Reform UK's turbulent first seven months in local power
After taking control of 10 councils, Reform UK's 'anti-woke' agenda faces the reality of local government in Lancashire. Helen Pidd reports on care home closures and rising complaints.
After taking control of 10 councils, Reform UK's 'anti-woke' agenda faces the reality of local government in Lancashire. Helen Pidd reports on care home closures and rising complaints.
Disability equality charity Scope is shutting 77 high street shops this year, with three closing this weekend. The move puts 200 jobs at risk and impacts 2,000 volunteers. Read the full list of closures.
Discover the UK's top 10 independent high streets, from Brighton to Edinburgh, as revealed by new American Express research. Support local businesses and plan your next visit!
Exclusive analysis reveals Birmingham City Council's financial collapse might have been prevented as expert questions Labour leadership's decision-making in Britain's second city.
The remote Scottish Highlands community of Kilchoan faces a devastating blow as its only local shop announces permanent closure, highlighting the existential threat online retail poses to rural Britain.
Exclusive investigation reveals how accounting failures and political paralysis pushed Birmingham City Council into the biggest local government financial crisis in UK history, forcing devastating cuts to essential services.
Exclusive: Labour faces internal division in Surrey as two councils consider breaking away amid government pressure to address catastrophic local authority debt. The political earthquake threatens Starmer's authority in traditional Tory heartlands.
The bankrupt Woking Borough Council secures a massive government rescue package as Surrey County Council takes control of key services in a dramatic local government overhaul.
Woking Borough Council faces financial collapse with a staggering £1.9bn deficit, joining a growing list of UK local authorities in crisis. Discover how risky investments and government funding cuts created this perfect storm.
A savvy shopper's charity shop visit turned into the deal of a lifetime when she discovered designer leather boots worth over £1,400 for just £14. Discover how to spot hidden gems in charity shops.
Beauty enthusiasts can grab The Body Shop's coveted 24-day advent calendar for just £60 - a massive £90 saving from its original price in this limited-time offer.
Nottingham's beloved Christmas shop, The Christmas Experience, has permanently closed its doors after 23 years of festive cheer, citing rising costs and changing shopping habits.
Discover how a small corner shop in Westminster transformed into an international food phenomenon, with customers queuing for hours to sample their viral sandwich creations that have taken social media by storm.
UK councils issue urgent warning to Chancellor Rachel Reeves as financial pressures threaten essential services including social care, libraries and bin collections.
Cardiff Council votes to abolish its cabinet model, returning to a committee system that promises greater transparency and cross-party involvement in decision-making.
New Zealand's coalition government has dramatically reduced guaranteed Māori representation on local councils, cutting dedicated seats by more than half in a move critics call a devastating blow to indigenous rights.
Shadow Commons leader Lucy Powell cautions Labour against complacency in upcoming May local elections, warning that writing off contests could prove costly for Starmer's government.
Exclusive: A man wreaks havoc at upscale Farrow & Ball paint shop in Hove, smashing windows and covering the interior in expensive paint during a destructive spree that left staff and customers horrified.
Kent County Council faces financial meltdown, proposing unprecedented council tax hikes and sweeping service cuts to avoid effective bankruptcy. Local residents brace for impact as authority warns of 'difficult decisions' ahead.
Senior Labour figures Lucy Powell and Bridget Phillipson announce ambitious plans to devolve significant powers from Whitehall to local communities, marking a fundamental restructuring of British governance.
A Reform UK-led council in Nottinghamshire has reversed its decision to bar local journalists from meetings following widespread criticism and accusations of undermining democracy.
Reform UK councillors in Nottinghamshire launch a Trumpian media boycott against the Nottingham Post, accusing it of biased reporting on their first 100 days in power. The dramatic move escalates tensions between the new administration and local press.
A Canberra family made a bizarre discovery after moving into a new home: their garage had been secretly converted into a fully-operational, illicit grocery store, stocked with everything from frozen pies to confectionery.
A savvy shopper's incredible charity shop find—a vintage Christian Dior jacket worth thousands—proves that fashion gold is still hiding on the high street. Discover the story behind the stunning discovery.
The Body Shop's administrators have announced the immediate closure of nearly half of its 198 UK stores. Find out if your local branch is on the closure list.
Jeremy Clarkson faces a fresh wave of local fury after abruptly closing the entrance to his Diddly Squat farm shop from the main road, forcing customers on a confusing and lengthy diversion.
The historic town of Lewes in East Sussex revives its iconic local currency with a modern voucher system to support independent businesses and strengthen community resilience post-pandemic.
Discover the hidden Somerset gem, The Village Grocer in Ditcheat, crowned the UK's best cheese shop for its legendary Montgomery's Cheddar, beating major supermarkets and delighting food critics.
In a bold political statement, Epping Forest District Council has symbolically declared independence from the UK government in protest against chronic underfunding and the 'broken' council tax system, vowing to withhold part of its payments.
Outraged homeowners in Essex declare a council tax revolt, threatening to withhold payments in protest against deteriorating local services and soaring bills. The grassroots movement gains momentum as community frustration reaches boiling point.