Wakefield town centre (Alamy)

3 min read30 min

In my hometown of Wakefield, just as in towns up and down the land, security means being able to pay the bills, having a warm home and a secure job. It’s knowing your child will get a decent education and be able to see a GP when they’re ill. It’s feeling safe on the streets and knowing your elderly parents will get the care they need. It’s having confidence that when floods, fires or another crisis hits, your community will be protected. 

That’s what security looks like to most people. But if you listen to much of our political debate, you’d think security means only one thing: spending more money on the military. 

Every government has a duty to protect its citizens. The war in Ukraine reminds us all that Europe is not immune to conflict. The wars in the Middle East continue to cause devastating human suffering. None of us can ignore the dangers in the world. 

However, we should not accept that we must spend increasing amounts of money preparing for war, whilst everyday security collapses. 

At this year’s TUC Congress, the University and College Union (UCU) is asking the trade union movement to build on last year’s landmark ‘Wages Not Weapons’ policy by adopting a broader vision of what ‘security’ really means. Workers experience insecurity every single day, but it has nothing to do with foreign military threats. 

It comes from wages that don’t keep up with prices, insecure work, unaffordable housing and public services stretched to breaking point. From climate change making our communities more vulnerable to flooding, heatwaves and extreme weather. From growing inequality that enriches a wealthy few and impoverishes millions of workers.  

As general secretary of an education union, I see the consequences of insecurity every day.  

Further education colleges teach the workers of the future who will keep our economy going. Yet FE staff in England are poorly paid for the vital work they do and earn less than others in the education sector. Colleges struggle to recruit and retain lecturers because committed professionals simply cannot afford to stay.  

Our movement has always understood that security is about more than guns and bombs

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In higher education, it’s estimated that universities have cut as many as 30,000 staff in the last three years. Those who still have a job have seen their workloads intensify. The funding crisis casts a dark shadow over our cash-starved universities, from which some may never escape.  

How can politicians talk about ‘national resilience’ when the institutions that educate and train the skilled workforce our economy depends on are hitting breaking point?  

The same applies across all of our public services. We cannot build a resilient country on the back of exhausted NHS staff, crumbling schools and near-bankrupt councils. 

The new government is right to speak about changing the economic model that has failed too many communities. 

But with the Budget fast approaching, they have choices to make. The military establishment across the West is demanding that governments devote a growing proportion of public money towards defence. If that comes at the expense of investment in things like health, education, housing, social care and climate resilience, then we risk making people’s lives far less secure. 

Trade unions have a responsibility to point this out. Our movement has always understood that security is about more than guns and bombs. Security begins when ordinary people have the power and resources to live decent lives. 

Neither should we abandon the belief that peace is possible. When you listen to today’s political debate, you would be forgiven for thinking that our leaders have given up on a peaceful world. As trade unionists, we cannot accept that. Internationalism has always been at the heart of our movement. We know that the working people of different nations have more in common with each other than with the corporate bosses profiting from war or driving down wages across global supply chains. Lasting peace depends on diplomacy, international cooperation, commitment to human rights and respect for international law. 

We must also confront the fact that greater militarisation at a time when Donald Trump sits at the head of NATO, is extremely dangerous. Tying ourselves closer to an increasingly violent and unpredictable military agenda will not make Britain safer. 

The new prime minister has powerful voices in his ear lobbying him to deliver unprecedented spending on defence, paid for by cutting other public services. It is crucial that trade unions make the argument for a clear alternative.  

The trade union movement is always strongest when it reflects the aspirations of millions of working people. At this year’s TUC Congress we have an opportunity to reclaim the meaning of security and root it once again in social justice, solidarity and peace. 

Jo Grady is general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU) and a senior lecturer in employment relations at The University of Sheffield

Anastasia Zhenina via Unsplash

How long should you leave strawberries out of the fridge before you eat them?

It does make a difference

4 min read8 min

Citizens can only make good decisions if they have access to accurate information and honest debate. When powerful media organisations or social media platforms spread misinformation, distort facts, or promote one-sided narratives without accountability, democracy itself begins to weaken.

Today, a small number of wealthy individuals and corporations own much of the media. Social media platforms use algorithms that reward outrage and sensationalism. Falsehoods can reach millions within hours, while corrections receive a fraction of the attention.

Democracy depends on disagreement. But the danger is that many people are making important political decisions based on information that is incomplete, misleading or untrue.

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Take the issue of the net number of migrants: a recent poll by British Future found that 49 per cent believe it has increased in the past year. In fact, it fell by half in the last 12 months.

On welfare spending, the prevailing media narrative is that there is such a large number of unemployed and disabled people that things have become unsustainable. However, in reality, around half of welfare expenditure is spent supporting pensioners through the state pension and related benefits. UK welfare spending is in line with most EU countries.

Perhaps the greatest concern is that many voters never hear about important government policies at all.

Polling conducted by Lord Ashcroft suggested that public awareness of several major government policies was surprisingly low. This all raises an important question: who holds the media itself accountable?

