Member of Parliament for Salford and Eccles, Rebecca Long Bailey, has written a lengthy letter to the housing secretary over a lack of progress on the Renters’ Reform Bill.

Rebecca called for an urgent debate to reform the UK private rented sector:

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"Renters are facing unrealistically expensive rents yet failing housing quality.

"It’s been 4 months with no progress on the Renters’ Reform Bill despite the national housing crisis & rising homelessness."

The MP, added:

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"There were 7491 claims by private landlords in Q2 2023 compared with 4850 claims in Q2 2019.

"I am gravely concerned that we will now see this surge in claims progressing through to actual repossession through section 21 proceedings."

 

The letter in full reads as below:

Dear Minister,

Re: Renters’ Reform Bill and Section 21 Evictions

It has been brought to my attention that Change.org have received multiple petitions about a worrying increase in private renters experiencing section 21 evictions since the First Reading of the Renter’s Reform Bill.

Investigating this, I found that the latest Ministry of Justice statistics show that while the number of “accelerated procedure” repossessions (which I understand represents stage four of eviction by bailiffs after a section 21 notice has expired and the tenant remains in the property) are now broadly comparable to pre-pandemic 2019 values, the number of accelerated procedure claims (i.e. stage one of the process) is significantly higher: There were 7491 claims by private landlords in Q2 2023 compared with 4850 claims in Q2 2019. I am gravely concerned that we will now see this surge in claims progressing through to actual repossession through section 21 proceedings.

As such, my first and immediate request is that you please urgently review this as a developing concern and consider what measures can be taken to mitigate for a ‘spike’ in pre-emptive section 21s being issued before the Renters’ Reform Bill can be passed. If this continues unchecked, this will only further exacerbate the immediate housing crisis and add to the strain on our already considerably backlogged justice system.

Notwithstanding this serious issue, it is absolutely critical that the Government deliver on the promise to end no fault evictions and bring forward the long awaited rented housing sector reforms through the Renters’ Reform Bill, as promised in the last, late Queen’s Speech. Of course, the longer the Bill is delayed, the longer the window for section 21s to be pre-emptively processed, but that is not the only issue, by far.

It is impossible to truly accurately measure homelessness but the Government’s quarterly statistics release for statutory homelessness assessments for January through March 2023 indicates that 41,950 English households were assessed as needing homelessness relief duty, an increase of 10.7% compared with the same quarter last year. This was alongside around 37,890 households needing prevention duty. These statistics do not reflect the true, larger total number of people rough sleeping or experiencing ‘hidden’ homelessness like sofa surfing.

In addition, on 31 March 2023, 104,510 households were recorded as being in temporary accommodation, which is an increase of 10.0% from 31 March 2022. The housing crisis is clearly escalating out of control.

A truly heart-breaking report including data compiled earlier this year by the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) for the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Households in Temporary Accommodation (TA APPG) found that homelessness and temporary accommodation were recorded as factors that may have contributed to 34 children’s deaths between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2022. Given your honourable commitment to the Awaab’s Law amendments to the Social Housing (Regulations) Bill, I am confident you will agree with me that this is entirely unacceptable.

As such, I urge you to bring forward the Renters’ Reform Bill as a matter of urgency.

I also ask you to support the following provisions within the Bill, as proposed by the Renters’ Reform Coalition, which is made up of 20 leading housing policy organisations including Generation Rent, Shelter, and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation as well as many other partners.

On evictions:

Retain the commitment to abolish Section 21 no fault evictions.

Ensure any new grounds for eviction introduced require landlords to provide a high level of evidence of a legitimate reason for evicting tenants.

Ensure any new contingency for no fault grounds for possession is limited to extreme circumstances and can only be enacted after the first two years of a tenancy, granting renters security of tenure.

Offer incentives and support for landlords to sell properties with existing tenants in residence

Introduce tenant relocation payments where possession is granted

Introduce a requirement for court discretion to assess evidence provided by the landlord where the landlord’s family want to move into the rented property, which includes assessment of the current tenant’s vulnerabilities and if there are alternative, comparable properties available for the current tenant to move into

Empower judges with discretionary powers to assess individual circumstances where rent arrears are caused by delays in the welfare system or where there is a sudden change in circumstances or bereavement of a joint tenant, to prevent automatic eviction and allow appropriate financial support to be put in place

Block further decreases in the amount of arrears that qualify a landlord to seek eviction due to rent arrears

Introduce measures to prevent rent increases being used for de facto unfair or retaliatory evictions

On rent:

Introduce rent controls as part of addressing the wider housing affordability crisis

Limit rent increases within tenancies to the lowest of either inflation or real median income growth (not local market rents which currently undermines the power of rent tribunals)

On tenancies and notice periods:

Introduce indefinite tenancies and abolish fixed term tenancies.

Extend notice periods to a minimum of four months in all but the most serious cases to prevent unnecessary homelessness and disruption of education during term time for resident children

On deposits:

Legislate that only one month’s rent can be requested in advance of a tenancy to ensure accessibility

Develop a financially inclusive, free to access, centrally administered lifetime deposits passporting scheme as part of wider deposit reform to ensure protections for all kinds of renters, including lodgers and students in purpose-build accommodation.

On landlord standards, tenant-landlord relationships, and housing legal aid:

End the Right to Rent check scheme as both discriminatory and ineffective

Ensure laws around preventing DSS discrimination are improved and enforced

Introduce a mandatory national register of landlords, which requires evidence that landlords are meeting minimum national standards as a condition of registration and removal for landlords who breach those standards or break the law, and lay the groundwork towards a scheme of pre-registration property inspections

Address the shortcomings in existing legislation that relate to harassment and illegal evictions in the private rented sector, ensuring current law is enforced effectively.

Commit the Housing Secretary to working with the Ministry of Justice to ensure all renters have timely, affordable access to housing legal advice and aid services and representation as needed.

Ensure housing legal aid is promoted to all renters.

Recognition of the right of tenants to be represented by a lawyer, an advocate, a renters’ union, or another organisation of their choice, and to present their case and vindicate their rights in court.

Protect renters from being forced into mediations with their landlords

Provide legal advice to renters on their rights if they do proceed with mediations

Further I would ask you consider the following asks from other bodies:

Apply the Decent Homes Standard (or better) to the private rented sector

Apply the Decent Homes Standard to all Temporary Accommodation

Increase Local Housing Allowance rates in line with local market rents

Greater protections for renters concerning repairs and hazard address, parallel to those delivered through the Awaab’s Law amendments to the Social Housing (Regulations) Bill

Ban blanket ‘no pets’ policies and give renters with pets better protections

Thorough consideration of how the Renters’ Reform Bill can incorporate steps towards the recommendations of the Health Equity in England: Marmot Review 10 Years On report

Bring standards for asylum housing in line with those of the rest of the population, and adjusted for their specific needs and with consideration of overcrowding, including in Houses of Multiple Occupation

Provide funding to local authorities and NGOs to run community integrated housing

Ensure students are also not treated as second class renters and standards for student housing are also in line with other rentals

As evidenced by the range of proposals this Bill has inspired, this is a hugely important piece of legislation that is very desperately needed as part of addressing the immediate housing crisis. It will affect a significant proportion of the population in a myriad of ways. As such, it will also require thorough debate and ample time for consideration and amendment. I hope you will be able to ensure this Bill is timetabled as soon as possible for its Second Reading to facilitate this.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Long-Bailey

Member of Parliament for Salford and Eccles

Salford's City Mayor, Paul Dennett has written to the Northern Trains Consultation, voicing concerns and opposition from Salford Council and MP's to the closure of Ticket Offices across Salford.

In the letter co-signed by All three local MP's, the Mayor speaks of the impact closures would have on both residents, the elderly, blind & disabled groups and the local economy.

Paul Dennett, said:

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"Salford City Council and Members of Parliament object to the proposals put forward by the rail Industry and Government to either close. or severely reduce the opening hours or ticket offices at rail stations across Salford.. The proposals would have a significant impact on passenger experience at stations with negative effects on patronage. whilst also acting as a disincentive to use public transport al a time when the aspiration for Greater Manchester is to build and deliver the "Bee Network, a modern "London-style Integrated public transport network and a critical aspect of our endeavours within the city-region tackle congestion on our roads. improve air quality and deliver carbon neutrality by 2038.

