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Gurdip Thandi

Local Democracy Reporter covering the West Midlands Combined Authority

February 16, 2026

Supporting image for story: Huge budget black hole facing West Midlands Combined Authority plugged

Huge budget black hole facing West Midlands Combined Authority plugged

Supporting image for story: 'We are moving at pace to create jobs' - New chief executive for West Midlands Combined Authority announced

'We are moving at pace to create jobs' - New chief executive for West Midlands Combined Authority announced

February 15, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'I don’t want anyone to struggle the way I did': New mental health campaign being launched in Birmingham and Solihull

'I don’t want anyone to struggle the way I did': New mental health campaign being launched in Birmingham and Solihull

February 13, 2026

Supporting image for story: First patients using £2.65m Birmingham hospital facility

First patients using £2.65m Birmingham hospital facility

February 12, 2026

Supporting image for story: Where in the West Midlands high levels of air pollution are being found

Where in the West Midlands high levels of air pollution are being found

Supporting image for story: Safety concerns over West Midlands outdoor spaces due to littering and poor facilities

Safety concerns over West Midlands outdoor spaces due to littering and poor facilities

February 11, 2026

Supporting image for story: Plans to use cutting edge technology to help detect cancer early is ‘pivotal moment’ says Birmingham firm

Plans to use cutting edge technology to help detect cancer early is ‘pivotal moment’ says Birmingham firm

February 10, 2026

Supporting image for story: 'We are delighted' - New 24/7 mental health centre launched in Birmingham

'We are delighted' - New 24/7 mental health centre launched in Birmingham

February 9, 2026

Supporting image for story: Pothole repair fund to be doubled in West Midlands by the mayor - here's why

Pothole repair fund to be doubled in West Midlands by the mayor - here's why

Supporting image for story: The life-saving changes set to make West Midlands roads safer, including pavement parking powers

The life-saving changes set to make West Midlands roads safer, including pavement parking powers

Supporting image for story: Major safety project for West Midlands school pupils to be launched

Major safety project for West Midlands school pupils to be launched

Supporting image for story: ‘Rectifying the injustices families who have lost loved ones on West Midlands’ roads is driving road safety commissioner

‘Rectifying the injustices families who have lost loved ones on West Midlands’ roads is driving road safety commissioner

Supporting image for story: Active travel not ‘war on motorists’ says West Midlands’ cycling and walking champion

Active travel not ‘war on motorists’ says West Midlands’ cycling and walking champion

February 6, 2026

Supporting image for story: West Midlands Police has taser power boosted

West Midlands Police has taser power boosted

February 5, 2026

Supporting image for story: West Midlands keeps being ‘ripped off and short changed’ in funding battle say police bosses

West Midlands keeps being ‘ripped off and short changed’ in funding battle say police bosses

February 4, 2026

Supporting image for story: West Midlands top cop vows to rebuild police confidence in wake of decision to ban Israeli football fans from Birmingham

West Midlands top cop vows to rebuild police confidence in wake of decision to ban Israeli football fans from Birmingham

February 3, 2026

Supporting image for story: Commissioner 'shocked' by West Midlands Police's use of AI for Maccabi fans ban - but maintains 'AI is a positive thing'

Commissioner 'shocked' by West Midlands Police's use of AI for Maccabi fans ban - but maintains 'AI is a positive thing'

February 2, 2026

Supporting image for story: Complaints raised by Birmingham hospitals staff down but number of outstanding cases still ‘too high’

Complaints raised by Birmingham hospitals staff down but number of outstanding cases still ‘too high’

February 1, 2026

Supporting image for story: How flu and December critical incident impacted performance at Birmingham and Solihull A&Es

How flu and December critical incident impacted performance at Birmingham and Solihull A&Es

January 30, 2026

Supporting image for story: Staff sickness remains a concern at Birmingham and Solihull hospitals

Staff sickness remains a concern at Birmingham and Solihull hospitals

Supporting image for story: Birmingham doctors strike cost NHS Trust £6m in extra staff costs

Birmingham doctors strike cost NHS Trust £6m in extra staff costs

January 28, 2026

Supporting image for story: Health bosses urge people in Birmingham to get tested for tuberculosis as cases rise across the West Midlands - see latest data here

