Dudley Councillors Barred From Budget Questions
Dudley councillors express frustration after being told they could not ask questions during crucial budget scrutiny meetings, calling for clearer procedures.
Category : Council Meetings
Winter Fuel Payments Confirmed for 2026: Eligibility Details
The Department for Work and Pensions confirms the Winter Fuel Payment system will continue in 2026, with eligibility based on income and a recovery process for ineligible recipients.
Birmingham Mourns Councillor Waseem Zaffar
Heartfelt tributes have been paid to Birmingham City Councillor Waseem Zaffar MBE, who has died aged 44. Council leader John Cotton and community figures remember his dedication to the city.
Dudley Council Rent Rise Delayed After Legal Advice
Dudley Council tenants face a wait for rent decisions after legal advice revealed procedural errors in previous years' approval processes, causing political confusion.
Birmingham Mourns Councillor and Clean Air Champion Waseem Zaffar
Tributes pour in for Birmingham councillor Waseem Zaffar, who died suddenly aged 44. The Lozells representative was a passionate clean air campaigner and devoted family man.
Dudley Councillors Apologise Over Grit Bin Removal
Senior Dudley councillors have apologised for voting to remove 500 grit bins during budget cuts, admitting the decision put public safety at risk during recent winter storms.
HMRC Reinstates Child Benefit for 17,000
HMRC has reinstated Child Benefit payments for 17,000 people after wrongly freezing them in a government crackdown targeting parents who left the UK.
MP Criticises Solihull Bridge Consultation as 'Unbalanced'
A political row erupts over Barston Bridge's future, with MP Saqib Bhatti accusing Solihull Council of a flawed consultation process as closure remains a £2m repair alternative.
Council Blocks Off-Licence Reopening After Licence Revoked Twice
Wolverhampton Council has rejected plans to reopen an off-licence that was shut down twice for selling alcohol to children and operating illegally after licence revocation.
Solihull Council's 2025 Agenda: Major Projects Ahead
Solihull Council has unveiled its ambitious 2025 agenda, focusing on major projects, community engagement, and service improvements to enhance local life.
Dudley Mayor Defies Legal Advice in Council Clash
Dudley Mayor Pete Lee has defended ignoring the council's top lawyer's advice during a heated debate on grit bins, sparking fury among opposition councillors.
DWP Bank Checks to Recover £500m Yearly from Benefit Fraud
The DWP is implementing new bank checks to combat fraud and error in benefits, aiming to recover £500m annually by targeting undeclared savings and overseas stays.
DWP Bank Account Checks for Benefits Start After Feb 27
The Department for Work and Pensions will begin checking bank accounts for Universal Credit, Pension Credit and ESA claimants after February 27, using new powers that have sparked controversy.
£150 Warm Home Discount Extended to 2031 for Universal Credit
The UK Government has confirmed a five-year extension of the Warm Home Discount scheme, providing £150 energy bill support to low-income households including Universal Credit claimants.
Warm Home Discount Extended for Six DWP Benefits Until 2030
The Labour government has extended the £150 Warm Home Discount scheme for low-income households on six DWP benefits until 2030, though experts warn discounts alone won't solve the energy crisis.
Starmer's 'Stark Choice': Military vs Welfare Cuts
Sir Keir Starmer faces a critical decision between funding military readiness and cutting the welfare bill, with a £28bn shortfall forcing tough choices.
Birmingham Councillors: City 'Trashed' by Bins Strike
Two independent councillors express horror as Birmingham's bins strike enters second year, damaging the city's reputation nationally and internationally while services remain suspended.
Councillor Resigns Over Illegal HMO Properties
Warwickshire County Council chair Edward Harris resigns after Tamworth Borough Council reveals he owned substandard Houses of Multiple Occupation lacking basic amenities.
Birmingham Bin Strike: City Becomes International Laughing Stock
Independent councillors voice horror as Birmingham's ongoing bin strike enters second year, damaging the city's reputation and causing international embarrassment.
Birmingham Bin Strike: City's Reputation in Tatters
Independent councillors warn Birmingham has become an 'international laughing stock' as the bins strike enters its second year, with no resolution in sight and ongoing damage to the city's global reputation.
£10k Emergency Loans for Pensioners Facing Payment Delays
Thousands of civil service pensioners are receiving interest-free hardship loans of up to £10,000 as 90,000 face unacceptable payment delays in the pension scheme.
WASPI Women Fury as DWP Payouts Blocked
WASPI campaigners express outrage after Labour government rejects DWP compensation for 1950s-born women affected by state pension age changes, with chairwoman Angela Madden accusing ministers of treating them with 'utter contempt'.
WASPI Women to Sue After Labour Rejects Compensation
The Labour government has confirmed no compensation for 1950s-born women affected by state pension age changes, sparking WASPI's legal challenge over what they call a 'disgraceful political choice'.
WASPI Women Compensation Bid Rejected by Government
The Department for Work and Pensions has formally rejected compensation claims from WASPI women, with Secretary Pat McFadden stating a review found no evidence of direct financial loss.
DWP Streamlines Pension Credit for 1.4 Million Pensioners
The Department for Work and Pensions announces plans to streamline the Pension Credit application process, benefiting over 1.4 million state pensioners with simplified online and telephone claims.
VOA Update on Council Tax Bands & Mansion Tax 2028
The Valuation Office Agency outlines its methodology for revaluing high-value properties ahead of the new mansion tax implementation in April 2028, focusing on transparency.
State Pension to Cost Workers £1,000 More Under Labour
Official estimates reveal state pension costs will rise by £35.1bn under Labour, equating to £1,093 extra per income taxpayer under 65 by 2029-2030.
Treasury Rejects £25,140 Pensioner Tax Allowance Petition
HM Treasury has officially responded to a parliamentary petition demanding a doubled tax allowance for state pensioners, citing cost and targeting concerns while reaffirming Triple Lock commitment.
DWP: No Tax on State Pensions Next Year
The DWP has reassured pensioners that those solely on the Basic or New State Pension will not pay tax next year, even as the Personal Allowance remains frozen at £12,570 until 2030.
Birmingham Bins Boss Survives No Confidence Vote
Birmingham Council's environment cabinet member Majid Mahmood survives Conservative motion of no confidence amid ongoing bins strike and fly-tipping concerns.
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