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The 15 Best Victoria's Secret Perfumes of 2024

Emily Algar is an Australia-based journalist and beauty expert specializing in product reviews. Her work has been published in MyDomaine, Who What Wear, and POPSUGAR. She's currently a beauty editor at Grazia Australia.

Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang

Most will associate Victoria’s Secret with underwear or cute pajamas, but they also have a huge presence when it comes to fragrance. Fun fact: Victoria’s Secret Bombshell Eau de parfum is actually the best-selling fragrance in America—wow, right?

But beyond Bombshell there’s a stack of amazing scents: some sweet, some floral, some guaranteed to get you compliments from strangers (the highest beauty honor there is). So whether you’re hoping to explore the range or choose a new signature, we’ve compiled all the Victoria’s Secret biggest hits below for your shopping pleasure. 

We conducted hours of research on the best Victoria's Secret fragrances, evaluating each on top notes, size, and type. Ahead, we break down what's most alluring about these top-selling fragrances, each available at accessible price points.

Final Verdict

How we researched, what to consider when buying victoria's secret fragrances, why trust byrdie, best overall, victoria's secret bombshell.

Great daily scent

Generous bottle size

Scent may not last long

Bombshell is the top-selling Victoria's Secret scent, and for good reason. The fruity-floral is a blend of citrus, Brazilian purple passion fruit, Madagascan vanilla orchid, and Italian pine, resulting in a bright, confident, sunshine-y fragrance .

Type: Eau de parfum | Top Notes: Purple passion fruit, Shangri-La peony, vanilla orchid | Size: 3.4 ounces

Best Fresh Gourmand

Victoria's secret tease.

Great for summer

Some may prefer a more intense scent

A true gourmand fragrance, Tease is sweet , delicious, and decidedly feminine. Warm vanilla and fresh white flowers are at the forefront, while juicy pear keeps it somewhat fresh. Playful and intriguing, Tease is amazing on warm summer nights, first dates, or whenever you want to turn heads.

Type: Eau de parfum | Top Notes: White gardenia, anjou pear, and black vanilla | Size: 3.4 ounces

Best Everyday

Victoria's secret love.

Interestingly, Victoria’s Secret Love is inspired by the warm, comforting smell of your partner’s t-shirt. Categorically it’s fresh, but the fusion of apricot, woods, musk, and juniper give it a soft, warm, skin-like quality that’s romantic and puts you at ease. It’s softer than other blockbuster VS scents as well, so great if you like something pared back.

Type: Eau de parfum | Top Notes: Juniper, apricot | Size: 3.4 ounces

Victoria's Secret Heavenly

Sophisticated

Available in travel-friendly rollerball

Reviewers note it can smell like alcohol

Heavenly is one of the original Victoria’s Secret scents and pays tribute to the original angel (think Candice, Adriana, Alessandro, and the like). Warm, sensual, and radiant, it’s almost like bottled confidence. With notes of sweet vanilla, heady sandalwood , creamy musk, and a touch of peony, Heavenly is sophisticated and glamorous.

Type: Eau de parfum | Top Notes: Sandalwood, vanilla, white peony | Size: 3.4 ounces

Best Fruity

Victoria's secret very sexy.

Rich and bold

Not too sweet

Like a sequined mini dress or slick of bright red lipstick, Very Sexy is confident and bold. The concentrated juice champions big notes like ripe clementine and sweet berries initially, while warm woods develop on the skin over time. Provocative and rich, it’s a sophisticated scent that commands attention.

Type: Eau de parfum | Top Notes: Vanilla orchid, clementine, wild blackberry | Size: 3.4 ounces

Best Gourmand

Victoria’s secret tease crème cloud.

Think of Tease Crème Cloud as the dreamy sister to the original Tease. The airy gourmand scent is sweet and playful, characterized by yummy whipped vanilla meringue, santal flower, amber, and creamy musk. Just like dessert!

Type: Eau de parfum | Top Notes: Vanilla meringue, santal flower, amber, musk | Size: 3.4 ounces

Best Woody Floral

Victoria’s secret bombshell passion.

Bottle can leak

Bombshell Passion is like an explosive bouquet of peony, rose, and cassis. Juicy and bold, it’s certainly not a wallflower fragrance, but rather a head-turner sure to enter the room before you do. It’s definitely floral, but a base of woods and musk give it some depth.

Type: Eau de parfum | Top Notes: Sparkling cassis, queen peony, fuchsia rose | Size: 3.4 ounces

Best Fruity Floral

Victoria's secret bombshell intense.

Comes in various sizes

Bombshell Intense is like the olfactive interpretation of the color red. Sweet cherry, red peony, and creamy vanilla come together to form a chypre fruity floral that’s bold and delicious. The fiery red bottle is a fun touch, as well.

Type: Eau de parfum | Top Notes: Cherry, peony, vanilla | Size: 3.4 ounces

Best Bold Scent

Victoria's secret bombshell seduction eau de parfum.