Health bosses urge people in Birmingham to get tested for tuberculosis as cases rise across the West Midlands - see latest data here

Supporting image for story: Black and ethnic minority people more likely to be searched by West Midlands Police, report shows

Black and ethnic minority people more likely to be searched by West Midlands Police, report shows

January 27, 2026

Supporting image for story: 999 call performance in West Midlands 'has improved'

999 call performance in West Midlands 'has improved'

January 24, 2026

Supporting image for story: West Midlands bosses confident millions pumped into construction skills supply

West Midlands bosses confident millions pumped into construction skills supply

January 23, 2026

Supporting image for story: Birmingham diabetes trial hailed a ‘game changer’

Birmingham diabetes trial hailed a ‘game changer’

Supporting image for story: Franchising a ‘necessity’ for West Midlands region’s buses

Franchising a ‘necessity’ for West Midlands region’s buses

Supporting image for story: Calls for improvements to be made to West Midlands bus services to 'encourage more usage'

Calls for improvements to be made to West Midlands bus services to 'encourage more usage'

January 22, 2026

Supporting image for story: Future of 150 West Midlands transport projects 'to become clear' as decisions over allocation of £2.4 billion funds to be made

Future of 150 West Midlands transport projects 'to become clear' as decisions over allocation of £2.4 billion funds to be made

Supporting image for story: New bike and e-scooter deal welcomed following calls for 'drastic expansion' in the West Midlands

New bike and e-scooter deal welcomed following calls for 'drastic expansion' in the West Midlands

January 21, 2026

Supporting image for story: Pilot to boost cervical screening numbers in Birmingham launched on awareness week

Pilot to boost cervical screening numbers in Birmingham launched on awareness week

Supporting image for story: New deal will see more than 2,000 new bikes and e-scooters hit West Midlands streets

New deal will see more than 2,000 new bikes and e-scooters hit West Midlands streets

January 20, 2026

Supporting image for story: Calls for more railway services in the West Midlands to 'boost connectivity and economy'

Calls for more railway services in the West Midlands to 'boost connectivity and economy'

Supporting image for story: Hike in pay for West Midlands Combined Authority CEO approved as new top boss confirmed

Hike in pay for West Midlands Combined Authority CEO approved as new top boss confirmed

January 19, 2026

Supporting image for story: Dudley traders fear shoppers won’t return to town when ‘catastrophic’ works on major transport projects are finished

Dudley traders fear shoppers won’t return to town when ‘catastrophic’ works on major transport projects are finished

Supporting image for story: ‘Critical’ step in overhauling West Midlands bus network moves forward

‘Critical’ step in overhauling West Midlands bus network moves forward

January 16, 2026

Supporting image for story: Customer satisfaction in West Midlands rail and metro services improves, figures show

Customer satisfaction in West Midlands rail and metro services improves, figures show

Supporting image for story: Risk over-stretched Birmingham NHS finances won't balance out by end of year

Risk over-stretched Birmingham NHS finances won't balance out by end of year

January 15, 2026

Supporting image for story: Ring and Ride usage across the West Midlands drops, figures show

Ring and Ride usage across the West Midlands drops, figures show

Supporting image for story: 'We’ve lost an awful lot of traders' - ‘Devastating’ impact of three major transport projects on struggling Dudley businesses with no end date in sight

'We’ve lost an awful lot of traders' - ‘Devastating’ impact of three major transport projects on struggling Dudley businesses with no end date in sight

January 14, 2026

Supporting image for story: Police chiefs position is 'untenable' – Mayor warns following backlash over decision to ban Israeli fans from Aston Villa match

Police chiefs position is 'untenable' – Mayor warns following backlash over decision to ban Israeli fans from Aston Villa match

Supporting image for story: Bus usage on the decrease in the West Midlands - transport chief gives three key reasons as rail journeys increase

Bus usage on the decrease in the West Midlands - transport chief gives three key reasons as rail journeys increase

January 13, 2026

Supporting image for story: Major update on the opening of new rail stations in the Birmingham and Black Country issued - here's when passengers should be able to use train services

Major update on the opening of new rail stations in the Birmingham and Black Country issued - here's when passengers should be able to use train services

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