UK military: harbingers of death or climate change activists?
Whilst visiting the US, Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, has disclosed the Tories’ military plans, suggesting that British soldiers will wage secret wars and employ new types of warfare. Furthermore, he asserted that the military was capable of handling climate change, population growth, and migration. Wallace added that the Tory government was still keen to be close to American power.
Government sanctioned killers who committed crimes in Ireland go unprosecuted
British prosecutors in the north of Ireland have taken the decision to not prosecute two soldiers who were found to have killed innocent people during the Troubles. Tory MPs have attempted to justify the outcome as some form of reconciliation of the Troubles; however for those who have lost friends, family and loved ones reconciliation is a far away thought when state sanctioned killers still walk the streets.
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”.
More than one million children of key workers live in poverty
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has revealed that over one million children of key workers live in poverty. The TUC has blamed this on low pay, poor contracts and a high cost of living for workers in Britain. Employment even for key workers throughout the pandemic have proven to be insecure and of poor quality. In England, Scotland and Wales this reality is faced by one in five children of key workers. The worst affected region according to the report is the North East where the figure increases to as many as one in three.
MPs approve controversial foreign aid cut
Today (Tuesday 13 July), the House of Commons approved the Tory government’s planned cuts to foreign aid. The cuts from 0.7% to 0.5% of the budget will see a reduction of around £4 billion, with the government justifying the decrease by blaming the pandemic.
Universal Credit £20 uplift to end
At the end of September, the Covid Universal Credit boost of £20 a week will be removed. Confirmed by work and pensions secretary Thérèse Coffey, the Tories have been undeterred by pervasive public and cross-party opposition to the move.
Priti Patel to block visas in asylum system overhaul
Britain will stop visas for visitors from nations the Home Secretary regards as refusing to participate in taking back shunned asylum seekers.
NHS awarded the George Cross by the Queen to mark 73rd anniversary … but no pay rise
The National Health Service has been awarded with the George Cross to mark 73 years since it’s founding in 1948. This pomp and circumstance from the Royals, however, is yet to be followed up by a meaningful pay rise for any NHS workers, highlighting that this is nothing more than a shallow propaganda stunt.
The British Medical Association consider industrial action
If the Tory government doesn’t increase a 1% pay offer, senior doctors in England may refuse to do overtime. Due to a pay offer that the NHS workforce have labelled as a “slap in the face”, the threat of industrial action has developed following the Royal College of Nursing’s announcement that it would contemplate balloting for industrial action.
Communist Party calls to ‘Save NHS from profiteers’
On the 73rd anniversary of the launch of the NHS, Britain’s Communist Party launched a stinging attack on the “creeping privatisation” of the service. Speaking at the Party’s Executive Committee on 4 July – the day before NHS vesting day – General Secretary Robert Griffiths accused Boris Johnson’s Conservative government of “accelerating the sell-out of Aneurin Bevan and Labour’s greatest living achievement”.
