The government promises improvements to rail services in the north of England. But the plans lack detail and won’t produce the necessary results for years – or decades.

University workers continue to fight in defence of jobs, pensions and conditions in both further and higher education. Many separate disputes are running across the country, with progress in some places.

Britain’s farmers continue their campaign against government food and agriculture polices. Tax changes make the headlines, but other issues threaten the industry, particularly costs.

Manchester tram drivers are on strike action in the run up to Christmas over working conditions and safety. Earlier strikes were called off, but action has resumed as the employer’s initial response was not acceptable.

BAE aerospace workers in Lancashire are in dispute over pay. The company turned to the courts to stop strikes but lost. Their union, Unite, has announced continuing action during December.

British Library workers have rejected the latest offer in their pay dispute. They are determined to tackle low pay and reverse cuts in real wages.

UCU members in universities across Britain are fighting the imposition of job cuts and worse conditions with some successes in forcing talks and suspension of compulsory redundancies.

Doctors will be on strike for 6 days in November over unemployment and lack of training opportunities, unless the government resumes talks in good faith. The BMA ballot result showed strong support for the action.

We hear a great deal from government ministers about growth: in housing, infrastructure, construction and so on. This would need a vast amount of concrete – but there’s a problem.

Last year the Labour government acknowledged the need for a critical minerals strategy. It said a new strategy would be ready in the spring. But there’s no sign of it – and the delay is damaging Britain’s industrial interests.