‘Fewer than 100,000’ will find work through Labour jobs scheme Backbenchers could rebel over the back-to-work programme, part of the benefits overhaul that has prompted protests

Employment support programme will only get around 70,000 disabled people back to work out of the millions whose benefits will be cut, plunging quarter of a million into poverty and even more into worse poverty bit.ly/3SaS8w9 all grist to the backbench rebellion mill

How Does Paris Stay Paris? By Pouring Billions Into Public Housing (Published 2024) One quarter of residents in the French capital live in government-owned housing, part of an aggressive plan to keep lower-income Parisians — and their businesses — in the city.

'One quarter of residents in the French capital live in government-owned housing, part of an aggressive plan to keep lower-income Parisians — and their businesses — in the city.
www.nytimes.com/2024/03/17/r...

Father of Welsh backpacker issues visa warning after daughter’s ‘trauma’ The father of a young woman held for almost three weeks in a US detention facility has warned tourists to double-check visa rules to avoid the “trauma” his daughter faced. Rebecca Burke, 28, a graphic...

The father of a young woman held for almost three weeks in a US detention facility has warned tourists to double-check visa rules to avoid the “trauma” his daughter faced

US turns to Denmark as it hunts for eggs despite Trump’s threat over Greenland Danish Egg Association says US asked if it could export eggs as prices surge despite president’s promise to lower them

Hang on. What?

Bird flu epidemic in the US causes egg shortages and price rises, and they want Denmark, the EU and the UK to help out, after threatening to *checks notes* apply economically disastrous tariffs..?

What are they smoking..?

Looking for the perfect gift for someone from Wearside?

Then Paul Swinney's Mackem Cewkbewk is the answer.

Be generous - all proceeds go to the Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen.

Only £15 in hardback from www.a-love-supreme.com/product-page...

@paulswinney.bsky.social/@lightaperture.bsky.social

All Dictators should “Beware the Ides of March”.

Julius Caesar was assassinated on the 15 March 44 BC, the Ides of March.

The Roman dictator was launching a series of political and social reforms when he was assassinated on this day, by a group of nobles, among whom were Cassius and Brutus.

All Saints, Ryde in context, on the ridge overlooking the pier. The spire in the distance on the left is Holy Trinity. Photograph taken from the Portsmouth ferry.

Good afternoon from Starbeck 👋

a cat wearing headphones is looking at the camera with a blurry background ALT: a cat wearing headphones is looking at the camera with a blurry background

There is a woman on the bus playing TikTok videos on her phone at high volume while everyone tuts and chunters around her.

What is it with no-one thinking they need to wear headphones on public transport these days?! 🎧

Can the US switch off Europe’s weapons? Long hooked on American defence exports, allies feel buyers’ remorse over hardware dependent on Washington support

US defense companies might never be trusted again

on.ft.com/3DtQQZs

Today I am at Sunderland travelling to Manchester for Paul Smith's talk to the Transport Ticket Society on British influence on ticketing when much of the map was red.

'Disgrace' of Cardiff man trapped in prison for 20 years for stealing a mobile phone Martin Shipton A leading campaigner against miscarriages of justice has described as “absolutely disgraceful” the fact that a man from Cardiff has been in jail for 20 years for stealing a mobile phone...

A leading campaigner against miscarriages of justice has described as “absolutely disgraceful” the fact that a man from Cardiff has been in jail for 20 years for stealing a mobile phone ✍️Martin Shipton wp.me/p8Mk4U-VUF

The Mackworth Estate, Derby: ‘a residential neighbourhood in full accordance with contemporary town planning principles’ The Mackworth Estate in Derby is a good example of the more ambitious of the new suburban council estates built after World War Two.

🚨 New on Substack, my post on the planning and development of the Mackworth Estate in Derby ...
open.substack.com/pub/municipa...

Becoming a business owner in Carmarthenshire inspires Paul to learn Welsh A business owner who returned to Wales from London has shared how establishing a business in Carmarthenshire inspired him to learn Welsh and to ensure his business is fully bilingual. Paul Raven was b...

