Jane Haynes

Disabled bus users from Birmingham and across the West Midlands welcomed the UK Government’s plan to remove time restrictions on disabled bus passes from 1 April 2027. Andy Burnham and West Midlands mayor Richard Parker heard that the reform could improve access to work, social activities and independent travel, but passengers and advocates said carers should also be covered and that broader problems remain. These include inaccessible vehicles, insufficient wheelchair space, drivers failing to stop or allowing adequate boarding time, confusion over ticketing and antisocial behavior. The West Midlands Combined Authority is expected to continue discussions with disabled people and advocacy groups about making the bus network fully inclusive.

Three men allegedly threw five flaming objects, believed to be petrol bombs, at guests and vehicles outside the Royal Shalimar wedding venue in Sparkbrook, Birmingham. Two cars were set on fire or damaged, while wedding guests, diners and children were forced to scatter; no injuries were reported. Local councillor Jamil Khan condemned the reckless attack and urged witnesses to share information. West Midlands Police are reviewing CCTV and witness accounts and are seeking information about the suspects, who reportedly fled in a white Volkswagen Golf.

The death of former Cambridge professor Jason Arday has prompted grief, vigils and calls for an inquiry in Birmingham and beyond. Arday, who had resigned while denying allegations concerning his CV, academic work and personal achievements, faced intense public and media scrutiny before his death. Friends, academics, anti-racism campaigners and community figures condemned what they viewed as disproportionate coverage and institutional failures, while drawing parallels with the death of West Midlands fire chief Wayne Brown. A fundraiser organized for Arday’s family has raised more than £200,000, and speakers have called for greater accountability in the treatment of Black professionals and academics.

The West Midlands Combined Authority is acquiring National Express West Midlands, including its buses, stations, depots and business, in a deal expected to be worth about £24 million and completed in November 2026. Leaders say the move is necessary to prevent a possible collapse of services, protect around 4,800 jobs and keep up to 750 buses operating daily while the region moves toward franchising. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Mayor Richard Parker presented the buyout as a step toward an integrated, lower-fare public transport system, while Mobico Group said it would support a smooth transition and bid for future franchises. Services, routes and fares are expected to remain unchanged until completion, and disabled bus-pass holders will gain free all-day travel.

Birmingham City Council is conducting an internal audit into whether it has adequately overseen supported exempt accommodation and housing-benefit claims, following allegations that officials are too lenient toward landlords and providers. Birmingham has 12,166 exempt properties housing 33,904 people, with some providers receiving up to £400 per room each week in enhanced benefits. The review will examine governance, provider approval, contracting, performance oversight, enforcement, community impacts and financial controls, but not individual casework, building-safety assessments under legal action or children’s accommodation. Councillor Marcus Bernasconi alleged that more than £400 million in public money is being approved with insufficient scrutiny, while the council says its controls are robust and exceed those of some other authorities. The audit will produce findings and a management action plan, alongside forthcoming national legislation intended to tighten sector regulation.

A Birmingham Live investigation using Geographic Data Service figures finds that Aston Park, Gravelly Hill, Brookvale and South Erdington have pollution levels more than three times the World Health Organization’s recommended limits, with three areas close to the A38M, M6 or Spaghetti Junction. Around 99% of Birmingham and 90% of the Black Country fail WHO guidelines, while poorer communities generally experience the worst air quality. Asthma + Lung UK says UK standards are outdated and calls for legally binding targets aligned with WHO recommendations. Birmingham City Council points to its Clean Air Zone, monitoring network and other measures, noting that nitrogen dioxide levels inside the zone have fallen by an average of 22.5%.

Birmingham City Council and Unite are reportedly close to an agreement ending the nearly 20-month bin strike, potentially including compensatory payments for affected workers. The proposal is undergoing confidential legal, financial and administrative checks, including scrutiny over equal-pay liabilities, and would need approval from council leaders, commissioners, auditors and elected members. More than 200 workers remain on strike over proposed job losses and downgraded roles, while MPs are urging Housing Secretary Angela Rayner to intervene. The dispute has coincided with a troubled rollout of fortnightly waste collections and weekly food-waste services in north Birmingham.

