The Edinburgh International Festival has apologised for the ‘lack of diversity’ in its August programme after less than 300 campaigners demanded that organisers book more female, disabled and black performers – or risk being defunded. The 73-year-old festival, which was originally cancelled in April due to the coronavirus pandemic, hosted an online programme two months … Read more
You can’t say Lycra louts! Campaigners call for the abuse of cyclists to be made a ‘hate crime’ giving them the same protection as domestic violence victims and refugees Abuse of cyclists would be treated as a ‘hate crime’ under proposed guidelines They would get the same protection as domestic violence victims and refugees Media … Read more
An anti-BBC campaign group which aims to drastically reform the corporation’s governance has raised nearly £60,000 in donations. Defund the BBC, a right-wing group founded by Brexiteers, began crowdfunding in June and aims to decriminalise non-payment of the TV licence fee. The group is using the money to create campaign material including billboards, merchandise and … Read more
Campaigners have voiced concerns that congestion on roads across the country could spiral out of control as parents struggle against road works to get their children to school. The beginning of the new school year comes alongside the drive for workers to return to the office and motoring organisations claim the situation is a perfect … Read more
Travel restrictions imposed on UK travellers returning from Switzerland could make planning assisted deaths ‘almost impossible’ for terminally-ill patients and force loved ones to grieve in isolation, campaigners said. Travellers arriving in England from Switzerland after 4am on Saturday will have to self-isolate for 14 days, a rule which was also enforced in Scotland last … Read more
Councils send just ONE litter fine per week: Clean-up campaigners call for more ‘effective’ deterrent to stop people dropping rubbish on the streets as it emerges one in six local authorities issued no penalties in a YEAR Campaigners have called for the £150 on-the-spot fine to be raised to £1,000 Councils gave 116,000 fines for … Read more
Campaigners demand Rhodes primary school in North London change its name – despite referring to Cecil Rhodes’ great-uncle who died when the Victorian colonialist was just three Rhodes Avenue Primary is named after wealthy landowner Thomas Rhodes Thomas was great uncle of Cecil Rhodes and died when Cecil was 3 years old Activists say the … Read more
Bags for life should cost more to prevent shoppers from using them too few times, campaigners have warned. Sam Chetan-Welsh, of Greenpeace, said that while sales of plastic carrier bags are down, sales of bags for life rose to 1.5 billion in 2018. He said: ‘Bags for life contain more plastic than carrier bags do. … Read more
Turf war! Wildlife campaigners call for ban on ‘environmentally irresponsible’ artificial lawns amid concern for birds and insects More than 3,000 people sign petition to have astroturf amid wildlife concerns Critics say artificial lawns impact wild birds and insects’ habitats in gardens Former Countryfile host Julia Bradbury said they’re ‘toxic’ to humans and wildlife By … Read more
Campaigners report Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Sussex Royal charity for conflicts of interest, inappropriate use of funds and lack of independence Campaign group Republic reported Sussex Royal and The Royal Foundation Group allege £145,000 was transferred from Royal Foundation to Sussex Royal Claim Royal Foundation gave £144,901 to Travalyst, Harry’s eco-tourism scheme Republic claim this … Read more