EA to spend millions clearing Oxfordshire illegal waste mountain in break with policy 12 December 2025 at 05:47

EA to spend millions clearing Oxfordshire illegal waste mountain in break with policy

12 December 2025 at 05:47

Announcement draws anger from Labour MP over refusal to remove tonnes of rubbish dumped near school in Wigan

The Environment Agency is to spend millions of pounds to clear an enormous illegal rubbish dump in Oxfordshire, saying the waste is at risk of catching fire.

But the decision announced on Thursday to clear up the thousands of tonnes of waste illegally dumped outside Kidlington has drawn an angry response from a Labour MP in Greater Manchester whose constituents have been living alongside 25,000 tonnes of toxic rubbish for nearly a year.

Reform councillors accused of ‘rash promises’ as council tax rises loom 11 December 2025 at 15:02

Reform councillors accused of ‘rash promises’ as council tax rises loom

The Guardian

By:Neha Gohil Midlands correspondent

11 December 2025 at 15:02

Warwickshire board says maximum 5% tax rise needed for financial viability despite election promise to cut costs

Reform UK council leaders have been accused of making “rash promises” after a local authority led by the party has been told it will have to increase council tax by the maximum amount, despite its election promises to cut costs.

Warwickshire county council has been warned by its executives that anything less than a 5% maximum council tax increase will put its financial viability at risk.

First trains to join Manchester’s Bee Network by end of 2026 11 December 2025 at 12:00

First trains to join Manchester’s Bee Network by end of 2026

The Guardian

By:Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent

11 December 2025 at 12:00

Andy Burnham unveils next step in transport system, allowing contactless travel with fares capped across trains, buses and trams

The first passenger trains in the Bee Network will join by the end of 2026, after Greater Manchester disclosed the next steps in its ambitious transport system.

Unveiling a yellow-branded Northern train, the regional mayor, Andy Burnham, said two lines from central Manchester – to Glossop and Stalybridge – would join the network in a year, allowing contactless travel with fares capped across trains, buses and trams.

Pensioner ‘fined £250 for spitting’ after leaf blew into his mouth 10 December 2025 at 14:19

Pensioner ‘fined £250 for spitting’ after leaf blew into his mouth

The Guardian

By:Nadeem Badshah

10 December 2025 at 14:19

Roy Marsh, 86, says the penalty from enforcement officers was ‘unnecessary and all out of proportion’

A man has claimed he was fined £250 for spitting after a leaf blew into his mouth in Lincolnshire.

Roy Marsh, 86, was given the financial penalty after the incident in Skegness earlier this year. He is now calling for “responsible” litter enforcement.

Leader of Reform-run council accused of ‘authoritarian’ attempt to silence opposition 9 December 2025 at 14:47

Leader of Reform-run council accused of ‘authoritarian’ attempt to silence opposition

The Guardian

By:Neha Gohil Midlands correspondent

9 December 2025 at 14:47

Worcestershire council leader Jo Monk sent city councillor Ed Kimberley a cease and desist letter over his criticism of her

The leader of a Reform UK-run local authority has been criticised for an “authoritarian” attempt to silence opposition after sending a legal threat to a Labour councillor, demanding he stops mentioning her name in public.

Ed Kimberley, a Worcester city councillor, said he received the cease and desist letter from the leader of Worcestershire county council, Jo Monk, in late November.