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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.
UK regional innovation funding 2026: established mayors to get devolved R&D budgets from 2028
The Prime Minister has announced £1bn for innovation clusters and devolved R&D budgets for established English mayors from 2028. The regional growth funding announcement comes ahead of this month's Budget.
Berkeley Homes Bermondsey affordable housing cut rejected
Councillors unanimously refused Berkeley Homes' plan to cut affordable units at Bermondsey Place from 40% to 12%, contrary to planning officers' recommendation. Here is what it means.
Access to Work: claimant says her award was cut by 85% as DWP cites rising demand
One disabled worker says her Access to Work grant has fallen by 85%, and that there is no formal appeal beyond a single reconsideration. The DWP says demand has grown sharply and nearly 500 extra staff are clearing a backlog.
Labour holds Holborn and St Pancras as Greens take close to a third of the vote
Labour held Holborn and St Pancras on 45% under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, with the Greens close to 33%, but turnout fell to 38.6% and one by-election is not a national verdict.
UK high street store closures October 2026: Typo, charity shops
Typo has closed in Newcastle's Eldon Square and charity chains are cutting shops. Here is what is reported about retail store closures this month, and what is not.
EasyJet winter flights 2026: dates affected not yet published
EasyJet is removing up to 700,000 more winter seats, taking the total to between 1.3 and 1.4 million. It has not said which dates are hit, so the day you are notified matters.
Blue Badge parking: 12 no-go places and how the rules work
A Blue Badge does not let holders park anywhere. This guide covers the 12 places that are off limits, what the £1,000 fine actually applies to, and the clock and expiry rules.
49-day rule: how to switch energy supplier without exit fees
Martin Lewis energy advice on the 49-day rule: what it means when changing energy suppliers, and why a forecast January price cap rise is not the same as a rise in fixed deals.
BCP Council budget crisis: £38m gap and cuts ‘highly likely’
BCP Council's forecast £38m budget gap for 2027/28 could bring council tax rises, service cuts and asset sales unless government steps in, its cabinet member for finance says.
Boots new owner 2026: what the Weston deal could mean for you
Boots ownership change: what it could mean for prescriptions, prices and its 50,000 UK and Ireland staff, after the Weston family agreed a deal that has yet to complete.
Passport validity rules for budget airlines: what is confirmed
No new minimum passport validity for Ryanair, easyJet or Wizz Air is confirmed in the official guidance. Here is what has changed for UK travellers, and what to check.
UK motorway driving fines: £100 and 3 points for speeding
Speeding carries a minimum £100 fine and 3 points, and a court can fine up to £2,500 on a motorway. Here is how motorway mistakes become penalties.
First home scheme deposit requirements await October Budget clarity
The new first-time buyer deposit help scheme would cut deposits to 2.5% on new-builds, but LSL warns some buyers may wait for Budget detail before acting.
Holborn and St Pancras by-election 2026 result: Labour holds seat
Labour holds Holborn and St Pancras as Sagal Abdi-Wali beats Zack Polanski. Other Jewish Greens members say their chair's call for him to resign does not reflect the group's majority view.
UK drinks company enters liquidation after six years
Alcohol-free drinks maker Straight and Narrow Drinks has entered liquidation, according to official notices, while the latest national figures we have seen show company insolvencies falling.
DVLA over-70s mandatory eyesight test: what was proposed
Reports of DVLA over-70s mandatory test rules rest on a Department for Transport consultation on eyesight checks at licence renewal that closed in May 2026. It was a proposal, not law, and not a driving test.
Seven in 10 first-time buyers found buying a home frustrating, Skipton research finds
Skipton research finds 70% of first-time buyers found the home-buying process frustrating. We look at what causes delays and uncertainty, and what the government says its reforms will change.
