Music plays an important part in shaping our culture and society, and is more a part of our everyday lives than ever before. Most people listen to the radio; play CDs or vinyl; use streaming services; or attend gigs, concerts and festivals.  Music is good for pupils’ wellbeing and their mental health. Taking part in music making and listening to music are also joyful activities. Enjoyment of learning is a core principle of Curriculum for Excellence, which envisages young people being active in their learning and having opportunities to develop and demonstrate their creativity. Music is an important means of human expression, which allows children to find their identity, use their voice, and boost their self-esteem. For children from low-income families, music can be a way of helping them to overcome disadvantage.  Curriculum for Excellence has creativity and self-expression at its heart. Learning how to play an instrument boosts pupils’ confidence, mental health, organisational skills, teamwork skills, literacy and numeracy. The benefits are manifold. And yet, the value our education system places on music seems to be diminishing while our enjoyment of it and realisation of its importance increases. This paradox must be challenged.   Scottish Instrumental Music Teachers are amongst the best in the world. Their expertise, professionalism and dedication must be recognised, and we must value their contribution to educating our young people. We need your help to defend and maintain this vital service.

Unipart Rail is a key supplier to Network Rail, which is publicly funded, and it is unacceptable for suppliers in Network Rail's supply chain to take an anti-trade union approach. This move to derecognise RMT Union by Unipart Rail flies in the face of the recent positive announcements by the new Labour government on trade union recognition and workplace rights. Both RMT and Unite have recognition at this site, and Unipart have said that their existing recognition agreement with Unite will continue unaffected. 

The council CAN and SHOULD use it's powers around late night licensing criteria to ensure Hospitality venues provide free transport for late night and anti-social hours workers. The council must also call for improved late night transport provision,  minimum standards for taxi and private hire safety and stronger enforcement of harassment on public transport. 16 UK councils have agreed to support the campaign- let's make Norwich safe too!

This decision by Padstow Town Council is alarming, as it sets the precedence to other Town Councils that removal of vital services will be accepted. It will adversely and impact tourists, locals, the disabled and elderly will be disproportionately affected. This will have a detrimental effect to a significant number of people, but should be widely supported to keep vital services in place and demonstrate this will not be accepted in Padstow or anywhere else. Please support this campaign and the people in the community.

PCS believes the dismissals amount to trade union victimisation. The Labour government has promised a New Deal for working people. If the government is to deliver on this promise it must end all union-busting policies of previous administrations and remove constraints on trade unions to enable them to deliver justice in the workplace. In common with all union representatives, the reps at Benton Park View make sacrifices daily to help working people with no thought of personal reward.    The government can demonstrate its intention to deliver a New Deal by reinstating PCS representatives dismissed while representing government employees.  We are demanding that the government and HM Revenue and Customs immediately re-instate Rachel, Gordon and Joel and put an end to further discrimination against trade union representatives carrying out democratically-elected roles.     Will you add your name to show your support for our reps and raise the pressure on the Government and HMRC to do the right thing and reverse the dismissals?

RMT has longstanding concerns about the decision by London Overground operator Arriva Rail London to significantly cut ticket office hours at the majority of its stations a number of years ago. The changes were overwhelmingly opposed by passengers, but the company went ahead anyway.  This was compounded by the removal of Oyster facilities from London Overground ticket offices which means that despite being part of the TfL network, staff working at London Overground ticket offices cannot access customers’ Oyster accounts or provide any services relating to Oyster.  Furthermore, there is a longstanding failure to fill vacancies by Arriva Rail London which is leaving many stations understaffed. In a recent survey of RMT station staff members working on London Overground 70% said there were unfilled vacancies at their station.  The unprecedented opposition to the proposed ticket office closures on the national rail network in 2023 showed unequivocally the importance that passengers place on ticket offices and ticket office staff and that some groups including older and disabled people and the digitally excluded particularly value ticket offices.  In our survey, 94% of members said the changes at ticket offices had worsened passenger service; 89% said they had worsened passenger safety and security and 87% thought it had worsened passenger accessibility.  It is clear that these changes have had a negative impact on passengers and the service they receive at London Overground stations and must be reversed.  London Overground is operated by Arriva Rail London under contract by TfL. The contract is highly profitable for private operator Arriva Rail London, and since 2017 it has paid out £40m in dividends to its shareholders. We oppose efficiencies being implemented at stations at the detriment of passengers and workers in the pursuit of profits.  As the Chair of TfL, we are urging the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to instruct the company to meet our demands of restoring ticket office hours and Oyster facilities and permanently filling all vacancies to ensure London Overground is properly staffed. 

