Burnham Rules Out Crude Benefit Cuts, Promises Different Approach
Andy Burnham pledges no 'crude cuts' to benefits if he becomes PM, focusing on youth employment and technical education to reduce the welfare bill.
Category : Local Policies
DWP Pension Credit Age Rise July for Specific Birthdays
The DWP has confirmed that the Pension Credit age will increase in July for those born between specific dates, as part of the State Pension age rise from 66 to 67.
Andy Burnham Could End Fuel Duty Freeze, Costing £100
Andy Burnham may hike fuel duty by unfreezing the tax, adding £60-£100 yearly to household petrol and diesel costs, warns tax expert Nimesh Shah.
Burnham Hints at 50% Tax Rate for High Earners
Andy Burnham signals potential 50% income tax rate replacing 45% for earnings over £125,140, breaking Labour manifesto promises, experts warn.
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Return to Birmingham: A Journalist's Journey
A journalist returns to Birmingham, inspired by The Dispatch, to investigate stories that matter, from nightclub leads to public transport reforms.
Digital ID for Alcohol Purchases Confirmed by UK Government
The UK government will allow digital IDs for buying alcohol in supermarkets and pubs in England and Wales by autumn 2026, ending the need to carry passports or driving licences for age verification.
Burnham's £4.7bn Defence Bill May Trigger Six Tax Hikes
Andy Burnham faces a £4.7bn defence bill, sparking warnings of six potential tax rises including capital gains, bank, gambling, property, land value, and inheritance taxes.
Andy Burnham urged to scrap benefit cap for 10 benefits
Labour MP Paula Barker calls on Andy Burnham to abolish the DWP benefit cap, which she says forces families to rely on food banks. The cap currently applies to 10 benefits including Universal Credit and Child Benefit.
Resident doctors accept pay deal, ending year-long strikes
Resident doctors in England have voted to accept a new pay and conditions deal, ending a year of industrial action. The deal includes a 6.6% salary increase by 2027 and 4,500 additional training places.
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Immigration Bill Aims to Restore Fairness and Secure Borders
MP Mike Tapp explains how the Immigration and Asylum Bill will speed up removals, tighten age assessments, and reform appeals to restore public confidence in the asylum system.
State Pensioners Born After 1951 to Get £965 in July
State pensioners born after 1951 will receive £965 in July from the DWP as Sir Keir Starmer steps down as PM, with the triple lock maintained.
Asylum seekers face £10,000 debt for housing and living costs
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announces asylum seekers must repay up to £10,000 for accommodation and living costs before gaining permanent residency, with debt collection powers in new Immigration and Asylum Bill.
DWP Urged to Means-Test PIP as Burnham Poised to Be PM
The DWP has been urged to means-test Personal Independence Payment (PIP) as Andy Burnham looks set to become Prime Minister, potentially cutting the welfare bill by targeting households earning over £100,000.
Rachel Reeves confirms £8,000 Cash ISA cut for under-65s
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms Cash ISA allowance for under-65s will drop from £20,000 to £12,000 from April 2027, reducing it by £8,000. AJ Bell warns of unintended consequences.
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Shabana Mahmood announces £10,000 asylum repayment rule
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will announce on Tuesday that asylum seekers must pay £10,000 to cover living costs or be denied settled status, but experts say revenue will be small.
UK Crypto Firms Face Tough New Rules Before Starmer Steps Down
UK crypto firms must prove resilience to market shocks under new FCA rules announced before Sir Keir Starmer steps down as Prime Minister, effective October 2026.
Andy Burnham PM: Five Reasons for Birmingham Boost
Andy Burnham's leadership speech promises devolution, council housing, HS2 revival, and regional focus, offering transformative opportunities for Birmingham and the West Midlands.
West Midlands to Benefit from Burnham's Devolution Plans
Minister for Skills Jacqui Smith assures the Black Country will not be overlooked under Andy Burnham's proposed devolution plans, promising more power for West Midlands leaders.
Black Country 'Nothing to Fear' from Andy Burnham
Skills Minister Jacqui Smith reassures the Black Country that Andy Burnham's regional devolution plans pose no threat, emphasising collaboration over competition.
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Burnham Council Tax Plan Could Save Households £556
Andy Burnham backs scrapping Council Tax and Stamp Duty for a Proportional Property Tax. 77% of households could save an average £556 per year under the proposed 0.48% rate capped at £1,200.
HMRC Confirms £117.22 Child Benefit Tax Change from July
HMRC will pre-populate the High Income Child Benefit Charge on Self Assessment returns from mid-July 2026, affecting around 300,000 households with £117.22 monthly payments.
HMRC Confirms Child Benefit Change Starting Mid-July
From mid-July 2026, 300,000 Self Assessment customers will have Child Benefit info pre-populated, simplifying the High Income Child Benefit Charge process.
Burnham Pledges Business Rates Reform for Pubs and High Streets
Andy Burnham confirms business rates reform to support pubs and high street businesses as part of his 10-year mission to improve living standards, without risking public finances.
Reeves Rules Out Income Tax Change for Over £12,570 Earners
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has ruled out changes to HMRC income tax rates, reassuring taxpayers she will not ask them to pay more, despite plans to devolve some tax powers to regional leaders.
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AI to Help Cut 100 Jobs at West Midlands Council
Staffordshire County Council will use artificial intelligence to help identify 100 job cuts as part of budget savings, sparking union concerns over job security and service quality.
Labour warned EV shake-up would be 'extraordinary own goal'
Experts warn Labour's potential rollback of electric vehicle targets could devastate the EV market, calling it an 'extraordinary own goal'.
Drivers Face Stricter Punishments for Idling Crackdown
Environmental Standards Scotland calls for tougher engine idling laws as outdoor air pollution causes up to 2,700 deaths annually in Scotland.
HMRC Rule Change: 100,000 Taxpayers Not Registered
Over 100,000 taxpayers have not signed up for HMRC's Making Tax Digital system, launched in April 2026, with only half of the 216,000 required taxpayers registered.
Aldi Seeks Extended Alcohol Licence for Sutton Coldfield
Aldi Stores Limited applies for an off-sales alcohol licence from 6am to midnight daily at its Sutton Coldfield store on Brassington Avenue, with representations due by 13 July 2026.
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DWP Sends Warning Letters to Pensioners in Fraud Crackdown
The DWP is sending letters to thousands of benefit claimants, including pensioners, warning them to repay debts before direct action like bank withdrawals or driving bans begins in October.
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