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MILLIONS of customers are facing rising energy bills – but there are ways to cut costs.

A tumble dryer is a handy appliance to have in your home, especially during the winter when you can’t dry clothes outside.

However the common device can be costly run, using around 4.5kWh of energy per cycle.

That works out at around £1.12 per hour to use under the current energy price guarantee.

This rises to £7.84 a week if you use the item for an hour every day each week or £31.36 to your energy bill if you intend to use your tumble dryer every day each month.

That means if you use your tumble dryer every day for it a year it could add £376.32 to your yearly energy bill.

However an energy expert has shared a hack which could help you save £32 a year on tumble dryer costs.

Will Owen says households should put their clothes on a spin cycle if there clothes are still very wet when they take them out of the washing machine.

He said using the spin cycle will remove excess water, “meaning your clothes will dry faster in the tumble dryer or on an airer”.

“If your clothes are still very wet when you take them out of the washing machine, you could make use of the spin cycle setting. 

“Using the spin cycle will remove excess water, meaning your clothes will dry faster in the tumble dryer or on an airer. 

He said using the spin cycle could cut your bill by a quarter and save you 23p a load.

“So if you’re doing three loads a week, it could add up to £36 a year,” he added.

The spin cycle on a washing machine is a setting which rotates wet clothes at a high speed to remove excess water from the clothes after washing and rinsing.

You find the setting on dial of your washing machine, if you are confused you can read your manual.

This should also be the case if you have a combines washer/dryer.

OTHER HACKS TO SAVE ON YOUR TUMBLE DRYING BILL

Will added that households should avoid overloading the drum as it mean your machine has to work harder and may end up costing you more money in the long run.

Meanwhile underloading your tumble dryer will also waste energy. 

It is generally recommended that your washing machine be 75% full when you use it.

HOW ELSE CAN I SAVE ON MY BILLS?

Heated clothes airers can be a great alternative to tumble dryers if you’re looking to save more money.

That’s not all. Buying insulation will prevent heat from escaping through your loft, and it could save you hundreds on your bills.

You should insulate your loft hatch as well – that will prevent further heat from escaping.

Closing your curtains in the evening when temperatures drop naturally drop will keep the heat in too.

And opening them up in the morning to let the sun in will warm you up

A MAP has revealed where Lloyds Banking Group is shutting 20 branches next month.

In line with many other UK banks, Lloyds and its subsidiaries are increasingly focusing on a shift towards digital banking.

As a result, the banking group will be closing 20 branches across England and Scotland next month.

Lloyds Bank is closing 13 locations, including branches in Surbiton, Newquay and Ealing, between March 3 and March 31.

Halifax will shut an additional six sites, with closures in Portsmouth, Camberley and Didcot scheduled between March 4 and March 27.

Meanwhile, Bank of Scotland will close a single branch in Montrose, Angus, on March 10.

Last month, the banking giant announced plans to enable customers to access services at any branch regardless of which brand they bank with.

For example, this means that a Lloyds Bank customer will be able to access the same services when visiting Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches, and vice versa.

Lloyds has also stated that increasing its mobile app user base is a key priority, and recently highlighted the development of updated mobile apps for Halifax and Bank of Scotland.

Since June 2022, Lloyds Banking Group has shut 537 bank branches across its three brands.

A further 203 branches are set to close by 2026.

The banking group currently operates out of 932 branches across the UK, according to trade union Accord.

What’s happening at other banks?

Customers are increasingly turning to online banking to manage their finances while banks and building societies look for ways to cut costs.

Since 2022, UK bank branches have seen widespread closures, with Barclays leading the way with 394, followed by Lloyds Bank (270), NatWest (243), and Halifax (197), according to ATM operator LINK.

Looking ahead to 2025, Lloyds Bank has the most planned closures (97), significantly more than Halifax (80) NatWest (54), Bank of Scotland (26) and TSB (11).

Several banks, including HSBC and Nationwide have no current plans to close further branches in 2025.

What to do if your local bank is set to close

There are still a number of ways people can access basic banking services without having to venture to another town with a branch.

You can use one of the Post Office’s 11,684 branches to perform basic banking tasks — but not to open new bank accounts or take personal loans and mortgages.

You can find your nearest Post Office branch by visiting postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder.

Meanwhile, many banks offer a mobile banking service – where they bring a bus to your area offering services you can usually get at a physical branch.

