Chris Whiteside for the North

"It is 82 years since the Arctic Convoys began delivering vital supplies to the Soviet Union, following its invasion by Germany in 1941. Putin’s war is an affront to the shared history of the UK and Russia, who fought so closely to defeat Fascism during the Second World War." (Tweet from Britain's MoD yesterday) I had an uncle who served on those convoys. Most of us cannot imagine the privations and dangers which brave men like him, on both Royal Navy ships and merchant marine ships, went through. But I hope we will always remember the part they played in the defeat of Nazism.

If you are a regular rail user you are very likely to be at least potentially affected by proposed changes to rail ticket offices, on which the train companies are currently consulting. The extended consultation runs  to 1st September (e.g. close of play tomorrow.) Most railway station ticket offices are affected:  some are having their opening hours changed, most are proposed for closure, although the train company proposals say that the closure or reduced hours at ticket offices will be offset by changes which will make more staff available at stations outside the ticket offices to help passengers. You can read details of the consultation and find links to read the proposals and take part in the consultation by clicking on this link: Ticket office consultation extension - Transport Focus statement - Transport Focus

 

As soon as the Lucy Letby trial was concluded, the government announced a public inquiry, to proceed at pace. There was some concern about whether this should be a statutory inquiry, and I welcome the latest news that the government has listened to those concerns and announced today  that the   Lucy Letby inquiry will be statutory , giving it more legal powers to allow a thorough investigation and give families the answers they need. The crimes committed by Lucy Letby are truly harrowing and our thoughts remain with the families of her victims – who we have consulted with as we shape the nature of the inquiry into her crimes. That is why the government has launched an independent statutory inquiry into the murders and attempted murders committed at Countess of Chester hospital, giving the inquiry legal powers to compel witnesses and meaning the evidence must be heard in public. This statutory public inquiry will aim to give the families the answers they need and ensure lessons...

 

As Labour's mayor of London presses ahead and activates today the extension of ULEZ, a policy so badly thought through and unpopular that it enabled the Conservatives to hold Boris Johnson's old seat in the Uxbridge by-election, the leader of the Labour party has mysteriously gone missing. CCHQ asks, "Have you seen this man?"

 

 Flags at police stations in Nottingham are at half mast today as the force announced the death of a police officer while trying to help a member of the public. Sergeant Graham Saville, a response officer based at Newark Police Station, sustained serious injuries when he was hit by a train as he attempted to save a distressed man.The incident happened in Balderton just before 7pm on Thursday 24 August. Sergeant Saville was taken to Queen’s Medical Centre where, despite the best efforts of medical staff, the 46-year-old died on Tuesday 29 August with his family at his bedside. Flags across the force will now be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect. Chief Constable Kate Meynell said:  “Today is a day of mourning for the entire police family. “Graham was a hugely respected and popular colleague and his death in the line of duty has come as an enormous shock to us all. “Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to his family and we will do everything we can to support them thro...

 

  The catch is that it's only lucrative if you survive. My late mother once said that the army of the former Soviet Union "used their people like sandbags" and the current Russian army is just as bad.

Homeownership is a dream everyone aspires to. Getting the keys to your first place is a special feeling. But for too many people, the dream of home ownership feels just like that – a dream.  That is why the government is reforming former EU ‘nutrient neutrality’ laws, which have been  blocking the development of new homes.  The Government is tabling an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill that will, if passed, unlock over 100,000 new homes by 2030, boost the economy by up to £18 billion and support 50,000 jobs.  This plan will not come at the expense of the environment. That is why the government is also announcing tougher sewage rules for water companies; doubling funding for mitigation schemes to more than offset the small environmental impact of new homes; and a £225 million investment to help farmers reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment.  This will give back control to local communities over the planning process, allow developer...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out supporting a survey of local residents' concerns today in Handbridge Park ward, Chester for and with the very diligent and effective local councillor Razia Daniels and other local campaigners.  Despite the rain the team managed to cover a lot of ground and we had a friendly reception. Listened to this lovely piece by Mozart to relax on getting home.

Whatever I may think of him as a political leader or as a man, Napoleon had few equals and no superiors in his understanding of the art and science of war. Both Napoleon and his nemesis, the Duke of Wellington, had some important things to say on the importance of time on the battlefield, and none more significant that the quote above, "ask of me anything you like except time." And in the current crisis in Ukraine, this is what too many Western leaders - with the partial exception of the governments of the UK and several of the nations which border Russia such as Poland and Lithuania - have failed to understand. The Washington Post has a powerful article (see link at bottom of this post) about the cost to Ukraine of the time spent by President Biden and other Western leaders in making up their minds to send equipment which was always going to be needed and was eventually sent. It has given Russia time to dig in and build a massive network of fortifications in occupied Ukraine...

