Newspapers delayed as Extinction Rebellion blocks printing presses - BBC News

Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists have delayed the distribution of several national newspapers after blocking access to three printing presses owned by Rupert Murdoch.

More than 100 protesters targeted Newsprinters presses in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, Knowsley, Merseyside, and near Motherwell, North Lanarkshire.

Newsagents say some papers are not arriving and others are late.

Thirteen people have been arrested in connection to the protests.

XR has accused the papers of failing to report on the climate emergency.

The presses print the Rupert Murdoch-owned News Corp titles including the Sun, the Times, the Sun on Sunday, the Sunday Times, and the Scottish Sun. They also print the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, and the London Evening Standard.

Newsprinters condemned the protests as an "attack on all of the free press", which it said had affected workers going about their jobs and others such as newsagents who face "financial penalty".

"Thanks to other industry partners, printing was transferred to other sites," it said.

Unable to leave site

Hertfordshire Police said officers were called to Great Eastern Road near the Broxbourne plant at about 22:00 BST, where they found about 100 protesters who had "secured themselves to structures and one another".

By 06:00 BST, 13 arrests had been made with police expecting more to follow, but delivery lorries had still been unable to leave the site to distribute papers.

Merseyside Police tweeted on Saturday morning officers were still at the Knowsley plant.

XR has accused the newspapers and their owners of "failure to report on the climate and ecological emergency" and "polluting national debate" on dozens of social issues.

The group has planned 10 days of action and demanded the government declare a climate and ecological emergency.

On Thursday, more than 300 people were arrested during protests in central London.

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2020-09-05 06:59:07Z
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Coronavirus: Civil servants 'must get back to offices quickly' - BBC News

The government has urged Whitehall bosses to "move quickly" to get more staff back into the office.

In a letter seen by the BBC, it says it is "strongly encouraging" attendance through rota systems, arguing this would be "hugely beneficial".

It follows criticism that too few civil servants working from home because of coronavirus have returned to their desks, despite the easing of lockdown.

But unions have described the government's attitude as outdated.

They say most civil servants should expect to keep working from home until the end of the year and that they fear an increased risk of catching coronavirus when back with colleagues.

Analysis of mobile phone data last month suggested only 17% of UK workers had returned to the office.

The government has launched a campaign to encourage people back to the workplace after business leaders, including the head of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), warned that city centres could become "ghost towns".

Thousands of businesses that rely on passing trade are suffering while offices stand empty, Dame Carolyn Fairbairn from the CBI has said.

But Alex Brazier, the Bank of England's executive director for financial stability, has warned that the government should not expect a "sharp return" to "dense office environments".

The government says it wants 80% of civil servants to be able to attend their usual workplace at least once a week by the end of September.

And Prime Minister Boris Johnson has asked officials for a weekly update on progress.

In the letter, sent to permanent secretaries - the highest officials - in government departments, Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill and Alex Chisholm, chief operating officer of the Civil Service, say that "getting more people back into work in a Covid-secure way will improve the public services we deliver".

They add: "We have seen a reduced level of social interaction among our colleagues, with the loss of some of the spontaneous interaction and cross-fertilisation between teams that drives innovation and sustained common purpose."

But they say staff safety "remains our paramount concern", and that workplace returns will be discussed with unions and staff groups.

The letter goes on: "Departments which are still below their departmental constraints should now move quickly to seek to bring more staff back into the office in a Covid-secure way, and take advantage of the return to schools this month and increased public transport availability."

The FDA union, which represents senior civil servants, said this week that it estimated 30% to 40% would be able to return to the office by the end of the year.

Leader Dave Penman accused ministers of "sounding like Luddites" in an era when technology made home working easier.

And Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, said he was prepared to consider industrial action "as a last resort" if workers' health and safety were "put at risk".

Meanwhile, outsourcing firm Capita - a major government contractor - is planning to close more than a third of its offices in the UK permanently.