Other banks use buildings such as village halls or libraries to offer mobile banking services.

It’s worth contacting your bank to see what mobile services they have available, and when they might next be in your area.

New super ATMs are being rolled out across the UK where branch closures have left residents unable to access essential banking services.

These ATMs will allow customers to withdraw funds, access their balance, change PIN numbers and deposit cash.

Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Halifax, Lloyds, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank are already signed up to allow deposits, at the super ATMs.

Banking hubs are also being opened across the UK with 250 set to be available by the end of 2025.

These sites typically feature a counter service operated by the Post Office as standard, enabling customers to conduct routine banking transactions conveniently.

Each hub also has a private area where customers can consult with staff representing their banks for more complex matters.

A NEW pub and restaurant has just opened its doors in the heart of Glasgow.

The Noble is the latest venture run by the Superlative Collection – the expert team behind the likes of The Duke’s Umbrella, Gōst and Blue Dog – to serve up pints and plates to customers.

Located on the city‘s Bothwell Street, the idea is to re-imagine the classic British pub, taking an elevated yet unpretentious approach to hospitality.

And we were invited along to try out one of the airy, relaxed spot’s new signature dishes – the Glasgow Pie.

The playful menu has been dreamed up by kitchen boss John Molloy.

It’s a real mix of serious, high brow dishes next to Scottish casual classics with the likes of oysters sitting alongside a roll on square slice sausage with brown sauce.

But the star of the show is undoubtedly the Glasgow Pie, which is a magical mash-up of Scottish and Indian culinary cultures.

I wish my pal had captured the look of delight on my face as I saw the plate heading towards our table – my eyes were as big as, well, pies.

The dish consists of an aromatic and perfectly spiced chicken tikka curry topped with flack pastry and served with basmati rice and crisp poppadoms.

The curry itself packs a real punch, heavy with spiced while avoiding being too hot.

Meanwhile, the pastry top is that perfect combo of crisp and soggy.

While the rice and poppadoms are clearly the side show, they’re also really well cooked and help balance the richness of the rest of the meal.

I have honestly never had anything like it and I’m a bit sad that it’s taken me to the ripe age of 45 to experience what is surely to become a classic on the Glasgow eating scene.

Now open to the public, The Noble – which draws inspiration from the historic Noble House, a docklands tavern where everyone, from dockers to dukes, was welcome – will be open daily from 9am until late.

And there’s a bold claim on the breakfast menu which claims to include the ‘best bacon roll in Scotland’.

Thick cut smoky bacon is served with slow cooked pork belly in a buttered milk bun. I feel like this is a challenge I’ll have to take on next.

Director of food, John Molloy, says: “The Noble offers a brand new experience to Glasgow’s bustling city centre – all the character and comfort of a classic British pub, but with a hint of elegance that’ll really set it aside.

“We’ve taken a playful route with the menus, which feature nostalgic snacks and elevated pub classics with a Scottish flair. I can’t wait to welcome people of Glasgow and beyond through the doors of our public house, The Noble.”

ITALY and France do battle in Rome as the 2025 men’s Six Nations reaches the halfway point.

The Azzurri are making their mark in this tournament, putting in an impressive display against Scotland before beating Wales in Rome in the second round.

Matthieu Mirville/ZUMA Press Wire

Bob Bradford - CameraSport via Getty Images

Les Bleus put 43 unanswered points beyond the Welsh in round one, but an inspired English performance saw them beaten for the first time this tournament by Steve Borthwick’s side.

The cards are out of Fabien Galthie’s hand as things stand, but will need his side to build up a head of steam before they travel to Ireland in the fourth round.

Italy vs France line-ups

Italy XV: Allan; Capuozzo, Brex, Menoncello, Gesi; P Garbisi, Page-Relo; Fischetti, Lucchesi, Ferrari; N Cannone, Ruzza; Negri, Lamaro (c), L Cannone

Replacements: Nicotera, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Favretto, Zuliani, Vintcent, A Garbisi, Trulla

France XV: Barre; Attissogbe, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Ramos, Dupont (c); Gros, Mauvaka, Atonio; Flament, Guillard; Cros, Boudehent, Alldritt

Replacements: Marchand, Baille, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Roumat, Jegou, Jelonch, Lucu

How to watch Italy vs France FREE?

• The game will be shown live on ITV1 in the UK
• Moreover, the game is available for FREE on ITV’s streaming platform ITVX.
• The game will kick-off at 3pm GMT on Sunday, February 23.

