Politics

PUBLIC FIGURE: Alan Feeney was president of Worcester Carnival during his time in the city

Former Worcester councillor caught making racist comments in undercover sting

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden as 80,000 people have joined calls to lower the state pension age to 65

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden as 80,000 people have joined calls to lower the state pension age to 65

Department for Work and Pensions

DWP State Pension age row deepens as 80,000 demand retirement at 65

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, as a campaign calling for 12 weeks of maternity pay at 90% of salary has received a Government response, with ministers pointing to an ongoing review of parental leave and pay.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham, as a campaign calling for 12 weeks of maternity pay at 90% of salary has received a Government response, with ministers pointing to an ongoing review of parental leave and pay.

Nearly 69,000 want maternity pay changed – now the Government has responded

LEADER: Council leader Matt Jenkins faces tough choices in the months ahead

LEADER: Council leader Matt Jenkins faces tough choices in the months ahead

Worcestershire County Council

Worcestershire faces £85m budget gap as council warns of tough choices

Prime Minister Andy Burnham will tell MPs that failing to seek a new deal with the EU would be a dereliction of duty, reiterating closer ties could boost growth

Prime Minister Andy Burnham will tell MPs that failing to seek a new deal with the EU would be a dereliction of duty, reiterating closer ties could boost growth

Andy Burnham to tell MPs Britain must seek closer relationship with EU

Former Liberal Democrat pensions minister Sir Steve Webb is part of a report suggesting a pension-style social care scheme could help people protect their savings from care costs.

Former Liberal Democrat pensions minister Sir Steve Webb is part of a report suggesting a pension-style social care scheme could help people protect their savings from care costs.

Millions aged 40 and over could be automatically signed up to new social care scheme

Prime Minister Andy Burnham as pensioners call for a bigger tax-free allowance increase.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham as pensioners call for a bigger tax-free allowance increase.

Pensioners could get a bigger HMRC tax-free Personal Allowance under new calls

WELCOME: Dan Boatright-Greene, cabinet member for education, SEND and skills, at last year's Primary STEM Challenge final

WELCOME: Dan Boatright-Greene, cabinet member for education, SEND and skills, at last year's Primary STEM Challenge final

Worcestershire County Council

Worcestershire moves closer to £162.7m SEND bailout after government approval

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has welcomed a new way to compare petrol and diesel prices, helping motorists find the best price at the pump.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has welcomed a new way to compare petrol and diesel prices, helping motorists find the best price at the pump.

Andy Burnham introduces major petrol station price change from today

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has pledged to slash inheritance tax and let couples pass on an extra £1m tax-free under a new Conservative plan.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has pledged to slash inheritance tax and let couples pass on an extra £1m tax-free under a new Conservative plan.

Inheritance Tax

Families could get a huge inheritance tax break under new £1 million plan

DEPLORABLE: Adrian Kriss, a prominent member of the Jewish community, has slammed the Green Party's actions

DEPLORABLE: Adrian Kriss, a prominent member of the Jewish community, has slammed the Green Party's actions

Jewish people 'don't feel safe' in Worcester as Greens' anti-Zionist vote slammed

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (left) with Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (left) with Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey

Budget 2026 - when is it and what is John Healey expected to announce?

HEALTH: Worcester MP Tom Collins says the NHS should be offered first refusal on County Hall

HEALTH: Worcester MP Tom Collins says the NHS should be offered first refusal on County Hall

Worcester MP wants NHS to have first refusal on County Hall sale

VANITY PROJECT? The Hive is the most expensive library to run in Worcestershire by some distance

VANITY PROJECT? The Hive is the most expensive library to run in Worcestershire by some distance

Is Worcester's £2.3m-a-year library The Hive a vanity project?

Nigel Huddleston pays tribute to Dame Esther Rantzen

Nigel Huddleston pays tribute to Dame Esther Rantzen

Nigel Huddleston remembers Dame Esther Rantzen as ‘one of a kind’

Redditch's Holiday Inn located on Hewell Road

Redditch's Holiday Inn located on Hewell Road

Police speak out following claims that migrants were being housed at Holiday Inn

CARE: The council has been urged to help set up a Home Care Cooperative for Worcestershire

CARE: The council has been urged to help set up a Home Care Cooperative for Worcestershire

Adult social care

Councillor calls for new approach to home care in Worcestershire

Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivering his keynote speech during the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool. He has pledged that low-income pensioners will not be dragged into paying Income Tax during this Parliament as he sets out his national

Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivering his keynote speech during the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool. He has pledged that low-income pensioners will not be dragged into paying Income Tax during this Parliament as he sets out his national

Pensioners given major tax promise as Andy Burnham reveals new care plan

Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivering his keynote speech during the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivering his keynote speech during the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool.

