Buying your first home is a pipe dream for the majority. Rents are sky high. There has to be a radical rethink if ever this problem is to be solved

Ultra-fast fashion brand Shein stands accused of exploiting workers, damaging the environment, and avoiding tax. Yet it is currently ramping up plans to sell its shares on the London Stock Exchange. US lawmakers already rejected Shein's attempt to list on the New York Stock Exchange over alleged labour malpractice and tax avoidance. We must not let them sneak in and make millions on Britain’s financial markets - not while they stand accused of horrendous exploitation of people and the planet. It’s time to say no to companies that violate workers rights, exacerbate climate breakdown, and avoid taxes. It’s time to Say No to Shein.

The library was open six and a half hours on a Saturday but this has been cut to just three. The Library is instead open on a Tuesday.  Saturdays are vital because they allow children and young people to visit the library.  This is not only for books, but as a place to do research, study quietly and use the computers. This is especially true in Swanage where many of our teenage children have to travel long distances to attend schools and colleges.  The cut in Saturday hours will reduce the time available for the fantastic educational activities targeted at children and young people that have previously been delivered by our kind and experienced library staff. By reducing the hours available for young people, Dorset Council are disproportionally disadvantaging those least able to improve their circumstances.  The recent consultation concluded that young people and the employed, wanted Saturday and late night opening. There was no demand to open on a Tuesday instead of Saturday. As this change is cost neutral, it should have no impact on budgets.  Well educated and informed young people are not only our legacy, they will provide the future economic growth Dorset so desperately needs.  Swanage opening hours from 1st July 2024 • Monday:  10 am to 5pm • Tuesday: 10 am to 5 pm • Wednesday: 12 noon to 6 pm • Thursday: Closed • Friday: 10 am to 5 pm • Saturday: 10 am to 1 pm • Sunday: Closed Swanage previous opening hours • Monday: 10 am to 6.30 pm • Tuesday: Closed • Wednesday: 9.30 am to 5 pm • Thursday: Closed • Friday: 9.30 am to 5 pm • Saturday: 9.30 am to 4 pm • Sunday: Closed

Many a local gem has been lost to developers who are all too eager to bulldoze our local heritage in the name of profit. The Air Raid shelter on High Street (behind St. Paul's Mews) is an important reminder of the past and could be an important asset for the culture and heritage of Runcorn. If we demolish all of our history, what is there for future generations? The War Tunnels of Runcorn Charity (Charity Registration Number 1180550 believe this shelter should be preserved. It should be incorporated into the plans for the revamp of the Brindley Centre, and preserved for future generations to come. War Tunnels of Runcorn, as a registered charity, offer our services in preserving this structure and the grounds immediately surrounding it.

Why do we want to protect the Amber Valley? The Amber Valley is part of the Derbyshire Peak Fringe, an important transition  between the Derbyshire uplands and lowlands, providing pathways for species to migrate and considered a landscape of extremely high quality. The variety of ancient woodlands, steep hills and priority habitat lowland meadow contribute to this unique landscape.  Ogston reservoir, within the valley, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and homes thousands of migratory wintering birds and the Valley is a recognised haven for wildlife and protected birds such as Osprey and Peregrine Falcons Ogston Hall, a Grade II* building of national importance, Wingfield Manor, under the care of English Heritage, and over 50 other listed buildings within the conservation areas in or overlooking the valley, are important as much for their relationship to the Valley and its setting.  As well as an important amenity for the towns and villages across the region, the Amber Valley also generates much needed income for the local economy from tourists and walkers, especially since the whole scale disappearance of larger employers from the area, and the challenge on farming revenues.  What can you do to support us? Please show your support by signing this petition. We are a voluntary group but are raising money to help fund our campaign and to secure industry expertise in our fight to Save Amber Valley. Please support our campaign Crowdfunding to Oppose the national grid plan to site 50m pylons across the picturesque and unique Amber Valley Landscape. on JustGiving National Grids Stage 1 Consultation (Chesterfield to Willington) closes on Tuesday 17th September. We need everyone to also provide their feedback directly to National Grid.  -        Option 1 - Completing Paper Feedback Form (available from local libraries and our public meetings). If you are unable to obtain a copy please let us know.    -        Options 2 - Completing Online www.nationalgrid.com/chesterfieldtowillington   -        Option 3 - Send an email to [email protected] - PLEASE ENSURE THAT IF EMAILING FEEDBACK YOU PUT IN THE TITLE THAT THE EMAIL SHOULD COUNT AS YOUR CONSULTATION FEEDBACK ON THE CHESTERFIELD TO WILLINGTON SCHEME For further support please visit our website.

