The City of Wolverhampton Council’s Counter Fraud Team has achieved savings of £2.9 million for the public purse through robust tenancy fraud investigations over the last year. Working in close collaboration with Wolverhampton Homes, investigators tackled a range of fraudulent activities, including the illegal subletting of council properties, false applications for social housing, fraudulent Right to Buy applications, tenants not residing at their registered addresses and unlawful succession claims to council tenancies. As a result, 30 council homes were recovered and re-let to families in genuine need, nine fraudulent housing applications were cancelled, five Right to Buy applications were stopped,…

Sandwell Council will continue supporting families of 46,000 children with vouchers during school holidays. The announcement comes as the council confirmed how it will spend just over £6million of Household Support Fund funding over the next financial year. The funding for April 2025 to March 2026 will be allocated as follows: £3million on providing vouchers for pupils who get benefits-related Free School Meals – worth £130 per child, per year. Find out more about Free School Meals, eligibility and holiday vouchers. £1.2million on helping council and private rented tenants with rent arrears and other housing costs. £300,000 on Local Welfare…

Simpson & Partners, the UK-based sustainable EV Charging company, is calling time on throwaway technology and encouraging consumers to question the longevity of their home electric car charger. With charging technology advancing as quickly as the electric cars themselves, Simpson & Partners estimates that over 100,000 chargers will end up in landfill by 2030 as they can’t be updated to keep pace with the latest tech. Mandy Simpson, co-founder of Simpson & Partners, said, ‘It’s time consumers knew the truth about charger lifespans – and some won’t last as long as the electric cars they charge. Building the electric vehicle…

Nearly a decade after its global debut, Nissan is launching the next generation of its unique e-POWER technology on the British-built Qashqai crossover. Comprehensively re-engineered for even better fuel efficiency, lower emissions and elevated refinement and set for production in Sunderland, New e-POWER will further smooth the transition from fuel towards zero emissions. First launched in the region four years ago, e-POWER was developed to deliver an electric-drive experience without the need to plug in – combining the smooth, effortless acceleration and refinement of an EV with the everyday convenience of traditional combustion power. The range and convenience of diesel,…

Sandwell Council is exploring online digital solutions for unpaid carers that provide information, guidance, advice and support at times when standard services are not available. Some of the £300,000 funding secured from the Department of Health and Social Care’s Accelerated Reform Fund has enabled our Adult Social Care team commission Bridgit Care – which is an online platform designed to offer localised content tailored to the needs of carers 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Interactive workshops took place during May aimed at giving carers hands-on access to test the new website, with insights shared with the…

People are being encouraged to share their views as the City of Wolverhampton Council recommissions local specialist domestic abuse support services. The council wants to hear from local residents, people affected by domestic abuse, and professionals from across Wolverhampton to help shape priorities and intentions for the new services to ensure they are effective, accessible and respond to local need. Domestic abuse specialist support services provide victims of domestic abuse with practical help, advice, and guidance. In Wolverhampton, support is available to women, men, and children who are either living in the community or in accommodation such as a refuge.…

Walsall Council’s planning service has been recognised for its significant progress and transformation following a recent Planning Peer Challenge conducted by the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) in March 2025. The Peer Challenge, held from 5–7 March at the Council’s invitation, provided an independent and honest assessment of the planning service’s performance. The findings highlighted a service that has made substantial strides since its last review in 2021, evolving into a high-performing, customer-focused operation that consistently exceeds national targets. “ We are very proud of the progress our planning service has made. This recognition…

Approximately 4,500 people gathered at Walsall Arboretum on Saturday 5 July for the Bostin’ Black Country Bash, an all-day festival celebrating the rich cultural and geological heritage of the Black Country with live music, family entertainment, and local pride on full display. The free event marked the 20th anniversary of the UNESCO Global Geoparks network, with the Black Country proudly recognised as one of its prestigious members. The designation reflects the region’s international significance in shaping the Industrial Revolution and its ongoing global legacy. Other Geoparks globally include the North Pennines, Ore of the Alps in Austria, the Azores and…

Four category wins highlights strength across the range, from Elroq to Kodiaq Octavia named Best Family Car 2025, Superb named Best Estate 2025 Kodiaq repeats 2024 performance by winning Best Large SUV title Elroq named Best Mid-size SUV and overall Car of the Year 2025 Škoda models have been named Car of the Year four times previously Milton Keynes, 2 July 2025: Škoda has dominated the 2025 Auto Express New Car Awards by claiming no fewer than four category wins along with the coveted Car of the Year award. In a remarkable haul of silverware, the new Elroq took top…

KGM Motors UK, formerly SsangYong, has announced its latest Motability offers for summer 2025, with advanced payments starting from just £299 across a selection of models. Available from 1st July to 30th September 2025, the new offers are designed to make driving a brand-new KGM vehicle more accessible for eligible Motability customers. The updated Motability line-up includes the compact and stylish KGM Tivoli, the spacious and versatile Korando, and the boldly designed, adventure-ready Torres, offering customers a range of practical options to suit various needs and lifestyles. Tivoli – From £299 Advance Payment The KGM Tivoli is the…