The Dispatch
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Birmingham's new quality newspaper: sending local stories to your inbox. Always looking for new writers & new stories.
“Well, that’s nothing to do with what y–you either want to talk about flags or that, I mean this is mental," he told us when we asked him about it.
Read the full story on The Dispatch.
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/red-flags-th...
Read the full story on The Dispatch.
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/red-flags-th...
October 4, 2025 at 6:52 AM
“Well, that’s nothing to do with what y–you either want to talk about flags or that, I mean this is mental," he told us when we asked him about it.
Read the full story on The Dispatch.
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/red-flags-th...
Read the full story on The Dispatch.
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/red-flags-th...
Raddlebarn Primary in Selly Oak has money troubles. Big ones. It's gone from being in a £34,000 deficit in 2018 to more than £400,000 today. 💰
September 24, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Raddlebarn Primary in Selly Oak has money troubles. Big ones. It's gone from being in a £34,000 deficit in 2018 to more than £400,000 today. 💰
These joy rides came to define Phillips’ work on canvas, where he sliced apart, multiplied and reassembled mechanical car parts, signs and slogans, industrial designs and pin up girls.
September 10, 2025 at 6:44 AM
These joy rides came to define Phillips’ work on canvas, where he sliced apart, multiplied and reassembled mechanical car parts, signs and slogans, industrial designs and pin up girls.
As a teenager, pop-artist Peter Phillips spent evenings and weekends cruising from Selly Oak Road, through the suburbs and towards the city centre.
"I sat in the front seat… until we picked up girls — which was the whole gesture of it. That’s what you do when you have a car.”
"I sat in the front seat… until we picked up girls — which was the whole gesture of it. That’s what you do when you have a car.”
September 10, 2025 at 6:44 AM
As a teenager, pop-artist Peter Phillips spent evenings and weekends cruising from Selly Oak Road, through the suburbs and towards the city centre.
"I sat in the front seat… until we picked up girls — which was the whole gesture of it. That’s what you do when you have a car.”
"I sat in the front seat… until we picked up girls — which was the whole gesture of it. That’s what you do when you have a car.”
In the West Midlands, dozens of architecturally valuable buildings stand derelict, seemingly awaiting their fates.
From the monumental brutalism of the Smallbrook Queensway Ringway Centre to the grandeur of Methodist Central Hall.
From the monumental brutalism of the Smallbrook Queensway Ringway Centre to the grandeur of Methodist Central Hall.
August 20, 2025 at 6:14 AM
In the West Midlands, dozens of architecturally valuable buildings stand derelict, seemingly awaiting their fates.
From the monumental brutalism of the Smallbrook Queensway Ringway Centre to the grandeur of Methodist Central Hall.
From the monumental brutalism of the Smallbrook Queensway Ringway Centre to the grandeur of Methodist Central Hall.
Jones herself thinks the party has become increasingly censorious and undemocratic. As she put it: “I didn’t leave the Labour party. The Labour party left me.”
August 13, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Jones herself thinks the party has become increasingly censorious and undemocratic. As she put it: “I didn’t leave the Labour party. The Labour party left me.”
A catch up: Cllr Morrall was suspended from the Conservatives after a stalking and harassment charge in 2023. He was convicted of harassment in 2024.
He's still a councillor and says he's also a Conservative. Brum Conservatives say differently.
He's still a councillor and says he's also a Conservative. Brum Conservatives say differently.
August 7, 2025 at 9:02 AM
A catch up: Cllr Morrall was suspended from the Conservatives after a stalking and harassment charge in 2023. He was convicted of harassment in 2024.
He's still a councillor and says he's also a Conservative. Brum Conservatives say differently.
He's still a councillor and says he's also a Conservative. Brum Conservatives say differently.
Did you catch our story yesterday about the curious case of the (maybe?) Conservative councillor in Frankley Great Park?
Northfield MP Laurence Turner says he's written to the Conservative Party as a result of our story, asking for clarity on Simon Morrall's membership status.
Northfield MP Laurence Turner says he's written to the Conservative Party as a result of our story, asking for clarity on Simon Morrall's membership status.
August 7, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Did you catch our story yesterday about the curious case of the (maybe?) Conservative councillor in Frankley Great Park?
Northfield MP Laurence Turner says he's written to the Conservative Party as a result of our story, asking for clarity on Simon Morrall's membership status.
Northfield MP Laurence Turner says he's written to the Conservative Party as a result of our story, asking for clarity on Simon Morrall's membership status.
As for Birmingham's Conservatives? They don't seem to know either. “Since he was expelled, he’s attempted to rejoin various Conservative associations across the city but has been refused membership each time,” one Tory councillor alleges.
But Morrall says he IS a member again.
But Morrall says he IS a member again.
August 6, 2025 at 11:19 AM
As for Birmingham's Conservatives? They don't seem to know either. “Since he was expelled, he’s attempted to rejoin various Conservative associations across the city but has been refused membership each time,” one Tory councillor alleges.
But Morrall says he IS a member again.
