In this episode, Which? researcher Holly Lanyon explains the history of the savings product, how they’ve changed over the years, and how likely you are to win a prize.

Holly shares some stories from Which? members who told us why they love premium bonds so much, and why people treat them differently from other types of savings accounts.

Plus, we hear from Andrew Westhead, the retail director at NS&I, the company which runs the premium bond draws, who takes us inside their archive to show how big a part they’ve played in British culture since the 1950s.

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In our latest snapshot investigation, we ordered aspirin, ibuprofen, and paracetamol from five sellers on eBay and three on OnBuy in quantities exceeding the legal limit of 100 tablets. 

We were able to order a total of 304 tablets of aspirin and paracetamol via sellers on eBay in one go, and 192 ibuprofen in a separate transaction. In addition, we ordered a total of 248 aspirin and paracetamol tablets from sellers on OnBuy, and 128 ibuprofen. We also found sellers on eBay offering promotional multibuy discounts for painkillers, which we believe is against best practice.

Read on to discover the full findings of our investigation, the rules on promotions on medicines, and the action eBay and OnBuy are taking.

eBay and OnBuy sellers breaking the law

It's illegal to sell or supply more than 100 tablets or capsules of paracetamol or aspirin in any one transaction, and larger amounts should be provided with pharmacist guidance.

In reality, if you try to buy painkillers such as paracetamol or aspirin in your local supermarket or pharmacy, you’ll likely be limited to two packs in one transaction. This is based on best practice guidance, which is widely applied in ‘traditional’ retailers.

But, in our investigation, we received 128 paracetamol tablets (500mg, eight packs of 16) from one eBay seller, and were sent 112 aspirin tablets (75mg, four packs of 28) from another. A third seller allowed us to purchase two packs of 96 ibuprofen tablets (400mg). Two eBay sellers didn’t fulfil our orders completely - one sent four packs instead of eight with a note saying they couldn’t supply us with more in one go, and another cancelled the transaction entirely. 

Via OnBuy, we bought 120 aspirin tablets (100mg, four packs of 30 tablets), 128 paracetamol tablets (500mg, eight packs of 16 tablets) and 128 ibuprofen tablets (200mg, eight packs of 16 tablets).

As part of this investigation, we checked other marketplaces, but we didn’t find any painkillers for sale on Temu or Tiktok Shop. On Amazon, the vast majority of painkiller listings are sold and dispatched by Amazon directly. Although you can add multiple packs to your basket, this is limited at the point of checkout. We found the same via Superdrug.

What are the risks of painkillers? 

Paracetamol is often recommended as one of the first treatments for pain or fever, as it's safe for most people to take, and side effects are rare. Aspirin is also a common pain medication, and it’s prescribed by GPs at a higher rate than either paracetamol or ibuprofen (often for another purpose than pain relief, such as blood thinning). 

There are risks associated with taking either medication in excess, whether that is from an intentional overdose or an unintentional staggered overdose (taking more than the recommended dose or for a long period of time). 

According to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) many deaths occur each year from the side effects of overdosing from paracetamol, including liver failure. Aspirin or ibuprofen overdoses can cause serious physical harm, including bleeding in the gut and kidney failure. Restricting the availability of pain relief medicines for purchase and in the home is effective in reducing the number of deaths from accidental or impulsive overdose.

An Oxford University study in 2013 found that deaths from paracetamol overdoses fell by 43% in England and Wales in the 11 years after the law on pack sizes was changed in 1998. The study also found that the number of patients registered for a liver transplant because of a paracetamol overdose had reduced by 61% following the legislation. This was equivalent to 482 fewer registrations over 11 years.

Promotional offers on medicines

According to MHRA guidance, promotional offers on medicines for pain relief should not directly encourage the purchase of more than one pack - for example, multibuy deals including buy one get one free or buy one get one half price. These are discouraged on the grounds of public safety. 

But we found multiple sellers on eBay offering multibuy discounts on painkillers. One seller was offering a discount for buying four or more packs on a pack of 32 500mg paracetamol tablets. Another seller had multibuy discounts on packs of 96 ibuprofen tablets. Both offers would push the amounts bought above the legal limit. We didn’t buy any tablets from these particular sellers.

What the marketplaces said

'We work closely with authorities such as the MHRA and Trading Standards to keep our platform safe. Our work with the MHRA includes developing cutting-edge AI algorithms to block the sale of any illegal or unsafe medicines in the UK, and ensure these listings meet strict health and safety regulations. In 2024, these algorithms successfully recognised and blocked nearly 2 million violations for unregulated prescription medicines and over-the-counter medicines before they could be offered to the public.'

We checked eBay before publishing this story and were pleased to see we were now unable to purchase above the legal limit of painkillers. When we tried, there was a banner stating 'Please be aware that upon the MHRA’s advice, the purchase of medicines for pain relief (Paracetamol etc.) are limited to single packs of 16 tablets/capsules with a maximum of two packs in one transaction.'

'OnBuy operates as an online marketplace and does not stock or retail products itself. Responsibility for product listings, pricing, and fulfilment sits with individual sellers, who are expected to ensure that their activity complies with all legal and safety requirements. 

'Based on the information you’ve shared, we are reviewing the specific cases highlighted and will take appropriate action where seller activity is found to fall short of our requirements, in line with our Seller Terms. We take these issues seriously and continue to review our controls to support a safe and compliant marketplace for customers.'

1. Don’t water your lawn in dry spells

It can look alarming when grass turns brown during dry periods, especially if you’re used to seeing it lush and green, but I’d never waste water on it, as it will quickly revive once the rain returns. In most cases, that colour change is temporary rather than a sign of lasting damage.

Most lawns in the UK are made up of hardy grass species that naturally go dormant in drought conditions to conserve energy. It won’t turn green overnight, but it will recover very quickly. Once moisture levels improve, new growth will soon replace the dry, brown blades.

Of course, dry weather often coincides with hosepipe bans – so even trying to water would be a real hassle. Plus, anyone on a water meter knows that it can get expensive to water things that don’t need it. There’s also little benefit to light, frequent watering, which tends to encourage shallow roots rather than deeper, more drought-tolerant growth.

When you want to prioritise watering, focus on newly laid turf or freshly sown grass seed, which won’t survive prolonged dry spells without help. But remember that established lawns are usually far more resilient than they appear.

2. Don't cut the grass too short

Cutting your lawn too low can leave it struggling in hot, dry weather, causing it to brown more quickly. It’s also more vulnerable to weeds and moss getting in and establishing.

Longer grass shades the soil, helping it retain moisture and reducing stress during heatwaves. It also encourages deeper root growth, making the lawn more drought-tolerant. Make sure you use your mower’s height setter to raise the blades so you don’t shear the surface.

As a general rule, aim to remove no more than one third of the grass height in a single cut to keep your lawn healthy. Raising the cutting height slightly during summer can make a noticeable difference to how well your lawn copes in dry conditions.

3. Never cut grass with a blunt blade

A blunt lawn mower blade can leave your lawn looking tatty with frayed ends and might make it more vulnerable to disease.

Check your mower blade and replace it if it's dull. Regular mowing during the growing season means blades can lose their edge more quickly than you might expect, so it’s worth checking them more than once a year.

