HMRC to recover Winter Fuel Payments from April
HMRC will begin recovering Winter Fuel Payments in advance from April 2027 for pensioners with incomes above £35,000, potentially collecting two years' worth at once.
Category : Politics
Marriage Allowance can boost tax-free income to £13,830
HMRC's Marriage Allowance lets couples transfer £1,260 of unused personal allowance, raising the tax-free limit to £13,830 and saving up to £252 a year.
DWP Christmas Bonus 2026: Extra £10 for pensioners and claimants
The DWP will pay a one-off tax-free £10 Christmas Bonus in December 2026 to State Pension, Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance claimants, among others. Payment is automatic.
DWP confirms Cold Weather Payments from Nov 1
The DWP has confirmed Cold Weather Payments will return from November 1, 2026, offering £25 per cold period to eligible Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and ESA claimants.
Breaking Bad star RJ Mitte dies aged 34
RJ Mitte, who played Walt Jr in Breaking Bad, has died aged 34. His representative confirmed the news, prompting tributes from fans and actor Vincent Martella.
Councillor quits Reform to sit as independent
Alan Feeney, representing Shard End and Castle Bromwich, has left Reform UK for personal reasons and will now serve as an independent councillor on both Birmingham and Solihull councils.
Drink-Drive Limit Cut to 22 in England Under New Plans
England's drink-drive limit will drop from 35 to 22 micrograms under Andy Burnham's Government, aligning with Scotland's stricter level and targeting rising crash deaths.
Pension access age rises from 55 to 57 in 2028
HMRC has confirmed the normal minimum pension age will rise from 55 to 57 on April 6, 2028, affecting those born on or after April 6, 1973, with transitional rules for some.
Farage unveils five-year asylum suspension plan
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage will announce a plan to suspend the asylum system for five years, scrapping tribunals, refugee routes and resettlement schemes, and deporting claimants.
Andy Burnham backs council tax reform as PM hints at changes
Andy Burnham has backed council tax reform, saying the current banding system is unfair and outdated, with homes not revalued for over 30 years.
State pension to top tax threshold from April 2027
The full state pension will rise above the frozen £12,570 personal allowance from April 2027, putting pressure on Andy Burnham to raise the threshold, as pensioners with extra income face tax.
Walsall People's Alliance launched by ex-Reform councillors
Walsall People's Alliance formed by ex-Reform councillors Daniel Rollinson, Bella Simon, and Robin Perry. The group vows democracy, honesty, and community first. Reform retains 37 of 60 seats.
MP defends planning changes after councillor complaints
Labour MP Alex Ballinger says new planning rules removing councillors' call-in rights will unblock the system, after Conservative complaints and a call for a U-turn.
DWP confirms Cold Weather Payment dates and £25 trigger
DWP Cold Weather Payments of £25 may be triggered from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027 after 7 days of 0C or below. Eligible households on certain benefits get automatic payments.
HMRC urges early Self Assessment start before January 31
HMRC urges households to start Self Assessment early for 2025/26, citing anxiety in 26% of taxpayers. Deadline: 31 January 2027.
DWP pension change could cost Generation X £49,000
People born between 1965 and 1980 could lose £49,000 in state pension due to DWP triple lock changes from 2030, Quilter warns.
Tory IHT plan slammed as 'perverse' over housing impact
Conservative plans to abolish inheritance tax on family homes from 2029 face criticism from economists and unions, warning of perverse housing incentives and benefits to the wealthiest.
DWP ends Universal Credit and Housing Benefit cliff edge from Monday
New DWP rules from Monday end the cliff edge loss of income for supported housing and temporary accommodation residents, benefiting over 325,000 people.
HMRC £300 ERS fines due Tuesday after 3-month rule
HMRC will issue £300 fines from Tuesday 6 October to employers who missed the 6 July ERS return deadline, adding to the existing £100 penalty.
Badenoch commits to keeping state pension triple lock
Kemi Badenoch has pledged to keep the DWP state pension triple lock, saying rising costs would not be a problem if the economy grew faster. Labour's Andy Burnham has proposed adjusting the pledge from 2030.
HMRC confirms MTD changes for 2027 and 2028
HMRC has confirmed mandatory Making Tax Digital rules for income over £30,000 from April 2027, extending to £20,000 from April 2028 for sole traders and landlords.
DWP to auto-merge 13 million small pension pots
The DWP is consulting on automatically consolidating 13 million deferred pension pots under £1,000, totalling £4 billion, to cut £240 million annual admin costs.
Solihull green belt sites for 8,219 homes revealed
Solihull's draft local plan reveals green belt areas for 8,219 new homes, plus 4,877 residential allocations, aiming to meet government targets by 2043.
Healey urged to boost energy support in Autumn Budget
MPs and cabinet members push John Healey for fresh energy support in the Autumn Budget as Ofgem price cap rises to £1,723 and forecasts show £1,999 by January.
Ladywood Police Station to Be Replaced by 137 Flats
Birmingham Council recommends approval for demolishing Ladywood Police Station and social club, building 137 apartments, including 47 affordable homes, on the brownfield site.
Tony Iommi to receive MBE at Windsor Castle today
Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi will receive his MBE from the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle today, recognising his services to music and charity.
DWP to withdraw cash from benefit claimants' bank accounts
From October 1, the DWP will withdraw cash directly from bank accounts of benefit claimants, including some pensioners, as part of a fraud crackdown.
Healey and Burnham Signal Major DWP Cuts and Welfare Reforms
John Healey hints at DWP cuts and welfare reforms under PM Andy Burnham, saying Labour has a 'moral duty' to overhaul benefits system.
Dudley footpaths near Crooked House closed until 2027
Dudley Council has closed five public rights of way near Kingswinford and Himley until March 2027 due to public safety risks, including routes near the Crooked House site.
Man found dead at Birmingham home in Kings Norton
A man has been found dead at a home in Wynds Covert, Kings Norton, Birmingham. Emergency services attended this morning, and his death is not being treated as suspicious.
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