Neoliberalism to blame for Britain’s weather woes
Given what we already know about the role of capitalism as a major cause of climate change, it is obvious that it is contributing to the environmental destruction currently facing the UK. However, this crisis goes beyond this, and it is important to highlight the role of neoliberal domestic policies over the last forty years that have weakened our position to combat these extreme weather events.
Police Inspectorate releases report on police response to violence against women and girls
The Policing Inspectorate (HMICFRS) have today announced the release of their keenly awaited review of the policing response to violence against women and girls, announced in response to the murder of Sarah Everard in March of this year.
Plymouth terror suspect held alt-right sympathies
Late on Thursday night, 22 year old Jake Davison gunned down five victims near his home in Plymouth before turning the gun on himself. The victims included his own mother, Maxine Davison, and a three year old girl, Sophie Martyn. A tragedy in itself, but unfortunately not unpredictable.
Freedom day: a gamble or a safe bet?
Whilst Tory ministers celebrate so called “freedom day” in England, coronavirus is ripping through the UK, leading to mounting health problems caused by long Covid and pressures on the overstretched NHS. Once again, the Tories are putting profits before lives in a cruelly expected fashion. Boris Johnson ended mandatory Covid-19-related restrictions on Monday (19 July 2021). This is despite the fact that the country is now seeing over 50,000 new Covid-19 cases per day and there are still no plans to make vaccines generally available to under 18s.
Inquest into rape prosecutions highlights endemic failure
A joint report commissioned by the Police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Inspectorates has accused the two organisations of engaging in a “blame game”, which ultimately results in a failure to prosecute sexual offences. The report, published today, said “both organisations argued that the other was to blame for the low conviction rates.” It continued, “Until this blame culture is eradicated, a real shift in attitudes seems unachievable”.
G7 leaders meet in Cornwall this weekend
G7 leaders from across the world have travelled to Carbis Bay, near St Ives in Cornwall as talks continue across the weekend, with Covid-19 vaccines and the environment high up on the agenda. The G7 brings together the largest capitalist economies, from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the United States. Russia joined to form the G8 but has since been excluded. Other leaders have also been invited this year, including the far right leader of the BJP in India, Narendra Modi, who will attend virtually, while Ursula von der Leyen will represent the European Union.
The epidemic of sexual harassment in schools
Sexual harassment and online sexual abuse are such a conventional aspect of pupils’ everyday lives they don’t see any point in confronting or reporting it, students have expressed to Ofsted inspectors. Girls experience this abuse disproportionately, facing the likes of misogynistic name-calling, online abuse and rape jokes amongst many other harrowing displays of sexual harassment. Inspectors were informed that boys share nude photos on apps, such as Snapchat, “like a collection game”.
More than half of UK adults fully vaccinated … but Britain isn’t out of the woods yet
As of Thursday (3 June 2021), 26,422,303 people across the UK have received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, also confirmed that three quarters of UK adults have had their first jab. One of the few achievements in an otherwise disastrous response from the UK Government over the last 15 months.
Private renters fear the prospect of homelessness
Ministers are being alerted to the fact that nearly two million private renters fear they will be powerless to find another property if they are evicted, following the end of the eviction ban. The government is being confronted with appeals for emergency legislation to broaden the permanent protection for those struggling to pay rent as a consequence of the Covid pandemic and the wider issues caused by capitalism, with the ban set to end this week. There have been estimates of a £2.2 billion bill, councils are additionally predicting the homelessness crisis to deepen if the government does not respond in the approaching months.
Special Educational Needs and Disabled (SEND) children robbed of support
Spending cuts and service reviews are being outlined as a result of a funding shortage of over half a billion pounds for educating children with special needs, across councils in England. Due to a government ruling, local authorities are not permitted to employ other reserves to boost funds for the special educational needs and disabilities (Send) system, leaving families anxious that their loved ones could lose support to ensure gaping historical shortfalls are cleared.
