New school uniform rule: max three branded items
From autumn term 2026, schools in England can require only three branded uniform items. The new law affects jumpers, blazers, trousers, and skirts.
Category : Local Policies
Farage speech at Birmingham Reform UK conference interrupted
Nigel Farage's Reform UK conference speech at the NEC in Birmingham was delayed by a security alert and stopped four times by protesters, with audience members removed.
HMRC clarifies inheritance tax rules for households
HMRC confirms fewer than 5% of UK deaths in 2023-24 resulted in inheritance tax, with up to £1 million passable tax-free for qualifying estates.
Burnham and Nandy pledge ticket touting ban soon
Lisa Nandy confirmed in the Commons that legislation to ban ticket touting will be introduced 'as soon as possible', promising a priority for the new Burnham government.
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Birmingham 20mph plans 'not the answer', councillor says
Councillor Shehryar Kayani has launched a petition against Birmingham City Council's 20mph blanket speed limit plans, citing potholes and a lack of evidence.
Andy Burnham urged to axe pension triple lock by key ally
Jim O'Neill, a former economic adviser to Andy Burnham, has told the new PM to cut the state pension triple lock and welfare spending to calm markets, warning of severe debt costs.
Judge sets timetable for Birmingham flag injunction hearing
A High Court judge has set urgent deadlines ahead of Birmingham City Council's injunction bid against flaggers who have put up 20,000 flags across the city.
Paradise Circus renamed Lyon Queensway in 2018
Birmingham's Paradise Circus was renamed Lyon Queensway in December 2018, but the change went largely unnoticed. The road is now closed to through traffic until winter.
Tees Valley tax rebates: £43-£128 for workers under new plan
Tees Valley workers could receive income tax rebates of £43, £85 or £128 under a plan by Tory mayor Ben Houchen, now in talks with No10 after a government u-turn.
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Vet ownership rules softened despite 63% price rise fears
CMA drops mandatory disclosure of corporate vet ownership after legal threats. Prices rose 63% since 2016, and 60% of practices are now owned by six large groups.
What a 70% Chance of Rain Really Means, Met Office Explains
A 70% rain forecast doesn't mean 70% of the area or day. Met Office explains it's based on ensemble forecasts—if 7 of 10 runs show rain, that's the 70% chance.
Andy Burnham U-turns on income tax rebates with households in line for payout
Andy Burnham has U-turned on local income tax 'rebates', letting mayors hand money back to workers and firms. Ben Houchen says senior civil servants accepted the scheme is possible.
Birmingham 20mph limits on residential roads to mean more fines
Birmingham council plans blanket 20mph limits on all residential roads, increasing fines and penalty points for drivers. Gradual rollout confirmed, with main roads excluded. Reform UK opposes.
HMRC tax-free allowance warning: 2.3m face 62% tax rate
2.3 million more people face a 62% effective tax rate as personal tax thresholds stay frozen until 2031, costing £48,860 per earner by then.
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Sefton campaigner urges locals to join UK energy consultation
Heritage campaigner and former Southport councillor David Barton urges Sefton residents and businesses to submit to the UK Parliament's Business and Energy Inquiry by September 18, 2026, to shape energy policy and support high street revival.
Burnham crackdown on rogue bailiffs and cowboy builders
Andy Burnham's government launches a crackdown on rogue bailiffs and cowboy builders, creating a trusted trader database and a safer payment system, with over 7 million bailiff cases yearly.
Burnham to push ahead with under-16 social media ban
Andy Burnham will implement a social media ban for under-16s, with stronger age verification than Australia, as announced by The Times.
Reform and Tories slam council's court bid to stop flagging
Birmingham's Reform UK and Conservative groups condemn the council's High Court application to stop unauthorised flag displays, calling it a misuse of resources and a threat to patriotic residents.
Reform UK pledges VAT threshold rise to £150,000
Reform UK promises to raise the VAT threshold from £90,000 to £150,000 if it wins the next general election, alongside tax credits, SEIS expansion, and scrapping GDPR.
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IPPR urges Burnham to tax wealthy pensioners over 65
The IPPR has urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to extend national insurance to pensioners, including the 2% surcharge, to address the rising costs of an ageing population and a new fiscal contract.
WASPI campaigners tell PM: 'Can't be left with nothing'
WASPI chair Angela Madden urges PM Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey to deliver redress for 3 million 1950s-born women after DWP maladministration ruling.
Reform UK promises £30 rebate for HMRC hold-ups
Reform UK has proposed a £30 rebate for taxpayers waiting over 30 minutes on HMRC calls, offering up to two credits per tax year if it wins the next general election.
Targeted cost-of-living support planned as bills rise
The Government is considering targeted cost-of-living support for vulnerable households this winter after energy bills rise 4% from October, energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh has confirmed.
Taxes Burnham hasn't ruled out raising before Budget
Ahead of his first Autumn Budget on October 28, PM Andy Burnham has ruled out raising income tax, VAT and NI. But other taxes remain on the table, including land value tax, CGT and wealth tax.
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Burnham government weighs cousin marriage ban from 2027
The Andy Burnham government is considering legislation to ban first-cousin marriage, with a Private Members' Bill set for second reading in January 2027.
Burnham weighs EU tuition fee cut in Brexit reset push
Andy Burnham is considering cutting tuition fees for EU students at British universities as part of a Brexit reset deal, aiming to secure European trade and youth mobility schemes, his spokesman confirmed.
Burnham rules out tax rises despite Budget pressure
Andy Burnham confirms he will not raise income tax, VAT or National Insurance, honouring Labour's manifesto despite fiscal challenges ahead of the Autumn Budget.
Burnham urged to cut DWP welfare by Jim O'Neill
Jim O'Neill, former Goldman Sachs economist, urges Andy Burnham to pursue genuine welfare reform and cut the DWP bill ahead of the Autumn Budget, warning against tax hikes.
Pension inheritance tax rule could hit estates years later
From April 2027, unused pension pots face inheritance tax, potentially leaving beneficiaries with unexpected bills years after estates are settled, experts warn.
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Back garden building rules watered down in England by Labour
Angela Rayner has relaxed restrictions on building homes in back gardens to help hit 1.5 million new homes target by 2030.
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