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Opinion Formers
BHA: Strong public support for legal humanist marriages as Lords prepare to debate
A new poll has revealed public support for legal recognition of humanist marriages in England and Wales by four to one (with 52% in support and only 13% against). The results have been released on the day that a proposal to give this legal recognition is to be discussed in the House of Lords.
Latest Press Releases
RSPCA: Baby polecat loses her mum on RSPCA wildlife centre doorstep
A baby polecat is in RSPCA care after found without his mum in a field in Somerset.
NASUWT: Focus on standards not structure "welcome and refreshing"
Commenting on the speech delivered by Stephen Twigg, Shadow Secretary of State for Education, to the Royal Society for the encouragement of the Arts (RSA) today, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, said:
NASUWT: Majority of disabled teachers face discrimination and bullying
The overwhelming majority of disabled teachers have faced discrimination and bullying in the workplace during their careers, a conference organized by the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, has heard.
Boeing: Skymark Airlines Intends to Select the 737 MAX for Fleet Renewal Program
Japan's first airline to choose the advantages of the 737 MAX.
MRSA Action UK remembers all those lost to healthcare associated infections and prays with Mid Staffs families at Westminster Abbey
The event held on Thursday 13th June to remember those lost to healthcare associated infections has been held at Westminster Abbey for eight years now, and was the catalyst for the formation of the national charity MRSA Action UK. In 2005 we were in a position where if you went into hospital it was considered almost inevitable that you would contract an infection as a result of any surgical procedure.
RSPCA: Traders thought to own thousands of horses guilty of causing suffering
A south Wales man was today (14 June) found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet the needs of 27 horses. The verdict came a month after his two sons admitted offences relating to the same group of equines.
CIHT Awards 2013 - who won at this year's awards?
Professionals from the highways and transportation industry came together last night to celebrate a wide range of remarkable schemes and initiatives at the prestigious CIHT Awards 2013.
CPAG: Two-thirds of children living in poverty from working families
New figures today show that children below the poverty line are now twice as likely to come from homes with work, than homes without work.
Voice Scotland welcomes Scottish Government's response to Commission on the Delivery of Rural Education
Commenting on the Scottish Government’s response, Jennifer Hannah, Senior Professional Officer (Scotland) with Voice: the union for education professionals, said: “We broadly welcome the Scottish Government’s response and its acceptance of most of the Commission’s recommendations.
Voice on Ofsted’s “culture of negative misinformation”
The union for education professionals has criticised Ofsted and its Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw, for a encouraging a “culture of negative misinformation”, following publication of the inspectorate’s report 'The most able students: are they doing as well as they should in our non-selective secondary schools?'
NUT comments on Ofsted Report - 'The Most Able Students'
Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union commenting on the report by Ofsted into the most academically able pupils
CPAG: Comment on today's child poverty figures from the End Child Poverty campaign
Enver Solomon, Chair of the End Child Poverty coalition, commenting on the official child poverty figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions today
BHA: MPs vote against adding PSHE to the national curriculum
MPs yesterday debated proposals to add Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education, including Sex and Relationships Education (SRE), to the national curriculum. The amendment to the Children and Families Bill, which was introduced by Labour with support from the ‘Coalition of Consent pop up campaign’, was defeated by 303 votes to 219. The British Humanist Association (BHA) asked members of the All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group (APPHG) to vote in support of the plans.
CIOT: Tax advisers welcome extension of RTI relaxation for small employers
The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has welcomed the announcement today by HMRC, that it is extending the relaxation of Real Time Information (RTI) PAYE reporting requirements for small employers for a further six months.1
BFAWU: Bedroom Tax is "worse than anything Thatcher could muster"
BFAWU leader calls for mass action against “cruel and evil” policy.
BFAWU: More workers killed in construction industry than soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq
Further cuts to health and safety executive will lead to increased deaths at work, warns the BFAWU.