"Currently five out of the nine Station's in Salford have a ticket office open for part of the day. Under the proposals put forward by the Rail Industry and Government Northern ticket offices at four of Salford's stations serving Eccles, Salford Central, Swinton and Walkden Stations would close completely.

"The ticket office at Salford Crescent Station would remain open on significantly reduced hours. The
reduce hours at Salford Crescent Station are also being proposed in the evening when visitors who are unfamiliar with the city are likely to visit. Ticket office closures will restrict passengers' access to best value tickets (Inevitably worsening the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis on our residents and families). worsen passenger service, accessibility, safety and security and lead to a de-staffing or stations.

"The net loss of operational hours for ticket offices across our network would be 210 hours per week compared to the existing situation."

 

The Mayor went on to say:

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"We view the proposed changes as a major regressive step for public transport's purported commitment to equalities, inclusion & accessibility and passengers who would lose staff assistance at the majority of Salford's stations outside of the morning peak.

"This is contrary to Greater Manchester's development of an Integrated public transport Bee-Network" that is underpinned by six principles: affordable, reliable, accessible. accountable, sustainable, safe."

Maria Brabiner, Labour councillor for Lower Broughton has been out leafleting at local stations to raise awareness this week alongside local campaigners John Catterall and Paul Kelly who are showing support for those who stand to lose their jobs if the closures take place.

The Mayor ended his letter by saying:

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"Ticket Office closures are not just an attack on thousands of station staff who are due to lose their jobs of the proposals in full go ahead. They are a scandalous and callous attack on some of the most vulnerable people in society.

Adding:

"We ask that the proposals are urgently reconsider in light of the catastrophic impacts they are likely to have."

 

We have included the letter in full below.
 

Main Photo ©: Councillor Maria Brabiner, John 'Defo' Catterall and Paul Kelly - Leafletting At Salford Central

A Salford councillor is defying the city mayor’s call for him to resign following his shock election to another authority 160 miles away.

Coun Chris Twells has been a Liberal Democrat representative in the Orsdall ward since his election last year.

Not due for re-election in Salford until 2026, Coun Twells, 31, stood in the Tetbury with Upton ward for Cotwold District Council in Gloucestershire in May, and beat the sitting Conservative candidate by 60 votes.

In a bizarre twist, he now sits on TWO councils and has been suspended from Liberal Democrat Party while an investigation takes place, effectively making him an Independent in both Salford and the Cotswolds.

At today’s Salford city council meeting, city mayor Paul Dennett ramped up the sarcasm when he said: “It would be remiss of me not to give a very special congratulations to the Salford Liberal Democrats for their one and only gain of the election… not in Salford but in Tetbury, in the Cotswolds.

“The dedication he showed to upturning the Tories in the Cotswolds was indeed admirable – and he now becomes the first councillor I have ever heard of who holds two council seats simultaneously, 160 miles apart.”

And he continued: “Before this election, I had not been aware that this practice was entirely legal. But I think that everyone present can agree that legal or not, holding multiple council seats, registering multiple residences in different council districts, and standing for seats spanning the length and breadth of the country within short time frames is against the spirit if not the letter of the law.”

The controlling Labour group on Salford city council have now passed a resolution saying: “We believe Ordsall deserves dedicated councillors that serve our community’s interest, not their own.

“Coun Twells chose to stand for another council seat 160 miles from Ordsall in the Cotswolds. Having won in the Cotswolds, he is refusing to step down from Salford Council and give up his council pay.”

They have also launched a petition saying Coun Twells ‘should never have been allowed to do this’, adding: “It makes a mockery of the people of Salford. Local residents deserve to be the first priority of their elected representatives.

“We demand the Liberal Democrats stop taking Salford for granted and that Coun Twells resigns from Salford city council immediately and allows Orsdall residents to have their say at the ballot box.”

They are also calling for the Government to change the law to no longer allow the same person to even attempt to represent two different areas.

Although Coun Twells did not speak at the council meeting, he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he had no intention of resigning.

And he refuted suggestions from the city council’s opposition leader Conservative leader Robin Garrido, made in the meeting, that his election had been ‘fraudulent’.

Coun Twells said: “I do take exception to the use the word fraudulent by Coun Garrido, but I’m not going to make a scene in the chamber as I don’t see that that’s going to help anyone.

“Nothing I’ve done is fraudulent and it is completely within the law and the [local election] monitoring officer has confirmed that.

“I’m sitting as an Independent member while my suspension from the Liberal Democrats is active. Suspension is a neutral act. It doesn’t mean I’ve done anything wrong and I’m hoping that within the next few months, the case will be resolved and I will be back sitting as a Liberal Democrat.

“I’ve been a Liberal Democrat member for 13 years, I’ve worked for the party for most of that time and I’m never going to apologise for unseating Conservatives.

“Like many people in this city, I have a job that requires me to move around a lot. I spend time living at two addresses. I have my flat down at Salford Quays where [Labour] Coun Mike McCusker came to visit on the eve of polling day. 

“It’s well-known in the chamber where I live. I will be playing a full part. I’ve just been doing casework now on my laptop.

“The workload of a councillor in an English district is not enormously onerous. There’s a lot of work that can be done remotely. Again, I’ve been doing casework for my residents in Tetbury before I came to the meeting this morning.

“I have an address in the Tetbury area as well. The way that the law works is that your qualifications to stand for election can be based on occupying property or work.

“I don’t want to worry anyone, but I’m technically qualified to stand for up to five districts in England and Wales, which is not what I’m going to be doing. But many people in this chamber will be qualified to stand from multiple addresses.

“I’m looking at a colleague who is a resident in Manchester, but is eligible to stand for Salford city council by virtue of owning property. It’s not unusual.

“I’ve told the city solicitor, the chief executive, the city mayor and anyone else who would care to listen, that I will be stepping down from the council in March next year so that there’s no separate by-election which will cost the taxpayer £20,000.

“I’ll be criticised if I don’t step down and also if I do. The only exception to that is if the General Election is called sooner or if there is another by-election within my ward for an MP or councillor.

“By this time next year, I will just be a councillor in Tetbury with Upton. However, being councillor is not a full-time job. We need more younger councillors who are in work in this chamber. I’m lucky in that I work for myself, I run my own consultancy and I do have that flexibility to attend meetings and do my work.”

A Salford councillor who controversially won a seat in the Cotswolds during last weeks local elections whilst still serving as a councillor in Ordsall,  has been suspended from the party following complaints made against him.

The then serving councillor for Ordsall, Chris Twells won a seat in the Cotswold which prompted him to announce that he was to step down from the Ordsall seat which he had won the previous year, but “only when it’s possible to do it “in a way that does not incur unnecessary expense for the taxpayer” so he said.

Earlier today his party took the decision to suspend him assessment under the party's complaints process.

The Liberal Democrat Party issued a statement which said:

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“Mr Twells has been suspended after a complaint against him was assessed under the party’s complaints process, He is not employed by the party.”

Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennet, described him at the time as a paper candidate.

Mr Twells is expected to stand down as a Salford Councillor, prompting a by-election in the Ordsall ward.

Mr Dennett has written to Michael Gove asking him to review the rules which allowed this fiasco to take place.

There were no real surprises at the as the cities local election 2023 results were announced, however Labour did make history as Blackfiar's and Trinity became the first 'all female' held ward.

Meanwhile, across the country as a whole, the Tories took heavy defeats, leaving them battered and bruised. Over the border in Bolton they lost 7 seats overnight but managed to retain their seats in Salford by a comfortable margin.

The political makeup of the council remains the same and is now:

Labour 49 seats

Conservative eight seats

Liberal Democrats two seats

Independent one seat

One seat was up for election in each of the twenty wards in the city, but due to a councillor standing down in the Pendlebury and Clifton ward there were 21 seats up for election in total.

The turnout for the election was 24.20 per cent with 45,707 votes cast.

The polls closed at 10pm on Thursday 4 May and the verification and count took place at the AJ Bell Stadium overnight.

