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Half of adults want more effort from partners on Valentine’s Day

Helen Greaney
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Half of adults want more effort from partners on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day has been dubbed a waste of money with novelty mugs and cheap underwear amongst the worst presents.

More than half of the 2,015 adults polled, said their partner should make more effort, rather than splurge on presents they don’t even want.

Respondents reported the rubbish gifts they had received included ‘wrong’ perfume, socks, candles and even, a car mat.

But while most said the day of lovers is a waste of time, one in three said they’d be gutted if their better half did nothing to celebrate.

Travel together

The research by Railcard.co.uk, found that one in five said a trip away would be the best romantic gesture with the Lake District top destination in the UK.

Relationship expert and coach, Sarah Louise Ryan, said: “Couples who travel together often end up more fulfilled and happier in their relationship.

“There are many reasons for this; inclusive of the fact it encourages communication and can deepen feelings of commitment as they plan their trips ahead of time, looking towards the future.

“Travel allows more opportunities for romance and time outside of the day-to-day routine, meaning romantic sparks can be reignited.

“Where flowers and chocolates can play a part, this Valentine’s Day I’d encourage all couples to carve out some time to book and experience a romantic getaway, whether for a day trip or a long weekend.”

The study also found 36% had considered a trip together as a way to rekindle a floundering relationship.

SMSVerify offers temporary mobile numbers with refunds when verification texts fail

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SMSVerify offers temporary mobile numbers with refunds when verification texts fail

The online service provides non-VoIP numbers linked to genuine mobile SIM cards for 20-minute rentals, charging users only when a verification code is delivered

SMSVerify has launched smsverify.pro, giving users access to temporary mobile numbers designed to receive SMS verification codes from online services that may block internet-based phone numbers. Each number is connected to a real mobile carrier SIM card and reserved for one user for 20 minutes. If the expected verification message never arrives, the user can cancel the rental and receive an automatic refund.

Phone number screening has become a common part of online registration, leaving some users unable to complete sign-up when a service rejects the number they provide. This can be an issue for people who want to keep their personal number private, need a number from another country or require a separate account for work. SMSVerify offers an alternative through numbers issued by mobile networks and associated with physical SIM cards.

What is a non-VoIP number?

A non-VoIP number is issued by a mobile network and linked to a physical SIM card. VoIP numbers, by comparison, are provided through internet calling applications or online telephony companies. Because they can be generated cheaply and in large quantities, many messaging apps, marketplaces and social networks view them as a potential risk and reject them during registration. A non-VoIP number appears to the service sending the verification code as a conventional mobile number.

Why do apps reject VoIP numbers for verification?

The ability to create multiple VoIP numbers quickly makes them useful for setting up fake or duplicate accounts. Consequently, some online platforms check the type of number supplied during registration and may reject those provided by internet calling services before sending a code. Numbers linked to carrier SIM cards are assessed in the same way as numbers used by ordinary mobile phone customers.

Are SMSVerify numbers real SIM numbers?

Yes. While users access the service through a web browser, every SMSVerify number is connected to a real SIM card issued by a mobile network. These numbers originate from the same mobile carrier systems that supply numbers for personal phones.

Why does WhatsApp reject a free number?

Free shared numbers may be rejected by WhatsApp because they are used repeatedly by large numbers of people and can become blocked following multiple registration attempts. A number linked to a carrier SIM card and allocated to an individual for a rental period is treated like a conventional mobile number during verification checks. WhatsApp and Telegram are among the most popular reasons customers rent non-VoIP numbers through SMSVerify.

Which countries and apps can use an SMSVerify non-VoIP number?

The SMSVerify website features individual country pages detailing available mobile networks and the applications supported by numbers from each country. Services include WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail, Discord, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Amazon and PayPal.

How to get a verification code on a non-VoIP number from SMSVerify

  1. Visit smsverify.pro and select a country, such as the UK.
  2. Choose the app that requires verification, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Gmail or Discord. The price is displayed before payment.
  3. Rent the number and enter it into the app’s registration or verification form.
  4. Wait for the SMS to arrive. The verification code will be displayed in the user’s account on the website.
  5. Copy the code into the app to complete the verification process.

What happens if the verification code does not arrive?

Users who do not receive a verification code can cancel their rental, with the cost automatically returned to their SMSVerify balance.

Numbers remain allocated to one user for 20 minutes, preventing other customers from receiving messages sent to that number during the rental. Users can then select a different number or country without paying for a code that never arrived.

