We are a group of asylum and refugee organisations working directly with vulnerable and scared people, asylum seekers and refugees, accommodated in Home Office hotels across the country.  Over the past eight days, our clients have been terrorised, re-traumatised and further dehumanised by organised far-right racist violence, unfolding on our streets and across our country, leaving communities at risk.  Asylum seekers, refugees and wider communities of colour are scared for their lives, alongside our colleagues who support them, as many non-governmental organisations are being targeted by the far-right. The far-right can not and must not be allowed to dictate how and where asylum seekers and refugees are housed. The failed policy of housing asylum seekers and refugees in hotels has been a gift to the far-right and those scapegoating vulnerable people, protected under international law, for racist and political violence.  The isolation of these hotels and the stigmatisation of asylum seekers and refugees housed in this way has allowed their further dehumanisation and segregation from wider society.  This must end now.  Dangerous disinformation about asylum hotels has spread online and in real life, leading to the devastating consequences we are seeing. The Home Office must reclaim false narratives back from the far-right and centre the humanity, dignity and lived experiences of asylum seekers and refugees.  Refugees and asylum seekers deserve safe homes, not hotels. 

Mental Health Sufferers should not have to contribute from their PIP or universal credit for their care.  Those with mental health issues are being failed by the current system, as they can not afford to contribute towards much needed care, such as carers and enablers, they are being left behind, with little or no chance of getting back into society, and contributing to our society in the future! 

This is important because he is a key player in inciting disorder. In particular, he has played an active role in spreading disinformation in the UK after the recent tragic events in Southport. His involvement is not an isolated case. His Twitter/X platform is not merely a place for free speech but a deliberate way for Elon Musk to exercise power over national governments across the world.

This is in the interests' of every UK CITIZEN and would Benefit the all the UK 

These sanctions are cruel and leaving single parents and people to suffer , these are bullying tactics by the government in hopes for people to work , millions of people signed on during COVID that never claimed benefits before , so you can imaging having no money bills to pay and needing food , the government can not solve the work problem so they are using bullying tactics, problem is people are getting sanctioned for stupid things , these actions are cruel and leaving people in dyer situations especially single parents , this needs to stop 

Open Letter to Liam Robinson of Liverpool City Council, Mayor Steve Rotheram of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, MPs of the local region (Kim Johnson MP, Dan Carden MP, Paula Barker MP, Maria Eagle MP, Ian Byrne MP) and Emily Spurrell; Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner. We condemn the organised violence over the past 7 days both locally and nationally. The Southport families of the bereaved and survivors have been disrespected at a time of unquantifiable loss, by the choice of violent protest. The deliberate racist and Islamophobic targeting of minority and religious groups reflects the level of ignorance and division that is now deep-rooted in society. The radicalisation of the youth of post-pandemic UK has been deliberate and systematic, the results of which, we witnessed first-hand within our city this weekend. Our city, which has traditionally stood alone in its beliefs and identity, historically proud of being ‘Scouse not English’ fell prey to the misinformation peddled by the far right. Under the guise of ‘save our kids,’ the mobilisation of a minority in Liverpool betrayed the truest interpretation of those words. ‘Our kids’ were forced to stay indoors or to hide and protect themselves from the marauding, violent horde on our streets. No child should be afraid of leaving their home for fear of racial violence in a city whose foundations and growth were built on immigration. No child or adult should have to fear for their safety because of their faith or the colour of their skin. The impact of the past week will have a long-lasting effect on the makeup of this city and its future. Lessons must be learnt from what has unfolded on our streets throughout the last 7 days. Currently, the calls for punitive action ring louder than the calls for restorative justice. Shouts of unity and social cohesion must be the loudest in order to permeate the consciousness of those in power. Both national and local government must reflect and refrain from adopting the same approach they have previously in order to achieve a more impactful outcome. Any action needs to be primarily focused on securing a long-lasting and sustainable change to our communities in order to educate, inform and connect so that young and old alike are better equipped to avoid the manipulation and indoctrination that has resulted in the events witnessed over the last week. The inequality of provision must be addressed to remove the sense of isolation communities face in the difficult current economic climate. If not, communities across the region will remain at great risk of radicalisation from the influence of the far right, masquerading as saviours of today’s youth. Therefore, we call for a localised Truth and Reconciliation Commission to start the process of change, to focus on restorative justice, community dialogue and to ensure voices are heard and respected. This commission should be made up of members of every community and stand as a voice of representation for Liverpool, which we firmly believe our city desperately needs. This process combats the risk of communities being dismissed or feeling that they have no appropriate route to voice their concerns and fears. It would tackle the sense of isolation that has traditionally been used by extremism to divide. The approach we propose would give people the ability to hold local government to account directly, rather than taking to the streets and further damaging our communities. This commission must span all ages, genders, ethnicities and faiths. The voice of the youth is not just important, it is as powerful and legitimate as any other. It can be representative of all that is good about this wonderful city and its people. We urge you to take immediate and decisive action to begin establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The signatories of this letter welcome the opportunity to be involved in designing and establishing this commission. This action is a step towards a safer, more inclusive and united city. The time to act is now. Sincerely, Emile Coleman, Toxteth EL8TE CIC Yaw Owusu, Nothin’ But The Music Jodie Greenwood & Abi Greenwood, WEDGE Collective Danny Withington, No Limits Amateur Boxing CIC Anu Omideyi, Music & Festival Director 

