Midland Village Postal Crisis: No Mail Since New Year
A West Midlands MP reveals Water Orton residents have received no post this year, with critical delays affecting cancer screening results, benefits, and employment mail.
Category : Politics
Royal Mail Backlog Causes Post Delays in West Midlands
Royal Mail apologises for a two-week backlog affecting deliveries in West Midlands towns including Northfield and Halesowen, citing severe weather and staffing issues.
Starmer Condemns Trump's Greenland Tariff Threats
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a strong rebuke to Donald Trump's tariff threats over Greenland during PMQs, declaring Britain will not yield on principles.
Birmingham Regeneration Scheme Hit by Legal Challenge
Birmingham City Council's major Druids Heath regeneration project faces delays after a legal challenge over affordable housing transparency forces a planning decision review.
Walsall Leather Museum Plan Faces Scrutiny Committee Inaction
Walsall Council's scrutiny committee raised minimal concerns over the controversial relocation of the Leather Museum, despite campaigners challenging transparency and financial decisions.
Labour's £300 Cost-of-Living Support for 6M Households
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled a major cost-of-living package, including £300 payments for six million low-income families and expanded energy bill support.
BBC TV Licence: Free for Some, £180 Hike Ahead
The BBC TV Licence fee is projected to rise to £180 next year, following a recent £5 increase. However, thousands of pensioners aged 75+ receiving Pension Credit can obtain it for free.
HMRC Child Benefit Freeze Update After Data Errors
HM Revenue and Customs has restored payments to thousands of households after a flawed fraud crackdown wrongly froze benefits. Technical errors in data checks caused significant disruption.
Car Park Bid Clashes with Wolverhampton Regeneration
Parkit Management seeks to extend a temporary 24-hour car park in Wolverhampton city centre, but the council argues it hinders major regeneration plans including 1,070 new homes and public spaces.
Haslingden Road Reopening & 2026 Events Calendar
Rossendale Borough Council confirms Higher Deardengate sections will reopen from January 30, with full completion by February 20. A 2026 events programme aims to revitalise Haslingden town centre.
Police 'Fail to Stop' Birmingham Bin Depot Blockades
Birmingham City Council demands police intervention as protestors block bin lorries daily, threatening weekly waste collections across the city amid ongoing industrial dispute.
2027 UK Clock Change Dates Shift for Extra Sunlight
The UK's biannual clock changes will occur on different dates in 2027, providing households with an additional week of lighter evenings before winter. The autumn change moves to Halloween.
Prison Officer Jailed for Inmate Sex and Smuggling
Isabelle Dale, 23, a prison officer at HMP Coldingley, has been sentenced to three and a half years for sexual misconduct with inmates and attempting to smuggle Spice into the prison.
Birmingham Factory to Become 215 Apartments and Townhouses
Plans to convert a vacant 1950s factory building in Birmingham city centre into 215 apartments and nine townhouses have been recommended for approval by council officers.
Royal Oak Pub to Become Desi Bar and Grill in Wolverhampton
City of Wolverhampton Council approves plans to transform the vacant Royal Oak pub into an Indian bar and grill with three flats, addressing previous unauthorised conversions.
Rooftop Food Court Seeks Compensation After Council Shutdown
A popular rooftop food venue in Walsall is seeking substantial compensation from the council after being forced to close for two months over planning permission issues.
UK Travel Rules Change: ETA Required for Visa-Free Visitors
From 25 February 2026, visitors from 85 visa-exempt countries including the US, Canada and France must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation before entering the UK.
Pensioners to Lose £17 Monthly Under New DWP Rules
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms new DWP rules will see pensioners with incomes over £35,000 repay Winter Fuel Payments via monthly £17 deductions from 2026.
Council Tax Relief: How to Reduce Bills to Zero
Certain households across the UK could see their council tax bills reduced or even eliminated entirely through local authority support schemes. Eligibility depends on income, benefits, and household circumstances.
Solihull Rejects Tourism Levy Over Funding Fears
Solihull councillors have voted against a motion supporting a tourist tax, citing concerns that revenue raised locally would not be fairly spent within the borough.
MPs to grill DWP over stalled WASPI pension plan
DWP officials face intense scrutiny from MPs after Ombudsman reveals indefinite pause on WASPI State Pension age scandal action plan. Key hearing set for January 21.
Starmer rejects Trump tariffs, urges calm over Greenland
PM Keir Starmer calls Trump's Greenland plan 'completely wrong' but stresses the US is a close ally, rejecting threatened tariffs. Should he be tougher? Share your view.
Warning over new 2026 drink-drive limit for England and Wales
A major change to alcohol driving limits is expected before the end of 2026. The new rules could see drivers over the limit after just one pint. Read the full details and expert warnings.
DWP to slash bonuses in civil service shake-up
The Department for Work and Pensions will cut bonuses and sack underperformers in a civil service overhaul announced by Darren Jones. Read the full details.
Controversial Balsall Common housing development gets green light
A contentious 17-home development in Balsall Common has passed its final planning stage. Local councillors warn it sets a 'worrying precedent' for future piecemeal building in Solihull.
£20m new school approved for Oldbury in Brandhall Village
Sandwell Council approves £20m plans to replace a failing Oldbury primary school with a new 'net zero' building at Brandhall Village. The move will relocate pupils from a flood-prone site to a modern, energy-efficient facility.
Warrington Town FC's New Stands Get Green Light
Warrington Town FC's plans for two new 200-seat stands have been approved by the council. The club aims for match funding from the Premier League Stadium Fund to have them ready for next season.
Marton Mere holiday park expansion plans withdrawn
Bourne Leisure withdraws controversial plans to expand Marton Mere Holiday Village onto public green space. The firm will now seek an alternative site following local opposition.
Northwich Marina and Housing Plan Finally Approved
After eight years of debate, plans for a leisure marina and up to 83 homes at Northwich's Weaver Shipyard get the green light. Read the full story on the development's journey.
Halton Council to leave Widnes HQ in cost-saving move
Halton Council plans to leave its iconic Municipal Building in Widnes after a review found it has double the office space needed. The move aims to save millions from a £10m property bill.
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