The NHS reports flu cases are steadying but hospitals are still extremely busy. Health chiefs warn the service is 'not out of danger yet' as winter viruses circulate. Read the latest figures and advice.
A senior NHS leader warns winter pressures remain high despite flu cases steadying. Over 3,000 were hospitalised with flu before Christmas. Public urged to get vaccinated and use services wisely.
The NHS issues an urgent appeal for donors as blood stocks run low. Over 2,700 appointments need filling before New Year's Eve to save lives.
A new DWP scheme to train 5,000 SME managers to support sick employees has been branded 'spin politics' by business leaders, who say it fails to address the scale of 2.8 million long-term sick. Read the full analysis.
Furious shoppers were trapped in gridlocked car parks at the Trafford Centre for over two hours. Read about the traffic hell that caused major delays and a public safety outcry.
Shoppers faced 'gridlock hell' at the Trafford Centre as car park chaos left them stuck for hours. One woman had to direct traffic. Read the full story of the post-Christmas sales nightmare.
A new government scheme offering free occupational health training to 5,000 line managers has been criticised as inadequate to tackle the UK's 2.8 million long-term sick. Read the full analysis.
The DWP is rolling out free occupational health training for 5,000 line managers to help small businesses support staff and reduce long-term sickness absences. Read the full story.
Get a free 24-page Brain Games for Adults magazine inside the Sunday Mercury. Packed with puzzles to boost memory and sharpen thinking, it's the perfect New Year brain workout. Pick up your copy!
The Morris Centre pool at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital will shut indefinitely due to major building repairs. The closure impacts NHS staff, veterans, and community groups.
Teenagers will be offered paid gap years with the UK armed forces from 2026, as part of a new 'whole of society' defence strategy. Discover how the scheme works and who can apply.
Tamworth's £21.65m regeneration project is finished, linking historic sites and creating new spaces for business to boost footfall. See the transformation.
Walsall Council unveils a 15-year framework to regenerate five key areas, including new homes, a relocated arena, and canal kayaking. Discover the full vision for 2026-2040.
Manchester's Agy Górzyńska, a three-time world champion arm wrestler, reveals her unusual secret to success: a chicken liver breakfast. Discover her journey from construction site contests to global glory.
Find out which pharmacies in mid and south Essex are open on Christmas Day for essential medicines and advice. Use the NHS 'find a pharmacy' service for urgent help.
Find out which NHS pharmacies are open on Christmas Day in mid and south Essex for essential medicines and health advice. Check times and locations here.
Birmingham City FC has appointed global architects Populous to design their new training centre at the Sports Quarter, a key step in the major east Birmingham regeneration project. Discover the plans.
Birmingham City's owners Knighthead have selected global architects Populous to design the club's new unified training centre at the Sports Quarter, a key step in the major redevelopment project.
Young adults leaving care in England will receive free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, and eye tests up to age 25. A new pilot also offers paid NHS internships and guaranteed interviews.
As the King's Trust nears its 50th anniversary, new polling reveals deep public concern over youth joblessness in Wales. Director Sarah Jones calls for urgent collaboration to unlock potential.
Former Strictly pro James Jordan claims 2025 winner Karen Carney had prior dance training, challenging the show's 'non-dancer' narrative. Read his explosive GMB interview.
Plans for an Eton Star Academy sixth form in Dudley have been approved, promising 240 places. Local politicians clash over whether it's the right investment for the town's youth.
Walsall's new £32 million Household Waste Recycling Centre, dubbed the 'biggest in Europe', will open in late January. Get the latest on the state-of-the-art Aldridge facility.
NHS workers must link their Uber account to an NHS email by 11.59pm on Dec 21 to claim £30 in festive discounts for rides and food on Christmas Day.
Taylor Swift's personal trainer reveals the intense six-day-a-week regimen behind her Eras Tour stamina. Discover the routine so tough it could make you sick.
Five future guide dogs experienced the sights and sounds of Bristol Airport in a special training visit. Learn how this prepares them for life-changing work and how the airport supports assistance dogs.
New NHS data reveals Birmingham hospitals have the UK's highest flu patient numbers, with figures more than double those in Manchester. See the full regional breakdown.
Plans approved to transform Wolverhampton's empty Sports Direct into a 52-bed hotel, gym, and five retail units, bringing jobs and investment to the city centre.
Ramsdale Park Golf Centre celebrates a year of community fundraising, donating £32,000 to Emmanuel House and Cystic Fibrosis support. Discover how members made a difference.
Walsall's new £32m Household Waste Recycling Centre, hailed as Europe's largest, is set to open in late January. Get the latest update on this future-proof facility.