内容摘要：This self-image has been eroded in recent years, however, by a string of revelations about past high-handedness in dealing with the island's population.

This self-image has been eroded in recent years, however, by a string of revelations about past high-handedness in dealing with the island's population.

However, there are areas in which this doesn't work.Shopping around for a better deal on essential bills is often something done online, and may require signing up to a direct debit payment. Rewards, or money off, are often also available to those who pay by card.

So, it may well be that using a mix of ways to pay works best - but questions remain about access to cash and internet services among the vulnerable.This is what is known as fiscal drag - not a phrase you'll hear talked about much, but it is important.It means that while income tax rates haven't risen, the income levels at which they are paid have been frozen, and will continue to be so until 2028.

There have been rumours that the freeze could be extended, but there are no concrete plans for that as yet.So, more people are being dragged into paying higher rates of tax, or simply having a greater proportion of their income taxed.

Taking a closer look at your pay slip is worthwhile, and it needs to be considered when looking at your personal budget. Experts say studying exactly how much post-tax income is coming in, and looking at it alongside your spending, is never a waste of time.

And it may require you to trim some of your spending. Shopping around, or cancelling unused subscriptions are a good start, experts say.Ms Neas said she had been relieved to be finally reunited with Mittens.

"She basically just ran into my arms and just snuggled up in here and just did the biggest cuddles of all time," she was quoted as saying by the AP news agency on Wednesday. "It was just such a relief."Ms Neas, who had earlier decided to relocate to Australia, added: "It was not a great start to our new life in Melbourne because we didn't have the family, we weren't complete."

The one-way flight time between Christchurch and Melbourne usually takes less than four hours.The number of firefighters and stations in Staffordshire may need to be cut if government funding does not increase, the police, fire and crime commissioner has warned.