The UK’s slowing economy underlines the concern Greater Birmingham businesses have over exchange rates and their impact on costs, business leaders said today.

This followed the announcement by the Office for National Statistics that the UK gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated to have increased by 0.3 per cent between January and March, the slowest rate of growth since Quarter 1 2016.

Slower growth was said to be mainly due to services, which grew by 0.3 per cent compared with growth of 0.8 per cent between October and December.

In Quarter 1 2017 there were falls in several important consumer-focused industries, such as retail sales and accommodation; this was due in part to prices increasing more than spending.

Production, construction and agriculture grew by 0.3%, 0.2% and 0.3% respectively in Quarter 1 2017 GDP per head was estimated to have increased by 0.1% during Quarter 1 2017.

Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), said: “As expected, the UK posted a slower rate of growth for the start of 2017. Nevertheless, we should be mindful of the fact that growth levels in the UK have held up pretty well since the referendum result and this is a real testament to the strong foundations which underpin the British economy.

“It is not surprising to see retailers putting up prices due to higher input costs as a result of the falling value of the pound. However, it is heartening to see the manufacturing sector grow by 0.5 per cent last quarter, although this is unlikely to change the overall direction of growth as the service sector accounts for the majority of the UK’s economic output.

“Both of these overarching trends have been reflected in the findings of our latest Quarterly Business Report; local businesses are increasingly concerned about higher costs and manufacturers in the region have posted stronger growth rates than their service sector counterparts.

“The British Chambers of Commerce are releasing their manifesto on May 2 and we are backing their agenda,  including that with a General Election on the horizon, it is more important than ever that the Government provides a clear plan on how it intends to tackle regional economic imbalances and bring prosperity to the country as a whole.”

A ground-breaking new short film highlighting the need for foster carers who can make a difference to the lives of local children - including those who can help keep brothers and sisters in care together - was launched at a premiere in Birmingham on Wednesday, May 3.

City of Wolverhampton Council is one of 13 local authorities that worked together with Reel Twenty Five to produce ‘Giants’ – a three-minute film telling the story of Jack and Ellie, a brother and sister who want to stay together when they find themselves in foster care.

Councillor Val Gibson, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “This is an extremely moving film and really helps to get across the urgent need we have for people to come forward as foster carers, especially those who have that extra space to help keep brothers and sisters together. We sincerely hope that people who are considering taking the next step into fostering will be inspired to get in touch.

“We are fortunate that here in Wolverhampton we already have more than 200 people who are fostering local children, but we are looking to recruit at least 30 more carers this year.”

The launch was attended by invited guests from each local authority including foster carers, care leavers, councillors, chief executives and officers, as well as representatives from The Fostering Network and the cast and crew of the film, who all saw the finished film for the first time.

Following the launch, ‘Giants’ is available to view online at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/fostering, on the Fostering for Wolves Facebook page and on the Wolverhampton Today You Tube channel. A 30-second version will also be shown as an advert on Sky TV to households in the City of Wolverhampton.

The local authorities, who worked together to produce ‘Giants’ are City of Wolverhampton Council, Coventry City Council, Birmingham City Council, Solihull Council, Telford and Wrekin Council, Walsall Council, Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Sandwell Council, Worcestershire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Derby City Council and Staffordshire County Council.

The theme of ‘giants’ was devised to depict people who act as role models to young people in care such as their foster carers and teachers, and to highlight the strong bond between siblings as they care for each other in life and become ‘giants’ to each other.

The film launch has been timed to coincide with the start of Foster Care Fortnight, the UK’s biggest foster carer recruitment campaign, which gets underway on Monday, May 8.

The only way was Walsall College for TV personality, James Argent, from ITV2's ‘The Only Way Is Essex’. He visited the Ofsted outstanding college on Thursday 27^th April to help promote a celebrity charity football match set for May at Walsall Football Club.

