13/11/2013 Midlands Today

That's all from the BBC News at Six so it's goodbye

Hello and welcome to Midlands Today. The headlines tonight: Unemployment

down in our region for a second quarter in a row, but there's still

work to be done to plug the skills gap.

We are building skills and wider experience and ways of working which

will be valued by employers. We visit a Warwickshire college

which is trying to tackle persistently high youth

unemployment. Also tonight: Struggling to pay the

bills ` how the West Midlands has one of the highest levels of fuel

poverty in the country. For the first time we are actually

facing the reality of thinking about the bills.

Making their home debut ` Birmingham City Ladies play at St Andrew's for

the first time, for a place in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Why would anyone want to swim 900 miles and spend 135 days in the

water? We'll ask the first man to swim the length of Britain.

After the chill of last night, things staying a little milder

tonight, but don't get used to it ` the cold's back tomorrow. Your full

forecast later. Good evening. The number of people

out of work here in the West Midlands has fallen for a second

quarter in a row. Between July and September, unemployment fell by

15,000 to 257,000. But at 9.5%, the region's unemployment rate is still

higher than the national average. Today, the Deputy Prime Minister,

Nick Clegg, said that tackling youth unemployment is a Government

priority. We've been to a Warwickshire college which is

developing entrepreneurial skills among its students to help them find

work. Liz Copper reports. Andy Plester and Graham Bird started

their tree`felling business while they were still studying. They

combined their college course with commercial experience. Eight months

on and they're starting to see the skills they learned turn into

profits. We have worries but we thought we would take them in our

stride and see how things turned adult. So far, things have gone

well. We decided it is the best way to set your business up by far.

Personally, I think it is better than working for somebody, being

able to work for yourself. Building a business though is tough,

especially for students fresh out of college. Starting a business

requires skills. But can enter a new real spirit be taught? ``

entrepreneurial spirit. When students are following the

curriculum, we are building in the skills and experiences and ways of

working which will be valued by employers and valuable to them when

they leave college and take the next step. These students are preparing

for an exhibition next week. Their work will be on show, but also for

sale. It's one of the projects designed to help them build

entrepreneurial skills. There is a standard and brief we have to meet

and it is training as up to be ready for the kind of demands we will get

from our clients if we were to work in that role. Trying to look for

work experience to get more skills so I know what I need to do when I'm

out there. It is very hard as well. You have to have an eye out for

customers and consumers and what they are buying and that will

escalate you up to think what you can sell and do.

Cutting youth unemployment is a continuing challenge. Building

businesses which flourish even in economically difficult conditions

will help bring unemployment down. Our business correspondent Peter

Plisner is at the Skills Show at the NEC tonight. It's good news that

unemployment has fallen again in our region but, as Liz's report showed,

getting the right skills is key to bringing down youth unemployment.

What else is being done to tackle that? I think that is exactly where

the the Skills Show comes in. It is on at the NEC for the next few days.

Unemployment is down but still work to do. How does the Skills Show

help? Unemployment is the reason the Skills Show exists. That is together

the UK people and youngsters and ability to learn skills. Not just

normal education but skills they were able to turn their hands to for

the rest of their lives. Is getting skills or academic education more

important? Some employers seem to prefer vocational skills. Most of

the time people go to university and get a degree and then find they want

to do something different. The wonderful thing about the Skills

Show is that you can try different things. You could join and

apprenticeship or do further education and get the right

qualification to allow you to do that skill. When you look for staff,

what do you look for? I don't put as much emphasis on university degrees

as many people. I am looking for passion, desire and the ability to

make it happen. There are so many young people who join us. The Skills

Show is on for the next few days. Saturday is family day.

Coming up later in the programme: Learning to trust again ` the

project in Walsall helping the young victims of sexual predators to

rebuild their lives. Utility bills are set to increase

above inflation for the next 17 years. That's the stark warning

today from the National Audit Office. Many are already struggling

to pay their energy bills. New figures show a third of

constituencies in the West Midlands are among the worst for fuel

poverty. Here's our political reporter Susana Mendonca.

John is a teacher. He is out of work at the moment so for the first time

in his life he has to choose a dream paying heating or eating. I have

decided to cut everything done. It is cold in here. Not as cold as my

room but, yes. You are not going to put any seating on. Now. He is one

of Birmingham's fuel poor. It is one of `` around one third of the worst

places in the UK for fuel poverty are in the West Midlands with seven

in Birmingham. My own feeling is we are scratching the surface of the

problem and more needs to be done. From our experience, we see a lot

more people falling into fuel poverty. Labour says the region has

particular problems which makes them back of higher fuel prices worse.

There are more disabled people in the West Midlands. There are

thousands of homes in fuel poverty. They are afraid of being able to

keep to their homes in the winter. `` heat. The government says it is

doing what it can to help vulnerable people. It says the idea of freezing

fuel prices wouldn't solve things. It is not a freeze, it is a , con.

Those struggling to top up the meter are hoping for a mild winter.

