Liverpool city council has asked BT to pause plans to move 600 jobs out of the city.The telecom firm said an increase in lease renewal costs at its offices on Old Hall Street means maintaining a presence at the site isn’t feasible after the contract expires in March.The plans would see roles moved to Manchester and Leeds.One Labour councillor described the move as “redundancy by stealth”, and said many workers would be forced to leave the company rather than commute to a new location.BT said it is continuing to engage with employees, unions and politicians.Employees affected include BT Business staff, Openreach workers and 999 call handlers, who have been contracted to BT since 2024 as part of a £1.29bn deal with the Home Office to provide mobile services for the government’s Emergency Services Network.Relay services workers who enable deaf people to communicate over the phone, are also affected.Merseyside politicians protested against the plans outside the Plaza office building this week.A motion to request the authority urge BT to pause its plans and consider alternatives, such as allowing hybrid working and maintaining a presence in Liverpool, was supported cross party at a full council meeting.Councillor Peter Norris who proposed the motion said BT had delivered a “devastating blow” to the city.He added: “We’re talking about 601 high quality, specialised jobs gone from our local economy. Let us be clear about what BT is asking of these workers.”They’re telling parents, carers and long-serving staff that if they want to keep their livelihood they must absorb the crushing physical, mental and financial toll of a gruelling daily commute to Manchester or Leeds. For many, that is impossible.He added: “It is redundancy by stealth.”Caroline Gillies CWU and Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool city council [Carl Webb CWU]Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, Carl Webb from the Communication Workers Union (CWU) said: “Some of these jobs look after the most vulnerable in our societ,. The relay service assists people who are deaf – say they’ve got a problem with the gas company or whatever – they provide a service where they will communicate on behalf of the customer. It’s a vital service”.Liverpool council leader Liam Robinson said he was “deeply concerned” about BT’s proposals.He told how he and politicians including Mayor Steve Rotheram met representatives from BT’s senior management this week and: “urged them to pause these plans, engage in meaningful consultation with staff and stakeholders, and fully explore alternative options to safeguard jobs and maintain BT’s presence in Liverpool.”A BT spokesperson said: “We can confirm negotiation conversations took place regarding the Plaza lease, this is one consideration as part of BT modernising and optimising our estate to ensure our workplaces are fit for the future and providing the best possible working environments for our people.”The statement added that the company would continue to engage with employees, unions and politicians.Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.More storiesRelated links
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BT urged to pause Liverpool office closure plans
Tshuma murders: Bodies of mother and two daughters return to Zimbabwe for burial
The bodies of Nothabo Zandile Tshuma and her two daughters, Natalie and Nala, are being repatriated to ZimbabweThe trio were found dead in Bedfordshire in early July 2026, with authorities confirming that they were murderedNdodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma was arrested in Johannesburg after he fled the United Kingdom following the murdersThe bodies of Zandile, Natalie and Nala Tshuma, who were murdered in the UK, will return to Zimbabwe for burial. Image: @S_Fleary1Source: TwitterByron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.ZIMBABWE — The bodies of Nothabo Zandile Tshuma (42) and her two daughters, Natalie (15) and Nala (5), are being flown back to Zimbabwe.Family members of the deceased confirmed that the bodies will touch down in Bulawayo on Sunday, 2 August 2026, after which they will be transferred to a funeral parlour. A church service will precede a joint burial on Tuesday, 4 August 2026Read alsoSouth African family rejects Russia’s offer to bury Gauteng man killed during military operationBodies discovered in Bedfordshire homeThe bodies of the mother and her two daughters were found at their home in Bedfordshire, England, in early July 2026, having suffered blunt force trauma. The prime suspect in the murder is Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, the husband and father of the victims. The British-Zimbabwean, also known as Mark, fled the United Kingdom shortly after the killings. An international search was launched by Interpol, and he was subsequently arrested in Johannesburg, South Africa.Tshuma was also found with a firearm and now faces charges of possessing an unlicensed firearm. He remains in South African custody while extradition proceedings are underway to return him to the United Kingdom, where he faces three counts of murder.No date has been set for the extradition as legal proceedings in South Africa are ongoing. Source: Briefly News
Rail disruption as body found on tracks near train station
The line was blocked at 8am this morning as emergency services dealt with the incident.Passengers have been told to expect delays after a casualty was found on the main line between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton on Friday morning.West Midlands Railway said just before 8am on Friday that the line between the two stations was blocked.The rail firm said emergency services were dealing with an incident and that services were subject to cancellation.British Transport Police said that a casualty had been found on the tracks near to Codsall station.A spokesperson said: ““We were called to the line near Codsall station at 7.24am on July 31 to reports of a casualty on the tracks.“Paramedics also attended and sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene. This incident is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”The train line has since reopened but rail bosses warned travellers that they may still experience disruption and delays to services.Continue Reading
Residents can find out more about peat road trials starting in Fenland in August
Cambridgeshire County Council will host a drop‑in event at the Oliver Cromwell Hotel, High Street, March (PE15 9LH) on Monday (August 3), from 3pm to 7.30pm.
