The Birmingham Post (England) back issues from October 2007:
Minister to create his Midlands A Team.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Jonathan Walker Political Editor The Midland's most powerful people are forming a 'super' leadership group, designed to kick-start jobs and housing across the region. Formed by Minister for the West Midlands, Liam Byrne, the new West Midlands Leadership ...
The Midlands' great and good turned out in their hundreds.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Report and more pictures, Page 5 CAPTION(S): The Midlands' great and good turned out in their hundreds to pay their last respects to Don ...
Linking in to positive image brings name change to UCE; BIRMINGHAM City University.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Shahid Naqvi Education Correspondent The University of Central England has undergone a pounds 200,000 name change in order to feature the word "Birmingham" in its title. From today the Perry Barr-based institution formerly known as UCE will become ...
Heseltine calling for elected mayors to help cities thrive.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Elected mayors would give Britain's great cities "a chance to thrive", Conservative peer Michael Heseltine predicted yesterday. The former Deputy Prime Minister set out his vision for a powerful elected leader who would take responsibility for policing, health and employment, ...
Police gun alert.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Police responding to reports of a pensioner with a gun yesterday discovered the body of an elderly woman at an address in Stafford. The body of the woman, whose identity is known but will not be released until her family have been notified, was found by officers next to a gun in ...
Stone hopes for Megan appeal; COURTS.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... The man convicted of the brutal killings of Lin and Megan Russell is waiting to hear whether appeal court judges will re-examine his case, it was disclosed yesterday. Michael Stone (left) is serving at least 25 years behind bars after twice being convicted of the hammer murders ...
Potter books boost charity; AUCTION.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... A rare set of Harry Potter books kept under lock and key in a police station sold for almost pounds 20,000 on an internet auction. The seven books, signed by JK Rowling, are believed to be one of only a few such sets in the world ....
Fatal air crash; ACCIDENT.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... One person died and a second was injured when a light aircraft they were travelling in crashed into a farm field yesterday. The aircraft was spotted coming down on land in Fridd Lane, Bethersden, ...
Skint pensioners; DEBT.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... The proportion of pensioners going bankrupt has more than doubled during the past five years, figures showed yesterday. Around seven per cent of all people going bankrupt in 2007 were retired, up from just three per cent in 2002, according to accountants Wilkins Kennedy. ...
Miss Moneypenny loses cancer fight.(News)(Obituary)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Jeff Root Lois Maxwell, who starred as Miss Moneypenny in 14 James Bond movies, has died aged 80. The Canadian-born actress starred alongside Sean Connery in the first James Bond movie, Dr No, in 1962 as the secretary to M, the head of the secret service. ...
Another farmer in Surrey hit by disease.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Farmers were last night hit with a further outbreak of a disease thought to have cost the industry pounds 250 million since August. The new case of foot-and-mouth at a farm in Surrey would have further severe financial implications, the National Farmers Union said. ...
Murder hunt after body found in pond.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Police in the Black Country have launched a murder inquiry after the body of a teenage boy was found in a pond. The body of the boy, who has not yet been named but is thought to be about 16-years-old and local, was discovered in the water-filled clay pit in Bickley Road, The ...
Specialist's suspension cost hospital 'around pounds 4m'.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Emma Brady Health Correspondent When Coventry hospital bosses reinstated heart specialist Dr Raj Mattu in July, after a five-and-half-year suspension, he was eager to get his life "back on track". However, his plans to return to work have now suffered a ...
Cancer patients can give blood to national 'biobank'.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Cancer patients in Birmingham can now donate samples of their blood or tumour tissue to a national 'biobank' it was announced yesterday. Scientists, cancer specialists and patients at the National Cancer Research Institute conference, which is being held at the International ...
Harmful exposure to smoke drops since ban.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Hospitality workers in bars, clubs, restaurants and cafes have seen their exposure to harmful second-hand smoke fall by 95 per cent since the smoking ban came into effect on July 1, according to Midland researchers. The findings from a study conducted by the Tobacco Control ...
Protestantism 'brings more jobs'.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Countries where the main religion is Protestant Christianity have higher employment rates, according to a British research study. Experts at the University of Bath found that employment rates in mainly Protestant countries are around six per cent higher than those where other ...
Unseen Royal photographs.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Previously unseen photographs from King George VI's family album were published today in a new book about Royals and their loyal four-legged friends. Noble Hounds And Dear Companions charts the Royal Family's love of dogs throughout history. It features more than 200 ...
