Birmingham City Council confirms revised bin collection dates over Christmas and New Year 2026. Residents warned NOT to put blue-lid recycling bins out due to ongoing strike action. Check your new dates here.
UK households could receive huge payouts for reporting high-value tax fraud to HMRC. Learn how the Strengthened Reward Scheme works and if you qualify.
A look at how community action led to the rejection of several HMO applications in Birmingham in 2025, from Handsworth to Erdington. Read the success stories.
UK households warned as delivery fraud hits record high. Learn how to spot fake texts and emails from scammers impersonating Evri and other couriers. #StopThinkFraud
DWP urged to rethink Lincoln office closure as PCS union announces two-week strike from January 5th. Union says cost-cutting move 'makes little sense' and will lose vital experience.
Lloyds Bank reveals 90% of Oasis ticket fraud starts on social media, with average losses of £436. Learn how to protect yourself from scams in 2026.
UK households warned of a 'spray and pay' parcel delivery scam sweeping England. Criminals send fake texts to steal data and bank details. Learn how to protect yourself.
Discover the full list of stars, from Milo Manheim to Avan Jogia, who have reportedly tested for the role of Flynn Rider in Disney's upcoming live-action Tangled movie.
A Birmingham pensioner is dreading festive waste as the city's bin strike continues. Lorraine Boyce, 80, has recycling from last Christmas still stored in her home. Read her story and the latest on the industrial action.
Simon Appleby, 40, stole over £100,000 from a vulnerable Shropshire woman, making the final payment as she lay dying. Read the shocking details of this 'shameful' breach of trust.
Virgin Media O2 employees have spread festive cheer by donating over 450 presents to Action for Children centres across the UK through the Giving Trees initiative. Discover how they're making a difference.
Lloyds Bank warns of a surge in social media scams, with customers losing an average of £436. Ticket and driving test frauds are on the rise. Learn how to protect yourself.
Future Birmingham council leaders elected in 2026 will lack full autonomy, bound by a government-imposed action plan to ensure financial stability. Discover the binding roadmap for recovery.
Lloyds Bank reveals the top five purchase scams of the year, with victims losing £436 on average. Learn how to protect yourself from ticket, vehicle, and social media fraud.
A major UK rule change in March 2026 will remove the £100 contactless cap. Experts warn of a potential £31.3m fraud surge and urge banks to act. Learn how to protect yourself.
Discover the full list of stars, from Freya Skye to JoJo Siwa, who have tested for the coveted role of Rapunzel in Disney's upcoming live-action Tangled movie.
Birmingham residents face more missed bin collections after protests at a council depot. The city's long-running industrial dispute continues to cause disruption. Read the latest updates.
A stark Nationwide Building Society survey reveals the cost of living crisis is forcing parents to make tough sacrifices this Christmas, with spending gaps widening. Discover the impact and how to help.
A DWP executive officer exploited Covid rules to approve £50,000 in fake Universal Credit claims. Rafiq Master has been sentenced to 32 months in prison. Read the full story.
Santander UK warns of a sharp rise in sophisticated online purchase scams ahead of Christmas, with average losses per case reaching £2,325. Experts reveal how AI is fuelling the fraud wave.
A fresh dispute has erupted in Birmingham after agency bin workers were offered a £600 cash incentive to work over New Year, angering striking council staff. Read the full story.
Barclays reveals a surge in sophisticated scams, with investment fraud now claiming 47p of every £1 lost. Learn the new tactics and how to protect your money.
A con artist who stole £900k from women via dating apps is jailed for 17 years. Experts warn romance scams targeting over-55s rose by 52% last year. Learn how to protect yourself.
Rosie Slater, 32, admitted conning fans with fake Oasis concert tickets. She will be sentenced in April 2026. Police urge the public to buy only from reputable sellers.
The Labour government begins repealing the Minimum Service Levels Act, calling it 'unworkable'. Unions hail the move as a victory for workers' rights. Read the full update.
A 64-year-old woman admitted dishonestly claiming benefits. Her case emerges as the government unveils new powers to disqualify serious fraudsters from driving.
A Telford carer who fraudulently claimed sick pay while working and running a business has been ordered to repay over £6,000. Read the full story of the deception.
Families supported by Action for Children enjoyed a magical evening of light shows, carols, and treats in Sandfields. The Queen Bees group donated selection boxes, and local councillors showed their support.
As 2025 ends, MP Marie Goldman reflects on the irreplaceable human spirit in Chelmsford's charities, from litter-picking to supporting veterans, proving community action beats any algorithm.
Junior doctors in England will stage a five-day strike from December 17th after BMA members overwhelmingly rejected a government offer. The walkout coincides with record flu cases, sparking a patient safety row.