The session will give people the chance to meet the project team, learn more about the trial on Upwell Road (B1099), ask questions and find out how the research could improve the durability of local roads built on peat.
Peat soils are soft, water‑rich and prone to significant movement, expanding and contracting with changing weather conditions over time.
That shifting ground means roads built over peat need more frequent repairs and generally have a shorter lifespan than routes constructed on firmer soils.
The trial on Upwell Road aims to test different construction techniques to see which performs best in these challenging conditions, with the findings expected to inform future road improvements in Cambridgeshire and beyond.
Work will begin on Monday, August 10, and the road will be closed to vehicles for nine weeks, until October 30. Diversions will be in place while the closure is in place.
The Upwell Road scheme follows work by the county’s Highways and Transport Committee, which discussed proposals for managing soil‑affected roads back in January 2024.
Since then, £1.5m of external funding has been secured from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, alongside an additional £5m of county capital funding earmarked for repairing and reconstructing soil‑affected roads before the end of the next financial year.
Councillors have previously been told that the trial options could include using lightweight recycled materials, “ultra‑low” carbon products, or on‑site treatment techniques designed to strengthen existing materials and improve their durability.
Upwell Road was chosen for the pilot because it is built over peat, carries both heavy and agricultural traffic, is typical of the rural network, and is already due for renewal.
Cllr Alex Beckett, chair of the highways and transport committee, has previously said climate change and extreme weather are having a “significant impact” on soil‑affected roads and that long‑term solutions will require national support as well as local maintenance.
The council says Monday’s meeting is an opportunity for March and Fenland residents to help shape that work and understand how the Upwell Road project could influence future investment on other peat‑based routes.
Former postman and Islamic tutor becomes next Bishop of Leeds – Premier Christian News | Headlines, Breaking News, Comment & Analysis
Downing Street has announced that the next Bishop of Leeds will be the Bishop of Bradford, Dr Toby Howarth.
Bishop Toby, who will take up the role in the autumn, has been acting diocesan Bishop since Rt Rev Nick Baines retired in November.
He said he feels a “deep sense of joy” to have been called to serve a diocese he has “grown to love” since he became Area Bishop in 2014. He added that it was “Joy to be working with such a rich diversity of churches and cathedrals, schools and chaplaincies, faith and community partners, businesses, institutions and statutory services filled with people of goodwill working in often challenging contexts.”
“Joy to be part of such a committed and talented diocesan staff team.”
“But also longing. Longing for us all to experience more and more of God’s abundant love in Jesus transforming our lives, our homes and our communities.”
Bishop Toby was born in Kenya and went to school at Haverstock Comprehensive in North London. He received scholarships to study at high school and Yale University in the United States, including a summer working with Afghan refugees in northern Pakistan. On coming back to Britain, he was a research assistant for Rev Dr John Stott for two years before becoming a postman in the East End of London.
