I cannot for a moment think that his remarks will impact business confidence, let alone a prospective investor will be deterred. Are those people tuned into what OFSTED say? Is the appalling state of B’ham social services a factor in making an investment? No.

If such luminaries really think that B’ham has 45,000 unemployed, based on government statistics, then it is they who have “lost the plot”. B’ham is struggling to climb out of a recession – which hit the region harder than other places.

Let Sir Michael come to New Street Station, a much lauded infrastructure project and gaze upon the new station concourse. Nice, if somewhat bland. Has this investment changed how much traffic the station can take, improved capacity? No.