IT’S the week we’ve all been waiting for. That of the Woodland Trust Nature’s calendar says the average date for Brits to hand over our mowers is March 18.

Flymo has been campaigning for years to make tomorrow (Sunday) First Cut Sunday – and that became Spring the right way officially on Wednesday.

So no matter who you listen to, it’s definitely time to get started with your grass. But keeping a lawn thriving is not that easy. So here are some top tips to help you this spring.

Watching out for pests is crucial.

Chris McIlroy, Lawn Expert at The Grass People said: “Leatherjackets, the larvae of crane flies, also known as papa long legs, thrive on damp lawns with poor drainage and feast on the roots of grass seed so they can destroy lawns from within. out.”

Chafer grubs also eat grass roots – and birds tear up lawns trying to reach them.

Nematodes – microscopic bacterial worms – are one of the few methods to get rid of both.

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David Hedges-Gowerchairman of the Association Lawn urged: “Choosing the right grasses is of utmost importance to make lawn maintenance easy. Don’t fall for the marketing talk about ‘sports grass, heavy grass or luxury grass’; all too often this is ryegrass, which inevitably fails.

“Go native with bentgrass and fescue to make life easier.

“Make sure your soil is aerated, this is so important. But instead of using your usual fork tines, use a fork with hollow tines, otherwise you’ll just compact the soil. But if you don’t have one, aerating in any way is crucial to prevent soil saturation.

He added: “Prune lawns at least once a year by scarifying. Although ryegrass does not respond well to pruning, native bentgrass and fescue excel. And mowing makes the lawn thicker.

“Nourish both the soil and the grass. Use soil conditioners such as Truegrass to support the growth of beneficial microorganisms, creating perfect growing conditions.

“Be careful with lawn food if you have ryegrass – it just makes it grow upwards and doesn’t help the roots – so you’re just adding to your compost pile.

“But ultimately, whatever turf you’re given, it’s all about improving and maintaining soil structure, through pruning, aerating, grass seed selection and providing the right nutrients.”

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ALL FEELINGS

WE all know that lying on a freshly mowed lawn is a great way to relax.
Now scientists have proven that it is good for both our hearts and our minds.

A study in China found that touching real grass, as opposed to artificial grass, increases relaxation and reduces stress levels.

In the study, a group of women were asked to stroke natural and artificial grass for five minutes each.

The experts found that the women’s blood pressure was reduced and they scored higher in meditation and mindfulness.

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BERRY GOOD

An Australian farm has broken the record for the world’s largest blueberry with a fruit the size of a ping-pong ball (4cm wide and 20.4 grams heavy), about 10 times the size of the average blueberry.

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THIS WEEK’S VACANCY

Plant your summer bloomers such as Gladioli, Agapanthus and Freesias. Make sure the soil is well-drained so they don’t rot.

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TOP TIP

Flymo has teamed up with eBay to sell reconditioned used mowers for TWENTY percent less than buying brand new mowers.

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TO WIN!

We’ve got a fantastic lawn care bundle for one lucky reader worth £265, including a FLYMO mower, Gardena Cleverol And sprinkler, Johnson Grass Seed, Super smart lawn food, Neudorff CleanLawn Moss control and a can of Celebration Wildflowers.

For more information about the award, visit www.thesun.co.uk/LAWNCARECOMP

Or write to Sun Lawncare Competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP.

Please include your name, age, email address or telephone number. UK residents 18+ only. Ends at 23:59 GMT 04-06-24.

General terms and conditions can be found HERE

TO RESCUE!

Give your garden a good makeover with this Homebase large garden rake for €20.

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Or go for the Charles Bentley Rake from The Range for £7.99

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TO LEARN!

Q. I am looking for advice on how to remove moss from my lawn. I don’t want the moss to turn black, if possible, but I need to kill it. It was suggested to use Mo Bacter, would this work? Robert Sturrock, via email.