Returning Officer Tom Stannard made the announcements in each ward which was also livestreamed for people watching at home. The final ward was announced at approximately 2.55am.

Tom said:

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“I would like to thank our residents for voting in these elections and having their say on who they wanted to represent them in their area. I’d also congratulate the councillors who have been selected to represent their residents.

“These elections would not be possible without the support of all the staff at poll stations across the city, and everyone involved in implementing the new photo ID requirement and the people who have helped to verify the votes and count them.”

 

Overall turn out figure is: 45,707 which is 24.20%

Barton and Winton

•  
• Elected: David Anthony Lancaster
• Electorate: 10,666
• Percentage poll: 21.48%
• Void votes: 13
• Total votes: 2,291
• Majority: 1,241
• Status: Labour hold

Blackfriars and Trinity

•  
• Elected: Emma Louise Cammell
• Electorate: 8,772
• Percentage poll: 19.46%
• Void votes: 15
• Total votes: 1,707
• Majority: 570
• Status: Labour hold

Boothstown and Ellenbrook

•  
• Elected: Darren Ward
• Electorate: 9,691
• Percentage poll: 34.6%
• Void votes: 12
• Total votes: 3,353
• Majority: 809
• Status: Conservative hold

Broughton

•  
• Elected: Jim King
• Electorate: 9,714
• Percentage poll: 19.59%
• Void votes: 20
• Total votes: 1,903
• Majority: 1,060
• Status: Labour hold

Cadishead and Lower Irlam

• Elected: Hannah Jane Robinson-Smith
• Electorate: 9,399
• Percentage poll: 22.64%
• Void votes: 22
• Total votes: 2,128
• Majority: 1,138
• Status: Labour hold

Claremont

•  
• Elected: Michael Thomas Pevitt
• Electorate: 9,748
• Percentage poll: 26.77%
• Void votes: 12
• Total votes: 2,610
• Majority: 1,209
• Status: Labour hold

Eccles

•  
• Elected: Mike McCusker
• Electorate: 10,983
• Percentage poll: 28.09%
• Void votes: 23
• Total votes: 3,085
• Majority: 1,540
• Status: Labour hold

Higher Irlam and Peel Green

•  
• Elected: John David Walsh
• Electorate: 9,670
• Percentage poll: 20.27%
• Void votes: 14
• Total votes: 1,960
• Majority: 923
• Status: Labour hold

Kersal and Broughton Park

•  
• Elected: Ari Leitner
• Electorate: 9,491
• Percentage poll: 29.47%
• Void votes: 16
• Total votes: 2,797
• Majority: 873
• Status: Conservative hold

Little Hulton

•  
• Elected: Robert Andrew Sharpe
• Electorate: 9,164
• Percentage poll: 16.83%
• Void votes: 11
• Total votes: 1,542
• Majority: 744
• Status: Labour hold

Ordsall

•  
• Elected: Benjamin Grogan
• Electorate: 8,618
• Percentage poll: 22.48%
• Void votes: 11
• Total votes: 1,937
• Majority: 236
• Status: Labour hold

Pendlebury and Clifton

There are two vacancies to be filled in this ward.

•  
• Elected: 
  • 1: Barry Warner (will serve a four year term until May 2027)
  • 2: Chioma Mgbeokwere (will serve a three year term until May 2026)
• Electorate: 9,039
• Percentage poll: 23.17%
• Void votes: 3
• Unused votes: 458
• Status:
  • 1: Labour hold
  • 2: Labour gain

Pendleton and Charlestown 

•  
• Elected: Wilson Nkurunziza
• Electorate: 9,388
• Percentage poll: 18.59%
• Void votes: 22
• Total votes: 1,745
• Majority: 886
• Status: Labour hold

Quays

•  
• Elected: Jake Rowland
• Electorate: 7,456
• Percentage poll: 22.1%
• Void votes: 9
• Total votes: 1,648
• Majority: 128
• Status: Labour hold

Swinton and Wardley

•  
• Elected: Bill Hinds
• Electorate: 9,383
• Percentage poll: 27.17%
• Void votes: 13
• Total votes: 2,549
• Majority: 1,260
• Status: Labour hold

Swinton Park

•  
• Elected: Jim Cammell
• Electorate: 9,418
• Percentage poll: 26.7%
• Void votes: 14
• Total votes: 2,515
• Majority: 1,131
• Status: Labour hold

Walkden North

•  
• Elected: Sammie Bellamy
• Electorate: 9,490
• Percentage poll: 23.6%
• Void votes: 10
• Total votes: 2,240
• Majority: 839
• Status: Labour hold

Walkden South

•  
• Elected: Hilaria Asumu
• Electorate: 9,001
• Percentage poll: 28.13%
• Void votes: 25
• Total votes: 2,532
• Majority: 564
• Status: Labour hold

Weaste and Seedley

•  
• Elected: Charlotte Youd
• Electorate: 10,842
• Percentage poll: 20.14%
• Void votes: 14
• Total votes: 2,184
• Majority: 1,194
• Status: Labour hold

Worsley and Westwood Park

•  
• Elected: Robin John Garrido
• Electorate: 8,922
• Percentage poll: 32.36%
• Void votes: 12
• Total votes: 2,887
• Majority: 226
• Status: Conservative hold

Salford's City Mayor, Paul Dennett, has written to Michael Gove (Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) to ask him to take steps to reform flawed electoral laws which have allowed one serving Salford Liberal Democrat councillor to stand for election in the Cotswolds. 

Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Twells is currently a serving councillor for the ward of Ordsall in Salford and is not due to stand for re-election there until 2026, but is also now standing as a candidate for Tetbury with Upton in the upcoming local elections on May 4.

The situation recently prompted Conservatives councillors in Tetbury to ask the Cotswold District Council election monitoring officer Angela Clarridge to contact police over issues relating to what they say are 'multiple' Lib Dem candidates who are using the same address. 

It has also been noted by the Mayor that the Liberal Democrats candidate for the Blackfriars and Trinity ward, Scott James Turner-Preece, is also seemingly concurrently standing for election in Bolton in the Horwich South and Blackrod ward.

The Mayor says that he believes such action amounts to chronic dishonesty and has urged an urgent investigation into the matter.

Paul Dennett, said:

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"Today I've written to Michael Gove imploring him to explore reform to electoral law to prevent local election candidates standing across multiple wards, using multiple addresses as their home residences, addresses which are not their primary real addresses, standing in different seats spanning large areas of the country within very short timeframes and to tighten up a current deficiencies in the existing rules.

"This has come following the fact it is increasingly clear that in Salford, the Salford Liberal Democrats have been 'gaming' the lack of regulatory oversight in this area, particularly given the example of Ordsall councillor Chris Twells, elected last year, who is presently claiming to be a resident, work full time and be standing for election in the Cotswolds (160 miles drive away).

"Our Blackfriars and Trinity Lib Dem candidate Scott James Turner-Preece is also standing for election in Bolton in the Horwich South and Blackrod ward, and the Lib Dem candidate for Ordsall Paul Darren Heilbron is claiming in his election literature that he lives on Broadway "in the heart of Ordsall" whilst registering his nomination papers in Weaste.

"We believe this amounts to chronic dishonesty from the Lib Dems and an urgent investigation is required."

 

Police are being asked to investigate possible breaches of election law over residential addresses on forms given by a Salford councillor who is standing for election in the Cotswolds, a stone’s throw from King Charles’ Highgrove home.

Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Twells represents the ward of Ordsall in Salford and is only due to stand for re-election there in 2026, but is also now standing as a candidate for Tetbury with Upton in the local elections on May 4.

In addition, Coun Twells also works as a professional election agent for the Lib Dems.

Conservatives have asked the Cotswold District Council election monitoring officer Angela Clarridge to contact police over issues relating to multiple Lib Dem candidates who are using the same address. 

In a reply, Ms Clarridge has put them in direct contact with the Gloucestershire Constabulary, although a police spokesperson said they are yet to receive any complaints over the matter.

An open letter from the leader of Cotswold Conservatives Tony Berry to the Lib Dem council leader of Cotswold District Council Joe Harris has been posted on Facebook.

The preamble says:

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“Apparently the LibDems have been unable to find sufficient local candidates to stand in Tetbury, so they have resorted to parachuting in their agent who is currently a serving city councillor in Salford near Manchester which is 153 miles away.

