Reform-led Council Proposes 3.99% Council Tax Increase
Staffordshire County Council, led by Reform UK, proposes a 3.99% council tax rise for 2026/27, below the 4.99% cap. Plan includes £21.5m savings and £5.5m investment in children's services.
Staffordshire County Council, led by Reform UK, proposes a 3.99% council tax rise for 2026/27, below the 4.99% cap. Plan includes £21.5m savings and £5.5m investment in children's services.
A Rugby Borough Council panel will decide whether to ask the government to cancel May's local elections, citing a £160k saving and upcoming council reorganisation. Read the full story.
Dudley Council begins delivering 80,000 food waste caddies as new national rules start in April. Learn about the new collection schedule and the private sector debate.
A controversial plan to pay senior Worcestershire council officers bonuses to stay ahead of a 2028 reorganisation remains undecided. Critics call the proposal 'divisive and hurtful'.
Birmingham City Council's troubled Oracle IT system faces another major setback, pushing its launch to summer 2026. The project, now four years late, has cost £171m. Read the exclusive details.
The RAC urges UK motorists to wait an hour after sunrise before driving in the cold snap to avoid black ice and breakdowns. Essential winter safety tips revealed.
Local authorities in England gain new powers to restrict pavement parking, aiming to improve safety for pedestrians, wheelchair users, and visually impaired people. Find out what it means for drivers.
Dudley Council nears a surprise deal to buy Sedgley's Ladies Walk centre, saving taxpayers an estimated £15m over 25 years. Discover the full story behind the negotiations.
Walsall Council's spending power is set to rise by 28.5% over three years under a new government funding settlement. Leader Mike Bird welcomes the 'good news' but warns of ongoing challenges.
Nearly 5,000 customers of collapsed fashion brand Huh. Ltd will not receive orders or refunds. Administrators confirm debts of £575,000. Find out what happened and your rights.
Green Flag warns of UK's busiest breakdown day on Monday, Jan 5, with 28,400 vehicles at risk. Cold weather and post-Christmas inactivity blamed. Plan your journey.
A London pensioner could pay £16,000 a year in council and mansion taxes after Labour's funding reforms. Discover the impact on homeowners and the six boroughs affected.
A stark warning for UK motorists: putting the wrong fuel in your car is a common and costly error. Experts reveal the severe damage and repair bills, which can run into thousands.
Nationwide Building Society customers were left without expected payments after a major app and online banking failure. Read the latest on the outage and what to do if affected.
Birmingham City Council faces a critical year with ongoing strikes and financial fragility. Commissioners see progress but warn of major risks ahead. Read the full analysis.
Councils in England get a £78bn funding boost with a 3% council tax rise cap. Find out what the new multi-year settlement means for your local services.
New MOT rules from January 2026 aim to crack down on fraud. Data reveals the Peugeot 207 is most likely to fail, with handbrakes and tyres top issues. Learn how to prepare.
Dudley Council outlines major regeneration projects for 2026, including a new bus station and Metro link, while confirming council tax will rise by 4.9%. Explore the key developments.
Eurostar passengers face major disruption after a power supply incident in the Channel Tunnel forced all services to be cancelled. See the latest updates and travel advice.
Hundreds of families had Christmas Day ruined after a kitchen extractor fan failure forced Miller & Carter in Hockley Heath to close. Read the full story of the last-minute cancellations.
Major rail engineering works will close London Liverpool Street and disrupt Waterloo over Christmas. With 472,000 battery failures predicted, drivers are urged to check cars for festive travel.
A look back at the key planning appeals in Solihull for 2025, where residents challenged council refusals. Discover which decisions were overturned by the government inspector.
A Birmingham landlord urges locals to support their pub this Christmas as closures hit 'unprecedented rate' and business rates threaten a 15% hike. Protect your local.
Analysis of 815 million MOT results shows handbrake issues are the most common reason for van failures. Experts warn it can lead to lost earnings and invalid insurance.
The NHS is launching a major trial of a new blood-cleaning device, Dialive, for acute-on-chronic liver failure. Starting early next year, it offers new hope for gravely ill patients.
Shirebrook Town Council left unable to function after 11 councillors quit. Bolsover District Council appoints temporary members to restore operations. Read the full story.
Dudley Council is set for a £75.9m three-year finance settlement from the Labour government. While Labour MPs hail a 'turning point', the borough's Conservative leader urges caution, saying 'the devil is in the detail'. Read the full story.
Birmingham City Council secures a massive £651.5m funding increase over five years as part of a new £78bn government settlement targeting deprived areas. Read the full story.
A coroner found Kristian Hudson's fatal heart disease could have been treated if a simple protein test had been performed. His family demands accountability to prevent future deaths.
Darci Rose Gibson, 19, died from multi-organ failure after taking MDMA at Manchester's Warehouse Project. The inquest confirmed high levels of the drug. Read the full story.