Can I get a second code on the same number?

Yes. Additional SMS messages can be received on the same number while the rental remains active. This means users can request a replacement code if the first one expires.

For those requiring a number beyond the standard 20-minute period, SMSVerify also provides daily rental options.

How much does a non-VoIP number for verification cost?

The service uses a pay-as-you-go pricing model, with charges applied per number and received code rather than through a subscription. Users add funds to their account balance and pay for each rental individually. There are no automatic renewals.

Prices depend on the selected country and app, reflecting differences in number availability and costs. The latest rates can be found on the pricing page and in the selection menu before payment.

What will a non-VoIP number from SMSVerify not do?

The numbers are intended for receiving verification codes without sharing a personal phone number with an app. They are not designed to replace a permanent SIM card or provide ongoing availability for calls and messages. Each rental is temporary and expires after its specified period.

SMSVerify cannot retrieve an existing account if its recovery code is sent to the phone number already registered to it. Banking services and government portals are also outside the service’s intended use, as they may require identity documentation and proof of residency that cannot be provided by a phone number alone.

What if the number was already used for this app?

SMSVerify cannot establish whether a number has previously been used with another app and does not guarantee that every number is new. If a service refuses the number or no code arrives, the user can cancel the rental, receive a refund to their balance and try a different number.

During the 20-minute rental, each number is assigned to one user, so other SMSVerify customers cannot receive its incoming messages.

Will every app accept an SMSVerify number?

Acceptance depends on the individual app, and SMSVerify cannot guarantee that every service will accept every number. If a number is rejected, users can cancel the rental, have the funds returned to their balance and select another.

Can developers get non-VoIP numbers through an API?

Yes. Businesses and development teams that need numbers in larger quantities can access them through the SMSVerify API, allowing requests to be made directly from their own software. Each number is allocated to one order for 20 minutes, and orders that receive no SMS are refunded to the account balance.

About SMSVerify

SMSVerify, available at smsverify.pro, provides temporary phone numbers linked to genuine mobile carrier SIM cards. Users select numbers according to country and app, pay from a prepaid balance and receive an automatic refund to that balance when an order does not deliver a verification SMS.

Cartwheel and Just Eat Go Join Forces to Strengthen Enterprise Delivery Operations Across the UK

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Cartwheel and Just Eat Go Join Forces to Strengthen Enterprise Delivery Operations Across the UK

LONDON, UK. October 28th, 2026 – Cartwheel, the AI-powered delivery platform for restaurants, has partnered with Just Eat Go, Just Eat’s Delivery-as-a-Service platform, to extend its delivery capabilities and strengthen its footprint in the UK. The integration enables Cartwheel customers to access Just Eat’s courier network directly through the Cartwheel platform, supporting on-demand, same-day and scheduled deliveries.

Launched across the UK in 2025, Just Eat Go enables businesses to accept orders through their own channels while relying on Just Eat’s courier network for delivery fulfillment. The integration with Cartwheel automatically connects orders from a brand’s restaurant technology and point-of-sale (POS) integrations to the relevant delivery workflow, allowing businesses to retain control of the customer experience throughout the entire ordering and delivery journey.

“Just Eat Go was designed to help businesses deliver to customers who place orders through their own channels,” said Tom Baxter, Commercial Director for Just Eat Go. “Our integration with Cartwheel means restaurant and enterprise brands can now connect directly to Just Eat Go and Just Eat’s courier network through the platform they already use to manage delivery. This provides a straightforward way to incorporate our delivery infrastructure into their wider operations while keeping customer relationships and first-party ordering at the heart of their business.”

For enterprise operators, the integration brings Just Eat Go into a unified delivery ecosystem managed through a single platform. Cartwheel automatically selects the most suitable delivery provider for each order, taking into account factors including availability, cost and delivery requirements. This enables multi-location brands to maintain consistent oversight of fulfillment across all their locations and ordering channels. Businesses operating their own driver fleets can also leverage Cartwheel’s hybrid delivery capabilities to combine in-house resources with third-party providers whenever additional delivery capacity is required.

Across the UK, operators are already using Cartwheel to coordinate in-house drivers and third-party delivery services to meet their operational needs.

“Cartwheel has been brilliant for us since we joined earlier this year,” said Alessio Fiumano, Owner at Flour Flow, an artisan pizza shop in London. “It gives us the flexibility to manage delivery without having to hire our own drivers every day of the week, and we can send orders from our website across multiple delivery partners from one platform. Adding Just Eat Go gives us even more choice.”

