24/04/2012 Midlands Today

Hello. Good evening and welcome to Midlands Today from the BBC.

Tonight: desperate for a council house in Stoke-On-Trent but could

families have been pushed further down the waiting list by Londoners?

The area has hardly any work at all. The extra influx would be too many.

The inventor who says Britain has got talent, only the government

doesn't know what sells doesn't back it. For somebody like me, it

is never going to happen. I do not see what doors they have to lock,.

And how the games are being ruled Good evening. Tonight, desperate

for a desk -- council house in Stoke-on-Trent but could from these

be pushed further down the waiting list by Londoners? That's the

question after officials in Staffordshire were asked by one of

the capital's poorest boroughs to home 500 families. It's led to

accusations of social cleansing and claims that Government's

controversial cap to housing benefit is to blame.

The Brighter Futures Housing Association received a letter from

Newham Council asking it to take on 500 families. There are currently

around 32,000 people on the council housing waiting list in the London

borough in Stoke. Around 3,000 people are waiting for a house. And

you get between �250 and �400 a week in housing benefits. But the

proposal has not been well received in the Potteries.

With thousands on the social housing waiting list and high

unemployment, Stoke-on-Trent has it's own problems and the prospect

of 500 families from east London being moved to the area has not

gone down particularly well. We do not have jobs for ourselves, let

alone people cuddle from a different part of the country.

are locking houses down but they are not building any. Look at the

facilities, there are not many. Newham Council asked for the

rehoming help in this letter sent to many housing assoctions

including Stoke's Brighter Futures. There will be need for social

services, welfare, support, jobs, the council has already had to cut

its services to the bone. They will be an increasing demand. Stoke-on-

Trent City Council say they are concerned and that they are keen to

speak to Newham before the situation goes any further. They

say they have 3,000 people on their social housing waiting list and

that their main duty is very much to local people. But Newham Council

say the Government's cap on housing benefit is forcing people from

expensive parts of London to their less costly borough, and opposition

leaders claim this situation is the tip of an iceberg. The idea that

you take a family and you put them in Stoke-on-Trent, away from their

school, their family, their friends, their jobs, in this day and age,

that cannot be right. Government insists the Housing

Benefits Bill is still rising and that that has to stop. It is also

questioning the timing of a new worms...

Earlier I spoke to the housing minister Grant Shapps and asked him

if he agreed that the government's policy on housing benefit could

potentially lead to a very unfair situation where people could be

parachuted into city's like Stoke. No, I think it is outrageous that

the borough are proposing anything of the sort. By have spoken to a

number of people today, have discovered fed they have never

spoken to stir up about it at all. Actually, it took the local BBC

radio station to phone the council before they were involved in it at

all. There is no scheme, it is outrageous that the London borough

is proposing it. Actually, I think it could well be illegal, it is

certainly against the regulations that I am situated. Il calling on

them to make clear that this is not going to happen. You say it is

outrageous but here we are in Britain, at the that of a terrible

housing crisis. What are you going to do about it? Housing crisis

don't turn up out of the blue. This has been created because at the end

of 2000 of lying, there were fewer homes being built in this country

at any time since the 1920s. -- 2009. What we're doing is building

a lot more homes. I've come from a speech today where I have been able

to announce that house building is up by a third. Things are starting

to move. It will be building 170,000 affordable homes for rent

in the next few years alone. It is inexcusable that the London borough

have issued this press release to the BBC, stirred up a fuss, worried

their tenants had actually worried tenants in Stoke-on-Trent as well.

It and yet, it is not the first time we've seen something like that.

Families in Croydon were offered the choice to move to Walsall. Is

the West Midlands becoming a good dumping ground because of their

policies? That should never be the case. If people want to move, that

is up to them. It is very important we do control the housing benefit

bill. I cannot think why any of your viewers should be working hard

and playing their taxes for other people, who might be on housing

benefit, to be able to afford to live will streets and

neighbourhoods that the working people, who are paying all their

taxes to support as a benefits system, cannot possibly afford

themselves. Thanks for watching this evening.

Still ahead: We're live at Aston Villa, ahead of their crucial

relegation battle against fellow- strugglers Bolton Wanderers.

