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JSO hang up the hi-vis – Greenpeace response

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In response to Just Stop Oil’s announcement this morning Will McCallum, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK, said:

“The history of democracies is built by groups of people like the Suffragettes, trade unionists, gay rights campaigners and anti-fracking activists who were brave enough to make themselves unpopular for a cause they believed in. With the benefit of hindsight we can see the debt we owe each of them for giving us rights and liberties, and protecting the things we care about. 

“Whether you want to stand up for our planet against polluting profiteers, or save your local library from council spending cuts, the freedom to make your voice heard is the lifeblood of a healthy democracy. Just Stop Oil paid a heavy price for raising their voices at a time when politicians and corporations are trying to silence peaceful protesters – in the streets and in the courts. We must not allow our hard-won right to protest to be stripped away, because it is the right that all other rights depend upon. Greenpeace and many others will continue to defend this proud tradition of taking action on issues that matter to make change possible.”

Image of a Just Stop Oil participant getting arrested at Kingsbury oil terminal.
A Just Stop Oil participant getting arrested at Kingsbury oil terminal. A JSO / Vladamir Morozov image.
Orcas are pleased that Rosebank and Jackdaw oil fields are blocked.
Orcas are pleased that Rosebank and Jackdaw oil fields are blocked and say that the killer apes need to just stop oil.

Continue ReadingJSO hang up the hi-vis – Greenpeace response

Campaigners blast NHS England boss after she suggests return to failed PFI deals

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/campaigners-blast-nhs-england-boss-after-she-suggests-return-to-failed-pfi-deals

NHS England chief Amanda Pritchard

CAMPAIGNERS criticised the head of NHS England today after she backed the return of discredited private finance initiative contracts.

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard floated the controversial idea as part of what she called a “radical” rethink in how Britain funds its infrastructure.

Recent data shows that the cost to repair Britain’s crumbling NHS buildings has spiralled to £13.8 billion, the highest on record.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday, Ms Pritchard said: “We need to think much more radically, particularly about capital.

“So I think we now must consider private capital investment in the NHS because if we don’t fix our buildings, if we don’t fix our technology, we’re not going to get to a place where we can really drive that long-term improvement.”

The suggestion was slammed by anti-privatisation group We Own It.

Research by the group found that the current maintenance backlog bill is dwarfed by a £44bn debt that 80 trusts still owe to private firms for historic PFI contracts signed off by Tony Blair’s government.

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Article continues at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/campaigners-blast-nhs-england-boss-after-she-suggests-return-to-failed-pfi-deals

Keir Starmer confirms that he's proud to be a red Tory continuing austerity and targeting poor and disabled scum.
Keir Starmer confirms that he’s proud to be a red Tory continuing austerity and targeting poor and disabled scum.
Continue ReadingCampaigners blast NHS England boss after she suggests return to failed PFI deals

Thames Water impending collapse is ultimate result of privatisation, say campaigners

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/thames-water-impending-collapse-ultimate-result-privatisation-say-campaigners

A tanker pumps out excess sewage from the Lightlands Lane sewage pumping station in Cookham, Berskhire, January 10, 2024

THAMES WATER’S impending collapse is the ultimate result of privatising an essential monopoly like water, campaigners said today..

The government is reportedly approaching potential administrators to step in if the troubled utility falls into bankruptcy.

The water giant is struggling under a debt of £19 billion and has warned that it will run out of cash in March unless the High Court signs off a £3bn loan at a hearing next month.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed ruled out nationalisation in October.

But officials have told the Financial Times that the government has spoken to consultancies including Teneo and Interpath to potentially run a special administration regime (SAR) — a temporary measure designed to keep services running.

The measure could be a sign that ministers are bracing themselves for the renationalisation of the company as the court could block the loan agreement due to a high interest rate of 9.75 per cent alongside fees and incentives of the current Thames Water management.

Last month, regulator Ofwat fined the company £18.2 million for paying £158.3m in dividends to shareholders which it said were not justified.
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|Continues at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/thames-water-impending-collapse-ultimate-result-privatisation-say-campaigners

Continue ReadingThames Water impending collapse is ultimate result of privatisation, say campaigners

Cold spell ‘a threat to people’s health’ as millions struggle with bills

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/cold-spell-threat-peoples-health-millions-struggle-bills

THE government issued its first cold weather alert this year, while millions continue to ration their energy use to dangerous levels.

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National Energy Action’s Peter Smith said: “With energy bills rising since October and far less support available nationally this winter, millions of people are already rationing their energy use to dangerous levels or getting deeper into debt trying to keep warm.

“Sadly, even this brief cold spell will be a threat to people’s health and worse and will create further extreme hardship for millions of households.”

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/cold-spell-threat-peoples-health-millions-struggle-bills

Continue ReadingCold spell ‘a threat to people’s health’ as millions struggle with bills

Britain’s energy crisis ‘growing by the week,’ campaigners warn

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Image of cash and pre-payment meter key
Image of cash and pre-payment meter key

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/britain-energy-crisis-growing-by-the-week-campaigners-warn

New research shows household debt has hit five-year high

BRITAIN’S energy crisis is “growing by the week,” campaigners warned today after research found that household debt has hit a five-year high of £216 as winter approaches.

The number of homes already owing money to their energy provider is up 11 per cent on last year, according to a survey by comparison website Uswitch.

Of those in arrears on their gas and electricity bills, 40 per cent say their debt is higher than last year and 28 per cent believe their position is about the same as 12 months ago.

Almost one in seven say they have gone from being in credit a year ago to owing money now.

More than half of households are worried about how they will pay their energy bills this winter and 49 per cent say they will wear extra layers of clothing at home so that they can manage with less heating.

And 25 per cent say they will not turning their heating at all, even when it is cold.

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/britain-energy-crisis-growing-by-the-week-campaigners-warn

Continue ReadingBritain’s energy crisis ‘growing by the week,’ campaigners warn