DWP ends 35-hour weekly job search rule for claimants
The DWP is ending the mandatory 35-hour weekly job search for Universal Credit claimants. Discover how the new personalised approach will reform the welfare system.
The DWP is ending the mandatory 35-hour weekly job search for Universal Credit claimants. Discover how the new personalised approach will reform the welfare system.
A parliamentary petition urges the DWP to abolish the Basic State Pension and pay the higher New State Pension rate to all pensioners, bridging a £53.80 weekly gap.
Storm Claudia batters the UK with 30mph winds and amber rain warnings. Stay informed on travel disruption and safety advice for the Midlands.
Historic Renters' Rights Act becomes law on 1 May 2026, banning Section 21 evictions and protecting 11 million tenants across England. Discover your new rights.
A murder investigation is underway after a man was discovered dead in a Hanley flat. Staffordshire Police have arrested a 56-year-old suspect and are conducting forensic examinations.
Officers recovered £100,000 and Class A drugs after stopping an erratic car on the M6. A woman was arrested and four pedestrians were reported to immigration. Read the full details.
Labour announces it will scrap Police and Crime Commissioners, calling them a 'failed experiment'. The move aims to save £100m for frontline policing.
Cross-party group of 27 MPs urges Chancellor to cut VAT and reform business rates for pubs, hotels, and restaurants ahead of Autumn Budget to boost growth.
Discover the South Staffordshire Railway Walk, a flat 5.5-mile route with rich history and lovely views. Ideal for walkers, cyclists, and wheelchair users. Plan your visit today!
The Co-op announces a £200m investment to open or refurbish 50 stores across the UK, while urging the government to deliver promised business rates reform in the autumn Budget.
Discover why the charming Staffordshire city of Lichfield, with its winding streets and stunning cathedral, has been rated one of Britain's best places to live.
A new report finds DWP sanctions leave claimants worse off than criminal fines, with 86% of appeals overturned. Calls grow for fundamental welfare reform.
A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of beloved grandfather Dennis Whiston, 73, in Tamworth. Police are appealing for witnesses.
Graeme David McLardy, 43, has been sentenced to two months in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of shop theft in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Police confirm increased patrols are reducing crime.
Two Staffordshire police officers displayed incredible bravery during a violent Hanley protest, disarming armed individuals without protective gear. Read their heroic story.
Heavy rain triggers severe flooding across Birmingham, stranding cars and causing two-hour traffic jams. Fire services received over 150 calls. Officials urge caution.
The Renters' Rights Bill is now law, banning 'no fault' evictions and limiting rent increases. Discover how these changes create a fairer rental market in Stockport and across the UK.
Abdulrahin Abbker, 25, has been sentenced to two years in prison after stabbing two men with scissors in Stoke-on-Trent's Hanley Park following an argument. Read the full details.
Kyle Purcell, 21, has been sentenced to nine years for attacking two women with bottles and setting fire to his flat in Burton-on-Trent. Read the full court details.
A teenage girl was left petrified after a man screamed 'I'm going to stab you' in a Staffordshire Sainsbury's female toilet. Police are investigating. Witnesses urged to come forward.
DWP data shows a million more people on Universal Credit face no work demands. Explore the figures and what this means for the UK's welfare system.
Two Dudley Conservative councillors defect to Reform UK, sparking a political row over by-elections. Discover how this shifts the council's balance of power.
Tributes paid to Dennis Whiston, 73, who died after a Halloween assault in Tamworth. Police continue investigation and appeal for witnesses.
Millions of UK households face a £700 annual bill after Labour's welfare U-turn. Sickness benefits set to surge by £27bn by 2030. Read the full analysis.
Two Dudley Conservative councillors defect to Reform UK, sparking a political storm. Council leader demands by-elections as 'turquoise wave' claims momentum. Read the full story.
New Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces major economic reforms including housebuilding revolution, planning system overhaul and infrastructure investment in first speech.
Discover how the national curriculum is transforming with significant updates to reading, maths, and relationships education that will impact every primary and secondary school.
A Tamworth predator has been jailed for 12 years after a brutal attack, with police commending the bravery of his victim who confronted him during the trial.
Chancellor's autumn budget confirms significant welfare reforms affecting millions of claimants across the UK. Discover how PIP assessments and Universal Credit payments are set to change.
Construction begins on state-of-the-art 330,000 sq ft logistics facility at Chatterley Valley, creating hundreds of jobs and boosting Staffordshire's economy