Cost of living - Black Country, Staffordshire and UK | Express & Star

Local news you can trust

Close

Cost of living Archive

July 27, 2025

Supporting image for story: We visited an Albrighton pub which 'feels just like home' for its new licensees - with a warm welcome, a cold pint and good food

We visited an Albrighton pub which 'feels just like home' for its new licensees - with a warm welcome, a cold pint and good food

July 24, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'We're doing all we can to help people keep the beer trade going': Cannock family-run beer wholesaler keeping drinks flowing across the West Midlands

'We're doing all we can to help people keep the beer trade going': Cannock family-run beer wholesaler keeping drinks flowing across the West Midlands

July 21, 2025

The science-backed skincare brand helping you fight breakouts and blemishes

July 20, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'I'm the landlord of a traditional pub in a Staffordshire village where I had my first pint aged 18 - and there's a historic link that remains a mystery'

'I'm the landlord of a traditional pub in a Staffordshire village where I had my first pint aged 18 - and there's a historic link that remains a mystery'

July 19, 2025

Supporting image for story: Birmingham Airport: Drivers face drop-off parking fee increases - How much is Birmingham Airport drop-off?

Birmingham Airport: Drivers face drop-off parking fee increases - How much is Birmingham Airport drop-off?

July 18, 2025

Supporting image for story: Poundland confirms locations of 25 stores set to close under its restructuring plan - full list

Poundland confirms locations of 25 stores set to close under its restructuring plan - full list

Supporting image for story: Outer space adventurer Trevor Beattie returns to the West Midlands to unveil a caring grassroots campaign

Outer space adventurer Trevor Beattie returns to the West Midlands to unveil a caring grassroots campaign

Supporting image for story: Charity calls on West Midlands residents to feed those in need after struggle to fill 10,000 summer volunteering slots

Charity calls on West Midlands residents to feed those in need after struggle to fill 10,000 summer volunteering slots

July 17, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Don’t wash your hands of cuts in Dudley' - Council leaders urged to call for benefit reform rethink

'Don’t wash your hands of cuts in Dudley' - Council leaders urged to call for benefit reform rethink

July 16, 2025

Supporting image for story: Meet the meerkats: save up to 68% on hands-on experience at Hoo Zoo this summer

Meet the meerkats: save up to 68% on hands-on experience at Hoo Zoo this summer

Supporting image for story: The designer-style straw handbag is the must-have accessory for summer - now £21.24 for a limited time only

The designer-style straw handbag is the must-have accessory for summer - now £21.24 for a limited time only

July 14, 2025

Supporting image for story: Grants for new electric cars to be reintroduced - here's how much you could get

Grants for new electric cars to be reintroduced - here's how much you could get

Supporting image for story: NHS doctors strike: Here’s what resident doctors do, how much they get paid and the dates they are going on strike in July

NHS doctors strike: Here’s what resident doctors do, how much they get paid and the dates they are going on strike in July

July 13, 2025

Supporting image for story: We visited a traditional, no-frills, award-winning and proper drinkers pub in Bridgnorth run by a former mining engineer who made a career change

We visited a traditional, no-frills, award-winning and proper drinkers pub in Bridgnorth run by a former mining engineer who made a career change

July 11, 2025

Supporting image for story: The Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector recommended by hair experts is now on sale in the Amazon Prime Day

The Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector recommended by hair experts is now on sale in the Amazon Prime Day

Supporting image for story: Amazon Prime Day Deal: 44% off Kono 6-Piece lightweight travel luggage set – now £106.99

Amazon Prime Day Deal: 44% off Kono 6-Piece lightweight travel luggage set – now £106.99

Supporting image for story: Four-bed detached family home for sale in West Bromwich for £460,000

Four-bed detached family home for sale in West Bromwich for £460,000

Supporting image for story: £1.5m Wolverhampton Aldi supermarket deal agreed by council - here's where the discount store is due to open

£1.5m Wolverhampton Aldi supermarket deal agreed by council - here's where the discount store is due to open

July 7, 2025

Supporting image for story: Amazon rolls out Gopuff ultra-fast grocery deliveries across UK

Amazon rolls out Gopuff ultra-fast grocery deliveries across UK

Supporting image for story: 'A smart use of money': Dudley Council reacts to revelations it has stashed millions of pounds away for community developments for more than a decade

'A smart use of money': Dudley Council reacts to revelations it has stashed millions of pounds away for community developments for more than a decade

July 6, 2025

Supporting image for story: Depressing figures show Walsall’s economy falls behind national averages on nearly every front

Depressing figures show Walsall’s economy falls behind national averages on nearly every front

Supporting image for story: We visited an award-winning West Midlands pub which combines history, hard work, great beer and a warm welcome to provide a great experience for all who visit

We visited an award-winning West Midlands pub which combines history, hard work, great beer and a warm welcome to provide a great experience for all who visit

July 5, 2025

Supporting image for story: Family hubs to be rolled out across every council in England by the Department for Education

Family hubs to be rolled out across every council in England by the Department for Education

July 4, 2025

Supporting image for story: I visited a magnificently meaty chophouse restaurant in a former brothel that’s opening in Birmingham - in a Victorian vicar’s home

I visited a magnificently meaty chophouse restaurant in a former brothel that’s opening in Birmingham - in a Victorian vicar’s home