NUT comment on GCSE reforms
Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, commenting on the proposed reforms to GCSEs...
NASUWT: Response to Government announcements on GCSE reforms
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, comments ahead of the Secretary of State’s announcement on GCSE reforms...
Voice: New GCSEs too soon
Commenting on the new-look GCSEs to be announced today, Ian Toone, Senior Professional Officer (Education) with Voice: the union for education professionals, and a former assistant chief examiner with AQA, said:
BFAWU: Leading economist calls for end to austerity
Leading economist tells BFAWU activists to pressure Labour to dump cuts rhetoric in favour of investment.
BFAWU calls for curb on supermarket power
BFAWU calls for action on supermarkets below cost selling, workplace temperatures, and “bakers asthma” following damning parliamentary report from Labour MP Dave Crausby.
BFAWU: Ed Miliband must "put clear blue water" between Labour and Tories
BFAWU leader calls on Labour leader Ed Miliband to put clear “blue water” between the Labour Party and the Conservatives, warning that support for from the trade unions for Labour “must be reciprocated.”
BFAWU president condemns Tory led government cuts, legal changes, and warns minister they could face a “general strike"
Addressing the annual 2013 BFAWU conference in Bridlington at the Spa Ian Hodson – president of the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union, said the union was at the forefront of fighting against regressive government cuts, supporting young people at work and helping secure a Labour victory in the next general election.
Voice: "Children at more risk from cancer after exposure to asbestos" says committee
Today, the Government’s advisory Committee on Carcinogenicity (COC) published their final statement that concludes children are more vulnerable to exposure to asbestos than adults - the younger the child the greater the risk. Their conclusion should have a profound influence on Government policy towards asbestos in schools.
BHA backs launch of Fair Admissions Campaign
All state-funded schools should be open to all children, regardless of their parents’ religion. That’s the message of the Fair Admissions Campaign, a new, widely supported campaign which has launched today, with the British Humanist Association (BHA) as a founding member.
CIOB commissions UK NARIC benchmarking study
The Chartered Institute of Building's MCIOB qualification has been benchmarked as comparable to a bachelor's degree level under the English Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF).
Voice welcomes ratios U-turn
Voice: the union for education professionals – which represents nursery staff, nannies and other education and early years professionals – has welcomed news that plans to change adult: child ratios in nurseries have been dropped.
MRSA Action UK Victims and families pay tribute to those lost to MRSA and those who suffered at Mid Staffs
The Charity MRSA Action UK will on the 13th June be holding their Annual Memorial Event at Westminster Abbey. Prayers will be led by the Reverend Canon White, and we will pay tribute to the many that have died from MRSA and other healthcare associated infections. We will receive a blessing granting rest to those who have died, and grace to those who live to campaign and work to raise awareness and help avoid further suffering from avoidable healthcare infections.
CIA: There is "no definitive evidence" of chemical pregnancy risks
Commenting on the advice from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists that pregnant women may want to "play it safe" and avoid chemicals found in many common household products, Dr Jo (Joanne) Lloyd, Director of Chemicals Policy from the UK Chemical Industries Association said the following:
NASWUT and NUT put employers on notice of Joint Strike Action on June 27th
The NASUWT and the NUT have now served notice to employers that NUT and NASUWT members in the North West of England* will be called upon to take strike action on 27 June 2013 in furtherance of the dispute with the Government over pensions, pay and conditions. This escalation of action is a further step in our ongoing campaign to protect teachers and defend education.
NUT: 61% of parents oppose scrapping coursework
Commenting on today’s reports in the media about proposed reforms to GCSEs, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:
Voice: Teaching assistants play valuable role in our schools
Voice: the union for education professionals – which represents teachers and support staff, including teaching assistants – has expressed alarm at media reports that the Treasury and Department for Education (DfE) are considering phasing out teaching assistants, with staff not being replaced or retrained as teachers.
