HMRC confirms £16,320 tax-free allowance boost
HMRC confirms the tax-free Personal Allowance can be boosted to £16,320 via the Rent-a-Room scheme, as Andy Burnham considers a £15,570 threshold proposed by Dale Vince.
Category : Politics
Dudley councillors slam missed performance targets
Dudley councillors criticised missed performance targets at a scrutiny meeting, including FOI response times at 50.7% against a 90% target.
Under-16s social media ban set for March 2027
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed the under-16s social media ban will start in March 2027, making the UK the first country to implement such a comprehensive ban.
Lloyds Bank October closures: full list including Birmingham
Lloyds Bank will close 23 branches in October, including Harborne High Street, citing mobile banking's rise. Another 10 closures are scheduled for November.
HMRC to refund 3.2 million pensioners after tax error
HMRC will refund over 3 million state pensioners after a systematic error using wrong State Pension figures. Repayments total £19.3 million, averaging £6 per person, with payments expected during 2026/27.
EU Made in Europe rules could push UK car prices up
New EU 'Made in Europe' rules could raise UK car costs, requiring 70% of vehicle value from the bloc, sparking industry concerns.
DVLA considers tougher number plate rules in four areas
The DVLA is examining four areas to strengthen number plate checks, including penalties, MOT tests, supplier screening and police equipment, after a consultation closed in May.
Dudley by-election confirmed for St James's ward
Dudley Council confirms a by-election for St James's ward after Ivor Robinson's resignation. Key dates include nomination deadline October 2 and voter registration by October 13.
Burnham rules out scrapping pension triple lock until 2029
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out scrapping the state pension triple lock during the current Parliament, despite growing calls from the OECD and others over its cost.
Former councillor launches monthly coffee shop advice surgery
Lois Bramall, trained trauma counsellor and 2026 Lib Dem candidate, launches monthly 'Latte with Lois' advice surgeries at Screamin Beans café in Wollaston, offering residents relaxed support.
Autumn Budget 2026: Middle-Class Earners to Feel the Pinch, Warns Expert
Financial expert Antonia Medlicott warns the Autumn Budget on October 28 will hit middle-class earners hardest, not the wealthy, due to frozen tax thresholds and pension changes.
Burnham weighs raising income tax personal allowance at Budget
Labour is reportedly considering raising the income tax personal allowance at the October Budget, which could boost low-income households and protect pensioners from tax.
DWP confirms bank red flags for benefit claimants
The DWP has confirmed the red flags banks will check in benefit claimants' accounts under the new Eligibility Verification Measure, which targets incorrect payments.
Solihull draft plan: 20,000+ homes target by 2043
Solihull Council's draft local plan proposes 21,913 new homes by 2043, up 58% from previous target, with cabinet to consider it next Tuesday.
Lib Dems pledge £17bn tax cut with new tax bands
Lib Dems pledge £17bn income tax cut: tax-free allowance to £15,000, 40p rate to £56,000, 45p to £130,000, lifting 2.5m out of tax.
Solihull Council 'long way off' bankruptcy, leader insists
Solihull Council's leader says the authority is a 'long way off' bankruptcy despite a £1.4m overspend forecast and warnings of future funding shortfalls.
Burnham weighs CGT rise to lift tax-free allowance
Andy Burnham is considering a £14bn capital gains tax raid to fund raising the personal tax-free allowance to £15,570, as proposed by Labour donor Dale Vince.
Hammond shares final thought before 320mph crash
Richard Hammond, 56, recalls his final thought before the 2006 320mph Vampire dragster crash, thanking emergency services on the 20th anniversary.
Alton Towers new virtual queuing for Ride Access Pass holders
Alton Towers introduces a virtual queuing system for Ride Access Pass holders, replacing physical queues, after feedback from disability charities and users.
NatWest and RBS to scrap £1 app login cashback in October
NatWest and RBS will stop paying £1 a month for app logins from October 1, affecting standard and Premier Reward accounts. Direct Debit rewards remain.
Solihull Council writes off £522k in uncollected debt
Solihull Council wrote off £522,108 in uncollected debt in Q1 2026, including £111,668 in rent and £396,570 approved by a cabinet member.
New UK supermarket shelf law now in force
The updated Price Marking Order 2004 came into force on 6 April 2026, requiring unit pricing for more products like cereals, pasta, and cosmetics, helping consumers compare prices easily.
Council refuses 550-home greenbelt plan near Wolverhampton
South Staffordshire Council planning officers have refused permission for 550 homes on greenbelt land at Heath House Lane, Codsall, after 638 residents objected.
Sky criticised for hard-selling dementia patient TV packages
Sky faced backlash after a persistent sales call to a dad with dementia, ignoring cancellation requests and adding unwanted packages, prompting Ofcom and Sky apologies.
Solihull Coronation Street actress Stephanie Cole dies at 84
Stephanie Cole, the Solihull-born actress famed for Coronation Street, Waiting For God and Open All Hours, has died aged 84 after living with Alzheimer's disease.
DWP removes Winter Fuel claim form for pensioners abroad
DWP withdraws Winter Fuel Allowance claim form, barring state pensioners in EEA and Switzerland from payments, effective from September 18.
Unite urges Burnham and Healey to raise tax thresholds
Unite's Sharon Graham calls on PM Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey to end the freeze on the £12,570 personal tax allowance, arguing low earners face 'eye-watering' tax bills ahead of the October 28 Budget.
Burnham may cut taxes for high earners in leaked plan
Leaked documents reveal Andy Burnham's government may reduce taxes for workers earning over £100,000, addressing the 60% tax trap, amid claims he borrowed from Sir Keir Starmer's plans.
£20m Causeway Green school plan approved in Oldbury
Sandwell Council unanimously approved £20m plans for a new net zero Causeway Green Primary School in Oldbury, replacing a structurally failing building with a 420-pupil facility.
DWP PIP claimants face new 7-point rule, says IFS
IFS proposes £-per-point PIP system with a 7-point threshold. Claimants scoring 12 points would get £4,240 yearly, while 32 points would earn £11,310.
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