Feb
2009
Articles from 11th Feb 2009
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West Midlands unemployment up 20 per cent in final quarter
Feb 11 2009 | West Midlands News
The number of unemployed people in the West Midlands rose by 20% between October and December, official figures have revealed. Read
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Police officer describes M6 horror smash in which Birmingham family died
Feb 11 2009 | West Midlands News
A police officer has described to a jury the harrowing scene he witnessed after a family of six, originally from Birmingham, was wiped out in a motorway crash. Read
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Karren Brady arrested again in football corruption probe
Feb 11 2009 | West Midlands News
Birmingham City managing director Karren Brady has been re-arrested by police as part of an investigation into alleged corruption in English football, it has emerged. Read
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Protests against teacher accused of racism
Feb 11 2009 | West Midlands News
Protesters brandished placards in a Birmingham city centre demonstration against a teacher accused of using school equipment during lesson time to post racism on websites. Read
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Birmingham woman who kept 40 cats in squalor given suspended jail term
Feb 11 2009 | West Midlands News
An elderly Birmingham woman who kept 40 cats in squalid conditions despite being banned from keeping the animals has been given a suspended jail sentence. Read
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Compensation for refugees targeted in Dudley raids
Feb 11 2009 | West Midlands News
A family of refugees left traumatised after dawn raids on their West Midlands home and detention have won £150,000 compensation. Read
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Swan kettle works will become offices
Feb 11 2009 | West Midlands News
Plans to convert Birmingham’s historic former Swan kettleworks into a modern office block have been welcomed by city conservationists. Read
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Half-a-million free theatre tickets to be given away in Midlands
Feb 11 2009 | West Midlands News
An Arts Council scheme which will support theatres to give away more than half-a-million free tickets to under-26-year-olds is been launched this week. Read
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Micro sculptor Willard Wigan's charity creations of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
Feb 11 2009 | West Midlands News
Top micro sculptor Willard Wigan has immortalised actor Brad Pitt and wife Angelina Jolie in lipstick. Read
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Birmingham City deny Brady wrongdoing
Feb 11 2009 | West Midlands News
Birmingham have strenuously denied any wrongdoing following the arrest of managing director Karren Brady on Tuesday morning. Read
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Inquest opens into Halesowen man killed in submarine explosion
Feb 11 2009 | West Midlands News
Submariners battled for 40 minutes to rescue a West Midlands man and a comrade after an explosion under the Arctic ice trapped them, an inquest has heard. Read
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David Gold hits out at re-arrest of Karren Brady
Feb 11 2009 | West Midlands News
The continuing police investigation surrounding Birmingham City managing director Karren Brady is "contrary to natural justice", the club's chairman has said. Read
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Traore hoping experience will help lift Birmingham to Premier League
Feb 11 2009 | Birmingham City FC
Birmingham City’s latest arrival Djimi Traore is hoping to use his Champions League and international experience to lift his new side to promotion. Read
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Worcester coach Mike Ruddock looks for further arrivals atter Willie Walker
Feb 11 2009 | RFU News
Having secured one half back until the end of this season Mike Ruddock is interested in bringing another to Sixways for next term. Read
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Brian Dick: England shirt a poisoned chalice for young stars
Feb 11 2009 | RFU News
It is perhaps as well for the legions of Gloucester supporters who press the England claims of James Simpson-Daniel that the pocket genius they call Sinbad continues to be unfortunate with injuries. It keeps him out of the clutches of the national selectors. Read
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HBOS whistleblower stands firm
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
The former head of risk at HBOS, who claimed he was sacked for warning about the bank's too-rapid growth, has said he stands "firmly and confidently" behind his allegations. Read
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Two killed in mid-air crash
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
At least two people have died in a light aircraft crash near a nature reserve. Read
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Agencies slammed in baby death case
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Care agencies who dealt with a mother convicted of "horrific" cruelty towards her two-month old son failed to observe warning signs about her parenting, a report found. Read
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Bank chief: UK in deep recession
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Bank of England governor Mervyn King has said the UK economy is in a "deep recession" but the length and depth of the slowdown would depend to a "significant extent" on the rest of the world. Read
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Unemployment hits 10-year high
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Jobcentres were said to be "creaking" under the pressure of work as new figures showed unemployment surging to a 10-year high. Read
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Icy roads cause havoc
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
At least 20 people were injured in crashes across Britain as freezing conditions left many roads dangerously slippery. Read