Tariq Jahan, the father of one of the victims killed during the

August riots, has described hearing the fatal impact of the crash. He

was giving evidence in the trial of eight men accused of murdering his

son and two other men. Haroon Jahan, along with brothers

Shazad Ali and Abdul Musavir died when they were struck by a car. Mr

Jahan was widely praised when he appealed for calm after his son's

death. Our reporter was in court. Why was Mr Jahan called to give

evidence, Phil? He was the first witness in a trial

which began last week when the jury was shown some dramatic CCTV

footage, which showed the three men being hit by a car in the early

hours of August 10th. He began by being questioned about the day

before that, when widespread disorder spread to the West

Midlands. He described how he had been at a petrol station and

witnessed a group of men in balaclavas attacking the petrol

station has to be said by the next morning, the atmosphere was very

tense and a group of people got together to decide that they would

go out that night and got local properties, protecting them from

looters. What did he say about the night his son died?

He said that group of 40 people had gathered outside on the road. A

bunch of cars had driven past slowly, provoking the crowd. He

said there was abuse shouted from both sides. As he was talking to

his wife, he heard a car engine revving up and driving at high

speed. Then a loud thud. Be heard shouting, he went across and saw

his son's body lying in the road. He was pronounced dead. The eight

men were you mentioned have denied murder at the trial is expected to

last nine weeks. Birmingham City Council's to carry

out a review into the death of a stroke patient it was caring for.

Colin Bird who was 46 and from Yardley Wood, had suffered two

strokes, losing mobility in an arm and a leg. He died yesterday. He

received 30 minutes of care every morning and evening but claimed

he'd only been washed four times in four months.

The Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Michael Brinton,

has died. He passed away at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in

Birmingham yesterday after being diagnosed with cancer a year ago.

The former businessman guided the family-run firm, Brinton's carpets,

for many years. He was appointed the Queen's representative in the

county in 2001. A man accused of killing his

pregnant wife collapsed in sobs in the dock this afternoon. The jury

was sent home after Mohammed Mumtaz fell to the floor in a trial in

which there are claims his wife may have been possessed by an evil

spirit. He's accused of killing his wife

with his mother, father and brother in law.

This is the family home at Handsworth Wood in Birmingham where

pregnant 21-year-old Naila Mumtaz was allegedly killed. Her husband,

Mohammed Mumtaz, his mother, Salma Aslam, and father, Zia Ul Haq, and

brother-in-law, Hammad Hassan, all deny murder and manslaughter. The

court heard how Naila was from Pakistan and came to live in

Birmingham after an arranged marriage. Was it due to an unknown

illness? Or was it as the prosecution say, she was assaulted,

or smothered by the four accused, all of whom had that they were

present when she died? Details of phone calls between family and --

in Birmingham and Pakistan were given. The jury had to be sent home

for the night after Mohammed will tonnes collapsed in sobs in the

dock. The trial is expected to resume tomorrow.

A Worcestershire inventor, who says he was forced to go abroad to get

funding for his product, believes Britain is in danger of losing its

entrepreneurs. Philip Jarrett's company mi-zone

has won a Government award for innovation, but it was the Irish

Government which backed him financially.

It's called a proximity alarm and its inventor Philip Jarrett is

trying it out in his office at Ombersley in Worcestershire. It has

been designed specifically to prevent -- protect items of value,

cameras, keys, toolbox is. It sits on a new mobile device. We have

come outside because in the best traditions, we will do a test. That

is my bag, you can see a pink device. If I start walking away,

the alarm goes off. The prototype was built with �30,000 from Warwick

University. Mr Jarrett couldn't get any further funding the British

Government but the Irish Government lent him a 250,000 euros. The

alarm's now being manufactured in Cork in the Irish Republic. I was

passionate to have made in England on the back of this box. There is a

lot to be said and a lot to be done with young minds that have got

really good ideas, who could perhaps reinvent this country but

unfortunately, they are strangled by having nowhere to go, no

guidance, no assistance. Ironic then that across the region in

Walsall today, the hunt was on for the inventors and designers of

tomorrow at an event for Midlands manufacturers. There is funding in

Staffordshire forces and aspects of product development. -- for certain

aspects. We are always looking to break the best new product.

Government insist they are investing in business through a

regional growth fund that's allocated �1.4 billion to projects.

A further �1 billion is now available for new bids. They've set

up A Business In You campaign encouraging entrepreneurs to start

or grow their business. Philip Jarrett meanwhile has signed deals

with major high street names like Apple and Carphone Warehouse.

With us now is the Chief Executive of the Birmingham Chamber Group,

Jerry Blackett. It's a real pity that Philip Jarrett had to go

elsewhere, isn't it? These are difficult projects to get away. The

hardest time to get money is what you have a good idea. Sometimes

putting all taxpayers' money alongside private money can work.

