State Pensioners Face 'Odd' HMRC Letters Over Tax
Older people born before 1959 are receiving unusual letters from HMRC as frozen tax thresholds drag more retirees into paying income tax, with experts warning of administrative chaos.
Category : Council Meetings
Council Leader Loses Confidence Vote Before Local Elections
Birmingham City Council leader John Cotton lost a symbolic vote of no confidence as opposition groups united ahead of May's local elections, highlighting Labour's diminished majority.
Council Leader on Bins Strike Talks Delay
Birmingham Council leader John Cotton has addressed why it took months to propose new talks with Unite union over the ongoing bins strike, citing equal pay constraints and service modernization needs.
Sandwell Councillors' Trial Delayed to 2029 Over Charges
Two Sandwell councillors, Daniel Millard and Claire Mayo, will not face trial until July 2029 for alleged assault and affray charges from an incident in Cradley Heath last July, with delays blamed on court backlogs.
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Birmingham MPs Spend Over £2 Million on Staff and Offices
Public records show Birmingham's ten MPs collectively spent more than £2 million last year on staffing and constituency office operations, with significant variations between individual representatives.
Council Tributes to Late Councillor Waseem Zaffar
Councillors across Birmingham paid formal tribute to Lozells representative Waseem Zaffar, who died suddenly earlier this year. Colleagues remembered his dedication to community, environmental advocacy, and family.
DWP Considers Pension Rule Change for Post-1961 Births
The Department for Work and Pensions is seriously evaluating proposals to allow people born after 1961 early access to the state pension, potentially altering retirement planning for millions.
DWP May Tighten State Pension Qualification Criteria
The Department for Work and Pensions could introduce stricter qualification criteria for the state pension, potentially increasing required National Insurance contribution years as welfare costs rise.
Reeves: No Energy Bill Help for Middle-Income Households
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce targeted support for energy bills, excluding middle-income households, as wholesale gas prices surge due to Middle East conflict, potentially raising Ofgem's cap to £2,200.
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DWP Scraps Two Benefits, April 15 Prescription Warning
The DWP is abolishing Income Support and Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance from April 1, 2026, affecting prescription charge exemptions from April 15. Claimants must transition to Universal Credit.
BBC TV Licence Fees Rise from April 2026
The annual cost of a standard colour TV licence will rise to £180, while black-and-white licences increase to £60.50. Discounts for blind individuals remain, and payment plans are available.
DWP Sends Pension Letters to Those Born Before 1960
The Department for Work and Pensions is contacting state pensioners aged 66 and over with updated payment details ahead of an April uplift. New rates will see weekly pensions increase under the triple-lock system.
Early £104 Child Benefit Payments Before Easter
HM Revenue and Customs has announced that some Child Benefit claimants will receive their £104 payments earlier in April due to Easter bank holidays, with a 3.8% rate increase also coming.
HMRC: Don't Miss Child Benefit After Age 16
UK parents could claim extra money under lesser-known HMRC rules if their children stay in education. Failure to update details by deadlines risks losing payments.
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Dudley Council's Hyper-Local Plan Wins Approval
Dudley Council's hyper-local reorganization plan has been approved by scrutiny committee members, aiming to distribute resources across five townships and restore local heritage identities.
WASPI Women Instruct Lawyers in £2,950 DWP Fight
WASPI campaigners have instructed lawyers to threaten judicial review against the government over £2,950 compensation denial, citing legal errors and irrational decisions.
Birmingham Live Meningitis Clickbait, Bin Fines, Spud Craze
Birmingham Live faces backlash for repackaging old meningitis story as breaking news. Unite union fined £265k in bin wars, and jacket potatoes gain global fame with Tamworth's Spudman featured in NYT.
HMRC Early £174 Child Benefit Payments on April 2
UK households will receive surprise £174 Child Benefit payments on April 2, five days early due to the Easter bank holiday. HMRC confirms the schedule change and provides guidance on payment dates and rates.
PM Holds Cobra Meeting on Iran Conflict Economic Impact
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer convenes an urgent Cobra meeting to address the economic fallout from the Iran conflict, focusing on cost of living, energy security, and supply chain resilience.
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DWP Ends Cash Payments, New Crisis Fund Launches April 1
The Department for Work and Pensions is closing its Household Support Fund on March 31, with a new Crisis and Resilience Fund set to begin on April 1. Eligible households can still apply for up to £300 in support before the deadline.
DWP Deadline: PIP Claimants Must Submit Evidence in Two Months
The Department for Work and Pensions has launched a nationwide call for evidence for the Timms Review, giving PIP claimants until May 28, 2026, to share their experiences and insights.
DWP Cold Weather Payments End for Claimants March 31
The Department for Work and Pensions will cease its £25 Cold Weather Payments for Universal Credit, JSA, and ESA claimants after March 31, 2026, as the winter scheme concludes.
Starmer Calls Emergency Meeting on Economic Fallout
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer chairs emergency Cobra meeting with Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey to address economic risks from Middle East conflict, focusing on inflation, energy security, and supply chains.
DWP Told to Bring Back Face-to-Face PIP Assessments
Conservative analysis reveals a £1.8 billion annual increase in PIP claims due to remote assessments, prompting calls for more in-person evaluations to ensure proper checks and reduce welfare costs.
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DWP Faces New Inquiry Over Carers Allowance Delays
MPs are threatening a new investigation into the Department for Work and Pensions over significant delays in providing redress to unpaid carers affected by overpayment scandals.
HMRC to Resume Child Benefit Crackdown After High Error Rate
HMRC is set to resume a controversial anti-fraud scheme that previously stripped Child Benefit from thousands of UK households, despite a 71% error rate in initial targeting.
2026 UK Bank Holidays: Extra Date for Scotland
The complete list of UK bank holidays for 2026 has been released, featuring an additional date in Scotland to celebrate the national football team's World Cup qualification.
Former Officer's AI Photo Sparked Police Investigation
A former West Midlands Police officer who now works on OnlyFans claims an AI-generated image of her on a police car led to an internal investigation, with the force confirming her resignation last year.
New £200 Emergency Payments Start in April for Low-Income Households
The Government launches a Crisis and Resilience Fund in April, providing cash grants to struggling households. Local councils will distribute payments based on financial need, not benefit status.
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Birmingham Council IT Fix Delayed, Sparks 'Lack of Respect' Row
Birmingham City Council faces criticism as the reimplementation of its troubled Oracle finance system is delayed until July 2026, with costs projected at £144 million amid ongoing political tensions.
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