The budget this week is unfairly hitting the disabled. These are the people that really need our help. I think its really important to everyone in this country. We are a caring & generous country. Helping the less fortunate people should be a priority.

We want to create an open access bike skills park in the heart of Edinburgh, making mountain biking accessible from within the city. Our site is an area of neglected woodland wedged between the Southside area of Edinburgh and the Western boundary of Holyrood Park (immediately adjacent to the Crags Community Sports Centre). We want to build: - An 800m Blue Graded MTB Trail looping through the woods (for beginners, younger kids, and cycle proficiency) - Red Graded Skills Development Features (located along the Blue Trail) - An awesome Pump Track that will be great for developing skills and improving technique But we are doing way more than just creating a cool new bike play space: We are also cleaning up a potentially lovely but badly neglected woodland and turning it back into a green space that everyone, young and old, will actually use, spend time in & enjoy. Specifically we are: - Cleaning up all the rubbish, dog mess etc - Getting rid of all the needles so the woods are safe again for kids & dogs to play in again - Planting 200 new native species & fruit trees - Installing 30 bird & bat boxes - Installing new benches & rubbish bins - Improving footpaths for dog walkers & runners After four years of hard work we have: - Planning permission - A 25 year lease for the site - 80% of the funding - Loads of support from local people, organisations and businesses! Once up and running, the woods will also be a great community resource for local Eco schools & forest school projects, for young people to achieve their JASS & John Muir Awards, and for led walks by park rangers plus interpretive guided tours. So why is this so important? Learning to ride a bike gives young people great confidence, and an ability to access and explore the outdoors independently, which often goes on to benefit them throughout their adult lives. Young people often can't do this in safety on the street because they are too congested and dangerous to learn on. The danger of future generations slipping into sedentary lifestyles is also well documented. Sign the petition & help us make the SKELF Bike Park happen! For more info or to get in touch: Website: http://theskelf.org.uk/ Twitter: @skelfbikepark Facebook: SkelfEdinburgh Email: [email protected]

Sure Start Centres provide a wide range of services for babies, children and new parents including baby weighing services, breastfeeding and health care support, postnatal classes, baby groups, rhyme time, toddler sessions and much more. They are literally a life line to babies and new parents. Sure Start Centres have been facing reduced services and closure due to local council cuts. Enough is enough! We want Tameside Council to protect the centres we have left and ring fence the funding for these centres now!

Carer's Allowance recipients have a higher hour threshold than workers, for a lower rate of benefit than Job Seekers. The rate of Carer's Allowance undermines the value of the work undertaken (estimated at £119bn per year - Carers UK and the University of Leeds (2011) Valuing Carers 2011: Calculating the value of carers’), and the additional expenses that caring can incur - (Carers UK (2014) Facts about Carers).

The cost of maintaining independence by disabled citizens is difficult enough without the added worry of further financial pressures from the chancellor. Why is it that the most vulnerable in our society continue to pay the cost of government's financial mismanagement? Where has the "fairer society" ideal gone?

Jo Churchill, MP voted through the cuts to the ESA (Employment Support Allowance) for new claimants in the WRAG (Work-Related Activity Group). It is hypocritical for Jo Churchill to be gaining positive publicity by participating in this organisation's fundraising event for people who may be left worse off by this bill. Headway's Chief Executive states: "Making cuts to benefits for disabled people who have been independently assessed as being unfit for work will cause unnecessary hardship, leading to isolation and anxiety, and potentially increase their long-term dependence on state support." https://www.headway.org.uk/news/national-news/government-forces-through-esa-benefit-cut/

It is very important they we don't suffer in vain with these cuts to the disabled people

On 12th March two hunt monitors, one an ex-police officer, from the League Against Cruel Sports were seriously assaulted and robbed while monitoring Leicestershire’s Belvoir Hunt. They were attacked by a gang of hunt followers, some of whom were on quad bikes and wore masks. There have been arrests but, so far, the Belvoir Hunt has declined to condemn, or even comment, on the attacks. No reputable organisation should remain silent in the face of violent acts committed in its name, much less condone them. It is important that the Belvoir Hunt takes a strong position following the recent attacks and issues a statement as outlined in the petition. For more on the violent assaults see: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/men-arrested-animal-rights-charity-s-monitors/story-28913823-detail/story.html http://www.league.org.uk/news-and-opinion/videos/2016/mar/two-league-staff-brutally-assaulted-and-robbed-by-hunt-supporters Image: © Copyright Simon Mortimer and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.

A fair and inclusive education system is our right in a democratic society. Gradually this is being taken away from us with continuing funding cuts in FE, cutting out whole sections of society from the opportunity to an education. Fee paying HE students have a future of debt. And now, schools are being targeted as a source of profit. Everyone at whatever age should be able to gain an education without having to pay a profit making organisation. If schools are turned into academies it will only be a matter of time before all citizens of the UK will have to pay for their education throughout the whole of their lives. There will be no accountability, standards or commitment by these academies to serve the public interest and invest back into society with educated citizens. Tax payers will see all their hard earned taxes benefiting private interests only, and not society as a whole.

It is important, as Type 1's use these drinks to save their lives. They do not use them for fun, or for their taste. They are used purely as a lifesaver. I understand why there is a sugar tax, I am not opposed to that. I just think that the increased tax from purchases of drinks used by Type 1's should be given to research into finding a cure. Type 1 diabetics need these sugary drinks to sustains their lives. They have to correct with fast acting sugar when their blood sugars fall below target. Yes, there are glucose tablets available. But, these are not as readily available as sugary drinks, and sometimes they are hard to chew and swallow, depending on how bad the low is. So therefore, these drinks are invaluable to Type 1's, and it is totally unfair that they are penalised with this new sugar tax, which is designed to stop members of the public from gorging on them, and thus creating an extra strain on the NHS with diseases and ailments caused by being overweight. I want George Osborne to donate a small percentage of this extra revenue to research to find a cure for this disease.

By targeting the most precious and valued greenbelt land in the Village of Chalfont St Giles for possible housing or commercial development (Local Plan page 40) Chiltern District Council lost the confidence of local residents. The meadows were purchased with public funds by CDC in 2002 and should be preserved for future generations, they define and contribute significantly to the character of our historic village. The Meadows are set on an active flood plain and are unsuited to any development. Classed as An Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty the meadows contain a rare and precious chalk stream river that flows through the picturesque Misbourne Valley. Home to protected wild life, flora and fauna the meadows are enjoyed by residents and visitors from all over the world.

The volunteer Services Grants scheme enables many charities and voluntary organizations to keep going locally to provide essential services for those who are in need of it. Between 30-40 local charities and voluntary organisations will loose the chance to bid for the £366,000 funding to pay for essential costs. Youth services, homeless support and elderly support will diminish and 20 organizations have said that their charitable activities will half and are at risk of disappearing entirely. We need to now stand up for our charities that have given us all a safety net if the worst should happen and sound assistance when us or are loved ones need help.