It’s hard to imagine now that the mantra of Tony Blair’s government was once, ‘Education, Education, Education’. A recent survey reveals that two thirds of schools in England are facing budget deficits which will lead to staff cuts and reductions in other services, including mental health support. Too many of our children aren’t getting theContinue reading Shadow Education Secretary Bridget sets out mantra
WHAT’S the fascination with outsourcing that makes so many managers and consultants offer it as the solution when they’re asked to make improvements or find savings? Public is not always best but there’s no guarantee private is either. There have been some spectacular government failures with prisons, probation, and tagging of offenders. In Birmingham weContinue reading Peril of failed outsourcing
Steve McCabe MP has recently visited Speciality Minerals in Lifford Lane. It follows some local complaints about noise from the site. The actual site has been there since 1898 and Steve first visited back in the early 1990s when he was a councillor for the Brandwood Ward. There have been some lurid stories on social media aboutContinue reading Steve McCabe MP visits Speciality Minerals
Steve McCabe MP visited the local constituency fire station in Billesley recently, to check in with staff during this summer of intense heatwaves and the cost-of-living crisis. Steve had an informative chat with the station staff who stressed that not only are the recent scorching temperatures affecting the risk of fire and hazard, but theContinue reading Steve McCabe MP visits local fire station
AFTER 12 glorious days, in which Birmingham showed the world just what we can do, the Commonwealth Games have come to an end with a closing ceremony just as enjoyable as the spectacular opening. We weren’t the first choice to host the Games and only stepped in after it became apparent that Durban couldn’t deliver.Continue reading A PERFECT SHOWCASE
KEIR Starmer has come under fire over the rail dispute for sacking a junior spokesman for acting outside his brief. It doesn’t seem to matter that the Labour leader proposes the biggest increase in worker’s rights for nearly 70 years. His plans for fair pay agreements will end poverty wages. They’re part of Labour’s newContinue reading NEW DEAL TO BENEFIT 31m
When is a promise not a promise? When it comes from Boris Johnson! Two of his promises have just collided. On 13th December 2019, he stood outside Downing St and promised to fix social care once and for all. He said his priority would be to crack on with it in his first 100 days.Continue reading We need a real social care plan, not just broken Boris promises
I’m back in Parliament today, following events in Afghanistan. For 20 years we’ve been battling extremists obsessed with perverting Islamic ideals. Whether it’s Daesh who emerged from the remnants of Al Qaeda or the Taliban, their striking feature, apart from their barbarity, is their attitude towards women who can’t hold jobs but can be soldContinue reading We must step up to plate in time of crisis
Does Boris Johnson have something against pensioners? That’s a question I have asked all too often these days, especially since Dominic Cummings revealed that the PM wasn’t too bothered when he thought Covid was only killing the over 80s. Last week, free TV licences for over 75s ceased. It marked the end of a 20-yearContinue reading PM problem on pensions
I’ve received lots of comments about Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), the experimental traffic schemes which Birmingham, like other councils, are trying. They designate areas, often one or two streets, as no car zones. They have enthusiastic supporters and immediate beneficiaries are often keen. Less happy are those who have diverted traffic forced onto their roads.Continue reading Can’t afford to be anti-car
