Council Criticized Over £5m Office Building Purchase
A new audit report reveals Wirral Council does not know the operating costs of The Hythe office building, purchased for £1.6m above market value, with criticism over risk assessment failures.
Category : Politics
Government U-Turn: May Local Elections to Proceed as Planned
The Government has reversed its decision to postpone local elections in 30 English councils this May, following a legal challenge by Reform UK. Ministers cited legal advice and the need for certainty as key factors in the policy shift.
Tories Lose Majority at Walsall Council as Councillor Quits
Councillor Keith Sears resigns from the Conservative Party after being blocked from standing in local elections, reducing the Tories to 30 out of 60 seats and ending their overall control of Walsall Council.
DWP Urged to Replace Triple Lock with Australian Rule
Experts call for scrapping the unsustainable Triple Lock for state pensions, proposing an Australian-style smoothed earnings link to ensure long-term affordability.
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Rachel Reeves Confirms Cost of Living Giveaway for All Households
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled a series of cost of living measures, including energy bill cuts and Universal Credit increases, set to boost household incomes by hundreds of pounds from April.
Reeves Takes Aim at Pensioners as Political Shield Fades
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confronts the shifting political landscape where pensioners, once untouchable, face fiscal pressures through frozen tax thresholds and benefit scrutiny amid economic strain.
DWP Urged to Means-Test State Pension Triple Lock
Experts warn the triple lock policy is unsustainable, with costs potentially surging by £40 billion annually, prompting calls for means-testing state pension increases.
£90 Cost of Living Vouchers for Kent Households
Kent County Council is distributing £90 vouchers to eligible households, including those not on DWP benefits, to help with rising living costs through the Household Support Fund.
Somerset Parish Merger Scrapped Due to Local Opposition
Plans to merge Castle Cary and Ansford parishes in Somerset have been scrapped after a governance review found insufficient local support, particularly from Ansford residents who voted 35.3% in favor.
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Bristol's £500m 'King's Cross' Regeneration Plan Unveiled
A massive £500 million development near Temple Meads station aims to transform Bristol's Silverthorne Lane into a vibrant mixed-use hub with homes, a school, university space, and new public areas.
Reeves Tax Rules Hit Pensioners with Private Pensions
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms controversial tax rules that will affect older people with small private pensions, as frozen tax bands push incomes above the personal allowance limit.
Residents Call for Hotel Scheme Reduction Over Sea Views
A campaign group in Newquay is urging planners to scale back a hotel redevelopment project, arguing oversized apartment blocks threaten public sea views and the town's coastal character.
Winter Fuel Payment: £100 Increase for Pre-1944 Pensioners
State pensioners born before 1944 will receive a £100 increase in their Winter Fuel Payment this winter, with payments ranging from £100 to £300 depending on age and circumstances.
State Pension Age Rise Impacts 820,000, Saves £10.2bn
The Department for Work and Pensions is increasing the state pension age gradually to 67 by 2028, affecting 820,000 people and saving £10.2 billion, with concerns raised about potential poverty impacts.
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UK VPN Ban Update: New Internet Restrictions to Protect Children
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reveals plans to ban VPN access to pornography for minors, restrict AI chatbots, and consult on social media limits for under-18s in a sweeping online safety initiative.
Council's £63m Office Loss Revealed in Critical Audit Report
A critical audit report reveals Wirral Council faces a £63m impairment loss on two new office buildings, with one sitting empty. The report also criticises other major projects including Birkenhead Market redevelopment plans.
Obama Says Aliens Are Real, Debunks Area 51 Myths
Former US President Barack Obama has made a definitive statement about extraterrestrial life, claiming 'they're real' while dismissing Area 51 conspiracy theories during a podcast interview.
Universal Credit £760 Cash Boost Announced by DWP
The Department for Work and Pensions has unveiled welfare reforms that will provide millions on Universal Credit with a significant cash increase, alongside a £3.5 billion investment in employment support programs.
Bar Keeps Licence After Owner Failed to Report Mass Brawl
The Garden Bar in Wolverhampton retains its licence despite the owner admitting he did not call 999 during a violent brawl involving up to 20 people, with the council imposing new conditions.
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Leader Rejects 330-Home Green Belt Plan in Kingswinford
Dudley Council's leader has dismissed an outline planning application by Persimmon Homes for 330 homes on green belt land in Kingswinford, stating the developer is 'trying their luck' and the site is not in the local plan.
Walsall Council Approves Tax Hike and Service Cuts in Budget
Walsall Council's cabinet has approved a maximum 4.99% council tax increase alongside £32.83 million in service cuts for the 2026/27 budget, now awaiting full council vote.
WMCA Closes £120 Million Budget Gap Without Tax Hikes
Finance officials announced the West Midlands Combined Authority has successfully closed a projected £120 million revenue deficit for 2026/27 without implementing a mayoral precept on council tax or cutting transport budgets.
Dudley Council's Budget Surprise: Five Unexpected Spending Plans
Dudley Council's financial turnaround has led to unexpected extra spending on recycling, parking, street cleaning, school safety, and civic events in its new budget.
BBC TV Licence Refunds Before £180 Fee Rise - Full List
The BBC is cancelling and refunding TV licences for eight specific groups ahead of the annual fee increase to £180 starting April 1, 2026. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport announced the £5.50 rise to provide stable funding.
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Solihull Traders React to Mell Square Regeneration Plans
Local traders in Solihull town centre have expressed mixed feelings about the multi-million pound Mell Square regeneration scheme. While many welcome the potential benefits, concerns remain about parking loss and the area's transformation.
Birmingham Band Backs Sharon Osbourne for Council
Second Cities rock band members praise Sharon Osbourne's potential council candidacy, saying her 'no-nonsense' approach could benefit Birmingham's political landscape.
DWP Bank Checks May Affect Non-Benefit Households
The DWP's new bank account monitoring powers could impact individuals not on benefits, particularly those sharing joint accounts with claimants, raising privacy concerns.
DWP Can Now Withdraw Money Directly from Bank Accounts
New legislation grants the Department for Work and Pensions authority to access bank accounts of Universal Credit, ESA, and Pension Credit claimants to combat benefit fraud, sparking privacy concerns.
DWP Bank Account Checks to Affect 100,000 People
The DWP is advancing new powers to access bank accounts and seize cash, targeting welfare claimants. The measures, under consultation until February 27, 2026, could affect up to 100,000 individuals annually, raising concerns from charities about stigma an
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PIP Claimants Get £364 More Annually from April 2026
Personal Independence Payment rates will increase by 3.8% from April 2026, with maximum weekly payments rising to £194.60. This change comes as the Timms Review examines the PIP system, while Universal Credit health payments face cuts for new applicants.
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