But Morrall says he IS a member again.
In 2024, Morrall pleaded guilty to a single charge of harassment. The court heard Morrall and his ex had a mostly 'secret' relationship, because of family 'disapproval'.
In documents seen by The Dispatch, it was claimed this animosity was due to them being a “Labour family”.
In documents seen by The Dispatch, it was claimed this animosity was due to them being a “Labour family”.
August 6, 2025 at 11:19 AM
In 2024, Morrall pleaded guilty to a single charge of harassment. The court heard Morrall and his ex had a mostly 'secret' relationship, because of family 'disapproval'.
In documents seen by The Dispatch, it was claimed this animosity was due to them being a “Labour family”.
In documents seen by The Dispatch, it was claimed this animosity was due to them being a “Labour family”.
Until last year, Simon Morrall was a great hope for Birmingham’s Conservatives. He increased his vote share in 2022, when his party was waning nationally and locally.
This all changed in 2023, when Cllr Morrall was charged with the stalking and harassment of an ex-partner.
This all changed in 2023, when Cllr Morrall was charged with the stalking and harassment of an ex-partner.
August 6, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Until last year, Simon Morrall was a great hope for Birmingham’s Conservatives. He increased his vote share in 2022, when his party was waning nationally and locally.
This all changed in 2023, when Cllr Morrall was charged with the stalking and harassment of an ex-partner.
This all changed in 2023, when Cllr Morrall was charged with the stalking and harassment of an ex-partner.
When The Dispatch was asked to get to the bottom of a mystery - was Cllr Simon Morrall, convicted of harassment last year, back in the Conservatives and/or running for re-election in 2026? - we thought it would be an easy task.
We were wrong.
We were wrong.
August 6, 2025 at 11:17 AM
When The Dispatch was asked to get to the bottom of a mystery - was Cllr Simon Morrall, convicted of harassment last year, back in the Conservatives and/or running for re-election in 2026? - we thought it would be an easy task.
We were wrong.
We were wrong.
🗞️ Want a shot of easily digestible West Midlands news to start your week?
Great, because every Monday, The Dispatch publishes a totally FREE morning round-up of the latest headlines, reads and events coming up.
Today there's long reads on HS2 & culture war talks.
Great, because every Monday, The Dispatch publishes a totally FREE morning round-up of the latest headlines, reads and events coming up.
Today there's long reads on HS2 & culture war talks.
July 21, 2025 at 12:29 PM
🗞️ Want a shot of easily digestible West Midlands news to start your week?
Great, because every Monday, The Dispatch publishes a totally FREE morning round-up of the latest headlines, reads and events coming up.
Today there's long reads on HS2 & culture war talks.
Great, because every Monday, The Dispatch publishes a totally FREE morning round-up of the latest headlines, reads and events coming up.
Today there's long reads on HS2 & culture war talks.
But the situation has had a lasting impact. “I feel we’ve been tagged a bit as being this bad guy,” he says, adding the Stirchley scene can feel like a bit of a closed circle at times. “It can feel a bit snooty.”
July 10, 2025 at 8:50 AM
But the situation has had a lasting impact. “I feel we’ve been tagged a bit as being this bad guy,” he says, adding the Stirchley scene can feel like a bit of a closed circle at times. “It can feel a bit snooty.”
Chloe, who founded seasonal small plates restaurant Verbena in 2020, directly opposite Deadbeat, was one of those who opposed the application.
“I’m not against late licenses in general, but [...] even if Deadbeat were responsible, would the next people be?”
“I’m not against late licenses in general, but [...] even if Deadbeat were responsible, would the next people be?”
July 10, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Chloe, who founded seasonal small plates restaurant Verbena in 2020, directly opposite Deadbeat, was one of those who opposed the application.
“I’m not against late licenses in general, but [...] even if Deadbeat were responsible, would the next people be?”
“I’m not against late licenses in general, but [...] even if Deadbeat were responsible, would the next people be?”
TRANSPORT.
After decades of work, Greater Manchester now has something approaching a comprehensive rapid transit network.
What really counts for a city’s economy is people’s ability to move within the city region.
After decades of work, Greater Manchester now has something approaching a comprehensive rapid transit network.
What really counts for a city’s economy is people’s ability to move within the city region.
July 4, 2025 at 8:32 AM
TRANSPORT.
After decades of work, Greater Manchester now has something approaching a comprehensive rapid transit network.
What really counts for a city’s economy is people’s ability to move within the city region.
After decades of work, Greater Manchester now has something approaching a comprehensive rapid transit network.
What really counts for a city’s economy is people’s ability to move within the city region.
3. Surrounding towns are stagnating. This is productivity in Greater Manchester towns vs West Midlands towns.
Now why are Stockport etc the place to be while the Walsalls struggle? There's a simple answer to this & why the West Mids professional service sector isn't growing...
Now why are Stockport etc the place to be while the Walsalls struggle? There's a simple answer to this & why the West Mids professional service sector isn't growing...
