DWP ends Universal Credit and Housing Benefit cliff edge from Monday
New DWP rules from Monday end the cliff edge loss of income for supported housing and temporary accommodation residents, benefiting over 325,000 people.
Category : Council Services
HMRC £300 ERS fines due Tuesday after 3-month rule
HMRC will issue £300 fines from Tuesday 6 October to employers who missed the 6 July ERS return deadline, adding to the existing £100 penalty.
DWP to withdraw cash from benefit claimants' bank accounts
From October 1, the DWP will withdraw cash directly from bank accounts of benefit claimants, including some pensioners, as part of a fraud crackdown.
Man found dead at Birmingham home in Kings Norton
A man has been found dead at a home in Wynds Covert, Kings Norton, Birmingham. Emergency services attended this morning, and his death is not being treated as suspicious.
Lloyds Bank October closures: full list including Birmingham
Lloyds Bank will close 23 branches in October, including Harborne High Street, citing mobile banking's rise. Another 10 closures are scheduled for November.
HMRC to refund 3.2 million pensioners after tax error
HMRC will refund over 3 million state pensioners after a systematic error using wrong State Pension figures. Repayments total £19.3 million, averaging £6 per person, with payments expected during 2026/27.
Autumn Budget 2026: Middle-Class Earners to Feel the Pinch, Warns Expert
Financial expert Antonia Medlicott warns the Autumn Budget on October 28 will hit middle-class earners hardest, not the wealthy, due to frozen tax thresholds and pension changes.
Alton Towers new virtual queuing for Ride Access Pass holders
Alton Towers introduces a virtual queuing system for Ride Access Pass holders, replacing physical queues, after feedback from disability charities and users.
NatWest and RBS to scrap £1 app login cashback in October
NatWest and RBS will stop paying £1 a month for app logins from October 1, affecting standard and Premier Reward accounts. Direct Debit rewards remain.
Solihull Council writes off £522k in uncollected debt
Solihull Council wrote off £522,108 in uncollected debt in Q1 2026, including £111,668 in rent and £396,570 approved by a cabinet member.
New UK supermarket shelf law now in force
The updated Price Marking Order 2004 came into force on 6 April 2026, requiring unit pricing for more products like cereals, pasta, and cosmetics, helping consumers compare prices easily.
Sky criticised for hard-selling dementia patient TV packages
Sky faced backlash after a persistent sales call to a dad with dementia, ignoring cancellation requests and adding unwanted packages, prompting Ofcom and Sky apologies.
DWP removes Winter Fuel claim form for pensioners abroad
DWP withdraws Winter Fuel Allowance claim form, barring state pensioners in EEA and Switzerland from payments, effective from September 18.
DWP PIP claimants face new 7-point rule, says IFS
IFS proposes £-per-point PIP system with a 7-point threshold. Claimants scoring 12 points would get £4,240 yearly, while 32 points would earn £11,310.
Waitrose Wellness Bays launch in 52 supermarkets
Waitrose has launched dedicated Wellness Bays across 52 shops, online and via on-demand grocery, offering over 40 premium wellness products, with exclusive formats and smaller pack sizes.
Nationwide keeps all 605 branches open until 2030
Nationwide will keep all 605 branches open until 2030, becoming the UK's largest branch network as rivals close. Branch usage rose 21% in current accounts.
HMRC to Claw Back Winter Fuel Payments from High Earners
HMRC will claw back Winter Fuel Payments from state pensioners earning over £35,000, deducting about £33 monthly in 2027-28 for typical £200 payments.
Birmingham safe centre for vulnerable children reaches milestone
Birmingham Council has approved plans for the West Midlands Safe Centre in Erdington, a secure children's home for vulnerable children, creating 187 jobs.
Aldi Lower Gornal seeks alcohol licence for 6am daily sales
Aldi has applied for a premises licence to sell alcohol from 6am to midnight daily at its Lower Gornal store, with public representations due by September 29.
Starbucks loyalty change: 20 more stars needed for free drinks
From Thursday 3 September, Starbucks UK loyalty members will need 20 additional stars to claim the cheapest coffee and tea rewards, requiring more spending for the same perks.
Asda completes eSEL rollout across 517 Express stores
Asda has completed the rollout of electronic shelf edge labels across all 517 Express stores, investing over £7.5m to install 1.2 million labels, replacing 120,000 paper price tickets weekly.
HMRC warns £1,406 Child Benefit payments at risk
HMRC confirms Child Benefit payments of up to £1,406 a year can restart if parents tell them about teens in education or training, with claims backdated three months.
DWP confirms £150 Warm Home Discount for four benefits
Millions of UK households on Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, ESA or Pension Credit will get a £150 Warm Home Discount from October, with most payments made by January.
Costa Coffee drive-thru plan returns without Greggs
New plans for a Costa Coffee drive-thru at the former Colliers car site in Erdington, Birmingham, have been submitted after a previous scheme including Greggs was refused.
£200 cost-of-living payments entering bank accounts in September
Households can apply for new £200 cost-of-living payments from Andy Burnham's Government in September, with Birmingham City Council distributing grants. Applications are open to all, not just benefit claimants.
MAFS Australia 2027 cast face strict new alcohol rules
MAFS Australia series 14 introduces strict alcohol limits for dinner parties and apartments to curb toxic behaviour, following incidents involving Brook Crompton and Bec Zacharia.
Ofsted confirms 10-day notice for neglect inspections from 2026
From autumn 2026, Ofsted and partner agencies will inspect local multi-agency responses to neglect in younger children, with 10 working days' notice to local leaders.
DWP plans personalised sanctions for benefits claimants
DWP minister Sir Stephen Timms confirms benefits sanctions will be tailored to individual circumstances, with multiple checks before any punishment is imposed.
Solihull planners reject Castle Bromwich children's care home plan
Solihull Council refused a lawful development certificate for a three-bedroom home in Relient Close, Castle Bromwich, to become a two-child care home, citing insufficient operational evidence.
Birmingham QR adverts target Victims' Code awareness
Digital adverts with QR codes roll out across West Midlands from September to boost awareness of Victims' Code after survey found only 2.5% know their rights.
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