• Looking to Sign In? Here’s What You Need to Know

    Looking to Sign In? Here’s What You Need to Know

    If you’re searching for a way to log in to your Police Mutual account, you may be wondering where to find the login page. While Police Mutual does not currently offer an online account login, we want to ensure you get the right support for your financial products.

    How can I get in touch with Police Mutual?

    If you have questions about your policy or any of our products, you can find all our contact details here.

    I have a PMAS product – how can I log in?

    Previously, Police Mutual offered a range of PMAS financial products, including ISAs, Life Insurance, Savings and Investments, Endowments and Bonds, and Pensions. These products are now wholly managed by Royal London, meaning any account access or management will be handled through their platform.

    If you had a PMAS plan and need to log in to manage your account, you can do so via Royal London’s online service. Your plan remains active, and you can continue to access your details as usual.

    To log in or find more information, visit Royal London’s PMAS page.

  • The UK Housing Market is Bouncing Back: Why Now Could Be the Right Time to Move

    The UK Housing Market is Bouncing Back: Why Now Could Be the Right Time to Move

    After a prolonged period of uncertainty, the UK housing market is showing clear signs of recovery. A surge in homes for sale, increased buyer confidence, steady price growth, and improved mortgage affordability have all contributed to what many are calling a mini property boom.

    More Homes on the Market, More Buyers Stepping In

    According to Zoopla’s House Price Index (May 2025), the number of homes listed for sale is up 13% compared to this time last year. This increased supply is giving prospective buyers more choice and breathing fresh life into the market. Crucially, this rise in listings has also translated into activity: agreed sales are up by 6% year-on-year, reaching their highest level since 2021.

    With more sellers entering the market and more buyers ready to move, this increase in housing stock has helped restore a sense of balance. Buyers are currently negotiating deals around 3% below the asking price, suggesting that sellers are willing to be flexible to get deals done, a win for those looking to secure good value.

    House Prices Rising, But at a Manageable Pace

    Nationally, house prices have risen by an average of 1.6% over the past year, with the average UK property now valued at £268,250, according to Zoopla. Importantly, this moderate growth has kept homes within reach for many buyers, especially compared to the double-digit increases seen during the post-pandemic surge.

    Price trends do vary by region. Northern areas like Blackburn and Belfast have seen growth of over 5%, driven by local demand and lower relative starting prices. Conversely, southern coastal cities such as Bournemouth and Brighton have experienced small price declines, likely due to a higher number of properties being brought to market.

    According to the Office for National Statistics, the average house price in West Northamptonshire reached £295,000 in March 2025, marking a 7.0% increase from March 2024. This growth aligns with the broader East Midlands region, which also saw a 7.0% rise during the same period.

    Mortgage Rates Drop and Affordability Improves

    Improved affordability is another factor helping to fuel renewed buyer interest. The Bank of England cut the base rate to 4.25% in May 2025, easing the pressure on borrowers and bringing down mortgage rates across the board.

    According to Morningstar UK, the most competitive two-year and five-year fixed-rate mortgages are now available at 3.75% and 3.83%, respectively — down significantly from the 5–6% range seen in 2023.

    As noted by The Guardian, some lenders have also relaxed their affordability criteria, meaning buyers can now borrow more than in recent years. This has opened the door particularly for first-time buyers and second-steppers looking to move up the property ladder.

    Market Outlook for the Remainder of 2025

    All indicators suggest this trend is set to continue through the second half of the year. Zoopla projects a 5% increase in completed sales and a 2% rise in average prices by the end of 2025, underpinned by growing market confidence and more accessible mortgage deals.

    Meanwhile, The Times reports that UK house sales are now at their highest level since the lockdown-induced boom, suggesting that the recovery is not just anecdotal.

    Is Now the Right Time to Move?

    With more homes to choose from, competitive mortgage rates, and steady house price growth, the current market offers real opportunities for movers.

    Daniel Mumford, Managing Director at Grange Mortgages, commented:
    “With increased property listings, stable pricing, and improved mortgage affordability, there’s a unique window of opportunity for buyers and movers. The current market conditions are among the most favourable we’ve seen in recent years, making it an excellent time to consider your next property move.”

    For more information on the Police Mutual Fee-Free Mortgage Advice Service, provided by Grange Mortgages click here.

  • Healthy Eating Week 2025

    Healthy Eating Week 2025

    12 – 16 June 2025

    Healthy eating week is a great time to think about improving your diet. Poor nutrition and obesity are becoming more common in the UK. According to Public Health England nearly 2/3rds of adults in England are classed as being overweight with more men likely to be in this category than women.

    Being overweight can cause various health concerns and according to Cancer Research UK, overweight and obesity is the 2nd biggest cause of cancer. Keeping a healthy weight reduces the risk of 13 different types of cancer. Diabetes and heart disease are also other conditions that you have a higher chance of developing if you are obese.