Thousands line streets to pay their final tributes to rally star McRae.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Thousands of people lined the streets of Colin McRae's home town yesterday to pay tribute to the rally star. Fans from around the globe began arriving from early morning to pay respect to Mr McRae, 39, who died in a helicopter crash two weeks ago. The father of two ...
Town Hall battle of bands set to rival Eurovision.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Tom Scotney Rock legends are set to welcome a new generation of budding superstars to Birmingham - at Britain's biggest live music competition at the city's Town Hall. Celebrity judges such as keyboard virtuoso Rick Wakeman, Jean-Jacques Burnel of the ...
International mobile calls get new rate.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... A new mobile phone tariff came into force yesterday which could save UK residents money when they make and receive calls abroad. Some users may have already asked their network provider to apply the Eurotariff but call charges will be capped for everyone from today. ...
Older people 'need recognition' for role.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Older people need more recognition for the invaluable contribution they can make to society, a leading charity said today. To mark International Day of Older People, Help the Aged is encouraging the British public, local authorities, businesses and the Government to be more "age ...
Ageism still endemic at work, says report.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Ageism is still "endemic" in the workplace a year after new legislation aimed at stamping out age discrimination, according to a new report today. The Employers' Forum on Age said almost two out of three workers had witnessed ageist behaviour in the past 12 months, only ...
Claims over Midlands TB scotched by watchdog.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Claims by a leading Midland doctor who last week said Birmingham could face an outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) "within the next five years", have been scotched by the Health Protection Agency. Dr Chris Spencer-Jones, South Birmingham Primary Care Trust's director of public health, ...
Hundreds say goodbye to true son of Black Country.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: By John Duckers Business Editor Hundreds of mourners said their farewells to Don Richardson - "a true son of the Black Country" - this weekend. Mr Richardson, who died last month aged 77, was one half of the legendary property developers, the Richardson twins ....
West Midlands councillor and 'happy teacher' dies at 91.(News)(Obituary)
Oct 01, 2007 ... A former West Midlands councillor and teacher has died at the age of 91. Marwood Eric Brown, who served on Birmingham City Council for nine years, died on Saturday. Mr Brown, whose wife Marjorie became the city's first female Lord Mayor in 1973, represented the wards ...
Alcohol now school subject.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... A qualification to educate schoolchildren about alcohol will be launched this week. Developed by innkeeping institute BII, the alcohol awareness certificate is aimed at 13 to 16-year-olds. It covers topics such as the different strengths of alcoholic drinks, the ...
Under-18s cannot buy tobacco; NEW LAW.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... A new law making it illegal for under-18s to buy tobacco comes into force today. The legal age for buying tobacco rises from 16 to 18, bringing it into line with alcohol. Health campaigners welcomed the move, saying it would be easier for retailers and customers to ...
Police training needs more sense; DIVERSITY.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Police diversity training is a "self-feeding monster" that threatens to stifle progress in combating prejudice, an expert said yesterday. Dr John Coxhead said formal training taking place in police forces, public bodies and companies, was increasingly divorced from reality. ...
McCanns lie low; MADDY.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... This weekend marked the 150th day since Madeleine McCann went missing in Portugal. Yesterday, Kate and Gerry McCann tried to maintain a low profile, although Mr McCann is known to have told friends: "It is just another day without Madeleine." The couple remain ...
Barrage slated; REPORT.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... A Severn Barrage would be the "wrong option" for harnessing tidal power in the Severn estuary, environmentalists said yesterday. A report from Friends of the Earth said a series of "tidal lagoons" to generate electricity would be better for wildlife habitats, more efficient, ...
POLITICS: Missing holiday was well worth it, says Spelman; Meriden MP Caroline Spelman, the Conservative Chair, has the task of getting the Conservative Party ready for a General Election campaign. Here she tells Political Editor Jonathan Walker that her party is set to win.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: Jonathan Walker As the person responsible for preparing the Conservative Party for a General Election, you might expect Caroline Spelman to be downbeat. Gordon Brown has proved himself to be a ruthless political operator since winning control of the Labour ...
POLITICS: New targets could 'overwhelm jails '.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Efforts to catch more dangerous criminals are being undermined by the overcrowding crisis in Britain's prisons, it was claimed yesterday. Tough new police targets for increasing the number of serious offenders arrested have reportedly been vetoed by Justice Secretary Jack Straw ...
