Author: Miles Donavan

‘This is not a minor change, it is a significant one, and the proposed changes need to be urgently U-turned.’ A publicly-owned rail company has faced a backlash over its plans to reduce ticket office hours. The Association of British Commuters (ABC), a passenger advocacy group, unveiled the changes in a report entitled: “Exposed: Secret Ticket Office Cuts at Southeastern.” According to the ABC, a freedom of information request revealed that 14 stations are set to have their ticket office hours cut by half, resulting in a daily loss of 6 to 7 staffing hours for 5 to 7 days…

Tune into GB News (if you dare), and you’d swear Christmas was on the brink of collapse, with its flood of headlines about “banned carols,” Santa volunteers being “sacked,” and “Christian outrage” over drag performances. “Don’t let American Bolsheviks cancel Christmas,” warned Russian-born author Rebekah Koffler in a Fox News article last December. The piece paints a picture of an America under siege by left-wing radicals pushing an agenda to erase traditional values, including religious celebrations. The UK right-wing media, which is increasingly influenced by American outlets like Fox News, is embracing the same ‘moral panic.’ Tune into GB News (if you dare), and you’d swear Christmas…

The ‘government needs to go “much further and fast” on its forthcoming Warm Homes Plan’ With another rise in gas and electricity bills confirmed for the new year, there is mounting pressure on the government to take action. After a decline in the price cap in April and July 2024, rates increased in October and will rise again in January. From January 1 to March 31, 2025, gas prices will be capped at 6.34p per kilowatt hour (kWh), and electricity at 24.86p per kWh. The annual bill for a typical dual-fuel household will increase to £1,738, a £21 rise from…

‘Funny, they didn’t seem so impressed with the petition that 6 million of us signed demanding that article 50 should be revoked…’ A petition calling for a general election has dominated the headlines of the right-wing press this week. ‘Humiliation for Keir Starmer…’ splashed the Daily Express.  ‘How a general election petition went viral – and racked up millions of signatures: When a pub owner called for another vote, accusing Starmer of going back on his word, it became a lightning rod for a dissatisfied Britain,’ gushed the Telegraph. ‘Now acting legend Michael Caine backs petition demanding fresh election as…

“Over 40% of Amazon warehouse workers are injured during peak season. Jeff Bezos is worth $228 billion. Their bodies, his bank account. It’s time to #MakeAmazonPay.” The ‘Make Amazon Pay’ campaign is gaining momentum as Amazon workers and representatives from unions and workers’ rights groups plan strikes in over 20 countries this Black Friday weekend. They are demanding better rights for workers and greater climate action from the e-commerce giant. Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. Last year, Amazon reported that its Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, which began the week before Thanksgiving,…

‘If you’re not in the EU, you’re at a major disadvantage’ Yet another disastrous consequence of Brexit. The UK car industry continues to suffer as a result of the decision to leave the EU, with the latest figures showing that UK car output slumped for the eighth consecutive month in October. Bloomberg reports that production dropped 15% last month from a year ago, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The site reports: “The group said Thursday that independent forecaster AutoAnalysis lowered its 2024 and 2025 projections for car and light van output by 12% and 16% from…

MPs have voted for the Assisted Dying Bill with a substantial majority MPs voted this afternoon on the second reading of The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. The Bill seeks to legalise assisted dying by allowing adults who are terminally ill with less than six months to live take their own life at the time of their choosing. The Bill has sparked intense discussion in Westminster. As MPs were given a free vote (they weren’t instructed how to vote by party whips), each MP has been deciding independently whether to support the legislation. Supporters of the legislation argue…

Even if people can get access to the courts, at best they will get an interpretation of law, not justice. Prem Sikka is an Emeritus Professor of Accounting at the University of Essex and the University of Sheffield, a Labour member of the House of Lords, and Contributing Editor at Left Foot Forward. Whatever happened to the ‘rule of law’ in the UK? We all value the rule of law. It is the foundation stone of democratic, open and peaceful societies. It helps to protect rights, provides stability, accountability, and enables people to flourish. When applied correctly it can limit…

At present, laws throughout the UK prevent people from asking for medical help to die. A majority of voters support a change in the law to make assisted dying legal, a poll for LFF has found. The poll, carried out by Savanta for LFF, found that 60% of voters support legalisation of assisted dying in the UK, while just 14% oppose. The poll findings come ahead of a vote due to take place later today, where MPs will decide whether or not to legalize assisted dying, a contentious proposal that would make the UK one of a small handful of…

The poll also suggests Reform are surging A bombshell poll of voting intention has suggested Labour could be in real trouble with the voters. The headline voting intention figures have the Tories ahead with support from 27 per cent of the electorate, and Labour in second place on 25 per cent. According to the poll – carried out by Find Out Now – support for the Tories has increased by two points since the general election earlier this year, whereas support for Labour has fallen by nine points. In a significant shift, the poll suggest that 22 per cent of…