22/10/2013 Midlands Today

pretty soggy. Thank you. That is all from the BBC. We

Hello, and welcome to Midlands Today. The headlines tonight: We

must all save, even on the lowest incomes, to fight off the spiralling

problem of debt, according to a new report.

I wasn't sleeping or eating, I was worried the bailiffs would come to

the door. I wasn't making payments. A University of Birmingham finance

expert who helped write the report explains what can be done to make it

happen. Also tonight: As supporters protest

over troubled Coventry City, the MP Bob Ainsworth has accused the club

owners of an attempted land grab of the Ricoh Arena.

Does the club need to own its stadium? It needs to pay for it.

Business leaders travel to Westminster for Birmingham Day, to

show politicians what the second city has to offer.

Big break for the local band chosen by jazz artist Jamie Cullum to

support him at the Birmingham Symphony Hall.

And, with almost back`to`back rain or showers this week, it's a wonder

we've got any dry weather at all, but we have. Get all the details in

the forecast later. Good evening.

"The debt problem in this country is spiralling out of control," that's

the view of the Bishop of Birmingham. He's part of a

University of Birmingham policy commission who're launching a report

tonight looking at savings and debt. They're recommending: Anyone

starting a new job is automatically enrolled into a savings account.

Increased funding for credit unions. Tougher regulation of payday

lending. Ben Godfrey has been finding out why

the commission feel radical changes are needed.

Michaela Hamer lost control of her debts, after signing up to four

payday loan firms, some charging over 1,000% interest. The single

mother from Birmingham, who has a full`time job with the NHS, faced

eviction. I was worried the bailiffs were

coming to the door. I wasn't making payments. I woke up thinking my home

was at risk. Payday lenders "prey on the most

vulnerable", so says the Bishop of Birmingham. He's chaired a

commission to address wealth inequality. They want ministers to

create a new organisation helping low`income families to save,

reducing a reliance on credit. It is a change of mind set. People

enjoy shopping, the wonderful things in our society. But not at the cost

of going into unmanageable debt. It's not the first time senior

clergy have entered this debate. The Archbishop of Canterbury told the

online lender Wonga that the Church of England would try to force them

out of business, by helping credit unions compete with it, only to be

left "embarrassed", after it emerged the Church was indirectly investing

in the firm. The church wants to get involved in

solving the dysfunction of the global economy because it affects

the lives of ordinary people. Credit unions are uniting in

Birmingham. A not`for`profit loan shop has appeared in the city

centre. Paid for by cash recovered from illegal money lenders.

The cabin has been placed here because within a 100 metres radius

there are no less than 14 high cost lenders. What interest do you

charge? A maximum interest rate is 26% set by regulation.

We have 100 people a week coming in, gaining a loan or taking some

good advice. Michaela Hamer's now back in the

black, after joining a credit union. I managed to save so much money out

of my wages. It is a fee I can afford and I will not miss.

Clearly, not all can save for that rainy day. And a new savings body

could face considerable opposition, as charitable trusts, UK trade

investment, and even savers, may be asked to fund it.

Joining us now from Westminster is one of the report's authors, Dr Paul

Cox, Senior Lecturer of Finance at University of Birmingham.

Good evening, Dr Cox. These ideas sound excellent in principle. What

chance any of them will be adopted? I sincerely hope so. There was no

certainty about these things but with energy and enthusiasm, we can

make good progress. I have had fantastic responses from trade

groups, such as the TUC, which is right behind the idea.

We have lost the ability to save these days, it will take a culture

change. It will. The automatic enrolment of

pensions has already got as saving. We are in a savings mindset. One

problem is we have been left alone so the industry can charge what it

likes. Our case study is of a single mum

who as a decent salary but things are so tight she can't even think of

saving, she had to borrow. That is one of the great problems.

We're not suggesting you should save every month of your life. There are

points in your lifestyle where savings come into its own. When it

is right, it is the right thing to do.