Victoria's secret

Of all the Bombshell scents, Seduction is the most intimate. Inspired by the idea of the signature VS satin ribbon on bare skin, Seduction is warm, airy, and slightly intoxicating. As far as notes, white peony, French sage, and velvety musk are the standouts.

Type: Eau de parfum | Top Notes: White peony, French sage | Size: 3.4 ounces

Best Citrus

Victoria’s secret very sexy sea.

If blue, aquatic scents are your jam, you’ll love Very Sexy Sea. With notes of Italian bergamot and neroli, it’s citrusy and fresh, just like the Amalfi coast. Think of it as a seaside vacation in fragrance form.

Type: Eau de parfum | Top Notes: Bergamot, neroli, cedarwood | Size: 3.4 ounces

Best for a Night Out

Victoria’s secret very sexy night.

Strong scent

Not ideal for those who dislike cologne

Deep, dark, and sensual, Very Sexy Night has the same mystery and electricity of a night out in the city. It opens up with sweet apple and delicious black plum before drying down to reveal notes of rich wood and powdery musk. If you like to leave a scented trail, this is the one for you.

Type: Eau de parfum | Top Notes: Apple, plum, velvet woods | Size: 3.4 ounces

Best Subtle Scent

Victoria’s secret first love.

First Love manages to capture that ‘floating-on-a-cloud’ feeling that comes with the early stages of falling in love. A soft floral, it’s delicate and sensual, so you smell like yourself but better. Because of its lightness, it’s a great summer scent or works well for the office or whenever you might find yourself in a smaller space.

Type: Eau de parfum | Top Notes: Violet leaf, lily of the valley, sheer musk | Size: 3.4 ounces

Best Woody Gourmand

Victoria's secret dream angel.

What’s unique about Dream Angel is that the hero note is something called rainbow prism accord. A VS signature, the unique concept is that it’s supposed to capture the ‘brilliant flash of a prism’—in other words, something inspiring, radiant, and just a little magical. There are also amber crystals, jasmine, vanilla, and woods to balance it out, resulting in a warm, woody gourmand scent that’s pretty irresistible.

Type: Eau de parfum | Top Notes: Rainbow prism accord, amber crystal, jasmine, vanilla | Size: 3.4 ounces

Best Floral

Victoria's secret bombshells in bloom perfume.

Crisp and fresh

Flirty scent

Not long-lasting on skin

If you're partial to floral fragrances, Bombshells in Bloom has your name on it. This flirty perfume flaunts top notes of pink freesia and water lily, with a hint of red apple that makes it all the more fresh and crisp. Just a heads up, the scent doesn't last very long on the skin. Consider spritzing it onto your clothes or hair for more staying power.

Type: Eu de parfum | Top Notes: Pink freesia, red apple, water lily | Size: 1.7–3.4 ounces

Victoria's Secret Bare Perfume

Woody-floral balance

Soft yet sexy and intriguing

Not long-lasting

For those drawn to a more musky, unisex scent, we highly recommend Bare. This woody-floral perfume blends the warmth of sandalwood with Egyptian violet and mandarin for a refreshing hint of citrus. The result is soft, sexy, and endlessly intriguing.

Type: Eu de parfum | Top Notes: Australian sandalwood, Madagascar mandarin, Egyptian violet | Size: 1.7–3.4 ounces

Scent is a very personal thing, and your preferences will definitely dictate your fragrance of choice. But team Byrdie unanimously agrees that Victoria's Secret Bombshell is pretty special. The fruity-floral is one of America’s top-selling scents, and with delicious notes like passion fruit and orchid, we can see why. Victoria's Secret Love comes in as a close second for its comforting, skin-but-better, romantic scent profile, and the fact that it's understated but still leaves a trail.

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

Fragrance Type

If you’re looking for an everyday scent, something fresh and bright may be best, like Victoria's Secret Tease . Sultry or musky scents may be a special option for a date or night out, such as Very Sexy Night Perfume or Victoria's Secret Bare .

Strong scents with intense notes like Victoria's Secret Bombshell Intense usually work well for date nights and parties. But for every day, especially if you work in close proximity to other people, you might want to choose a subtle scent, like Victoria's Secret Love Perfume .

As with Victoria's Secret Bombshell , most fragrance comes in a spray bottle, but consider other types of packaging as well. Rollerball or solid fragrances are easier to travel with or keep in your bag for touch-ups. The aesthetics of your perfume packaging may also be worth considering if you like to display your bottles on a shelf or vanity.

Fragrance is personal and differs for everyone, but we chose Bombshell as the best fragrance in Victoria's Secret's line. It's a romantic scent that has fruity-floral notes of passionfruit and orchid. Bombshell also happens to be one of the top-selling scents.

Victoria's Secret has an expansive line of scents, including the best-selling Bombshell, which is fruity and sweet. The brand also has flowery, fresh, sophisticated, and gourmand scents. Some scents are mild while others are more intense.

