Staff at Queen Margaret University are in dispute with the university over proposed cuts (40 FTE posts). This makes up nearly 10% of QMU posts and, if carried out risks serious damage to the university, its staff, students and the wider community. This is in order to save £1.65m over the next two years, which is primarily needed to meet commitments to the bank. UCU argue that such devastating cuts will impact on the university’s ability to continue to run high quality courses and train tomorrow’s public sector staff, including the NHS. The university also has a creditable record on widening access; 36.6% of students are the first in their family to study at university and 37.6% are mature students; 12.4% of our students come from 20% of the most deprived backgrounds in Scotland, whilst 28.9% of our students come from the lowest 40%. Uniquely, 79% of our students are female, thus making our university a vital asset in the alleviation of gender inequality in wider society. The staff at QMU are committed to maintaining and improving our record on providing education for those who otherwise may not have the opportunity. The proposed cuts risks all of this. The University Court (the governing body) has said that there is no alternative. We believe this to be false. There are a large number of courses and modules that have been suspended with little justification. There are also many ideas amongst the staff for growth. There is a large contrast between what could be carried out at QMU and what is being carried out. Lack of communication, bureaucracy, and a senior management/top heavy structure are stifling potential growth. The unions have been conducting an alternative portfolio review, and an alterative manifesto for the university. Growth can only be achieved through the work of the staff, which is why we call on university management, in conjunction with QMU trade unions and the students union, to seriously explore alternative proposals. We call on MPs, MSPs, councillors, trade unions and the wider public to support staff at QMU. Please sign the petition to show your support.

Some councillors and local lobbyists have persistently blocked school children from their own playing fields, resulting in Cotham School paying over £100,000 in legal fees and still not having their own useable pitches. It has to stop. School staff and workers must be protected against harassment from deep-pocketed and time-rich local lobbyists, and be left in peace to carry out the work of running a highly successful and popular secondary school.

Only two years after the last round of devastating cuts to our children's centres, many children in Lambeth are in danger of losing out on essential early years support. The Council have announced plans for a borough-wide restructure, which threatens five centres with closure. Another seven centres will have their provision cut in half under these proposals, and many staff are faced with losing their jobs. Children's Centres are a vital service for parents and their children in our local area. They combat isolation and loneliness which many of us experience when on maternity leave or looking after early years children. They provide support and guidance from professionals as well as a chance to mix with a range of families you didn't know before.

Kent County Council are planning to cut the opening hours at 99 libraries. Libraries are a vital source of learning and education. They are a vital public good we cannot do without. People of all ages can enjoy borrowing and reading books, DVDs and CDs, using the internet, reading newspapers and speaking and spending time with others. The plans could mean large numbers of libraries opening for less time. Library chiefs have already drawn up suggested opening hours and some could see big reductions. For more information on the libraries facing cut in opening hours across Kent, see this article: All the Kent libraries facing a cut in their opening hours in cost-cutting move: https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/kent-libraries-facing-cut-opening-2260765#r3z-addoor

a large percentage of the worlds population are deaf or hard of hearing. Many of them learn BSL as there first language however are not able to communicate with non deaf people without a struggle.

School Streets are roads next to schools where traffic is restricted during the times of the day when children are arriving or leaving school. Sheffield has 25 schools in areas of high, sometimes illegal, air pollution. High air pollution levels exacerbate respiratory illnesses like asthma and recent studies have shown that children exposed to high pollution levels have reduced lung capacity that can affect them for the rest of their lives. Sheffield has a clean air strategy that already recognises the need to take action on poor air quality, especially around schools. 20mph and anti-idling initiatives are great but will not make enough of a difference. Edinburgh, Southwark, Hackney and Solihull have already implemented School Streets to protect children from traffic and traffic related pollution at the school gate. School Streets encourages active travel, improves air quality in the classroom, and reduces traffic congestion for everyone.

The County Council wish to relocate the library to the museum, which is half the size and result in the downgrading of both services. Welshpool Library is purpose built in a central location which is convenient for all. It has parking spaces and is instantly recognisable. In the proposed location, it would house less than half the current bookstock, and there is very little space for children's storytimes and activities. The Museum would be squeezed into an upstairs space and jobs would be lost.

So many societal problems could be avoided if we treat the new and younger generation well and nurture them through the Education System and into adulthood. But this requires adequate funding. Why do Britain's roads deserve vastly more money in the Budget than our schools?

Students are struggling to cope with such a lengthy exam and it is impacting their results. One of my students collapsed from exhaustion in the middle of their exam (it was their second exam that day and they had been writing for over 5 hours). We urge you to consider dividing the exam into 2 separate exams. This will help students to improve their ability to focus and will also prevent students with access arrangements for extra time from suffering almost 4 hours in a drama exam. We should be testing their knowledge not their stamina!

Children have been hit by speeding cars at the crossing on College Road on more than one occasion. We want to prevent a loss of life or a serious accident.

Is important to give something back to the people of St Helens and surrounding areas, this show was something to look forward to each year and now its gone and we have nothing

Both the Hope Centre and NAASH offer an unmatched and undeniably crucial role in providing vital services to the towns homeless and vulnerable community. No other organisation be it housing, charity or council come near to the services provided or the compassion and heart they are provided with. To allow a business who's bottom line is about profit to take over this service in conjunction with other organisations that are only interested in control rather than compassion is not in the best interest of the homeless community in this town.