charge wasn't valid. 

It said the remaining £97.16 could have been claimed, but it would wipe it off as a goodwill gesture due to the length of time that had passed. 

It also added £25 credit to her account to apologise for the inconvenience. 

When we asked for a comment, EDF told us: "Unfortunately, a system error led to Christina receiving an incorrect bill in 2024. As it is more than 12 months old, we have to conduct a review into billing which we will aim to complete as quickly as possible. 

"Since that issue, we are pleased to say her bills have been accurate, and we have issued a goodwill payment as a means of apology. A billing adjustment may be applied to remove any charges we cannot request payment once we have the outcome of the review." 

After seeing our coverage on the forgotten child savings accounts, reader Dominic started thinking and got in touch with this question... 

When I was younger my mum and dad opened accounts for me and my two brothers - it would have been in the late 1980s. The accounts just got left and forgotten as far as I'm aware - we never closed them. I believe they were savings accounts that had money in them, not much but some in each. How would we go about trying to locate these accounts? I tried to email several banks but nothing came back.
Dominic Miaoulis

Thanks for getting in touch with this problem, Dominic. 

As much as £50bn could be languishing in lost accounts, according to estimates, so it's important to find yours. 

Helpfully, there is a free tool you can use to check if an account out there belongs to you. 

My Lost Account was Set up by UK Finance, the Building Societies Association and the NS&I. 

It can help you trace lost personal accounts where you are unsure which bank or building society holds it, including when the bank or building society has since closed or merged. 

The service can only be used for tracing accounts that have been marked as "lost". For an account to be classed as such, the account needs to have been inactive for an extended period, usually 15 years, and the provider needs to have tried and failed to get hold of you. 

Usually, banks and building societies will write to a customer to ask if they want the account to remain open. 

Here's how the service works: 

1. Create a profile using an email address and a password;
2. Answer a series of questions including whether the account was in your name, your date of birth, contact address, previous addresses and who you think the account was with;
3. Review your application and click submit.

You'll get an email confirming that your application has been submitted, which will include a unique 16-digit application number.

When an account provider that you've selected has completed their search, you'll get an email alert to say that an update is available in your online profile.

You'll get responses from the account providers you've chosen within 90 days.

You may remember last autumn we brought you the story of Adam Roseby, whose £1,200 TV broke and the manufacturer, Samsung, was being unresponsive...

The TV had been out of warranty, but it didn't matter - under the Consumer Rights Act, Adam had rights to a repair or, failing that, a refund.

Unfortunately, it took our intervention for things to start moving, and Adam's TV was fixed. Then a few weeks ago Adam got back in touch...

My friend Ollie, copied, is having a carbon copy issue with Samsung - dead screen, unhelpful customer service etc. He contacted the complaints dept that ultimately dealt with me, referencing the problems I'd gone through, but he is just being ignored. The irony of this is that he got his TV first and I was so impressed by it that it persuaded me to get one. 

We asked Ollie for his reference numbers and contacted the same press officer we'd dealt with in Adam's case.

Again, Samsung sprung into action and pledged to fix the TV. 

"We are aware of this issue and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience," they told Paste BN. "We are in direct contact with Mr Williams to arrange an inspection of this TV and offer a suitable resolution."

How many others could be affected?

Good news, except it did leave us wondering whether there might be others enduring similar problems with the company - and whether they too would only be helped if they went to the media.

We put this to Samsung, but they offered no comment.

Here's Ollie's take: "I had been told that they would not repair it because it fell outside the warranty period. I'd pointed out that I had rights under UK consumer protection law, but they would not budge. 

"I asked to speak to someone more senior and they said that they would get in contact with me, but I heard nothing from them. 

"Knowing that Samsung only agreed to fix Adam's TV following Paste BN' intervention, I asked to be connected with the journalist to see if they could help, which you kindly agreed to.

"Not long after that, Samsung reached out and informed me that they had reviewed my case, and as a gesture of goodwill, would agree to repair my TV for free. 

