U3A Current affairs discussion group 9 September 2024

1. Grenfell fire enquiry

Grenfell's path to disaster: How chain of failures and 'systematic dishonesty' led to 72 deaths

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgedv58e7ygo

Grenfell Tower legal powers to fix fire safety crisis are being ignored

https://ground.news/article/grenfell-tower-legal-powers-to-fix-fire-safety-crisis-are-being-ignored

I heard years of Grenfell testimony. Here's why the disaster could have been prevented

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62305qx946o

Arconic received their certificate by only providing the results of the successful test on the flat panels, not the failed test on the cassettes.

Number of fire-related fatalities in Great Britain from 1981/82 to 2022/23

https://www.statista.com/statistics/291135/fire-fatalities-in-england/#statisticContainer

 

2. Thames Water.

Anti-pollution law to threaten water bosses with jail

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy5dwlwkwro

Why is Thames Water in so much trouble?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66051555

Thames Water says it needs 59% bill rise to survive

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2lgl9kypno

Thames Water “Our finances explained”.

https://www.thameswater.co.uk/media-library/home/about-us/investors/our-finances-explained.pdf

 

3. House of Lords reform

Ministers introduce plans to remove all hereditary peers from Lords

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/sep/05/ministers-introduce-plans-to-remove-all-hereditary-peers-from-lords

Labour launches bid to get rid of hereditary peers

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgl2j90ydzgo

 

4. Smoking ban in pub gardens

Government considering banning smoking in pub gardens

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg79ym5mrzyo Hospitality and health leaders clash on outdoor smoking plan

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cql3gy63rp3o

Tory MP's smoking ban tweet branded 'repugnant'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c703nlle72wo

Keir hates love!’: smoking area users decry potential impact of a ban

https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/aug/30/smoking-areas-played-cupid-outdoor-ban-critics-england-nightlife

 

5. Driving - charge per mile

UK electric car drivers should be charged per mile, say campaigners

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/sep/03/uk-electric-car-drivers-per-mile-vehicle-taxes-campaign-for-better-transport

https://ground.news/article/chancellor-rachel-reeves-urged-to-impose-pay-per-mile-scheme-on-electric-cars_a002c5

 

6. Conservative party leadership elections.

Priti Patel knocked out of Tory leadership contest

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1d7y92n31zo

The five contenders battling to be the next Tory leader

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c51y2lqzxl8o

 

7. Proud to Be English.

The English question: Young are less proud to be English

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-44142843

Somewhat more critical’: pride in Britain’s history falls sharply in survey

https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/sep/03/pride-britain-history-falls-sharply-social-attitudes-survey

 

8. Lime bikes becoming a menace.

Lime bikes may be removed from borough over safety

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd6yp6jqvgdo