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.
Experts warn the triple lock policy is unsustainable, with costs potentially surging by £40 billion annually, prompting calls for means-testing state pension increases.
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.
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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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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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'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.
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 financial turnaround has led to unexpected extra spending on recycling, parking, street cleaning, school safety, and civic events in its new budget.
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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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.
Second Cities rock band members praise Sharon Osbourne's potential council candidacy, saying her 'no-nonsense' approach could benefit Birmingham's political landscape.
The DWP's new bank account monitoring powers could impact individuals not on benefits, particularly those sharing joint accounts with claimants, raising privacy concerns.
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.
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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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.
MPs and financial experts warn that councils are too quick to issue court summons for small council tax debts, adding £75 fees and worsening financial hardship for vulnerable residents.
A father who built a unique £60,000 pirate ship home on the River Severn without planning permission now fears it could be torn down by the council as he seeks retrospective approval.
The DWP confirms that 453,000 pensioners living abroad, primarily in Commonwealth countries, will not receive the 4.8% Triple Lock increase in April due to frozen pension rules, affecting their weekly payments significantly.
Solihull councillors clash over potential council tax increases, with a 4.99% rise this year and warnings of up to 9.99% hikes in 2027/28 and 2028/29. The Conservative-led council faces budget challenges amid national funding reforms.
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Tamworth Borough Council proposes hiking Assembly Rooms wedding hire fees by up to 220%, while reducing 3G pitch costs for community groups. The changes aim to align with market rates and generate revenue.
