£2.1m in bus lane fines issued by seven councils
Motorists in parts of England have been hit with £2.1 million in bus lane fines. Newcastle, Gateshead, and Sunderland issued the most penalties. Discover the reasons and your rights.
Motorists in parts of England have been hit with £2.1 million in bus lane fines. Newcastle, Gateshead, and Sunderland issued the most penalties. Discover the reasons and your rights.
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.
From a £1bn battery plant to a £50m engineering buyout, discover the 10 biggest investments and acquisitions that shaped the North East economy in 2025. Explore the details here.
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.
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.
Discover the standout North East businesses of 2025, from tech triumphs to green energy leaders, driving regional economic growth. Read the full list now.
County Durham wellness brand Glow is creating 50 new jobs with five new stores planned for 2026, starting with a Newcastle city centre opening. Discover the multimillion-pound investment plans.
Katie-Jo Bartlett, 19, from Newcastle, saw colours on her exam paper and had an unsteady gait. Initially dismissed as exam stress, she was later diagnosed with a brain tumour. Read her 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.
The Sunshine Fund reflects on a busy 2025 of fundraising events, from a skydive to a coastal trek, supporting disabled children across the North East. Discover their year and how to get involved for 2026.
A 12-year-old boy feared he would be killed when Michael Jarvie pointed a paintball gun at his head in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Read the full court details and sentence.
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.
Reform Studio on Newcastle's Quayside is the first business backed by the new £35m North East Elevate Fund. The wellness centre will offer reformer pilates, yoga, and sound healing, creating jobs and boosting the local economy.
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.
Newcastle-based digital consultancy hedgehog lab acquires Scottish innovation firm Label Sessions, creating a unique proposition combining AI delivery with a network of 500+ experts. Read the full story.
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.
A pupil has tragically died after a major emergency response at St Wilfrid's RC College in Newcastle. The school is closed as the community mourns.
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.
Digital challenger bank Atom officially opens its multimillion-pound headquarters in Newcastle's historic Pattern Shop, marking a major investment in the North East's fintech sector. Read more.
Rosie Slater, 32, admitted conning fans with fake Oasis concert tickets. She will be sentenced in April 2026. Police urge the public to buy only from reputable sellers.
A rescue cat named Batman gets a new lease on life after major surgery for a rare bone condition at Charter Vets in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Discover his incredible journey from a scrap car to recovery.