POLITICS: Religious law starts today.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... A once controversial new law making it an offence to incite religious hatred will come into force today. The law closes a gap in race legislation that meant only Jews and Sikhs, who were deemed by the courts to be racial groups, were protected. Other groups like Muslims and ...
POLITICS: Britain's schools will be 'world class'.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Gordon Brown has pledged to take Britain's schools to the next level and make them "world class". The Prime Minister also highlighted the need for celebrities to become role models for young people and speak out against drugs. Double gold medal Olympic hero Dame Kelly ...
POLITICS: A story sweeping the Conservative Party.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: CHRIS MONCRIEFF A story sweeping the Conservative Party conference at Blackpool is that MP Quentin Davies's "prize" for defecting from the Conservatives to Labour is that he will eventually be appointed British Ambassador in Paris. But he appeared dumbfounded ...
POLITICS: Conservatives planning to improve childhood in UK.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Jonathan Walker Political Editor Conservatives will today set out plans to "improve childhood" with a series of proposals for education and young people. They will pledged to reform Britain's "compensation culture" and give greater legal protection to ...
POLITICS: Conference gets off to an unsound start.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... The Tory conference got off to a shambolic start yesterday, with angry party activists complaining they could not hear opening speeches. The start of the Blackpool gathering was delayed and when it did begin rank and file members in the audience could not hear conference ...
POLITICS: 'Great Tory fightback' is on the way.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Tory leader David Cameron yesterday declared his party would mount "the great Conservative fightback". Behind in the polls and with increasing speculation about a possible snap election, Mr Cameron told Tory activists at the opening session of their conference in Blackpool: ...
POLITICS: Schwarzenegger hails dynamic leader.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... California "Governator" Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday hailed David Cameron as a dynamic leader who has revived the "green" heritage of the Conservative Party. The action hero-turned-politician (left) said the Tory leader was a "strong and forceful voice" on climate change and ...
POLITICS: Cameron ally defends remarks; RACE ROW.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... A Tory frontbencher was embroiled in a bitter race row last night after claiming that BNP voters had "some legitimate views" on immigration. Anti-racist groups hit out at shadow community cohesion minister Baroness Sayeeda Warsi - one of David Cameron's closest allies - after ...
POLITICS: Fresh blow over personal ratings; POLLS.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... David Cameron was dealt a fresh poll blow as he attempted to rally his party for a potential snap general election. Ipsos Mori research suggested that the Tory leader's personal ratings had slumped against Gordon Brown in a range of key areas. Just 13 per cent of ...
POLITICS: Equipment row; MILITARY.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... A Tory pressure group claimed yesterday that British troops have died in Afghanistan and Iraq for lack of proper equipment. Conservative Way Forward was launching an advertising van poster campaign featuring Poppy symbols and listing the numbers of soldiers killed in 12 separate ...
POLITICS: 'Right is wrong' DEFECTOR.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... A Tory MP touted as a possible defector to Labour warned David Cameron against shifting the party to the right. John Bercow, who embarrassed the leadership earlier this month by agreeing to advise Gordon Brown on children's learning difficulties, insisted that returning to the ...
AGENDA: Turn off the TV and get the kids some books.(Features)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Booktime, a programme designed to encourage parents to read aloud with their children, has exposed the truth behind the political cliche 'hard working families'. Its survey, produced last week, revealed that children spend 17 days a year in front of a screen and do little of anything with ...
AGENDA: Getting equality laws bang to rights this time; Outdated approaches to 'human rights' are about to be swept aside but the formation of a new commission, explains Asif Afridi, deputy CEO of the Birmingham Race Action Partnership.(Features)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: Asif Afridi From this morning, the equalities environment in the UK is changing. The commissions that have previously promoted equality separately on issues of race, disability and gender are being brought together in one large commission called the Equality and Human ...
AGENDA: ON A LIGHTER NOTE.(Features)
Oct 01, 2007 ... It is of course a matter for the University of Central England as to whether a pounds 200,000 name-changing exercise was worth the money. It appears, however, that discussions about one of the ideas for a new name did not run smoothly. UCE boffins proposed three ...
THE BIRMINGHAM POST: Two visions of putting regions on road to prosperity.(Leaders)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Liam Byrne, the Minister for the West Midlands, is pressing ahead with his campaign to "bang heads together " and get the West Midlands agencies working together for the benefit of the region. At the same time, an alternative vision for bringing prosperity and greater success to ...
