Hark the Coalition Government does sing
Economic growth seems the priority for everything
We have no time for those who protest and complain
Lets dismiss their negativity with contempt and disdain

We have a detailed interview with Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles lined up for Thursday's Post, in which he insists local authorities - and not the Government - are to blame for cutting services.

But he was also on outspoken form in the Commons on Monday when he was questioned by a Midland MP, as Hansard records:

Former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, the former Labour MP for Redditch in Worcestershire, says her party is getting it wrong over benefit cuts.

George Osborne announced in last week's Autumn Statement that he was increasing most working-age benefits by just one per cent. This is a cut, in real terms, because it's below the level of inflation.

It's a political trap for Labour. Mr Osborne even announced he was planning to enshrine the cuts in a Bill, when there is no apparent need for legislation - except to force Labour to vote against it, allowing Tories to say Labour is on the side of benefit claimants.

Former Birmingham MP Lord Fowler is among the Conservatives backing same-sex marriage.

Norman Fowler has the MP for Sutton Coldfield for 27 years, and served as Transport Secretary and Party Chairman.

He's one of the supporters of a group called Freedom to Marry, which is campaigning "to win the freedom of same sex couples to marry, and to ensure that religious freedom is protected".

REVIEW: Kris Kristofferson
Birmingham Town Hall

ROSHAN DOUG

Very few singers write more beautifully than Kristofferson - that's a fact (even Willie Nelson acknowledged this in one or two of his songs). But last Wednesday evening, a part of me was also a little concerned as to whether this artist, I had idolised, would actually live up to his reputation. He is, after all, in his mid-seventies and the quality of the voice might not be what it once was.

To say that I shouldn't have worried would be a tad disingenuous.

Review: The Wind in the Willows
The Rep. (Birmingham)

ROSHAN DOUG

Alan Bennett's adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's classic children's story (directed by Gwenda Hughes and presented at The Crescent Theatre) is nothing but a wonderfully charming, sleek, entertaining production.

Review: Squeeze, Pop Up Shop
Symphony Hall

ROSHAN DOUG

I think it's a fact that anyone who hasn't seen Squeeze perform live has not experienced the spirit of New Wave at its best.

Without resorting to clichéd superlatives, the band's current 'Pop Up Shop' tour is - both in terms of music and vocals - quite simply dynamic and brilliant.