There were almost 5,000 same-sex marriages in the year equal marriage was introduced, new figures from the Office of National Statistics have revealed. The figures show there were 4,850 marriages between same-sex couples in 2014, 44% (2,129) between male couples and 56% (2,721) between female couples. In total 1 in 46 marriages that year were between same-sex couples. Baroness Lynne Featherstone, who as Liberal Democrat equalities minister was responsible for introducing same-sex marriage, commented:
 
"Almost 5,000 same-sex couples were married in 2014 thanks to the Liberal Democrats in coalition making equal marriage a reality. "This is a fact to be celebrated and I wish each of these couples a long and happy union."

Stockport Council is warning consumers to be on their guard following a scam email which is making its way around.

The email is using a United Partnership signature and has been sent to many people up and down the country and even abroad trying to gather bank/card information in order for them to be issued a council tax refund.

The safest and most secure way to pay your Council Tax is by setting up a direct debit. Payments can also be accepted online but ensure these are made by an online payment via the Council website at www.stockport.gov.uk.

Council Tax bands are determined by the Valuation Office which advises that, in the first instance, householders should contact them if they believe the banding is incorrect. There is no charge for registering an appeal with the Valuation Office. Full details on how to appeal can be found at www.stockport.gov.uk/counciltax.

Councillor Sheila Bailey, Executive Member for Communities and Housing, said: “Any residents that receive this email should immediately delete it. If in doubt, report it first. Scammers need to know that Stockport residents aren’t easily fooled!”

Jobseekers across Breckland are being invited to find out more about current vacancies and imminent opportunities by coming along to one of a number of upcoming jobs fairs.

The series of jobs fairs will be held across the district and have been organised in partnership by Breckland Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), with support from a number of local organisations. Last year, the Dereham branch of DWP moved to Breckland Council's head office to be co-located with council staff, enabling teams from each of the organisations to work more closely together.

The five events will give local people a chance to speak directly to a range of different employers about permanent, temporary and seasonal jobs. The roadshow will come to Thetford, Dereham, Swaffham, Attleborough and Watton between the end of February and the end of March (details below).

The events are all free to attend and are open to the public. People who come along will be able to speak to potential employers about a host of jobs, including those based in shops and restaurants, on farms, and in offices.

Cllr Phil Cowen, Breckland Council's Executive Member for Growth and Commercialisation, said: "The roadshow is open to people who are unemployed as well as those who are looking to widen their skills and develop a new career path.

"The events will give people a chance to hear directly from potential employers about opportunities which may be right for them, while providing a platform for people to talk about the skills and experience they can offer local businesses.

"Breckland Council is committed to encouraging as many people into work as possible, allowing those already in employment to find ways of improving their earning capacity, and aiding employers to provide sustainable job opportunities throughout the district. This series of jobs fairs will give residents an opportunity to find a job that's right for them, helping them to develop a career path and improve their standard of living."

Julia Nix, East Anglia District Manager at Jobcentre Plus, said: "This is a great opportunity for jobseekers across Breckland to find out more about the range of job vacancies available in the area. Jobcentre Plus will be on hand to help people with job applications, interview techniques and job searching."   

Jobs fair roadshow events will be held:

See more click here: 

The ABC is doing battle with corporate information giant Wikipedia, over their refusal so far, to allow us to have a Wikipedia page. Our draft page see below, was prepared by a talanted, Essex University student volunteer, Mihaela-Georgiana Mihailescu with some additional final polishing by a supportive professional magazine editor. Wiki’s original argument was that the page we created, was too ‘sales orientated’ and so we re-wrote this submission with a more neutral feel, which to us seems a fair representation?

Wikipedia’s arguments are now are that we need significant national publicity to get a listing. We have told Wikipedia that we are a news outlet ourselves and less likely to be featured by other larger media companies. Also, importantly, that we are NOT a ‘populist’ organisation. Our mission is to assist those on low incomes first and foremost, and we are not inclined to chase publicity merely for the sake of being well known? In fact, we are often competing against corporate media that leaves out a lot of news. The government and police can issue notices that stop the press publishing information if it can lead to copy-cat crimes. It is unclear whether independent news outlets like us our fall under this banner?

