This is the 2nd “off message” post in a row but it is my personal blog and many families in the UK (and elsewhere) are in similar circumstances. Gill and I spoke to my Mum on FaceTime this morning to wish her happy birthday and had a lovely chat….Read more…
WORK – The ESG Conference
(This looks interesting. It should not have needed the onslaught of Covid to raise the profile of “Social” in ESG. There is also too much #LabourRightsWashing going on )
“WORK – The Conference
The Covid-19 pandemic has served to remind us…Read more…
Mereworth Woods & West Peckham Walk
Off message but yesterday Gill and I went for our first walk outside North East London since the relaxation in “Lock Down” restrictions. We went to Mereworth in North Kent for this lovely “up and down” 6 mile circular walk. 53 minutes drive from …Read more…
NHS STAFF DESERVE A PROPER PAY RISE – UNISON
“Families and individuals across the UK are being urged by health unions to create colourful window displays in their homes and workplaces today (Thursday) to show support for NHS staff on the day they should have been getting a pay rise.Artwork…Read more…
Kebba Manneh, Chair of UNISON National Black members & NHS worker -Why he is having the Covid Vaccine…
Additional money for social care must be used to support staff who self-isolate, says UNISON
Christina McAnea says employers must use extra infection control cash to support staff
The article Additional money for social care must be used to support staff who self-isolate, says UNISON first…Read more…
Just had my 1st Covid vaccine: AstraZeneca
This evening I had my first jab in Westfields Stratford. It went very smoothly. There was no queue outside and despite being a little early I was allowed straight in. The security at the door gave me a new face mask and showed me how to access th…Read more…
Why are cases of Covid in the workplace not being reported in the UK? Alice Martin
Check out this excellent article in the Guardian by PIRC researcher, Alice Martin, about the massive under reporting scandal of workplace deaths and infections from Covid.
“At Pensions and Investments Research Consultancy (PIRC), we’ve been tr…Read more…
“Nursing homes are high risk. Investors should treat them that way”
Even before reading this shocking article in “Responsible Investor” I had asked Newham Council Pension officers to assess what exposure the fund has to investments in residential and home care companies.
“Investors have been doing the groundwork on ESG…Read more…
Nominate John & Denise for UNISON NEC Community seats 2021
(Nominations period opens 1 February 2021)
NEC Elections 2021: Community General Seat & Female Seat Nomination Request John Gray &…Read more…
NHS staff covid cases underline urgency of vaccine rollout, says UNISON
Half of all staff absences are Covid related
The article NHS staff covid cases underline urgency of vaccine rollout, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.Read more…
Cllr Lola Oyewusi to be the next Kent Police & Crime Commissioner May 2021
This afternoon I spoke at the virtual launch of the campaign to elect the Labour and Cooperative Party candidate, Lola Oyewusi, as the next Kent Police and Crime Commissioner in May 2021.
I have known Lola for many years and she is the assistant …Read more…
“Newham: Councillors rebel against Mayor over emission-based parking permit scheme”
More than half of the east London council’s dominant Labour group have taken a very public stand against the borough’s Labour Mayor
JOSHUA NEICHOThirty-two Newham councillors, more than half the total number, have signed an open letter calling on…Read more…
UK Covid Lockdown as 4 January 2020
(As BBC website) “England is going into lockdown to try to prevent the NHS from becoming overwhelmed by a surge in coronavirus cases.Primary and secondary schools will close to almost all pupils, and people will be instructed to stay at home.Nort…Read more…
West Ham, Stratford & Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park walk
Picture collage from yesterdays lockdown “3 Park walk”. First was West Ham Park (we had coffee sitting on the bench remembering local Spanish Civil War International Brigader and poet, David Marshall) then Stratford Park (check out the Senso…Read more…
Cycling to Cutty Sark
Off message. I decided to try and ditch my “fair weather only” cycling reputation by biking in the winter gloom and cold to the Cutty Sark in Greenwich. My favourite route to the south of the borough is via West Ham Park and the Greenway. Across …Read more…
So why is there 104,000 vacancies in the Care Sector?
On BBC News this evening there was a report on the 104,000 vacancies in the UK care sector. There are justifiable worries that Brexit restrictions on low paid migrants will make this problem much worse. A owner of a care home was interview…Read more…
Get Tested To Keep Your Loved Ones Safe
This morning my wife Gillian, booked online a “drive thorough” test at Newham Leisure Centre. She has been feeling poorly for a number of days with classic common cold symptoms (congestion, blocked noise and some coughing fits) but he…Read more…
Count me in! When it’s my turn, I’m getting Vaccinated! Goodbye Covid
LAPFF webinar highlights video 2020 Dec 2-4
Check out highlights of the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum virtual conference for 2020 (only 1 minute 40 secs). Despite the challenges of online webinars there was a number of excellent speakers and lively panel debates.
Check out some provoc…Read more…