Health and teaching unions aghast at Jeremy Hunt’s new era of Tory austerity

The Observer says Health chiefs, public sector unions and teaching leaders expressed horror on Saturday after the new chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, appeared to usher in a fresh era of austerity, and the threat of more misery for cash-strapped hospitals and schools.

In his first interviews since dramatically replacing Kwasi Kwarteng on Friday, Hunt provoked widespread alarm by promising “very difficult decisions” for government budgets.

The NHS Confederation, which represents the healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, warned the prospect of further cuts was “incredibly grim”.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/oct/15/health-teaching-unions-jeremy-hunt-tory-austerity

‘Sack sexist and racist officers’ Met police report rules

The Observer says The Metropolitan police must take a “zero-tolerance” approach to misogyny and racism and enable offending officers to be sacked more easily, a report into culture and standards at Britain’s biggest police force will say on Monday.

The long-awaited report by Louise Casey into how Scotland Yard deals with officers accused of sexual misconduct and domestic abuse has uncovered systemic failings that have allowed too many “abhorrent” individuals to remain on the frontline.

Lady Casey, a former Whitehall troubleshooter, was appointed last year after a string of scandals at the Met, most notably the murder of Sarah Everard by Wayne Couzens, a serving Met officer. Couzens used his police warrant card and handcuffs to snatch Everard from a London street before strangling her with his belt.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/oct/16/sack-sexist-and-racist-officers-met-police-report-rules

UK food banks at breaking point urge Liz Truss to boost aid to poorest

The Observer says Thousands of food bank volunteers will warn Liz Truss on Monday that they are having to ration provisions, as their services have become “overstretched and exhausted” because of an influx of people needing their help.

In a sign of a continuing cost of living crisis that was building even before the economic crisis that followed the government’s mini-budget, a letter signed by more than 3,000 food bank workers will be delivered to Downing Street.

It includes a warning that those who used to donate to food banks are now seeking their help, while some services are facing “breaking point” even as they are braced for increasing demand in the coming months.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/oct/16/uk-food-banks-at-breaking-point-urge-liz-truss-to-boost-aid-to-poorest

Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood charged with attempted rape

The Observer says Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood has been charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

The 21-year-old had been arrested on Saturday morning on suspicion of breaching his bail conditions.

He is scheduled to appear at Manchester magistrates’ court on Monday.

Greenwood was originally arrested in January this year on suspicion of rape and assault of a woman, before being further arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and threats to kill. He had been on bail since 2 February.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/oct/15/manchester-uniteds-mason-greenwood-charged-with-attempted

Government to unveil crackdown on climate activism and strike action

The Observer says Ministers are pressing ahead with a dual crackdown on climate protests and strike action, a controversial move that followed a day of direct action in London including clashes with the public and milk poured on the floor of Harrods.

Home secretary Suella Braverman will unveil plans on Sunday to grant police new powers to take a more “proactive” approach to counter tactics favoured by climate activists such as Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion.

Confirmation also arrived that the government is pursuing legal moves to introduce minimum service levels during strikes by transport workers after months of industrial action by railway workers in disputes over pay, jobs and conditions.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/16/crackdown-strike-action-activism-protests-london-glue-police