Latest news with #AngelaRayner
The Independent
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Angela Rayner praises ‘amazing' Independent Brick by Brick campaign as family fleeing abuse get safe haven
Angela Rayner has praised The Independent 's 'amazing' Brick by Brick campaign after the first family fleeing domestic abuse moved into a home it built. The deputy prime minister said she was heartened by the success of the campaign and urged backers to continue supporting it to go from strength to strength. Construction on two purpose-built safe houses was completed earlier this year, and now a survivor of abuse has been handed the keys to their new home – and a fresh start. The hugely successful campaign, launched in partnership with leading domestic abuse charity Refuge, was backed by readers, politicians, royalty and celebrities when it launched in September last year. Speaking to The Independent on Thursday, Ms Rayner said: 'Because the feelings of relief I read about from those first movers encapsulates what a house can mean to people – it's not just a home but a sanctuary. 'Supporting vulnerable families and their children into safe and secure housing is a matter that I hold close to my heart. That's why this government is injecting millions of pounds of funding so domestic abuse survivors can access lifesaving support when they need it the most. 'Just today I announced that we're rewriting the rules to ensure domestic abuse survivors do not face unfair barriers when trying to access social housing when they have had to move to a new area. 'I will continue to work day and night to make sure more families can have a safe roof over their head and I am proud this campaign is leading by example.' The first occupant, who must remain anonymous for safety reasons, said: "As soon as I walked in, it felt warm, safe and homely. It's the first time I had slept properly in months. 'The children are the happiest they have been for a long time." The new semi-detached houses, built by Persimmon Homes, are in a secret location to protect survivors. They have two double-sized bedrooms, open-plan kitchens and built-in cupboard storage space, as well as solar panels on the roof and a private drive with off-road parking. The homes also include a number of safety features, including CCTV, a fireproof letterbox, and enhanced locking on windows and doors. Geordie Greig, editor-in-chief of The Independent, said: 'This is significant because it helps the most vulnerable people who are in danger of their lives being severely damaged by abuse. 'It's permanent because we aim to build a house that will be there for generations as a sanctuary to safeguard these people who are on the run, from situations which are dangerous and life-threatening.' After the 10,946 bricks were laid, an all-female team of decorators added the finishing touches to the property to make it a true home for those seeking refuge. Every new family will receive a welcome pack with a variety of items such as essential toiletries. Children will also receive new toys and books to help them settle in. To help the house feel more welcoming, the team used bright, airy colours to help 'ignite that feeling of wellbeing, freedom and moving on'. Refuge staff will provide emotional support and legal advice to the families, and will aid women with safety preparations, budgeting, debt planning, benefits applications and finding nurseries and schools. As the house will see many survivors pass through it, Refuge will carry out maintenance and a deep clean between each family. The Independent's Brick by Brick campaign was launched in September 2024 in response to the UK's domestic abuse crisis. Thousands of women across the UK face danger in their own homes, but a woman is turned away from a refuge every two hours due to a lack of space. The Independent heard testimony from a range of survivors, including women who were beaten and lost children, friends and jobs.
