UC claimants get £608 more monthly after cap scrapped
Labour scraps two-child benefit cap, giving some families £608 extra monthly. Critics question spending, but government says it lifts children out of poverty.
Category : Housing Issues
Stirchley Co-op Building Needs £1.3m for Community Buyout
The Stirchley Co-operative Development building in Birmingham needs £1.3m to secure community ownership after a breakdown with housing association GreenSquareAccord. Loans or grants are sought.
Birmingham Takeaway Closed Over Cockroach and Rodent Infestations
Birmingham Indian takeaway Desi Khana shut down after environmental health officers found cockroach and rodent infestations, posing imminent health risk.
Rent Double Lock Proposed for England's Private Renters
IPPR think tank calls for a rent 'double lock' in England, linking increases to lower of wages or inflation, to tackle unaffordable housing costs.
Drivers Over 70 Face Second Mandatory Test and Eyesight Check
Drivers over 70 may face mandatory cognitive tests in addition to eyesight checks following a Labour government consultation as part of the Road Safety Strategy.
Scammers Offer Fake Inheritance Tax Avoidance Schemes
UK households warned against scammers offering bogus inheritance tax avoidance schemes, exploiting confusion over upcoming pension changes. Cold calls are illegal.
Dropped Kerb Rule: UK Households Risk £1,000 Fine
UK households with dropped kerbs risk £1,000 fines if they park on driveways without proper pavement access. Planning permission rules under the Highways Act 1980 apply.
IKEA Recalls Garlic Press Over Metal Fragments Risk in UK
IKEA urges UK customers to stop using IKEA 365+ VÄRDEFULL garlic presses from certain batches due to breakage risk, offering full refunds without receipt.
£35k income warning for state pensioners over fuel payment
State pensioners with annual incomes above £35,000 won't qualify for Winter Fuel Payments under new rules confirmed by Rachel Reeves.
Man living on church floor stole £170 from Boots after pills
Damien Carter, 42, stole £170 worth of items from Boots in Leek while living on a church floor after taking zopiclone tablets. He pleaded guilty and was fined £80.
Japanese Knotweed Could Cost UK Homeowners £12,000
Japanese knotweed growing season is underway, potentially costing UK households up to £12,000 for removal and repairs. Learn early warning signs.
DWP Vows to Fix 'Broken' Housing Benefit as Claims Hit 1.5M
The DWP faces pressure to control Housing Benefit costs, projected to reach £38.8bn in 2026-27. Labour promises to build 1.5 million homes to address the housing crisis.
Motorist Hit with £8,500 Ulez Fines After Plate Cloning
A driver received 77 unpaid PCNs from TfL after their car number plate was cloned, racking up £8,500 in fines. TfL rejected the appeal despite the vehicle never being in London.
Tenants Demand Action Over Hazardous Scaffolding in Worcester
Residents in Warndon, Worcester, raise safety fears over scaffolding left by Platform Housing, citing ignored concerns, broken access, and antisocial behavior.
Disqualified Birmingham Driver Caught After Panic Attack on Bus
Mohhammod Suleman, 24, was caught driving while banned in Erdington after claiming a panic attack on public transport. He received a 12-month community order and extended ban.
Jet2 passenger: flight 'very uncomfortable' due to seatmate
A Jet2 passenger described a four-and-a-half-hour flight as 'very uncomfortable' after a larger seatmate invaded personal space, sparking debate on wider seats.
Martin Lewis reveals £1m inheritance tax loophole
Martin Lewis explains how UK households can legally leave up to £1 million inheritance tax-free using a HMRC loophole, boosting the threshold by £675,000.
State Pensioners Face Property Sales After Rule Change
State pensioner landlords may be forced to sell properties due to the new Renters' Rights Act, with experts warning all landlords under 55 are at risk.
Yardley Money Laundering Arrest: Cash Seized
A 27-year-old man was arrested in Yardley, Birmingham, after police seized hundreds of thousands of pounds in cash during a morning raid on suspicion of money laundering.
Stolen tractor rammed into Middlesbrough home; gang flees
A stolen tractor was driven 'full throttle' into a Middlesbrough home by a masked gang who then fled in a getaway car. Police investigate.
Check Land Registry Docs to Avoid Fence Disputes
Homeowners are urged to check a low-cost Land Registry document to avoid costly neighbour disputes over fence ownership, as legal experts warn common assumptions are often wrong.
Calls to Delay Landline Switchover for 3 Million Homes
Campaigners urge Labour government to extend the digital landline switchover deadline from January 2027 to 2030, citing risks for vulnerable households.
Identify and Tackle 7 Invasive Garden Plants This Spring
Learn how to spot and manage seven common invasive plants that can damage your property, harm native species, and reduce home value. Expert tips from Propertymark.
Fresh Bid to Reopen Twice Shut Down Wolverhampton Off-Licence
A new attempt has been made to reopen HA Supermarket in Wolverhampton after it was twice shut down for selling alcohol to a vulnerable teenager and other illicit sales.
HMRC Increases Tax-Free Allowance to £20,070 for Homeowners
HMRC increases tax-free personal allowance to £20,070 for homeowners using the Rent-a-Room Scheme, combining £12,570 standard allowance with £7,500 rental income exemption.
Husband Stabs Wife in Brain, Leaving Her in Coma
Amir Khan, 25, claimed his wife fell at home, but a CT scan showed a stab wound penetrating her brain. She remains in a coma with irreversible damage. He was found guilty and awaits sentencing.
Weekend Lawn Mowing Could Cost UK Households £5,000
UK households mowing lawns on weekends risk fines up to £5,000 for breaking noise rules. Experts advise mowing between 9am-7pm weekdays and stricter weekend hours.
Brothers Jailed for Stealing Gold and Cash in Coventry
Two brothers from Coventry have been jailed after stealing £7,000 in gold jewellery and £1,300 in cash from a home, caught on CCTV.
Ex-Premier League footballer avoids jail after antique shop rampage
Former Premier League and England U-21 footballer Ben Marshall, 35, admitted burglary and causing over £7,000 damage to Junk & Disorderly antique shop in Newport, Shropshire, while drunk. He received a community order.
Birmingham Man Charged Over 14 Vehicle Thefts
James Boswell, 20, from Yardley, has been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and steal motor vehicles in relation to 14 incidents in Worcestershire.
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