Birmingham Post

Council Unions to Vote On Strike

Brittle industrial relations at Birmingham City Council hit a new low last night after a union representing 4,500 workers warned its members were ready to walk out in an increasingly bitter pay row. The GMB union, whose members include teaching assistants, school caretakers, kitchen staff and office cleaners, accused the council's Tory-Lib Dem coalition of refusing to discuss seriously the implications of Single Status - which could see hundreds of workers lose as much as pounds 10,000 a year...

Business Bosses Push for City Region - and Elected Mayor

The region's business community last night said the debate on the creation of a powerful city region, possibly led by an elected mayor, should not falter. The call came as the Government appeared to be on the brink of a Uturn on whether locally accountable city mayors were the best way forward outside London

Is Brady Getting the Gold Shoulder Treatment?

Is Birmingham City FC co-owner David Gold pointing Karren Brady towards the exit following crunch talks over the managing director's future at the club? The club remained tight-lipped last night as to the outcome of the talks which came after it was revealed earlier this week that Ms Brady has been offered the top job at Capital Radio.

Uk Voting Banana Republic

The Government is facing a human rights inquiry into alleged electoral fraud in the UK, which threatens to turn Britain into a "banana republic". The investigation, which follows allegations of voting irregularities in Birming ham, Coventry, London and Blackburn, has been launched by the Parliamen tary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Strasbourg-based human rights watchdog.

Devolution Still Our Key Aim, Says Whitby

Devolving power to local com munities remains a corner stone of Birmingham City Council policy, council leader Mike Whitby said yesterday - but only where a business case can be made that the switch will be cost effective and deliver better services. The important qualification is contained in a long-awaited formal response by Coun Whitby to a critical scrutiny committee report, published three months ago.

Mysterious Roman Treasures Go On Show

One of the world's greatest collections of Roman treasures was exhibited for the first time yesterday after decades of controversy over its mysteri ous provenance. The Sevso Treasure consists of 14 exquisite pieces of sil verware with an estimated value of pounds 100 million.

Birmingham Home Owners Owe More to Banks Than Property Is Worth

The desire to keep up with the Joneses has left 100,000 home owners in Birmingham owing more to the bank than their properties are worth, according to new research. Traditionally the upwardly mobile have looked to the equity in their homes to fund life's luxurious extras but the cooling of the housing market has seen them turn to expensive loans and credit cards.

History of British Racing Icon

Founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bam-ford, Aston Martin took its name from the village of Aston Clinton, in Buckinghamshire, where Martin raced specials. The company, whose headquarters are now at Gaydon in Warwickshire, quickly built up a reputation as a force to be reckoned with on the race circuit, particularly at Le Mans, and also set world speed and endurance records in their cars.

Buy My House and Get Aston Martin for Free

To most, Wootton Grange Farmhouse is a picturesque proposition, located deep in one of Warwickshire's wealthiest villages. But with the house having been on the market for over a year, the owner has decided a new incentive is vital to get buyers through the door - his tungsten silver Aston Martin DB7 GTA

Headless Corpse Case Set for Appeal

A farm labourer jailed for life for murdering a young man and dumping his decapitated body in a park is to appeal against his conviction, it was confirmed yesterday. John Latus, of Wroxeter, Shropshire, who was found guilty at Chester Crown Court in 2003 of battering and beheading Julian Sanders with an axe, will begin his appeal at the High Court in London on November 23.

Suicide Bid by Mother in Social Services Wrangle

A mother who was embroiled in a wrangle with Birmingham social services over the care of her mentally ill daughter has tried to kill herself in Spain for the third time. Wendy Ainscow, who moved from the city to the Wirral a year ago, survived a suicide pact in which her 75-year-old husband died in November 2004.

Veil Can Be Problem, Says Blair

The veil is a "mark of separation" which makes non-Muslims feel uncomfortable, Tony Blair said yesterday. But it was merely part of the broader issue of the failure of some Muslims to integrate, he claimed.

Changes Will Improve Nhs, Insists Pm

Changes to the NHS including measures to axe hundreds of hospital posts will improve health services in the long run, Tony Blair has insisted. Speaking to The Birmingham Post, he said there were "good clinical reasons" for the re-organisation of health services and people would "see the benefits" in the long term.

Scarf Ban for Medical Students

Muslim medical students at Birmingham University have been banned from wearing veils when dealing with patients, Although Islamic women can wear the veil to lectures and around campus, they are prohibited from wearing it when dealing with patients, for communication, hygiene and security reasons.

Another Setback in Ulster

The Government was forced yesterday to call off a meeting involving the Rev Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams as Tony Blair's new bid to get the Northern Ireland peace process on track suffered a setback. Talks had been planned at Stormont involving the Democratic Unionists and Sinn Fein on the policy objectives of a future Stormont executive. But the meeting was postponed when the DUP accused the Government of reneging on written commitments that Martin McGuinness of Sinn Fein would sign up next m...

How Morris Put Back Cause of Women in Politics - Blunkett

David Blunkett has accused Estelle Morris, the former Birmingham MP who quit the Cabinet admitting she wasn't up to the job, of setting back the cause of women in politics. The former Home Secretary, who himself resigned twice from Tony Blair's Government, makes the claim in his tell-all diaries which have enraged colleagues.

Road Pricing 'Could Push Up Cost of Motoring' - Minister

Road pricing could mean the cost of running a car shoots up, Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander has admitted. The Government has hinted in the past that congestion charging could be accompanied by changes to road and petrol tax, so that the overall cost to drivers remains the same. But Mr Alexander admitted there was no guarantee of this, when he was quizzed in the House of Commons.

Coventry Mp Wants Even More Casinos

A Labour MP was accused yesterday of acting as a "stalking horse" for the Government by proposing an increase in the number of regional casinos. Jim Cunningham (Coventry S) tried to raise the limit in a backbench Bill from one to eight.

Reid Under Pressure

Gingerbread Persons Get Their Marching Orders

Bosses at a West Midlands bakery chain yesterday bowed to public pressure after a bid to make gingerbread men more politically correct saw them rebranded 'gingerbread persons'. Sales assistants across the region's 20 or so Bakers Dozen shops across the West Midlands have been selling the centuries-old treat under the new name after a unilateral decision by a former manager to make the biscuit more politically correct.