The company behind HS2 was “dishonest and misleading” in dealing with a compensation claim from a Staffordshire homeowner whose property needed to be compulsorily purchased, a report said.

A Sutton Coldfield World War Two veteran has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Two robbers who raided a One Stop store armed with a hammer and knife have been jailed.

A man has been charged with murdering a "funny, caring and loyal" father who was found dead at his Black Country home this week.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock was accused by Dominic Cummings of lying about patients being tested before being discharged to care homes.

The former Downing Street aide was critical of his former boss Boris Johnson.

A dramatic day in Westminster features on every Thursday front page.

Professor Ravi Gupta said the virus would try to become more efficient at transmission.

Over 232,000 Covid-19 vaccinations have now been given in Wolverhampton – with vaccine eligibility being extended to anyone aged 30 and over this week.

Case rates in most areas continue to remain at levels last seen in late summer or early autumn 2020.

The former Downing Street aide was critical of his former boss Boris Johnson and revealed the cause of the breakdown in their relationship.

The former chief advisor hit out at various people in Government.

The company said group revenues jumped by 7.9% to a record £1.14 billion for the year to March 25.

More adults are looking to acquire new skills.

Weapons and drugs were seized and 84 arrests made as part of a police campaign against County Lines crime gangs

A quiet street became the scene of a dramatic morning raid as the work against county lines drug trafficking continues.

The High Sheriff of the West Midlands has given her backing to a new foster families scheme, talking about her own experiences as a foster parent.

A railway station’s beloved furry mascot thinks a new bottled beer is the cat's whiskers and couldn't wait to get his paws on it.

About 50 cases of the Indian variant of coronavirus were detected in the Black Country and Staffordshire last week, new figures reveal.

An MP has demanded an end to a town's "raw deal" on policing – calling for a new police station to be opened as a matter of urgency.

Rugeley Power Station's four cooling towers will be demolished next weekend, it has been confirmed.

Community-led groups in the Midlands will receive a share of £500,000 to host events marking the third national Windrush Day.

Risk of sexual and criminal exploitation to missing and runaway children too often ignored, says a leading Staffordshire charity.

A Black Country author has released a debut novel focusing on the Cold War and a Nigerian turned Russian spy.

A West Midlands-based exporter has become the first UK business to take advantage of a new offer from the Government’s credit agency.

Investigations are still ongoing after a newborn baby was found dead in the car park of a Black Country supermarket last month.

Dominic Cummings said Health Secretary Matt Hancock should have been fired for repeated failures and lies.

Dominic Cummings claimed his former boss Boris Johnson said he would rather see ‘bodies pile high’ than order a third lockdown.

A Black Country council is appealing for help in tracing a man who they believe is responsible for dumping waste.

A Dudley woman has been named the winner of this year's Millennium Point Charitable Trust Scholarship – earning her a fully-funded undergraduate degree at Birmingham City University.

The former chief adviser also said the PM’s fiancee Carrie Symonds was going ‘completely crackers’ over press coverage of her dog.

A rogue Black Country gardener who failed to complete work and left consumers out of pocket has been jailed.

Hundreds of mini enthusiasts are expected to flock to Himley Hall – for a screening of the Italian Job for this summer's drive-in movie festival.

Two brothers have been banned from appearing in drill music videos glorifying gun and drug crime – as part of innovative gang injunctions secured by West Midlands Police.

Two Black Country businessmen have been thanked for funding replacement lifesaving kits which were stolen.

A Wolverhampton man was arrested with a number of suspected counterfeit mobile phones during a day of action in Llanelli in Wales.

A West Midlands Police officer has been accused of attacking a man who was being detained for a mental health assessment at New Cross Hospital.

Boris Johnson’s former chief adviser Dominic Cummings suggested the PM did not take coronavirus seriously in the early stages.

Boris Johnson’s former aide said ministers and officials fell short of what the public should expect in a crisis.

An eight-year-old boy was allegedly abducted off a West Midlands street in what police have described as a terrifying but isolated incident.

National brands have been told to leave a Stafford shopping centre after it was bought by new owners.

A West Mercia Police officer has been charged with stalking.

The site manager at a landfill site in the Black Country discovered human remains during a routine daily inspection.

A landfill site in the Black Country was cordoned off after human remains were discovered.

Ex-footballer Dalian Atkinson's death was hastened by being kicked in the head when he already had health issues, a jury has heard.

Police are appealing for help in finding a 15-year-old boy who has gone missing in Kidderminster.

It said the one-hour service will be available for customers in selected postcodes around its Wolverhampton Willenhall Express store.

Referee Jack Taylor’s 1974 World Cup final stopwatch is set to cause a sensation at auction.

One new coronavirus death has been confirmed in the Black Country – but no further deaths have been announced for Staffordshire or Birmingham.

