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.
Category : Local Policies
Burnham tax plans could hit pensioners, families, savers
Andy Burnham could target capital gains tax or inheritance tax in his first Budget with Chancellor John Healey, a financial expert warns, potentially hitting state pensioners hardest.
Burnham rules out three tax rises in October Budget
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ruled out raising income tax, VAT or National Insurance in his October 28 Budget with Chancellor John Healey, despite the challenging financial outlook.
Petition for £18k tax-free allowance open until end of Sept
A petition urging the government to raise the HMRC personal tax-free allowance to £18,000 remains open until 30 September 2026, with over 63,000 signatures so far.
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Birmingham 20mph plan faces Reform opposition
Reform UK, Birmingham's largest council party, will oppose the ruling coalition's plan to make 20mph the standard limit on all local roads, calling it 'anti-motorist'.
Cigar plain packaging plan could wipe out UK tobacconists
Andy Burnham's government considers plain packaging and graphic photos for cigars. Tobacconists warn the rules will make them unprofitable and wipe out the sector within years.
Burnham government responds to social energy tariff calls
Energy UK urges a new social energy tariff using income, health and consumption data. The Burnham government responds, citing VAT cuts and Warm Home Discount.
DfT Consults on Adopting New EU Vehicle Rules for GB
The Department for Transport has launched a consultation on updating the GB type approval scheme to incorporate recent EU and international vehicle regulation developments.
DWP proposes 9% hike to general levy for master trusts
The DWP is considering a 9% increase to the general levy for master trusts and personal pension providers, with other defined contribution schemes facing a 6.2% rise, as part of proposals published in July.
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HMRC: Act by August 31 or lose Child Benefit
Parents of 16-19-year-olds must notify HMRC by August 31 to continue Child Benefit. Over 372,000 have already acted. Payments stop automatically for non-responders.
El Nino to bring more storms and rain to UK, warn forecasters
An unprecedented El Nino event is set to bring more storms and rain to the UK, affecting weather patterns and harvests worldwide, forecasters have warned.
Reform to scrap £1m spend and lease for Reedswood school
Reform cabinet members will vote to revoke a £1m payment and 125-year lease for the Reedswood Park free school, after DfE agreed to withdraw funds.
Birmingham confirms 20mph standard on all local roads
Birmingham Council's Local Plan confirms 20mph will become standard on all local roads, prioritising walking and cycling, with A-class roads excluded.
Burnham urged to ban direct debit hikes when in credit
Andy Burnham is urged to ban energy direct debit rises when accounts are in credit, after Ofgem data shows £3.2bn held and average £135 surplus.
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Burnham and Healey to Decide on Personal Allowance in October
Low-income households will learn the fate of the income tax personal allowance in October, as PM Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey prepare the government's first Budget on October 28.
Andy Burnham inheritance tax warning ahead of October Budget
Experts warn Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey may target inheritance tax and capital gains tax in the October 28 Budget, after ruling out income tax, VAT and National Insurance increases.
Birmingham Council unveils 10-point plan to rejuvenate Erdington
Birmingham City Council has published a 10-point vision to rejuvenate Erdington town centre over the next 20 years, including a new community square, improved shop frontages, and better pedestrian links to the rail station.
Sir Jeremy Hunt: stop benefits claims by phone
Former Chancellor Sir Jeremy Hunt says the DWP should stop accepting benefits claims by telephone, as the welfare bill balloons and 1,000 people are signed off work daily.
Burnham and Healey Urged to Cut Fuel VAT by 27p
SNP MSP Calum Kerr urges Labour PM Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey to cut VAT on fuel by 27p per litre, citing Irish excise duty reductions to aid rural communities.
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HMRC May Jail Households for Reckless Tax Statement Errors
HMRC is consulting on a new criminal offence for reckless false statements in direct tax, potentially sending households to prison. ACCA urges clarity on guidance and verification rules.
GCSE Resit Rule Change Considered by Burnham Government
Education Secretary Lucy Powell has announced the government is reviewing GCSE resit rules, with only one in five students currently passing resits in English and maths.
DfE warns schools over pupils missing class for concerts
The Department for Education has issued guidance to mainstream schools warning that concerts by musicians popular with teenagers can affect attendance, urging schools to analyse patterns and communicate with parents.
Reform UK plans to scrap PIP for 1.5 million people
Reform UK has unveiled plans to scrap Personal Independence Payments for many conditions, potentially affecting 1.5 million people, with a focus on mental health-related claims like depression, anxiety, and ADHD.
DfE confirms rules on religious observance school absences
The Department for Education has confirmed rules on missing school for religious observance after 2.45 million sessions were recorded as absence in the 2024/25 academic year.
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Burnham and Healey cut Winter Fuel Payments for 2.2m pensioners
Around 2.2 million UK pensioners with incomes above £35,000 will lose Winter Fuel Payments under Labour PM Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey, affecting 12.3 million recipients.
Burnham and Healey Face DWP Cuts Pressure as Budget Nears
Andy Burnham and John Healey face pressure to cut welfare spending ahead of the October Budget, as inflation rises to 2.9% and the Universal Credit roll hits a record eight million claimants.
HMRC criticised over criminal tax declaration offence plans
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales has criticised HMRC's plan to introduce criminal offences for reckless tax statements, warning it may confuse taxpayers and reduce voluntary disclosures.
5G mast approved in Sutton Four Oaks despite intrusion concerns
Birmingham City Council has approved a 20-metre 5G mast on Walsall Road in Sutton Four Oaks, ruling that its benefits for digital connectivity outweigh the 'limited harm' and visual intrusion for nearby homes.
Warm Home Discount Warning for DWP Claimants
The Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero warns benefits claimants on Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, ESA, or Pension Credit must ensure their name is on the electricity bill by 23 August 2026 to receive the £150 Warm Home Discount.
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UK inflation jumps to 2.9% in blow to Burnham's cost of living
UK inflation rose to 2.9% in July, driven by energy price cap reset and reduced discounting, according to ONS. Services inflation eased to 3.4%, core to 2.6%. Economists expect peak later this year or early 2027, with potential impact on interest rates an
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