Schools across Westmorland and Lonsdale are set to see budgets slashed by more than £5.5 million, which could mean the loss of hundreds of teachers, according to the NUT. Local MP Tim Farron has secured a meeting with the Schools Minister next week in order to step up his campaign against school cuts.
The people are speaking - is parliament listening?
Ahead of last Wednesday's vote in the House of Lords Lib Dem leader Tim Farron spoke in favour of the right to remain for the 3.2 million EU citizens resident in this country.
When the Tories were last in power in Southend they threatened to close Westcliff Library to save money. Public protests at their library plans was one reason they fell from power. Now they are back they seem to have learnt something from their mistakes and are investing in a major refurbishment of the library. Local Lib Dem campaigner Bob Howes said "I am delighted by this dramatic u-turn. It shows that when the public speak out, even the Tories have to listen."
I have been involved with Foodbanks for several years (long before I became politically active). The subject is emotive - last December whilst collecting in Bourne, a woman told me that she didn't believe in them because they encouraged scrounging- and there seem to be many myths around how they operate, and whether they help. Myth: Undeserving people get handouts. Not true. People only receive food in exchange for a voucher issued by an organisation such as Citizens' Advice, the council, doctors, schools, charities etc … organisations who know the people involved are struggling. And the clients are more likely to be families with young children, than able-bodied 'scroungers'.
Welcome to this edition of 'Rickmansworth This Week e-news'