Oxford seeks further powers to tackle air pollution

15 June 2017
Oxford seeks further powers to tackle air pollution
Oxford City Council has asked for more powers to tackle air pollution in Oxford, following the government’s Draft Air Quality Action Plan.
The council is currently leading a study to determine whether a Zero Emission Zone, which would include banning or charging pollution-emitting vehicles in the city centre, is feasible - a step which goes beyond the government requirements.

Unions call for a ‘long overdue’ council pay rise

15 June 2017
Unions call for a ‘long overdue’ council pay rise
Three unions have submitted a pay claim that attempts to narrow the growing gap between declining wages and the rising cost of living.
UNISON, Unite and the GMB, who together represent over 1.6 million local government employees, argue that local government workers should be given a five per cent pay rise following eight years of government-imposed pay restraint, which has seen wages either frozen or held to a one per cent increase.
Having made a claim, the unions are also seeking to move the lowest paid staff onto the real living wage of £8.45 an hour (£9.75 in London).

Coffey retains Resources Minister role

15 June 2017
Coffey retains Resources Minister role
Therese Coffey has been reappointed as Resources Minister within the Defra, following Michael Gove's appointment as Environment Secretary.

Birmingham children’s services show continuing improvement

14 June 2017
Birmingham children’s services show continuing improvement
Ofsted inspectors visited the city council in May to review progress made since its last full inspection in September 2016. It found that the council is ‘making steady progress, and has taken some important steps in improving services for its children and young people’.
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UK Employment has never been higher

14 June 2017
UK Employment has never been higher
The number of workers has peaked since records began in 1971, official figures show.
The Office of National Statistics reports that there are 31.95 million people now in work, demonstrating an increase of 372,000 on the year, and that the employment rate remains at a record high of 74.8 per cent.
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