    It is therefore important to ensure you are eating a balanced diet. This guide will give you some tips on how to achieve a healthy diet.

    How can you improve your eating and drinking habits?

    Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day (this can include frozen & dried). This will not only improve your nutritional intake, but also many fruits and non-starchy vegetables such as grapes, watermelons, tomatoes, and lettuce, contain a lot of water and can help keep you hydrated as well.

    When eating carbohydrates, choose whole grains and high fibre versions with less added fat, salt and sugar and more vitamins. Eating whole grains instead of highly refined grains can help reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes and can support a healthy digestive system.

    Ensure you are getting a good source of protein like lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy products, soya, seeds and nuts and beans and pulses. Reduce the amount of processed meat you are eating, these include sausages, bacon, cured ham, corned beef, and smoked meat. Try to eat 2 portions of fish per week, at least one of which is oily.

    Be aware of your sugar intake. Eating too much sugar can cause weight gain and tooth decay, so moderation is key. Some studies believe that sugar can be incredibly addictive, so keep track of how much sugar you are adding to your food and drinks. Look at information on nutrition labels and ingredients lists to help reduce your intake of sugar. High sugar intake is linked to numerous ailments, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and many forms of cancer.

    A lot of products have been choosing to replace their sugar usage with sweeteners and this is where diet drinks have come from. Sweeteners are a minimum of 200 times sweeter than sugar and can be as much as 700 times sweeter. This means that less can be used in foods, therefore we consume less product overall. Sweeteners are much better for you from a dental health perspective. However, the research around obesity and weight gain is not clear. It is therefore best that sweeteners included in your diet are in moderation.

    We all know that it’s important to keep hydrated and to drink more water. Water is good for your health, drinking 8 glasses of water each day is recommended to maintain good health, which is around 1.5 to 2 litres.

    When choosing what to drink, consider the nutritional benefits. Sugary drinks can often be your biggest source of sugar intake. The soft drinks industry levy or sugar tax was introduced in April 2018 as a key part of a government strategy to tackle childhood obesity.

    Flavoured water is often promoted as a healthier alternative to fizzy drinks but that’s not always the case. Even though they are zero or low calories, these drinks can be loaded with sugar, artificial sweeteners, artificial colouring, preservatives, and other unnatural ingredients. One easy way to ensure tasty water that’s naturally flavoured is to make it yourself.

    DIY infused drinks add nutrients to your diet that can strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, kick start your metabolism and help you maintain a healthy, hydrated body. You could try using cucumber, lemon, lime, mint, ginger, basil or even a cinnamon stick.

    Swap caffeine and alcohol with water. Caffeine and alcohol are both diuretics, meaning that they cause your body to remove fluids from your blood at a much quicker rate than other liquids. This results in the body becoming dehydrated.

    Alcoholic drinks contain almost twice as many calories as protein and carbohydrates they also contain calories from other sources, which add to overall caloric intake, e.g. cocktails, mixers, spirits. Alcohol loosens the inhibitions and therefore you are more likely to indulge on unhealthy foods. If you’re drinking and then you don’t feel well the next day, you’re going to be less likely to be physically active. When you drink your body is more focused on breaking down alcohol rather than burning fat.

    Recommended Daily Allowance

    Food labels use reference intakes to demonstrate the amount of calories you should eat each day.

    The intake for an average adult should be:

    • Saturates – less than 20g
    • Carbohydrates – at least 260g
    • Energy – 2000Kcal
    • Fat – less than 70g
    • Total sugars – 90g
    • Protein – 50g
    • Salt – less than 6g

    Poor nutrition or malnutrition is caused by a person’s diet lacking the right amount of nutrients. Malnutrition can refer to undernutrition, which is not getting enough nutrition and over nutrition, where you are getting more nutrients than you need.

    Malnutrition can lead to a range of serious health conditions, including:

    • Type 2 diabetes
    • Cardiovascular disease
    • Obesity
    • Depression
    • Bone and joint issues
    • Tooth decay

    It’s important for you to be aware of the symptoms of poor nutrition and dehydration.

    These include, but are not limited to, dizziness, dry skin, nausea, and heart palpitations. If you notice any of these changes occurring, you need to be proactive and take some preventative measures to

    avoid malnutrition by having a healthier, more balanced diet.

    Here are some tips if you are trying to lose weight and want to reduce hunger cravings naturally:

    Some foods are high in soluble fibre which form a gel in your bowels, making you fuller for longer and helping to clear cholesterol from your blood. Eat oats, barley, rice, golden linseeds, chia seeds, aubergine, okra, bananas, apples, citrus fruits, strawberries, prunes, plums, avocados, pears, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and onions. Food such as meat, fish and diary don’t contain any fibre as this only comes from plant foods.