Talking about companies matching the savings. Well that appeal to

companies when they are already beleaguered?

The idea of matched savings can go a long way. It helps with pensions.

One of the inspirations of the report is we should automatically

enrolled individuals into bank accounts and have government or

companies making a small contribution as we saved to help us

build small pots. Dr Cox from the University of

Birmingham, thank you. We asked for your comments on this.

Julie wrote on our Facebook page: "I have just got out of debt after six

years. I have started to save a bit. But,

with the price of electricity and gas going up, and food, I don't

think my little bit of savings will last very long."

Paul suggests: "Teach money management and basic skills on

borrowing and its true cost in school."

Paulette: "Be wise and pay off debts that are growing due to interest

charges, before saving money that will not grow."

Steve says: " A good start would be to ban payday loan companies from

high streets, and to limit the amount of interest charged."

Eve posted a comment. She says: "Can't think of any initiative that

will help poor people save, without also helping the super`rich to hoard

even more unnecessary wealth. More and more money being tied up in

savings won't be great for the economy."

Coming up later in the programme: Still no decision on extending the

badger cull in Gloucestershire, as opponents threaten legal action.

The future of Coventry City Football Club was back on the agenda at the

city council, and also in Parliament today. The Labour MP Bob Ainsworth

is urging the government to bring in an independent liquidator, to

investigate the financial crisis at the club. He told the Commons that

what was happening was "outrageous and unforgivable." Ian Winter

reports. Two months ago, the pitch was

perfect but the sky blues had flown the nest. The Ricoh Arena is no

longer the home of Coventry City Football Club and the fans are

furious. Today, yet another protest group of angry supporters gathered

outside the Council house to voice their desire to get the club back.

The purpose of today is to let Coventry City Council note the

people of Coventry want their club back in the city and this stadium.

There is a lot of taxpayers money tied up in the Ricoh Arena. A ?14

million bailout. Someone has to pay it back. If nobody is in the

stadium, who will pay? Beneath this watchful gaze of historical

leaders, councillors found no mention of the football club on

today's agenda. Speculation was rife that the council leader had

something important to stay on a subject close to the hearts of many

taxpayers. But the burning question remains. Would the city council

sanctioned the sale of the Ricoh Arena while Sisu remain owners of

the football club? When the time came, and Lucas was crystal clear.

`` Ann Lucas. A future being discussed at

Westminster this afternoon in a debate led by Bob Ainsworth, the

Labour MP for Coventry North East. Figures like ?7 million floated by

Sisu's fans, for a stadium that cost over ?100 million. But to float

derisory figures like that is an indication there is an attempt at a

killing at the taxpayers's expense. Since I'm here if you'd like to see

an end to this crisis. But fans, do not hold your breath.

Ian's outside the Ricoh Arena for us now. Ian, is the future of Coventry

City any clearer tonight? I'm afraid not really. I have heard

a lot of words spoken, angry and frustrated, from supporters. Hopeful

words from councillors, cautious words from that Coventry MP. None of

these words have been directed in any meaningful dialogue with the

owners of the football club. That is at the heart of the matter. Until

all the interested parties get together to discuss and thrash out a

deal, there is no hope of Coventry City returning to play their home

games at the Ricoh Arena in the foreseeable future. Tonight, the

football club are playing at home at Northampton against Leyton Orient.

But whether the sky blues will ever return to play here remains a

question we are nowhere near answering again tonight.

BBC Coventry and Warwickshire will be discussing the future of the

Ricoh Arena on the Shane O'Connor at Breakfast show, tomorrow morning

from seven o'clock. On the eve of a Home Affairs Select

Committee called to investigate the so called Plebgate affair, the

Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire has accused Andrew

Mitchell's friends of 'baying for blood'. Ron Ball says the Sutton

Coldfield MP and his friends should accept an apology by three fficers

caught up in the row. Ron Ball is with me now. You say Andrew

Mitchell's "baying for blood". Hardly surprising after the year

he's had? It is a really difficult situation

we need to get out of. My trade union background has shown me

situations but this before. They get resolved when people make some sort

of move, there is an element of goodwill. What the officers did was

to actually offer an apology to the people, but not apologised to Andrew

Mitchell. It seemed a grudging apology, talking about poor

judgement. This situation is a really major pressure situation.