THE BIRMINGHAM POST: Unclear TB picture.(Leaders)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Schoolchildren in the past were often warned how "coughs and sneezes spread diseases", which harked back to when ailments such as tuberculosis were widespread. But in the age of modern medicine, effective vaccination programmes have all but wiped out TB from Britain. ...
THE BIRMINGHAM POST: Worthy goal.(Leaders)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Manchester and Liverpool are well-known for their contribution to popular music. From Ozzy to Ocean Colour Scene, the West Midlands also has a proud, if less well-known, legacy. Now organisers of the Battle of the Bands are ensuring we have ...
How we're making children prisoners in their own homes.(Features)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: BRENDA BULLOCK Why is it that whenever experts on childhood get together to produce a report that accounts for modern childhood problems, all the teachers unions can put forward as their contribution to the debate is the old red herring of a test-driven education system? ...
Letter: How Ethnic minorities are represented.(Letters)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: COUN AYOUB KHAN Dear Editor, I would like to respond to comments made by Azhar Qayum, regarding the lack of representation of ethnic minorities in the council's cabinet (Campaigners back calls for more ethnic leaders, Post Sept 28) . Mr Qayum claims this is ...
Letter: Everything we need to know about Labour.(Letters)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Dear Editor, When there is a crisis threatening the interests of capitalism, the Government bails out the banks with billions of taxpayers' money. When there is a crisis in care for the elderly and disabled, the Government ignores it. That says everything we need to know about ...
Letter: Looking at the role of Ofcare in 'slim' NHS.(Letters)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Dear Editor, I was intrigued to read that there is to be a new NHS regulator called Ofcare. In 2004, Lord Warner, the health minister, said he wanted to "streamline over 30 bodies" involved in the inspection of performance in ...
Letter: Children now of academic interest only.(Letters)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: JANE BOARD Dear Editor, According to a recent report, competitive fathers are on the rise, while pushy mothers are declining. Half the men questioned considered their children's academic achievements to be more important than their careers and even their health. ...
Letter: Leading the way over climate change.(Letters)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: KEITH BUDDEN Dear Editor, I am delighted to once again inform your readers of the leadership role that Birmingham is taking on tackling climate change (Silence and prevarication, Post Letters Sept 25). We have not been silent and we are not prevaricating. ...
Letter: McCann roadshow goes on.(Letters)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Dear Editor, I am utterly bewildered by the public hysteria raised as a result of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, and I suspect that little blonde girls from all over the world are now in danger of their photos being examined by police experts (especially if those photos were taken ...
Letter: On the Big Wheel; Message board.(Letters)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: Andromeda I wish they'd find another Big Wheel for Centenary Square in Birmingham. It was a great attraction and certainly added some flavour to the nightlights of the ...
Letter: If money were no object; Message board.(Letters)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: John99 Think I'd stay where I am. I travelled in my earlier days ...
Letter: If money were no object; Message board.(Letters)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: Diane I wouldn't mind settling in Canada. It's a bit cold, but it's such a vast country with a relatively small population, so there would be plenty to do and see. Some ...
Letter: If money were no object; Message board.(Letters)
Oct 01, 2007 ... A nice house by the sea in this country ...
Letter: Why I may break with my long-held voting tradition.(Letters)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Dear Editor, I am 55 years old and I have always voted Conservative. Now I'm seriously considering breaking that tradition. Currently, the only thing in David Cameron's favour for a forth-coming election is the possibility of a referendum on the European Treaty. Any ...
Letter: Who is judging the drugs problem?(Letters)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: DAN HAGUE Dear Editor, Gordon Brown has become the latest in a long line of politicians to slam celebrities who take drugs, warning them they are not above the law. In an apparent swipe at stars such as Pete Doherty, his on-off girlfriend Kate Moss, and ...
Letter: On Parliament going gender neutral.(Letters)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: Andromeda I will continue saying chairman, chairwoman, salesman and saleswoman. Enough is enough; where do they want to draw the line? Will place names by next? ...
Hundreds march as hope emerges in Burma.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Byline: By Simon Baker Hundreds of people took to Britain's streets yesterday in support of prodemocracy protesters in Burma as a UN envoy finally met the main leader of the movement in the country. Ibrahim Gambari held talks lasting around 90 minutes with Aung San ...
'Black day' declared as Musharraf heads for another five-year term.(News)
Oct 01, 2007 ... Pakistani journalists marked yesterday as a "black day" to condemn police beatings during opposition protests against President Gen Pervez Musharraf's pursuit of another five-year term. Musharraf picked up a key legal victory yesterday when the Election Commission declared him a ...