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Alexander Brock

Local Democracy Reporter covering Birmingham

February 20, 2026

Supporting image for story: We meet the independent Birmingham councillor candidates fighting for a political 'shake-up' in the 2026 local elections amid all the cuts to services in the city

We meet the independent Birmingham councillor candidates fighting for a political 'shake-up' in the 2026 local elections amid all the cuts to services in the city

February 19, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'I'm losing my home because of this but I'm standing strong' says striking Birmingham bin worker

'I'm losing my home because of this but I'm standing strong' says striking Birmingham bin worker

Supporting image for story: Birmingham bin worker slams Rachel Reeves’s ‘disgusting’ comments about ongoing strikes

Birmingham bin worker slams Rachel Reeves’s ‘disgusting’ comments about ongoing strikes

February 18, 2026

Supporting image for story: Proposals to transform roads in key area of Birmingham

Proposals to transform roads in key area of Birmingham

February 17, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'Affordable way': Chancellor Rachel Reeves makes HS2 pledge to get trains running - but no date for when high speed rail services will run from Birmingham to London has been given

'Affordable way': Chancellor Rachel Reeves makes HS2 pledge to get trains running - but no date for when high speed rail services will run from Birmingham to London has been given

Supporting image for story: Major redevelopment plans for new homes in Birmingham set for approval

Major redevelopment plans for new homes in Birmingham set for approval

February 15, 2026

Supporting image for story: Former Birmingham police station set to be demolished to make way for new homes

Former Birmingham police station set to be demolished to make way for new homes

February 13, 2026

Supporting image for story: Questions over funding for major Birmingham cycle route plans

Questions over funding for major Birmingham cycle route plans

February 12, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'We're doing everything we can' - Prime Minister Keir Starmer responds to calls to intervene in Birmingham bins strike

'We're doing everything we can' - Prime Minister Keir Starmer responds to calls to intervene in Birmingham bins strike

February 11, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'Smoke and mirrors' - Birmingham’s latest budget plans fiercely split opinion

'Smoke and mirrors' - Birmingham’s latest budget plans fiercely split opinion

Supporting image for story: Step forward for Birmingham Council’s plans to increase council tax

Step forward for Birmingham Council’s plans to increase council tax

Supporting image for story: Birmingham councillor calls for ‘transparency’ after decision to give planning permission to major regeneration scheme is quashed

Birmingham councillor calls for ‘transparency’ after decision to give planning permission to major regeneration scheme is quashed

February 10, 2026

Supporting image for story: Birmingham's divisive ‘rat tax’ charge set to rise again

Birmingham's divisive ‘rat tax’ charge set to rise again

Supporting image for story: Fresh wave of price rises for Birmingham council services - here's what will be affected

Fresh wave of price rises for Birmingham council services - here's what will be affected

February 9, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'Our priority is changing lives, not leaders' - Birmingham City Council leader backs Keir Starmer amid backlash over Peter Mandelson appointment as US Ambassador despite links to Jeffrey Epstein

'Our priority is changing lives, not leaders' - Birmingham City Council leader backs Keir Starmer amid backlash over Peter Mandelson appointment as US Ambassador despite links to Jeffrey Epstein

Supporting image for story: Mum awarded £1.5k after Birmingham City Council delay causes ‘injustice’

Mum awarded £1.5k after Birmingham City Council delay causes ‘injustice’

February 6, 2026

Supporting image for story: Birmingham City Council leader on election hopes amid bins strike turmoil

Birmingham City Council leader on election hopes amid bins strike turmoil

February 5, 2026

Supporting image for story: Birmingham Council urged to ‘take stand against nightmarish migration plans’

Birmingham Council urged to ‘take stand against nightmarish migration plans’

Supporting image for story: Major decision for estate’s regeneration in Birmingham quashed by High Court

Major decision for estate’s regeneration in Birmingham quashed by High Court

Supporting image for story: Sharon Osbourne described as ‘passionate advocate’ for Birmingham amid invite to stand in local elections

Sharon Osbourne described as ‘passionate advocate’ for Birmingham amid invite to stand in local elections

Supporting image for story: A ray of hope for Birmingham residents after years of tumult - but challenges remain

A ray of hope for Birmingham residents after years of tumult - but challenges remain

Supporting image for story: Birmingham Council leader addresses calls to scrap HS2

Birmingham Council leader addresses calls to scrap HS2

Supporting image for story: Birmingham Council leader on when bins strike could end

Birmingham Council leader on when bins strike could end

February 3, 2026

Supporting image for story: Birmingham is no longer bankrupt, council leader says

Birmingham is no longer bankrupt, council leader says

Supporting image for story: A bus gate has been proposed for Birmingham city centre to prohibit traffic amid ‘harmful pollution’ - here's where

