24-Hour Deadline for £7,500 Free Childcare
Families across England have just one day left to apply for 30 hours of free weekly childcare worth up to £7,500. Learn the eligibility criteria and how to secure funding for 2026.
Families across England have just one day left to apply for 30 hours of free weekly childcare worth up to £7,500. Learn the eligibility criteria and how to secure funding for 2026.
New research shows the cost of raising a child to 18 has surged to £249,000, with childcare and teen years being the most expensive. Discover the full breakdown and expert analysis.
West Midlands Police could lose £41.1m in funding, risking further cuts to officers. Crime Commissioner Simon Foster warns of a 'postcode lottery' and fewer police on streets.
Dudley Council is set for a £75.9m three-year finance settlement from the Labour government. While Labour MPs hail a 'turning point', the borough's Conservative leader urges caution, saying 'the devil is in the detail'. Read the full story.
Birmingham City Council secures a massive £651.5m funding increase over five years as part of a new £78bn government settlement targeting deprived areas. Read the full story.
Staffordshire County Council filled 15.1% fewer potholes this year. Opposition blames Reform UK's roadworks ban, while the council promises long-term improvements.
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.
A massive £264.1 million government funding injection aims to revolutionise bus services in the West Midlands, promising faster, cheaper, and more reliable travel. Read the full details.
Birmingham installs its first new average speed cameras on the A45 Coventry Road to enforce a 30mph limit, funded by Clean Air Zone surplus. The council's goal is safety, not fines.
The government has announced a £246m funding package for bus services across the West of England. Local authorities will decide how to spend the money on new vehicles, infrastructure, and keeping fares low.
A £264.1 million government funding package will transform bus services in Birmingham and the West Midlands, aiming for lower fares and more reliable journeys. Discover how this investment will impact your commute.
The biannual Heath Bookshop Literature and Music Festival returns to Kings Heath, Birmingham, 15-19 April 2026. Featuring Max Porter, Mike Joyce, and new commissions. Book tickets now!
Mercedes-Benz announces a major £20 million investment in the UK, creating 150 high-skilled jobs. The government is contributing £10 million to boost the nation's electric vehicle transition. Read the full details.
HMRC confirms Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance will rise by 3.8% from April 2026. Plus, how families can save £2,000 yearly with Tax-Free Childcare.
The Department for Education has broken its silence on a controversial £50m free school in Walsall, defending its process after criticism from MP Valerie Vaz. Read the full story.
Hospice UK warns of unsustainable funding as bed closures rise. The government's new palliative care framework offers hope, but immediate financial support is missing from the budget.
Gloucester City Council faces a 'financial black hole' and is applying for up to £17.5m in emergency government loans to avoid effective bankruptcy, with severe cuts to services planned.
New £70 supermarket vouchers from the Household Support Fund will be automatically issued to eligible households in Wakefield from December 3rd. Find out if you qualify.
Birmingham Museums Trust launches urgent £2m public appeal. Half its costs are unfunded, putting the city's world-class cultural heritage at a 'critical crossroads'. Your help is needed.
Dudley Council faces a £56m SEND funding black hole despite a national budget change. Discover the local crisis and what the future holds for special needs provision.
Dudley Council awaits answers on a £56m SEND funding deficit despite a new national policy. The financial 'bomb' could still push the authority towards effective bankruptcy. Read the latest.
HMRC urges UK households to check eligibility for Tax-Free Childcare, offering up to £2,000 annually per child. See if you qualify for the government top-up.
HMRC urges UK parents earning under £100,000 to sign up for Tax-Free Childcare, saving up to £2,000 per child annually on childcare costs. Check your eligibility now!
Birmingham Museums Trust launches a vital £2 million public fundraising campaign to save the city's cultural heritage. Your support is needed to keep our museums open.
A parent on Universal Credit asks if DWP will still pay childcare costs after quitting their job. Get the facts on benefits, sanctions, and your rights.
HMRC urges UK parents to check eligibility for Tax-Free Childcare. Families with a disabled child could save up to £4000 annually on approved childcare costs. Apply now.
A public meeting in Darlaston descends into controversy after a 'shoot' comment is met with laughter. Residents and board members clash over £20 million government funding.
Facing a £2.7m debt, Solihull Council is investing over £630,000 in an AI programme to generate significant savings, following the lead of other local authorities.
A major 62-step strategy to enhance nature across the West Midlands has been launched, aiming to channel £100m into hundreds of projects, boost biodiversity and create green jobs.
The BBC licence fee is projected to reach £197 by 2030, while over a million households stop paying. Discover the funding crisis facing the national broadcaster.