Some of Victoria's Secret perfumes are long-lasting while others are not. There are a few fragrances from the brand that reviewers say are not very long-lasting. Take longevity into consideration when choosing your scent, and keep in mind body sprays tend to be less long-wearing than eau de toilettes.

So for this review, Emily Algar went through every Victoria’s Secret fragrance profile, gauged internet reviews, and of course, did a little testing. Fragrance is highly personal, so Emily did her best to map out notes and categories, so you can choose one to suit your taste.

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The Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale is back with discounts of up to 50% off

— Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.

There are few savings events that get even the most poised of deal hunter’s hearts racing. One of them is the ever-popular Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual Sale —a savings bonanza that happens but twice a year, during which time everything from sexy lingerie to comfy undies  are up for grabs at savings of up to 50% off.

Get expert shopping advice delivered to your phone.  Sign up for  text message alerts  from the deal-hunting nerds at Reviewed. 

Thanks to this sale, you can get sports bras from $14.99, sleepwear from $14.99, push-up bras from $14.99 and  underwear from $4.99—just to name a few. You can even nab free shipping on orders of $50 or more with coupon code SHIP50 at checkout. 

One top pick is this modal lace robe , which is down from $69.50 to $34.99 in the Hearts Peach and leopard prints, saving you $34.51. This floral cover-up has a 4.2-star rating from more than 60 Victoria's Secret shoppers, with many praising it for its soft modal material and how good it feels on.

What is the Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale? 

Occurring twice a year, the Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale is your chance to get the biggest savings on the brand’s apparel, with huge price cuts on everything from lingerie to beauty products. The event usually lasts about two weeks, and popular sizes tend to run out of stock pretty quickly, so you'll want to grab your favorites ASAP.

Keep on scrolling for all the best deals on lingerie, beauty and more we could find from this highly anticipated sale. 

The best deals from the Victoria Secret Semi-Annual Sale 

• Get the Victoria's Secret Velvet Logo Slippers for $19.99 (Save $19.51)  
• Get Victoria's Secret Pajama Sets from $19.99 (Save $29.51 to $39.51)  
• Get the Victoria's Secret Cozy Knit Crewneck and Short Set from $24.99 (Save $24.51 to $29.51)
• Get the Victoria's Secret Modal Lace  Robe from $29.99 (Save $34.51) 
• Get the Victoria's Secret Cozy Knit Crewneck and Jogger Set for $29.99 (Save $29.51)
• Get the Victoria's Secret Modal Long PJ Set from $29.99 (Save $34.51 to $39.51)
• Get the Victoria's Secret Satin Jaquard Long PJ Set for $39.99 (Save $39.51)
• Get the Victoria Secret Sexy Tee Demi Bra from $9.99 (Save $19.51 to 29.51)  
• Get Victoria's Secret Sports Bras from $14.99 (Save $24.51) 
• Get Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Bras from $14.99 (Save $34.51 to $41.51)  
• Get the Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Wicked Balconette Bra from $14.99 (Save $24.51 to $54.51)
• Get the Victoria's Secret Wireless Lounge Bra for $14.99 (Save  $19.51)
• Get Victoria's Secret Swim Separates from $15
• Get the Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Satin Plunge Push-Up Bra from $19.99 (Save $29.51 to $46.51)
• Get Victoria's Secret Sexy Tee Bras for $29.50 (Save $5 to $10)
• Get Victoria's Secret Lingerie from $24.99
• Get the Victoria's Secret Lace Cami Set for $44.99 (Save $44.51)
• Get the Victoria's Secret Silk Midi Slip Dress for $59.99 (Save $68.01)  
• Get the Victoria's Secret Cooling Gel Body Lotion for $5.99 (Save $10.51)
• Get the Victoria's Secret PINK Body Lotion for $6.99 (Save $9.51)
• Get the Victoria's Secret PINK Mini Mist Gift Set for $15.99 (Save $16.51)
• Get the Victoria's Secret Rapture Cologne for $24.99 (Save $30.01)
• Get the Victoria's Secret Bombshell Seduction Eau de Parfum for $39.99 (Save $38.01)
• Get Victoria's Secret Loungewear from $14.99
• Get the Victoria's Secret Ruched Mini Dress for $49.99 (Save $59.51)

Underwear  

• Get the Victoria's Secret The Lacie Lace-Up Thong from $3.99 (Save $6.51 to $7.51)
• Get Victoria's Secret Panties from $4.99
• Get the Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Cheeky Panty for $7.99 (Save $8.51)
• Get the Incredible by Victoria's Secret Bikini Panty for $7.99 (Save $8.51 to $10.51)
• Get the Incredible by Victoria's Secret Smooth Brazilian Panty for $7.99 (Save $8.51)
• Get the Victoria's Secret Very Sexy 3-pack Cheeky Panties from $19.99 (Save $16.01)

Shop the Victoria Secret Semi-Annual Sale

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The product experts at  Reviewed  have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on  Facebook ,  Twitter , and  Instagram for the latest deals, reviews, and more.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

15 of the best things to buy at Victoria's Secret

There's a lot more than just bras!