CAFH (Blue Badger) : Badger cull myths exposed in new report
Blue Badger is a member of Team Badger. On the eve of a potentially devastating badger cull, Team Badger has published a report exposing the myths which underpin these misguided plans.
Northern Ireland’s Catholic schools call for end to faith-based school employment laws
The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS), the representative body representing state funded Catholic schools in Northern Ireland, has called for an end to laws which allow state schools to religiously discriminate in employment. The British Humanist Association (BHA) has welcomed the call, which puts the body in stark contrast to the Catholic Education Service for England and Wales (CESEW) and the Scottish Catholic Education Service (SCES).
BSA: Mortgage lending by mutuals still on the up in April
Gross mortgage lending by building societies and other mutual lenders was £3.2 billion in April, up by 55 per cent compared to £2.1 billion in the same month last year. Mutuals took a 26 per cent market share of gross lending in April, up from 21 per cent in April 2012. In the year to April, gross lending by mutuals was £11.0 billion, up 28 per cent on the same period in 2012.
RSPCA: Badger cull myths exposed in new report - ill-fated Government pilots could start tomorrow
On the eve of a potentially devastating badger cull, Team Badger has published a report exposing the myths which underpin these misguided plans.
Half a million on food aid is a national scandal
Imran Hussain, the Head of Policy for Child Poverty Action Group, responds to Walking the Breadline, a new report published today on UK food poverty by Oxfam and Church Action on Poverty...
Voice launches first video - with Politics.co.uk's VoiceOver
Voice: the union for education professionals – which represents teachers, lecturers, education support staff, head teachers, nursery staff, nannies, and student teachers and childcarers across the UK – has launched its first full-length online video.
Low Incomes Tax Reform Group: Enquiry Centre closures must not disadvantage vulnerable taxpayers
Responding to a consultation on the pilot closure of HMRC Enquiry Centres in the North East1, the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) are urging HMRC to cater for taxpayers’ and tax credits claimants’ individual needs, focusing on service delivery and not cost cutting
Tax professionals welcome proposal for European Taxpayer Code
The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has given its backing to plans for a European Taxpayer Code to set out common tax principles and taxpayer rights and obligations, which EU member states would be encouraged to adopt. However the CIOT has reservations with the proposals for an EU-wide system of identification numbers for taxpayers.
Latest Articles
JUAC: Dear David Laws - open letter to David Laws MP on asbestos concerns
Dear Mr David Laws. We are writing to you to raise a number of urgent concerns that surround the recent investigation into the asbestos contamination of Cwmcarn High School. On the 17th of April Caerphilly Council took the decision to spend £1million on the removal of asbestos materials and contamination from Cwmcarn High School to make it safe for reoccupation. The school was closed in October 2012 following a report that identified... Read more.
New dawn delivers fresh challenges for NHS
Having been a cauldron of controversy regarding care levels, rumoured budget cuts and waiting periods over the past few years, the NHS has hit the headlines again recently with its landmark reforms coming into effect. But what challenges do these pose for our health service - and what effect will they have on patients?
To EU or not to EU? That's a traveller's question
The idea of the EU referendum has sparked controversy all over the shop, whether you work in a government role like the civil service or you're a member of the public. While Cameron, Clegg and everyone else in between are arguing the merits of the proposal, the rest of us are wondering one thing - how will it impact our holidays?
NUT: Dear Michael, I am writing to you after reading the response of your Schools Minister Lord Nash
Open letter to Michael Gove from Chris Blower at the NUT.
Railing against rail: top political gaffes
As a resident of the UK, there are certain things that it's inevitable you'll complain about - no matter who you are or what you do. The weather's always either too hot, too cold or too wet, for example, and the national rail system is The Enemy. In fact, the latter is a perpetual political ticking time bomb - and the government is oh-so-adept at lighting the fuse.
