The Department for Work and Pensions is distributing £50 million in immediate cost of living payments to vulnerable households using heating oil, with funding available through local councils from April 1.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
The Welsh Conservatives' Senedd election manifesto offers a strongly pro-business economic pitch with tax cuts and infrastructure promises, but faces scrutiny over funding details and long-term economic strategy.
Brian Monteith, a former MP and tax adviser, has called on the Labour government to abolish eight specific taxes to alleviate the cost of living crisis, citing worsening conditions and global tensions.
Pensioners earning over £35,000 will see £17 monthly deductions from state pensions as HMRC claws back Winter Fuel Payments through tax code adjustments.
Council leader Alyson Barnes reflects on Easter community events, details new food waste collection system, and announces major government funding for Rawtenstall, Waterfoot, and Crawshawbooth regeneration projects.
Edinburgh Council has suspended its controversial 300% council tax increase on second homeowners just eight days after implementation, saving households up to £1,430.
The Labour government integrates the Valuation Office Agency into HMRC to scrutinize benefit claims, aiming to save billions by reducing fraud and improving tax system efficiency.
Dudley Council's Conservative leader Patrick Harley believes his group's track record on financial management and regeneration will help them defend seats against Reform UK in the upcoming local elections, dismissing claims that Reform has peaked.
Councillor Sarah-Jane Cooper resigns from Walsall Conservatives, citing the 'reckless' Leather Museum relocation and issues within the local association as key reasons for her departure.
HMRC has automatically increased Child Benefit rates to £1,406 per year for the eldest child and £930 for additional children, benefiting over 6.9 million families without requiring any action.
Councillor Suky Samra has resigned from the Conservative Party citing persistent bullying and unfair treatment, and has now been suspended. He will continue as an independent until May elections.
Birmingham City Council leader John Cotton says the May local elections present a choice between Labour's 'unity' and the 'politics of division' from Reform UK and independents, as all 101 council seats are contested.