They could have easily hunkered down and said nothing. What they have

done is quite courageous. It is a helpful step. You must understand

the distress his family have been through, he has lost a key job in

government, it has ruined his career at this moment. His career is in the

hands of the Prime Minister. It has been a year and a half. I am not...

There are two incidences, the one in London which is nothing to do with

me. It appears it was made up to discredit him. I cannot comment on

that, there are cases possibly before the court coming up. As far

as this instance is concerned which is why I am involved, and I

shouldn't be involved at all, in that the IPCC were called in to

investigate. I should be able as a commissioner to trust them to do a

professional investigation. And I should have a clean outcome at this

point. Will this go any further with a resolution? I do not know, I

sincerely hope so. I am involved in the secondary bit, Sutton Coldfield

bit. My hope is that we do make some progress tomorrow, and we can start

moving on from here. The officers, in my view, took a useful first step

on that and I am rather disappointed that it was rubbished. It was brave

of them and it should be acknowledged.

Police in Rugby investigating the unexplained death of a woman in the

town last week are trying to find her handbag and mobile phone.

39`year`old Patricia Dornan was found near the junction of James

Street and Albert Street on Thursday morning. Detectives want to speak to

anyone who may have seen her on Wednesday.

The Home Secretary Teresa May has praised communities in the West

Midlands for their courage, following the conviction of a man

for murder and terrorism offences at mosques. Teresa May, who visited the

affected mosque in Tipton last month, described the case as highly

distressing, and paid tribute to the work of West Midlands Police. Pavlo

Lapshyn's due to be sentenced on Friday, after he admitted killing

Mohammed Saleem, and planting home`made bombs outside mosques in

Walsall, Wolverhampton and Tipton. The owners of Birmingham City

Football Club have denied speculation that a takeover of the

club is close to being finalised. In a statement, the directors of

Birmingham International Holdings Limited say no written agreement has

been made or signed. Recent reports in the media have suggested the

Birmingham`based businessman Giani Paladini is closing in on a deal to

take over at Blues. Business leaders, students and

artists have travelled to Westminster for Birmingham Day, to

show politicians what the second city has to offer. It's been

organised by Edgbaston MP Gisela Stuart who says she wants to show

Parliament a side of Birmingham they may not know. BBC WM's political

reporter Susana Mendonca has spent the day there.

Susana, what's been happening? It was about raising Birmingham's

profile at Westminster, showing politicians that Birmingham is the

second city and why it deserves that title.

It's not the kind of music you might expect to hear in parliament, but

look around, a little bit of Birmingham has taken over. The

jewellery Quarter. The home of chocolate. A fuel of the things

Brummies pride themselves on. All in one room at Westminster. Giving

politicians a taste of Birmingham is what this event is about. The real

question is whether this will make a difference. A number of people have

said, I had no idea about the jewellery, about the amazing Asian

dress. People will be more aware of what Birmingham has too far.

Politically, tomorrow, I have a ten minute rule Bill to talk about the

funding of our cities. They are the engine of economic recovery of the

nation. Birmingham has challenges, the local authority faces huge

spending cuts and has come under intense criticism the failures on

child protection. With 40% of the population under the age of 25, this

MP was keen to put young people at the centre. These children took the

day off to tell MPs by learning how to make curry is preparing them for

life. We have been telling them about preparing students with

academic skills, skills for the workplace. Outside, some listeners

heard a broadcast from College Green and felt the day should have been

about the Black Country. Over the next 12 months, I will be

negotiating with all of the authorities in the West Midlands to

make this happen so more resources and power is available locally. It

is the right kind of mood music, but how will it play out?

