Birmingham Council Proposes New Service Charge Rises
Birmingham residents face fresh price hikes for council services including leisure, parking, and pest control as the authority presents its budget plans for the coming financial year.
Birmingham residents face fresh price hikes for council services including leisure, parking, and pest control as the authority presents its budget plans for the coming financial year.
Birmingham City Council's cabinet will discuss a balanced budget for 2026-27, marking recovery from 2023 bankruptcy with a 24% per head spending increase due to new government funding formulas.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms a new pay-per-mile tax for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, set to begin in April 2028, sparking debate over fairness and cost-of-living impacts.
The Government has confirmed a new £200 Crisis and Resilience Fund to replace the Household Support Fund from April, offering cash payments for essentials like food and energy bills.
The TV Licence fee is confirmed to increase to £180 from April 2026, with deadlines for paying the current rate and details on free licences for eligible pensioners.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces £150 energy bill reduction for millions of UK households starting April, with additional support through expanded Warm Home Discount scheme.
Walsall Council leaders are set to approve a 4.99% council tax increase alongside £32.83m in savings, with Band D households facing £2,627.48 annually.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces new Crisis and Resilience Fund offering £200 emergency payments to all households struggling with essentials like food and energy bills.
Birmingham City Council announces a proposed 5% council tax increase for residents while the bins strike continues to disrupt recycling services across the city.
Birmingham City Council announces a 5% council tax increase proposal for 2026/27, despite ongoing bin strikes leaving households without regular waste collections across the city.
Birmingham City Council unveils its first budget since emerging from bankruptcy, featuring a 4.99% council tax rise and £130 million investment in local services.
Millions of households will see water and council tax bills increase by £147 annually from April, though energy bill reductions and benefit rises may offset some costs.
Most households in England will see council tax bills drop to £0 in February 2026, part of a two-month payment break. This comes ahead of major reforms introducing new bands for high-value properties from 2028.
Local authorities across England are distributing payments of up to £300 to eligible households through the government's Household Support Fund scheme, with a deadline of March 31, 2026.
Solihull Council warns residents of potential council tax increases above 4.99% in future years to address substantial funding shortfalls, despite avoiding hikes this year.
Tamworth Borough Council proposes a 2.99% council tax rise and 4.8% rent increase from April, alongside funding changes and savings measures.
Official figures reveal a £39bn public sector pensions bill for taxpayers this year, with costs rising 26% since 2023-24. Think tanks warn the situation is unsustainable.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms the Warm Home Discount scheme will continue for five years, providing £150 energy bill relief to low-income households.
The West of England Combined Authority proposes a 9% budget increase to £416m for 2026-27, with £7m for pothole repairs, £11m for housing, and support for cultural projects like Fashion Museum Bath.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council announces one-off £250 payments for working households not on DWP benefits or Universal Credit who face financial hardship.
Dozens of councils plan to increase council tax by up to 4.99% while reducing bin collections, road repairs, and other services due to an £11bn funding shortfall.
The Department for Work and Pensions is distributing funds through local councils to provide financial support to vulnerable households facing rising living costs.
Halton Council plans to leave its iconic Municipal Building in Widnes after a review found it has double the office space needed. The move aims to save millions from a £10m property bill.
An extra £2 million has been approved to complete the transformation of Isaac Maddox House into a modern enterprise centre, bringing jobs to a key area of Worcester.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service faces another £1.2m shortfall, forcing the chief to warn that frontline services may soon be impacted. Read the full funding crisis details.
Council leader Karen Grinsell insists Solihull will meet its legal duty to set a balanced budget despite a forecast £2.7m deficit. Opposition raises concerns over service cuts.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms a new Crisis and Resilience Fund will launch in April, offering financial support to households struggling with living costs. Learn how to apply.
The ongoing bin strike in Birmingham could cost the council £19 million by March, equating to £42,000 daily. Read the latest on the financial impact and deadlocked talks.
UK households face higher bills as 11 tax changes take effect in 2026, from alcohol duty to council tax hikes. Discover the key dates and costs.
Londoners face a £20 council tax increase to fund a major police crackdown on phone theft gangs. Mayor Sadiq Khan says the rise is a 'difficult decision' for safety. Read the full list of affected boroughs.