James Pearson

📻Hear what it's REALLY been like working on the front line of the NHS against Coronavirus. For the first time, hospital staff at the Worcestershire Royal @WorcsAcuteNHS speak about their experiences of the pandemic. Listen here to a @bbchw special👇 bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08…

A Labour councillor in Redditch has been suspended by his party, and has resigned his position as council leader. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

NEW: A Herefordshire councillor is among 15 to have been charged with gambling offences, on bets placed on the timing of the general election. Nick Mason, a former chief data officer for the Conservatives, is currently serving as a councillor for Weobley. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Sticking plaster or long-term fix? An extra £315m for struggling West Midlands councils bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

The flooded town unsure it will ever be defended. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Angela Rayner also announced six potential new devolution deals with a view to having mayoral elections in 2026: Cumbria Cheshire and Warrington Greater Essex Hampshire and Solent Norfolk and Suffolk Sussex and Brighten

NEW: County council elections will be taking place across the West Midlands this May as planned. Understand all local authorities in the region that asked for them to be postponed have not have their requests granted.

Worcestershire County Council says it can't afford to repair its headquarters - and is considering selling County Hall. The building has been closed since last summer. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Search begins again for permanent chief constable. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Tap water not safe to drink, rural residents told. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Herefordshire’s and Worcestershire’s MPs reveal their views on the assisted dying bill, ahead of today’s vote. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

'Many farms are running on empty' Farmers from across Herefordshire and the region held a rally today in Ross-on-Wye. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

A looked after child with special needs missed out on a year-and-a-half of school because Worcestershire County Council failed to find them a suitable place, an ombudsman has found. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Proposed biodigester gets environmental permit, despite pollution fears. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

‘Ghost buses' and cut services: Passengers complain as bus cap rises bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Doctors paid up to £200,000 overtime to tackle NHS backlog bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

'I might have to let staff go after Budget NI hike' Herefordshire businesses react to the Budget. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Tax rises, public sector wages and fresh help for pensioners are all issues that voters in Worcestershire want clarity on in this week's Budget. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

'Being a parent shouldn't come at a cost in politics' bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…