Sturgeon's political crisis deepens as she undermines her own gender laws - The Telegraph

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1. Sturgeon's political crisis deepens as she undermines her own gender laws  The Telegraph
2. Nicola Sturgeon's bungled gender crusade has undermined trans rights  The Spectator
3. Nicola Sturgeon's political career is over – and even the SNP knows it  The Telegraph
4. Nicola Sturgeon has lost her way over gender reform | HeraldScotland  HeraldScotland
5. The trans rapist row has made a fool of Nicola Sturgeon  The Telegraph
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2023-02-02 20:49:00Z
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Will the wave of strikes ever end? - BBC

PA Media

By Faisal Islam

Economics editor

@faisalislam

The least surprising development this year has been a prolonged wave of strikes.

The government has been heading towards an industrial action iceberg for a year now, since inflation, the rate at which prices increase, started to rise sharply.

It is less than a year ago that Andrew Bailey, the governor of the Bank of England, told me that workers should not make excessive pay demands. The remarks were met with consternation from unions and were also slapped down by Number 10.

At that time, Boris Johnson's administration was telling all to expect higher wages - although then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Treasury were deeply uneasy.

So, abstracting from a series of different disputes, some in different administrations, there is some value in looking at the bigger picture.

The unions say workers need and deserve double-digit rises to prevent an acute fall in living standards. And they say functioning public services need to staunch the flow of lost workers. The government says that will cost too much and will fuel wage inflation, and prolong high prices.

Both these positions can be broadly true at the same time. It then just becomes a negotiation over where to draw the line. This time last year the Treasury was pointing towards pay settlements around the same level as the Bank of England's inflation target of 2%. Some unions were pointing to 15%, as private sector unions able to reach strike ballot thresholds in certain shortage industries secured double-digit rises.

In recent weeks that gap has narrowed. The government had been offering roughly 3.5-4%. Most unions privately point to a reasonable settlement "approaching" the rate of inflation, so at about 10%.

While a substantial gap remains, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out where a landing zone for broad settlements could be.

Impasse?

So what is preventing a compromise?

Talking to figures in the government, in the unions, and those responsible for settling such disputes in the past, it is because both sides perceive the public will be on their side.

The government thinks that strikes such as the ones we've seen today will rapidly erode public support, as has been an observable pattern in the past. The unions are adamant that because of what they say is a well of post-pandemic goodwill and the fact that everyone is experiencing the cost of living crisis, that the public remains firmly behind them, especially in the NHS.

It doesn't matter who is right about this, (and one side is going to be wrong here) if both sides perceive this, it's a recipe for an impasse.

The other issue is there are very few actual real pay negotiations happening. Furthermore, the process in place - the independent pay review bodies for next year - appears to be breaking down.

Unions are refusing to contribute evidence amid their concerns, and the key government departments are failing to hit deadlines for their evidence. What exactly is the point of pay review bodies without the key sides' evidence on pay packets due to be delivered to millions of workers in less than nine weeks' time?

Today's strikes in particular raise a significant additional challenge. Schools strikes don't just affect the provision of a vital public service, they disproportionately hit the economy in general, by taking away parents from their workplaces. One top economist, Mohammed El-Erian, told the BBC on Tuesday that industrial action was one of the factors especially holding the UK economy back right now.

Is there a way through? One veteran of previous disputes tells me that although Prime Minister Sunak has taken the temperature down from the high tensions with unions actively cultivated towards the end of the Johnson premiership, the strikes are being dealt with in a very piecemeal manner by a collection of different cabinet ministers.

The coalition adviser told me the government is trying to claim to be sat on the sidelines, not intervening with actual employers.

But its fundamental concern about affordability and the spread of inflation, means Downing Street needs to be fully in charge of the strategy, and set a path out of the industrial strife. Right now, it doesn't appear to be happening.

