The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, presented her  Autumn Budget  to Parliament on 26 November 2025. There were no rises in income tax, national insurance or VAT, a new High Value Council Tax Surcharge on properties worth £2 million or more from April 2028 and Mayors to gain a new tourist levy power on overnight stays.  Minimum wage for 18 to 20-year-olds rises to £10.85, and National Living Wage increases to £12.71. 0.5% reduction in departmental budgets in 20

People in Staffordshire can grab a household bargain or Christmas gift and support a community group or charity at the same time at a series of pop-up sales events run by the county council. At all of Staffordshire’s household waste recycling centres, good quality reusable items are donated to county charities, care leavers who are setting up a new home or sold at one of the regular Rescue Me pop-up sales. People can pick up a wide variety of bargains of items including kitch