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Friday, July 24, 2026 m42 tamworth motorbike crash warwickshire police emergency roadclosure rushhour traffic

A serious motorbike accident has forced the closure of the M42 motorway near Tamworth just before the evening rush hour. Emergency services, including Warwickshire Police, are currently at the scene managing the situation and …

Friday, July 24, 2026 andyburnham pension triplelock statepension labour inflation nationainsurance pensionincrease retirement ukpolitics

Andy Burnham, now Prime Minister and Labour MP for Makerfield, has vowed to ensure state pensioners receive at least £12,860 by preserving the Triple Lock policy for the remainder of the parliamentary term. The Triple Lock … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 solar renewable uk energy homeowners legislation retailers savings environment installation

Starting August 27, UK households will be legally permitted to install plug-in balcony solar panels, marking a significant step towards accessible renewable energy. This change, introduced shortly before Andy Burnham became … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 fuel duty inflation costofliving andyburnham kemibadenoch taxation conservative labour ukeconomy

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, has called on Northern Powerhouse Minister Andy Burnham to cancel the planned 5p fuel duty increase. Badenoch argues that this hike will significantly impact drivers and … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 ev electricvehicles charging tax publiccharging homecharging vat energycosts policy uk

Andy Burnham’s recent VAT cut on home energy rates has drawn criticism for overlooking the challenges faced by households without driveways. While home charging on a smart EV tariff costs approximately 7p per mile, according … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 garnacho astonvilla unaiemery chelsea manchesterunited championsleague football transfer premiership winger sport

New Aston Villa signing Alejandro Garnacho is optimistic about reigniting his early promise under the guidance of Unai Emery. The 22-year-old winger joined Villa on a season-long loan from Chelsea, with the deal set to become … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 astonvilla alejandrogarnacho transfer unaiemery chelsea manchesterunited football winger loandeal recruitment sport

Aston Villa have secured Alejandro Garnacho on an initial season-long loan, with a conditional obligation to buy, marking their third signing of the summer. The 22-year-old winger joins after a year at Chelsea, having … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 pensions seniors discounts benefits healthcare savings transport utilities broadband government

The arrival of Andy Burnham as Prime Minister has sparked renewed hope for a “cost of living government,” with substantial benefits unveiled for state pensioners that collectively amount to thousands of pounds in savings. Mr … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 motability pip dla disability benefits rural mileage allowance isolation andyburnham

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claimants enrolled in the Motability Scheme are receiving letters from Motability Operations regarding changes to the scheme under the Labour … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 johnhealey chancellor taxallowance statepension pensioners incometax fiscaldrag triplelock ukfinance labourparty

John Healey, who recently took over as Chancellor from Rachel Reeves, has confirmed that state pensioners will not face income tax despite projected increases in their pension payments. This move aims to protect retirees from … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 fraud birmingham conviction bankcard overdose spending crime deception legal investigation

Garfield Wilson, a Birmingham resident, has been convicted on five counts of fraud by false representation. The charges stem from his use of a deceased man’s bank card to fund a spending spree. The victim had died of a drug …

Friday, July 24, 2026 birmingham housing socialhousing exemptaccommodation andyburnham citycouncil affordablehousing housingcrisis regulation localgovernment

Roger Harmer and Julien Pritchard, the newly appointed leader and deputy leader of Birmingham City Council, have highlighted two critical measures they believe are essential to tackling the city’s ongoing housing … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 heatwave uk weather ecmwf gfs metoffice temperatures drought rainfall highpressure

The UK is bracing for a severe heatwave next week, with forecasts indicating temperatures could reach as high as 37C. Weather models from both the European ECMWF and the US GFS show a widespread heatwave affecting much of … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 pensioners tax statetpension incometax labour andyburnham triplelock chancellor publicfinance policy

Under the new Labour government led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, state pensioners whose only income comes from the state pension will be exempt from paying income tax. In collaboration with Chancellor John Healey, this … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 sicknotes gp healthcare employment nhs labour pilots reform patientcare worksupport

Starting this July, a significant overhaul of sick note procedures will be introduced in England under the new leadership of Andy Burnham and the Labour government. This reform, announced by the Department for Work and … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 birmingham food drink sweets bakery ambala bars martineauplace cocktails redevelopment

Hello Food Club friends, Kirsty Bosley here with your weekly scoop on Birmingham’s food and drink buzz. How are you all doing? This week, I embarked on a sweet adventure in Small Heath, hunting down the city’s best Asian … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 suttoncoldfield greenbelt birmingham localplan housing conservation environment development community planning

Birmingham City Council has announced the removal of Sutton Coldfield Green Belt land from its proposed housing and industrial development plans, responding directly to widespread community opposition. Last December, the … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 tamworth motorbike injury childsafety accident cycling recklessdriving recovery fundraising parentalterror

A Tamworth mother has shared a heart-wrenching message after her six-year-old daughter, Sienna, was seriously injured when a motorbike collided with her as she played on her bike. The incident occurred on Monday, July 13, in … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 strangulation domesticviolence assault sentencing restrainingorder suspendedsentence alcohol rehabilitation anxiety court

Mitchell Berrisford, a 27-year-old man from Knypersley, has been handed a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to intentionally strangling and battering his girlfriend. The court heard how … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 smethwick hmo knifethreat paranoia alcoholabuse suspendedsentence wolverhampton court domesticconflict rehabilitation

A Smethwick tenant who threatened his housemate with two kitchen knives has narrowly avoided immediate imprisonment after a court heard he was struggling with paranoia and self-medicating with alcohol. Maciej Pelczar, 48, … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 wolverhampton police taser knife assault crime arrest hmo weapon law

Shamal Baiz, aged 34, was Tasered twice by police after he charged at officers wielding a knife outside a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) in Wolverhampton. The incident occurred when officers responded to reports of a … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 birmingham refugees asylumseekers cityofsanctuary diversity politics community compassion housing multiculturalism

Refugees and asylum seekers in Birmingham have voiced deep concerns about the city’s future in light of what they see as shifting attitudes and increasingly divisive politics. The unease comes after Birmingham Reform … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 assault football banning discrimination stewards court birmingham violence sentencing racism sport

Ismail Musa, a 33-year-old man from Telford, has been sentenced after assaulting and spitting on stewards during a Birmingham City Women’s football match. The incident occurred on April 6 at St Andrew’s stadium during the … Read More

Friday, July 24, 2026 fraud driving test impersonation dvsa language birmingham court penalties licence

A Birmingham father-of-three, Charanjit Singh, was convicted for fraudulent driving test attempts after having a friend take his theory tests on his behalf. Singh, a labourer from Mary Road, Handsworth, struggled with limited … Read More