Cost of living

Southern Water bills are set to increase by 53 per cent over the next five years, following an announcement from the regulator Ofwat. Water UK said the investment is necessary for improving infrastructure, but campaigners say the hike puts too much of a burden on customers.

Why has my Southern Water bill increased by so much this year?

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Bundle energy, broadband and insurance with Utility Warehouse

How bundling energy, broadband and insurance can stabilise your bills

Bundle energy, broadband and insurance with UW

Ultimate consumer hack: how bundling household bills can save money

11 Wetherspoons in the Portsmouth area ranked from best to worst according to Google reviews from customers.

All the area's Wetherspoons pubs ranked from best to worst

Southern Water Testwood Water Supply Works.

Apology issued by Southern Water after thousands left without water

Southern Water bills are set to increase by 53 per cent over the next five years, following an announcement from the regulator Ofwat. Water UK said the investment is necessary for improving infrastructure, but campaigners say the hike puts too much of a burden on customers.

"Disgrace": Councillor slams Southern Water for huge price hike

Southern Water bills are set to increase by 53 per cent over the next five years, following an announcement from the regulator Ofwat. Water UK said the investment is necessary for improving infrastructure, but campaigners say the hike puts too much of a burden on customers.

Rising South Water bills to increase by 53 per cent over five years

Trim Castle Hotel, in County Meath, was signed up to a bespoke deal thanks to Radius Energy's tailored service

Luxury hotel shaves thousands off energy bills by recruiting experts

Dunelm store Fareham

The best deal in the Dunelm Black Friday sale is a winter warmer

The new Christmas gifting trend is the £9.99 mystery deal

Deals website launches £9.99 mystery gift including £500 of vouchers

We've found three premium robot vacuums for less than £100

Robot vacuums for £100: We list the cheapest options on the market

(Photo: DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

The cheap winter heating solution that follows Martin Lewis' advice

A plate of fish and chips. (Pic credit: Leon Neal / AFP via Getty Images)

The tips and discounts that will get you a cheap local takeaway

Escape to the Canary Islands this October

Bargain breaks: Low-cost autumn holidays for last-minute sun

Selling your home can be expensive

How much it costs to list your house on Purplebricks

We all know that moving house is an expensive business - with various fees stacking up and often running into the tens of thousands - so anything that reduces those costs is worth considering.

Bex Bastable

Aldi September offers range from household cleaning to DIY and renovation

The household bargains you'll find in the middle aisle for autumn

Shoppers could save money on their groceries from supermarkets, like one shown here

Weekly shop savings near you on Amazon - if you know where to look

Colder months ahead and a rising energy cap will mean increased bills this winter

Could installing a heat pump be the answer to rising energy bills?

Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, has criticised the water bill hikes and blamed it on the Conservative party.

MP criticises proposed Ofwat water bill hikes

Matalan, on Station Road, Portsmouth shut in September last year as the discount retail brand relocated to The Pompey Centre. Earlier this year, planswere unveiled for a brand new multi-million pound office building which is being proposed to be built at the former Matalan car park site. Called ‘No 1 The Goodsyard’ in recognition of the site’s early use as railway sidings serving the original Portsmouth and Southsea railway station, the proposals are for a four-storey office building with environmental credentials.You can find out more about the plans here: https://thegoodsyard.site/.Picture: Chris Moorhouse

19 large commercial units which are currently vacant

Pryzm in Stanhope Road, Portsmouth, is closing "with immediate effect" alongside other clubs across the UK. Picture: Matthew Clark.

Popular nightclub Pryzm closing "with immediate effect"

The Fareham pub in Trinity Street.

Fareham pub announces shock closure

Wilko in West Street, Fareham, which has now closed. Picture: Sarah Standing

Fareham Wilko store closes for last time

Here are some of Portsmouth's empty shops in the city centre.

17 empty shops in Portsmouth city centre

One of the largest empty units on Commercial Road, the site of the former Debenhams department store has been the subject of numerous development proposals.

13 empty shops in Commercial Road

Wilko shops in the Portsmouth area are set to close as the chain has collapsed.

Hampshire homeware stores to close

Jobs will be lost at four homeware shops in the Portsmouth area as a national chain has collapsed into administration.

Joe Buncle

Clare Seek (centre) at the Cascades hub with volunteers.

Library of Things and Repair Cafe charity wins £5,000 award

Irving & Co Brewers, Walton Road, Drayton. Picture: Google Street View.

Irving & Co Brewers announces closure

Food from two shops in the Portsmouth area is available in the deal.