Department for Works and Pensions

Andy Burnham announces plans to end pension triple lock to fund social care service

LETTERS: Council leader Matt Jenkins (right) and deputy Adam Kent (left) have both written to the government about local government reorganisation

LETTERS: Council leader Matt Jenkins (right) and deputy Adam Kent (left) have both written to the government about local government reorganisation

Local Government Reorganisation

County council in 'chaos' as leader and deputy send rival letters

Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivering his keynote speech during the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivering his keynote speech during the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool.

Andy Burnham announces VAT cut on energy bills 'from this Thursday' in keynote speech

DEPUTY LEADER: Adam Kent said a forecast overspent of £8m is not a sign of a loss of financial control

DEPUTY LEADER: Adam Kent said a forecast overspent of £8m is not a sign of a loss of financial control

Adult social care

County council faces £8m overspend as social care costs rise

TRIBUTES: Friends and family say Marjory Bisset will be much missed

TRIBUTES: Friends and family say Marjory Bisset will be much missed

Worcester City Council

Tributes paid to former city council leader as she dies aged 78

CLOSED: £5m has been allocated to fix landslips on the A449 and the B4204, which have been closed for months

CLOSED: £5m has been allocated to fix landslips on the A449 and the B4204, which have been closed for months

Worcestershire County Council

£5m funding secured to fix landslips on two Worcestershire roads

Liberal Democrats select Mel Allcott as party's prospective parliamentary candidate for Worcester

Liberal Democrats select Mel Allcott as party's prospective parliamentary candidate for Worcester

Former Worcester mayor chosen as candidate for next General Election

SHAKE-UP: Worcester City Council leader Lynn Denham with the Transforming Worcestershire proposal

SHAKE-UP: Worcester City Council leader Lynn Denham with the Transforming Worcestershire proposal

Local Government Reorganisation

Council to push on with parish consultation despite LGR being paused

DISCOUNT: Tending an allotment helps mental and physical health, said Cllr Udall

DISCOUNT: Tending an allotment helps mental and physical health, said Cllr Udall

Local government

Military veterans could get discounts on allotments in Worcester

Do you think voting should be compulsory?

Do you think voting should be compulsory?

Labour figures urge Andy Burnham to introduce compulsory voting

ELECTION: Votes are counted at Perdiswell Leisure Centre during the 2024 General Election

ELECTION: Votes are counted at Perdiswell Leisure Centre during the 2024 General Election

Local Elections

What Worcestershire's delayed council reorganisation means for 2027 elections

WHEELS: A cyclist in Worcester - but cycling is banned between certain times on some city centre streets

WHEELS: A cyclist in Worcester - but cycling is banned between certain times on some city centre streets

Local government

Worcester councillors call for review of ‘blanket ban’ on city centre cycling

WORRIES: Alex Mace said the planning reforms were a

WORRIES: Alex Mace said the planning reforms were a

Worcester City Council

Most Worcester planning applications to be decided without councillors

U-TURN: The council planned to increase taxi fares but then scrapped the proposal

U-TURN: The council planned to increase taxi fares but then scrapped the proposal

How much 'embarrassing' taxi fares U-turn cost Worcester City Council

PROTEST: Ruthie McNally, Helen Maitland, Pauline Burgess and Sarah Davison call for an end for racing at Pitchcroft, outside the Guildhall before a city council meeting

PROTEST: Ruthie McNally, Helen Maitland, Pauline Burgess and Sarah Davison call for an end for racing at Pitchcroft, outside the Guildhall before a city council meeting

Campaigners demand action after horse deaths at Worcester Racecourse

BUSY: Worcester mayor Tor Pingree

BUSY: Worcester mayor Tor Pingree

Worcester City Council

Worcester Mayor highlights ‘fantastic’ Three Choirs Festival and city runs

RECOGNITION: John Rudge with his 'highly commended' Make a Difference award

RECOGNITION: John Rudge with his 'highly commended' Make a Difference award

Award for councillor who restored neglected pond in Warndon Villages

Digital IDs can be used to buy alcohol.