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2020-09-05 04:40:36Z
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Coronavirus: Civil servants 'must get back to offices quickly' - BBC News

The government has urged Whitehall bosses to "move quickly" to get more staff back into the office.

In a letter seen by the BBC, it says it is "strongly encouraging" attendance through rota systems, arguing this would be "hugely beneficial".

It follows criticism that too few civil servants working from home because of coronavirus have returned to their desks, despite the easing of lockdown.

But unions have described the government's attitude as outdated.

They say most civil servants should expect to keep working from home until the end of the year and that they fear an increased risk of catching coronavirus when back with colleagues.

Analysis of mobile phone data last month suggested only 17% of UK workers had returned to the office.

The government has launched a campaign to encourage people back to the workplace after business leaders, including the head of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), warned that city centres could become "ghost towns".

Thousands of businesses that rely on passing trade are suffering while offices stand empty, Dame Carolyn Fairbairn from the CBI has said.

But Alex Brazier, the Bank of England's executive director for financial stability, has warned that the government should not expect a "sharp return" to "dense office environments".

The government says it wants 80% of civil servants to be able to attend their usual workplace at least once a week by the end of September.

And Prime Minister Boris Johnson has asked officials for a weekly update on progress.

In the letter, sent to permanent secretaries - the highest officials - in government departments, Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill and Alex Chisholm, chief operating officer of the Civil Service, say that "getting more people back into work in a Covid-secure way will improve the public services we deliver".

They add: "We have seen a reduced level of social interaction among our colleagues, with the loss of some of the spontaneous interaction and cross-fertilisation between teams that drives innovation and sustained common purpose."

But they say staff safety "remains our paramount concern", and that workplace returns will be discussed with unions and staff groups.

The letter goes on: "Departments which are still below their departmental constraints should now move quickly to seek to bring more staff back into the office in a Covid-secure way, and take advantage of the return to schools this month and increased public transport availability."

The FDA union, which represents senior civil servants, said this week that it estimated 30% to 40% would be able to return to the office by the end of the year.

Leader Dave Penman accused ministers of "sounding like Luddites" in an era when technology made home working easier.

And Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, said he was prepared to consider industrial action "as a last resort" if workers' health and safety were "put at risk".

Meanwhile, outsourcing firm Capita - a major government contractor - is planning to close more than a third of its offices in the UK permanently.

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2020-09-05 02:38:20Z
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Extinction Rebellion blockade newspaper printing works in England and Scotland - Sky News

Climate activists Extinction Rebellion (XR) have blocked the roads to a number of newspaper printing presses in England and Scotland, in an effort to prevent them distributing their papers.

The group claim around 80 protesters have blocked access to two print works run by News UK, owners of The Sun, The Times and The Telegraph, in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, and Knowsley near Liverpool.

The Daily Mail and the London Evening Standard are also printed at those locations.

Image: The group are aiming to stop papers being distributed

It comes after several days of disruption across London by the group, in a bid to highlight the climate crisis.

Protesters also gathered at another site in Motherwell, but Police Scotland say they have been moved on with no arrests made.

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XR claim that the "mainstream media" is controlled by a small number of people, and that news corporations are guilty of "consistent manipulation of the truth to suit their own personal and political agendas."

The group in Hertfordshire have erected bamboo structures on the approach to the printers, preventing access to the site.

More from Extinction Rebellion

A Sky News producer at the scene said there were lines of vans queued up along the road to the site, waiting to collect newspapers.

Hertfordshire Police said: "We're currently in Great Eastern Road, Waltham Cross, following reports of a protest.

Image: Vans have been blocked from accessing the site

Image: Deliveries may be at risk as a result of the protest

"Our officers are engaging with the group, which consists of around 100 people, and we are working to facilitate the rights of both the protesters and those affected by their presence."

Merseyside Police also confirmed there was an ongoing situation in Knowsley, near Liverpool, telling Sky News that officers are speaking with members of the group and are dealing with the situation.

