Best Places to Live in West Midlands 2026 Guide
Muddy Stilettos lifestyle guide names the six best places to live in the West Midlands region for 2026, highlighting Jewellery Quarter, Edgbaston, Harborne, and Kings Heath in Birmingham.
Category : Community
State Pension: £34 Monthly Increase Confirmed for Eligible
The Department for Work and Pensions confirms a 4.8% Basic State Pension hike from April, giving eligible older retirees an extra £34 monthly, while new pensioners see a £44 uplift.
Llanelli Choir Donates £1,000 to Hospital Chemotherapy Unit
The Mothers and Daughters Choir in Llanelli, formed for a one-night event 14 years ago, has raised £1,000 from its Christmas concert for the Chemotherapy Day Unit at Prince Philip Hospital.
Lincoln Stroke Unit Charity Ball Raises Funds for Equipment
Staff at Lincoln County Hospital's Stroke Unit are organizing the Evening of Hope Ball to raise funds for rehabilitation equipment, benefiting stroke patients across Lincolnshire. The event includes dinner, entertainment, and auctions.
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Knife Incident on Coventry Road Sparks Police Probe
West Midlands Police are investigating reports of men armed with knives on Coventry Road in Small Heath. Officers recovered an abandoned vehicle but found no occupants at the scene.
Third Arrest in Worcester Garage Fire Murder Probe
A 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the discovery of a body in a garage fire on Surman Street, Worcester, in February.
Pensioner Defrauded of £40k in Fake Cop Scam: Police Appeal
An 89-year-old from Pershore was defrauded out of £40,000 by someone impersonating a police officer. West Mercia Police have released CCTV images and are urging the public to help identify a woman connected to the crime.
Older State Pensioners to Get Less Under DWP Changes
The Department for Work and Pensions has announced new state pension rates for 2026/27, with retirees over 75 on the older basic pension receiving lower payments than younger pensioners on the full state pension.
State Pensioners May Get £390 Boost, Not All Eligible
State pensioners might see a 3.1% increase in payments, potentially adding £390 annually, but only for those on the New State Pension, not the Basic scheme.
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Marie Stopes Opened First Birth Control Clinic in 1921
On March 16, 1921, British activist Marie Stopes and her husband opened the Mothers' Clinic for Constructive Birth Control in London, pioneering accessible birth control services in England.
Author Guilty of Murder, Used Grief Book as Cover-Up
Kouri Richins, a children's author, has been convicted of murdering her husband by poisoning and attempting to cover it up by publishing a book on grief. The jury delivered the verdict after brief deliberations.
Shoplifter Jailed for 24 Weeks After £250 Theft Spree
Luke Dhear, a 36-year-old repeat offender, has been sentenced to 24 weeks in prison for stealing £250 worth of goods from stores at Bentley Bridge retail park in Wolverhampton.
More Builders Needed to Solve Wales Housing Crisis
Giles Thorley, CEO of the Development Bank for Wales, argues that increasing SME housebuilders is crucial to address housing shortages and boost long-term prosperity through strategic investment.
Prison Romance Ends in 20-Month Jail Term for Death Threats
Bethany Mulliner, 22, from Hanley, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for sending horrifying death threats to her former partner, whom she met while incarcerated at HMP Low Newton.
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2.6 Million Emergency Food Parcels Distributed in UK During 2025
New figures reveal over 2.6 million emergency food parcels were provided across the UK in 2025, with nearly 230,000 in the West Midlands, as charities warn of continued hardship despite a slight decrease from 2024.
Universal Credit Health Payment Cut by £188 Monthly for New Claimants
The DWP has confirmed a near 50% reduction in the Universal Credit health payment for most new claimants from April 2026, creating a two-tier system based on application date.
Rapist Jailed After Police Interrupt Attack Following 999 Call
Paul Batey sentenced to five years after officers caught him in the act of rape when his victim managed to call emergency services during the assault.
West Midlands Food Banks: 230,000 Emergency Parcels in 2025
Trussell Trust food banks provided nearly 230,000 emergency food parcels across the West Midlands in 2025, a 41% increase from pre-pandemic levels, with families and older adults hardest hit.
Final HSF Payments to Universal Credit and Disability Claimants
The Department for Work and Pensions is distributing last payments from the Household Support Fund before its March 31 termination, targeting Universal Credit, PIP, and DLA recipients facing financial hardship.
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Abusive Boyfriend Arrested on Plane After Threats at Airport
Callum Coady was hauled off a flight and arrested after CCTV showed him throwing a drink at his partner and threatening to kill her. He received a suspended sentence for coercive control.
Arrest After Man on Roof Near Selly Oak Station, Birmingham
A suspect was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, exposure, and assault after police responded to reports of a man on a roof in Selly Oak, Birmingham. The B384 Bristol Road was closed for hours, disrupting traffic and bus services.
Husband Confessed to Murdering Wife at Police Station
A man allegedly strangled and stabbed his wife after she filed for divorce, then walked into a police station to confess, jurors at Wolverhampton Crown Court have been told.
Best Birmingham Pubs for St Patrick's Day Celebrations
Discover five exceptional Birmingham pubs offering authentic Irish experiences for St Patrick's Day, from traditional music to perfect pints of Guinness across Digbeth and Harborne.
Knifepoint BMW Robbery in Dudley: Suspects Described
A man was threatened with a knife and his grey BMW stolen in Sycamore Green, Dudley. Police have released descriptions of two suspects and are appealing for public information.
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Birmingham Priest Urges Open Minds to Heal Division
Father Fretch Ballesteros of Holy Family in Small Heath explains how ignorance and indifference fuel division, advocating love and education as solutions for peace.
Hockley Heath Residents Angry as Council Backs New Homes Plan
Solihull councillors have supported initial plans for up to nine new homes in Hockley Heath despite 79 objections from residents citing flooding and infrastructure concerns.
St Patrick's Day 2026: Global 'Roots' Festival Unites World
Dublin's 2026 St Patrick's Day festival adopts the theme 'Roots', celebrating heritage connections worldwide. An interactive map allows global participants to share messages and shamrocks, bridging distances for this cultural celebration.
£20m Regeneration for Wolverhampton's WWII Bungalows
City of Wolverhampton Council awards £20m contract to replace nearly 100 defective post-war bungalows on Lincoln Green estate, addressing structural issues and poor insulation.
Car Thefts Up 40% for Popular Toyota Models, DVLA Reports
The DVLA and insurer Tempcover reveal a sharp 40% increase in thefts of Toyota C-HR hybrid SUVs, with security experts urging owners to use Faraday pouches and strategic parking.
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Smethwick Mum Creates Support Group After Teen Pregnancy Struggle
Alicia Douglas, who became a mother at 17 while her partner was in prison, founded Inward Parenting in Birmingham to help single mums facing similar challenges. Her story highlights resilience and community support.
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