DWP confirms bank red flags for benefit claimants
The DWP has confirmed the red flags banks will check in benefit claimants' accounts under the new Eligibility Verification Measure, which targets incorrect payments.
Category : Council Budget
Solihull Council 'long way off' bankruptcy, leader insists
Solihull Council's leader says the authority is a 'long way off' bankruptcy despite a £1.4m overspend forecast and warnings of future funding shortfalls.
DWP confirms State Pension age rise for post-1960 births
The DWP confirms State Pension age increases for people born after September 6, 1960, with rises phased between 66 and 67 from 2026 to 2028.
Clocks go back October 25 - earlier than last year
Clocks go back on October 25, a day earlier than last year, giving an extra hour of sleep. Sunset will fall to 5.07pm that day.
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.
DWP confirms extra £34 a month for pre-1953 pensioners
State pensioners born before 1953 get £34 more monthly after DWP's 4.8% uplift took basic payments to £184.90 from £176.45 from April.
Cannock Council Ends Year with £800k Budget Boost
Cannock Chase District Council ended 2025/26 with an £800,000 underspend, partly due to a technical adjustment in Levelling Up costs. The surplus will support future budgets.
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.
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'.
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.
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.
Triple Lock: £1,088 Monthly Pension Rise for Over-65s
Millions of pensioners born before 1960 could see state pension payments rise by over £1,000 a month under Andy Burnham's triple lock, with full pension reaching £13,062 annually.
DWP crackdown: 660,000 Universal Credit claimants targeted
Reform plans to bar non-UK citizens from Universal Credit, targeting 660,000 claimants not in work. IFS says savings depend on citizenship responses.
Andy Burnham £395 state pension increase for pre-1953
State pensioners face a 4.1% rise next April due to Triple Lock, adding £395 a year for those born before 1953. Wage growth drives increase.
PIP shake-up: five conditions to auto-qualify
Reform plans would let five conditions automatically qualify for the highest PIP and Universal Credit support, says Robert Jenrick.
HMRC Winter Fuel Clawback: Tax Code Changes 2026-29
HMRC will claw back Winter Fuel Payments from pensioners earning over £35,000 by adjusting tax codes in 2026-2029, with monthly deductions of about £17 for a £200 payment.
Burnham urged to offer honours for pension sacrifice
Compass think tank urges PM Andy Burnham to introduce Pensions Sacrifice OBE scheme, allowing wealthy retirees to forgo state pension for three years in exchange for an honour.
Burnham urged to impose wealth tax on £10m households
Compass, led by Neal Lawson, urges PM Andy Burnham to introduce a 5-10% wealth tax on fortunes over £10m to fund a universal basic income, plus other radical reforms.
Three IHT reliefs scrapped under Burnham and Healey
From April 2027, unused pensions face inheritance tax without key reliefs, including loss on sale, business property, and agricultural property relief, warns AJ Bell.
DWP proposal: early state pension for post-1998
A DWP proposal, the Citizens Advance, would let people born after 1998 access a year of state pension early as a lump sum, in exchange for delaying their state pension age by a year.
DWP: 300 PIP claimants to test Timms Review changes
The DWP has confirmed that up to 300 PIP claimants will test emerging recommendations from the Timms Review in workshops starting September, with 15 sessions of 20 participants each.
Burnham hints at more cost-of-living help
Andy Burnham has suggested further cost-of-living help could be on the way for households, saying the current measures are 'not the end of the story'.
Solihull Revamp Needs Extra £148k Funding
Solihull Town Centre Public Realm Improvement Scheme requires an additional £148,879 to progress, with a revised business case submitted to WMCA for approval.
Burnham Urged to Extend NI to Property and Savings
Andy Burnham faces pressure from a Compass-backed report to extend National Insurance to investment and partnership income, potentially raising £6.1bn a year.
Pension Rise to £9,855 Under Triple Lock
Basic state pensioners will receive £9,855 annually from April 2026, as PM Andy Burnham confirms triple lock commitment, adding £240 a year.
HMRC Letters Warn DWP Claimants of £3,000 Fine
HMRC is writing to DWP claimants about tax credit claims from up to 20 years ago, warning of a £3,000 fine for incorrect info. Check your letter now.
HMRC could scrap £100k tax taper under Restore plans
Restore leader Rupert Lowe proposes scrapping the £100k tax taper, creating a 60% marginal rate, and defends ending the triple lock for generational fairness.
Burnham and Healey: 7 Pension Plans Explained
Andy Burnham and John Healey confirm state pension triple lock and tax-free status, while private pension inheritance tax changes from April 2027.
Somerset Farm Near A303 to Be Sold for Frontline Services
Somerset Council will sell Lawrence Farm near Wincanton to help finance front-line services, with the 75-acre site marketed in four lots on the open market.
Burnham council tax plans to add £555 to band A bills
New Treasury figures reveal council tax take will rise 43% by 2030, with band A bills up £556 and Band D up £556 under Andy Burnham's plans.
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