James, along with a host of other celebrities including former boxer Joe Calzaghe, EastEnders actor Jake Wood and former England footballer Wayne Bridge will be playing in the game, with television personality Katie Price and Coronation Street actor Shayne Ward managing the two teams.

The Smiling Saddlers v Compton Wolves match is taking place at the Banks's Stadium on Saturday 13th May in aid of the 'Smile for Joel' and Compton Hospice charities.

All proceeds raised from the event, organised by Sellebrity Soccer and sponsored by Tile Choice, will be split equally between the two charities.

Walsall College Travel and Tourism Lecturer, Suzi Richards set up Smile for Joel in memory of her son, Joel Richards, who was also a former student at the college, dad and brother, who tragically lost their lives in the 2015 Tunisia terror attack.

James said: “It’s an honour to be asked to play in the team as it’s for two great charities which touch many hearts. I’m looking forward to seeing people around Walsall turnout on the day and make it a great atmosphere.”

Smile for Joel aims to support and help families who are victims of traumatic bereavement.

Suzi Richard said: “We are extremely grateful to James and all the other celebrities who have confirmed their attendance at the match. We are hoping to raise a lot so we can continue to help other families in similar situations to ourselves. If anyone hasn’t bought their tickets yet I would encourage them to do so as it will be a great family day out in aid of a good cause.”

After months of debate and commentary, voters in Birmingham will go to the polls on Thursday 4^th May, 2017 to vote on who the new mayor of the West Midlands should be. The candidates are: Labour’s Sion Simon, Conservative Andy Street, Liberal Democrat’s Beverley Nielsen, UKIP’s Pete Durnell, Green candidate James Burn and Communist candidate Graham Stevenson.

Prominent policies that have emerged during the campaign include increasing youth employment, developing a proper transport system within the West Midlands and ensuring that there are enough houses to meet increasing demand.

The two favourites for the position of mayor, per the polls are Labour’s Sion Simon, and Conservative candidate Andy Street.  They agree on the key issues, but disagree over how to handle them.

Sion Simon would convene a board of leaders in education in the West Midlands and receive their advice about the best way to approach improving education within the area. He would then implement their suggestions in order to create what he believes to be a more effective and skilful workforce.

Andy Street, on the other hand would meet with teachers and education experts, canvas their opinions and then mould their suggestions to his view of how things should be improved. He would also implement a digital boot camp, to help increase the digital skills of young people in the West Midlands, followed by introducing apprenticeships and youth employment schemes aimed at giving young people a foot on the ladder.

Simon and Street follow a similar path to their fellow candidates Beverley Nielsen and James Burn who would issue bus and metro passes at affordable rates to encourage people to travel by public transport services. They would also propose increasing the metro lines within Birmingham itself.

The issue of increasing the number of houses within the West Midlands is where candidates differentiated themselves. Some like Mr Street believe that houses should be built on the green belt and the brown belt, whilst others such as Mrs Nielsen were in favour of using brown belt sites.

There are still two days left before voting takes place, so there is still time for undecided voters to make up their mind. This election is an important one for deciding the present and future direction of the West Midlands. Make sure to get out and vote for the candidate that you think most benefits you!

By Vivek Rajkhowa

According to a poll, conducted by Lancashire baker Holland's Pies, it's suppers and not slippers that will please pops this Father's Day. Proving that food really is the way to a man's heart, almost a third (28%) of UK dads said they'd prefer their favourite pie over a fancy gift this June with a further 30% opting for a chippy tea as their treat of choice.

Surprisingly, a relaxing massage only tempted 14% of dads but 27% did opt for a pint down their local pub to celebrate the occasion.

Leanne Holcroft, Brand Manager at Holland's Pies said: “This research really does show that it's the thought that counts, rather than an expensive or extravagant gift this Father's Day! It's great to see that something as simple as their favourite pie is the way to Dad's heart, and will be especially welcome news to those who are a little strapped for cash.”