Boris Johnson’s former aide said ministers and officials fell short of what the public should expect in a crisis.

At one hospital, 70% of admissions were among younger people, NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson said.

The 30 planned closures will be part of a shake-up of around 110 stores.

A man has died during a workout at a gym in Wolverhampton.

Walsall's mayor has marked his final engagement as his term has come to an end after two years.

One of the Black Country's biggest ever cannabis farms has been busted in Walsall.

Severe restrictions on the movement of prisoners which drew criticism from campaigners have now been eased for the majority of inmates.

From vaccines and foreign travel to hugs and pubs - we want to hear how you're feeling about coronavirus in the UK.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after a teenage motorcyclist was hit by a car in Kingswinford.

Plans for a major expansion at a city school have been signed off by the Department for Education.

An adventurous Yorkshire terrier has been reunited with his family after he ran off and boarded a bus through the Black Country.

A young man accused of being involved in the murder of Shane Mayer was only at the scene to "calm things down", a jury has been told.

Pupils had ‘very unequal experiences’ during school closures at the start of the pandemic, a report said.

The Prime Minister’s former aide has already made a series of damaging allegations against the Government.

A landfill site in the Black Country was cordoned off after human remains were discovered.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock praised the ‘phenomenal pace’ of the rollout of jabs.

A Government minister has revealed he is considering bringing more pharmacies on board in part of the Black Country to help the vaccine roll out.

More people are being admitted to hospital as a result of obesity in the Black Country and Staffordshire, new figures show.

Labour has unveiled plans to give poor families a cash handout so they can buy food for their kids during school holidays.

Some Wolverhampton Council staff will not return to the Civic Centre from June 21 after it was confirmed flexible working would continue.

The Black Country is seeing wages and educational standards continuing to rise, a new annual report has found.

A Walsall woman who has been volunteering for more than 30 years has been presented with an award for her ongoing work for the community.

Unions have said they will hold Sanjeev Gupta to his promise to keep steel plants open after Liberty Steel Group announced plans to sell some of its sites.

A dog groomer from Shifnal is back doing the job she loves after refusing to let cancer prevent her catering to her canine customers.

It comes after Government guidance urged people in eight local authorities to restrict socialising and travel.

The Labour Party in the West Midlands has offered its condolences to the family of Bill Shakespeare.

Blackburn, Bolton and Rossendale have recorded the biggest week-on-week increases.

Almost two million people across eight areas in England are being advised to limit their social interactions indoors and not to travel.

The head of the Muslim Council of Britain said she had evidence anti-Muslim rhetoric had led to a rise in abuse.

Police are appealing for help tracking down a missing 16-year-old girl.

An alleged murderer has been arrested on suspicion of killing a man who was found dead at a house in the Black Country.

The data suggests that 82,000 pupils were out of class and self-isolating last week due to potential contact with a case of coronavirus.

A troubled Rowley Regis pub where the owners were driven out by violent attacks will be turned into apartments.

A charity built on the Sikh principle of supporting all regardless of status is continuing to help people across the region.

Representatives from across the armed forces have honoured the contribution and outstanding support they have received from the Oldbury-based Richardson family over many years with the award of a special citation.

But overall grocery sales dropped compared with a year ago at the height of the pandemic, according to Kantar

More than 500 jobs are at risk in the West Midlands from the planned sell off of part of Sanjeev Gupta's business empire.

There have been no new coronavirus deaths reported at the region's hospital trusts today.

One of Birmingham’s favourite culinary creations will be a permanent fixture in Longbridge after a deal was agreed for the owners of Digbeth Dining Club to run a new community space in the town centre and operate all year round.

Shoppers across the Black Country and Staffordshire welcomed the return of non-essential shops last week with a spending spree, new figures suggest.

An historic Midlands hotel that used to house Premier League stars such as Jack Grealish and Marc Albrighton is to become sheltered housing.

The leader of Wolverhampton Council has laid out his priorities for the year ahead – with firing up the stalled Westside scheme towards the top of his list.

A major international hotel chain is in talks with Wolverhampton Council over plans to open a new hotel in the city centre.

Hugs and more freedom – the anticipation for Monday's relaxation of Covid rules is rising.

The Belfry unveiled updates to its award-winning Brabazon course last week.

A Peaky Blinders-themed bar and restaurant is on course for opening in Dudley town centre in the summer.

Canadian fast food brand Tim Hortons is opening two drive-thru restaurants in the Black Country.

Yee-haw! Wolves legend Steve Bull came face-to-face with his namesake, a mechanical rodeo beast, when he was invited to pop along to a new eaterie set to open in the heart of Wolverhampton.

A petition by a Wolverhampton resident to block plans to build a new supermarket has received more than 100 signatures.

The day has come – people wanting a coffee, a pizza or a pint can now finally get inside, out of the cold.

New jobs are set to come to the region following the opening of a new Asian fusion restaurant in Walsall.