Updated April 5, 2021

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

Now, you can find everything from fitness apparel to swimwear to beauty products all under one roof (or website). We scoured the site to find 15 of the best things you can get at Victoria’s Secret beyond undergarments.

1. A popular bra that people deem “incredible”

Best Victoria's Secret Products: Lightly Lined Demi Bra

Incredible is right. As one of the highest-rated bras on the VS site, the Lightly Lined Demi has the perfect combination of comfort and support, which puts it in a league of its own. Its underwire is encased in foam, making it less irritating than other wired bras, and the extra wide bands ensure you won’t experience any annoying digging or pinching. There’s a huge selection of colors in both lace and smooth options to choose from.

2. A bra to go under any t-shirt

Best Victoria's Secret Products: Push-Up Perfect Shape Bra

If you’re looking for a little bit of natural lift, this bra provides just enough. Its full-coverage design makes it great for daily wear and the straps can be worn in the classic style or can be easily changed to a crossback formation. Reviewers say they love the fit so much that many have purchased it in multiple styles.

3. A fabulous slip dress for a night out

Best Victoria's Secret Products: Washable Silk Midi Slip Dress

Hello, ‘90s runway vibes! This slip dress is a highly-rated favorite for a few reasons. First, it has a flattering-for-all design that is effortlessly flowy. Next, the silk material is so soft that one reviewer referred to it as “a dream on the skin.” Say no more! Well, we must also mention the amazing color options: all black for the chic minimalist, leopard for the wild one, and pink with polka dots for those who love something classic.

4. A soft cotton thong

Best Victoria's Secret Products: Cotton Thong Panty

This every day thong is made from breathable cotton and has great stretch for the ultimate comfort under any outfit. Reviewers note that not only do they feel super sexy in them, but they also love how they can withstand many-a-washes without losing their softness or structure. Coming in at a whopping 18 color choices, you’re bound to want a pair for every day of the week. Plus, if you order five, you can get them for $30, which is essentially half off for each pair.

5. A push-up bra with a lot of lift

Best Victoria's Secret Products: So Obsessed Push-Up Bra

One of my personal favorites, the Very Sexy line of bras at Victoria’s Secret gives an extra lift that creates a flattering shape and overall look. Memory fit padding acts as your own personal support system, taking account of your individual curves for the ultimate made-for-you feel. With more than 100 reviews and a 4.7-star rating, you can’t go wrong. You can pick from three essential colors: lipstick red, sweet praline beige, and black.

6. A super cozy PJ set

Best Victoria's Secret Products: Heavenly Supersoft Modal PJ's

“The most comfortable pajamas ever,” raves one reviewer about this ultra-soft set of matching pajamas. Made from tencel, they have great stretch and fit semi-loose, so wearing them feels light and airy. There’s a broad choice of patterns and colors, giving you plenty of options for when you’re purchasing your second or third pair (which is likely).

7. A cult favorite perfume

Best Victoria's Secret Products: Very Sexy Eau de Parfum

As a top-selling perfume by Victoria’s Secret, Very Sexy is a bold scent with a slow burn that reviewers can’t stop raving about. Notes begin with fruity clementine and wild blackberry that then transform into a musky wood and sweet vanilla orchid. Although you’re able to purchase body spray of the scent, the Eau de Parfum is the most concentrated and pure version, which makes it worth the higher price tag.

8. A bra you won’t want to take off

Best Victoria's Secret Products: Unlined Soft Wireless Lounge Bra

With its pull-on style and wireless composition, this bra might be the most comfortable one you’ll ever own. Perfect for hanging around or working from home, you’ll love the super soft fabric and playful plunging neckline. Although some reviewers suggest that women with larger busts may prefer something with a little more support, it’s a great choice for those looking for something easy to throw on that they’ll forget they’re even wearing.

9. A bikini that offers some shine

Best Victoria's Secret Products: Shine Strap Bikini Top and Bottom

10. A mesh bra with rave reviews

Best Victoria's Secret Products: Unlined Mesh Full-Coverage Bra

For a minimalist look and feel, opt for the full-coverage mesh bra that features a plunge neckline and cage details on the thick, sturdy band. Although it may look delicate, reviewers rave about how supportive it is—so much so that one said wearing it “feels like a hug.” That, paired with the flattering silhouette of the longline shape, make this a total must-have for sizes A through DDD.

11. Leggings with lace detailing

Best Victoria's Secret Products: Incredible Lace-Up Leggings

Designed to be worn at any time, from working out to the grocery store to just around the house, these leggings are a fan favorite. The ultra high-rise keeps everything in place while the four-way stretch performance fabric allows you to move about effortlessly. Don’t worry about perspiration, either. Moisture is wicked away before you even know you’ve started to sweat thanks to the material. They’re available in 7/8, regular, or long length.

