State Pension Age Rises from 66 to 67 Starting April
A significant change to the UK State Pension age commences on April 6, with a gradual increase from 66 to 67 over two years, affecting millions of people currently in their 50s and early 60s.
Category : Council Meetings
Petition: Exempt All Pensioners from Council Tax
A new petition urges the Labour government to exempt all British pensioners from Council Tax, arguing current relief only helps those on lowest incomes as living costs rise.
Thousands Demand DWP Christmas Bonus Increase to £171
A petition urging the Labour government to raise the £10 DWP Christmas Bonus to £171, reflecting inflation since 1972, has gained thousands of signatures and calls for meaningful support for pensioners and vulnerable individuals.
DWP to Check Bank Accounts for Savings Over £6,000
The Department for Work and Pensions has acquired new powers to access bank account details, targeting savings thresholds that affect Universal Credit eligibility.
Birmingham £200 Cost of Living Payment Date Confirmed
Birmingham City Council announces the arrival date for £200 hardship grants funded by the DWP to help households with food, energy, and water costs. Eligibility criteria and application details revealed.
Walsall Council Approves Tax Hike, Cuts, Rejects Housing Plan
Walsall Council has approved a 4.99% council tax increase and £32 million in budget cuts for 2026/27. A proposal to reinvest in council housing was narrowly defeated, while measures on fly-tipping and bereavement services passed.
Wealden Council Sets 6,540 Signature Threshold for Petitions
Wealden District Council has announced a verification number of 6,540 for local government petitions, representing 5% of registered electors, effective from April 2026 to March 2027.
Council Leader Tells Campaigner 'Shut Up' in Museum Row
Walsall Council leader Mike Bird faced heckles after telling a Leather Museum campaigner to 'shut up' during a public meeting about controversial relocation plans.
Starmer Rejects Resignation Calls After Labour Loss
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has dismissed calls to resign following Labour's third-place finish in the Gorton & Denton by-election, where the Green Party claimed a historic victory.
Taxpayers Demand £20k Allowance as Petition Deadline Looms
A petition urging the Labour government to raise the income tax personal allowance from £12,570 to £20,000 has reached 90,000 signatures, needing 10,000 more by tomorrow to trigger a parliamentary debate.
Spain Can Search UK Tourists at Gibraltar Border Under New Deal
UK tourists traveling to Gibraltar will face passport checks and potential searches by Spanish border guards under a new Brexit treaty. Conservative critics warn of sovereignty concerns, while Labour defends the agreement as protecting Gibraltar's British
DWP Blocks Mixed-Age Couples from Pension Benefits
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that mixed-age couples where one partner is below state pension age cannot claim Pension Credit or pension-age Housing Benefit, forcing them onto Universal Credit instead.
£200 Spring Cost-of-Living Payments Start Sunday for Households
Households can apply for £200 spring cost-of-living payments from local councils starting Sunday, with grants available regardless of benefit claims.
State Pensioners Over £35k to Lose £33 Monthly
The Government has confirmed new rules where pensioners with incomes exceeding £35,000 will have £33 deducted monthly from payments as part of Winter Fuel Payment clawbacks.
Birmingham Crowd Laughs as Fiona Bruce Intervenes in Andrew Debate
The BBC Question Time audience in Birmingham burst into laughter during a heated discussion about accusations against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, with host Fiona Bruce stepping in to remind panelists he denies wrongdoing.
Birmingham Council Sells Former Vulnerable Adult Day Centre
Birmingham City Council has approved the sale of Fairway Day Centre in Kings Norton, one of four adult day centres closed last year amid budget cuts, as part of its financial recovery plan.
Rossendale Mayor's February Diary: Events and Charity Work
The Mayor of Rossendale reflects on a busy February, attending Holocaust Memorial Day, school awards, charity balls, and community events across Lancashire.
Green Party Wins Gorton and Denton By-Election, Labour Third
Hannah Spencer of the Green Party has secured victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election after a tense three-way contest, with Labour falling to third place behind Reform UK. The result marks a significant political shift in the constituency.
Dudley Council Budget Debate Erupts in Verbal Brawls
Passions flared at Dudley Council's budget meeting as councillors exchanged heated blows over spending proposals, with the mayor struggling to maintain order amid procedural confusion.
Sandwell Councillor Joins Advance UK After Labour Exit
Councillor David Wilkes has left the Labour Party to join right-wing group Advance UK, marking his third political affiliation change since being elected as a Conservative in 2022.
Rachel Reeves to Present Spring Statement to Parliament
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will address Parliament with the Spring Statement, focusing on economic forecasts and fiscal stability, while facing calls for student loan reforms and High Street support.
Ex-Norwegian PM Hospitalized After Epstein Files Link
Thorbjørn Jagland, former Norwegian Prime Minister, was rushed to hospital following severe stress from corruption charges linked to Jeffrey Epstein. His lawyer denies suicide attempt claims.
Labour Urges 750,000 to Claim Unclaimed Child Trust Funds
The Labour Party government alerts over 750,000 young adults born before 2012 to claim an average of £2,200 each from unclaimed Child Trust Fund accounts.
Birmingham Council Budget Fails in Dramatic Meeting
Birmingham City Council's Labour leadership failed to pass its annual budget, forcing adjournment and emergency negotiations ahead of a legal deadline, revealing deep internal divisions and political uncertainty.
Fourth Solihull Tory Councillor Joins Reform UK
Councillor Prish Sharma has left the ruling Conservative group on Solihull Council to join Reform UK, becoming the fourth defector. The move comes ahead of crucial local elections and budget meetings.
Stourbridge MP Steps Down as Dudley Councillor After Attendance Row
Labour MP Cat Eccles confirms she will not stand for re-election as a Dudley councillor in May, following criticism over her 36% attendance record at council meetings.
Reeves Under Fire for Skipping £12.5bn Bank Windfall Tax
Campaigners argue Chancellor Rachel Reeves missed a chance to raise £12.5bn by taxing huge bank profits, opting instead for stealth taxes that squeeze ordinary workers financially.
Universal Credit Claims Surge as DWP Shifts Legacy Benefit Recipients
The Department for Work and Pensions reveals that nearly 80% of the recent increase in Universal Credit claimants stems from transfers from older benefits like income support, with total UK claimants reaching approximately 8.6 million by late 2025.
Starmer Announces £117 Energy Bill Cut for UK Households
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed a £117 annual reduction in energy bills for millions of UK households, effective from April, as part of Labour's cost-of-living relief measures.
Reeves' £150 Energy Pledge Hit by Network Costs
Chancellor Rachel Reeves' promised £150 energy saving has been partially eroded by rising infrastructure costs, despite a 7% drop in the Ofgem price cap. The actual reduction falls short of initial targets.
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