GKN is planning to shut an automotive factory in Birmingham with the loss of 500 jobs.

England’s second most populous city was revived by EU money but voted to leave the bloc, in a pattern that has become all too familiar, says Patrick Cockburn.

Sites being acquired as part of efforts to avoid long lorry queues at ports such as Dover.

Organisations are worried that the effort to help those struggling this winter is being hampered by supply chain issues.

Anas Zein Al-Abdeen owns a chain of four Middle Eastern coffee houses around Birmingham. But, the 40-year-old says, while customers are plentiful, staff are another matter.