Rail devolution for English regions, not Wales
The UK Government invites English mayoral authorities to bid for rail control while rejecting calls for Welsh devolution, sparking a funding row. Discover the details and political fallout.
The UK Government invites English mayoral authorities to bid for rail control while rejecting calls for Welsh devolution, sparking a funding row. Discover the details and political fallout.
West Midlands Police could lose £41.1m in funding, risking further cuts to officers. Crime Commissioner Simon Foster warns of a 'postcode lottery' and fewer police on streets.
Dudley Council is set for a £75.9m three-year finance settlement from the Labour government. While Labour MPs hail a 'turning point', the borough's Conservative leader urges caution, saying 'the devil is in the detail'. Read the full story.
Birmingham City Council secures a massive £651.5m funding increase over five years as part of a new £78bn government settlement targeting deprived areas. Read the full story.
Stoney Hill in Bromsgrove and Monkspath North in Solihull have been ranked in The Telegraph's top 10 best places to live in England for 2026, based on low deprivation scores. Discover what makes these neighbourhoods so desirable.
I'm A Celebrity star Vogue Williams opens up about a severe panic attack in camp caused by sleep deprivation, which she begged producers not to broadcast. Read her full story.
Great Western Railway is trialling McLaren F1 technology to capture 5G and satellite signals, aiming to end patchy onboard internet. The £300k trial runs until January.
The government has announced a £246m funding package for bus services across the West of England. Local authorities will decide how to spend the money on new vehicles, infrastructure, and keeping fares low.
A £264.1 million government funding package will transform bus services in Birmingham and the West Midlands, aiming for lower fares and more reliable journeys. Discover how this investment will impact your commute.
The biannual Heath Bookshop Literature and Music Festival returns to Kings Heath, Birmingham, 15-19 April 2026. Featuring Max Porter, Mike Joyce, and new commissions. Book tickets now!
Mercedes-Benz announces a major £20 million investment in the UK, creating 150 high-skilled jobs. The government is contributing £10 million to boost the nation's electric vehicle transition. Read the full details.
Parents can now use supermarket loyalty points to buy baby formula, a reform announced by PM Keir Starmer that could save families up to £500. Learn how this change tackles high costs.
The Department for Education has broken its silence on a controversial £50m free school in Walsall, defending its process after criticism from MP Valerie Vaz. Read the full story.
Hospice UK warns of unsustainable funding as bed closures rise. The government's new palliative care framework offers hope, but immediate financial support is missing from the budget.
Sir Keir Starmer announces new rules to cut baby formula costs, saving families up to £500. Measures include standardised packaging and supermarket loyalty points.
Gloucester City Council faces a 'financial black hole' and is applying for up to £17.5m in emergency government loans to avoid effective bankruptcy, with severe cuts to services planned.
West Midlands Police have destroyed a modified Nissan Skyline involved in a 2022 illegal race that killed two teenagers. The driver was jailed for 13.5 years. Read the full story.
New £70 supermarket vouchers from the Household Support Fund will be automatically issued to eligible households in Wakefield from December 3rd. Find out if you qualify.
Birmingham Museums Trust launches urgent £2m public appeal. Half its costs are unfunded, putting the city's world-class cultural heritage at a 'critical crossroads'. Your help is needed.
Dudley Council faces a £56m SEND funding black hole despite a national budget change. Discover the local crisis and what the future holds for special needs provision.
Dudley Council awaits answers on a £56m SEND funding deficit despite a new national policy. The financial 'bomb' could still push the authority towards effective bankruptcy. Read the latest.
The new Midlands Metro line into Dudley passes through some of the borough's most deprived wards, revealing stark inequalities in unemployment and housing. Discover the data behind the divide.
Birmingham Museums Trust launches a vital £2 million public fundraising campaign to save the city's cultural heritage. Your support is needed to keep our museums open.
Former Red Bull executive Richard Hopkins shares heartbreaking forecast about Michael Schumacher's future 12 years after his devastating ski accident. Read the full story.
A public meeting in Darlaston descends into controversy after a 'shoot' comment is met with laughter. Residents and board members clash over £20 million government funding.
Facing a £2.7m debt, Solihull Council is investing over £630,000 in an AI programme to generate significant savings, following the lead of other local authorities.
A major 62-step strategy to enhance nature across the West Midlands has been launched, aiming to channel £100m into hundreds of projects, boost biodiversity and create green jobs.
The BBC licence fee is projected to reach £197 by 2030, while over a million households stop paying. Discover the funding crisis facing the national broadcaster.
The Bradbury Foundation has awarded £4,000 in grants to four inspirational Lincolnshire charities supporting vulnerable children, mental health, disability services and domestic abuse survivors.
Over a million people have cancelled their BBC TV licence as the fee is forecast to rise to nearly £200. Discover why viewers are abandoning the service and the financial impact on the broadcaster.