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SPECIAL REPORT The Hard Truth About “Soft Skills”
Education gives young people the knowledge to begin. Employability gives them the confidence to continue.
10 hrs ago
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Mike Olley
1
Elite Culture, Working Culture, and Who Gets the Money?
Elite culture matters. Working culture matters too. Birmingham’s scrutiny committee now has a chance to ask whether the money reflects that simple…
Jul 6
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Mike Olley
2
Who Governs Birmingham: The People Or The Permanent Machine?
ITV Central and Lewis Warner have done Birmingham a public service. Now councillors of every party must do theirs.
Jul 4
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Mike Olley
The Man Who Refuses to Stay in His Lane
John Hemming’s latest experiment is not really only about pills. It is about prevention, evidence and whether Britain has become too cautious to test…
Jul 3
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Mike Olley
1
The Disappearing £1 Billion That Is Still There
Birmingham’s accounts show a £994m pension surplus. Then the asset ceiling makes it disappear. But disappearing in the accounts is not the same as…
Jul 2
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Mike Olley
2
3
1
The Day Birmingham’s Bin Cuts Stopped Making Sense
Hours after Birmingham defended bi monthly wheelie bin collections on cost grounds, the Pension Fund surplus raised one unavoidable question. Why cut at…
Jul 1
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Mike Olley
1
June 2026
Welcome to the Fire Authority. Now Ask What You’ve Just Inherited.
New councillors arrive at West Midlands Fire Authority as a live inspection, CV questions and a possible £7m litigation cloud wait in the smoke.
Jun 30
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Mike Olley
1
Racism Is Too Serious For Football To Get It Wrong
Conor Wilkinson of Solihull Moors was cleared by the FA. Racism must be punished hard, but football must also correct its mistakes.
Jun 29
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Mike Olley
2
Midlands GRIT – Week Ending 26 June 2026
Another week, another reminder that Birmingham never really sleeps.
Jun 27
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Mike Olley
1
The Girl from Druids Heath
She became a mother at sixteen, survived domestic abuse and now leads Birmingham Labour. I expected a council row. I found the person behind the…
Jun 26
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Mike Olley
1
2
When The School Gates Close, Birmingham Pays
Government advice says schools should not normally close in hot weather. So why were Birmingham families left to absorb the risk, disruption and cost?
Jun 25
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Mike Olley
2
1
Who Owns Birmingham Now?
The high street has not simply declined. It has been bought, bundled and turned into a revenue stream.
Jun 24
•
Mike Olley
3
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