Around 100,000 civil servants to go on strike on 1 February

Published

2 years ago

January 11, 2023

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Around 100,000 civil servants will strike on 1 February in a worsening dispute over jobs, pay and conditions, the Public and Commercial Services union has announced.

It will be the largest civil service strike for years and coincides with the TUC’s “protect the right to strike day” announced yesterday in response to new government legislation.

The action will involve members in 124 government departments and follows walkouts last month involving Border Force staff, driving examiners and National Highway workers.

Politics latest: Why Rishi Sunak’s comments on public sector pay don’t tell the full story

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “During the last month, when thousands of PCS members across a range of departments took sustained industrial action, the government said it had no money.

“But it managed to find millions of pounds to spend on managers and military personnel in a failed attempt to cover the vital work our members do.

“We warned the government our dispute would escalate if they did not listen – and we’re as good as our word.”

Military personnel were paid £20 daily bonuses for stepping in for striking public sector workers last month.

The disputes have reached a bitter deadlock as ministers continue to insist they can’t afford to give pay rises despite unions warning they will continue to strike until a pay offer is made.

Mr Serwotka revealed he is meeting with Jeremy Quinn, the minister for the cabinet office, tomorrow and said “if he puts some money on the table there is a chance this dispute can be resolved”.

“If he doesn’t, then he’ll see public services from benefits to driving tests, from passports to driving licences, from ports to airports affected by industrial action on February 1.”

The PCS said a further 33,000 members working in five more departments, including HM Revenue & Customs, are next week re-balloting to join the union’s national strike action.

Industrial action is continuing to grip the public sector, with nurses set to stage a second round of strikes next week and ambulance workers set to strike on 23 January after walk outs across England and Wales today.

On Tuesday, the government brought in new legislation for “minimum safety levels” when workers stage walkouts.

But unions have vowed to fight the laws “every step of the way”, saying they are an attack on the right to strike and could be illegal.

UK

Bird flu outbreak reported in Yorkshire, mass cull of poultry ordered

Published

24 mins ago

November 6, 2024

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Bird flu outbreak reported in Yorkshire, mass cull of poultry ordered

A mass cull of poultry has been ordered after an outbreak of bird flu on a farm in Yorkshire.

A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place around the farm near Hornsea in the East Riding of Yorkshire and all the fowl on the property will be destroyed, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said.

The discovery of the H5N5 variant of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on the farm means DEFRA has increased the risk warning for wild birds “from medium to high”.

The virus is typically spread through birds’ faeces, mucus and saliva.

“All bird keepers are urged to remain vigilant and take action to protect their birds following a further increase in the avian influenza (‘bird flu’) risk levels in Great Britain,” DEFRA said in a statement.

Bird flu may be evolving under the radar

Bird flu has killed hundreds of millions of birds around the globe in recent years, and has increasingly spread to mammals, raising concerns it may lead to human-to-human transmission.

The last avian flu outbreak in the UK happened in February and was described as the country’s largest ever.

That was the H5N1 strain, while the latest outbreak in Hornsea is the H5N5 strain.

In July, US scientists said their was “strong evidence” bird flu has spread from mammals to humans for the first time, marking another step in the evolution of the deadly virus.

Analysis concluded a Texas farm worker who tested positive for the H5N1 virus caught it from sick dairy cattle.

Although there have been other people infected with the virus in recent years – including some who have died – they all acquired it from birds.

UK

Bonfire Night disorder across Edinburgh – youths hurl fireworks at police and start fires

Published

3 hours ago

November 6, 2024

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Bonfire Night disorder across Edinburgh - youths hurl fireworks at police and start fires

Large groups of youths have been throwing fireworks, bricks and bottles at police in Edinburgh, during a night of disorder across the city.

Video posted online shows officers responding to Bonfire Night incidents in the Sighthill, Niddrie, Gracemount and Gilmerton areas.

Riot police have been seen on the streets of Edinburgh, wearing helmets and carrying shields, as fireworks were lit and exploded around them.

Footage from Gilmerton, a suburb in the southeast of the city, also showed burning debris in the street as youths rode on bicycles.

Police were given extra stop and search powers in certain areas following “intelligence” about planned disorder and firework-related crime.

Superintendent Neil Wilson said: “We are currently responding to incidents of disorder involving large groups of youths throwing a range of objects, including fireworks, bricks and bottles, across Edinburgh.”

A helicopter was also deployed as part of Operation Moonbeam, aimed at supporting local police in tackling fireworks-related offences.

Meanwhile Lothian Buses withdrew all services from the Niddrie area for safety reasons.

Niddrie was also the scene of disorder on 31 October, when police and public transport vehicles were pelted with fireworks and bricks.

On Tuesday, officers in Glasgow seized a “significant quantity” of fireworks from a van in the Drumchapel area which it is alleged were being “sold to the general public, including children”.

Scotland’s first fireworks control zones (FCZ) are in place in parts of Edinburgh and Glasgow from 1 to 10 November.

Those convicted of setting off a firework within a FCZ face a fine of up to £5,000 and up to six months in jail.

Meanwhile, it appears the famous Lewes bonfire night celebrations in East Sussex went off without incident after police urged people not to attend because of overcrowding concerns.

The so-called “bonfire capital of the world” is famous for burning effigies of controversial politicians and celebrities.

This year they included former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

UK

Queen Camilla withdraws from engagements after becoming unwell with chest infection

Published

12 hours ago

November 5, 2024

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Queen Camilla withdraws from engagements after becoming unwell with chest infection

The Queen is unwell with a chest infection and has withdrawn from her engagements this week, Buckingham Palace has announced.

A palace spokesperson said Camilla’s doctors “have advised a short period of rest” and added that “with great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week”.

They added the Queen “very much hopes to be recovered in time to attend this weekend’s Remembrance events as normal”.

“She apologises to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result,” they said.

It is understood the Queen is currently resting at home and is under doctor’s supervision.

Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester, has stepped in on Camilla’s behalf to attend the annual opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on Thursday.

The Queen has also withdrawn from a Buckingham Palace reception for Olympic and Paralympic athletes hosted by the King on the same evening.