A local lawn mower specialist may be able to sharpen the blade for you, or you could buy a replacement.

For every mower we test, we check how it copes with cutting standard, long, rough and wet grass lawns, judging how tidily it cuts and how it feels to use in different conditions.

4. Don’t overlook robot mowers

Robot mowers have come down markedly in price in recent years. You can now get a decent model for a similar price to a standard lawn mower, and many no longer require you to lay a perimeter wire, which used to be a hassle.

There are models for any lawn size, and they can handle slopes and complex layouts. Once set up, they handle regular mowing for you, so you can spend time on something more enjoyable.

The lawn also looks great, cut to an even height, and the cuttings are finely chopped and disappear into the turf. This ‘mulching’ effect can help return nutrients to the soil, reducing the need for additional feeding. However, they work best if the lawn is kept relatively clear of debris such as fallen branches or toys.

5. Don’t worry about daisies in your lawn

Not long ago, gardeners aspired to a pure-green lawn and spent time and money on regular weed killer treatments. Nowadays, 'No Mow May' is popular, encouraging gardeners to put away their mowers for a month and let the grass grow longer, which in turn allows flowering plants, such as buttercups, to bloom and provide food for pollinators.

Even if you don’t want to give up your mower, just leaving the blades on their highest setting will leave the grass tall enough for low-growing plants, such as daisies, to flower and provide a natural food source to help insects.

6. Don't cut the grass when it's wet

Mowing a wet lawn will leave you with a messy finish, as damp grass is harder to cut cleanly and tends to clump together. These clippings can block the mower, impacting performance and potentially causing it to stall.

The rain will soften the ground, too, making it easier for grass to be pulled up rather than cleanly cut, which can damage your lawn. This can leave it looking patchy, and you might have to wait several weeks for it to recover.

Admittedly, it's not always possible to avoid cutting after a drizzle in the UK. It’s best to wait until the grass has dried where you can.

7. Don’t ignore moss and thatch build-up

Moss and thatch can quickly build up in a lawn, especially in shaded or poorly drained areas. And, if left untreated, they can weaken the grass and create patchy areas. Over time, this layer can block water, air and nutrients from reaching the roots.

Moss is more likely to thrive in low-light conditions, so cutting back overhanging branches can improve conditions for grass to grow more vigorously. Compacted soil can also make the problem worse, so aerating the lawn with a garden fork every 10 to 15cm can help get air and water back into the soil.

If you treat moss, make sure you rake out the dead material and reseed any bare patches, otherwise it can quickly return. Moving heavy objects around the lawn and adding a light top dressing can also help encourage healthier, more even regrowth.

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The scammer first deposits 1p into your PayPal account, which triggers a genuine email from PayPal about the deposit. This is then followed up with a phone call, but this time it's the scammer on the other end of the line.

Below, we explain how this scam works and what to do if you receive one of these emails or calls. 

PayPal 1p scam email

Scammers use a non-existent or hacked business on PayPal to send 1p to your PayPal account.

The ‘business’ sending the money includes a note with the deposit, which says that you received the email because your ‘PayPal account processed a payout by small deposit confirmation’.

This email suggests that more money is on the way to you and that the small amount was sent to confirm that your account is live.

This email looks quite convincing. It asks you to call a number if you didn’t authorise this to ‘immediately secure your account and request a refund.’ 

Calling the number puts you through to someone in on the scam who will talk you into giving your personal and financial information.

There are variations of this scam. In one example Which? saw, the recipient was sent a small amount of money in the currency of the Philippines and given a number to call that's not associated with PayPal.

Some recipients warned on social media that their PayPal accounts had been hacked after receiving emails like this, although it's unclear how.

What to do if you receive this email?

Which? contacted PayPal about this email, and it told us that it's aware of this scam and that the phone number isn't associated with PayPal. 

It said: 'We do not tolerate fraud and are committed to protecting customers from scams like phishing. We encourage people to stay vigilant – scammers often create urgency or use fake support numbers to steal information. PayPal will never demand urgent action or include phone numbers in payment messages.

'Always log in directly to the official app or website to review activity and report suspicious emails to phishing@paypal.com, then delete them.’

'If you've lost money or spot an unauthorised transaction on your account, you should contact your bank immediately using the phone number on the back of your card.

Admission to major landmarks including the Natural History Museum, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, and the National Museum Cardiff has been free for years. But every place on our list has something new to see this year, and this is your chance to be among the first to visit.

Read on for free festivals, exhibitions, guided tours, trails and more, all free to attend this spring.

1. London - The V&A East Museum

After more than 10 years in the making, a new museum from the V&A is opening in Stratford at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Saturday 18 April to celebrate global creativity. There will be two permanent galleries with no entry fee. Here you'll find more than 500 objects from the V&A collections on art, architecture, fashion and more, many of which will be on display for the first time. As with many free museums, some optional temporary exhibitions will have a charge. The first of these is the headline exhibition – The Music Is Black: a British Story – which explores the impact of Black British music on British culture from 1900 to the modern day.

Coinciding with the opening of the headline exhibition, the East Bank is hosting four free-to-attend festival weekends called The Music is Black Festival, with live music and performances. These will be on 13-14 June, 11-12 July, 22-23 August and 12-13 September.

2. Coasts of England - Kings Charles III England Coastal Path

The world’s longest managed coastal path is now officially open after beginning work in 2010, with many beaches, dunes and cliffs open to the public for the first time. There’s improved access, new boardwalks and 1,000 miles of new public paths to enjoy – and it’s all completely free.

On 19 March 2026, the path was officially inaugurated by King Charles. Some of the routes won't open until later in 2026, but so far, around 80% of the 2,700-mile circuit is ready to explore. In March 2026, paths in Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve and Wallasea Island were finalised.

3. Scotland-wide - RSA200: Celebrating Together

To celebrate 200 years of Scottish Art, more than 100 museums and galleries in Scotland are hosting special events, and some of them are completely free to enter. In Edinburgh, the Modern Two gallery is hosting the free exhibition Joan Eardley: The Nature of Painting to celebrate one of Scotland's most beloved artists. In St Andrews, the free Living Colour exhibition displays a wide range of artworks from artists throughout the full 200-year lifespan of the RSA.

4. Manchester - Human Natures

Opening on Earth Day 2026 (22 April), Human Natures is an immersive exhibition at Manchester Museum that invites visitors to reflect on the relationship between nature and people. The exhibition is made up of objects from the museum’s natural history collection and explores important themes such as climate change, the problem of waste and the ethical implications of fashion. Plus, you'll be able to see some clever and inspiring solutions from individuals and organisations in response to the problems humans have contributed to. 

It's free to visit, but you can make a voluntary donation to the museum if you like.

5. Liverpool - Music Heritage Trail

Liverpool is celebrating 60 years of its key music history this spring. Using the maps provided, the free 90-minute self-guided walking tour takes you to 12 locations that had a hand in shaping music from 1957 to 2016. At the sites, you'll see a purple plaque that looks like a vinyl record with a QR code linking to videos, stories and Spotify playlists to bring the music of each venue to life.

The trail has been created by the Beatles Legacy Group to celebrate its 10th anniversary and inspire future music-makers.

