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.
Category : Politics
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.
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.
40,000 GCSE English resits possible due to marking inconsistency
Nearly 40,000 pupils may be forced to resit GCSE English due to marking differences, with analysis suggesting many deserved a pass. Education Secretary Lucy Powell plans to overhaul the resit system.
DfT Consults on Adopting New EU Vehicle Rules for GB
The Department for Transport has launched a consultation on updating the GB type approval scheme to incorporate recent EU and international vehicle regulation developments.
DWP proposes 9% hike to general levy for master trusts
The DWP is considering a 9% increase to the general levy for master trusts and personal pension providers, with other defined contribution schemes facing a 6.2% rise, as part of proposals published in July.
Welsh Government reviews local authority funding formula
The Welsh Government has commissioned the Wales Centre for Public Policy to review the formula distributing funding to local authorities, focusing on education and social services, with changes possible by 2028-29.
British Gas court threat over £2,000 bill for disabled pensioner
British Gas threatened José Bell, 69, a disabled pensioner from Lewisham, with court over an incorrect £2,000 gas bill, despite its own estimate of £179.14. After Telegraph intervention, the firm re-billed, applied a credit, and apologised.
Golf club plans 20-space car park from old putting green
Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge has applied to Solihull Council to convert a redundant putting green into a 20-space car park, with four bike spaces, next to new padel courts.
Birmingham Council's £144m Oracle system goes live
Birmingham City Council's new Oracle system, Brindley, went live on 18 August after a £144m overhaul, four years after the failed SAP-to-Oracle switch that triggered a Section 114 notice.
Walsall housing plan: new sites added, thousands cut
Walsall's new Local Plan adds 319 homes across four sites but removes 2,117 allocations, creating a shortfall of 6,083 against the government target of 21,026 homes.
Solihull warns of 'major impact' from new rail housing rules
Solihull councillor Simon Coles warns updated NPPF rules could increase development pressure near 11 railway stations, including green belt areas like Earlswood and Berkswell.
Shrewsbury Flags Protest and Counter-March: Recap
Shrewsbury saw a flags protest and counter-march on [date], with police separating rival groups. Photos and video captured the day's events.
DWP early payments confirmed for August bank holiday
DWP will pay benefits early on Friday 28 August due to the bank holiday. State Pension, PIP, Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance and more are affected.
Gorleston Road Fire Clean-Up Complete, More Work Needed
Birmingham City Council has completed the immediate clean-up on Gorleston Road after the August 13 fire, removing badly damaged trees, but says longer-term restoration of grounds and surrounding areas is still needed.
HMRC: Act by August 31 or lose Child Benefit
Parents of 16-19-year-olds must notify HMRC by August 31 to continue Child Benefit. Over 372,000 have already acted. Payments stop automatically for non-responders.
Dudley Labour leader hits back at Lib Dem motion claims
Dudley Labour leader Cllr Shaukat Ali has dismissed Lib Dem claims his party is delaying vital council debates as 'absolute nonsense' amid a backlog of 27 Notices of Motion.
DWP: 8 benefits for over State Pension age
DWP confirms eight benefits available to people over State Pension age with illness or disability, including Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit and more.
Meriden homeowner faces enforcement after appeal dismissed
A planning inspector backed Solihull Council's refusal of a retrospective application for an outbuilding extension and gravel track at The Woodlands in Meriden, leaving the applicant facing enforcement action.
Halifax closes 15 UK branches in September amid Lloyds rebrand
Halifax will close 15 branches across the UK in September 2026, including sites in Cannock, Woking, and London, as part of Lloyds Banking Group's wider network changes and rebranding to Lloyds.
Brentwood Council seeks views on Dunton Hills reptile works
Brentwood Borough Council is consulting on LIH Dunton Hills Ltd's application for enabling ecological works, including reptile translocation, at West Horndon. Public comments are due by September 18, 2026.
El Nino to bring more storms and rain to UK, warn forecasters
An unprecedented El Nino event is set to bring more storms and rain to the UK, affecting weather patterns and harvests worldwide, forecasters have warned.
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National Trust plan rejected at beauty spot
Major National Trust plan at a West Midlands beauty spot rejected amid neighbour fears over privacy, traffic, and environmental impact.
British Gas pays household £38,000 by mistake
British Gas mistakenly paid a UK household £38,611.59 instead of £300 for solar feed-in tariff. The error took over seven weeks to reverse, and the customer still awaits their correct payment.
Hucknall residents urged to shape £20m spending
Hucknall residents can help decide how £20m Pride in Place funding is spent. Survey open until September 18, 2026, with £50 gift card incentive.
Reform to scrap £1m spend and lease for Reedswood school
Reform cabinet members will vote to revoke a £1m payment and 125-year lease for the Reedswood Park free school, after DfE agreed to withdraw funds.
Birmingham confirms 20mph standard on all local roads
Birmingham Council's Local Plan confirms 20mph will become standard on all local roads, prioritising walking and cycling, with A-class roads excluded.
Darlaston £20m plan slammed as 'wishy-washy'
Campaigner Alison Humpage criticises Darlaston's £20m regeneration plan for lacking detail, saying the town has been 'left to rot' for 20 years.
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