Sadly, in the last couple of years there have been many other conflicts that have forced
people to flee from their homes – including Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Yemen and now Ukraine.
Across the country, councils have collectively supported and provided refuge for 46,500
Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in the UK via the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

But the work of organisations such as the City of Sanctuary Network, the Refugee Council,
and, more locally, Voices in Exile, the Hummingbird Project and Thousand 4 £1000, is
increasingly at odds with the rhetoric of the Conservative government.

This government set up the Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme – intended to focus on
the most vulnerable of those left behind following the military withdrawal – but has failed to
give a start date for the pathway for those still in Afghanistan.

It set up the Homes for Ukraine scheme – which has been beset by safeguarding problems –
and failed to get it to work. (Essentially, local authorities have stepped into the breach here.)
Most recently it has introduced a scheme to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda that fails to
respect the right to have their claim for refugee status examined. Instead, the decision to
deport is based not on the merits of the claim but on how the individual reached the UK in
the first place. And to add a lack of financial probity to a moral vacuum, the government has
failed to demonstrate that the scheme even represents value for money.

This schism is less to do with who we are welcoming (or rather, not welcoming) and more
with who we think we are, or strive to become. Are we a country that lives up to the norms
and values it espouses? Or are we content to turn our backs on those in hardship?

This week, I became one of a group of local councillors to sign an open letter to the Home
Secretary calling on her to:

1. Ensure that councils are provided with appropriate funding to support those Ukrainian
   refugees presenting as homeless to local authorities.
2. Urgently improve the Home Office’s communication and data sharing with councils to
   ensure that refugees from Ukraine can be resettled safely as soon as possible;
3. Uplift Local Housing Allowance (LHA) to enable local authorities to procure refugees
   private rented sector accommodation;
4. Accelerate the Home Office’s processing times for asylum claims and implement
   measures to improve the wellbeing of asylum claimants during their time in initial,
   dispersal and contingency accommodation;
5. Take forward local authorities’ submissions to Government’s consultation on the full
   dispersal model, and implement a long-term plan for the resettlement of refugees that
   integrates them into communities and in residential accommodation, with the
   involvement of local communities and the third sector;
6. Undertake a fundamental re-haul of the UK’s asylum system to ensure that it is fair,
   humane and treats refugees with the compassion they deserve.
   If we are a fair, humane society, why would we settle for anything less?

Cllr Siriol Hugh-Jones is Deputy Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council.

The post Deputy Leader Co-Signs City of Sanctuary letter to Priti Patel appeared first on Brighton & Hove Green Party.

Quieter roads over lockdown have been shown to encourage more women to take up cycling. Official figures from the Department for Transport showed an increase of over 50% of women cycling. Local data in London could even pinpoint increases in cycling to areas where councils installed Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, segregating cyclists from fast moving traffic.

Not only are women more wary of cycling on busy roads, we know that women and children are amongst the most vulnerable road users. It is our duty as a council to provide our residents with the infrastructure to keep them safe as they travel.

In light of this information, I find it difficult to understand why the Labour MP for Hove and Portslade, Peter Kyle, would fail to support the temporary Old Shoreham Road cycling lane. In a recent interview on Politics Live, he chose to share a number of mistruths about the temporary walking and cycling measures introduced in Hove during lockdown. 

Starting with who actually did it. Despite his claims, it was under a Labour council that the A259 and Old Shoreham Road cycle lanes were planned. As Greens, we backed it (and I did with much delight as these are both routes I regularly cycle on). But I won’t accept the rewriting of history in this way. 

In the public consultation reviewing the temporary cycle lane on Old Shoreham Road over 75% of respondents who used the lane during the day said they felt safe or very safe doing so. In fact, 36% of those who cycled in the temporary lane would have previously taken their car for the same journey. 

Many have reported to us how they took up cycling as a family. We saw new people cycling to school and work as a result, with an overall 61% increase in cycling between 2017 and 2020 with the introduction of the temporary lane. That’s an amazing achievement. Now the temporary cycle lane has been removed, some have taken to continuing in a Bike train. Others have launched a petition specifically for the reason that they want a safe route for their family. 

