Local government, council news, MPs and political analysis from across Lancashire.
148 articles
Rights advocates are recognising Virginia Giuffre and journalist Julie K Brown for their pivotal roles in exposing the Epstein abuse scandal. Their work in ampl...
Reform UK figure Matthew Goodwin has proposed controversial policy changes affecting women's rights, drawing criticism from political opponents. Party leader Ni...
Burnley MP Oliver Ryan has challenged ministers to improve protections for child refugees travelling alone to reach relatives in Britain. The Lancashire parliam...
Lancashire County Council has issued an update regarding its examination of internally managed adult social care provisions. The strategic review assesses how s...
A key Lancashire County Council initiative has completed its first year of operation across the county. The milestone marks twelve months of service delivery si...
Burnley MP Oliver Ryan has pressed the government for details on recent measures implemented to reduce knife crime. The inquiry seeks clarity on how national st...
Burnley MP Oliver Ryan has formally asked a government minister to outline her current departmental responsibilities in a parliamentary question. The request de...
The Member of Parliament for Blackpool has tabled ten parliamentary questions throughout January, raising constituents' concerns directly with government minist...
Small businesses based in Preston have until February 9, 2026, to enter the Small Business Growth Award sponsored by HSBC UK. Entries are accepted from all loca...
A new food waste recycling scheme in Blackburn's Audley and Queen's Park wards collected two tonnes of material on its first day of operation. Councillor Salim ...
Local presenters Graham and Leanne paid tribute to the Winter Olympics by trying their hand at sweeping during a visit to an ice facility. The pair embraced the...
Jonathan Hinder, the Labour Member of Parliament for Pendle and Clitheroe, has publicly criticized party leader Keir Starmer over the appointment of Lord Mandel...
Environment Agency inspectors have ordered urgent upgrades at a Lancashire refuse site after uncovering a powerful stench during a routine visit. The agency dem...
Burnley Council is reviewing plans to increase fees for cremations and burials within the borough. The proposed changes would impact local families arranging fu...
Council officials have welcomed confirmation that five million pounds will be spent on flood defences for Padiham. The Environment Agency will use the funding t...
Ribble Valley Council has approved plans for a new swimming pool and
Burnley residents face a closing deadline to influence sweeping changes to Lancashire's local government structure. The reorganisation proposals could reshape h...
Lancashire families seeking winter activities can find an Olympic-inspired curling experience at Manchester's The Curling Club. The venue offers fast-paced ice ...
A long-awaited flood defence project for Padiham has secured £5 million in government funding to finally move forward. The Environment Agency will oversee const...
Sir Keir Starmer has criticised politicians who question the English, Welsh or Scottish identity of public figures based on race. He challenged the Reform UK ca...
Lucy Connolly, who pleaded guilty to inciting racial hatred after posting online about burning hotels housing asylum seekers, is scheduled to address the Reform...
US Congressman Jamie Raskin has challenged Nigel Farage over Reform UK restricting press access at campaign events, including instructions to avoid local newspa...
Fylde Council has approved a £9.3 million investment in swimming facilities, marking the largest leisure spending commitment in the authority's history. The rec...
A senior Preston politician is set to deliver a major speech on local government changes at Lancaster University next week. The address will examine the future ...
A Blackpool councillor has warned that selective licensing rules in deprived neighbourhoods could force struggling private landlords out of business. The scheme...
Tributes are being paid to Joy, founder of Blackpool's talking newspaper for visually impaired residents, following her death at 101. The service provides audio...
Changes to the two-child benefit limit are expected to lift approximately 2,140 children out of poverty across West Lancashire, according to parliamentary figur...
Lancaster city centre traders have backed a five-year extension of the Business Improvement District scheme in a recent ballot. The vote secures continued fundi...
Blackpool FC has secured defender Reuell Walters on loan from Luton Town until the end of the season. The young full-back previously caught the eye of a former ...
A Blackpool furniture retailer has won planning permission to convert unused upstairs space into a new showroom. The expansion will allow the shop to display mo...
Lancashire residents face the deadline to contribute their views on potential restructuring of the county's local authorities. The consultation invites public f...
A government consultation on restructuring Lancashire's local government is open until 26 March 2026. Residents have until late March to submit views on propose...
Racist abuse has flooded the social media page of a Lancashire MP after they congratulated a local school on winning an award. The representative reposted a pre...
A Lancashire MP has highlighted changing online attitudes after revealing a constituency school visit photo initially received positive reactions on social medi...
A senior Burnley councillor has publicly defended herself after failing to properly declare her financial interests to the authority. She asserts there was no d...
Lancaster University is hosting a lecture by the Leader of Preston City Council exploring the future of regional governance and English devolution. The event ai...