"I am very grateful for this - however, it is pretty bad that the quality of Samsung TVs is seemingly so poor, and that their standard customer services policy is to ignore UK consumer protection law. How many other people might be affected by this?"

Our parking special in January prompted a flood of correspondence from readers who'd received - what they say were - unfair fines. 

This one caught our eye...

Good afternoon Money blog, I am having an issue with a parking company regarding a £100 fine for supposedly not paying a parking charge. I appeal but it was denied. I am 77 years old, pay my bills on time, always, and I know that this fee was paid, as stated in my appeal. I asked them for unequivocal proof that I had not paid, which they have not provided. This appeared to be a situation wherein I know I did pay, but can't prove it and they say I didn't, but can't prove it.I would be grateful for your opinion as to whether I should progress this appeal through POPLA as they suggest or whether the dice is loaded against me?

Michael D

We forwarded your email, and all the evidence you enclosed, to consumer disputes expert Scott Dixon for his opinion. He wrote...

In my opinion, this ought to be escalated as an appeal to POPLA but keep it tightly focused.

The parking operator is relying on ANPR cameras to capture entry and exit times, so it therefore follows that the ANPR cameras ought to be linked to payment logs to cross-check payments against those times.

The onus is on them to prove that a breach of contract has taken place and no payment has been made.

Michael notes the payment machine has been temperamental and erratic, so it's likely others have also been caught out. 

An AI overview indicates that parking problems at this location involve confusing payment systems, leading to unfair parking charge notices even when users believe they have paid. Kent Online has reported similar issues recently.

POPLA makes its decisions based on evidence that cannot be disputed. The key issue here is whether parking firm can prove that the payment was not made. If the motorist maintains that a payment was made, the operator ought to provide payment logs to prove otherwise. 

How did he pay for parking? If you paid by debit or credit card, you could contact his bank to prove a payment was made. If it was cash (likely for 70p), all is not lost. The onus is on the parking firm to prove their case.

If you lose the case at appeal, it doesn't mean you have to pay. It doesn't create a debt or affect credit records - only a court can enforce payment.

I suggest you submit a data subject access request requesting all payment logs one hour either side of the times on their speculative invoice to pre-empt any legal action if they decide to pursue it.

You can safely ignore any debt collector letters, although a "letter before claim" needs a response as it's a precursor to legal action.

Stick to your guns on this and don't be intimidated. They rely on fear and intimidation to coerce you into paying what is merely a speculative invoice for an alleged breach of contract for parking on private land.

Imagine finally arriving at your holiday destination to be told your hire car booking was invalid because the name of the main driver didn't match the name on the credit card.

Then imagine having to fork out an extra €500 for a new booking.

That's exactly what happened to Money blog reader Martin Payne in a case we featured last year...

After our intervention, Goldcar, which is owned by Europcar Mobility Group, agreed to give him a goodwill gesture of €255 and seemed to accept it had work to do on customer service.

Though it maintained that the "main driver" rule was made clear to Martin several times during the booking process, it pledged to "review its terms and conditions, both on its own website and on that of brokers offering its services".

Five months on, we thought we'd check in on the progress of that review.

This was Goldcar's reply...

Following the case raised by Paste BN in August 2025, Goldcar reviewed its terms and conditions in relation to the requirement for the booking to be paid for in the name of the lead driver. The company believes that it provides the requirements sufficiently clearly, both on its website (see example screengrabs) and in communication to the customer ahead of vehicle collection. It will not, therefore, be making any changes to its terms and conditions in this respect.

Additionally, it provided these two screengrabs:

The firm came bottom of last year's Which? annual car hire survey and, interestingly, its poor Trustpilot rating of 2.2 last August has since deteriorated to 1.7, suggesting many Britons have had issues.

If you're one of them, or you've had great service from the firm, we'd love to hear from you at moneyblog@sky.uk.