Advice Page

Why Nobody Should Have To Choose Between Heating And Eating

There’s nothing wrong with an occasional bit of nostalgia – whether you long for the days when it was possible to enjoy a night out, and a taxi home, with less than five pounds in your pocket, or you just wish there were fewer cars on Morpeth high street again.

Unemployment Figures Grow As Spending Cuts Bite

It is certainly no secret how dependent Northumberland has become on the public sector – following the de-industrialisation of the late-1970s and 1980s many of the jobs which our county lost were replaced by positions created within the public sector.

Don’t Be Caught Out In The Cold This Winter

Hearts up and down the UK couldn’t help but melt last month as images of Northumberland’s four homeless baby red squirrels made headlines around the world.

Don’t Ignore Concerns About Rising Energy Bills This Autumn

Autumn is closing in fast – in fact, it has felt like it’s been closing in since May – and there can be no argument that this is the most visually stunning time of year in Northumberland.

Help Is At Hand For Parents Heading Back To Work

Parents of four and five-year-olds across Northumberland will be celebrating one of their proudest days this week as our schools open their doors for the new school year.

Stay Safe This Bank Holiday

Earlier this month the entire country was left shocked by the frankly outrageous public displays of needless violence in the riots and looting in major cities across the UK. Homes and businesses across the country were left reeling as they calculated the total cost of the destruction.

Staying On Good Form With Citizens Advice

It can sometimes feel like filling in forms is an endless task. They really are everywhere – whether online or on paper, in banks, shops or libraries – even as you walk down the high street, it’s difficult to avoid the market researchers who just need a couple minutes of your time to ‘fill in a quick form’.

Northumberland: The Best Holiday You’ve Never Had?

Tourism in Northumberland is, quite rightly, big business. It’s an industry that’s worth £3.8bn to the region as a whole and, although I might be slightly biased, I don’t think there’s any doubt that Northumberland is the jewel in the North East’s crown.

Sun, Sea And Sensible Spending

For most people the summer is the season of fun, after all it’s the most popular time for weddings, family outings and the light nights make it ideal for enjoying our long days and evenings. However, one of our greatest summer traditions is the annual holiday – a chance for people to get away from it all, to really relax and unwind.

Welcoming The Joys Of Parenthood

It seems that every time I pick up a magazine or newspaper at the moment another celebrity couple has announced the news that they are expecting the pitter-patter of tiny feet.

When Free Really Is The Best Option

No one likes paying for things unnecessarily, especially when it comes to a service that is available elsewhere for free. If faced with two cash machines on the same street how many people would use the one which charges, or given the option of filling up their tyres for free or paying for the air – how many would choose the latter? I would guess at very few.

Putting Money Aside Now Eases Burden Later In Life

In today’s society there is so much pressure on those in their twenties and thirties to save. Whether it’s for a new car, their first home or even a dream holiday – the list can seem endless.

Unfair Wages Could See A Return To Victorian Times

With all the glamorous TV period dramas that have been screened in recent years, from Upstairs Downstairs to Downton Abbey, we can easily forget that life wasn’t always perfect for those living in the past. The Victorian period was a particularly difficult era, with rapidly growing populations our cities quickly became overcrowded, increasing the demand placed on housing and employment.

Don’t Miss The Boat When It Comes To Tax Credits

Everyone loves getting something for free – even receiving a simple sample whilst shopping can go a long way to brighten anyone’s day. And while most people will agree that in life ‘nothing ever comes for free’ there is one helping hand which should never be ignored: tax credits.

Brighter Days Bring Brighter Moods

No one can deny that over the previous few weeks we have had some fantastic weather to help bolster our moods. And who can blame anyone for being pleased to see the sun after such a gloom and difficult winter?

To Buy Or Not To Buy?

It is generally assumed that renting is a far cheaper option than purchasing a property. In some cities across the world it’s almost unheard of for people to buy, rather choosing to rent as climbing the property ladder can feel virtually impossible.

Love And Marriage

Following months of high-profile preparations, the big day is almost upon us as Prince William and Kate Middleton get ready to declare their love for one another during a ceremony which will certainly be fit for a princess.

Retiring Regulations That Reject Older Employees

Pottering in the garden, long walks with the dog and playing with the grandchildren – these are often top of the list when people are asked what they most look forward to about retiring. However, until recently, the one thing rarely taken into account was when people wanted to retire, especially since 2006 saw the introduction of a default retirement age.

