Birmingham Post

Cancelled Ops On the Rise As Nhs Banks Cash

The number of cancelled operations has shot up in the West Midlands - but hospitals and health trusts are on course to run up a surplus of pounds 155 million. Figures show in a three-month period, hospitals called off 1,545 operations at short notice, compared with 1,109 last year, an increase of 39 per cent.

Mansion Owner Could Have 'Just Flipped' Says Associate

Police yesterday entered the burned-out Shropshire home of a missing millionaire as part of their search for the family. Christopher Foster, wife Jill and 15-year-old daughter Kirstie have not been seen since their country estate was gutted by a suspected arson attack at 4am on Tuesday.

Npower and Scottish Power Complete Set with Big Rises

Energy firms npower and Scottish Power yesterday announced more bad news for households with steep increases in gas and electricity prices. Npower said prices for gas customers would increase 26 per cent, with electricity up 14 per cent, both with immediate effect.

Museums Service On the Move From London to Birmingham

The national agency for advising the Government on libraries and museums is relocating from London to Birmingham. It was announced yesterday the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council will move to city centre offices at Bennetts Hill.

Dvla Workers Walk Out Over Pay Offer ; Public Services

A pay strike by workers at the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency caused "significant disruption" yesterday, leading to the closure of local offices including one in Birmingham, and a restricted service in those remaining open, union leaders have said. The Public and Commercial Services union said 80 per cent of staff at the head guarters in Swansea stayed away, while a number of offices were closed, including those at Nottingham, Chester, Bangor, Birmingham, Leeds and Brighton.

Stolen Metal Haul ; Crime

Last Wwi Lady Dies ; History

A woman believed to be the last surviving female veteran of the First World War has died, the Ministry of Defence said yesterday Gladys Powers died aged 109 in British Columbia, Canada, on August 14.

Witness Appeal ; Accident

Police in Birmingham are appealing for witnesses after a fatal road traffic accident in the Alum Rock area on Thursday. A 20-year-old man, who has not yet been named, received serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene after a collision between a motorcycle, a lorry and a car at 12.45pm at the junction of Alum Rock Road and Anthony Road.

Lockerbie Relatives 'Traded with Blood of the Victims'

A Midland doctor criticised the son of Libyan leader Colonel Mu'ammar Gaddafi after he accused relatives of Lockerbie victims of being "very greedy" for seeking compensation. Dr Jim Swire, living in Bromsgrove when his daughter Flora died in the atrocity, said the Libyans should help families with the search for "truth and justice", rather than focusing on compensation.

Birmingham Toddler Enjoys

Muslim Man Gets Eight Years After Knife Death of Bnp Activist

A Muslim man has been jailed for eight years for killing his BNP activist neighbour following a long-running dispute. Habib Khan, 50, stabbed 52-year-old Keith Brown with a kitchen knife during a violent row outside his home in Stoke-on-Trent in July last year.

Change in Council Grant Decisions Could Hit Applicants

More than a third of voluntary organisations bidding for pounds 30 million of Birmingham City Council grants have had applications turned down following changes to the way the local authority allocates funding. Bids by scores of community and faith groups to secure a three- year financial lifeline resulted in the budget being over- subscribed by 100 per cent, and only 143 out of 278 requests for cash are likely to be approved.

Redundant Rock Staff Leave Stricken Lender

Most of the 1,300 staff made redundant by nationalised lender Northern Rock left yesterday. The departures follow the completion of a consultation between staff, management and trade union Unite.

Country Antrim House Sale Sees Flood of Buyers

A major Northern Ireland house builder proved yesterday homes can still be sold despite market gloom - provided the price is right. When the developer slashed the price of new homes it could not sell because of the property slump by as much as pounds 110,000, it got buyers for every one in a couple of hours.

Authorities to Get Cash for Cross-Boundary Business Work

Councils are to get cash for helping local businesses succeed, ministers have announced. Authorities in the West Midlands conurbation are on course to receive extra funding of pounds 4 million under proposals announced by Local Government Minister John Healey.

Cop Inquest Date

The inquest into the death of Greater Manchester Chief Constable Michael Todd will take place on October 6, it has been confirmed. Mr Todd was widely regarded as one of the country's most talented senior police officers.

Son Who Tried to Extort Pounds 10,000 From Mother Escapes Criminal Charges

Two friends have been jailed for their part in a kidnap and blackmail plot instigated by the victim in an attempt to get his family to pay pounds 10,000. Kalpit Patel made calls to his family saying he would be killed unless they came up with pounds 10,000 owed to Simon Henry after a deal over a car went wrong.

Politics: Councils Could Halt Repossesions

Councils could get help to buy repossessed and unsold properties under plans to be announced by the Government, it was claimed yesterday. The measures, which are expected to be announced next week, will give councils and housing associations the means to intervene in the flagging property market.

Politics: Tesco Backs Out of Eco-Town Plan - Every Little Helps

Tesco is dropping its bid to build one of the proposed eco- towns. Hanley Grange in Cambridgeshire was one of 15 shortlisted by the Government as potential sites for up to 10 environmentally- sustainable new settlements.

Politics: Final Goodbyes for Leo Abse, 'Greatest Parliamentarian'

Tributes were paid to a politician described as "arguably the greatest Parliamentarian of his time" at his funeral yesterday. Friends and family flocked to say goodbyes to former MP and gay rights champion Leo Abse whose funeral was held in his old constituency of Torfaen, South Wales.