New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that VAT will be cut from household electricity bills from 1 October 2026.

The move, which will see 5% VAT reduced to zero, is expected to cut around £45 from typical annual electricity bills over winter, and will be welcome news to those who already go to significant lengths to save energy at home and reduce their monthly bills.

Speaking less than 48-hours into his new role, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: ‘I said I wanted to give people breathing space, and that’s what I’m announcing on my second day as Prime Minister.

‘We’re taking immediate action to cut taxes on energy bills, put more money in people’s pockets and bring back hope.

‘Cutting VAT on electricity bills is expected to take around £45 off the yearly Ofgem price cap in October.’

The reduction is set to be passed on to the millions of households in England, Wales and Scotland via their suppliers and is expected to include those on both fixed and standard variable tariffs. While some measures of energy bill relief over recent years have only been available to those in receipt of certain benefits, no such eligibility criteria has been announced for this VAT reduction.

Rules work slightly differently in Northern Ireland, but the government has said that the NI Executive will receive comparable funding to enable it to similarly support households in Northern Ireland.

While the energy price cap figure for the period between 1 October and 31 December 2026 has yet to be announced by the energy regulator Ofgem, current predictions from analysts at Cornwall Insight have the cap sitting at around £1,849 (based on the current typical domestic consumption values of 2,700 kWh per annum for electricity and 11,500 kWh per annum for gas). As a comparison, the current energy price cap is set at £1,862.

The official price cap figure for autumn will be announced on 26 August, and will be calculated using new typical domestic consumption values to reflect a fall in the average household’s energy use.

Is it enough to help struggling households?

Is an average £45 annual reduction enough to help households struggling with high electricity bills? In isolation, probably not. But it’s a step in the right direction to provide some relief, especially at a time when households are more likely to be using more electricity hungry appliances, like tumble dryers.

When combined with other electricity saving measures, from simply turning off vampire appliances to more involved solutions like investing in plug-in solar panels (when they become available) or a rooftop solar panel array, households can also reduce their energy consumption to lower their bills.

If you are still concerned you won’t be able to pay your energy bills over the colder months, reach out to your supplier in the first instance. They will be able to help move you on to a cheaper tariff if applicable, or check your eligibility for further assistance.

TikTok has whipped itself up into a frenzy over B&M’s inflatable footstools, but after taking one look at their space-saving design and stylish material, I’m surprised to say I’m a fan of this trending buy.

B&M is no stranger to social media infamy. Only recently, their Brunch Club tableware collection sold out after going viral across TikTok and Instagram, and now, small living room dwellers will want to get a wriggle on if they want to snap up this latest favourite.

Costing just £12, B&M’s Home Collection Square Inflatable Footstool is perfect for small spaces. If you want somewhere to rest your feet for an evening, but don’t want to give up precious floor space indefinitely, you don’t want to miss this.

Even though I have a small living room, I’ve long appreciated the comfort a footstool supplies when relaxing in the evening. Having somewhere to *literally* putting your feet up after a long day is undeniably a fantastic feeling.

But where I’ve opted for a storage footstool (like Next’s Casual Boucle Oyster Natural Ashton Upholstered Storage Stool, £165) to justify the square inches it takes up on my floor, I’m a big fan of B&M’s space-saving alternative. The B&M inflatable footstool, as you would have guessed, inflates and deflates – so you can store it away easily when not in use.

The footstools can be blown up by mouth, or I’d imagine a small pump would do the job. It has a plastic inside and a woven material cover for a stylish finish.

It’s available in a stylish neutral checkerboard print and bolder zebra and leopard print footstools. Surprisingly, it’s the animal prints I’ve spotted online, but as a self-confessed leopard print obsessive, I’m quite pleased by this.

In a video which has gained over 15,000 likes, TikTok user @nekopixie snapped up the zebra print footstool for her home. The post went viral, with commenters also keen to snap one up for themselves.

‘I’ve got the leopard print one. It’s the cutest thing ever!!!’ said one user.

‘Omg I need this!’ said another.

Alternatively, a folding footstool can also be a great space-saving alternative for small living rooms. Dunelm’s £12 Faux Linen Cube Ottoman comes in a range of stylish colourways and offers both storage and folds into a flatpack, so can easily be tidied away when not in use. It’s a brilliant idea if you lack space but also need extra storage.

Here are a few more space-saving footstools and ottomans that are perfect for tiny homes.

It’s easy to see why this B&M bargain has proved so popular. But given that B&M products can only be bought in-store, you’ll have to be quick if you want to get your hands on one.

It may only be July, but George Home has just dropped their autumn/ winter collections for 2026, and they’re serving up so many stylish home buys at bargain prices.

George Home is honestly one of my favourite places to shop for the latest home decor trends. It can give Oliver Bonas a run for its money with its bold and colourful homeware, but it is also home to many luxe-looking pieces, including statement vases and gorgeous bedding.

The latest AW26 drops are not short of variety either. There are five collections: Grounded, Supper Club, Snug Season, Luxe Remix and Disco Prairie, and I’ve spotted a few hidden gems with a high-end look hiding amongst them.

Immediately jumping out was the 12 Piece Burgundy Curved Dinner Set (£28), which is a dead ringer for HAY’s iconic Burgundy Barrow Plates. Bubble tableware was one of the biggest kitchenware trends last year due to its chic, retro look, and this favour of chunky tableware hasn’t disappeared this summer. In fact, brands like George Home are making it more accessible for everyone.

This isn’t the only ‘high-end’ item I’ve spotted. The Black Leopard Print Battery Table Lamp could have come straight from Rockett St George’s lookbook, but at just £15, it’s a fraction of the cost. And their dusky pink linen bedding set (£60 for a double) is a great deal when you compare it to Piglet In Bed’s Raspberry Linen Blend Duvet Cover (£119).

If you’re looking for small changes that will give your home a luxury update, here are my top six picks from George Home’s AW26 collections.

Which piece is your favourite?