Severn Trent has increased its payout to shareholders despite being responsible for 60,000 sewage spills last year. Severn hiked its final dividend by 9% to 70.1p a share after pre-tax profits swelled almost 20% to £201 million. This money needs ploughing into stopping sewage spills.

By eliminating these misleading ads, we can reduce public misinformation about the true impacts of fossil fuel consumption and accelerate the transition to sustainable energy sources. This decisive step will demonstrate the UK's commitment to leading the global fight against climate change and safeguarding our planet for future generations.

 This issue is very important to citizens of Ventnor and anyone who wishes or needs to travel here. The main road to Shanklin and Sandown is currently closed and the prospect of it reopening are slim. Meanwhile, the Undercliff Drive remains closed to traffic, belying its name, with no interest from the council in restoring it. Leaving just two transport access roads into the town. Soon the Graben will be closed, albeit temporary,but this problem has a habit of returning, leaving just the Whitwell  road and a major detour via Niton to anyone wishing to reach Shanklin or Sandown. The future of Ventnor lies in its shifting strata but letting it take control should not be an option. Maybe there is not much that can be done about roads damaged beyond safe use and who knows which will be next. But the rail link offers an inviting alternative to vehicle travel to some of the Islands major towns and the mainland ferry. There is also the dreaded net zero to consider. Electric vehicles are not the answer but electric trains could have a large part to play. Let us hope that one day the trains, so rudely taken, will come back to Ventnor, and with their success the rest of the Island’s towns may follow suit and once again see trains arriving in their newly built stations.  NOW MORE THAN EVER VENTNOR MUST HAVE ITS TRAINS BACK 

“We all have a connection to care work. Even if you can't immediately think of someone who draws on support or who is a paid care worker, every time you leave your house you are likely to be passed by care workers like me driving from visit to visit. I guarantee you have neighbours who are visited by carers and that there are care homes in your community. To ensure support is available when we need it, it is essential that we are at the very least paid enough to cover the essential costs of living. Currently, vast numbers of care workers are illegally paid below the National Minimum Wage as a result of unpaid travel time. Meanwhile, our income is often insecure, with zero-hours contracts the norm. This makes it practically impossible to plan and prompts many to accept any and all of the hours they are offered, causing burnout and poor quality of care. These terms of employment add untold pressure to a role which already carries a significant level of responsibility. Is it any wonder social care faces an acute recruitment and retention crisis? Paying at least a real Living Wage for care workers which takes into account time spent travelling between visits is an essential place to start in addressing the joint crises of care quality and availability in England. It has already been done in Scotland and Wales, now - a full four years on from the nation's clap for carers - it's time to do the same in England. This country depends on care workers, and the quality and availability of support depends on the UK Government taking action. Every care worker's dignity should be protected through payment of at least the real Living Wage.” Rachel Kelso, care worker and Citizens UK community leader

Business-as-usual in our economy isn’t working. The cost of living is forcing many people to choose between heating or eating, we’re working harder than ever but for low pay, inequality is rampant and social security is failing too many people. At the heart of this is a broken economic system - we all work for our economy, but it doesn't often work for us. With a general election coming up, we need the next UK Government to ensure that the economic needs of the people of Scotland are front and centre. Social enterprises, community and employee owned businesses, cooperatives and similar enterprises put people and planet first. We need a new business plan for Britain: one where all of society profits. Let’s fix our economy and build a stronger, fairer, greener future for Scotland and for the rest of the UK.

We have seen car accidents, destruction of property and our vulnerable residents scared to cross the road due to the volume of traffic and speed of some motorists travelling through Longside.  This has been an issue for decades and is only a matter of time before something very tragic happens. 

Since the 1980s, over 100 NHS Hospitals have been closed, and half of NHS hospital beds have been CUT while the UK population has grown by about 10 million. Our NHS is short of properly qualified Staff, NHS beds and NHS equipment due to deliberate underfunding. And the UK is the 6th richest country in the world with no shortage of billionaires.