Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Confirmed After Reform Gains
Wolverhampton Council's Labour administration confirms cabinet positions after Reform won 11 seats in local elections, reducing the majority to four.
Category : Council Budget
State Pensioners Over £35K Exempt from Council Tax Rule
Under new council tax bands, homeowners face up to £7,500 bills. State pensioners with income over £35,000 are exempt from deferring the so-called 'mansion tax'.
Rachel Reeves Confirms 55p Per Mile Mileage Allowance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces 10p increase in tax-free mileage allowance to 55p per mile for under 10,000 miles, backdated to April 2026.
Birmingham Council Without Leader After Lord Mayor Vote
Birmingham City Council remains without a leader as coalition talks continue. New Lord Mayor elected, but political uncertainty persists after fractured local elections.
Fuel Duty Freeze Confirmed: £120 Saved for Average Driver
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces fuel duty freeze extension, saving average driver £120 over two years, and a 12-month vehicle tax holiday for hauliers.
Lib Dem Deal with Dudley Conservatives Collapses
Dudley's Liberal Democrats missed out on a deal with the Conservatives to prop up their minority administration, leaving them frozen out of committee roles.
Drone Footage Shows BCFC Stadium Site Transformation
Stunning drone footage captures the Birmingham Wheels Park site, set to become BCFC's new 62,000-seater stadium and a global landmark as part of the £11bn Sports Quarter.
Met Office Reveals 15 English Towns Set to Hit 30C
The Met Office has confirmed 15 locations in England that will see temperatures reach 30°C during the Bank Holiday weekend, with heat health alerts issued.
Labour MP Calls for Fair Investment Across Stockport
Navendu Mishra MP reflects on local elections, urges fair government investment across Stockport, highlights Reddish library issues and criticises council priorities.
Birmingham to Hit 28C as UK Weather Maps Turn Red
Birmingham is forecast to reach 28C by May 28, with the Met Office predicting fine weather across the UK. The bank holiday weekend will be sunny, and warm conditions are likely to continue.
DWP Given 'Last Chance' on Benefits Reform
The DWP faces a 'last chance' to reform welfare as the benefits bill rises by £74bn. Critics warn Starmer's successors cannot be trusted on reforms.
Wealthy Pensioners Excluded from Winter Fuel Payments
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms Winter Fuel Payment eligibility rules for 2026, excluding pensioners with incomes over £35,000 from the £200 or £300 bonus.
Rossendale Leader Seeks More Action After Election Shifts
Rossendale Council leader reflects on local elections where populist parties gained seats, urging more government action on transport, health, housing, and policing.
Jess Phillips Resigns, Says Starmer's Decency 'Not Enough'
Jess Phillips has resigned as safeguarding minister, stating that while she believes Sir Keir Starmer is a good man, his leadership lacks the fight needed for real progress on women's issues.
Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall Among Poorest in England
Birmingham ranks second poorest in England, with Wolverhampton and Walsall also in the top 50, according to a new deprivation study by the Ministry of Housing.
10 Things You Can No Longer Do in Dudley
Dudley has changed drastically over the decades. From Woolworths to JBs, here are 10 things you can no longer do in the town.
Remaining UK Bank Holidays 2026: Full List of Eight Days
After the May bank holiday, England has three bank holidays left in 2026. The full list includes Spring, Summer, and Christmas, plus Scotland's extra World Cup holiday.
Wetherspoon Warns Cost Increases May Reduce Profit
Wetherspoon warns that substantial cost increases could lead to profits falling short of expectations, despite a 3.4% rise in like-for-like sales.
DWP New Rule: State Pension Age Rises to 67 by 2028
The DWP is raising the state pension age to 67 by 2028, affecting those born after April 6, 1960. Experts warn of challenges for workers in physically demanding roles.
Martin Lewis' MSE: Six Ways to Cut Council Tax
Martin Lewis shares six tips to reduce Council Tax, including checking your band, discounts, and support worth up to £1,500. Over 400,000 homes may be in the wrong band.
Conservatives Pitch: 'We Will Clean Up Birmingham'
Birmingham Conservatives leader Robert Alden outlines a six-point plan to clean up the city, fix finances, and restore pride, as local elections approach on May 7.
Dudley Leader Warns Green Belt Under Threat from Developers
Dudley Council's leader warns that green belt land remains under threat despite a recent victory, urging unity to resist future development pressures.
HMRC Warns UK Households to Check Pay After £1,500 Rise
HMRC advises workers to verify their pay following a National Minimum Wage increase in April, giving a £1,500 annual boost to full-time employees.
Lozells Residents Furious Over Rubbish Crisis Before Elections
Residents in Birmingham's Lozells ward express anger over waste issues, fly-tipping, and drug problems as local elections approach on May 7, 2026.
Labour's 'Boiler Tax' Slammed as Socially Unfair
The Clean Heat Market Mechanism, dubbed the 'boiler tax', faces backlash for being socially unfair and failing to boost heat pump installations, instead raising household costs.
HMRC Sends Tax Bills to Extra One Million Pensioners
HMRC data reveals over 8.16 million taxpayers aged over 66, up from 7.14 million, as frozen thresholds drag more pensioners into tax.
Triple Lock Confirmed for Pre-1960 Pensioners
Conservatives commit to state pension triple lock amid cost concerns. Policy ensures annual increases by inflation, wages, or 2.5%.
Bin Workers Offered £16,000 Payout to End Strike
Birmingham bin workers could receive £16,000 each under a proposed deal to end the 16-month strike, but the agreement depends on Labour winning the May 7 election.
Birmingham Bin Strike End 'Within Sight' Says Leader
Birmingham City Council leader John Cotton says a negotiated settlement to end the 16-month bin strike is now within sight, with a new improved offer for Unite union members.
Farage Promises Fresh Start for Sandwell in Reform Bid
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage visited Oldbury, promising a fresh start and new faces if his party wins Sandwell council elections, but stayed vague on policy details.
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