After training in Oxford, Birmingham and Uganda, combining Christian theology with an MA in Islamic Studies at the University of Birmingham, Toby was ordained and served in an inner-city parish in Derby. He then moved to India with his family for five years, during which he did research in Islamic preaching for a PhD from the Free University of Amsterdam.
Returning to Europe, he served with a Dutch church in Rotterdam before moving back to Birmingham where he taught Islamic studies and worked as a tutor and then at Crowther Hall in Selly Oak.
In 2004 he took up parish work again as vicar of St Christopher’s, Springfield and was then called to become the Bishop of Birmingham’s Adviser on Inter-Faith Relations. In 2011 he became Interreligious Affairs Secretary for the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Bishop Toby is married to Henriette, who is also ordained, and they have three adult children. He will be confirmed in the role in the autumn by the Archbishop of York at York Minster. Three services of welcome and installation will follow at Bradford Cathedral, Ripon Cathedral and Wakefield Cathedral.
Commenting on the appointment, the Archbishop of York, the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell said: “Leeds is a remarkable Diocese, shaped by a rich history, extraordinary diversity and a deep commitment to sharing the hope of Jesus Christ in every community. Bishop Toby knows and loves this Diocese so well. I am delighted that he will lead the next chapter of the life and witness of the church in this place.
“Bishop Toby’s passion for sharing the good news of the Gospel alongside his profound commitment to interfaith dialogue equip him to serve all those who call these communities home.”Huge fire on Enville farmland as 20 acres and tractor set ablaze
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue confirmed that 5 trucks had been sent to the scene on Morfe Lane, just less than a mile north of Enville.
The smoke from the blaze could be seen all the way in Gornal. (Image: Mandy Scott)
The service said the fire was first reported to the service around 5.30pm.
They confirmed as of 7.15pm the tractor and fields have now been been extinguished and crews are damping the ground down.
Follow along here to keep up to date with the fire.
Liverpool BT office closure is ‘redundancy by stealth’ says union
Liverpool city council has asked BT to pause plans to move 600 jobs out of the city.The telecom firm said part of the reason for the decision was an increase in lease renewal costs at its offices on Old Hall Street and added that it was part of a wider “optimisation and modernisation” of its working spaces.The plans would see roles moved to Manchester and Leeds.One Labour councillor described the move as “redundancy by stealth”, and said many workers would be forced to leave the company rather than commute to a new location.BT said it is continuing to engage with employees, unions and politicians.Employees affected include BT Business staff, Openreach workers and 999 call handlers. Relay services workers who enable deaf people to communicate over the phone, are also affected.Merseyside politicians protested against the plans outside the Plaza office building this week. A motion to request the authority urge BT to pause its plans and consider alternatives, such as allowing hybrid working and maintaining a presence in Liverpool, was supported cross party at a full council meeting.Councillor Peter Norris who proposed the motion said BT had delivered a “devastating blow” to the city.He added: “We’re talking about 601 high quality, specialised jobs gone from our local economy. Let us be clear about what BT is asking of these workers.”They’re telling parents, carers and long-serving staff that if they want to keep their livelihood they must absorb the crushing physical, mental and financial toll of a gruelling daily commute to Manchester or Leeds. For many, that is impossible.He added: “It is redundancy by stealth.”
Police release image in search for information on Leighton Buzzard sexual assault
Officers seek help to identify man linked to April incidentAuthor: Charlotte BarberPublished 17 minutes agoBedfordshire Police have released an image of a man as part of their ongoing investigation into a sexual assault in Leighton Buzzard.The incident occurred between 4.30pm and 5.30pm on Monday, 27th April. Officers believe the man pictured may have crucial information that could assist their enquiries. Detective Constable East stressed the importance of identifying the individual: “We are keen to identify this individual as we believe he has key information relating to this incident. I would urge anyone who recognises him to come forward.” The police are asking anyone with information to report online or call 101, quoting reference number 40/23198/26. Community involvement is vital to the progress of such investigations, and authorities appreciate any assistance. Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.
