The public has been asked to "shine a light" today to mark International Nurses Day, the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale and to recognise their efforts in fighting coronavirus. You can read more about this at
We've unveiled a comprehensive support package for NHS & Social Care workers - learn more and back the plan today.
Day after day, our NHS and care staff are putting their lives at risk to keep us safe and care for the critically ill, suffering from coronavirus. Working long shifts, often isolated from their families, the sacrifices they are making for us all during this pandemic are incredible.
As the Coronavirus crisis escalates, Derbyshire Police have come under fire for their attempts to reduce public access to open spaces for leisure. Two areas in High Peak have been in the spotlight: Snake Pass and the "Blue Lagoon" off Harpur Hill, Buxton. Lib Dem Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) candidate Kate Smith says it's important to balance public health with civil liberties.
This Wednesday April 15th 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Concentration Camp Bergen-Belsen in 1945. I will be marking this event in honour of those who died in the holocaust and who survived to tell the full story.
For reasons unknown, my grandfather, Private Edward Alan Fordham 226493 spoke German. He was, as a truck driver, moved up to the front to help with the translation work required. What he saw in the camp at Bergen-Belsen was to remain with him for the rest of his life.
With the Coronavirus spreading at alarming rates, the Ministry of Justice are considering releasing "a limited number" of some low-risk prisoners in order to take pressure off the overstretched Prisons system. These include women, some of whom are pregnant or otherwise vulnerable to Coronavirus, with pre-existing respiratory disease and a range of other ill-health, notably mental ill-health.
Many argue that our political system is broken but why? - is it simply sour grapes from candidates who didn't win?
There is plenty of evidence to show that in the UK a political party can win a majority of seats in government without gaining a majority of votes cast. In the 2005 election for example Tony Blair's government won 355 seats with only 35% of the total votes cast. In contrast the Conservatives won 198 seats having polled 32% of total votes cast.
We have been notifiied by the Derbyshire County Council of a new scam :
Problem
Scam text messages have been reported which make claims that UKGOV has issued a payment of £458 to all residents as part of its promise to battle COVID-19.
The messages contain a link, which recipients are asked to click on in order to apply for the money.
These messages are a scam.
Action
Do not click on links in unsolicited text messages or emails. If you receive this message or similar, delete it.
The www.gov.uk website is the authoritative source for information that issued by the Government.
If you think you have been a victim of fraud, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit their website at http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
For further information, or to report a similar scam, contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 233 1133.
Please be aware that it may take longer for your calls to be answered during this difficult time.
It's right that we do all we can to limit the spread of COVID-19. But some people don't have a home to stay in. The government needs to help them as a priority.
Being told to stay home is all well and good. But what about those who don't have a roof over their heads to self-isolate under?
These are vulnerable people. Many homeless people struggle with mental health or addiction issues
There's no doubt that this is a deeply concerning time. I support all evidence-led efforts to minimise the impact of COVID-19. The models released this week make clear that self-isolation is a key intervention, but not everyone can self-isolate. There are reports that the police might get the power to arrest anyone with the virus found outside. I'm really worried as to what this would mean to people who have nowhere else to go - Britain's homeless.
Women in the UK have a lot to celebrate, but there is still so much to do to achieve gender equality, both here and internationally. As of December 2019 we have a record number of women Members of Parliament, but the number is still well below the 50 % that the Fawcett Society has campaigned for over so many years. The 2015 film "Suffragette" fired the imaginations of many younger women, but it also highlights some of the still-current gaps, especially in employment, reproductive and voting rights. *
"Council faces some of the most difficult decisions it has ever faced in balancing the budget."
The most recent Borough Council Auditors Report was discussed at December's Council meeting. It warns that the example of Councils such as Northamptonshire [which went bankrupt] is "…the importance of taking early action…before the position becomes unmanageable."
