Bus drivers at three Manchester operators are taking coordinated strike action from 19 to 22 September. They have rejected low pay increases offered by the profitable companies as derisory.

A book, The Women Who Wouldn’t Wheesht, has been banned from an exhibition at the National Library of Scotland, despite oringinally being selected to be part of it.

The government’s trade deal with the US has led to the closure of Britain’s largest bioethanol plant on Humberside. Trade unions and companies in the industry have criticised the closure.

Despite staff shortages newly qualified medical professionals in all disciplines are finding it difficult to get jobs due to recruitment freezes. This wasteful situation has a direct impact on patient care in the NHS.

A group of healthcare workers in Gloucestershire are taking on their trust which refuses to pay them at the right grade. Strike action has been going on since April.

Arriva bus workers in south east England are being balloted on strike action over a below-inflation pay offer. Stikes could begin in September, resulting in major disruption to bus services in the areas affected.

Most of the Welsh government’s spending comes from the UK Treasury. The grant for the next three years looks inadequate, which will set the fiscal context for next year’s Senedd election.

One aspect of the housing crisis is the bad state of rented homes and the problem is growing, judging by a recent report. These conditions are a threat to health, especially children.