Three new council tax exemption rules now in force
Three new council tax disregards are now in force, protecting Armed Forces veterans, miscarriage of justice victims, and Scottish disability allowance recipients from reductions in their bills.
Category : Politics
DWP urged to unfreeze LHA frozen since 2024
The DWP faces calls to unfreeze Local Housing Allowance, frozen since April 2024, as Baroness Lister warns it now covers rent on under 2% of advertised homes.
Tees Valley tax rebates: £43-£128 for workers under new plan
Tees Valley workers could receive income tax rebates of £43, £85 or £128 under a plan by Tory mayor Ben Houchen, now in talks with No10 after a government u-turn.
Vet ownership rules softened despite 63% price rise fears
CMA drops mandatory disclosure of corporate vet ownership after legal threats. Prices rose 63% since 2016, and 60% of practices are now owned by six large groups.
Burnham confirms deportation powers from early 2027
Andy Burnham confirms new Labour government powers from early 2027 to deport foreign criminals immediately after sentencing, blocking their return to the UK.
Burnham confirms new prison sentence rules for 6 offences
Andy Burnham has confirmed that six categories of offenders, including manslaughter and death by dangerous driving, will be blocked from early release under new prison sentence rules.
Mansion tax checklist revealed ahead of 2028 levy
Council tax inspectors will use a checklist including views, driveways, and swimming pools to identify homes worth over £2m for Andy Burnham's mansion tax, set for April 2028.
What a 70% Chance of Rain Really Means, Met Office Explains
A 70% rain forecast doesn't mean 70% of the area or day. Met Office explains it's based on ensemble forecasts—if 7 of 10 runs show rain, that's the 70% chance.
Andy Burnham U-turns on income tax rebates with households in line for payout
Andy Burnham has U-turned on local income tax 'rebates', letting mayors hand money back to workers and firms. Ben Houchen says senior civil servants accepted the scheme is possible.
Birmingham children's services director Sue Harrison leaves
Sue Harrison has officially left Birmingham City Council after six months' absence. She earned £264,648 including pension in the last full year, and the council is now advertising her permanent replacement.
Birmingham 20mph limits on residential roads to mean more fines
Birmingham council plans blanket 20mph limits on all residential roads, increasing fines and penalty points for drivers. Gradual rollout confirmed, with main roads excluded. Reform UK opposes.
DWP Winter Fuel Payment one-week rule excludes pensioners
DWP confirms state pensioners can miss Winter Fuel Payment due to a one-week rule. Hospital stays and prison during qualifying week cause exclusion.
HMRC repayment change: 730,000 refunds unclaimed
HMRC's August 19 policy change means most taxpayers must actively claim P800 refunds. Over 730,000 refunds worth £855 on average went unclaimed last year.
Burnham Warned Against 'Stupid' Capital Gains Tax Raid
Andy Burnham faces a warning from Lord O'Neill that hiking capital gains tax on second homes, shares, and other assets would be 'stupid' and harm growth.
HMRC tax-free allowance warning: 2.3m face 62% tax rate
2.3 million more people face a 62% effective tax rate as personal tax thresholds stay frozen until 2031, costing £48,860 per earner by then.
Five simple ways to keep maggots out of Birmingham food bins
A Birmingham resident dubbed new food bins 'maggot bins' after finding infestations. BusinessWaste.co.uk shares five easy tips to prevent and remove maggots.
Birmingham council chief best-paid at £397k
Joanne Roney, Birmingham City Council's managing director, earned £397,097 last year, making her the best-paid local authority boss in the country.
Sefton campaigner urges locals to join UK energy consultation
Heritage campaigner and former Southport councillor David Barton urges Sefton residents and businesses to submit to the UK Parliament's Business and Energy Inquiry by September 18, 2026, to shape energy policy and support high street revival.
New uniform rules cap branded items as pupils return
New Government rules cap branded school uniform items at three per school, with a possible fourth for ties, as pupils return next week. Second-hand options must be offered.
HMRC P800 tax refund: workers must claim cash online
HMRC has quietly changed P800 tax refund rules from August, meaning workers must now proactively request repayments online instead of receiving automatic cheques.
Burnham urged to replace council tax with £1,200 cap tax
Andy Burnham faces calls to scrap council tax and stamp duty for a proportional property tax capped at £1,200, backed by 47% support in a new poll ahead of the October 28 Autumn Budget.
GMB's Lois Swinnerton announces break from Midlands show
Lois Swinnerton, Good Morning Britain's Midlands presenter, is taking a few months off for a personal adventure, with Nitya Rajan stepping in. She returns to ITV Central next year.
4m pensioners lose Winter Fuel Payment under income rule
Around four million pensioners will not get Winter Fuel Payments this year after the Government introduced a £35,000 income threshold. The payments, worth £200 or £300, will now be clawed back by HMRC from those earning above the limit.
Burnham crackdown on rogue bailiffs and cowboy builders
Andy Burnham's government launches a crackdown on rogue bailiffs and cowboy builders, creating a trusted trader database and a safer payment system, with over 7 million bailiff cases yearly.
Burnham to push ahead with under-16 social media ban
Andy Burnham will implement a social media ban for under-16s, with stronger age verification than Australia, as announced by The Times.
Reform and Tories slam council's court bid to stop flagging
Birmingham's Reform UK and Conservative groups condemn the council's High Court application to stop unauthorised flag displays, calling it a misuse of resources and a threat to patriotic residents.
Blues' 2031 stadium plan: A new era for east Birmingham?
Birmingham City FC owner Tom Wagner unveils a £2bn stadium plan for east Birmingham, promising jobs, homes, and hope by 2031. Local leaders are optimistic but wary.
Middlesbrough's biggest changes 'for a generation' unveiled
Middlesbrough has unveiled a Place Strategy and Investment Prospectus with 15 projects, including a new theatre, hotel, and thousands of new homes, aiming to transform the town centre.
DWP appoints Prof David Strain as Chief Medical Advisor
The DWP has confirmed Professor David Strain will start as Chief Medical Advisor from the end of August, succeeding Dr Gail Allsopp and providing clinical leadership.
Plans for 77 homes at Hagley Road Oratory site
Plans for 77 new homes, a cafe and 100+ parking bays at the former Oratory school site on Hagley Road, Edgbaston, have been submitted to Birmingham City Council, with a decision expected by October 7.
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