    • Keep it simple and don’t fall prey to fad diets.
    • Aim for a protein source at every meal to combat the hunger cycle.
    • If you don’t exercise often, look to make movement part of your day.
    • Avoid drinking sugary drinks where possible, as it is common to underestimate how many calories and how much sugar a drink can contain. Look out for ‘no added sugar’ drinks.
    • Feel empowered, not overwhelmed, if you are trying to switch to a healthier diet take it one step at a time and in moderation.  You will be more likely to stick with it. Be patient losing weight will take time.
    • Set realistic goals, to maintain a balanced nutritional diet and fit in regular exercise.  Start by making small changes such as walking daily.
    • Try using a health and wellbeing mobile App, to keep track of your calorie intake and water consumption. Make sure you celebrate your milestones.

    Food and Stress

    You have both physical and psychological relationships with food. Your physical relationship with food is based on the types of food you choose to eat, your eating behaviour, or habits and how your body responds biologically to your diet.

    Your psychological or emotional relationship with food is based on how you think about food, how you use food for reasons other than to relieve hunger, and how food relates to your body image, or the way you feel about how you look.

    In order to get control of stress eating, you have to control your stress levels.

    Read our stress awareness guide here.

    5 ways to manage food consumption when stressed:

    1. Know your stressors

    2. Exercise to reduce stress

    3. Reach out for help

    4. Develop a practice of mindfulness

    5. Learn intuitive eating

  • Car & Home Insurance – How do you Make Sure you get the Best Value for your Needs Compared to the Cost?

    Car & Home Insurance – How do you Make Sure you get the Best Value for your Needs Compared to the Cost?

    Price increases and rising inflation are putting a lot of pressure on household finances. Many people are actively reviewing their finances and cutting back or eradicating expenditure where possible to make savings.

    Payments and prices will come under the spotlight. But it’s not always a case of searching out the lowest cost, you need to consider your personal needs and the value you want your policy to provide.

    Take insurance premiums for example. Car insurance is a legal requirement in the UK, but home insurance isn’t. So, at the extreme, someone could risk not insuring their home to save outgoings. But what a risk! Damage to the house structure or loss of home contents could be incredibly expensive to redress.

    So, how could you manage the amount you pay for your insurance whilst making sure it is still adequate for your needs? Options to look at could include opting to pay a higher excess in the event of a claim, or not covering your home contents for accidental damage. When considering options like this you would need to consider how you would cover any additional costs that might arise in the event of a claim. For example, consider if you could afford to pay the higher excess in the event of a claim, or how you would replace items subject to accidental damage if you decided not to take that level of cover out with your policy. 

    Some insurance policies may promote a lower headline cost, but either not include certain elements that you personally would find useful or need, or make you pay extra for elements that you want to make use of.

    Examples include:

    • You might want to consider a car insurance policy that provides a courtesy car. If as a result of a claim your car needs to go in for repairs you would need to make arrangements to remain mobile for the period that your car is being repaired.
    • You might want to consider a home or car insurance policy that doesn’t charge to make changes during the time you hold the policy with the insurer. Changes you may need to make during the year could include mileage changes, address changes, insured driver changes and provision of duplicate documents. If your job or occupation changes, you might need to change your home or car insurance cover, for instance, if you become self-employed and work from home. If your policy charges for amendments these can add costs to your original premium paid.
    • You may want to review what policy extras you actually need, being mindful that you would need to consider how you would cover any additional costs arising if you decided to exclude policy add-ons.
    • Specialist Police car insurance policies may or may not include protection for officers travelling to or from work in their car whilst carrying official kit such as their Police Uniform. If you are a serving officer, you may want to make sure your policy covers you for this.

    So, it pays to look beyond the headline cost and get a policy that works for you and your specific needs.

    Reviewing your policy could make sure you have a policy that meets your individual needs and help reduce the chances of you being hit with any unexpected costs.

    If you are reviewing your insurance premium costs as part of your household finances review, you may be interested to know that you don’t need to wait until your renewal date to review and switch your insurance policy.

    Even if you took out an annual policy paid upfront as a lump sum, you may be able get a refund on some of your premiums and switch to a new insurer of your choice. However, some insurance companies may apply a cancellation charge for moving away from them during the term of the policy. You can help protect yourself from these charges by moving to an insurer that will pay some or all of the cancellation fees charged by your old insurer.

    If you move your car or home insurance to Police Mutual, any cancellation fees charged by your old insurer up to a maximum of £125 will be paid. So you can move straight away without waiting till renewal time. To give you an idea of cancellation charges, the average cancellation charge levied in 2024 (after the 14-day cooling off period) for car insurance was £55,[1] and while there are no official figures for home insurance in 2024, it’s usually between £25 and £50, according to NimbleFins.[2] Your existing policy documents should tell you what your exact cancellation charge would be.

    You can check out Police Mutual Car & Home Insurance here.

