Podcasts about Financial secretary

The Best of 2024 series continues with the April 29 interview featuring Stephan Davis, Business Manager and Financial Secretary of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 40. Davis joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the local's rich history, centennial celebration and innovative retirement plans. Jeff Stoffer, Director of Media and Communications at the American Legion, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss two stories in the January edition of the American Legion magazine focused on the evolving role of veterans with the National Park Service and the important role of missile defense systems.

This episode of City Talks is taken from a recent Centre for Cities keynote event with The Rt Hon Greg Clark, in partnership with Warwick Business School. MP for Tunbridge Wells from 2005 - 2024, Greg Clark served as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and as Financial Secretary to the Treasury as well as many other Ministerial positions. Chief Executive Andrew Carter joined Greg to discuss his time in government, industrial strategy and devolution.

- Joel Pogose, President of Carpenters Local 250 https://carpentersunionlocal250.org/about - Cass Casper, Disprti Law https://www.dispartilaw.com/our-attorneys/cass-casper/ - Paul Wende, Business Manager, Financial Secretary, Treasurer Ironworkers https://iwlocal63.com/officers.aspx Local 63 - Jimmy Fult)on, Business Agent Title Setter Union (Part of Bricklayers https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-fulton-94992587/ - Jonathan Jones carpenters https://www.carpentersunion.org/news/union-diversity-director-receives-business-award/ - George Andros Disparti Law https://www.dispartilaw.com/our-attorneys/george-andros/ - Craig Triplett https://mactc.org/author/woodandnail456/ - Bob Reiter Chicago Federation of Labor https://chicagolabor.org/about/meet-our-team/bob-reiter/

Thom interviews Steve Chaney, founder and CEO of Chaney and Associates, the premier CPA firm for churches of all sizes. In this episode, Steve and Thom discuss the challenges of a church secretary or bookkeeper who might not have the necessary skills to do the job. The post Dealing with a Well-Meaning But Not-So-Competent Financial Secretary in Your Church: An Interview with Steve Chaney appeared first on Church Answers.

Former senior advisory counsel to the Government, Lloyd DeVincenzi, said he was concerned by the connection between Hassans, the Chief Minister and the Financial Secretary. Giving evidence at the McGrail Inquiry, Mr DeVincenzi said he was shocked when he came to know that 36 North, which was being investigated by the police, was owned by Hassans - and therefore in part by Fabian Picardo and Albert Mena. Mr DeVincenzi said "lines needed to be drawn". The Development and Planning Commission have been discussing potential plans for Devil's Tower Road. Kevin Ruiz was at the meeting earlier today and spoke to us about the details. And, if you're an artist it's time to get those paint brushes or cameras out! The Alwani Exhibition is round the corner, and the deadline for submissions is at the end of the month. There are prizes totalling £10,000 up for grabs. Joseph Alecio from the Alwani Foundation told us more about the competition. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21st April 2024 The Spokesmen Cycling Podcast EPISODE 352: Laura Laker SPONSOR: Tern Bicycles HOST: Carlton Reid GUEST: Laura Laker LINKS: https://www.the-spokesmen.com/ https://www.ternbicycles.com https://twitter.com/CarltonReid https://twitter.com/laura_laker https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/potholes-and-pavements-9781399406468/ Carlton Reid 0:11 Welcome to Episode 352 of the Spokesmen cycling podcast. This show was engineered on Sunday, April 21 2024. David Bernstein 0:28 The Spokesmen cycling roundtable podcast is brought to you by Tern bicycles. The good people at Tern are committed to building bikes that are useful enough to ride every day and dependable enough to carry the people you love. In other words, they make the kind of bikes that they want to ride. Tern has e-bikes for every type of rider. Whether you're commuting, taking your kids to school or even carrying another adult, visit www.ternbicycles.com. That's t e r n bicycles.com to learn more. Carlton Reid 1:04 I'm Carlton Reid and today's show is a chat with like journalist Laura Laker, author of an excellent new book, Potholes and Pavements. This is a travelogue featuring Laura's travels around the UK, writing on some of the best and worst bits of Britain's National Cycle network. From jaw droppingly gorgeous looking ancient military roads in the Highlands of Scotland to dark and dingy urban back streets blocked with barriers. As the books subhead warns, it's a bumpy ride. Um, so you've written a book. Is this your first? Laura Laker 1:46 Yeah, my first my first book, believe it or not, Carlton Reid 1:49 well done. Congratulations. It's a brilliant first book. One of many. I'm sure it'll be one of many. I noticed you've got a an agent. Yeah, you say in the back and thank him. So I'm guessing you're going to be doing more books? Laura Laker 2:00 Yeah, I guess so. I'm not trying to think about it too much. This one was very long in the gestation. I had an idea back in 2017 to do a basically ring around talking to people. I'd listened to the audiobook of John Steinbeck's Travels with Charlie, in which he travels across the US with his big poodle, and talking to people and he says he's most wonderful conversations, which were later question for their veracity, but it's just, it's just a wonderful format. And I love I'd kind of in that trip to America, I rediscovered my love of talking to strangers, which I had as a kid, and I'm kind of lost over the years, I guess, being British, but spending time in the US where everyone is just willing to talk to you and tell you their life story. I rediscovered this just love of cycling, is brilliant for that, you know, just talking to people you're travelling around, you might stop at some lights, or you might pass someone on a path and just get chatting to them. And it's wonderful people have the most amazing stories, I think Carlton Reid 2:59 Well, there's two teachers that you met, hopefully they will read the book. You weren't avoiding them. Laura Laker 3:07 I know Greg and Norton, they were so brilliant. And the most unexpected encounters and I was up in the Cairngorms and travelling alone and feeling a bit like oh, you know, such a beautiful, it's ridiculously beautiful up there. I'm always just astounded by Scotland, and how how it's possible for somewhere to be so beautiful. And the NCN [National Cycle Network] across the Cairngorms is something else, it's really quite remarkable. A lot of its off road, it's this dedicated path. It was an old military road. And the rest is on fairly quiet country roads. And I was pootling along on my big pink ebike, which I did some of my adventures on and I saw these roadies coming up behind me and I thought well that they're going to overtake me in a bit. And sure enough, they did. We said hello. And then I saw them stopped at this bridge and they were looking over and they just had this wonderful kind of whimsy about them this they weren't they were going a long way actually they're going from kind of Aviemore back to Preston where they were at least one of them lived and doing it over a couple of days in sort of training one of them's an Ironman enthusiastic participants, but on the way they were stopping looking over bridges, that sort of waterfalls over rocks and like looking across the landscape and just enjoying the scenery. And that for me is what cycling is about. It's about appreciating the world around us and the people around us and so they said we'll ride with us for a while and as you know ebike your Aberdeen bought