Local News

Birmingham Live - News

King Charles' Christmas Day 2025 speech script in full

King Charles III has addressed the nation this Christmas Day

Local messages

Birmingham Live - News

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

Birmingham Live - News

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.

Get Weekly Updates

Get the headlines in your inbox every week.

Birmingham Live - News

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.

Birmingham Live - News

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

Birmingham Live - News

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.

Birmingham Live - News

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.

Birmingham Live - News

Man stabbed to death on Christmas Day as murder probe launched

The two men were arrested as part of 'rapidly-moving' enquiries

Birmingham Live - News

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.

Birmingham Live - News

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

Birmingham Live - News

NatWest issues major announcement for customers who are social renters

The bank has announced the expansion of its ringfenced social rent loan fund

Birmingham Live - News

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

Birmingham Live - News

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.

Birmingham Live - News

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.

Birmingham Live - News

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

Birmingham Live - News

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.

Express & Star

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.

Birmingham Live - News

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.

Birmingham Live - News

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.

Birmingham Live - News

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