Created in the 2023 boundary review, replacing Halesowen and Rowley Regis.
A new constituency created in the 2023 boundary review.
MP News Approval i
+64
Alex Ballinger
Labour PartyAlex Ballinger is the Labour MP for Halesowen, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.
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Sign up freeCoverage of Halesowen has been predominantly positive for Alex across 40 recent articles.
Positive coverage
“MP hails simpler recycling rules for households - what it means for you” — Halesowen News
“New action plan to tackle 'terrible' fly-tipping in town” — Halesowen News
Won by Lab in its first election in 2024. Covers Halesowen, Cradley Heath and Dudley (Dudley). Population 90,592.
Boy rushed to hospital after being hit by car
Birmingham Mail · 9 Apr 2026
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Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£26,300
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£31,400
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
3,180
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
33
24 primary, 4 secondary, 5 other
Total Income Tax▼
£176m
from 45,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£2,430
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£3,880
per taxpayer / year
Source: HMRC Survey of Personal Incomes, tax year 2022-23. Allocated by taxpayer residence. Covers income tax only — excludes NI, VAT, and capital gains. Sample-based estimate (~8% confidence interval).
Attainment 8▼
44.2
average score (DfE)
GCSE Pass Rate▼
62.6%
5+ GCSEs 9-4 (DfE)
4 large towns, 1 town — 93,270 total population
Source: ONS Built-Up Areas (Census 2021) + data.police.uk — crime rates are per 1,000 population (last 3 months)
Source: data.police.uk — street-level crime data aggregated from LSOA to constituency
10 councillors across 4 wards · Last elections: May 2024
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cradley Heath Old Hill | Labour Party | Vicki Smith | May 2024 |
| Cradley North Wollescote | Liberal Democrats | Ethan Brian Stafford | May 2024 |
| Liberal Democrats | Kash Khan | May 2024 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Ryan Ashley Priest | May 2024 | |
| Hayley Green Cradley South | Conservative and Unionist Party | Andrea Goddard | May 2024 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Bex Collins | May 2024 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Ian James Bevan | May 2024 | |
| Quarry Bank Dudley Wood | Labour Party | Ashley Smith | May 2024 |
| Labour Party | Jackie Cowell | May 2024 | |
| Labour Party | Luke Hamblett | May 2024 |
Source: DCLEAPIL v1.0 by Jason Leman, LEAP (Andrew Teale) & Democracy Club. CC BY-SA 4.0. Data last refreshed: 1 Apr 2026.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lab | 15,023 | 38.9% | |
Won 2019 GEWon 2017 GEWon 2015 GEWon 2010 GE | Con | 10,659 | 27.6% |
| Ref | 8,484 | 22.0% | |
| LD | 2,261 | 5.9% | |
| Green | 2,151 | 5.6% |
Alex Ballinger has not appeared in national political news coverage tracked by our system. This is common for backbench MPs who focus on constituency-level work rather than national policy debates.
14 articles hidden as not sufficiently relevant to this constituency
A boy was struck by a car on Nimmings Road in Blackheath, Halesowen on Tuesday afternoon and was taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital with non-serious injuries. Emergency services responded quickly to the incident.
Alex Ballinger, MP for Halesowen, writes in support of the Labour Government's new Simpler Recycling reforms that came into force last week, which establish consistent national recycling standards across England to eliminate the confusing postcode lottery that has frustrated constituents. The reforms require all households to recycle the same core materials (plastic, metal, glass, paper, card, and food waste) regardless of location, addressing a long-standing constituent concern that Ballinger describes as one of the most common frustrations heard on the doorstep.
BBC drama Silent Witness filmed scenes at Halesowen Golf Club on March 23-24, using the clubhouse and golf course as a filming location. The club's Grade I listed building and scenic setting were selected after research, and the experience generated excitement among staff and members who hope the episode's airing will boost visitor numbers.
Commercial property company Sandyford Properties has acquired a £3.4m industrial terrace in Halesowen's Mucklow Hill area, comprising six units fully occupied by manufacturing businesses. The deal marks Sandyford's entry into the West Midlands market and signals continued commercial investment in the constituency's established industrial zone.
Halesowen College has received £1.84m in government funding for facility upgrades including roof repairs, window fixes, and heating system updates. MP Alex Ballinger claims credit for securing the investment and emphasises his commitment to supporting young people's education and skills development.
MP Alex Ballinger endorses the Labour Government's new Simpler Recycling reforms that standardise recycling rules across England, allowing all households to recycle the same core materials regardless of location. Ballinger frames this as addressing a long-standing local frustration about inconsistent recycling rules and the 'postcode lottery' that has confused Halesowen residents.
