Birmingham leader on 'grown up' talks not 'megaphone war'
Birmingham City Council leader John Cotton explains his 'practical' approach to tackling child poverty, defending his relationship with government ministers. Read his full Q&A.
Birmingham City Council leader John Cotton explains his 'practical' approach to tackling child poverty, defending his relationship with government ministers. Read his full Q&A.
Rubie Marie was forced to marry a man in his 30s at age 15, suffering daily rape. Now 42, she shares her story to raise awareness and help other survivors of honour-based abuse.
A West Midlands man alleges historical sexual abuse from the 1980s. His trial, delayed until July 2027, highlights a crown court backlog now nearing 80,000 cases. Read how delays are impacting justice.
Shoppers are racing to snap up the popular Nobody's Child Blue V-Neck Relaxed Cardigan, now reduced to £39 in the Boxing Day sales. The 'lovely' knit has drawn rave reviews for its style and softness.
Over 100,000 UK families will no longer need to file a self-assessment tax return to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge. The new HMRC system collects it via PAYE. Find out if you're affected.
A Nottingham mum-of-three will see her Universal Credit rise to £32,480 a year after Labour scraps the two-child benefit cap. She says the change will make her 'big family dream' a reality.
A Welsh family will see their Universal Credit rise to £2,770 a month after Labour's Budget scrapped the two-child limit. Discover how the change impacts 560,000 families.
The DWP's decision to scrap the two-child benefit cap is sparking debate. Parents on Universal Credit share their stories of receiving up to £1,590 monthly. Read the full reaction.
The Labour government abolishes the controversial two-child benefit limit, a move hailed to lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty immediately. Read the full story.
William Proctor, 75, from Nuneaton, has been sentenced to 24 years for sexually abusing a boy over eight years in the 1990s. Police praise victim's bravery.
Maternity staff at Swansea's Singleton Hospital rallied to provide Christmas gifts for women in a local refuge, with all 20 tags claimed in under 45 minutes. Discover their heart-warming act of kindness.
Maternity staff at Singleton Hospital, Swansea, showed incredible compassion, buying Christmas gifts for every woman in a local domestic abuse refuge in just 45 minutes. Read about this heart-warming community initiative.
North West construction companies joined forces to assemble festive gift packs for families supported by Cheshire charity MyCWA, bringing hope during the holidays.
Two men lured a 16-year-old runaway in Birmingham before a horrific series of rapes across multiple cities. All four perpetrators have been convicted and await sentencing in 2026.
HMRC urges UK parents to check eligibility for backdated Child Benefit payments worth up to £2,500. Act before the mid-January deadline to secure this vital financial support.
Strictly Come Dancing finalist Amber Davies shares an emotional Instagram post after missing out on the glitterball trophy and addresses the online abuse she faced throughout the 2025 series. Read her full statement.
Shocking figures reveal HMRC's anti-fraud pilot wrongly stopped child benefit for 60% of targeted families. Discover the full scale of the government's admission.
Four men have been found guilty of rape, sexual assault, and exploitation of a 16-year-old girl in Birmingham and Walsall. The victim's bravery praised by police.
Four men have been found guilty of raping and sexually exploiting a vulnerable 16-year-old girl in Birmingham, Walsall, and Manchester. The victim's bravery led to a complex police investigation.
HMRC urges UK households earning under £80,000 to check Child Benefit eligibility. You could be missing out on over £1,300 per child. Act now.
Andrew Davies, a dangerous child sex offender from the Midlands, has been given a lengthy prison sentence for historical abuse spanning 30 years. The judge praised the survivors' bravery.
Andrew Davies, 58, of Penkhull, is sentenced for a string of historic child sex offences. Staffordshire Police praise survivors' bravery and urge others to come forward.
West Midlands Police detained over 450 suspects in a targeted domestic abuse operation. The force vows to protect victims as reports traditionally rise during the festive period. Find help and support.
Major welfare reform sees two-child benefit limit axed, lifting thousands of Birmingham children from poverty. Hundreds of pounds extra monthly for larger families from April.
The UK Government has launched its most significant child poverty plan in years, aiming to lift 550,000 children out of poverty by 2030. Key measures include lifting the two-child benefit cap and tackling temporary accommodation. Read the full details.
Mohammed Ali, 23, of Handsworth, raped a boy under 13 for years and had hundreds of vile images. He was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court. Read the full report.
A new NSPCC poll reveals over 60% of adults fear increased child abuse risk at Christmas due to financial stress and alcohol. Learn the warning signs and how to help.
The government's landmark Child Poverty Strategy promises to lift 550,000 children out of poverty by 2030. Key measures include scrapping the two-child benefit cap and ending unlawful B&B placements.
West Midlands Police are seeking a woman after a teenage girl was assaulted and subjected to racial abuse on Bridge Street. Call Crimestoppers with info.
The DWP is abolishing the two-child limit for seven benefits, yet one in five affected households will not see full relief due to the persisting benefit cap. Discover the impact.