People are suffering and if small localized civil-unrest happens, it is a significant point as to whether this should be reported, if it might lead to further unrest? We believe news should be reported.  As another example, there has been little reporting by the mainstream press of Muslim organisations that assist food banks and the homeless? We are pleased to cover intiatives like this.  

The national media poured spite and bile on the unemployed, labelling them as scroungers and shirkers - shaping the public’s attitude and their willingness to accept very harsh measures - the government making huge austerity cuts to welfare spending, initially under the DWP’s Minister, Ian Duncan Smith, causing not just hardship but many deaths.

We founded the Justice Organisation (see attatchment) which had a Wikipedia page in 2008 and that organisation grew slowly into the ABC. If Wikipedia now only accepts organisations that are well-known and therfore, in their eyes ‘credible’ good luck to them. The corporate media are untrusted by much of the population and the newspaper circulation figures are sleadily dropping.  Hannibal Barca challenged the Roman Empire in the Second Punic War - leading his Carthaginian army, including war elephants, in an audacious march through the Alps into Italy‘:

Latin: ‘Aut viam inveniam aut faciam 'I will either find a way, or make one’ said Hannibal and he did, to the great astonishment of the Roman establishment.

Wikipedia does good work, but we are not impressed on this occasion. This is our entry below. See what you think:    

The Association of Pension & Benefits Claimants CIC (the ABC, for short) is an independent international workers' association that aims to help people in receipt of state pensions and state benefits.

History

The idea of the ABC was conceived in 2012 by founder Simon Collyer, who was given a Millennium Award to develop his idea^[1]. The ABC was officially launched on November 5th, 2014, becoming one of the first organisations of its kind, catering for a community that shared a common set of identifiers and issues. The ABC is not classified as a union, as the organisation is not involved in collective bargaining - though unemployed people are classed as workers even if they are unwaged.

This organisation was launched with support from the BIG Lottery^[2], along with private funding.

Overviews

The ABC’s main aim is to give those receiving state pensions and state benefits formal representation through the creation of programmes and initiatives that enable those on benefits to secure beneficial and gainful employment, and to manage their circumstances better, while managing on a low income.^[3]

Many organisations claim to speak on behalf of the unemployed, but there was no evidence that the staff of these organisations (as a generalisation) had direct personal experience of the benefits system. Thus, it was felt that an organisation that directly represented those on benefits could better articulate the needs of those who need state support and could bring about better policy outcomes. The ABC sees the individuals who require state help as a community that shares a common set of needs and problems, regardless of their previous occupations or personal situations.^[4]

Throughout the long history of state welfare systems (Prussia was the first country to introduce a benefits system, in the 1800s) history has shown that unemployed workers have been seen simply as 'individuals' without work, rather than as an (international) community with common attributes. Sadly the unwaged are often portrayed as a burden on society, particularly by governments that want to cut taxes for the rich. This factor is causing a dramatic rise in inequality and a lack of social mobility, which in turn leads to a rise in mental health problems and other social issues directly linked to poverty. Nowadays, as Social Media has risen, these groups of individuals can be seen as a community.^[5] Therefore, the ABC is developing practical ideas as well as signposting individuals to relevant help and support. ^[6]

The individuals for whom this organisation caters are not only those on state pensions and state benefits but also those in employment who want to see that their contributions, such as National Insurance Contributions (NIC)^[7] in the UK, are spent productively. Taxpayers want to be assured that the money they have invested in these mandatory schemes is available as a safety-net if their own circumstances change. The schemes that they have contributed to over the years should provide insurance against disability, unemployment and underemployment and, later in life, provide an adequate basic state pension.^[8]

As an example it has been argued that as many as 47% of the US workforce could be replaced by automation in the next twenty years.^[9] A huge societal change is underway in the working environment, yet governments wanting to cut taxes present almost Victorian attitudes, frequently labelling the unemployed as lazy and feckless, shirkers and scroungers. A far cry from the reality of those who did not choose to become unemployed or disabled. ^[10]

WorkTV

The ABC's ‘WorkTV' TV Channel is a project in its early stages. The magazine-style programming will offer a wide range of informative videos with programming featuring news and information about career opportunities, apprenticeships, government schemes, franchising opportunities, small business briefings and the self-employed. It will share tips and ideas and offer further education advice as well as featuring recruitment professionals and their services. It acts as a resource for businesspeople, careers teachers and HR industry professionals and encourages work-seekers to share ideas, while providing morale boosting and encouragement.

