STRAIGHT TO THE POINT

I DON’T pay VAT for my mealson-wheels. Sometimes these are delivered hot, sometimes cold. Will the so-called pasty tax mean I now have to pay VAT on them?

R. T., Swindon, Wilts. NO. THE pasty tax — which will see hot takeaway foods all charged 20 pc VAT — applies only to businesses. Meals-onwheels, provided for people with a social care need, are classed as a non- business activity and so are exempt. WHEN does the state pension go up and to what?

P. G., Hemel Hempstead. IT INCREASES to £107.45 on April 9. But payments for that day, as it is bank holiday, will be paid tomorrow. This applies to all state benefits. If you are paid weekly in arrears, the payment will count towards this tax year’s income. If you are paid in advance, then it will count towards next year’s. WE HAVE been told my mother will have to sell her house to cover the cost of her nursing home. When that money runs out, we have to pay. Is this true?

H. L., Halifax. YOUR mother may have to sell her home if there are no safeguards in place, such as a trust, and if there are no other relatives living there.

There is no rule saying you have to pay when the money runs out. Care home fees are means-tested and, if the value of your mother’s assets fall below the £23,250 threshold, she will be eligible for help.

However, if the care home she is currently in is too expensive to be paid for entirely by the local authority, you might have to help pay ‘top-up fees’, or she could have to move to a more affordable home. I AM looking to open the Halifax Isa Saver Fixed, at 4.25 pc for three years. Can I take my interest out each year?

C. A., by email. NO. HALIFAX adds the interest to your account each year. You are not allowed to make any withdrawals from the account — not even your interest.