West Midlands’ business confidence rises in July – Lloyds’ survey shows
Business confidence in the region is outpacing the national average – according to the researchBusiness confidence in the West Midlands rose 19 points during July to 57 per cent, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.A branch of Lloyds | Photo by Yui Mok/PA WireCompanies in the West Midlands reported higher confidence in their own trading outlook month-on-month, up 12 points at 65 per cent. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up 26 points to 49 per cent, this gives a headline confidence reading of 57 per cent (vs. 38 per cent in June 2026).West Midlands firms’ confidence in the economy was driven by improving customer demand (78 per cent), increased investment in capacity (43 per cent) and better supply chain conditions (33 per cent) – reflecting growing business activity and a more positive economic outlook.A net balance of 58 per cent of businesses in the region also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up 33 points on last month.The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and which has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. The latest data was collected between July 1 and 16 by Lloyds which has a large regional hub in Birmingham city centre.Business confidence in the West Midlands now sits above the 12-month average of 55 per cent, the survey found, with this month seeing its highest figure of 66 per cent in March 2026.Looking ahead to the next six months, West Midlands businesses identified their top target areas for growth as evolving their offering, by introducing new products or services (48 per cent), investing in their team through training (43 per cent), and entering new markets (40 per cent).Dave Atkinson, regional director for the West Midlands, said: “We’re pleased to see West Midlands business confidence increase in July, as firms become more optimistic about their own trading outlook and the wider economy. The strong momentum and market conditions provide a solid base on which to build that confidence, and it’s especially encouraging that West Midlands business confidence is outpacing the national average.“These figures are a positive development, putting businesses in a good position to maximise growth and we’ll continue to work with them on their plans for the future.”Overall, UK business confidence rose five points in July to 49 per cent, hitting a four-month high.This was driven by an increase in economic optimism, reflecting the decline in global energy prices, the Bank of England holding interest rates and the announcement of an interim peace agreement in the Middle East at the time of the survey. Optimism in the wider economy rose 11 points to 42 per cent, compared to a 12-month average of 37 per cent. Of those surveyed, 59 per cent said they were optimistic (up four points from June) in the wider economy, while those who felt pessimistic decreased by seven points to 17 per cent.Businesses’ own trading outlook remained unchanged at 56 per cent in July, compared to a 12-month average of 57 per cent. Sixty-five per cent of firms (up one point from June) expect stronger output over the year ahead, while those expecting weaker activity increased one point to 9 per cent.Amanda Murphy, CEO for Lloyds Business and Commercial Banking, said: “It’s encouraging to see business confidence reach its highest level in four months, driven by a significant improvement in economic optimism. While challenges remain, these results suggest many businesses are feeling more optimistic about the opportunities ahead.“Businesses have remained remarkably resilient in recent months, with many focusing on investing in their future, improving productivity and making sure they’re well placed to respond as market conditions change. The stronger confidence we’re seeing among smaller businesses and firms focused on the domestic market is particularly encouraging, suggesting more businesses are starting to see opportunities for growth and investment.”Continue Reading
Four teenage boys from Northampton charged in connection with fatal stabbing of Mason Miller
Four teenage boys from Northampton have been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of Mason Miller.Mason Miller, 20, died after he was stabbed at Briar Hill Skate Park on Wednesday, February 18. A 17-year-old boy also suffered life-threatening injuries in the incident.According to Northamptonshire Police, two 15-year-olds, a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old have each been charged with perverting the course of justice and possession of an offensive weapon.The four were originally arrested in February and, following the charges, are due to appear at Wellingborough Youth Court on August 18.Tributes left at Briar Hill park in the days following the death of Mason MillerThree other boys have already been charged with murder in connection with the incident, with two of them also facing attempted murder charges.A police spokeswoman said: “Detectives investigating Mr Miller’s death continue to appeal for anyone with information about the incident to contact them.“If you have any information about this incident, you can call us on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.“Information can also be submitted online at www.northants.police.uk/RO and Giving information | Crimestoppers.“Alternatively, information can be submitted via the online portal.“Please quote incident number 26000098294 when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible.”Continue Reading
