Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick chose Carers Week 2016 to pledge his support for Carer Friendly Communities in his constituency, Poplar and Limehouse (in Tower Hamlets). Jim pointed out that “there are 6.5 million people in the UK who care for ...
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Councils drag their feet on accepting Syrian refugees
All twenty-two Councils in Wales promised to accept refugees from war-torn Syria – but new Home Office figures show that only five (less than a quarter) have done so. The news has disappointed charities working with refugees. Carys Mair Thomas, ...
Read More »Did you blink? Cos you have missed it
John “one job” Biggs is now free from commitments to City Hall and is now holding down only one job – running Tower Hamlets. But he’s clearly still a busy man. On 1st June, a notice went up on Tower ...
Read More »John “one job” Biggs admits Council could falter
The results of Tower Hamlets Council’s annual independent survey of resident satisfaction are out – and they’ve got John “one job” Biggs admitting “we face a significant challenge to keep improving services.” Interviews, conducted before the recent budget cuts were ...
Read More »Theresa May puts Sharia Law on trial
Last year the Government announced that it was going to review the operation of Sharia Law in the UK – as part of its “counter extremism” strategy. Even then, it was another tiresome example of how the Government contributes to ...
Read More »Want to vote? Last week to register!
If you want to vote in the elections for London Mayor on 5th May, you must be on the electoral register – and 18th April is your deadline for joining the register if you are not already on it. If ...
Read More »“O&S” struggles to improve recycling
When the Cabinet system was first introduced, a council’s “overview and scrutiny” committee was intended to scrutinise, closely, the work of the executive – providing some sort of reassurance to the wider Council. Councillors were given “call in” powers, by ...
Read More »Doctors on fourth strike to save NHS
As junior doctors begin their fourth episode of industrial action, all the signs are that both their resolve and public support remain solid. The latest recruit to the doctors’ cause is the Patients Association, which has now indicated its formal ...
Read More »Immigrants not “taking jobs” – official
Heard the one about the immigrants taking “our” jobs? It’s one of those water cooler topics, something to chat about at work. The immediate answer is, “Which jobs have they taken? Because they haven’t taken your job, have they?” Still ...
Read More »MPs stumped over women’s pension crisis
As successive Governments have cut the state pension as part of their austerity policies, they have been left with the dilemma of how to cope with the inequalities such cuts build into society. Cuts to the state pension have not ...
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