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Jobseeking ratio in West Midlands worst in UK

There are 11 official “jobseekers” for every vacancy advertised at jobcentres in the West Midlands, according to an analysis by Conservatives. Read

Khyra Ishaq murder: Court told how mother kept visitors away

A mother accused of starving her seven-year-old daughter to death told relatives not to visit her home because it was untidy due to decorating work, a court heard yesterday. Read

MPs call for independent inquiry into Midland hospital failings

Ministers face more pressure for a full independent inquiry into an “appalling” catalogue of failings at Stafford Hospital, after 122 MPs demanded the investigation. Read

Family plea on Birmingham girl kidnapped in Pakistan

The family of a Birmingham girl who has been kidnapped in Pakistan are pleading with authorities to help get her home safely. Read

Two teenagers gunned down in Aston drive-by shooting

Two teenagers were gunned down in a drive-by shooting in Birmingham. Read

Harrow council beg Treasury to save Battle of Britain museum site

Council officials have begged the Government for help to save a site which played a key role in the Battle of Britain. Read

Birmingham Lib Dem leader refuses £15,000 for NEC director role

Senior Birmingham city councillors are under pressure to turn down £15,000 payments for being directors of the NEC after the authority’s deputy leader said he would not accept the money. Read

Birmingham council official Hughes joins £200,000-plus club

Birmingham City Council chief executive Stephen Hughes has joined the £200,000-plus club of Britain’s best-paid public officials. Read

Police fears for Polish girl missing for a week

Leaflets featuring a photograph of a missing Polish girl have been handed out in Birmingham a week after she mysteriously vanished. Read

Birmingham joint-top for children missing preferred primary places

More than 1,600 Birmingham children have missed out on their family’s first choice of primary school, a national study has revealed. Read

West Midlands Police deny 'official uniforms' stolen

Mystery surrounds the apparent theft of dozens of police uniforms which may have been used by criminals to burgle unsuspecting homeowners. Read

Advantage West Midlands question eco-town’s effect on rest of region

The creation of a 6,000-home eco town in Warwickshire could divert much-needed investment away from other parts of the region, the regional development agency has warned. Read

Online archive of Birmingham hospitals' history

An online archive celebrating the rich history of two of the city’s oldest medical institutions has been launched. Read

Man in court for stabbing Black Country newsagent during robbery

A 23-year-old man was due in court today accused of assaulting a Walsall newsagent. Read

Lord Mandelson visits Aston University

Higher and further education has a key role in helping Britain through the recession, Lord Mandelson has said during a visit to Aston University in Birmingham. Read

Khyra Ishaq murder trial: Mother 'banned school from feeding child'

A Birmingham mother accused of starving her seven-year-old daughter to death refused to take another child in her care to a dietician despite medical advice to do so, a court has heard. Read

Live coverage of Digital Birmingham

Lord Carter to make regional launch of Digital Britain in Birmingham Read

No-one else sought after Telford house blaze

Police investigating a Telford house fire after which a man died are not looking for anyone else in connection with the blaze, a senior officer confirmed. Read

Landlord of The Rainbow pub blasts Birmingham City Council

The landlord of The Rainbow Pub has lashed out at the council’s decision to serve a noise abatement order despite his pledge to invest thousands of pounds to soundproof the venue. Read

Experts cast doubt on Birmingham Central Library 'concrete cancer' claims

Moves to demolish Birmingham Central Library could be in doubt after independent experts dismissed claims that the building is structurally unsound and suffering from “concrete cancer”. Read