Abolishing peak fares will help reduce financial strain on commuters, particularly low-income workers and essential service providers who are disproportionately affected by the current pricing system. These individuals, often with no choice but to travel during rush hours, face inflated fares that make everyday commuting a heavy financial burden. By scrapping peak fares, we can create a more inclusive and equitable transport system that ensures fair access for all, regardless of schedule. This change would also support the Scottish Government’s broader climate ambitions by encouraging a shift away from private car usage. Lower rail fares will make public transport a more attractive and viable option, helping to reduce congestion, lower emissions, and decrease Scotland's reliance on cars. It presents a clear opportunity for the government to demonstrate leadership in providing accessible, affordable, and sustainable public services. With the cost of living continuing to rise, the Scottish Government has a unique opportunity to support working families and everyday commuters by permanently abolishing peak fares. This move would send a powerful message that Scotland is committed to providing equitable and accessible public services. It would not only address social inequality but also contribute significantly to the country’s environmental goals. The recent trial period of peak fare removal has already demonstrated the policy's benefits. Commuters reported significant savings, and rail usage increased by 7 percent. This data indicates that eliminating peak fares on a permanent basis has the potential to drive long-term behavioural change, with more people choosing sustainable, greener transport options.

This loyal, predominately female workforce has endured year after year of real terms pay cuts. Now they have had enough. GMB members are being intimidated by management not to strike – they are trying to bully workers rather than listen to their concerns and try to find a solution. Please sign our petition and let’s send a message to the Tata bosses telling them they must get back round the negotiating table so their workers can get back to what they do best, producing tea for the nation. By signing this petition, you'll be sending an email directly to Claire O'Hare, HR Manager at UK Operation of Tata Global Beverages

These cuts directly affect the safety of our communities and the Firefighters who protect them. We have a service that falls below the national average for response times and is stretching that service thinner with cuts to the frontline. Anyone of us may need to dial 999, for a house fire, car crash or any number of rescues the service currently undertake. We need to protect the number of fire engines immediately available to protect our communities and ensure response times get better rather than worse.

Our research has found performing arts students are struggling to pay audition fees and course costs, pushing working-class students out of the industry. Two-thirds of students receiving maintenance loans say they do not cover their living costs, with three-quarters having to work alongside intense training schedules and 15% going into debt. 96% have been told to spend their own money on expenses such as headshots, costumes, and events as a requirement of their course. While 94% of us had to audition to gain a place on a course, 57% had to pay audition fees to do so. Audition fees and hidden costs put two-thirds of working-class students off from applying for training, with many students spending hundreds of pounds, and some thousands, on auditions and applications. We also know the solutions: 71% say that removing audition fees would be the most effective way to break down barriers to the performing arts.

More than 130 porters, cleaners, and catering staff at Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Broadgreen Hospital are currently on strike, fighting for what they are owed.  These workers, previously employed by ISS to perform essential roles such as catering, portering, and domestic services, were transferred to LUHFT in April 2023.  However, the trust claims that because these workers were not directly employed by the NHS at the time of the pandemic, they do not qualify for the bonus that their colleagues have received. These workers were on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, risking their health and safety to keep our hospitals running smoothly. Their contributions were vital, and yet they are being denied the recognition and compensation given to their colleagues who performed the same duties. Those excluded from the payment are among the lowest-paid in the NHS workforce. They have faced financial hardship every day, and this decision exacerbates their struggles.  Our NHS workers deserve to be treated fairly and with respect. To deny them this payment after their sacrifice and dedication during the pandemic is unacceptable.  Add your name and demand LUHFT pay these workers what they deserve.

Did you know Strictly is one of the biggest shows on UK television? Over 8 million people tune in each week   Cutting the band is not just a huge loss of earnings to the musicians. It denies audiences the opportunity to see and enjoy fully live music   Sign the petition to keep Strictly live