Below is a letter to Alistair Burt, my local Conservative MP, regarding the changes to Pension Credit entitlement for mixed age couples - those couples with one person of state pension age and the other is below. These changes coming into force on 15th May 2019 will potentially have a seriously adverse impact on the … Continue reading Mixed Age Couples – Pension Credit Changes
While we undergo ‘Brexit paralysis’ – a barely functioning government; business planning at a standstill; and political discussion stuck on ‘leave or remain’– we still suffer fundamental problems which have nothing to do with Brexit. Problems which will not be fixed by any Brexit outcome – hard, soft or otherwise. We will still have: an … Continue reading Beyond Brexit
Theresa May recently announced the end of austerity, however in spite of the give-aways there is little cheer in the Chancellor’s budget for many across North East Bedfordshire. The raising of the income tax thresholds will mean that those on the highest incomes in the county will gain far more than low and middle income … Continue reading Budget brings little cheer for the ‘just about managing’ in NE Bedfordshire
Since the 'Access for All' funding scheme was first introduced by the previous Labour government in 2006, the progress of step-free access improvements on the UK railways has made somewhat stuttering progress. The 'Equality 2025' target was quietly dropped and replaced by the goal of achieving equal access for disabled people across the transport system … Continue reading Labour must be bolder on Equal Access
Below is my open letter sent to Alistair Burt, MP for NE Bedfordshire, sent on 29th May concerning the chaos on the railways affecting many thousands of commuters in Bedfordshire. As I post this on 31st May, 11 days after the start of the botched timetable, Chris Horton finally breaks cover stating the introduction would … Continue reading Open Letter re GTR Timetable Chaos
The following blog post is a review of my experience as a Labour candidate during the June 2017 General Election. Over those thirty seven days I experienced many different emotions, and it is this aspect that I deal with, rather than policy matters, or the strategy of the campaign. Those who have been through an … Continue reading Candidate
I was interested to read Alistair Burt’s comments in the Biggleswade Comet (5th October) about his desire to improve accessibility at Biggleswade train station. Mr Burt mentions that his government operates an Access for All fund to enable equal access for passengers. What he neglected to mention was that his government has consistently cut funding … Continue reading ‘Access for All’ off the Rails
After Trump's election I hoped, without any real conviction I must admit, that perhaps all the lies, posturing, distasteful stances on any number of topics, the 'America First' speeches etc. were all just bluster, and once in office he would settle down and would be the figurehead for your usual Republican administration, albeit a particularly right wing … Continue reading Trump – School Bully turns Head Teacher
Recently there was a fatality on the East Coast Main Line due to a person being struck by a train. What followed on social media was disappointingly familiar, and while not stooping to Jeremy Clarkson's level - who stated that we should leave the bodies on the track for scavenging animals - gave little, if … Continue reading Fatality on the Railway
This week the Supreme Court ruled that Employment Tribunal fees, which could amount to £1,200 must be abolished as they meant that the law could not be accessed equally by all. In wonderful understatement and the minimum of legalese the Judges totally demolished the Lord Chancellor's argument to impose the fees and gave a salutary … Continue reading Employment Tribunal fees – a lesson in history for the Lord Chancellor
Julian Vaughan 