7 h. ago Northern Irish leaders use Council Summit to push Starmer on budget

British and Irish leaders have met at the fourth British-Irish Council Summit in Wales.

Politics

12 h. ago Brown bins fees could rise to £65 in South Ayrshire as council faces £15 million budget gap

Burial and cremation fees could also increase along with 24 separate price changes.

Economics

24 h. ago All the excuses they give us for why you can never find a bin in the street are just a load of garbage: MATTHEW BOWLES

Black bins, green bins, brown bins, red bins tens of millions of them. Britain has become a nation of recycling bins, writes MATTHEW BOWLES.

Politics

47 h. ago Heathrow Airport to hit drivers dropping off loved ones with an £80 fine 'if you stay for 11 minutes'

The change comes alongside an inflation-busting rise in the drop-off fee, jumping from £6 to £7, and marks the first time Britain's busiest airport has enforced a time limit on farewells.

Society

56 h. ago Hamza Igamane's rise from Rangers rebel to Lille 'superman' as his transfer fee surges

The striker left Ibrox for £10.4million last summer but his valuation has rocketed since making the move to France

Politics

56 h. ago South Ayrshire Council to use Scottish Government cash for £30k sculpture move

Officials insist their quote for the work represents good value for money.

Economics

4 d. ago Greater clarity will bring more certainty around Scottish property

Savills has reacted to the Budget announcement of a High Value Council Tax Surcharge on owners of residential property in England worth £2 million.

Politics

7 d. ago From council tax discounts to energy bills and pension hacks – eight reprieves from Reeves’ £26bn Budget battering

CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves may have hit us with £26billion of tax rises, but you can fight back by shielding your cash.  As a result of her Budget this week, average households face being £850 worse off in 2029-30 compared to this year, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation warns.  Lucy Andrews, Deputy Consumer Editor, presents her eight-step...

Economics

7 d. ago Key facts and figures as university tuition fees in Wales to rise

University tuition fees in Wales will go up by 2.71% from £9,535 to £9,790 for courses beginning on or after August 1, 2026.

Politics

7 d. ago Night out in South Ayrshire now 'a treat' as hospitality gears up for Christmas

Despite the cost-of-living pressures facing both businesses and customers, local venues continue to adapt to changing expectations.

Politics

7 d. ago SNP Government can NOW afford a council tax freeze thanks to Rachel Reeves’ budget

THE SNP Government can now afford a council tax freeze thanks to Rachel Reeves’ budget, it emerged yesterday. The Chancellor’s block grant increase could be used by John Swinney to announce tax cuts after Christmas — with around £307million freed up for next year. It means Labour’s latest hike to Scottish Government funding — now...

Politics

8 d. ago Council predicts £16m budget gap and faces ‘one of its toughest’ financial challenges

Residents face a five per cent increase in bills as Bury council attempts to balance the books

Economics

8 d. ago Complaint against taxi driver dismissed over 'baldy' description

South Ayrshire councillors dismissed the complaint about Sean Dempsey's 'aggressive driving'.

Economics

9 d. ago Budget 2025 live: Rachel Reeves sets out tax rises and council tax changes as OBR apologises for leaking details

Office for Budget Responsibility blames ‘technical error’ after forecasts were published before chancellor gave her statementAt a glance: the key points from the budgetPaul Nowak, the TUC general secretary, has rejected the concerns raised by the Resolution Foundation (see 9.54am) about the rise in the minimum wage rates. Asked about the thinktank’s comments, Nowak told Times Radio:I don’t accept those concerns ...First of all, that recommendation is based on the Low Pay Commission, which brings together employers, unions, independent experts, they’re tasked with making a recommendation on the minimum wage, which balances getting money into people’s pockets and the impact on unemployment. Continue reading...

Economics

9 d. ago Next door neighbours and almost identical houses...but one could face paying hundreds of pounds more in council tax if homes are revalued under Rachel Reeves' 'mansion levy'

Two next-door neighbours with similar properties in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire, have criticised Chancellor Rachel Reeves's proposed changes to council tax to facilitate a 'mansion tax'.

Society

9 d. ago These next door neighbours live in almost identical houses... but one faces paying hundreds of pounds more under Rachel Reeves' 'mansion tax'

Two next-door neighbours in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire, branded the proposed mansion tax 'unfair' because only one will be affected even though they live in similar-sized houses.

Society

1 week ago Estêvão outshines Lamine Yamal to show why he is Chelsea’s rare diamond | Jonathan Wilson

Brazilian teenager’s goal in win against Barcelona was a classic and the winger could end up as one of the very best Everything Lamine Yamal does oozes quality. Even when he is strolling about looking dejected, which he did quite a bit at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the nonchalant grace of a star. He caresses the ball rather than kicking it, generating remarkable power from limited back-lift. He plays on the balls of his feet, always alert, always able to go either way. He glides rather than runs, but does so at speed. He has already finished as runner-up in the Ballon d’Or. But he was not the best 18-year-old right-sided forward on the pitch on Tuesday, not even close.In Estêvão, brought in from Palmeiras for a fee that could rise to £52m, Chelsea have recruited a player who could end up as one of the very best. He has been making more and more of an impression since scoring the late winner against Liverpool last month. His last four starts for Chelsea have brought four goals,...

Politics

1 week ago London's 2026 budget: Why city council is covering health unit moving debt

London's 2026 budget: Why city council is covering health unit moving debt  London Free Press

Economics

1 week ago Why Keir Starmer's home will avoid Chancellor's 'mansion tax' set to hit thousands of Londoners

Rachel Reeves is expected to announce a surcharge – estimated at an average of £4,500 – on homes in the highest council tax bands in her Budget

Events

1 week ago What are the council tax bands in your area and could you be hit by mansion levy in Wednesday's Budget?

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is widely expected to place an additional annual levy on properties in the top three council tax bands, which could be as much as £2,000.

Economics