The lane wasn’t perfect, nor was it totally safe. I agree that we need a permanent solution, properly separated from the road (much like it is on sections of the road nearer Brighton). That’s why I’m delighted that this week, our Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan was approved – which includes plans for it’s eventual return. 

The Old Shoreham Road temporary cycle lane was successful in enabling more people to safely switch from driving to cycling on this route, with no impact on emergency vehicles. The vision for what a permanent, well-planned lane will do is incredibly exciting.

The post Why Hove deserves it’s own chance at pedestrian and cyclist safety appeared first on Brighton & Hove Green Party.

Greens are backing a campaign from trade unions Unison, GMB, Unite and NASUWT the Teacher’s Union calling on the Conservative government to keep pupils safe, to keep them in school.

A day of action for the ‘Protect Pupils, Protect Education’ campaign will take place on 9th December, focusing on action needed to stop potential school closures and avert the disruption to education that typified the early pandemic response.

Additional measures to improve ventilation and minimise infection in schools could help stop further outbreaks. However the government has so far failed to respond on this, with the current requirements focused mainly on mask wearing in corridors and other communal spaces. Covid-19 cases continue to rise in schools, with concerns raised that school outbreaks increase the likelihood of onward transmission to other family members and households.

Green councillors have repeatedly campaigned on the issue of stronger measures in schools. Councillor Sarah Nield has again written to ministers, asking for greater support and funding for the installation of ventilators and air purifiers that modelling shows can significantly reduce the chance of Covid-19 spreading in classrooms. To date, government has undertaken a small trial of air purifiers in 30 schools in Bradford, but failed to roll out this measure nationally. This stands in contrast to international comparators such as the city of New York, where all school classrooms were provided with two air purifiers by the state department of education, and in some European countries, where stronger measures are already in place.

A response from government to the lobbying from the Greens has only confirmed that no plans are in place to improve ventilation or measures in schools, with the Secretary of State for Education, Nadhim Zahawi MP, replying to Cllr Nield that “it is expected that…existing ventilation is sufficient…[and] the case for additional support for settings to maintain good ventilation will be kept under review.” 

Backing the union campaign, councillors say further pressure is vital, as school-aged children currently have the highest Covid-19 rate of any age group, with education staff also more likely to test positive for Covid than the general population.

Greens have praised the response of local schools who have continued to work collaboratively to help bring down the pandemic despite huge workloads and extreme pressures.

Councillor Sarah Nield, member of children, young people and skills committee on Brighton & Hove city council, commented:

“I share the outrage of trade unions that in the settings with some of the highest Covid numbers – our schools – that these are still the places where the fewest government measures are in place to prevent transmission. If we are to stand any chance of keeping pupils in school, to protect their education and avoid the need for school closures, action is essential to help prevent the spread of Covid in our classrooms. This should be a priority of government.

“Scientists are clear on how the virus spreads – it is airborne – and so we have the knowledge to fight it in schools. After years of cuts to school budgets, and the horrendous impact of Covid on children’s education, their families and school staff, schools need to be given the funding to upgrade their ventilation and to filter their air. Being told by the government to open the windows all year round is not a real or sustainable solution, particularly in the depths of winter.

“We share the challenge to government of the Protect Pupils, Protect Education campaign as it’s essential ministers do all they can to prevent avoidable disruption to education. There are steps that can still be taken – and that we will continue to lobby ministers about. Covid-19 case numbers are once again rising in Brighton and Hove, and now we also have the uncertainties of a new Covid variant to contend with. We urge everyone to add their voice to this vital campaign.”

The post Greens join Protect Pupils, Protect Education trade union campaign and repeat call for national schools ventilation plan appeared first on Brighton & Hove Green Party.

A campaign for fair pay for council and school staff has received council backing, after a proposal from Green councillors to lobby government to fund a pay award was accepted today.

Greens urged all councillors to back the campaign from trade unions calling on government to fund a proper, real-terms pay increase for council workers and schools staff. Since 2010, staff working in public sector roles such as local government have seen up to 25% wiped from the value of their pay, following cuts made by central government to local council budgets and a continued pay freeze.