Sponsors & Supporters

• Big Lottery Fund
• UnLtd
• The Work Foundation
• Corporate Watch
• University of Essex
• Colchester Institute
• National Debtline

1. Jump up^ https://www.gov.uk/social-entrepreneurs-fund-millennium-awards-trust
2. Jump up^ https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/
3. Jump up^ http://www.jstor.org/stable/248500?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
4. Jump up^ https://academic.oup.com/rfs/article-abstract/23/3/1287/1595749/How-Do-Pensions-Affect-Corporate-Capital-Structure
5. Jump up^ https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=808HMxDE2pYC&oi=fnd&pg=PR11&dq=pensions+and+benefits+social+media&ots=_gKEDje-EN&sig=nky-XtMaggWbHBWiw_kcGHvJSjQ#v=onepage&q&f=false
6. Jump up^ https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=bmoHtrmeIqsC&printsec=frontcover&dq=people+on+benefits+a+burden&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj61Ly31rXSAhVkDMAKHYY7BVgQ6AEIHDAA#v=onepage&q=people%20on%20benefits%20a%20burden&f=false
7. Jump up^ https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance/overview
8. Jump up^ https://www.gov.uk/workplace-pensions/about-workplace-pensions
9. Jump up^ http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/03/10/public-predictions-for-the-future-of-workforce-automation/
10. Jump up^ http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/finance-and-investment/the-economic-impact-of-protracted-low-interest-rates-on-pension-funds-and-insurance-companies_fmt-2011-5kg55qw0m56l

Jack Monroe is a Guardian food writer, political commentator and mother, who frequently comments on welfare issues such as food banks. Ms Monroe was herself a benefits recipient for eighteen months. Today in court, Monroe successfully won her libel case against journalist and commentator, Apprentice and Big Brother TV show contestant - Katie Hopkins.

The full transcript of the case is attached. 

This is an important case - because although the damages are less than the £50,000 originally claimed by Ms. Monroe, the result is likely to encourage other actions for defamation to be taken? It is certainly is a warning to all those who want to 'sound-off' on Twitter and on the Internet in general. A warning not to make hurtful, unqualified, derogative statements about people in the public eye. Many people will be pleased to see that Katie Hopkins - who left The Sun newspaper after describing migrants fleeing impoverished, war-torn countries as 'Cockroaches' - has once again lost in Court. 

Katie Hopkins makes a very generous living, sending her children to public school, by making acerbic, inflammatory remarks about some of the poorest people in our country and in other nations. Fat-shaming fellow women and criticizing others for having tattoos, which in the end is a personal fashion choice.

As is often the case with such people, there is SOME truth in some of what Katie Hopkins says, but both presenter Piers Morgan, and businessman Alan Sugar, have in the past criticized Hopkins for not thinking before she speaks…

The irony is, Hopkins has been a major public figure supporting BREXIT and condemning the 'Re-moaner's' - as she calls them. People who want to see the UK remain in the EU, and most importantly the European single market.

As the judges pointed out, Hopkins could have settled this action before going to Court. It points to poor judgement on Hopkins part, not to take this course of action and to fail, once again, in the public eye.

BREXIT is a lot more of a serious issue than this action, however much the result means personally to Ms. Monroe and her supporters.

It could decide if we can fully fund pensions, the National Health Service and education system or support the unwaged? This case points to the risks of listening to people with such floored judgement, focused on simply being controversial in order to sell their newspaper columns and appear on TV chat shows. 

False prophets that could lead our country onto the ‘rocks and shoals’.