a bike mine included, maxes out at 15 and a half miles an hour which these guys were obviously capable of exceeding quite easily. So but they they rode with me for quite some time and we chatted and they were just fantastic. And then yeah, they they stopped for a week and I had to run inside for a week. And then I came out and they'd gone Carlton Reid 4:51 but it's quite a nice way to say goodbye. Are you are you are you taking notes as you're going along? So you wrote their names and what they did. And or you coding stuff. How are you physically? Laura Laker 5:02 Yeah, so I get back at the end of a ride and write stuff down. And I do think it's best that way, especially with travel writing, because you forget so much so quickly. And the big three Cornwall, I think is, you know, in the early parts of the book, when I first started the exploration, further afield, you know, writing stuff down as you experience it, or very soon after is really important because you lose a lot of the detail and the texture of what you're experiencing. And I think it just makes for much richer story that way, but also difficult to do because you're having to memorise and maybe that's why Steinbeck was getting criticised because he wasn't writing No, no. As he was going along, he's remembering it. Well, memories can do. Memory is really interesting, actually. Because we we probably most of us think that our memories are fairly good, or the way that remember things is correct. But actually, it's very, very subjective. And the longer time goes on, the more we forget, or the memory gets warped, or things get introduced that didn't exist, maybe and it's really very, very subjective. I've got I don't know for some things, I've got quite a good short term memory so I can remember to a certain extent, but obviously, as Homer Simpson once said, you know, one thing comes into your brain another thing has to leave it so. Carlton Reid 6:23 That's 100% me though. So this book Potholes and Pavements, a bumpy ride on Britain's National Cycle network, it comes out May the ninth published by Bloomsbur. £16.99. Excellent, excellent book. I read it yesterday and got up early this morning to make sure I finished it before I spoke with you. Now normally when when I talk to people for this podcast, I always get them to send me a photograph so I can do the you know, the socials and the thing that goes on the show notes. What have you with you, oh, an hour and a half to do that. Because I have ridden with you ridden with you on bits of the ride that you are right that you mentioned in your book. So when you mentioned that, you know the cycle superhighway. You make an item was like, I've got that photograph because I was holding my camera photographing you behind me? Laura Laker 7:20 Yeah, with Brian Deegan. Carlton Reid 7:21 There's knowing smiles when I'm reading your books like I was on that ride. Like I know, Laura. Oh, my word. It's also like me on that ride. And when you describe windmills, yes. But the windmills and it's a cute book for me. Also cute because I know lots of these people who you're describing. And I know in the book, it says he didn't want to be described as a hero. But he is a hero. And because it's about the National Cycle network, then clearly that's got to be the guy who not single handedly founded it, but certainly pushed it through with those with those early innovators. So that's John Grimshaw. So he comes in, he's, he's in at least three or four parts of the book, you've clearly gone to speak to him a number of times wonderful. And it's fantastic that he's in there, because he really doesn't get the recognition he deserves. Laura Laker 8:16 Yeah, it's interesting. I mean, he I obviously have to speak to John Grimshaw. Because a lot of people as he points out, and as I tried to convey in the book, a lot of people and probably, you know, uncountable numbers of people were involved in the foundation of and development of the National Cycle network. And then it's maintenance ever since many of whom are working for very little, in fact, nothing, because they loved it. But John really seemed like, talking to people and talking to him, was the driving this real driving force behind it and his kind of self belief and single minded determination, I think was a major driver and he is such a character. I mean, a bit of a Marmite character, I think, but, you know, it seems like you need people to kind of drive things forward. Carlton Reid 9:05 Cos you need somebody like that. He's a visionary. Yeah, you know. I love Malcolm Shepherd. I love Zavier Brice, the people who are in charge now and Malcolm was the guy who came in after after John. But Malcolm wasn't a visionary. Malcolm was an accountant. And when when the organisation any organisation any business gets big, then you very often need somebody else to take over. And there's lots of faction there at the time. You don't go into it in a great detail. That was enormous friction there and there's still enormous amount of bad blood between people. Laura Laker 9:46 Yeah, and it's interesting because Caroline Lovatt. Here's another key figure from fairly early on and still works with John today. On there, they're still building cycle routes under a different organisation, cycle routes and greenways and Um, she says that, you know, for for years, according to her, John kept disappearing from the kind of record of that of the history of the NCN on Wikipedia, she kept putting him back in. And um, yeah, I mean, the story was, and that was a difficult part of it to tell. But it was one that had to be mentioned, I didn't want to go too into it. But obviously, you know, John, leaving Sustrans under fairly strange circumstances, and really against his will, was was part of the story that needed to be told. And it was a different and I spoke to a number of people and nobody really, I think, you know, there were potentially nondisclosure agreements. And so nobody really talks about what exactly happened, which is why I call I mentioned the omerta. Because it really seems like everyone has a slightly different story, or, and I and again, I, you know, it's memory and it was a painful time. And it was a long time ago. And it's quite common, as you say, with new organisations, you've got this big driving force, but then sometimes they're not the person to carry on leading an organisation once the first major thing is done, and, you know, they might not be great with people is, you know, having a skill to start and drive something is not the same as being a sort of manager of people and diplomats. And it's, yeah, it's quite often it's a painful process, certainly not unique, I think. Carlton Reid 11:16 No, it's very common for that kind of thing to happen. However, saying that it's very important to recognise who was that visionary? And I think he lost an awful lot of that. So, so wonderful to see John. central to that. So that's really nice part of the book because I, you know, John, John is a wonderful, wonderful guy, and absolutely, this would not have happened without him. I know, there's lots of other people you know, David Sproxton, all these kind of people were there at the same time, George Ferguson. So So Sproxton was Aardman Animation. So people who know admire animation, George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol, at one point, all these individuals were there at the time, but it needed that guiding force that needed that. Just somebody who woulda just said no, and just went ahead and did it. That was that was the ethos of Sustrans in the early days. So that Laura Laker 12:12 Yeah, yeah, because the status quo then as it is, today, is very much stacked against cycling routes happening. And so you kind of need a rebel who's not willing, who's you know, not willing to take no for an answer? Who's going to be able to make things happen? And I think in a way that kind of, I