In February, trade unions lodged a national pay claim, calling for a 10% increase in pay for staff, with negotiations still ongoing, and the latest offer of a 1.5% award rejected. 

Greens have also joined calls for a proper pay rise for NHS workers; and called for a reinstatement of paid bursaries for nurses, as well as supporting calls for a proper living wage and universal basic income.

Green Councillor Sue Shanks, who seconded the proposal to council, commented:

“After a decade of cuts many local council  workers and school staff were already without the capacity and support they needed –  then the pandemic hit. Despite its immense effects, public sector employees working in so many roles – from tidy up teams and contact tracers, to child social work, teaching and school support staff – rose to the challenge.

“We join the calls for government to fund proper pay for NHS staff, for our health and care staff. But trade unions are right to say that government must not dismiss the value of other public services too, as each service supports the other. The current offer of a 1.5% pay rise doesn’t come close to being a pay increase, given inflation is now at 2.9%. Government must fully fund a proper pay award rather than push this on to councils already absorbing huge budget cuts.

“Low pay has a profound impact on public health. The biggest thing we could do as a country to improve health and life chances would be to ensure a decent level of benefits and pay. Government has the power to do this, to take people out of poverty and improve the health and educational outcomes for everyone – across the board.

“Given people have gone from pay freeze to pay freeze, better pay is the least government can do to acknowledge they relied on public service workers to get the country through the biggest health crisis it has seen in years.”  

The post Greens secure council backing to push government for fair pay for school and public sector workers appeared first on Brighton & Hove Green Party.

EU Citizens have less than 7 weeks to apply for settled status to stay in the UK, as the EUSS closes for applications on 30th June 2021.  

 As the country celebrates Europe Day, Greens say that today is an important day to raise awareness of the impending deadline.  

Figures released earlier this year show that more than 26,000 EU citizens have applied for the EUSS in Brighton and Hove.

Councillor Marianna Ebel, the council’s Brexit lead said: 

“This Europe Day, I want to once again share the message that we want EU Citizens to stay in Brighton & Hove. 

“While we are no longer a member of the European Union, the friendships that have grown over the last decades between British people and EU citizens will be cherished.  

“I’d like to wish all EU citizens and all those who still feel European a happy Europe Day and ask that they share the importance of applying before the deadline.” 

The post Europe Day: Greens encourage EU Citizens to apply for Settlement Scheme ahead of June Deadline appeared first on Brighton & Hove Green Party.

Brighton and Hove City Council has agreed to extend the support given to communities in responding to the pandemic, approving an allocation of £6.8m in Covid Outbreak Management funding.

New one-off funding has been distributed to local councils to use at their discretion. In addition to funding for public health teams to help manage any outbreak of Covid-19, proposals have also been targeted to respond community need. [2]

To distribute the funds, the council’s Policy & Resources Recovery subcommittee has today approved a range of new initiatives, including:

• Support for residents who need to self-isolate, and to assist residents who do not qualify for the £500 payment from government;
• Extension of local welfare support, including a second round of £5000 grants to local community groups, and additional money to focus on debt advice and mental health support
• Provision of targeted support to communities disproportionately affected by Covid, including additional £300,000 ‘Communities Fund’ grant scheme and support to local community, voluntary sector and grassroots groups to develop capacity and stay afloat
• £100,000 in funding to support food bank provision, recognising the increase in need throughout the pandemic, and to support grassroots voluntary groups to grow their capacity
• Funding for early years providers in the city, including both nurseries and childminders, who have received little government support
• Assistance for schools to reflect increased costs from the pandemic such as personal protective equipment (PPE), utility costs and the hiring of additional staff

The £6.8m in funds also includes funding already allocated, with £2m already agreed towards tackling homelessness and £1m towards managing the return of visitors and events to the city.

Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty, Leader of the Council said:

“The pandemic is far from over and despite the hope for a successful recovery, the fact remains that many are still facing profound hardship. The pandemic has also hit some groups harder than others, worsening inequality and compounding existing problems. The UK has one of the lowest rates of sick pay compared to similar European countries for example, and too many people simply cannot afford to stay home off work.

“Local action has been at the heart of the support to our communities throughout, particularly where government has failed. In addition to giving money to our communities, this money will create new work on self-isolation support, help our food banks and target the growing need for debt and mental health support.

“It’s welcome that councils have been given discretion over how funding like this can be spent. However given that support needs may continue beyond the life of this funding, we will keep fighting for additional assistance.
local communities are best placed to help navigate the worst of the crisis.”

Cllr Hannah Clare, Chair of the Children, Young People and Skills Committee added:

“I’m thrilled that we are able to support both our schools and our early years providers. We know that both have experienced increased costs – yet the Government haven’t delivered.

“From purchasing PPE to funding increased water bills, schools have faced many challenges on top of years of existing cuts; and we know that support for education must continue. The issues facing the education sector will outlast any ‘roadmap’ and we will continue do what we can to support early years providers and schools across our city.”

The post Council to expand support to communities through the pandemic appeared first on Brighton & Hove Green Party.

Greens have vowed to continue the campaign to fight the conversion of Moulsecoomb Primary into an academy after a sponsor was announced today.

The government’s Department for Education has appointed Pioneer Academy as the sponsor for the school, despite strong community, union and council opposition to government academisation plans.

Greens say the announcement represents a ‘significant failure’ by government officials to grasp the community support for Moulsecoomb Primary. The Pioneer Trust has no connection to other schools in the city, with the nearest primary 27 miles away – and use two ‘regional directors’ to oversee the 11 primary schools under their control.[1]

Staff continue to take strike action in response to the forced academisation, with the next date for strike action occurring next week. Ofsted inspectors recently praised Moulsecoomb Primary for its work to support pupils during the pandemic, commending staff for supporting vulnerable pupils.

Green Councillor Hannah Clare said:

“The fight to prevent the forced academisation of Moulsecoomb Primary is far from over. This latest announcement only confirms how out of touch government decision makers are with the needs of the community and the clear, vocal and evidenced wishes of the school, staff and pupils.

“Moulsecoomb Primary is a community school, well rooted in the local area and with a strong understanding of local need. The school works hard to address disadvantage and support vulnerable pupils – work Ofsted has commended. In stark contrast, the Pioneer Trust’s ‘vision statement’ makes no real mention of addressing disadvantage, and run 11 schools on a ‘top down’ basis, none of which are based in the local area.

“Moulsecoomb Primary already has the staff, community, council, union and parent support it needs to keep going from strength to strength – something the Pioneer Trust will never be able to match. We will keep fighting this decision all the way.”

The council’s Children, Young People and Skills Committee will be meeting next Thursday (29 April) to discuss holding an additional parental ballot about academisation. The previous ballot results indicated 96% of parents were against an academy takeover.

The post “We will keep fighting” say Greens as academy trust sponsor appointed for Moulsecoomb Primary appeared first on Brighton & Hove Green Party.

Brighton and Hove Green Party have hit out at local Conservatives, after leaflets have been distributed that spread ‘racial hatred’.

It comes a week after the publication of the Sewell report on racism, which has been widely criticised by campaigns for failing to recognise institutional racism in the United Kingdom today.

As political parties campaign in Brighton and Hove for two city council by-elections in Hollingdean & Stanmer and Patcham, along with the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner election, a Conservative leaflet makes reference to travellers as part of a list of failures in the city.

While the wording of the leaflet does not clarify the reason for including the reference to travellers, Greens say that this lack of clarity and the rest of the sentence clearly suggests negative connotation to the existence or presence of travellers in the city.  

Greens say they have today written to the Conservatives advising that they have reported this leaflet to Sussex Police, claiming the wording constitutes abusive or insulting material intended to, or likely to, stir up racial hatred under Section III of the 1986 Public Order Act.

