Birmingham dad weeps as family memories burn in huge city fire
Srikanth Meadavarapu lost his summer house in a Gorleston Road fire after helping neighbours, saying 'the memories were burning'.
Category : Politics
Skipton vs Walsall: UK's happiest and most miserable towns compared
A Rightmove study ranked Skipton the UK's happiest town and Walsall the fifth least happy. Our reporter visited both to see if the perceptions hold up.
DWP confirms £200 Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners
State pensioners born after 1946 will receive an automatic £200 Winter Fuel Payment from the DWP. Payments are made automatically, with £300 for those over 80.
DWP to pay state pensioners £965 early before bank holiday
DWP will bring forward benefit payments to Friday 28 August ahead of the bank holiday, giving new state pensioners up to £965 early. Sir Stephen Timms confirmed the move.
Severn Trent Defends No Hosepipe Ban Amid Supply Concerns
Severn Trent responds to Environment Agency comments on the lack of a hosepipe ban, defending its supply position despite drought concerns in the Midlands.
Sandwell Reform councillor Mona Khurana quits cabinet after 3 months
Mona Khurana has stepped down as Sandwell Council's cabinet member for children and families after three months, citing increased family responsibilities. Matt Lloyd takes over with immediate effect.
Burnham urged to ban direct debit hikes when in credit
Andy Burnham is urged to ban energy direct debit rises when accounts are in credit, after Ofgem data shows £3.2bn held and average £135 surplus.
DWP confirms Friday state pension payment before bank holiday
DWP will bring forward state pension and benefit payments due on the August bank holiday to Friday, August 28, ensuring households receive cash early.
State Pension Rise Could Cost £13,112, Fidelity Says
People born between 6 March 1961 and 5 April 1977 face waiting until 67 for their state pension, potentially losing £13,112.66 next year, according to Fidelity.
DWP State Pension Age Rise in September for 1960 Births
People born between 6 August and 5 October 1960 will see their State Pension age rise to 66 years and 5 or 6 months from September 2026, under DWP rules.
HMRC auto-enrols £50k earners in MTD from September
HMRC will start auto-signing up sole traders and landlords earning over £50,000 for Making Tax Digital from September, after 436,000 already filed quarterly updates.
HMRC to deduct £17 from state pensioners born after 1946
HMRC will recover Winter Fuel Payments from pensioners born after 1946 with income over £35,000, deducting about £17 monthly from April 2026.
Nationwide warning: fake direct debit email scam
Nationwide customers are being warned about a convincing email scam claiming a direct debit was set up for a dental practice. Which? and Norfolk Trading Standards say the fake email contains a malicious link designed to steal personal details.
Dudley Councillors Fume as Deepfake Talks Delay Debates
Dudley councillors have criticised the council's agenda, saying too much time is spent on topics like deepfakes, delaying important debates on housing and other issues.
£20m Brinnington boost: Residents to shape spending
Brinnington gets £20m government funding. Residents will guide spending via a new board, survey, and ice cream van events. First decision backs lantern parade.
Winter Fuel Payment 2026: Four Groups Excluded
DWP confirms four groups won't get the 2026 Winter Fuel Payment despite meeting age rules. Find out who's excluded and what it means for your heating costs.
Andy Burnham £834 Pension Boost for Pre-1950 Pensioners
State pensioners born before 1950 will receive an £834 monthly boost under the triple lock, with payments rising by 4.1% in 2026/27, Andy Burnham confirms.
Birmingham City Council to close 25 of 36 recycling centres
Birmingham City Council plans to close 25 of its 36 household recycling centres, saving £3.5m annually, as part of broader budget cuts to address a £300m funding gap.
Burnham and Healey to Decide on Personal Allowance in October
Low-income households will learn the fate of the income tax personal allowance in October, as PM Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey prepare the government's first Budget on October 28.
Andy Burnham inheritance tax warning ahead of October Budget
Experts warn Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey may target inheritance tax and capital gains tax in the October 28 Budget, after ruling out income tax, VAT and National Insurance increases.
Check Your Energy Bill: Citizens Advice Warns of Overcharging Risks
Householders facing unexpected energy bill increases should check for estimated readings, meter mix-ups, or billing errors, says Citizens Advice, as simple checks can prevent overpaying.
Birmingham Council unveils 10-point plan to rejuvenate Erdington
Birmingham City Council has published a 10-point vision to rejuvenate Erdington town centre over the next 20 years, including a new community square, improved shop frontages, and better pedestrian links to the rail station.
Heartlands Hospital probes patient's 'dirty' A&E claims
Shafaq Ahmed described bloodied tissues, broken chairs, and a broken toilet during a seven-hour wait at Heartlands A&E. The hospital is investigating.
Wigan greenbelt sites withdrawn from local plan after campaign
Four controversial greenbelt sites have been removed from Wigan's local plan after strong opposition, but the council says it can still meet employment needs without building on the land.
Residents fear 'development by stealth' over Wiltshire barns plan
Wiltshire Council grants prior approval for Crown Estate to convert two barns at Moorhouse Farm, Netherstreet, into storage and distribution units, sparking resident anger over lack of public scrutiny.
Birmingham B&B Plans Refused Over Neighbourhood Concerns
Plans to convert a Birmingham house into a bed and breakfast have been refused by council planners due to concerns over noise, parking, and impact on the residential area.
Nationwide launches free credit score widget for customers
Nationwide has launched a new free credit score widget to help millions of customers understand their financial health, following FCA research showing only 39% of people fully understand their credit report.
Harry and Meghan to Return to UK, Enrolling Children in British Schools
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are moving back to Britain, six years after leaving for North America, and have enrolled Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in local British schools ahead of the upcoming term.
Walsall seizes 86 disposable BBQs after UK ban
Trading Standards officers in Walsall visited over 50 traders and seized 86 disposable BBQs following a temporary UK ban on sales due to extreme wildfire risk during drought and heatwave conditions.
Fly-tipping crackdown: 20 hours unpaid work for households
Households guilty of fly-tipping will face up to 20 hours of unpaid clean-up work and must pay costs under new government plans announced by DEFRA and Dame Angela Eagle.
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