National News

UK gender gap widens.

A new report from the World Economic Forum has shown that the gap between womens’  and mens’ earnings has widen.  The UK has fallen eight places in the table to twenty sixth.

Firefighters picket over pensions

Firefighters from across South Yorkshire joined the picket line at Dearne Community Fire Station on the third day of a four day national strike over pensions and the retirement age. Firefighters want to retain the right to retire at 55 years of age claiming that to do the job effectively up to the age of sixty is putting lives at risk.

Tributes to local architect

Bryan Jefferson was a Sheffield architect who came to national and international prominence through such iconic buildings as the Roxy, Moore Street sub station and the A4E building. He passed away on the 19 October.  He was President of the Royal Institute of British Architects from 1979 -1981.

Fire fighters strike over pensions

Fire fighters in Sheffield joined a national four day strike over pensions.  They are now being expected to work until the age of sixty instead of fifty five.  Fire Minister Penny Mordaunt described the strike action as “unnecessary and the aim of which is unclear”

Speed v growth debate over HS2

Local Councillors have voiced concerns about the Governments continued support of HS2 going to Meadowhall instead of into of a Sheffield City centre location. The journey would be around 6 minutes longer if the train came in to town but would create about six thousand more jobs.

Still the enemy within

Thirty years ago South Yorkshire was in the middle of the Miners Strike.  The award winning documentary, Still the Enemy Within, is being shown again to mark this historic working class struggle.

Tech North is launched

Nick Clegg, MP for Hallam, launched Tech North in Sheffield this week.  Over 200,000 people are working in the creative and technical industries in the North.  The scheme aims to see this number doubled.

Happy Diwali

Thursday saw hundreds of people gathering in Sheffield to celebrate Diwali,  the Festival of Lights. Candles are lit and there is singing, dancing and fireworks to mark the occasion.