Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces contingency plans to assist vulnerable households facing rising energy bills due to Middle East conflict impacts, while facing criticism from opposition over economic management.
The Department for Work and Pensions could introduce stricter qualification criteria for the state pension, potentially increasing required National Insurance contribution years as welfare costs rise.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce targeted support for energy bills, excluding middle-income households, as wholesale gas prices surge due to Middle East conflict, potentially raising Ofgem's cap to £2,200.
The DWP is abolishing Income Support and Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance from April 1, 2026, affecting prescription charge exemptions from April 15. Claimants must transition to Universal Credit.
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Birmingham City Council races against time to build a temporary market for Bull Ring traders before demolition of the historic building begins in 2027, with plans for apartments or student housing to replace it.
The annual cost of a standard colour TV licence will rise to £180, while black-and-white licences increase to £60.50. Discounts for blind individuals remain, and payment plans are available.
The Department for Work and Pensions is contacting state pensioners aged 66 and over with updated payment details ahead of an April uplift. New rates will see weekly pensions increase under the triple-lock system.
Iran's parliament speaker dismisses US claims of negotiations as 'fake news' to manipulate markets, while warning of planned events against Israel and allies tonight.
HM Revenue and Customs has announced that some Child Benefit claimants will receive their £104 payments earlier in April due to Easter bank holidays, with a 3.8% rate increase also coming.
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UK parents could claim extra money under lesser-known HMRC rules if their children stay in education. Failure to update details by deadlines risks losing payments.
Royal Mail has announced delivery delays affecting multiple West Midlands postcodes due to high sick absence and resourcing issues. The disruptions come as stamp prices are set to rise next month.
Dudley Council's hyper-local reorganization plan has been approved by scrutiny committee members, aiming to distribute resources across five townships and restore local heritage identities.
A coalition of independent candidates, including pro-Gaza activists and former Labour supporters, has formed to challenge Labour's dominance in Birmingham's upcoming council elections. They aim to secure seats across key constituencies.
A convenience store in Brierley Hill has been refused planning permission after Dudley Council found it had only a third of the required parking spaces, raising safety concerns.
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WASPI campaigners have instructed lawyers to threaten judicial review against the government over £2,950 compensation denial, citing legal errors and irrational decisions.
Birmingham Live faces backlash for repackaging old meningitis story as breaking news. Unite union fined £265k in bin wars, and jacket potatoes gain global fame with Tamworth's Spudman featured in NYT.
Royal Mail has issued a service disruption warning affecting 12 Birmingham postcodes today due to high sick absence and resourcing issues. The delays come as stamp prices are set to rise next month.
UK households will receive surprise £174 Child Benefit payments on April 2, five days early due to the Easter bank holiday. HMRC confirms the schedule change and provides guidance on payment dates and rates.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer convenes an urgent Cobra meeting to address the economic fallout from the Iran conflict, focusing on cost of living, energy security, and supply chain resilience.
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The Department for Work and Pensions is closing its Household Support Fund on March 31, with a new Crisis and Resilience Fund set to begin on April 1. Eligible households can still apply for up to £300 in support before the deadline.
The Department for Work and Pensions has launched a nationwide call for evidence for the Timms Review, giving PIP claimants until May 28, 2026, to share their experiences and insights.
The Department for Work and Pensions will cease its £25 Cold Weather Payments for Universal Credit, JSA, and ESA claimants after March 31, 2026, as the winter scheme concludes.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer chairs emergency Cobra meeting with Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey to address economic risks from Middle East conflict, focusing on inflation, energy security, and supply chains.
Conservative analysis reveals a £1.8 billion annual increase in PIP claims due to remote assessments, prompting calls for more in-person evaluations to ensure proper checks and reduce welfare costs.
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MPs are threatening a new investigation into the Department for Work and Pensions over significant delays in providing redress to unpaid carers affected by overpayment scandals.
HMRC is set to resume a controversial anti-fraud scheme that previously stripped Child Benefit from thousands of UK households, despite a 71% error rate in initial targeting.
At least three British teenagers are stranded abroad due to new passport requirements for dual nationals, with one blocked in Denmark and others stuck in Madrid and Mumbai.
Walsall residents voice strong opposition to a new £50m free school at Reedswood Park, citing traffic chaos, loss of 13.7 acres of woodland, and better vacant site alternatives.
The complete list of UK bank holidays for 2026 has been released, featuring an additional date in Scotland to celebrate the national football team's World Cup qualification.
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Birmingham households must register to vote by April 20, 2026, to participate in the city's council elections. All 101 council seats across 69 wards will be contested on May 7, 2026.