But there is never enough to go around. I've been looking into how

much we've put into this of the last decade and there has been at

�90 million over that time available. Other parts of the

country have had less than the others a bit more. Platini is now

drying up so it is now going to be harder to find that sort of money

to get good ideas going. So there is a gap in the system. There

always is. You cannot blame the banks for the Somme. You coming

with a good idea, you want somebody to back it. The taxpayer can

sometimes help unleash some money. This one got away. There is still

money out there, not as much. Birmingham City Council have put

�10 million into a fund for this sort of scheme. The money may come

back. A local enterprise partnerships may be able to

convince government to give us more to stimulate new inventions. Should

an inventor do? Search for a corporal finance advice. Their rock

people who are out there -- there are people who want to help you

look for money. Good ideas will find cash. It is a shame this one

went to the Republic of Ireland. A jury's been told that a sprinkler

system at a warehouse hadn't been connected before a fire which

killed four firemen. Three fire service managers are on

trial and deny charges of causing manslaughter by gross negligence in

connection with the fire at Atherstone-on-Stour in Warwickshire

five years ago. Stafford Crown Court heard how

building worker at this Warehouse had not received building

regulations from Stratford District Council. This man, a fire warden at

the vegetable packing plant, had said he had complained to his

management about an incomplete sprinkler system and a gap in the

firewall. Under cross-examination, he did say although he had tried to

help firefighters find the fire on last night, they had been a

terrible mistake and he had missed directed them to the wrong place.

The judge described the evidence in this case as enigmatic and

difficult. For the first time today, we heard that information about the

potentially dangerous sandwich construction of the building was

not available to fire crews on much night. The three defendants all

deny the charges. Minute by minute, the jury are being led through the

night's events. From red ones being sent into the emergency being

declared that several 3:00pm. Poignantly, a request for an

ambulance. Four men died on that night in 2007. The bodies of three

of the men were recovered days later. The trial is expected to

last 10 weeks. Good to have you with us this

Tuesday evening. Still to come: Glitz of the Games, the Olympic

Rings welcome passengers to Birmingham Airport.

And if you think it's been wet so far, just wait till you see what's

heading our way tonight. It's all The George Eliot Hospital in

Nuneaton still has the highest death rate in the country according

to new official Government figures. Overall, the West Midlands is

performing badly, with only two hospitals showing below-average

death rates. Our health correspondent has been to Nuneaton

to see what's being done to improve things.

Kenneth Barratt is the sort of patient this hospital has to look

after. The 77-year-old spent two days in intensive care. I came in

here after a heart attack 12 years ago. Have always been quite happy

with it. Next time the death rate comes out, this hospital is

confident. Why? Because it's invested �1.5 million in more

nurses. There used to be as few as two on this shift, now there are

five. We have the additional staff and doctors, and we have changed

have the stuff works are we have put more senior doctors and nurses

on a out-of-hours and at the weekend. If the average hospital

death rate is 1, Nuneaton's is highest at 1.23. But Dudley is high

at 1.12 and Burton-on-Trent at 1.11. Only Stafford Hospital performed

better than average. At Nuneaton, they have also developed a military

style hand over to help ensure continuity of care. We realised

that information was being missed, communication was not of a

consistent standard of what we filed in my area was that we had

had some complaints. This hospital is facing cuts this year. In the

future, it realises it cannot carry on on its own. There are three

private companies and three hospital trusts looking to take it

over. For all small hospitals, saving lives whilst finances are

squeezed remains a challenge. Dan's here with the sport. So a big

night for Villa. Aston Villa host Bolton tonight in a game which is

crucial to the Premier League survival of both clubs. Villa are

currently five points above the relegation zone. But with just one

win in their last 12 matches and defeat tonight will drag them right

into the relegation fight. Reasons to be cheerful, Villa beat

Bolton in December at they are six points above them in the table.

Reasons to be miserable, for the lost to Bolton in September and if

that happens again, they would just be three points behind them and

with a game in hand. Look at the table. It is not underestimating

things to say that this is the biggest game of the season so far.

It is certainly a game at Aston Villa cannot afford to lose. It is

a high-pressure game. There are high stakes. Everybody knows what

is at stake. I would not imagine that the play is up for that.

Villa manager was an unpopular choice last summer, sparking

protests. Just for home wins all season have hardly helped.

cannot blame this manager. We have to give everything but a difference.

We need to give them to have something to be proud about. Fair

fate will not be decided either way tonight but it Bolton victory would

make the last three games very nerve-racking for everyone at them

apart. The home fans must be anxious

tonight. Anxious, yes. Livers, yes.

