Height and weight discrimination is a proven, yet largely unrecognised bias in society. Several scientific studies have reported this, with one study stating in some cases weight/height "were even more prevalent than discrimination due to gender and race". https://www.nature.com/articles/ijo200822 Important protected characteristics such as age, race and sexual orientation, (all things that cannot be controlled), are included in the legislation. Yet height and weight, (some medical conditions mean weight cannot be controlled, such as an underactive thyroid and Cushing's syndrome), are ignored by our government. Is it fair that only some members of society are legally protected from being discriminated against? Scientific Findings: Height Discrimination - "employers prefer not to hire or promote short employees, and that they do not adequately compensate them" https://papers.ss-rn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3166828 - "someone who is 6 feet tall earns, on average, nearly $166,000 more during a 30-year career than someone who is 5 feet 5 inches--even when controlling for gender, age and weight". https://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug04/standing Weight Discrimination - "weight discrimination by individuals with obesity were common, and its negative consequences are highly relevant issues within society" https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26596238/ - "Weight discrimination is highly prevalent in American society and increasing at disturbing rates. Its prevalence is relatively close to reported rates of race and age discrimination, but virtually no legal or social sanctions against weight discrimination exist." https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1038/oby.2008.35 The law is meant to protect us all. Why doesn't it cover all types of discrimination? This is wrong. We can do better. Amend the Equality Act, and get justice for all.

We need hope for 2021

Dear Supporters, We are calling for a statutory public inquiry into Essex Mental Health Care provided by various NHS Trusts over the years. North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (NEP) and South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (SEPT) now Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) following a merger. Essex Partnership University Trust (EPUT), which now runs mental health services in Essex, has already admitted to failures of care relating to the deaths of 11 patients between 2004 and 2015. There are now 62 families represented by Hodge Jones & Allen (HJA). Many have already been campaigning for years for better mental health services from the NHS, following the tragic deaths of their loved ones. Nadine Dorries MP has launched an indepedent inquiry into events at the Linden Centre over a 20 year period. However, the families would like a statutory public inquiry, due to the extra powers it has: • Any person or organisation can be made to produce relevant documents. It is a criminal offence to intentionally withhold a document required by the Inquiry or deliberately to obstruct its work. • Core Participants can suggest lines of questioning that should be pursued by the Inquiry. • Inquiries hold hearings and any person or relevant organisation can be called as a witness to give evidence. • Witnesses can be asked questions by Counsel to the Inquiry or by legal representatives of Core Participants (with the Chairman’s permission). The families are also requesting that all NHS mental health care providers across Essex are included and that it is not just limited to the Linden Centre in Chelmsford. Nina Ali, Partner at Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors, states: “families have fought too hard and for too long to be now fobbed off with yet another investigation that we all know will simply not provide the answers so desperately needed. If the Government are serious about improving mental health care, then it must be the case that those responsible are obliged to attend and compelled to give their evidence on oath, and the only way to do that is via a statutory public inquiry.” Deborah Coles, Director of the charity INQUEST said: “An independent inquiry without the backing of the families affected will not take us further than the countless previous investigations and inquests. None have prevented further deaths or enabled accountability and change. Now nothing less than a full Statutory Public Inquiry will suffice. If not for the dedication and persistence of families affected, the failings in Essex mental health services would never have come to light. The minister owes it to these families, who have been already been repeatedly failed by the state, to meet their demands.” Thank you for your support. #StatutoryInquiry #419days #QBAIN

We put it to you, that it's totally unjust that carer workers whom are paid by the local authority, have to log in and out, ( paid by the minute). Whilst staff working in the NHS, whom travel from house to house, are paid from start to the end of the working day. It is grossly unfair to ourselves and our clients. We demand parity. Please sign our petition.

At the start of December, the UK government introduced cruel new rules which mean that people born outside of the UK who experience homelessness could lose their right to live in the UK and face being deported. Many people who moved to the UK have worked and raised families here, but when they fall on hard times their immigration status can mean they have “no recourse to public funds” and are unable to access help with housing or any financial support. In the middle of a pandemic which has left many people out of work and struggling to keep a roof over their head, we should be helping find people safe warm homes, not putting them on deportation flights. For this policy to work, it needs local councils to let the Home Office know details of people experiencing homelessness. Several councils across the UK, including Liverpool, have committed to not sharing sensitive personal data of rough sleepers with the Home Office to prevent cruel deportations, and make sure people aren’t afraid to turn to councils for help if they need it. Sign the petition now to make sure Manchester Council makes the same promise.