“We are currently investigating whether they are allowed to do this, but even if they are, surely the electorate is entitled to have a local councillor who lives locally representing them for the next four years.”

 

In the letter to Coun Harris, he expresses ‘dismay’ at the decision to select Coun Twells as the candidate for Tetbury with Upton.

It goes on:

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“As soon as the nomination papers were published, we were aware of Chris Twells’ nomination and the fact that he is on using his election literature the same address as the home address of your other candidate in Tetbury, Ian Watson. 

“Mr Twells is also using an address for his imprint of Priory Farm, Hazleton, Cheltenham, which we understand is a business unit belonging to his brother.

“Not only do we question Mr Twells’ legitimacy to stand as a Liberal Democrat candidate for the people of Tetbury in the forthcoming elections, but also your selection process and the legitimacy and eligibility of your other candidates, particularly Helene Mancilla, who we note sits alongside you with Chris Twells on the Liberal Democrat Executive Council and whose home address is in Madrid.”

 

He wrote that:

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“over the last four years, the Conservatives, whilst in opposition, have had to listen to you and your party pontificating on openness and transparency”.

“I believe that your selection of Mr Twells and Ms Mancilla is hypocritical in the extreme,” the letter said.

“Given that you are not only the leader of the Cotswold District Council, but also a Gloucestershire county councillor and leader of the Liberal Democrats on the LGA (Local Government Association), surely you should have known better. We ask you to withdraw your two candidates and stop treating voters in the Cotswolds with such contempt.”

 

Meanwhile, David Fowles vice-chairman political of the Cotswold Conservative Association has received a response from Ms Clarridge over the request for a police investigation.

In an email to Mr Fowles seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) she has written:

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“One of my tasks during the election period is acting as the conduit, or liaison with the police, for matters which the complainant considers could be an election offence. 

“You’ll be aware that electoral offences are a police matter.  I’ve spoken to DS Simon Shaw regarding your concerns and he has suggested you email him direct.”

 

A statement has also been issued on behalf of Salford city mayor Paul Dennett, saying:

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“I can confirm that Salford Labour are looking to submit our own complaint to the city council’s monitoring officer and standards committee regarding Coun Twells, following speculation and confusion over his permanent home address.

“Following revelations that Coun Twells is living and standing for election in Tetbury with Upton and seemingly acting as the election agent for a number of candidates, his colleague, Coun Warren [Alexs Warren, leader of Salford Lib Dems] made a statement that his permanent address is in Salford. But this is contradicted by the Cotswold Liberal Democrats who claims he is living and working in the Cotswold borough.

“In law, a candidate must either live or work within the council area in which they are standing. We believe there is good reason to suspect that Coun Twells neither lives or works in Salford and therefore should be ineligible to be a Salford councillor. It is a matter that, at the very least, requires a thorough investigation.”

 

The LDRS has contacted Coun Twells for comment but he has not responded. A spokesperson from the Liberal Democrat press office said:

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“During election campaigns, Conservatives sometimes try to involve the police, we’re not aware of any current investigation, if there was one we would of course co-operate.”

Anger, apathy and anxiety [over photo ID] are the three ‘As’ which appear to define the mood of voters in Salford ahead of the local elections on May 4.

The city is a microcosm of the age-old issue of the north-south divide which characterises much of the national political landscape and debate.

To the north of the borough, there is a ward like Little Hulton, where just 18.1 per cent of people eligible to vote bothered to rock up at their local polling station to put an X next to their favoured candidate’s name.

Move further south and you encounter the affluent area of Worsley and then Eccles and Monton where voter turnout was much higher – more than 33pc in one case.

That still sounds low, but in local elections it tends to be the norm, unlike the much larger turnouts for general elections.

This time, however, there is also the thorny question of voter photo identification. Voters must attend with photographic evidence of who they are [driving licence, passport, bus pass] and there are fears this will have a negative impact on turnout.

So what’s going on? A walk round the Little Hulton District Centre and a chat to the people there gave a few clues.

“I don’t vote,” said one angry man who wouldn’t give his name. “I voted twice for the British National Party, and it did no good. They just keep letting people in. When I’ve had enough I’ll just sell my house and go and live in Spain.”

Moving swiftly on, I encounter Janet Hoey, 61, in a delightful little cafe on the main square. Janet runs the Cuppa For Carers charity, an organisation she founded several years ago after losing her husband to Parkinson’s disease.

Quote

 

“I don’t know if I will vote. I don’t feel Salford city council is doing enough for people who need wheelchair access. I also think that looking after people who care for their disabled relatives – care for the carers – is important and being neglected.

“That’s why I founded my charity.” But she’s also lost faith in the local administration because of the rundown state of Little Hulton.

“We need more help in Little Hulton,” she said. “I was born and bred here. This used to be a thriving area and just look at it now. It’s a disgrace and I’m just a bit despondent.”

 

Her friend Christine Dean, 75, is a retired NHS radiographer. She said she would definitely be voting and would not be deterred by the photo ID issue. 

Quote

 

“I can’t get my partner on to this precinct because there is no disabled access,” she said. “This is a terribly deprived area and this precinct has gone right down. But there is a lot of voluntary work going on around here. 

“Central government doesn’t bother about the north, but here in Salford there seems to be a similar north-south divide. It’s like we’ve been cut off. I think we’d be a lot better off in [neighbouring authority] Bolton.

“But I’m going to vote. If you don’t vote Labour you will allow this government to stay in power. The Conservatives for many many years have been dismantling the NHS. The Tories have never been happy with the NHS. 

“When it was introduced [in 1948] they voted against it 45 times.”

 

However, another woman told me:

Quote

 

“I’m not voting, because I’m not turning up with my passport or driving licence. They are only doing it to stop people like us voting Labour. This [national] government is evil. The corruption is horrible.

“There is definitely a north-south divide in Salford. The people in Little Hulton are the have-nots, that’s for certain.

Meanwhile, a woman running a charity shop exclaims: “I’m not voting because I’m not turning up with photo ID. I’ve got six adult children and none of them are voting either.”

 

But 52-year-old Joanna Beck doesn’t agree.

Quote

“I will vote because women fought and died for the right to vote,” she said. “We need investment and improvements in this area and that will not happen if people don’t vote.”

Georgia Kader, 33, however, doesn’t trust the photo ID system.

Quote

“There are lots of people who think the photo ID thing is a scam, and will I think it will stop a lot of people from voting.”

But it hasn’t put off 75-year-old Londoner Alan Norwood who moved to Little Hulton in 1978 for work reasons. He said: “I’ve got my photo ID and I’m definitely going to vote. 

Quote

“I am undecided so far who I’m going to vote for, but I won’t waste the opportunity.”

Elsewhere, in the Monton area of Eccles, it’s a different story. Monton Road, the high street, is alive with cafes and bars and little independent shops.

I chat to one woman who is a 51-year-old headteacher of a school in Manchester. She doesn’t give her name, but lives in Swinton, and will vote regardless of the photo ID issue. 

Quote

“I’m generally happy with what Salford council is doing but I think there needs to be more investment in Swinton – it’s dire,” she said. “They need to do something with that shopping centre.”

Kevin Grannell is a businessman who runs the Edison restaurant and bar and will not be voting for the controlling Labour councillors.

Quote

“I’ve put hundreds of thousands of pounds into my business and I’ve had no support whatsoever from the local council,” he said. “They won’t be getting my vote.”

Rich Henshaw, 34, is undecided and said ‘nothing specific gets my gears’ issue-wise.

Quote

“I haven’t had time to look at it. I typically vote for one party, but I will look at the manifestos and make my decision around that. I’m in favour of a lot of things Salford council does, like social and affordable housing. Photo ID doesn’t worry me at all.”

Laura Wood, 62, was out walking her dog when she said:

Quote

 

“I won’t vote because I don’t really take a lot of interest in politics. I don’t know what I’m talking about. I know it’s bad. I’m all for animals, really.”

Young Monton mum Jen Peacock is not happy with the introduction of photo and thinks it’s ‘the Tory government trying to eliminate Labour voters. 