    Police Mutual Car Insurance is provided by ERS and Police Mutual Home Insurance is provided by Bspoke Underwriting Ltd.

    PMGI Limited, trading as Police Mutual is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 114942. Registered in England & Wales No.1073408. Registered office: Brookfield Court, Selby Road, Leeds, LS25 1NB. For your security, all telephone calls are recorded and may be monitored.

    [1] Average Cost to Cancel UK Car Insurance (2024) | NimbleFins

    [2] Home Cancellation Fees| NimbleFins

  • Loneliness Awareness Week 2025

    Loneliness Awareness Week 2025

    9 – 15 June 2025

    We all feel lonely at times, it is a natural emotion. By building a greater awareness and acceptance of loneliness, we can help ourselves to manage the feeling.

    Loneliness awareness week is hosted by Marmalade Trust. Their aim is to reduce the stigma of loneliness. The aim of this week is to raise awareness of loneliness and to get people talking about it. The theme this year is ‘Meeting Loneliness Together’.  For more details of the week click here.

    Loneliness is affecting more and more people in the UK and has had a huge impact on our physical and mental health especially during and since the pandemic. The connection to other people and community is fundamental to protecting our mental health.

    Most people will feel lonely at some point in their lives, regardless of age or background. It’s a deeply personal experience that in most cases will thankfully pass. But for a growing number of people, loneliness can define their lives and have a significant impact on their overall wellbeing.

    Loneliness will be felt differently for everyone, it may still occur when you have loving support around you. It’s not always the number of social contacts but the perception of those relationships that count. Feeling lonely is different from being alone.

    Things you should know about loneliness

    Loneliness is a natural feeling

    Most of us will experience loneliness at some point in our lives. Loneliness doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with you, it’s just your body’s way of letting you know that you’re not getting your social needs met. Like hunger telling you to eat.

    You shouldn’t feel embarrassed or shameful about being lonely.

    Loneliness can affect you at any age

    It is generally thought that the older community are more likely to feel lonely, but this isn’t the case, people aged 16-24 are now the most likely group to be affected by loneliness.

    There are various reasons for feeling lonely

    Certain life events, such as a bereavement can trigger such feelings, even if other family members rally around in support.

    Loneliness can be caused by many other things including leaving the workplace, children or friends moving away, debilitating health condition or illness, no longer being able to participate in normal hobbies or activities and lack of access to transport. Emotional loneliness can happen in relationships and families, where you have people in your life, but you don’t feel close to or understood by them.

    We are all different and you may not know someone is feeling lonely unless they tell you.

    Loneliness is temporary

    You may not realise it if you are feeling overwhelmed by loneliness, but it won’t last forever and you can take steps to feel better.

    Loneliness should improve with time. However, often it’s advisable to address the situation in the early stages to prevent it becoming a chronic issue. Loneliness is now being recognised for its damaging effects, such as mental health conditions, cardiovascular issues, and sleep problems, it is therefore important to try and overcome the feeling of isolation.

    Loneliness is not a mental health condition. However, if left unchecked, loneliness can start to affect both your mental and physical health.

    What can you do if you’re feeling Lonely?

    • Catch up with friends – Connecting with the people around you, your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours are key to your overall wellbeing. These relationships will support and enrich you.
    • Make new friends – Join local groups or classes based on your interests, not only will you be doing something you enjoy, you’ll meet new people with similar interests.
    • Help others by volunteering – Giving to others is a great way to boost your wellbeing. It can give a sense of purpose and create feelings of positivity. It is also a great way to meet new people whilst helping the local community.
    • Do things you enjoy – Plan your week to include activities that you enjoy and make you feel good.
    • Learn a new skill – Continued learning throughout your life helps to enhance your self-esteem and encourages social interactions.
    • Spend time outdoors – Fresh air, natural light and exercise combined are great for our mental health. Whatever the weather it’s great to get outside.
    • Focus on the positives – When you are feeling lonely, you can sometimes be in a negative frame of mind. Thinking about the good things in your life, remembering happy times or identifying at least one thing each day to be thankful for can help you to think more positively.
    • Look after yourself – Self-care is essential. Make sure you are sleeping well, eating healthily and being as active as possible. Prioritise looking after yourself.
    • It’s good to talk – If at times, life gets too much for you, it’s important that you speak to someone about how you are feeling, this may be a family member or trusted friend, your GP, or a professional organisation.

    However lonely you are feeling, there is always something you can do to feel better. Loneliness Awareness Week is a good time to start to make a positive change.

    Useful links

  • Men’s Health Week 2025

    Men’s Health Week 2025

    9-15 June 2025

    Wellbeing and health are topics that are often over-looked by men. Men’s Health Week is a great time to think about your overall wellbeing. This year the theme is ‘What the NHS offers now and how a strategic approach can make it better.’ For more information click here.

