CPS says it was wrong to pursue case against press photographer – The Guardian

‘The Crown Prosecution Service has admitted it was wrong to press on with a case against a news photographer arrested as he tried to lawfully take pictures at a crime scene.’

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The Guardian, 9th April 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Grenfell: Met officers suing force over ‘trauma’ suffered – BBC News

‘More than 30 current and former Metropolitan Police officers are suing the force “for personal injury and losses following their role in the Grenfell Tower fire”, it says.’

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BBC News, 10th March 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ministers to appoint adviser to support disaster victims in England and Wales – The Guardian

Posted November 27th, 2023 in accidents, bills, emergency services, government departments, news, victims by tracey

‘Ministers are to appoint a permanent independent adviser to provide support for victims of major disasters in England and Wales.’

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The Guardian, 27th November 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Tony Di Bart: The Real Thing singer sentenced for hitting PC – BBC News

‘A chart-topping singer has been handed a community order for hitting a police officer while drunk.’

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BBC News, 1st August 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

RNLI accused of failing to tackle violent bullying after assault – The Guardian

‘The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has been accused of failing to tackle violent bullying, after a row about rescuing people crossing the Channel in small boats ended in a volunteer being beaten unconscious by a crewmate who remained in charge of a lifeboat, despite the assault being witnessed by a regional manager.’

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The Guardian, 16th July 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

New expert panel to support victims after major disasters – Ministry of Justice

Posted March 2nd, 2023 in advocacy, bereavement, emergency services, inquiries, news, social services, victims by tracey

‘Survivors and the bereaved families of major disasters like Hillsborough, the Manchester Arena bombing and the Grenfell Tower fire will receive new dedicated support in the future under plans unveiled by the government today (1 March).’

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Ministry of Justice, 1st March 2023

Source: www.gov.uk

New powers to curb strike disruption approved by MPs – BBC News

Posted January 31st, 2023 in bills, emergency services, industrial action, news, trade unions, transport by tracey

‘MPs have backed plans aimed at enforcing minimum service levels for some sectors during strikes.’

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BBC News, 31st January 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Grant Shapps unveils new powers in strike laws – BBC News

‘Business Secretary Grant Shapps has set out plans to enforce minimum service levels during strike action, including for ambulance staff, firefighters and railway workers.’

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BBC News, 10th January 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Anti-strikes bill to be introduced to Parliament – BBC News

‘The government will introduce a bill to Parliament on Tuesday which would ensure public sector services maintain minimum service levels during strike action.’

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BBC News, 10th January 2023

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Challenging the Right to Strike: the UK Transport Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill – Oxford Human Rights Hub

‘The Transport Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill, currently passing through the UK Parliament, seeks to establish minimum service levels for transport provision following widespread industrial action on the country’s railways. The UK government describes the Bill as necessary ‘to keep Britain moving during transport strikes’. While the legislation’s effectiveness has been questioned elsewhere, the Bill also raises several issues in relation to international human rights law, some of which will be the focus of this blog post.’

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Oxford Human Rights Hub, 9th January 2023

Source: ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk

Anti-strike law could be brought forward as government tries to end disputes – The Guardian

‘Anti-strike legislation is expected to be brought forward later this week, as Rishi Sunak’s government scrambles to get a grip of the ongoing industrial disputes.’

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The Guardian, 4th January 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Cabinet minister rejects national misogyny and racism inquiry – BBC News

‘A national inquiry into institutional misogyny and racism in the workplace has been rejected by the government. The inquiry was called for by the authors of a damning report into London Fire Brigade’s workplace culture.’

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BBC News, 27th November 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Assault EW cases and the perverse effects of virtue-signalling legislation – Counsel

Posted November 10th, 2022 in assault, autism, emergency services, hospitals, imprisonment, mental health, news, police by sally

‘Defence lawyers are concerned that charging is frequently not in the public interest and that defendants with severe mental health problems and/or who are neurodivergent are being pointlessly swept into the criminal justice system, warns Penelope Gibbs.’

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Counsel, November 2022

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

Manchester Arena attack: Key failings of emergency response – BBC News

‘The Manchester Arena Inquiry has published a catalogue of failings and mistakes by the emergency services following the terror attack in 2017.’

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BBC News, 4th November 2022

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Drivers could be fined £1,000 for letting ambulance pass – how to avoid it – The Independent

Posted October 4th, 2022 in emergency services, fines, news, road traffic offences by sally

‘Drivers are being warned they face a £1,000 fine if they break the Highway Code when allowing an ambulance to pass them on the road.’

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The Independent, 4th October 2022

Source: www.independent.co.uk

New Acts – legislation.gov.uk

2022 c. 28 – Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022

2022 c. 27 – Approved Premises (Substance Testing) Act 2022

2022 c. 26 – Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022

2022 c. 22 – Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022

2022 c. 20 – Professional Qualifications Act 2022

2022 c. 17 – Local Government (Disqualification) Act 2022

2022 c. 36 – Nationality and Borders Act 2022

2022 c. 34 – British Sign Language Act 2022

2022 c. 32 – Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022

2022 c. 29 – Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022

2022 c. 24 – Cultural Objects (Protection from Seizure) Act 2022

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

‘Harper’s law’ may not deliver promised mandatory life sentences for killing police, experts say – The Independent

‘Legal experts have raised questions over a law the justice secretary promised would mean “mandatory life sentences” for people who accidentally kill police officers.’

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The Independent, 24th November 2021

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Motorola faces competition inquiry over UK emergency services network – The Guardian

‘The UK’s competition regulator is investigating Motorola over concerns that it has “cashed in” on its monopoly over mobile networks for the UK emergency services.’

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The Guardian, 26th October 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

Manchester Arena Inquiry: Ex-GMP officer investigated over evidence By Daniel De Simone – BBC News

‘A former Greater Manchester Police officer is being investigated by a watchdog over his evidence at a public inquiry into the Manchester Arena bomb.’

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BBC News, 5th July 2021

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New Assault on Emergency Workers Guidelines – Broadway House Chambers

Posted June 18th, 2021 in assault, chambers articles, emergency services, news, sentencing by sally

‘Last week, the Sentencing Council published revised sentencing guidelines for assault offences and new guidance for assaults on Emergency Workers. The updated guidelines come into effect from 1st July 2021 and apply to all adult offenders.’

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Broadway House Chambers, 2nd June 2021

Source: broadwayhouse.co.uk