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

Local news you can trust

Close

Cost of living Archive

August 19, 2025

Supporting image for story: Eccleshall breakfast club remains on the menu thanks to donation from housing group

Eccleshall breakfast club remains on the menu thanks to donation from housing group

August 17, 2025

Supporting image for story: Rail campaigners say potential 5.5% fares rise would be ‘ripping off’ passengers

Rail campaigners say potential 5.5% fares rise would be ‘ripping off’ passengers

Supporting image for story: We visited a Rushall pub which is family-friendly and works to be a centre for the community

We visited a Rushall pub which is family-friendly and works to be a centre for the community

August 16, 2025

Supporting image for story: Number of Wolverhampton households receiving 'lifeline' rebates on electricity bills is on the rise

Number of Wolverhampton households receiving 'lifeline' rebates on electricity bills is on the rise

August 15, 2025

Supporting image for story: Worrying new figures show high number of workless households in South Staffordshire - here's how the region compares to the rest of the UK

Worrying new figures show high number of workless households in South Staffordshire - here's how the region compares to the rest of the UK

August 14, 2025

Supporting image for story: Shocking figures show 20 per cent of households in Wolverhampton were not in work in 2024

Shocking figures show 20 per cent of households in Wolverhampton were not in work in 2024

August 13, 2025

Supporting image for story: 1 in 7 Walsall households were not in work in 2024 - here's how it compares to the rest of the country

1 in 7 Walsall households were not in work in 2024 - here's how it compares to the rest of the country

August 12, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'We simply could not have done this without their help' - Wolverhampton Youth Zone gets crucial grant to allow newly-upgraded café to stay open

'We simply could not have done this without their help' - Wolverhampton Youth Zone gets crucial grant to allow newly-upgraded café to stay open

Supporting image for story: Unemployment in the West Midlands hits 5.8 per cent - the highest figure outside London

Unemployment in the West Midlands hits 5.8 per cent - the highest figure outside London

August 11, 2025

Supporting image for story: Peter Rhodes on Winston's wise words, a new sort of family and a sudden demand for accountants

Peter Rhodes on Winston's wise words, a new sort of family and a sudden demand for accountants

August 10, 2025

Supporting image for story: Study shows fewer households in Wolverhampton are threatened by homelessness - but national figures reveal 'devastating' reality

Study shows fewer households in Wolverhampton are threatened by homelessness - but national figures reveal 'devastating' reality

Supporting image for story: We visited a charming canalside Staffordshire village pub with ambitions to become a recognised place for real ale

We visited a charming canalside Staffordshire village pub with ambitions to become a recognised place for real ale

August 9, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Devastating' figures show number of Walsall children in temporary accommodation on the rise as England faces growing concerns over affordable housing

'Devastating' figures show number of Walsall children in temporary accommodation on the rise as England faces growing concerns over affordable housing

August 8, 2025

Supporting image for story: New community centre opens in Blakenall with community pantry, charity shop and more

New community centre opens in Blakenall with community pantry, charity shop and more

Supporting image for story: Shropshire food bank responds to 'upsetting' comments after Facebook post slams users wearing 'designer gear'

Shropshire food bank responds to 'upsetting' comments after Facebook post slams users wearing 'designer gear'

August 5, 2025

Supporting image for story: Households could save thousands of pounds by using clean technology, report says

Households could save thousands of pounds by using clean technology, report says

August 4, 2025

Supporting image for story: Poundland launches online clearance sale - and you can get bargains from 10p ahead of UK store closures

Poundland launches online clearance sale - and you can get bargains from 10p ahead of UK store closures

August 3, 2025

Supporting image for story: We visited a Staffordshire village pub which has been given a new lease of life and has become a prime place for drinkers and foodies alike

We visited a Staffordshire village pub which has been given a new lease of life and has become a prime place for drinkers and foodies alike

August 2, 2025

Supporting image for story: I visited an award-winning Indian restaurant to try a new concept meal which is traditional across south Asia

I visited an award-winning Indian restaurant to try a new concept meal which is traditional across south Asia

July 30, 2025

Supporting image for story: Walsall baker creates life-size Shrek cake so tall she needed ladders to ice it - and donates it to food banks

Walsall baker creates life-size Shrek cake so tall she needed ladders to ice it - and donates it to food banks

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

PreviousPage NextPage