RMT calls for public ownership of buses after Government criticised in transport report

THE Transport Select committee has told the Government they need to do more to improve bus services across the country. £1bn made available to Local Authorities for their Bus Service Improvement Plans:- "is simply not enough money to produce real improvements in bus services across the whole country" and that:- "allowing roughly half the country to miss out risks entrenching, and in some cases creating, a 2 tier system in which bus services improve in 1 area while, across an invisible county border, they worsen or even disappear," the report found.

It highlights that the Government hasn't reviewed the ban on municipal bus companies, or issued new guidance on socially and economically necessary services and says:- "we urge the Government to put its promises into action"

The report concludes:- "Post-pandemic, many people's lives have changed, and this has altered, perhaps permanently, when and where they wish to travel. So far, the Government has responded to this challenge with limited, albeit welcome, schemes, such as the £2 fare cap. But it needs to do more. It would be absurd for the Government to spend billions of pounds to support the ailing bus sector through the pandemic and then allow it to wither away."

Responding to the report, bus workers union RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said:- "This report underlines the reality that the Government has failed to fund bus services properly and RMT believes there needs to be drastic overhaul in how we run our bus services in our towns villages and Cities. Local bus services are a lifeline for many, providing access to employment, education and healthcare, but the decline experienced since the industry was deregulated means that few people have access to a reliable bus service. 2 years after its National Bus Strategy was published, the Government has still not acted on its commitment to review the ban on municipal bus companies. It is clear ministers are more interested in protecting bumper profits made by bus companies, than protecting and providing a vital service to passengers. Local Authorities need sufficient ring fenced national funding to run their bus services in public ownership as part of an integrated and publicly owned public transport network."

New Analysis Of Suicides Will Help Save Lives

THERE has been criticism that the reports vary in quality. While they prompt actions locally, there has been no national overview of PFDs until now. PAPYRUS says regular, detailed and trusted analysis by the ONS is just the beginning. Ged Flynn told us:- "For many bereaved people PFD reports are an important part of the coronial process. Often, the real hope is that lessons will be learned and the same thing will not happen to someone else. The challenge now is to take the new learning and push for it to be part of effective new strategies and policies which keep our communities suicide safe."

For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice please contact:- PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK, on:- 08000684141, text:- 07860039967, or email:- Pat@Papyrus-UK.Org. See more on the new ONS analysis of suicides can be found on:- ONS.Gov.UK.

Merseyside PCC statement after Thomas Cashman found guilty of murdering 9 year old Olivia Pratt-Korbel

FOLLOWING the news that Thomas Cashman was found guilty of the murder of 9 year old Olivia Pratt Korbel, in Dovecot, in 2022, Merseyside's Police Commissioner has released the following statement...

Emily Spurrell said:- "I can't even begin to imagine the pain that Olivia Pratt-Korbel's family and loved ones have been through in the past 7 months. There is no justice that can bring Olivia back and the last 3 weeks of the trial and Cashman's refusal to admit his crimes must only have compounded their unthinkable suffering. Today's guilty verdict will not bring their unique, chatty, beautiful little girl back and sadly it will not end their heartache, but at least they know he is off the streets and facing a life sentence for his cowardly and despicable actions. I would like to pay tribute to the hard-working officers and staff of Merseyside Police for their relentless determination to bring him to justice so swiftly. From the moment this horrific incident took place, they have been unwavering in their commitment to ensure he is made to pay for his actions. I'd also like to thank the community of Dovecot who have shown courage and empathy and have pulled together at this very dark time for our City. There is no place for firearms in our Region. Every time 1 is brandished or used, it brings fear, misery, and anguish. This senseless murder devastated our City. Sadly, it showed there is still a contemptible minority, an underbelly of our society, who have no morals and no care for anyone but themselves and their own greed. It is vital that we unite to make it clear they will never be welcome in our proud, caring, compassionate Region. Merseyside Police are recognised across the country for their relentless approach to tackling and disrupting these heartless individuals and the criminal gangs who harbour them. I am committed to supporting that work and ensuring they have the resources they need to bring perpetrators to justice and protect people across Merseyside. But we always need the support of our communities. If you have any information about gun crime; where weapons are being housed or who is using them; my heartfelt plea is please, do the right thing and speak out. By coming forward with the information you have, you can play a vital role in protecting the lives of innocent people and preventing further tragedies. By working together, we can stop those intent on violence and harm and make all our communities stronger and safer."

If you have any information, please call Crimestoppers anonymously, on:- 0800555111, no 1 will know that you have made that call. If you have been affected by this case and want to speak to someone or access support, you can contact my Victim Care Merseyside service on:- 08081753080, or visit:- VictimCareMerseyside.Org.