Dudley local plan adopted despite outdated housing targets
Dudley Council has formally adopted its new local plan, protecting green belt, but new government housing targets more than double requirements, making the plan instantly out of date.
Category : Politics
Solihull Approves 970-Home Neighbourhood in Balsall Common
Solihull councillors approved a 970-home neighbourhood on grey belt land in Balsall Common, despite a planning chief blasting the applicant for lack of community engagement since 2022.
Over 500 New Homes Planned for Woodford
Plans for 567 homes, shops, and a nature park in Woodford, Stockport, could bring over 1,300 homes to the area, joining a nearby development.
Record World Cup Arrests: 200 in 24 Hours in Birmingham
West Midlands Police made a record number of arrests during the World Cup, including more than 200 in a single 24-hour period, as officers cracked down on football-related disorder.
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HMRC July 31 Deadline for Self-Assessment Payments
HMRC has set a July 31 deadline for self-assessment taxpayers to make their second Payments on Account, which are advance payments towards the next tax bill.
DWP Confirms 8 Pensioner Groups Affected by Age Rule
The DWP has confirmed eight groups of state pensioners affected by a new age threshold rule, impacting those born between April 6, 1960, and July 6, 1960, with incremental increases to state pension age.
HMRC Child Benefit Tax Charge Rules for £60k+ Earners
HMRC confirms the High Income Child Benefit tax charge applies to individuals earning over £60,000, with a tapered charge up to £80,000, and full repayment above that. Couples with individual incomes under £60,000 are unaffected.
State Pension Age Change for Post-1977 Births
The State Pension age is rising to 68 for those born after April 1977, with gradual increases between 2044 and 2046. Full new State Pension is £241.30 weekly.
Descendants Stars Kylie Cantrall and Malia Baker Drama Explained
A video of Kylie Cantrall rolling her eyes at Malia Baker in an interview has gone viral, sparking rumors of a feud over an alleged love triangle with Malachi Barton.
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Pensioners Wait a Year for £45,000 Civil Service Pensions
Civil service pensioners report waiting over a year for £45,000 lump sums and monthly payments after Capita took over the scheme, causing delays and frustration.
Walsall teen hacker jailed for TfL cyber attack
Owen Flowers, 18, from Walsall, was jailed for five years and six months for a cyber attack on Transport for London that cost £29 million and disrupted thousands of customers.
MP: Invictus Games in Solihull, Not Birmingham
Solihull MP Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst has urged the BBC to amend an article about the Invictus Games, insisting the NEC—and thus the Games—are in Solihull, not Birmingham.
Birmingham MP: Ban Argentina Players from World Cup Final
Paulette Hamilton MP demands FIFA ban Argentina players from the World Cup final after they displayed a 'Las Malvinas Son Argentinas' banner following England's semi-final defeat.
Solihull Reform UK councillor defects to Conservatives
David Hoey quits Reform UK for Conservatives, citing inappropriate behaviour and headline-chasing, while Reform UK claims complaints were being investigated.
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Protesters Oppose Reedswood Park School Plan
Dozens of protesters gathered at Reedswood Park woodland in Walsall to oppose a £50 million secondary school development, citing loss of green space and wildlife habitat.
Birmingham garden waste return 'challenging'
Birmingham's garden and bulky waste collections remain suspended after the bins strike, with the garden service described as 'challenging' to restore. Bulky waste may return before strike ends.
Marriage Tax Allowance: Martin Lewis on £1,000 Boost
Martin Lewis explains how couples can boost their income by over £1,000 through HMRC's Marriage Tax Allowance, with backdating for four tax years.
HMRC Confirms £200 Fines Under New Points System
From 6 April 2027, HMRC will replace the automatic £100 late filing penalty with a points-based system, triggering a £200 fine after 2 points for annual submissions.
Walsall Teen Hacker Jailed for £29m TfL Cyber Attack
Owen Flowers, 18, from Walsall, has been jailed for five years and six months for a £29m cyber attack on Transport for London, forcing 27,000 employees to reset passwords.
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Yorkshire Water pays £6,800 to customer by mistake
Yorkshire Water mistakenly paid £6,800 into a customer's account in two separate payments, telling them to enjoy the money. The error was due to a payroll update.
Officer Guilty of Assaulting Woman During Halesowen Arrest
PC Calum Brand has been found guilty of assaulting a woman by pulling her hair and elbowing her in the face during her boyfriend's arrest in Halesowen. The IOPC investigation led to the charge.
Tax-free allowance rises to £21,330 for couples and landlords
Households can now receive up to £21,330 tax-free by combining Marriage Allowance and Rent-a-Room scheme, while the Personal Allowance remains frozen at £12,570 until 2031.
Shabana Mahmood Urged to Scrap Pension Triple Lock
Birmingham MP Shabana Mahmood, tipped to become Chancellor under Andy Burnham, faces calls to scrap the costly state pension triple lock, with the OECD warning it is unsustainable.
DWP £200 Winter Fuel Payments for Pensioners Under 80
DWP confirms automatic £200 Winter Fuel Payments for state pensioners under 80 this winter. Letters arriving October-November 2026. Amounts vary by age and household.
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HS2 Phase 2 Cancellation: What Next for Controversial Project?
HS2 Phase 2 cancellation leaves Birmingham-Manchester link dead. Explore the project's future, costs, and political fallout.
Friday State Pensioners to Receive Double Payments in July
State pensioners paid on Fridays will receive two payments in July, on July 3 and July 31, due to the DWP's four-week payment schedule.
Five decisions for Shabana Mahmood as Chancellor
Birmingham MP Shabana Mahmood is tipped to become Chancellor under PM Andy Burnham, facing decisions on tax, PIP, pension triple lock, benefits, and tax bands.
HMRC Tax-Free Allowance Rises to £18,570 for Low-Income Earners
HMRC's new rule allows low-earners to earn up to £18,570 tax-free by combining Personal Allowance, Starting Rate for Savings, and Personal Savings Allowance.
West Midlands Fire Service to Get New Chief by 2027
West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service will appoint a new chief fire officer from 2027, following a major governance change that shifts the hiring power to the combined authority.
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State pension age 'will have to rise to 74' DWP warning
The state pension age may need to rise to 74 by 2069 to maintain the triple lock without overwhelming government finances, according to a new Institute for Fiscal Studies report.
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