Birmingham Post

Big Idea Will Give Tiny Car Firms Own Motorcity

A new 'motorcity is set to be created in the West Midlands, giving a boost to the region's beleaguered car industry. Up to 30 companies specialising in niche vehicles would be housed on the site, which could ultimately create up to 2,000 jobs in the region.

Sex Offenders Must Not Live in Hostels Near to Schools - Reid

Home Secretary John Reid ordered paedophiles to be moved out of three hostels close to Midland schools. Mr Reid has instructed the National Offender Management Service to implement "restricted admission" at 11 hostels close to schools across the country, including ones in Birmingham, Nuneaton in Warwickshire, and Stafford.

New-Look Schools 'Could See Parents Relinquish Duties'

Plans to increase the role of schools will be an opportunity for some parents to abdicate responsibility over their children, the headteacher of a pilot into the drive said. The Government has demanded every school in the country becomes an "extended school" by the end of the decade.

Elan Valley Interview Scrapped by Tv Boss

Controversial comments by the deputy leader of Birmingham City Council about fund-raising for an Elan Valley heritage centre were not positive enough to be broadcast, according to a television station boss. Joe McConnell, the editor of Biztv, said he took the decision not to screen an interview with Paul Tilsley because the questions did not reflect "positive business news stories".

Rubbish Collection Fees 'Only an Option'

Reports that taxpayers could face extra charges for household rubbish collection were played down by Sir Michael Lyons yesterday. The Government's adviser on council tax reform, and former chief executive of Birmingham City Council, stressed this was only one of the options being considered under his review of local government finance.

A Failed Asylum Seeker with No Work, Money or Hope

Alireza Alikhasi arrived in the UK just over a year ago and claimed asylum on May 19 2005. "I claimed asylum because my life was at risk in Iran," he said. "I had been locked up and tortured because of my activities against the Iranian Government.

Birmingham Home to a 'Hidden Underclass'

Homeless failed asylum seekers have created a 'hidden underclass' of about 2,000 people in Birmingham, according to a study commissioned by churches in the city. The homeless plight of the vast majority is masked because most are sleeping on the floors of friends and of others in their community with up to 14 people living in one terraced house, according to reports.

My Battle for Justice Over Mmr ; Controversy Over the Safety of a Combined Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccination for Children has Led to a Measles Epidemic in Britain As Parents Shun the Three-in-One Jab. Health Reporter Emma Brady Spoke to Rosemary Fox Who Knows All Too Well What Can Happen When Vaccines Do More Harm Than Good

Rosemary Pox was confused when she had to decide whether to vaccinate her seven-month-old daughter Helen against polio in 1962. Her grandmother was adamantly against the idea, while the family's health visitor was pressing her to go ahead.

Hospital Helipad to Open Round the Clock

A Midland hospital is to become the first in the region to allow air ambulances to land 24 hours a day. The helipad at Heartlands Hospital, in Bordesley Green, Birmingham, can accept emergency cases brought in by air now it has been floodlit using new aviation lighting.

Teeth Clue in Assault

Police are hunting an attacker with prominent teeth who sexually assaulted a woman near a beauty spot. The victim, 35, was attacked in Hanley Road, near to Central Forest Park, in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, by a man who had all of his front teeth capped.

Acid Attack: Girl Charged

A second teenager has been charged in connection with an acid attack on a girl in the Black Country. A 15-year-old girl from Warley was arrested on Friday and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm.

Cbso Recording Plans Thrown Into Turmoil by Warner Classics Closure

Recording plans for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra have been thrown into disarray by the sudden closure of Warner Classics, the label for which it has made most of its CDs with music director Sakari Oramo. The first casualty is a recording of Elgar's Dream of Gerontius, planned for August. Others which have been lost are Brahms' Second Piano Concerto with Russian pianist Nikolai Lugansky and Elgar's Violin Concerto with young British violinist Daniel Hope, which was to have been re...

New Speed Limits a Relief for Villagers

A scheme to stop motorists from speeding in Warwickshire villages has been welcomed by residents. Since 2002, Warwickshire County Council has been carrying out a systematic review of village speed limits in the region.

Signs Help On 'Danger Roads'

Some of the worst rural roads for accidents in the Midlands have topped a league of the UK's most improved routes. The AA Motoring Trust carried out a report into the dangers posed by rural roads as part of the European Road Assessment Programme.

Education Matters: Students 'Paying Others to Do Work'

Academics have unearthed a new type of cyber-cheating where students put their coursework out to tender on the internet and suppliers bid to complete it. The phenomenon, dubbed contract cheating, was identified by researchers at the University of Central England in Birmingham, who describe it as the natural successor to plagiarism.

Education Matters: School Leads Way in Going the Extra Mile ; the Future Lies in Extended Schools, According to the Government. Education Correspondent Shahid Naqvi Visited One School That Is Leading the Way

For the past two years St Michael's High School has been doing what every school in the country will soon have to do. More than just educating its pupils, it is performing a much bigger role within the community.

Education Matters: Wanted: New Headmaster - Must Have Clean Teeth and a Suit

Headteachers looking for jobs in primary schools need leadership experience, excellent communication skills - and clean teeth. Job adverts placed in the Times Educational Supplement stipulated that candidates should dress well and "smell nice".

Education Matters: Degree Courses Must Go Back to Basics ; Never Mind the Bullock Plain Speaking From Ex-Teacher Brenda Bullock

I read the piece by Birmingham University student Hannah Baker in The Birmingham Post on June 7 with a rising feeling of anger and incredulity. It was scarcely credible to me that she is offered no more than eight hours a week of lectures/seminars and has one of her core modules taught by a PhD student.

Education Matters: Church in Dock Over Stance On Gay People

The Church of England has been condemned for demanding that faith schools should be exempt from planned new laws to ban discrimination against gay and lesbian people. The Church told Ministers that faith schools would not want to discriminate on grounds of sexual orientation when deciding which children to admit.

Education Matters: University's Investment