Birmingham Post

Police Olive Branch to Smith On Pay

The Police Federation extended a New Year's "olive branch" to the Home Secretary yesterday and urged her to reconsider her position over the bitter police pay row. Redditch MP Jacqui Smith sparked outrage when she announced that a 2.5 per cent rise agreed at arbitration would not be fully backdated, effectively slashing it to under two per cent.

City Toasts New Year in Champagne

Birmingham is the Champagne capital of the country, according to a survey of alcohol sales between Christmas and New Year. Figures released by Tesco show that its stores in Birmingham before New Year's Eve sold more Champagne and fine wines than any other outlets in the UK.

'Mobile' Vigilantes Out to Get You ; Law

Those using hand-held mobiles while driving should now be wary of "vigilante" fellow motorists as well as the police. A road safety website has been set up to allow drivers to report anyone they see breaking the mobile phone regulations and committing other motoring offences.

Manhunt After Aston Knife Death ; Death

West Midlands Police are investigating after a man was stabbed to death outside a social club. Officers were called to the car park of Ruskin Hall, Aston, in the early hours of Thursday. The man, 24, was taken to hospital, where he died a short time later.

Street Smart

As the annual round of Christmas parties begins, Birmingham restaurants are asking you to spare a thought for the city's homeless. Almost 20 of Birmingham's favourite eating places are supporting the StreetSmart scheme, by asking their customers for a donation of pounds 1 on each table's bill.

Councils Need Joint Ticket to Bring Better Bus Services

West Midlands councils have failed to display leadership and are not working together effectively to halt declining bus passenger numbers, financial watchdogs have warned. The Audit Commission urged local authorities to develop a range of "integrated and sustained actions" to reverse years of decline in bus use across the region.

Keira Tops 2007 Pretty Woman Poll

Keira Knightley was named the number one women's beauty icon of 2007 in a poll of 2,500 people. The star of Atonement, largely filmed in Shropshire, beat TV presenter Kelly Brook and supermodel Kate Moss to win the greatest share of votes.

Half of Motorists Prepared to Drive - Even If Over the Limit From the Night Before

Almost half of motorists are willing to drive even though they may be over the limit from the night before, a poll has suggested. A survey of 4,000 UK adults found many were happy to risk a ban by getting behind the wheel the morning after a night out drinking. That study came as the Government today urged New Year's Eve revellers to avoid harm by drinking responsibly.

Dose of Reality Follows Honeymoon for Smith ; Redditch Mp Jacqui Smith Was Initially Lauded in the Wake of Her Promotion to Home Secretary in Gordon Brown's Government. However, Troubled Times Were Soon to Follow.

Shortly after becoming Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith invited journalists to a reception in the Home Office. She told assembled hacks that her sister was a journalist - and had already warned her that the good press she was receiving wouldn't last forever.

Baa in New Talks to Avert Strike ; Airports

Fresh talks aimed at averting a series of New Year strikes by thousands of workers at seven airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick, will be held today. Officials from airport owners BAA will meet leaders of Unite and the Public and Commercial Services Union in an attempt to head off 24-hour walkouts on January 7 and 14 and a 48-hour stoppage from January 17.

Rowling Ponders Eighth Book ; Potter

JK Rowling has admitted to "weak moments" when she could agree to write another book in the Harry Potter series. But it is unlikely that young wizard Harry would feature as the main protagonist in an eighth novel, Rowling said, adding: "Let's give it 10 years."

On-the-Spot 'Shock' ; Fines

On-the-spot fines are helping police win hearts and minds in the battle against anti-social behaviour, according to a chief constable. Head of Norfolk Police Ian McPherson said pounds 80 cash demands stopped vandals in their tracks, impressed the public and did not leave officers with mountains of paperwork.

You'll Feel Stuffed ; Food

A farm has created possibly the biggest roast dinner available to buy in the UK - a 12 bird roast weighing four stone with enough meat to feed 125 people. The True Love Roast was created to add a "wow" factor to multibird meals, where different types of bird are stuffed inside a larger one.

Politics: University Challenged ; Education

The Government's drive to expand university education has produced a generation of poor quality graduates that employers do not want to hire, businesses have warned. Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI, said many employers believe "more means less" when it comes to increasing the numbers of students taking degrees.

Politics: Boris a Clown Says Rival Candidate ; London Mayor

Liberal Democrat candidate for London Mayor Brian Paddick yesterday branded his Conservative rival Boris Johnson a "clown" who was incapable of being a "serious ambassador" for the nation's capital. Mr Paddick claimed that Mr Johnson's reported vow to give up drinking for the course of the electoral campaign betrayed concern that he might commit gaffes.

Politics: Labour Surge ; Polling

Labour's poll revival continued yesterday as a survey found the governing party had closed the gap from 13 points to five in a fortnight. But the upturn in fortunes was not shared by Prime Minister Gordon Brown whose personal popularity remained at minus 24 per cent, far lower than Conservative rival David Cameron's plus 22 per cent.

Politics: Honour Bevan ; Health

Ministers have been urged to mark the 60th anniversary of the National Health Service by naming hospitals after its founder. The call came from Labour MP Jim Devine who said it was a matter of national "shame" that no major hospital was named after Nye Bevan.

Politics: Beating Global Credit Crisis Is Top of Brown Wish-List

Gordon Brown put dealing with the global credit crisis at the top of his priority list for 2008 yesterday in a New Year message to voters promising "real and serious changes". Mr Brown, who has enjoyed a rollercoaster ride in public popularity since becoming Prime Minister in June, said it would be "the decisive year" of the decade in shaping Britain's future.

Politics: Byers Confines Tony Blair to History Books

Gordon Brown was offered an olive branch by Stephen Byers yesterday as the prominent Blairite urged unity behind the Prime Minister and an end to "old battles". The former Cabinet Minister - who publicly called for a high- profile candidate to take on Mr Brown in the race to succeed Tony Blair - said the former PM now had to be consigned to history.

Politics: Clegg's Pledge to Lib Dems

Nick Clegg promised Liberal Democrats a "momentous" first year under his leadership yesterday - and said 2008 was the year to "bring down" plans for identity cards. In a New Year message he urged the party to take an "unparalleled opportunity" to win over millions more voters, setting May's local elections as an early test.