“Cartwheel’s mission is to equip enterprise operators with the technology to manage delivery more intelligently across every location and every order,” said Alex Vasilkin, co-founder and CEO of Cartwheel. “We are developing modern delivery infrastructure that brings these operations together in a single platform. As we continue to grow across the UK, our integration with Just Eat Go provides enterprise brands with another option for scaling delivery while retaining control of the customer experience.”

Although restaurants remain Cartwheel’s core market, the platform also facilitates delivery for grocery, retail and other sectors. The Just Eat Go integration represents another step in Cartwheel’s international growth and expanding UK presence. Through its centralized platform, Cartwheel enables brands to coordinate delivery across multiple locations, ordering channels, in-house driver fleets and third-party delivery providers.

New Website Makes Specialist Oil Heating Services Easier to Access Across Shropshire and Powys

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New Website Makes Specialist Oil Heating Services Easier to Access Across Shropshire and Powys

Rural households across Shropshire and the Welsh border now have a more convenient way to explore professional oil heating services following the introduction of a new website by a long-established family heating company.

Smiths Heating (Wales) Ltd has launched the online platform to help homeowners find information about oil boiler maintenance, repairs, replacement installations and the locations served by its engineers. The company brings more than 35 years of industry experience to its specialist heating work.

The development comes at a time when oil-fired central heating continues to play an important role in rural communities, particularly in properties without access to the mains gas network.

Data from the 2021 Census published by the Welsh Government shows that 27.7% of households in Powys used oil as their only source of central heating. Across Wales, the equivalent figure was 7.8%.

These statistics underline the continued reliance on oil heating in rural parts of Wales and the importance of having access to experienced engineers.

For households using oil-fired systems, regular servicing, prompt fault identification and professional installation services can help maintain dependable heating throughout the colder months.

Smiths Heating (Wales) Ltd provides specialist oil boiler servicing, repairs, fault diagnosis, installations and heating system upgrades throughout Oswestry, Shropshire and Powys.

Its redesigned online presence brings together details of these services, allowing prospective customers to explore the company’s expertise and establish whether their property is within its service area.

Murray Drennan, Director at Smiths Heating (Wales) Ltd, said:

“Oil heating remains essential for many rural households across Shropshire and Powys, particularly during the colder months. We wanted the new website to make it easier for homeowners to find the specialist services they need, while also reflecting the experience and personal service that have been part of the business for more than 35 years.”

As a third-generation family business, the company has built its reputation around domestic oil heating rather than general plumbing work.

Its services cover preventative maintenance, boiler breakdown assistance, replacement heating systems and improvements to existing installations.

The business is OFTEC Registered and holds Worcester Accredited Service Partner status, demonstrating its recognised credentials within the heating industry.

Engineers attend appointments in fully stocked service vehicles equipped with commonly needed boiler components. This preparation allows many problems to be identified and resolved during an initial visit, reducing the inconvenience of prolonged heating interruptions.

For rural properties, where specialist assistance and replacement parts may be less readily accessible, this approach can be particularly valuable.

The website also responds to the growing importance of online research when homeowners choose local tradespeople. Although recommendations and established customer relationships remain central to the business, accessible digital information helps new customers make informed enquiries.

With its latest investment, Smiths Heating (Wales) Ltd continues to develop how it connects with households while maintaining the specialist knowledge and personal service associated with its family history.

The company remains committed to supporting oil-heated homes across Oswestry, Shropshire and Powys through dependable servicing, repairs and installation work.

King’s Lynn Drainage Specialist Announces New Company Name to Reflect Core Services

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King’s Lynn Drainage Specialist Announces New Company Name to Reflect Core Services

KING’S LYNN, UK. October 27, 2026: A local drainage business serving King’s Lynn and surrounding Norfolk communities has introduced a new identity. Previously operating as AM Waste Management Ltd, the Stow Bridge company is now known as AM Drainage Services Ltd, bringing its name into line with the specialist drainage work it carries out for residential and commercial customers.

Established in 2025, the company is led by Alex Manning, who has worked in the drainage industry since 2016. Its operations focus entirely on drainage services, making the new name a more accurate description of the business.

“The old name never told anyone what we actually do,” said Alex Manning, director of AM Drainage Services. “We unblock drains and empty septic tanks, day and night. Now the name on the van says that.”

