The UK is preparing for a significant winter onslaught, with forecasters predicting a 33-inch deep 'snow bomb' and issuing serious warnings about potential 12-hour power cuts across numerous regions. This comes amid a series of major local stories, from a new national rule for GP surgeries to a hefty fine for a Birmingham supermarket.
Severe Weather and Infrastructure Warnings
The Met Office has spoken out about an impending severe weather system, with the BBC also highlighting the risks. The forecast suggests snow accumulations reaching up to 33 inches (84 cm) in some areas. In a separate but related alert, the Met Office has warned that 18 specific places across the country risk experiencing power cuts lasting up to 12 hours on Tuesday. Residents in these areas are advised to prepare for potential disruptions.
Key Updates from Birmingham and the West Midlands
In Birmingham, a full investigation has been launched at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital following the death of a described 'much-loved hospital colleague'. Meanwhile, environmental health officers have ordered a Birmingham supermarket to pay £24,000 after cockroaches and a mouse were discovered in its crisps section.
In a separate incident, police in Birmingham were forced to smash their way through shuttered premises during an operation. On a different note, a Midlands police force is advertising a role with a salary of £31,000, requiring only five GCSEs as a minimum qualification.
National Policy and Local Council Tensions
A significant new policy comes into force this week for the English healthcare system. All GP surgeries in England will now operate under a new 'three strikes' rule, though the exact details of the measure are still emerging. In community news, there has been a reported 'delay' to a plan that would ban drivers from a street where a four-year-old girl tragically died.
Local council matters are also causing friction. In the Black Country, councillors are in a 'road rage' dispute over the provision of grit bins and the state of potholes on roads. Furthermore, a decision concerning the Leather Museum will face a second round of scrutiny at a public meeting, indicating ongoing debate over its future.
Other Notable Incidents and Guides
Emergency services were called to Edgbaston Reservoir, where a man was rushed to hospital following a rescue operation. For families, a new guide has highlighted the best children's role play towns in and around Birmingham, offering ideas for educational and entertaining days out.