The BBC has learnt that the direct rail link between Shrewsbury to

London is due to restart in May next year. The service was lost in 2011

when the Wrexham and Shropshire link was ended. But the Office of Rail

Regulation has now accepted a joint proposal from Virgin Trains and

Network Rail for a weekday and Sunday service. Initially, trains

will only run at off`peak times. Andrea Waldeck from Cheltenham today

admitted to smuggling 1.5kg of illegal drugs into Indonesia. But

the former police community support officer said she'd been forced to

carry the crystal meth because of threats to herself, friends and

family. She's on trial in Surabaya after being arrested earlier this

year. If she's found guilty of the charges against her she faces the

death penalty. The chief executive of New Cross

Hospital in Wolverhampton has welcomed a new report outlining how

accident and emergency services should be changed. David Loughton

has already warned that his hospital's A department will

struggle to cope with demand this winter and it's already taking 40%

more patients than it was designed for.

We have 30 more A nurses than last winter, six more A consultants and

two more physicians. We are doing the best he can but the department

is not big enough to deal with it at the moment. For patients coming year

under their own steam, there are lots of alternatives which could be

found. There are calls tonight for improved

safety measures at a pool in the Malvern Hills where two young men

drowned. A coroner recorded verdicts of accidental death on 17`year`old

Russell O'Neill and Justas Juzenas, 22. They died within a week of each

other while swimming in hot weather over the summer. Our reporter Giles

Latcham was at the hearing in Hereford. What was said about

safety? The inquest heard evidence about the

signs that were in place warning about the dangers of swimming at

Gullet Quarry at the time of these separate tragedies in July. The men

who died were a Lithuanian national, Justas Juzenas, and Russell O'Neill,

a promising young footballer. His family said they believed the signs

weren't as prominent and clear as they should have been. They claimed

some of them were obscured by vegetation. They were too upset to

appear on camera but I spoke to Justas' sister and a representative

of the Lithuanian government. Nothing can change this situation.

There could be a lot of signs that no one will bring my brother back. I

will always love him and this place just will remind me about that.

Signs should be put up immediately on the edge of the quarry or

anywhere where people go straight from there into the water, saying

there is clearly no swimming, dangerous water.

So who's responsible for the quarry pool?

The area comes under the responsibility of the Conservators,

the custodians of the Malvern Hills. Their director attended the inquest

and gave evidence. Our thoughts are with the family and

friends. This is a difficult time for them. We have commissioned the

Royal Society for the prevention of accidents to report on the quarry.

The coroner said that cold water contributed to both deaths and was

conceivable that more deaths could coroner. `` car there.

Thousands of children every year are falling prey to sexual predators,

either through social media sites or even introductions from friends.

Projects such as street teams in Walsall help youngsters rebuild

their lives after they've been targeted. Joan Cummins has been

speaking to two young people who, through funding from Children In

Need, are learning to trust again. He pretended to be my friend by

talking to me in a genuine way that made me feel comfortable. If you

hear in the news that a girl is getting groomed by an older man,

it's news but you don't hear about a young lad being groomed by an older

woman. Many children at risk of sexual exploitation. In Walsall, one

charity is trying to help. He tried kissing me and I backed off. It

happened when I was 15. She was friendly at the start and then she

beat me up every single time without fail. She broke my nose, it

disinfected into my eyes, slashed me with a knife. She went, I hate you,

I love you. She was promised she wouldn't do it again and it was a

mistake. Sexual predators groom boys and girls, pretending to be their

friends are for luring them into a cycle of abuse. I felt I couldn't

talk to any of my family or anybody. No one really listens to

me. I never believe in violence towards a female so I would just

take it. Young victims often blame you can donate to children in need

by calling the summer. Our top story tonight: Unemployment

down in our region for a second quarter in a row, but it's still

above the national average. Your detailed weather forecast to

come shortly from Rebecca. Also in tonight's programme: The

seasickness sufferer who decided to swim the length of Britain. We ask

him why. And how Scott's work with Mencap has

earned him a nomination for a Midlands Sports award.

It's a big night of European football at St Andrew's with

Birmingham City Ladies in action. They're aiming for a place in the

quarterfinals of the Champions League, taking on the Russian side

Zorkiy Krasnogorsk. Our sports editor Nick Clitheroe is there now.

Nick, it seems incredible they're playing on their home turf for the

first time? Incredible. They were formed in 1969

but it is the first time they will play here. Tonight they are hoping

for double the usual crowd of four or 5000. It's been a great couple of

seasons for the club. They were FA Cup winners in 2012 and have twice

been runners`up in the Super League but this is their chance to make a

mark in European football. Training night for the Blues Ladies.

There's an extra spring in their step and a smile on their faces.

Because this evening, they get the opportunity to play at St Andrew's

for the first time. For England international Karen Carney, who

joined the club at 11, it's the fulfilment of a lifetime ambition.

The last time I was here I was a mascot and I was only allowed on

certain parts of the pitch. To have this and all my family they are

watching, it would be a dream come true for them and me.