The force added: "Penrin Road and Villias Road are currently closed."

Sky News has contacted News Corp for comment.

Extinction Rebellion activist Gully Bujak, 27, said: "You cannot have a functioning democracy with a mainstream media that is ruled by a small, unrepresentative sect of society, who are in bed with politicians and the fossil fuel industry.

:: A New Climate is a series of special podcasts from the Sky News Daily. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

"The climate emergency is an existential threat to humanity. Instead of publishing this on the front page every day as it deserves, much of our media ignores the issue and some actively sow seeds of climate denial.

"They thrive off of polarisation and division. They sow hatred in order to distract us, actively profiting from this division.

"To these papers we say this: you will not come between us anymore. For a night we're going to filter out the lies and take the power back. For a night we're going to show the world that you are vulnerable, just like us."

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2020-09-05 02:15:00Z
52781038373364

Coronavirus: Civil servants 'must get back to offices quickly' - BBC News

The government has urged Whitehall bosses to "move quickly" to get more staff back into the office.

In a letter seen by the BBC, it says it is "strongly encouraging" attendance through rota systems, arguing this would be "hugely beneficial".

It follows criticism that too few civil servants working from home because of coronavirus have returned to their desks, despite the easing of lockdown.

But unions have described the government's attitude as outdated.

They say most civil servants should expect to keep working from home until the end of the year and that they fear an increased risk of catching coronavirus when back with colleagues.

Analysis of mobile phone data last month suggested only 17% of UK workers had returned to the office.

The government has launched a campaign to encourage people back to the workplace after business leaders, including the head of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), warned that city centres could become "ghost towns".

Thousands of businesses that rely on passing trade are suffering while offices stand empty, Dame Carolyn Fairbairn from the CBI has said.

But Alex Brazier, the Bank of England's executive director for financial stability, has warned that the government should not expect a "sharp return" to "dense office environments".

The government says it wants 80% of civil servants to be able to attend their usual workplace at least once a week by the end of September.

And Prime Minister Boris Johnson has asked officials for a weekly update on progress.

In the letter, sent to permanent secretaries - the highest officials - in government departments, Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill and Alex Chisholm, chief operating officer of the Civil Service, say that "getting more people back into work in a Covid-secure way will improve the public services we deliver".

They add: "We have seen a reduced level of social interaction among our colleagues, with the loss of some of the spontaneous interaction and cross-fertilisation between teams that drives innovation and sustained common purpose."

But they say staff safety "remains our paramount concern", and that workplace returns will be discussed with unions and staff groups.

The letter goes on: "Departments which are still below their departmental constraints should now move quickly to seek to bring more staff back into the office in a Covid-secure way, and take advantage of the return to schools this month and increased public transport availability."

The FDA union, which represents senior civil servants, said this week that it estimated 30% to 40% would be able to return to the office by the end of the year.

Leader Dave Penman accused ministers of "sounding like Luddites" in an era when technology made home working easier.

And Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, said he was prepared to consider industrial action "as a last resort" if workers' health and safety were "put at risk".

Meanwhile, outsourcing firm Capita - a major government contractor - is planning to close more than a third of its offices in the UK permanently.

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2020-09-05 01:33:39Z
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Extinction Rebellion blockade newspaper printing works in England and Scotland - Sky News

Climate activists Extinction Rebellion (XR) have blocked the roads to a number of newspaper printing presses in England and Scotland, in an effort to prevent them distributing their papers.

The group claim around 80 protesters have blocked access to two print works run by News UK, owners of The Sun, The Times and The Telegraph, in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, and Knowsley near Liverpool.

The Daily Mail and the London Evening Standard are also printed at those locations.

Image: The group are aiming to stop papers being distributed

It comes after several days of disruption across London by the group, in a bid to highlight the climate crisis.

Protesters also gathered at another site in Motherwell, but Police Scotland say they have been moved on with no arrests made.