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Bank set to slash economy forecasts
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
The grim road ahead for the UK economy is likely to be underlined later by the latest forecasts from the Bank of England. Read
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Australians back to destroyed homes
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Residents of towns scorched by Australia's wildfires have returned to their homes for the first time to scenes of devastation. Read
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Modern Britons addicted to Facebook
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Coffee, chocolate and and social networking site Facebook are the most common addictions in the UK, a study into modern lifestyles has revealed. Read
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Fewer jobs fear for graduates
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Vacancies for graduates are set to fall for the first time in five years because of the recession - and those finding a job will face lower salaries, new research has revealed. Read
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More cuts in energy bills expected
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Millions more households are in line for lower fuel bills after three further energy firms hinted price cuts are under consideration. Read
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Residents return to gutted homes
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Residents of towns destroyed by the worst wildfires in Australia's history are returning to their homes and finding scenes of utter devastation. Read
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Marines injured in coach crash
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
A coach carrying 29 Royal Marines bound for Afghanistan skidded off an icy road into a tree, leaving six injured - one seriously, the Ministry of Defence said. Read
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Report to suggest ecstasy downgrade
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
The Government's drug advisory body is expected to recommend moving ecstasy from class A to class B. Read
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Bank bosses questioned over bonuses
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
The bosses of Britain's bailed-out banks are to come under pressure to abandon plans to pay out staff bonuses, despite accepting billions of pounds in taxpayer support. Read
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40 hurt in bus crashes on icy roads
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
More than 40 people have been injured, four of them seriously, when two buses came off the road in icy conditions in Gloucestershire. Read
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Deadlock as pair claim election win
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
An inconclusive election has sent Israel into political limbo with both pragmatic foreign minister Tzipi Livni and hard-line leader Benjamin Netanyahu claiming victory and awarding a kingmaker role to a rapidly rising rightist with an anti-Arab platform. Read
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Jobless expected to pass 2m
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Unemployment is expected to surge past two million for the first time since Labour came to power in 1997 amid evidence that the UK jobless total is increasing twice as fast as the average across Europe. Read
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No probe in 'cash-for-amendments'
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Scotland Yard will not launch a formal investigation into the cash-for-amendments affair, it has been announced. Read
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Go-ahead for Guantanamo visit
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
US authorities have given permission for British officials to visit detainee Binyam Mohamed in Guantanamo Bay to help make preparations for his possible return to the UK, Foreign Secretary David Miliband has said. Read
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1.97m jobless total is 10-year high
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Unemployment has reached a 10-year high of just under two million as a record number of people were made redundant and job vacancies slumped to a new low. Read
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Staythorpe workers stage walkout
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Construction workers on a power station site have walked out on unofficial strike after being told they faced disciplinary action if they joined a protest over foreign employees. Read
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Looters hit fire-ravaged homes
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Residents of towns scorched off the map by Australia's worst-ever wildfires have returned to their homes for the first time and found scenes of utter devastation. Read
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Jobless numbers to pass two million
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Unemployment is expected to surge past two million for the first time since Labour came to power in 1997 amid evidence that the UK jobless total is increasing twice as fast as the average across Europe. Read
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Up to four feared dead in air crash
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Up to four people were feared dead in a mid-air collision near a nature reserve. Read
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Mother convicted of killing child
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
The mother of a two-year-old girl who suffered more than 100 injuries has been found guilty of her manslaughter. Read
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FSA deputy chairman Crosby quits
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Former HBOS chief executive Sir James Crosby has dramatically resigned as deputy chairman of the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Read
