Plans for a casino in the Black Country to boost regeneration are an "insult", according to a local MP. Ken Purchase (Lab Wolverhampton North East) said it was wrong to base local economic strategy on "a game of pitch and toss". He spoke out after the Government revealed it was giving the green light to 16 new casinos across the country, including in Solihull and Wolverhampton.

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell was accused in the High Court of treating existing gaming establishments with "blatant unfairness" as she pushed ahead with plans for 17 new casinos, including in Solihull and Wolverhampton. Lost profits could be as much as GBP 120 million a year and old, established operators forced out of business, a judge was told.