guess, you know, being from a fairly well off upper middle class background, you have the confidence really the education that kind of gives you that confidence and and then the character and self belief to just to drive that forward. Carlton Reid 12:47 Mmm. That you didn't mention not even once Cycling, Touring Club CTC cycling UK. Because the book isn't in all cycling, you are you are laser focused on the National Cycle network. But there was also friction between those two organisations, you know, stranden effect was an upstart organisation, then it got for £42.5 million with Meatloaf handing that over on TV or that kind of stuff. And there was there was an awful lot of friction between still is between strands and and what is today cycling UK. So you haven't got into that at all. What Why didn't you go into that? Is that just because you wanted to just stay laser focused on the cycle network? Laura Laker 13:36 I mean, I mentioned that not everyone felt that Sustrans was being helpful because they felt that cycle route should be delivered by government and charities stepping in. And taking that role almost allows the government to say, well, you know, someone's doing it. Now. We don't need to get involved. But I mentioned the kind of tension between certain types of cyclists. I think I might quote to you, I think I've got you in the references on that. But I mean, I don't know if I just don't know how. I don't know. It's yeah, it's a tricky one. It's how much to include, and you always have to make these decisions, what to include and what not to include, and I guess I just didn't feel like that was a key part of the story at all. There was some thinking at the time around that but and I'm aware that there was tension and I know that Mark Strong for one who gets quite a mention in the book, talked about Sustrans being too successful and not successful enough in that, you know, they were doing this job notionally? No, they were doing a great job for with what they had and who they were and ie not the government and with not very much money but they were doing enough just to allow the government to just say, You know what, well Sustrans is delivering the National Cycle network, tick, job done. Let's get back to the serious business of roads. Carlton Reid 15:01 because there is there is you meant we will get on to the very positive points, you've got like a bunch of what what do you call it in the book where you've got a whole bunch of asks basically? Oh, yeah, the manifesto, the manifesto. There you go. Number one, we'll go through these points. 10 point manifesto. So there's some positive stuff to talk about that. But you don't really mention that there's this that, you know, you're talking about, you know, this should be funded nationally, and there is that struggle, bear with you know, this is a charity, etc, etc. But then you've also got the weakness of you have actually got to at least have British Cycling as well, three competing organisations, going to government and asking for money for various things. And wouldn't it be nicer and more practical and may even get more stuff? If there's only one organisation so there is that there is the absolute fault line running through cycling? That is one of the reasons why it's very easy for the government to not do stuff because they're getting told different things by different organisations and one organisation saying don't back them back us. So there's that kind of friction there. Laura Laker 16:22 I don't know if that's if I see it that way. I mean, Sustrans cycling UK, and British Cycling, and things like livable streets are all part of the walking and cycling Alliance. And I think what that what that's trying to do is to unify the voice, because ultimately they want the same thing. I mean, British cycling's coming at it from a sports point of view. But recognising that its members also need safe roads to cycle on. And that means a whole host of other things, safe protected routes in cities. And that's popular with members. And then cycling UK, originally a touring group, now a charity that lobbies for Safe Routes, safe conditions, and also delivers stuff for government, such as what to fix your ride, and a bunch of other things. And then Sustrans is a National Cycle network and behaviour change programmes. So there are overlaps, but I do think they are distinct. And I don't see I don't see it as I mean, they probably have internal, you know, perspectives on things and perhaps don't always agree with what the other one was doing. But I think I think they tend to present a fairly unified front these days. Carlton Reid 17:30 They're not as bad nowadays. I mean, it's when you get rid of it certainly did not get rid. That's the That's the wrong phrase. When individuals leave organisations, it can change because a new people come in, and you know, those alliances are, that's what you're just used to. But you know, before that alliance was put in place, they were cats and dogs, they were really hating on each other and slagging each other off to government as well. So that's why government was able to go up. This cycling is just mad look, these these, you know, what they, these three cats in a sack just fighting each other. Laura Laker 18:03 And then you saw, I mean, I think I talked about, you know, Malcolm Shepherd, who was the CEO after John Grimshaw. He went to ministers, and he was saying, why aren't we getting the funding we asked for? Or why are we getting taken seriously, I think was the question. And he was told, Well, you don't ask for enough money, basically. So they were thinking and perhaps this kind of historic infighting is also a function of the fact that these were kind of fledgling organisations to an extent for some time, not very much funding. They were run by enthusiasts probably, who all had their own ideas. And of course, let's not forget that there were also the vehicular ISTS who didn't even believe that we needed cycling's of which I think cycling UK early on was one and that might explain why they disagree with Sustrans who were trying to yes, no, there was a whole cohort who stands for that reason, absolutely. 100%. So maybe that, you know, it perhaps is a function of just the whole movement being in its infancy. I mean, it's been going for a good 40 or so years, but I don't know, maybe it was maybe it was just run by enthusiasts for a very long time. And that's why it's taken a while to kind of mature but also I think it was going I mean, our cycling lobby, organisations were kind of leading the way for much longer than a lot of European countries in a nice talk about this in the book in countries like France and in the Netherlands and in Denmark, they all started their calls for National Cycle networks or at least safe routes, thanks to charities and voluntary organisations. And then fairly quickly, were all taken on by the government who saw this as a piece of infrastructure firstly, quite often for leisure, but then they realised people were using these routes for commuting trips, and it was it needed to be part of the infrastructure and was taken up with great enthusiasm and in Sweden as well. By the various local departments and regional governments and delivered quite quickly and at quite a kind of scale. And that hasn't really happened here. And so perhaps those kinds of just the longevity of those cycling groups being so crucial to anything that happens for cycling, has kind of made this whole, I don't know, split more important than it would have otherwise been. Carlton Reid 20:24 Yeah. And like in the Netherlands, the the organization's tried to fight against this, but the government tax cyclists, and cyclists actually paid for the roads. Laura Laker 20:34 They did, that's right. Carlton Reid 20:37 But it's the very fact and this was a cyclist at the time were fighting against, they didn't want to be taxed. In the UK, and