Emergency drain clearance remains the company’s main service. Its 24-hour emergency drain unblocking is available to households and businesses every day of the year, including weekends and bank holidays. The team uses high-pressure water jetting to remove obstructions, followed by dye testing and CCTV inspections to identify potential damage.

Customers receive a confirmed price before work begins, without unexpected charges. The company applies the same rates to daytime and overnight callouts, with emergency appointments available on the same day and frequently within hours.

Commercial services include grease trap maintenance for restaurants, pubs, hotels and care homes. Regular emptying arrangements help prevent overflows and disruption. Oil and petrol interceptor cleaning is also available for garages and fuel forecourts.

For properties without mains sewer connections, AM Drainage Services provides septic tank emptying, tank installation and replacement, sewage treatment plant servicing and pump station maintenance. Both scheduled and emergency visits are offered.

“Ring us and you get me, not a call centre,” Manning said. “Same lads, same number. If you’ve got it saved, it still works.”

The business operates with three team members, two fully equipped service vans and two tankers, allowing equipment to remain available for urgent work. Its own excavation machinery enables the team to complete drainage repairs without relying on external equipment hire.

AM Drainage Services is registered with the Environment Agency as an upper-tier waste carrier under registration CBDU671712. The company has also received more than 90 five-star Google reviews.

Alongside the name change, the company has introduced [email protected] as its email address and is transitioning its website to amdrainageservices.co.uk. Its service area extends approximately 15 to 20 miles from Stow Bridge, covering King’s Lynn, Downham Market, Hunstanton, Wisbech and neighbouring villages.

For drainage assistance or blocked drain enquiries, contact AM Drainage Services Ltd on 01553 606699 or email [email protected].

London Mother Builds 11+ Learning App Independently and Attracts Over 2,000 Users

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London Mother Builds 11+ Learning App Independently and Attracts Over 2,000 Users

Created without external investment, a software development team or paid advertising, Pip 11+ Practice has grown from a family learning project into an educational platform supporting primary school pupils.

LONDON, UK, October 27, 2026 – A London mother who set out to improve the way her children prepared for school entrance examinations has turned her idea into a growing education technology business. Arielle Phoenix, a mother of three, developed the learning app Pip 11+ Practice independently and has already attracted more than 2,000 users. The platform gained its first 1,000 users during its launch period, achieving this early growth without outside funding, a dedicated development team or spending on advertising.

Pip 11+ Practice was developed after Phoenix, who home-educates her children, recognised a need for more effective and engaging resources to support preparation for the 11+ entrance examination.

Originally intended as a learning resource for her own family, the platform has evolved into an independent EdTech venture designed for children aged seven to eleven. It combines personalised revision exercises, interactive teaching materials and manageable daily activities to help pupils prepare for the 11+ and Key Stage 2 SATs.

Rather than relying solely on question-and-answer exercises, Pip 11+ Practice places an emphasis on developing understanding before assessing knowledge. Its adaptive learning system adjusts activities according to a child’s progress, highlights areas requiring additional practice and incorporates spaced revision to reinforce previously covered subjects.

The platform supports pupils in Years 3 to 6, offering learning resources across mathematics, English, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning. It also features a dedicated KS2 SATs preparation pathway and a Creative Writing Studio to help children develop their written communication skills.

One of the app’s central features, Pip Teaches, provides more than 80 short interactive lessons. These introduce key topics through guided explanations, allowing pupils to build their understanding before attempting related practice questions.

“My children were ecstatic, and they still wake me up to unlock devices so they can go on Pip,” said Arielle Phoenix, founder of Pip 11+ Practice.

“They’d used plenty of learning apps over the years, but I wanted something that actually helped them understand what they were learning. Pip teaches, not just tests.”

Phoenix began working on the application in June 2026 while supporting her eldest child through preparations for secondary school. After spending time working through 11+ revision books and practice examinations with her children, she decided to create a digital learning experience that better addressed their needs.

The Pip 11+ Practice website went live on 2 June 2026, with mobile versions becoming available through Apple’s App Store and Google Play ten days later.

Since its introduction, Phoenix has continued to manage and expand the platform herself while balancing development work with home-educating her three children. New lessons, learning activities and revision tools are regularly introduced as the app continues to evolve.

Pip 11+ Practice is available as a free download, with additional functionality offered through its optional Pip Pro subscription. The platform aims to make structured 11+ and KS2 SATs preparation more accessible to families while creating a learning experience that prioritises understanding, confidence and engagement over repeated testing.