A. Have you thought about living with the moss? It can provide better coverage than grass and often grows where grass does not. Or you can use a hand rake to get it out. Organic moss killers such as Mo Bacter can take a long time to work and are expensive. If you want to buy a chemical remover, the lawn will turn black. Scarifying and feeding works the fastest.

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DUNLEM has revealed the exact date when the whopping 50 percent discount will end.

Shoppers are rushing to buy winter warmers and other household items retailing for under $10.

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The retailer launched the sale two days ago, offering huge discounts on furniture, bedding, home accessories and more.

One of the essential items on sale for cheap is the Dragonfly Oxford pillowcase pair, which will cost you just £5.

The reversible pillowcase pair is made from soft brushed cotton – and designed in a classic Oxford style.

Another inexpensive product on offer is the adorable Teddy Hot Water Bottle.

The bottle has been reduced from its original price of £7 to just £1.75 and is perfect if you’re still feeling the chill.

Hot water bottles are this winter’s must-have item as people look for alternative ways to stay warm without turning on the heat.

The cozy, cost-saving winter warmers come in many shapes and sizes, some of which can even be worn around the house.

We put some portable hot water bottles to the test in December and the winner was a game changer.

Dunelm has a number of similar versions to the ones we tested, also on sale for half the price.

The Teddy Bear Charcoal Long Hot Water Bottle has been reduced from £14 to £7 on the Dunelm website and this item is also popular with Dunelm shoppers.

Shoppers absolutely love the Teddy Hot Water Bottle and have given it a five-star rating on Dunelm’s website.

One person said: “Very cute hot water bottle. Nice and cuddly. My son loves it.”

Another wrote: “Great product, well made and so cute my granddaughter loves it and takes it everywhere.”

While a third added: “Cutest hot water bottle – not just for kids either!”

Shoppers should hurry, though, as the 50 percent sale is ending soon.

Dunelm has announced it will end sales on March 25.

So customers only have three days left to get all sold products at reduced prices.

You can find out if there is a Dunelm store near you by using the store locator on the website.

Please note that just because items are discounted online does not mean you will find the same stock in every store. So check this in advance to avoid disappointment.

We also recommend shopping around before you buy to ensure you get the cheapest deal available.

You can use price comparison sites like Google Shopping to check the prices of items from different sellers.

We looked for items similar to what we found in the Dunelm sale to see if we could get it cheaper elsewhere.

We could not find cheaper luggage at check-in, although Matalan does have the same brand luggage in a different color.

OUR interactive map reveals the exact rate YOUR council tax will increase next month.

Britons have been warned they could face steep increases of up to 10 percent – ​​more than the usual five percent – ​​as struggling councils continue to cut services for taxpayers.

The Sun Online has used the latest data to produce an interactive map so you can easily discover the rises in your area.

For some grayed out areas the information is not available.

The national limit for the amount of municipal tax is determined annually by the government and will come into effect from April.

Each local government then decides whether to increase the maximum or not.

Bills will differ depending on which council band your property falls under, with more expensive properties paying more council tax.

Annual council tax increases remained below one percent between 2010 and 2015, but rose to five percent for the first time in 2018/2019.

Last month, the government reaffirmed that most local authorities could increase essential bills by five percent.

This equates to an additional £103 per year for the typical Band D property, which currently stands at £2,065.

However, four councils were given special permission to increase the bills by as much as 10 per cent: Thurrock, Woking, Slough and Birmingham.

This could increase the same annual bill by £206.50.

Those in Birmingham will now face a staggering 9.3 per cent bill as their ‘bankrupt’ local authority struggles to cope.

The average household will spend an extra £177.94 a year to meet the council’s cash-strapped needs.

Communities Secretary Michael Gove has even allowed Birmingham City Council to increase tax by as much as 21 percent over the next two years.

Elsewhere in the country, Slough residents will be hit by a 7.9 per cent jump from next month.

