Letter from Beijing

Farewell, good luck and goodbye, reflects the departing Peter Sampson.

Blair: Big Trouble in Little Britain

From RICHARD LUTZ.

Scotland And You

RICHARD LUTZ reports from north of the border on independence fever.

Whitby and Gambles

Alan Clawley comments on the two main architects of the Library of Birmingham’s future plans.

Cameron The Coward

He ducked out twice. The Prime Minister is spineless, says RICHARD LUTZ.

MP leads the first Climb Jobs Fair for South Birmingham

Employment and training opportunities for local people.

One in three Walsall children attend underperforming schools – Ofsted

Council failing its children, claims Labour group.

Information Commissioner receives complaint from local politician

Birmingham politician registers formal complaint over care.data public information campaign.

MEP backs call to exempt land rescue teams from VAT

Air Ambulance also covered in appeal for tax relief.

Food bank demand grows as benefits cut – claim

Walsall councilors donate to needy.

Lord Rennard And Some Sisterly Advice

The Rennard revelations have been followed by thousands of women, but not all of them totally sympathise with his ‘victims.’ Older career women who dealt with sexism and survived unscathed think they need to toughen up. Are they right, asks Sheilagh Matheson

Of War and Other Idiocies

At least 21 people were killed today in a series of bomb blasts across Baghdad. RICHARD LUTZ reports on how this story will never end. And just never should be forgotten.

Call for Darlaston Academy cash probe

Labour councillors in bid to make school Trust accountable.

“Make Walsall Wonga-free”

Labour group in call to discourage payday loans.

Open government

Could Birmingham become “A truly citizen-centric council”? Professor David Bailey hopes so.

Call for government action on shell companies

Local MP amongst group seeking to end corporate anonymity.

Robbing Peter to pay Paul

Does Birmingham city council spend wisely? Alan Clawley thinks not.

Midlands universities and businesses urged to apply for new EU funding

The European Commission has announced that from today, universities and businesses across the UK can apply for £12.5 billion worth of European funding in the first round of the EU’s latest research programme.


Stand up for Birmingham

Positive start for council plans.

Special scrutiny meeting called by Walsall councillors

Inquiry into education standards to be held.

Mandela – Birmingham book of condolences

Visitors to the city can add their names in remembrance.

Save Birmingham Council Services

Phillipa Webster explains the reasoning behind tomorrow’s planned protest at Birmingham Council House.

Local MP calls for investigation into political lobbying by the City of London

Criticism of “unfettered and unmonitored” access to senior politicians.

Call for cool heads over immigration debate

Senior Euro-MP says there should be “concentration on evidence-based solutions”.

Walsall childrens centres to close – claim

Warning comes in wake of proposed budget cuts.

JFK: 50 Years Ago and What I Remember

If you are of a certain age, you will remember where you were…exactly…when you found out John Kennedy was shot 50 years ago today.

Malala Yousafzai receives EU’s highest human rights prize

Strasbourg award for girl who defied terrorists.

Birmingham MP accuses council housing officials

“Conspiracy to withhold damning evidence from Ombudsman enquiry” claim.

Shadow transport minister supports road safety campaign

Call comes ahead of national safety initiative.

Deputy Prime Minster meets Chinese business leaders

Lib Dem leader discusses challenges facing region’s Chinese community.