Households across the UK are struggling to keep up with council tax payments, with arrears now topping £8 billion. As local authorities prepare to hike rates again, campaigners are pushing for reforms to ease the burden—especially on low-income families who are being hit hardest.

Editor’s Note: Council tax isn’t just another bill—it’s a lifeline for funding local services like rubbish collection and schools. But with arrears ballooning and rates set to rise, more people risk falling into debt just to keep up. This isn’t just about budgets; it’s about whether the system is working for those who can least afford it.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) just made it way easier for members to tap into their funds in a pinch. They've upped the auto-approval limit for PF advances from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh—meaning most claims under that amount will now get processed automatically within three days. No more waiting weeks for manual approvals. Oh, and they’re also rolling out ATM withdrawals soon, so accessing your cash will be as simple as hitting up an ATM.

Editor’s Note: This is a big deal for salaried workers who rely on their PF savings during emergencies—think medical bills or sudden expenses. Faster access to larger sums without paperwork headaches is a win, especially when time matters. The ATM feature? That’s just icing on the cake, making it feel more like a regular bank account. It’s part of a broader push to modernize India’s retirement savings system, but critics might still question whether ₹5 lakh is enough for major crises. Either way, it’s progress.