TheSoul Group Expands 5-Minute Crafts Streaming Reach with Samsung TV Plus Debut in UK and Ireland

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TheSoul Group Expands 5-Minute Crafts Streaming Reach with Samsung TV Plus Debut in UK and Ireland

The popular DIY and creative entertainment brand is now available to UK and Irish audiences through Samsung TV Plus, offering free, subscription-free access to its content.

LONDON, UK, October 27, 2026 – TheSoul Group, a global digital entertainment company, has expanded the availability of its popular 5-Minute Crafts (5MC) brand with the introduction of a dedicated channel on Samsung TV Plus in the UK and Ireland. Starting October 27, viewers in both markets can access the brand’s creative projects, practical tips and entertainment programming through Samsung’s free, ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service, without needing a paid subscription.

Recognised globally for its accessible DIY tutorials and imaginative everyday solutions, 5-Minute Crafts offers entertainment suitable for audiences of all ages. Its arrival on Samsung TV Plus provides viewers across the UK and Ireland with a convenient way to discover and enjoy the brand’s content through a continuous television viewing experience.

As one of YouTube’s most popular entertainment brands, 5-Minute Crafts has attracted more than 400 million subscribers across its channels and produces content in 20 languages. Its success in streaming was further recognised at the 2026 TellyCast Digital Video Awards, where it received the FAST Channel of the Year award.

The UK and Ireland rollout represents another milestone in TheSoul Group’s ongoing relationship with Samsung TV Plus. The companies previously worked together to introduce 5-Minute Crafts to television audiences in several European and Latin American markets, establishing a foundation for further international expansion.

Jonathan Shrank, VP of Streaming & Content Partnerships at TheSoul Group, commented: “5-Minute Crafts already has a huge following in the UK and Ireland. Now those fans can watch this beloved content on the biggest screen in the house. Samsung TV Plus helped prove that 5-Minute Crafts works as a lean-back TV experience and has been a strong partner across a number of territories, so bringing the channel to these markets was the natural next step.”

Chris Gregory, Head of Content Development at Samsung TV Plus EMEA, added: “5-Minute Crafts has built a huge audience by making creativity accessible and entertaining. We’re delighted to expand our partnership with TheSoul Group to bring the channel to Samsung TV Plus viewers in the UK and Ireland. Its mix of imaginative projects and everyday ideas is a great addition to our line-up, giving viewers more to discover and enjoy, subscription-free.”

AiGency Global and Boston Limited Join Forces to Advance Enterprise AI-Powered Business Growth

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AiGency Global and Boston Limited Join Forces to Advance Enterprise AI-Powered Business Growth

AiGency Global deploys its Agentic Growth Engine at Boston Labs, combining advanced AI infrastructure with intelligent automation to help businesses identify opportunities and accelerate growth.

LONDON, UK, October 27, 2026 – AiGency Global, a company specialising in AI-driven business growth, has launched its Agentic Growth Engine within Boston Labs, Boston Limited’s dedicated testing and proof-of-concept facility. The deployment represents a significant step in connecting high-performance AI infrastructure with practical business applications. By combining Boston Limited’s advanced computing capabilities with AiGency Global’s intelligent growth technology, the collaboration aims to help enterprises uncover commercial opportunities, expand into new markets and build stronger customer relationships through coordinated AI-driven processes.

The deployment builds on the existing relationship between the two companies, bringing AiGency Global’s growth technology into Boston Limited’s specialist engineering and testing environment. This provides an opportunity to evaluate enterprise AI applications in practical settings and demonstrate how advanced AI capabilities can support day-to-day commercial operations.

Manoj Nayee, Managing Director of Boston Limited, said: “This is exactly what Boston Labs was built for. Infrastructure only shows its real worth when it is put to work against a genuine ambition, and there are few ambitions bigger than growing a business. By bringing AiGency Global’s Agentic Growth Engine into our environment, we can explore what becomes possible when serious computing power meets real growth intelligence. It is an exciting glimpse of where enterprise AI is heading, and we are proud to be building the foundation beneath it.”

Ben Gal, Founder and CEO of AiGency Global, added: “Boston powers the AI factories of the future. AiGency powers the growth engines of tomorrow’s businesses. Together, we are creating a powerful connection between AI infrastructure and business growth, where computing power fuels intelligence, intelligence unlocks opportunity, and opportunity drives commercial success.”