It follows that council officers declared themselves in debt to the tune of £430m.

Meanwhile, Thurrock residents are expected to face a 7.5 per cent increase after the council admitted they owe £1.5 billion.

Both Slough and Thurrock have been given special permission to double their rates by up to 10 per cent.

And in Croydon, London, the authority has been allowed to increase the annual council tax to 15 percent.

‘Necessary decision’

The average capital increase for Band D households will be five per cent, or £1,422 more per financial year.

Metropolitan districts outside London will see an average annual increase of 5.4 per cent to £1,837, while bills in unitary counties without districts will rise by five per cent to £1,886.

Meanwhile, the average bill in other county areas will rise by five per cent to £1,643, with districts in these areas adding a further £266.

Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council and deputy leader of the CCN, said: “County authorities face a budget deficit of £1.1 billion over the next two years.

“With council tax accounting for two-thirds of the average provincial government’s funding, we have little choice but to make the difficult but necessary decision to increase council tax by 4.99 per cent to continue to protect services and avert the threat of financial insolvency. in the future.”

MONEY BINDING

And Roger Gough, Conservative leader of Kent County Council and CCN spokesperson for children’s services, said: “This month’s budget confirmed that public finances remain extremely tight.

“That is why, as we head into the general election, we must have an honest discussion with all major political parties about what councils can reasonably expect to deliver, in a climate where substantial additional funding is unlikely and both demand and costs will rise. “

Shaun Davies, Labor leader of the Local Government Association, explained how councils have made the “difficult choice” to increase bills because they “desperately need funding”.

He added that it would be “unsustainable” not to increase prices as the cost of living and pressure on services continues to rise.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Department for Leveling Up, Housing and Communities added that they have announced £600 million in support packages for councils across England.

They also stated that they will increase the annual fund by 7.5 percent – ​​£64.7 billion.

“Councils are responsible for their own finances and set the level of council tax, but it has become clear to us that they need to consider cost-of-living pressures,” she added.

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A WOMAN was shocked when she attended a wedding wearing the same £79 dress as the bridesmaids.

Taylor Fogarty wore a pastel blue floor-length dress for a spring wedding last year.

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But the make-up artist, 28, was left red-faced as she watched the bridal party walk down the aisle.

To her horror, she realized she was wearing the exact same dress as the bridesmaids.

Taylor’s “stomach was in knots all day” over the embarrassing blunder.

She remembers “dying inside” when another guest brought it up at the buffet table — and the bridal party avoided the entire wedding.

According to Taylor, the bride was not happy as she issued a “very awkward apology.”

“I immediately turned bright red and my stomach was in knots after seeing the bridesmaids,” says the Florida-based MUA.

“I felt so uncomfortable that I wanted to leave, I couldn’t really enjoy it.

“I didn’t speak to the bridesmaids, I approached the bride at the reception and apologized – I was so embarrassed I felt like I had to say something.

“It was very awkward. I had met her before, but we weren’t close at all.”

“I think about it often, it makes me cringe.”

Taylor says the blunder is a “lesson learned” and that she will “definitely explore the color of the bridesmaid dresses” for future weddings.

“Looking back on it, it definitely looks like a bridesmaid dress,” she adds.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have gone for a floor-length dress, but I didn’t think about it.

“There are people who say I should have asked, but I don’t really know if anyone would have asked.”

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WEDDING OUTFIT ETIQUETTE

Good etiquette for women’s outfits can vary depending on the specific style of the wedding and its location.

It is usually considered rude for guests to wear white or ivory to a wedding, as these colors are traditionally reserved for the bride.

If the wedding invitation states a dress code, such as black tie, cocktail attire or casual, make sure you adhere to it.

Additionally, when choosing your outfit, take the location and time of the wedding into account.

For example, if it’s a beach wedding, you might opt ​​for a lightweight summer dress and sandals, while for a formal evening wedding you might need a floor-length dress and heels.

