The BBC have behaved disgracefully for suspending Gary Lineker and they should resign

We must face up to the forces which are destroying our natural environment if we are to save and preserve it for future generations.

Outside the headquarters of the BBC in London is a statue of the writer George Orwell. It bears the words: “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they don’t want to hear.” In a series of tweets Gary Lineker did just that. He told the Government that its policies to tackle illegal migration were inhumane and cruel. Rather than accept the freelance sports presenter was speaking from a position of genuine compassion, right-wing MPs immediately called for him to be removed from the BBC. The broadcaster should have stood up to this baying mob. If it values free speech and, above all, if it values its independence it should have defended Lineker’s right to voice views which may be unpalatable to others. The BBC has undermined its own reputation for impartiality by caving into the demands of the right-wing press and loudmouth Tory MPs. To take Lineker off air is not only craven but hypocritical. The BBC chairman, Richard Sharp, remains in place despite helping facilitate a loan guarantee for Boris Johnson. Other presenters have not been silenced despite airing right-wing views. The Mirror has launched a petition calling for Lineker to be reinstated. We urge anyone who values liberty and free speech to sign it.

Free speech

Britain is a very choral and orchestral country: vast numbers of people participate every week in choirs, orchestras and bands. The presence of top professional ensembles gives a lead to people's activities, as well as providing listening pleasure, and growing a knowledge and love of music throughout people's lives. Anyone who understands this will feel the losses the BBC proposes.

Thousands of us energy customers (probably including you if you pay by monthly direct debit) are being regularly charged more than we owe for our energy use. In this way Energy companies are taking massive interest-free loans at the expense of us, their customers, making us believe we're better off keeping our accounts in credit. They are reluctant to refund these overpayments, even when we leave them for a new supplier and some of us are owed thousands of pounds taken through these direct debit overpayments. Energy companies should be made to declare publicly how much they are holding onto in 'customer credit', to offer customers regular opportunities to claim a refund and they should be forced to stick to a time limit for credit to be refunded to former customers. Times are hard enough without us having to subsidise greedy energy suppliers in this way.

They are our forgotten people,shunned and ignored by successive governments!!!!

Save the Walled City Market The traders at the Walled City Market have been given notice that the long standing city market will be closing, with the last market on April 1. Some of us have been trading here for over 16 years. This is not only a financial blow for the traders, around 40 in total, but also a loss for Derry. The market adds a community and uplifting spirit to the city once a month, with a great variety of local produce on offer. We want the market to continue so Please sign our petition

Our local NHS pharmacies are on the brink of collapse, despite having proven during the pandemic that they are more needed now than ever. Since 2015, their funding has been cut by 40% and 1400 pharmacies have permanently closed, putting vital NHS services at risk. Without fair funding from the Government, many more pharmacies will be forced to close. One important step the government can take is to commit to fully funding the 'Pharmacy First' Service in England so people with minor illnesses can be treated on the NHS by their local pharmacy, instead of having to wait to see a GP for a prescription. Community pharmacies provide vital health and social care in communities across the country, including the most deprived neighbourhoods. Please back our local pharmacies – so they can continue to keep people well and save lives!

Recent road collisions in the area have resulted in the serious injury of schoolchildren and unless positive action is taken, our children, young people and other members of the community will continue to be put at risk. Evidence shows approximately 16 children are killed or seriously injured in road crashes every week on their way to or from school (ref: Public Health England 2018). Over 4,000 children and young people walk, cycle and travel by bus and car each day to the schools, colleges and early years settings in the area all of which are located on 30mph streets, including: • Oatlands Infant School • Oatlands Junior School • St John Fisher’s Catholic High School • St Aidan’s Church of England School • Harrogate FE College • Busy Bees nurseries at South Drive & Hornbeam Park. A further 5,000 children travel in, to and around the Pannal Ash Area: to Harrogate Grammar School, Ashville College, Rossett School, Rossett Acre Primary and Western Primary and Busy Bees Nursery- Pannal Ash. This petition complements the similar initiative by Pannal Ash Safe Streets, also calling for 20mph. Recent road collisions have resulted in the serious injury of three school children walking to and from school and highlight the urgency and importance of a maximum speed of 20mph. There was one on Beechwood Grove in January 2023 in which a child required hospitalisation and a second collision on Yew Tree Lane in February 2023 where two teenagers suffered severe and potentially life changing injuries. Change is urgently needed. Without it the safety, health and well-being of the children, young people and the wider community remains at stake and road safety will continue as a barrier to walking and cycling in the area and across Harrogate. Maximum speed limits of 20mph have been delivered in other rural and urban areas of Yorkshire and the UK including Calderdale, Cornwall, Oxford, Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, London and in Wales (in September 2023). We want these improvements for south and west and other communities within Harrogate. Evidence highlights the significant impacts a maximum speed of 20mph can deliver – the Edinburgh change to 20mph limits in 2021 reduced road traffic casualties by 40 per cent (ref: Jepson R et al. Public Heath Res 2022) and recent evidence from Transport for London (TfL) shows people hit by a vehicle at 20mph are around five times less likely to be killed than at 30mph (TfL February 2023). These show the significant positive impacts of a lower maximum speed of 20mph. Urgent action is needed now to protect lives. A maximum speed of 20mph has the potential to make an enormous impact to our community. Please sign this petition for North Yorkshire County Council to deliver a maximum speed of 20mph across south and west Harrogate. References: 1. Public Health England. Reducing unintentional injuries on the roads among children and young people under 25 years. 2018. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/695781/Reducing_unintentional_injuries_on_the_roads_among_children_and_young_people_.pdf 2. Jepson R, Baker G, Cleland C, et al. Developing and implementing 20-mph speed limits in Edinburgh and Belfast: mixed-methods study. Public Health Res 2022;10 (published online Sep). https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/phr/XAZI9445#/abstract 3. TfL: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2023/february/new-data-shows-significant-improvements-in-road-safety-in-london-since-introduction-of-20mph-speed-limits 13 February 2023

Matt Hancock claimed he threw a “protective ring” around our care homes at the height of the pandemic, but leaked WhatsApp messages between him and his adviser paint a very different picture. It’s painfully clear that he didn’t follow the scientific advice and test everyone going into care homes. He thought following the advice of the Chief Medical Officer “muddied the waters”, a decision that could have cost lives, including my mum’s. He needs to answer to all families like ours. Bereaved families are still no closer to getting justice. That’s why we need an immediate police investigation, to uncover the truth.

Young People need somewhere to go, that is warm and a safe space where they can feel listened to, supported and have social interactions with their peers. At Got2B we liken this to the following situation for the adults in society and ask how would adults feel if suddenly authorities axed all pubs, clubs, social centres, coffee shops and left you with only parks and recreation areas, with equipment that is out of date, not age appropriate and open to the elements? We believe there would be uproar, but Young People don’t have a voice and are unable to be heard by the people who have power to create change. That’s why we are bringing this to your attention. We want to present this to local Government and ask them to listen to their community and its Young People. We want them to reinstate/ provide free dedicated Youth spaces in our major towns. These spaces should be accessible to organisations supporting Young People, and offer professional Youth Clubs, guidance and support.