Smethwick Restaurant Licence Decision After Police Concerns
Sandwell Council's licensing committee will decide on Kotoburaba restaurant's future after West Midlands Police raised crime and safety concerns about its proposed midnight closing time.
Category : Politics
Druids Heath Regeneration Quashed by High Court
Birmingham's major Druids Heath regeneration scheme faces delays after High Court quashes planning permission following resident legal challenge over transparency concerns.
Solihull shopping centre demolished for 1,600 homes and hotel
Solihull Council planners have unanimously approved a multi-million pound regeneration scheme that will see Mell Square shopping centre demolished and replaced with 1,600 new homes, a 300-room hotel, shops and public spaces.
TV Licence Fee to Increase to £180 from April
Millions of UK households will face a £5.50 annual increase in the BBC TV licence fee from April, taking the total cost to £180 per year. The rise comes despite earlier agreements to cap the fee below £175.
£300 Cost of Living Payment for DWP Benefit Households
A new £300 cost of living payment is being distributed to eligible households in Worcestershire on specific DWP benefits to help with energy bills, with strict criteria including income limits and support service engagement.
Midlands Towns Get £300 Cost of Living Payments
Worcestershire County Council is distributing £300 payments to eligible residents in multiple towns through the Household Support Fund to help with energy bills and financial hardship.
TV Licence Fee Rises to £180: How to Cancel Legally
The BBC TV licence fee will increase to £180 in April 2026. Learn how households can legally cancel their licence if they only use streaming services like Netflix.
Pensioners Face £17 Monthly Deductions Under New Rules
Thousands of state pensioners are seeing £17 monthly deductions as HMRC claws back Winter Fuel Payments from those with incomes over £35,000 under new government rules.
Walsall Council Tax to Rise 4.99% for 2026/27
Walsall Council leaders are set to approve a 4.99% council tax increase alongside £32.83m in savings, with Band D households facing £2,627.48 annually.
Rossendale Planning Applications Registered
Rossendale Borough Council has registered a series of new planning applications, including care home variations, extensions, and works to protected trees across multiple locations.
Birmingham Councillor's Family Welcomes Newborn
The family of late Birmingham councillor Waseem Zaffar welcomes baby Muhammad Shazain Waseem Zaffar, a moment of joy following his sudden death in Kashmir last week.
DWP Explains New Evidence Review for WASPI Rejection
Pensions Minister Torsten Bell clarifies the DWP's fresh review of historical documents, including a 'rediscovered' 2007 report, before reaffirming the decision to deny compensation to WASPI women.
TV Licence Cancellations Surge Ahead of £180 Price Hike
UK households are rushing to cancel TV licences before a £5.50 increase takes effect in April, with many criticising the BBC funding model and exploring streaming alternatives.
TV Licence Fee Rises to £180 in April: New Rules Announced
The annual TV licence fee will increase by £5.50 to £180 from April 2026, with new iPlayer enforcement measures. Free licences remain for eligible over-75s and discounts for care homes and blind residents.
TV Licence Fee Rises to £180, Some Get Free or Reduced
The annual TV licence fee will increase to £180 from April 1st, though over-75s on Pension Credit, students, blind individuals, and care home residents may qualify for free or reduced rates.
GMB Paused for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Update
ITV's Good Morning Britain paused its regular programming today for a significant update regarding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, following his name appearing in newly released Epstein documents from US authorities.
TV Licence Fee: £60.50 for Black & White, £180 for Colour
The BBC TV Licence fee sees contrasting changes: black and white licences drop to £60.50 annually while colour licences rise to £180 for 2026/27, with further inflation-linked increases planned.
Avoid £180 BBC TV Licence Fee with One Simple Move
UK households can legally reduce their BBC TV Licence bill to £0 before the April price hike to £180 by meeting specific criteria and understanding the rules.
Birmingham Candidate Reacts to Sharon Osbourne Challenge
Convicted terrorist turned independent candidate Shahid Butt welcomes Sharon Osbourne's potential challenge in Sparkhill council elections while discussing his controversial past and political views.
BBC TV Licence Fee Rises to £180 from April
The annual BBC TV licence fee will increase to £180 from April 1st, a £5.50 rise. This adjustment aligns with inflation and supports the ongoing Charter Review.
New £200 Cost-of-Living Payments for All Households
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces new Crisis and Resilience Fund offering £200 emergency payments to all households struggling with essentials like food and energy bills.
£300 Bonus for PIP, Attendance & Carers Allowance
Worcestershire County Council is distributing £300 payments to eligible residents on specific DWP benefits as part of the Household Support Fund. Applications require evidence submission.
£300 Bonus for Pensioners on Three DWP Benefits in Worcestershire
State pensioners in Worcestershire can apply for up to £300 in financial assistance through the DWP Household Support Fund to help with energy and water debts during the ongoing Cost of Living crisis.
Walsall Council Approves £1m and 125-Year Lease for New School
Walsall Council is set to approve a £1m payment and 125-year lease for a new £50m free school in Reedswood Park woodland, despite environmental concerns and alternative site suggestions.
£300 DWP Cost of Living Payments for Six Benefits
The Department for Work and Pensions is providing £300 payments to eligible residents in Worcestershire through the Household Support Fund, targeting those on specific benefits with low income.
Council Rejects Home-to-Nursery Plan Over Harmful Extensions
Sandwell Council has refused a proposal to convert a three-bed house in Bell End, Rowley Regis, into a nursery, citing disruptive extensions and inadequate parking as key issues.
Bristol's Tallest Building Construction to Start
Work is set to begin on Bristol's tallest building, an 18-storey co-living tower and 28-storey student block that will surpass Castle Park View in height.
Dudley's Plan to Save Town Centres from Decline
Dudley councillors will debate a report detailing plans to regenerate retail centres, with government funding of £20m for neighbourhood schemes to boost local economies.
UK Pensioners in Canada Blocked from Triple Lock
Over 100,000 British state pensioners living in Canada will not receive the Triple Lock increase this year due to the lack of a reciprocal pension agreement between the UK and Canada.
Winter Heating Payment Replaces DWP Benefit for Scots
Over 1.5 million winter heating payments have been distributed in Scotland, replacing the DWP's Winter Fuel Payment with a higher rate for pensioners and vulnerable households.
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