u3a

South East London

U3A Current affairs discussion group 17th March 2025

  1. Labour party and reform of the benefits system

Starmer says benefit system unfair and indefensible

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0kgpyz3mmpo

Mental ill-health is behind soaring disability benefits bill in England and Wales, report says

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/12/mental-ill-health-is-behind-soaring-disability-benefits-bill-in-england-and-wales-report-says

1.B   Civil service under attack by Government.

Unions on alert as Labour prepares to unveil ‘Trumpian’ plan for civil service

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/08/unions-on-alert-as-labour-prepares-to-unveil-trumpian-plan-for-civil-service

  • Trump’s growing tariff war

Trump’s tariffs have now reached Europe and the U.K. The EU has said it will retaliate (and Trump has said he will match that). However, the U.K. has not retaliated yet. What does it mean for the U.K.? Could recession be triggered in Western economies?

How will the latest Trump tariffs affect the UK?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99n7ex4vnko

Is the US really heading into a recession?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgr21jjwg4wo

US tariffs could extend Germany's recession, says bank

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgzjn7m0vvo

  • How should we be preparing for a possible war rather than peace?

We need to grow our defence industries, yet defence industries are seen to be unethical and find it difficult to get financial services.

Labour MPs urge investors to support defence firms

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clydjk2454qo

Is the Defence Sector A Hotbed for Ethical Value?

https://www.dcicontracts.com/is-the-defence-sector-a-hotbed-for-ethical-value

3.A   What should we do about our nuclear weapons now we have an unreliable partner?

US support to maintain UK’s nuclear arsenal is in doubt, experts say

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/08/us-support-uk-nuclear-arsenal-in-doubt-trident-france

Germany to reach out to France and UK over sharing of nuclear weapons

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/09/germany-to-reach-out-to-france-and-uk-over-sharing-of-nuclear-weapons

3.B   Do we need to rethink military training for all?

Poland to introduce “military training for every adult male”

https://notesfrompoland.com/2025/03/07/poland-to-introduce-military-training-for-every-adult-male

Poland announces military training plan for all men

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy83r93l208o.amp

  • Reform party in disarray - “protest party led by the Messiah”

Reform feud escalates as Nigel Farage and Rupert Lowe trade public barbs

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/09/nigel-farage-rupert-lowe-reform-uk-feud-escalates

Lawyer probing Reform UK row contradicts MP Lowe

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7430zw4zqyo

Ousted Reform MP Rupert Lowe could join breakaway rightwing party

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/11/ousted-reform-mp-rupert-lowe-breakaway-rightwing-party

The Guardian view on Nigel Farage: not even Donald Trump is as damaging to Reform as its own leader

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/10/the-guardian-view-on-nigel-farage-not-even-donald-trump-is-as-damaging-to-reform-as-its-own-leader

  • Future of postal services.

Denmark postal service to stop delivering letters

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg8jllq283o

Price of first-class stamp to rise to £1.70

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwygl9vj28do

  • From governor of the Bank of England to Canadian Prime Minster.

Carney talks tough on Trump threat - but can he reset relations?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c39v779xpdno

The 'anti-Trump' numbers man who may force the UK to take a side

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c80y3m249z3o

  • Questions about BBC programme about Gaza.

Police to probe BBC ‘cash for Hamas’

https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-daily-telegraph-saturday/20250301/282329685687126?srsltid=AfmBOoqEEKkp1C1EBnOYujkzB7dXJL1v5qxD7TXFcAigPV5P-JzHZJAd

World Service must be fully state-funded to counter disinformation, say BBC bosses

World Service must be fully state-funded to counter disinformation, say BBC bosses | BBC World Service | The Guardian

  • ULEZ seems to be working – will that change people’s mind?

Dramatic fall in London’s levels of deadly pollutants after Ulez expansion

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/07/london-air-pollution-down-since-ulez-expansion-study

Cleaner air for Londoners after Ulez - report

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgq9nnj274xo