STRAIGHT TO THE POINT

I SWITCHED energy suppliers three weeks ago and haven’t received a confirmation email or any information about my new tariff. How long should it take to go through?

J. C., London.

IT SHOULD take no more than 17 days to change energy supplier, so you were right to question why you hadn’t heard anything. however, it turns out this was only because you had entered your email address incorrectly — this should all be sorted now. MY MOTHER is 82 and coping well on the state pension she receives — but she is worried she might receive less when the new rules come into force. Can you help?

J. O., via email.

YOUR mother’s payout won’t be affected by these changes. She will still receive a full state pension, as will other pensioners who have already retired.

only those reaching state pension age from april 6, 2016, will receive the new payout of £155.65 a week for those with a full 35-year National Insurance record.

I HAVE a £5 coin from 2001, but I’m struggling to get it changed or accepted by shops. What are my options?

A. B., Billingham, Teesside.

ACCORDING to the Royal Mint, banks, shops and the Post office are free to accept £5 coins at their discretion. unfortunately, they have no obligation to do so. Nor can the coins be dealt with by the Bank of England, which only exchanges banknotes. But many high Street banks will let you cash it in.

WE BOUGHT a second home for £96,000 in 1999 and let it out for 14 years. We then lived in it ourselves for 18 months, before selling it for £280,000. Are the fees we paid to agents and solicitors on this sale tax deductible?

H. H., by email.

YES, the fees are deductible as so- called incidental costs of sale.

Accountancy firm deloitte says part of the rise in value could be exempt from capital gains tax because the property was your main residence for some of the time you owned it. the rules are complex, so do seek detailed advice.