A new Starbucks branch has been given the green light on the edge of Stafford.

A former bar in Wolverhampton city centre which has stood empty for years will be converted into a restaurant and apartments.

"People have missed that interaction with each other, so reopening will give them that chance again."

Pc Benjamin Monk denies the murder and manslaughter of the former Aston Villa striker.

"We've been isolated for so long, so it's just really nice to get out and socialise again."

Neighbours fear “screaming kids” will ruin the enjoyment of their gardens if a Wolverhampton pub is allowed to create a new outdoor area.

Pub group Marston's slumped to a £105.5 million pre-tax loss in the 26 weeks to April 3 as the lockdown and restrictions during the winter months hit hard.

Pints inside pubs and hugs inside homes were the order of the day as lockdown restrictions were eased once more.

A Lichfield pub has been given the green light to extend its outdoor drinking area to boost social distancing – but neighbours have not welcomed the move.

Pubs and restaurants were finally able to open to indoor customers on Monday.

Cheers! Gavin Williamson has toasted the return of the indoor hospitality by pouring a pint at a pub in South Staffordshire.

The figures for Monday May 17 follow the first day of opening for many venues in five months.

Wolverhampton University’s vice-chancellor is to retire from his role after 10 years.

A cafe with a difference in the Black Country has marked its first weekend opening with a day of fun and magic.

A Shropshire chef has tasted the sweetness of success after reaching the finals of TV's The Great British Menu – so much so his Whitchurch restaurant is fully booked until January.

A property developer from West Bromwich wants to buy up a shopping centre to bring new life to his home town.

Services provided by two GP practices have been labelled "unacceptable" following a raft of complaints from fed-up residents - including one mother who said she made nearly 200 calls to try and book an appointment for her son.

Family is the most important thing in life, according to Violet Wise who celebrated her 100th birthday with a two-day celebration at her daughter's home in Wolverhampton.

Mental health trust leaders said the demand for services has increased compared to six months ago.

People from the Black Country and Staffordshire are being encouraged to sign up to the Channel 4 show Hunted.

A care home and supported living apartments for adults with learning disabilities could be built on land in Stafford previously owned by the county council.

A proposed five-bedroom home to house multiple residents near Dudley town centre has divided opinion in the community, with people voicing strong objections as well as support for the plan.

Guidance was issued on Friday, without any announcement, recommending that people living in eight areas restrict their social interactions and travel.

A Walsall woman, who has been volunteering for more than 30 years, has been presented with an award for her ongoing work for the community.

A woman arrested after a pub doorman was racially abused and spat at outside a bar has been released under investigation.

A bingo and slot machine centre will take over the former River Island store unit in Dudley town centre.

The Government has been accused of sowing ‘confusion’ after advising people in impacted areas not to travel or meet indoors.

The ONS revealed that total trade in goods with EU countries tumbled by 23.1% in the first quarter compared with three years ago.

Researchers studied the virus that causes Covid-19 using a ‘pioneering approach’

Figures should be interpreted with caution, statistics officials say.

Officials said the variant was spreading fastest in areas including Bolton, Leicester, Kirklees and the London borough of Hounslow.

The sister of a woman murdered by a man who killed three of his partners, including throwing his wife off a balcony in Wolverhampton, has criticised her lack of protection.

A total of 172,419 people have had Covid-19 across the Black Country and Staffordshire, the latest figures show.

Two men have been arrested after a car was stopped in Brierley Hill and police seized drugs, cash and phones.

Two men were arrested after about £4,000 worth of drugs was seized in a police raid in Tipton.

A man was caught with a machete, shotgun shells and cannabis after trying to get away from police in the West Midlands.

Police are hunting a driver accused of trying to ram an officer on a motorbike.

A runner has completed his challenge of running 5km every day for a year to raise funds for the hospice which cared for his mother 10 years ago.

The level of borrowing last month hit £31.7 billion – down £15.6 billion on the same month a year ago.

A Wolves fan arrested on suspicion of making a racist gesture towards former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand at Molineux has been released on bail.

Police are investigating after a man was found dead at a house in Walsall.

An open day has provided an opportunity to hear ideas of how to transform a piece of canal-side lane.

A Black Country teenager has braved the shave in memory of a family friend.

A year on since the death of George Floyd, there is still work to do to create a fairer society, says church minister Reverend Dave Ellis,who is part of the Heart of England Baptist Association.

Dudley Castle is set to be the dramatic backdrop to three blockbuster films this summer with the return of outdoor cinema nights.

New car sales for motor dealerships group Lookers were up 26.6% in the first four months of this year.

A homelessness charity has kicked off a fundraising campaign as part of a half-century celebration of helping people.

A teenage motorcyclist was taken to hospital after a crash with a car in Kingswinford.

Following more than one year of closure due to the pandemic, Eccleshall Gardens are set to reopen to the public.