Brighton and Hove City Council last year pledged to be an anti-racist council and regular updates have been reported to councillors on the Tourism, Equalities, Communities and Culture committee. Action taken by the council so far includes :

•  Setting up a Community Advisory Group, made up of Black Asian and Minority Ethnic-led groups in the city to provide challenge to the council, identify priorities and shape the anti-racist strategy.
• Delivering training to council staff and councillors on anti-racism
• Investing £100,000 in delivering the council’s anti-racist schools strategy, which includes work on training, behaviour and policies in schools
• Appointing an anti-racist lead practitioner to review practices within social work
• Distributing £25,000 in grant funding to Black, Asian and Minority ethnic community groups
• Appointing two standing invitees from a Black Asian and Minority ethnic background to two council policy committees
• Completing an initial review of plaques, road names and statues in the city
• Applying for re-accreditation as a City of Sanctuary, showing committment to building a culture of hospitality and welcome, especially for refugees seeking sanctuary from war and persecution

Greens have also expressed disappointment in the current Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, Conservative Katy Bourne, who claimed that stop and search figures for Sussex showing that people belonging to ethnic minorities were up to 10 times more likely to be stopped, were ‘proportionate’. Green candidate Kahina Bouhassane, who is a mixed-race woman, is standing on a platform of making the police force more equal to ethnic minorities in particular.

Kahina Bouhassane, Green candidate for Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner said:

“Racism is completely unacceptable and I have been extremely disappointed to see this from the Conservatives. We have written to them to ask that they withdraw the publication.

“All types of racism are abhorrent and we are particularly concerned that Conservatives see anti-traveller racism as acceptable in modern day Britain.

“But sadly we remain unsurprised, after the Conservative government last week failed to recognise institutional racism, despite repeated reports over many decades showing otherwise.

“We will always stand up against racism where we see it.”

Councillor Martin Osborne, who jointly chairs the council’s equality committee, added:

“We are continuing our pledge to be an anti-racist council and taking action on racism. But this leaflet shows that there is more work to be done to ensure that all political parties in the city are on board.

“We remain firm in our commitment to stamping out racism and we are disappointed to see the Conservatives display such overt racial hatred.”

The post Greens challenge Conservatives for spreading racial hatred appeared first on Brighton & Hove Green Party.

The Green-led council in Brighton and Hove has put forward plans to commit to investing more than £27 million into climate action in the city to help improve the lives of residents and tackle climate change. [1]

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and despite swingeing government cuts, which have seen Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC) lose £100 million over ten years of Conservative austerity, Brighton and Hove Green Party councillors have put forward their plans for a Green recovery in the city which will be decided at the authority’s budget meeting on Thursday [25 February].

The plans include:

• £5.2m on the Brighton & Hove Warmer Homes Investment Fund which will make grants available to all residents in the city particularly low-income households. This will allow residents to update the insulation and heating systems in their homes, lowering both their fuel bills and their carbon footprint.
• A total of £7m on Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Investment Funds, which will provide funding to departments for projects that meet council sustainability priorities
• £1.7m combined to invest in parks and open spaces, creating new school streets, low traffic neighbourhoods and the expansion of the Brighton BikeShare scheme.

Green Party Councillor Phelim Mac Cafferty, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said:

“One year into the coronavirus pandemic, and with the climate crisis looming ever larger, it has become increasingly clear that it is down to local councils and communities to step up and deliver the kind of support and transformational change that the government is simply not prepared to do.

“Despite years of budget cuts we have prepared a budget which will not only keep local services on their feet and get people through this immediate health crisis, it will actually help improve all of our lives in ways that will tackle the spiralling climate emergency.

“This budget offers a Green recovery for Brighton and Hove, offering protection for the most vulnerable in the city, creating jobs and helping to build a cleaner, healthier and Greener future for us all.”

The budget proposal would also see the creation of a £4m reserve fund to kickstart a huge retrofitting scheme for all council homes in the city by 2030.

The investment plans put forward would be paid for by a rise in council tax, with those on low incomes protected from any increase in payments, a responsible and necessary use of the council’s reserves and sustainable borrowing at the current historic low rates.

