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The Dispatch

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Birmingham's new quality newspaper: sending local stories to your inbox. Always looking for new writers & new stories.

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The Dispatch

@birminghamdispatch.bsky.social

Thank you for reading!

January 14, 2026 at 5:09 PM

The Dispatch

@birminghamdispatch.bsky.social

That's not all. The Ahmed's HMO is run by Dawson Housing - a company set up by the former CEO of one of the most controversial providers in the city, Reliance.

January 14, 2026 at 5:08 PM

The Dispatch

@birminghamdispatch.bsky.social

January 14, 2026 at 5:08 PM

The Dispatch

@birminghamdispatch.bsky.social

Here is the story:
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/cllr-akhlaq-...

Cllr Akhlaq Ahmed wants to stamp out HMOs in his ward. What about the one his wife owns?

The house in Hall Green North is a supported exempt accommodation

www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk

January 14, 2026 at 5:08 PM

The Dispatch

@birminghamdispatch.bsky.social

He was an unapologetic antisemite and racist, who aimed to realise Hitler’s vision of a white supremacist, pan-European utopia. But how did Birmingham shape such a man?
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-birmingh...

The Birmingham neo-Nazi who became ‘World Führer’

Our second essay on British facism looks at Colin Jordan and the post-war period

www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk

January 10, 2026 at 10:58 AM

The Dispatch

@birminghamdispatch.bsky.social

Jordan was the man responsible for the revival of neo-Nazism in Britain after World War Two.

January 10, 2026 at 10:58 AM

The Dispatch

@birminghamdispatch.bsky.social

Now, 100 parents have signed a letter of no-confidence in the headteacher of Raddlebarn primary school — Angela Lowry.

"I think our experience with the school had been pretty traumatic,” one parent governor tells us.

Read more on the update below 👇

www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/a-parents-re...

A parents’ revolt and new head at the Selly Oak primary in £400k of debt

Four months after our ‘explosive’ investigation into Raddlebarn Primary’s finances, unanswered questions abound

www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk

January 8, 2026 at 3:08 PM

The Dispatch

@birminghamdispatch.bsky.social

Reading today's briefing below 👇

www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/west-midland...

West Midlands Police grapple with £41m financial black hole

Plus, Maneki Ramen gets the Jay Rayner treatment

www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk

January 5, 2026 at 12:27 PM

The Dispatch

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Read it here:
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/dos-cervezas...

Dos cervezas por favor! Birmingham should be like Barcelona, says lead commissioner

Plus: want to buy a cat on Vinted?

www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk

December 22, 2025 at 12:19 PM

The Dispatch

@birminghamdispatch.bsky.social

He's one of three Brummie santas who have opened up to The Dispatch about playing the big man each year.

Diva Father Christmases, demanding kids, tearful moms...this story has it all:
www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/the-secret-l...

The secret lives of Birmingham’s Santas

Three Father Christmases spill the beans on their biggest gig of the year

www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk

December 20, 2025 at 10:33 AM

The Dispatch

@birminghamdispatch.bsky.social

Also in today's issue: does hard-to-reach Hall Green North councillor Akhlaq Ahmed live in Birmingham? Our investigations suggest he might not, despite the fact he has been selected by Labour to stand again in next year's local elections.