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2023-02-01 18:28:56Z
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In full: Police statement on child killed in dog attack - Sky News

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2023-02-01 16:24:58Z
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Most schools in England affected by strikes - BBC

BBC/ Hazel Shearing

By Hazel Shearing

Education correspondent

More than half of schools in England either restricted attendance or closed during teacher strikes on Wednesday, government data suggested.

Teachers in England and Wales were among thousands of workers taking action during what was said to be the biggest strike day for a decade.

University staff, train drivers, bus drivers and civil servants separately walked out.

Most were taking action over pay not keeping pace with inflation.

Department for Education estimates on school closures released on the day were based on attendance data from 77% (16,400) of state-funded primary and secondary schools in England.

The department said this data showed:

• 43.9% of the schools were fully open
• 42.8% were open but restricting attendance
• 8.9% were fully closed

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said she was grateful to head teachers for how they had worked to keep schools open.

"Conversations with unions are ongoing and I will be continuing discussions around pay, workload, recruitment and retention, and more."

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said the government was taking negotiations "very seriously" and wanted a "well-rewarded profession".

National Education Union joint general-secretaries, Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, said: "One day's disruption through strike action is dwarfed by the long-term damage caused by government policy on education funding, on workload, and on pay."

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Even in schools that were fully open children may have experienced disruption as some staff members may have been absent.

In Wales, striking teachers were joined by support staff, while members of the National Association of Head Teachers took action short of a strike.

Teachers were also striking in two parts of Scotland - Clackmannanshire and Aberdeen - as part of rolling industrial action.

Most state school teachers in England and Wales had a 5% pay rise in 2022. Unions say this amounts to a pay cut because inflation is over 10%. In Scotland, teachers rejected a 5% increase.

Primary school teacher Justine Valentine went on strike for the first time, taking part in a rally in Leamington Spa.

"I felt it was my only option," she said.

"I'm really really sorry for the children in my class, I would rather be with them."

Maria Richardson, head teacher of Our Lady Queen of Peace primary school in Liverpool, sent three classes home because there were not enough staff to teach them.

"We'll ensure that the children do catch up," she said. "Those children will be given extra tuition."

A secondary-school teacher in Cambridgeshire, who asked not to be named, said she understood why her colleagues were striking but she could not afford to lose the pay.

"Morally, it just doesn't sit right with me," she said.

"The kids have suffered so much through Covid and I just feel like striking and them missing another four days of school is not going to help anybody. They're already so far behind."

• ANALYSIS: Will the wave of strikes ever end?
• EXPLAINED: How strikes will affect you
• ANSWERED: What are teachers paid?

Wednesday was the first of seven national and regional NEU strike dates.

Schools in England will each see four days of strike action, three national days and one affecting their region.

Teachers have already been on a national strike in Scotland and action is continuing on a rolling basis. Most teachers in Northern Ireland will walk out for half a day on 21 February.

Other groups of workers to strike on Wednesday included:

• Civil servants across 124 government departments
• Rail workers at 15 different companies
• Some London bus drivers
• Lecturers, librarians and other university workers

Further strikes by ambulance workers in several English regions and by staff at the Environment Agency were also announced on Wednesday.

Additional reporting by Michael Sheils McNamee, Elaine Dunkley and Kate McGough.

Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC News journalist. You can also make contact in the following ways:

• WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
• Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
• Upload pictures or video
• Please read our terms and conditions and privacy policy

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2023-02-01 18:18:44Z
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1,000 Border Force officers to go on strike for four days during February half-term, PCS union announces - Sky News

Border Force officers will stage fresh strikes during the February half-term over an ongoing pay dispute with the government.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union confirmed on Tuesday night that 1,000 staff would be taking part in walkouts on 17, 18, 19 and 20 February across four ports - Dover, Calais, Coquelles and Dunkirk.

General secretary Mark Serwotka said the move would "impact on people returning from their holidays", but said the "blame" for the action "lies firmly at the feet of ministers who are refusing to put any money on the table".

A Home Office spokesperson said they were "extremely disappointed" with the decision and warned travellers to "be prepared for disruption".

This latest strike announcement comes ahead of mass industrial actions across several sectors on Wednesday, which will include teachers, train drivers and civil servants.