If nothing else, today got them talking about Birmingham again and

about the wider West Midlands. This is our top story tonight: We

must all save, even on the lowest incomes, to fight off the spiralling

problem of debt, according to a new report from the University of

Birmingham. Your detailed weather forecast to

come shortly from Shefali. Also in tonight's programme: Tourism

may be worth more than half a billion pounds in south

Warwickshire, but they still want more visitors, as Shakespeare's

birth place drops out of the tourism top 20.

And, a night to remember for the local band who supported

international jazz star Jamie Cullum at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham.

There's still no agreement tonight on whether or not to carry on the

badger cull in Gloucestershire. The six`week cull fell well short of

killing the target number of badgers it was set. Now, those who oppose

the cull are threatening legal action if the cull's extended. But

would extending the cull help? Or should culling be abandoned for this

year? Our rural affairs correspondent David Gregory`Kumar is

here. David, will new research help?

New research goes some way to explaining why the effects of

culling badgers can be so unpredictable. This is family life

for 50 Gloucestershire badgers. Radio`tagged and tracked as part of

a new study. Red splodges are TB`infected badgers, the blues

uninfected. This research shows the infected badgers occupy a unique

position. They are isolated from the other family groups. So they don't

spread TB inside these groups, but they can spread the disease between

them. Culling shatters these links, and means infected badgers wander

off and spread disease. This might explain the big problem facing the

Gloucestershire cull zone. We know they've culled around 30% of

badgers. But that's not enough, and it could make the problem of TB in

cattle worse. Especially on the edges of the cull zone. Because

you've shattered that network of badgers, and infected animals are

wandering about spreading TB. So the company running the cull wants more

time to try and get that total up to 70%, the point where you start to

have a positive impact on the disease.

But we also know that increasing the length of a cull can also increase

the risk of spreading TB. It's a catch`22. And this may well explain

why it's taking so long to reach a decision on what to do. And if there

is an extension, opponents say that is a decision ripe for a new legal

challenge. It is against the advice that Defra

gave to itself, that it should be a maximum of six weeks. If they go

against that, clearly they are not following their own prescription and

terms of reference. That is something that is very actionable.

We should be going either for a judicial review, or for an

injunction. In the meantime, Gloucestershire

Police have confirmed to us today that, since the cull licence has

finished, and an extension has not been granted, killing badgers in the

cull zone is currently just as illegal as killing them outside it.

Gloucestershire remains in limbo. Stonehenge, Chester Zoo and the

Tower of London, all places in the top 20 UK visitor attractions. But

conspicuous by its absence in the top flight is anything from here in

the Heart of England, and it's been like that for a few years. But the

leaders of a new tourism promotion group launched today in Stratford

hope to turn that around. Sarah Falkland reports.

You may recognise this as a popular tourist destination. But do you know

where this is? Less than half a mile away from Warwick Castle, they're

Hill Close Gardens, one of only four surviving examples of Victorian

hedgerow gardens, places where tradespeople like porkpie maker

Benjamin Chadband would escape the hustle and bustle of the town.

Each gate of each plot tells you about the history of the family that

had this site originally. They came down here, they might picnic, they

might garden, they might play with their children. That's what we want

to replicate. The gardens may have been something

of a secret. Not for much longer. They've just joined Shakespeare's

England. It's a new tourism body hoping to sell the region with

themed breaks for families, country lovers, history lovers and, well,

just lovers. What the website does wonderfully is

to help a couple in London who want to come away for a weekend, find a

B in Warwick, go to Leamington spa, or come to these gardens.

It's a private`public sector partnership, and the first tourism

body for this area in over three years.

Tourism brings some ?550 million to this area every year. But, if that's

to increase, they've got to think of ways of making people stay for

longer. No mean feat when hear how tight their schedules are.