One hopes this result might encourage Katie Hopkins to ‘pipe down’ for a bit. Based on previous experience however, this seems unlikely.  

Image: Guardian food writer, Jack Monroe

This paragraph is the summing up of the Courts hearing. You can read a transcript of the full case by clicking on the download below:

Summary of Conclusions 82. My main conclusions are these. The First Tweet meant that Ms Monroe condoned and approved of scrawling on war memorials, vandalising monuments commemorating those who fought for her freedom. The Second Tweet meant that Ms Monroe condoned and approved of the fact that in the course of an anti-government protest there had been vandalisation by obscene graffiti of the women’s war memorial in Whitehall, a monument to those who fought for her freedom. These are meanings with a defamatory tendency, which were published to thousands. Their publication not only caused Ms Monroe real and substantial distress, but also harm to her reputation which was serious, albeit not “very serious” or “grave”. Ms Monroe is entitled to fair and reasonable compensation, which I assess at £24,000. There is no need for any injunction.

US employers added a robust 235,000 jobs in February and wages rose at a healthy clip, a sign the economy remains on solid footing after nearly eight years of recovery.

The Labor Department says the unemployment rate fell to 4.7 percent from 4.8 percent. More Americans launched job searches, lifting the proportion of Americans working or looking for work to the highest level in nearly a year.

Business East 2017 exhibition at the Western Homes Stadium, home of Colchester United, kicked off with a very impressive speaker - Mandie Holgate. Mandie is a professional business coach, author and noted public speaker. Mandie certainly ‘walks the walk’ as founder of the very successful, Business Woman’s Network.  

Mandie gave a very interesting seminar on Networking with lots of tips on how to work the room and get your personal brand ‘out there’ in way that is authentic, convincing and likely to get real results. How to spot the people who ‘Like’ everybody, but where relationships never go beyond the initial platitudes. Spotting the ‘jugulars’ - more aggressive individuals with no time to waste, who grab fellow networkers by the throat [metaphorically speaking] with a rather aggressive impersonal approach - thrusting businesses cards into delegates hands, before walking off to more imagined, lush pastures.

Finding the right balance and approach, as well as spotting the body language to be able to introduce yourself to groups in the room with the right message and tone, were topics dealt with.  Listening, not just talking, and building a relationship, without giving strangers your full life story from day one, were all themes we picked-up-on from, this enterprising, entertaining and very visual speaker. It certainly kicked of Business East with a bang and the event was 'rammed' by lunch-time. 

We have certainly stocked on free pens, promo bags sweets and stress balls for the year. We might need even bigger desks at this rate for all the executive toys -Ed.  Roll on 2018. 

Mandie has a book coming out from top publisher Pearson in May called Fight the Fear ISBN:9781292155951 Retail: £14.99 We understand the book being stocked by major retailers such as WH Smiths. We also understand that Mandie is featured in Good Housekeeping magazine next month. 

Please click on this Facebook link to learn more about Fight the Fear and Mandie's projects: 

Image: Business East 2017 early on, later in the day these isles were heaving. 

A Havant resident has been convicted of anti-social behaviour and causing a nuisance through excessive noise.

Lisa Horstead, 40 years old, of Athena Avenue, Waterlooville, was handed a three-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) by Portsmouth Magistrates Court on 14 February 2017.

Havant Borough Council’s Environmental Health Team has been working with neighbours for eight months and has been instrumental in securing this conviction

The CBO gives HBC a tool to deal with individuals, such as Horstead, who behave persistently in an anti-social manner or engage in criminal activities.

Horstead pleaded guilty to four offences of causing statutory noise nuisance by playing loud amplified music which affected her neighbours.

There are conditions attached to the order which prohibit Horstead from playing music, amplified or otherwise, at her property at a volume that can be heard outside of her property.

Anyone in attendance at the residence must also adhere to the conditions and any breach of the conditions could result in up to five years’ imprisonment.

Councillor Tony Briggs, Portfolio Holder for Environment Health, said: “This case has been a big success for our Environmental Health team and the conviction is a direct result of its hard work and persistence.

