Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed a significant above-inflation rise in Universal Credit payments, providing a major cost of living boost for millions of low-income households starting in April.
The Department for Work and Pensions will receive search warrant powers to combat fraud in Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and ESA benefits, with bank data access also expanded.
A new audit report reveals Wirral Council does not know the operating costs of The Hythe office building, purchased for £1.6m above market value, with criticism over risk assessment failures.
The Government has reversed its decision to postpone local elections in 30 English councils this May, following a legal challenge by Reform UK. Ministers cited legal advice and the need for certainty as key factors in the policy shift.
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Councillor Keith Sears resigns from the Conservative Party after being blocked from standing in local elections, reducing the Tories to 30 out of 60 seats and ending their overall control of Walsall Council.
Experts call for scrapping the unsustainable Triple Lock for state pensions, proposing an Australian-style smoothed earnings link to ensure long-term affordability.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confronts the shifting political landscape where pensioners, once untouchable, face fiscal pressures through frozen tax thresholds and benefit scrutiny amid economic strain.
Experts warn the triple lock policy is unsustainable, with costs potentially surging by £40 billion annually, prompting calls for means-testing state pension increases.
Kent County Council is distributing £90 vouchers to eligible households, including those not on DWP benefits, to help with rising living costs through the Household Support Fund.
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Plans to merge Castle Cary and Ansford parishes in Somerset have been scrapped after a governance review found insufficient local support, particularly from Ansford residents who voted 35.3% in favor.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms controversial tax rules that will affect older people with small private pensions, as frozen tax bands push incomes above the personal allowance limit.
State pensioners born before 1944 will receive a £100 increase in their Winter Fuel Payment this winter, with payments ranging from £100 to £300 depending on age and circumstances.
The Department for Work and Pensions is increasing the state pension age gradually to 67 by 2028, affecting 820,000 people and saving £10.2 billion, with concerns raised about potential poverty impacts.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reveals plans to ban VPN access to pornography for minors, restrict AI chatbots, and consult on social media limits for under-18s in a sweeping online safety initiative.
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The Department for Work and Pensions has unveiled welfare reforms that will provide millions on Universal Credit with a significant cash increase, alongside a £3.5 billion investment in employment support programs.
The Garden Bar in Wolverhampton retains its licence despite the owner admitting he did not call 999 during a violent brawl involving up to 20 people, with the council imposing new conditions.
The BBC is cancelling and refunding TV licences for eight specific groups ahead of the annual fee increase to £180 starting April 1, 2026. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport announced the £5.50 rise to provide stable funding.
The DWP's new bank account monitoring powers could impact individuals not on benefits, particularly those sharing joint accounts with claimants, raising privacy concerns.
New legislation grants the Department for Work and Pensions authority to access bank accounts of Universal Credit, ESA, and Pension Credit claimants to combat benefit fraud, sparking privacy concerns.
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The DWP is advancing new powers to access bank accounts and seize cash, targeting welfare claimants. The measures, under consultation until February 27, 2026, could affect up to 100,000 individuals annually, raising concerns from charities about stigma an
Personal Independence Payment rates will increase by 3.8% from April 2026, with maximum weekly payments rising to £194.60. This change comes as the Timms Review examines the PIP system, while Universal Credit health payments face cuts for new applicants.
MPs and financial experts warn that councils are too quick to issue court summons for small council tax debts, adding £75 fees and worsening financial hardship for vulnerable residents.
The DWP confirms that 453,000 pensioners living abroad, primarily in Commonwealth countries, will not receive the 4.8% Triple Lock increase in April due to frozen pension rules, affecting their weekly payments significantly.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves calls on Unite union to halt Birmingham bins strike, citing damage to city's reputation and disruption for residents and businesses.
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A High Court judge has reserved his decision on Birmingham City Council's bid for an injunction to stop protesters blocking bin lorries, with a verdict expected within three months.
An independent investigation reveals multiple failings in Cardiff Capital Region's procurement process for a £30m Aberthaw Power Station demolition contract, including accepting a late bid and scoring inconsistencies.
Ed Cox has been officially appointed as the permanent Chief Executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority after serving as interim since June 2025. The appointment was confirmed at a Board meeting on February 13, 2026.
Shropshire, Worcestershire, and North Somerset councils have been authorized to increase council tax by up to 9%. County Councils Network warns of a challenging three-year period ahead with significant funding gaps.
Birmingham City Council seeks court injunction to prohibit solidarity protests at bin depots during ongoing strike, drawing condemnation from unions and politicians who label the move 'cowardly'.
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Chancellor Rachel Reeves has clarified that individuals whose sole income is the state pension will not be subject to income tax, addressing concerns over frozen tax bands and rising pension rates under the triple lock system.
