Lisa Smart MP: Local wins on pollution, flooding and buses
MP Lisa Smart highlights local progress: United Utilities checks at Poise Brook, flood defence funding, Marple Locks vehicle removal, and a smaller bus for the 382 route.
Category : Politics
Bootle £20m consultation open until August 2026
Bootle South's Pride in Place consultation offers up to £20m for local projects. Residents urged to respond before 31 August 2026, with proposals including traditional street furniture and heritage repairs.
Targeted cost-of-living support planned as bills rise
The Government is considering targeted cost-of-living support for vulnerable households this winter after energy bills rise 4% from October, energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh has confirmed.
DWP contacts Pension Credit claimants for bank statement reviews
DWP has started contacting Pension Credit claimants for case reviews, asking some for bank statements to verify correct payment amounts.
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Taxes Burnham hasn't ruled out raising before Budget
Ahead of his first Autumn Budget on October 28, PM Andy Burnham has ruled out raising income tax, VAT and NI. But other taxes remain on the table, including land value tax, CGT and wealth tax.
DWP benefit payment changes on Friday August 28
DWP moves Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and ESA payments to Friday August 28 due to the August 31 bank holiday. State pension also affected.
DWP confirms £965 early state pension payment this Friday
DWP will pay state pensioners with NI numbers ending 00-19 on Friday 28 August instead of Monday 31 August, with £965 maximum weekly new state pension.
Burnham DWP benefits plan to cost extra £1.7bn
Andy Burnham confirms DWP benefits action as IFS forecasts extra £1.7bn cost from 2027-28 if inflation holds at 2.9%.
Burnham government weighs cousin marriage ban from 2027
The Andy Burnham government is considering legislation to ban first-cousin marriage, with a Private Members' Bill set for second reading in January 2027.
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Burnham weighs EU tuition fee cut in Brexit reset push
Andy Burnham is considering cutting tuition fees for EU students at British universities as part of a Brexit reset deal, aiming to secure European trade and youth mobility schemes, his spokesman confirmed.
Burnham rules out tax rises despite Budget pressure
Andy Burnham confirms he will not raise income tax, VAT or National Insurance, honouring Labour's manifesto despite fiscal challenges ahead of the Autumn Budget.
Burnham urged to cut DWP welfare by Jim O'Neill
Jim O'Neill, former Goldman Sachs economist, urges Andy Burnham to pursue genuine welfare reform and cut the DWP bill ahead of the Autumn Budget, warning against tax hikes.
OVO Tesco £20,000 prize draw closes September 20
OVO Energy and Tesco are teaming up for a third time to award one OVO Beyond customer one million Tesco Clubcard points, worth up to £20,000. The free prize draw closes Sunday 20 September 2026.
Pension inheritance tax rule could hit estates years later
From April 2027, unused pension pots face inheritance tax, potentially leaving beneficiaries with unexpected bills years after estates are settled, experts warn.
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Back garden building rules watered down in England by Labour
Angela Rayner has relaxed restrictions on building homes in back gardens to help hit 1.5 million new homes target by 2030.
Burnham tax plans could hit pensioners, families, savers
Andy Burnham could target capital gains tax or inheritance tax in his first Budget with Chancellor John Healey, a financial expert warns, potentially hitting state pensioners hardest.
Burnham rules out three tax rises in October Budget
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out raising income tax, VAT or National Insurance in his October 28 Budget with Chancellor John Healey, despite the challenging financial outlook.
Developer Renews Bid to Demolish Sandwell Pub for Shop
A developer has resubmitted plans to demolish a Sandwell pub and replace it with a convenience store, despite previous rejection. The new application includes revised designs and a smaller footprint.
DWP confirms extra £34 a month for pre-1953 pensioners
State pensioners born before 1953 get £34 more monthly after DWP's 4.8% uplift took basic payments to £184.90 from £176.45 from April.
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Petition for £18k tax-free allowance open until end of Sept
A petition urging the government to raise the HMRC personal tax-free allowance to £18,000 remains open until 30 September 2026, with over 63,000 signatures so far.
Birmingham 20mph plan faces Reform opposition
Reform UK, Birmingham's largest council party, will oppose the ruling coalition's plan to make 20mph the standard limit on all local roads, calling it 'anti-motorist'.
Royal Mail delays hit 61 postcodes in West Midlands and beyond
Royal Mail has announced delivery delays affecting 61 postcodes, including parts of the West Midlands, Shropshire, and Staffordshire, due to local issues and staffing shortages.
Cannock Council Ends Year with £800k Budget Boost
Cannock Chase District Council ended 2025/26 with an £800,000 underspend, partly due to a technical adjustment in Levelling Up costs. The surplus will support future budgets.
HMRC confirms new company car fuel rates from September 1
HMRC has published updated advisory fuel rates for company car users, effective 1 September 2026, with changes to petrol, diesel, LPG and electric charging rates.
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Cigar plain packaging plan could wipe out UK tobacconists
Andy Burnham's government considers plain packaging and graphic photos for cigars. Tobacconists warn the rules will make them unprofitable and wipe out the sector within years.
Burnham government responds to social energy tariff calls
Energy UK urges a new social energy tariff using income, health and consumption data. The Burnham government responds, citing VAT cuts and Warm Home Discount.
DWP £150 Warm Home Discount for Pension Credit claimants
State pensioners on Pension Credit, Universal Credit or Housing Benefit can get £150 off energy bills via the Warm Home Discount. You must be named on your energy bill by 23 August to receive it automatically.
TV Licensing exemptions: full list under Burnham and Nandy
TV Licensing confirms exemptions under PM Burnham and Lisa Nandy: over-75s on Pension Credit get free licence, blind people pay £90, black-and-white £60.50. Catch-up-only viewers may not need one.
DWP confirms 7 groups face state pension age rise
The DWP has confirmed seven groups of people born between 1960 and 1961 will see their state pension age rise from September, with increases phased up to 67 years.
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Stockport faces 3,000+ new homes after housing target miss
Stockport Council may approve over 3,000 new homes after missing government targets, adding a 20% buffer and presumption in favour of approval, boosting green belt development pressure.
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