ABC Note:  If you are suffering with the neighbours from hell, a way to tackle this issue is to speak to the police and then your local council environmental officer. Councils have strategies for dealing with nuisance neighbours and confronting the person yourself could lead to the situation getting out of hand and a ‘breech of the peace’. Put your complaint in writing and get ‘proof of posting’. This route may take longer than a direct approach, but once you have made an official complaint your Council is obliged to deal with the matter. You have the right to the ‘quiet enjoyment of your property’ and your redress can be to bring a civil claim for damages, something that ought to make your neighbour think twice before they over exercise the volume control on their sound system.  

Digs are a campaign for a better deal for people renting in Hackney and beyond.

The ABC was founded with our first campaign idea to stop discrimination against people on benefits by landlords and their agents. 'No DSS' seen in property advertisements was we said, economic discrimination.  

The unwaged need a home too, and as Jeremy Corbyn pointed out in his ‘budget’ speech - 4,000 people slept on the streets last night. An absolute disgrace. 

We wish Digs well, it is time this form of discrimination was ended. 

Click on the image to visit the Digs website and say 'Yes DSS’:

1. The economic forecast

Growth in the UK economy picked up through 2016. Employment has reached a record high of 31.8 million people.

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) now forecasts that the UK economy will grow by 2% in 2017. The OBR also forecast that the economy will grow at a slightly slower rate in 2018, before picking up to 2% in 2021.

2. Cutting borrowing and stabilising the public finances

Britain has a debt of nearly £1.7 trillion – around £62,000 for every household in the country.

In 2009-10 the UK borrowed £1 in every £5 that was spent. This year it is set to be £1 in every £15.

Borrowing is forecast to be reduced by nearly three quarters by 2016-17.

3. £2 billion for adult social care over the next three years

This will help councils to provide high quality social care to more people and help to ease pressure on the NHS.

4. £425 million investment in the NHS in the next three years

£325 million will be invested in a first set of the best local Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs).

STPs are the NHS’s plans for improving patient services in local regions, developed collaboratively by NHS service leaders and their local partners.

£100 million will go to A&E departments in 2017-18, to help them manage demand ahead of next winter, and help patients get to primary care faster. For example, it will provide more on-site GP facilities and more space in A&E units for assessment of patients when they arrive.

5. Investment in technical education for 16 to 19 year olds rising to over £500 million

New T-levels for 16 to 19 year old technical students will be introduced from autumn 2019. Students will be able to choose from 15 different routes such as construction, digital or agriculture.

The number of hours of training for these students will increase by over 50%. As part of the course, all students will take part in an industry work placement.

The government will also provide maintenance loans for students doing higher-level technical courses at National Colleges and Institutes of Technology – like those available to university students.

6. £300 million investment for new academic research placements

£90 million will provide 1,000 new PhD places, including in science, technology, engineering and maths.

£210 million will create new fellowships, including programmes to attract top global talent to conduct research in areas such as bioscience and biotechnology, quantum technologies, and satellite and space technology.

7. Loans for part time and doctoral students from 2018

The government will provide maintenance loans for people entering part time degrees, and doctoral loans of up to £25,000 to support higher-level study.

8. £536 million for new free schools and to maintain existing schools

£320 million will go to new free schools. Free schools are funded by the government but set up by groups like parents, charities or community and faith groups.

£216 million will be invested in school maintenance.

9. Free transport for children from poorer families who go to selective schools

Children aged 11 to 16 who get free school meals or whose parents are on the Maximum Working Tax Credit will get free transport to their closest selective school, if it is between two and 15 miles away from their home.

Children aged 8 to 16 are already entitled to free transport to their closest suitable school, if they live more than three miles away.

10. Tax-Free Childcare will soon be available to working parents

Tax-Free Childcare will provide up to £2,000 a year in childcare support for each child under 12.

Parents will be able to receive up to £4,000 for disabled children up to the age of 17.

Parents of younger children will be able to apply for the scheme first, with all eligible parents able to access the scheme by the end of the year.

Working parents in England will also be able to apply for an additional 15 hours of free childcare for three and four year olds, bringing the total to 30 hours a week.

