HMRC Issues £9,500 Penalties per Person in ISA Crackdown
HMRC has collected £800,000 in penalties from 326 ISA rule breakers, averaging £9,448 per person, amid confusion over new rules.
Category : Council Budget
WM Mayor to Control Fire Service in 2027 Amid Bullying Claims
The West Midlands Fire Service will transfer to mayoral control by 2027, with officials confident about handling the move despite concerns over bullying and harassment allegations.
Birmingham Finance Boss 'Horrified' by Past Mistakes
Birmingham's new finance chief Chris Garghan says he is 'horrified' by past governance failures after a report reveals ongoing weaknesses in risk management and internal controls.
New Council Finance Boss 'Horrified' by Past Mistakes
The new finance chief of West Midlands Council expressed shock at previous financial errors, vowing to restore fiscal responsibility and transparency in the region's budget management.
£33 deductions confirmed for 3 million pensioners
Around three million pensioners will see payments cut under new rules, with HMRC deducting Winter Fuel Payments from those with incomes above £35,000.
Burnham Urged to Scrap Council Tax Referendum Rule for All Councils
A cross-party MP group urges incoming PM Andy Burnham to remove council tax referendum rules, allowing all 317 English councils to set rates without public votes, citing devolution and financial pressures.
NHS Confirms £114.50 Charge Under 12-Month Prescription Rule
The NHS has confirmed a £114.50 charge for some households under a 12-month prescription rule, but prepayment certificates can save money for those needing more than 11 items yearly.
MPs Demand UC Boost for 66-Year-Olds Facing Pension Rise
A cross-party committee warns that thousands of 66-year-olds face a 'year of hardship' due to the state pension age increase and urges the government to temporarily raise Universal Credit by 2026.
HMRC: £33 Tax Charge for Pensioners Over £35k
HMRC has confirmed that state pensioners earning over £35,000 annually will face extra tax charges of up to £33 per month to repay Winter Fuel Payments unless they opt out.
King Charles Reunites with Archie and Lilibet After Two Years
King Charles has been reunited with grandchildren Archie and Lilibet at Highgrove, marking the first meeting since 2022's Platinum Jubilee, amid signs of improving relations with Harry.
Pensioners Born Before 1951 Can Get £415 Weekly
State pensioners born before 1951 can boost their basic state pension to £415 per week through Additional Pension, which increased to £230.54 weekly from April 6.
Extreme Heat Concerns Over Walsall Battery Plans
A campaigner warns that extreme heat has not been factored into the design of a 3.2-hectare battery storage system approved on Walsall's green belt, despite fire safety risks.
DWP Lists 12 Conditions in Timms Review for PIP Reforms
The DWP has released the Timms Review interim report, naming 12 conditions including autism, arthritis, and ADHD, as PIP faces systematic problems undermining public trust.
New £21 Prescription Cap for Pet Owners in England
Pet prescription fees could be capped at £21 under proposed vet sector reforms in England, aimed at cutting costs and increasing transparency for dog and cat owners.
Met Office Issues 24-Hour Weather Update Before 34C Heat
The Met Office warns of 34C heat in Birmingham tomorrow, the hottest day of the week, before temperatures dip from Friday. Stay cool.
Humber Growth Board First Meeting: Mayors Cite Untapped Potential
The Humber Growth Board Joint Mayoral Committee held its inaugural meeting in Hessle, with Hull and East Yorkshire Mayor Luke Campbell stating there is 'so much untapped potential' in the region, as mayors outlined growth plans.
New Sick Note Rule in England After 11 Million Issued (06.07.2026)
New sick note rules aim to replace the current system with personalised plans, as data shows 73.6% of notes lack a diagnosis.
State Pensioners Aged 66-75 Get £965 DWP Payments in July
State pensioners aged 66 to 75 will receive £965.20 every four weeks from July 2026, as the full new State Pension rises to £241.30 per week under the Triple Lock.
State Pension Age Change for July/August 1960 Births
State pension age for those born between July 6 and August 5, 1960, increases to 66 years and 4 months under the DWP's phased rise to 67.
Met Office: next week heatwave milder than June
The Met Office says a heatwave is likely next week but will not be as extreme as June's record-breaking temperatures, with highs around 30C and cooler nights.
Walsall's £750,000 Alleyway Demolished After 20 Years
Butler's Passage in Walsall, which cost £750,000 to renovate in 2004, is being demolished as part of the Connected Gateway Scheme, with shoppers calling it a waste of money.
Spalding Projects Get £2.2M Pride in Place Funding
Seven projects in Spalding are set to receive over £2.2 million in Pride in Place funding, announced by the Spalding Neighbourhood Board to boost community, heritage, and safety.
Savers Rush to Cash ISAs Before 2027 Rule Change
Savers are rushing to deposit money into cash ISAs before the tax-free limit is slashed from £20,000 to £12,000 for under-65s next April, confirmed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Rachel Reeves confirms £33-a-month state pension deduction
Outgoing Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed that wealthier pensioners will see monthly deductions of up to £33 from their state pension to recover Winter Fuel Payments.
Library of Birmingham lights up for Somali independence
The Library of Birmingham is illuminated in blue and white to mark Somali independence, with the flag raised at the Council House for the first time, celebrating the diaspora's contributions.
Nine Money Changes in July as Starmer Steps Down
Nine money and benefits changes arrive in July as Sir Keir Starmer steps down as Prime Minister, affecting Motability, energy bills, bank fees, and more.
Starmer Confirms £150 Warm Home Discount for 3 Million More
Sir Keir Starmer extends Warm Home Discount to 3 million more households, providing £150 off energy bills for Universal Credit, pensioner, and benefit claimants.
Andy Burnham Could Scrap £658 Water Bills as PM
Andy Burnham's first move as PM could be to nationalise Thames Water, scrapping the £658 average bill. He says public ownership is an option to end profiteering.
Burnham to Shield Middle Earners from Tax Rises if PM
Andy Burnham pledges to protect middle earners from income tax rises if he becomes PM, amid warnings of revenue challenges and constraints from manifesto pledges.
Somerset Theatre Homes Plan Rejected After Six-Year Battle
A six-year dispute over converting Somerset's Amulet Theatre into homes has ended in defeat for the developer, as the planning inspector upheld the council's rejection, boosting community efforts to restore the venue.
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