July 2, 2025

Supporting image for story: Walsall family’s housing nightmare is over

Walsall family’s housing nightmare is over

Supporting image for story: Personal Independence Payments in Dudley rise by more than 80 per cent, according to campaigners who say the benefits system is being 'significantly abused'

Personal Independence Payments in Dudley rise by more than 80 per cent, according to campaigners who say the benefits system is being 'significantly abused'

July 1, 2025

Supporting image for story: Why the LED Light Makeup Case with mirror is a must-have for your beauty routine - selling fast

Why the LED Light Makeup Case with mirror is a must-have for your beauty routine - selling fast

Supporting image for story: I’ve found the perfect breathable strappy sling dress with pockets that will keep you cool this summer

I’ve found the perfect breathable strappy sling dress with pockets that will keep you cool this summer

Supporting image for story: This £14 ice-blasting fan might be all you need to cool off on a hot day

This £14 ice-blasting fan might be all you need to cool off on a hot day

Supporting image for story: This portable air conditioner is incredibly cheap thanks to a 56% Wowcher discount deal

This portable air conditioner is incredibly cheap thanks to a 56% Wowcher discount deal

June 30, 2025

Supporting image for story: Welcome to the 'Bank of Ann' - West Midlands community hero's award-winning credit union that helps Black Country people in financial strife

Welcome to the 'Bank of Ann' - West Midlands community hero's award-winning credit union that helps Black Country people in financial strife

June 29, 2025

Supporting image for story: We visited a Tettenhall pub which has gone through many changes, but remained a warm and welcoming place that feels like home to its manager and staff

We visited a Tettenhall pub which has gone through many changes, but remained a warm and welcoming place that feels like home to its manager and staff

June 27, 2025

Supporting image for story: Council tax help may face more pressure, Dudley councillor warns

Council tax help may face more pressure, Dudley councillor warns

June 25, 2025

Supporting image for story: Spot the ball winner scoops £208k Lamborghini and £50k cash prize

Spot the ball winner scoops £208k Lamborghini and £50k cash prize

Supporting image for story: Get Frankie Bridge’s Italian Riviera style with River Island midi skirt for just £39

Get Frankie Bridge’s Italian Riviera style with River Island midi skirt for just £39

June 23, 2025

Supporting image for story: Amazon’s new UK warehouses to hire thousands as Starmer hails ‘win’ for Britain

Amazon’s new UK warehouses to hire thousands as Starmer hails ‘win’ for Britain

Supporting image for story: Win an Aston Martin Vantage worth £75,000 for just 18p in prize draw

Win an Aston Martin Vantage worth £75,000 for just 18p in prize draw

Supporting image for story: Wolverhampton semi with garden annexe up for sale for £237,000 - take a look inside

Wolverhampton semi with garden annexe up for sale for £237,000 - take a look inside

Supporting image for story: 'I am delighted that children from more struggling families will get free school dinners' - West Midlands MP

'I am delighted that children from more struggling families will get free school dinners' - West Midlands MP

June 22, 2025

Supporting image for story: We visited a Tettenhall pub which has survived the threat of demolition and become a lively and friendly community hub

We visited a Tettenhall pub which has survived the threat of demolition and become a lively and friendly community hub

June 20, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'We will have no choice but reduce our services' - Bridgnorth Foodbank fears for future as donations halve

'We will have no choice but reduce our services' - Bridgnorth Foodbank fears for future as donations halve

June 19, 2025

Supporting image for story: Sir Keir Starmer and Ed Miliband drop in on home of West Midlands mother-of-three - here's what happened

Sir Keir Starmer and Ed Miliband drop in on home of West Midlands mother-of-three - here's what happened

Supporting image for story: 'I remember the fear of the postman bringing another bill my family couldn’t afford to pay' - PM Sir Keir Starmer writes exclusively for the Express & Star

'I remember the fear of the postman bringing another bill my family couldn’t afford to pay' - PM Sir Keir Starmer writes exclusively for the Express & Star

June 18, 2025

Supporting image for story: 270,000 West Midlands households will receive £150 off their energy bills, says Ed Miliband ahead of visit to the region

270,000 West Midlands households will receive £150 off their energy bills, says Ed Miliband ahead of visit to the region

June 17, 2025

Supporting image for story: West Midlands food bank network given funding boost after generous donation from Cadbury Foundation

West Midlands food bank network given funding boost after generous donation from Cadbury Foundation

Supporting image for story: New way to get free audiobooks worth up to £100

New way to get free audiobooks worth up to £100

June 16, 2025

Supporting image for story: Heatwave warning: Wowcher slashes prices on designer sunglasses by up to 73%

Heatwave warning: Wowcher slashes prices on designer sunglasses by up to 73%

Supporting image for story: Beauty experts swear by this bestselling sun cream that's perfect to wear under makeup - now 36% off

Beauty experts swear by this bestselling sun cream that's perfect to wear under makeup - now 36% off

Supporting image for story: Get 33% Off the ghd Max Professional Hair Straightener for a limited time only

Get 33% Off the ghd Max Professional Hair Straightener for a limited time only

Supporting image for story: I was shocked by the amount of products included in the Boots Festival Edit Beauty Bag on offer for £45

I was shocked by the amount of products included in the Boots Festival Edit Beauty Bag on offer for £45

PreviousPage NextPage