The West Midlands is full of untapped talent and potential. My Growth Plan is about unlocking opportunity - for everyone, in every place. It’s not about politics or paperwork - it’s about the people in our region.

As I drove past Edgbaston today, it was great to see all the signage up, and all the people gathering for the start of the Women's T20 World Cup. I’m a big fan of the format. Very fast-paced and exciting. I’m seeing one of the matches this weekend, and good luck to England today as they start things off.

I’m pleased to announce that Councillor Steve Simkins will be joining me as Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands. It’s a vital post. One that needs focus and dedication, and I know we’ve made the right choice in Steve. He is an experienced leader in the region, and has been working with the Combined Authority since its inception. I look forward to working even closer with him in future, as we deliver for the people of the West Midlands.

⚽️The World Cup starts tomorrow⚽️ Really something to see footballers from across the West Midlands representing the region on the biggest stage. I’ll be watching every game and looking out for them. And I’ll be available if England needs a late sub to come on. More realistically, though. There will be a few young fans around our region watching and thinking, "that will be me one day”. And, chances are, some of them will be absolutely right.

There's a lot of passion in the night-time economy. A lot of creativity too. Whenever I speak to people in the industry, it's obvious how much they care about what they do. I’m really proud of getting the Night-Time Economy Commission up and running. Of what we're trying to achieve. Doing my best for the people who put their time and energy into making these places what they are. And for the first time in a while, I'm hearing a real sense of optimism about what comes next.

The local election results in May were tough. Tough because of the good councillors we lost, and for what they mean for public trust. I've written for the Fabian Society about some of those challenges, and what I think we need to do next. fabians.org.uk/learning-less…

I was pleased to see Sareena speak on Politics Midlands this weekend. She did a great job. Spoke really well about the work that she and the other industry experts in my Jobs Taskforce are doing. Creating new ways to give young people more opportunities, first means understanding the challenges they face. That’s how you tackle and overcome the biggest challenges in the region. Worth a watch.

It's been really encouraging to hear what people think about my Night-Time Economy Commission report. On the things we’re going to change to make things better and easier. Really resonating with people. Businesses in particular. More again over the weekend. Time for these changes to happen, now. People want to see things change quickly.

I’m excited about this. I've been working with businesses and the government on a new Economic Inactivity Partnership to help more people get a fair chance at work. One of the things we're trialling here in the West Midlands is a new AI tool that helps employers recruit those that normally get overlooked. Care leavers. Ex-offenders. Young people who need additional help. The willingness is there. Now the tools are too. Looking forward to seeing the difference this makes.

Our current bus network isn’t working like it should. Public services should work for the public.

Visited St Basils recently. Really impressed by the work the charity is doing with young people across the region. Helping them off the street. Out of rough sleeping. Proud to be supporting the new Live & Work model they are using, too. It provides a safe place to live, with the opportunity for real work. Creates the kind of stability that people can really build a foundation on. Some brilliant young people there. You could really see the difference being made already.

Spent some time with the team at University College Birmingham and Midland Heart, launching a new qualification. It aims to create the most qualified housing professionals in the country, from right here in the West Midlands. It’s a great idea, and a big challenge. In my manifesto I made a promise to crack down on rogue landlords. The new Renters' Rights Act is making big changes, too. It’s about making sure renters look after their tenants properly, as soon as they move in. Fairly and consistently. That’s one of the reasons tenants were asked to help shape the new course. Feels like the right way to do it.

I’m proud to champion the new Economic Inactivity Partnership for lots of reasons. One in particular is bringing businesses together to share the benefits of the training they give. For example - if somebody finishes training at one company, but there isn't a job for them there, then another employer in the partnership can step in and offer them an opportunity instead. Really great idea. It means people don’t have to start from square one. A simple thing, but it will make a real difference to hundreds of people's lives.

Visited one of the hidden treasures of the West Midlands, recently. Vintage Trains in Tyseley. It’s a place where people are keeping vintage trains running, preserving a bit of our history, and passing on skills that can lead to great careers. Importantly, it’s training that can be used for modern trains and trams across the region, too. Really great team, there. I enjoyed seeing it for myself.

There are lots of people across the whole West Midlands who are about to get a better chance to work. Those leaving care, ex-offenders, young people with poor mental health. Often overlooked. That's why I've been working with major employers and government departments to get the Economic Inactivity Partnership up and running. It’s going to help hundreds of amazing people into the work they deserve. Especially proud that it’s being trialled here in the West Midlands first.

Pride Month starts today. A time to celebrate, definitely. And reflect. It’s important for people to celebrate people being open, proud, and their true selves. But reflect that it’s only recently that we’ve had equality in marriage laws, rights for parents, protection in the workplace from discrimination. Changes like these are so important. I want the West Midlands to be a place where all communities come together against those who want to take this progress away.

Young people are not workshy. Youth unemployment in parts of the West Midlands is running at twice the national average. That's a system failure. Alan Milburn's findings confirm what Mayors across the country already know. The question is what we do about it. My response: mayorrichardparker.substack.…

Really important afternoon in Coventry. Spoke alongside Darren Jones about creating opportunities for those normally overlooked. This is my biggest priority. I say that a lot. It’s personal to me. I believe it makes the single biggest difference to people’s lives. Darren and I share really similar backgrounds. It’s mad, actually. Both from Bristol. Working class backgrounds. Same school even. (Not at the same time, though!) Both of us had a kind of mentor who saw something in us - who gave us a reason to believe in ourselves. It’s probably no coincidence that we’re now trying to do the same for other people. This Economic Inactivity Partnership is a collaboration between twelve business, five government departments, and the WMCA - and already there are people whose lives have changed because of it. I think working together like this is key to making it easier to achieve what is needed. With the right support, and right opportunity, people can achieve more than they even know.

Hello Coventry! Feels tropical. City on the up!

Growing up for me was about pubs, restaurants, and gigs. Late nights out where you found your crowd - discovered new bands. I had the Berkeley Rooms. U2. Echo & The Bunnymen. I’ve never forgotten those nights. I’m not alone. These businesses are a really important part of our night time economy. They brighten our town and city centres - and employ thousands of people. So today I'm publishing the findings of my Night-Time Economy Commission. There's a lot in there - from getting more night buses running and making it safer across the region, to protecting grassroots music venues and making it easier for businesses to operate and grow. Some of it I can act on now. Some of it requires pushing government harder. All of it matters to our region's cultural offer and our future.