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
UK's busiest high street set to ban cars – turning it into ‘world-class' tourist attraction
Plus, the exact time to get a free performance from huge Hollywood star on London street EVERY night this summer REVVING UP UK's busiest high street set to ban cars – turning it into 'world-class' tourist attraction THE UK capital could see big changes this summer amid the Mayor's plans to regenerate Oxford Street and introduce Al Fresco dining across the city. Sadiq Khan plans to pedestrianise the famous street in central London, which is the busiest shopping street in Europe and which includes popular destinations such as Selfridges, John Lewis and more recently, Ikea. 4 There will also be more outdoor summer dining across London this summer Credit: Alamy These businesses have also backed the plans which aim to boost retail and drive growth for London. The Oxford Street area would include see the pedestrianisation of the main shopping roads, currently busy with buses and taxis. Traffic and highway proposals will be developed and consulted on later this year. A new report published by the Mayor of London found that almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of Londoners are in favour of pedestrianising Oxford Street. Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "It's clear that the vast majority of Londoners and major businesses back our exciting plans, so I'm pleased to confirm that we will now be moving ahead as quickly as possible. "We want to rejuvenate Oxford Street; establish it as a global leader for shopping, leisure and outdoor events with a world-class, accessible, pedestrianised avenue. "This will help to attract more international visitors, and act as a magnet for new investment and job creation, driving growth and economic prosperity for decades to come. "Our plans are not only about creating a beautiful public space where people can shop, eat and connect – but transforming Oxford Street into a place Londoners and the whole of the country can be proud of, as we continue to build a better London for everyone." Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, added: "We will support the Mayor in delivering this ambitious vision, which will help to breathe new life into Oxford Street – driving investment, creating new jobs for local people, and providing a boost to economic growth in the capital in line with our Plan for Change." In addition to the new plans for Oxford Street, the Mayor has also revealed that a number of different areas in London will gain al fresco dining and later opening hours this summer. Dubai Ice Cream Brixton, Leyton, Shoreditch and the West End will all gain outdoor dining for the summer months, after the Mayor has been granted licensing powers from Government to help boost the capital's nightlife. In Westminster, the widely popular al fresco dining programme that was seen during the pandemic will return on St Martin's Lane in the West End. The street will be car-free from 11am to 11pm and al fresco licenses will be available available for up to 34 businesses. Plans will be developed in the coming months to make this permanent. In Shoreditch, for the first time ever independent bars and restaurants on Rivington Street and Redchurch Street will offer outdoor dining and drinking until midnight. 4 Oxford Street's pedestrianisation could completely change Europe's busiest shopping street Both streets will be car-free on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer. In Brixton, there will be 400-square-metres of outdoor dining space for around 80 extra tables and 400 extra seats for businesses in Atlantic Road and Brixton Station Road. Running on selected weekends, the roads will become car-free zones until 10pm, with daytime activities including food markets, art workshops and live music. In Leyton, Francis Road will extend its car-free hours and boast seating, outdoor games, late events and a weekend market. The £300,000 Summer Streets Fund will ultimately enable areas across the city to open-up to more guests across longer hours this summer. 4 Both are part of plans to make the city more welcoming Credit: Alamy The hope is that the scheme will also be expanded in the coming years. Sadiq Khan said: "The schemes announced today are just the beginning and we're looking to build on their success across London in the years ahead. "London's food, drink and nightlife scenes are world-class and I'm determined to do all I can to help them thrive. "With new licensing powers granted by Government being developed, I'm looking forward to doing even more - working with boroughs, businesses and the police to drive forward more initiatives like these." Also, London's newest tourist town in 'forgotten' district is £1.3bn attraction with hotels, theatre and rooftop bar. Plus, the exact time to get a free performance from huge Hollywood star on London street EVERY night this summer.
The Guardian
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
If you went to state school, do you ever feel British life is rigged against you? Welcome to the 93% Club
For the first time in our history, we have a cabinet made up entirely of people who went to state schools. Several, including prime minister Keir Starmer, come from working-class backgrounds; some, such as deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, were raised in conditions of poverty that feel as if they ought to belong to another age. So far so good. What better signs could one ask for to show that Britain is a meritocracy, social mobility is real and anyone can rise to the top provided they have talent, commitment and determination? And yet it might be that in some ways these are exceptions that prove a rule: the rule being that for all the changes made down the years, a private education continues to give a disproportionate advantage to those – currently 7% – who use it. Yes, we have a state-educated cabinet and more state-schooled MPs than ever. Yet more broadly throughout the establishment, when looking at senior positions across Whitehall, the judiciary, law, media and finance, the 7% club continues to hold a disproportionate presence, and therefore to exercise disproportionate cultural and political power. That 7% figure is what gave rise to the 93% Club, the UK's network for state-educated people. Its latest report, the Big State School Survey, merits careful reading by anyone who thinks that because we have the most working-class cabinet of our lifetime, the old class divides are gone and the dream of genuine social mobility has been delivered. The survey suggests that though state-educated students may be the majority by far, it is the 93% who have to fit in with the attitudes and actions of the 7% rather than the other way round. The overwhelming sense of the research is that talk of class continues