Dozens of firefighters gathered outside Sheffield Town Hall to lobby councillors to seek a reversal of planned cuts by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue. The fire service faces cost pressures from a national shortfall in pension contributions and is proposing to reduce the number of firefighters on each fire engine from five to four. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
South Yorkshire Police are set to share with other police forces across the country an additional £100m of government funding to help deal with the surge in knife crime. The cash is to be used for police overtime and to fund new ‘Violent Crime Reduction Units’. South Yorkshire Police have been running a campaign this week to raise awareness about knife crime and to reduce the numbe of weapons on the streets. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to detective superintendent Una Jennings.
Members of Parliament, including all of Sheffield’s MPs, have voted to reject a no deal Brexit, following the second defeat of the Prime Minister’s withdrawal plans. Speaking to Sheffield Live! earlier this week, Sheffield Central MP and Shadow Brexit Minister, Paul Blomfield, said: “the negotiations have been handled catastrophically by the government”. Baillor Jalloh reports.
A new Sheffield-based charity aiming to get vulnerable young people into work is set to launch in February after a pilot scheme supported by local businesses and volunteers. Grow UK aims to nurture skills to support vulnerable young adults to succeed in the workplace through a programme of coaching, one-to-one support and practical work experience. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Pro-European campaigners demonstrate at Sheffield Town Hall as MPs vote to reject the Prime Minister’s Brexit withdrawal agreement. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Neil Schofield, chair of Sheffield for Europe.
Broomhill Library have received a grant from the Big Lottery for improvements to the Victorian building and to restore its long-abandoned Percy Cain Heritage Garden. The building on Taptonville Road was privately owned before being converted to a library in 1957. Since 2014 it has been run by volunteers who are hoping it can be developed as a community hub. Sheffield Live reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to the David Chenchen, chair of the trustees of Broomhill Library.
Councillor Jim Steinke, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and community safety, told Sheffield Live! there is a need for better quality temporary accommodation for the homeless. His comments came as rough sleepers erected two makeshift tents last weekend at Park Hill flats, nearly two years after the previous “Tent City” was shut down by the authority. Baillor Jalloh reports.
Rail travellers returning to work after the festive holidays have faced a blow as train fares have increased by an average of 3.1 per cent in England and Wales. Campaigners calling for the railway services to be re-nationalised gathered at Sheffield station to greet commuters with leaflets about the change. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
A Sheffield-based migration rights group is calling on the government to assure safe passage for refugees and asylum seekers crossing the Channel to enter the UK. Stuart Crossthwaite, of the South Yorkshire Migration and Asylum Action Group, said the government should provide a “safe and legal route to allow people to exercise their rights to claim asylum”. The comments came as Home Secretary Sajid Javid announced two additional UK Border Force boats will be deployed to patrol the Channel. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Two South Yorkshire women are set to launch a new health and well being initiative for women following news of a start-up grant from the Big Lottery. Zainab Deen and Linda Walmsley have formed Sisters With One Voice to provide peer support and drop-in facilities form women facing challenges in their lives. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!