Andy Burnham’s first government largely excludes West Midlands MPs, with Al Carns declining a ministerial role over unresolved defence spending concerns and Jess Phillips opting out of a post after backing another leadership candidate. Preet Kaur Gill loses her health department position, while Laurence Turner and Sarah Coombes receive promotions. Shabana Mahmood and Pat McFadden retain senior cabinet roles as the reshaped government reflects a shift away from many Keir Starmer loyalists.

Birmingham’s new Liberal Democrat–Green leadership plans to urge incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham to fund large-scale social and council house building and to enforce long-delayed regulations on the city’s unregulated supported exempt housing sector. Leaders Roger Harmer and Julien Pritchard describe the housing shortage, the rise of temporary accommodation and the expansion of exempt HMOs as the city’s most urgent crisis. They aim to restore confidence in local government by improving neighbourhood conditions, regulating housing, and reversing years of underinvestment. The coalition governing the council follows a major political shift after Labour’s defeat in May, with parties pledging a cleaner, safer and more equal city focused on delivering more social rent homes.

Birmingham City Council voted to retain its City of Sanctuary status after a Reform UK motion to scrap it was strongly rejected. Reform councillors argued the city should prioritise local residents, criticising the sanctuary designation as symbolic and harmful given strained services. Labour, Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent members countered that refugee support is funded by the Home Office, carries no cost to the council and strengthens communities. Speakers highlighted Birmingham’s history of welcoming refugees from global conflicts and warned against divisive rhetoric. Reform’s proposal was ultimately defeated, preserving the city’s commitment to supporting legal refugees and asylum seekers.

A bomb threat emailed to Hamd House School and Ofsted prompted an evacuation and full police search of the Birmingham campus on the last day of term. Specialist officers and sniffer dogs found no explosives, but celebrations and awards events were halted. School proprietor Israr Khan said the independent Muslim-ethos school had recently experienced other incidents and that police are treating the matter as harassment. Parents were thanked for supporting a calm evacuation as the investigation continues.

Councillors in Birmingham’s first full meeting under the new minority coalition challenged leaders over unresolved issues including the long‑running bin strike, a chaotic rollout of new waste collection pilots, and the upcoming relaunch of the troubled Oracle IT system. Leaked plans concerning potential bin worker dismissals drew criticism, while motions on City of Sanctuary status and exempt accommodation were set for debate. Question Time featured exchanges across parties as members pressed for progress on key operational and governance problems.

Birmingham City Council has considered privatising its waste collection service as a medium‑term option to reduce the risk of future industrial action, according to a leaked report. Officials argue that outsourcing should not be pursued before 2028 due to current service instability and limited private‑sector interest following a prolonged strike. The document evaluates outsourcing models, including contracts with major waste firms or creating a local authority trading company, but warns that such arrangements may not be cheaper or simpler and would require significant preparatory work and costs. The council intends first to complete its waste service transformation before determining whether privatisation could offer long‑term benefits.

Leaked internal documents reveal Birmingham City Council faces up to £70 million in costs if the refuse worker strike continues through 2026, with significant spending on agency staff, service disruptions, legal fees and potential discrimination claims. The report outlines a final offer of £3,000 to £7,000 to certain striking workers in exchange for ending tribunal claims, though the council expects Unite to reject it. Officers warn that unresolved negotiations leave only highly risky alternatives, including dismissal of workers or continued reduced services. The leaked contingency plan for possible dismissals has sparked political controversy and union condemnation, while legal and financial advisers evaluate the council’s limited options.