A Whole New World Of Entitlements

Over the previous few weeks we have seen a huge amount of change which, without any doubt, will greatly impact on almost all Northumbrians’ household budgets.

Continuing Flood Works Is Good News For Market Town

DAWN was thrilled to hear last week that the funding needed to help push forward Morpeth’s food defence scheme for a further 12 months has been secured.

Putting Children First When Feelings Run High

Britain was traditionally a very reserved country – a nation of people who played their cards very close to their chest and kept their feelings in check, especially in public. Two very different incidents in the 1990s have often been credited with helping us deal with our emotions in a more public and open way – Paul Gascoigne’s tears at the 1990 World Cup made it ok for British men to cry, while the death of Princess Diana in 1997 led to a mass outpouring of grief on a scale never seen before in Britain.

Biting Back Against The Budget

As the famous saying goes, the devil is in the detail – and that is rarely more true than when it comes to the Government's annual budget, delivered last week by Chancellor George Osborne.

Unlocking The Door For Rural First-time Buyers

Deposits, mortgages, fees and furniture costs – for many people buying their first home can turn into a vicious circle of constantly chasing funds. Securing a mortgage can be next to impossible if buyers don’t have a ‘healthy deposit’ but saving for deposits of around 20 to 30 per cent, in order to get a reasonable mortgage deal, can seem to take an eternity.

Could Rising Fuel Prices Increase Rural Isolation?

Everyone is familiar with the popular expression ‘look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves’ but now even more people are choosing to put this pearl of wisdom into practice.

The Bright Side Of Life

We may be less than 10 weeks into 2011 but this year is already proving to be a difficult one for many north east residents – and not just for the ones living in our region. North East Australia was left devastated in late January by Cyclone Yasi, February’s fierce blizzards swept across North East America and now North East Africa is facing civil unrest as people attempt to bring democracy to their countries.

Turning A Dream Home Into A Nightmare

Buying a property is often the single biggest purchase that anyone will ever make, but transforming it into a home is one of the most important tasks – creating a safe and secure place to live that is filled with love, happiness and cherished memories.

Golden Advice

No one would deny that Northumberland is a place of pure beauty, with its stunning countryside, rugged coastlines and picturesque market towns, but something you probably won’t find naturally in rural Northumberland is gold.

Always Somewhere To Turn If The Waters Rise Again

Sometimes it never rains, but it pours. As I write this, the Government's environment secretary Caroline Spelman has just confirmed there will be a 27 per cent cut to funding for flood defences, meaning Morpeth won't be getting the defence measures it was hoping for, at least for the time being.

Failing To Give Credit Where It’s Due

It won't have escaped anyone's notice that banks are lending less and less at the moment - and it's having a detrimental effect on people, businesses and the property market. A report in the North East last week claimed that mortgage lending is at a record low and house prices are continuing to drop - they are now down 1.1 per cent on this time last year - as banks tightened up their lending procedures in a bid to promote responsible lending.

Think Twice Before Claiming Unexpected Prizes

Every week, people across Northumberland will receive the 'exciting' news that they've won a once-in-a-lifetime prize or have the 'unique' opportunity to buy cut-rate shares. Whilst we'd all like to believe that such good fortune would be so widespread, the letters are usually simple scams designed to exploit the trusting, or the desperate.

Beware Dodgy Student Housing – For The Sake Of Our Young Ones

Damp walls, leaking ceilings and freezing cold bedrooms… For many, the idea of student housing will conjure images of the decrepit shambles in TV shows like The Young Ones or Rising Damp. For years it has just been accepted that living in appalling conditions for three years while studying is just a part of growing up – but what was once considered ‘character building’ is now, simply, against the law.

Age: Nothing But A Number For Northumbrians

At one point in their career almost everyone has concerns about being replaced by someone younger and ‘fresher’ than them. This concern became a very real issue for a former Countryfile presenter when she was dropped from the revamped BBC show.

Divorce Rates To Increase As New Year Sets In

The New Year is all about fresh starts with people hoping to turn their lives around by losing weight, looking for a new job and stopping smoking as part of their New Year resolutions. We're already part-way through January and some will already have strayed from their resolutions but many people will still be determined to use the change in year to help improve upon the events of the previous 12 months.

Why Red Should Never Be The New Black

The presents are now well and truly unwrapped, the last turkey sandwich has finally been eaten and everything is almost back to normal following the busy festive period. Well more or less. There is just the madness of the January sales to contend with – a time where usually level-headed people are transformed into wild animals fixated on discovering the ultimate bargains.