12. Cheeky panties with a lace-up detail

Best Victoria's Secret Products: Micro Lace-Up Cheeky Panty

For the perfect combination of sexy and comfortable, try the Micro Lace-Up Panty. They come in three colors—black, red, and leopard—and feature a delicate faux lace-up design on the back. The satiny feel and comfy stretch fabric makes it easy to wear them under most clothing. They’re a great option for those who prefer the cheeky look, as opposed to full coverage or thong.

13. Joggers for lounging around in

Best Victoria's Secret Products: Mid-Rise Jogger

Seeking an oversized fit for your loungewear? Look no further than these mid-rise joggers that are designed with versatility in mind. Wear them out or wear them in, either way you’ll look fab. There’s nine color options like pink tie dye and seafoam green, plus a broad size range of XS through XXL.

14. A lacey bra with no lining

Best Victoria's Secret Products: Forever Fabulous Unlined Embroidered Bra

15. Lacy underwear with plenty of coverage

Best Victoria's Secret Products: Lace Bikini Panty

Referred to as an “essential panty” on Victoria’s Secret’s site, we have to agree. These adorable lace panties are perfect for everyday wear with their darling lace borders and moderate coverage. While most reviewers do note their softness and comfort, the majority express how they love that there is no visible panty line.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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• clothing & lounge
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@media (min-width: 400px){max-width:25rem;} Products Found

It's sale time! Make the most of our offers from Victoria's Secret, featuring an irresistible edit of lingerie, loungewear, beauty and accessories. Explore multipack knickers in your favourite styles and alluring shades, romantic lace bras in bold colours and prints, must-have gym leggings, t-shirts and hoodies, as well as stylish bags and fragrant body moisturisers. Update your collection with the chicest designs and styles from our luxurious range.

Dream Angels

Runaway Teal Blue Lace Lightly Lined Demi Bra

Champagne Pink LightlyLined Heart Embroidery Demi Bra Top

Pink Lace Unlined Balcony Bra

Sexy Illusions by Victorias Secret

Heathered Black No Show Thong Knickers

Body by Victoria

Purest Pink Smooth Lightly Lined Non Wired Nursing Bra

Victorias Secret

Vs White Watercolor Heart Sexy Tee PushUp Bra

Aqua Green Mix Lace Mesh Cheeky Knickers

Pure Seduction Body Mist

Pretty Blossom Iconic Stripe Pink Satin Short Pyjamas

Coconut Passion Body Mist

Velvet Petals Body Mist

Love Spell Body Mist

Pretty Blossom Iconic Stripe Pink Satin Long Pyjamas

Midnight Blooms Body Mist

Aqua Kiss Body Mist

Black Smooth Shine Strap Push Up Bra

Temptation Body Mist

Pure Black Add 2 Cups Push Up Bombshell Bra

Wear Everywhere

Pure Black Push Up Super Soft Bra

Weekend Money: Benefits and pensions going up - here's how much and exactly when

Pensions and benefits are going up between Saturday and Monday. Read this and more in Weekend Money, and we'll be back with live Money updates on Monday. Leave a comment on anything we've covered below.

Sunday 7 April 2024 10:45, UK

Weekend Money

• The price of getting divorced
• Benefits and pensions rise in coming days
• Calculate how much your take-home pay rises from today as NI cut
• Your comments: Angry pensioners, angry drinkers and angry mail recipients
• News round-up
• What makes up the cost of a £6 pint - and how much is profit?
• All the places kids can eat cheap or free this Easter break

Ask a question or make a comment

Here's a round up of the changes...

• Child benefit

The amount people can earn before child benefit is reduced or taken away is increasing.

At the moment, people lose 1% of the benefit for every £100 they earn over £50,000. At £60,000, the benefit is cut completely.

From this month, the benefit won't be reduced until one parent earns more than £60,000. And it will only go completely at £80,000.

Benefits and tax credits that are linked to inflation will rise by 6.7% this month.

That was the level CPI in September.

These benefits have to go up 6.7% by law:

• Personal independence payment (PIP)
• Disability living allowance
• Attendance allowance
• Incapacity benefit
• Severe disablement allowance
• Industrial injuries benefit
• Carer's allowance
• Additional State Pension
• Guardian's allowance

The government also pledged the same raise for benefits including:

• Universal Credit
• Contributory employment and support allowance
• Contributory jobseeker's allowance
• Statutory maternity/paternity pay and maternity allowance
• Income-based jobseeker's allowance (JSA)
• Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
• Income support
• Working tax credit
• Child tax credit

From April universal credit rates are:

• Single and under 25 - £311.68
• Single and 25 or over - £393.45
• Live with partner, both under 25 - £489.23 (for you both)
• Live with partner, either of you are 25 or over £617.60 (for you both)

The state pension will rise by 8.5% this month.

The "new" state pension, for those reaching state pension age on or after 6 April 2016, will rise to £221.20 a week - up from £203.85.

