City council contacts local government minister to highlight changes
Improvement Panel and Council to collaborate to tackle improvement challenges.
Women’s strike call
The Birmingham Women’s Strike Assembly explain the reason for their action.
To Beeb or not to Beeb – and other questions of the week
Richard Lutz rifles through another mess of a week. – and a stormy one too
City MP slams length of NHS waiting lists
Waiting lists soar as Birmingham’s NHS faces cash crisis – claim.
Why is Everyone so *&*$£ing Angry?
Is it just me or is everyone getting more pissed off? asks Will Mapplebeck
Bullet points
Richard Lutz looks back balefully on the week.
Midlands Engine Investment Fund launches £100 million equity fund
Launch is latest wave of £250 million Midlands Engine Investment Fund.
Further investment and devolution call at mayoral summit
Metro Mayors in joint call for government to review housing funding allocation to city-regions.
Birmingham MP delighted by asylum seekers project
Pioneering project supports young asylum seekers and refugees.
Region to show united front at MIPIM 2018
Billions of pounds of Midlands investment opportunities to be unveiled at global property show.
Suffragette City
Birmingham announces plans to celebrate women’s vote centenary.
The slow road to citizenship
Richard Lutz chronicles how he took the pledge and became British.
Sir Howard Exclusive: Trump shutdown shock
From Sir Howard Elston, sitting in his US underground nuclear bunker somewhere under Das Capital.
Wolff at the door: Double trouble in The West Wing
Richard Lutz reads two books that turn the spotlight on President Trump.
Birmingham students to debate role of the Commonwealth
Event hopes to spotlight effect on Britain’s relations with the world.
WMCA unveils proposed budget and mayoral precept for 2018/19
New body to raise funds for continued infrastructure expansion.
The rights and wrongs of Mr Will Mapplebeck
Will Mapplebeck looks back at his looking forward.
Birmingham looks to Asia for post-Brexit investment
City attracts £300 million investment from Hong Kong creating over 1,000 new homes.
Thorpe redux
Will Mapplebeck reviews a book about disgraced Liberal leader Jeremy Thorpe in a time of a dark intolerant Britain.
Mayor to host multi-faith conference
Event aims to build togetherness through faith.
That was the Warwickshire that was and other tales
Richard Lutz plunders his archive to remember what happened last week…..
Birmingham tax specialist calls for investment help in budget
Government action “holds the key to innovation boost.”
Are we reaching our critical state?
Will Mapplebeck asks if we are observing the end of politics.
Screengrab: The disunited state of America
Richard Lutz turns his attention to a TV documentary that stands out.
Mayor keeps pledge on multi-faith conference
Sign-up to be part of West Midlands multi-faith conference.
May day – not a car crash but a pile up
Will Mapplebeck witnesses more whacko politics at one crazy Tory knees-up.
Hard Labour at Brighton Rock
Will Mapplebeck survives the Labour Party Conference as delegates enjoy the surf at New Dawn-by-the-sea.
Birmingham Northfield MP wins national road safety award
Accolade honours longstanding commitment to safe vehicle development.
Car crash politics
Will Mapplebeck fishes for the best politico-TV on the box. It can make for disturbing viewing.
Blues for a forgotten crooner
Richard Lutz catalogues another seven days.