38 councils to double council tax on second homes
Up to 12,300 second-home owners face a 100% council tax surcharge as 38 more English councils activate new powers from April. See the full list of affected areas.
Up to 12,300 second-home owners face a 100% council tax surcharge as 38 more English councils activate new powers from April. See the full list of affected areas.
Birmingham City Council leader John Cotton explains his 'practical' approach to tackling child poverty, defending his relationship with government ministers. Read his full Q&A.
Angry parents demand refunds after 'The Wicked Wizard of Oz: Cirque Spectacular' at Glasgow's OVO Hydro is labelled inappropriate and falsely advertised. Read the full story and see the complaints.
Up to 400,000 UK homes may be in the wrong council tax band due to flawed 1991 valuations. Check your band now and challenge it to potentially claim thousands in backdated refunds.
Worcester City Council approves extra funding for the Scala Theatre renovation, citing fire safety and National Insurance costs. The £16.2m project remains on track for its 2026 opening.
Derby City Council has spent £1,400 on security guards to protect workers removing England and Union flags following 'threatening behaviour'. Full details on the council's U-turn and costs revealed.
Barclays seals a multi-year naming rights deal for Scotland's national stadium, Hampden Park, and partners with the Scottish Cup. Discover how this investment aims to boost grassroots football and major events.
NHS bosses launch a full investigation and apologise after a body was wrongly released from a Glasgow hospital mortuary, leading to the wrong cremation. Read the full story.
As Birmingham's 2025 bin strike dragged on, mobile waste centres were swamped. We revisit the chaos, fly-tipping and the community efforts that followed. Read the full story.
Birmingham City Council approves sale of former Harborne Day Centre site for a new food store, part of property sales to tackle financial crisis. Read the full story.
Birmingham City Council approves the sale of the Grade II listed Alpha Tower to aid its financial recovery. The move follows the council's effective bankruptcy declaration in 2023. Read the full story.
Future Birmingham council leaders elected in 2026 will lack full autonomy, bound by a government-imposed action plan to ensure financial stability. Discover the binding roadmap for recovery.
Government commissioners will oversee Birmingham City Council after the 2026 elections, restricting new leaders' autonomy with a strict action plan. Discover the roadmap for recovery.
Scottish officials are weighing a historic change to the 2005 smoking ban to allow supervised crack cocaine smoking in Glasgow and Edinburgh facilities. Read the full story.
Birmingham's new lead commissioner says the city must earn the respect of a true 'second city', drawing direct inspiration from Barcelona's global standing. Read the full analysis.
A major redevelopment in Wolverhampton will see a vacant Sports Direct store converted into a 52-bed hotel, gym, and five new retail units, boosting city centre investment.
New data shows Birmingham residents face waits up to 250 weeks for social housing. Discover the worst-hit areas and how the council's system works.
New data reveals 16 Birmingham areas are 'red zones' for council housing waits, with Quinton's 250-week lead. Discover the full list and official advice for applicants.
Birmingham City Council approves the sale of the iconic Alpha Tower to aid its financial recovery. Read the full story and reactions from local councillors.
The government's lead commissioner warns a 'that'll do' attitude must be broken for Birmingham City Council to recover. Key financial deadlines are set for early 2025.
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.
Plans approved to transform Wolverhampton's empty Sports Direct into a 52-bed hotel, gym, and five retail units, bringing jobs and investment to the city centre.
Birmingham City Council proposes selling the freehold of the Grade II listed Alpha Tower to aid its financial recovery. Key committee vote set for December 16.
Live coverage and analysis as Birmingham City's poor away record faces a stern test against in-form Southampton at St Mary's. Follow all the action here.
A week of drama at Birmingham City Council includes a legal threat over regeneration, ongoing bins strike chaos, and a shark-suited spectator. Get the full update.
Warwick District Council must repay double council tax charged on second homes after admitting it 'acted outside the law'. A procedural mistake forces a costly U-turn.
Glasgow veteran Terry McCourt, who has raised nearly £120,000 for SSAFA, receives a Regional Recognition Award ahead of his MBE. Discover how he supports the Armed Forces community.
Birmingham City Council faces public fury over the year-long bins strike, with costs exceeding £14m. Read the latest on the political fallout and why a resolution remains elusive.
Birmingham City Council confirms demolition of vandalism-hit Druids Heath tower blocks will start in early 2025, as residents complain of neglect during regeneration delays.
Labour demands apology after £8,000 survey on Cradley parish council, funded as part of a Tory-Lib Dem budget deal, is overwhelmingly rejected by residents. Read the full story.