And as Taylor learned, it can be worth it to have your outfit worn by the bride or someone in the bridal party.

ALDI’s huge garden range returns to stores with prices starting from €2.29.

The retailer’s popular garden range is achieving its expected returns and customers better be quick as it is sure to sell out quickly.

Aldi shoppers can soon start planning their summer garden makeover with Aldi’s latest garden range.

Spring is almost here and so is the return of Aldi’s garden range, with everything from garden mirrors and bistro sets to planters and gardening gloves.

Prices start from just £2.29 and the first drop of products will be in stores from March 28, with further products available from April 7 and 25.

However, if you’re planning to get your hands on some of Aldi’s green-fingered deals, you’ll want to be quick as they’re part of the Specialbuys range, meaning once they’re gone, they’re gone.

For people who want to inject a bit of style into their garden but don’t want to spend a fortune, the Hampton bistro set, priced at £49.99, is described as ‘sturdy yet stylish’.

It is perfect for outdoor dining in summer and goes well with the decorative garden arch for €29.99.

The beautiful arch is made from powder-coated metal in matte black and is both durable and, according to Aldi, easy to assemble.

For outdoor enthusiasts who would like a little more comfort in the garden, you can choose from two rugs in three patterns, including gray and white, brown and beige striped or black and white checked print.

The large Aldis rug costs €8.99. while the XL size costs £12.99.

If you want to impress your summer guests even more, you can also purchase a beautiful garden mirror for only € 7.99.

Other accessories such as planters (€14.99) and solar rainbow lights (€9.99) and a solar hot air balloon (€6.99) will all transform your garden, giving you a warm can enjoy summer evenings.

Aldi’s Enchanted Garden range will be in stores from March 28 while stocks last, you will find the full range below.

The second drop of garden items will be in stores from April 7 and comes from Aldi’s Garden Improvement range.

Remember, all of these items are part of the Specialbuys range and once they’re gone, they’re gone, so you’ll need to be quick.

Special buys are unique and exciting products that you can find exclusively in Aldi stores.

The products launch in stores every Thursday and Sunday and can include everything from DIY items to beauty products.

You can pick up a leaflet in store, browse online or sign up for Aldi’s mailing list to get a taste of what’s to come.

More of Aldi’s Garden Improvement range will be available from April 25.

There are other ways to save at Aldi and it’s always worth keeping an eye out for the many dupes the retailer brings out every now and then.

In addition to the dupes of branded food items, the retailer also has beauty products and fragrances that sell out as soon as they hit the shelves.

An Aldi employee recently told shoppers about what new beauty dupes would be hitting stores, including Flowerbomb perfume and Refy eyebrow kits.

Other ways to save at Aldi

When doing your weekly shopping it’s always worth looking out for the red sticker products that staff add to items when they have been reduced in price.

Aldi usually adds these to products in the morning, so get to the nearest branch as early as possible for the best discounts.

Also keep an eye on the discounted fruit and vegetables: according to deal expert Tom Church, the retailer tends to cut six items every two weeks to “crazy low” prices.

Get ahead of the rest by signing up for Aldi’s newsletter and also following the retailer on social media.

It often announces upcoming deals across its two channels, so you can be the first to get the best prices.

If you want to save money on takeaways, Aldi’s ‘fakeaways’ can help too.

The retailer recently launched a KFC-inspired box that it claims is 62% cheaper than the chicken drumstick.

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing squeezeteam@thesun.co.uk.

Moreover, you can join us Sun Money chats and tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.

Bareilly Inspector General of Police Rakesh Kumar said the suspect is between 25 and 30 years old and he will reveal his details after further investigation.

Badaun (Uttar Pradesh): A day after two children were mercilessly hacked to death in Baba Colony of Badaun in Uttar Pradesh, the father of the deceased children said on Wednesday that the accused demanded Rs 5,000 and that he was not aware of the exact intentions of the people behind the had committed a crime.