6. London - The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration

This May 2026, in a former 18th and 19th-century waterworks in Clerkenwell, The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration opens its doors as the permanent home for the UK's first charity for illustration. Its exhibitions will show original artworks previously housed in museums and private collections.

While some displays will have a cost, much of the site can be accessed for free, including the gardens and an illustration library.

If you're a fan of Quentin Blake's quirky style, also consider visiting Quentin Blake: The Southbank Parade at the Royal Festival Hall. It runs from 14 April to 8 November 2026, with more than 30 life-sized characters on display in a procession outside the Royal Festival Hall from May. You'll be able to spot illustrations of public figures who have performed at The Royal Festival Hall, as well as regular Londoners of all backgrounds. The installation is free to visit, and you don't need to book a ticket in advance.

Spring is a popular time to move home, and Rightmove figures show that the number of homes for sale is at an 11-year high for this time of year.

If you're considering selling your home, choosing the right estate agent can make the process go more smoothly.

Here, we talk to experts to find out the common mistakes estate agents make when selling properties to help you choose the right one for your sale.

Setting an unrealistic asking price

Watch out for estate agents that inflate the valuation of your property to win you over, as setting an unrealistic asking price can make your home more difficult to sell and lead to a lower sale price.

Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove, explains: 'In this kind of market, being not only competitive on price, but competitive from the outset when setting an asking price for your home, is critical. 

'Our research shows that relying on later price reductions is a much tougher and less effective strategy when buyers are very price sensitive and have so many alternatives to choose from.'

If you're about to put your home on the market, researching property prices in your area is crucial, and a good agent can help you do this.

'Be wary of agents who offer inflated valuations to win instructions; if they can’t convincingly justify the price to you, they’ll struggle to convince prospective buyers. The first few weeks on the market are crucial; launching too high and reducing later typically results in a lower final sale price.'

Ignoring the paperwork

It's easy to list your property, but if you don't have the right documents in place, it can hold up a sale. 

For example, if your property has been upgraded with an extension, you will need copies of the planning permission and final building regulation certificates before you complete. It's also possible to complete certain forms, such as the fixtures and fittings form, in advance.

A good estate agent can help to save time by letting sellers know they should organise these documents early on.

Tony Filice, of estate agent Kelvin Francis in Cardiff, explained: 'If a vendor obtains this information prior to launching the property on the open market, they save on average three to four weeks, and thereby as soon as a sale has been agreed, a contract can be issued immediately to the purchaser's solicitor with the vendor pack.'

To help you pick an efficient firm that will move your sale along, consider asking potential agents the steps they will take to ensure a smooth sale. 

Avoiding the survey question

Homebuyers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland may want to arrange a house survey to ensure there are no major issues with the condition of the property (the process differs in Scotland). This is a good idea, but it can delay the process if not organised early on.

As it's up to the buyer to decide if they want this and instruct a surveyor, a seller's estate agent may choose not to mention it.

Filice told us the process of booking a chartered surveyor and receiving the report can take around four weeks, and there may be another two to three weeks to factor in if there is damp, rewiring or other issues that need to be renegotiated. 

So, to prevent a delay of up to seven weeks, it's best for an agent to address this question head-on. Filice says he asks that buyers obtain a private survey in the first two weeks of agreeing a sale.

Leaving the chain unattended

When selling your home, there may be a lot of moving parts to keep on top of.

The buyer will need to instruct solicitors, obtain a mortgage, complete various forms and potentially get a survey before they are ready to exchange. Solicitors or conveyancers will need to do searches and check contracts. This list of tasks multiplies many times over if there are several buyers and sellers in your chain.

So, estate agents that leave buyers and solicitors to it could inadvertently cause unnecessary delays, increasing the likelihood of the sale falling through – all of which could cost you. Those who experienced problems or a breakdown in their housing chain spent an extra £2,127 on average, according to Barclays research earlier this year.

Filice explains: 'Time is a killer in the sense that circumstances change for buyers and vendors, such as becoming redundant, buyers seeing a more attractive alternative property, ill health and other reasons.' 

The right estate agent will actively check in with all parts of the chain to ensure everyone is keeping up with what needs to be done each week. 

How to choose the right estate agent

It's important to look for firms that have experience selling properties like yours in your local area.

You could do this by walking down your local high street, checking online or in local newspapers. Also, speak to friends, family members and neighbours to see if they can recommend an estate agent.

The fee is another important factor. If you would like to prioritise a lower fee and have more time to dedicate to the sale, you could consider an online estate agent.

These are run via websites and call centres, and tend to offer a more basic service than you'd receive from a high street agent (you might need to conduct your own viewings, for example). As a result, they charge lower fees.

Whichever type of agent you go for, make sure to ask how much they will charge and if there are any contractual clauses to know about, such as tie-in periods.

From TVs and laptops to dehumidifiers and dishwashers, our independent tests have uncovered true hidden gems across a range of products, which you might have overlooked.

These quiet achievers are not just competitive. In many cases, they set new standards for quality and durability, often at a more affordable price than their widely recognised competitors.

Switching to wholemeal, seeded or brown bread is considered a simple way to make your daily bread healthier, but not all brown loaves are as healthy as they seem.

We analysed 60 popular sliced loaves across five key categories – blended, malted, wholegrain rye, seeded, and wholemeal – to discover which products pack a genuine health punch.

Read on to find which loaves are the healthiest, and the ones that aren't quite as wholesome as they look.

Expert view: choosing the healthiest bread

'Bread is an important source of fibre in our diets, so opting for wholemeal bread is the best bet. Wholemeal loaves tend to be higher in protein, too. Choosing a seeded wholemeal loaf will further boost the fibre and protein content. A loaf with higher fibre and protein content will slow digestion and help to keep you feeling fuller for longer.

'Wholemeal flour is also naturally richer in micronutrients, including B-vitamins, magnesium, zinc and iron. In the UK, white flour has been fortified with calcium, iron, niacin and thiamine since the 1950s. By the end of this year, all non-wholemeal flour will also be fortified with folic acid by law.'

Healthiest breads

The most a loaf of bread can score out of 100 is 80 – the highest achievable rating for processed grain products under the NPM. Only foods such as plain greens or legumes can achieve more than this.

Just 13 sliced loaves we looked at achieved a score of 80, thanks to high fibre and protein levels alongside low saturated fat, salt, and sugar. These are listed below.

While 11 of the top 13 loaves are wholemeal, two non-wholemeal options also scored highly. These are Iceland’s The Daily Bakery Malted Bloomer (low in salt and sugar) and Hovis Best of Both – so there are options if you don't like a truly brown loaf.

Loaves are listed in alphabetical order because they all achieved the same NPM score of 80. 

The blended standout: Hovis Best of Both

The only representative from the ‘blended’ category in the top tier, this loaf benefits from 32% fibre-rich wholemeal flour and is low in salt. 

Together, these help it achieve the high protein and fibre levels required to hit a good NPM score of 80, making it an excellent bridge for those who prefer the taste of white bread but want some of the benefits of brown.

Which? nutritionist Shefalee Loth says: ‘This is good news for those not keen on wholemeal bread. This Best of Both loaf contains a mix of wholemeal and white flours – this means it’s not quite as high in fibre as wholemeal loaves but is still a good source.'

Wholemeal, seeded, malted, blended or brick: which is healthiest?

