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I am an experienced online journalist and political editor working for Trinity Mirror papers in the West Midlands and the North East, based in the Parliamentary Press Gallery at Westminster.

I understand how government, Parliament and political parties work. I am equally at home digging out stories from data, social media or interviews as I am covering major set-piece events or explaining how things work to readers.

I produce content which is shareable and promote my work on social media.

My experience with content management systems and knowledge of HTML allows me to include charts, embedded content from third parties and formatting in my work, to create content which encourages interaction and keeps readers on the page.

Contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (but please send press releases to my work email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as this is the email I monitor during working hours).

The website of Jonathan Walker, Political Editor for the Birmingham Post and Mail

Spending cuts have improved council services, says Eric Pickles

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Published: Monday, 18 March 2013 15:01
Written by Jonathan Walker

I'm told Birmingham City Council is keen to end the perception that it is at war with Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles and get back to a cross-party approach to economic development - which arguably is what we've seen with Labour council leader Sir Albert Bore working closely with Tory peer Lord Heseltine this weekend.

But Mr Pickles is in no mood to call a ceasefire, and had a dig at Sir Albert in his speech to the National Conservative Convention this week.

Apparently, council leaders who worry that Government cuts to their grants are going to damage services have got it wrong. The cuts make councils and their services better, says Mr Pickles.

Read more http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/birmingham-post/news/jonathan_walker/~3/xq1UgFCcjBg/spending-cuts-have-improved-co.html

Other UK business news: George Osborne backs Heseltine's plan for LEPs to spend Whitehall cash

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Published: Monday, 18 March 2013 07:12
Written by Jonathan Walker

Chancellor George Osborne is announcing radical plans to try to get Britain’s economy growing by diverting billions of pounds to local partnerships of councillors and business leaders.

Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) will take the lead role in promoting economic growth, using funding currently spent by Whitehall.

The proposals are likely...

Read more http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2013/03/18/george-osborne-backs-heseltine-s-plan-for-leps-to-spend-whitehall-cash-65233-33009005/

Osborne backs Heseltine plans - Local Enterprise Partnerships to lead economic growth with billions of pounds diverted from Whitehall

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Published: Monday, 18 March 2013 00:43
Written by Jonathan Walker

Chancellor George Osborne is announcing radical plans to try to get Britain's economy growing by diverting billions of pounds to local partnerships of councillors and business leaders.

Local Enterprise Partnerships will take the lead role in promoting economic growth, using funding currently spent by Whitehall.

The proposals are likely to mean a series of national schemes are scrapped, but the money will instead be spent locally on measures to improve skills, provide apprenticeships, build better transport links, attract investment or other projects to support the economy.

Read more http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/birmingham-post/news/jonathan_walker/~3/pziClaIFvh8/osborne-backs-heseltine-plans.html

Heseltine calls for bigger budgets and more power for 'Greater Birmingham'

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Published: Sunday, 17 March 2013 16:13
Written by Birmingham Post Writers

Lord Heseltine has urged the Goverment to hand over a share of £70 billion to Birmingham and neighbouring towns and counties, as he launched the “Greater Birmingham Project” alongside business and council leaders.

Read more http://www.birminghampost.net/news/politics-news/2013/03/17/heseltine-calls-for-bigger-budgets-and-more-power-for-greater-birmingham-65233-33008061/

Other UK business news: Heseltine calls for bigger budgets and more power for 'Greater Birmingham'

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Published: Sunday, 17 March 2013 16:13
Written by Jonathan Walker

Lord Heseltine has urged the Goverment to hand over a share of £70 billion to Birmingham and neighbouring towns and counties, as he launched the “Greater Birmingham Project” alongside business and council leaders.

George Osborne, the Chancellor, will give his answer this week, in the run-up to the Budget statement...

Read more http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2013/03/17/heseltine-calls-for-bigger-budgets-and-more-power-for-greater-birmingham-65233-33008061/

Transport News: HS2 to go ahead despite 'unlawful' consulation, say MPs

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Published: Friday, 15 March 2013 13:50
Written by Jonathan Walker

The planned 225mph HS2 rail line between London, Birmingham and the North should go ahead - despite a court ruling that a Government consultation about the new high speed route was “unlawful”, MPs have said.

The High Court has rejected nine out of ten legal challenges against the £33 billion scheme, after legal...

Read more http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-transport-news/2013/03/15/hs2-to-go-ahead-despite-unlawful-consulation-say-mps-65233-32996377/

Other UK business news: Call for George Osborne's budget to boost the region

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Published: Friday, 15 March 2013 07:15
Written by Jonathan Walker

George Osborne was urged to throw his weight behind plans to devolve funding from central government to local councils and enterprise partnerships, in the run-up to his Budget statement.

Birmingham civic and business leaders working closely with Tory peer Lord Heseltine have drawn up detailed proposals for the region.

It...

Read more http://www.birminghampost.net/birmingham-business/birmingham-business-news/other-uk-business/2013/03/15/call-for-george-osborne-s-budget-to-boost-the-region-65233-32989791/

More Columnists: Jonathan Walker: An age old issue that hits us all

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Published: Friday, 15 March 2013 07:12
Written by Jonathan Walker

Britain is getting older - and society is "woefully underprepared" to deal with the consequences, the House of Lords is warning.

For some reason, Staffordshire is expected to see the biggest increase in the number of older people.

Tamworth, Staffordshire, is home to 1,200 people over the age of 85,...

Read more http://www.birminghampost.net/comment/birmingham-columnists/more-columnists/2013/03/15/jonathan-walker-an-age-old-issue-that-hits-us-all-65233-32987592/

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  5. Authors slam 'reckless' Lords libel law reform
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About me

Jonathan Walker Political Editor of the Birmingham Post, Birmingham Mail, Sunday Mercury, Coventry Telegraph, Newcastle Journal, Newcastle Chronicle and Sunday Sun.

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Email jonathan@walkerjon.com (but please send press releases to my work email which is
jon.walker@trinitymirror.com, as this is the email I monitor during working hours).

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