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Thursday, July 23, 2026 winterfuelpayment pensions dwp andyburnham laborgovernment benefitpayments ukpolitics pensioners socialsecurity fuelcosts

This autumn, Winter Fuel Payments of up to £300 will be reinstated under the new Labour Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. However, the amount each pensioner receives will vary significantly depending on their age and living … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 vat electricity energy pricecap burnham households inflation energybills martinlewis labour

Labour Party Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s recent announcement of a £45 VAT reduction on electricity bills is set to be effectively nullified by a significant rise in the Energy Price Cap later this year. The VAT cut, … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 woodburners emissions airquality regulations fines environmentalpolicy solidfuel fireplaces enforcement health

With Andy Burnham now Prime Minister, the Labour government is revisiting its solid fuel burning regulations as part of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP). The proposals aim to introduce stricter emission limits for … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 pensions reform savings investment transparency government retirement regulation governance value

The government, led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, is set to introduce the most significant pension reforms seen in a generation, promising a potential £5,000 boost for savers over five years. Building on plans initially … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 businessrates pubs clubs livemusic highstreets communities england government support savings

Andy Burnham, the new Labour Party Prime Minister, has unveiled a significant new policy to support pubs, clubs, and live music venues across England. Starting April next year, these establishments will benefit from a 20% … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 businessrates pubs economy andyburnham taxrelief localbusiness costofliving government venues taxpolicy

Andy Burnham’s government has unveiled a significant boost for pubs, clubs, and music venues by introducing an additional 20% cut in business rates. This move, set to take effect in April next year, is expected to save an … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 andyburnham dwp benefits welfare youthemployment education unemployment costofliving labour ukgovernment

Andy Burnham, the newly appointed Labour Party Prime Minister, is set to announce significant cuts to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits next week. Central to his plans is a focus on improving further education … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 nationalinsurance youthunemployment andyburnham labourparty employertax nics rachelreeves johnhealey economicgrowth employmentpolicy

Andy Burnham, the newly appointed Labour Party Prime Minister, is under pressure to address the escalating youth unemployment crisis by slashing job taxes for workers under 25. The Work and Pensions Committee has recommended … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 andyburnham electricity vat energybills inflation kettles costsaving netzero energyprices ukpolitics

Andy Burnham, the new Labour Prime Minister, has launched his time in office with a flurry of policies, including a controversial VAT cut on domestic electricity bills. However, BBC Money Box’s personal finance expert Paul … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 healey chancellor incometax labour taxpolicy defence publicspending benefits budget economy

John Healey, the newly appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, has a well-established record of supporting a 50 per cent top rate of income tax. As Labour’s leading figure at Number 11 Downing Street, Healey has consistently … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 burnham tax allowance budget labour incometax policy politics pm treasury

Andy Burnham has indicated that the £12,570 income tax personal allowance, which has been frozen since 2022, could be increased in the upcoming Budget. While the new Prime Minister stopped short of making a firm commitment, … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 handsworth cemetery dejentesfay death mentalhealth supportworker investigation tragedy community wellbeing

Dejen Tesfay, 29, was found dead in Handsworth Cemetery on the morning of Sunday, May 3. This heartbreaking discovery came just a week after Tesfay was last seen by his support worker, who noted that he was ‘coping … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 dwp universalcredit overpayment benefits repayment financialstress systemerror claimants debt welfare

Frederick Day, a benefits claimant from Ipswich, was overpaid £2,169 in Universal Credit due to a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) system error between February 2025 and January. Despite repeatedly notifying the DWP of … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 lidl vouchers competition food summer children cooking onside healthy savings

Lidl shoppers have just one week left to enter an exciting prize draw offering 1,000 chances to win a £25 voucher. The competition closes at midnight on Tuesday, July 28, so customers are encouraged to act quickly to secure … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 coldcase midlands unidentified investigation staffordshire friaryschool lichfield locateinternational mystery 1987

A significant new lead has emerged in the enduring mystery surrounding a man found dead nearly 40 years ago in a Midlands woodland. On Sunday, April 5, 1987, two men shooting in Coronation Wood, Swinfen, near Lichfield, … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 birmingham antisocial behaviour crime longbridge aston smallheath community safety police

Recent analysis of West Midlands Police data reveals the Birmingham streets where residents face the highest levels of antisocial behaviour (ASB). These areas are the hotspots for incidents involving nuisance youths, … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 gavinparry burgerbarboys birmingham gangviolence crime industrialestate murder trials violence lawenforcement

Gavin Parry, aged 31, was an alleged member of the notorious Burger Bar Boys gang, a group known within Birmingham for their involvement in violent crime. Described by acquaintances and rivals alike as feared and … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 lego theft burglary retail sainsburys tesco bm birmingham solihull crime

Rachel Garbett orchestrated a series of thefts, stealing £5,000 worth of high-value Lego sets from three major retailers: Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and B&M. The incidents took place in the Birmingham and Solihull areas, where …

Thursday, July 23, 2026 uber assault racism drugs mcdonalds rowleyregis smethwick sentencing abuse court

Omari Thomas, a 19-year-old from Rowley Regis, has been jailed following a violent and racially charged altercation with his Uber driver during a chaotic journey to McDonald’s. The incident unfolded as drug use reportedly … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 walsall reform netzero climateemergency council environmentalpolicy taxpayers localgovernment climatechange sustainability

The newly formed Reform leadership in Walsall is set to overturn the council’s net-zero carbon emission targets at the next public meeting scheduled for Monday, July 27. Councillor Elaine Williams and Councillor Nicky … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 birmingham community council assetsales financialrecovery property development suttoncoldfield localservices demolition

Birmingham City Council continues its extensive asset disposal programme, with the former Falcon Lodge Community Centre in Sutton Coldfield set to be sold and redeveloped. This move comes as the council strives to address its … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 birmingham unemployment youth erdington joblessness poverty employment labour government education

An area within Birmingham has been identified as England’s youth unemployment capital, with more young adults out of work here than anywhere else in the country. The Erdington parliamentary constituency, which includes … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 birmingham crime sexualassault rape robbery transgender sexwork trial zombieknives falseimprisonment

Two teenagers from Birmingham have been charged with the robbery and rape of two escorts after forcibly entering a city centre flat armed with zombie knives, a court heard. Mohammed Iqbal and Zakariya Hussain, both 17 at the … Read More

Thursday, July 23, 2026 dudley e-scooters injury illegal council asb tenancy safety pspo enforcement

Dudley Council is preparing to implement a ban on e-scooters in town centres to address the growing problem of reckless and illegal riders causing serious injuries. This decision follows a unanimous agreement at the council … Read More