If we went to London two days ago, we are here until tomorrow. An hour

and a half in Stratford, then we get back on the bus to London this

afternoon. Even more well`known attractions

acknowledge that there's a lot to play for. We attract about 800,000

people every year but that's only 20% of the people who come to the

city. Even with an established and successful organisation, there's

more work to be done. And if the tourism sector here in South

Warwickshire can stay buoyant, it's good news for the 13,000 people who

are employed in it. The Symphony Hall in Birmingham is

acknowledged as one of the best live venues in the world. So imagine

being a member of an unsigned band, getting an email from the

multi`million selling artist Jamie Cullum asking you to play there and

support him. That's just what happened to one wide`eyed group from

the Midlands, and Ben Sidwell was there to see how it all went.

MUSIC. There's no tour bus and no group of

roadies. Unsigned Birmingham band Midnight Bonfires have to do

everything themselves. The group are used to playing to

just a handful of people, but tonight is very different. In just a

few hours, they'll be walking onto the stage of the city's Symphony

Hall, in front of a sell`out crowd of 2,000 people.

It means everything, really. It is a big chance to impress and lots of

people. At the venue, backstage, and with

the gear unloaded, the enormity of what's ahead is beginning to sink

in. We can't compare it to anything else

we have ever done. It is difficult to know how to feel.

The opportunity to play here came thanks to BBC Introducing which

supports unsigned bands across the country, giving them a chance to be

heard on radio. We have music that we think everyone

wants to hear. We want to get out there. We will do our best.

Of course, most of the crowd are here to see headliner Jamie Cullum.

He listened to hundreds of unsigned bands on the BBC Introducing

website, before hand`picking the artists he wanted to support him on

tour. I got to log onto the site and

listen to these amazing bands. And I wanted more people to hear them,

it's as simple as that. While the band's nerves grow in

their dressing room, outside, the crowd are arriving and the hall is

filling fast. And, before they know it, the moment

has arrived. The crowd were lovely, really nice,

really lovely. 30 minutes later, and it's all over,

but it's given the band a taste of what could be. Oh, yes. What will

be. Hopefully, hopefully. Maybe. Come and see us.

When, and if, Midnight Bonfires ever get the chance to play the Symphony

Hall again remains to be seen. But one thing's for sure, they'll never

forget tonight. Another rain`sodden day. I got

drenched again this morning. More of the same, Shefali?

There is much more of the same to come. For those of you who do not

want to be caught out by the rain, I thought it would be worth pointing

out the drier periods which will be tomorrow night and most of Thursday.

Otherwise, a pretty wet and windy picture. As much rain as we have

seen over the past 48 hours which has been over one inch of rain.

At the moment, it is relatively quiet but we are looking at a batch

of showers brewing to the south. A band of heavy and disorderly showers

feeding into night and to the north. A wet and windy night, some

showers could produce 20 millimetres of rain in a short period of time,

within an hour, containing hail and under. Temperatures are still mild,

down to 12 Celsius. More showers battling through the region

tomorrow. There will be a switch in wind direction which will kill most

of those showers. By the afternoon, it is looking much drier and quite

sunny as well. In the morning, those showers could be heavy in a short

space of time. Temperatures will reach 15 Celsius. Not as mild as

today. A breeze to content with. Then, a ridge of high pressure

building tomorrow evening, which will kill all of the activity

completely and clear the skies. Some mist and fog patches. Cold enough in

rural areas for a touch of grass frost. In urban areas, a minimum of

six Celsius. This ridge of high pressure will keep things dry on

Thursday, but we have this area of low pressure and heavy rain on

Thursday evening. Tonight's headlines from the BBC:

Former Prime Minister John Major adds his voice to the row over

energy prices, branding the latest price hikes unjustifiable.

We must all save, even on the lowest incomes, to fight off the spiralling

problem of debt, according to a new report.

That was the Midlands Today. I'll be back at ten o'clock, and speaking

live to the Birmingham MP Gisela Stuart to find out whether her

Birmingham Day at Westminster really will raise the city's profile.

Have a great