Local News
King Charles' Christmas Day 2025 speech script in full
King Charles III has addressed the nation this Christmas Day
Local messages
King Charles urges nation never to lose sight of wartime courage and sacrifice
King Charles has used his Christmas address to urge the nation to "never lose sight" of the values of courage and sacrifice shown during the Second World War and the importance of community spirit
I run a pub - I face losing £62,000 thanks to rule change from next year
Phil Thorley, proprietor of Thorley Taverns, said 17 out of 18 of his venues will experience higher business rates when the new measures begin.
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I haven't had central heating on for 30 years – my house stays warm for £150
Sarah Smith, a 56-year-old from Bournemouth, hasn’t had a boiler or central heating on for 30 years.
I'm on £32,000 benefits from DWP - I'm sick of people being morally outraged
Unemployed mum-of-three Chelsea Lealand, 28, who has been claiming Universal Credit for almost three years
Valuation Office issues major update over how new council tax bands will work
Labour Party government has announced that a High Value Council Tax Surcharge will be placed on properties worth over £2 million from April 2028.
The homes worth over £2 million set to be spared 'mansion tax' from Labour
Owners of tens of thousands of properties in England valued at more than £2m are set to be hit with a surcharge of at least £2,500 from 2028.
Man stabbed to death on Christmas Day as murder probe launched
The two men were arrested as part of 'rapidly-moving' enquiries
Warning for OVO Energy customers over supplier's 'fall from grace'
The supplier is warning in its latest account of doubts over its financial future, it has been warned.
Millions of full-time workers to be handed extra £975 in bank accounts
The hourly rate for over-21s will rise by 50p to £12.71, with workers aged 18-20 seeing an 85p rise to £10.85
NatWest issues major announcement for customers who are social renters
The bank has announced the expansion of its ringfenced social rent loan fund
People to get £2,770 a month in Universal Credit after DWP rule change
Lisa White, 31, and her partner David White, 35, from Monmouth, south Wales have estimated they will receive up to £2,770 a month
DWP set to hand state pensioners who are in couples £865 bonus in 2026
Pension credit can be claimed as an individual or a couple, the DWP says.
Warning for UK households over 'spray and pay' scam sweeping England
Criminals send thousands of texts about an undelivered bargain buy and ask for a redelivery fee in a bid to mine your data and bank details.
Man, 30, stabbed to death on Christmas Day as two men arrested
West Midlands Police were called to Burcot Avenue just after 3.30am in Wolverhampton
ISA rule change means two million people could pay more
An ISA change from the Labour Party government will mean millions more face paying a levy on interest garnered by their savings.
10 missing people West Midlands Police is asking for help to find this Christmas, including one missing since the 1960s
A renewed appeal has been launched by West Midlands Police to ask for help from the public with finding 10 local people who have been missing for years.
DWP allows me to receive £1,590 a month - don't blame me, blame the system
Emily Cutter, 37, lives in a four-bedroom council house in Taunton, Somerset, with her three children aged seven to 18.
State pensioners born after 1951 set to get £2,964 extra from DWP
The state pension – paid to nearly 13 million people – will go up by 4.8 per cent.
Snow is no show on Christmas but Met Office warns of cold winds on horizon
Weather experts predict some impact on health especially for "vulnerable" people