“I will vote Labour,” she said. “I support what Salford city council is doing.”

 

Michael Wilkinson, 28, lives in the Conservative area of Worsley, but doesn’t vote in local council elections. 

Quote

“I vote in general elections, but not local elections, never have.”

A Salford councillor is standing as a candidate in the local elections… in the Cotswolds.

Chris Twells is not up for re-election in his Ordsall seat on May 4, but his name will appear on ballot papers in the leafy district of Tetbury with Upton.

Last year the Lib Dem councillor successfully campaigned against veteran Labour rival John Walsh to take the Salford seat and is not due for reelection until 2026.

Salford Labour Mayor Paul Dennett has written an open letter saying he is ‘dismayed and disappointed’ to hear that ‘whilst sitting as a councillor Mr Twells has a permanent address registered in the Cotswold area’ and is standing as a candidate as well as acting as election agent and coordinator for the LibDems in that area.

A Lib Dem colleague of Councillor Twells insisted he is a ‘paper candidate’ in the Cotswolds and says he is working hard for his Salford constituents.

Mr Dennett said:

Quote

“Councillor Walsh, a lifelong Salford resident and councillor of more than 20 years lost the election by a narrow 90 votes in a shock result.”

Mr Dennett also criticised Councillor Twells’ claiming he has ‘poor attendance at council meetings’ which is below 50 pc according to published council records.

In his letter he challenged him to explain how he can stand for election in the south whilst fulfilling his commitment to Salford residents. Councillor Twells was contacted by the LDRS last night but has so far not responded.

However, Councillor Alex  Warren, leader of the LibDems on Salford city council, defended his colleague, saying:

Quote

 

“Chris works privately as a professional contractor organising elections. That’s his job.

“He’s their agent because he’s highly skilled at what he does, but he still lives in Salford. 

“His name is on the ballot paper as a paper candidacy because the LibDems were struggling to fill their slate. He will not win. 

“If Paul doesn’t understand that it’s a technicality, and perfectly legal, that’s his problem. 

“As far as I am concerned this is much ado about nothing.

“Has Paul got a problem with other councillors who carry out hybrid working and filling vacancies? Does he want to level these HR accusations at other councillors? 

“Chris still lives in Salford and is still carrying out casework for local residents. He put a lot of work in and deserved to win his seat in Ordsall.”

 

However, Mr Twells clearly states on his social media page (Facebook) that he now resides in Tetbury

Photo ©: LDRS - Newly elected Lib Dem councillors Alex Warren and Chris Twells at the Salford local elections 2022

Eighty nine candidates have now been announced ahead of Salford elections on Thursday 4 May 2023. 

One councillor seat from each of Salford City Council’s 20 wards is up for election, apart from in Pendlebury and Clifton Ward where two seats are being contested. All candidates can be viewed at 

https://salford.gov.uk/2023candidates

Candidates had until 4pm on Tuesday 4 April to submit their nomination papers.

Returning Officer Tom Stannard said:

Quote

 

“The candidates have now been announced for the elections and I encourage all residents to vote. This year, for the first time, people who vote in person will need to show photo ID.

“If people don’t have a passport, driving licence or form of ID on the government’s approved list they can apply online for a free voter authority certificate but applications must be in by 5pm on Tuesday 25 April. Visit www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate to make an application online. Or if anyone needs help, they can speak to staff at Eccles, Pendleton, Swinton or Walkden Gateway or Broughton Hub.

“If you’ve just turned 18, are new to Salford or have recently moved to a new home, you’ll need to make sure you’re registered to vote in the May elections. The deadline to register to vote is Monday 17 April. It only takes five minutes and you need your national insurance number. Those who haven’t registered in time cannot vote in the May elections. People can register to vote at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote so make sure you have your say.

“If you are registered but would prefer to appoint a trusted person to vote on your behalf, known as a proxy vote, the deadline for applying for this is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April via https://salford.gov.uk/proxyvote.

“If you are registered and would prefer to vote by post the deadline to apply for this is 5pm on Tuesday 18 April at https://salford.gov.uk/postalvote.  Your vote really matters.”

 

Councillors are elected to represent residents and their local area as well as contribute to the development of local policies in areas such as social care, housing, planning, highways, and education. This year residents can vote for one local councillor in their local ward (or vote for two in Pendlebury and Clifton ward).

The polls open at 7am on Thursday 4 May and close at 10pm.

The verification and count will begin at 10pm on Thursday 4 May. The estimated time for the first ward declaration is 2am and for the full council declaration is approximately 4am. Details of the results will be shared on Salford City Council’s Twitter and Facebook accounts and online at https://salford.gov.uk/electionresults

Eighty-nine candidates bidding for seats on Salford city council have been announced ahead of the local elections on May 4.

One councillor seat from each of Salford City Council’s 20 wards is up for election, apart from in Pendlebury and Clifton Ward where two seats are being contested. All candidates can be viewed at www.salford.gov.uk/2023candidates 

Candidates had until 4pm on Tuesday (April 4) to submit their nomination papers. 

Returning officer Tom Stannard said:

Quote

 

“The candidates have now been announced for the elections and I encourage all residents to vote. This year, for the first time, people who vote in person will need to show photo ID. 

“If people don’t have a passport, driving licence or form of ID on the government’s approved list they can apply online for a free voter authority certificate but applications must be in by 5pm on Tuesday April 25. [They should] visit www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate to make an application online. Or if anyone needs help, they can speak to staff at Eccles, Pendleton, Swinton or Walkden Gateway or Broughton Hub. 

“If you’ve just turned 18, are new to Salford or have recently moved to a new home, you’ll need to make sure you’re registered to vote in the May elections. The deadline to register to vote is Monday 17 April. It only takes five minutes and you need your national insurance number. Those who haven’t registered in time cannot vote in the May elections. People can register to vote at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote so make sure you have your say. 

“If you are registered but would prefer to appoint a trusted person to vote on your behalf, known as a proxy vote, the deadline for applying for this is 5pm on Tuesday 25 April via www.salford.gov.uk/proxyvote. 

“If you are registered and would prefer to vote by post the deadline to apply for this is 5pm on Tuesday 18 April at www.salford.gov.uk/postalvote.  Your vote really matters.” 

 

Councillors are elected to represent residents and their local area as well as contribute to the development of local policies in areas such as social care, housing, planning, highways, and education. This year residents can vote for one local councillor in their local ward (or vote for two in Pendlebury and Clifton ward). 

The polls open at 7am on Thursday 4 May and close at 10pm. 

The verification and count will begin at 10pm on Thursday May 4. The estimated time for the first ward declaration is 2am and for the full council declaration is approximately 4am. Details of the results will be shared on Salford city xouncil’s Twitter and Facebook accounts and online at www.salford.gov.uk/electionresults

The candidates in the wards are as follows:

Barton & Winton: Antony Duke (LibDem); Bernard Goldfine (Conservative); David Anthony Lancaster (Labour); Daniel Towers (Green)

Blackfriars & Trinity: Emma Louise Cammell (Labour); David Jones (Green); NG Charlie (Conservative); Scott James Turner-Preece (LibDems)

Boothstown & Ellenbrook: Diana Joy Battersby (Green); Ian Leslie Chisnall (LibDem); Su Matthews (Labour); Darren Ward (Conservative)

Broughton: Assam Patience (Conservative); David Joseph Henry (Green); Jim King (Labour); Ben Web (LibDem)

Cadishead & Lower Irlam: Jackie Mountaine (Conservaitve); Ninad Vivek Oak (LibDem); Hannah Robinson-Smith (Labour)

Claremont: Ian Alexander McKinlay (LibDem); Michael Thoma Pevitt (Labour; Myreslla Saunders (Conservative); Christopher Seed (Green)

Eccles: Karim Benze  (Conservative); John Richard Bridges (LibDem); Sally Griffiths (Trace Unionist and Socialist Coalition); Mike McCuster (Labour); Nicola Smith (Green)

Higher Irlam & Peel Green: Spencer Martin Fairbrother (LibDem); Jack Smith (Green); John David Walsh (Labour); Paul Worcester (Conservative)

