A month to go before low paid UNISON members can apply for this welcome grant. I was worried that the cuts to the welfare budget approved by the majority NEC Group would have meant it might have been discontinued but the money cut could have helped tho…Read more…
Nye | Full Show | Watch for free | National Theatre at Home
Fantastic. Never watched a play in this way. Cried my eyes out, every so often and at end. So, so much better than the Netflick, prime etc rubbish I have been watching latelyLast day tomorrow? (11.11.24)Read more…
1st Labour Government budget 2024
West Ham Remembrance Sunday 2024
This morning I joined the Congregation at the 12th Century All Saints Church in West Ham with my fellow Councillors, for the Service of Remembrance. As well as local residents and veterans, there were Council, Police and Fire Brigade Office…Read more…
Labour Housing Group: “How can the Labour Government Deliver on Housing”
On Saturday I went to this conference in Camden which had a great range of key note speakers and workshops.Lots and lots of great ideas, changes and initiatives but I do worry that while the supply and condition of our housing stock can be improv…Read more…
Employment Rights Bill – Second Reading – PASSED
SECOND READING – PASSED.
Brilliant job @AngelaRayner and @jreynoldsMP, and all the Labour MPs who spoke in the debate to explain why it matters and highlight important issues.
Now for Committee Stage
BRING. IT. ON.Hat tip @labourunions Read more…
Speech to Newham Council on Temporary Accommodation Crisis
Below are my notes for my speech yesterday evening. The motion was passed unanimously with cross party support. You can see the actual contents of the motion here mgov.newham.gov.uk/documents/s175786/Motions report.pdf which was seconde…Read more…
“Newham seeks EFS to stave off section 114 – but says only funding reform will prevent ‘exceptional becoming normal’
Important article in Room151 blog not only for Newham but also for many, many other Councils facing section 114 notices (a form of municipal insolvency and/or technical bankruptcy).My understanding is EFS is not an increase in Government funding …Read more…
Save the date and help save Newham Voices!
Disciplinary or grievance hearing? It’s dangerous to go Solo…
100% agree. I would also add sickness meetings, redundancy, restructures, changes to terms and conditions, office moves…Hat tip Notts UNISON branchRead more…
“Bill will make game-changing improvements to working life, says UNISON”
This is special. A very welcome day. Good news for workers and responsible employers. Still lots to do. Fair pay agreement in social care will be an historic stepCommenting on the publication of the employment rights bill today (Thursday),&n…Read more…
Chiltern Way: Hemel Hempstead to Chorleywood West
Off message. Due to Conference season I have not been posting on any walks lately but this is from last month when Gill and I started on the long distance linear walk, The Chilterns Way. We are planning to do this in stages (as well as other walk…Read more…
“It’s time to “stop the witch-hunt” against flexible working, says coalition of unions and equality campaigners”
Unions and equality campaigners have today (Monday) condemned escalating attacks on flexible working.A joint statement released today – signed by organisations and campaigners including the TUC, Age UK, the Fawcett Society, Anna Whitehouse (found…Read more…
TUC Webinar: Mental health is a workplace issue
Labour Party Conference 2024: Wednesday
On the last day of conference, I decided to get up and go home early in order to catch up with work. Since the weather was nice, I walked to the station to explore a little, this part of Liverpool. I came across a sadly ruined church (top right o…Read more…
London Party Conference 2024: Tuesday
Weather was much better so went for another run around the boundary of the magnificent Sefton Park (opposite way from Sunday). Other than that I had a lazy start trying to decide which fringes to go to. Lots of the social housing fringes have bee…Read more…
A West Ham Labour doorstep
Picture collage of today’s doorstep with my West Ham ward Councillor colleague John Whitworth and our super local activist, Varghese. It did not start well since the Labour Party canvass software (contact creator) was not working and we could not…Read more…
Labour Party Conference 2024: Monday
Monday was pretty wet, windy and rainy but being from North Wales originally – I was used to it. I had some UNISON stuff to sort out in the morning and my first fringe was “Why we need to track social economic diversity to break the class ceiling…Read more…
Labour Party Conference 2024: Sunday
Labour Party conference formally started at 11am on the Sunday but since I was not a delegate, I was able to go for a run in the morning around Sefton Park (which is near my hotel room). I once again left it too late to book accommodation nearer …Read more…
Labour Party Conference 2024: Saturday
Back home after 5 days away at Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. This year I went as a Labour Councillor (self funded apart from the conference fee which is paid out of our ALC subs). Which meant that unlike delegates I could go and see the debates…Read more…