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Jonathan Walker

The Birmingham Post's Political Editor based at Westminster.

Fortnightly bin days encourage recycling
Economic Development
The move towards fortnightly rubbish collections was yesterday defended by town hall bosses, who claimed new figures showed it encouraged recycling.
Longbridge plans in jeopardy, claims MP
Economic Development
The regeneration of the former Rover site at Longbridge is threatened by a decision to scale back much-needed transport improvements, according to the local MP.
Inquiry demand into arrests leaks
Economic Development
Pressure intensified last night for a police inquiry into press leaks following the dramatic terror arrests in Birmingham earlier this year.
Bombing losing west battle for sympathy
Economic Development
Britain and the United States are losing the battle for "hearts and minds" in Afghanistan because of over-reliance on heavy bombing raids, the High Commissioner for Pakistan has warned.
City region still on the agenda
Economic Development
Plans for a powerful West Midlands "city region" are still on track, the Minister in charge of local government insisted.
'Casino attractions bad for public health'
Economic Development
Doctors and nurses lined up to condemn Government plans for new casinos today, as Midland health professionals warned gambling made people ill.
Quest to improve English in schools
Economic Development
Standards in a Birmingham school have been threatened by a massive increase in the number of children who speak poor English, the Minister in charge of immigration admitted.
NHS records found dumped
Economic Development
Confidential NHS correspondence about Birmingham patients has been found dumped in a second-hand filing cabinet.
Petrol perks in road pricing
Economic Development
Motorists in the West Midlands could be lured to take part in voluntary road pricing tests with cheaper petrol bills.
Racist bullying soars in Birmingham
Economic Development
Racist bullying in Birmingham schools has soared by more than half, official figures have revealed.
Tories attack hospital spending
Economic Development
Spending on new hospitals in the West Midlands has been criticised by Conservatives who accused the Government of pouring money into constituencies with Labour MPs.
Blair: Gang violence threatens city's rebirth
Economic Development
Tony Blair has been criticised for calling on the black community to speak out against gang culture and violent crime.
Warning to neighbours from hell
Economic Development
Neighbours from hell across the West Midlands are to be given a choice between living on the streets or moving into managed properties where they have to obey strict rules.
Solihull casino hit by Lords vote
Economic Development
Solihull's casino bid was thrown into turmoil last night after Government plans to build new gambling dens across Britain were defeated in the House of Lords.
West Midlands support for road pricing
Economic Development
Businesses and residents have backed controversial plans for road pricing in the West Midlands, according to councils – despite only 175 responses to their consultations.
Huge rise in drink and drugs illnesses
Economic Development
Hospitals across the Midlands are dealing with a soaring number of people making themselves ill through drugs or drink.
Campbell calls for change in search policy
Economic Development
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell will today use a visit to Birmingham to demand a review of stop and search legislation which he claims is damaging community relations.
Brown compared to Stalin
Economic Development
Downing Street and MPs supporting Gordon Brown rallied to his defence last night after criticism from senior civil servants threatened to overshadow today's Budget.
Hope of council tax bills cut in region
Economic Development
Residents in the most expensive homes will face higher council tax bills and those living in the cheapest will pay less, under proposals expected to be announced today.
Private sector will help to run public services
Economic Development
The private sector will become increasingly involved in running public services under radical plans published by Gordon Brown and Tony Blair yesterday.
Schools could lose /authors/jonathan-walker/1m savings
Economic Development
The Government is set to claw back savings from schools which are hoarding large stockpiles of cash and redistribute them to their poorer neighbours.
Govt dismiss council tax rumours
Economic Development
Claims that council tax bills are set to rocket were dismissed as "scaremongering" last night, as former Birmingham Council Chief Executive Sir Michael Lyons prepared to present his proposals next week.
Crowded hospitals MRSA fear
Economic Development
Hundreds of patients are at risk of contracting MRSA and other "superbugs" because of overcrowding in West Midlands hospitals, it has been claimed.
Brum MPs leading Trident rebellion
Economic Development
Birmingham Labour MPs have emerged as ringleaders in a rebellion over a /authors/jonathan-walker/20billion replacement for Trident.