These loaves may look similar, but their nutritional profiles vary. Here’s how.

1. Wholemeal

Wholemeal bread contains the whole grain, providing a good source of fibre, which is important for digestive health and blood sugar control. The first ingredient on the ingredients list should be ‘wholemeal flour’ – if it says ‘wheat flour’ without the word ‘whole’, it’s likely to be refined white flour. Average cost: 14p per 100g.

2. Seeded

'Bits’ such as sunflower, pumpkin and linseed give a textured, nutty bite, as well as significantly raising protein content per slice to help you feel fuller for longer. They also provide omega 6 (and, in some cases, omega 3) fatty acids, which may help to support brain health. If labelled multigrain, a product must contain at least three types of grain. Average cost: 24p per 100g.

3. Malted

They look dark and rustic, but the colour often comes from malt extract or caramelised sugar, not the grain, so be warned, many are white loaves in disguise. In fact, only one loaf out of nine malted ones we looked at used a wholemeal base – Hovis Granary Wholemeal (standard Hovis Granary is made from white flour). Average cost: 25p per 100g.

4. Blended

This category is generally lower in fibre than the other categories, but still higher than white bread. A good compromise between taste and health, but often a pricier choice. Blended loaves may be fortified with even more vitamin D and calcium. Average cost: 29p per 100g.

5. Wholegrain rye

These are known as ‘brick breads’ among bakers because they tend to be dense and rectangular – they’re essentially a compressed block of grain and seeds. If you spot a lighter, fluffier rye bread, it’s likely to contain wheat flour. True rye has quite a distinctive taste and texture that won't be for everyone, but it can be a good choice for some due to its lower gluten content and high fibre content. Average cost: 66p per 100g.

Middle of the table breads

32 of the sliced loaves we reviewed achieved an NPM score of 75-80. This means they still have an excellent nutritional balance, even though they narrowly missed being among the top scorers. 

Their penalties stemmed from slightly lower fibre content, a higher calorie count, and higher saturated fat. On average, the top scorers contained 0.49g of saturated fat per 100g, compared to 0.71g in the middle table cohort.

To make it easier for you to find your usual loaf, this table is arranged in alphabetical order. Price, fibre, protein, salt and sugar values are per 100g. 

Lower-scoring breads

While all the breads we reviewed are good nutritional choices overall, these three were the lowest scorers of the bunch. The difference often came down to small margins, such as a slightly higher salt content or a lower fibre count.

Surprisingly, a couple of rye loaves were among the lowest-scoring options, usually due to a more calorie-dense structure.

Biona Organic original rye bread (62p per 100g) - 70 

This is the second saltiest loaf of the lot (1.13g per 100g), as well as having the lowest protein content of all the breads. The loaf’s density means it’s also more calorie-dense than higher-scoring loaves. With an NPM score of 70 overall, it's still a nutritious choice.

Hovis Granary (26p per 100g) - 72

With an NPM of 72, this is still a healthy bread, but it sits 8 points behind the top-scoring options. The main reason? It contains roughly half the fibre of the best wholemeal loaves (3.7g rather than 7g on average) and is one of the saltiest breads of the bunch.

M&S Only 4 Ingredients wholegrain rye (36p per 100g) - 72

Again, the salt content (1.2g) brings this bread down the rankings, and in a system that rewards protein levels, it doesn’t contain ingredients such as seeds that help it maximise this. However, 72 points is still a healthy choice.

The table is arranged with the three lowest scorers at the top, and then the rest in alphabetical order (as NPM scores are identical). 

How to tell if your brown loaf is healthy or not

Loaves that look brown are sometimes just white loaves in disguise. They may be brown because of ingredients such as caramel or malt, rather than wholemeal flour.

 Here’s what to look out for on packaging to avoid a white loaf in brown clothing:

Is an NPM of 80 significantly healthier than 70?

The NPM acts as a nutritional tug-of-war that balances ‘negative’ points (for calories, salt, sugar and saturated fat) against ‘positive’ points (for fibre, protein, and fruit, vegetable or nut content) in order to come up with a single score.

For the breads we analysed, a score of 70 is well above the NPM ‘fail’ of 62 or lower (which experts have defined as ‘unhealthy’), making it a healthy choice – even though it's 10 points lower than the higher scorers with 80 points.

So do those 10 points matter? A loaf at 70 points is nutritionally balanced, but one at 80 is proof of a formulation where proportions have been optimised to create products that are not too salty, not too sugary, and packed with nutrients. 

'Expect long queues,’ it said. What it should have said was to expect chaos. 

The queue for British passport holders at passport control was several hundred people deep and hours long. For most of the time just five or six border control stations were open to UK passport holders. That was clearly far too few. 

It’s almost certain that some people missed their flights. Two members of airport staff occasionally walked along parts of the queue calling people forward once ‘final boarding call’ was shown for their flight, but in some cases they still had to wait 10 to 30 minutes or more in a queue of other passengers called forward. 

One woman, whose Liverpool flight was flashing final call, finally made it to the front of the queue only to struggle to take an acceptable photo of her young son with the EES photo kiosk. She had to make repeated attempts to get the right height and distance, with no help from a grumpy border guard. It took several minutes. 

I later saw the woman speed walking to the gate, remarkably calm, while explaining to her crying young children that everything would be alright if they missed their flight.

Little help, no communication 

In the queue, there were more tears and anger. Staff members were inconsistent in who they called forward and for which flight. Some people had stood for hours, only to find out they were still unlikely to make their flight, and were upset when other passengers were called forward. 

There was no one in charge, or any attempt to communicate with passengers about the situation. The one member of airline staff present was from Jet2, whom I regularly saw remonstrating with disinterested staff from the airport on behalf of her customers.

You can understand why passengers were angry. They arrived at the airport early, as instructed, but the airport was so poorly prepared for the new checks that they were still at risk of missing their flight. Worse still, if they did, they may well be left to foot the bill for a new ticket.

Missed flights in Milan, and suspension in Portugal

Palma, in Spain, isn’t the only airport affected. In Milan, more than 100 passengers missed their Manchester flight because of EES queues that were three hours long. EasyJet offered to rebook them for free, but on a flight five days later, leaving some passengers to pay huge amounts for flights departing sooner. 

At Porto and Lisbon airports, border control officers made the decision to temporarily suspend EES checks because of very long queues. 

Why are the queues at some European airports longer? 

The EES requires Schengen countries to carry out biometric checks on arrival and departure. Non-EU passport holders are photographed and/or fingerprinted on departure, which is taking longer than a quick flick of your passport by a border guard. 

These checks may only add a minute or two extra for an individual passenger, but for a flight of 300 passengers, it adds up. 

Many airports simply have not installed enough infrastructure to carry out the checks, don’t have enough staff, or both. 

Are these queues happening everywhere in Europe?

No. The EES applies to all non-EU passport holders, including UK passport holders, since Brexit. EES is in use by all 29 Schengen countries, but your experience of EES will vary greatly. Different levels of checks are seemingly used in different countries, while some airports have more infrastructure or border guards. 

The most significant delays are occurring at airports with large numbers of UK flights, such as Tenerife, Lanzarote and Palma, but also Krakow, Milan and Amsterdam. 

