In the continuing debate relating to public sector pay caps, the rhetoric is being consistently presented that the choice is between responsible restraints or tax rises. What is being quietly ignored is the vast amount of money, counted in many £Billions, that continue to disappear from the UK into secrecy jurisdictions each year. Austerity is an ideologically motivated policy designed to transfer wealth from ordinary people (in this case nurses, teachers, police and fire officers, etc.) to the pockets of the wealthy, and it continues to work just as designed. Ordinary people continue to suffer real-terms pay cuts whilst businesses and wealthy individuals carry on cheating the system.

Tenant's living in rented housing in the UK shouldn't need to set up protest sites to have their voice heard. This type of site is not effective and serious concerns can be missed, as often the message will never be seen by the intended recipient. Tragedies like Grenfell Tower might have been avoided had the residents had a direct line of communication, that delivered their concerns directly to the desk of the relevant housing team. The majority of housing staff are doing everything they can to make a difference, however, reduced budgets, staffing and available resources are having a significant impact. A system needs to be deployed immediately to provide 360 degree protection. The system needs to free up valuable staff time, whilst providing protection to all sides and a complete record of all communication between connected parties (provider and tenant). Every event and communication (on both sides) throughout the tenancy must be logged, date stamped and digitally signed. This will ensure, in the event of a dispute, or worse, ALL the facts and supporting information is available...signed, dated and in complete chronological order.

The DUP may have a mandate as elected representatives in Northern Ireland, but we believe their views do not represent the majority of progressive, sensible people in the UK, and it is deeply unfair that the deal is worth £1bn in extra funding for Northern Ireland whilst the rest of the UK continues to face austerity and cuts to public services. We are concerned that members of the DUP have previously expressed unacceptable views on LGBT+ people, and consistently voting against LGBT legislation in N.I. Iris Robinson, a former DUP MP and wife of the current party leader, Peter Robinson, described homosexuality as “disgusting, loathsome, nauseating, wicked and vile”, as well as an “abomination” that could be “cured”. These are views that are deeply disturbing and are deeply hurtful to those who have campaigned for equality for years, and indeed are hurtful to LGBT+ MPs. These views do not represent the modern United Kingdom, and we do not believe they should be part of our Government. We urge you to vote against the Queen’s Speech, and take a stand against homophobia, unfair deals and in favour of your constituents. Yours Sincerely, The Undersigned

There are 4 so called 'Estates'; The Crown, Parliament (inc The Lords) The Press (Often known as 'The 4th Estate') and The Church. Why should the CHURCH have two bites of the 'CHERRY'

Manchester Activist Network agree and campaign in line with the same principles as Housing First, who stand by the following philosophy: - Housing as a basic human right - Respect, warmth and compassion for all clients - No requirement regarding housing readiness - Consumer choice and self-determination - A recovery orientation - Harm reduction rather than abstinence with regards to substance misuse. Receiving an intensive case management team This approach is guided by the belief that people need basic necessities like food and a place to live before attending to do anything less critical, such as getting a job, budgeting properly or attending to substance use issues. The Housing First approach views housing as the foundation for life improvement and enables to permanent housing without prerequisites or conditions beyond those of a typical renter. The traditional supported accommodation, addressing addiction issues and subsequent move-on to long-term accommodation had failed repeatedly. (Laura's Story) http://icmblog.shelter.org.uk/a-housing-first-future/ Housing First, widely replicated in the US, Canada, Europe, has been actively growing interest in developing better housing responses for people with multiple and complex needs. - provides strong and consistent outcomes for tenancy sustainment of between 70% to 90% - Potential annual savings ranged between £4,794 and £3,048 per person in support costs - One study found an average cost savings on emergency services of $31,545 per person housed in a Housing First program over the course of two years. However, the future of the initiative is struggling due to: - Very little funding comes from other sectors including social services (4%) criminal justice (2%) and substance misuse (2%) - By far the biggest barrier to setting up a Housing First project was reported as access to suitable and affordable accommodation in both the social and private rented sectors. Inspiring Change Manchester ‘now know more than ever of the importance of a tailored support offer; which is the crucial element in supporting men and women who have led complex lives into stable accommodation. Not just ceasing at the point where a tenancy is signed, but continued and wrap-around support has brought the immeasurable benefit of people developing real relationships with peers who in turn link them into what is happening in their locality’ . Wayne's Story: http://icmblog.shelter.org.uk/wayne-talks-housing-first/ “I believe that when you build a life it’s like building a building. You start with the foundations; you don’t start with the roof. I was being offered jobs and training courses, but no housing.” - Wayne, Housing First resident. As one of the largest landowners in the country, Network Rail, has a portfolio that is shifting the landscape towards gentrification of our inner Cities. M.A.N. believe Network Rail have a corporate responsibility to minimise the negative social ramifications of this change, such as the rise in homelessness in Manchester. Manchester Activist Network

To allow the government to effectively undertake Brexit negotiations and other important internationally focussed negotiations with friends and allies about Britain's place in a changing world.

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, people are rightly concerned about fire safety in their buildings. A 2013 coroners report into the 2009 fire at Lakanal House, Camberwell, recommended sprinklers in every tower block. But right now only two of the borough’s 181 social housing tower blocks have sprinklers installed. This accounts for 1.1 per cent of social housing tower blocks in the borough, and means 98.9 per cent of high rise blocks do not have sprinklers installed. Will you take a moment to sign the petition and ask the council to the right thing?