Digital IDs can be used to buy alcohol.

New government changes for showing your ID to be introduced from this week

Prime Minister Andy Burnham leaves 10 Downing Street, London

Prime Minister Andy Burnham leaves 10 Downing Street, London

‘I was whispering in her ear about my dad’ Andy Burnham’s tribute to dad Roy

Roy died at age 86 after living with Alzheimer's disease.

Roy died at age 86 after living with Alzheimer's disease.

Tributes pour in after Andy Burnham's father, Roy, dies aged 86

Andy Burnham's father Roy has died at the age of 86

Andy Burnham's father Roy has died at the age of 86

Andy Burnham's father Roy dies aged 86 as Prime Minister cancels engagements

DISAPPOINTED: Justin Bowen said his motion had been watered down by an amendment

DISAPPOINTED: Justin Bowen said his motion had been watered down by an amendment

Worcestershire County Council

Council backs plan for more Worcestershire food in schools - but without key demand

BRIEFING: Jim McMahon spoke to council leaders and chief executives after the government paused its plans to reform local councils

BRIEFING: Jim McMahon spoke to council leaders and chief executives after the government paused its plans to reform local councils

Local Government Reorganisation

Government minister's LGR briefing was 'complete cock-up', says council chief

TREAT: The council says complaints about unlicensed ice cream vans spike during the summer months

TREAT: The council says complaints about unlicensed ice cream vans spike during the summer months

Illegal ice cream vans and unlicensed dog breeders targeted in Worcester

PROTEST: Residents including councillors Alex Mace and Louis Stephen are against drilling for oil in the North Sea

PROTEST: Residents including councillors Alex Mace and Louis Stephen are against drilling for oil in the North Sea

Worcester residents urge MP to block new North Sea oil projects

RELUCTANT: Planning committee chair Martin Allen

RELUCTANT: Planning committee chair Martin Allen

Worcestershire councillors condemn planning reforms as 'attack on democracy'

Live updates as Worcestershire County Council to discuss finances and County Hall

Live updates as Worcestershire County Council to discuss finances and County Hall

Worcestershire County Council

Live updates as Worcestershire County Council to discuss finances and County Hall

U-TURN: Taxi fares will not be going up in Worcester

U-TURN: Taxi fares will not be going up in Worcester

Worcester taxi fare rise scrapped after U-turn by drivers and council

PAUSED: Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner has launched a review into LGR plans for several areas including Worcestershire

PAUSED: Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner has launched a review into LGR plans for several areas including Worcestershire

Local Government Reorganisation

Shake-up of Worcestershire councils paused after government gets legal advice

EMPTY: Alan Amos is calling for the County Hall site to be used as an extension of the hospital and for NHS parking

EMPTY: Alan Amos is calling for the County Hall site to be used as an extension of the hospital and for NHS parking

Empty County Hall still costing taxpayers £1m a year as NHS takeover calls grow

QUESTION: Matt Jenkins will be asked to challenge the government on its local government reorganisation decision

QUESTION: Matt Jenkins will be asked to challenge the government on its local government reorganisation decision

Local Government Reorganisation

Council leader urged to challenge decision to split Worcestershire into two

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaks during the Reform UK National Conference - after a Birmingham Now reporter was ejected.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaks during the Reform UK National Conference - after a Birmingham Now reporter was ejected.

Reform UK conference

Moment Birmingham Now reporter is thrown out of Reform UK Conference

CLOSED: County Hall, which has been empty since 2024, is being sold off by the council

CLOSED: County Hall, which has been empty since 2024, is being sold off by the council

Worcestershire County Council

The buildings and land being sold off by Worcestershire County Council

ACTIVISTS: Lower the Flags Birmingham say the banners have been 'weaponised' and look cheap and tatty

ACTIVISTS: Lower the Flags Birmingham say the banners have been 'weaponised' and look cheap and tatty

'We're taking down disrespectful replicas': The group removing England flags

LEADER: Matt Jenkins will face questions from councillors at next week's full council meeting

LEADER: Matt Jenkins will face questions from councillors at next week's full council meeting

Local government

Financial management review on agenda for Worcestershire County Council meeting

L-R Craig Finn, Daniel Daniels and Brian Bullock in front of the Civil War banners

L-R Craig Finn, Daniel Daniels and Brian Bullock in front of the Civil War banners

‘Nothing offensive about any of it’: Readers react to city centre flags