Martin Lewis: Win a £6,000 Council Tax Refund
Martin Lewis reveals how thousands may be overpaying council tax. Follow his two-step check to challenge your band and potentially claim a backdated refund, just like one viewer who got £6,000 back.
Category : Search result: local council powers
How to check your council tax band and claim a refund
Martin Lewis explains a two-step check to see if you're in the wrong council tax band. One viewer secured a £6,000 refund. Learn how to challenge your band safely.
Luxury Dorset beach huts hit with 50% council tax rise
Owners of exclusive Dorset beach huts face a 50% council tax increase after the local authority reclassifies them as second homes. The move aims to raise £211k for local services.
Luxury Dorset Beach Huts Hit With 50% Council Tax Rise
Owners of exclusive Dorset beach huts face a 50% council tax increase as the local authority reclassifies them as second homes. The move aims to raise £211,000 amid a financial crisis.
Congressional War Powers Tested After Venezuela Strike
President Trump's unauthorised military strike in Venezuela raises constitutional questions. Will Congress act to reclaim its authority, or has executive power permanently shifted?
Claim £500 Household Support Fund Cash Before March 2026
Struggling families across the UK are being urged to check eligibility for up to £500 in free cash from the Household Support Fund. Deadline is March 31, 2026. See what your council offers.
Full list of who can get free or discounted Council Tax
Thousands of UK households could be eligible for a 100% discount on their council tax bill. Find out if you qualify for a full exemption or a reduction based on your circumstances.
Councils called 'Christmas Grinches' over decoration cuts
Councils in Australia face backlash for slashing Christmas decoration budgets, with critics labelling them 'Grinches' for prioritising red tape over festive spirit. Discover the full story.
Government warns councils over four-day working week
Ministers warn councils offering a four-day week for full pay could be deemed 'failing'. As residents face higher charges, the policy sparks a Whitehall showdown.
Council funding map: Winners, losers and tax rises
The government's new £78bn council funding settlement shifts money towards deprived areas. Find out which councils win, which lose, and if your tax bill will rise.
Reform's Kent Council reveals £60m budget deficit
Kent County Council, run by Reform UK, projects a £60 million deficit for 2026-27, with warnings it could worsen. Discover the impact on council tax and public services.
Reform's Kent Council Budget Gap Hits £60m
Kent County Council, run by Reform UK, faces a £60 million budget shortfall next year even with a maximum council tax rise. Leaked documents reveal spending pressures and fears of severe service cuts.
Millions face potential local election delays until 2027
Up to 63 council areas in England may postpone May 2026 local elections to 2027 amid a government reorganisation of town halls. See the full list of affected areas.
Farage: UK a 'Banana Republic' Over Election Delays
Nigel Farage accuses Labour and Tory councils of 'colluding' to postpone local elections for millions until 2027. Read the full story on the democratic row.
Six Councils Can Raise Tax Over 5% Without Vote
Six London councils can raise council tax by over 5% without a referendum after government funding cuts. The move aims to improve fairness but sparks political row.
Labour's funding shake-up could trigger council tax rises
Economists warn Labour's council funding raid could force tax increases across the UK, with six areas facing unlimited rises from 2027. Discover the impact on your bills.
New funding deal boosts deprived councils, cuts affluent ones
Manchester, Bradford and outer London boroughs gain spending power in a new three-year settlement aimed at 'left-behind places', while affluent southern councils face cuts. Will it restore pride?
Council funding formula shifts cash to 'deprived' areas
A new 'fairer' funding system for England will divert central cash to the most deprived areas, pressuring councils in London and the South East. Five London boroughs will see council tax caps removed.
Major Council Tax Change Announced for England
English councils get a £78bn funding boost with a 23% spending power rise. Council tax rises capped at 3%, with extra for social care. Find out what it means for you.
Swindon Council pays £138k after own vans clamped
Swindon Borough Council has paid £138,000 in fines after its own highway maintenance vans were clamped outside its offices. Deputy leader calls it 'not our finest hour'. Read the full story.
Victoria Police Get New Powers to Search Children
Victoria Police can now search children without a warrant under new laws. Critics warn of overreach and potential harm to youth. Read the full analysis.
Journalist's account of police search under new Victoria powers
A Guardian journalist recounts being stopped and searched by Victoria Police under controversial new powers. Read her first-hand account of the encounter and its implications for civil liberties.
Melbourne Police Get 6-Month Warrantless Search Powers
Victoria Police can randomly stop and search anyone in inner Melbourne until May 2026 without warrants, sparking racial profiling concerns from legal groups and Senator Lidia Thorpe.
Council Tax to Rise 5%: How to Cut Costs
Millions face a 5% council tax hike next year, adding £114 to typical bills. Discover actionable ways to reduce your payments and challenge your band.
Hunter Valley council plans 40% rate hike
Cessnock City Council proposes a staggering 39.9% rates increase, costing households over $1,000 annually. Residents fight back with petition as council cites financial crisis.
Reform UK Council Paints School Lines at Closed Site
Kent County Council admits error after painting 'School Keep Clear' markings outside school closed for nine years. Local councillor calls situation 'a farce' as party claims wider savings.
Plymouth's £40m council revamp sparks fury
Plymouth residents outraged as city centre regeneration costs triple to £36.8m. Concrete benches, rusty metal and dry stream leave locals questioning council spending priorities.
Councils Sell Assets to Avoid Bankruptcy
Facing a financial crisis, 60% of key English councils plan to sell social clubs and sports centres to fund soaring social care costs. Explore the stark choices local authorities are making.
Council's Kirkby road sign spelling blunder mocked
Knowsley Council faces embarrassment after installing road signs with 'Kirkby' misspelled multiple times, prompting local ridicule and demands for correction.
Lammy faces backlash over council's £15k badger mascot
Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy confronts criticism as Wandsworth Council spends £15,000 on 'Billy the Badger' mascot costume while cutting essential services, sparking public outrage.
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