Shirley children's home approved despite parking fears
Solihull Council approves New Future Care's plan to convert a Shirley house into a children's home for two children, despite 70-signature petition and highway safety objections.
Category : Housing Issues
Households face £770 income hit under Burnham premiership
JRF warns Labour could oversee worst parliament for living standards, with household incomes falling by up to £770 by 2029-30 without bold action.
State pensioners 'sleepwalking' into 40% HMRC pension tax
From April 6 2027, unspent private pensions face inheritance tax up to 40%. Survey shows 60% of workers unaware, risking unexpected family bills.
Pension withdrawal warning: £32,000 cost before Budget
Pension savers withdrawing cash before the October 28 Autumn Budget could lose £32,000 in retirement, experts warn. Sir Steve Webb and Standard Life urge caution.
£300 heating oil support extended for Scottish households
The Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme, offering £300 to low-income households, has been extended beyond its initial six-month period as prices remain volatile. Over 6,700 payments have been made since April.
Lichfield named among happiest places in England
Lichfield ranks 13th happiest in England and 2nd in the Midlands, praised for its historic centre, countryside, schools, and commuter links to Birmingham.
DWP urged to cut child DLA awards by 70% for three conditions
A Policy Exchange report led by Timms Review member Jean-André Prager calls for a 70% reduction in child DLA awards for mental health, learning difficulties and neurodevelopmental conditions, saving £11.9bn.
Telford is England's best place to raise a family
Telford and Wrekin tops MoneySuperMarket's family-friendly study, citing green spaces, affordable childcare and housing. It's a 35-minute train ride from Birmingham.
DWP Winter Fuel Payment cut to £150 for two groups
The DWP is cutting Winter Fuel Payments to £150 for two groups, affecting pensioners born before 28 September 1946 who live with an eligible partner or in a care home.
Tory leader pledges to scrap £100k childcare threshold
Kemi Badenoch vows to abolish the £100,000 earnings threshold for 30 hours of free childcare, a £700m policy funded by cutting civil service jobs, ahead of the Conservative conference in Birmingham.
DWP urged to tighten Child DLA rules as claims hit £5bn
The DWP has been told to tighten Child Disability Living Allowance rules as spending tops £5bn, with 404,000 claims linked to three conditions since the pandemic.
DWP may scrap disability benefit for under-25s
DWP considers scrapping the health element of Universal Credit for under-25s, replacing it with a £multi-billion work support package, potentially affecting existing claimants.
DWP Housing Benefit 40% cut proposed for unemployed
Policy Exchange urges DWP to cut Housing Benefit by 20% after two years and 40% after four for unemployed working-age claimants, saving £2.5bn by 2031-32.
Tourists missing after Athens explosion near Acropolis
Three tourists are among five people unaccounted for after a massive explosion collapsed a two-storey building near the Acropolis in Athens, with 24 firefighters deployed.
Pension IHT changes from 2027 could hit charity will discounts
From April 2027, pensions become liable for inheritance tax, which could stop families claiming the reduced 36% IHT rate on estates with charitable donations, warns STEP.
Council vows to tackle fire risks after Gorleston Road blaze
Birmingham Council says it is committed to mitigating future fire risks after a devastating blaze on Gorleston Road destroyed six homes in August, with fencing replacement due to begin in September.
DWP responds to MPs over Motability lease terminations
The DWP says Motability Foundation, not the government, is responsible for lease policies, including notice periods, after MPs raised concerns over automatic terminations.
Former Smethwick NatWest bank set for 12-bed HMO conversion
Plans to convert the former NatWest bank in Smethwick High Street into a 12-bed HMO have been submitted to Sandwell Council. The building closed in August 2025 and has remained empty since.
Dog owners face £500 fine for microchip errors when moving
Dog owners moving house risk a £500 fine if they fail to update their pet's microchip details, under the Microchipping of Dogs (England) 2015 Regulation.
Mum's horror at 'stained thong' found in Shein dress
Kate Greevy, 42, found a stained thong with a pantyliner inside a £17 Shein dress ordered for an Ibiza trip. She returned her entire order and vowed never to shop with the retailer again.
North Edgbaston stabbing sparks exempt housing plea
After a stabbing in Selsey Road, North Edgbaston - now Birmingham's top hotspot for exempt properties with 592 homes - councillors demand action.
Shirley children's home approved as fourth in marathon meeting
Solihull planners approved a fourth children's home in one night, converting a Shirley family house. The five-hour meeting saw three other homes approved and one delayed.
State pension rise 3.9%: £92 monthly increase looms
State pension to rise 3.9% in April, adding £92 a month for those born before 1953, under DWP triple lock, as Burnham urged to back business.
Sikh charity seeks to lift 44-year church rule in Wolverhampton
Miri Piri Afghan Charitable Trust asks Wolverhampton council to scrap a 1982 restriction limiting Wednesfield Methodist Church use, after nursery and temple plans were rejected.
Winter Fuel Payment: £35,000 income threshold explained
Winter Fuel Payments are now means-tested. Pensioners with income over £35,000 will have the £200 or £300 allowance clawed back by HMRC in instalments.
Birmingham B&B refused again over parking concerns
Birmingham councillors have refused B&B plans at The Green in Kings Norton for a second time, citing insufficient parking and highway safety concerns, despite officers arguing there were no material reasons for refusal.
Solihull children's home plan approved despite objections
Solihull Council approved a children's home in Daytona Drive, Millsons Wood, despite 42 objections, on a narrow 5-4 vote.
Martin Lewis urges energy fix before October price cap rise
Martin Lewis urges households to fix energy tariffs before October 1 price cap rise of 3.6%, warning of 17% higher rates than April and advising fixes could be 10% cheaper.
Evicted Wolverhampton pensioner says he feels suicidal
Alan Johnson, 68, was evicted from his Wolverhampton home after a 10-year dispute with Wolverhampton Homes, leaving him in temporary accommodation and facing £3,250 court costs.
Small business credit cards: personal guarantee warning
UK directors may face personal liability for small business credit card debts through personal guarantees, even with limited company status, industry experts warn.
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