Because the current tax burden is hindering the growth of small businesses and therefore hindering economic growth.

We are deeply concerned that this residential area, currently subject to the national speed limit of 60mph, has been excluded from the initiative—despite lacking pavement provision and being home to families, children, and elderly individuals. In contrast, we note that the Inverboyndie Industrial Estate, which contains no residential properties and is also in a 60mph zone, has been selected for a 20mph limit. This disparity is both unfair and unsafe. We believe our road clearly meets the intention of the national strategy to protect communities with higher footfall and residential activity.

Chyngton Primary School has grown significantly over the decades and now has a roll of nearly 400 pupils. Over the same period the number of children being driven to school has also risen dramatically according to government figures. As a result, the residential roads around the school have become increasingly congested and dangerous at school drop-off and pick-up times. Existing safety provisions such as zig-zag lines and the voluntary one-way system are difficult to enforce and ineffective. Children are at risk crossing the roads near the school, this means fewer children are walking to school, and more come by car, even for short journeys, exacerbating the problem. Access for emergency vehicles is severely impeded, and local residents frequently have access and driveways blocked by inconsiderate parking. More needs to be done to keep the children, parents and public safe around Chyngton school.

More research needs to be done to establish: -The reason for the return of bluefin tuna to Channel Island waters and whether warming sea temperatures have forced them to relocate here to find prey -The true extent of current bluefin tuna stock in UK waters

The Bath House is more than just a local issue, it’s a symbol of what’s possible when communities are trusted to lead. At a time when public spaces are disappearing and decisions are made behind closed doors, The Bath House shows that another way is not only possible, it’s already working. People should join this campaign because if we allow this space to be taken away, we send a message that community-led, inclusive, and self-sustaining projects don’t matter, even when they succeed. Standing up for The Bath House is standing up for fairness, for transparency, and for a future where people, not just profits, shape our cities and the world we live in.

An amendment in Parliament could finally bring the rest of the UK in line with Northern Ireland – making abortion access a human right and protecting women from prosecution for having one. It’s a common-sense step that would stop future attacks on womens' rights before they happen. And it can’t happen a moment too soon. This week Nigel Farage called our current abortion access “utterly ludicrous” -  he's joining forces with a wider movement inspired by Trump’s crackdown on women in the US. From attacks on abortion buffer zones by Vice President J D Vance to attempts to roll back care, there’s a real danger that what’s happening in the US could happen here. This is our chance to move forwards – not backwards. MPs need to see that the public backs this change. Add your name now!

Fixing bikes in a garage shouldn’t be treated like a crime — especially when we’re helping people travel sustainably, affordably, and safely. Our small local project, Spokey Dokey, is facing a planning enforcement warning from the council for doing just that: repairing bikes in a residential garage. It’s being labelled a “change of use” — as if we’re running a factory, not helping neighbours keep their bikes on the road. This doesn’t just affect us. It sets a worrying precedent for anyone trying to do good in their community — whether that’s fixing bikes, running a tool library, or creating local solutions where the system is falling short. By signing this petition, you're saying: • Communities shouldn’t be punished for stepping up. • Councils must support, not stifle, active travel and repair culture. • Common sense should guide planning — not bureaucracy that blocks climate and wellbeing goals. If we stay silent, this kind of enforcement could quietly kill off the very projects our towns and cities need. 🛠️ Help us push back. Sign and share.

New data from the High Pay Centre shows that the median FTSE 100 CEO now earns £4.58 million a year – 122 times more than the typical UK worker, with some, like Tesco’s CEO, paid 431 times more than their median employee. Pay at the top has reached record levels for the third year running, while most employees see little growth in their wages. This extreme pay gap is unfair, widely unpopular, and damaging to our economy and society.  This proposal builds on our earlier pay ratios research and offers a simple, evidence-based step to tackle extreme inequality and promote a fairer economy. The pay gap between CEOs and their employees has spiralled out of control. In 2023/24, 18% of FTSE 350 companies reported a CEO-to-median employee pay ratio of over 100:1, while 5% reported ratios over 200:1. Incredibly, some CEOs earned more than 600 times their workers. But polling by the High Pay Centre and Survation shows that 63% of people believe CEOs should not earn more than 10 times their low- and mid-level employees. This reveals a stark gap between public expectations and reality. CEO-to-worker pay ratios are published, but this has not reduced the gaps. High Pay Centre analysis shows pay ratios have remained largely unchanged over five years. Research shows that the UK has some of the worst levels of income inequality in Europe, and that vast pay gaps damage morale, reduce trust, and lower workplace satisfaction. At a time when millions face rising costs and stagnant wages, this level of inequality is not just unfair — it’s socially and economically damaging. A 10:1 ratio would incentivise higher wages at the bottom, rein in excessive rewards at the top, and help rebuild a sense of fairness.