It’s very difficult to predict if you will face very long queues, because much depends on whether your flight departs or arrives at the same time as several other UK flights. 

How can I make sure I don’t miss my flight due to EES checks?

Arrive early at your departure airport is the best advice. Consider not checking in a bag too. Check-in desks and bag drops typically open just two to three hours before departure, and that may not leave enough time for you to get through the border at the worst airports.

If you can, travel outside of peak travel periods, such as half terms and summer holidays. More flights mean more passport holders to be checked and longer queues. 

Can my airline really just leave me behind?

They can. Some flights have waited for passengers stuck in EES queues, but in other cases, because it is more costly for the airline to miss its air traffic control slot, or because pilots may time out and there is no available replacement crew, they may decide to depart. 

Legally, the airline is not even obliged to put you on the next flight, although many carriers have been rebooking passengers. 

Will travel insurance help?

It’s unlikely. Some travel insurance policies do have cover for ‘travel delay’ or ‘missed departures’, but even then you would need to clarify whether it covers you for a missed departure because of border queues. 

If you do have travel insurance and think you are covered, to help your claim it’s worth having evidence that you arrived at the airport on time for the flight. That could be provided by your bag drop receipt, or a receipt for a coffee or tea at the airport if travelling without a bag.

Will EES delays get worse this summer?

Possibly. If nothing changes between now and the peak travel period in the summer, queues may well get worse. But given the level of disruption, it’s hopeful that the worst-impacted airports will make more kiosks and staff available. Staff will also become better trained, and the teething trouble with the technology will have been resolved.

That's because unless you tell your provider otherwise, your cash will be automatically switched to a low-rate instant-access account, returned to your current account, or locked into another fixed-rate product, blocking you from switching to a higher rate. 

Here, Which? reveals the cost of inaction and how you can avoid leaving your cash idle for too long.

What happens when fixed savings mature?  

You'll find details about maturity options in your fixed-rate account's small print, but your savings provider should notify you beforehand. 

If you don't let the bank know what you want to do next – either because you missed the emails or forgot to reply – the provider will take a variety of approaches. 

But wherever your savings end up, chances are the interest will be lower than if you'd switched elsewhere:

1. Into an instant-access

This is the most common option. Moneyfacts data shows eight of the top 10 one-year bonds available to open on 15 April 2026 revert to an instant-access or variable-rate 'holding account' if no action is taken when the term ends.

While that means your money is safe and can be accessed at any time, the interest rate is likely to be significantly lower. For example, let's say you open MBNA's top one-year fixed-term account, paying 4.65% AER. Under the account's terms and conditions, if you don't instruct otherwise, the money is transferred to its Easy Access account that currently pays a measly 0.75% AER. Because that rate is variable and can change, you could end up getting an even worse deal.

The more money you have invested, the more you stand to lose by doing nothing. Someone opening a one-year account that pays today's average rate of 3.89%, with a deposit of £10,000, will earn £389 over the term. If your money is moved to an instant-access account and you're lucky enough to get the current average rate of 2.44% AER, you'd still be £145 worse off than if you'd opened an average one-year fix.

2. Back into your current account

Our analysis found that just one account in the top 10 will pay the money back into the account you transferred the cash from in the first place. 

The trouble is, if you don't reinvest the money after it lands back in your account, it's likely you'll be earning little or no interest at all on your lump sum.

3. Fixed for another term

In other cases, the funds will be transferred into a savings account of the same length as the one that matured. It means your money will be locked away, and you may not be able to switch to a higher rate elsewhere. 

That could prove to be a costly mistake. We found that, as of 15 April 2026, Kent Reliance is the only top 10 provider to move your cash into another fixed-term account. Let's say you opened its one-year account this time last year, when it paid 4.2% AER. 

If you failed to act in time, your money would have been locked away for another 12 months, earning 4.51%. While that is better than last year's deal, you could be getting 4.66% with MBNA's market-leading one-year bond.

Savers with bonds lasting more than a couple of years stand to lose the most. While most accounts last a maximum of five years, we found four seven-year deals. However, savings platform Flagstone lists bonds from provider Societe Generale that last eight to 10 years.

While rates have been steadily falling, the savings market tends to be very volatile and we could easily see interest rates improve again. Consider how much has changed in just the past few years. For example, the average rate on a one-year fix on 1 February 2021 was just 0.46% AER and 0.68% for a long-term bond.

How to keep track of fixed savings bonds

Keep a list

A good way to keep track of all your financial accounts is to make a list of the accounts you have now, along with their policies. Make sure you keep all important paperwork in one place so you can easily find information and contact details when you need them in future. 

Check the small print

Remember to also check the small print before you open an account so you're fully aware of what happens when the bond matures. If you're happy with the setup, then make a note in your diary of the date the term ends or set an alert on your phone a couple of weeks before. 

You can then start planning what you want to do with the cash and move the funds somewhere that suits you best.

Consider a savings platform

These websites not only help you source market-leading accounts, but once you're registered, you'll only have one set of login information to remember. And to ensure your savings don't languish in a low-paying account, the platform will usually get in touch to remind you when any bonds are due to mature. 

However, the convenience offered by savings platforms comes with a few caveats. Because savings platforms work with a set number of banks and building societies, you could easily miss a top rate offered by a provider not listed on the website. 

Also, watch out for fees. While some platforms, such as Raisin and Aviva Save, are free to use, others charge a 'platform fee' for their services. That's often taken as a cut of the interest offered, done before displaying the rates on its site. Others, like Akoni, take a percentage of your savings – how much varies, though. 

How do I find lost savings?

If you know which bank or building society held your account, contact them directly and ask how you can make a claim. They may also have paper forms available.

However, if you know you have money squirrelled away but can't remember where you put it, then the My Lost Account service can help you search for forgotten savings pots from banks, building societies and National Savings and Investments (NS&I). 

The service, which is a joint venture by the British Bankers’ Association, the Building Societies Association and NS&I, can take up to three months to complete, but getting started is straightforward and free. 

The issue appears to impact customers across different hotels and accommodation, although Booking.com hasn't confirmed the scale of the breach or how it was carried out.

Booking.com scams

What to do in a data breach

If your personal data is stolen, there are steps you can take to try and minimise the damage:

What does Booking.com say?

'Upon discovering the activity, we took action to contain the issue. We have updated the PIN number for these reservations and informed our guests.'

In this episode of Which? Shorts, we explain why buying a new piece of tech when the model you're upgrading from is still perfectly serviceable is doing more harm than good, especially when you don't dispose of them properly.

In a recent survey of Which? members, more than 50% of smartphones and tablets that had been replaced over the previous five years were still in working order. So, how often should you actually upgrade? And what should you do with the devices you no longer need?

More podcasts from Which?

The Which? podcast showcases the best content from across our website and magazine. 

Plus, keep an eye out for bonus episodes that tackle important issues, from motoring to tech, and from health and wellbeing to travel.

How to listen to the Which? podcast

We're always releasing new episodes, and the podcast is available wherever you usually listen to podcasts.

As part of your subscription, Which? members also get access to exclusive podcasts.

We asked Which? members for their most reliable stain removal tips for tough marks such as blood, bolognese, sun cream and red wine.

As a mum to a very messy three-year-old, I've also faced my fair share of toe-curling messes – so I'll share a few of my favourite hacks too.