the Netherlands, they were taxed. And then cyclists became national infrastructure. And that became critical, as you say, and the fact that you know, there wasn't, there was some national infrastructure, obviously, I've done this the 1930 cycleways project. But the CTC is the British Cycling as of the time fought against all of this, they fought against taxation, they fought against cycle routes. And so there is there is some argument to be made that cyclists have been their own worst enemy. So I know in the book, you're saying, you know, it's just such a no brainer. And it is to back, you know, for want of a better word or phrase active travel. Now, in the book, you've got various people are saying we should call it something different. Laura Laker 21:27 Yeah, Lee Craigie. Carlton Reid 21:27 yeah. Yeah. But, you know, cycling has been difficult, at the same time. And it's like, what's happening in Wales, and in Scotland, is inspiring, possibly, because it's actually coming from above. A lot of it, you know, there's obviously enthusiastic people working on the ground, etc. But a lot of this is coming from government ministers. So that helps. Yeah. And, Laura Laker 21:54 I mean, we have this idea, and I'm sure we're not alone. And this point you just made and the example of the taxing of the cyclists in the Netherlands, which is something I learned during doing the research for the book, I didn't actually know about this, but I, you know, the reason we lost the railways that then became a lot of these greenways was because, you know, we see transport as needing to wash its own face needing to fund itself. And the railways at the time, were losing money for most of the routes. And so that was the reasoning. And, you know, with roads, obviously, drivers are taxed it's not sort of ring fence funding. It's not a road tax, it's, but you know, it is making the Treasury money and cycling has never really done that. And I, I think fundamentally, the way that way of thinking about transport is wrong, because of the benefits, the much wider benefits that transport gives us in terms of, you know, being able to access education and health and social opportunities and for our physical and mental health. And it's, its benefits span far beyond its own kind of silo. But we don't really see it that way. And I'm not really sure actually, if anywhere managers to think of it this way, but I think post pandemic, things like free bus services and in different countries has maybe illustrated that people are starting to think about it differently. But ultimately, I think it's it's a very tricky one. Because like you say, we in a way we weren't, we were own worst enemy in terms of our predecessors in the cycling world. But we were working within philosophy that's that dictated that actually, if you're going to build something, you know, who's making money from it, or, you know, how is the Treasury getting that investment back and not really seeing it as this makes people healthier? Or this gives them opportunities or promotes businesses, local tourism? And all of this? So yeah, I mean, if we'd done it differently, who who knows of cyclists in the UK? So fine, we'll pay a tax. Who knows? We might have an NCN now, but, and even today, it's a little bit of an uncomfortable conversation, isn't it? Because, you know, nobody wants to be taxed. Carlton Reid 24:02 So the book is, it's a polemic in many ways, not not all the way through. But there are definitely bits in there that are strident. And I cannot argue with at all I'm reading it nodding along. And certainly the bits about like the national infrastructure, right, and it's all being spent on roads. And it's it's the so many reasons why that is crazy. Yeah, and why spending even just a fraction of the roads budget on on a national cycle network, you know, genuinely joined up one high quality would bring many more, many more benefits. And then you've got and the irony is, and I did a new story on this is, you have a government minister, who has written the foreword to your book, and he said This is not government minister, a former government minister, a former Transport Minister, Jesse Norman, and then it's like, why don't you do this when you're in power? It's great. You've said it. It's wonderful that you're saying all these things. But you could have done this, you could have pushed for this. And he was also the Financial Secretary of the Treasury. Yeah, he could have released money. Yeah, let me see what he says. But Laura Laker 25:26 it's so difficult, isn't it? And it's, again, it's kind of facing it's the status quo. I mean, it's, I think, maybe important to remember, and I'm not making excuses for anyone. But, you know, he was a junior minister, certainly in his first round is cycling minister. And so he would have had to tow the party line. So I don't know how easy it is for. I mean, he's a very intelligent guy. He cares about cycling. But then he's part of a system, which ultimately, I guess, maintains the status quo doesn't want to upset the applecart. And that's why, in the manifesto, I, you know, I think it's so important that people speak up for these things, because I think until there's an outcry for it, it's very difficult for any one minister, unless we have a cycling Prime Minister, to change all of this. There's a lot of vested interests in maintaining, you know, roads for cars, keeping car manufacturing, going and, you know, taxation on cars is going to be very problematic, because obviously EVs electric vehicles don't pay, you know, drivers with EVs don't pay cortex. So what's gonna happen there? But yeah, I mean, it's difficult, but I think people need to speak up for this kind of thing. We get a lot of kickback pushback from people when there's cycle routes coming. But those are the minority. And one thing I tried to highlight in the book is that most people want this once cycling routes, they they want other options and to drive. And, you know, between two thirds and four fifths of people in representative polls say that they'd support this and many of them, even if it meant taking road space away from motor vehicles. But that's not what politicians listen to. And I think increasingly, politicians are listening to angry people on Twitter. And you know, if Mark Harper's comments about LTNs and 15 minute neighbourhoods is anything to go by, which was straight out of the kind of conspiracy theorists, Twitter playbook, you know, they're listening to the loudest voices. And I think until people say, you know, we actually want choice. We don't want to have to breathe polluted air, we don't want to have our neighbourhoods dominated by motor vehicles. We want our kids to be able to go to school safely. I think it's gonna be difficult for things to change. Carlton Reid 27:45 Hmm. So you have mentioned a variety of routes that are actually pretty good. So yeah, Keswick one is one of them. Laura Laker 27:55 Threlkeld, yes. Carlton Reid 27:58 And that's why I know, I know the route well, as good as now, you know, a cycleway there because that was that was long in gestation. But basically, it's it's it's, it's popular. You know, people say, oh, like, but that's a popular route now, isn't it? Laura Laker 28:15 Yeah, yeah, people drive there. And I mean, that was that was interesting for a number of reasons. I mean, incredibly beautiful. It sort of weaves through Greta gorge, which is just this kind of just this amazing landscape, this sort of rocky river which meanders through this very deep wooded valley. And it's on a former rail line. And it was, which storm was it was it 2015, there was a big storm, which basically crumbled a couple of the bridges with the sheer volume of water that ended up going through this narrow gorge. And then it was out of action for a couple of years. And that was an important, crucial route and a tourist attraction for local businesses. One