Reform UK Pledges to Prosecute Civil Servants
Reform UK announces plans to create a new criminal offence for civil servants who 'dishonestly' grant asylum to sex offenders, with potential jail time. Read the full story.
Category : Search result: local government reform
Staffordshire Council to save £2.67m in efficiency review
Staffordshire County Council's Reform UK-led efficiency review identifies £2.67 million in savings, impacting mobile libraries, voluntary sector contracts, and concessionary fares. Details of the financial strategy to be published in January.
Solihull 2025 Planning Appeals: Wins and Losses
A look back at the key planning appeals in Solihull for 2025, where residents challenged council refusals. Discover which decisions were overturned by the government inspector.
Means-Tested State Pension Call for UK from Australian
An Australian with a means-tested pension urges the DWP to adopt the model. Times specialist says the unpopular idea persists because it addresses fiscal pressures.
New Council Tax surcharge rules for £2m+ homes explained
The Valuation Office clarifies how the new High Value Council Tax Surcharge will work for properties over £2 million from 2028. Learn about the targeted valuations and how it aims to create a fairer system.
Labour's Mansion Tax Spares £2m+ Social Housing
Labour's new property surcharge will hit owners of high-value homes from 2028, but exempts over 110 social housing properties worth over £2 million. Get the full details.
Warwickshire Council Leader Defies Vote on School Transport
Warwickshire's Reform UK leader vows to ignore council vote demanding he withdraw a letter to government seeking powers to cut school transport costs. Opposition unites against the move.
Birmingham landlord's Christmas plea to save local pubs
A Birmingham landlord urges locals to support their pub this Christmas as closures hit 'unprecedented rate' and business rates threaten a 15% hike. Protect your local.
First North East Elevate Fund Deal Backs Newcastle Wellness Studio
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.
Leasehold reform delay hits 5.2 million UK households
Vital leasehold reforms, including a rent cap, are delayed until 2026, leaving millions in limbo. Discover what this means for homeowners and the political fallout.
16,000 new ADHD PIP claims spark DWP reform calls
The DWP faces pressure to reform the welfare system after a sharp rise in ADHD-related PIP claims. Experts warn of unsustainable spending impacting other public services.
Council 'Paralysed' After Mass Resignations
Shirebrook Town Council left unable to function after 11 councillors quit. Bolsover District Council appoints temporary members to restore operations. Read the full story.
DWP ramps up face-to-face PIP and Universal Credit assessments
The DWP will increase in-person assessments for PIP and Work Capability claims, aiming to reform welfare, clear backlogs, and save £1.9bn. Find out what this means for claimants.
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.
Mum who claimed £60k benefits slams Labour policy change
Cheryl Drew, once claiming £60k a year in benefits, criticises Labour's decision to abolish the two-child benefit cap, saying it removes motivation for parents.
Council adds security after protest over racist posts
Staffordshire County Council deployed extra guards after a Reform UK-led meeting was disrupted by protesters demanding resignations over alleged racist social media posts. Read the latest.
16,000 ADHD PIP Claim Rise Sparks DWP Reform Calls
DWP data reveals a 16,000 surge in ADHD PIP claims. Experts urge benefit system reform to control spiralling welfare costs. Read the full analysis.
Benefits mum who got £60k a year slams Labour rule change
Cheryl Drew, once labelled the 'benefits queen' for claiming £60k a year for 15 kids, now criticises Labour's plan to scrap the two-child benefit cap. She says handouts don't always help. Read her story.
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.
DWP may be forced to raise state pension age to 80
The state pension age could be hiked to 80 by the 2070s to keep the system sustainable, new analysis reveals. Discover the pressures and potential reforms facing UK pensions.
4 Million on Benefits Without Work Search Requirement
Official data shows four million people receive jobless benefits without needing to look for work, a rise of one million in a year. Political reaction and DWP response inside.
Council to refund second home tax after legal error
Warwick District Council must repay double council tax charged on second homes after admitting it 'acted outside the law'. A procedural mistake forces a costly U-turn.
Six-month waits for council answers in Dudley
A Dudley councillor reveals residents wait up to six months for help with potholes and home repairs due to staffing issues, not technology. Read the full investigation.
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.
Pension age could rise to 80 in major DWP change
Experts warn UK state pension age may need to rise to 80 by the 2070s, with workers facing longer careers or higher NI. Discover the analysis behind the stark forecast.
Petition for £20k Tax Allowance Hits 30k Signatures
A public petition urging the government to raise the personal tax allowance to £20,000 has passed 30,000 signatures, piling pressure on Labour. Find out what happens next.
Reform UK Council Leader Probed Over Racist Posts
Staffordshire County Council leader Ian Cooper is under urgent investigation by Reform UK after allegations of racist and bigoted social media comments. Anti-racism group Hope Not Hate published the claims.
Petition Urges DWP to Drop State Pension Age to 60
A parliamentary petition calls for the state pension age to be lowered to 60, as experts warn raising it to 71 would condemn millions to poverty. Read the full story.
DWP benefits shake-up branded 'unfair' and divisive
A think tank warns the Autumn Budget's welfare changes create a huge disparity, where non-working families could receive more than those in work. Read the full analysis.
Dudley's £8k Parish Council Plan Soundly Rejected
A row erupts in Dudley as a £8,000 consultation for a new Cradley parish council is overwhelmingly rejected by residents. Calls for apologies over 'waste' of taxpayer cash. Full story.
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