A ‘gentle giant’ who helped care for tiny kittens is looking for her own forever family.

Tributes are being paid to a father of three who died while working out at a gym in Wolverhampton.

Campaigner, author and MP Jess Phillips is to take to the stage in Sutton Coldfield later this year.

Police are appealing for information after a silicone therapy doll was stolen from a car in Cannock.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock praised the ‘phenomenal pace’ of the rollout of jabs.

The Prime Minister’s former adviser heavily criticised the Government’s preparations for the coronavirus pandemic.

Dominic Cummings said the policy in 2020 was ‘madness’ and the measures in place now are not adequate.

On April 2, 2020, the Health Secretary set a target of 100,000 Covid-19 tests per day by the end of April.

A council is appealing for help in tracing relatives and friends of a man who recently died.

Sir Keir Starmer grilled the Prime Minister over allegations made by his former senior adviser Dominic Cummings.

Plans to turn a former town centre pub into flats for vulnerable young adults have been rejected by Stafford Borough Council.

A Staffordshire man has been jailed for more than four years for a string of drug offences.

Factors such as occupation and pre-existing health conditions explain a large proportion, but not all, of the excess risk.

The former aide was recalling a conversation he had about the Government’s initial response to the pandemic.

Cladding victims have expressed frustration after West Midlands MPs voted against proposals to protect leaseholders from costs to make buildings safe.

Bear Grylls visited the adventure park at The NEC, to open the doors to some inspirational thrill-seekers after months of lockdown.

Boris Johnson’s former aide Dominic Cummings claimed the Government failed the public in its response to the pandemic.

Academics have called for more support to be offered to patients and their loved ones.

The former chief adviser suggested there are ‘brilliant, brilliant officials’ in the Civil Service who are stopped from progressing.

A total of 18 Radford family members enjoyed rollercoasters, gardens, a restaurant and a hotel.

Dozens of new jobs could be created if a Stourbridge recycling plant is given the go-ahead to expand its operation.

Mere Green Primary School pupils got the chance to quiz the Sutton Coldfield's MP recently.

Delighted planning chiefs have backed a long-awaited £65 million-housing redevelopment of a “disgusting” canalside area in Wolverhampton.

It takes between two and three weeks after infection or vaccination for the body to make enough antibodies to fight the virus.

Boris Johnson’s former adviser was scathing about the Department of Health and Social Care.

Shares in the UK’s second largest gym brand lifted higher on Wednesday morning after it hailed ‘strong demand for the return to gyms’.

From vaccines and foreign travel to hugs and pubs - we want to hear how you're feeling about coronavirus in the UK.

The second phase of a roll out of smart units to prevent flooding from blockages has begun in the region.

Visitors to Beacon Park can now download a free audio tour to find out fascinating facts when visiting the Lichfield Historic Park.

A classic car show is coming to Weston Park this summer.

A 5.7-acre vacant industrial site in Netherton with planning permission, granted in April, to build 93 much needed, good quality new homes for the area has been sold.

At one hospital, 70% of admissions were among younger people, NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson said.

Unions have said they will hold Sanjeev Gupta to his promise to keep steel plants open after Liberty Steel Group announced plans to sell some of its sites.

The 30 planned closures will be part of a shake-up of around 110 stores.

Walsall's mayor has marked his final engagement as his term has come to an end after two years.

One of the Black Country's biggest ever cannabis farms has been busted in Walsall.

Severe restrictions on the movement of prisoners which drew criticism from campaigners have now been eased for the majority of inmates.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after a teenage motorcyclist was hit by a car in Kingswinford.

Plans for a major expansion at a city school have been signed off by the Department for Education.

An adventurous Yorkshire terrier has been reunited with his family after he ran off and boarded a bus through the Black Country.

A young man accused of being involved in the murder of Shane Mayer was only at the scene to "calm things down", a jury has been told.

Pupils had ‘very unequal experiences’ during school closures at the start of the pandemic, a report said.

The Prime Minister’s former aide has already made a series of damaging allegations against the Government.

A Government minister has revealed he is considering bringing more pharmacies on board in part of the Black Country to help the vaccine roll out.

More people are being admitted to hospital as a result of obesity in the Black Country and Staffordshire, new figures show.

Labour has unveiled plans to give poor families a cash handout so they can buy food for their kids during school holidays.

Some Wolverhampton Council staff will not return to the Civic Centre from June 21 after it was confirmed flexible working would continue.

The Black Country is seeing wages and educational standards continuing to rise, a new annual report has found.

A Walsall woman who has been volunteering for more than 30 years has been presented with an award for her ongoing work for the community.

A dog groomer from Shifnal is back doing the job she loves after refusing to let cancer prevent her catering to her canine customers.

It comes after Government guidance urged people in eight local authorities to restrict socialising and travel.