DWP Confirms Five Rules for £300 Winter Fuel Payment
The DWP has confirmed five rules for receiving the £300 Winter Fuel Payment this year, with payouts sent in October and November after Labour reinstated the payments.
Category : Politics
Triple Lock: £1,088 Monthly Pension Rise for Over-65s
Millions of pensioners born before 1960 could see state pension payments rise by over £1,000 a month under Andy Burnham's triple lock, with full pension reaching £13,062 annually.
Burnham and Healey Face DWP Cuts Pressure as Budget Nears
Andy Burnham and John Healey face pressure to cut welfare spending ahead of the October Budget, as inflation rises to 2.9% and the Universal Credit roll hits a record eight million claimants.
Brothers Surrendered Two Weeks After Wolverhampton Murder
Tiego Beckles, 21, and Richard Beckles, 19, handed themselves in on January 7, 2026, almost two weeks after allegedly stabbing dad-of-two Trey Johnson, 30, to death on Christmas Day 2025 in Wolverhampton.
DfE confirms home visits in school absence crackdown
The Department for Education has confirmed home visits for families of absent pupils as part of new guidance sent to mainstream state schools from September 2026.
Burnham to Probe Birmingham's Exempt Housing Sector
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has personally pledged to investigate the supported exempt accommodation sector in Birmingham, which sees over 32,000 people in 12,000 properties with £400m in benefits, after BirminghamLive highlighted community impacts.
HMRC criticised over criminal tax declaration offence plans
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales has criticised HMRC's plan to introduce criminal offences for reckless tax statements, warning it may confuse taxpayers and reduce voluntary disclosures.
Man stabbed to death in street after money row, court hears
Imran Khan, 40, fatally stabbed Hozar Ali, 28, in Wood Green Road, Winson Green on February 23 after an argument about money, Birmingham Crown Court has heard.
Wolverhampton club reopening bid faces key hearing in August
Wolverhampton Council's licensing committee will meet on August 26 to decide if Calif Bar, forced to close for employing an illegal worker, can reopen as Vivant Lounge amid fire and police objections.
5G mast approved in Sutton Four Oaks despite intrusion concerns
Birmingham City Council has approved a 20-metre 5G mast on Walsall Road in Sutton Four Oaks, ruling that its benefits for digital connectivity outweigh the 'limited harm' and visual intrusion for nearby homes.
Harry and Meghan Plan UK Return Later This Month
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle plan to move back to the UK later this month, more than six years after relocating to California, according to the Press Association.
Harry and Meghan plan return to UK for extended period
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to return to live in the United Kingdom for an extended period, with Archie and Lilibet set to enroll at a British school, according to reports.
Council update after fire destroys six Highters Heath homes
Birmingham City Council has issued an update after six homes were destroyed in a devastating fire on Gorleston Road in Highters Heath, leaving families homeless.
Brothers Deny Christmas Day Murder of Trey Johnson
Tiego and Richard Beckles are on trial for the murder of Trey Johnson, who was stabbed to death on Christmas Day 2025 after a violent attack outside a Wolverhampton club.
Four arrested after suspected chop shop in Birmingham
Four people were arrested after police discovered a suspected chop shop in Birmingham. A stolen car from Solihull was found inside a premises on Cato Street, leading to arrests and further searches.
DfE confirms parents' evening change for schools from September
The Department for Education has reinforced guidance that schools must make attendance central to parents' evenings from September, as part of a new attendance toolkit to tackle rising child absences.
New driveway law for homes in England under Burnham
The Government has changed driveway laws to remove planning permission requirements for homeowners installing electric vehicle charging points, aiming to speed up the EV rollout.
PIP Claimants: Two Expenses Reimbursed Before Friday Deadline
DWP confirms PIP claimants attending Timms Review workshops in September and October will have travel costs and personal assistant expenses reimbursed, with a Friday deadline to apply.
DfE confirms school absence rules for child GP appointments
The Department for Education has issued an 'attendance toolkit' to schools, recommending that medical appointments be scheduled outside school hours and that pupils return to class afterward if well enough.
5G Mast in Birmingham Approved Over Health Fears
Birmingham City Council has approved a 5G mast on Alcester Road South despite 20 objections citing health concerns, with the decision citing compliance with national guidelines.
DWP confirms one-off PIP bonus payments with Friday deadline
PIP claimants who sign up for Timms Review workshops by Friday 21 August 2026 will receive a one-off bonus payment, the DWP has confirmed.
DfE confirms school absence rule for birthdays from September
New Department for Education guidance published on August 19, 2026, tells schools to avoid granting term-time leave for birthdays, citing 40% higher absence rates on those days, and to celebrate within school hours instead.
National Express West Midlands Buy-Out Terms Criticised
A deal to buy out National Express West Midlands bus services has been criticised for leaving taxpayers exposed to financial risks, according to a report.
DfE issues new school absence guidance for missed days
The Department for Education has issued fresh guidance to schools on communicating attendance expectations to parents, developed with families whose children missed 9 to 28 days last year.
National Express West Midlands buy-out slammed as risky for taxpayers
West Midlands Combined Authority takes over National Express West Midlands bus operations, but Conservatives criticise the deal, saying taxpayers assume all risks while the operator can bid for future contracts.
State pensioners born after 1951 in line for £39 monthly hike
State pensioners born after 1951 could see payments rise from £965 to £1,004 per month under Andy Burnham's triple lock pledge, with wage growth likely to determine the increase next April.
Warm Home Discount Warning for DWP Claimants
The Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero warns benefits claimants on Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, ESA, or Pension Credit must ensure their name is on the electricity bill by 23 August 2026 to receive the £150 Warm Home Discount.
New DfE guidance targets parents of children missing 9 days
The Department for Education has issued new guidance to schools in England on communicating with parents about attendance, targeting families whose children miss 9 or more days a year.
State pensioners face £58 weekly gap under Burnham pledge
A 4.1% hike would raise the full state pension to £251 a week from April 2027, but the basic state pension would stay at £192, leaving some pensioners £58 less per week under Andy Burnham's triple lock commitment.
Ex-Police Fed Secretary Banned for Life for Fraud
The former West Mercia Police Federation secretary, jailed for defrauding the organisation of over £55,000, has been banned from policing for life by a misconduct panel.
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