Tag: News Story

STORY

An employment tribunal has found that refusing home working arrangements to an employee with agoraphobia can amount to disability discrimination, in a ruling with implications for councils. The case involved Marina Dudding, a former Gravesham Borough Council employee who asked to work two days a week from home because of agoraphobia, anxiety and depression.

Dudding brought legal action against the council after she was dismissed following sickness absence and disciplinary action. The London South Employment Tribunal upheld claims of disability discrimination and unfair dismissal, finding that her conditions substantially affected daily activities and that the council had failed in its obligations.

A Gravesham Borough Council spokesman said the authority accepted the tribunal’s findings, while saying there were nuances to the case which were not reflected in the ruling. The council said isolated cases could occur in an organisation of its size where working relationships broke down or performance concerns needed to be addressed.

STORY

Devon County Council is calling for more volunteers to join its community road warden scheme as the initiative marks ten years since it was rolled out across the county. The scheme supports volunteers to carry out minor local highways work including weed clearance, grass cutting, sign cleaning and small drainage work.

Volunteer road wardens can also request training to carry out small pothole repairs, with materials paid for by Devon County Council. Around 140 towns and parishes across Devon are already involved in the scheme, which the council says helps local communities deal with priority maintenance issues.

Cabinet member for highways Dan Thomas said Devon’s 8,000-mile road network was the largest of any authority in the country. He said road wardens do not replace the council’s highways teams, which continue to repair potholes classed as safety defects.

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Reform-controlled Kent County Council has voted to introduce the Lord’s Prayer and the national anthem into its council meetings. LocalGov reported that 48 councillors voted to open meetings with a prayer, while 46 voted in favour of closing them with the anthem.

Council leader Linden Kemkaran said the prayer would help unite the country in a common identity. Green councillor Rob Yates criticised the change, reportedly describing it as a “ridiculous farce” and saying he was not paid by taxpayers to sing songs and pray.

In a separate decision, the council approved changes reducing the total time allocated for opposition leaders to respond to speeches at full council meetings from 22 minutes to 17 minutes. Opposition parties criticised the decision, citing the absence of public consultation.

STORY

Five people have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud following allegations of electoral fraud connected with last month’s local elections in Tameside. Greater Manchester Police said four men and a woman, aged between 23 and 47, were arrested at addresses in Tameside on 21 May after concerns were raised about candidates in St Peter’s ward.

The investigation follows claims that individuals had been encouraged to stand as independent candidates in the ward in order to split opposition votes. Police said the inquiry is focused on how candidates were put forward and represented, and whether the process complied with electoral law and procedures.

Tameside Council said it placed great importance on protecting the integrity of elections and was working closely with the police and other relevant authorities. Greater Manchester Police said it was also working with the Electoral Commission while enquiries continue.

STORY

The Government has announced a £1bn package for PE and school sport, saying the funding is intended to reduce inequality in children’s access to physical activity. Ministers said the programme would provide targeted support for schools and pupils who currently face barriers to participation.

The Department for Education said the funding would support new opportunities for children and help improve physical fitness, wellbeing and attendance. The announcement comes amid wider Government concern about children’s health, mental wellbeing and regional disparities in access to sport and enrichment activities.

Ministers said the package formed part of efforts to end what they described as a fitness postcode lottery. Schools and sporting bodies are expected to play a central role in delivering the programme, with the Government arguing that sport can support wider educational and social outcomes.

STORY

Adrian Bird has been appointed as the new head of the Joint Intelligence Organisation and Chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee. The Cabinet Secretary made the appointment with the approval of the Prime Minister, placing Bird in one of the most senior intelligence assessment roles in Government.

The Joint Intelligence Organisation supports ministers and senior officials by coordinating intelligence assessment across Government. The Joint Intelligence Committee provides strategic assessments on national security, foreign

policy and other major international issues.

The appointment comes at a period of heightened security challenges, including the war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, cyber threats and the use of new technologies by hostile states. The role is central to how intelligence is assessed and presented to ministers when making national security decisions.

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The Government has announced a new Judicial and Legal Diversity Board aimed at improving diversity and transparency within the judiciary. The Ministry of Justice said the board would help identify barriers to judicial appointment and support work to ensure the judiciary better reflects modern Britain.

The initiative is part of wider efforts to increase confidence in the justice system and improve access to judicial careers. Ministers said the board would bring together senior figures from the justice system and legal profession to develop practical steps for widening participation.

The announcement comes alongside continued debate about representation in senior public institutions. The Government said improving diversity in the judiciary was important not only as a matter of fairness, but also for public trust in courts and tribunals.

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Restaurant owners have criticised Rachel Reeves’ plan to cut tax on children’s meals, warning that the measure may have limited impact on family budgets or business costs. The Guardian reported that some restaurateurs described the proposal as a political soundbite rather than a policy likely to make a significant difference during the summer holidays.

The measure forms part of the Chancellor’s wider cost of living package, which is designed to show that the Government is responding to household pressure. Ministers have sought to focus on targeted support for families, including measures linked to food prices and children’s activities.

The response from parts of the hospitality sector underlines the difficulty facing the Treasury as it tries to design measures that are visible to voters but affordable within tight fiscal constraints. Reeves is facing pressure from Labour MPs to go further on living costs, while also seeking to reassure markets that the Government will maintain discipline over borrowing and tax policy.

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Campaigning in the Makerfield by-election has entered its first weekend, with the contest attracting national attention because of Andy Burnham’s attempt to return to Westminster. ITV News reported that Burnham has said the by-election could “change Labour”, as the Greater Manchester Mayor seeks to win the seat for the party.

The Liberal Democrats have selected Stockport councillor Jake Austin as their candidate, while the Conservatives have named Michael Winstanley. Reform UK is standing Robert Kenyon, who came second in Makerfield at the 2024 general election. The Green Party is reopening its selection process after Chris Kennedy withdrew shortly after being chosen.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons, who stood down to clear a path for Burnham. The contest is expected to be watched closely because of Labour’s wider leadership tensions, Reform UK’s recent electoral advances and the importance of northern English seats to Labour’s parliamentary strength.

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Rachel Reeves’ allies have begun making the case for her to remain Chancellor if Labour changes leader, according to reports. The Guardian said supporters of Reeves were arguing that she would be the best figure to maintain market confidence and protect the Government’s economic credibility during a period of political instability.

The intervention comes amid continuing speculation about Keir Starmer’s future and the possibility of a leadership contest. Reeves has faced criticism from within Labour over fiscal policy, but her supporters point to improved IMF growth forecasts, recent falls in inflation and the Government’s cost of living measures as evidence that her approach is producing results.

The Chancellor’s position is likely to become part of any wider debate about Labour’s direction. Some Labour figures have argued for a more expansive economic programme, while others have warned that any move away from fiscal discipline could unsettle investors and increase pressure on the public finances.