Though he’s still in the middle of his prime, the topic of Seth Rollins’ future outside of the squared circle has been a topic of heavy conversation, with some hypothesizing that he could be an ideal fit in films like his canceled spot in Captain American: Brave New Word, and others – read: himself – […]

The post Seth Rollins named future manager candidate by AEW star appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Heading into the 2025 NFL calendar year, one of the biggest questions surrounding the NFC is the future of Matthew Stafford and his current franchise, the Los Angeles Rams. One of the feel-good stories of the NFC West, who overcame mountains of early adversity to represent one of the toughest divisions in the NFL, the […]

The post Rams should inquire about this buy-low QB trade candidate appeared first on ClutchPoints.

It’s time to continue our College Basketball odds series with a Xavier-Seton Hall prediction and pick. Find out how to watch Xavier-Seton Hall. The Xavier Musketeers are right on the NCAA Tournament bubble. They know that as they come to New Jersey to play a not-very-good Seton Hall team, they simply have to win. A […]

The post Xavier vs Seton Hall prediction, pick, college basketball odds appeared first on ClutchPoints.

A FRANTIC hunt is underway for a man after a woman was sexually assaulted outside a shopping centre.

The horror attack, near Victoria Shopping Centre in Nottingham, took place at around 4.45am today.

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Cops were called after a horror attack in Nottingham today[/caption]

Detectives are now searching for any potential witnesses that may have seen the “distressing incident” in York Street.

A pathway at Victoria Bus Station is now cordoned off with police tape as investigations continue.

Pedestrians have been told to divert from the path using the adjoining car park, with both entrances to the station blocked off by the cordon.

The station remains open for use and cops have urged anyone with information to get in contact.

Cops said they’re examining CCTV footage in an attempt to track down a man who may be connected to the attack.

Detective Constable Laura Manley, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a distressing incident for the victim and we are working hard to track down the person responsible.

“We are currently reviewing local CCTV footage and closely examining the scene, but would also like to hear from any additional witnesses who saw or heard anything that may help our investigation.

“Even the smallest piece of evidence may prove vital in this investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident 127 of 23 February 2025.

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A police cordon has blocked off areas of the bus station and witnesses have been urged to come forward[/caption]

THE DVSA has revealed the centres with the lowest driving test pass rate across the country – and it’s bad news for those learning in two major cities in the south west.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, which conducts driving tests in the UK, including theory tests, recently shared their driving test and theory test data for September 2024.

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The hardest test centres in the Uk have been revealed – and it’s bad news for those learning in two cities in the south west[/caption]

It showed some centres have stark differences to others, with a clear sign that many learners are facing challenges in securing a pass.

In the list of the top 10 lowest pass rates, the Plymouth LGV test centre in Devon had the lowest pass rate, just 27.3% – meaning just over a quarter of the drivers who took their test were going home disappointed and out of pocket.

Of course, the LGV centre specialises in large goods vehicles – those that want to get behind the wheel of a lorry or bus.

Second on the list was the test centre in Watnall, Nottinghamshire, with a 29.4% pass rate.

Nervous drivers in the area might fancy taking their test at the centre in Ashfield, which is a 25-minute drive away and has a pass rate of 51%.

Third on the list is the city of Exeter, just an hour away from Plymouth, with a 33.3% pass rate.

The village of Gairloch in West Ross, Scotland, is level with Exeter on pass rate, with Leicester’s Cannock Street branch completing the top five with a 34% pass rate.

Of course, while failing a driving test (or theory test) is not the end of the world and both tests can be retaken, test slots are currently in high demand and eager drivers may be forced to wait weeks or even months for a fresh chance.

That is why it is crucial for learners to be fully prepared ahead of their test, to avoid the frustration and cost of retaking.

This comes as, late last year, it was reported that now is the best time to take your driving test – as instructors are apparently being urged to up their pass rates.

These measures are reportedly being implemented to address the huge backlog in the wake of the pandemic.

Average waiting times for learners to get to the test centre are currently stubbornly high at 26 weeks.

That’s almost four times the Department for Transport‘s target of just seven weeks.

The figures have prompted the Transport Select Committee in Parliament to look into the issue and see how it can be addressed.

In the latest round of hearings the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union, which represents DVSA employees, accused the agency of putting pressure on examiners to be more lenient.