The recent unrest within communities across the United Kingdom has raised significant concerns at a national level. In light of the increasing frequency of mass protests, law enforcement agencies have been tasked with maintaining public order. However, recent incidents have highlighted the troubling practice of employing police dogs during these gatherings, which have, on occasion, escalated into violence. The utilization of animals in such high-tension situations is both unnecessary and counterproductive. Police dogs are specifically trained for functions such as tracking and apprehending suspects, while mounted units are deployed for crowd control in areas that are inaccessible by vehicle. It is inappropriate to involve animals in the management of violent or potentially violent mass protests or other large gatherings. Moreover, there have been alarming reports of police dogs, horses, and local pets sustaining injuries during these confrontations. Law enforcement agencies are acutely aware of the risks involved and are equipped to ensure their own safety. They also recognize the vulnerability of their animals. Given this awareness, the decision to place animals in the midst of violent protests raises significant ethical concerns and should be regarded as a form of animal abuse. It is imperative that the government takes immediate action to prohibit the deployment of animals in mass protests and in gatherings that are violent or have the potential to become violent. Establishing a clear legal framework to prevent this practice is essential for the safety of animals and reflects the government's moral obligation to the communities it serves.

The housing developer, Crest Nicholson, have a contractual obligation to care for the park on Baker Crescent. Shockingly, they have failed this community and after 2 years of delays, the only thing they have done, is replace some flooring, and fix one swing. Play areas are so important for children, for both their physical health, and as a way of engaging socially with other children in their communities. Sadly, children in the local area have now lost out on two summers of play and despite multiple attempts by the community and Dartford Borough Council to hold Crest to account, they continue to delay and push this issue down the road. 5th August 2024 - https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/it-s-disgraceful-parents-fury-as-developer-leaves-dereli-310702/ Everyone has had enough of the platitudes and constant excuses for not updating this park. We are now coming together to demand Crest fulfil their obligations and provide the play park that is desperately needed, and that has been promised to this community. Photo shared with permission of Kent Online.

