The Tories have attacked appointment of TUC chief Paul Nowak as a director of Bank of England, saying: "The last thing our country needs is a trade union leader helping to run the BofE." And yet it was a Tory government that in 2019 appointed the then TUC chief Frances O'Grady to the same role

The bereaved families of military personnel should always be at the heart of our acts of remembrance as a nation. The extension of free rail travel to next of kin on national rail services to events between 7 and 8 November is the right thing to do. I am proud this Government is acting.

Great store & now awesome coffee & pastries ☕️ 🥐 😋 Award-winning charity superstore by Birmingham Hospice serves up new café READ HERE:👉  bvoices.uk/4ri2N91 - #PositiveSWBrum #Birmingham #BirminghamUK #Harborne #B31Voices #BVoices

At the same time as banning myself and other journalists from their conference this week, this is who Reform laid out the red carpet for www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Raise the Colours leader given access to Reform UK conference while on bail

Ryan Bridge, arrested this year on suspicion of religiously and racially aggravated harassment, says party invited him

theguardian.com

While Farage is in town, here's a look at Farage's contributions in Parliament compared to Labour MPs from a union background. That's nine times the representations for people in Birmingham Northfield than people in Clacton.

'We just don't have British resident donors, British entities, that would support us. That's the grim reality.'

"The Electoral Commission - who are the main officers for electoral law - they are completely useless, They're just so dumb and ineffective ... Its not like Scotland Yard, they are just pretty useless. Its just, they are only technical breaches" Orr at 12m20s

"We just don't have British resident donors, British entities, that would support us. That's the grim reality" "There are a lot of people in your position who, for completely understandable reasons, can't declare ... the reality is we can easily get away with it ... [Le Carre]" - James Orr 10m40s

Andrew Griffith said that the mini-budget represented the 'right plans' and 'fundamental supply-side reforms to deliver higher and sustainable growth for the long-term.'

This is welcome and frankly overdue. The 'Raise the Colours' group isn't a grassroots movement. It's a small gang that raises money off confrontation and intimidation. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Injunction bids to ban activists putting flags up in Birmingham

The injunction names Ryan Bridge from Raise The Colours, who is behind flags hung in Birmingham.

bbc.co.uk

I 'work' weekend overtime regularly; it's my cover story so I can attend model railway shows in peace. Wife thinks they are childish & a waste of money. Little does she know about my secret stash of locos, rolling stock and track.

The party of Joseph Chamberlain opposing municipalisation in Birmingham.

Thanks @richardparkerwm.bsky.social for stopping by at Deelands Hall and seeing the great work of Birmingham Community Boxing Project. It's great to have your support for community work.

New Labour attack ad on Reform's Richard Tice for saying we should enjoy climate change. I think this is the first time Labour has ever published an ad attacking another party for opposing climate action

@richardparkerwm.bsky.social and the Labour Government stepping in to save Birmingham's buses. All National Express services will come under municipal ownership to safeguard the network ahead of franchising. www.wmca.org.uk/news/mayor-a...

Mayor acts to protect West Midlands bus services as WMCA Board approves acquisition deal

Services to continue as normal after West Midlands Leaders approve acquisition deal for regional bus operation

wmca.org.uk

Burnham scraps restrictions on disabled people’s bus passes in England

Burnham scraps restrictions on disabled people’s bus passes in England

Move means holders will be able to travel free on local services at any time of day or night from April next year Disabled people across England will be able to use their free bus passes at any time of day from next April, as Andy Burnham expands a policy he introduced as mayor of Greater Manchester. The prime minister has said the current weekday restrictions on when disabled people can use their bus passes will be removed from 1 April 2027. Their passes are valid only between 9.30am and 11pm on weekdays, although some councils pay to allow people free travel outside those hours. Continue reading...

theguardian.com

Congratulations to everyone across Birmingham Northfield who is collecting their vocational, technical, and AS and A Level results today. It was great to join some of the students and staff at Cadbury College, whose results have improved again this year.

I usually enjoy reading @birminghamdispatch.bsky.social and value its independent investigative journalism. But today's article about Weoley Castle is an exercise in standing up an insult that reads as though it's directed against the community. I'm surprised and disappointed that it got through.

West Midlands Fire Service have 5 crews attending a large fire in Gildas Avenue, Kings Norton • Please avoid the area and keep windows closed #KingsNorton #fire #Birmingham #BirminghamUK

Birmingham is the place where the future is made. Wrote this piece a few weeks ago and glad to see it now on LBC - on the success and potential of Birmingham's life sciences sector, including for the critical Longbridge to Selly Oak corridor. www.lbc.co.uk/article/birm...

Birmingham is the place where the future is made | LBC

From life sciences to advanced manufacturing, Birmingham is the place where the future is made - it’s time for investment to match our potential, writes Laurence Turner MP

lbc.co.uk

Birmingham Hospice opens new shop in prime location in Bullring  READ HERE:👉  bvoices.uk/3RtlqJR - #PositiveSWBrum   #Birmingham #BirminghamUK #Bromsgrove #B31Voices #BVoices

Another example of some supported housing providers taking the... proverbial. Off Northfield high street. It's unlawful to advertise on public property without permission. Reported. Here are some reviews of the company - Midland Housing Rooms Ltd - the number links to.

Speaking at a residents' meeting about a mismanaged Supported Exempt Accommodation (SEA) that has made life hell. There is a rising public scandal around SEAs, particularly in Birmingham. The housing provider - Reliance - didn't see fit to attend or send a statement, despite being invited.

Warm support for @bevcraig.bsky.social in Heaton Moor. And we even felt a spot of rain 🙏

Luke Johnson, the Tories' star witness against the Employment Rights Bill (now Act), speaks

I want to pay tribute to my predecessor @annaturley.bsky.social, who has been an absolute powerhouse as Party Chair – fearless in taking on the politics of hate and division, focused on winning for working people.

Honoured to become Chair of the Labour Party. I joined our party as a teenager and saw first hand the difference a Labour government makes. I'll work with members to build the election-winning machine that sees off Reform for good and secures a second Labour term.

This is a massive deal for our region, covering the Black Country, Birmingham and Coventry - finally we’re getting the cash to help ourselves grow again

Andy Burnham will give mayors income tax cash for cities

The PM’s devolution agenda accompanies plans for defence, social care and jobs for the young

thetimes.com

Very welcome news that Andy Burnham is introducing a £2 fare cap on buses. Last year we published a report about the benefits that the cap brings which showed that it helped to increase journeys & that a rise in fares would hit those outside of urban areas the hardest.

I'm recruiting for two roles (both Birmingham-based): Constituency Assistant www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a... Senior Campaigns and Communications Officer www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a... Both great opportunities for people who want to develop their experience and serve the community.