11. New ways to protect consumers

The government will investigate ways to protect consumers from unnecessary costs and inefficiencies, including:

• preventing consumers being charged unexpectedly when a subscription is renewed or a free trial ends
• making terms & conditions simpler and clearer including in digital contracts, like when you sign up to a social network
• fining companies that mislead or mistreat consumers

12. £270 million to launch the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund

• Initial funding will support research and innovation in universities and businesses, in areas like:
• developing artificial intelligence and robotics that will work in extreme environments, like offshore energy, nuclear energy and space
• designing and manufacturing better batteries for new electric vehicles that will help improve our air quality
• improving medicine manufacturing technologies to speed up patient access to drugs

13. Improving transport with the National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF)

The government is funding improvements to transport infrastructure, including:

£690 million for new local transport projects, to improve congestion on roads and public transport

£220 million to improve congestion points on national roads, with £90 million going to the North and £23 million to the Midlands

• supporting local projects in the next twelve months like improvements on the A483 corridor in Cheshire and on the Leicester Outer Ring Road

14. A new strategy to make the UK a world leader in 5G technology

£16 million for a national 5G Innovation Network to trial new 5G technology.

And £200 million for local projects to build fast and reliable full-fibre broadband networks.

15. A three-year NS&I Investment Bond with a market-leading interest rate of 2.2%

The bond will be available for 12 months from April 2017.

The government announced the NS&I Investment Bond at Autumn Statement 2016. It will be open to everyone aged 16 and over with the flexibility to save between £100 and £3,000 over three years.

16. The Lifetime ISA will be available from 6 April this year

The Lifetime ISA will allow younger adults to save up to £4,000 each year and receive a bonus of up to £1,000 a year on these contributions. Funds can be withdrawn tax-free to put towards a first home or saved until a person turns 60.

17. Marking International Women’s Day

A new £5 million fund will go to projects celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act next year, and to educate young people about its significance. The Representation of the People Act (1918) was the first legislative step towards equal voting rights for men and women.

Working with businesses and the public sector, the government will also invest £5 million to increase the number of returnships, helping people back into employment after a career break.

And another £20 million will support organisations working to combat domestic violence and abuse or supporting victims. This increases the total funding for implementing the government’s Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy to £100 million by the end of Parliament.

18. Small Businesses and landlords under the VAT threshold will have an extra year to prepare for Making Tax Digital (MTD)

Unincorporated businesses (businesses owned privately by one or more people) that have an annual turnover below the VAT registration threshold will have until April 2019 to prepare before MTD becomes mandatory.

Under MTD, businesses will use digital software to keep tax records and update HMRC quarterly.

19. £435 million to support businesses affected by the business rates relief revaluation

This means no small business that is coming out of small business rates relief will pay more than £600 more in business rates this year than they did in 2016-17.

Funding for local authorities will allow them to provide £300 million of discretionary relief to provide help to businesses most affected by the revaluation.

And from April 2017, pubs with a rateable value up to £100,000 will be able to claim a £1,000 business rates discount for one year.

20. The main rate of National Insurance contributions (NICs) for the self-employed will increase

Currently, the self-employed may have to pay both Class 4 and Class 2 NICs:

Class 4 NICs at 9% are paid on profits between £8,060 and £43,000

Class 2 NICs are paid on profits of £5,965 or more

From 2018, Class 2 NICs will be abolished. Class 4 NICs will rise to 10% in April 2018 and to 11% in April 2019.

Taken together, only a self-employed person with profits over £16,250 will have to pay more as a result of these changes.

This better reflects the fact that the differences in contributory benefit entitlement between the self-employed and employees are now small, following the introduction of the new State Pension in April 2016.

In the summer, the government will also consider whether there is a case for greater consistency in parental benefits between the employed and self-employed.

21. Tax-free dividend allowance will be reduced from £5,000 to £2,000 from April 2018

This will reduce the tax difference between the self-employed and those working through a company. Typically, general investors will need over £50,000 worth of stocks and shares outside an ISA to be affected.