BHA: Open letter from organisations united in opposition to faith-based school admissions
Open letter to Michael Gove: Religion, belief, human rights and educational organisations come together to say no to faith-based school admissions
Politics and property: top politicians' residences
While members of the civil service are unlikely to possess impossibly grand abodes or lavish second homes, some of the nation's top political figures tend to have a little more luck in that department. In fact, such homes rank among the UK's most recognised estates.
NUT back NUS demo - "Educate, Employ, Empower"
Commenting on the National Union of Students’ day of action, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:
NUT: Library membership for children and young people
Chris Blower from the NUT says: “It is really pleasing that the Coalition Government has recognised the importance of instilling a love of reading at an early age and the important role that libraries play in achieving this. If, however, libraries have been closed due to cuts to local authority budgets, the project will be a bit pointless."
CIOT welcomes PAYE reforms
The Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) has welcomed the announcement by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that they are willing to relax slightly the requirement for employers to submit PAYE information in ‘real time’. However, the Institute is warning that many businesses will still face significant practical hurdles in submitting their payroll to the taxman when they join RTI, as well as increased admin costs.
Tax campaigners warn of growing worker exploitation around misuse of limited companies, says CIOT
Growing numbers of people on low and moderate incomes are being misled and even forced into using limited companies in order to obtain work, and risk being caught in anti-tax avoidance legislation, say tax campaigners.1
NUT: Gove talks of trainee entry requirements - then advocates hiring unqualified teachers
Commenting on an independent review group’s recommendations for reforms to the testing of trainee teachers, accepted in full by the Secretary of State for Education, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said:
NUT: David Cameron at Conservative Party Conference
Commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech to Conservative Party Conference, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union said:
NASUWT: Birmingham pupils win arts & minds competition
School children from Birmingham are celebrating today after their artwork was crowned overall winner of the 2012 Arts & Minds competition organised by the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union.
BASC: Lead in game meat fears should not be exaggerated
Fears of lead contamination in game meat should not be exaggerated, according to the UK's largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
IET Adopts Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Licence and Announces First Chief Advisor for New Open Access
Today, the Institution of Engineering and Technology has announced it will be adopting the Creative Commons Attribution CC BY licence for open access articles published across its portfolio of journals.
PCS: Move against support for union members is political
Government plans announced today (8) to cut the time union representatives can spend supporting their colleagues coincides with a wider threat to working conditions and is politically driven, the Public and Commercial Services union says.
NEA response to the death of Malcolm Wicks MP
Fuel Poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) today expressed great sadness at the death of Malcolm Wicks MP.
ESRC: Getting CLOSER to cohort studies
A world-leading initiative which brings together some of the most important studies of people's lives in the UK, has been launched today by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Medical Research Council (MRC).
Leonardo DiCaprio kicks off IFAW’s Animal Action Week
Actor and activist Leonardo DiCaprio joined IFAW today in calling for the world community to step up efforts to save elephants from poaching and the illegal ivory trade, which have escalated dramatically in recent years.
Police Superintendents Association: Conference Speech 2012
Police Superintendents Association Conference Speech
Guide Dogs for the Blind: Norman’s big bus-day card
Guide Dogs presented the Transport Minister, Norman Baker MP with a large talking birthday card to wish him a very happy birthday for 26 July 2012. The card, which includes a recording of people from the Guide Dogs London office singing Happy Birthday, was presented by the Guide Dogs Campaigns Team at the Department for Transport.
3M Introduces New Anti-graffiti Surface Protection Films for Rail Industry
Bracknell, UK, 24 July 2012 – Diversified technology company 3M addresses vandalism and graffiti issues in the transportation sector with two new overlaminates designed to protect train graphics and surfaces from damage caused by spray painting, felt tip markers and other methods. The high gloss overlaminate version helps enhance and maintain exterior train branding while the matte overlaminate version helps reduce reflections in train interiors.