Advertisement

XR claim that the "mainstream media" is controlled by a small number of people, and that news corporations are guilty of "consistent manipulation of the truth to suit their own personal and political agendas."

The group in Hertfordshire have erected bamboo structures on the approach to the printers, preventing access to the site.

More from Extinction Rebellion

A Sky News producer at the scene said there were lines of vans queued up along the road to the site, waiting to collect newspapers.

Hertfordshire Police said: "We're currently in Great Eastern Road, Waltham Cross, following reports of a protest.

Image: Vans have been blocked from accessing the site

Image: Deliveries may be at risk as a result of the protest

"Our officers are engaging with the group, which consists of around 100 people, and we are working to facilitate the rights of both the protesters and those affected by their presence."

Sky News has contacted News Corp and Merseyside Police for their comments.

Extinction Rebellion activist Gully Bujak, 27, said: "You cannot have a functioning democracy with a mainstream media that is ruled by a small, unrepresentative sect of society, who are in bed with politicians and the fossil fuel industry.

:: A New Climate is a series of special podcasts from the Sky News Daily. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

"The climate emergency is an existential threat to humanity. Instead of publishing this on the front page every day as it deserves, much of our media ignores the issue and some actively sow seeds of climate denial.

"They thrive off of polarisation and division. They sow hatred in order to distract us, actively profiting from this division.

"To these papers we say this: you will not come between us anymore. For a night we're going to filter out the lies and take the power back. For a night we're going to show the world that you are vulnerable, just like us."

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2020-09-05 01:11:39Z
52781038373364

Coronavirus: Civil servants 'must get back to offices quickly' - BBC News

The government has urged Whitehall bosses to "move quickly" to get more staff back into the office.

In a letter seen by the BBC, it says it is "strongly encouraging" attendance through rota systems, arguing this would be "hugely beneficial".

It follows criticism that too few civil servants working from home because of coronavirus have returned to their desks, despite the easing of lockdown.

But unions have described the government's attitude as outdated.

They say most civil servants should expect to keep working from home until the end of the year and that they fear an increased risk of catching coronavirus when back with colleagues.

Analysis of mobile phone data last month suggested only 17% of UK workers had returned to the office.

The government has launched a campaign to encourage people back to the workplace after business leaders, including the head of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), warned that city centres could become "ghost towns".

Thousands of businesses that rely on passing trade are suffering while offices stand empty, Dame Carolyn Fairbairn from the CBI has said.

But Alex Brazier, the Bank of England's executive director for financial stability, has warned that the government should not expect a "sharp return" to "dense office environments".

The government says it wants 80% of civil servants to be able to attend their usual workplace at least once a week by the end of September.

And Prime Minister Boris Johnson has asked officials for a weekly update on progress.

In the letter, sent to permanent secretaries - the highest officials - in government departments, Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill and Alex Chisholm, chief operating officer of the Civil Service, say that "getting more people back into work in a Covid-secure way will improve the public services we deliver".

They add: "We have seen a reduced level of social interaction among our colleagues, with the loss of some of the spontaneous interaction and cross-fertilisation between teams that drives innovation and sustained common purpose."

But they say staff safety "remains our paramount concern", and that workplace returns will be discussed with unions and staff groups.

The letter goes on: "Departments which are still below their departmental constraints should now move quickly to seek to bring more staff back into the office in a Covid-secure way, and take advantage of the return to schools this month and increased public transport availability."

The FDA union, which represents senior civil servants, said this week that it estimated 30% to 40% would be able to return to the office by the end of the year.

Leader Dave Penman accused ministers of "sounding like Luddites" in an era when technology made home working easier.

And Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, said he was prepared to consider industrial action "as a last resort" if workers' health and safety were "put at risk".

Meanwhile, outsourcing firm Capita - a major government contractor - is planning to close more than a third of its offices in the UK permanently.

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2020-09-05 01:03:26Z
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