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Israel in limbo after poll results
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Inconclusive election results have sent Israel into political limbo with both Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and hard-line leader Benjamin Netanyahu claiming victory. Read
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GPs 'prescribing physical activity'
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
GPs will be urged to "prescribe physical activity just as readily as drugs" to get the nation exercising, under a new Government strategy. Read
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Teachers' unions call to scrap Sats
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Two teaching unions are due to call for Sats tests and school performance tables to be scrapped. Read
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Fresh protests in 'UK workers' row
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Hundreds of unemployed construction workers are to stage demonstrations at two power stations amid claims that UK employees were still being denied access to contracts. Read
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Teenage cousins killed in air crash
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Two teenage air cadets who died alongside their RAF instructors in a mid-air plane collision were cousins, it has been confirmed. Read
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Teenage air cadets killed in crash
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Two teenage air cadets and two RAF instructors were killed after a mid-air plane collision. Read
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Ecstasy decision 'is political'
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
The Government's drugs advisor has accused ministers of being influenced by "politics" and not scientific evidence after they rejected his recommendation that ecstasy be reclassified. Read
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Church division on women bishops
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
Deep divisions with the Church of England have been laid bare as legislation introducing women bishops passed its first hurdle at the General Synod. Read
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Church to debate women bishops plan
Feb 11 2009 | UK News
A scheme to introduce women bishops for the first time, while offering traditionalist parishes the chance to be supervised by men only, is to be debated by the Church of England. Read
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Hiddink ready for Chelsea challenge
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Guus Hiddink has revealed he expects to take up Chelsea's offer to take charge of the Barclays Premier League club until the end of the season. Read
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Terry: Players must take some blame
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
John Terry has held his hands up to accept his part in Luiz Felipe Scolari's Chelsea downfall. Read
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Eriksson staying with Mexico
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Former England and Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson intends to fulfil his current contract with Mexico until after the 2010 World Cup despite speculation linking the Swede with the vacant post at Portsmouth. Read
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Brave Welsh beaten by Poles
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Wales were unfortunate to lose their friendly in Portugal 1-0 after producing an encouraging performance against a Poland side ranked 37 places above them in the FIFA rankings. Read
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Hiddink takes Chelsea post
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Chelsea have confirmed Russia coach Guus Hiddink will manage the club until the end of the season. Read
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Weather worry for Northern Ireland
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
The Irish Football Association are liaising with their San Marino counterparts amid fears Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier on Wednesday night might have to be postponed because of bad weather. Read
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Capello: Confidence is key
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Fabio Capello has urged his players to show no fear as England take the next step forward in his revolution. Read
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Moores lands Lancashire job
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Former England coach Peter Moores has been confirmed as Lancashire's new head coach. Read
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Collingwood confident of comeback
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Paul Collingwood expects England to produce another comeback Test series victory in the Caribbean despite their currently bruised confidence. Read
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Phillips hails Wales improvement
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Mike Phillips believes Wales have "raised the bar" from last season as they prepare for stage two of their latest RBS 6 Nations title and Grand Slam missions. Read
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Johnson tells underdogs to show teeth
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Martin Johnson has challenged England's underdogs to prove they have the bite and snarl to tame Wales in their own back yard this weekend. Read
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Hart brings in Kidd at Pompey
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Brian Kidd has joined Portsmouth to assist caretaker manager Paul Hart following the sacking of Tony Adams. Read
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Hiddink sticks to short-term thinking
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
New Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink is refusing to look beyond the current season after agreeing to combine his job as Russia coach in a short-term dual role. Read
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Premier League clubs consider quota
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
The Premier League may follow the Football League in imposing quotas of 'home-grown' players, Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has revealed. Read
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Sri Lanka captain Jayawardene to resign
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Mahela Jayawardene will stand down as Sri Lanka captain after the Pakistan tour. Read
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Ireland unchanged for Rome clash
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Ireland have named an unchanged line-up for Sunday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy in Rome. Read
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Glasgow duo return for Scotland
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Frank Hadden has recalled Thom and Max Evans to the Scotland team for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash with France. Read
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Eduardo looking to move forward
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Eduardo does not want to think about the horror tackle that almost ended his career - and is purely focused on getting back on the field with Arsenal as soon as possible. Read
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Keane at the double
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Robbie Keane celebrated his new lease of life with a precious World Cup double in a 2-1 win over Georgia to fire the Republic of Ireland level with reigning champions Italy at the top of qualifying Group Eight. Read
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Murray surprised by Rusedski plan
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
British number one Andy Murray expects Greg Rusedski to struggle following suggestions he will come out of retirement. Read
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England beaten by Spain
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
David Beckham equalled Bobby Moore's record number of 108 caps for an outfield player but England suffered a 2-0 defeat to European champions Spain in Sevilla. Read
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Northern Ireland go second
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Northern Ireland completed the double over San Marino in World Cup qualifying Group Three courtesy of a 3-0 win which saw them move into second place on goal difference. Read
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MLS chief sets deadline on Beckham deal
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber has set a Friday deadline for AC Milan to agree a deal to sign David Beckham from the Los Angeles Galaxy. Read
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Magpies set to renew Owen talks
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Newcastle are ready to resume talks with Michael Owen over a possible new contract. Read
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Kinnear surgery hits Toon plans
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Newcastle's chaotic season took another turn for the worse on Wednesday when it emerged that manager Joe Kinnear needs heart bypass surgery. Read
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Seve 'on right track' after surgery
Feb 11 2009 | National Sport
Seve Ballesteros' recovery from a brain tumour is on the "right track" following a second round of chemotherapy. Read
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Fifty per cent drop in sales behind LDV's extended closure
Feb 11 2009 | Automotive Business
Production at Birmingham van-maker LDV will remain shut down for at least another week and a half as the commercial vehicle sales slump continues. Read
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How hack le Vack haplessly scripted Newbon career
Feb 11 2009 | John Bright
I have discovered the man whose gross incompetence inflicted Gary Newbon on to our screens! Step forward Dale le Vack, now of Redditch PR firm ASAP. Read
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Challinors launches new fraud team
Feb 11 2009 | Legal
Law firm Challinors has set up a dedicated fraud and asset recovery team in Birmingham to deal with rising rates of reported business crime across the region. Read
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Bigger worries than oil prices
Feb 11 2009 | City View
Petrol prices are creeping up again. At a pump I pass most days I noticed that a queue builds up most mornings and vanishes in the afternoon. Read
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Reconnecting people through social enterprise
Feb 11 2009 | Agenda
Social enterprises have a vital role to play as the recession bites, argues Mick Laverty. Read
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Government watchdog dismisses expenses complaint against Jacqui Smith
Feb 11 2009 | Politics News
The Parliamentary sleaze watchdog has dismissed a complaint about Redditch MP Jacqui Smith's expenses - but is now considering "further correspondence" on the issue. Read
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New allegation about home secretary's second home allowance
Feb 11 2009 | Politics News
The Parliamentary sleaze watchdog yesterday dismissed a complaint about home secretary Jacqui Smith’s expenses – but is considering “further correspondence”. Read
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Dudley schools miss out on £200m improvements 'because of party politics'
Feb 11 2009 | Politics News
Schools Minister Jim Knight has offered to come to Dudley and help the council to secure a £200 million fund to refurbish the borough’s schools. Read
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Birmingham council ducks out of debate over elected mayors
Feb 11 2009 | Politics News
City political leaders have ducked out of a debate on Government plans to give Birmingham a greater chance of being run by a directly-elected mayor. Read