The Agentic Growth Engine is designed to connect market insights with business decisions and coordinated activities across sales, marketing and operations. By identifying changes in demand and highlighting relevant opportunities, the platform helps organisations respond more effectively to emerging commercial needs. Its AI Employees automate operational tasks, AI Voice facilitates customer interactions and AI Websites capture and qualify potential leads. Human oversight remains central to the process, with designated approval stages ensuring businesses retain control over key decisions.

For organisations considering expansion into new markets, the technology could help transform early indicators of customer demand into actionable commercial strategies. This may include researching prospective accounts, developing market entry plans and coordinating approved outreach, customer engagement and follow-up activities. Although this represents a potential use case rather than an established customer deployment, it demonstrates how the platform is intended to turn business intelligence into measurable action and continuous improvement.

Boston Limited’s AI factory model integrates accelerated computing, storage, networking, cooling technologies and software into a unified infrastructure solution. Its services cover consultancy, laboratory testing, deployment and ongoing technical support. Operating the Agentic Growth Engine within this environment allows AiGency Global to develop and assess increasingly sophisticated AI workflows while exploring the infrastructure requirements needed to support larger enterprise workloads.

The next stage of the collaboration will focus on enterprise-scale proof-of-concept projects, with testing designed to assess performance, integration capabilities and human approval procedures. Both companies aim to establish a practical framework for moving AI applications from initial development into enterprise environments, while identifying potential commercial opportunities for growth-focused solutions supported by Boston’s infrastructure.

Amos Ankrah, Head of HPC and AI at Boston Limited, said: “The potential of AI becomes clearer when businesses can test it against a real objective. Boston Labs brings the infrastructure and engineering expertise together to make that possible. With AiGency Global, we can explore how agentic AI supports business growth and what the computing platform needs to deliver as those ambitions scale.”

The partnership currently centres on technology development, evaluation and demonstrations. Any future customer implementations or commercial agreements will be considered separately, with infrastructure configurations determined by the specific requirements of each enterprise.

Organisations interested in learning how the Agentic Growth Engine could help support their business growth can visit aigency.global for further information.

Perfect Pet Insurance Expands Lifetime Pet Cover with New £7,000 and £10,000 Options

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Perfect Pet Insurance Expands Lifetime Pet Cover with New £7,000 and £10,000 Options

SALISBURY, UK. October 26, 2026: Perfect Pet Insurance has strengthened its lifetime insurance offering for UK dog and cat owners by introducing two additional levels of veterinary fee protection. The new policies provide annual cover limits of £7,000 and £10,000, giving pet owners greater flexibility when managing veterinary expenses associated with eligible illnesses and injuries.

Part of the Tedaisy Insurance Group, Perfect Pet Insurance has introduced these options alongside its established £5,000 per-condition lifetime policy.

The additional levels are designed to support owners facing substantial veterinary bills, particularly when treatment for one condition becomes more expensive than anticipated.

Unlike the existing £5,000 per-condition policy, the new £7,000 and £10,000 limits apply collectively to all eligible conditions during each policy year. This structure allows customers to access a larger amount towards treatment for a single serious condition, subject to their chosen annual limit.

As lifetime policies, the available veterinary fee allowance is renewed each year when the policy continues.

This can be particularly valuable for pets requiring ongoing treatment for conditions such as diabetes, arthritis or recurring skin allergies.

Rising Veterinary Costs Increase Demand for Protection

Veterinary treatment costs remain a growing concern for households across Britain.

According to figures released by the Association of British Insurers in May 2025, pet insurance providers paid a record £1.23 billion in claims during 2024. This represented a 4 per cent annual increase, while the average claim reached £685.

The ABI highlighted rising veterinary expenses, referencing Office for National Statistics data showing a 9.1 per cent increase in the cost of veterinary and other pet services during 2024.

Following its investigation into the veterinary sector, the Competition and Markets Authority has also ordered practices to publish pricing information and introduced limits on prescription charges.

Supporting Owners Through Expensive Treatments

Paul Byrne, Group Chairman and CEO of Tedaisy Insurance Group, explained that the expanded range reflects changing expectations among pet owners.

“Owners tell us the same thing again and again: they want to say yes to the treatment their vet recommends without doing the sums first,” Byrne said.

“Referral work, advanced imaging and long-term medication are now part of everyday veterinary care, and a single year of treatment can run well past £5,000. Our new £7,000 and £10,000 levels mean that when one serious condition needs more than that, owners have more cover available towards it.”

Byrne added: “Pet insurance has become an everyday financial product for millions of households. Our job is to make sure the cover keeps pace with the bills, not just the premiums.”

