Ashcroft provides essential care services for women who experience mental health difficulties. It is an almost unique service, being one of only two women-only specialist mental health units in the country and is a hugely valuable resource. Norfolk should be proud of its assets, not trying to save a few pounds forcing Ashcroft to close its doors. Find out more here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-30352968 Latest update: http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/update_more_than_2_900_people_sign_online_petition_to_save_the_ashcroft_residential_home_1_3876343

In many countries including the USA and Spain British pensioners enjoy annual increments to their pensions just as their counterparts in the UK. But if you are unlucky enough to live in a number of countries including Australia, Canada or Indonesia, your pension is frozen for life. A recent example in the press highlighted the plight of two sisters. They both retired in 1982 on the then full pension of GBP 28.50 a week. One now lives in the UK and enjoys a fully indexed pension of GBP 113.10 per week. The other sister went to Canada and receives the same GBP 28.50 a week that she received in 1982. There are many war veterans living overseas who are similarly suffering. They paid their contributions in full during their working lives and they fought for their country. But who is getting the benefits they earned now? Many politicians have promised their support in the past but when it comes to the crunch the victims of this injustice are out of sight and out of mind. The pensioners are not asking for charity; they are simply asking to be treated fairly and given the pensions that they paid for. Had they paid the contributions to a commercial institution and been similarly treated that company would no doubt be in serious trouble. But the government is above the law and continues to be more concerned about winning votes than righting a wrong that has been perpetuated by successive governments. The wicked irony is that the cost of rectifying the wrong would be a fraction of the billions they are now collecting in fines from the crimes committed by banks. Another irony is that the people who are suffering constitute no burden to the state while they are living overseas. But should they be forced through sheer poverty to return to the UK not only would their pensions be restored in full but they would have access to all the state benefits and could become a much greater burden on the government. It all defies logic but unless the public recognizes the unfairness and shouts loudly enough for MP's to hear, the 550,000 pensioners will gradually grow weaker and fade away. Does anybody care?

The Archers has been a part of the rhythm of my life for the last 40 years, the characters are more like friends than fictional constructs and the complete change in the tone of the story lines and the numerous cast changes has turned the series from a beloved friend into a monstrous carbuncle.

According to the housing and homelessness charity Shelter, 2% of all renters in the private sector have been evicted after they complained to their landlord or letting agent about a problem. Revenge evictions has particularly been a problem in London, where 14% of all families renting privately have been a victim to the practice in the last year. Time to debate issues in Parliament is a precious commodity. It appears that these MPs put their private interests above those of their constituents, democracy and the British tradition of fair play. Rather than allow a debate, they deliberately monopolised the allotted time, using rule-play to subvert democratic decision making. This seems to be further evidence how many modern politicians serve themselves over the common good of the electorate, thus bringing politics into disrepute again. In order to restore some confidence, those political parties who value the opinion of the electorate should condemn the practice and take measures to reassure voters that a conflict of interest will not occur. New reports: http://www.buzzfeed.com/sirajdatoo/these-two-tory-mp-landlords-just-blocked-a-bill-banning-reve http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/tory-mps-who-blocked-bill-banning-revenge-evictions-are-private-landlords-1477218

"Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne's appearance and bizarre behaviour during Prime Minister's Questions on the 26th of November 2014 begs the question of whether or not he was or had recently been under the influence of drugs. The government's exponentially failing drug policy puts public health at risk and defies the advice of their own researchers, whilst lining the pockets of dubious pharmaceutical companies and criminal gangs dealing on the black market. It is also in the public interest to know whether MPs are dabbling in legal highs, in a bid to escape failing a conventional drug test."

it is hard to corrupt 12 peers on jury duty. its easy to pick a yes wo/man who will come up with the decision the gov wants. too many odd or wrong decisions are made with current system

Translarna is the first novel drug to be granted market approval for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) that treats the underlying causes of the condition. DMD is a life limiting condition for which there is no cure. The severe and progressive muscle wasting leaves young adults reliant on wheelchairs, ventilators and at severe risk of early heart failure. The US company PTC Therapeutics have been granted marketing authorisation in the European Union under the trade name Translarna for the treatment of Duchenne for a sub group of patients aged five years and older who are walking and have a single point variation in their dystrophin gene. This is a crucial landmark in treating Duchenne. Translarna is expected to be the first of other personalised medicines that are currently in clinical trial and could also become available to treat more young people with DMD. It is now imperative that all children who are identified with these specific Duchenne gene mutations have long term access to this novel therapy.

This is important because he has backed Andrew Mitchell for the last two years, since "plebgate" started, now officially said MP has been told, by a judge of his peers, he probably did call that hard working police officer "a pleb".

The trees provide an area for wildlife such as squirrels, hedgehogs and birds to live free and natural. It also is a popular route taken by many dog walkers and also cyclists as a barrier from the dangers of the road the other side. The trees provide a natural barrier for people who visit the farm from the noise of the roads and helps cut down the effects of pollution from the traffic in the area.

People are under threat and we owe our thanks and should give them safety. I am and was against this war but these people are being let down by our country - they are not at fault, the UK is.

The Long Walk to Patchway....The Long Walk to Freedom Many migrants in Bristol are required by the home office to sign in regularly at a police station. Until recently, people reported at Trinity Police Station, near central Bristol. Since 1st October 2014, they have had to travel all the way to the new station in Patchway. Many of the people signing are applying for asylum in the UK. Only those in receipt of support from the Home Office are entitled to travel costs. Destitute asylum seekers either have to walk all the way (a 14 mile round trip for some) or beg lifts or bus fares. "I have a daughter aged 3 and she goes to school in Soundwell from 9am till 12. On my signing day, Tuesday, she misses school, because I have to be at Patchway between 10.30 and 11.30. From Easton it takes 1 hour30 minutes each way. It is not possible for me to take her to school in Soundwell, then go to Patchway and return in time to pick her up at 12. So she misses school. When I signed at Trinity Road she didn't miss school, because the journey was not so long." S, Bangladesh Students are forced to miss college classes. Disabled people find it difficult to travel to Patchway using public transport. Furthermore, the majority of people who sign will not abscond as they are dependent on accommodation via the home office, churches or friends and want to resolve their case positively. They don’t want to do anything to jeopordise this even when faced with detention. Making people sign up to weekly seems unnecssary, and degrading. It is all too common for people claiming asylum to have to wait years and years for their case to be resolved. Many who are initially refused go on to win their leave to remain in the UK. This long wait is due to problems with access to good lawyers, interpreters, a "culture of disbelief" in the Home Office. During this long wait, people have to keep signing every week. Each time they go, there is the chance they will be detained, taken to a detention centre and deported. Signing is a stressful experience for all, traumatic for some. "Before, I could walk to Trinity in 5 minutes, and I signed once a month. Now I have to sign every two weeks at Patchway. I don't have NASS support so I have no money for a bus ticket (which costs £4). It is 6 or 7 miles to Patchway. I have a problem with my ankle and it is too far to walk.. My friends have to help me to get there. My case is ongoing so I should have NASS support" E, Ivory Coast We fear that the difficulty of accessing signing will increase the likelihood of people missing signing dates and this is counterproductive for everyone.

Without this, singles will be wide open to discrimination in employment, housing, credit facilities, leisure facilities etc.