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.
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 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.
Birmingham City Council confirms a major waste service overhaul for 2026, including fortnightly rubbish collections and new weekly food waste pickups. Learn the timeline and what it means for you.
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.
Solihull Council outlines three key options for residents to responsibly dispose of real Christmas trees after the festive season, including garden waste collections and a recycling centre.
Birmingham City Council releases revised 2025 festive waste collection schedule. Check your dates online as recycling remains suspended due to industrial action.
As Birmingham's bin strike took hold, streets were engulfed by mountains of waste. See the areas worst affected and hear from frustrated residents demanding action.
A major UK supermarket is handing out free bags of surplus Christmas vegetables, including potatoes and sprouts, in a post-Christmas drive to prevent food waste. Find your nearest store.
Food safety expert Dr Richard Anderson reveals how to store and reheat Christmas leftovers to avoid food poisoning. Learn the 'once-only' rule and key temperatures.
As Birmingham's 2025 bin strike dragged on, mobile waste centres were swamped. We revisit the chaos, fly-tipping and the community efforts that followed. Read the full story.
UK households risk £80 fines for bin collection errors over Christmas. Learn the festive schedule changes, how to avoid penalties, and protect your property value.
A new hub in Birmingham, funded by a £2m donation, aims to tackle child poverty and food waste by delivering millions of meals and providing skills training. It's a key part of King Charles's national vision.
A food-waste expert has partnered with Aldi to share vital safety tips for Christmas leftovers. Discover the 'two-hour rule' and how to store, freeze, and reheat food to cut waste and save money.
Major bin collection changes are coming in 2026, requiring households to sort waste into four separate containers. Learn the new rules to avoid fines.
UK households will need four bins from 2026 under new government rules for recycling and food waste. Learn how the changes will affect you.
A shocking 216 million pieces of children's clothing are thrown away in the UK annually. Discover the facts and the innovative solutions aiming to tackle fashion waste.
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.
Major changes to bin collections across the UK start this week due to Christmas holidays. Residents must check revised schedules to avoid service disruptions and potential fines.
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 City Council announces Christmas bin collection changes for 2025. Find new dates for Christmas and Boxing Day pickups, plus rules for tree recycling and extra waste.
Birmingham City Council confirms revised bin collection dates over Christmas and New Year. Check the new schedule and find out when to put your bins out.
Walsall Council announces revised bin collection dates for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Find out your new collection day and rules for extra waste.
The government confirms new Simpler Recycling rules for England, introducing a standardised four-bin system from 2026 to end collection confusion. Find out what changes for your household.
Walsall's new £32 million Household Waste Recycling Centre, dubbed the 'biggest in Europe', will open in late January. Get the latest on the state-of-the-art Aldridge facility.
Sainsbury's is giving away free surplus fruit and vegetables on Christmas Eve to support families and cut food waste. Find out how to get involved.
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.
Government commissioners overseeing Birmingham City Council have demanded an urgent action plan to resolve the long-running bin strike, warning the council cannot 'just sit and hope'.
Birmingham City Council announces longer hours at all five household recycling centres from December 21 to January 31. Plan your visit and book online.
Plan your festive post! Royal Mail confirms delivery and collection dates for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day 2025. Find out when services stop and restart.
Aldi is letting customers book its £3.30 Too Good To Go 'Surprise Bags' up to five days early this Christmas to cut food waste. Find out the key dates and how to save.