Birmingham City Council plans to relaunch its troubled Oracle-based IT system on August 18 after years of delays, failures and escalating costs exceeding £144 million. Staff have been warned of expected issues during the transition despite extensive preparation and testing. The revamped system, now called Brindley, replaces the failed 2022 implementation that disrupted payments, financial oversight and services. Officials emphasise improved governance and caution, while insiders criticise celebration plans given the scale of past problems. Senior leaders communicate expected HR and finance disruptions during the switchover, noting that challenges remain likely with the complex ERP rollout.

Reform UK councillors have proposed ending Birmingham’s voluntary participation in refugee sponsorship schemes and revoking its City of Sanctuary status, arguing the council should prioritise existing residents and strained local services. Labour and anti‑racism groups condemn the motion as divisive and misleading, warning it would damage key partnerships. The proposal, Reform’s first major move since becoming the largest party on the council, will be debated at the upcoming full council meeting, where the minority coalition leadership is expected to oppose it.

Leaked documents revealed that senior Birmingham City Council officers explored dismissing striking bin workers in the brief period after the May elections before a new administration took office. The papers suggested the timing would allow new leaders to avoid responsibility while benefiting from an end to the 19‑month dispute. Senior officials deny recommending dismissal, asserting that a negotiated settlement remained the preferred option. Politicians, union leaders and opposition figures condemned the proposal, calling for transparency and an independent investigation. The controversy highlights deep tensions between council officers, elected officials and the Unite union, with new leadership pledging to focus on resolving the ongoing strike.

Birmingham marked Somali Independence Day with the raising of the Somali flag in Victoria Square and blue‑and‑white lighting of the Library of Birmingham. The celebration, part of the Somalinimo 2026 festival created by poet laureate Ayan Aden, aimed to counter negative stereotypes and highlight the contributions of the Somali community. Civic leaders including Sir Derrick Anderson and Somalia’s ambassador Abdulkadir Hashi praised the organisers and called for unity, optimism and shared purpose. The festival continues with further events promoting Somali culture and identity.

Large numbers of exempt accommodation properties in Birmingham are overwhelming neighbourhoods as landlords convert homes to hostels for vulnerable tenants without proper oversight. MP Paulette Hamilton warns that landlords exploit a loophole allowing rejected HMO properties to operate as exempt housing, bringing anti-social behaviour and eroding community stability. She urges the government to tighten regulations, increase scrutiny of housing benefit payments and apply new standards retrospectively. The rapid processing of exempt housing claims in Birmingham attracts more landlords to the city, intensifying the issue and prompting calls for a comprehensive housing plan and stronger local powers.

An independent panel has recommended a major increase in Birmingham city councillors’ allowances, including a near 25% rise in the basic allowance to £24,866, arguing that current payments no longer reflect workload, responsibility or increased public accessibility through social media. The proposal would make Birmingham councillors the highest paid in the country, with significant additional allowances for leadership and committee roles. The panel, chaired by Dr Declan Hall, concluded the existing scheme is outdated and deters public participation. Councillors will debate and decide on the recommendations next month.

Andy Burnham’s first major speech as he prepares to become Prime Minister highlights pledges to devolve power, invest in regional growth and reshape national governance, drawing strong support from West Midlands mayor Richard Parker. The agenda includes expanded regional funding, a large council house building programme, the potential revival of HS2 routes between Birmingham and northern cities, improved access to the prime minister through established relationships, and major reforms to education and skills. These priorities are presented as offering renewed hope and significant benefits for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.

Birmingham City Council is launching a major overhaul of waste collection, beginning in North Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield, with alternating fortnightly general waste and recycling collections and newly restored weekly food waste pickups. Thousands of households served by the Perry Barr depot will transition first, with citywide rollout expected by Christmas. The change proceeds despite an unresolved 18‑month dispute with Unite bin workers, with officials citing the need to improve street cleanliness and reduce fly‑tipping. Councillor Harris Khaliq emphasized resident education, tailored solutions for flats and tower blocks, increased CCTV, and additional street cleaning. Opposition parties criticised the administration for reversing its earlier position on weekly collections, while the council frames the shift as essential to modernising waste management and addressing long‑standing service challenges.