A business owner who returned to Wales from London has shared how establishing a business in Carmarthenshire inspired him to learn Welsh and to ensure his business is fully bilingual

The writer and philosopher Roger Scruton was born #OTD 27 February 1944. In his brilliant 'England, an Elegy', a provocative yet thoughtful description of the Church of England always makes me smile.

64% jump in pension credit applications being awarded A spike in pension credit applications has been recorded, with a 64% jump in successful claims after the Government announced that winter fuel payments would be means-tested. Department for Work and P...

A spike in pension credit applications has been recorded, with a 64% jump in successful claims after the Government announced that winter fuel payments would be means-tested

Cadw offers free access to historical sites on St David's Day Cadw is offering free access to Wales’s iconic historical locations on March 1 in celebration of St David’s Day. From castles to abbeys and industrial heritage sites, there are 130 Cadw sites across W...

Cadw is offering free access to Wales’s iconic historical locations on March 1 in celebration of St David’s Day

At York today for travel to London for a Transport Ticket Society meeting.

It's been a while since I posted on here, but from now on, I plan to share all updates here too.

Here’s a new video ‘A City on the River, by the Sea’.

I never ask usually, but on this occasion I would appreciate any likes and shares ☺️

#sunderland #regeneration

Wabtec closure: Company confirms its Doncaster site is to be shut down with 300 jobs at risk Following the Free Press breaking news this morning about the future of Doncaster company Wabtec, its owners have confirmed the site will be shut down, putting 300 jobs at risk.

Very sad news indeed

There has been railway engineering at the Doncaster Works ‘The Plant’ since 1853. Many world famous locomotives were built, indeed born here including ‘Flying Scotsman’ and ‘Mallard’

The ghosts will be restless in the sheds tonight…

#Doncaster #Yorkshire

Cardiff University pushing ahead with plans to open a campus in Kazakhstan while slashing jobs and closing courses at home would be a national disgrace, the Senedd heard

Campaign poster by Robin Ollington

Campaign poster by Peter Kennard

☎️ #OTD 40 years ago, the Thirties Society (forerunner of C20) launched their famous Phoneboxes Campaign, after the privatisation of BT threatened the classic red kiosks with removal and mass-extinction.

It remains the Society’s most successful and longest-running initiative.🧵

It's a long game. Historic England has repeatedly recommended these buildings be listed, so far in vain. But we're very patient. Unique piece of architecture.

Watching Sweetpea and can't stop wondering why they're using an old non accessible bus. I'm sure there's someone with a preserved low-floor Plaxton Pointer 😅.

As well as access to ad free and early content (when possible) members can access the Members' only Discord server. Thank you to those who already support the channel, it really is appreciated. 2/2

Loved researching this case for C20. 1930s newspaper articles referred to the architect as "Mrs RA Gerrard" after her husband so it took a bit of digging to find her name, Molly Gerrard (née Taylor). And the reports on her work at Bath were fantastically sexist -

Upset as 'Queen of Welsh resorts' loses its Queen Residents of Wales’ ‘Queen of Resorts’ are appealing for the return of a bust of Queen Victoria which has disappeared after sitting in pride of place for 135 years. Anger is growing amongst Llandudno ...

Residents of Wales' 'Queen of Resorts' are appealing for the return of a bust of Queen Victoria which has disappeared after sitting in pride of place for 135 years

The start of an exciting week for Sunderland with the launch of the Sunderland Music Strategy at the Fire Station on Tuesday afternoon.

The city is watched over by Terpsichore, Muse of Music and Dance, from her position on the top of the Sunderland Empire.

Photo by @alanparkinson.bsky.social

Welsh films to watch in 2025 From the extravagant lifestyle of an eccentric Anglesey Marquess to adventures in the lush landscapes of Laos, eclectic stories with Welsh connections await audiences on the big screen in 2025. Journe...

From the extravagant lifestyle of an eccentric Anglesey Marquess to adventures in the lush landscapes of Laos, eclectic stories with Welsh connections await audiences on the big screen in 2025