Kersal & Broughton Park: James Thomas Bullen (Green); Harari Yirmiyahu (Independent); Ari Leitner (Conservative); Jamie Twells (LibDem); Philip Wilson-Marks (Labour)

Little Hulton: Dorothy Chapman (Conservative); Stuart Oxbrow (Green); Stuart Michael Robbins (LibDem) Robert Andrew Sharpe (Labour)

Ordsall: Benjamin Grogan (Labour); Paul Darren Heilbron (LibDem); Jane Ransley (Green); Emma Wade-Gledhill (Conservative)

Pendlebury & Clifton: Kathleen Frances Allen (Green); Adam Carney (Conservative); Chris Cunliffe (Conservative); Chioma Mgbeokwere (Labour); Tamara Reilly (Green); Kenneth William Thompson (LibDem); Barry Warner (Labour)

Pendleton & Charlestown: Martin Christopher Goodman (Conservative); Wilson Nkurunziza (Labour); Adam John Smithson (Green); Benjamin James Thomas (LibDem)

Quays: Jonathan Moore (LibDem); Andrew Nadin (Green); Jake Rowland (Labour); Dan Swift (Conservative)

Swinton & Wardley: Bill Hinds (Labour); Joe O’Neill (Independent); Liam James Waite (Green); Sarah Wanjiku (Conservative); Gareth Joseph Watkins (LibDem)

Swinton Park: Jim Cammell (Labour); Miranda Friedman (Conservative); John Howard McLellan (LibDem); Lisa Swarbrick (Green)

Walkden North: Frederick Roy Battersby (Green); Sammie Bellamy (Labour); Craig Birtwistle (Reform UK); Susan Vanessa Lewis (LibDem); Derek Barry Meades (Conservative); Simon Ashlea (Britain First – Housing For Locals)

Walkden South: Asumu Hilaria (Labour); Rowan Cerys Blessing (LibDem); Janet Hainey (Conservative); Anna Totterdill (Green)

Weaste & Seadley: John Grant (LibDem); Donna-Maree Louise Humphrey (Womens Equality Party; Alan Lederberger (Conservative); Stephen Lewthwaite (Social Democratic Party); Andrew Romero O’Brien (Green); Charlotte Youd (Labour)

Worsley & Westwood Park: Christopher Bertenshaw (Green); James Karl Blessing (LibDem); Robin John Garrido (Conservative); Michelle Mullen (Labour)

A campaigner who grew up in children’s homes has welcomed the commitment by two Greater Manchester councils to protect youngsters in care from discrimination.

Salford-born Terry Galloway was speaking the day after his home city council and Trafford council agreed to add cared for children to the ‘protected characteristics’ in their equality impact assessments.

This category now sits alongside anti-discrimination laws relating to age, gender assignment, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave, disability, race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief and sex.

Salford city councillors yesterday approved a resolution enshrining the policy followed later in the day by Trafford – the 20th such council to do so.

Terry, who now lives in Nottingham, but was in Greater Manchester to meet councillors, is a longstanding campaigner against discrimination affecting children and adults who are or who have been in the care system.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service:

Quote

 

“By the time I left the care system, I had lived in more than 100 places.

“I am from Salford but also lived in Manchester and all over the place.”

Terry pointed out that each child in the care system will cost the economy about £1.2m in their lifetime. 

“If you were to count up all the people in prisons or custody in England up to the age of 21, more than half have come from the care system,” he said.

“Above the age of 21, that figure would be much higher.” 

 

He campaigns to prevent vulnerable people who have been in the criminal justice system to be better rehabilitated.

He continued:

Quote

 

“The question is: what happens when they come out of prison?”

“These people are 70 per cent more likely to die prematurely because of the trauma they have been through in their lives.

“If you haven’t got love and nurture it tends to end up killing you.”

 

The Salford city council resolution read:

Quote

“The city mayor and the cabinet team will include the consideration of ‘cared for children’ and care experienced young people’ in all of our Equality Impact Statements, alongside those protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010, and consideration of socio-economic disadvantage which the city council adopted in November 2021. This will give them the formal recognition to ensure that in all decisions we make and in all of the policies that we set, will consider their specific needs and the impacts on them.”

Trafford council’s resolution went along similar lines. 

It said:   

Quote

 

When making any decisions in relation to its policies or formulating corporate plans the council recognises that care-experienced people are a vulnerable group who face discrimination

That it recognises that councils have a duty to put the needs of vulnerable  people at the heart of decision-making through co-production and collaboration

That in the delivery of the public sector equality duty the council includes care experience in the publication and review of equality objectives and the annual publication of information relating to people who share a protected characteristic in services and employment

That the council will treat care experience as if it were a protected characteristic so that future services and policies are assessed through Equality Impact Assessments to determine the impact of changes on people with care experience, alongside those who formally share a protected characteristic

The council will provide support to corporate parents to act as mentors

The council will champion this with its partners and work with other bodies to treat care experience as a protected characteristic 

To call upon other public bodies to adopt corporate parenting for children in care and care leavers until such time as it may be introduced by legislation

For the council to proactively seek out and listen to the voices of care-experienced people when developing new policies based on their views.

 

Photo ©: Nick Jackson - Local Democracy Reporting Service

Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, now has an official corporate Facebook account.

This will allow provision for direct updates from the office of the City Mayor and will be managed by both Paul and his team, streamlining the Mayors official social media channels.

Should the current Mayor change, it is expected that the account will be passed on to his successor to continue to use. 

Previously the Mayor made posts on Facebook under his own named account.

Salford Council is keen to express that likes and shares from the new account should not be seen as endorsements.

https://www.facebook.com/CityMayorOfSalford

If you are interested in news about the Mayor and his Office then you can follow him on the link above.

Photo: Paul Dennett via Salford City Council

Business Secretary Grant Shapps has set out government plans to enforce a minimum service level during strike action, including for ambulance staff, firefighters and railway workers.

Mr Shapps claimed that the aim was to protect lives and livelihoods, but the bill has quickly been slammed as nothing more than an attempt by the government to weaken the unions rather than negotiate with them over pay and conditions.

Key unions have said that the proposed bill was not only undemocratic, but also unworkable, and almost certainly illegal. They have pledged to fight it in the courts if needs must.

As the Tories still hold a majority in government, the bill is expected to pass, but could still be blocked by the house of lords.

Rebecca Long Bailey, said:

Quote

 

"Key workers don’t want to strike.

"They’re desperate, ignored by government and ringing the alarm on underfunding, low pay and public safety.

"The government should facilitate negotiations but instead tabled a Bill to smash already weak trade union rights to silence them.

"The Bill must be scrapped."

 

Worsley & Eccles South MP, Barbara Keely, has launched a petition following a formal announcement by Peel L&P that it proposes to develop land towards the ‘East of Boothstown’ on fields next to the RHS Bridgewater.

Barbara says that she has consistently opposed the development of this greenbelt land in Boothstown, and believes that it is wrong to build on this precious green space and that it will lead to increased congestion and strain on local services.

The MP has objected at every opportunity to the ‘Places for Everyone’ proposals, and has spoken at the Public Inquiries, as well as submitting a petition to Parliament on this issue on behalf of the people of Boothstown.

Her  reasons for objecting to the development are:

Quote

 

The congestion along Leigh Road at peak hours is already dire and this has a knock on effect on all other local roads.

It can reasonably be expected that the building of 350 luxury family homes will mean the addition of at least 700 cars on this development.

The access road to this development will be Occupation Road which leads directly onto Leigh Road.
Roads adjacent to the M60 and sections of Leigh Road are already Air Quality Management Areas where there are high levels of Nitrogen Dioxide.

The proximity of the development to both Leigh Road and the M60 increases the potential for exceedances of Nitrogen Dioxide national air quality objectives, both during the construction phase and once the 350 houses are inhabited.

Dust from the construction works has the potential to impact on residents, the ecological systems and wildlife in the area.

There is already huge strain on local services such as GP practices, dental surgeries and school places in Boothstown. This development would exacerbate this strain.

This development should be considered alongside the 1,100 homes that Peel plans to build off Mosley Common Road, just over the East Lancs Road from Boothstown.

This will undoubtedly also add to the traffic, congestion and strain on local services in Boothstown and Ellenbrook greatly.

