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Category : Politics

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Council Tax Blunder: 400,000 Households Overpaying, Owed Refunds

Council Tax Error Leaves 400,000 Owed Refunds

A widespread council tax error has resulted in approximately 400,000 UK households overpaying on their bills, with many owed substantial refunds. Experts urge homeowners to check their tax bands, as valuations may be decades out of date.

Rachel Reeves to Debate Doubling Personal Tax Allowance to £25,000

Reeves to Debate Doubling Tax Allowance to £25,000

The government will debate a petition-backed proposal to double the HMRC Personal Tax-Free Allowance to £25,000, with 100,000 signatures forcing parliamentary discussion ahead of the Spring Statement.

DWP Extends Bank Account Checks to Pension Credit After Universal Credit

DWP Extends Bank Account Checks to Pension Credit

The Department for Work and Pensions is expanding intensive bank account monitoring powers to Pension Credit claimants, raising concerns about targeting elderly pensioners and potential overreach.

DWP Granted New Powers to Seize Funds from Bank Accounts After 28-Day Notice

DWP Can Raid Bank Accounts After 28-Day Notice Period

The Department for Work and Pensions receives new authority under Labour government legislation to directly deduct funds from benefits claimants' accounts following a mandatory 28-day notification period aimed at reducing fraud.

DWP to Demand Bank Details for Fraud Crackdown with 22-Day Seizure Notice

DWP Demands Bank Details for Fraud Crackdown

The Department for Work and Pensions will require banks to provide bank statements and salary details of benefits claimants under new powers to combat fraud and recover debts.

Dudley Council Cancels Rent Vote Amid Fears of Defeat, Sparks Opposition Outcry

Dudley Council Cancels Rent Vote Over Fear of Losing

Dudley Council's Conservative leadership pulled a 4.8% rent hike vote from full council, moving it to cabinet after admitting they lacked support. Labour councillors accuse them of denying tenants transparency.

PM Starmer Urged to Intervene in Birmingham Bins Strike During PMQs

PM Starmer Urged to Intervene in Birmingham Bins Strike

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has acknowledged the need to resolve the ongoing Birmingham bins strike after being pressed during PMQs. The industrial action has now entered its second year with workers voting to extend it until September.

Petition Nears 100k, Could Force HMRC to Double Pensioner Tax Allowance to £25k

Petition Could Force HMRC to Double Pensioner Tax Allowance

A petition calling for a doubled personal tax allowance for state pensioners, raising it to over £25,000, is nearing the 100,000 signatures required for parliamentary debate. The proposal targets tax relief for retirees while ensuring wealthier pensioners

Watchdog Criticizes Chancellor Reeves Over Business Tax Communication

Watchdog Criticizes Chancellor Reeves on Tax Plans

The UK Statistics Authority has ruled that Chancellor Rachel Reeves should have been clearer about the impact of her business rate changes, which could raise costs for pubs despite a lower multiplier.

DWP Issues Warning Letters Before Bank Account Seizures Within 22 Days

DWP Sends Letters Before Bank Account Seizures in 22 Days

The Department for Work and Pensions is implementing new bank account checks with a multi-stage process, including sending letters to suspected benefit fraud cases before any funds are seized, following a critical Public Affairs Committee report.

Woman Faces Trial Over False Sexual Abuse Claims Against Former Politicians

Woman to Stand Trial Over False Abuse Allegations

Esther Baker has been charged with four counts of perverting justice over false sexual abuse claims against former politicians and officials. A six to eight week trial is scheduled for March 2027.

DWP Gains Power to Deduct Wages from Working Benefits Claimants

DWP to Dock Wages of Working Benefits Claimants

New government powers allow the DWP to make salary deductions from working benefits claimants, with employers legally required to comply. The measures aim to recover overpayments but face criticism over privacy and fairness concerns.

MPs Demand Safeguards for DWP's New Bank Account Investigation Powers

MPs Warn DWP Over New Bank Account Check Powers

A parliamentary committee has raised serious concerns about the DWP's extensive new authority to access bank information and recover funds directly from accounts under the 2025 Fraud Act.

Birmingham Budget Sparks 'Smoke and Mirrors' Row as Council Claims Recovery

Birmingham Budget Row: 'Smoke and Mirrors' Claim

Birmingham's Labour council unveils its 2026/27 budget, claiming to have closed a £300m gap and shed its 'bankrupt' tag, but opposition councillors dismiss it as deceptive amid ongoing service cuts and tax hikes.

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