“It’s bent!” shouted Mark Francois. “Bent!” And with that verdict, the Second Delegated Legislation Committee descended into a wild riot of affronted dignity and unparliamentary language. How did we get here? This obscure committee was set to wave through something thrilling called the Postal Packets (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2023 – …
Read More »Closure of all county council Chesterfield offices is ‘idiotic, shoddy and disrespectful’ say opposition
A move to close all county council offices in Chesterfield and transfer 500 staff has been criticised as “idiotic, shoddy and disrespectful”. This week the Local Democracy Reporting Service exclusively detailed Derbyshire County Council ’s plans to close all 10 of its Chesterfield area offices, including one apiece in Clay …
Read More »Scottish Socialist Party urges locals to sign Rutherglen and Hamilton West recall petition
The Scottish Socialist Party is appealing to residents to sign the Rutherglen and Hamilton West recall petition to trigger a by-election so locals can vote for their new candidate. The party selected lifelong socialist and trade unionist, Bill Bonnar, as their potential candidate for the by-election. He will stand as …
Read More »Lanarkshire trade unionist launches campaign ahead of potential Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election
A Cambuslang trade unionist has launched his campaign ahead of a potential Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election. The Scottish Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) steering committee has agreed that Chris Sermanni, a leading trade unionist and a Cambuslang resident, will stand if there is a Rutherglen and Hamilton West …
Read More »‘Suella Braverman needed a road awakening, instead of taking the fine and points’ – Polly Hudson
Polly Hudson was not looking forward to her recent speed awareness course, but it turned out to be life-affirming and potentially life-saving. And she says the Home Secretary has missed out taking the other route Suella Braverman took the fine and points instead of a speed awareness course Suella Braverman …
Read More »Date set for Burrator election for West Devon Borough Council
Voters in Burrator will go to the polls in June in a delayed election for West Devon Borough Council. The poll for the ward was originally due to take place on May 4 along with the elections for the Borough’s other wards, but was postponed following the sad death of …
Read More »Record 3,000,000 emergency food parcels handed out in a year, 1m to children
A record near-three million emergency food parcels have been handed out at food banks in the year to March, with the number provided for children topping a million for the first time. The figures from the Trussell Trust charity represent a 37% increase compared to the previous year. A total …
Read More »Royal Mail is in crisis – and there are no easy answers
Margaret Thatcher famously left the Royal Mail out of her privatisation sights in the 1980s. She felt its monarchical connections and distinguished history going back to the creation of Master of the Posts in 1516 gave it a unique position. It had been in public ownership since 1635 and possessed …
Read More »Many bills rising from April onward but Universal Credit is going up too
People are bracing themselves for more brutal bill hikes over the coming months as the cost of energy, water, broadband and Council Tax are set to rise. A number of other costs could well rise soon too. So it’s a good time to check out your own personal finances ahead …
Read More »Royal Mail strikers sacked for saying ‘scab’ on social media in ‘attempt to remove union’
Exclusive: The Communication Workers Union claims a large number of the suspensions involve the alleged use of the word “scab” – a name given to workers who break strikes and cross picket lines abour MP Ian Lavery (pictured) said the number of suspensions “looks like discrimination” ( Image: Newcastle Chronicle) …
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