Make Your December Wage Stretch to January
Struggling with the long gap to January payday? Financial expert Aseem Munshi shares four practical budgeting and saving strategies to help Brits manage their finances through the festive hangover.
Category : Search result: council budget crisis
38 councils to double council tax on second homes
Up to 12,300 second-home owners face a 100% council tax surcharge as 38 more English councils activate new powers from April. See the full list of affected areas.
Birmingham Park Parking Charges Row for 2026
Birmingham City Council plans new parking fees at three major parks in 2026 to raise funds, sparking fierce opposition from residents and political parties. Find out the details and what it means for visitors.
400,000 homes in wrong council tax band
Up to 400,000 UK homes may be in the wrong council tax band due to flawed 1991 valuations. Check your band now and challenge it to potentially claim thousands in backdated refunds.
Scala Theatre renovation costs rise by £590,000
Worcester City Council approves extra funding for the Scala Theatre renovation, citing fire safety and National Insurance costs. The £16.2m project remains on track for its 2026 opening.
Council's £1m hotel bill for homeless 'not sustainable'
Stoke-on-Trent City Council spent over £1m housing homeless in B&Bs last year, leaving taxpayers with an £850k bill. Councillor admits the situation is unsustainable. Read the full report.
Union Chief: Gov Must Focus on Cost-of-Living in 2026
TUC leader Paul Nowak urges the Government to prioritise living standards in 2026, warning of political consequences. Survey reveals one in five skip meals daily.
Warwickshire Council Leader Defies Vote on School Transport
Warwickshire's Reform UK leader vows to ignore council vote demanding he withdraw a letter to government seeking powers to cut school transport costs. Opposition unites against the move.
Birmingham's Harborne Day Centre to become food store
Birmingham City Council approves sale of former Harborne Day Centre site for a new food store, part of property sales to tackle financial crisis. Read the full story.
West Midlands Police faces £41m cuts, officer losses
West Midlands Police could lose £41.1m in funding by 2026, risking 520 officers and neighbourhood policing. Commissioner warns of a 'postcode lottery' and urges government action.
Birmingham's 2026 leaders face strict financial controls
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.
Calls to reverse Dudley's grit bin policy
Campaigners demand Dudley Council reinstates 500 removed grit bins, warning the cost-cutting move risks safety on icy hills. Read the full story and see the petition.
Birmingham's new council leaders will have limited freedom
Government commissioners will oversee Birmingham City Council after the 2026 elections, restricting new leaders' autonomy with a strict action plan. Discover the roadmap for recovery.
Birmingham's Longest Council Home Wait Times Revealed
New data shows Birmingham residents face waits up to 250 weeks for social housing. Discover the worst-hit areas and how the council's system works.
Council 'Paralysed' After Mass Resignations
Shirebrook Town Council left unable to function after 11 councillors quit. Bolsover District Council appoints temporary members to restore operations. Read the full story.
Dudley Council's £75.9m funding sparks political debate
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 Council gets major funding boost after bankruptcy
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.
Birmingham Council plans sale of iconic Alpha Tower
Birmingham City Council proposes selling the freehold of the Grade II listed Alpha Tower to aid its financial recovery. Key committee vote set for December 16.
Council to refund second home tax after legal error
Warwick District Council must repay double council tax charged on second homes after admitting it 'acted outside the law'. A procedural mistake forces a costly U-turn.
Dudley social workers accused of lying over child safety
A watchdog committee hears emotional testimony alleging Dudley Council social workers lied and ignored vital emails concerning child protection. Read the full investigation.
Dudley Council row over £8k parish council survey
Labour demands apology after £8,000 survey on Cradley parish council, funded as part of a Tory-Lib Dem budget deal, is overwhelmingly rejected by residents. Read the full story.
Gloucester Council Seeks £17.5m Government Bailout
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.
OBR boss quits over Budget leak 'worst failure'
OBR chair Richard Hughes steps down, taking full responsibility for the technical failures that led to the pre-Budget leak of sensitive fiscal data. Read the full details of the damning report.
Dudley's £56m SEND deficit 'bomb' unresolved
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.
Solihull Council complaints hit three-year high
Solihull Council sees complaints soar to a three-year peak while making crucial decisions on parish mergers, historic building conversions, and the Mell Square redevelopment. Discover the full story.
Businesses cut hiring plans after Budget, poll shows
Over half of UK business leaders plan to slow hiring following the Autumn Budget, with many fearing further tax rises. Discover the impact on corporate growth.
Council Tax Band D: £0 Bills Before £2,394 Rise
UK households in council tax band D can get 100% discounts, leading to £0 bills before a 5% rise to £2,394. Learn how to apply for Council Tax Support.
Council tax bills to rise by 5% next year
Millions of UK households face a 5% council tax hike in 2026. Discover expert tips on how to legally reduce your bill and save money with discounts and payment plans.
Reeves defends tax rises in Labour Budget
Chancellor Rachel Reeves refuses to apologise for breaking Labour's tax pledge as Budget pushes tax take to record high. Read the full analysis of political reactions.
Martin Lewis breaks down the Autumn Budget impact
Money expert Martin Lewis explains how the Autumn Budget will affect your energy bills, ISAs, and council tax. Discover what the changes mean for your wallet.
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