£200 Cost of Living Payments for Seven DWP Benefits
The Department for Work and Pensions is distributing £200 payments to eligible residents in England through local councils to help with rising living costs.
Category : Politics
Simister Bowlee 'New Town' Plan Set for Approval
A masterplan for 1,550 homes and new transport links near the M60 motorway junction is set for approval, forming part of the wider Atom Valley employment and innovation scheme.
Lord Mandelson Resigns Labour Membership Over Epstein
Former Labour MP Lord Peter Mandelson resigns party membership following revelations about financial payments from Jeffrey Epstein, stating he wishes to avoid causing 'further embarrassment'.
Trump Warns Iran as 'Big Powerful Ships' Head to Middle East
Donald Trump issues fresh warnings to Iran, stating 'big powerful ships' are en-route following earlier 'Armada' claims, as Supreme Leader Khamenei threatens regional war.
Cancel BBC TV Licence Before £180 Hike
UK households can cancel their TV licence ahead of an expected increase to over £180 in April. Learn the valid reasons for cancellation and the latest on the BBC funding debate.
Freeview TV Review Could End Free TV for Pensioners
A government review considering scrapping Freeview TV by 2034 could force millions of pensioners to pay for broadband or lose television access, sparking a petition with 95,000 signatures.
Councils Hand Out £300 Household Support Fund
Local authorities across England are distributing payments of up to £300 to eligible households through the government's Household Support Fund scheme, with a deadline of March 31, 2026.
Solihull Children's Home Plan Withdrawn (01.02.2026)
A second application to convert a six-bedroom house in Winterbourne Road into a children's care home has been withdrawn by the applicant following initial refusal.
Coventry Shop Fronts Pose Child Safety Risk
Coventry councillors warn that shop windows covered in stickers and signs create safeguarding risks for children by blocking visibility into stores.
DWP Urges Pensioners to Claim £8,400 Back Payments
The Department for Work and Pensions is urging state pensioners to check eligibility for thousands in back payments due to historical errors, with very few claims made despite available funds.
Dudley HMO Refused, Listed Building Gets Green Light
Dudley Council has refused a lawful development certificate for a six-bedroom HMO in Selborne Road due to insufficient evidence, while approving Victorian-style restoration works for a listed building in Stone Street.
Dudley Councillors Barred From Budget Questions
Dudley councillors express frustration after being told they could not ask questions during crucial budget scrutiny meetings, calling for clearer procedures.
Dudley Councillors Canvass for 2026 Local Elections
Dudley councillors are canvassing for May 2026 local elections where voters will decide representatives across 24 wards, with key seats contested.
Winter Fuel Payments Confirmed for 2026: Eligibility Details
The Department for Work and Pensions confirms the Winter Fuel Payment system will continue in 2026, with eligibility based on income and a recovery process for ineligible recipients.
Princess Charlotte's Royal 'Spare' Dilemma Echoes Prince Harry
Royal experts warn Princess Charlotte may confront the same 'very difficult' constitutional position as Prince Harry, facing the historical 'spare' issue when Prince George becomes King.
Birmingham Mourns Councillor Waseem Zaffar
Heartfelt tributes have been paid to Birmingham City Councillor Waseem Zaffar MBE, who has died aged 44. Council leader John Cotton and community figures remember his dedication to the city.
Developer Appeals to Build on Landslide Estate
Dunedin Homes challenges Sandwell Council's refusal of six new homes on a Cradley Heath estate plagued by landslides, raising resident concerns about safety and privacy.
Dudley Council Rent Rise Delayed After Legal Advice
Dudley Council tenants face a wait for rent decisions after legal advice revealed procedural errors in previous years' approval processes, causing political confusion.
Solihull Council Tax Rise Warning Over Funding Gaps
Solihull Council warns residents of potential council tax increases above 4.99% in future years to address substantial funding shortfalls, despite avoiding hikes this year.
Birmingham Mourns Councillor and Clean Air Champion Waseem Zaffar
Tributes pour in for Birmingham councillor Waseem Zaffar, who died suddenly aged 44. The Lozells representative was a passionate clean air campaigner and devoted family man.
Smethwick HMO 'Battery Farm' Appeal Could Proceed
A controversial 11-bed HMO in Smethwick, previously rejected by Sandwell Council, could still be approved through a government appeal, raising concerns about waste and vermin issues.
Dudley Councillors Apologise Over Grit Bin Removal
Senior Dudley councillors have apologised for voting to remove 500 grit bins during budget cuts, admitting the decision put public safety at risk during recent winter storms.
HMRC Reinstates Child Benefit for 17,000
HMRC has reinstated Child Benefit payments for 17,000 people after wrongly freezing them in a government crackdown targeting parents who left the UK.
Walsall £50m School Plan Called 'Money Grabbing Exercise'
A planning agent accuses Walsall Council of environmental disregard over £50m school plans at Reedswood Park, claiming a 'two-tier planning system' favours affluent areas.
Tamworth Budget: Council Tax and Rent Rises Planned
Tamworth Borough Council proposes a 2.99% council tax rise and 4.8% rent increase from April, alongside funding changes and savings measures.
MP Criticises Solihull Bridge Consultation as 'Unbalanced'
A political row erupts over Barston Bridge's future, with MP Saqib Bhatti accusing Solihull Council of a flawed consultation process as closure remains a £2m repair alternative.
Council Blocks Off-Licence Reopening After Licence Revoked Twice
Wolverhampton Council has rejected plans to reopen an off-licence that was shut down twice for selling alcohol to children and operating illegally after licence revocation.
Wolverhampton Shop's Marquee Rejection Leads to New Cafe Plans
After council and government inspectors rejected an unauthorised marquee at Amritsar Sweets in Wolverhampton, owners propose a new 20-seat cafe and takeaway development behind the Dudley Road shop.
Solihull Council's 2025 Agenda: Major Projects Ahead
Solihull Council has unveiled its ambitious 2025 agenda, focusing on major projects, community engagement, and service improvements to enhance local life.
Residents Win Planning Appeal for Home Improvements
A Balsall Common couple successfully appealed to the government planning inspectorate after Solihull Council refused retrospective permission for driveway gates and garden walls.
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