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Gurdip Thandi

Local Democracy Reporter covering the West Midlands Combined Authority

January 12, 2026

Supporting image for story: Transport bosses could lose 'meaningful control' as major railway deal for West Midlands set for renewal

Transport bosses could lose 'meaningful control' as major railway deal for West Midlands set for renewal

January 11, 2026

Supporting image for story: Pay packet of top boss at West Midlands Combined Authority set to be increased in bid to find ‘calibre of person needed’

Pay packet of top boss at West Midlands Combined Authority set to be increased in bid to find ‘calibre of person needed’

January 9, 2026

Supporting image for story: £1 million war chest to tackle West Midlands homelessness announced

£1 million war chest to tackle West Midlands homelessness announced

Supporting image for story: West Midlands justice bodies condemned for ‘inexcusable’ failure to protect victims

West Midlands justice bodies condemned for ‘inexcusable’ failure to protect victims

January 8, 2026

Supporting image for story: West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner hails 'significant win' in the war on ‘ghost plates’ across the region

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner hails 'significant win' in the war on ‘ghost plates’ across the region

Supporting image for story: ‘Urgent need’ for affordable housing identified by housing developer in Black Country

‘Urgent need’ for affordable housing identified by housing developer in Black Country

January 7, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'Long overdue' road safety strategy to stop fatal and serious injuries across the West Midlands hailed by leaders

'Long overdue' road safety strategy to stop fatal and serious injuries across the West Midlands hailed by leaders

Supporting image for story: Birmingham's laughing gas problem ‘not gone away’ despite anti-social behaviour crackdown, councillor warns

Birmingham's laughing gas problem ‘not gone away’ despite anti-social behaviour crackdown, councillor warns

December 28, 2025

Supporting image for story: West Midlands Mayor reviews key moments and developments in 2025

West Midlands Mayor reviews key moments and developments in 2025

December 25, 2025

Supporting image for story: Film production in Birmingham could 'boost region' as a whole, according to Mayor

Film production in Birmingham could 'boost region' as a whole, according to Mayor

December 24, 2025

Supporting image for story: New West Midlands food hub 'reflects King’s priorities', representative claims

New West Midlands food hub 'reflects King’s priorities', representative claims

Supporting image for story: NHS makes desperate plea to West Midlands patients as winter pressure bites

NHS makes desperate plea to West Midlands patients as winter pressure bites

December 22, 2025

Supporting image for story: Rail services, new homes and major developments: West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker looks ahead to 2026

Rail services, new homes and major developments: West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker looks ahead to 2026

December 21, 2025

Supporting image for story: Construction work on long-awaited new railway stations in Birmingham and the Black Country finally complete

Construction work on long-awaited new railway stations in Birmingham and the Black Country finally complete

December 20, 2025

Supporting image for story: Struggling West Midlands businesses call for support in turning their fortunes around

Struggling West Midlands businesses call for support in turning their fortunes around

December 16, 2025

Supporting image for story: Major new food hub launched to tackle poverty, waste and unemployment in the West Midlands

Major new food hub launched to tackle poverty, waste and unemployment in the West Midlands

December 15, 2025

Supporting image for story: Major scheme to transform Wolverhampton brownfield sites gets £7 million funding boost

Major scheme to transform Wolverhampton brownfield sites gets £7 million funding boost

December 12, 2025

Supporting image for story: New qualifications developed to plug jobs gap in the West Midlands

New qualifications developed to plug jobs gap in the West Midlands

December 11, 2025

Supporting image for story: £30 million boost to create safer walking and cycling routes in the West Midlands

£30 million boost to create safer walking and cycling routes in the West Midlands

December 10, 2025

Supporting image for story: Hospital pressures: West Midlands health bosses consider 'levers' they could pull as winter bites

Hospital pressures: West Midlands health bosses consider 'levers' they could pull as winter bites

December 9, 2025

Supporting image for story: Funding to tackle education inequality in the West Midlands announced

Funding to tackle education inequality in the West Midlands announced

Supporting image for story: Major campaign to boost bus reliability across three key Birmingham routes - plans approved - here's where

Major campaign to boost bus reliability across three key Birmingham routes - plans approved - here's where

December 6, 2025

Supporting image for story: Major change to Ring and Ride service in Birmingham to comes into effect

Major change to Ring and Ride service in Birmingham to comes into effect

December 5, 2025

Supporting image for story: Birmingham residents hail life-changing NHS programme

Birmingham residents hail life-changing NHS programme

December 4, 2025

Supporting image for story: Dozens of 'affordable homes' to be built in Birmingham thanks to new partnership

