MPs voted to push controversial plans forward but the House of Lords is refusing to back down. That means the battle is still ongoing and no final decision has been made.

At the heart of the row is a simple but explosive question: should the Government have the power to influence how pension funds invest billions of pounds?

What’s actually changing for pensions?

The proposed rules would give ministers the ability to set limits on how some pension money is invested.

The Government says this is tightly controlled and based on agreements already made with major pension schemes.

Critics are not convinced. They warn that even having the power could pressure funds to change how they invest.

Why does it matter for your money?

The plan is designed to push more pension investment into the UK to boost economic growth.

Ministers argue that it could benefit savers in the long run.

But others say it could restrict investment choices and potentially impact returns.

What happens next and what should workers do?

The Commons and Lords are now locked in a back-and-forth battle over the plans.

Peers have already challenged the proposals, and MPs are insisting on pushing them through.

Treasury minister Torsten Bell said the law is “designed to make clear on the face of the Bill that the power can only be used in line with what the industry itself has committed to”.

But, until both sides agree, the reforms remain in limbo, so it’s a wait-and-see time for workers with pensions.

Labour MP and former Treasury minister Liam Byrne said: “The measures the minister has set out this afternoon really are essential if we are to pursue the long-term interests of pension savers in this country, because it is in their fundamental interest that they live and retire in an economy that is growing faster in the years to come.

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“The only way in which we are going to collectively achieve that is if we raise the investment rate in this country.”

The bill goes back to the Lords again, and the fight continues.

That means uncertainty remains over what happens next and how far these powers could go.

Do you think there should be more government powers over private pensions? Tell us in the comments below.

The first new generation model rolled off the production line in Cowley on April 26, 2001 under BMW ownership.

And today, nearly 4.7 million have been made in the city.

The Cowley plant will be host of a Drive It Day this Sunday in celebration of the milestone, and in aid of NSPCC’s Childline Service.

Markus Gruneisl, BMW Group’s chief executive for UK manufacturing, said: “This 25-year milestone is a proud moment for Mini and for everyone involved in its production here in the UK.

“From the very beginning, our plants in Oxford and Swindon have been at the heart of Mini’s global success, combining exceptional craftsmanship with innovation.

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Nigel Robinson, group leader in the paint shop and his daughter Charlotte Robinson, specialist product auditor (Image: Richard Dawson/PA Media Assignments)

“Above all, it is our people, their creativity, expertise and pride in what they do, that continue to make Mini so special.”

BMW said the Mini was already “firmly established as a cultural icon” before the relaunch under BMW-ownership in 2001.

The first Mini was launched in 1959 to meet demand for affordable motoring, following a surge in gas prices.

For the first 10 years of its life, the Morris Mini Minor was built in Cowley before moving to Longbridge.

Identical brothers Stuart Molloy (right) and Jamie Molloy, both lead associates in assembly (Image: Richard Dawson/PA Media Assignments)

Mini body parts production started in Swindon at the beginning of 2001, and then on April 26, 2001, Oxford builds its first car.

The Cowley plant had built over 3 million by late 2016 and nearly 4.5 million by early 2024 (including classics and new Minis since 2001).

The car is a film and pop culture favourite, famously featuring in The Italian Job and Mr Bean.

The latest update features four changes, including the launch of a new channel.

Freeview, on its website, said: “On 22nd April 2026, some broadcasters are making changes to their channels.  

“You will need to retune to update your TV and keep your channels, and TV Guide up to date.”

Full list of channel changes in new Freeview update

The channel changes being made as part of the latest Freeview update are:

Channel name change

• That’s TV 3 to That’s 20th Century (channel 71)
• That’s TV 3 MCR to That’s 20th Century MCR (channel 86)
• That’s Classics MCR to That’s Classics (channel 93)

Channel launch

• That’s Entertainment (channel 75)

These latest channel updates are already live.

Freeview added: “Channels continue to evolve on Freeview with individual channel providers making the decision to move, add or remove channels.

“Freeview continues to ensure that audiences can enjoy a rich and varied content offering.” 

ITV shuts down channel after 42 years

The latest Freeview update comes just weeks after ITV shut down one of its channels after 42 years on air.

Children’s channel CITV was switched off for good on April 10, having launched in 1980.

The channel was home to hit shows like Art Attack, My Parents Are Aliens, Tots TV, and Fraggle Rock.

CITV first began as Watch IT before being rebranded as Children’s ITV and later shortened to CITV.

In 2006, its late-afternoon slot on ITV1 was axed as it moved to its own channel on Freeview, while still retaining its weekend mornings on ITV channels.

CITV Freeview was later shut down and replaced by the streaming service ITVX Kids Hub on ITVX in 2023, with the weekend showings moving to ITV2.

Now, after 42 years on air, CITV has been shut down, according to Media Central UK.

The media account, posting on X (formerly Twitter), said: “In TV news, the CITV block on ITV2 is officially ending on 10th April. This really means the end of the iconic CITV brand that has been around for 42 years.

“Farewell CITV, this time for real.

“CBBC will have some of CITV’s programming, while the rest will be under ITVX Kids.”

In TV news, the CITV block on ITV2 is officially ending on 10th April. This really means the end of the iconic CITV brand that’s been around for 42 years.

Farewell CITV, this time for real. CBBC will have some of CITV’s programming while the rest will be under ITVX Kids pic.twitter.com/IFlNQx81D7

— Media Central UK (@MCUK_Official) April 3, 2026

How to retune your TV

You will need to retune your TV to gain access to all these new channel updates.

If you are unsure of how to retune your TV, don’t worry, it is quite simple, and usually only requires pressing ‘retune’ when prompted by your TV, according to Freeview.

Retuning may vary on different devices, but in most cases, Freeview said, it can be done by following these steps:

1. Press ‘Menu’ on your box or TV remote control.
2. Select ‘Set-up’, ‘installation’, ‘update’ or a similar option. If you’re asked for a password, the default code is ‘1234’ or ‘0000’. 
3. Select ‘First-time installation’ (sometimes called ‘factory reset’, ‘full retune’ or ‘default settings’).
4. Press ‘OK’ if your equipment asks if it’s OK to delete existing channels and then your retune should start automatically. If you’re prompted to, save the channels that are found.

Freeview added: “If you’ve already done an automatic retune and this didn’t work, you may need to do a manual retune.”

If you are still unsure, you can watch Freeview’s retune videos for more details (available on the Freeview website).

Have any of these recent updates impacted your TV viewing? Let us know in the comments below.