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Birmingham MPs attack plan to ban second jobs for politicians

Birmingham MPs have criticised proposals to ban them from having second jobs. Read

Liam Byrne tipped for top job in Brown elite

Promotion to one of the top jobs in Government beckons for Birmingham MP Liam Byrne, according to a survey of the Westminster elite. Read

MP McFadden referees battle for soul of the Labour Party

A Black Country MP is on the front line of a battle between Gordon Brown and trade unions for the soul of the Labour Party, which will be played out this weekend at Warwick University. Read

West Midland Conservative MPs reveal expenses

Conservative MPs have published more details of their expenses claims, as part of a drive to increase transparency about parliamentary allowances. Read

Boothroyd in elected Lords row

Former Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd has vowed to fight plans for elections to the House of Lords. Read

Inquiry backs PM’s appeal for EU funding for Midlands

An inquiry has backed Gordon Brown in a row with European Union officials over funding for deprived regions of Britain, including the West Midlands. Read

Smith scraps hospital visit strategy

Tuesday's high-profile launch of a major new knife-crime strategy was thrown into disarray when Home Secretary Jacqui Smith scrapped plans to make offenders visit victims in hopsital, following a wave of criticism. Read

Whitby tells Hodge library is 'unworthy of preservation'

Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby has delivered a passionate plea for Government approval to demolish the Central Library, declaring it unworthy of preservation. Read

Tributes paid to stab victim

Tributes have been paid to a 20 year-old West Midlands man who was stabbed to death. Read

Birmingham MP accuses city council of unfair pay

Local authorities have been accused by a Birmingham MP of “clobbering” low paid staff. Read

Clare Short joins the critics of Brown and Labour

Birmingham MP Clare Short has joined criticism of Gordon Brown claiming he has done “extraordinarily badly” as Prime Minister. Read

West Midland region could be run by one mayor

Birmingham, Coventry and the Black Country could have a single elected mayor under new plans unveiled by the Government. Read

Top West Midlands officials to face MPs' questions

A powerful West Midlands senate is to be created in the House of Commons to quiz health chiefs and the bosses of local quangos. Read

Tories plan to reward households for recycling

Householders could be paid to recycle under plans outlined by the Conservatives. Read

Nick Cleff orders expenses check on Midland Lib Dem MPs

A pair of West Midland MPs are to face surprise inspections from accountants to confirm all their expenses claims are genuine, as part of a campaign to clean up the image of politicians. Read

New laws will boost hopes for Birmingham mayor

The prospect of an elected mayor for Birmingham moves a step closer tomorrow with the unveiling of new laws making it easier to transform the way major cities are governed. Read

Cutting down on food waste won't help poorest, says Birmingham MP

Cutting the amount of wasted food will do little to help those hardest hit by rising prices, a Birmingham MP has warned. Read

Rape law campaigner steps into by-election battle

A Staffordshire rape law campaigner has become the unexpected leader of the battle to unseat former shadow Home Secretary David Davis as an MP. Read

I didn’t swear at Tory ‘toff’ Osborne, says Midlands MP

A West Midlands MP has been forced to deny claims he launched a four-letter verbal assault against a leading Conservative in the House of Commons. Read

Brown praises Digby Jones for 'excellent work'

The Prime Minister has thrown his backing behind Lord Jones of Birmingham and insisted there were no regrets over the controversial decision to appoint him to the government. Read