Austerity and recession are destroying employment opportunities all over the region. More than 64,000 young people, aged 18-24, are now out of work in the North West. There are 149,000 young people who are not in Education, Employment and Training (NEETs). With one in five young people jobless, many are being forced to take unskilled, part-time, temporary work, unpaid internships or work experience. Others simply become detached from society. Meanwhile, the abolition of the Educational Maintenance Allowance and increases in tuition fees are preventing thousands from gaining qualifications and new skills for the job market. Urgent action must be taken to give the young people of the North West a future that works. Taking positive action to help our young people will demand commitment, determination and real resources from Government, employers and trade unions. The North West TUC pledges to play its part. We urge MPs, local councillors, employers and others to sign up here – and pledge to take practical and immediate action to give young people a future that works.

STOP HIGH STREET LOAN SHARKS Through floods of tears our friend outlined her debt problem. She had borrowed from friends to make ends meet until payday. When she found paying them back difficult from her small salary she took out loans from high street money shops. New money shops are opening all the time. We get 3% APR on our savings. She was being charged between 2000% and 4000% APR. To default at such interest rates is like chasing a train that has left the station. You never catch up. Worse still she had assembled a “portfolio” of companies hoping to pay off one by another. Could we help her? Having money was useless because none of these companies wanted to provide statements or invoices. A nightmare. Yes. Is it legal? Yes. Slavery? Well yes. Salvation? For her yes through a Debt Relief Order thanks to you the great British taxpayer and the Legal Aid Scheme. My friend is not alone. 45% of people say they struggle to make it to payday. Millions are vulnerable to these legal loan sharks. Legislation is urgently needed. France caps the maximum charge for a loan at 133% APR and Germany 200% APR. For more information try www.sharkstoppers.org Dear 38degrees members please back the campaign to encourage parliament to pass legislation as soon as possible to introduce loan capping in the UK.

Why should a select minority make a profit from services which we all need and which could, with proper strategic investment, make Britain a more competitive player in the world.

They say, money makes the world go round, but if there's no money, the world could stop spinning. Not literally, but financially.

People have better things to do with their time than round up all their existing old stamps, complete a form and submit them for new style stamps. Many people will have bulk bought in order to protect themselves from future price rises, on the understanding that they would be valid forever. Now Royal Mail is moving the goal posts by making them expire and has wasted a vast sum of money organising an exchange system and producing publicity; this at a time when the organisation is making a loss. People should not be forced to waste time exchanging their stamps, making sure they have submitted them all and then being in a situation where they find some after the expiry date and they are worthless.

Current government plans for tax cuts only benefit the rich and will do nothing to create real growth. The National Insurance rate rise is a tax on workers and employers. The government borrowing to fund the Energy Cap will leave ordinary tax payers to pick up the bill. None of this will create growth nor will it do anything to reduce the cost of living crisis. Instead we should tax the massive profits of the fuel suppliers like BP who said they are making more money than they know what to do with. Use this to fund the Energy Cap. To fund the NHS and Care remove the inequality in National Insurance that has always meant the CEO pays less NI, as a percentage of income, than the person that cleans his office. This means removing the Upper Earnings Limit. The extra money raised could allow the return of NI rates to original levels as promised by this Prime Minister and may still create a genuine surplus to fund the NHS. Finally, if Tax Cuts really do create growth then why not apply that to everyone, not just the highest earners, by doubling the current basic rate tax threshold that Mr Sunak froze so that everyone benefits. Nobody earning less than the Real Living Wage would pay any tax if this was done.

Everyone will save 1 hour a day of electricity for 6 months by being brighter.

Current pension levels are falling and not keeping pace with average earnings or even meeting subsistence levels.

We are all aware of the way products are often not worth repairing, because those costs are greater than buying replacements. Many things which could be repaired end up in landfill sites, with potentially valuable components being lost forever. Our world has finite resources. Already some rare minerals are becoming more difficult and expensive to mine, as well as being extremely damaging to human health and the environments in the areas around the mines. Populations have expanded exponentially over the last few decades and we, in the developed world, should accept that we can no longer consume so much of those resources often to the detriment of other peoples. By looking after and maintaining what we have, we will be helping to make a more sustainable future for our children and further generations. Making Maintenance, Repairs and Recycling cheaper by removing VAT will begin that process.

Because we are the only people that can stand up for the families who suffer, those making huge profits are only interested in their bank balance, while those who need our help are living in debt.

The Goal. To help cinemas and arcades bounce back after being severely affected by the economic consequences of the pandemic. The Problem. Many businesses have shut down because of the restrictions imposed during the pandemic. And while at present, so businesses are gradually getting back on track, some businesses—like arcades and cinemas that depend on visiting customers—are still facing uncertainty. It’s heartbreaking to see these recreational areas that used to be so alive and vibrant now turn into dark and empty halls and gaming rooms. Those owning these businesses must have a tough time making ends meet, now that people are required to stay indoors. And for those families and friends that used to share so many memories in cinemas and arcade halls, there’s also the sadness that comes with the possibility that the good memories will never be replicated again. The Solution. Owners of arcades, cinemas, and other local gaming businesses need all the help they can get. For them to operate today, they have to receive safety training, financial assistance, and the support from the local community. We can all try to hire them in our private functions and get our meals from them if they offer deliveries or pick-ups. These businesses can also look into new equipment to make transactions safer, faster, more efficient, and more convenient for customers. Check out Embed today to learn more about the business solutions they offer like the movie theater POS system.

Aid to Yemen has been cut from £164m to £87m owing to ‘current straitened circumstances’, says Boris Johnson (3 March), while he is spending £11.9m on a Whitehall ‘situation room’ and refurbishing No. 9 Downing Street. Meanwhile, after five years of war in Yemen, 'Extreme hunger and disease may have already claimed the lives of up to 85,000 young children' (Save the Children). Over 2 million people have been displaced, and now, with coronavirus, 'medicines and medical supplies are extremely scarce' (British Red Cross). Of course, Yemen is not alone. Cuts will also affect Syria, South Sudan, Libya, and Somalia. But the government are turning their backs and using our money to put up new wallpaper. What would we want and hope for from richer countries if we were in a similar situation?