July 4, 2025 at 8:32 AM
3. Surrounding towns are stagnating. This is productivity in Greater Manchester towns vs West Midlands towns.
Now why are Stockport etc the place to be while the Walsalls struggle? There's a simple answer to this & why the West Mids professional service sector isn't growing...
Now why are Stockport etc the place to be while the Walsalls struggle? There's a simple answer to this & why the West Mids professional service sector isn't growing...
2. Birmingham hasn’t been able to grow its professional service sector as quickly as Manchester.
In Manchester the value of the total service sector has shot up by 30% in six years.
In Birmingham, it’s a much less impressive 8%, or less than 1% a year.
In Manchester the value of the total service sector has shot up by 30% in six years.
In Birmingham, it’s a much less impressive 8%, or less than 1% a year.
July 4, 2025 at 8:32 AM
2. Birmingham hasn’t been able to grow its professional service sector as quickly as Manchester.
In Manchester the value of the total service sector has shot up by 30% in six years.
In Birmingham, it’s a much less impressive 8%, or less than 1% a year.
In Manchester the value of the total service sector has shot up by 30% in six years.
In Birmingham, it’s a much less impressive 8%, or less than 1% a year.
Now there’s three key reasons for why this has happened:
1. Once the economic jewel in the region’s crown, Solihull’s economy is in decline.
1. Once the economic jewel in the region’s crown, Solihull’s economy is in decline.
July 4, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Now there’s three key reasons for why this has happened:
1. Once the economic jewel in the region’s crown, Solihull’s economy is in decline.
1. Once the economic jewel in the region’s crown, Solihull’s economy is in decline.
Second cities really need to be alternatives to London; productivity would reflect that.
So what does the data say for the West Midlands?
1. Productivity way below the UK average
2. Where Greater Manchester has soared, the West Midlands has slumped
So what does the data say for the West Midlands?
1. Productivity way below the UK average
2. Where Greater Manchester has soared, the West Midlands has slumped
July 4, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Second cities really need to be alternatives to London; productivity would reflect that.
So what does the data say for the West Midlands?
1. Productivity way below the UK average
2. Where Greater Manchester has soared, the West Midlands has slumped
So what does the data say for the West Midlands?
1. Productivity way below the UK average
2. Where Greater Manchester has soared, the West Midlands has slumped
For economists, ‘productivity’ — i.e. the value of the things workers produce relative to the amount of time used to produce them — is the holy grail.
The government is on a desperate quest to boost the productivity of England’s large city regions - like the West Midlands Combined Authority.
The government is on a desperate quest to boost the productivity of England’s large city regions - like the West Midlands Combined Authority.
July 4, 2025 at 8:32 AM
For economists, ‘productivity’ — i.e. the value of the things workers produce relative to the amount of time used to produce them — is the holy grail.
The government is on a desperate quest to boost the productivity of England’s large city regions - like the West Midlands Combined Authority.
The government is on a desperate quest to boost the productivity of England’s large city regions - like the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Bewdley is, perhaps, the crown jewel of the plotlands movement, home to roughly 163 households.
But now these dwellings are under threat, allegedly from a “notorious mobile home park owner, with a list of intimidatory tactics is as long as your arm.”
But now these dwellings are under threat, allegedly from a “notorious mobile home park owner, with a list of intimidatory tactics is as long as your arm.”
May 17, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Bewdley is, perhaps, the crown jewel of the plotlands movement, home to roughly 163 households.
But now these dwellings are under threat, allegedly from a “notorious mobile home park owner, with a list of intimidatory tactics is as long as your arm.”
But now these dwellings are under threat, allegedly from a “notorious mobile home park owner, with a list of intimidatory tactics is as long as your arm.”
Barton told The Dispatch in a statement that he's "happy" to be closing this particular chapter. He stressed allegations of potential irregularities were "never proven" and that the settlement "in no way represents an acceptance of any culpability or guilt on this matter.”
May 12, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Barton told The Dispatch in a statement that he's "happy" to be closing this particular chapter. He stressed allegations of potential irregularities were "never proven" and that the settlement "in no way represents an acceptance of any culpability or guilt on this matter.”
Barton has finally settled with creditors - but the terms are 'undisclosed'. Which means we don't know whether the taxpayer funded orgs will be seeing any of their money back. Barton has kept his leaderships roles at Pride, Southside BID and West Midlands Lieutenancy.
May 12, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Barton has finally settled with creditors - but the terms are 'undisclosed'. Which means we don't know whether the taxpayer funded orgs will be seeing any of their money back. Barton has kept his leaderships roles at Pride, Southside BID and West Midlands Lieutenancy.
Five years ago, a training business owned by Lawrence Barton - the 'face' of Brum's Gay Village - collapsed, owing £8.4m to creditors including taxpayer funded bodies like the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Education and Skills Funding Agency.
May 12, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Five years ago, a training business owned by Lawrence Barton - the 'face' of Brum's Gay Village - collapsed, owing £8.4m to creditors including taxpayer funded bodies like the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Education and Skills Funding Agency.