Council Tax Divide: One Street, Two Boroughs, Double Bills
Residents on Hazelbourne Road in Clapham face stark council tax differences, with Lambeth households paying nearly £1,000 more than Wandsworth neighbours due to borough boundaries.
Category : Council Meetings
£200 Cost of Living Payments for Universal Credit Claimants
Lincolnshire residents on Universal Credit can apply for new £200 cost of living payments from April 2025, as part of the Household Support Fund before it transitions to a new Crisis and Resilience Fund.
Labour's £100m 'Back Door Tax' on Legal Client Funds
The Ministry of Justice proposes redirecting interest from lawyers' client accounts during probate and property deals, facing criticism as a £100m 'back door tax' hitting grieving families.
DWP Updates Formal Position on WASPI Compensation Payouts
The Department for Work and Pensions has outlined its formal position regarding potential compensation for WASPI women, following a government pledge to review previous policy decisions.
Home Secretary Gets Power to Sack Chief Constables
Ministers will gain direct authority to remove poorly performing chief constables following controversy over West Midlands Police's ban on Israeli football fans.
DWP 2026 Benefit and Pension Increases Announced
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed new payment rates for benefits and state pensions from April 2026, with millions set to receive extra financial support.
Birmingham Council Director on Extended Leave
Birmingham City Council confirms executive director for children and families, Sue Harrison, is on extended leave, with James Thomas temporarily overseeing services.
DWP Final Warnings: ESA Payments Stop March 2026
Thousands on income-related ESA receive Migration Notices as DWP accelerates final phase of Universal Credit transition. Claimants must act within three months to retain support.
Labour Delays 29 Local Elections Amid Reform UK Challenge
The Labour government has confirmed the postponement of 29 local council elections, citing a major reorganisation of local government. Despite a legal challenge from Reform UK, the government is proceeding with the delays.
Universal Credit Rule Change Sparks £1,100 Council Tax Battle
A disabled Somerset resident has won High Court permission to challenge a council tax reduction scheme after his transition to Universal Credit resulted in a £1,100 annual bill.
DWP Halts WASPI Action Plan, Defends Decision
The Department for Work and Pensions has paused its WASPI action plan while ministers reconsider compensation for women affected by state pension age changes.
Starmer Confirms £150 Energy Bill Cut for All
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has detailed a major cost-of-living package that will reduce average energy bills by £150 for millions, with extra support for low-income families.
Unclaimed Council Tax Refunds: Millions Owed Money
A recent FOI request reveals councils hold £544m in unclaimed council tax refunds. Millions of households may be owed an average of £178, with some credits reaching thousands.
March Deadline for WASPI Compensation Plan
Over 100 MPs demand the DWP provides a compensation proposal for WASPI women by March 2, following the Ombudsman's report suggesting payments up to £2,950.
DWP WASPI Payout Draft Written But Not Public Yet
The Department for Work and Pensions has a working draft for WASPI compensation payouts worth £2,950 but will not release it publicly until Labour ministers reconsider the decision.
MPs Grill DWP Over Carer's Allowance Scandal
Senior DWP officials face intense criticism from MPs over a scandal affecting 134,000 unpaid carers, with accusations of vague responses and systemic failures.
Labour's £300 Cost-of-Living Support for 6M Households
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled a major cost-of-living package, including £300 payments for six million low-income families and expanded energy bill support.
BBC TV Licence: Free for Some, £180 Hike Ahead
The BBC TV Licence fee is projected to rise to £180 next year, following a recent £5 increase. However, thousands of pensioners aged 75+ receiving Pension Credit can obtain it for free.
HMRC Child Benefit Freeze Update After Data Errors
HM Revenue and Customs has restored payments to thousands of households after a flawed fraud crackdown wrongly froze benefits. Technical errors in data checks caused significant disruption.
Police 'Fail to Stop' Birmingham Bin Depot Blockades
Birmingham City Council demands police intervention as protestors block bin lorries daily, threatening weekly waste collections across the city amid ongoing industrial dispute.
2027 UK Clock Change Dates Shift for Extra Sunlight
The UK's biannual clock changes will occur on different dates in 2027, providing households with an additional week of lighter evenings before winter. The autumn change moves to Halloween.
Pensioners to Lose £17 Monthly Under New DWP Rules
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms new DWP rules will see pensioners with incomes over £35,000 repay Winter Fuel Payments via monthly £17 deductions from 2026.
Council Tax Relief: How to Reduce Bills to Zero
Certain households across the UK could see their council tax bills reduced or even eliminated entirely through local authority support schemes. Eligibility depends on income, benefits, and household circumstances.
Solihull Rejects Tourism Levy Over Funding Fears
Solihull councillors have voted against a motion supporting a tourist tax, citing concerns that revenue raised locally would not be fairly spent within the borough.
MPs to grill DWP over stalled WASPI pension plan
DWP officials face intense scrutiny from MPs after Ombudsman reveals indefinite pause on WASPI State Pension age scandal action plan. Key hearing set for January 21.
Prince Harry Testifies in High Court Privacy Trial
The Duke of Sussex is set to give evidence in a landmark nine-week trial against Associated Newspapers. Follow the latest on this major privacy case.
TV Licence detector vans could lead to £1,000 fines
Households across the Midlands are warned as TV Licensing deploys detection vans. With the fee set to rise, evaders face prosecution and fines of up to £1,000. Check if you need a licence.
DWP's £25 Cold Weather Payment: Full List of Eligible Benefits
Thousands on six key DWP benefits are receiving a £25 Cold Weather Payment this week. Find out if you're eligible and what to do if the payment hasn't arrived.
DWP Cold Weather Payments: £25 Bonus with Six-Digit Code
The DWP is sending £25 Cold Weather Payments to 802 UK postcodes. Some will receive £50. Find out if you're eligible and how to spot the payment in your account.
King Charles' Invictus Games Dilemma Over Harry and William
Prince Harry reportedly wants King Charles to open the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, potentially forcing a choice between his sons. Could Meghan Markle attend?
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