The Government has confirmed it has lifted the Improvement Direction on the city council after over ten years. This follows the publication last month of Ofsted's report of its inspection of children's services services which saw all rated ‘Good’.

Birmingham Children's Trust has also announced that Andrew Christie intends to retire as Chair of the Trust. Andy Couldrick intends to resign as Chief Executive and has been asked by the Council and the Trust Board to become the next Chair of the Trust.

An investigation into allegations of bullying and discrimination at Britain's equality watchdog has been paused. The claims by staff are made against Baroness Falkner, the head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), and other members of its board.

Details of the allegations were recently reported by Channel 4 News. A spokesperson for the EHRC said it is now seeking legal advice "on the impact of leaked confidential information".

The cost of food continues to soar and stretch family budgets across the country, but today marked the formal opening of another community shop in Wolverhampton to help all citizens eat well for less. Eastfield Community Shop celebrated its formal opening today with community chefs doing demonstrations and providing tasty food to sample, a chance to try Zumba classes and with experts on hand to give advice on a wide range of issues.

An interim High Court order banning street cruising across Birmingham will remain in place until a final hearing is held following a review at Birmingham High Court last week (19 May 2023).

This injunction, prohibiting drivers or riders or passengers from taking part in a street cruise anywhere in Birmingham, has been in place since December 2022. Any driver, rider or passenger breaching the order could be arrested immediately, and could face up to two years in prison, a fine, or have their assets seized.

Recent surveys have revealed that many ECRs feel they lack sufficient knowledge and experience to conduct safe fieldwork expeditions to the polar regions. Furthermore, they face limited opportunities to join established scientific programs on polar research ships or bases. The Clean Planet Peninsula project seeks to address these issues by offering cost-effective training both in the UK and in the polar regions through a series of courses, remote fieldwork camps, and future expeditions.

Hundreds of people attended the funeral of a forgotten World War Two RAF airman at a church in Westminster after a campaign was set-up for him to have the send-off he deserved. Jamaican-born Flt Sgt Peter Brown was one of the last pilots of the Caribbean, who volunteered as RAF personnel. He died in at his home, in north London, in December.