Unite: Open letters to London Mayor Boris Johnson regarding Olympics
In a letter to the mayor of London, Unite general secretary, Len McCluskey has accused Boris Johnson and his party of wanting to "take on Unite", putting the success of the Olympic Games in "jeopardy" for politically motivated reasons. Len McCluskey has made a final call to meet with Boris Johnson to avoid a total stoppage of bus services beginning this Friday 22 June. If there is no resolution there will be further days of action up to and during the Olympic Games. This is the third time Unite has written to Boris Johnson since September 2011 asking him to intervene. Read the letters here.
CPA: Construction Recession Deeper than Previously Estimated in Q1
Today’s data from the ONS show that construction output fell by 5% in the first quarter of 2012, considerably worse than the estimate of -3% that ONS previously indicated for GDP in Q1.
NASUWT: Secretary of state sets a bad example on financial practice
Commenting on the Public Accounts Committee report on the Department for Education (DfE) published today, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers' union, said:
IET: Heathrow targets real-time data and smart technology to become more resilient and efficient
Heathrow Airport is focusing on investment in real-time data and systems and smart technologies to overcome the daily challenges it faces as the world’s busiest airport, according to Philip Langsdale, Chief Information Officer, Information Technology at Heathrow Airport.
“Common sense has prevailed” says RHA
The Road Haulage Association is pleased that the tanker drivers at the heart of the long-running dispute have voted against strike action in a re-ballot
New BHA research reveals most new ‘faith’ schools opening ‘by the back door’
Every single ‘faith’ school proposed to be fast-tracked through the opening process without competition in the last five years was approved.
BHA welcomes Welsh government probe into Catholic schools promoting anti-gay marriage petition
The Welsh government have today announced that they are investigating whether the Catholic Education Service for England and Wales (CES) broke laws on equality and against political indoctrination.
Tax information obligations will present problems for small employers
The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has said that HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC’s) assessment of the impact of the introduction of Real Time Information (RTI) on small employers is inadequate.
NUT: News International proposed Free Schools
Commenting on the exchange of emails between Department for Education (DfE) civil servants and News International (NI) regarding the establishment of a NI free school, Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union said:
Unite: Open letter to Ed Davey about tanker driver dispute
Britain’s largest union, Unite, has today (Tuesday, 27 March) urged Ed Davey, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, to intervene in the tanker driver dispute over minimum standards and growing instability in the oil industry. Read the letter here.
Unlock Democracy: Dear Mark Harper
Open letter to Mark Harper on lobbying reform by Unlock Democracy.
Dear Chancellor: FSB Budget Submission 2012
Read the Federation of Small Business Budget 2012 Submission here.
Building Societies Association Budget Submission 2012
The BSA acknowledges, and has welcomed, the Government’s efforts to help stimulate the housing and savings markets. There are however additional, and quite logical steps that should be taken which could further aid homebuyers and savers in these challenging economic times. Read the BSA's budget submission for the Chancellor's 2012 budget here.
CML: 2012 Budget Submission
The Council of Mortgage Lenders sets out a budget 2012 submission, detailing what they would like to see George Osborne announce. Read it here.
'Deputy prime minister is complicit in creating youth unemployment' says the NASUWT
Teaching union comments on Nick Clegg’s launch of a £126 million scheme to get unemployed young people back into education and training and his concern about the 'ticking time bomb' of youth unemployment.
CPA writes to George Osborne in advance of his Budget statement next month
The Construction Products Association has written to the Chancellor in advance of his Budget statement next month, calling on him to introduce a range of practical policies that, whilst helping drive growth, will not endanger the government’s desire to achieve its medium term deficit target, but speed the country’s economic recovery.
CPA: Exports help product manufacturers, as domestic market weakens in Q4
The Construction Products Association’s latest State of Trade Survey, which has been launched today, shows that manufacturers, particularly on the light side, are benefiting from an increase in export activity to off-set the subdued level of construction activity in the domestic market.
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