The "basic" state pension, for those who took it out prior to April 2016, is rising to £169.50 a week.

Both groups may get more or less depending on individual circumstances. 

When do the changes take effect?

Housing benefit and council tax reduction rates changed at the start of this month.

Tax credits changes typically apply at the start of the new tax year - so Saturday (6 April).

Means-tested benefits like universal credit, income support or pension credit are changed from Monday (8 April).

Pensions also rise from Monday.

By Bhvishya Patel, Money team

We're all familiar with the stats - nearly half (42%) of all marriages in the UK end in divorce.

But unless you've been through it, you'll probably be surprised at how much getting divorced costs. 

It varies depending on where you live and how you do it, but according to MoneyHelper a couple could be looking at between £1,300 and £2,600 for an uncontested divorce and between £10,000 and £30,000 if it is a contested case - for example, you've failed to reach an agreement and the case is taken to court.

The cost can climb even higher if the case drags on.

Family court backlogs mean a quick resolution is almost unheard of - with Ministry of Justice figures showing the average divorce takes more than a year to complete.

So what do you need to know?

This table shows some of the main costs to consider when getting a divorce.

Can you do it for less?

Although the process had become a lot more straightforward with the introduction of no-fault divorces, some solicitors still take advantage, says Desmond O'Donnell, a partner in the family team at the legal firm Thomson Snell & Passmore. 

"I say to my clients, you are more than capable of applying for a divorce without a solicitor - the court fee is £593. You get other solicitors who say 'let me do it for you' because they can charge the client for that and then costs go up to £600-800." Desmond O'Donnell

He says it is better to settle a separation outside court because taking a case to court "racks up costs".

"You get some solicitor firms who see it as a business rather than what is best for their client," he says. 

"If you settle a case quickly you don't make money, so they almost encourage their client to go to court."

He recommends looking at other avenues such as mediation, collaborative law, arbitration and the process of "one couple, one lawyer" to avoid being "at the mercy of the court".

Less lawyer routes

With mediation, through which a couple resolves issues with a mediator, "emails are not flying back and forth" between solicitors and matters can be resolved "within hours", Mr O'Donnell says.

Another way of handling a separation is arbitration - a private system in which spouses choose an arbitrator to hear their case in their chambers.

"It's having a judge who has the time to give your case the attention it needs and because it is much quicker, there is less correspondence so it is going to be cheaper," Mr O'Donnell says.

'Collaborative' lawyers

He also draws attention to collaborative law, which involves specially trained solicitors meeting for roundtable meetings for the benefit of the family.

"As there is more realism brought into it and we're not trying to bluff each other, very often we agree on things outside the traditional court system more quickly and cheaply than the traditional system," he says.

Sharing a solicitor?

Opting for "one couple, one lawyer", with the solicitor acting for both spouses, can cost £3,000 to £4,000 plus VAT - so "much cheaper", Mr O'Donnell says.

But this only works if the couple are on amicable terms.

Finances are not sorted with divorce

A common misconception is that divorce and finances are dealt with in the same processes - they are not, says Zoe Rose, senior associate at Hedges Law.

"I often say to clients you probably won't need a lawyer to help you with the divorce application because if you can do online shopping you can do the relevant online application with the court directly." Zoe Rose

But, she says, with discussions about finances and children people "should be spending some money getting some decent legal advice".

"You do the simple paperwork and come to me for the strategic stuff about what happens with assets and what happens with your children and what that looks like," she says.

How you communicate with your lawyer is key

How people communicate with lawyers is important in keeping costs down, according to Ms Rose.

"If you send your solicitor two emails and then automatically ring them, your solicitor won't have had time to look at your email and won't give you the nuanced advice you want," she says.

"Whereas if you send them a couple of emails and then book a slot later, what you will get back out will be much better."

Here are Ms Rose's other tips to keep fees down:  

• Only speak to your lawyer about legal advice as you are charged for the time you spend with them;
• Avoid asking the same questions more than once;
• Keep ongoing correspondence to a minimum and if you want to ask if an email has been received, your solicitor's assistant is the best person to answer this.

'Train wreck break-up prompted me to set up amicable divorce service'

In the course of writing this article, we came across Kate Daly, a relationship counsellor and the co-founder of Amicable. 

The company first offers a 15-minute free advice consultation and then follows this up by helping couples decide how to divide their money and property, or with arrangements for their children.

Once they have a financial agreement, this is drafted into a consent order and sent to court for a judge to review. 

It means no lawyers are needed and, the theory goes, results in an amicable divorce.

"I came up with the idea for this business off the back of my own awful train wreck divorce - it was really terrible," she says.

"It cost huge amounts of money and it created untold emotional damage, even now it still plays out in my family. A horrible divorce is like the gift that keeps on giving - it just stalks you through all life events.

"When I went through mine, I thought 'what have I done wrong to create this awful situation where we are both spending so much money and ended up in such a bad place?'"

