The first major snow of 2026 has hit the West Midlands, closing schools and causing travel chaos. A Met Office yellow warning for snow and ice is in force. Stay safe and check our latest updates.
Multiple primary schools and a college in the Black Country are closed or delayed on Monday, January 5, 2026, due to hazardous snow and ice. Check the latest updates for parents.
Snowfall in Birmingham forces Uplands Manor Primary School to shut and disrupts transport across the West Midlands. Get the latest travel updates and weather warnings here.
A major snowstorm has forced hundreds of schools across the UK to close on Monday, January 5, 2026. Check the full list of affected schools in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The Canary Islands are on Fodor's Travel 'No List' for 2026 due to unsustainable tourism pressures. Discover what this means for British holiday plans and the local impact.
This Morning's Alison Hammond is the UK's highest-paid panto star, earning £195,000 for a six-week run. Discover who else commands six-figure festive fees.
Lloyds Banking Group will shut more high street branches in 2026, citing a major decline in counter transactions. Midlands locations affected. Read the full story.
Popular holiday islands Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote feature on Fodor's 'No List' for 2026 due to unsustainable tourism pressures. Discover why experts urge a rethink.
Lloyds Banking Group announces 16 branch closures in January, with 55 more to follow by 2026. Find out which locations are affected and why this shift is happening.
Parents in Birmingham must submit primary school applications for September 2026 by January 15. Late forms risk children missing their preferred school. Here's the full guide.
Popular holiday islands Tenerife and Lanzarote are on Fodor's 'No List' for 2026. Learn why mass tourism protests are prompting a rethink for UK travellers.
Urgent reminder for Wolverhampton parents: the deadline for primary school applications is 15 January 2026. With only 43% submitted, late applications risk losing preferred school places.
Disability charity Scope announces closure of 77 high street shops, putting 200 staff roles and 2,000 volunteers at risk. See the full list of affected stores.
A wave of closures hit Birmingham's Bullring and Grand Central in 2025, including Caffe Concerto and Diesel. See the full list of shops lost and what's coming next.
New data reveals the UK's most stolen cars, with the Ford Fiesta topping the list. Discover the top 10 targeted models and the criminal strategies behind the thefts.
Blackpool has been ranked as the most violent and dangerous area in England, according to new crime severity data. Birmingham places sixth nationally. Discover the full rankings.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will deliver his New Year's message at 10.30pm tonight. Get the latest on his speech and the political rivals also addressing the nation.
New data reveals the shortest and longest council house waiting times across Birmingham wards, with Holyhead at 30 weeks and Quinton at 250 weeks. Discover the full list and council advice.
Struggling to decide if your child is well enough for school? The NHS provides clear guidance on 17 common illnesses, from chickenpox to COVID-19. Learn the rules to keep everyone safe.
The UK Foreign Office has issued a 'do not travel' warning for 55 global locations in 2026, invalidating travel insurance and risking personal safety. See the full list.
Lloyds Bank confirms 16 branch closures across the UK in January 2026, as part of wider cuts. See the full list of affected locations and dates.
Halifax announces eight more branch closures in early 2026, part of Lloyds Banking Group's ongoing shift towards digital services. See the full list of affected locations.
Kerry Davis, the first Black woman to play for England, receives an MBE for services to football and diversity. Discover her legacy and other Staffordshire honourees.
Actress and writer Meera Syal receives a damehood for services to literature, drama and charity. Discover the full list of West Midlands honourees.
Poundland, WH Smith, and Pizza Hut among major brands shutting shops in a tough year for UK retail. Discover the full list of closures and the reasons behind the crisis.
Lloyds Bank announces the closure of 40 branches nationwide in 2026, citing a shift to digital banking. Find out if your local branch is on the list and what alternative services are available.
Halifax announces 14 further branch closures in 2026, including Birmingham Bearwood. Over 100 Lloyds Banking Group sites will have shut by end of 2025 as customers move online.
Lloyds Banking Group will close 71 Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland branches in 2026 due to online banking shift. See the full list of affected locations.
NatWest Bank warns customers of six final branch closures on December 31, 2025, as part of a major shift to digital services. Find out if your local branch is affected.
Lloyds Banking Group is closing 55 Lloyds and Halifax branches, impacting local access to cash. See the full list of locations and dates for 2025.