pub owner apparently offered the local council, I think it was the national parks something like 30 grand out of his own pocket, reopened the route, but it was actually a sort of 2 million pound job. So that wasn't going to go all the way. But you know, this was a really important tourist attraction for people and people drive there because there aren't safe routes to get to and from the ends, so people drive and park and then cycle along it and cycle back. But yeah, it's popular, it's really popular. And they when they put the bridges, the new bridges in Sustrans with various parts of funding, they resurfaced it and there was a big hoo ha about putting tarmac on instead of the gravel that had been there before. But that actually opened up it up to far more people, including people who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters, because any sort of rough surface or uneven ground can tip someone in a wheelchair and it effectively makes these routes unusable. And this is something that I really learned in the book and feel very strongly about now. And there was a big outcry nationally about tarmacking this path because it's in the Lake District and everyone's He has an opinion about the Lake District even if they've just been there once and we all feel like we own it because it's such a beautiful place and I guess rightly so. We all care about it. Carlton Reid 30:07 The Lakers. Laura Laker 30:09 Lakers, my people. Yeah. The people who holidayed in the lakes were known as the Lakers. Yeah, which is brilliant. So yeah, they, you know, they held their ground and they tarmac it and you know, the numbers increased drastically. And this story plays out all over the country, wherever there's a improve surface on a path. Suddenly, it's open to everyone. And this is what this is what cycle rich should be in, in my opinion, it should be open to everyone. Carlton Reid 30:37 Yeah, it's like the cinder path. That's the Sustrans route national cycling group from from Whitby to Scarborough. That was the one that had a load of of people complaining because Cinder path you know, they were going to be tarmacking just parts of it. And lots of people are saying you know but this this this will you know, destroy it or whenever lots of yobs in and it just never got done. And then it's it's impossible for a lot of the year because it's just it gets just too rutted into mud into too horrible. And this is, you know, we discard it would just be so easy. You know, between these two conurbations and small conurbations, if you could ride there on an all year round an all weather path? Laura Laker 31:21 So yeah, I do. I do worry about this, because it's, you know, they say it's an effect gentrification. And you're you're bringing, you know, urban into the countryside yet. There's roads everywhere, and they got tarmac on, and nobody seems to be kicking up a fuss there. What's What's your problem? Yeah, I know. And I think it's just we have this idea about what the cycle routes should be or could be, and we see them as leisure routes quite a lot of the time, we have this kind of set idea about cycling, that it's not, you know, it's not a commuter option, or, but you know, it is, but it goes beyond that. And it is about who can access these parts. And quite often, having an uneven surface will lock a lot of people out. And you know, we're an ageing population in this country. And as we get older, we will all have disabilities, and mobility issues. And it shouldn't be that you know, these paths are any open to a few people. But yeah, it's a difficult one. And we would like to say we've never think twice about it for roads, we've never think about having a road as a dirt path. And I can you know, visually tarmac is not a beautiful thing, but I think if people understood that actually, it's it's not just about the visuals. This is about people and this is what these parts are for they're for people. Carlton Reid 32:34 Well you can make if you want it to be just that colour, you can make the the asphalt you can you can you can dye the asphalt. So it's it's more expensive. But you can you can do all sorts of treatments you can do to make it all weather doesn't have to look, you know, black. Yeah. So anyway, so let's go to another assessment. That's some negative ones. Where they tried to be certain, but then you point out the Polgate one, between Polgate and Glynde, which is almost happened to you by by mistake. Not mistake, but it's certainly a by accident. Yeah. And you're talking about it being just brilliant. So describe that one. Laura Laker 33:11 That's amazing. Yeah. So I was told about this. And then I know someone who lives in Lewis, which is at one end of it. And so we we we met at the station and cycled along this path. And so it's beside the A27, which is a national highways road. And it's right by the sales downs, which is hugely popular with cyclists. And basically, there were so many people cycling on this incredibly terrifying road. It's one of those narrow and winding A roads with huge volumes of traffic. I mean, I went on a walking trip near Louis the other day, and I had to cross it with no crossing and it was it was genuinely terrifying. I can't imagine people cycling on it, because it's, you know, six months. So yeah, anyway, people were being held up in their cars because of people cycling. And so national highways decided it was going to build a path alongside and it's this this was a real eye opener for me because they had done what needs to happen around the country. They had built a path behind the hedge row, which is wide and tarmac and smooze with lots of planting and culverts and bridges over rivers and and they just laid it you know, very little problem. I don't know if they owned the land or perhaps compulsory purchase probably a mixture of I think it was a mixture of both. And so they built this amazing kind of 10 kilometre joyful route, which is just you know, it's just like a road. It's like no stress. You just carry on. There was someone on the mobility scooter the day I was there, a couple of people on bikes, but it was basically hadn't opened yet. And yeah, it was just there. But it's quite funny because at either end, it just stopped because then that's the local councils job to kind of deliver it beyond. But you know, it shows what's possible if you have a national body with the power and the funding, and they have, you know, multi year funding pots which helps plan and deliver this stuff and they just did it, they just sort of swept aside all of the normal problems that I talked about in the book that usually dog these cycle routes. And yeah, it's quite, it was quite marvellous, quite Carlton Reid 35:11 I found it fascinating because one of the things you say is, as we just mentioned there, it, it was an effective bill to get the cyclists off the road. We made enough nuisance of ourselves, that is 1930s to a tee, you know, the transport, you know, built those 500 miles of cycle tracks in the 1930s to Dutch standards laced around the country. Some of them weren't brilliant, but some of them were amazing, you know, 12 foot wide Dutch Dutch level, concrete curbs, you know, perfectly brilliant bits of cycling infrastructure that are now just some of them are white elephants, because they didn't link up to anywhere. But, you know, the government at the time said, Oh, we're doing this for the safety. No, they weren't they were doing it to you know, get cyclists on the road because we're slowing down motorists, but you kind of almost don't care if if if you get a really superlative route behind the hedgerows. Yeah. Okay. It's such a difference. Yeah. That's the difference. It's got to be good. You can't just fob you off with shared route pavement, which is what yeah, the criticism of Sustrans has been is like there's so many shared route pavement. And that's why Sustrans got a bad rap, even though it