to be brushed aside as impolite conversation – yet it continues to determine who will thrive, who will falter and who is forced to adopt a new cultural identity just to get into the room. What the survey does is show the emotional cost of having to leave parts of your identity and community behind to thrive. It brings a darker side of social mobility into the light. The journey starts at university. For many, the culture shock is instant. Nearly three-quarters of all state school students reported experiencing it. That figure rises to 91% among those from working-class backgrounds, and 94% of students believe that university culture naturally caters to the wealthy. The little things add up. Three in four students say they miss out on formals and dinners (a component of life at universities such as Oxford and Cambridge). Many say they can't afford to join sports teams or take part in extracurricular activities. The result is not just feeling out of place but feeling like the place was never meant for you despite your having worked hard to get there. The divide doesn't end with a degree. In fact, it deepens: 93% of working-class professionals say their background clashes with workplace culture. Many end up straddling two worlds, the one they came from and the one they now operate in, feeling that they don't fully belong to either. To fit in, people say they start to change. Accent. Clothes. Hobbies. Even what they eat and drink. These are not small cosmetic tweaks. They're survival tactics in environments that reward polish over potential. And while a lot of this happens quietly – with a smile, a nod, a stiff upper lip mentality – the impact is loud and lasting; 61% of respondents said they had to leave their community behind to progress. Nearly half said their friendships changed. Some grew distant from their families. This is not social mobility – it's a social trade-off. I've long been a fan of the 93% Club, not least because its 29-year-old founder, Sophie Pender, knows first-hand what it means to come from nothing and make it in the City with few tools or support at her disposal. And what's refreshing about what her organisation is doing is that it's not accepting the status quo or burning it down. Instead, it is retooling the idea of an old boys' network to serve state school graduates – an old boys' and old girls' network for the many, not the few, you might say. The question now is: do we want a country where success still depends on knowing the right people, sounding the right way and fitting into the right mould? Or do we want one where talent is prized and diversity of thought guaranteed? Real social mobility shouldn't come at the cost of your character. It shouldn't mean sanding down your accent, hiding where you're from or second-guessing how you dress, speak or behave. It should mean being able to walk into any room and be taken seriously. A cabinet that reflects that reality is a start – but it can't be the end goal. If we want lasting change, we need more than symbolism – we need infrastructure. A nationwide state-school alumni network that offers the kind of cultural capital, career support and peer sponsorship long taken for granted by the privately educated. A network that not only helps people navigate elite spaces but also mobilises them to rework the cultures within them. The 93% Club has already made significant strides in creating this infrastructure, but it still has work to do. They're asking others to join in – to share their time, open doors and help rewire the systems that still quietly reward one kind of background over another. It's not a pipe dream. It's a proven model that private schools have used for centuries. It's high time we repurposed it to build a country where people can succeed by not leaving their identity at the door but by walking through it the way they are. Alastair Campbell is a former journalist turned strategist and spokesperson for the Labour party. He is now a writer, podcaster, consultant strategist and mental health campaigner
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Now it's Labour's turn to face the music when global events turn sour: ALEX BRUMMER
Yesterday's claim by Chancellor Rachel Reeves that Labour's number one mission is to 'put more money in the pockets of working people' does not stand up to scrutiny. Prices and the cost of living are rising, not falling – and there's no end in sight. Consumer price inflation was 3.4 per cent in May amid surging food prices, which were mainly a consequence of Reeves's tax-raising Budget in October. Producers and supermarkets have passed on the rocketing costs of employment, energy and business rates to consumers – costs which are hurting the very working people the Chancellor has pledged to help. April's inflation was fractionally higher at 3.5 per cent, but no one should assume that the worst is behind us. The conflagration in the Middle East has caused a sharp spike in market prices of oil, and that increase will quickly feed through to the petrol pumps. In the event of a blockage to the Strait of Hormuz – the Iranian coastline forms one side of this narrow but vital waterway for Arabian Gulf oil and natural gas supplies – the world could face a shock so debilitating it would end any progress in bringing down inflation. And if anyone believed that the Government's self-inflicted price rises – the inflation that came through higher energy and water bills, and stamp duty on home purchases – were at an end, they should think again. The impact that Angela Rayner's employment rights legislation will have on costs is not yet known. The Deputy Prime Minister's Bill is still trundling through the House of Commons, but it is certain to have a negative effect on the high street, where the cost of using part-time workers will increase sharply. It is striking that, in presenting the Spending Review last week, the Chancellor took credit for the four cuts in the Bank of England's key interest rate since Labour came to office. The reality is that, by loading £40billion of new taxes on business and citizens, she has raised the cost of living and made it more difficult for the Bank of England's interest rate committee – which is divided on the issue – to step up the pace of rate cuts from the present 4.25 per cent. It is all the more frustrating that several indicators used by the Bank have started to cool. The cost of services, for example, has dropped from 5.4 per cent in April to 4.7 per cent in May. That improvement, sadly, has been offset by the tax and spend agenda. Labour was keen to blame the Tories for allowing inflation to jump to 11 per cent in 2022. That, of course, was in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, when energy prices rocketed. Now it is Rachel Reeves's turn to face the turmoil of events beyond her control, this time in the Middle East.