At the start of December, the UK government introduced cruel new rules which mean that people born outside of the UK who experience homelessness could lose their right to live in the UK and face being deported. Many people who moved to the UK have worked and raised families here, but when they fall on hard times their immigration status can mean they have “no recourse to public funds” and are unable to access help with housing or any financial support. In the middle of a pandemic which has left many people out of work and struggling to keep a roof over their head, we should be helping find people safe warm homes, not putting them on deportation flights. For this policy to work, it needs local councils to let the Home Office know details of people experiencing homelessness. Several councils across the UK have committed to not sharing sensitive personal data of rough sleepers with the Home Office to prevent cruel deportations, and make sure people aren’t afraid to turn to councils for help if they need it. Sign the petition now to make sure Bristol Council makes the same promise.

At the start of December, the UK government introduced cruel new rules which mean that people born outside of the UK who experience homelessness could lose their right to live in the UK and face being deported. Many people who moved to the UK have worked and raised families here, but when they fall on hard times their immigration status can mean they have “no recourse to public funds” and are unable to access help with housing or any financial support. In the middle of a pandemic which has left many people out of work and struggling to keep a roof over their head, we should be helping find people safe warm homes, not putting them on deportation flights. For this policy to work, it needs local councils to let the Home Office know details of people experiencing homelessness. Several councils across the UK have committed to not sharing sensitive personal data of rough sleepers with the Home Office to prevent cruel deportations, and make sure people aren’t afraid to turn to councils for help if they need it. Sign the petition now to make sure Birmingham Council makes the same promise.

At the start of December, the UK government introduced cruel new rules - which mean that people born outside of the UK who experience homelessness could be deported. Many people who moved to the UK have worked and raised families here, but when they fall on hard times their immigration status means they have “no recourse to public funds” and are unable to access the support they need to keep a roof over their head. During winter it is more difficult for people experiencing homelessness to safely remain outdoors, but these rules will mean that people born outside of the UK will be unable to access any support because they fear being deported for rough sleeping. Brent, Croydon, Enfield, Islington, Hackney, Haringey, Lambeth, Newham and Southwark have all committed to not sharing sensitive personal data of rough sleepers with the Home Office to prevent these cruel deportations. Sign the petition now to make sure all London councils make the same promise.

This will prevent vulnerable people being left in a state of limbo for prolonged periods of time, will reduce the burden on the taxpayer and allow a small number of asylum seekers to support themselves and their families while contributing to the economy. Those who are allowed to stay in the UK, will find it much easier to become part of British society if they have been given the chance to work.

At the start of December, the UK government introduced cruel new rules which mean that people born outside of the UK who experience homelessness could lose their right to live in the UK and face being deported. Many people who moved to the UK have worked and raised families here, but when they fall on hard times their immigration status can mean they have “no recourse to public funds” and are unable to access help with housing or any financial support. In the middle of a pandemic which has left many people out of work and struggling to keep a roof over their head, we should be helping find people safe warm homes, not putting them on deportation flights. For this policy to work, it needs local councils to let the Home Office know details of people experiencing homelessness. Several councils across the UK have committed to not sharing sensitive personal data of rough sleepers with the Home Office to prevent cruel deportations, and make sure people aren’t afraid to turn to councils for help if they need it. Sign the petition now to make sure Brighton and Hove Council makes the same promise.

Recent cases of potential forcible removals of Fijian ex-UK Armed Forces Personnel, and their families, highlight a morally questionable policy, practise and process, that is discriminatory and has an unequal logic and an affront to previous service.   Introduction of this legislation, applied equally to all ex-Armed Forces Veterans, would close this gap and recognise service and sacrifice to Queen and Country.

Lockdown has effected all people in this country, but it has had an even greater effect on those who are registered disabled. Getting to the shops at all can be very difficult under normal circumstances. Not being able to park close to the entry of stores makes shopping even more difficult.