People want and expect their government to deliver on the things which matter to them. That is why the Conservatives are working to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats.  We are taking a responsible approach with the public finances and breaking down barriers to work to halve inflation, securing more investment in our economy,  We are treating more patients , delivering a brand - new NHS workforce plan We have passed new laws to stop the boats.  By delivering on our five priorities we are building the foundations for a more prosperous United Kingdom and a better future for our children and grandchildren.  Halving inflation:   Inflation is falling, reducing the insidious erosion of everyone's savings and everyone's living standards which price rises represent. The rate of UK inflation has fallen from 10.1 per cent at the beginning of the year to 6.8 per cent in July. The Bank of England expect inflation to fall to f...

 

  Timothy Zahn's words, "If one is remembered by a friend, one is never truly gone" come from the novel "Thrawn," in which they are said by Mitth'raw'nuruodo, later known as Grand Admiral Thrawn.  

 

The government has   launched a campaign, "Alive with Opportunity ," to build Britain's relationship with India to boost trade and grow the economy. India is the UK’s second biggest source of investment projects and we both share an ambition to deepen our cultural and trading ties. That is why the UK government is launching Alive with Opportunity, a £1.5 million marketing campaign designed to build on the UK and India’s strong relationship. The Trade Secretary will attend the G20 Trade Ministers Meeting in Jaipur before flying to New Delhi for a parallel business-focused Business 20 summit. This campaign is part of our ambition to double trade with   India by 2030 and stimulate interest and demand for UK goods and services, attracting new investment and helping to grow the economy.

  According to the bible (Matthew, Chapter 26, verse 52) Jesus said this to his followers, ordering them not to use force when he was arrested. In context I do not believe this quote is an instruction to Christians to be pacifists in every circumstance, but it is clearly a warning that those who take up arms should understand that they may well be killed themselves. Yesterday it appears likely that two of the most blood-soaked agents of the Kremlin have fallen victim to the same ruthless regime for which, until the recent mutiny, they had been hired killers.

 

Today the government announced plans to create over a thousand new special school places, backed by £70 million, making sure all children can get the best possible start in life. Every child and young person should continue to get consistently high-quality support, no matter what their educational needs are or where in the country they live. That is why today the government announced plans to create over a thousand new school places for children with special educational needs, with £70 million to help open seven new special free schools as part of a programme to test and refine our SEND reforms so that they are informed by the experiences of real families. Once complete, these reforms will more than double the number of special free school places available across the country – from around 8,500 to 19,000 – so that every child receives a quality education tailored to their needs. The  package announced today includes seven new special free schools in addition to the 83 already annou...

 

Today it has been announced that 15 new free schools will open in the most disadvantaged areas around the country, driving up school standards and making sure every child has access to a world class education. Free schools and academies have been central to our work to raise school standards, with 88 per cent of schools now rated good or outstanding by Ofsted, up from 68 per cent in 2010. So the government has announced that fifteen more will open across the country, including three schools run by the high performing Star Academies and Eton College, located in Dudley, Teesside and Oldham. Free schools are government funded but run by an academy trust, university or industry – they have more powers to innovate to meet student’s needs and autonomy over decisions such as teachers’ pay.  These schools will give parents greater choice over good schools, attract fresh expertise to local areas and bring new opportunities to children from disadvantaged areas .

Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative has decreased the supply of grain onto global markets and destabilised global food prices. And the UK Ministry of Defence says that Russia is now using some of its most powerful weaponry to target infrastructure housing and transporting grain. For example, AS-4 Kitchen missiles - five and a half ton weapons originally designed to attack aircraft carriers - have been used by the Russian Federation to destroy grain silos, and with them thousands of tons of grain. The Putin regime is weaponising hunger - not just in Ukraine but among vulnerable people all around the world - to support their illegal and monstrous invasion of Ukraine. It is sadly unlikely that the perpetrators of this crime against humanity will end up where they deserve - in the dock at the International Criminal Court. But the rest of the world can, and must, ensure that their invasion of Ukraine is repelled.

 

  The government is urging social landlords to allow their tenants to work from their rented properties as childminders, expanding the supply of childcare as we grow the economy.  The government is also encouraging more people to join the childcare sector, delivering on the expanded offer of free childcare for families, giving parents the opportunity to return to work sooner after the birth of their child. That is why the government has we encouraged housing associations, social landlords and developers to allow childminders to work from their rented properties as we deliver the largest expansion of our 30 hours of free childcare in England, saving a working parent up to an average of £6,500 per year. These measures to expand free childcare for working parents as well as investing in our childcare sector will save parents thousands as we grow the economy.  

