Lloyds Bank to lend £35bn to UK firms in 2026
Lloyds Banking Group commits over £35 billion in new finance for 2026 to support UK companies and SMEs, aiming to fuel economic growth and community prosperity. Discover the details.
Category : Search result: SME funding
West Midlands Police faces £40m funding cut
West Midlands Police could lose £41.1m in funding, risking further cuts to officers. Crime Commissioner Simon Foster warns of a 'postcode lottery' and fewer police on streets.
Dudley Council's £75.9m funding sparks political debate
Dudley Council is set for a £75.9m three-year finance settlement from the Labour government. While Labour MPs hail a 'turning point', the borough's Conservative leader urges caution, saying 'the devil is in the detail'. Read the full story.
Birmingham IT firm EBS grows with nine new hires
Birmingham's Electronic Business Systems (EBS) celebrates growth with nine new appointments and is recruiting for three more roles, supporting West Midlands SMEs. Discover their expansion plans.
Free TV Licence Plan for Benefit Claimants Under Review
Labour's Culture Secretary is reviewing BBC funding, with free TV licences for those on benefits among options. Could a £174.50 fee change ease the burden on poorer households?
Birmingham Council gets major funding boost after bankruptcy
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.
Record year for NEL Fund Managers with 34 investments
Gateshead's NEL Fund Managers celebrates a record 2025, backing 34 regional SMEs from EV charging to IT. Discover how NPIF II funding is driving growth and jobs across the North East.
Wem Rotary Club gets £3,000 Persimmon Homes grant
Persimmon Homes West Midlands has donated £3,000 to Wem and District Rotary Club via its Community Champions scheme. The funds will support local people through events, youth activities, and tackling isolation.
£1,000 grant for Chippenham youth rugby from Persimmon
Chippenham RFC's Under-11s receive a £1,000 grant from Persimmon Homes Wessex for new match-day kits. Discover how this local developer supports community youth sports.
BBC Licence Fee Faces Major Reform in Government Review
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy launches a decade review of the BBC's funding, considering adverts and subscription tiers. Have your say in the public consultation.
Planned Solihull Special School Scrapped After Funding Shift
A planned 150-place special school in Shirley, Solihull, has been cancelled after the government redirected £3bn to create specialist places in mainstream schools. Council leader expresses disappointment.
Grimsargh School Wins £25k for Playground Revamp
Grimsargh St Michael’s C of E Primary School receives a £25,000 parish council grant to kickstart a £100,000 playground transformation, aiming for a more inclusive, nature-rich space for local children.
TV Licence to exceed £180 for first time in 2026
Millions of UK households face a new TV Licence hike in 2026, pushing the annual cost above £180. The rise, linked to inflation, could see more people cancelling. Read the full details.
15% Drop in Staffordshire Pothole Repairs Under Reform
Staffordshire County Council filled 15.1% fewer potholes this year. Opposition blames Reform UK's roadworks ban, while the council promises long-term improvements.
New Child Poverty Strategy Lifts Two-Child Benefit Cap
The UK Government has launched its most significant child poverty plan in years, aiming to lift 550,000 children out of poverty by 2030. Key measures include lifting the two-child benefit cap and tackling temporary accommodation. Read the full details.
£264m for faster, cheaper buses in West Midlands
A massive £264.1 million government funding injection aims to revolutionise bus services in the West Midlands, promising faster, cheaper, and more reliable travel. Read the full details.
New Average Speed Cameras Installed on Birmingham's A45
Birmingham installs its first new average speed cameras on the A45 Coventry Road to enforce a 30mph limit, funded by Clean Air Zone surplus. The council's goal is safety, not fines.
£246m for West of England bus service improvements
The government has announced a £246m funding package for bus services across the West of England. Local authorities will decide how to spend the money on new vehicles, infrastructure, and keeping fares low.
£264m funding for faster, cheaper West Midlands buses
A £264.1 million government funding package will transform bus services in Birmingham and the West Midlands, aiming for lower fares and more reliable journeys. Discover how this investment will impact your commute.
Heath Bookshop Literature & Music Festival Back for 2026
The biannual Heath Bookshop Literature and Music Festival returns to Kings Heath, Birmingham, 15-19 April 2026. Featuring Max Porter, Mike Joyce, and new commissions. Book tickets now!
Big Banks Cost SMEs Thousands in Lost Interest
UK SMEs are missing out on thousands yearly as big banks pay minimal interest. Switching to a challenger like Allica Bank could earn up to 4.08% AER and cashback.
Mercedes-Benz £20m UK investment creates 150 jobs
Mercedes-Benz announces a major £20 million investment in the UK, creating 150 high-skilled jobs. The government is contributing £10 million to boost the nation's electric vehicle transition. Read the full details.
DfE responds to 'VIP lane' claims over Walsall school
The Department for Education has broken its silence on a controversial £50m free school in Walsall, defending its process after criticism from MP Valerie Vaz. Read the full story.
Hospice funding crisis leaves 380 beds empty
Hospice UK warns of unsustainable funding as bed closures rise. The government's new palliative care framework offers hope, but immediate financial support is missing from the budget.
Gloucester Council Seeks £17.5m Government Bailout
Gloucester City Council faces a 'financial black hole' and is applying for up to £17.5m in emergency government loans to avoid effective bankruptcy, with severe cuts to services planned.
Help to Grow Programme Returns for South Wales SMEs
Swansea University invites South Wales SME leaders to join the government-funded Help to Grow management programme in Jan 2026. Boost your business strategy and growth. Apply now.
New £70 Cost of Living Vouchers Land Tomorrow
New £70 supermarket vouchers from the Household Support Fund will be automatically issued to eligible households in Wakefield from December 3rd. Find out if you qualify.
Birmingham Museums in £2m Funding Crisis Appeal
Birmingham Museums Trust launches urgent £2m public appeal. Half its costs are unfunded, putting the city's world-class cultural heritage at a 'critical crossroads'. Your help is needed.
Dudley's £56m SEND funding crisis explained
Dudley Council faces a £56m SEND funding black hole despite a national budget change. Discover the local crisis and what the future holds for special needs provision.
Dudley's £56m SEND deficit 'bomb' unresolved
Dudley Council awaits answers on a £56m SEND funding deficit despite a new national policy. The financial 'bomb' could still push the authority towards effective bankruptcy. Read the latest.
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