wasn't their fault. And they were just trying to fill in the gaps. Laura Laker 36:28 That yeah, yeah. And yeah, they just have to use whatever was there, which was quite often a pavement along what would have been a not too busy road in the 70s or 80s. But it's now a sort of thundering highway and being on a pavement with no barrier between you and or no, no sort of space between you and the 60 mile an hour traffic is far from pleasant, and no, no, no parent is going to choose to cycle on that. If they have any other choice, you know, they're going to avoid that like the plague because you know, one little wobble or mistake and then you know, it's horrific there, you know, possible outcomes. But yeah, it's you know, it's, it's fantastic. Because you don't even barely know the roads there. It's just cool. It's just gorgeous. I'd like to go back actually, because it's been a good year, I think since I saw it. At least actually. Maybe Yeah, I think it's at least a year and yeah, let's see how the trees are bedding in and because it was brand new at the time it just been done. But yeah, it is. Ultimately it is possible. And regardless of the motivations it just goes to show what's possible. I liked recently because Andy Streets and his Walking and Cycling Commissioner Adam Tranter he's on my podcast. They announced they're going to deliver the HS2 cycleway alongside in and around HS2 between Coventry and Birmingham. And when they get to Kenilworth, they're basically connecting up to one of their 1930 cycleways into Coventry. So I quite like that, you know, it's sort of linking something that's already there. And Carlton Reid 38:01 yeah, and that's also a John Grimshaw project, wasn't it? That was that was a John Grimshaw. Laura Laker 38:05 Yeah. He cycled the whole thing. Yes. Yes, he's been he's been trying to get that one, you know, for a lot for a long time. And yeah, it does stand alone. No, you need really, you need the HS2, of course, just stand alone without it. Carlton Reid 38:21 It does. Yeah, saying that, it would have absolutely been put in at the same time, that would not have been the difference. So that is point three. So in your 10 Point manifesto, that's basically work together a behind the hedgeroq Act, compulsory purchase orders, all these kinds of things that only government can do. Yeah. needs to be brought in into play. Yeah. And then you you've said and it's very ambitious. But when you think about it's like, yeah, you could do this easily. And that is you know, if if this was done and if money was provided, and compulsory purchase orders were put in like you would do for roads, you can have an unbelievably fantastic truly superlative national cycling in four years. Laura Laker 39:02 Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, Brian Deegan active travel England reckoned reckoned on this, because, you know, they have such a huge amount of power and to take go to build a cycle, which basically takes three years generally you do you have a year to kind of plan it a year to consult and tweak and then a year to build it. And for that you need multi year funding, because without that, you can't plan anything, basically. And that's why we've ended up bits and bobs of improvements, because it's like, you get the money, you have to spend it pretty much immediately. But yeah, I mean, the amount of funding a body like national highways has would be enough to you know, link these existing routes. Sometimes there are quiet roads, you know, I guess, in the Netherlands, you have through roads and access roads, things like low traffic neighbourhoods, in the countryside. That is a that is a kind of measure that you can do. And some of it it doesn't all have to be Are these sort of high quality pieces of massive engineering cycle routes, either behind the hedge row or on main roads? Some of it can just be tweaking kind of existing infrastructure so that it's not not every road as a through road. But yes, it's some it's amazing. And I kind of did a double take when I heard this. But when we put our mind to something, it's amazing what's possible. Carlton Reid 40:24 And potentially, we will see the fruits of this in Scotland, and Wales, Scotland, Wales are putting in some really ambitious stuff. And Mark Drakeford going, you know, will they backtrack on the 20 mile limit? And will they, you know, reverse a lot of stuff that Lee Waters that all this kind of stuff is potentially up in the air? We don't know yet. Yeah. But Scotland does seem to be, you know, putting their money where their mouth is, you know, that the amount of money that's going in there, per head, dwarfs what we see here in England. So the potentially you've got, you've got like, in five years, you could have something incredible. In Scottish cities in Glasgow. Yeah. You're talking about Glasgow? Laura Laker 41:09 Yeah. And yeah, Glasgow was amazing. I mean, that was the first time I'd been to Glasgow, on that trip. And I was blown away, actually. So they're developing a city wide network of routes, they're lowering in bridges across, they've got this very kind of, I guess, I guess they had this, at the time, they were building roads, they had a very ambitious programme of building like highways. And maybe that's about the culture of the city that when something comes along, when an idea comes along, they kind of embrace it. Whereas Edinburgh has historically been much more conservative. And so when, when highways when sort of urban highways came along the bond level load of those, and now cycling is seen as this big sort of saviour of health and climates and all of these important things, they're going all out on cycle routes, which is fantastic. And yeah, I was really blown away by what they're doing really high quality protected routes with planting alongside, you know, for extreme weather, it's really important to have permeable and green planting on tarmac. And, yeah, and these beautiful bridges and this massive bridge that I saw, and you know, they're really, really ambitious, I think, I've got a piece coming out about Edinburgh in the next week or so. And it talks about the difficulties that Edinburgh has faced very, very different than the city very conservative. But similarly, it's had a huge amount of funding. And I think they're finally getting to the tipping point there where they're starting to deliver real change, you know, hopefully. But yeah, it's, you know, the money's there, I think there's still difficulties with politics. So they've got these active freeways, which would be a kind of National Cycle network for Scotland, these rural routes, you know, the plan is there, or at least the idea is there, but it's not being rolled out yet. So who knows what's going to happen with that, but definitely, the funding and having that long term funding does make it much easier. I'd really love to see Scotland, you know, doing big things. And I think Scotland and Wales have been very, very forward thinking and a lot of things got maybe Scotland particularly, and more consistently than Wales, because as you say, there's a bit of a question mark. Now over Wales, they've, you know, they had the active travel act, they arguably took term coined the phrase active travel with the active travel act about a decade ago. And yeah, but stuff, you know, they have the policy, they had the money, but again, it's very, very slow to change. And I don't know, maybe they maybe if Westminster were a bit more proactive and supportive, it will be easier, who knows, but you're always going to come up against these kinds of difficulties, local politics and stuff, but I think money talks, you know, the money's there for it local investment, which Council isn't going to want public realm improvements, and you know, health. Carlton Reid 43:49 Money is number one, in your manifesto, so it's funded, and okay, we get the money from it. Here's what you