Controversial activists Akhmed Yakoob and Shakeel Afsar are supporting independent candidates including convicted terrorist Shahid Butt in Birmingham council elections, vowing to oust Labour from power.
The House of Lords has voted to push for an Australian-style social media ban for under-16s, rejecting government consultation plans and demanding immediate action to protect children from online harms.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduces updated Vehicle Excise Duty rates from April 1, with increases up to £40 for high-pollution vehicles, alongside fuel duty and price transparency measures.
West Midlands residents face annual council tax increases above inflation, while local authority chief executives command salaries exceeding the Prime Minister's pay, sparking public discontent.
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Council leaders in Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, and Gloucestershire are discussing the creation of a new strategic authority to form a growth corridor between Birmingham and Bristol, as part of major local government reforms.
A major political dispute has erupted at Birmingham City Council after Conservative opposition claimed the council is now 'without a legitimate leader' following a no-confidence vote against Labour leader John Cotton.
The Department for Work and Pensions confirms an additional state pension increase of £231 annually for those who retired before April 2016, as Triple Lock mechanisms take effect this spring.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces new anti-profiteering regulations and nuclear energy push to protect households from rising costs triggered by Middle East conflict, with food and energy bills set to increase significantly.
Birmingham City Council leader John Cotton lost a symbolic confidence vote as opposition councillors expressed fury over bankruptcy and bins strike issues ahead of local elections.
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Thousands of women could receive up to £8,000 each in state pension refunds after a historic error. HMRC urges affected individuals to use a self-identification tool to claim compensation.
Older people born before 1959 are receiving unusual letters from HMRC as frozen tax thresholds drag more retirees into paying income tax, with experts warning of administrative chaos.
Birmingham City Council leader John Cotton lost a symbolic vote of no confidence as opposition groups united ahead of May's local elections, highlighting Labour's diminished majority.
Birmingham Council leader John Cotton has addressed why it took months to propose new talks with Unite union over the ongoing bins strike, citing equal pay constraints and service modernization needs.
Two Sandwell councillors, Daniel Millard and Claire Mayo, will not face trial until July 2029 for alleged assault and affray charges from an incident in Cradley Heath last July, with delays blamed on court backlogs.
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Public records show Birmingham's ten MPs collectively spent more than £2 million last year on staffing and constituency office operations, with significant variations between individual representatives.
Councillors across Birmingham paid formal tribute to Lozells representative Waseem Zaffar, who died suddenly earlier this year. Colleagues remembered his dedication to community, environmental advocacy, and family.
The Department for Work and Pensions is seriously evaluating proposals to allow people born after 1961 early access to the state pension, potentially altering retirement planning for millions.
The Department for Work and Pensions could introduce stricter qualification criteria for the state pension, potentially increasing required National Insurance contribution years as welfare costs rise.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce targeted support for energy bills, excluding middle-income households, as wholesale gas prices surge due to Middle East conflict, potentially raising Ofgem's cap to £2,200.
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The DWP is abolishing Income Support and Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance from April 1, 2026, affecting prescription charge exemptions from April 15. Claimants must transition to Universal Credit.
The annual cost of a standard colour TV licence will rise to £180, while black-and-white licences increase to £60.50. Discounts for blind individuals remain, and payment plans are available.
The Department for Work and Pensions is contacting state pensioners aged 66 and over with updated payment details ahead of an April uplift. New rates will see weekly pensions increase under the triple-lock system.
HM Revenue and Customs has announced that some Child Benefit claimants will receive their £104 payments earlier in April due to Easter bank holidays, with a 3.8% rate increase also coming.
UK parents could claim extra money under lesser-known HMRC rules if their children stay in education. Failure to update details by deadlines risks losing payments.
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Dudley Council's hyper-local reorganization plan has been approved by scrutiny committee members, aiming to distribute resources across five townships and restore local heritage identities.
WASPI campaigners have instructed lawyers to threaten judicial review against the government over £2,950 compensation denial, citing legal errors and irrational decisions.
Birmingham Live faces backlash for repackaging old meningitis story as breaking news. Unite union fined £265k in bin wars, and jacket potatoes gain global fame with Tamworth's Spudman featured in NYT.
UK households will receive surprise £174 Child Benefit payments on April 2, five days early due to the Easter bank holiday. HMRC confirms the schedule change and provides guidance on payment dates and rates.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer convenes an urgent Cobra meeting to address the economic fallout from the Iran conflict, focusing on cost of living, energy security, and supply chain resilience.
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The Department for Work and Pensions is closing its Household Support Fund on March 31, with a new Crisis and Resilience Fund set to begin on April 1. Eligible households can still apply for up to £300 in support before the deadline.
