Birmingham Post

Lib Dems Seek Inquiry As Details Still Secret

The damning report into Haringey's child protection services prompted fresh calls yesterday for a full public inquiry into Baby P's tragic death. Liberal Democrat children's spokesman David Laws said it was "wholly unacceptable" that important details about the case were still secret. He also claimed the inspectors' report published yesterday was "superficial" because it was drawn up in just 13 days.

Obama Looks to Clinton for Global Leadership ; America President-Elect Nominates National Security Team

US President-elect Barack Obama yesterday announced his national security team, nominating former rival Hillary Clinton as secretary of state and asking Defence Secretary Robert Gates to stay on in that role. Obama, who takes office on January 20, has pledged to be more inclusive and says he has a vision of renewing America's leadership in world affairs after President George W Bush's eight years.

The Police Have Made an Error Over Green ; Birmingham Post Comment

Nick Clegg has spoken for many when he states that the Government either knew that the Metropolitan Police were planning to arrest senior Tory Damian Green - or should have known. Many critics of Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, have taken a similar line.

Why Airport Runway Protest has Failed to Get Off the Ground

It is difficult not to feel just a little sympathy for the environmental groups campaigning against Birmingham International Airport's proposed runway extension. Try as they might, Friends of the Earth and the anti-airport noise group BANG have been unable to generate anything resembling a vociferous campaign. With a decision about the pounds 120 million scheme less than a fortnight away, the groups have resorted to not very funny sexual innuendo and support from Blist celebrities whose conne...

Aston Marks Success with Axe for 600 Jobs

Luxury Midland car firm Aston Martin is to cut up to 600 jobs - as it celebrates the second most successful 12 months in its 90- year plus history. The global downturn was thrown into sharp focus as the Gaydon- based manufacturer announced it was set to cut up to 300 permanent jobs and 300 temporary posts. A 90-day consultation period has been launched with Unite, the union, and the jobs - marking more than a third of the Warwickshire factory's workforce - will go in the New Year.

Wall Street Hits Skids On Confirmation Us Is in Recession

Confirmation that the US is in a recession and signs pointing to a prolonged downturn sent Wall Street plunging once again last night, hurtling the DowJones industrials down nearly 700 points. All the major indicators lost more than seven per cent, and the Standard& Poor's 500 index dropped nearly nine per cent. The market began the day sliding on initial reports that the holiday shopping season, while better than some retailers and analysts feared, was mixed, a sign that Americans are reluct...

Freshwater Braced for Advertising and Marketing Cuts As Economic Crisis Deepens ; in Association with Www.Rbs.Co.Uk Marketing

Marketing and PR firm Freshwater is bracing itself for a rough ride in the new year, predicting that advertising and marketing budgets will be cut as the economic crisis deepens. The company posted successful results for the year ending August 31, with an increase in gross profits of 61 per cent, but warned that the forthcoming year was not looking as robust.

Health Trust Fined Pounds 20,000 After Patient's Fatal Hoist Fall

A Birmingham health care trust has been fined pounds 20,000 after an elderly patient was fatally injured when she fell through a hoist which was too big for her. Ninety-year-old Alice Belle hit her head and died shortly after the accident in Moseley Hall Hospital.

Why We Need to Deliver Better Value for Money ; in His First Major Interview Since Promotion to the Top Ranks of Government, Birmingham Mp Liam Byrne Tells Political Editor Jonathan Walker Why Thousands of Government Jobs Must Go

Liam Byrne joined the highest ranks of Government in October when he became head of the Cabinet Office and Gordon Brown's so-called "enforcer", tasked with getting Government back on track after a difficult year. The MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill was picked because of his organisational skills, which were honed as an entrepreneur in the private sector before becoming an MP.

Nhs Staff Set for Day of Action in Pay Protest

NHS union members are set to disrupt health services across the region this week as part of a day of protest over pay. Members of Unite have voted to work to rule tomorrow, which includes a ban on non-essential paperwork, emailing, attending meetings, taking calls and using their mobile phones for work.

Controls Needed On Aids Money ; Health

Britain must push for a united international campaign against HIV and Aids, according to a Birmingham MP. Richard Burden (Lab Northfield) took part in an inquiry which criticised the Government for failing to explain how it would spend pounds 6 billion on tackling HIV and Aids in developing countries. The Department for International Development's commitment to strengthen health systems was "strong on rhetoric" but weak on details, said the Commons International Development Committee.

Bus Death Driver Named As 71-Year-Old ; Accident

The man who died after the bus he was driving crashed into an historic hotel in a Shropshire town last Friday was last night named by police as 71-year-old Alan Taylor. Mr Taylor, of Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, collapsed at the wheel of the R&B Travel bus, causing the vehicle to mount the pavement and veer towards the 17th century Feathers Hotel, in Ludlow, injuring four women.

Prove Staff Are Happy, or No Government Contract - Mp

Businesses should be forced to prove their staff are happy before they are awarded Government contracts, a West Midlands MP and former Minister has claimed. Single mothers should also be told to find work when their children are as young as two years old, according to James Plaskitt (Lab Warwick & Leamington).

Celebrities Join Fight to Halt Bia Extension

Comedian Mark Thomas and the novelist Will Self are among celebrities opposed to a planned 400-metre extension of Birmingham International Airport's main runway. The pair joined 1,000 protesters to sign a petition urging Solihull Council to throw out the pounds 120 million scheme on environmental grounds.

Plans for 1/2 M Houses 'Fundamentally Flawed'

An independent consultant's report for the Government, which suggests building almost half a million new homes in the West Midlands by 2026, has been dismissed as "fundamentally flawed" by a senior Birmingham City Council planner. The Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners study said the region's local authorities could identify sufficient land to build 445,600dwellings - a quarter more than councils believe is the maximum achievable without intruding into the green belt.

New Body to Keep Affordable Homes a Priority

A body has been launched to help the Government continue to deliver affordable housing during the current economic downturn. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) will be the single delivery body responsible for regenerating communities and delivering affordable homes.

Doh! Homer Helps Leckey Win Turner ; Arts

Walsall Scheme Given Pounds 1.2m Funding Boost ; Children

Ambitious Government plans aimed at delivering world-class places for young people are to be tried out in the West Midlands. Walsall and Stoke on Trent are among just 21 successful bids across the country for funding to provide places for young people to go.

Non-Catholic Pupils Needing Facilities ; Religion

Documents Given to Mp 'in Public Interest'

A civil servant arrested over alleged Home Office leaks passed information to Conservative immigration spokesman Damian Green in the belief that it would be used "in a responsible manner in the public interest", his lawyer said yesterday. Christopher Galley's solicitor Neil O'May was speaking at a press conference in London following Mr Green's arrest last week.