“I was not aware of the meeting (of the suspect). He (the suspect) tried to run away, but the police caught him. There were two people. I live outside. We had no interaction with them before. We don’t know why this happened,” he said.

#WATCH | Budaun double murder case | The father of the deceased children says: “I was not aware of the meeting (of the suspect)… He (the suspect) tried to run away, but the police caught him. There were two people. I live outside… We had no interaction with them before. We are… pic.twitter.com/6ClSXlWCmC

— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2024

Speaking to ANI, SSP Badaun said the deceased’s family has also named the suspect’s brother, who is on the run.

“The suspect Sajid entered the house yesterday around 7.30 pm and went to the terrace where the children were playing. He attacked and killed the two children. He then came downstairs where the crowd tried to stop him, but he escaped. Police teams swung into action when they learned that the suspect had escaped. The suspect shot at the police and was killed in retaliatory fire. The murder weapon and revolver have been recovered. In the FIR, the family of the deceased children have also named the accused’s brother, Javed. Teams are trying to find him and he will be arrested soon. According to the family, the suspect had demanded Rs 5,000 from the father of the deceased children,” he said.

Meanwhile, police officers and security personnel held a flag march this morning in the city where the incident took place.

Earlier, Bareilly Inspector General of Police Rakesh Kumar said the suspect is between 25 and 30 years old. After further investigation we will release their information.

Meanwhile, heavy police security was deployed at Baba Colony near Mandi Samiti outpost as locals protested against the gruesome double murder.

District Magistrate of Badaun (DM) Manoj Kumar said some people became agitated after the incident and they were asked to maintain peace. Talking about the victims, the DM said.

(With inputs from ANI)

MILLIONS of households may soon be able to catch their breath again as interest rates are forecast to remain at their current levels.

Decision-makers at the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) are expected to keep the base rate at 5.25% for the fifth time in a row on Thursday, March 21.

The MPC will assess whether economic conditions are suitable to reduce, maintain or increase interest rates.

The Bank has indicated at recent meetings that cuts are likely in the future, although rates are expected to remain unchanged this week.

It comes as the base rate has risen from an all-time low of 0.1% since December 2021.

Experts now assume that an interest rate cut will likely take place in the summer, between June and August.

The Bank of England meets during the summer on May 9, June 20 and August 1.

Sarah Coles, personal finance expert at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “At the end of last year, markets were reasonably confident that we would get a rate cut from the Bank of England in May or June, but persistent inflation at the start of the year forced them to think again.”

“At this stage, May looks highly unlikely, June is in the balance and the market is increasingly expecting a rate cut in August.”

Savings rates

What it means for savings

Savers have benefited from recent increases in the base rate, and would likely be negatively affected if it were to fall.

However, banks tend to compete for your money by offering market-leading interest rates, so make sure you do your research.

Sarah explains: “For savings, the good news is that you don’t need to know exactly what’s in the card to make the right decision, because your emergency fund should be in a competitive, easy-to-access account, so everything you need what you need to do is find the best rate available today.”

Putting money aside for any reason is always a good thing.

However, it’s good to have a plan you’re saving for as this will help you choose the best savings account for you and ensure you get the most out of your hard-earned money.

There are different ways to put money in a savings account.

The most popular are easy access accounts, which usually pay a variable interest rate that can change at any time, but you can access your money at any time, without any penalty.

The best savings rates are usually found on fixed-rate bonds. These pay a fixed interest rate over a specific period, such as one, two or five years, and you get your money and interest back once the product term expires.

What it means for your mortgage

Anyone who already has a fixed interest rate will not see their payments fall if the Bank of England cuts rates, as they are fixed for a fixed period.

So those looking to take out a mortgage must decide whether to get one now or wait until interest rates drop in the summer.

But other mortgages, such as a tracker or standard variable rate (SVR) mortgage, can also be directly affected.

SVRs are generally higher than fixed rates for this reason.

