The Know Daily - Monday 8 September 2025

_{Read in 4m 27s ∙ Listening to Chase Wright ∙}

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Turns out whales and dolphins aren’t just passing acquaintances in the ocean… they’re actually pals. Researchers have spotted them hanging out, swapping hunting grounds, and even catching a few waves together. These social bonds show the intelligence and flexibility of these marine mammals. By observing these friendships, scientists gain insights into how life in the ocean is more connected than we imagined 🌀

🏘️ Council tax: an explainer

Council tax: the bill that reliably shows up every year like clockwork (and somehow never feels any less painful). But where did it come from, who actually has to pay it, and what are we getting for our money?

A quick history lesson.
Council tax first popped up in 1993 across England, Scotland and Wales. It replaced the famously unpopular “poll tax” (officially called the Community Charge), which charged everyone the same flat fee – regardless of whether you lived in a mansion or a studio flat. Unsurprisingly, people weren’t thrilled. The new system linked payments to the value of your home instead, with the idea that it would feel fairer and help raise money for local services.

Who has to pay it?
In most cases, the person living in a property – whether renting or owning – is responsible for paying council tax. If more than one adult lives there, the bill is usually split. Some groups get discounts or exemptions, such as:

• Students

• People under 18

• Those with severe mental impairments

• Single-person households (25% discount – here’s how to get yours)

Sometimes the landlord pays instead – for example, if the property is rented out room-by-room and tenants don’t have separate council tax bills.

What does it get me?
Council tax funds local services that directly affect your community, including:

• Rubbish and recycling collections

• Local schools

• Social care and housing support

• Road maintenance and street lighting

• Police and fire services

• Libraries, parks and leisure centres

It doesn’t cover everything – for example, the NHS is funded through national taxation – but council tax helps keep day-to-day local services running.

Why are there bands?
Every property is placed in a council tax band, based on its estimated value at a set date (in England and Scotland, that’s 1991; in Wales, 2003). Bands range from A (the lowest) to H (the highest in England and Scotland) or I (the highest in Wales).

Is it a flawless setup?
Some organisations and think tanks have suggested alternatives to council tax. One criticism is that council tax bands in England are still based on 1991 property values, which can mean homes in less affluent areas pay proportionally more than expensive properties in wealthier regions. Proposals for reform include a “proportional property tax”, where property owners would pay an annual rate linked to the current value of their home, rather than residents paying based on historic bands.

How do I check my band?
You can check your property’s band online:

• England & Wales → via the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) website

• Scotland → via the Scottish Assessors Association website

If you think your home is in the wrong band, call your local council for further advice. 

Bring all your old workplace pensions together in one simple, online plan with PensionBee. Choose from a handpicked selection of pension options so you can invest in a way that aligns with your values. It’s a way to grow your savings while helping to build a better future for the planet, too. 

💰 Money Monday: The beginning of the next university year is upon us which means looking for more ways to cut costs. 

• The bigger story: There’s lots to unpack. Supermarket loyalty schemes, checking for student discounts across shopping, travel and subscriptions, securing a student bank account with interest-free overdraft and travel perks, and being savvy with bills, insurance, and “buy now, pay later” schemes. Here are more tips on how to make your money stretch further. 

🏛️ Cabinet reshuffle: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave his cabinet a major reshuffle over the weekend, making wide-ranging ministerial changes to the Home Office.

🌕 Epic eclipse: There was a total lunar “blood moon” eclipse last night! Check out the incredible pics here.

💸 A-lotto loot: Two winning tickets for Saturday night’s $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot were sold in Texas and Missouri. The prize was the second largest ever.

✈️ Gals who globetrot: Older women are redefining and reshaping solo travel, according to new research from women-only travel company, Girls’ Guide to the World.

🎤 She leaves quite an impression: Sabrina Carpenter has secured the UK’s biggest opening week for an international artist in 2025 with Man’s Best Friend. 

🔗 Last week’s most clicked: A momentous petition, the world’s most peaceful country and this week’s London tube strikes.

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Trivia answer: C) This will be the third movie Emerald Fennell has directed.

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