Extra DWP Support for Private Renting Pensioners
State pensioners in private rentals may get additional DWP support if the triple lock is reformed. Experts warn the current system is unsustainable. Read the full analysis.
Category : Community
Pensioners issued £1,000 tax warning over frozen allowance
Exclusive: Pensioners relying solely on the state pension could be hit with a £1,000 tax bill by 2029. Chancellor's new policy offers a lifeline, but the frozen personal allowance creates a looming threshold. Read the full analysis.
Urgent Search for Missing Man with Hand Injury in Evesham
Police are urgently searching for Barry Forrester, 45, missing from Evesham. He has a hand injury requiring medical attention. Call 999 with information.
State pension to rise by 4.8% from April 2026
Millions of UK pensioners will see their income rise from April 2026, with the full state pension increasing by £575. Discover how the triple lock impacts your payments.
State pensioners can boost payments by deferring claim
UK state pensioners aged 66+ can increase their weekly DWP payments by 1% for every nine weeks they defer. Learn how automatic deferral and lump sum options work.
Driver dies after Worcestershire crash with tree
A man in his 50s has died after his blue Volvo hit a tree on Goosehill Lane. Police are appealing for witnesses to the tragic Friday morning collision.
Family's plea for witnesses after fatal Birmingham bar assault
The family of Joshua Johnson-Hector, 31, who died after an attack outside Savanna bar, urge witnesses to come forward. A 37-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter.
Coventry £160 Cost of Living Payments Announced
Coventry households can apply for £160 support payments to help with energy bills. The Household Support Fund offers aid in two periods throughout 2026. Learn eligibility and how to apply.
Petition calls for council tax exemption for all pensioners
A new parliamentary petition demands the Labour government and local councils exempt all state pensioners from council tax to ease financial pressures. Over 4,000 have signed.
Birmingham bouncer dies from meningitis aged 39
Tributes pour in for Digbeth security guard David Monteiro, 39, who died from meningitis a week before Christmas. His family raise awareness and funds.
Man prefers prison to struggle of finding work after release
Iain Macpherson, freed after 22 years for murder, claims the stigma of his life sentence makes employment and housing impossible, leaving him wishing for recall.
Sunday Quiz: Food, Animals and General Knowledge
Challenge yourself with this week's Sunday Quiz, featuring questions on food, drink, animals, and nature. Plus, find the answers to last week's general knowledge and cryptic puzzles.
Eddie Hall mourns death of strongman Pa O'Dwyer
World's Strongest Man Eddie Hall launches fundraiser after the death of 'beautiful' friend Pa O'Dwyer, the Irish strongman and mental health advocate, aged 41.
Staffordshire crimewave: Police urge 'lock homes and vehicles'
Staffordshire Police issue urgent warning after a series of burglaries targeting homes and high-end cars in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands. Residents urged to secure properties.
Two Prisoners Escape HMP Leyhill, Public Warned
Matthew Armstrong, 35, and Daniel Washbourne, 40, absconded from HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire. Police urge public not to approach and call 999 immediately if seen.
State pensioners to get £1,900 boost by 2029
Millions of UK state pensioners are set for a £1,900 income increase by 2029 due to the triple lock. Labour commits to the policy, contrasting with Tory uncertainty. Read the full forecast.
£305 Winter Heating Payment for Scottish Pensioners
Over 880,000 Scottish pensioners are receiving a new Pension Age Winter Heating Payment of up to £305.10 to help with soaring energy costs this winter. Find out if you're eligible.
Wolverhampton's Lost and Found Pubs in 2025
From demolition to revival, we track the fate of Wolverhampton's pubs in 2025. Discover which historic locals are gone for good and which have a new lease on life.
Nine medications could make you unfit to drive
Drivers taking nine specific types of medication have been warned they may be breaking the law and risking lives. GEM's James Luckhurst explains the major safety risk and legal consequences.
Claim an extra £5,496 DWP pension if you're over 80
UK pensioners aged 80+ with a low basic State Pension could be eligible for an annual top-up of £5,496.40. Learn the eligibility rules and how to claim this vital DWP support.
Eddie Hall pays tribute to bodybuilder Pa O'Dwyer, 41
Strongman Eddie Hall breaks his silence following the tragic death of beloved bodybuilder Pa O'Dwyer, aged 41. A fundraiser for his family nears £74,000.
Top Baby Names Predicted for 2026 Revealed
Naming experts forecast the top baby names for 2026, led by Jude and Sienna. Discover the vintage revivals, celebrity picks, and cultural influences set to dominate.
Birmingham 1952: Trams, Laurel & Hardy, and Onion Fairs
Step back 74 years to see Birmingham in 1952. Explore the last trams, Laurel & Hardy's tour, the bustling Onion Fair, and landmarks that remain unchanged today.
Birmingham £200 hardship grants: What you need to know
Birmingham households can apply for special £200 cost of living payments. Find out if you're eligible and how to claim before the March 2026 deadline.
New £300 Cost of Living Voucher Opens for Surrey Applications
Surrey residents can apply for a new £300 Everyday Essentials E-Voucher from Monday 5th January. Check eligibility for the DWP-funded support to help with food and essentials.
Global search finds autistic boy's favourite Peppa Pig book
An 11-year-old autistic boy from Solihull received his perfect Christmas gift after a worldwide appeal to find a discontinued Peppa Pig sound book. Read the heartwarming story of community spirit.
Discover Saltwells: Free Sculpture Trail Near Merry Hill
Explore Saltwells National Nature Reserve, home to the Midlands' largest free sculpture trail, ancient woodland, and a family-friendly pub, just opposite the Merry Hill shopping centre.
1 in 10 Drivers Over Limit in Christmas Crackdown
New data reveals alarming drink-driving rates on UK roads over Christmas, with police ramping up enforcement. Discover the shocking regional figures and expert analysis.
Sister knocked out with metal pole in birthday row
William Doyle, 51, attacked his sister after she forgot his birthday present. He avoided jail but received a suspended sentence and a five-year restraining order.
Unsolved 2004 West Bromwich drive-by shooting
Daniel Miller, 19, was executed in a drive-by shooting in West Bromwich in 2004. Detectives believe it was a case of mistaken identity. His killers remain at large.
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