Plans to close 24 rehabilitation beds at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary will now be subject to public consultation following pressure from local health officials...
The head of Preston City Council will deliver a major address on local government reform at Lancaster University next week. His keynote speech comes as Lancashi...
Tributes have been paid to Marlene Haworth, the former leader of Hyndburn Council, who has died at the age of 82. Haworth served the Lancashire borough and leav...
A Lancashire Member of Parliament has highlighted recent successes in resolving local residents' concerns during January. The representative handles hundreds of...
Lancashire residents have until mid-March to influence how the county's fire and rescue service operates through 2031. The five-year strategic plan will determi...
Labour campaigners gathered in Gorton today to support candidate Angeliki Stogia's bid to become MP for the Greater Manchester constituency. The event highlight...
Public buildings serving Lancashire communities are included in a new £72 million national investment program for clean energy upgrades and efficiency improveme...
The International Committee of the Red Cross has issued an uncharacteristically forceful statement calling for the immediate cessation of ongoing wartime atroci...
Lancashire's former police and crime commissioner has publicly challenged government proposals to merge police forces, warning that bigger structures do not gua...
Reform UK has drawn criticism for distributing an AI-generated image depicting a Blackpool library within materials referencing the Epstein files. Local observe...
Reform UK has suspended a Lancashire councillor following reports of extreme anti-immigration comments shared within a private messaging group. The Lancashire E...
Demonstrators gathered at Preston Flag Market to oppose Reform UK proposals that could force the closure of ten Lancashire care facilities. Local MPs and affect...
Concerns have been raised regarding the government's NHS data contract with technology firm Palantir. A letter to Health Secretary Wes Streeting urges cancellat...
Labour has outlined plans to support families across West Lancashire through its Plan for Change initiative. The policy aims to increase household incomes for l...
Blackpool Council will begin extensive road resurfacing works starting Monday, 9 February, continuing for two months across the resort. Motorists should expect ...
Blackpool Winter Gardens will come under new management as the venue transfers to the council's tourism company in a significant operational restructuring. The ...
Burnley residents face a deadline to voice opinions on proposed restructuring of Lancashire's local government system. The county council shake-up could alter h...
Statistical graphics comparing recent by-election results with off-licence data have been released. The visual analysis examines electoral trends alongside lice...
Reports that a major social media platform would restrict features to paying subscribers have been identified as AI hallucinations. The statement was generated ...
Burnley must defeat West Ham this weekend to keep their faint Premier League survival hopes alive as the season enters its final stages. The match represents a ...
Residents of Clitheroe and the surrounding Ribble Valley are invited to share their views on proposals for a new pump track funded by the UK Shared Prosperity F...
Burnley families will benefit from reduced school travel costs as a new discounted "School Return" bus ticket launches this weekend. The lower fare follows a su...
Major traffic disruptions are expected on main routes into Burnley town centre as £55 million Levelling Up improvement works commence. Motorists and pedestrians...
BrewDog is enabling Lancashire couples to personalise beer cans, glasses and gift packs ahead of Valentine's Day. The customisation service allows residents to ...
Reform UK is poised to assume control of Lancashire County Council following recent electoral developments. The transition marks a significant shift in local go...
The Green Party believes it could secure a significant electoral breakthrough in Gorton and Denton based on promising door-to-door canvassing returns for candid...
More than 1,400 children across West Lancashire will benefit from free breakfast clubs starting in April. The expansion includes pupils at early adopter schools...
Fylde Borough Council has received eleven notable planning proposals in recent days, including modifications to leisure park developments. The applications span...
Blackpool Council is inviting tenders from operators to construct and manage four new padel courts at Blackpool Sports Centre. The planned facility would bring ...
Proposals for 31 affordable homes on the outskirts of Lancaster will face scrutiny from city councillors later this month. The development aims to address local...
A Fleetwood councillor has warned that a popular children's play area and multi-use games facility serving local families is under threat. The potential loss wo...
Tensions have risen over traffic management at Lytham's household waste centre, with a local councillor condemning Lancashire County Council's position as inade...
Blackpool Council has pledged to shield public services from reductions despite facing a £16 million budget deficit. The seaside authority must bridge the signi...
A historic Lancashire taxi firm has marked 145 years of service by modernising its operations to meet contemporary transport needs. The company, which ranks amo...
A newly released collection captures Blackpool during the final years of the Second World War, offering residents a rare window into how the seaside town appear...
Lancaster's The Dukes theatre will host a contemporary retelling of H.G. Wells's "The War of the Worlds" by innovative company imitating the dog. The production...
Visitor numbers are rising at Showtown Blackpool, with thousands of local schoolchildren visiting the museum to learn about the resort's history. The attraction...
The Member of Parliament for Blackpool North and Fleetwood is supporting stricter regulations on dog breeding following numerous concerns raised by constituents...
