Rising numbers in asylum hotels: Govt must speed up processing to get backlog down Scottish NHS still relies on almost 600 buildings which are more than 70 years old Rising numbers in asylum hotels: Govt must speed up processing to get backlog down Responding to this morning's immigration figures showing a rise over the past year in the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Lisa Smart MP said: The asylum backlog has been far too large for far too long. The Conservatives trashed our immigration system and let numbers spiral. Now this Labour government ...
The current drought is having a striking effect in Derbyshire, where the village of Derwent is emerging as the waters of Ladybower Reservoir recede. This video from Trekking Exploration (like and subscribe) shows us what can be seen this week. There will be more to come if the drought continues. Derwent was drowned by the reservoir, which was constructed between 1935 and 1943. The spire of the village church was originally left standing above the water and people tried to swim out to it. This was deemed too dangerous, so the church was dynamited. We see what remains of the ...
I know that you will all be sad to know that former Mid Dorset and Poole MP Annette Brooke passed away yesterday. Ed Davey paid tribute to her on Twitter. "My heart is full of sadness today, as we have lost a dear friend and wonderful former colleague, Annette Brooke. "Annette dedicated her life to public service, always fighting for the people who needed her voice. "She served her local community with great dedication as a councillor and later Mayor. "Annette made history, not only by being the first woman to be elected as an MP in a general election ...
Reviewing Nick Bano's Against Landlords: How to Solve the Housing Crisis for Liberator, I wrote: Fifty years ago, private landlords, from Rachman to Rigsby, were derided and the breed seemed to be on the way out. Now daytime television shows have would-be buy-to-let landlords as their heroes. I've a feeling I lifted at least some of that from the book. Now James Bloodworth has expanded the point into a very good blog post: Homes Under the Hammer first aired in 2003, the same year that home ownership in Britain peaked at 70 per cent. Until the mid-1990s the private rental ...
Thu 21st
19:00
Reform's chaotic stewardship of Leicestershire County Council is costing the public money
Who, we have been wondering, will replace Joseph Boam, who was sacked by Reform UK as Leicestershire County Council's deputy leader and cabinet lead for adult social care? The answer, reports the Leicester Mercury, is two people: Kevin Crook, councillor for the ward of Glenfields, Kirby Muxloe and Leicester Forests, will be taking on the deputy leader role and will also head up the new heritage, libraries and adult learning portfolio. Councillor for Stoney Stanton and Croft, Carl Abbott, will be taking over as lead member for adult social care. And the result of that is that the council's Reform ...
Debated Podcast is, according to its host Will Barber-Taylor, ... a light hearted British political podcast aimed at speaking to and engaging people about a variety of fascinating topics. Over 200 episodes have been produced and the podcast acts as a non partisan and non politically aligned outlet to discuss some of the key issues of the day around the world but mainly focussed on the UK political scene. A recent episode was based on a discussion with Vince Cable about his new book Eclipsing the West: China, India and the forging of a new world and is worth listening ...
"Than shall the Kings say unto them on his right hand, come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in; Naked and ye clothed me: I was in prison and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee, or thirsty and gave thee to drink? When saw we thee a stranger ...
When my father was the age that I am now, he had a series of heart attacks and never worked again. He died just over a decade later at the age of 61. By the time I was 35, I was the oldest living male on my father's side of the family. Genetics are clearly not on my side. I'm in my late 40s now and I'm not ready to pack things in yet, so staying fit and healthy is important to me. There are, however, only so many hours in the day. And I can't afford to spend them ...
Federal Committees report to each Conference. It's an important way for members to hold them to account. Conference votes on whether to accept or reject each report. You can read the reports here. Members can also ask questions which need to be submitted here by 1pm on 8th September. We'll be looking at what they say. Our next stop on our meander through the agenda is the Federal Policy Committee report written by vice chairs Jeremy Hargreaves, Lucy Nethsingha and Helen Morgan MP. They set out what the Committee has been doing during the past year including the policy review ...
Mike Hamilton will head the Party's list for the Casnewydd Islwyn (Newport and Islwyn) constituency at the 2026 Senedd election following a party selection process in the constituency. Casnewydd Islwyn is one of the new constituencies for the 2026 Welsh Parliament elections, covering the Westminster constituencies of Newport East and Newport West and Islwyn. Dr Mike Hamilton is a former Merchant Navy Engineer and archaeologist, who is well known in Newport for his community campaigning. He is a former Deputy Leader of Newport Council. Speaking following his selection, Dr Hamilton thanked local Party members for backing him, and said: Wales ...
We are holding a Thursday street surgery tonight to speak with residents on any local issues or concerns they may have. Should you have an issue you wish to discuss with us, e-mail us at westend@dundeelibdems.org.uk or call Dundee 459378 and we will be pleased to meet you - many thanks.
The Guardian reports on claims by the equalities regulator that Scotland Yard's plan to widen the use of live facial recognition technology is unlawful because it is incompatible with European laws. The paper says that as the UK's biggest force prepares to use instant face-matching cameras at this weekend's Notting Hill carnival, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said its use was intrusive and could have a "chilling effect" on individuals' rights: The development will be a blow to Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan police commissioner, who has backed the use of the technology at mass events such as this ...
