Sylvia Kent Returns to Phoenix FM Book Club
Local author Sylvia Kent returns to Phoenix FM's Book Club, sharing Essex writing groups and November book recommendations. Hear her interviews at phoenixfm.com.
Local author Sylvia Kent returns to Phoenix FM's Book Club, sharing Essex writing groups and November book recommendations. Hear her interviews at phoenixfm.com.
Ex-DWP policy head Matt Ryder urges Labour to push further on PIP reforms, calling recent luxury car cuts 'window dressing'. Read the full analysis.
Discover the inspiring winners of the 2025 Billericay Community Awards. These local heroes and businesses were honoured for making the town a better place to live and work.
MP Marie Goldman advocates for a legal ban on smartphones in schools after hearing from teachers and parents about the damaging impact on children's mental health and learning.
The DWP will reassess hundreds of thousands of Carer's Allowance cases after a review uncovered government failures, with claimants facing huge overpayment demands.
Labour's Autumn Statement targets DWP benefits for self-diagnosed conditions. The Access to Work scheme, costing £321m, faces scrutiny over gadget claims. Read the full details.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces a Labour revolt as she prepares to scrap the two-child benefit cap. Will the Autumn Budget welfare changes trigger a public backlash?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves to announce £1.2bn savings from benefit fraud crackdown and scrap two-child limit in Autumn Budget. Read the full details.
The DWP is launching a major new 'zero tolerance' crackdown on benefit fraud, starting in 48 hours. This coincides with the controversial £3bn lifting of the two-child benefit cap. Discover the full story.
The DWP has confirmed a new strategy to support Universal Credit claimants with mental health, back pain, or high blood pressure into employment. Discover how this major welfare shake-up aims to cut costs and boost opportunities.
TOWIE stars Joey and Frankie Essex pay tribute to their uncle Greg Essex following his sad passing. Read their heartfelt Instagram messages.
A Sheldon man has been disqualified from keeping animals for a decade after his Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Minnie, was found in a state of extreme neglect and had to be put down.
New Universal Credit rules will slash disability top-up payments by nearly 50% for new claimants from April 2026, creating a two-tier system. Critics call the changes 'unfair' and 'poorly designed'. Learn how this affects you.
RSPCA reports a 25% surge in pet abandonment as Brits struggle with living costs. Over 24,000 incidents reported this year. Learn how to get help for your pet.
The DWP is set to contact benefits claimants' families using new anti-fraud powers. Learn how this crackdown aims to reduce the ballooning welfare bill.
Strictly Air Ambulance 2026 is set for March 14 at the Brentwood Centre. The Essex & Herts Air Ambulance charity event features celebrity judges and dancers, aiming to surpass last year's £58,000 raised. Book tickets now!
Join the YMCA Orchestra for their annual Christmas Charity Concert on Sunday, December 7. Enjoy festive classics, carols, and refreshments while supporting the YMCA Cancer Rehabilitation Programme.
The Fun Walk Trust's 2024 event raised a record-breaking £121,000 for local causes, the highest in its 23-year history. Discover how this community triumph benefits Essex.
A courageous Essex Police officer died in a collision on the A12 near Ingatestone while responding to an emergency 999 call. Chief Constable pays tribute.
Tracy Hovell, who claimed to be the UK's best Labradoodle breeder, has been banned from owning animals for five years after being convicted of animal welfare offences. Read the full story.
85-year-old artist William Newton discusses his lifetime in art, famous admirers like Madonna, and his new exhibition at Brentwood Library. Hear his inspiring interview and see his work.
Dan Buck draws on his 20-year mental health journey to support patients at EPUT's secure unit. Discover how lived experience workers are revolutionising inpatient care in Essex.
Chelmsford's Christmas lights switch-on brought festive cheer as local MP Marie Goldman reflects on a busy week covering healthcare, SEND support, and community safety.
Animal rights charity PETA demands ITV's I'm A Celebrity be taken off air, citing severe stress and trauma to creatures used in Bushtucker Trials. Read the full story and ITV's response.
Discover the rules around live insects and animals in I'm a Celebrity's Bushtucker Trials for 2025. Find out what happens to the creatures after filming ends.
Natalie Robinson, 37, conquered Everest Base Camp after beating breast cancer, raising over £10,000 for Basildon Hospital's breast unit as a heartfelt thank you.
A new online PIP test helps claimants check if they meet the proposed DWP points threshold. Labour's Stephen Timms leads a review ahead of potential 2026 changes.
New Universal Credit claimants with health conditions will receive nearly 50% less support from April 2026. Discover how these controversial changes affect disability benefits.
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 new report finds DWP sanctions leave claimants worse off than criminal fines, with 86% of appeals overturned. Calls grow for fundamental welfare reform.