The proposed tiered VAT reduction scheme for deep energy retrofits is crucial for several reasons:  * Addressing Climate Change: Buildings are a significant source of carbon emissions. By incentivizing energy-efficient retrofits, the scheme directly contributes to reducing the UK's carbon footprint and achieving net-zero targets.  * Energy Security: Reducing energy consumption in buildings lessens reliance on fossil fuels and volatile energy markets, enhancing energy security and resilience.  * Economic Benefits: The scheme stimulates the green economy by creating jobs in the retrofitting sector, boosting demand for eco-friendly materials and technologies, and reducing energy bills for homeowners.  * Health and Well-being: Energy-efficient homes are warmer, healthier, and more comfortable, improving the well-being of occupants and reducing health-related costs.  * Social Equity: By making deep energy retrofits more affordable, the scheme helps to address fuel poverty and ensure that everyone has access to a warm, healthy home.  * Resource Conservation: Retrofitting existing buildings is more sustainable than demolishing and rebuilding, as it conserves resources and reduces waste.  * Future-proofing: Investing in energy efficiency now prepares the housing stock for a low-carbon future, ensuring long-term benefits for homeowners and society as a whole. In summary, the proposed scheme is a multi-faceted solution that addresses climate change, energy security, economic growth, health, and social equity. It is a vital step towards creating a more sustainable and resilient built environment for the UK.

Too many of our young people, including young families, are living in overcrowded housing, insecure private rentals or even being forced to sleep in their work vans.  Too many have had to move out, even though they work here.  The town is becoming 'unbalanced', with too many retirees.  Dorset Council did not take the opportunity to buy Jewson's in July 2024, and this and other sites, like Mountjoy School and J C Phillips, have gone to luxury retirement flats.  The new Labour government is providing councils with more finance to build social housing and our councils need to prioritise homes for local residents of working age from now on.

The establishment of a mega farm is critically concerning for several reasons. Firstly, modern animal agriculture techniques, particularly in large-scale operations, are notoriously cruel. Pigs and chickens are often subjected to extreme confinement, preventing them from engaging in natural behaviours. This leads to significant physical and psychological suffering for the animals. Secondly, the environmental impact of such farms is profound. These operations generate large amounts of waste, which can contaminate local water supplies and contribute to air pollution. The excessive use of antibiotics in these settings also poses a risk of developing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can affect human health. Moreover, the presence of a mega farm can have serious repercussions for local communities. The potential for foul odours, increased traffic, and noise pollution can degrade the quality of life for nearby residents. Property values may decline, and the local infrastructure could become strained under the increased burden. In summary, opposing the mega farm is vital to protect animal welfare, safeguard our environment, and ensure the well-being of our local communities. Promoting more sustainable and humane farming practices is essential for a healthier, more ethical future.

Section 60 is a racist power Official statistics show that Section 60 powers are used disproportionately against Black people. A Black person is 8.7 times more likely to be stopped than a white person during a suspicionless search operation. It's ineffective Nationally, in the year ending March 2023, 5% of Section 60 searches resulted in an arrest, up from 3% the previous year. And in roughly 71% of stop and searches, the outcome was recorded as needing ‘no further action’, similar to in recent years. An investigation into a police Section 60 operation in February by The Bristol Cable, which you can read here, found that: • Officers stopped and searched innocent children, at least one on his way home from school. He says he felt he was only stopped because he’s Black. • We spoke to a youth worker who supported the child who was stopped. The boy had been a victim of knife violence himself a month earlier, and this damaged his trust in policing, feeling that officers were out to get him, not protect him. • The police can offer no evidence that the suspicionless stop and search operation was a successful deterrent against knife violence. • Campaigners say the retort from police forces that Section 60 is used to protect Black communities from knife crime is shown time and time again to be a lie. Police have no metric to prove the operation’s deterrent-effect. • The police narrative that the operation was carried out with the consent of the community it impacted is misleading. • Community members have said the police communication at community meetings about the Section 60 operation, both before and after it was enacted, was dishonest. • The damage the operation did has contributed to the mistrust in policing in the areas it was used, undermining its anti-racism plan. • Campaigners say Section 60 is a racist power that amounts to human rights abuses – namely racial profiling and traumatising children.  • How meaningful can the force’s anti-racism reforms be, if it continues to use repressive tactics under Section 60?