Sarah says: “For remortgagers, you are faced with the question of whether you should choose a fixed rate or switch to a tracker rate.

“Fixed rates are still quite expensive, but they do offer certainty about your expenses.”

“Tracker prices may be a bit higher today, but if prices fall from August onwards, you will see that decline.”

If you want to borrow around this time, that is also good news for you.

Alice Haine, personal finance analyst at Bestinvest, said: “Rate cuts would be a huge relief for many borrowers, especially those struggling with heavy debt or oversized mortgages.”

“A rate cut in the summer, perhaps as early as June, would provide a huge boost to potential buyers and existing homebuyers desperate for some relief from skyrocketing financing costs.”

What it means for credit cards

Certain loans you already have, such as a personal loan or car financing, usually remain the same because you have already agreed on the rate.

So you’re not likely to see any difference, but rates on future loans may be lower, and lenders may reduce rates on credit cards and overdrafts.

This doesn’t mean you should take out unnecessary loans or credit cards, as rates could rise again in the future.

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

You can also become a member of our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.

If you’re up to date with today’s fashion trends, you know that dad shoes and jeans are seriously in trend right now. And it’s not just people like that Us — celebrities love the style too! There’s something about clunky, supportive, and ultra-soft sneakers that makes everyone click “add to cart.” The bulkier and more friable, the better!

New Balance is probably the best-known brand for pioneering the dad shoe revival, but even designer brands like Golden Goose, Balenciaga and Yeezy are really into it. (The latter options will set you back four figures, though, so maybe only consider these if you’re going for a rich dad look!) Jennifer Anistonthe trendy queen that she is, recently stepped out in a pair classic 70’s era New Balances, proving that these are now an equivalent of white sneakers in the style world. We found the exact pair of sneakers she wore for just $80!

In traditional dad shoe fashion, these shoes feature a angled wedge heel that adds an inch or two, and offers a comfortable EVA midsole and foam footbed that adds dimension to every step. cloud-like feeling. Each sneaker features a backless suede and mesh upper that gives it a clean, sleek look, while a lace-up closure and herringbone outsole add functionality. They are perfect for everyday use!

The style of these sneakers is what really catches the eye, even for dad shoe lovers; they are extra thick, chunky, retro and totally timeless! A modern twist on the ’70s classic, these keep the bold, oversized, asymmetrical branding and round toe design that make New Balances iconic, while adding a little something extra. chic elements even more damping. The combination of comfort and style is a match made in Heaven!

The only thing that makes dad sneakers better is wearing them with dad jeans. We love the look of these sneakers with a pair of aforementioned dad jeans, a loose cropped T-shirt, layered jewelry and a trendy handbag or with a dress to add some vintage flair. If you’re trying to look like Jennifer Aniston (aren’t we all?), try wearing them with jeans, a long black coat, a white T-shirt and a baseball cap.

Aniston’s New Balances are neutral, making them easy to style, but there are colorful options too – you can grab them a few with pink or yellow accents, blue details, gray suede and more. Whether you’re looking for an everyday shoe or a basic walking shoe, these shoes will let you do it in a fashionable way!

Grab the New Balance 237 sneakers for $80 at DSW!

British streaming app BritBox has just received its final death knell, as Amazon has revealed when it will disappear from Prime Video.

In early February, the UK’s biggest broadcasters confirmed that BritBox, which launched in 2019, would close.

Viewers had hoped it would stay alive in some form through Prime Video, where viewers could combine their subscriptions to both streaming services.

However, ITV quickly quashed those dreams earlier this month.

Last week, Amazon removed BritBox’s “Subscribe” button, another sign of the app’s impending retirement.

Now Amazon has revealed that viewers watching BritBox through Prime will lose streaming access days earlier than everyone else.

The tech giant has said that from April 27, 2024, BritBox will no longer be available on Prime Video channels – even for existing subscribers.

BritBox will then stop as an independent service on April 30.

