Barclays is the only bank in Welwyn. It also has the only ATM in the village centre. Elderly and less able people who cannot use the internet depend upon the bank for their daily banking needs. Some of these elderly people have spoken to me of their distress at the prospect of losing the bank, as well as the two friendly staff who give a patient and helpful service. Barclays Bank is an international company making £multi-billion profits annually, and one of its central stated aims is “Building Thriving Local Communities”. The bank here in Old Welwyn attracts both personal and business customers from surrounding villages and is a big part of what keeps Welwyn thriving. We fear for the future of our village if we lose our bank. Small businesses and the charity shop that is the hub of village life will be badly affected by the difficulty in handling their takings. They will also have the inconvenience and potential danger of having to drive to another town where parking is difficult to deposit their cash. We ask Barclays to use some of its profits to keep our branch open and our village alive, and continue to provide an essential and excellent service for our villagers. At the very least we ask that the branch is allowed to remain open until at least 2025 to give our village a chance to prepare for the loss of this essential service.

The cost of living in the south-east is spiralling out of control. Rental prices have far out stripped incomes. The situation is causing a real and substantial crisis in the recruitment and retention of public sector workers. Workers are finding the purchasing power of their wages has decreased with the average public sector wage being worth 16% less than it was worth in 2008. Staffing levels in the NHS and local government have crashed to record lows with 15-20% of positions vacant in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire, remaining workers face worsening job and income positions from rising rents and stagnating wages.

It is extremely disappointing news that Barclays have decided to close their branch in High Street, Ferndale, especially given the recent Council planned investment in the Ferndale and our continued commitment to support our Town Centres. This will reduce the services available to local residents and businesses and may have a significant impact on the vibrancy of the town.

It is extremely disappointing news that Barclays have decided to close their branch in Dunraven St, Tonypandy, especially given the recent Council investment in the Tonypandy and our continued commitment to support our Town Centre’s. This will reduce the services available to local residents and businesses and may have a significant impact on the vibrancy of the town.

We believe the Sheffield and wider public have a right to know the truth behind the actions of our council, their PFI contractor Amey & South Yorkshire Police in dealing with lawful, peaceful protest.

Staff at Queen Margaret University are in dispute with the university over proposed cuts (40 FTE posts). This makes up nearly 10% of QMU posts and, if carried out risks serious damage to the university, its staff, students and the wider community. This is in order to save £1.65m over the next two years, which is primarily needed to meet commitments to the bank. UCU argue that such devastating cuts will impact on the university’s ability to continue to run high quality courses and train tomorrow’s public sector staff, including the NHS. The university also has a creditable record on widening access; 36.6% of students are the first in their family to study at university and 37.6% are mature students; 12.4% of our students come from 20% of the most deprived backgrounds in Scotland, whilst 28.9% of our students come from the lowest 40%. Uniquely, 79% of our students are female, thus making our university a vital asset in the alleviation of gender inequality in wider society. The staff at QMU are committed to maintaining and improving our record on providing education for those who otherwise may not have the opportunity. The proposed cuts risks all of this. The University Court (the governing body) has said that there is no alternative. We believe this to be false. There are a large number of courses and modules that have been suspended with little justification. There are also many ideas amongst the staff for growth. There is a large contrast between what could be carried out at QMU and what is being carried out. Lack of communication, bureaucracy, and a senior management/top heavy structure are stifling potential growth. The unions have been conducting an alternative portfolio review, and an alterative manifesto for the university. Growth can only be achieved through the work of the staff, which is why we call on university management, in conjunction with QMU trade unions and the students union, to seriously explore alternative proposals. We call on MPs, MSPs, councillors, trade unions and the wider public to support staff at QMU. Please sign the petition to show your support.

Swifts numbers have declined across the UK by 53% between 1995 and 2016. By incorporating a Swift brick in all new houses we can save these beautiful birds. On fine summer evenings Swifts gather in "low flying screaming parties" as they chase each other around the buildings where they nest. Because they rely on eating insects, Swifts can only live in the UK for a short period in summer when insects are plentiful. Swifts migrate south to Africa in August and return to us in the following May. Let's make sure we continue to have Swifts every summer. Photo: Action for Swifts - Model S swift box

Antifreeze is a commonly used product in cars, especially in the winter; unfortunately it also has a very sweet smell that attracts cats, dogs and wildlife, if this is ingested it causes organ failure and certain death. I have in the past 5 years lost 6 cats to Ethylene Glycol which is a compound found in Antifreeze, coolant and windscreen wash. There needs to be some legislation put into place to have a Bitterant added so it will act as a deterrent to domestic and wild animals. Anyone who owns a cat or dog and has lost them to such a tragic and painful death will understand just how heartbreaking it is to watch happen, knowing there is nothing they can do beyond having their beloved pet humanely euthanized. In turn any wild animal such as foxes or badgers that ingest a carcass that has been infected with such a chemical, is also at risk of dying in the same way; which leads to a vicious cycle.