And it is the second walkout by Border Force staff after it staged strikes in airports across Christmas.

During that action, the government brought in military personnel to plug the gaps, and it is understood they will do so again, alongside civil servants and volunteers.

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Mr Serwokta warned that the military would not be able to fill in for the "highly-skilled and experienced officers" in French ports, however.

The union boss criticised the government for failing to move on its pay offer, adding: "They say they will talk about money for next year, but our members - who have been offered just a 2% rise at a time when inflation is around 10% - cannot afford to wait for next year.

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"Many civil servants are already having to choose between heating and eating, having to claim the benefits they themselves have to administer and they are having to go to foodbanks.

"Ministers should be ashamed at how they treat their own workforce and until they come to the table with money for our members, we will continue to call strike action, with tomorrow's strike being a key part of what will be a continuous, sustained, targeted campaign."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "We are extremely disappointed with the union's decision to strike and the inconvenience this will cause to travellers and businesses.

"We continue to work closely with all affected ports to assess the impacts of this announcement. Whilst we have robust plans in place to minimise any delays, passengers should be prepared for disruption and take action to plan ahead.

"Those intending to travel or ship goods into the UK over strike days should keep up-to-date with the latest advice from operators to check how the strike action will affect them."

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2023-01-31 22:08:38Z
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Schools strike: Teachers across England and Wales walk out - BBC

Helen Butler

By Hazel Shearing

Education correspondent

Teachers in England and Wales are taking part in the first national strike since 2016.

More than 100,000 are expected to walk out, the National Education Union (NEU) has said, along with university staff, civil servants, train and bus drivers.

As many as 23,000 schools could be impacted, though the extent of disruption is expected to vary.

The education secretary said a "majority" of schools would remain partially open.

Some schools were planning to make a decision over whether to close as late as Wednesday morning after assessing how many staff join the strike.

In Wales, striking teachers will be joined by support staff, while members of the National Association of Head Teachers begin action short of a strike.

Teachers are also striking in two parts of Scotland - Clackmannanshire and Aberdeen - as part of rolling industrial action.

About 500,000 workers are due to take part in walkouts across a range of sectors, making it the biggest strike in more than a decade, according to the Trades Union Congress.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan defended the government's record on school funding and told BBC Breakfast it "makes no sense to give inflation-busting pay rises to some of the workforce" at a time when prices are rising for everyone.

Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, accused ministers of failing to negotiate meaningfully on pay and said teachers had been "forced to stand up".

Ms Keegan rejected that, saying she has held five meetings with union leaders for "wide-ranging discussions" in recent weeks.

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner accused Rishi Sunak of "weak leadership" yesterday and urged him to come to the negotiating table to sort out the "chaos".

• Strike action: What do firefighters, teachers and others want?
• When are teachers striking, and will schools close?
• 'Deciding to close our school has been horrible'
• Expense and workloads driving teachers out of job

Zoe Thompson, the headteacher of Oasis Academy Hadley in Enfield, north London, said senior staff were "doing our best to stay open" in order to support students from deprived households.

Around half of all pupils would be in on a modified timetable, she said, to "keep them here and learning and safe".

She said some of her teachers had been left feeling "there was no other option left" to make the government overhaul school funding and pay.

Yvonne Brown, CEO of the Leading Learners Multi Academy Trust in Bradford and Wigan, said her schools would operate largely as normal because teachers can't afford to strike.

She said it would be "business as usual" in all four schools run by the trust because "most staff, including young teachers, are not able to take a day without pay".

Ms Bousted acknowledged teachers struggling to make ends meet had been left facing a "catch 22" over whether or not to take part.

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that some members were working second jobs and struggling to pay for petrol to get to work.

A "toxic combination" of below inflation pay offers and high workloads was leading to a third of new teachers quitting within five years, she claimed.

Year 5 teacher Helen Butler will be joining a picket line in Portsmouth for the first time in her 26-year career. She has voted against strike action in the past - but this time feels different.