A planning decision expected this month will determine whether 200 homes can be built on green belt land in Bolton-le-Sands. Local campaigners are pressing the ...
As the Winter Olympics begins, Lancashire residents can experience curling at the North's only dedicated rink located within the region. The facility offers loc...
Lancashire households will see their council tax bills increase as the police precept rises by 5.4 per cent. The additional funding is intended to support Lanca...
Seven months after Reform UK took control of County Hall, the administration has faced internal disagreements and struggled to implement some campaign commitmen...
The proposed 3.8% council tax increase represents the smallest annual rise for Lancashire residents in over a decade. Previous administrations had implemented l...
The Reform UK-led administration is encountering challenges locating the spending reductions it pledged during last year's election campaign. Council officers a...
Lancashire County Council, now controlled by Reform UK, plans to raise council tax by 3.8% in its first budget since taking power. The proposed increase would a...
A Reform UK councillor in Preston faces accusations of exploiting The Harris museum and gallery to deliberately inflame community divisions. The allegations cen...
Reform UK councillors have pledged to prevent the closure of care homes across Lancashire, addressing concerns over vulnerable residents' welfare. The commitmen...
Reform UK's leadership at Lancashire County Council has accepted Conservative councillors switching parties. The defections signal growing political realignment...
Stephen Atkinson has been elected to lead Reform UK's group on Lancashire County Council. The appointment marks a shift in the council's political landscape as ...
The leader of Reform UK in Lancashire has accepted a trip funded by the Israeli government. The visit raises questions about transparency and influence as the p...
Lancashire households face higher bills as the county council proposes increasing its portion of council tax by 3.8 per cent. The hike would add to financial pr...
The Reform UK council leader has discussed tax policy and efficiency plans in an interview marking six months since the party gained control of Lancashire Count...
A Reform UK candidate has clashed with Preston City Council regarding participation in the city's traditional Easter egg rolling festivities. The dispute center...
The Lancashire Lead has confirmed that Reform UK's campaign methods are currently subject to investigation. Local authorities are examining the party's activiti...
Health officials have firmly rejected Reform UK's assertions that Finney House will accommodate asylum seekers, calling the claims baseless speculation. The Lan...
The Preston East ward will be contested in the 2025 local elections as Labour attempts to hold the seat against Reform UK challenges. Campaigning has been compl...
A Lancashire councillor representing Reform UK has been suspended over comments made in a WhatsApp group. The party has withdrawn support pending further review...
A senior Reform UK official at Lancashire County Hall has been suspended from the party. The action affects governance at the county's primary administrative ce...
A Reform UK councillor in Lancashire has been suspended after extremist material was reportedly shared in a WhatsApp group they participated in. The party remov...
A Reform UK representative on Lancashire County Council has been suspended regarding undisclosed WhatsApp communications. The suspension removes the councillor ...
A Reform councillor serving Lancashire faces suspension following the emergence of WhatsApp messages containing apparent references to "Islam genocide." The con...
Lancashire's Reform UK grouping has dealt a setback to Nigel Farage's leadership after suspending a local councillor over inflammatory WhatsApp correspondence. ...
A Reform UK councillor representing Lancashire has been suspended after posts advocating for "mass Islam genocide" surfaced in a private WhatsApp group. The par...
Lancashire County Council has moved closer to approving a rise in council tax, with confirmation expected imminently. The increase will affect household bills a...
A Green Party representative has called for reduced household bills and increased NHS funding during a BBC interview. The politician highlighted rising membersh...
Education leaders will discuss solutions for rising school absences across the region at a panel event hosted by LabourList and Impetus. The discussion comes as...
Burnley is pioneering a major £55 million investment initiative now expanding across East Lancashire. The programme, overseen by Lancashire County Council, aims...
Lancashire County Council's leader has publicly supported a colleague embroiled in allegations of failing to declare financial interests properly. The defence c...
Preston City Council has received multiple development proposals over the past fortnight, ranging from building demolitions to new retail units and residential ...
Preston City Council has refused permission for a three-storey residential development proposed near the city centre. The decision blocks new housing stock in t...
Lancashire Police will meet with councillors across the county following complaints about online abuse and harassment. The sessions aim to address safety concer...
Health officials have released updated data comparing current virus-related hospital admissions and infection rates to figures from the previous week. The stati...
A new parliamentary report calls for statutory rights to responsibly access the English countryside, potentially affecting Lancashire's moors and farmland. The ...
Health authorities are urging Lancashire residents planning travel to India to familiarise themselves with Nipah virus symptoms following confirmed outbreaks ab...
A popular Chorley nursery has
A spacious four-bedroom detached house on Ashworth Grove has entered the Preston property market, offering versatile accommodation for growing families. The riv...
