Universal Credit Rise Confirmed for April 2026
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms a 6.2% Universal Credit rise above inflation, plus an end to the two-child benefit cap. Find out how the changes affect you.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms a 6.2% Universal Credit rise above inflation, plus an end to the two-child benefit cap. Find out how the changes affect you.
Staff shortages cause major CrossCountry train cancellations and delays through Birmingham New Street on Dec 22, disrupting travel from Nottingham to Cardiff. Check your journey.
Shocking figures reveal HMRC's anti-fraud pilot wrongly stopped child benefit for 60% of targeted families. Discover the full scale of the government's admission.
Royal Mail issues a festive delivery delay warning for 47 UK postcodes. Last posting date for first class signed items is December 20. Check the full list now.
HMRC urges UK households earning under £80,000 to check Child Benefit eligibility. You could be missing out on over £1,300 per child. Act now.
The DWP's benefit cap is affecting 119,000 households, with 82% including children, leaving families cash-strapped for the festive season. Learn the key figures and impacts.
Royal Mail warns of significant delivery delays in 60 UK postcodes due to staff sickness and festive mail volumes. Check if your area is affected and see advice for last-minute parcels.
New CAA data reveals TUI as the worst major airline for punctuality in 2025, with only 57.5% of flights on time. Discover the full rankings and your passenger rights.
Major disruption on Birmingham rail lines after a train struck an obstruction between New Street and International stations. Delays and alterations expected. Get the latest travel updates here.
Royal Mail has issued a service update warning of significant parcel and letter delays in 117 UK postcodes this Christmas. Find out if your area is affected and what the company is doing to fix it.
Drivers on the M5, M6, M25, M4 and M60 face severe delays as the festive getaway begins. The AA warns of 24 million cars on roads this Friday. Plan ahead now.
Royal Mail issues apology as staffing issues threaten festive deliveries in 119 areas. See the full list of affected postcodes and what the postal service says.
Royal Mail warns of severe pre-Christmas delivery delays affecting 151 postcodes across the UK. Check the full list to see if your area is impacted.
Severe 40-minute delays on M6 southbound near Birmingham after police-led incident. Six-mile queues and lane closure cause major disruption. Latest traffic updates.
Drivers in Birmingham face five National Highways road closures over the festive fortnight, with moderate delays expected on a major route. Plan your journeys.
Thousands on Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) must act on migration notices to switch to Universal Credit before payments stop. Final deadlines loom this December.
The DWP is issuing a second December payment, a £10 Christmas Bonus, to PIP, ESA, DLA claimants and state pensioners. Find out when it arrives and who is eligible.
New data reveals Birmingham drivers wasted 57 hours in traffic this year, a 6% rise. The city ranks in the UK's top five for congestion. Discover the worst routes and the national cost.
Millions on DWP benefits must report changes like income or address to avoid overpayments and a potential £50 penalty. Learn what you need to declare to stay compliant.
Summer Lane in Birmingham city centre is closed between New John Street West and New Summer Street following a police incident. Drivers are warned to expect delays and plan alternative routes.
A £10 DWP Christmas Bonus is being paid automatically to people on PIP, ESA and DLA this December. Find out who qualifies and when to expect the payment.
The DWP gains powers to check benefit claimants' bank accounts from 2026. Experts warn checks may extend to Child Benefit, PIP, and others. Learn the full story.
A Dudley councillor reveals residents wait up to six months for help with potholes and home repairs due to staffing issues, not technology. Read the full investigation.
Birmingham and the West Midlands face days of heavy rain and strong winds, causing train cancellations and event postponements. Stay informed on the latest travel updates and safety advice.
A serious crash involving an overturned car has closed three lanes on the M6 northbound near Birmingham, causing severe delays of nearly an hour for morning commuters. Get the latest traffic updates.
Major disruption on Birmingham's Cross City Line as a signalling fault suspends services between New Street and Redditch/Bromsgrove. Delays expected with no clear resolution time. Read for travel alternatives.
Birmingham commuters face major disruption as the Cross City Line South is suspended due to recurring signalling issues. Check for ticket acceptance on buses and latest updates.
Major disruption on the M6 northbound near Birmingham after a car overturned. Three lanes closed, causing 55-minute delays. Latest traffic updates.
Flu patients in NHS hospitals in England have jumped 56% year-on-year. Health chiefs warn of an 'unprecedented wave' and urge eligible people to get vaccinated now.
The NHS faces an unprecedented winter flu wave with record hospitalisations. Health chiefs urge eligible people to get vaccinated now to protect themselves and the health service.