Additional Lifetime Policy Benefits

The expanded cover options include access to the existing benefits offered throughout Perfect Pet’s lifetime insurance range:

  • Policies available for pets from four weeks old, without an upper age restriction for new customers
  • A 15 per cent discount for insuring multiple pets
  • Complimentary 24-hour Vet Assist telephone consultations with a veterinary nurse
  • Savings on prescription medicines

Perfect Pet Insurance has an “Excellent” Trustpilot rating based on more than 17,000 customer reviews.

The insurer was also recognised as Best Pet Insurance Provider UK 2025 at the Insurance Choice Awards and received a five-star Moneyfacts rating for dog insurance in 2026.

New Policies Available Across the UK

The £7,000 and £10,000 lifetime insurance options are now available to dog and cat owners throughout the United Kingdom.

Premiums are calculated according to factors including the animal’s age, breed, species, location and selected protection level.

Further information is available from Perfect Pet Insurance.

Private Number Plate Owners Warned Over Costly AI Advice Errors

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Private Number Plate Owners Warned Over Costly AI Advice Errors
  • Cherished registrations could be lost: Incorrect guidance on DVLA transfers, retention and certificate renewals may put valuable private plates at risk.
  • Motorists face financial consequences: Unreliable valuations, unsuitable registration recommendations and poor private sale advice could expose buyers and sellers to unnecessary losses.
  • Six key problem areas uncovered: VRM Swansea | Plates4Less has released a detailed consumer guide to help motorists navigate the UK private registration market safely.

SWANSEA, UK. October 26th, 2026 – Private number plate buyers and owners are being urged to check the accuracy of online guidance after a specialist registration company uncovered potentially expensive mistakes in advice generated by leading artificial intelligence platforms.

Research conducted by Plates4Less examined responses from ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Google’s AI-powered search features, revealing six areas where information about personalised registrations was misleading, inaccurate or lacked essential detail.

The findings raised particular concerns about DVLA regulations, ownership rights and the methods used to estimate the value of cherished registrations.

In the most serious cases, acting on incorrect guidance could cause motorists to permanently lose valuable registration rights without any means of recovering them through the DVLA.

Incorrect Registration Advice Could Have Lasting Consequences

One of the most significant issues identified relates to replacing a private number plate already assigned to a vehicle.

Some AI-generated explanations fail to distinguish between a vehicle automatically receiving its original registration and the separate DVLA procedure needed to preserve an existing personalised mark.

Motorists who want to keep their current private registration must remove it correctly before assigning another. DVLA guidance makes clear that failing to follow the appropriate process could result in losing the right to that registration permanently.

Certificate expiry presents another potential problem. Certain AI responses imply that expired registration entitlements can easily be recovered, overlooking strict renewal requirements and the possibility of permanent forfeiture.

Other areas of concern include inaccurate price estimates, misunderstandings surrounding vehicle age restrictions and uncertainty about who legally controls the right to assign a registration.

Private transactions also carry particular risks. Buyers sometimes assume that possession of a registration certificate, or being listed as a nominee, provides sufficient protection when purchasing a mark for future use.

Without completing the necessary DVLA procedures, purchasers may find themselves without either the registration or the money paid for it.

Customers Experiencing the Effects of Misleading Information

Antony Clark, Marketing Manager at VRM Swansea | Plates4Less, said:

“We’re increasingly hearing from customers who have purchased unsuitable private registration marks elsewhere after relying on misleading advice, and from owners given unrealistic valuations by AI tools.

“AI is becoming a popular research tool, with AI-generated answers now appearing directly in Google search results, often without users specifically requesting them. Our review found that these answers can contain inaccurate or incomplete information about DVLA rules and the wider market. Unfortunately, misinformation isn’t limited to AI, and even well-meaning advice shared in online forums can be misleading and costly.

“We felt there was a real need for a clear, trustworthy and accessible guide to help people understand the market, protect their interests and make informed decisions, whether they’re buying, selling or simply exploring their options.”

Why Reliable Market Knowledge Matters

Plates4Less emphasises that artificial intelligence is not the only source of potentially harmful advice. Online discussions, social media posts and informal recommendations can also spread inaccurate information, even when contributors have good intentions.

Understanding the wider UK registration market is particularly important because the DVLA is only one source of personalised registrations.

The agency administers registration rights and sells previously unissued marks. Its Annual Report and Accounts 2025–26 states that sales of unissued registrations contributed more than £163 million to public finances during the financial year, with the scheme generating approximately £3 billion in total net contributions since 1989.