Most couples could do a simple divorce - that is, one with no finances to sort out - themselves, she says, but it is "trickier" to do a consent order and "definitely worth getting legal advice at that point".

"We're on a mission to change the way society thinks about relationships ending and to get to a point where we can say love can end and that doesn't have to be a fight, and it doesn't have to be a failure," she says.

Four topics elicited the most consternation in our mailbox this week: pensioners being drawn into tax, the price of pints, banned adverts and Royal Mail cutbacks. 

On Tuesday we revealed that 650,000 extra pensioners will have to pay income tax for the first time following an inflation-linked 8.5% rise in the state pension which will take many with additional income over the (currently frozen) tax threshold of £12,570.

I have a service pension which I've been living off for 10 years and this month qualify for my state pension. Couldn't believe it when my service pension was nearly £200 less due to tax!! They give with one and take with another!! Brilliant!! I guess I should have expected it!! Ian, Fareham

Thanks to the tax bracket not being raised in line with inflation, I am now paying tax on my pension... Pointless the Tories keeping on about triple lock as I get an increase in one hand then take it out with the other. Mr c k

Others asked if the move meant pensioners were being effectively "taxed twice"...

Why should pensioners have to pay tax on personal/private pensions when they have already paid tax on it during their working lives. Surely the government is getting double payment of taxes? Sarah

This isn't quite right - as pension income is only taxed when it's withdrawn, ie when you retire. 

Making pension contributions during your working life is tax free within certain limits . 

Away from pensions, on Wednesday we reported that a Nationwide advert starring Dominic West would be banned following 282 complaints. 

The watchdog found it was misleading consumers into thinking the building society – unlike its rivals – would not be closing its branches.

Some of our readers have seen first-hand closures, in contrast to the advert's message...

Our Nationwide branch closed after they stated it would remain open for at least two years. Goldie30

Good! I am glad that the Nationwide adverts have been banned as they did, indeed, close last year the Blaby, Leicestershire branch of their bank. So the adverts always left a very bitter taste in the mouth. Well done ASA for calling Nationwide out on this. Alan Henry

Looking at the breakdown of the cost of a pint we posted on Thursday...

...we had an interesting question from Pete on non-alcoholic drinks...

Why do alcohol-free drinks cost so much in pubs and restaurants? Prices are often the same and yet tax is lower. Petethepilot

Although the same duty doesn't apply on alcohol-free drinks, they can be more expensive to manufacture.

Many breweries make their standard beer then "remove" the alcohol after - adding an extra step to an already expensive process, using the same ingredients and methods etc. 

Historically, it's also been brewed in much smaller quantities (naturally driving price up), although as its popularity continues to rise we may see that change. There's also development and marketing costs.

Another reader, John, said... 

Having just returned from a holiday in mainland Spain - I find myself asking why the cost of a large draft local beer (pint) - even in many restaurants - is only about €3. Which is the equivalent of about £2.56. Yet another example of rip-off Britain!!! JohnMette

On Wednesday, Royal Mail revealed it may slash  1,000 jobs as part of cutbacks including reducing second-class deliveries to three days a week, prompting comments like this...

So now we all pay for 1st class post and get 2nd class service.  Liyzlg

National insurance has been cut, for the second time this year, from 10% to 8% on employee earnings between £12,570 and £50,270 from today.

The change, announced by the chancellor in his March budget, impacts around 27 million payroll employees across the UK.

The cut is worth almost £250 to someone earning £25,000 a year and almost £750 for those earning £50,000

Use our tool below for a rough guide to what tax changes can be expected for most people, as there are other variables not included which might affect how much tax you pay including being in receipt of the blind person's allowance or the marriage allowance. It also assumes you are not self-employed and are under pension age...

There are also national insurance cuts for the self-employed. This includes the scrapping of Class 2 contributions, as well as a reduction of the rate of Class 4 contributions from 9% to 6% for the £12,570 to £50,270 earnings bracket.

These will impact nearly two million self-employed people, according to the Treasury.

While many campaigners welcomed the national insurance announcement last month, they pointed out that the tax burden remains at record high levels for Britons - thanks in part to the threshold at which people start paying income tax being frozen, rather than rising with inflation.

Big Issue founder Lord Bird says the government has "lost the plot" over proposed legislation which critics say criminalises homelessness .

He called the Criminal Justice Bill a "waste of time" that fails to stop people living and dying on the streets of the UK.

The bill contains provisions to allow police to forcibly move on "nuisance" rough sleepers, with criteria including creating "excessive smell" or "looking like they are intending to sleep on the streets".

"How the hell are you going to enforce this?" Lord Bird said on Sky News.

"You're going to get the old bill [police] or the local security going out their sniffing people? This is just a waste of time."

Lord Bird said it was "human rights abuse to let people live and die on our streets".

"When it's moved onto criminal justice issues, then you've lost the plot."

British Savings Bonds , which were announced in the budget, have gone on sale .