say, stop expanding road capacity, and we have delivered a comprehensive network of cycling and walking routes. Hallelujah. Yeah, exactly. It's just like, you know, we've got so many roads, why can't we have more and more and more and more, as we know, it just fills up with traffic if we're gonna have build it and they will come Okay, let's do it for bikes. Now. You know, roads have had eighty years of this, let's have 10 years for for bikes, but walking and . It's just, it's a no brainer. And the LTNs thing kind of like it's so frustrating. Because we're only talking like a few streets. We're not we're not talking. That's when you hear you know, the the shock jocks you'd think is every single road in the country is going to be catered and you're going to hand it to cyclists. That's, that's how it's portrayed. And we're actually you know, maybe maybe a fraction of 1% of roads. really, genuinely is all too Talking about is currently got anyway. Yeah, having safe cycle routes, you know, don't get it get blown up by us people like us journalists, Laura, we're to blame for misrepresenting this. That's that's, that doesn't say good things about our profession, does it? Laura Laker 45:22 No. And I think I think I mean, it speaks to the kind of economics of journalism that, you know, people want eyeballs on stories nowadays because it's that's what makes advertising revenue funding for journalism is fallen off a cliff. And I think this is sort of desperation about the industry at the moment. But, you know, I think it's important to remember that the people shouting against this stuff are a minority, and most people want this stuff or are willing to try it and see, and most of us want quiet, safe streets, we want our kids to be able to play out in safety, we want clean air, we want, you know, peace and quiet. And I think because we haven't seen it, a lot of cases, it's difficult to imagine. But you know, ultimately, these things happen. There's, there's a pushback from a handful of people who are noisy, but I think if we have conversations about, you know, what we could, what we could get from these improvements from these schemes, then it's much positive way of talking about it. Of course, that's not how news works. And I think that's why we need leaders who are willing to sort of look beyond that short period in which a lot of journalists are shouting, and a few people, some of whom have genuine concerns and need to be listened to a shouting and listen to them. But you know, this is something that people want actually, and, you know, the benefits so enormous. Once it's happened, I don't think people would want to go back. Carlton Reid 46:46 Yeah, this is the thing. It's like, a good example is Northumberland Street and Newcastle, which is a pedestrianised street used to be the A1, you know, really the central state through the centre of Newcastle. It's I think, outside of central London, Mayfair on Oxford Street. It's the highest grossing per square foot retail zone in the country, because it was pedestrianised. And it just made it easier. And nobody in their right mind would say, we need to make that the a one again, guys, you know, let's get the cars and buses soaring and you just wouldn't do it. But Newcastle spent the best part of 20 years doing this, it wasn't an overnight thing. We had to spend a long time, a lot of angst getting it done, but nobody would wish it away now. And that's what when we're not getting with all these LTNs and all these cycles, if only if we put them in, nobody would complain about them. Not really not once they see it, it's just if people don't like change. Laura Laker 47:47 yeah, none of us like change just a thing. And it's hard to picture. And I think it's easy to dismiss people's concerns. Because you know, it's normal for us not to want change, it's normal to be concerned about something if you can't picture it. And you're, you know, many of these are genuine worries about businesses, and how will I get from A to B and, and all of this, but yeah, I think what's been lacking in this conversation is just some sort of grown up honesty about, you know, this is going to be a change. But ultimately, it's going to be one that's positive for these reasons. We, you know, we are going to listen, but ultimately, this is a an agenda that most of us support. And we know it's beneficial for these reasons. And I think we've I don't know, I think there's too much government in this country, and in many English speaking countries, kind of almost government by fear of what the Daily Mail might say, in response to this policy. And even the the recent announcement by governments about you know, stopping anti motorist measures was all caps. You know, it was like almost a Daily Mail headline. Carlton Reid 48:52 Yeah, it's quite scary and sad. Yeah. But then, you know, like you say, if you know, for the ones that hold their ground, you know, stuff dies down, people say actually, that actually is much better. So you know, where I'm coming from, I know where you're coming from. And you're saying people want this, but I'm gonna play devil's advocate here and say, Well, no, they don't people want to drive around. And if you're a woman at night, and you describe a lot of the routes, the Sustrans routes, the Nationals, you wouldn't want to go there at night, and probably no matter how much lighting security whatever you put in, you probably would still feel that way. In. Yeah, yeah. On a bicycle, you're not protected. Whereas a car, a woman, a single woman can get into a car can lock the door, can maybe have, you know, dark windscreen even so nobody knows who's in there. You then become this powerful individual who can get around in safety at the end of the day. But bicycles aren't like that, Laura. So you're you're basically making it more insecure for women to go about as independent beings. Laura Laker 50:11 Well, so as a as a woman who cycles on her own at nights that that route from Arnhem to Nijmergen in the in the Netherlands, so I ended up leaving that event and it was dark and cycling home on my own however far it was, it's a good hours ride along these routes, but because you don't have to stop, you actually feel safe. It's only when you have to stop that you start to feel unsafe in my experience. I mean, there's certain routes like along the canal, I live in East London, along the Li River that I have cycled at night, but wouldn't do now. Because you know, that is very isolated. And people have been known to jump out with bushes. But I think for the large part, if they're well designed, and other people are using them, then cycling at night for me isn't a problem. You know, you're moving you're Yeah, I don't Yeah, I very rarely felt in danger of cycling through London at night, for example. I mean, it's been the odd park where I felt a bit sketchy, but I think if you design them, well, not every path is going to feel that way safe at night. But I think in urban places where a lot of people will be cycling to and from at night, it will probably be fine. I mean, you probably feel quite safe. It's about kind of eyes on the streets in a way having people they're with you. Yeah, and I think if a route were well used enough, and don't forget, you know, if you're, if you're, you know, you're not going to necessarily, you're not going to drive home after a night out if you've had a drink. And so you will have to sort of walk a section of your journey. Most likely, if you're in a place like London, you hate taking public transport, maybe you take a taxi, but I feel I don't feel like if I'm on a busy road, walking alone at night that I am safe with those other people around me because I don't feel like people who are driving through again to necessarily stop and help me if something did happen. So I think kind of busy streets can feel unsafe, even though they're very highly populated. And, you know, theoretically, and