Green Party Councillor David Gibson, joint finance lead on BHCC, said:

“Our priority is for a fair budget; where charges go up, we increase support for people struggling with council tax; and exempt low-income households from Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) increases.

“It’s a budget for recovery – instead of slashing services and jobs in a recession, we have used a modest amount of reserves to cover some of the extra costs of the pandemic, leaving enough resources to invest in public services and recovery right now, when it is certainly most needed. Crucially, as we head towards recovery, these reserves are repaid.

“This budget also fights to protect residents from another huge emergency: our climate crisis. We’ve worked to create green jobs, promote community wealth, and aid recovery in public projects. Projects such as building much needed additional council homes, warmer homes, easier to heat and climate friendly, will make a huge difference.

“Planting trees, investing in sustainable, active travel options and supporting our cultural and tourism recovery will also be key to getting our city back on its feet, able to rise to future challenges and thrive again.”

ENDS

Notes

            1

Here is a full breakdown of climate action investment in Brighton and Hove City Council’s budget:

• Street lighting invest to save scheme – £1.7m
• Solar panels for corporate buildings –  £500,000
• Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Investment Fund (SCRIF) –  £3.1m
• Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Investment Fund – Transport –  £3.9m
• Brighton Bikeshare Replacement Programme –  £467,000
• Pocket Parks – Parks and Open Spaces – £350,000
• School Streets – Transport –  £50,000
• Low Traffic Neighbourhoods – Transport – £300,000
• Brighton & Hove Warmer Homes Investment Fund – £5.2m
• Climate Assembly Actions –  £1.3m
• Domestic and communal heating improvements in council houses – £2.24m 
• Funding over two years to replace inefficient heating systems across all council housing stock and to consider opportunities to improve the energy rating and identify projects that will help to contribute to the target of being carbon neutral by 2030 – £4.8m
• Installation of a district heating network – £1.1m
• Home energy efficiency, insulation improvements and renewables – £300,000
• New Solar PV panels across council housing stock – £1.750m 

Total – £27.057 million

• In addition to this investment, the council would put aside an extra £4m into reserves to go towards a retrofit scheme for all council houses. The authority aims to have a fully-costed report by November which will set out how the council’s housing stock can be retrofitted over the next nine years and how much it will cost. In the meantime, consultation work will begin with residents.

The post Green plans to invest more than £27 million into climate action in Brighton & Hove appeared first on Brighton & Hove Green Party.

Councillor Marianna Ebel, the city council’s Brexit lead said:

“We welcome the announcement of a Brexit Deal, and that pragmatism has prevailed over populist clamour. Nevertheless, no Brexit deal, however good the terms and conditions, can ever be as beneficial as a membership in the European Union. So it still represents a hit on the economy which under the Conservatives will see the most marginalised hit hardest.

“We are hugely frustrated that it took till the eleventh hour for a Brexit Deal to be confirmed. The noise and bluster from the Prime Minister has seen many anxious, needlessly, about their future. The uncertainties of not knowing the outcome of the negotiations were particularly challenging and damaging for our local businesses.

“Free movement of people, goods and services will end and there will be changes to the border operations and procedures. Businesses reliant on overseas workers, especially in the care sector and the hospitality and construction industries, will struggle to recruit much needed staff from abroad under the new Points Based System. Many of our nurses from EU countries fled after the referendum – their absence has of course been felt sharply during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are also deeply disappointed at how EU Citizens were treated by the UK Government in the last 4.5 years. Left with uncertainty over a long period of time, the Government eventually decided that all EU Citizens had to apply for the right to remain in the country they call home.

“Whilst we do not feel it should be necessary for EU Citizens to go through this application process at all, we know that it is the only way of securing EU Citizens’ right to stay in the UK. Therefore, if you haven’t done so yet, we urge you to please apply for EU Settled Status as soon as possible. And please encourage fellow EU Citizens to apply if you know of someone who hasn’t applied yet.”

The post “No Brexit deal can ever be as beneficial as membership of the European Union” says the council’s Brexit Lead appeared first on Brighton & Hove Green Party.