     Did you know:

    • 1 man in 5 dies before age 65.
    • Men are twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease (CVD) than women.
    • Women live longer than men.
    • 3 out of 4 suicides are male.
    • Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50.
    • Men between the ages of 18 and 44 are less likely to go see a doctor than women.
    • 68% of men are overweight or obese.
    • Diabetes is more prevalent amongst men than women.
    • Men are more likely to drink alcohol to dangerous levels.
    • Men are twice as likely to have liver disease.
    • Men are less likely to access psychological therapies than women.
    • Men are more likely to smoke and use illegal drugs.

     It is vital that men start to feel more comfortable talking about their health and wellbeing.

    Physical Health

    The main physical health issues that men face are:

    According to the UK Government website 1 in 10 men aged 50 have a heart age 10 years older than they are. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), with stroke and heart attack being the most common examples, is the leading cause of death for men and the second leading cause of death for women. Around a quarter of CVD deaths are in people under the age of 75, with many of these preventable if lifestyle and behavioural changes were made to improve their heart health.

    According to Cancer Research UK men are more likely to get cancer than women, and also more likely to die from the disease.

    Testicular cancer is the most common cancer of 15 to 44-year-old men (but it happens to younger and older men too). Typical symptoms are a painless swelling or lump in one of the testicles, or any change in shape or texture of the testicles. It’s important to be aware of what feels normal for you. Get to know your body and see a GP if you notice any changes.

    Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. It usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs for many years. Symptoms of prostate cancer do not usually appear until the prostate is large enough to affect the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the penis (urethra). When this happens, you may notice things like:

    • an increased need to urinate
    • straining while you urinate
    • a feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied

    These symptoms should not be ignored, but they do not mean you have prostate cancer. It’s more likely they’re caused by something else, such as prostate enlargement. See a GP if you experience these symptoms.

    Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. There are 2 main types of diabetes:

    • Type 1 diabetes – where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin.
    • Type 2 diabetes – where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells do not react to insulin.

    Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. In the UK, around 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2. Men are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than women.

    Tips for staying healthy:

    • Drink less than 14 units of alcohol a week (equivalent of 6 pints of average strength beer).
    • If you smoke, STOP! On average a cigarette smoker will die 10 years younger than a non-smoker. For help stopping smoking click here.
    • Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day.
    • Walk 10,000 steps a day.
    • If it comes in brown choose this over white (rice, pasta, bread).
    • Drink at least 2 litres of water a day.
    • Aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week.
    • Regularly have your cholesterol and blood pressure checked.
    • Aim to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night (or day if you are working nights).

    Mental Health

    One in four people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year.

    For many of us talking about mental health is difficult and often men find this even more difficult. It’s hard to put how you’re feeling into words. Remember you can be strong without being silent.

    As a police officer your role is to serve and protect, this means that you are less likely to ask for help, as you may think it’s seen as a sign of weakness. We all need to stop thinking that talking about emotional or mental health is a sign of weakness. Police officers are dying because they aren’t asking for or getting help.

    Research has shown that emergency services workers are twice as likely as the public to identify problems at work as the main cause of their mental health problems, but they are also significantly less likely to seek help.

    If you’re struggling with your mental health, help is available:

    Stress and anxiety are normal. It’s what we do about it that matters. There are various steps you can take to cope with being under pressure, remember, different things work for different people.

    • Identify your triggers and take control – working out what triggers your stress can help you anticipate when you may feel stressed and what you could do about it in advance.
    • Organise your time – making some adjustments to the way you organise your time can help you feel more in control and able to handle the pressure you are feeling.
    • Be active – exercise can help clear your head and then let you deal with your problems more calmly. Go outside to exercise, as fresh air and spending time in nature can really help.
    • Talk to other people – friends, family and colleagues can help support you through the stress you are feeling, you may even have a laugh and start to relax. You may also want to consider talking to a professional counsellor.
    • Do something you enjoy – spending time doing something you enjoy will take your mind off how you are feeling. Everyone needs to take time for themselves, it can be as simple as having a bath or reading a book.
    • Avoid unhealthy ways to cope – many people use alcohol, smoking, chocolate, and gambling to try and relieve the stress they are feeling, none of these things will help in the long term, use healthy coping strategies like going for a run, listening to music, or walking the dog.
    • Challenge yourself – learning new skills and setting yourself new goals will help build your confidence and make you feel good about yourself.
    • Help others – people who volunteer in the community or for a worthwhile cause tend to be more resilient.
    • Try to be positive – think of all the things you are grateful for, write down or say out loud 3 things that went well each day.
    • Address some of the causes – where possible improve some of the issues that are putting pressure on you.
    • Accept the things you can’t change – it’s not easy but accepting that there are some things happening to you that you can’t do anything about will help you focus your time and energy elsewhere.