"We've got some teachers now that are going to food banks," she said, adding her salary had fallen in real terms over a decade.

Ms Butler said she loved her school, where she is an NEU representative, but there were insufficient resources and her workload had increased.

"We're given 10 glue sticks for a class of 30, because it's expensive. I've ended up buying my own," she said.

"I do not know one teacher who doesn't work in their holidays.

"What other job expects you to work in your holidays?"

Taking exams

Most state-school teachers in England and Wales had a 5% pay rise in 2022. But inflation means this is actually a cut, unions say. And they want to make sure it is not paid for out of school budgets.

Wednesday will be the first of seven national and regional NEU strike dates.

Schools have been advised to open for vulnerable pupils, key workers' children and those taking exams.

Some will open for certain classes only.

Children may be set work to do remotely - but striking teachers are not required to do so.

Paula Arnold, who works in a law firm in Poole, said she would not find out until Wednesday morning whether her daughters' schools would open.

Paula Arnold and her daughters

"I don't know whether I'm going to be in or out [of the office] or working from home or unable to work," she said. And working from home with children was not easy - especially if they were not set work.

Ms Arnold said she wanted to stay supportive of striking teachers but needed more certainty to plan childcare.

"I end up just pulling my hair out because it's just tricky trying to juggle everything," she said.

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Schools in England will each see four days of strike action:

• three national days
• one affecting their region

Just over 53% of teachers in the NEU in England voted in its ballot - 90% of them supported a strike.

A secondary-school teacher in Cambridgeshire, who asked not to be named, said she understood why her colleagues were striking but she could not afford to lose the pay.

"Morally, it just doesn't sit right with me," she added.

"The kids have suffered so much through Covid and I just feel like striking and them missing another four days of school is not going to help anybody. They're already so far behind."

Teachers have already been on a national strike in Scotland - and action is continuing on a rolling basis. Most teachers in Northern Ireland will walk out for half a day on 21 February.

Teachers join a wave of public sector workers striking over pay and conditions.

Workers represented by seven different unions across the UK will strike on Wednesday.

They include:

• Civil servants across 124 government departments
• Rail workers at 15 different companies
• Some London bus drivers
• Lecturers, librarians and other university workers

Earlier, the Unison union announced its members in five ambulance services in England will strike on Friday of next week, as part of a dispute about pay and conditions.

The walkout will affect London, Yorkshire, the South West, North East and North West.

Unison also says its members at the Environment Agency will join members of the Prospect union in striking for 12 hours next Wednesday. The action will include workers in flood forecasting and pollution control.

Have you been affected by issues covered in this story? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC News journalist. You can also make contact in the following ways:

• WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
• Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay
• Upload pictures or video
• Please read our terms and conditions and privacy policy

If you cannot see the form, visit the mobile version of the BBC News website to submit your question or comment or email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location.

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2023-02-01 07:28:53Z
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Dog attack: Four-year-old girl dies in back garden of home in Milton Keynes - Sky News

A four-year-old girl has died after a dog attack in Milton Keynes.

Police officers were called by the ambulance service shortly after 5pm on Tuesday after a report that a dog had attacked a child in the back garden of a property in Broadlands, Netherfield.

The child died at the scene shortly after.

Officers remain at the site, where the dog has since been put down.

No one else was hurt in the incident, and the child's family are being supported by specially-trained officers.

No arrests have been made in connection with the investigation.

'Absolutely tragic incident'

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Superintendent Matt Bullivant said: "This is an absolutely tragic incident, in which we believe that a child has been killed after being attacked by a dog.

"Clearly, we are in the very early stages of an investigation, and it would be wrong and unhelpful to speculate as to the exact circumstances of this incident at this point."

He added: "I understand how much of an impact this will have on the community and on the wider public, and people can expect to see a large police presence in the area this evening and beyond while our investigation continues.

"I would like to reassure people that there is no reason to believe there is any danger to the wider public at this time."

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2023-01-31 21:37:13Z
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