The bonds, issued by the Treasury-backed NS&I, offer a fixed rate for three years - and the rate has been revealed at 4.15%.

This has left experts feeling a little underwhelmed.

Savings Champion  founder Anna Bowes gave us her view: "In essence, this is simply a re-issuance of the NS&I three-year Guaranteed Income and Guaranteed Growth bonds, rather than anything new or British.

"As was reported just after the budget and as is often the case with NS&I products, while the interest rate is not rock bottom it’s mid-table, so is likely to still be utilised, especially for those rolling over old bonds, and those with more than the FSCS limit of £85,000, because of course all cash held with NS&I is guaranteed by HM Treasury.

"NS&I is a trusted institution so will always be popular, but savers can earn quite a lot more if they shop a

Trade groups have warned of higher food prices and empty supermarket shelves because of new post-Brexit border fees being introduced this month.

A maximum charge of £145 will apply on imports of plant and animal products, such as cheese and fish, entering the UK through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel from 30 April.

The fees are intended to cover the cost of operating new border control posts required after Brexit, and will not apply to goods brought into the UK for personal use, the government said.

But importers warned the new charges could lead to higher prices for consumers.

Read more here ...

The Money blog is your place for consumer news, economic analysis and everything you need to know about the cost of living - bookmark news.sky.com/money.

It runs with live updates every weekday - while on Saturdays we scale back and offer you a selection of weekend reads.

Check them out this morning and we'll be back on Monday with rolling news and features.

The Money team is Emily Mee, Bhvishya Patel, Jess Sharp, Katie Williams, Brad Young and Ollie Cooper, with sub-editing by Isobel Souster. The blog is edited by Jimmy Rice.

Senior doctors in England have voted to accept an improved government pay deal, bringing to an end the year-long dispute which had led to strike action.

The British Medical Association (BMA), a trade union which has been representing the consultants, put the offer on pay and conditions to its members, with 83% voting in favour.

The pay deal includes changes to the review body on doctors' and dentists' remuneration (DDRB) and a 2.85% (£3,000) uplift for those who have been senior doctors for four to seven years, said the BMA.

The offer is in addition to the 6% awarded during the DDRB process last summer.

You can read more here ...

Administrators to The Body Shop are drawing up plans to salvage a future for one of Britain’s best-known high street brands.

Insolvency practitioners at FRP Advisory have outlined proposals to launch a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) that would see The Body Shop entering talks with landlords about rent cuts, as well as other creditors, Sky News has learnt.

According to proposals sent to The Body Shop's creditors on Friday morning, which lay bare the depths of the financial problems inherited by the investor which bought the company less than four months ago, a CVA would "allow the company to be rescued and exit from administration".

This would see it continuing to trade under the ownership of Aurelius, the investment firm which took control of it at the start of the year.

Read more in our City editor Mark Kleinman's  full story .

The crisis enveloping Thames Water has deepened after its holding company announced it had been unable to meet a debt repayment.

Kemble Water said it missed an interest payment that was due on Tuesday.

The firm said it had asked its lenders to take no immediate action so as to "provide a stable platform while all options are explored".

The announcement paves the way for a potential restructuring of Thames Water, which serves nearly a quarter of Britain's population.

You can read more about that here .

The UK's largest specialist wine retailer, Majestic, has completed a rescue deal to buy Vagabond from administration.

On Friday, Majestic confirmed it had completed the acquisition of the wine bar chain, which will secure the future of nine Vagabond venues and 171 workers.

The bar firm's "underperforming" site in Canary Wharf has not been bought and will be closed.

Vagabond's two sites at Gatwick Airport are also not included in the deal.

The average UK house price fell by approximately £2,900 month on month in March, according to Halifax.

The typical property value fell by 1%, having risen 0.3% in February.

Average property prices landed at £288,430, said Kim Kinnaird, director of Halifax Mortgages.

"That a monthly fall should occur following five consecutive months of growth is not entirely unexpected, particularly in view of the reset the market has been going through since interest rates began to rise sharply in 2022.

"Despite this, house prices have shown surprising resilience in the face of significantly higher borrowing costs."

Prices remain almost £50,000 above pre-pandemic levels, she added.

Nicky Stevenson, managing director at estate agent group Fine & Country, said: "An increasingly busy property market helped to prop up prices on an annual basis at the beginning of spring, but the monthly fall shows there is still some turbulence."

Once an interest rate cut appears on the horizon, demand should "push UK prices 3% higher this year", said Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at estate agent Knight Frank.

British billionaire Joe Lewis has avoided a jail sentence after admitting he orchestrated an insider trading scheme that helped those around him make millions.

The former Tottenham Hotspur owner, who lives in the Bahamas, tipped off his girlfriend, friends, and two of his private pilots with inside information on four publicly-traded companies, which they used to get rich, prosecutors in New York said.

In January, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and two counts of securities fraud, admitting in court he had known he was breaking the law.

Read more here...

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