However, many desirable registration marks are already privately owned and circulate through individual sellers and specialist dealers.

AI search results can place disproportionate emphasis on DVLA availability while overlooking this substantial resale market. Consequently, motorists may receive incomplete buying recommendations, unsuitable registration suggestions or valuations that fail to reflect real market conditions.

New Consumer Resource Explains How to Stay Protected

To address these concerns, Plates4Less has launched The UK Private Number Plate Market Explained, drawing on nearly three decades of specialist industry knowledge.

The resource provides practical information about the origins of private registrations, buying and selling procedures, valuation factors and ways to safeguard valuable registration rights.

It also examines DVLA transfers and retention, certificate renewal requirements, vehicle age rules, legal number plate display standards and the potential for fraud during private transactions.

Plates4Less hopes the guide will become a useful long-term reference for anyone considering purchasing, selling or retaining a cherished registration.

Read the full guide:
https://www.plates4less.co.uk/number-plates-guides/uk-private-number-plate-market-explained

Esnan Dental Clinics Strengthens International Patient Support Following Top Temos Accreditation Result

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Esnan Dental Clinics Strengthens International Patient Support Following Top Temos Accreditation Result

International patients seeking dental treatment in Istanbul can access a structured support system through Esnan Dental Clinics, which combines pre-arrival guidance, treatment-stage communication and assistance after returning home. The clinic group’s approach to managing overseas patient journeys has received independent recognition through the Temos International Excellence in Dental Tourism accreditation awarded to its Skyland facility.

The Skyland clinic achieved the highest possible score during the Temos accreditation process, following an on-site evaluation conducted in December 2025. Temos formally announced the result on 9 January 2026, acknowledging the facility’s clinical procedures, patient-focused services and organisational management standards.

Preparing International Patients for Treatment Abroad

Travelling to another country for dental treatment requires careful preparation. Patients often need information about treatment options, anticipated expenses, appointment schedules and communication arrangements before confirming their plans. Esnan has developed a patient coordination approach that brings these considerations together with guidance from its clinical professionals.

Multilingual coordinators assist patients by explaining administrative procedures, facilitating communication and outlining the stages of their visit. Clinical decisions, including diagnoses and recommended treatments, remain under the supervision of appropriately qualified dental practitioners.

The coordination service also addresses practical travel arrangements, including airport transfers, accommodation options and requirements for accompanying family members or other travellers. This allows patients to consider the logistical aspects of their stay alongside their proposed dental treatment.

Maintaining Communication Throughout Dental Care

Once patients arrive in Istanbul, effective coordination helps ensure that treatment schedules and practical arrangements remain clearly communicated. Designated contact channels allow individuals to raise questions and receive assistance from the relevant members of the clinic team.

Although coordinators facilitate these exchanges, clinical matters are handled by dental professionals. Discussions concerning treatment procedures, available alternatives or necessary adjustments are directed to the clinicians responsible for providing care.

Patients can also request clarification about included services, treatment documentation and potential additional requirements. Establishing these expectations helps maintain transparency throughout their visit.

Temos Recognition of International Patient Services

Esnan identifies Excellence in Dental Tourism and Quality in Dental Care as two Temos accreditation credentials associated with its services. The Excellence in Dental Tourism programme specifically evaluates aspects of healthcare delivery and patient support relevant to individuals travelling internationally for treatment.

Further details about Esnan’s Temos accreditations describe the clinic group’s multilingual assistance, treatment communication, travel support and post-treatment coordination.

Achieving the highest possible assessment score represents independent recognition of the Skyland clinic’s processes within the accreditation framework. It does not constitute a guarantee of individual treatment results.

Continuing Patient Assistance After Departure

Esnan’s international patient services extend beyond the period spent in Istanbul. Remote communication, electronic sharing of treatment documentation and established procedures for addressing concerns are among the arrangements available after patients return to their home countries.

These services aim to maintain an accessible connection between patients and the appropriate clinical professionals. Individuals can obtain guidance about follow-up questions, share relevant information and determine whether further clinical assessment may be required.

About Esnan Dental Clinics

Established in 2007, Esnan Dental Clinics provides dental services to local and international patients in Istanbul, Türkiye. The Temos recognition achieved by its Skyland facility reflects the organisation’s emphasis on coordinated patient services, clear communication and structured assistance throughout the international dental treatment process.

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