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David Cameron tells Birmingham Voice09 conference of breakdown in society
Feb 11 2009 | Politics News
Conservative leader David Cameron said the country would be unable to cope with mass unemployment ahead of new figures released today. Read
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South African success for software company
Feb 11 2009 | Innovation & Technology
Staffordshire software company eg solutions plc is making substantial business inroads in South Africa – with help from UK Trade & Investment. Read
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Bad news for muggers – Steven’s anti-theft strap
Feb 11 2009 | Innovation & Technology
A former saddler has a brand new concept in the bag for the historic Walsall leather industry – a new strap which aims to foil potential thieves. Read
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Chris Upton: No more Mr Nice Guy
Feb 11 2009 | More Columnists
Far be it from me to step into the BBC’s little local difficulty with one or two of its presenters. Read
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New Government schemes recognise key role of young entrepreneurs
Feb 11 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
Since the government spelt out its commitment to young start-ups in its Enterprise Strategy last year a raft of schemes have been expanded or launched to help young people get started in business. Read
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Recession forces graduates into self employment
Feb 11 2009 | Enterprise & SMEs
With news graduate recruiters are reducing recruitment targets 17 per cent this year, an increasing number of enterprising students and graduates are deciding to abandon the traditional job hunt and set up their own businesses. Read
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Wolves striker Andy Keogh wins contract extension
Feb 11 2009 | Wolves FC
Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Andy Keogh has been given a two-year contract extension to his current deal for his part in the club’s meteoric rise to the top of the Coca Cola Championship table. Read
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Average petrol prices return to above 90p per litre
Feb 11 2009 | Other UK business news
Average petrol prices have again risen above 90p a litre, the AA said yesterday. Read
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Birmingham food firm seal £5m factory deal
Feb 11 2009 | Other UK business news
A Birmingham-based food company has secured a funding package to build a £5million new factory in West Bromwich as it looks to expand. Read
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Inner city hope and humour
Feb 11 2009 | Stage
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BAFTA Coup for the Loft
Feb 11 2009 | Stage
Leamington’s Loft Theatre has scored a coup by lining up BAFTA award-winning writer Andrew Davies to judge its playwriting competition. Read
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Thomas Trotter at Birmingham Town Hall
Feb 11 2009 | Stage
Thomas Trotter, well on the way towards completing three decades as city organist, celebrated Mendelssohn’s 200th birthday with a lunchtime programme devoted entirely to that beloved composer who was so much involved with the early history of the Town Hall and its magnificent instrument. Read
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Mowbray sees manager sackings as an inevitability
Feb 11 2009 | West Bromwich Albion FC
Adams was dismissed on Monday morning after just 16 games in charge at Pompey, despite seeing his two best players, Lassana Diarra and Jermaine Defoe, sold for £35million by the cash-strapped club. Read
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Banking bosses sorry as thousands of job cuts are announced
Feb 11 2009 | Financial
The ailing banking sector announced a further raft of job losses as two of the men widely held responsible for bringing the sector to its knees apologised for their role in the global financial crisis. Read
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M3 spreads its wings with new city office
Feb 11 2009 | Financial
A new corporate finance office has opened in Birmingham, after Bristol firm M3 decided the time was right to spread to the Midlands. Read
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Swedish bank's Midland success
Feb 11 2009 | Financial
A Swedish bank’s “old fashioned” approach has seen its Midland operations thrive. Read
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GKN opens recycling centre in Telford
Feb 11 2009 | Environmental & sustainable industry
One of Telford’s largest manufacturing companies has stepped up its environmentally-friendly activities with the opening of a new recycling centre. Read
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WRAP's £5m programme will help Midland recycling businesses
Feb 11 2009 | Environmental & sustainable industry
West Midland recycling firms can now benefit from new funding and business development services as part of a support programme worth nearly £5million. Read
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B&Q removes wind turbines from stores and tests their efficiency
Feb 11 2009 | Environmental & sustainable industry
DIY chain B&Q has withdrawn micro wind turbines from its shelves after a recent study carried out in the Midlands showed they only delivered a fraction of the electricity claimed by manufacturers. Read
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Act now to stimulate green growth, Government urged
Feb 11 2009 | Environmental & sustainable industry
Government policy remains the major motor in helping green technology companies meet global energy requirements and create jobs, according to a new report. Read
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Lichfield engineering firm helps National Trust into the era of renewable energy
Feb 11 2009 | Environmental & sustainable industry
Engineering design and project management firm Lorien Engineering Solutions has completed a landmark energy-saving project for the National Trust. Read