The Leveson Inquiry heard evidence over many months before recommending the creation of an independent regulatory system for the press. Although the recommendations received cross-party support, they were never fully implemented.

Instead, most national newspapers are members of a body created and controlled by the newspaper industry itself. The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) relies on a standards code written by newspaper editors. Its rules are set by a committee of newspaper executives, which has not fined a single newspaper in its entire existence.

As an ex-MP, I have first-hand experience of just how devastating this can be. One mother (Mandy Garner) described how footage of her 20-year-old daughter’s fatal road traffic collision was published online by Mail Online. The story was headlined ‘EXCLUSIVE’. The video would play automatically on mobile devices. She believed the publication was an intrusion into grief, and that the footage had been used as clickbait.

When she complained to IPSO, what followed was six months in which IPSO relayed her points to the Mail and the Mail defended what it had done. They even suggested she drop the case. After six months, IPSO ruled in the newspaper’s favour. Its reasons included that the footage wasn’t clear enough to identify her daughter and that it had been edited to end before the moment of impact. I can’t think of a better illustration of just how dysfunctional the current regulatory system is. IPSO is not fit for purpose and needs to be urgently replaced.

Public confidence depends upon people believing that complaints will be investigated fairly, independently and transparently.

This debate is not about restricting free speech. A free press is one of the foundations of any democracy. Journalists must remain free to investigate governments, expose corruption and challenge those in power.

However, freedom and accountability are not opposites. Doctors, lawyers, and MPs are all expected to meet independently administered professional standards. Given the influence of media organisations and social media companies, it is reasonable to ask whether similar independent accountability should exist for those who shape public opinion. The age of social media has only exacerbated the problem, with falsities spreading faster than facts.

If democracy is to remain healthy, citizens must be able to trust that public debate is rooted in evidence rather than manipulation. That means ensuring that those with the greatest power to influence public opinion are also subject to transparency and accountability.

Without reform, I fear the divide between perception and reality will continue to widen. Trust in our institutions will erode further, public debate will become increasingly polarised, and democracy itself will become weaker.

Lord Watts is a Labour peer and a former chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party

With Mrs Brown’s Boys’ impromptu cancellation leaving two vacant spots in the BBC’s festive TV schedule this year, viewers reckon they’ve already come up with a solution.

“This decision has not been taken lightly and has been made on medical advice from my consultant,” he said in a statement, which also confirmed that several live performances would be unable to take place. “To say I am heartbroken is an absolute understatement.”

It then took fans of Diane Morgan’s comedy Ann Droid almost no time to suggest a Christmas special could be the ideal way to fill the gap…

Ann Droid features Sue Johnston and Diane Morgan as a grieving widow and the near-obsoletion robot that her son haphazardly buys to keep her company.

While at first, Sue’s character is resistant to her new companion, who she names Linda, the two eventually grow close, with critics having already praised both the humour and heart of the Philomena Cunk creator’s latest TV offering.

As well as critical acclaim, Ann Droid has also done well with viewers, with The Sun reporting earlier this month that more episodes are already in the works.

The tabloid claimed that Ann Droid “looks set to get a second series” after racking up around four million viewers in the space of a week, around half of whom were bingeing it on BBC iPlayer.

While the BBC is remaining tight-lipped for the time being, The Sun claimed that Diane’s production company is already developing a second run of episodes based around the unlikely duo.

All six episodes of Ann Droid are now streaming on BBC iPlayer.

• £20 million of community grants to 385 local organisations
• 19,500 people trained in local “Centres of Excellence”
• 1,740 apprentices trained – beating a target of 1,000
• £5.4 billion spent with 1,500 businesses across the South West
• New factory opened in North Wales to support the project
• Suffolk youngsters learn skills to take home to Sizewell C
• 65,000 trees planted and 92 bird species identified around the HPC site

The scale of Hinkley Point C’s positive impact on people and the economy has been detailed in the Hinkley Point C Socio-economic and Environmental Impact Report 2026, which can be read here.

New figures show that the project’s three local training centres, operated in partnership with the UCS College Group, have given 19,500 people the skills they need to be part of the nuclear power project. Almost 70% of the 1,740 apprentices trained at Hinkley Point C are from the South West. Others include youngsters from Suffolk learning skills they can take to Sizewell C, our twin nuclear project in the East of England.    

The report also maps grants provided by Hinkley Point C’s Community Fund of more than £20 million to 385 community projects. Stretching across Somerset, the benefits have been accessible to over 600,000 people. The grants are creating community benefit that will continue well beyond the construction of the new power station. The investment has also unlocked match funding of at least £8.4 million. Around 40% of grants support projects in rural areas of Somerset with the majority from areas of known social and economic deprivation.

£5.4 billion has now been spent with businesses across the South West with case studies highlighting the suppliers growing their capability and winning new work thanks to their experience at Hinkley Point C. Benefits are also felt across Britain, including a new factory in North Wales which has opened to support Hinkley Point C and future nuclear projects. This facility alone will employ 200 people.

