A report by MPs on the Women and Equalities Committee has called on the government to speed up the process to tackle what it described as “appalling” higher death rates in childbirth for black women and those from deprived areas. Hora Soltani, professor of maternal and infant health at Sheffield Hallam University said the report is timely and it is important the disparities are addressed. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Junior doctors across South Yorkshire joined others from across England in a four day walkout over pay and conditions. The British Medical Association (BMA) is calling for junior doctors to be given a 35 per cent pay rise to make up for years of below-inflation increases. However, the government has argued the union’s pay demands are unaffordable. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to BMA representative Peter Jackson.
Teachers in England are set to go on strike again later this month and in early May after the UK’s largest education union voted overwhelmingly to reject a new pay offer from the government. The National Education Union (NEU) has rejected the latest offer and described it as an “insult” to teachers. The offer, which the government has descrbed as “fair and reasonable”, consisted of a one-off payment of £1,000, a 4.3% pay rise and an increase in starting salaries to £30,000. A ballot of NEU members resulted in 98% in favour of turning the deal down. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Simon Murch, joint secretary of the Sheffield branch of the NEU.
Floral tributes have been laid at Sheffield’s Peace Gardens and a book of condolence opened in the city’s Town Hall for public tributes following the death of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
The Lord Mayor of Sheffield Sioned-Mair Richards said: “On behalf of the City Council and the people of Sheffield I want to express our great sadness at the news of the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth today. Our sincere condolences go to members of the Royal Family at this time of sadness and personal loss. Her reign will be acknowledged in history as one of the greatest of all monarchs and, through years of major challenges and difficulties for the country, she retained a true sense of dignity throughout.
“I recall the enthusiastic welcome given by the people of Sheffield when the late Queen visited the city in April 2015. It will be an event that many will remember for the rest of their lives and will always be a significant day in Sheffield’s history.
As a mark of respect, flags are to be flown at half-mast on civic buildings. Books of Condolence will also be opened in Sheffield and Stocksbridge Town Halls from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday until the day after the funeral. There will also be an eBook of Condolence on the City Council’s website and the Royal website at royal.gov.uk.
Floral tributes may be laid in a specially designated area of the Peace Gardens in the city centre.
Britain’s longest-reigning monarch has died, aged 96.
Her eldest son, now King Charles III, said: “The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family”.
Sheffield rail travellers spoke to Sheffield Live! following the government decision to axe the eastern leg of HS2. The plan to connect leeds and Manchester to the the HS2 network are to be replaced with the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) which promises faster train journeys between the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire and the North West, with £96bn expected to be invested into the upgraded rail network. Baillor Jalloh reports.
Football Unites Racism Divides boss Simon Hyacinth expressed his disappointment after three of England’s players were subjected to racist abuse following the Three Lions’ defeat by Italy in the Euro 2020 final. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka all missed in the penalty shoot out and were later targetted on social media. England manager Gareth Southgate described the abuse as unforgivable. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Following news of the Brexit deal with the European Union, Sheffield Live! spoke to former Yorkshire and Humber MEP and Sheffield Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed. The UK-EU agreement is to come into effect on 1 January 2021 after the end of the Brexit transition period. The 2000 page document will require ratification by the 27 European Union countries and by the UK Parliament. Azz Mohammed reports.
Over 1 million people have registered to vote in the last week alone as the 26 November deadline approaches. To vote in a UK general election you must be 18 or over on the day of the election, be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen and resident at an address in the UK (or a British citizen living abroad who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years), and not be legally excluded from voting. You can only vote once, but if you are a student, you can register at both your university and home address.
For information on registering to vote visit:
https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote