MP Calls for Legal Standards After Diplomatic Appointment
Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart demands legal reforms to ministerial conduct and public appointments following controversial diplomatic postings, warning that trust in democracy is eroding.
Category : Politics
State Pension Increase: Key Dates and Payment Details 2026
The DWP has confirmed new state pension rates for 2026/27, with payments rising by up to £575 annually. Higher amounts will appear in bank accounts from early April under the triple lock system.
DWP Cold Weather Payments Replaced for 1 Million Households
The Department for Work and Pensions has scrapped Cold Weather Payments for over a million households, replacing them with new Winter Heating Payments in Scotland. More than 1,009,000 Pension Age Winter Heating Payments have already been issued.
Automatic Cold Weather Payments for Pension Credit
The Department for Work and Pensions has announced automatic Cold Weather Payments for Pension Credit claimants when temperatures drop below zero for seven consecutive days.
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DWP Expands Benefit Crackdown to Pension Credit
The Department for Work and Pensions is extending its targeted case reviews to Pension Credit, aiming to save £500 million by 2029, following success with Universal Credit.
DWP Cold Weather Payments Reach 1.5M Households in 802 Postcodes
The Department for Work and Pensions has distributed over £35 million in Cold Weather Payments to nearly 1.5 million households across 802 UK postcodes since November 2025, providing crucial support during freezing temperatures.
DWP Doubles Cold Weather Payments for 31 Postcodes
The Department for Work and Pensions is doubling Cold Weather Payments to £50 for eligible residents in 31 postcodes, with automatic payments to those on six key benefits.
State Pensioners Face £33 Monthly DWP Deductions
Millions of retirees could see their state pension payments reduced by up to £33 monthly as the DWP implements a Winter Fuel Payment clawback scheme for higher-income pensioners.
Exeter Council Approves 2026/27 Member Allowances
Exeter City Council has approved its members' allowances for the 2026/27 financial year, based on recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel. The scheme, effective from April 1, 2026, includes basic and special responsibility allowances, with
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Liverpool's £1bn King Edward Tower Approved for Regeneration
Liverpool Council has approved a 28-storey residential tower, the first phase of the £1bn King Edward regeneration project, despite policy clashes and concerns over design and parking.
Shopping Centre Demolition Plan for Birmingham's Tallest Building
An investment firm has submitted pre-application plans to demolish Martineau Place shopping centre, potentially making way for a 60-storey residential tower that could become Birmingham's tallest structure.
Coffee Station at Tunbridge Wells Seeks Alcohol Licence
A new licensing application has been submitted for The Coffee Station at Tunbridge Wells Central Railway Station, seeking permission to sell alcohol for on and off-premises consumption, with proposed hours from 6am to 11pm daily.
Plymouth Planning Applications Open for Public Comment (17.02.2026)
Plymouth City Council has published a new set of planning and listed building applications, including heritage repairs, commercial conversions, and residential developments. Residents have 21 days to submit comments.
HMRC Hires 1,000 Agents for Labour's Mansion Tax Rollout
HMRC is recruiting 1,000 valuation agents to implement Labour's new mansion tax, targeting up to 200,000 properties valued at £1.5 million or more with a council tax surcharge.
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UK Passport Rule Change Discriminates Against Women
Campaigners argue new British border rules for dual nationals disproportionately affect women, especially in Spain and Greece, due to surname discrepancies.
Jewellery Quarter Redevelopment Plans Recommended for Approval
Plans to redevelop a key site in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter with 269 apartments and commercial space have been recommended for approval ahead of a crucial council meeting this week.
Rachel Reeves: Labour 'Backing Birmingham' Ahead of Elections
Chancellor Rachel Reeves asserts Labour's support for Birmingham, highlighting investments in transport and youth activities while addressing the bins strike and council financial crisis ahead of May's local elections.
DWP Announces Two New Cash Bonus Payments for UK Households
The Department for Work and Pensions has unveiled two new cash payments under the Crisis and Resilience Fund, providing £1 billion annually to councils for three years to support households in crisis and with housing costs.
Birmingham Labour Cabinet Member Steps Down Amid Health Issues
Councillor Jamie Tennant resigns from Birmingham City Council cabinet role citing ill-health, while denying wrongdoing over complaints about language and conduct.
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Labour Urged to Scrap BBC TV Licence Fee for Modernization
The Labour government faces calls to abolish the BBC TV licence fee as it rises to £180 in April, with campaigners arguing for a voluntary funding model to bring the broadcaster into the 21st century.
Universal Credit Boost: Above-Inflation Increase Confirmed
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed a significant above-inflation rise in Universal Credit payments, providing a major cost of living boost for millions of low-income households starting in April.
Petition: Don't Ban Under-16s from VPNs in UK
A parliamentary petition with over 4,000 signatures calls on the Labour government to reject proposals banning VPN use for children under 16, citing privacy concerns and collateral damage.
DWP Gets New Powers to Search Homes in Benefits Crackdown
The Department for Work and Pensions will receive search warrant powers to combat fraud in Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and ESA benefits, with bank data access also expanded.
Royal Mail: 105 Postcodes Face Major Delivery Delays
Royal Mail has issued a fresh warning to 105 postcodes across the UK, citing major delivery delays due to recent storms and high staff sickness rates, with a full list of affected areas provided.
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Jewellery Quarter Site Redevelopment Recommended for Approval
Major plans to redevelop a key site in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, featuring 269 new apartments and commercial space, have been recommended for approval by council officers ahead of a crucial planning committee meeting.
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.
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.
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