The project continues to deliver environmental benefits. The report includes examples of the planting of seagrass in the Severn Estuary to benefit the marine environment and the £700 million of fish protection measures being delivered by the power station. Surveys show wildlife around the site is thriving with 92 bird species recorded in newly created landscape areas.

Hinkley Point C’s home-grown electricity will provide Britain energy security for decades to come, meeting around 10% of the country’s current electricity demand. 

Stuart Crooks, Hinkley Point C’s CEO, said: 

While most people living locally say that they feel the benefits of our project, we don’t take their support for granted. The Hinkley Point C Community Fund has supported many inspiring initiatives which show the vitality of communities and people around our site.As I prepare to move on from the project, I am proud to see what we have achieved, and I look forward to the completion of a power station that is helping to build a more secure, more prosperous and more sustainable Britain.

Minister for Nuclear, Lord Vallance said: 

We are delivering a new golden age of nuclear and Hinkley Point C will play a key part in this, boosting Britain’s energy security with clean, homegrown power. Hinkley Point C is driving investment in Somerset, while supporting a new generation of skilled nuclear workers to power Britain and deliver our clean energy mission.

Andy Berry, CEO of University College Somerset said: 

Our continued partnership with Hinkley Point C exemplifies the power of collaboration between industry and education, delivering lasting social and economic benefits to the region and the country as a whole. Our partnership not only supports the immediate development of skills and infrastructure but also lays the groundwork for a greener, more resilient economy in the future. Looking ahead, the South West stands out as a leader in nuclear and engineering excellence, perfectly poised to deliver future projects.

Justin Sargent, CEO of Somerset Community Foundation, said: 

We know that hosting the construction of Hinkley Point C is a source of great pride for many people in the area and has created many opportunities for local residents and businesses, but a project of this size inevitably also brings many changes in peoples’ everyday lives. The Community Fund has provided an incredible boost to hundreds of organisations in local towns, villages and hamlets, building stronger and more resilient communities which, in many cases, will have lasting impact far into the future.

The event also marked the relaunch of EDF and Dalkia Forces Support Network, which supports veterans, reservists and their families across the organisation. The programme included welcome remarks, a networking lunch and the formal Covenant signing, alongside activities designed to encourage connection, understanding and shared experiences between industry and the Armed Forces community.

Dr Sarah Jackson, Chief Medical Officer at EDF UK and Executive Sponsor of the Forces Support Network, said: “People who have served bring exceptional leadership, resilience and teamwork into civilian careers. At EDF, we’re committed to creating an environment where those skills are recognised and where veterans, reservists and military families feel welcomed, valued and able to succeed.”

The Forces Support Network plays a key role in helping colleagues transition from military to civilian careers, offering guidance, peer support and a strong sense of community across both EDF and Dalkia.

Stan Webster, Hinkley Point C Site Security Manager and Chair of EDF’s Forces Support Network, who served 22 years in the British Army, added: “Moving from military life into a civilian career can be a big change. Having a community around you that understands that journey is incredibly important.”

The event also highlighted the importance of collaboration in supporting the Armed Forces community across organisations.

 Stu Brown, Dalkia Forces Support Network Chair and Business Unit Director at Parliament, commented: “By working closely together across EDF and Dalkia, we can create more opportunities for people to transition successfully and feel part of a workplace that truly values their experience. It also increases diversity of thinking, brings fresh ideas and helps build an instant rapport and understanding when we work with the Defence sector. It’s part of our competitive edge, as well as the right thing to do.”

 Veterans, reservists and members of the Armed Forces community interested in building their careers with EDF and Dalkia UK can find out more about current opportunities at https://careers.edfenergy.com/ and https://dalkia.co.uk/working-for-us/opportunities/.

Since its commissioning in 1995 the station has produced more than 270 Terrawatt hours (TWh) of low carbon electricity – that’s enough to meet the needs of every household in Suffolk and Norfolk for more than 100 years – but it had been due to stop generating in 2035. Now Heads of Terms have been signed on a CfD to extend the lifetime out to 2055, with EDF funding a major refurbishment of the nuclear power station during planned outages over the next fifteen years, costing around £800 million.

The proposal covers the period from 2035 to 2055 and includes a strike price of £70.50/MWh (2025 prices). Sizewell B produces baseload power, available 24/7 in all weather conditions. Extending the operational life of the station is a cost-effective way to increase the UK’s sovereign clean energy generation. UK Government and EDF are expected to finalise this CfD later this year. 

EDF UK CEO Simone Rossi said: “Global events demonstrate time and again how vital it is for the UK to secure long term, low-carbon, homegrown electricity which protects British households and businesses from market volatility. Extending the life of the plants we already have alongside building new ones is central to EDF’s strategy.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Nuclear power is vital for our energy security, and this extension will help produce the clean power our country needs.”

Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear Lord Vallance said: “This deal protects billpayers and boosts the country’s energy security by continuing to provide clean, secure power for millions of households. By backing Sizewell B, we are delivering a golden age of nuclear and maintaining 900 skilled jobs in Suffolk.”