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.
Category : Local Policies
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.
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
Petition seeks Universal Credit capital limits increase
A petition urges the DWP to raise Universal Credit savings thresholds to £10,700 and £28,500, reflecting inflation since 2006, and to introduce annual uprating.
Reform UK's first 100 days in Walsall: key changes
Reform UK marks 100 days in power in Walsall with major savings, policy shifts, and controversies, including scrapping climate emergency and National Anthem vote.
Two-child cap scrapped: £3,648 Universal Credit boost
Labour's scrapping of the two-child benefit cap means larger families on Universal Credit can claim extra payments. Households with three children get £304 more monthly (£3,648 yearly), and those with four get £608 more monthly.
Burnham Urged to Reverse Farmer Inheritance Tax Changes
The Ulster Farmers' Union calls on PM Andy Burnham to fully reverse inheritance tax changes for farmers, citing a need to protect family farms and reset relations.
Burnham Freeze Adds 1M Taxpayers, HMRC Warns
HMRC will bill one million people unexpectedly, with income tax liabilities set to hit 44.6 million by 2030, 1.1 million more than forecast. Andy Burnham refuses to change £12,570 allowance.
60% Tax Rate Warning for £100k-£125k Earners
Workers earning £100,000 to £125,140 face an effective 60% tax rate if thresholds stay frozen in the October 28 Budget, warns AJ Bell, urging a Pensions Tax Lock.
MP: Planning Reforms Will Strengthen Green Belt
Wolverhampton MP claims government planning reforms will strengthen green belt protection, not weaken it, amid concerns over housing targets.
Met Office warns UK faces more heatwaves before summer ends
The Met Office has warned that more heatwaves are likely in September, with temperatures above average, especially in the south, as the UK continues to face drought conditions.
Budget 2026: 45% tax threshold could be cut again, AJ Bell warns
AJ Bell warns Chancellor Healey may cut the 45% tax threshold again, pulling more high earners into the additional rate, as 1.3 million are set to pay it this year.
PM backs Cornwall tourism tax as 'game changer'
Prime Minister Andy Burnham supports an overnight visitor levy for Cornwall, calling it a potential 'game changer' during a visit to announce a £65m farming support package.
Ex-M&S boss slams Burnham's high street plans
Ex-Marks & Spencer boss Lord Stuart Rose criticises Andy Burnham's high street crackdown as 'hot air', saying vape shop bans won't revive town centres without rates reform.
Burnham's vape and betting shop crackdown: expert warns limits
Proposals to give councils control over new vape stores, betting shops, and adult gaming centres could help rebalance town centres, but planning restrictions alone won't revive high streets, warns personal finance expert Joe Lytwyn.
VAT cut on electricity bills from October 1
VAT on household electricity bills will be cut from 5% to zero on 1 October, saving typical households £45 a year, Andy Burnham has confirmed.
Burnham urged to scrap council tax and stamp duty for new tax
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is urged to scrap council tax and stamp duty for a new property tax, with proposals including a land value tax and transaction levy.
£500 grant for driveways as EV sales targets reviewed
The Andy Burnham government has launched a review into the ZEV mandate, confirming £600m for charge points and £500 grants for home chargers, as EV sales rise 45%.
Burnham urged to adopt 100-day plan with maternity fund
Compass urges Andy Burnham to introduce a Denmark-style maternity fund in the first 100 days, alongside proposals on immigration, housing, and devolution.
Burnham urged to cap land ownership and tax second homes
Andy Burnham is urged by thinktank Compass to cap land ownership and introduce a 100% tax on second homes, as part of 100 proposals for his first 100 days as PM.
Burnham, Healey to oversee pension changes from 2029
From 2029, salary sacrifice pension contributions above £2,000 per year will lose NICs exemption, affecting top earners, as announced by the government.
DWP considers replacing ESA and JSA with new benefit
The DWP is considering scrapping ESA and JSA for a new unemployment insurance. The consultation ended in June, with responses being reviewed. Changes expected by 2028/29.
Burnham urged to adopt 0.48% property tax
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is urged to replace council tax with a 0.48% flat-rate property tax, which could cut bills in deprived areas but raise them in London.
Burnham promises more business rates cuts in October
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged further business rates reform in the Autumn Budget on October 28, building on earlier cuts for pubs and high street firms.
Burnham Vows Further Business Rates Relief for High Streets
PM Andy Burnham plans further business rates reform for high street shops, building on 20% tax cut for pubs and hospitality, ahead of October 28 budget.
Burnham govt considers points for illegal number plates
The new Labour government under Andy Burnham will decide on DVLA/DVSA number plate changes, including tougher penalties like penalty points and vehicle seizure for illegal plates.
Burnham considers new drink-drive limits by experience
Andy Burnham's government is consulting on lowering drink-drive limits: 20mg for new drivers, 50mg for others, aligning with Scotland and most of Europe.
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