Hunting wild animals with dogs is a cruel blood sport and has no place in a civilized society. Terrified animals are chased for miles then ripped apart by a pack of dogs, this is regularly happening in Cheshire. Cheshire Constabulary has never successfully prosecuted anyone for illegal hunting. Cheshire Constabulary has passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service only once in the last three years.

I’m the main carer of my 2 daughters It seems you are able to claim this allowance if you care for another person for 35 hours or more per week If this person was in state care the care worker or personal assistant would be paid £8.21 or more for doing the same job... This needs changing . It beggars belief that people are paid £1.84 per hour because you are a parent , family member or friend My youngest daughter has cerebral palsy and complex medical needs which are also life threatening My oldest daughter has autism high functioning . I have dedicated my life to look after my family as that’s my duty as as a parent. But can honestly say what a challenge it’s been over the years as their both 24 & 25 years old now . There’s been plenty of sleepless nights and endless days of worries wondering if you’re child or loved one will pull through whatever life has thrown at them On two occasions my daughter has fought for her life and all we could do was pray she’d pull through. Luckily she did and I’m telling you what it’s like to be a Carer Carers story. Our day starts between 3-4am each morning when toilet duty starts with my youngest as she’s got digestive problems too along with severe epilepsy so she can’t be left alone. We’ll get her back to bed around 5 am if we’re lucky we’ll go asleep until say 6 or 7am . When Jodie wakes up again I have to give breakfast and meditation after that it’s shower time . After all personal cares have been done we’re normally back on toilet duty which we must do at least 30 times per day as jo also has short term memory loss . In between personal cares etc there’s housework, shopping and entertaining the person you are looking after. There’s endless hospital appointments to attend especially if the person has complex medical needs . This can have a huge impact on the Carers mental health and general wellbeing. The feeling of isolation a Carer or family member may feel from time to time can be quite overwhelming . If you are a Carer and also the parent you are classed as their legal guardian which means you’re responsible for every aspect of the persons life !!! What a responsibility. My health suffered badly as I ended up with a over active thyroid, TED and had a stroke , copd Before this I was working part time in the NHS in learning dis & mental health as a Support Worker . Again whilst working there I witnessed firsthand how much is expected from parents and most are at breaking point as they have been a Carer for so many years. I loved my job but I found I didn’t have enough of me to go around and my family had to come first so I resigned .. I know a lot of families who have children or young adults and elderly relatives that dedicate their lives to their family and with no support financially or emotionally. I’ve also known lovely families who have had so much to deal with their relationship with their partner has broken down . It’s an insult to think it’s acceptable to pay a shocking £1.84 per hour to a Carer .. you have to look after the person for 35 hours or more per week to receive £64.60 I do what I do for my daughters through love I don’t see it as a job but the government clearly does as your not allowed to earn over £120 per week if you do you don’t qualify but your still Caring . I don’t claim any benefits as my husband works full time but I do receive Carers allowance. I also set up a social club for young adults over 16 with disabilities and complex medical needs I do this voluntary. Again lack of services for the most vulnerable in our community. Thank you for taking the time to read this rather long message. Please get your friends and family to sign and share and get our Carers what they deserve and that’s fare-pay

We are currently in occupation of 169 Church Street, Eccles, Salford, M30 0LU. We are working alongside Salford Unemployment and Community Resource Centre and the Broughton Trust to use the building to house the homeless and help them get back on their feet. The building has been empty for many years yet they want to kick 15 to 20 homeless people out onto the street and leave the building yet again empty. We are willing to give them rent too. Please help by signing our petition to let us stay. If they kick us out that will mean 3 people we have just got employment will end up back on the streets. 4 people we have just got on courses will also be on the streets too. The rest of the homeless we are helping to get back on their feet will also be on the streets.

Patients are paying up to £9.90 for bedside televisions in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness. This is a lot of money to pay for access to TV and we believe it should either be scrapped or replaced with a free - or at least cheaper - service which includes public WiFi as the previous 25 year contract came to an end in June 2019. Patients often spend a long time in hospital and access to TV can help distract people from there hospital stay. It can also be quite lonely with many patients not getting many visitors and, with hospitals understaffed, nurses don’t have a great amount of time to spend talking to each patient. Giving patients free or affordable access to TV/WIFI will help with the social isolation that staying at hospital can create. Please sign the petition now.