Wages are not the same all over the country, even for people who are doing the same job.

The worst kept secret in Birmingham is set to be confirmed when the Government formally reveals that an election for a city mayor will be held in November – assuming residents vote to create a mayor at all in May’s referendum.

Food for thought – does Birmingham always make the most of the opportunities it receives?

Despite the long battle and earnest debate over high speed rail, it came as little surprise when the Government announced it was pressing ahead with the scheme.

While the darker side of human nature might lead some in the Championship to view Plymouth Albion’s financial troubles as offering a potential reprieve from a tortuous relegation battle, it would take a pretty twisted individual to wish ill on such a proud oval-ball institution.

One could be forgiven for thinking that football these days is all about race rows, super injunctions and the seemingly unstoppable rise of moneyed foreign owners in the Premier League.

The issues raised by the endless lines of traffic queuing up to get into Birmingham every rush hour should be fairly obvious to even the most myopic politician.

A few weeks ago Worcester’s defence coach, Phil Larder, told me rugby coaches are employed not so much in professional sport as the ‘improvement industry’

Some drivers seem to amass points on their licences with carefree abandon.

On reflection 2011 turned out to be not quite as terrible as once promised.