Parents across Lancashire are urged to check their cupboards after several brands of baby formula were recalled following a food poisoning outbreak that affecte...
Volunteers at a newly planted Lancashire woodland have discovered dog waste bags stuffed inside protective tree tubes, damaging the young saplings. The incident...
Residents of Bolton-le-Sands are awaiting a planning decision this month regarding Wrenman Homes' proposal to build 200 houses on green belt land. Campaigners a...
Burnley Council is seeking public input on proposed changes to taxi and private hire licensing rules. Residents and drivers can share views on how the borough r...
Lancashire hospitals are set to receive funding through a new multi-million pound government initiative aimed at reducing energy costs. The scheme will help loc...
Lancaster and Fleetwood MP Cat Smith will join electoral experts for an online discussion on 24 October examining the government's elections white paper. The fr...
Lancashire councillors are preparing to scrutinise proposals that could reorganise local government structures across the county. The potential changes may alte...
Preston City Council will receive £10.1 million in additional funding for local services alongside a £310 million allocation for Lancashire County Council over ...
Voters across Preston and wider Lancashire have cast their ballots in the 2025 local elections, determining representation for the coming term. Results and live...
A parliamentary watchdog has determined that Nigel Farage inadvertently breached rules governing Members of Parliament. The ruling has prompted discussion among...
The Labour Government has announced measures to streamline planning approvals in order to deliver 1.5 million new homes across the UK. Lancashire councils will ...
The leader of Lancashire County Council is pushing for a public referendum on whether the region should adopt an elected mayor system. The proposed change could...
Lancashire editors have reflected on their most significant work this year, discussing topics ranging from child poverty to the county's first Reform UK pub. Th...
Preston Bus has justified increasing fares by 50p, stating insufficient government funding for concession schemes has left the company £100,000 annually in defi...
Opposition groups have raised questions about Lancashire County Council's controversial efficiency review dubbed "Doge." Local critics are scrutinising how publ...
Lancashire Police will meet with local councillors to address recent incidents of online abuse targeting elected officials. The discussions aim to tackle digita...
Preston-based political activist Michael Lavalette has outlined his reasons for standing in the Your Party Central Executive Committee election. The bid for the...
Blackpool continues to face severe housing shortages despite council efforts to increase new home construction in the seaside town. Local representatives are ur...
While reports highlight fly-tipping in Welsh valley towns, Lancashire communities face identical struggles with illegal dumping. Residents across East Lancashir...
Tourism policy was debated at a parliamentary group meeting attended by the Tourism Minister and industry leaders. The session brought together MPs and UKHospit...
The case for enhanced financial backing for pubs and hospitality businesses has been pressed directly with Treasury ministers. The meeting with Exchequer Secret...
Concerns over the escalating situation in Iran have been raised in Parliament through an urgent question tabled by Priti Patel. The Foreign Secretary has been a...
Dame Priti Patel has tabled an urgent question in the Commons regarding the Government's foreign policy plans. The query directed at the Foreign Secretary seeks...
MPs are scrutinising proposed adjustments to business rates that would affect shops, restaurants and leisure venues across Lancashire. Sir Mel Stride secured an...
Members of Parliament will today scrutinise government plans for mandatory digital identification requirements. The urgent question, tabled in the House of Comm...
A parliamentary committee chaired by Lancaster and Fleetwood MP Cat Smith has recommended against introducing call lists in the House of Commons. The group dete...
Cat Smith, Member of Parliament for Lancaster and Fleetwood, has been appointed as a Parliamentary Champion by Action for ME, a charity supporting people with c...
Lucy Powell has secured the Labour Party nomination for Lancaster and Wyre at a special constituency meeting held this morning. The selection, confirmed by loca...
Lancashire MP Cat Smith is urging immediate government action as alcohol-related deaths reach unprecedented levels. The representative for Lancaster and Fleetwo...
The chair of the Commons Procedure Committee is overseeing a review of parliamentary operations, including proxy voting systems and the election of select commi...
This year's Holocaust Memorial Day focuses on "Bridging Generations," emphasizing how survivors' stories preserve history for future generations. Lancashire sch...
The government's new Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy has adopted several recommendations aimed at improving safety across England. Lancashire resident...
Road safety advocates met at Westminster last week to discuss how safer roads benefit Lancashire businesses and workers. The group explored work-related driving...
A Lancashire MP has welcomed the government's proposed digital identity system while clarifying the scheme will remain voluntary for residents. The politician e...
The annual Baby Loss Awareness debate will take place in the House of Commons on 13 October to address maternity safety standards. The discussion will highlight...
Counter-terrorism efforts continue to emphasize protecting democratic values and community cohesion across the UK. Lancashire's diverse communities remain vigil...