Read on to find out the best methods for getting your clothes squeaky clean, as well as the science behind them. 

The ultimate stain removal cheat sheet

You should always check the individual care labels on your clothes before attempting these methods - but as long as you proceed with relative caution, you shouldn't find they cause you any major issues. 

The main takeaways are to avoid any bleaching agents on darker clothing, rinse items thoroughly before washing, and try to use cooler wash cycles to avoid 'setting' stains into the fabric.

If you're really worried about ruining a treasured garment, try a discreet patch test on a lesser-seen section.

See below for our quick guide to stain removal, or read on for further information and tips.

1. How to get rid of blood stains

Blood contains proteins that bind together when exposed to heat, making it one of the most challenging stains to remove. This means that putting blood-stained items in a hot wash is actually one of the worst things you could do, as it really fixes the stain into the fabric.

2. How to get rid of red wine stains

Whether it's the aftermath of a raucous dinner party or a slip-up when adding a key ingredient to your ragu, it's no secret that red wine stains can be a real nightmare to eradicate – especially from light-coloured fabrics. 

3. How to get rid of grass stains

I know all too well the damage a freshly mowed lawn can do to a white T-shirt or shorts, but thankfully, ridding yourself of the Grinchy hue is a pretty easy fix. 

4. How to get rid of bolognese and tomato sauce stains

I can count on one hand the number of times we've eaten spaghetti bolognese without one family member or the tablecloth getting caught in the tomatoey crossfire. Fortunately, not all is lost if it's much the same around your dinner table.

5. How to get rid of sun cream stains from white clothes

Perhaps the only thing worse than slathering on the sun cream multiple times a day is realising that your white clothing has yellow stains, particularly around the collar or shoulder straps. You'll want to avoid anything bleach-based, as it can actually make things worse, but there is an alternative that's well worth trying.

A review by the Investment Association (IA), commissioned by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, has found that for too many savers, the answer is yes. 

Or, alternatively, the warning is ignored completely and useful information is lost about how much your money is at stake.

The report, which aims to boost an investing culture in the UK, called for an industry-wide change to warnings on investments.

Do current warnings make investing sound worse than it is?

Instead of a generic warning that ‘you could lose money’, the IA says warnings should better balance the risks and the rewards of investing. Only focusing on the negatives can be misleading in itself and overstate risks.

Sarah Pritchard, deputy chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), said: ‘We want to see a stronger investment culture in the UK, so consumers are better supported in navigating their financial lives. That culture relies on consumer confidence, which is built by clear, balanced information about the potential rewards and risks. 

‘We welcome the review’s push to make the way risk and reward is communicated clearer to consumers, rather than a tick box exercise.’

Is this the end of 'capital at risk'?

If you’ve watched TV or been on public transport, you’ve likely seen an advert using the phrase ‘capital at risk’.

This has been a shorthand for conveying that investing is not risk-free, but the report says this has acted as a barrier to people getting more from their money.

Despite being so widespread, this wording is not currently required by the FCA. In fact, its 2022 research suggested the warning is often ineffective, either ignored by people who see it or perceived as overly alarming and off-putting.

When will change come?

Certain changes can be immediate, as the FCA has previously clarified that changes to language are permitted under existing rules.

Part of Hargreaves Lansdown’s warning for its stocks and shares Isa reads: ‘Investing for 5+ years increases your chances of positive returns compared to cash savings. But investments rise and fall in value, so you could get back less than you put in.’

While AJ Bell opts for: ‘Investing is an opportunity to grow your money, typically outperforming cash savings over the long term. However, investing comes with risk as well as reward, and the value of your investments can go down as well as up.’ The AJ Bell note also links to further information that explains the risks in greater detail.

How risky is investing?

There is not a set level of risk when it comes to investing – it depends massively on what you invest in. 

If you invest in one stock, you risk losing money if that company underperforms or is affected by circumstances like a recession.

While leaving your money in a savings account might feel risk-free, in most cases, the value will drop over time as inflation rises and the same amount of money has less buying power. 

In this episode we talk about the Which? investigation that uncovered why Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology seems to be plagued by so many inaccuracies. While the industry boasts a 97% accuracy rate, the remaining 3% results in misreadings every day. We discuss everything from double dipping to criminals cloning number plates to avoid ULEZ fees and parking charges.

In this episode, we're joined by senior writer, Hannah Downes, who has been investigating why ANPR technology seems to fail, and what you can do if you think you've been unfairly fined or given a Parking Charge Notice (PCN). 

More podcasts from Which?

The Which? podcast showcases the best content from across our website and magazine. 

Plus, keep an eye out for bonus episodes that tackle important issues, from motoring to tech, health and wellbeing to travel.

How to listen to the Which? podcast

We're always releasing new episodes, and the podcast is available wherever you usually listen to podcasts.

As part of your subscription, Which? members also get access to exclusive podcasts.

There are plenty of cheap, basic barbecues and pizza ovens, as well as fancy, feature-packed models that are more versatile, but they often cost much more. 

If you're weighing up which is the better investment, we've spoken to our experts to help you consider all the options and get the best deal.

Barbecues or pizza ovens: what is the difference? 

The easiest way to compare barbecues and pizza ovens is to think of them like cookers vs ovens. Barbecues are essentially cookers or hobs, while pizza ovens are similar to conventional ovens.

So before buying, the first question to ask yourself is what you use more indoors: your hob or your oven.

The key difference is that both pizza ovens and barbecues get much hotter than traditional cookers or conventional ovens and often cook food directly over flames. Both will give meat, fish and veg that smoky, charred flavour we all love.

But while barbecues can 'bake' things, they won't get as hot as pizza ovens. Pizza ovens can do much more than bake pizzas – for example, you can also roast meats and cook quick traybakes – but typically you can't cook a range of foods simultaneously, as you can on a barbecue.

Which you should choose largely depends on what kinds of foods you'll want to cook more often. If you want slow-cooked, smoky briskets or a wide range of food for your guests, go for a barbecue. If you're cooking food that benefits from high heat and short cooking times, opt for a pizza oven.

Barbecue pros and cons

Pizza oven pros and cons

Our experts' verdicts: which one should you buy?

'I adore cooking with both, but if you're twisting my arm, pizza oven. It just edges it over a barbecue because of one thing: versatility. 

'The higher heat you can get from a pizza oven (up to 500°C or more) raises the bar for the quality of some foods that benefit from shorter cooking times under extremely hot temperatures. 

'As expected, you’ll get much better pizzas than you could from a barbecue. Flatbreads such as naans or pittas will also be much better coming from a hot pizza oven, as the intense heat from all sides makes the breads puff up, giving you that beautiful leopard spotting that you won't get from a longer cook in a cooler barbecue. 

'This type of heat is also amazing for high-temperature searing – the steaks you get from pizza ovens can be incredible because of it.'

'While barbecues can be better for general outdoor cooking, some of them are a real pain to set up, taking two researchers an hour or two. 

'Consider how often you'd actually use a barbecue, whether you have the space for one, or if a portable one may be better. 

'Barbecues tend to be more portable and often offer more cooking space than pizza ovens, allowing you to cook more food in one go.

