Dylan Woodhead found dead in cell 10 days after transfer
A watchdog report reveals Dylan Woodhead, 22, obtained drugs with 'apparent ease' at HMP Hindley and was not properly monitored before his death in January 2021.
Category : Council Services
DWP explains why some 66-year-olds miss Winter Fuel Payment
State pensioners born after 27 June 1960 will not receive the Winter Fuel Payment this year, as the DWP confirms the qualifying week and age rules that determine eligibility.
3 million pensioners lose Winter Fuel Payment under Burnham rules
Around three million over-65s no longer qualify for Winter Fuel Payments under Andy Burnham's inherited rules, with a £35,000 income threshold now in place.
Burnham confirms £5,000 fines for illegal waste sites
Andy Burnham announces government crackdown on illegal waste sites run by organised crime gangs, with £5,000 fines and clean-up of 22,000 tonnes of waste affecting 2,900 families.
DWP warns benefit cheats ahead of October crackdown
The DWP is sending warning letters to benefit cheats ahead of new powers from October that allow officials to raid bank accounts to recover debts under the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Act 2025.
DWP Confirms Five Rules for £300 Winter Fuel Payment
The DWP has confirmed five rules for receiving the £300 Winter Fuel Payment this year, with payouts sent in October and November after Labour reinstated the payments.
DfE confirms home visits in school absence crackdown
The Department for Education has confirmed home visits for families of absent pupils as part of new guidance sent to mainstream state schools from September 2026.
Burnham to Probe Birmingham's Exempt Housing Sector
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has personally pledged to investigate the supported exempt accommodation sector in Birmingham, which sees over 32,000 people in 12,000 properties with £400m in benefits, after BirminghamLive highlighted community impacts.
Wolverhampton club reopening bid faces key hearing in August
Wolverhampton Council's licensing committee will meet on August 26 to decide if Calif Bar, forced to close for employing an illegal worker, can reopen as Vivant Lounge amid fire and police objections.
Council update after fire destroys six Highters Heath homes
Birmingham City Council has issued an update after six homes were destroyed in a devastating fire on Gorleston Road in Highters Heath, leaving families homeless.
Four arrested after suspected chop shop in Birmingham
Four people were arrested after police discovered a suspected chop shop in Birmingham. A stolen car from Solihull was found inside a premises on Cato Street, leading to arrests and further searches.
DfE confirms parents' evening change for schools from September
The Department for Education has reinforced guidance that schools must make attendance central to parents' evenings from September, as part of a new attendance toolkit to tackle rising child absences.
New driveway law for homes in England under Burnham
The Government has changed driveway laws to remove planning permission requirements for homeowners installing electric vehicle charging points, aiming to speed up the EV rollout.
PIP Claimants: Two Expenses Reimbursed Before Friday Deadline
DWP confirms PIP claimants attending Timms Review workshops in September and October will have travel costs and personal assistant expenses reimbursed, with a Friday deadline to apply.
DfE confirms school absence rules for child GP appointments
The Department for Education has issued an 'attendance toolkit' to schools, recommending that medical appointments be scheduled outside school hours and that pupils return to class afterward if well enough.
DWP confirms one-off PIP bonus payments with Friday deadline
PIP claimants who sign up for Timms Review workshops by Friday 21 August 2026 will receive a one-off bonus payment, the DWP has confirmed.
DfE confirms school absence rule for birthdays from September
New Department for Education guidance published on August 19, 2026, tells schools to avoid granting term-time leave for birthdays, citing 40% higher absence rates on those days, and to celebrate within school hours instead.
National Express West Midlands Buy-Out Terms Criticised
A deal to buy out National Express West Midlands bus services has been criticised for leaving taxpayers exposed to financial risks, according to a report.
DfE issues new school absence guidance for missed days
The Department for Education has issued fresh guidance to schools on communicating attendance expectations to parents, developed with families whose children missed 9 to 28 days last year.
National Express West Midlands buy-out slammed as risky for taxpayers
West Midlands Combined Authority takes over National Express West Midlands bus operations, but Conservatives criticise the deal, saying taxpayers assume all risks while the operator can bid for future contracts.
New DfE guidance targets parents of children missing 9 days
The Department for Education has issued new guidance to schools in England on communicating with parents about attendance, targeting families whose children miss 9 or more days a year.
Ex-Police Fed Secretary Banned for Life for Fraud
The former West Mercia Police Federation secretary, jailed for defrauding the organisation of over £55,000, has been banned from policing for life by a misconduct panel.
Dudley Council's £14m underspend sparks clash over services
Dudley Council's £14m underspend sparks clash as Reform UK claims cuts have become 'manufactured neglect' and Labour says services are still failing.
Reform Vows to Ban DWP Benefits for 1.3 Million Foreign Nationals
Reform UK has pledged to ban foreign nationals from claiming DWP benefits, targeting 1.3 million migrants on Universal Credit as of May 2026, aiming for £5 billion in savings.
DWP urged to scrap savings limits affecting 830k families
Campaigners push to raise Universal Credit savings thresholds, frozen since 2006, which cut payments for 830,000 families and strip 1.2 million of support entirely.
Enforcement notice for Willenhall pub flats conversion
Walsall Council will serve an enforcement notice on The Bridge Tavern in Willenhall after the upper floor was converted into flats without planning permission, following a June inspection.
PIP claimants face new DWP means-test with 55p of £1 taken back
Reform Party plans to replace PIP and Work Capability Assessment with a means-tested Health Security Allowance, cutting 55p per £1 earned above thresholds, aiming to save £5bn.
DfE confirms after-school club push to tackle Friday absences
The DfE will encourage schools to offer more after-school clubs from September 1 to combat rising Friday absences, which have increased nearly 25%.
Walsall pub faces enforcement notice over unauthorised flats
Walsall Council will serve an enforcement notice on The Turquoise Island pub after flats were created without permission, following a planning investigation.
Aldi Selly Oak Car Park Slammed Over Dead Rat
A Birmingham man found a dead rat and litter in Aldi's Selly Oak car park, calling it 'disgusting'. Aldi says the site is regularly cleaned and has reported waste issues to authorities.
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