Politics

The description is not prominent by default; however, some themes may show it.

Charity call for mental health education in schools

Sheffield mental health charity Interchange is supporting proposals for mental health education to become part of the schools curriculum. Counsellor and education services manager at Interchange, Leah Booker, said education is needed in schools to increase awareness and understanding of mental health. She spoke to Sheffield Live! after a debate in Parliament to discuss whether mental health education should be a compulsory part of the curriculum. Over 100,000 signed a petition started by Adam Shaw of Sheffield supporting the idea. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

 

Tree protester receives suspended sentence

Sheffield trees protester, Calvin Payne, has been given a suspended jail sentence for contempt of court after encouraging others to breach a court injunction. The injunction was granted to Sheffield Council to prevent obstruction of works involved in felling trees. Three people were in court over the incident initially but Payne was the only one sentenced after the judge dismissed one case and allowed another to be settled outside of court. Payne said he does not plan to break the high court injunction again. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!

 

Aung San Suu Kyi stripped of city freedom

Sheffield Council has revoked the Freedom of the City honour for Myanmar’s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, due to her continuing silence on the persecution of Rohingya muslims. Suu Kyi was awarded the Freedom of the City in 2005 for her commitment to democracy and human rights. The honour is the highest Sheffield can bestow and Suu Kyi is one of only eleven foreign dignitaries to which it has been previously awarded. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Conference puts domestic abuse in the spotlight

South Yorkshire Women’s Aid were the hosts for a women’s empowerment conference aiming to raise awareness of domestic abuse and the support services available for victims of violent relationships. The charity, which provides refuge and support for women facing violence in the home has launched a crowdfunding to maintain its service after loosing a £30,000 grant from Doncaster Council. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Council signs up to charter for ethical homecare

Sheffield Council have signed up to UNISON’s Ethical Care Charter including commitments to care workers’ rights and an end to zero hours contracts. Under the charter, the local authority will work with Sheffield’s care providers to help them replace zero hours contracts with guaranteed hours and to reflect travel time between home care visits in care workers’ pay. The authority has also pledged to work with care providers to help them move towards paying the Living Wage Foundation’s recommended minimum £8.45 per hour to all of their employees. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Council to kick-start new housing development

Sheffield Council has committed over £3 million in loan funding to build 1,000 new homes as part of a deal with developer Sheffield Housing Company. The agreement will support new housing in the Manor, Norfolk Park, Parsons Cross and other locations where the Council has land available. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!