A bus gate has been proposed for Birmingham city centre to prohibit traffic amid ‘harmful pollution’ - here's where

January 31, 2026

Supporting image for story: Birmingham bin strike protesters fire local election warning to Labour as crucial May ballot approaches

Birmingham bin strike protesters fire local election warning to Labour as crucial May ballot approaches

Supporting image for story: Birmingham councillor ’embarrassed by city being trashed’ as bin strikes continue

Birmingham councillor ’embarrassed by city being trashed’ as bin strikes continue

Supporting image for story: Everything you need to know about Birmingham's May elections – from key dates to who you can vote for

Everything you need to know about Birmingham's May elections – from key dates to who you can vote for

January 29, 2026

Supporting image for story: Birmingham Council’s bins boss survives calls of ‘no confidence’ amid fury over strike

Birmingham Council’s bins boss survives calls of ‘no confidence’ amid fury over strike

January 28, 2026

Supporting image for story: Prime Minister urged by MPs to take action on 'avoidable' Birmingham bins strike

Prime Minister urged by MPs to take action on 'avoidable' Birmingham bins strike

Supporting image for story: Union ‘will continue Birmingham bins strike for as long as it takes’

Union ‘will continue Birmingham bins strike for as long as it takes’

January 27, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'Enough is enough': Birmingham bin strike protesters gather outside the council house in Victoria Square and threaten a 'council tax strike'

'Enough is enough': Birmingham bin strike protesters gather outside the council house in Victoria Square and threaten a 'council tax strike'

Supporting image for story: Tensions rumble on as Birmingham bins strike costs laid bare

Tensions rumble on as Birmingham bins strike costs laid bare

January 24, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'It’s quite appalling' - Councillors react as regeneration for forgotten Birmingham neighbourhood hit by setback

'It’s quite appalling' - Councillors react as regeneration for forgotten Birmingham neighbourhood hit by setback

Supporting image for story: Plans to convert Birmingham shop into HMO are refused

Plans to convert Birmingham shop into HMO are refused

January 23, 2026

Supporting image for story: Former Birmingham factory to become apartment block

Former Birmingham factory to become apartment block

Supporting image for story: 'Get on with high-speed railway': Historic Birmingham rail station restoration plans approved by HS2 with urgent message to the government

'Get on with high-speed railway': Historic Birmingham rail station restoration plans approved by HS2 with urgent message to the government

January 22, 2026

Supporting image for story: Birmingham homes to meet national standards by 2032, council says amid criticism over 'inadequate properties'

Birmingham homes to meet national standards by 2032, council says amid criticism over 'inadequate properties'

January 21, 2026

Supporting image for story: Birmingham City Council urged to ‘reach out to angry residents’

Birmingham City Council urged to ‘reach out to angry residents’

Supporting image for story: Plans for apartments in Birmingham city centre

Plans for apartments in Birmingham city centre

Supporting image for story: Plans to convert Birmingham shop into HMO recommended for approval for second time

Plans to convert Birmingham shop into HMO recommended for approval for second time

January 20, 2026

Supporting image for story: Council faces setback over divisive regeneration scheme for 'forgotten' Birmingham neighbourhood

Council faces setback over divisive regeneration scheme for 'forgotten' Birmingham neighbourhood

January 18, 2026

Supporting image for story: Garden waste service won't be reintroduced during Birmingham bin strike

Garden waste service won't be reintroduced during Birmingham bin strike

January 17, 2026

Supporting image for story: Bin strike could soon cost Birmingham council around £42,000 a day

Bin strike could soon cost Birmingham council around £42,000 a day

Supporting image for story: Birmingham park ‘withdrawn' from auction after backlash over sale plan

Birmingham park ‘withdrawn' from auction after backlash over sale plan

January 16, 2026

Supporting image for story: Regeneration scheme for 'forgotten' Birmingham neighbourhood ‘faces delays’ amid legal challenge

Regeneration scheme for 'forgotten' Birmingham neighbourhood ‘faces delays’ amid legal challenge

January 15, 2026

Supporting image for story: HS2 plans for 'essential' works at historic Curzon Street Station recommended for approval

HS2 plans for 'essential' works at historic Curzon Street Station recommended for approval

Supporting image for story: Birmingham council set to hike social housing rent prices across city amid financial crisis

Birmingham council set to hike social housing rent prices across city amid financial crisis

Supporting image for story: Birmingham's most ‘dangerous’ roads slammed amid council pothole fixing rating

Birmingham's most ‘dangerous’ roads slammed amid council pothole fixing rating

Supporting image for story: Birmingham's bin strike could cost already cash-strapped council at least £19m by March

Birmingham's bin strike could cost already cash-strapped council at least £19m by March