Author: Miles Donavan

Debate on the funding of social care always emphasises the costs, not the financial gains Debate on the funding of social care always emphasises the costs, not the financial gains,  – the ‘unaffordability’ of change. In this article, we want to look at the funding anew. This debate is particularly important as the Casey Commission gets under way.  First, we need to be clear what sort of social care and support we want End Social Care Disgrace campaigns for a National Care, Support and Independent Living Service (NaCSILS) which will be publicly funded, free at the point of use and publicly…

Two in five families (39%) said they would likely use a clothing bank Damning statistics have been released by the Child Poverty Action Group today, showing that almost half of parents in low-income households will likely need a foodbank this summer, as many struggle to make ends meet during the holidays. The summer holidays can be challenging for many families living in poverty, with parents worrying they will not be able to afford things for their children who are out of school, from basic necessities like food, to trips, or clothes. The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) surveyed 1,058 UK…

Far-right groups including neo-Nazi group the Homeland Party are behind the protests Since 13 July, there have been three protests outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Epping, Essex. The protests began after Hadush Kebatu, a man living at the Bell Hotel in Epping, was charged with sexual assault, harassment, and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity following an alleged attempt to kiss her in the town centre. Kebatu denies the offences. The protesters say they are acting to protect local children. Counter-protesters from Stand Up to Racism have also attended demonstrations in both Epping and Canary Wharf.…

“It’s time for a new kind of political party. One that belongs to you.” Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana have today confirmed that they’ll be setting up a new political party. In a statement shared on social media platforms, the pair said: “It’s time for a new kind of political party. One that belongs to you.” The statement went on to say: “It’s time for a new kind of political party. One that is rooted in our communities, trade unions and social movements. One that builds power in all regions and nations. One that belongs to you. “Sign up at…

Reform has come under fire over plans to spend thousands on political advisors Reform-led Warwickshire County Council pushed through plans yesterday to spend £150,000 a year on political advisers. The new 19-year-old leader of the council, George Finch, put forward the proposals, which were narrowly approved yesterday. This is despite Reform having promised to cut “wasteful spending” within councils before the local elections in May. The plan will allow the three main parties on the council, Reform, the Lib Dems and the Tories to each hire a political assistant funded by the taxpayer. The Lib Dems, Labour and Green Party…

‘Reform MP lies to stir racial tensions? Surely not…’ Reform MP Sarah Pochin has angered her constituents after claiming that ‘illegal immigrants’ were responsible for anti-social behaviour and violence. In a video she posted on social media, Pochin made claims about houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) housing immigrants causing violence, anti-social behaviour, rubbish “strewn around the streets” and “potential domestic abuse”. However, local residents have said her claims are “not true”. Cheshire police have also confirmed there is no evidence to support her allegations. BBC North West Tonight visited Greenway Road, the area that the Reform UK MP referred to,…

The paper reports: “At the time of the leadership election last year, the Tories had 131,000 members but this has since fallen to 123,000. It’s going from bad to worse for Kemi Badenoch, after the latest membership figures for the Tory party showed 8,000 members had left since she became leader, in what is another blow to her authority. In what will only fuel further fears over the future of her leadership among Tories, the Telegraph reports the party has 8,000 fewer members than they did when Mrs Badenoch won the party leadership in November. The paper reports: “At the…

Reform has come under fire over plans to spend thousands on political advisors Reform-led Warwickshire County Council pushed through plans yesterday to spend £150,000 on political advisers. The new 19-year-old leader of the council, George Finch, put forward the proposals, which were narrowly approved yesterday. This is despite Reform having promised to cut “wasteful spending” within councils before the local elections in May. The plan will allow the three main parties on the council, Reform, the Lib Dems and the Tories to each hire a political assistant funded by the taxpayer. The Lib Dems, Labour and Green Party opposed the…

Ministers are pushing for action after calling Israeli attacks on Palestinians at aid stations “intolerable” Cabinet ministers are putting pressure on prime minister Keir Starmer to recognise the state of Palestine. According to the Guardian’s Pippa Crerar, Starmer is understood to have been urged by several senior ministers in different cabinet meetings over recent months that the UK should take a leading role in issuing recognition. This comes as a UN conference on Palestine, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, is set to take place on 28 and 29th of this month in New York.  The conference was initially scheduled…

The Kent County Council leader has made some shocking comments about how she wants the police to operate Linden Kemkaran, leader of Kent County Council and a former BBC journalist, has said that the police should be given “proper backing” to shoot people who pose a threat to officers or members of the public.  Kemkaran, who has shared other controversial opinions, has now said police “should be able to shoot people if necessary”.  Speaking to Times Radio, she said: “We must give our police force the proper backing to be able to do their job, to catch the criminals, to…