Dozens of 'affordable homes' to be built in Birmingham thanks to new partnership

December 3, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Being in care doesn't offer stability - I wanted to create my own' - Walsall care leaver overcomes challenges to land career working with young people

'Being in care doesn't offer stability - I wanted to create my own' - Walsall care leaver overcomes challenges to land career working with young people

Supporting image for story: Birmingham hospitals see success from improvements made to cancer care

Birmingham hospitals see success from improvements made to cancer care

December 2, 2025

Supporting image for story: Birmingham hospitals see increase in A&E waiting times, data shows

Birmingham hospitals see increase in A&E waiting times, data shows

December 1, 2025

Supporting image for story: Soaring wage bill creates 'disappointing’ deficit for Birmingham hospital trust

Soaring wage bill creates 'disappointing’ deficit for Birmingham hospital trust

Supporting image for story: Ambulance handover breaches rise as many wait outside Birmingham hospitals 'more than 45 minutes'

Ambulance handover breaches rise as many wait outside Birmingham hospitals 'more than 45 minutes'

Supporting image for story: ‘Minimal disruption’ caused by resident doctor strike to Birmingham hospital services

‘Minimal disruption’ caused by resident doctor strike to Birmingham hospital services

November 29, 2025

Supporting image for story: Plan to protect West Midlands green spaces and wildlife unveiled

Plan to protect West Midlands green spaces and wildlife unveiled

November 28, 2025

Supporting image for story: Ambitious Birmingham City excited by metro milestone - and what it could mean for their new stadium plans

Ambitious Birmingham City excited by metro milestone - and what it could mean for their new stadium plans

Supporting image for story: 'People deserve more than soundbites': West Midlands mayor hits back at Reform deputy's call to ‘scrap HS2’

'People deserve more than soundbites': West Midlands mayor hits back at Reform deputy's call to ‘scrap HS2’

November 26, 2025

Supporting image for story: West Midlands NHS bosses plea to patients during one of the busiest times of the year

West Midlands NHS bosses plea to patients during one of the busiest times of the year

November 25, 2025

Supporting image for story: Number of West Midlands families living in temporary accommodation rises

Number of West Midlands families living in temporary accommodation rises

November 22, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'Try us' - Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight backs new West Midlands TV production offices

'Try us' - Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight backs new West Midlands TV production offices

November 21, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'You just can’t imagine the pain' - Poignant tree unveiled to remember victims of road crash in the West Midlands

'You just can’t imagine the pain' - Poignant tree unveiled to remember victims of road crash in the West Midlands

November 20, 2025

Supporting image for story: Thousands of training opportunities pledged for young people across West Midlands

Thousands of training opportunities pledged for young people across West Midlands

November 19, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'We need to get more people to use buses in the West Midlands': Calls to investigate why people aren't using the bus

'We need to get more people to use buses in the West Midlands': Calls to investigate why people aren't using the bus

Supporting image for story: Budget black hole for West Midlands transport is 'mostly plugged', Mayor claims

Budget black hole for West Midlands transport is 'mostly plugged', Mayor claims

Supporting image for story: Grant to stop cuts to West Midlands bus services agreed

Grant to stop cuts to West Midlands bus services agreed

November 18, 2025

Supporting image for story: West Midlands Metro tram fare hike needed for ‘financial sustainability’, transport bosses claim - here's how much they're due to increase by

West Midlands Metro tram fare hike needed for ‘financial sustainability’, transport bosses claim - here's how much they're due to increase by

Supporting image for story: Plans for two new Walsall train stations branded ‘bonkers’ by councillors

Plans for two new Walsall train stations branded ‘bonkers’ by councillors

Supporting image for story: Work to transform railway stations Aston Villa fans use for home games welcomed by council bosses

Work to transform railway stations Aston Villa fans use for home games welcomed by council bosses

November 13, 2025

Supporting image for story: Premier League deal agreed to boost job prospects for young people in the West Midlands

Premier League deal agreed to boost job prospects for young people in the West Midlands

Supporting image for story: 'Much needed' changes to West Midlands Ring & Ride services 'long time coming’

'Much needed' changes to West Midlands Ring & Ride services 'long time coming’

November 12, 2025

Supporting image for story: 'It is quite perverse now' - Calls for cheaper fares for short bus trips across the West Midlands

'It is quite perverse now' - Calls for cheaper fares for short bus trips across the West Midlands

Supporting image for story: New funding deal to prevent cuts to West Midlands bus services set to be agreed

New funding deal to prevent cuts to West Midlands bus services set to be agreed

November 8, 2025

Supporting image for story: West Midlands Metro fares set to increase by up to 50p per ticket in 2026

West Midlands Metro fares set to increase by up to 50p per ticket in 2026