Last year the Labour government acknowledged the need for a critical minerals strategy. It said a new strategy would be ready in the spring. But there’s no sign of it – and the delay is damaging Britain’s industrial interests.

The government plans to “crack down on fraud” by introducing new legislation which includes powers to access private bank accounts. This authoritarian move is being criticised.

London City Airport is now effectively under the control of investment giant Macquarie. In October the Australian-based multinational group moved to acquire 50 per cent of the business just four months after an initial 25 per cent stake.

New laws protect the freedom of speech at universities in England. This is necessary because too many bodies have actively promoted constraints on academic freedom.

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.