Birmingham Post

Minister Warns: Be Ready for the Upturn

West Midlands businesses must look beyond the recession and get ready for the upturn when it comes, a cabinet minister has warned. Skills Secretary John Denham urged firms to invest in skills and training so they were ready to make the most of opportunities when the economy grew stronger.

Cheers! City Toasts Double Success in Style Stakes

Private Sector Cool On City's Upbeat Message ; in Association with Lloyds Tsb Corporate Markets

Council leaders attempted to put a brave face on the credit crunch by inviting West Midlands developers and financiers to bid for 46 prime regeneration sites across Birmingham. But a deliberately low-key launch of the city's second Area Investment Prospectus prompted an uncertain response.

Government Warned Industry Reaching 'State of Emergency' ; Automotive in Association with Lloyds Tsb Corporate Markets

The UK's motor industry is reaching a "state of emergency" and urgently needs a boost in next month's Budget to stem the tide of job losses, pay and production cuts, the Government was warned last night. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders wrote to the Chancellor to stress calls for improved access to finance and credit, a so-called scrappage scheme to encourage motorists to trade in older cars for new models, and support to keep people in jobs despite the slump in sales.

Gilt Assuaged ; Update in Association with Lloyds Tsb Corporate Markets

Buyers flocked back to the latest auction of government- guaranteed bonds yesterday, snapping up pounds 1.1 billion in gilts. The Debt Management Office (DMO) - which sells the gilts to raise money on behalf of the Government - said its final auction of the financial year attracted bids for almost three times the amount on offer. The success comes a day after a government bond auction failed to draw in enough buyers for the first time in seven years.

We'll Give Nhs Staff the Right to Speak Out - Tories

Every NHS worker will have a legal right to speak out if hospitals are failing their patients, under Conservative proposals. Shadow health minister Andrew Lansley announced plans to give staff the right to report concerns to the official health watchdog, as he visited Stafford hospital. He said fear of speaking out had allowed problems at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust to continue.

Hospital Defends New Car Park Plan

A Birmingham hospital trust which brings in the highest amount of money from visitor parking charges in the country has revealed plans to build another car park. Heart of England Foundation Trust, which runs Heartlands, Sutton Coldfield's Good Hope and Solihull hospitals, sparked controversy when figures showed it had made pounds 2.4 million from visitors andpounds 573,000 from staff parking fees in 2007-08.

Four of Five Johnson Crew Street Gang Are Jailed

Five members of Birmingham's notorious Johnson Crew street gang have been sentenced for their part in a drug-dealing operation that blighted a Birmingham suburb. Reuben Bell (28), Junior Hewitt (22), Andre Henry (22), Dejon Collman (21) and 19-year-old Rikardo Reidwere caught in a police sting after peddling heroin and crack to undercover officers who posed as drug addicts.

Apprentice Attracts Record Audience ; Entertainment

Police Try to Trace E-Mailer ; Crime

Detectives were yesterday trying to trace the sender of an e- mail that warned, "This Is just the beginning", after an attack on the home and car of former RBS boss Sir Fred Goodwin. Police are scouring CCTV and trying to track the e-mail sent shortly after Sir Fred's pounds 3 million Edinburgh home was targeted.

Car Park Company Solution to Pong ; Health

Residents' Meeting at Edgbaston Later ; Sport

Darling 'No' to King 'Difference 7

Chancellor Allstalr Darling yesterday denied there was any "difference" between him and Bank of England Governor Mervyn King over tackling the recession. Challenged twice by shadow chancellor George Osborne at Commons question time, Mr Darling sought to play down reports of a rift between Government and Governor. "Actually the difference Is not between me and the Governor - far from It," he said. "The difference Is between me and you, who opposes doing anything to help people In these unprece...

Six-Wheeled Polaris Is Police Weapon Against Park Menace

A six-wheeled crime-fighting weapon is what police hope will put the brakes on the off-road menace blighting Birmingham parks. The pounds 9,000 buggy can tear across rough terrain at more than 40 mph to catch up with scramblers and quad bikes making life a misery for dog walkers and families.

Community Spirit Key to Stop Violence On Women

Home Secretary JacquiSmith urged the people of Birminghamto take part in the largest public consultation on tackling violence against women and girls. During a visit to theBullringShopping Centre Ms Smith said that the Government was committed to ensuring victims of violence were "at the heart of the criminal justice system".

Lif E's Surprise Is First Birth for Teresa, Aged 48

There was definitely a pregnant pause when shocked Birmingham patient Teresa Orr found out she was about to have a baby. The 48-year-old had gone to the doctors thinking she had started menopause rather than becoming pregnant for the first time.

Football Clubs to Have Broad Street Walk of Stars Celebrity

The Broad Street Walk of Stars in Birmingham is kicking off a football theme. Each of the region's five clubs is to be represented on Broad Street alongside existing stars such as Ozzy Osbourne, Noddy Holder and Jasper Carrott.

Hunt Supporter's Inquest Opened ; Death

The body of a hunt supporter who died after being hit by a gy- rocopter has been formally released for burial by a coroner. Warwickshire coroner Sean McGovern briefly opened and adjourned the Inquest Into the death of Trevor Morse, 48, on March 9 at Long Marston airfield, near Stratford-upon-Avon.

Former Lawyer in Abuse Claim ; Court

Judgment was reserved yesterday In apounds 5 million damages claim brought by a former City lawyer who claims he made a mess of his life because he was sexually abused at a Jesuit-run school. Patrick Raggett was subjected to years of "Insidious" abuse by Father Michael Spencer, a teacher at Preston Catholic College In Lancashire, who died In 2000 aged 76, his counsel, Robert Seabrook QC, told Mrs Justice Swift at London's High Court.

Artist Fined Over Inflatable Deaths ; Court

Artist Maurice Agls, 77, whose Inflatable artwork blew away, killing two women, was fined pounds 10,000 for breaching health and safety regulations. Ajury was unable to reach verdicts on charges of manslaughter by gross negligence.