Estimated 700,000 Pupils In Unsafe School Buildings – NAO
An estimated 700,000 children are being taught in unsafe school buildings in England that need major works to repair them, according to a report. The National Audit Office (NAO) says the Department for Education (DfE) has, since 2021, assessed the risk of injury or death from a school building collapse as “very likely and critical”.... Read More
Discrimination ‘Widespread’ In English Cricket – Equity In Cricket Report
Racism, sexism, classism, and elitism are “widespread” in English and Welsh cricket, according to a long-awaited independent report. The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) has delivered its findings from a two-year investigation. The ICEC has made 44 recommendations, including that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) make an unreserved public apology for... Read More
UK Could Be Starved Of Energy – North Sea Boss
The UK is at risk of being “starved” of North Sea energy leaving it reliant on imports, a major oil and gas producer has told the BBC. Ithaca Energy said Labour’s pledge to ban new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea and current taxation policy was “spooking” investors. Ithaca is almost entirely invested... Read More
UK’s High Rate Of Avoidable Deaths Linked To NHS Woes
People in the UK are less likely to survive treatable conditions, such as breast cancer and stroke than those in other rich nations, a study has found. The review, by the King’s Fund, a think tank, said the problem may be directly linked to the performance of the NHS. It said below-average spending on the... Read More
RF Test / Design Engineer – Hampshire, South East England
RF Test / Design Engineer – Hampshire, South East England Are you an RF Test / Design Engineer looking to join a technology and market leader in wireless communications, RF test and measurement, broadcast and media, cybersecurity, and network technology? My clients are seeking an RF Test / Design Engineer based in Fleet. They were... Read More
Rules On Pollution Blocking Housebuilding – Minister
Pollution rules are a major obstacle to the government’s aim of 300,000 new homes a year, a minister has said. Wastewater and sewage from new homes and construction sites raise levels of nutrients like nitrates and phosphates, which harm water quality and wildlife. Baroness Scott of By Brook said a duty to lessen the impact... Read More
Clearsprings: Home Office Asylum Contractor Prices Out Homeless
The Home Office has been accused of leaving people homeless by outbidding councils in fierce competition for scarce accommodation. Several local authorities have lost out to a Home Office contractor finding properties to house asylum seekers. The number of people in England having to stay in temporary accommodation is near record levels. Asked on three... Read More
Banks Summoned On Mortgages After Interest Rate Shock
Banks and building societies are to meet Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to discuss the upheaval in the mortgage market. It comes after Thursday’s shock decision by the Bank of England to hike rates to 5%, up from 4.5%, as it tries to tackle persistently high inflation. The government and lenders are under pressure to do more... Read More
Train Strikes: RMT Union Announces Three Days Of Walkouts In July
Thousands of rail workers will strike for three days in July as part of a long-running dispute about pay and conditions. Strikes at 14 rail firms have been called on 20, 22, and 29 July, the RMT union said. It said negotiations with rail firms and the government had stalled. But train operators said the... Read More
ID Rules Stopped 14,000 People Voting Watchdog Finds
About 14,000 people were prevented from voting because they could not show an accepted form of photo ID during England’s local elections, according to the Electoral Commission. Ethnic minorities and unemployed voters were more likely to be turned away, research by the watchdog suggests. “Significantly more” were put off voting by the requirement to show... Read More