I’m investing £100m in our creative industries to make the West Midlands the best and easiest place in the UK to make TV and film. I visited the set of The Cadburys and met local people doing brilliant work behind the scenes. One lived ten minutes up the road. Another was from Dudley. One told me that, for the first time in eight years, they could finish work on set and sleep in their own bed that night. That’s what I want to see more of. More opportunities for local people to build careers in an industry they love, right here in the West Midlands.

The Archers was born in Birmingham and is a key part of our broadcasting heritage. I’m very disappointed by news that the BBC plans to move its production out of the city. The BBC has made clear commitments to growing its presence in the West Midlands - especially with the move to the Tea Factory. So, moving one of its most established programmes out of the region sends the wrong message. We have the talent and the facilities here. There is no good reason why we should lose a programme that has called Birmingham home for decades. I’m meeting the BBC’s Director-General, Matt Brittin, this week. I want to understand the reasons behind this decision and discuss every available option to keep The Archers here. The BBC promised to invest and support our regions, this is entirely the opposite of that. And it can’t be allowed to happen. birminghammail.co.uk/whats-o…