Cost of raising a child in UK soars to £249,000
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.
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.
A new survey reveals 30% of Brits plan to cut discretionary spending in 2026 to prioritise investing, as living costs rise. Discover the key areas facing the chop.
OVO Energy faces doubts over its future, planning 200 job cuts after failing to meet Ofgem's capital rules. Learn what this means for 4 million UK customers.
Families on full DWP benefits will receive £18,000 more than some working households by 2026/27, analysis shows. The Centre for Social Justice report sparks a major political row over welfare spending.
Olivia Attwood, Pete Wicks and Strictly's Luba Mushtuk explain their reasons for a solo Christmas Day in 2025. Discover why they're choosing solitude this festive season.
VF Corporation, owner of Vans and The North Face, axes nearly 100 UK jobs after a 10% sales drop. Turnover falls to £321.5m as consumers cut spending. Read the full financial analysis.
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 could lose £41.1m in funding by 2026, risking 520 officers and neighbourhood policing. Commissioner warns of a 'postcode lottery' and urges government action.
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.
Campaigners fight to save the 73 bus route to Heartlands Hospital after changes leave Old Lode Lane residents stranded. Over 40 signatures gathered in hours.
Lidl slashes festive veg to just 5p, sparking a price war with rivals. Shoppers question the true cost, as the supermarket insists farmers are protected. Read the full story.
Teachers across the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership will strike for nine days in January 2026 over plans to cut more than 100 jobs. The NEU warns of damage to education.
Swansea University opens new voluntary exit schemes for staff as it seeks £25m in savings, with compulsory redundancies not ruled out. The UCU warns of potential industrial action.
The festive period is a crucial economic stress test, with UK retail sales forecast to hit £91bn. Discover how Christmas spending impacts jobs, businesses, and high streets across the nation.
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.
Morrisons has slashed prices on festive vegetables to just 5p each in a major Christmas offer, ensuring savings for customers while protecting British farmers' incomes. Discover the deals and store opening times.
Aldi reduces key Christmas vegetables like sprouts and carrots to 8p from Dec 18-24. Get festive staples for less and discover their unique 'lickable' Pigs in Blankets wrapping paper.
Labour's DWP boss warns welfare shake-up is 'not done' as figures show 1.2 million claim sickness benefits for mental health. Read the latest on potential cuts.
UK households can save nearly £400 this festive season by avoiding eight common Christmas expenses. Experts urge early planning to avoid financial stress. #SaveMoney #Christmas
Dudley Council faces a 300% rise in adult safeguarding cases, deploys drones against off-road bikes, and sparks a £10k spending row. Explore this week's key developments.
Official data reveals the UK Government has spent more than £100m supporting its response to the Covid-19 public inquiry, on top of the inquiry's own £192m budget. Discover the breakdown of legal and staffing costs.
Private sector employment fell 1.8% in November, the sharpest drop since July 2021. The Bank of England's survey points to a December interest rate cut amid rising inflation expectations. Read the full analysis.
Thousands on Housing Benefit or Universal Credit can apply for Discretionary Housing Payments, averaging £722. Learn eligibility and how to claim this vital rent support.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden refuses to rule out benefit cuts, sparking fears for 24 million claimants. Read the full story and political reaction.
Nationwide Building Society reports a record-breaking Black Friday with over 7.3 million transactions, a 9.18% surge from 2024. Discover the data and what it means for UK consumers.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves axes Motability Scheme for PIP claimants, calling it an 'easy win'. Critics warn cuts target the vulnerable. Read the full story.
A benefits influencer helping people with ADHD claim DWP support criticises Labour's 'disgusting' cuts. Discover the impact on disabled claimants.
Residents of James Turner Street in Birmingham give their mixed reactions to the Budget, with some welcoming extra funds and others calling the plans 'daft'.
Worcester councillors have condemned West Mercia's PCC office as a 'gravy train for failed Tory politicians' amid police cuts controversy. Discover the full story behind the abolition of the role in 2028.
Residents of Birmingham's James Turner Street, famed for Channel 4's Benefits Street, give mixed reactions to Rachel Reeves' Budget. Some welcome extra cash while others call it 'stupid'. Read their views.