    For more details on looking after your mental health, read our guide here.

    To read our stress awareness guide click here.

    Financial wellbeing

    Worrying about money can be extremely stressful and may lead to mental and physical health conditions.

    According to the Police Federation of England and Wales Pay & Morale survey published in 2025:

    • More than half of police officers are worrying about money every day.
    • 79% of respondents felt that they were ‘worse off’ financially than they were five years ago.

    Being in debt causes stress and worry which can lead to mental health problems. Research by moneyandmentalhealth.org found that nearly half of those in England in problem debt also suffer from poor mental health.

    Individuals with multiple debt problems are at a ‘significantly high risk of suicide’ than those with just one problem debt.

    If you’re struggling with debt or finding it hard to manage your finances, then we’re here to help.  Read our debt awareness guide here.

    If you are struggling with gambling, call the National Gambling Helpline (24 hours) 0808 80 20 133 or read our guide here.

  • Carers Week 2025

    Carers Week 2025

    9-15 June 2025

    Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers of all ages face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities. For more details click here.

    The theme for Carers Week this year is ‘Caring about Equality’. Calling for an equal society where carers are truly valued, recognised and supported. Carers Week provides a vital opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges facing carers and to connect more carers to available support.

    A carer is anyone who looks after a family member or friend who has a disability, mental or physical illness or who needs extra help as they grow older. Caring’s impact on all aspects of life from relationships and health to finances and work can be significant. Whilst many feel that caring is one of the most important things they do, its challenges should not be underestimated. Caring without the right information and support can be tough.  It is vitally important that we recognise the contribution carers make to their families and local communities, workplaces, and society, and that they get the support they need.

    Caring for someone has many positive and rewarding aspects to it and it can be the most loving thing you can do for someone else. It can, however, also be challenging, leaving you feeling exhausted and in some cases can be extremely lonely and isolating. If you find you are struggling it is important to ask for help and support.

    Caring for elderly parents

    Our parents bring us up and do everything for us when we are children, so it can come as a shock when they start to require care themselves. As people age or develop disabilities, you may need to ask for help to take care of elderly parents.

    Persuading parents to accept help can be difficult, but it’s important that everybody is open and honest about their hopes and fears. Explain to your parents that you are worried they are struggling to manage.

    A big decision you and your parents may have to make is about whether they will receive at-home care or if they will move into a residential care home, this may consist of sheltered housing, assisted living or a nursing home. Talk to specialists and those involved in your parents’ care, such as their GP, any social workers involved or staff at care homes. Ensure you involve your parents and ask them their views.

    Caring for someone with dementia

    Caring for someone with Dementia can be daunting, challenging, and exhausting. Here are some things to consider.

    • Accept support – this support may come from other members of your family, a professional or a support group. Just don’t be afraid to accept or ask for help. This help will allow you to take a break and have some time to yourself.
    • Be empathetic – as a carer compassion and empathy are at the heart of what you are doing. Be patient and understanding, don’t criticize and judge.
    • Look after their overall wellbeing – make sure the person with dementia regularly has their physical health monitored and ensure they receive the appropriate health advice or treatment. It’s important they remain active, eat a balanced diet, and get enough sleep.
    • Dementia specific support – seek out advice, support, education, and training. This could involve investigating local services, joining a social or peer support group.
    • Be positive – focus on their strengths and think about what they can still do, rather than what they can’t. Prioritise things that bring them peace and joy and avoid negative comments.
    • Be realistic – those with dementia will have good and bad days. Be realistic about the course of the disease, remember that most types of dementia are irreversible and progressive.
    • Plan ahead – when caring for someone with dementia things will change, so you should prepare for a time when your loved one may need more care than you can provide, this may be provided from a professional coming into their home each day or with your loved one moving into a residential setting. You will need to prepare yourself for this emotionally and plan financially for this change. For more information read our guide here.

    Caring for someone with a disability

    Looking after someone with a physical disability can be physically demanding for you as a carer. An important part of your role is to make sure the person you care for has the best quality of life possible by helping them to be as independent as possible.

    There is no ideal way to care for someone with a disability. Each person is different, each with a different disability.  Here are some things you can do to help make life as a carer that little bit easier for you both:

    • Take time to understand their illness or condition – the term disability is varied. Its therefore important for you to research the disability itself to help understand the challenges it’s likely to present. This knowledge can help you empathise more with your loved one.
    • Focus on their abilities rather than their disabilities – when caring for a disabled person at home, it’s easy to focus on what they can’t do and do it for them. In order to be as independent as possible, it’s important to try to encourage them to do as many of the things they can themselves, and only step in when they really need help.
    • Think ahead – all types of disabilities will present unexpected challenges every day. Planning for emergencies in advance can enable you to respond as well as possible to the unexpected.

    If you can its useful for you to attend health appointments with your loved one where possible, taking a list of questions with you so that you can be fully informed.