Justice is being denied to the people of Greater Manchester. Legal aid no longer covers most cases involving housing, welfare, debt, immigration or medical negligence. Between 2005 and 2015, the number of not-for-profit legal advice centres in the country fell from 2,226 to 1,462[1]. Greater Manchester went from having nine law centres across our ten boroughs to only having two. But, our ever-defiant community refused to accept this, and together we fought to restore and improve access to justice for people in poverty and vulnerability. It is thanks to this collective effort that the Greater Manchester Law Centre opened its doors in Moss Side last year, and we are making great strides to meet the advice and representation needs of those who need it most. We are fighting, together, for free access to justice. But we need more than words and encouragement, and we welcome your support for making similar legal services available across Greater Manchester. This is Manchester, and we do things differently here. Let’s lead the way and try something new, and implement the idea we dreamed up together. To survive, we need to be creative. Let’s fund our free, face-to-face, high quality legal advice and professional legal representation by imposing a levy on commercial law firms. Yours sincerely, Roz Burgin, Development Worker John Nicholson, Chair Norma Turner, Management Committee And community supporters of GMLC ** See media coverage of this open letter** Solicitors Journal: http://bit.ly/2sXV16h Law Society Gazette: http://bit.ly/2sSVMNg Our press release: http://bit.ly/2ugOGXm [1] http://www.fabians.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Access-to-Justice_final_web.pdf

Transport Scotland has made available its proposed routes for the A96 dual carriageway from Hardmuir to Fochabers. The purple route P1 is shown to go directly through Macbeth's Hillock - a site that legend has it is where Macbeth and Banquo met the witches who told them their fate. It then travels east through Brodie Home Farm, immediately adjacent to Brodie Castle (a Scottish Tourist Board four star and Gold Green Tourism Award Winner property), owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland who describe it as the "Ancestral home of Clan Brodie, with an outstanding art collection and magnificent library". The route then moves north and skims along the edge of Culbin Forest,  an area designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The Forestry Commission notes that "The diverse landscape and unusual species here have achieved national and international recognition and are protected by law".  The RSPB calls it "A breathtaking coastal reserve, full of wildlife". It then crosses the Moray Coastal Trail which allows locals and tourists alike to enjoy "a coastline alive with wildlife that would be the envy of many other regions in Britain". What is the value placed on the detrimental impact to so many of the wonderful historical assets of this area? Quite apart from the significant environmental and ecological delights that this option destroys, it cuts the close-knit rural communities of Dyke, Kintessack, Moy and Loanhead right down the middle. All the children from this area go to school in Dyke Village School, and the Village Hall and Church are the epicentres of activity for this community. It destroys the homes of people who have lived in this community their whole lives and obliterates the tranquility and beauty of those who remain there. What is the value placed on the destruction of a community? This is an area frequented by cyclists, bird watchers, anglers, horse-riders and walkers with its wide network of quiet, beautiful roads and tracks. It is a key attraction for tourists. What is the value placed on the destruction of our local economy, with tourism, self-catering accommodation, farming and a wealth of local businesses? From a practical point of view, the proposed route crosses, not once, but at least twice, the Gas Pipeline and Storage System that runs from Inverness to RAF Lossiemouth. It spends a significant amount of time in areas designated as medium or high risk of flooding on the SEPA flood maps. What is the cost of this proposed route through land patently unsuitable for anything other than birds, animals, people and water? Please lend your support to this petition asking Transport Scotland to reconsider it's proposal and exclude this as a potential route for the A96 dual carriageway.

Considering the UK has seen a number of terror attacks over the weeks, it is imperative hate preachers like Tommy who have a history of anti muslim behaviour are stopped immediately. Social media is awash with numerous examples of Tommy Robinsons anti muslim views. Such views could have motivated the attack in Finsbury Park and need to be investigated urgently to avoid a repeat. Far right extremism is on the rise and innocent Muslims are suffering. Tommy has said the Mosque near to where people were mown down created 'Radical Jihadists' and was promoting 'hate and segregation'. This will create further fear and hatred of Muslims and may motivate radicals to act against Muslims by launching further attacks. For the betterment of community relations this needs to be investigated urgently.

It is important because no person or company should make money out of the death of all the people who died or have been displaced, and any housing that is build should be for the people who once lived in Grenfell.

DWP are allowing companies that are assessing disabled people for PIP to classing the ability to push ones self in a wheelchair or the ability to control a powered wheelchair the same as being able to walk more than 20 meters. They are doing this to stop disabled people from getting the High Rate Mobility PIP This means disabled people are losing their Motability cars and scooters-powerchairs, taking away their interdependence and leaving them housebound. Over 60% of assessments are overturned on Appeal, but the Appeals can take up to 1 year to be heard. DWP are saying they are doing this to save money, When in fact they are spending more money on dealing with Appeals. Disabled people have the rights to be treated with respect and dignity and not like 3rd class citizens. Disabled people rely on their cars and powerchairs to have the ability to lead a normal life as much as they possibly can. Many have had to give up work and go back on benefits because of it. I am asking David Gauke MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to do the right thing and put a stop to this barbaric act of injustice against disabled people..