'In theory, you can cook pizzas on a barbecue, but it's not something we've tried. If you think you're going to be eating a lot more pizzas or flatbreads, it's much easier to use a pizza oven for those.'

Popular pizza ovens

Here are some of the most popular pizza ovens that we've put through our tough tests.

VonHaus Outdoor Pizza Oven

This VonHaus wood-fired pizza oven is a popular choice, and it's available at lots of retailers. It's very budget-friendly and is one of the lightest models we tested, at 11.5kg.

It's not very large, though, and it can only fit pizzas up to 11 inches wide. It burns wood pellets as fuel, which can be topped up using a handy chute at the top.

Ooni Karu 12 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven 

This wood-fired Ooni pizza oven is significantly cheaper than many others. It isn't the biggest, but it can cook pizzas up to 12 inches in diameter. 

Popular barbecues

We enlist expert chefs to help us test gas, charcoal and electric barbecues from the biggest brands, including the barbecues below.

Weber Smokey Joe Premium 37cm BBQ

This charcoal barbecue doesn't have many bells and whistles, but it's very portable. If you want to use it in the garden, you'll need to find a table or a high, solid surface to put it on.

It has a porcelain-coated body and an integrated vent to help you regulate heat. It's pretty compact, but Weber claims its cooking area is big enough to feed up to four people.

Heston Blumenthal Everdure Force 2-burner Gas BBQ 

This gas barbecue has two burners and a generous 59 x 41cm cooking space. There's a built-in thermometer to help you manage the temperature, and you can remove the barbecue from the supplied stand if you want to use it as a tabletop unit.

It's very heavy, weighing 31kg, so you'll need two people to move it around.

Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Electric BBQ 

If you want to avoid using fuel altogether and save space, this electric model from Ninja could be a great choice. 

It can air fry, smoke (using additional wood pellets) and grill food. It has only one cooking zone, though.

Even at an estimated accuracy rate of around 97% – as cited by Fraser Sampson, a former Home Office biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner – that's more than two million inaccurate reads per day.

And these inaccurate reads all too often result in unfair Parking Charge Notices (PCNs), debt-collection threats and customer service headaches for innocent motorists.

From 'double dipping' to numberplate fraud, we examine the pitfalls of ANPR technology and how to fight an unfair PCN.

ANPR Double-dipping errors

For drivers who regularly visit the same car park in a short space of time – perhaps to go to the supermarket or take a family member to the station – double dipping is one of the most common ANPR-related gripes.

This occurs when you visit a car park on two separate occasions, but the ANPR cameras don't record your first exit or second entrance onto the site. Drivers who fall victim to this will likely be issued a PCN for overstaying.

Which? senior researcher James Aitchison experienced this last year, receiving two erroneous PCNs within three months. Both were issued after he had dropped off his partner at a train station on two subsequent days.

'It was the result of double dipping, as the camera didn't register me leaving the car park on one day or entering the car park the following day,' James explained.

Putting together the evidence wasn't easy, either: 'I ended up using the Google Location data on my phone. I provided screenshots of my location on the relevant days, as well as train ticket stubs to show my whereabouts,' he said.

Camera installation issues

Badly installed cameras are part of the problem. If cameras aren't set up properly – perhaps they're installed in a high-up position or are angled downward – it can lead to misreadings.

Incorrect PCNs may also be issued if a driver's numberplates are masked by the car in front.

Which? member John, from Gloucestershire, was wrongly issued four fines after a poorly installed camera in a nearby car park picked up his registration plate while driving past the site during a holiday.

John hadn't been notified of the fines at the time they were issued in 2024; he only found out about them after paying a legitimate parking fine on the private parking firm's website in January of this year.

He told us: 'After a lot of digging in my records, I recalled that I had rented a holiday cottage near Swanage in 2024, which had a narrow access road that passed a car park, which was ANPR checked. Looking on Google Street View, I could see that the ANPR camera from the car park was positioned in such a way that it had detected my car as it drove past on the way to the cottage.'

John then looked for charges against his son, who had also been staying in the cottage, and found that he had even more PCNs listed against his car. Again, John's son hadn't been notified about them.

After some back and forth, the parking firm removed all the charges.

Numberplate fraud

Licence plate fraud, in which a car's number plates are cloned to avoid ANPR detection, is also leading to unfair fines.

These rogue drivers might then overstay in car parks, fill up with petrol without paying or drive fee-free through congestion zones.

Eric Lytra received nine PCNs from Horizon Parking between March and October 2025, after his numberplate was cloned.

'The rogue car used two black tape strips on the L to change it to an E, so it mirrored my registration. Each fine was due to the car overstaying at a Tesco car park,' Eric said.

He appealed the fines and reported the issue to the police, the DVLA and his insurance firm. Despite this, he continued to receive more PCNs.

'The whole saga only really ended when I managed to get the police, after all that time, to contact the offender, warning that action would be taken if they persisted,' Eric explained. The criminal then finally stopped.

Horizon Parking told us that while ANPR systems are highly effective, it can be challenging to identify deliberately altered or cloned number plates from captured images alone.

It advises you to report these issues to the police, and says that where it finds credible evidence of cloning or tampering, it won't pursue the PCN.

Councils write off fines due to cloned plates

Which? sent Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the councils that issue the most parking fines, asking them how many PCNs they've had to cancel due to a numberplate having been cloned.

Of the five councils that responded to our FOI requests, three saw the number of fines cancelled as a result of cloned plates rise year on year since 2023.

London's Hackney, Islington and Harringay boroughs had the most instances of cloned plates. Hackney cancelled 5,082 PCNs last year due to cloned plate fraud, while Islington cancelled 2,756 and Harringay wrote off 2,581.

Manchester's cancelled fines were up by 147% from 2023, while Cardiff's increased by 122%, and the London Borough of Islington's were up by 45%.

Similarly, FOI data from Transport for London revealed that 9,081 Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) fines were cancelled last year due to cloned plates.

More regulation needed

In December last year, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Transport Safety Group (APPGTS) published a report on the UK's outdated numberplate system.

Concerningly, it noted that there are 34,455 numberplate suppliers registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), with no background checks in place.

Some suppliers handling customers' IDs were even found to have serious criminal convictions, including fraud.

The report gave several recommendations on how to combat this type of fraud, including standardising the design of registration plates in line with international standards, and banning 3D and 4D plates, which can distort ANPR readings.

Crucially, the APPGTS wants to significantly restrict the number of licensed sellers via annual fees, regular audits and removal of non-compliant sellers. It's proposed that the fine for those with illegal plates, which is currently only £100, should be increased and that offenders should be given points on their driving licence.

Which? wants higher standards

The number of privately issued parking fines continues to rise. These fines often feel disproportionate and unfair. 

The government is introducing a new Private Parking Code of Practice, which will replace the industry's self-set code.

It first proposed this Code in February 2022, but it was withdrawn later that year after the industry issued legal proceedings against proposals to change maximum fines and ban additional fees.

In September 2025, the government launched a consultation on the Code. Which? responded, calling for tougher measures to be included to curb unfair PCNs. Some of these measures include standardised signage across car parks, a ban on debt recovery fees and an independent single appeals service to improve the appeals process.

We also want a ban on parking charges issued to motorists who pay for their stay in full before leaving an ANPR car park. This means if you experience delays making your payment, beyond the five-minute grace period typically offered, Which? believes you should not receive a PCN.

