Britain’s new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market fell by -20.5% in the first month of 2025 with 19,050 vans, pick-ups and 4x4s registered, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). A second consecutive monthly decline follows robust growth in 2024, and is set against a tough economic backdrop and weakened business confidence to invest. Falling demand hit all but one segment, with small van registrations recording the only increase, up 89.8% to 668 units but still just a fraction (3.5%) of the market. Registrations of the largest vans were down -22.3%…

Collecting Cars, the world-renowned auction platform, has successfully sold a 1:1 scale wireframe artwork of the Porsche 934, created by artist Benedict Radcliffe, for an impressive £201,000* last week. This final sale price is over three times that of an iconic 930-series 911 Turbo**, underscoring the global appeal of this extraordinary artwork.Reaching international bidders, the 1:1 wireframe model gathered over 6,000 views across its seven-day auction on Collecting Cars’ platform and saw 218 bids in that period. Sold to a collector in Asia, the winning price of £201,000 is over three times more expensive than a usable 911 Turbo of…

Three of the Walsall Council’s Family Hubs have opened new clinical spaces. The rooms, opened in partnership with the NHS, will allow parents to book medical appointments for their child at Hubs, opposed to alternate locations such as hospitals. Appointments which families can book include antenatal assessments and development checks. The council launched four Family Hubs in the borough during 2023, offering a range of essential services for families all under one roof. The new spaces mean that should they wish to, families can attend appointments and health checks up to five times before their child is one years old.…

1,200 young people, parents and carers learned about local opportunities at the Solihull Apprenticeship Show. The event took place on Wednesday 29 January 2025 at North Solihull Sports Centre. Those in attendance had the opportunity to find out more about Apprenticeships up to degree level, Supported Internships and entry level work opportunities, demonstrating the wide variety of career paths available for young people. More than 40 employers and training providers across various sectors including construction, financial, creative, digital and engineering were on hand to talk to visitors. Exhibitors included JLR, the NEC group, Rolls-Royce, Solihull College & University Centre, West…

More and more people in Wolverhampton are getting their free NHS Health Check – with take up higher than the national England average. NHS Health Checks are available to eligible 40 to 74 year olds – those without pre-existing conditions – once every 5 years. They assess the individual’s health and identifies relatively simple lifestyle changes they could make to lower their risk of developing serious but preventable conditions such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and dementia. Latest figures show that so far in 2024 to 2025, a total of 5,762 Wolverhampton residents have…

New Park Village estate today saw a historic milestone as the excavators moved in to start demolishing decaying 1960s maisonettes and pave the way for new homes. It is part of a major redevelopment of council housing in the area that will see 205 outdated residential properties flattened and replaced with 188 new energy efficient homes. Poor quality bungalows on Valley Road have already been removed by contractor DSM Demolition and now the main flats at Ellerton Walk, which sit within 8 linked deck access blocks each with integral garages at ground floor level are being pulled down. The regeneration…

The event, hosted by Connexions Sandwell, saw 2,542 young people/parents attending, which easily beat the previous record attendance of 2,329 in 2024. The record number of visitors were able to meet 50 exhibitors, all keen to inspire, recruit and educate the next generation of Sandwell young workers. Connexions advisers were on hand to give independent careers information, advice and guidance. In addition, and one young person on work experience with Connexions helped the event to run smoothly. Sandwell Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Jalal Uddin, said: “Sandwell’s young people are the future of the borough. We…

Patients’ chances of survival after cancer surgery is strongly linked with the standard of post-operation hospital care, a major international study suggests. Patients in low-and lower-middle-income countries were up to six times more likely to die from complications within 30 days of surgery compared with those in high-income countries, the report said. Hospitals in these countries were found to be less likely to have post-surgical facilities or care plans in place. Investing in appropriate recovery and ward space, trained staff, early warning systems and critical care facilities would result in much improved surgical care and reduce the number of deaths,…

EVs take more than a fifth of new car registrations as overall market contracts by -2.5% to 139,345 units. Slowdowns recorded by both fleet and private buyers against backdrop of weak economic confidence. Industry calls for halt to EV tax hikes as latest outlook anticipates 23.7% market share for 2025 below government targets. The UK new car market fell by -2.5% to 139,345 units in January, according to data released today by the Society of Motor manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), as weak consumer confidence and tough economic conditions combined to deliver the fourth consecutive month of decline. Registrations by both…

Walsall residents are being called to help break the silence and stigma around mental health and wellbeing and encourage open and honest conversations as part of Time to Talk Day on Thursday 6 February. Time to Talk Day, a national initiative run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, is about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health and wellbeing. By talking about it, residents and others can feel supported. To encourage residents to get support to talk about their mental wellbeing, there are a number of services and resources available. The Let’s Chat…