I will continue to object to this proposed development and I ask for your help so that I can present a strong and clear rebuttal to this development.

If you share my view that this development at ‘land east of Boothstown’ is unwelcome, please sign the petition below.

 

Meanwhile, Peel have invited residents to have their say on the masterplan and first phase proposals for the site off Leigh Road.

The plans relate to a site earmarked for housing in Greater Manchester’s ‘Places for Everyone’ plan, which sets out how each borough should be developed to meet local need for new homes, jobs and sustainable growth.  

Up to 350 new energy efficient homes, mainly for families, are planned for the site with around 70 in phase one delivered by Northstone and to be known as Alder Carr.

The consultation includes providing around 50% affordable housing overall, with 20% available at the East of Boothstown site and 30% off-site through a proposed contribution towards more affordable homes across Salford.

You can submit your views on the link below.

https://www.barbarakeeley.co.uk/blog/2023/01/06/petition-against-the-development-at-land-east-of-boothstown/

The petition will close on 27th January in line with Peel’s consultation. 

A new public awareness campaign, launched today by the Electoral Commission, is urging voters across England to make sure they are ready for changes to how we vote. A new requirement to show photographic ID at polling stations comes into force this year, and will apply for the first time at English local elections in May.

The Commission’s public awareness campaign features giant sticky notes with handwritten reminders to bring ID to the polling station. The adverts will feature on TV, radio, billboards and buses, on social feeds and website banners, and in local newspapers across England. The tv ad can be viewed here. (Opens in new window) 

Craig Westwood, Director of Communications at the Electoral Commission, said:

Quote

 

“May’s elections may seem a distant thought, but it is worth voters taking note of the changes now, and checking they have appropriate ID. That way, when polling day arrives, all they have to do is remember to bring it.

“Those who don’t have an accepted form of ID will shortly be able to apply for free ID. We are working closely with local authorities and civil society organisations to support those less likely to have ID, so that nobody misses the opportunity to have their say.”

 

Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID. Applications can be submitted through the UK government’s online portal or by submitting a paper form to the relevant local authority. Applications are expected to open next week.

Craig Westwood, added:

Quote

“Our campaign aims to build awareness of the change amongst voters and remind them to bring ID on polling day. Those seeking more information on accepted forms of ID and the free ID should visit the Commission’s website for more information.”

Concerns have been raised by electoral administrators about the timetable for introduction of voter ID and the new VACS for local election in England in May 2023. The Electoral Commission has also raised concerns about the timetable.

The chair of the Local Government Association said in December 2022:

Quote

“there is insufficient time to do this ahead of the May 2023 elections, and for this reason are calling for the introduction of voter ID requirements to be delayed.”

The Government remains committed to delivering voter ID in time for the May 2023 elections. In September 2022 it said implementing the voter ID provisions were its priority and had agreed to implement other changes included in the Elections Act 2022 once the voter ID provisions were in place.

From May, voters will need to show photo ID before voting in local council elections in England, parliamentary by-elections, and police and crime commissioner elections in England and Wales. From October 2023, photo ID will be needed at UK parliamentary general elections.

PM Rishi Sunak has vowed to work day and night to get Britain back on its feet as he delivers his first big speech of 2023.

As strikers bring turmoil to another day on the rail tracks and the NHS close to collapse whilst dealing with the double trouble of both covid and winter flu infections, the PM has made five promises to tackle the problems the country faces.

Commenting on the current strike by rail union members, Mr Sunak said that he will soon outline his next move, which is widely speculated to push for a law making it illegal for the strikes to take place in the first place. The unions have pledged to fight any such action and take the government to court. Sunak has criticised the unions for putting out misinformation.

In his speech, Mr Sunak said:

Quote

 

'I want to make five promises to you today. Five pledges to deliver peace of mind. Five foundations, on which to build a better future for our children and grandchildren.

'First, we will halve inflation this year to ease the cost of living and give people financial security. Second, we will grow the economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country. Third, we will make sure our national debt is falling so that we can secure the future of public services.

'Fourth, NHS waiting lists will fall and people will get the care they need more quickly. Fifth, we will pass new laws to stop small boats, making sure that if you come to this country illegally, you are detained and swiftly removed.

'So, five promises – we will: Halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists, and stop the boats.

'Those are the people's priorities. They are your Government's priorities. And we will either have achieved them or not.

'No trick… no ambiguity… we're either delivering for you or we're not. We will rebuild trust in politics through action, or not at all. So, I ask you to judge us on the effort we put in and the results we achieve.'

 

With Labour out in front in the polls and set to make huge gains in the upcoming elections, the PM is under pressure to shorten the lead that the opposition has taken and restore confidence in the Tory party after a disastrous year in which the party saw no less than three PM's within just a few months.

Salford Mayor Paul Dennett has written an open letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt in advance of the expected budget announcement on Thursday 17 November 2022, to raise concerns on local authority funding and the impact on the city.

The concerns highlighted include proposals to lift the 1% cap on the adult social care precept and 1.99% cap on council tax increases without a referendum.

Mayor Dennett said:

Quote

“Such a move would suggest that the government are considering further council tax increases to help finance the £33 billion in planned spending cuts, whilst also signaling a further U-turn on the government’s manifesto commitment to protect local tax payers from council tax increases beyond 2.99%.”

Mayor Dennett has argued that in the last seven years the Treasury’s expectations of council tax contributions, within government’s core spending calculations for local government, have massively increased nationally by almost one third, at the same time core funding from the government reduced by £6.3 billion.

The Local Government Association has previously estimated that by 2020 councils will have lost 60p out of every £1 the government had provided to spend on local services. 

In Salford, in real terms, these changes have equated to a £232 million reduction in the council’s revenue budget as a consequence of cuts to funding from government and un-funded budget pressures, seeing a reduction of 53 per cent in central government core funding support since 2010. 

Mayor Dennett said:

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“Council tax is also an incredibly uneven and unfair mechanism through which to raise funds and plays out very differently in different areas of the country. In wealthy Surrey, a one per cent increase in council tax would raise around £7 million. In Salford, the 18th most deprived local authority in the country according to the government’s own index of multiple deprivation (IMD), the same rise would raise just over £1 million.”

This year, councils are having to battle to cover unforeseen extra inflationary cost pressures, energy prices rises and estimated increases to the National Living Wage since budgets were set in March. 

Mayor Dennett continued:

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“The Local Government Association’s own analysis of the funding gap is that it will rise to £3.4 billion in 2023/24 and is also expected to rise further in 2024/25 to £4.5 billion, primarily caused by inflation including soaring energy costs and wage costs caused by a rising minimum wage, and related un-funded pay awards from the Treasury.    

“Asking local residents to pay more in council tax is a hugely regressive and even inhumane response to the government's self-imposed spending restraints. It will cause huge suffering for millions of people, residents and families that are already struggling after 12 years of austerity and disproportionate local government cuts and more recently as a consequence of the cost-of-living and inflationary crises.”

“I implore you and your fellow Cabinet colleagues to reconsider your planned increases to the adult social care precept and council tax, and any further cuts to local authority budgets. Such cuts could have a disastrous, and potentially lethal effect on local authorities up and down our country and more importantly on people’s lives and the residents, communities and businesses we seek to serve and represent in local government.”

 

Mr Dennett’s full letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt is below: 

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The Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP

Chancellor of the Exchequer

Sent via email

16th November 2022

Dear Chancellor of the Exchequer,

I am writing in advance of the expected budget announcement on Thursday 17th November 2022, to raise my concerns with proposals to lift the 1% cap on the adult social care precept and 1.99% cap on council tax increases without a referendum. Such a move would suggest that government are considering further council tax increases to help finance the £33bn in planned spending cuts promised by yourself, whilst also signaling a further u-turn on the government’s manifesto commitment to protect local tax payers from council tax increases and government’s commitment to ensuring councils undertake a referendum as a local democratic check and balance if they increase the adult social care precept and council tax beyond 2.99%.

