Local councils in the West Midlands have entered into talks with government over a £1bn statutory city region plan which could create more than 40,000 jobs in Birmingham, Coventry and the Black Country.

Members of the city region board are due to approve the plan, which would see the construction of two new metro lines, the development of three regeneration zones in Birmingham, a technology park near Wolverhampton and improvements at two motorway junctions.

According to the Local Government Chronicle, discussions are ongoing with the Treasury and Department of Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform officials, suggesting the bid is already attracting serious ministerial consideration.