    Another thing you might want to think ahead about is making legal arrangements. For instance, has your loved one made a will and do they have a power of attorney in place.   

    Young carers

    A young carer is someone under 18 who looks after a parent or another family member who is ill or help them by looking after other members of the family while they can’t. They take on physical and emotional duties like bathing and dressing of the person they are caring for or cooking meals for younger siblings and helping them to get ready for school and bed each day.    

    It can be hard work, scary at times and isolating and may lead them to miss school or being bullied.  Many young people cope well with caring, especially if you have support from other family members, but it’s important for them to look after themselves. This may involve talking to a teacher or school counsellor.  There is also lots of organisations providing help, like Young Minds and Barnardo’s.

    Financial assistance for carers

    Having the right financial aid can really help when caring for a loved one at home. There are a range of different benefits that offer that little bit of extra support, including:

    • Carer’s Allowance – if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits you could get a weekly allowance.  You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.  For more details click here.
    • Carer’s Credit -a National Insurance credit that helps with gaps in your NI record. You’re eligible for this if you care for someone at least 20 hours a week. For more details click here.
    • Disability Living Allowance for Children – may be payable if you care for a disabled child. For more details click here.
    • Carer Premium – an additional amount of money paid on top of other benefits you might already be claiming. You can claim the premium if you receive any of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Pension and Tax Credits, or Council Tax. For more details click here.

    Additionally, depending on your age and circumstances you may also be entitled to Pension Credit and additional local welfare assistance. Click here for more info.

    Caring for yourself

    Caring can be both physically and mentally exhausting, you may be getting up several times in the night, you may have to lift an adult who is heavier than you, or you may be juggling caring whilst also holding down a job. You may also have the emotional distress of seeing a loved one suffering.

    It is important that you take care of your own health, even if you are busy looking after someone else’s health. Being healthy is not only important for you, but it also helps the person you care for too.  Remember you can’t pour from an empty cup.

    Caring for others can be extremely stressful and may lead to mental health conditions including depression. The tips below may help:

    • Eat well
    • Sleep well
    • Enjoy some time for yourself
    • Get exercise when you can
    • Consider trying meditation or mindfulness
    • Write in a journal about what you are going through and how you feel
    • If you are working request compassionate leave or flexible working

    Recognising your own needs will help you balance caring with the rest of your life; it will also ensure you are physically and mentally well enough to care for your loved one as well as you can.

    As a carer you may experience a range of emotions, including feelings of isolation, anger, guilt, stress, and fatigue. All these feelings are natural but to overcome them, some of the tips below may help:

    • Talk to others in a similar situation or join a support group
    • Seek out the national organisation devoted to the condition or illness that you are dealing with
    • Ask other members of the family for help to give you a break and avoid burnout
    • Speak to a counsellor, therapist, or your GP about how you are feeling
    • Try to set some time aside for yourself every day and do something you enjoy

    Support & Sources of Information

  • Spring has Sprung

    Spring has Sprung

    Spring is the time of year that we dust off the winter blues, enjoy longer days and look forward to the return of sunshine. Traditionally spring also sees a boost to the mortgage market with potential buyers starting house hunts in earnest, or people looking to re-mortgage for home improvements. If you’re considering a house purchase this spring, here are some hints and tips to help you through the process.

    Consider your budget:

    Buying a home is an expensive business. It’s not just about getting a mortgage, you also need to consider the other costs associated with your move. Legal fees, surveys, stamp duty and removal costs are just a few so make sure you include these in your upfront budgeting. It’s also worth remembering the potential for rates to rise.

    Get a mortgage agreement in principle:

    Most lenders will offer a ‘mortgage agreement in principle’ – this confirms the amount you’ve specified to the lender which you believe you’ll need to borrow. This isn’t a guarantee to lending, as it’s subject to acceptance and completion of various checks and surveys. However, having an agreement in principle could give you an advantage when you’re putting in an offer on a property. You can research the mortgage market yourself but this can be very complex. Consider contacting a mortgage advisor who can help you find the deals you qualify for and guide you through the process.

    And don’t forget… If you choose to take out a mortgage with a fixed rate, that deal will come to an end after the period specified by the mortgage provider.

    Consider resale potential:

    If the property you’re buying is not going to be your forever home you need to consider how easy it will be to re-sell when you’re ready to move on. If a property has been on the market for a while think about why it hasn’t sold, is it the surrounding area or the layout of the property?

    Get the correct survey:

    The mortgage company will request a survey of the property but this is only for lending purposes and will not give you a full view of the condition of the property. To protect yourself, you should consider obtaining either a more detailed homebuyer’s report or a full structural survey, which is the most comprehensive of the three. These reports are more expensive but they’re very detailed and any problems they identify may help you negotiate the purchase price of the property.