Council tax has been one of government's central mechanisms for devolving responsibility for central government cuts to local government since austerity began in 2010. Since 2015, the Treasury’s expectations of council tax contributions within government’s core spending calculations for local government have massively increased nationally by almost one third, or £9.7 billion, at the same time core funding from the government reduced by £6.3 billion equating to 30% of 2015/16 funding levels. The Local Government Association have previously estimated that by 2020 councils will have lost 60p out of every £1 the government had provided to spend on local services.  In Salford, in real terms, these changes have equated to a £232 million reduction in our revenue budget as a consequence of cuts to funding from government and un-funded budget pressures, seeing a reduction of 53% in central government core funding support since 2010. 

Council tax is also an incredibly uneven and unfair mechanism through which to raise funds, and plays out very differently in different areas of the country. In wealthy Surrey, a 1% increase in Council tax would raise around £7 million. In Salford, the 18th most deprived Local Authority in the country according to the government’s own index of multiple deprivation (IMD), the same rise would raise just over £1 million. Salford already has significant challenges with non-payment of council tax owing to levels of poverty, household income and consequently affordability pressures, which are all being further exacerbated as a consequence of the cost-of-living crisis and inflationary crises we’re facing and the previous government’s mini budget. There is already a law of diminishing returns for the poorest areas of the country in raising council tax rates, as larger and larger numbers of individuals are finding it impossible to make-ends-meet.  The number of people accessing Salford’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme, which supports our most vulnerable residents, reached 26,588 by the end of 2020/21.

This year, councils are having to battle to find an extra £2.4 billion to meet unforeseen extra inflationary cost pressures, energy prices rises and estimated increases to the National Living Wage since budgets were set in March.  The Local Government Association’s own analysis of the funding gap is that it will rise to £3.4 billion in 2023/24 and also expected to rise further in 2024/25 to £4.5 billion, primarily caused by inflation including soaring energy costs and wage costs caused by a rising minimum wage, and related un-funded pay awards from the Treasury.

Asking local residents to pay more in council tax is a hugely regressive and even inhumane response to the government's self-imposed spending restraints - and will cause huge suffering for millions of people in our country, residents and families that are already struggling after 12 years of austerity and disproportionate local government cuts and more recently as a consequence of the cost-of-living and inflationary crises.

Austerity is a false economy. As services from local government and other government bodies have collapsed in this country, demand for services has sky-rocketed requiring costly countermeasures, which could often have been avoided had budgets not been so thoroughly slashed. A key example of this is the collapse in social and council housing provision - which is now being supplemented to the tune of billions of pounds each year in exponential increases in housing benefit payments and the use of temporary accommodation, the procuring of hotels, hostels and B&Bs to house Britain's growing army of homeless families and the public financing of a myriad of initiatives to tackle the consequences of a broken housing market. What we are witnessing is no less than the slow-motion collapse of an entire arm of the British state, local government, hollowed out after a decade of relentless cuts to services.

I implore you and your fellow Cabinet colleagues to reconsider your planned increases to the adult social care precept and council tax, and any further cuts to local authority budgets. Such cuts could have a disastrous, and potentially lethal effect on local authorities up and down our country and more importantly on people’s lives and the residents, communities and businesses we seek to serve and represent in local government. 

It is critical that as part of the forthcoming Autumn Statement on Thursday 17th November 2022 that government looks to reverse the 12 years of austerity and the disproportionate impact that it has had on local government by effectively supporting local government with the cost-of-living and inflationary crises that the sector is facing as part of the front-line of public services across England. Foisting this burden onto local tax payers through regressive taxation isn’t the way forward. Increases need to be urgently made to the Revenue Support Grant that local authorities receive.

 

It is an unprecedented time in British Politics, as just a day after Prime Minister Liz Truss declared she was a fighter, it has quickly become a case of game over, as this afternoon she stood on the steps of 10 Downing Street looking forlorn, declaring that she has effectively resigned as leader of the conservative party and therefore also as PM.

This makes Truss the shortest serving Prime Minister in the British history, incredibly having served just 45 days in office.

A new leadership election is to take place in the coming week, comprising solely of votes from party MP's who will seek to find a replacement capable of bringing the fractured party together.

Current chancellor Jeremy Hunt has already ruled himself out of the running for what has become to be seen as a poison chalice of a position.

Labour leader, Sir Kier Starmer has called for a general election to take place "Now", having already put his party on an election footing earlier in the week. The party is reportedly preparing for the very real possibility of a general election in the coming months.

Sir Kier, said:

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Britain can’t afford the Tories’ chaos. My Labour government will provide the stability and leadership needed. For our economy. For growth. For working people. General Election, now.

With Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett tweeting:

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This government has been an utter disgrace & shambles, wreaking chaos within the UK’s economy & society within just 45 days! Suggesting we can have a new Prime Minister in a week, determined by Tory MPs is an affront to democracy & the British public. General Election Now!!!!

Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham simply posted the #GeneralElectionNow hashtag to his twitter account.

Should an election be called, pollsters predict the conservative party to be effectively wiped off the political map.

The markets remained relatively stable at the breaking of the news. The pound rose slightly before settling back down.

After months battling it out against leadership rival and former chancellor, Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss has succeeded in gaining a majority over 81 thousand to become the third female conservative leader and accordingly the third female to take the office of Prime Minister, following in the footsteps of Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May.

The announcement was made shortly after 12:40pm this afternoon (5th September) by chairman of the 1922 committee of backbench MPs, Sir Graham Brady.

172,437 eligible members cast their votes with an 82.6% turnout.

Ms Truss is expected to be joined in 10 Downing Street by Hugh O’Leary, her husband of 22 years and their two daughters as she takes on her new role.

Earlier today, pollsters put Sunak's chances of winning at a lowly 2% after it was evident that Truss had gained a healthy majority.

The former foreign secretary will take over from former PM, Boris Johnson who stepped down earlier in July this year after an onslaught of accusations and subsequent a fine over his conduct and partying during the country wide lockdown which he himself had imposed.

The new PM will be under pressure from the start as the country awaits to hear how she will tackle the rising costs of living, energy crisis and the impact caused by the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.

A freeze on energy bills is one of a number of options available to her in tackling the soaring cost of gas and electricity which is causing misery for the majority of the country. The freeze would come at a cost of higher energy prices spread over the next decade.

Whitehall is reportedly working on a number of options for the PM to take and the nation will be eagerly watching to see just what help is available to avoid millions entering energy poverty over the winter months.

Meanwhile those hoping for a thaw in relations between the UK and Russia will not be happy to hear that spokesman Dmitry Peskov does not expect relations to change under the new PM.

Russia recently plied even more pressure on the EU by shutting down it's Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline and cutting off its supply of gas to the EU, stating that it needs to make essential repairs. This is expected to raise gas prices which will be passed on to the consumers.

Ms Truss has implied that she would reverse a ban on controversial fracking in an attempt to make the country more energy independent, prompting a backlash from environmentalists who have campaigned for decades against it.

Boris Johnson faces the real possibility of a by-election in his constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip if an inquiry into claims he mis-led Parliament during what is now termed as 'Party Gate' rule against him.

Mr Johnson who is soon to step down as Prime Minister is to be subjected to a Parliamentary inquiry, which should he be found guilty, could see him face suspension for more than 10 days and a recall petition.

It would take 10% of eligible voters in his constituency to sign a petition to trigger such a bi-election.

In April, Mr Johnson was fined by police after it was revealed he had attended a birthday party held in his honour at 10 Downing Street during the first lockdown, his wife Carrie was also given a fine along with others who had attended.

The PM told MP's that although his original statement was untrue, he had believed it to be true at the time.

However, senior figures within the Conservative Party have said that due to the PM's resignation the inquiry is a waste of public money and should not go ahead as he is due to step down on the 5th September. However the committee intends to press on and call the PM to give oral evidence under oath.

In the procedures report, the committee said:

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"We agree with the reasoning about the nature of a contempt in that paper, namely that the focus of the House's jurisdiction is on whether or not an action or omission obstructs or impedes or has a tendency to obstruct or impede the functioning of the House, with the consequence that, looking at contempt in broad terms, intention is not necessary for a contempt to be committed."

Mr Johnson's case will be considered "on the balance of probabilities", which is a lower standard than the criminal test of "beyond reasonable doubt".

Mr Johnson has pledged to cooperate with the committee and has been asked to hand over documents to MP's.