2 h. ago France hit by protests and strikes over Macron’s public service cuts

‘Every time there's a protest, it feels like daily life is held hostage’ says Paris office worker

Events

4 h. ago Strike action across France as hundreds of thousands march to demand PM rethinks budget cuts

Sébastien Lecornu, who has recently taken office, faces pressure to act on wages, pensions and public services as disruption is caused across the countryHundreds of thousands of people have marched in street demonstrations across France as trade unions held a day of strike action to pressure the new prime minister Sébastien Lecornu to rethink budget cuts and act on wages, pensions and public services.There was disruption to public transport as train, bus and tram drivers went on strike, hospital staff joined protests and nine out of 10 pharmacies were closed as pharmacists protested pricing policies. Around one in six teachers at primary and secondary schools went on strike, as well as school canteen staff and monitors. Several high schools from Paris to Amiens and Le Havre were blockaded by students. Protesters held more than 250 demonstrations and marched in cities from Paris to Marseille, Nantes, Lyon and Montpellier. Continue reading...

Events

4 h. ago Strike action across France as hundreds of thousands join protests

Disruption seen across country as PM Sébastien Lecornu urged to rethink budget cutsHundreds of thousands of people have marched in street demonstrations across France as trade unions held a day of strike action to pressure the new prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, to rethink budget cuts and act on wages, pensions and public services.There was disruption to public transport as train, bus and tram drivers went on strike, hospital staff joined protests and nine out of 10 pharmacies were closed as pharmacists protested against pricing policies. About one in six teachers at primary and secondary schools went on strike, as well as school canteen staff and monitors. Several high schools from Paris to Amiens and Le Havre were blockaded by students. Protesters held more than 250 demonstrations and marched in cities from Paris to Marseille, Nantes, Lyon and Montpellier. Continue reading...

Events

9 h. ago New French PM under pressure as strikes disrupt schools and transport across country – Europe live

Up to 800,000 people are expected to march over budget cuts, public services and wages a week after Sébastien Lecornu’s appointmentPeople in France: share your views on the strikeFull report: France’s biggest strike in years under way amid political crisisI am keeping an eye on the EU’s midday briefing just now, but there is no substantial update from the EU on the 19th package of sanctions against Russia.The European Commission’s deputy chief spokesperson, Olof Gill, repeated that “we expect to present [them] soon”, as he asked journalists to “please bear with us on that”, without offering more detail. Continue reading...

Events

11 h. ago France hit by huge strike as up to 800,000 protest looming budget cuts

In Paris, many metro lines were set to be suspended for most of the day except for morning and afternoon rush hour

Events

3 d. ago Scottish Fire and Rescue Service needs 'urgent investment' to avoid emergency response times increasing

The Fire Brigades Union has warned some community stations could close under service cut-backs.

Events

3 d. ago I've flown business on 9 airlines — one was so good I'm excited to fly 11 hours again

There is a business class cabin that's a cut above the rest, with a range of unexpected services that make all the difference when travelling long haul

Economics

7 d. ago Billionaire John Caudwell calls for gambling tax to combat ‘mayhem in society’

Labour donor urges Reeves to take ‘radical’ approach in Budget, raising VAT and cutting civil service waste

Economics

7 d. ago Glasgow facing job losses and cuts to services over refugee homelessness crisis

EXCLUSIVE: Susan Aitken also came out against the SNP Government freezing the council tax next year.

Events

8 d. ago Judge blocks a Trump policy cutting off some social services for immigrants in the US illegally

A federal judge has blocked Trump administration restrictions on federally-funded services for immigrants in the country illegally, including the federal preschool program Head Start, health clinics and adult education

Events

1 week ago Met Police piloting video screens amid anger over axing of half its front desks in London

Scotland Yard forced to cut services as epidemic of knife crime, mobile phone snatches and shoplifting spirals

Events

1 week ago Philadelphia's mass transit agency says it'll comply with order to restore deep service cuts

Philadelphia’s public transit agency says it'll restore services that it eliminated after a judge ordered it to undo the two-week-old cuts that were challenged in court as discriminatory toward poor and minority communities

Politics

2 w. ago Survey reveals high levels of trust in charities but concerns over duplication

However, the nationally representative survey of 1,000 people found that large portions of the population believe there is possible duplication of services and potential for mergers to cut costs and avoid overlaps

Politics

2 w. ago Moment police car is flipped over in horror crash on East Lancs Road

The busy route was closed off by emergency services with one man cut free from a car

Events

2 w. ago Want to work for National Weather Service? Be ready to explain how you agree with Trump

As the National Weather Service scrambles to hire up to 450 people to restore deep cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency, potential applicants are being asked to explain how they would advance President Donald Trump’s agenda if hired

Politics

2 w. ago Councillors approve plans to restore grass cutting services across West Dunbartonshire

The council has agreed to restore grass cutting services across West Dunbartonshire after a summer of complaints from residents.

Politics

3 w. ago Collapsing ceilings, leaking windows and rat boxes: inside one of England’s crumbling fire stations

Fire chiefs say many stations are not fit for purpose and are urging government to protect services from proposed cutsApproaching a dilapidated-looking 1960s building with a peeling and faded exterior, it is common for visitors to have the same thought: this cannot possibly be an active fire station.“You can say it looks derelict, we know,” says Simon Carey, the group commander of the Plymouth response at Devon and Somerset fire and rescue service. Continue reading...

Events

last month Cutting school transport for disabled kids is a cruel way to balance the books

Record View says cutting services cannot mean vulnerable youngsters being left ­abandoned by the education system.

Culture