These low-cost DIY panels are intended for use where rooftop solar panels aren't possible - if you rent, or live in a flat with a balcony but no roof, for example. Crucially, they can be installed yourself without the need for sign-off by an electrician.

The government estimates that a plug-in panel system could save your household between £70 and £110 a year.

But are DIY panels worthwhile, or is it better to pay more for a professionally installed rooftop solar system?

We've looked into what they are, who they might be suitable for, and the pros and cons compared to a more traditional solar setup. 

Plug-in solar panels are popular in Europe

Plug-in solar panels are already legal in all EU member states except for Sweden and Hungary. In many European countries, they can be bought easily at the supermarket or online.

They can be placed on balconies, terraces or shed roofs, or attached to an external wall. They're seen as a great alternative for residents in rented or shared accommodation, who wouldn't be able to fit rooftop solar panels. 

Germany leads the way on so-called ‘balcony solar’, with more than a million systems installed between 2022 and 2025. Since 2024, tenants and owners have been allowed to install the panels themselves, removing the cost of professional installation. Prices there have halved over the past few years, with small systems now costing as little as €200.

EU countries typically allow plug-in systems up to 800W to be installed without grid operator permission, although there are some registration requirements. Products must meet the relevant safety standards, which include having anti-islanding protection, and must be CE marked (Conformité Européenne, EU conformity marking to meet safety, health and environmental protection requirements).

Why are plug-in panels not legal in the UK now?

Freestanding and portable panels are available to buy in the UK already, but they're only legal for off-grid use. They may be used to run appliances, for example, on boats or in camper vans, or to provide standalone power when camping or in a garden. They can also be used to charge a portable battery, also known as a portable power station, so that the electricity they generate can be used after dark.

If you want to power your home with solar panels, however, current UK standards only permit solar power generation that is permanently connected, which means wired in to the mains and not plugged in to a socket. 

That means it's currently not legal to use plug-in panels — which are plugged into a mains socket to feed into your home's electricity supply — in UK homes. Similar regulations are also in place in countries such as Sweden, Japan and Australia.

Electrical safety rules aim to limit the risk of electrocution and electrical fires. Mains electricity in UK homes is protected by a system of fuses (or breakers) that cut the current to prevent circuits from overloading, burning out and causing fires.

The Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) has warned that some older homes may have wiring or protection devices that were not designed for electricity flowing back into a circuit, which is what happens when you plug in solar panels. Older consumer units (fuse boards) may contain residual current devices (RCDs) that may not trip properly, meaning they don’t offer shock protection when a fault occurs.

Following the expected revisions to the grid code and wiring regulations promised by the government, concerns will remain over the suitability of plug-in solar panel kits, especially for older UK homes. 

If you're worried about the suitability of your home's electrical wiring, we’d recommend having it checked by a qualified electrician before going ahead.

Solar panel pros and cons

There are a few reasons why plug-in solar might be attractive for some households, provided they're safe to install in your home.

We’ve compared the pros and cons of plug-in panels and rooftop solar in the table below.

Choose rooftop solar panels if you can

If you're in a position to install them, rooftop solar panel systems offer a better long-term investment. Panels can last for 25 years or more, and will continue generating electricity — and saving you money — far beyond the initial payback period. They also generate far more electricity than DIY options. 

They are more expensive to install and are only suitable if you have the right roof in the right location. But if you can afford the upfront costs, they are a better choice than plug-in panels.

If you're renting, or a leaseholder, or otherwise unable to install rooftop solar, then plug-in panels might be worth a look.   

What to do if you’re considering plug-in solar panels

If you think that a plug-in solar kit might be right for you, there are a few things you should do first. 

Please note that plug-in solar panels remain illegal for use in the UK at this time.

We'll update this advice when we have further information from the government on plug-in solar roll-out.

We’ve looked at one of the most common upgrades – solar panels – to see whether they can boost your property’s value. To find out, we spoke to estate agents across the UK.

Here, Which? explains whether solar panels add value, what actually affects house prices and how to get a sense of what your home is worth.

Do solar panels add value to your home?

A typical 3.5kWp solar panel system costs around £6,100 to install, according to the Energy Saving Trust, although some systems can reach £20,000. But is this investment reflected in your home’s value?

Most agents told us solar panels don’t typically increase a property’s value, but they can make it easier to sell.

Tony Filice of Cardiff estate agent Kelvin Francis said they are more about improving ‘saleability’ than boosting price.

Agents elsewhere agreed. Coulters, which operates in Edinburgh and East Lothian, said buyers rarely ask about solar panels and they don’t affect valuations. Edwin-Johnson in Keswick also said they don’t price homes higher if panels are installed.

Melinda Illes of D J Alexander said panels ‘should improve saleability, and someone might offer more for a house with than without’, but added that they don’t typically change the formal valuation.

There are some exceptions. Ian Harris of Watsons in North Norfolk said solar panels could add value in certain markets. He pointed to Cambridge, where buyers are often younger, more eco-conscious and may be willing to pay more.

Some studies suggest solar panels can increase property values, but the results are mixed.

While some estimates suggest prices could rise by as much as 14% in certain cases, analysis by trade body Solar Energy UK puts the average uplift between 0.9% and 2%. In 2021, it compared Land Registry house price data with the solar installations database, and found that for a typical home installing a solar pv system could add around £1,800 to its sale price.

What about other in-demand features?

Solar panels aren’t the only feature that can attract buyers.

Many agents told us electric car charging points are becoming more desirable. Jackie Quinn, Propertymark regional executive for the South East, said there has been an increase in buyers asking about them. As with solar panels, they are unlikely to add value directly but can make a property more appealing.

Some features can have the opposite effect. Most agents said oil-based heating systems don’t automatically reduce a property’s value, as there are still enough buyers willing to consider them. However, they can put some people off due to running costs.

Filice said this can sometimes lead to lower offers, as buyers factor in the cost of switching to a cheaper alternative.

What features add value to your home?

The size and type of your property remain the biggest drivers of value. Features such as an outdated kitchen, limited parking or a high flood risk can reduce a property’s appeal.

Location also plays a major role. Being close to a highly rated school, having good local amenities and strong transport links can all increase value. Santander research in 2024 found homes near top schools can command a premium of around £21,000.

Layout and condition can also make a difference. Quinn said open-plan living spaces and bifold doors opening onto a garden can add value. 

How to find out how much your home is worth

If you want a rough idea of your home’s value, there are a few simple ways to get started.

1. Check Land Registry data for your area

You can find the average price of homes, categorised by property type, in your local authority based in the most recent available data (currently January). 

The Land Registry is a valuable tool because its data is based on actual sale prices rather than asking prices. One downside is that it comes with a two-month lag. Overall, it still offers useful insight. 

2. Use the Land Registry's 'price paid' tool

To get an idea of what homes closer to yours sell for you can use the Land Registry's 'price paid' database. With this tool you can find specific property sales on your street or within your postcode area.

However, this information can take a long time to update, so should also be used as a rough guide.

3. Research local listings

Another way to get a rough guide of the value of you home is to search property portals for asking prices of similar properties in your area.

Asking prices are best used as a guide, as there's no guarantee the seller will achieve the price they want.