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Mrs Rayner's tone was markedly less fiery. A tigress tamed. A curry taken down from vindaloo to korma: QUENTIN LETTS on Prime Minister's Questions
With Sir Keir Starmer still not back from foreign jaunts – for so unexciting a man to have such wanderlust is psychologically intriguing – it fell to Angela Rayner to do the honours at PMQs. On Tuesday she had chaired Cabinet. Now she was at the despatch box using those hallowed words normally reserved for prime ministers: 'This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues; I shall have further such meetings later today.' It is rare to hear a deputy use the revered formula. Usually they will simply say: 'I have been asked to respond.' Has Ms Rayner started to fancy her chances of replacing stodgy Starmer? Beside her sat Rachel Reeves, once talked of as her rival. On her other side: Yvette Cooper, another whose share price has fallen. Ms Rayner's aide, Mark Ferguson, sat behind her with a folder of prompt notes fatter than a Harry Potter hardback. Team Rayner had prepared in depth for this test flight. But sometimes you so over-prepare that you lose spontaneity. 'If they ask you about the rape-gangs inquiry, aim for statesmanship,' her advisers possibly said. Sure enough, the Tories ' front man, Chris Philp, focused on that inquiry and on immigration. Mr Philp can be a staccato performer but he did all right. He was trim, clear, nicely regretful when talking about Sir Keir's mishandling of the grooming gangs scandal. Not that the usual, blurty Philp was entirely absent. His shirt collars were askew and he did a lot of that frowning that lends him the look of a man trying to suppress dreadful burps. A Leander rowing club course marshal had possibly been mugged in Henley to provide Ms Rayner with her blue blazer and white trousers. Compared to the usual Rayner fashion disasters, jolly smart. She twice thanked Mr Philp for his 'tone' on the rape scandal. What she probably meant was 'your boss Badenoch has been annoyingly outspoken on this issue and it is costing us votes'. Ms Rayner's own tone was markedly less fiery than of old. A tigress tamed. A curry taken down a few pegs from vindaloo to korma. Here was a reduced-sodium, semi-skimmed, low-cal Rayner, keen to look composed. Her voice sounded as if it had fluff on the stylus. The original Rayner – Rayner Classic, as marketing executives might say – leapt up to the table, whacked the box, yabber-dabbered and laughed a lot. Ange Mark II was eager to portray dignity and open-mindedness. She leaned nonchalantly on the despatch box. She stood at a sideways angle instead of her former full-chested stance. She praised a Tory MP for some pub-charity effort in his constituency. And it all felt... flat. Engineers had not succeeded in removing all the old characteristics. Prescottian linguistic glitches were still evident. She spoke of 'Italia' instead of Italy, complained that the past government had 'spivved money up the wall' and claimed on some spending matter that 'we've given the biggest amount of increase'. Such things are minor. What may matter is any loss of verve, any sense that she has been made less authentic to suit her ambitions. As PMQs ended there was a pause as the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, ran to the despatch box. The thudding as of rhino hooves. Clerks' papers fluttered and some water glasses nearby rippled. Ms Alexander, a likeably straightforward sort, announced the latest diminution of the c.£100billion HS2 railway. What a shameful episode for our political class, for past ministers, yes, but also mandarins, consultants, commentators, think-tankers, economists, forecasters and grubby lobbyists. Big Heidi had an attack of the Rayners when she tried talking about Wales and spoke, twice, about 'Relsh Wailways'. Of greater interest was a question from Clive Efford (Lab, Eltham) who hoped that civil servants who signed HS2 contracts would be asked why they approved spending sometimes before job specifications were set.