Beware Of Rogue Debt Management Plans

Plenty of people around Northumberland will be trying their hardest to have a great time this Christmas and quite rightly, too – it’s been a tough year for most of us. However, behind the laughter, a lot of people in the county will be concerned about the start of next year. It’s been reported that Northumberland’s Citizens Advice Bureaux have seen a staggering 33 per cent rise in the number of calls it’s taken from people concerned about employment issues.

The Dark Side Of A White Christmas

As the dawn of December arrived the streets of Northumberland were filled with the playful laughter of children as they dug out their sledges and headed for the hills, built snowmen and launched into snowball fights. While the county’s youngsters may be revelling in the pre-Christmas snowfall there is a much harsher side to the snowy weather for the rest of us.

The Engaging Question

The engagement of the Century has finally been announced between our future King and Queen - the dream venue and date have been chosen and all plans are set in motion to ensure the big day is fit for a princess. Now Clarence House has answered the initial burning questions – including confirmation that it will it be declared a public bank holiday – another pertinent question is ‘will they sign a prenuptial agreement?’

Home Security Is Key This Christmas

Almost every family dreams of the perfect white Christmas, filled with generosity, kindness and celebrating with loved ones – but the festivities could be ruined if anyone except Santa pays a surprise visit to people’s homes.

Only Santa Should Be In The Red This Christmas

Christmas lights are being switched on around most of Northumberland over the next week and a half - signalling the real arrival of the festive season. Every year it feels like Christmas is getting earlier, as advertisers and retailers start pushing their seasonal offers from late October onwards. It feels like an inescapable rising tide for most of us, but many may struggle to keep their heads above water as the pressure to spend grows too much and they take on unmanageable debts to make ends meet in the short term.

Beating The Bullies Together

It’s Apprentice season on the BBC again – our chance to marvel as supposedly some of the finest young business minds in the country spend a few months arguing and squabbling like schoolchildren. But there is a darker side to what we’re witnessing – there have already been accusations of bullying among the candidates this series and the question of workplace bullying is something that needs to be tackled in organisations across Northumberland.

Keeping Youngsters Safe At Work This Christmas

As the festive period draws ever closer many teenagers across the county are considering a Christmas job to help earn some extra money, but what exactly are their entitlements?

Beware Of Rogue Landlords As Housing Prices Rise

Rising house prices are certainly no new thing in Northumberland with the average house price topping the regional average by around £25,000. While this is good news for people looking to sell, it’s not so pleasing for the county’s house hunters – especially first-time buyers.

Staying Aware Of Alcohol’s Impact

Most adults enjoy a bit of a drink every now and then – but next time you settle in for an evening with a glass of wine, spare a thought for those whose lives are torn apart by alcohol abuse. The 18th-24th October, is Alcohol Awareness Week and this year it is focusing on the damage alcohol can do to children and families.

Bringing Paternity Rights To Light

The lead up to any baby’s birth is an emotional and exciting time with lots of things needing to be sorted before the big day. One item always near the top of that list is making sure the mum-to-be is comfortable and aware of her maternity rights, but about fathers?

The Real Cost Of Divorce

Experts are predicting that the financial cost of divorce is set to double in 2011 – and that this will lead to a further drop in divorce rates which are already at a 30-year low. Sadly, divorce is often unavoidable and while it’s all-too-easy to focus on the finances, are people beginning to lose sight of the real emotional price as families separate?

Warning Against Rogue Moneylenders For Unemployed

As people from across the county are struggling to claw back lost earnings following the recent collapse of Northumberland Foods, DAWN is strongly urge those affected not to turn to illegal moneylenders for financial help.

Parents Forced Out Of Work By Soaring Childcare Costs

Rocketing childcare costs may be driving many Ashington and Morpeth parents out of work as the price of care soars by almost 5.1 per cent. A report by the Daycare Trust found that families requiring part-time nursery care are now facing an average annual cost of over £4,500 – a staggering rise to almost double the rate of inflation.

Tax Demands Not The Only Financial Problem

As 5.7 million people are told they’ve paid the wrong amount of tax since 2008, fraudsters are already stepping in to capitalise on the taxman’s blunder.

The Rising Cost Of Uniforms Isn’t Simple Maths

Most people will remember trudging back to school as a child in a uniform two sizes too big, a cost-cutting measure by parents insisting the baggy shirts and turned-up trousers will ‘do for next year’. Now, in post-recession Northumberland, as with the rest of the UK, saving money is more than just back in fashion – in many cases it’s downright essential.

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