Today it was announced that   more than 50,000 students across the UK have registered for yjr government's Cyber Explorers programme . More schools are encouraged to get involved with the scheme boosting skills as we grow the economy.  The UK’s growing cyber sector is where the technological innovations and digital discoveries of the future will start as we grow the economy.  That is why the government is boosting students’ cyber skills through the Cyber Explorers programme that has already supported over 50,000 students at 2,000 schools across the UK to develop their cyber skills, giving them the tools they need to succeed.  The Cyber Explorers programme is a central part of the government's work to build a digital workforce in the UK, unleashing innovation, unlocking opportunity and creating thousands of high skill jobs across the country.

 

This is the candle I lit this morning at St James' Church in Whitehaven.  I prayed for my friend and former council colleague Paul Turner and his family.  I prayed for Pat Graham, the final Chief executive of Copeland Borough Council and her family.  I prayed for all the babies who died as a result of the unspeakable actions of one individual at the Countess of Chester hospital, and for their families.  Rest in Peace.

 

" Despite today’s result, England’s @Lionesses   have done their country proud. They have inspired generations of girls in grassroots sport to compete at the highest level - including at @WargraveWGFC , the UK’s second largest club, of which I am proud to be President." ( Theresa May MP )

Best of luck to the Lionesses in the Women's football world cup final, which is due to kick off as this post appears. Come on England!

 

I was very sorry to learn that Pat Graham, the last Chief Executive of Copeland Borough Council, died this morning. She was a consummate professional and widely respected by the vast majority of councillors and staff members she dealt with. Trudy Harrison MP, the local member of parliament, who knew Pat Graham very well, having worked with her when they were both at Copeland Council, wrote this moving tribute to Pat: "Pat was the best ambassador for us women to look up to, I learned from Pat that motherhood and forging a professional career can go together.  A tragic day for West Cumbria and all who knew her, I can’t begin to comprehend what her family are now going through.  I hope we can keep the project flames burning brightly on those she sparked and really cared about." Very many condolences to her family. Rest in Peace.

Over £27 million has been made available by the government to fund small businesses and community infrastructure in the North of England in the new Rural England Prosperity Fund.  The fund is a replacement for EU structural funds such as LEADER and the Growth Programme. Funding has been allocated proportionately across councils throughout the North of England, and are being administered individually by each council. Visit your local council website using the links below and find out how you can apply for funding. Whether your business is based in West Yorkshire or Westmorland, in Cheshire West and Chester or Copeland, check out whether this might be an opportunity to gain funding for new investment.  Hat-tip for this table from, the NFU, who are encouraging farmers to check this out and make sure that  farming gets its fair share of the funds available: NFU members are urged to see how they might benefit from grant support through the fund, as part of a drive to secure lo...

"WEALD OF KENT: despite all the Conservatives' troubles, the party had a stronger shortlist today -  Aphra Brandreth,  Lincoln Jopp,  Katie Lam  & Scott Pattenden -  than any I can recall in the 152 Labour selections in this round so far." (Michael Crick, a journalist who speaks as he finds and does not hesitate to savage any of the political parties when he thinks it appropriate, commenting on his "Tomorrow's MPs" Twitter account about the current round of selections. Congratulations to Katie Lam who won the vote and was adopted as the Conservative candidate for Weald of Kent.)

  As more and more organisations move away from cash, access to banking services becomes less a matter of lifestyle choice and more and more a basic necessity. That's why it's a huge mistake to see the "De-banking" row as being about Nigel Farage - it's about all of us.  Gina Miller had banking problems too, and so do many people who are not famous enough to generate newspaper headlines. But the changes in the way we pay for things is not just about whether you can get a bank account or can pay for things using your mobile phone. Right now there are plenty of people who do not have banking services and don't have a smartphone or only want or know how to use it to make telephone calls, and they need access to cash. To address this issue , the government has  announced that banks and building societies must ensure people are no more than three miles away from withdrawing cash and can withdraw cash without any fees – something that has been set out in law.  While...

