A new YouGov poll forecasts Reform UK gaining 23 constituencies in the West Midlands, including traditional Labour strongholds in Birmingham and the Black Country, with Greens also making significant gains.
HMRC will automatically recover Winter Fuel Allowances from state pensioners earning over £35,000, with deductions of up to £33 per month starting next tax year.
The Department for Work and Pensions confirms a £100 automatic increase in Winter Fuel Payments for older state pensioners for winter 2026/27, with enhanced amounts for those born before specific dates.
The Department for Work and Pensions is distributing automatic £200 Winter Fuel Payments to state pensioners born between 1946 and 1960, with payments starting mid-November 2025.
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The Department for Work and Pensions may implement a significant state pension increase next year, potentially raising weekly payments to £265 through the Triple Lock system introduced in 2011.
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed a 4.8% increase in the Basic State Pension, resulting in a monthly payment of £740 for eligible retirees born before specific dates, driven by the Triple Lock commitment.
The government has officially confirmed all bank holiday dates for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland through the end of 2028, including three substitute days to replace weekend holidays.
A former nursery in West Bromwich that closed following multiple 'inadequate' Ofsted ratings may be demolished to make way for six new flats, with planning permission now submitted to Sandwell Council.
The Black Country Party, formed in 2025, will contest five wards in Dudley's local elections, aiming to influence decisions rather than seek power, with leader Pete Lowe calling the party system 'dead'.
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Local campaigners in Solihull are preparing for another battle against Shell's revised plans to redevelop a Warwick Road petrol station, with a crucial council decision scheduled for next week.
The Department for Work and Pensions has sent letters to state pensioners detailing a 4.8% increase in payments for 2026/27, providing a £48 monthly boost for millions under age 75.
A new YouGov Nowcast poll projects Labour would retain just two of 25 West Midlands seats in a General Election, with Reform UK set to dominate Birmingham, the Black Country, and Worcestershire.
Vice President JD Vance confirms no agreement reached with Iran following marathon negotiations, identifying nuclear weapons as primary obstacle to peace.
Councillors in Walsall cost taxpayers more than £1.22 million in allowances last year, with leader Mike Bird as highest earner at £48,722.14. All councillors receive a basic £13,887 rate, with extra for special responsibilities.
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Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch proposes reinstating the two-child benefit cap to finance what she calls the biggest peacetime rearmament in UK history, criticizing government readiness.
The Department for Work and Pensions is enforcing a rise in the state pension age from 66 to 67, sparking outrage among retirees who fear they may never receive their pension.
The state pension age has started increasing from 66 to 67 in monthly increments for those born after April 1960, with further rises to 68 planned by 2046.
HMRC is issuing demand letters to approximately 1.3 million state pensioners born before 1960, requiring repayment of Winter Fuel Allowance payments from those with incomes over £35,000. The clawback follows a government policy change.
Peers have narrowly passed an amendment to ban pornography depicting step-incest, with the Labour government agreeing to criminalize production and possession of such content.
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Major regeneration plans for Birmingham's HS2 Curzon Street Station, featuring new public squares and gardens, have been recommended for approval ahead of a council planning committee decision next week.
Millions of UK pensioners are receiving increased state pension payments this month, with those on the new full state pension getting an extra £48 monthly, while older pensioners see a £37 monthly rise due to the triple lock mechanism.
CGI images reveal the proposed public spaces around Birmingham's new Curzon Street HS2 station, with council planning committee set to review the revised connectivity scheme.
A Quinton resident is furious after Birmingham City Council failed to collect bags of clinical waste for more than a week, citing health risks and embarrassment.
Shropshire Council announces removal of all unauthorised flags from street furniture, citing damage risks and policy breaches. The council warns installation can be a criminal offence and may seek cost recovery.
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Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey launched the party's local election campaign in Birmingham, criticizing Labour's management and rejecting any coalition with Reform UK while leaving options open for other partnerships.
The Walsall Independent Group has overtaken Labour to become the official opposition at Walsall Council, marking a historic shift in local politics. Leader Councillor Aftab Nawaz calls it a 'full circle' moment as the group prepares for upcoming elections
Walsall's 2026 local elections feature 282 candidates across 20 wards, with Conservatives, Labour, and Reform each fielding 60 contenders. Due to boundary changes, every seat is contested, requiring voters to select three candidates.
Birmingham's political scene is undergoing significant transformation as multiple parties challenge Labour's long-standing dominance. The Birmingham Dispatch will host its first-ever hustings event on April 27, featuring leaders from seven political group
Royal Mail has confirmed service disruptions at 25 postal depots nationwide, including locations near Birmingham like Dudley and Lichfield, due to local issues such as staff shortages.
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The Department for Work and Pensions is extending Personal Independence Payment award periods to a minimum of three years for claimants aged 25 and above, aiming to reduce the Work Capability Assessment backlog.
