The Hog's Back is a steep chalk ridge that runs between the towns of Guildford and Farnham in Surrey. It is 154m above sea level at its highest point and provides far reaching and dramatic views across open countryside to the north and south. The ridge is a nationally important and much loved feature of the North Downs, formed during the last Ice Age and one of England's oldest known roads. Four farms (Blackwell, Wildfield, Chalk Pit and Manor) lie at its eastern end and are under threat from development. Guildford Borough Council has earmarked Blackwell Farm for a 2,250-home development and expansion of a business park in its draft Local Plan - a move that would burst through, and enclose, an area of ancient woodland, which forms the green belt boundary on the west side of Guildford. This sprawl would open up the floodgates for a ribbon development along the slopes of Hog’s Back. The University of Surrey, which owns the land, is already pushing to increase the development to 265 hectares (3,250 homes). This is despite promises to open up this area as an informal recreational space - promises made when the University took 64 hectares out of green belt in 2004. The farmland under threat lies on the boundary to the Surrey Hills AONB and provides views into, and out of, the Hog's Back ridge. Part of site lies within the AONB. It also includes a designated Area of Great Landscape Value, areas of ancient woodland, areas of Grade 2 and 3a farmland, medieval hedgerows, and remnants of 18th century parkland. It is adjacent to a scheduled ancient monument and to a Site of Nature Conservation Importance, and is home to many rare flora and fauna, including 4 bird species of principal importance for biodiversity. The site is also of historic importance: it includes that last remaining undeveloped corner of Guildford Royal Park - Henry II's hunting ground and an important part of the town's heritage - and it provides the last remaining views of Guildford Cathedral where it rises from an entirely rural setting. The Hog's Back itself is steeped in history. It was used by worshippers travelling to Stonehenge and much later by pilgrims visiting Thomas a Becket’s shrine at Canterbury. Views from the ridge have been admired by literary figures, such as Daniel Defoe, Jane Austen, Lewis Carroll (who is buried on the Hogs Back) and Aldous Huxley. Save Hogs Back is opposed to the development of these farms and any further urbanisation of the Hog's Back landscape. We call on Guildford Borough Council to withdraw this site from its Local Plan, and on Brandon Lewis to tighten up planning legislation so that there is more robust protection for AONBs and their settings. We also call on the University of Surrey to abandon its plans to cash in on this land and instead to honour its promise to the people of Guildford to open up this area for walkers, riders, cyclists etc, whilst keeping it as a working farm. For further information, please visit www.savehogsback.co.uk

Bill Quay Farm is a working community farm set over 25 acres in the Pelaw area of Gateshead.It has existed since 1986 but lost its funding from Gateshead council in 2013 and since then has been run as a registered charity staffed by volunteers.All of the farm livestock at Bill Quay Community Farm is rare and indigenous. The farm is a Rare Breeds Survival Trust Approved Farm Park and has several breeding groups of animals including award winning Tamworth pigs, and rare sheep and goats.They also have a small cafe and shop using locally sourced products. In conjunction with east Durham college they also run many courses-my son is about to finish his first year level 3 diploma there-after gaining his level 2 award last year-its a fantastic place to study.And the number of students enrolling is increasing as word gets around. The farm is an oasis of peace for Gateshead residents and many of us have been going there for twenty years or more.But the farm is now in crisis-requiring fifty thousand pounds by the end of August or else it will be forced to close. We are asking Gateshead Council to help fund all or part of this to ensure the farms survival for future generations and to preserve these wonderful rare animals.

The Living Wage is a concept which has been developed independently and it should not be hi-jacked by the Chancellor because he wants to pass the Minimum Wage off as something it is not. Only The Living Wage Foundation can set the Living Wage, by its own independent processes and no one, not even the Chancellor, can think of any other amount and pass it off as the real thing!

I don't see why these very hard working people - mostly women - should be on minimum wages. Also they are cutting down on staff so that there are only ever two postal clerks working in any of their sub post offices!! It is very cheap skate to cut down on the number of postal clerks - so these people have to work MUCH harder than they would were there four postal clerks working in each sub post office. and they are working this hard for MUCH LESS!!

The LHA rates are very low, often £200 lower than the the cheapest properties in the area forcing families to downsize their living space in order to find accommodation. At least have the LHA to reflect the cheapest properties... but it doesn't even do that... so a family with 2 children of the same sex entitled to a a 2 bed property are forced into a one bed property. This can't be fair and just considering that it was this Government who introduced the right to buy thus destroying all social housing stock!

George Osborne has cut 12 billion from Social Security from the young, the working poor and families. This will plunge many adults and children into poverty. Thus damaging children's physical, mental and emotional development costing the NHS much more to treat in the future. But George Osborne has given away more money for the very wealthy through inheritance tax changes and is cutting Corporation Tax for big business again, without any guarantees they will provide jobs, pay tax or benefit the communities they serve.

After today's budget We need to end this westminster tory government . To save not only people in Scotland , but help the people from the other countries in this union rid themselves of austerity .

Traditionally, the SNP have abstained from voting on policies that do not directly affect Scotland. The changes to the fox hunting bill that are to be voted on in a free vote in Westminster next Thursday whilst not directly impacting on Scotland do go against the wishes of 80% of the UK population. The SNP should make a stand on this breach of democracy as their vote is likely to be the deciding vote. Local MPs - find yours here - (https://www.writetothem.com/)

Imagine if manufacturers had to say how long they expect their products to last and backed it with a guarantee. For the first time people will be able to make a real choice when they buy something. e.g. "Do I get the £15 kettle that lasts 1 year? or the £30 kettle that lasts 5-6 years?" This makes things simple. We deserve to know what we are buying! "Planned Obsolescence" (where manufacturers purposefully design their products to break or be unfixable) is on the rise. It might bring profits in for shortsighted companies, but it is a growing disaster for the environment and it means that we are stuck buying the same shoddy things again and again. Having your kettle/hoover/dishwasher break is not just annoying, it traps people in a cycle of poverty. But there's something we can do! If people know how long something is expected to last, we can see if the "cheap prices" are really worth it. It's likely that companies will realise that have to do better, and up the durability of their products or risk having to publish some dismal figures. Us consumers have been trapped by these companies strategies for too long and it's time for us to get some power back. The power of choice. Please sign the petition. The planet will thank us all. We can do it! Tara PS. Follow and share the campaign with the hashtag #built2break

George Osbourne is clearly out for his own ends and is not acting in the best interests of the people. Its time for him to go, before he does any further damage.

We've been trying to get companies to pay tax and a living wage for years - unsuccessfully. It's clear we have to hit these companies in the only place they will listen - their wallets.

This is a blind crossing point, because of the configuration of the junction, and the fence round the adjoining property. It is much used by persons wishing to access the Sherwood House surgery at 9 Sandon Road, many of whom are elderly, disabled, or young mums. I am concerned as Secretary to the local Neighbourhood Forum that there may be a fatality at the junction if something is not done.