  The government announced today that more than one thousand general practices have signed up to make the switch from analogue systems to modern, easy-to-use digital telephones, which is intended to make booking GP appointments easier and support efforts to cut waiting lists. Everyone understands the frustration which can be involved in booking a GP appointment and Conservatives want to see as much done as possible to ensure that people do not have to go through an 8am rush to make a booking. To address any aspects of the problem which are related to telephony, the government has invested £240 million to help more than one thousand practices make the switch from analogue systems to digital telephones – designed to make sure people can receive the care they need when they need it.  It is expected every practice in the country will have the new system in place by the end of this financial year, helping to improve patient access to care and put an end to the 8am rush as we work t...

The government has  written to councils in England to get pubs open earlier on Sunday ahead of the Lionesses historic World Cup final, so that everyone can get involved in the celebrations which will provide a boost to this sector and will grow the economy. The whole nation is ready to get behind the Lionesses this Sunday and we want to make sure we do everything we can to ensure everyone can get involved in the celebrations. That is why the government has asked councils to do everything they can to help pubs get open earlier on Sunday. There is no doubt the day will be a huge boost for this sector, potentially delivering an additional £41 million in sales.   We all wish the Lionesses the best of luck for Sunday, and the government will continue to support every pub that wants to host  this historic occasion, helping us deliver on our pledge to grow the economy. 

 A great Yorkshireman died this week. Sir Michael Parksonson CBE, who was born in  1935 in Cudworth, near Barnsley was the son of a miner. He went to Barnsley Grammar School. He had a passion for cricket throughout his life: he was a club cricketer, and both he and his opening partner at Barnsley Cricket Club, Harold "Dickie" Bird who became famous as a Test Umpire, had trials for Yorkshire together with Geoffrey Boycott. Parkonson once kept Boycott out of the Barnsley Cricket Club team by scoring a century and 50 in two successive matches. During his national service, he was commissioned and became at the time the youngest Captain in the British army. He started his career as a local journalist before joining the BBC and, of course, becoming one of the most famous interviewers of all time. Rest in Peace.

Congratulations to all those who achieved the results they hoped for in their A-Levels when they were announced yesterday. Commiserations to those who did not but don't give up: there may be good options for you going forward available through clearing or another route. Yesterday,   young people across England received their exam results, with 79 per cent of 18-year-old pupils in the UK gaining a place at their first choice university ,  ensuring that everyone has access to a wide range of options for the future, helping us grow the economy. Of course, the pandemic had a serious impact on students and that is why the government  invested £5 billion in education to help pupils recover from this. Results yesterday showed a return to pre-pandemic levels in an important step in getting back to normal. Overall, 79 per cent of 18-year-old pupils in the UK gained a place at their first choice university. 16,530 students who received free school meals have also gained a place at ...

"Confidence has a lot to do with interviewing - that, and timing. There's no way you can create a chemistry where none exists. It's not so much about what you ask as what you don't ask." (Sir Michael Parkinson CBE)

The UK government has announced that   twelve green AI initiatives will receive a share of £1 million to decarbonise and boost our renewable energy supply , helping to bolster our energy security and grow our economy. Britain is committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050, but in order to achieve this we must continue exploring new and innovative methods to reduce our carbon emissions. That is why the government has this week announced that 12 AI initiatives will receive a share of £1 million to help decarbonise industries faster, including by improving solar energy production, better predicting when energy will best be produced for our grid, and using AI to monitor crop and soil health. These steps will help to fight climate change while helping to grow our businesses and economy. 

 

Earlier this week new figures showed that average wage increases in cash terms were at record levels. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) In April to June 2023, the annual growth for regular pay (excluding bonuses) was 7.8%. This is the highest annual growth rate since comparable records began in 2001. Annual growth in employees' average total pay (including bonuses) was 8.2% in April to June 2023. However, of course, while these wage rises were below the rate of inflation, that still left people worse off in real terms. But today we have turned an important corner: new figures show that inflation has dropped to 6.8% which is below the latest average annual figure for wage increases. Price rises for different goods and services have been running at different rates, and the average income rise figures hides considerable variation from one group of workers to another, so this does not mean everyone is better off. We urgently need to boost productivity so that the ec...

Today the UK government announced   £210 million of funding to combat superbugs , helping poorer countries to fight dangerous new diseases before they pose a global health risk. Poorer countries are often most at risk from superbugs, which can quickly spread across the globe, so we must do all we can to support our international partners in preparing for these events.  That is why today we announced an investment of £210 million to support countries in Asia and Africa in combating superbugs, which will help to prevent the risk that such diseases spread across the globe and impact lives and economies across the world.  This record funding will allow countries most at risk to tackle and prevent the spread of these diseases, making us safer at home. This is not just the morally right thing to do: it is in our own long-term interest to make the world safer from these diseases.