Hundreds of thousands of the poorest pensioners should benefit from lower fuel bills this winter thanks to a deal announced today between the big six energy suppliers (British Gas, EDF Energy, EON, Npower, Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Energy) and the Government.
As a result, up to 250,000 of the poorest pensioner households should see an £80 rebate off their electricity bills
As part of the deal, the Government will share data securely with the energy suppliers so that they can identify the most vulnerable pensioners.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, …

This is the view that greets drivers following improvements to a major Black Country traffic island.
Oldbury’s Birchley Island at Junction 2 of the M5 has benefited from a £450,000 investment to instal new lighting, trees and shrubbery.
The former eyesore, which is passed by 92,000 drivers every day, has now been transformed into an urban oasis and is on track to be finished by March 31, according to councillor Mahboob Hussain.
“There are 92,000 people who pass through there everyday and it has seen a lot of investment. It is important we …

 
Live American-style wrestling is returning to the Hadley Stadium in Smethwick later this month.
The family show, on March 13, will see wrestlers take to the ring to perform live wrestling to entertain the crowd. The show starts at 7pm.
Duty manager Mike Childs said: “We are pleased to be able to host the wrestling again at the Hadley Stadium. 
“Events like this pull in the public and provide a full  evening of entertainment.”
Tickets cost £8 and are available from Hadley Stadium or on lastminute.com
For more information visit www.futurewrestling.co.uk
For more information contact 0845 …

 
SOLDIERS fresh from risking life and limb in Afghanistan will be marching through Oldbury next Tuesday.
Sandwell Mayor Councillor Geoff Lewis will take the salute as the 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) marches through the borough next week.
The battalion has carried out three tours of Afghanistan in the last five years, and in last six months tour five members of the battalion were killed and 20 seriously wounded.
The battalion’s commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Colin Marks said: “These events are ideal opportunities for friends and families to welcome home the …

Cradley Heath’s Mary Macarthur Memorial Gardens is set to get a piece of public art to mark the centenary of the historic chainmakers strike in the Autumn.
And Sandwell Council is organising a spring clean of the gardens this March in preparation for the 100th anniversary.
And local councillors are set to consult with local residents concerning how they want to mark the anniversary when Mary Macarthur led the chainmakers strike and changed industrial relations in this country.
Councillor Barbara Price, Sandwell Council’s lead member for Rowley Regis, said: “Given this is the …