US company walks away
31 October 2025
A major rare earths refining company, Pensana, which had intended since 2017 to set up processing at the Saltend Chemicals Park near Hull, has decided to invest in the US instead.
News/Views
Government ramps up powers
31 October 2025
The government plans to “crack down on fraud” by introducing new legislation which includes powers to access private bank accounts. This authoritarian move is being criticised.
Government head in the clouds
31 October 2025
Labour government promises of transforming the civil service may be going the same way as many earlier attempts. But this time in addition they seem to have fallen for the charms of big tech companies.
Airport sale – bad news
31 October 2025
London City Airport is now effectively under the control of investment giant Macquarie. In October the Australian-based multinational group moved to acquire 50 per cent of the business just four months after an initial 25 per cent stake.
National Park calls for water action
31 October 2025
The disgraceful state of our rivers and lakes is due to lack of investment by the profit-oriented owners. The South Downs National Park has called for drastic action to improve the health of rivers and lakes in its area.
Nord Stream and the war in Ukraine
31 October 2025
In September 2022, three of the four pipelines connecting Germany and Russia were blown up. At the time this was blamed on Russia, which had invaded Ukraine a few months earlier. That may not be the case.
Universities: free speech
30 October 2025
New laws protect the freedom of speech at universities in England. This is necessary because too many bodies have actively promoted constraints on academic freedom.
Retail: Shops, not stalls
A campaign is developing in Wanstead, in North-East London, to save its High Street.
Doctors fighting for a future [print version]
Foundation year 1 doctor members of the British Medical Association (BMA) have voted by a huge margin to strike over unemployment and lack of training opportunities
Broken promises on borders
19 September 2025
The latest data on immigration shows that Britain does not control its borders and that Labour has broken its promises.
Tube workers take responsibility
19 September 2025
London Underground workers have been on strike over pay and conditions, bringing travel on the tube to a halt for a week. They say TfL has ignored their concerns for too long.
Manchester bus drivers set to strike
19 September 2025
Bus drivers at three Manchester operators are taking coordinated strike action from 19 to 22 September. They have rejected low pay increases offered by the profitable companies as derisory.