From that date, BritBox content will only be available via ITVX or BBC iPlayer.

Streamlining efforts

ITV CEO Carolyn McCall said the move to ax standalone app BritBox was part of ITV’s plans to streamline its services.

“In 2024, the BritBox UK service on Amazon Prime Video Channels and the BritBox UK standalone app will close as we further simplify our offering,” she said.

“This will consolidate all our subscribers under one ITVX Premium brand and give us full ownership of the subscriber base.

“The closure of these services is expected to impact subscriber numbers and subscription revenues in 2024.”

It comes just days after ITV quietly axed its Catchup channel on Prime Video.

Formerly known as ITV Hub+, the channel allowed Prime Video viewers to avoid ads at a lower cost.

For ad haters, the Prime Video version was cheaper than a full ITVX Premium subscription – and gave access to more content.

Now it seems all signs point to the ITVX app becoming the broadcaster’s only place to catch up on missed shows.

How can I watch ITVX?

ITV is currently not available on some older TVs.

A range of Humax Freeview and Freesat boxes, as well as certain models of Samsung Smart TVs, cannot support the new ITVX app.

ITVX also does not work on some older iPhones and iPads.

For viewers with older television boxes, ITV Catchup on Prime Video was the only way to watch ITV without an Amazon Fire Stick or Google Chromecast.

ITV has more information on where you can watch ITVX here.

MILLIONS on state pensions will see their benefits rise by up to £901 a year from April.

But a specific code in your social security number indicates the exact date on which you will receive the pay increase.

The government confirmed in spring budget documents last week that the state pension will increase by 8.5% as a result of the triple lock mechanism.

Benefits will increase from April 8, the first Monday after the start of the new tax year.

But a code in your NI number will tell you the exact date you will see payments increase.

The number determines on which day you will receive your pension money.

The state pension is paid every four weeks and the day you are paid usually depends on the last two digits of your NI number.

If the numbers are between 00 and 19, you will be paid on Monday.

It is Tuesday if they are between 20 and 39, and Wednesday if the numbers are between 40 and 59.

Numbers 60 to 79 are paid on Thursdays and numbers 80 to 99 are usually paid on Fridays.

For example, if your NI number ends in 65, you could see your payment increase on April 11, if that is the time of month you usually get paid.

Please note that the AOW is usually paid out every four weeks. If you expect to receive benefits between April 1 and April 5, you may not actually see your pay increase until early May.

What is the state pension?

The state pension is a government benefit and is currently paid to people aged 66 and over.

There are two types: the basic pension and the new state pension.

The basic pension is paid to men born before April 6, 1951 and to women born before April 6, 1953.

The maximum state pension is £156.20 per week, although you may get less if you don’t have the full number of eligible National Insurance years.

The new state pension is paid to men born on or after April 6, 1951, and women born on or after April 6, 1953.

It is worth up to £203.85 per week, but again you must have the full number of qualifying NI years to get this amount.

By how much will the AOW increase?

Both the basic and the new AOW increase every year in line with the triple lock.

This means they rise in line with the higher of wages from May to July, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of inflation from September last year and 2.5%.

Both pension styles will rise by 8.5% from next month, based on the annual growth in average total employee wages between May and July last year.

That means the state’s basic pension will rise from £156.20 per week to £169.47 per week – worth an extra £690.40 per year.

Meanwhile, the full new state pension will rise from £203.85 per week to £221.17 per week – an extra £900.64 per year.

How to apply for the state pension

You will not automatically receive the AOW pension and must actively apply for it.

You will receive a letter stating what you need to do no later than three months before you reach state pension age.

The easiest way to apply is online on the government website, but you can also apply by post or telephone.

You can postpone receiving your state pension and receive higher benefits if you still claim them.

If you wait to claim the new state pension amount, it will increase by 1% for every nine weeks you defer – worth 5.8% for every 52 weeks.

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.

Moreover, you can join us Sun Money chats and tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.