Emma J Thomas

United Kingdom

Reporter and Producer at BBC

BBC Reporter/Producer covering West Midlands Politics:📱 🎥 🎙️ @BBCMTD @BBCWM @BBCPolitics Also: Mommy, Wife & Pawrent

Articles

Call to reconsider Dudley parking charges

Oct 8, 2024 | bbc.co.uk | Emma J Thomas

Dudley Council is facing calls to reconsider new car parking charges, which came into force this month, over concerns the fees could harm trade for businesses in the borough's town centres. Visitors were previously allowed two hours' parking free of charge. Three Labour MPs representing residents in the borough have called on the Conservative-led authority to reconsider the changes. The council said charges were necessary to meet the financial demands of maintaining car parks.
Could 'Midlands man' Robert Jenrick be the next Tory leader?

Oct 6, 2024 | bbc.co.uk | Emma J Thomas

His rivals for the party leadership are former Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, former Foreign and Home Secretary James Cleverly and the shadow security minister Tom Tugenhat. Jenrick supporters in the region said his knowledge of the Midlands was one of the reasons they back him. The Conservative MP for Bromsgrove, Bradley Thomas, told the BBC: "Rob is someone who understands not just the heritage of the West Midlands, but also the economic and social identity of the place.
West Midlands widows' 'trauma' at pension delays

Sep 26, 2024 | bbc.co.uk | Emma J Thomas

Jennifer Baiss, 76, who is originally from Birmingham but now lives in Droitwich, said her husband Roger died in February, following two years of treatment for pancreatic cancer. Both their pensions are held within WMPF. She had previously worked in teaching and her husband for West Midlands Police's forensics team. She said her husband's pension payments were quickly stopped following his death.
Cannock Chase MP campaigns to save hospital minor injuries unit

Sep 18, 2024 | bbc.co.uk | Emma J Thomas

A Staffordshire MP is calling on NHS bosses to reconsider plans which would see a hospital's minor injuries unit (MIU) closed permanently. Labour's Joshua Newbury has described the proposals as a "delayed downgrade" of services. Cannock Chase Hospital's MIU was shut temporarily in 2020 to enable staff to be redistributed to other departments to ease pressures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
'I want my money': Anger at West Midlands Pension Fund delays

Sep 15, 2024 | bbc.co.uk | Emma J Thomas

Retired local government workers have spoken of the worry caused by months-long delays in paying their pensions Thousands are said by campaigners to be waiting for their money, more than a year after a troubled new computer system was introduced. The West Midlands Pension Fund, which administers the pensions of 800 public-sector employers in the region, including councils and some emergency services, has experienced problems since the change in July 2023.
Parents distraught as Walsall baby graves regularly flood

Sep 4, 2024 | bbc.co.uk | Emma J Thomas

Bereaved parents are calling for more to be done to prevent their children's graves being flooded at a cemetery in the Black Country. Families of babies and infants buried at Walsall North Cemetery, near Bloxwich, said their loved ones' plots were regularly waterlogged following heavy rain. In 2020, Walsall Council invested £200,000 on improvements at the site on Saddleworth Road, following a campaign by families.
West Midlands Mayor commits to housebuilding revolution

Aug 1, 2024 | bbc.co.uk | Emma J Thomas

The West Midlands Mayor has said he is committed to a 'revolution' in housebuilding. Labour's Richard Parker spoke at a new development on the former Cookley Works steel factory in Brierley Hill, where all properties are either for sale under shared ownership or available at affordable rent. Mr Parker said the completion of the 71-home project was "the tip of the iceberg" in relation to the challenge of tackling a shortage of homes in the region.
Walsall Conservative councillors must unite - leader Garry Perry

Jul 21, 2024 | bbc.co.uk | Emma J Thomas

The new leader of Walsall Council says he's working to unite his councillors following the controversial resignation of the authority's long-serving former leader. Councillor Mike Bird stood down last month after being suspended by the Conservative party pending a disciplinary investigation, a decision he is appealing against. He is currently sitting as an independent. His successor Garry Perry says the conflict within the group is being overcome as he focuses on public services.
Disability hustings: Dudley candidates face voter questions

Jun 26, 2024 | bbc.co.uk | Emma J Thomas

Candidates standing for election in constituencies in the Black Country have faced questions from voters at a hustings held purposefully for people with disabilities or autism and their families. The event at Dudley Civic Hall was organised by the charity Dudley Voices for Change, featuring candidates representing the Conservatives, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK. The first question of the session was posed by Joanne Valence, who has autism and learning difficulties.
BBC Black Country election debate: Five things we learnt

Jun 25, 2024 | bbc.co.uk | Emma J Thomas

General election candidates from constituencies across the Black Country have come face-to-face in a debate hosted by BBC Radio WM. Knife crime, energy bills and the cost of adult social care were on the agenda as the those hoping to be elected to Westminster were questioned by Kath Stanczyszyn in the BBC television studio in Birmingham. Candidates also faced questions submitted by BBC Radio WM listeners via the BBC'S Your Voice, Your Vote campaign. Here are some of the key takeaways.