Petrified, yes. Take your pick because the loan note that this is

a game they cannot afford to lose. The owner's home form this season

is dismal. In fact Alex McLeish called it rotten yesterday. He said

it is not something we are proud of and we've got to go all-out to win

tonight. But as you mentioned in your report there, they have won

four times at home this season so that is why the Villa fans will

travel here more in hope than expectation of seeing a villa win.

They are not at full strength tonight either, are they?

No, they are not. We go about long- term absentees and the long term

injuries. James Collins is also missing tonight. Emil Heskey and

one other player will help play a bigger role to live. Villa have

conceded more goals from corner kicks than any other team in the

Premier League and yet incredibly, they've failed to score from a

single call themselves. The Villa fans don't care how the goals come

to light as long as they score goals the bottom of the weather

probably is a metaphor for how both sets of supporters are feeling

tonight. And BBC WM will have full match commentary. Kick-off is

7.45pm. The draws taken place for this

summer's Olympic football tournament. It took place at

Wembley this morning after Senegal booked the final place by beating

Oman 2-0 in a qualifier in Coventry last night. It means we now know

which teams will play in Coventry this summer. And the organisers

also know that Coventry will do a good job when the Olympics start

for real. A it is so wonderful to be able to showcase our great

cities of venues around the UK, from Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester,

Cardiff, Coventry. Last night was a good example. And of course back

here for the final at Wembley. here's just some of those fixtures

in Coventry. The first game will be on Wednesday July 25th, between

Sweden and South Africa. The last group game is between New Zealand

and Cameroon but they'll also host a quarter-final and a bronze medal

match. In the men's competition the first game will be between New

Zealand and Belarus. The last is a double header involving Senegal

versus United Arab Emirates, and Japan against Honduras.

It's all happening! In case the forthcoming Olympic Games had

managed to escape your attention, another reminder for you. The five

famous interlinking rings have appeared at Birmingham Airport. In

a special event last night, the region's major transport hub began

its countdown to London 2012. Staff and business leaders were

joined in celebrations by legends of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

As dusk descended on Birmingham Airport, its new air traffic

control tower was about to be dazzled. Each of the five Olympic

rings is two metres wide. They represent the union of five

Few get the chance to use this iconic brand. The brand is so

closely controlled and we have agreed with the Olympic Committee

that we can use this iconic structure, these iconic rings at

our airport to let people there our airport to let people there

that we are part of the London Edwin Moses won gold in the 400

metre hurdles at the 1976 and 1984 games - and set the world record in

his event four times. He'll be following the progess of the US

team as they train in Birmingham. The fact that they are here says a

lot about the atmosphere in the city. They have peace and quiet,

they have great expectations for accommodation. Birmingham is trying

to inspire, to show the world what it can offer in this Olympic year

but could a star from Staffordshire steal the sporting limelight? Lee

Pearson's aiming for gold number ten, having represented British

para-equestrianism in Sydney, Athens and Beijing. I have done one

selection trial and I have two more to do. By will no in July if I have

been selected. This spectacle is not just about dazzling a Olympic

competitors. Business leaders also hope it will tempt thousands of

spectators to spend some of their homes in the West Midlands.

-- their pounds. They look really, really impressive,

especially at night. And great to Yes, well, put simply a plainly,

tonight you will get soaked! We have an early warning from the met

Office after midnight for heavy downpours for the south of the

region particularly, which could lead to a build-up of surface water

which could also lead to potentially dangerous driving

conditions. This is the cause. We have an intense area of low

pressure coming from the south-west. As you can see from his tightly-

packed isobars, it will be accompanied by strong winds, not

just the rain. At least we get a bit of a breeze this evening and

overnight. The showers the ceiling will start to clear northwards so

after that we have it period of dry weather before it turns wetter and

windier the darker... The darker colours aware the heavier bursts of

rain will be. There will be... A wet and windy start to tomorrow as

the wind starts to spill further northwards. You can see that it

will pep up in areas from those dark green areas. And it clears

during the afternoon, followed by squally showers. It is a very wet

day indeed. Highs of around 11-12 sausages tomorrow but coupled with

whims, the cloud of the rain, head and think it will feel too warm.

The showers will continue into the night tomorrow, so there for the

duration. At least it will not be too cold to moralise. Temperatures

will fall down to a minimum of around eight Celsius. A lot of

cloud and rain, more showers later in the week. It is turning out to

be a very wet one. Strong winds on It was very silly and beautiful

this morning, when I went on my walk along the canals of Birmingham.

He is almost poetic! A look at tonight's main headlines:

James Murdoch, the former boss of News International is questioned at

the Leveson inquiry about his family's influence.