Birmingham Post

West Midlands Told to Find Space for 420,000 Homes

Extensive house building in rural areas and the green belt appeared inevitable last night after the Government ordered the West Midlands to find space for 420,000 new homes by 2026. The figure, which is 55,600 more than the region's local councils believe is achievable or desirable, puts the Regional Assembly on a collision course with the Department of Communities and Local Government.

Right to Kick Out Political Heretics Sparks Lords' Clash

Former trade union chief Bill Morris and ex-CBI leader Digby Jones have clashed over plans to allow unions to expel members because of their political views. Lord Morris of Handsworth, the former general secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union, called the proposal "barking mad".

Residents Hand Over 200 Letters of Protest

Residents fighting plans to build more than 70 homes in their neighbourhood delivered 200 letters yesterday to Solihull Council as part of their campaign. The letters from residents in the Elmdon Lane area of Marston Green voice concerns over a revived planning application to build 16 apartments and 55 houses on land to the rear of the lane.

Baths Should Be Knocked Down - City Leisure Chief

The politician in charge of Birmingham's civic swimming pools and leisure centres has reasserted his belief that facilities built 70 or 80 years ago should be knocked down and replaced by modern buildings. Councillor Ray Hassall was criticised when he first raised the subject before Christmas after his remarks were interpreted as a threat to the future of Moseley Road Baths, which face a pounds 20 million-plus restoration bill.

Council 'On the Road to Excellence' for Services

The deputy leader of Birmingham City Council has confessed to being "over-whelmed" by the improvement in the local authority's services in 2007. Paul Tilsley, in his annual report, said the council was well on the road to excellence and would soon qualify for three stars from Government inspectors - indicating good performance.

Children's Hospital Thief Allowed to Keep Her Job

A senior nurse who stole nearly pounds 2,000 from a trust fund for patients at Birmingham Children's Hospital was allowed to keep her job yesterday, despite confessing to taking the money. Sara O'Brien, a clinical nurse specialist at the hospital's haemophilia unit, escaped with a four-year caution although she told the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) panel that she paid drug companies' donations into the fund, which she controlled but which the hospital was unaware existed.

Three Bottles of Vodka a Day Surgeon Banned Again

A consultant surgeon who put patients at a West Midlands hospital at risk by drinking up to three bottles of vodka a day has been suspended again. At a hearing last year Dr Ramasankerpersad Jairam was suspended for nine months after admitting consuming alcohol while on duty and not informing the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital in February 2005.

Canoe Man Faces Further Charges

Back-from-the-dead canoeist John Darwin and his wife Anne have been charged with additional counts of deception, Cleveland Police said last night. Mr Darwin, 57, and his wife, 55, will appear before Hartlepool Magistrates' Court today to face the new charges.

Jail for Extremist Planning to 'Kill Many'

An al Qaida terrorist who may have been planning to kill British troops in Afghanistan was jailed yesterday for four-and-a-half years. Sohail Qureshi, 30, boasted to fellow extremists that he planned to "kill many" during a two-to-three week mission.

Ex-Pats Getting Pounds 8m Allowances

The number of British ex-pats exploiting a legal loophole to get cash windfalls from the Government soared by nearly a fifth last year, it was disclosed last night. UK taxpayers handed former residents just over pounds 8 million in winter fuel allowances, even though many of them now live in warm climates such as Spain or Italy.

Pensioner Not Checked by Care Assistants Before Wheelchair Death

Two care assistants did not perform regular checks on a pensioner who died after being left in a wheelchair overnight at a Birmingham nursing home, an inquest heard yesterday. Brigid O'Callaghan, aged 74, was found with the chair's seat belt wrapped around her neck at the Bupa-run Amberley Court Nursing Home in Edgbaston, during a week's stay, a jury at Birmingham Coroner's Court was told.

Breast Cancer Screening Reduced Deaths by Nearly a Half

Breast cancer screening cut deaths from the disease by nearly a half in one region, according to a study published yesterday. One of the first studies into the impact of the national screening programme in East Anglia shows that screening reduces breast cancer deaths by 48 per cent.

Small Firms Could Face Ruin Through Energy Costs

Small firms in the region could face financial ruin in the face of sweeping energy price increases, a watchdog has warned. Business energy tariffs tie firms into long contracts, leaving small firms will have no option but to pass costs on to customers or risk going out of business, Energywatch has said.

Attempted-Murder Accused 'Spoke of Hiring a Hitman'

A friend of a woman accused of poisoning her husband told a jury yesterday she was asked if she knew a hitman. Sarah Johnson said in evidence at Stafford Crown Court: "She spoke about her relationship with her husband and she asked me if I knew a hitman but not in relation to her husband.

One Awesome Stunt We Must Leave to the Experts

What possesses a man to ride his motorbike to God knows what speeds and suddenly let go of the handlebars? While airborne! "It's the buzz, man!" says Joel Balchin, with more than a hint of a laid back Aussie drawl. At 28, he should know better but he remains, without doubt, one of the maddest riders in the fantastically monikered Crusty Demons, the phenomenally-talented but certainly deranged team of stunt riders that have swept the US and Australia and are now conquering the UK. Balchy - it ...

Death Riddle

Groping Claim

Cross to Bear

Fling Too Far

A senior British Transport Police officer who admitted having sex while on duty has been dismissed. Inspector Masood Khan, of Coulsdon, south London, admitted one disciplinary charge at a misconduct hearing yesterday.

Headteacher Defends Funeral in the Building

A headteacher yesterdaydefended the decision to hold what is thought to be the first funeral in a school building. The Church of England-backed Samworth Enterprise Academy was built in Leicester, as part of the national academies programme, to incorporate a fully functioning church.