But that's not the only incentive tonight. Birmingham are on the

threshold of a place in the quarterfinals of the Champions

League. Their Russian opponents Zorkiy Krasnogorsk imported players

from America to try and boost their hopes but it was Blues who won

Saturday's first leg 2`0. If you can't win the first ball...

They're not taking any chances. Coach Marcus Bignot was taking the

players through the good and bad from the first leg before training

on Monday. No`one wants to let slip this golden opportunity. We are

punching above our weight. We are competing against millions of pounds

worth of investment across the continent. To get where we have is a

minor miracle in itself. It would be monumental to get to the

quarterfinal. I remember when we were playing in a park using cars

for lights and now we are playing at St Andrew's, it is a massive

achievement to how far the women's game has come.

With fans able to pay on the gate at St Andrew's tonight, the club are

hoping to set a new record crowd as well.

And there's full match commentary on BBC WM this evening, from 7pm.

Joining me is the Chief Executive of Birmingham ladies. We need to keep

them focused on the game but this is another and has to accept. We need

to finish the job after winning 2`0. Last season you threw away a 2`goal

lead. We need to get over that tonight and get that extra goal.

Plenty of players have family and friends tonight. It's nice to see

and it's a good family atmosphere here. It is great to be here. You

have to wait until March for the next round if you go through. 22nd

and 29th of March for the next round. There is a lot of organising

to stage a quarterfinal so we will need that time to do it. We finished

our season and this is tagged on the end so we need a bit of a break, to

be honest. A big night for Birmingham City Ladies.

You may have heard about our next guest ` it's a memorable story. Sean

Conway from Cheltenham became the first person to swim the length of

the UK when he finally made land in John O'Groats on Monday. It took him

135 days to swim around 900 miles with an estimated three million

strokes. He's here with me now. Congratulations. Why would you put

yourself through this challenge? I don't know. One reason was that I

was told it couldn't be done. I'm a bit storm so I wanted to prove them

wrong. To be fair, there wasn't many an occasion where are those people

were almost right but I managed to push through and although I was two

and a half month 's law, IFN shall got there. `` I eventually got

there. My crew stayed for a lot longer than I'd hoped. Thanks to

them. It is a magnificent beard you have. It had a practical use, didn't

it? There are loads of jellyfish in the Irish Sea and I realised I

wasn't getting stung where the beard was so it helped to protect from

jellyfish. What was the worst thing? I suffer from seasickness quite

badly so myself and most of the crew weren't very well on the second day.

I got over it in the middle and I got seasick at the end again because

it was quite rough in Scotland. We might spare people the details if

they are eating their tea. So you did this for charity and it isn't

the first time you have done something like this. What is next? I

would like to run the length of Africa. I think it would take the

final box of something. I have done a long cycle and a long swim. I

would like to run the length of the UK and I might do that next summer.

And taking a few months of two recover.

Sport can be a great way of meeting new people and improving confidence.

Tonight's nominee for the Newcomer Of The Year at the West Midlands

Community Sports Awards is doing just that at Midland Mencap. Kevin

Reide joined them for football training.

37`year`old Scot from Birmingham has a learning difficulty but it hasn't

stopped him from getting into sport. He is a relative newcomer but has

become captain of Midland Mencap. They listen to me. We get better

every time we play. Taking part in things and being part of a team

means an awful lot to him. Regardless of the sport or their

setting, he enjoys people's company and sport is a brilliant outlet for

that to happen. Tuesday is training and Scott helps runs the sessions.

He is really friendly. He is a good captain. He is really good and we

have a laugh. People who know him say that football has boosted his

confidence and help to bring him out of his shell. He also plays netball,

tennis and cricket. I enjoy being with all my friends and doing the

exercises and being involved and playing football. Having good fun.

It might just be a `` it is not just a football session. It has a very

positive influence. Mencap say he is simply a great role model to many

others with learning disabilities. Rebecca warned us yesterday we'd be

in for a frosty start today. Same again on Thursday?

Not quite. Don't put your warm clothes away yet. It will be milder

tonight but just for a short period. It was a beautiful day today. This

was the scene this morning. Thank you for your pictures. It won't look

quite as beautiful tomorrow because it will be a little overcast. Cloud

is moving into night and that will help temperatures stay higher. But

winds are picking up and changing direction so it will feel colder

tomorrow. There is a band of cloud approaching us too much of the

afternoon. We may see some rain and the blanket of cloud isn't really

going anywhere tonight. Some rain across northern and western parts of

the region but most places will stay dry overnight. We have got a wind

direction change so it is going to be picking up as we move through

tonight into tomorrow morning. We start off with a rain in some places

but it will eventually dry out. It is going to feel cold, though. The

winds will take the edge off the temperatures. Through tomorrow

afternoon the showers will eventually die out and it will be

another cool night. The possibility of a touch of ground frost on

Friday. It will stay settled for the weekend. On Friday we will see the

sun at times but cloud will start to fill in. Saturday is looking

cloudier and more rain on Sunday. Tonight's headlines: Unemployment

down in our region for a second quarter in a row, but it's still

above the national average. That was Midlands Today. I'll be

back at 10pm, including the result from St Andrew's. Have a great

evening. Goodbye.