A SENIOR Government minister urged urged Birmingham City Council to quickly publish a serious case review into the death of Khyra Ishaq.

Speaking during a campaign trail visit to the city, children’s secretary Ed Balls said he had contacted council leader Coun Mike Whitby and was awaiting the outcome of a report into the seven-year-old, who starved to death at her home in Handsworth.

Mr Balls said: “I wrote to the leader of Birmingham Council a couple of weeks ago and I want the authority to publish the serious case review as soon as it can.

“I’m aware about the cuts to services at the council but we need that review published quickly.”

Mr Balls spoke as he visited Four Dwellings Children’s Centre in Quinton yesterday.

He met parents, staff and played with babies and toddlers as he was shown around the facility by Labour parliamentary candidate for Birmingham, Edgbaston Gisela Stuart.