DWP Errors Leave Man Homeless, Living in Car with Cat
Graham Longstaff's retirement plans were destroyed by DWP errors, including late pension payments and letters saying he died, leaving him homeless and living in a car with his cat.
Category : Housing Issues
State Pensioners Abroad Face £162 Monthly Shortfall
British expats in frozen countries like Australia, Canada, and South Africa lose over £3,000 in pension increases since 2023, with a petition urging the government to scrap the policy.
Council Moves Family After Bed Bug Hotel Claims
Birmingham City Council apologizes and relocates a family with a toddler after bed bug bites were reported at the Strathallen Hotel, citing high standards for temporary housing.
Solihull Post Office Closure Date Revealed After TGJones Exit
Solihull town centre will lose its only Post Office on July 11 when TGJones closes its Mell Square store, leaving residents 'very sad' and concerned about postal deserts.
Birmingham Mum's Rat-Infested Home 'Constant Nightmare'
Chloe Adams, 20, says she has been living with rats for 12 months in a Hockley home managed by Midland Heart, with vermin chewing through wiring and ruining appliances.
Birmingham Resident Wears Headphones Amid Noisy HMO Work
A Ward End resident says ongoing HMO conversion work has turned the street into an eyesore with constant noise disruption since last summer.
BMW Driver Jailed After Peer Pressure Led to 70mph Chase
Riyaad Rahman, 22, was jailed for 14 months after a 10-minute police chase through West Bromwich, reaching 70mph in 30mph zones and causing other drivers to take evasive action.
MP objects to 'inappropriate' Green Belt estate in Knowle
Solihull MP Saqib Bhatti has objected to plans for 300 homes on Green Belt land in Knowle, calling the scheme 'inappropriate and unjustified'.
Over 4,000 New Residents Forecast in Kingswinford Plans
Campaigners warn services cannot cope with 4,181 new residents if five housing developments in Wall Heath and Kingswinford are approved, citing school and road pressures.
Walsall 'mega-shed' leaves residents fearing homes unsellable
Residents in Bentley, Walsall, say their lives are unbearable due to noise and vibrations from a huge commercial facility, the size of 12 football pitches, being built behind their homes.
Pensioner Swears Off Pubs After £60 Parking Fine
An angry pensioner from the Midlands says he will never visit a pub again after receiving a £60 parking fine at The Plough & Harrow in Fazeley, leading to a social media clash.
Venezuela Fury Trades £8M Home for Static Caravan
Venezuela Fury, 16, is leaving her £8 million mansion to live in a static caravan with new husband Noah Price, embracing traveller traditions. Police attended her wedding.
Driving Test for Over 70s May Extend to Younger Motorists
The Labour government considers mandatory eyesight tests for drivers over 70, but optometrists urge extending checks to all ages to improve road safety.
UK Housing Crowdfunding Surges 60% Since 2022
Crowdfunding for rent in the UK has risen 60% since 2022. A Birmingham resident raised £2,421. Renters face 'cost of rent day' in May.
Universal Credit Claimants Get £1 Entry to Top Attractions
Universal Credit recipients can access top UK attractions for £1, sparking fears of a two-tier pricing system subsidised by working families.
Hot Tub Owners Face Higher Water Bills in Eco Shake-Up
Water firms consider tiered pricing to penalise high usage, affecting homes with big gardens and hot tubs. Trials planned for thousands of homes in South East England.
Solihull Man Fined for Knuckleduster Possession
A 21-year-old warehouse operative from Solihull was fined £831 after police found a knuckleduster in his pocket during a stop. The weapon will be destroyed.
Toddler 'Covered in Bed Bug Bites' at Birmingham Hotel
A Birmingham couple claims their toddler suffered bed bug bites at the Strathallen Hotel, leading to sleepless nights and health concerns despite council denial.
Neighbour Row Over Planter Ends in Court with Fine
A dispute between neighbours in Aberlady, Scotland, over a garden planter escalated into a court case, resulting in a £210 fine for homophobic abuse.
UK Log Burner Owners Risk £300 Fine Over May Storage Error
UK households with log burners risk a £300 fine for improperly storing wood in May. Experts warn wet wood is illegal to burn, harmful to health, and can lead to chimney fires.
Walsall Mum in Fear After Targeted Shooting
A Walsall family is desperate to move after a 2am shooting targeted their home while children slept. Two men jailed for planned attack.
Child Benefit Warning for Parents Over £60,000
Parents earning over £60,000 may need to repay Child Benefit. Threshold changes from 2024/25 tax year. One parent's income can trigger repayment. Consider NI credits.
DWP: £10,000 Savings Cut Pension Credit for State Pensioners
The DWP warns that state pensioners with over £10,000 in savings will see their Pension Credit reduced. Every £500 above £10,000 counts as £1 weekly income, potentially cutting the £4,300 benefit.
Man charged with 33 vehicle thefts appears in court
Darren Sullivan, 48, from Birmingham, has been charged with 33 offences including vehicle theft and interference. He appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court and was remanded in custody.
Landlords face £7,000 fines per property by May 31
Private landlords in England risk fines up to £7,000 per property if they fail to provide tenants with a new government information sheet by May 31 under the Renters' Rights Act.
910,000 Pensioners Missing Out on £4,300 DWP Benefit
New figures reveal 910,000 pensioner households are eligible for Pension Credit but not claiming it, missing out on up to £4,300 in support.
Inquest Opened After Teen Found Dead in Stoke-on-Trent Home
An inquest has been opened into the death of 16-year-old Jayden Chapman, who was found dead at his home in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, on April 22.
State Pensioners Born Before 1956 Face Higher Driving Costs
State pension claimants aged 70+ face rising car insurance costs, with premiums surging after age 85 by 78% to £700 annually, warns RAC.
Renters Lose 4 Months' Income to Landlords Each Year
Campaigners warn that renters in England lose four months of income to landlords annually, with 'cost of rent day' arriving in May for many.
Kings Heath Father Jailed for Revenge Attack
John Ravenhall, 45, broke a man's jaw in revenge for a pub altercation. He received a suspended sentence for unlawful wounding, possession of an offensive weapon, and criminal damage.
Page 28 of 58