Back in 2017 the Council selected developer Guildmore to restore and redevelop ‘The Playtower’, to provide housing and a local cinema.  Seven years on, however, the building continues to deteriorate with the Guildmore scheme apparently stalled. It’s the Council’s duty to lead decisively on this project and to put local people at the heart of the process, but it has failed to do this. Local people have a right to expect better and want to see some progress over the next year! A community petition has been launched which can be signed by anyone who lives, works or studies in the Borough of Lewisham. Local people deserve better.

If the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill is not stopped or significantly and substantially amended, it will cause harm, it erodes the role of a parent and reduces children's rights and educational opportunities.

In the heart of Nelson, we've all come to love the tranquility that our town offers. However, an issue has been increasingly disturbing our peace – the rise of the Volkswagen UP Gti cars on our streets. As an inhabitant who cares deeply about maintaining the charm of this town, I am moved to address this issue seriously. To me, and to many others, these cars are not just vehicles, they resemble a chaotic interruption to our daily lives. The sound emitted by the Volkswagen UP Gti can be best described as irritating - comparable to someone loudly sneezing incessantly. This constant noise pollution disrupts the serenity we so value and negatively impacts our mental well-being. Furthermore, these vehicles are often described by many, including myself, as visually unappealing. Their box-like appearance blends poorly with the aesthetic grace of our picturesque town, leading to a stark contrast that is difficult to ignore. Beyond personal discomfort, it is important to recognize the broader implications. Studies have shown that noise pollution is linked to increased stress levels, which can contribute to severe health issues including hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Given these impacts, it's imperative that we take action to prevent such detriments to our community's health. Moreover, aesthetics matter. The picturesque scenery of Nelson should remain unmarred by vehicles that disrupt its visual harmony. The Union of Concerned Scientists, among other studies, highlight how integrating aesthetically pleasing elements into community planning enhances property values and contributes to residents’ satisfaction and pride. Let’s protect our cherished town and ensure a harmonious living environment for all residents. Sign this petition to show your support for a ban on Volkswagen UP Gti vehicles in Nelson and help us preserve the beauty and tranquility of our town.

Bioethanol has a critical role to play in decarbonising transport, now and in the future. As part of the UK’s standard E10 petrol blend, it reduces carbon emissions and cuts fossil fuel use. Its production also delivers two essential by-products: high-protein animal feed and carbon dioxide. CO₂ is indispensable across the economy – from its importance to the NHS for its operating theatres to cooling nuclear reactors. For the food and drink sector, it is used for everything from preserving packaged food to carbonating drinks.  The US-UK trade deal is set to remove tariffs on US ethanol for up to 1.4 billion litres of imports - the size of the UK’s whole ethanol market today and far exceeding previous US exports to the UK. This change will only worsen the impacts already being felt by regulatory problems that have given overseas producers an unfair advantage in the British market in recent years.  This means that the operating environment for UK bioethanol producers is now impossible, and without government intervention UK plants will be forced to close.   The impacts of plant closures would be widespread. The UK bioethanol industry supports over 7,000 jobs, directly and through its supply chain, with the majority of these in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the North East. The loss of skilled, well-paid green industrial jobs in Yorkshire and the North East would impact local economies and could threaten future green investment in these regions.  UK bioethanol producers also process up to 2 million tonnes of feed wheat every year, providing a vital market for UK cereal farmers. If plants close, hundreds of growers will lose a dependable market for wheat that cannot be used in breadmaking. Instead, they’ll be forced to export it at lower prices, while livestock farmers will face higher costs for less climate-friendly imported animal feed.  Allowing these plants to close would be a short-sighted move. Bioethanol is essential for reducing emissions in road transport today, but will also have important future applications in decarbonising aviation and marine transport, and in supporting the development of hydrogen and wider green industrial innovation. Over-reliance on imports will undermine the resilience of our future energy supply. It is vitally important that the government acts swiftly to protect this strategic national asset, safeguard thousands of jobs and ensure the UK’s food and energy security.