🗣 TODAY'S HOT TOPIC 🗣

Sandwell Housing Shake-Up: Band 5 Faces Axe as Local Connection Rule Could Rise from 2 to 5 Years

All Angles UK attended the Tipton consultation as officials faced questions over what the proposed housing changes could mean for applicants. Share Sandwell’s housing crisis is forcing the council to consider some of the biggest changes to its housing register in years, and All Angles UK was inside the consultation at Jubilee Park Community Centre in Tipton on Friday, speaking directly with housing officials about what the proposals could mean for thousands of residents. The meeting formed part of Sandwell Council’s public consultation on changes to the way people qualify for, are prioritised for and ultimately allocated social housing. The council’s own figures show the scale of the pressure: the register has risen from around 6,000 households in 2020 to more than 24,000 in 2025/26, while properties available to let annually have fallen from around 1,977 to just 1,268.  All Angles UK spoke directly with Louis Bebb, Housing Policy and Strategy ...

MP Antonia Bance has secured a £20 million investment to revitalise Friar Park in Wednesbury, marking a transformative moment for the community.


By Tracyann Dunkley | Politics Watch

Wednesbury residents have every reason to celebrate. Thanks to the tireless efforts of their local MP Antonia Bance, Friar Park is set to receive a staggering £20 million funding boost over the next decade. This investment, part of a broader regeneration initiative across the West Midlands, promises to breathe new life into one of the region’s most overlooked neighbourhoods. From improved public spaces to new youth facilities, the changes ahead are not just cosmetic—they’re deeply personal for the families who call Friar Park home.

During a recent visit to the toddler group at Open Heaven Church, Bance heard firsthand from local parents about the lack of amenities for young people. No playgrounds, no youth clubs, and few safe spaces for children to grow and thrive. 

SHOP NOW

That conversation helped shape the vision for this funding: a community-led transformation where residents will help decide how the money is spent. Whether it’s building new parks, upgrading housing, or creating vibrant community hubs, the people of Friar Park will be at the heart of every decision. It’s not just about bricks and mortar—it’s about pride, place, and purpose.

Antonia Bance MP for Tipton, Wednesbury and Coseley 

This isn’t the first time Wednesbury has been earmarked for regeneration, but the scale and ambition of this project are unprecedented. Alongside developments like the Friar Park Urban Village and improvements to Ethelfleda Square, the area is fast becoming a symbol of what’s possible when local voices are heard and supported. 

SHOP NOW

For Wednesbury, this is more than a funding announcement—it’s a turning point. The future is looking brighter, and it’s being built by the very people who live there.

📣 Share this story from ALL ANGLES UK:


Reader favourites

Most Read Stories

Catch up on the stories keeping All Angles UK readers informed.

Published 1-2 weeks ago
Loading All Angles UK stories...
Follow All Angles UK Breaking stories, sharp analysis and the latest updates.
SEEN SOMETHING NEWSWORTHY?
Photos and videos welcome