Delivery company offers free food to Portsmouth shoppers

Unison is balloting its members in schools and councils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who are on nationally agreed pay for strike action to support its pay claim of 12.7 per cent. The postal ballot starts on 23 May and closes on 4 July. Unison is recommending members vote yes for strike action. Pictured is the Portsmouth Unison group "The government keep telling us inflation will fall by the end of the year, but I have no confidence in their promises. In any case, the huge price rises that have already eaten into our wages will continue to do so. The cost of our 12.7% pay claim is approximately £1.1B. Half of this comes straight back to central government through increased tax payments and reduced benefits. This year's spring budget gave £9B of tax cuts to big business. During the pandemic £10B was wasted on PPE contracts that didn’t deliver. Central government can afford to fully fund the pay increase we need, and our schools and councils need. The only way we can get fair pay for school and council workers is to vote for strike action." said Jon Woods, Portsmouth City UNISON Branch Chair Photo shows members of Portsmouth City UNISON getting behind the pay campaign at a meeting on 17 May 2023.

Portsmouth school and council workers are encouraged to go on strike

Shelves full of school uniform donated to a community charity Picture: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images

Councillor who 'grew up in poverty' urges schools to help with uniform costs

Downsizing a family homes means letting go of the past – but that’s not always a bad thing, says this property guru

Ad Feature Property expert: when to downsize your family home

Home Start Hampshire are looking for donations in order to keep all of the services running.

Hampshire charity might have to make some cutbacks

The Meridian Shopping Centre in Havant, a popular shopping destination. Photos by Alex Shute

Data reveals how Havant high streets have transformed

The Rowans Hospice charity shop at 60 london Road, North End.

Rowans Hospice to close North End shop

Rowans Hospice chief executive Ruth White

Rowans Hospice issues urgent plea

Cllr George Madgwick with the Easter eggs at his restaurant Valletta in Drayton Picture: Habibur Rahman

Schoolchildren to get a free Easter egg after businesses collect more than 1,000

Stagecoach have extended their service 700, one of the south coast's busiest bus routes.

Stagecoach extend south coast bus route

Wagamama has 164 locations across the UK.

Wagamama offers free food for students

Best home energy efficient lighting: eco-friendly low-cost bulbs

Best home energy efficient lighting: eco-friendly low-cost bulbs

Director Lorraine Pottinger, with her staff, David Grocock, Sam Harris and Cherish-Star Pottinger at Jacob's Well Centre in Gosport Picture: Habibur Rahman

Gosport charity could lose premises as building goes on sale

Pictured: Landlady Ali Wearn and landlord, Dev Wearn with Barmaids, Tia Whitehouse, Lianne Pettinger, Taylor Brewerton and Emma Edwards at Lawrence Arms, Southsea Picture: Habibur Rahman

Lawrence Arms launches 'Borrow a Barmaid' scheme

An aerial view of Gosport

Data reveals how Gosport has changed since 2020

The Beer Musketeer, Albert Road, Southsea. Picture: Google Street View.

Craft beer bottle shop set to close

Co-owner of the business, Sue Ings, shows there is is no shortage of tomatoes at Ron White greencrocers, Marmion Road, Southsea. Picture: Chris Moorhouse (jpns 240223-25)

Portsmouth greengrocers well-stocked during national shortages

Portsmouth City Council can help residents on a range of wellbeing issues

Council offers services to improve people's wellbeing

Pictured: Shoppers queue in Commercial Road during Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Picture: Habibur Rahman

Data reveals changing shape of Portsmouth's high streets

More teachers are now set to strike.

Staff at a college will be going on strike

Phoenix Rehoming is looking for people to adopt dogs in the Hampshire area. Stanlee is a two-year-old Collie cross female and she is around 17kg. She is exceptionally smart and enjoys learning.

Four adorable dogs that are looking for a home

Lawrence Arms landlady Alison Wearn standing outside her pub hours after a car ploughed through one of its walls.

Lawrence Arms landlady thanks neighbours for support after car crash

Conservative MP Penny Mordaunt branded the idea that strikes help workers 'a myth' in an interview with Sky news.

Penny Mordaunt calls strikes unhelpful to workers

Jade Ward, assistant principal at Ark Charter Academy in Southsea, has started a campaign to supply prom dresses so all students can go to prom and has been ‘blown away’ by the response.

Southsea schoolteacher 'blown away' by support for prom dress plea

A 'winter parking charge' come come into force along Eastney Esplanade as part of the council's plan to fill its 'budget gap'

Locals voice concern over council's parking charge proposal

There are a number of activities taking place ober the half term.

Things to do with children over the February half-term

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