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UK flooding and drought resilience taskforce to meet on 14 October
A new Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce meets on Wednesday, bringing more than 50 organisations together on water risk. Sky News understands it has no new powers.

Budget landlord property tax changes: 22% rate from April 2027
Landlord tax allowance changes are limited, but new property rates of 22%, 42% and 47% from April 2027 will raise rental income tax and trim property investment returns.

Universal Credit Housing Benefit changes 2026 start for 325,000
New DWP benefit changes 2026 let working-age residents of supported housing and temporary accommodation keep more of their earnings, the government said. The benefit cap and capital limits are unchanged.

Voter ID requirements: Burnham reported to be moving to scrap photo checks
Andy Burnham is reported to be rushing through laws to end photo ID checks at polling stations. Until they pass, the current rules on voting in person still apply.

UK travel company collapse: Global Travel Partners in liquidation
Global Travel Partners has entered liquidation after 15 years, the latest travel firm to go under in 2026. Here is what customers and creditors can do, based on how earlier failures were handled.

Newcastle City Council job cuts 2026: up to 121 posts at risk
Up to 121 posts at Newcastle City Council could be affected, up from around 75 first planned, as it faces a budget gap of more than £40m over three years, according to Hits Radio.

ISA withdrawal tax clawback rules UK: where charges really apply
Taking money out of most ISAs costs nothing in tax, but Lifetime ISAs carry a 25% charge and new rules take effect from 6 April 2027. Here is the ISA withdrawal mistake HMRC rules actually penalise.

Lifetime ISA withdrawal penalties: what first-time buyers pay
A 25% charge applies to unauthorised Lifetime ISA withdrawals. Here are the early withdrawal rules, the cost in pounds, and how to avoid the charge when buying a first home.

Leeds York train line closed this weekend for bridge works
Buses replace trains between Leeds and York on 10 and 11 October 2026, the first of several rail engineering closures in Yorkshire in October, according to rustourismnews.com.

Andy Burnham State Pension triple lock plan 2026: ‘a fairer deal’
Burnham says the State Pension will keep rising and calls his plan 'a fairer deal'. Nothing changes until April 2030; the April 2027 rise is still 3.9%.

UK fashion retail sales fall back in July as promotions come early
ONS figures show clothing stores on the high street lost sales in July after a strong June. The data do not name any chain or confirm a closing-down sale.

Pavement EV charging for renters and flat dwellers: what to know
If you rent or live in a flat without a driveway, on-street charging is growing across England. Here is what it could mean for your costs and your next steps.

Scottish textile company enters administration owing more than £1.5m
Lanfine Limited, trading as The Honesty Works, ceased trading in July with 19 jobs lost. Administrators' papers show the Scottish textile firm owes more than £1.5m.

UK housing market negative equity risk 2026: what it means
Mortgage rates are rising and sales growth is cooling, but official data show households coping. What the negative equity warnings mean for UK homeowners and affordability.

CMA reviews Macquarie remedy offer for EAG gas meter merger
The competition watchdog is weighing Macquarie's offer to sell part of Energy Assets Group, a step that could clear the takeover without an in-depth Phase 2 investigation.

London room rental costs 2026: inner London hits £1,002 a month
Inner London room rents are £1 short of their record, SpareRoom says, as supply falls. We compare London postcodes, UK room rental prices by region and what it means for your budget.

Scottish Parliament launches datacentre impacts inquiry
Two Holyrood committees are gathering evidence on hyperscale datacentre expansion in Scotland and its environmental, economic and energy effects. The call for views closes on 15 November 2026.

Director liability: firm selling ‘walk away’ exits wound up
The Insolvency Service has wound up Ellan NW Ltd, which it says told directors of a failing business they could walk away with 'no comeback'.

Westmorland and Furness planning committee rules change 31 October 2026
National rules from 31 October 2026 change who decides planning applications in councils across England, including Westmorland and Furness, Wokingham and Wealden.

DWP paid £170m in pensions after recipients died in record year
A record £170m in pension payments was made after the recipients had died, Metro reports. The TaxPayers' Alliance says the overpayment shows a "serious weakness" in the system.