    Arrange your home insurance:

    Before you exchange contracts you need to ensure that you have suitable home insurance in place – buildings insurance is mandatory for exchange. Shop around and get as many quotes as possible but remember to balance the cost of the policy against the benefits. Some of the cheapest policies may not offer the cover you need or have high excesses in the event of a claim.

    Police Mutual offer insurance to help you protect your home and belongings – to find out more and to get a quote click here.

    Should you move or improve?:

    If there is room for improvement, you might want to think about making changes to your current home rather than moving. Adding space can generally add value to your home. Do your research on what you might be able to add by speaking to local estate agents or looking at similar homes in the area. You may be able to fund smaller home improvements with savings but for larger projects you could consider talking to your existing mortgage provider about extending the loan or speaking to an independent mortgage adviser about a remortgage.

    You can find more information on the Police Mutual Fee-Free Mortgage Advice Service here.

  • Mortgage Broker or Direct Deal?

    Mortgage Broker or Direct Deal?

    With so many mortgage deals available, how can you ensure you find the right one for you?

    You could decide to go direct, searching the market yourself and approaching a lender directly for a specific mortgage deal. Lenders may provide advice, but only on the products they offer. Going direct could save you money as you’re not charged fees that some brokers charge for mortgage advice, but only if you know what mortgage is best for you.  You could arrange a new mortgage with your existing bank or building society, but you could be limited solely to their own mortgage products, significantly restricting the deals available to you.

    What is a mortgage broker?

    A mortgage broker is a person or company that arranges a mortgage between you (the borrower) and a mortgage lender.

    They will:

    • Help you assess your financial situation
    • Search the market to find deals that match your criteria
    • Recommend the most suitable mortgage for your needs

    What are the benefits of using a broker?

    • Convenience – if you’re not sure what you’re looking for and aren’t clear on the mortgage markets, or just don’t have the time to search for deals and speak to lenders, then a broker can be very useful. They could save you a considerable amount of time.
    • Access – mortgage brokers will usually have access to a wide range of lenders, with deals that aren’t always available if you go direct. This means they have a wider choice of options to recommend from.
    • Expertise – if you’re not familiar with the different types of mortgages available, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. For such an important financial decision, having an expert who can provide impartial advice and explain things, will make the whole process clearer.

    What are the disadvantages?

    • Cost – mortgage brokers receive commission from the lender, some charge a fee for their services. This can be charged an hourly or ‘flat fee’ basis and can either be charged up front or on completion of your mortgage.
    • Limitations – not all brokers have independent access to the mortgage market, some only use certain lenders. Not all mortgage deals offered by banks and building societies are available through brokers.
    • Quality – getting a mortgage is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make, so it’s important to make sure you choose a broker carefully and get recommendations where possible.

    What types of mortgage brokers are there?

    • Brokers who only offer mortgage from a single lender
    • Brokers who offer mortgages from a limited number of lenders
    • Brokers who offer a comprehensive range of mortgages from across the market.

    You can find more information on the Police Mutual Fee-Free Mortgage Advice Service here.

  • Understanding Mortgage Rates: How They Work and Future Trends

    Understanding Mortgage Rates: How They Work and Future Trends

    Mortgage rates play a crucial role in the property market, influencing homebuying decisions and the overall economic landscape. In this article, we will explore the mechanics behind mortgage rates and the factors influencing them.

    Mortgage rates represent the interest that lenders charge borrowers for home loans. These rates fluctuate based on several factors, including:

    1. Economic Indicators:

    Key economic indicators such as the Bank of England Base Rate, inflation, employment rates, bonds yields and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, impact mortgage rates. Lenders assess these indicators to determine the level of risk associated with lending money.

    What is inflation?

    You may have heard this mentioned in the news. Inflation is the rate of change in the consumer price of goods and services. It’s most commonly measured using the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) and the Retail Prices Index (RPI). It compares the price of consumer goods in the current year with the previous year.

    So how does inflation impact mortgage rates? The Bank of England takes into consideration inflation when deciding interest rates. Previously when inflation has gone up then interest rates have also tended to increase.

    2. Credit Scores:

    Borrowers’ credit scores play a significant role. Individuals with higher credit scores often qualify for lower mortgage interest rates as they are considered less risky to lenders.

    In addition to your credit score personal factors such as your deposit, income and assets can also affect what mortgage rates are available to you.

    3. Loan Terms:

    The length of the loan term also affects mortgage rates. Generally, shorter-term loans have lower interest rates compared to longer-term ones.


    Predicting future mortgage rates is challenging due to the multitude of economic factors and market conditions. Although some mortgage lenders have started cutting mortgage rates, predicting future rates remains uncertain. Staying informed about economic trends and regularly monitoring market conditions can help individuals make informed decisions about their home financing options.

    You can find more information on the Police Mutual Fee-Free Mortgage Advice Service here.