Bargains with Josh, a local second-hand clothing retailer founded by Halesowen entrepreneur Josh Wyer, has opened its third store in under a year on Hagley Road. The expansion demonstrates strong local business growth and community engagement, with the flagship location positioned as a key entry point into Halesowen town centre.
The Guardian reveals a vast illegal casino network targeting UK gamblers, including eight connected brands like MyStake and Velobet that collectively attract 2.3 million monthly UK visitors. Labour MP Alex Ballinger is quoted expressing concern that these sites deliberately target vulnerable people trying to stop gambling, and he calls for urgent action from the Gambling Commission.
Eden West-O'Donnell from Halesowen spent 13 years experiencing severe endometriosis symptoms before receiving a diagnosis in 2024, during which she was misdiagnosed with IBS at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. She has since undergone two surgeries and faces a third operation, and is now raising awareness about the condition's debilitating impact on her life.
Halesowen Triathlon Club is marking its 15th anniversary with an annual triathlon event in April at Halesowen Leisure Centre, featuring swimming, cycling, and running courses through the local area. The event welcomes athletes of all abilities and serves as a fixture that strengthens community engagement and local fitness culture.
A Stourbridge resident left a 17-year hotel management career to launch Kitchen Makeovers Stourbridge, a business offering affordable kitchen transformations. The career change prioritises family time while tapping into local demand for cost-effective home improvements.
A family in Stourbridge is living in a mould-infested, structurally unsafe privately rented home and fighting for council rehousing after paramedics raised safeguarding concerns. The case highlights delays in council housing assistance and inadequate offered solutions, though both a local councillor and the MP have intervened.
A woman was stalked and harassed by the same man on two consecutive days at Stourbridge Junction railway station in late February. British Transport Police have arrested a man in his 30s and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Young people from King Edward VI College in Stourbridge created 60 colourful flags displaying positive messages as part of the 'Hearts of Stourbridge' arts project, now displayed on the town's ring road. The initiative was funded by Arts Council England and aimed to celebrate youth creativity and voices in the community.
Dudley Council has released plans for a £20 million transformation of Halesowen town centre, funded through the Government's Local Regeneration Fund. The scheme includes converting the Pool Road car park to a surface-level facility with EV charging, upgrading Town Hall with a new entrance and lift, and bringing vacant buildings back into use for education and hospitality.
Three Black Country properties, including homes in Cradley Heath and Amblecote (both within or adjacent to Halesowen constituency), are being auctioned by Bond Wolfe with guide prices ranging from £49k to £125k. The article highlights affordable housing options available through auction, with properties requiring varying degrees of refurbishment.
The Government has launched a new waste crime action plan with a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping, backed by £45 million funding for the Environment Agency. Alex Ballinger MP highlights the long-standing fly-tipping problem on Foxcote Lane in Cradley and welcomes the plan's new enforcement powers, penalties, and clean-up squads.
Positive flags with messages like 'Bee Kind' and 'Spread Tolerance' have been installed around Halesowen's ring road, sparking community discussion on social media. Councillor Andrew Tromans expressed pride in the initiative, which appears to be a student project from King Edward VI College designed by local artist Luke Perry.
Stourbridge Police issued a public appeal regarding misuse of Blue Badge parking privileges after a vehicle was found illegally parked on Vauxhall Road, blocking disabled access and bus routes. The police urged Blue Badge holders to park responsibly and reminded them that the badge does not permit parking anywhere without regard to traffic flow or accessibility.
Dudley Council is implementing a hyper-local plan to distribute council services and resources across five townships including Halesowen, rather than centralizing them. Councillors, including Halesowen North representative Parmjit Sahota, welcomed the initiative as addressing the perception that Halesowen has been neglected and ensuring fairer resource distribution.
A planning application for a convenience store in Brierley Hill on Dudley Road was rejected by Dudley Council due to insufficient parking provision (8 spaces versus the required 24). The decision upholds previous refusals to remove restrictions on the site, which currently operates as a vintage/antique retailer with a small tea room.
The UK Government has launched a £45 million Waste Crime Action Plan with new enforcement powers against fly-tippers. Alex Ballinger MP specifically welcomed the plan, citing persistent illegal dumping on Foxcote Lane in Cradley as a local concern his constituents have raised repeatedly.
A reader's letter argues that closure of police stations in Dudley, Stourbridge, Brierley Hill, Kingswinford and Sedgley has contributed to rising crime levels in town centres, citing 74 reported crimes in Dudley since January 2026. The letter advocates for restoring visible foot patrols and local police presence as a crime prevention strategy.
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