this kind of, there's been research on this, you know, people who live on quiet streets, no more of their neighbours, this sort of social safety element, and people start looking out for each other. Whereas if you have a traffic dominated environment, it's people tend to turn away from the street. Carlton Reid 52:28 Yeah, I don't disagree. But if it is looking at the motivation of many, many people, I mean, humans are generally lazy. Yeah. They generally want comfort. They want their own things, and they want security, all of those things you have in spades in cars. The downside is, because everybody wants that. And everybody's in a car, it means you don't get anywhere. Unknown Speaker 52:57 Yeah, I don't think that's a whole story. I mean, I think a lot of the time people drive because the alternative is either aren't there don't feel possible, or they don't feel safe. So cycling on the road wouldn't feel safe, you wouldn't even most people wouldn't even consider it. But we've seen I grew up in rural West Somerset, and you had to learn to drive as soon as you turn 17, you would take your test, you buy a car, and you drive everywhere, because the buses mean the buses are even worse. Now. They were okay at the time, but not great. But they just took longer, and you couldn't get everywhere you needed to go my friends as a teenager lived in variable kind of communities. And so you had to drive there was just no other option I would have loved to cycle. And you've seen in London, where we've got a growing network of roots, suddenly, all these people from all walks of life, all kinds of demographics. Laura Laker 53:48 genders, you see a much better one gender split, but also all types of people cycling. And that kind of speaks to the fact that actually, people do want to do this and they may want to convenience but they also want to enjoy their journey. They also want to save money. Cycling can be incredibly convenient, no parking worries, it's so much cheaper you know you don't have to stress of finding a parking space or you know, paying vast amounts of money. I think something like I forget the number who in transport poverty in this country because of cars basically. They spend something like 19% of their income on their car with finance lorry, using facts to convince me that's Carlton Reid 54:36 Anybody can convince with facts, come on. At that juncture, I'd like to go across to my colleague David in America. Take it away, David. David Bernstein 54:45 This podcast is brought to you by Tern Bicycles. Like you, the folks at Tern are always up for a good outdoor adventure by bike—whether that's fishing, camping, or taking a quick detour to hit the trails before picking Unknown Speaker 55:00 up the kids from school. And if you're looking to explore new ground by taking your adventures further into the wild, they've got you covered. The brand new Orox by Tern is an all-season, all-terrain adventure cargo bike that's built around the Bosch Smart System to help you cross even the most ambitious itinerary off your bucket list. It combines the fun of off-road riding in any season with some serious cargo capacity, so you can bring everything you need—wherever you go, whenever you go. Plus, it's certified tough and tested for safety so your adventures are worry-free. With two frame sizes to choose from and a cockpit that's tested to support riders of different sizes, finding an adventure bike that fits you and your everyday needs has never been easier with the Orox. Visit www.ternbicycles.com/orox (that's O-R-O-X) to learn more. Carlton Reid 56:04 Thanks, David. And we are back with Laura Laker the Laker people. And she's the author of potholes and pavements a bumpy ride on Britain's National Cycle network. It's not actually out yet, isn't Laura. It's actually middle middle of the next month, middle of night. Hmm. Yeah. So you having a launch day what you're doing? Laura Laker 56:28 Yeah, I've got some. You've got like, You got speaker a bank and tell us tell us what you're doing? Yeah, so I've got I'm having like a bit of a party for some friends and family. And then I've got a talk in Stanford's in Covent Garden. I'm speaking in Parliament. But I think that's more of a parliamentary event. And I have got an event at Stanfords in Bristol with Xavier Bryce, we're going to discuss the future of the NCN. I've got one I'm speaking in Oxford, at a bookshop. I'm going to be interviewed by Emily Kerr, who's a green Councillor there. I have got a there's a literary festival in Wantage in November. And we're looking at other events as we speak. Carlton Reid 57:16 Excellent. And this is two hundred and .... All right, I'm going to deliver the end of the book. We're talking 264 pages, and then you've got references back. I mean, one of them. Thank you very much. Laura Laker 57:32 Yeah. Carlton Reid 57:34 Thanks. as well. Yes, at the back there, but there's, there's lots in this. So who's gonna be? Who's your audience? Who's gonna be reading this? Who do you think will be reading this? And what might actually could it start something big with with in politics? Can we could we get this like your manifesto? Can it get out there? What do you hope to happen with your book? Laura Laker 58:00 Yeah, well, obviously, I want everyone to read it. I mean, my editor at Bloomsbury was saying, you know, it's probably going to be cycling enthusiasts, people who I guess already, maybe listen to your podcast, my podcast, read our articles about cycling. But I would like to think that you know, these people, these two thirds to four fifths of people who want more cycling people who think, you know, why do I have to drive everywhere? Why aren't there safe cycle routes? Why can't my kids cycle to school, and see that might see this book and think, Oh, this is going to tell that story, this is going to explain it to me. And so I hope that it's going to give people a sense of kind of why we are where we're at, with the history of the NCN and the stories, but also, you know, how wonderful it could be if we had this thing, this network of connected routes, if it were possible for all of these people who say they want to cycle and more who maybe don't even know they want to cycle could do so. And I hope that, you know, my perhaps naive hope is that people will read it and think, you know, this could be such a wonderful thing, why aren't we doing it? And how can we get it to happen and I hope policymakers you know, we've got an election coming up I think this speaks to you know, forget the culture wars. I think this speaks to all sides, you know, of politics, I think, you know, individual freedom and choice is a conservative value, right? Cycling, cycling delivers on that. Carlton Reid 59:26 Cycling is so libertarian is a form of transport I've had many conversations This is freedom. Why is this left wing? Why do people always assume it's just this thing? Laura Laker 59:42 Yeah, it's become a cultural thing. And it's only for I think, you know, certain factions of the right perhaps see this as a wedge issue. And a way of you know, rallying people around them on based on kind of outrage like false outrage really, untruthes. and you You know, in terms of the left, this is, you know, great value for money, the Labour Party is very, very keen on showing they're working and proving to people that they can be trusted with the economy. It delivers on the green agenda, it's so beneficial in terms of cutting carbon emissions, it delivers on health, pretty much every department that we can think of this offers people access to work, you know, so many people who are out of work, especially in rural communities can't even afford to go and find work or stay in a job because the transport is too expensive, or it's too patchy doesn't go in and they needed to go. So there's like barely a thing that this doesn't touch. And I really hope that you know, along with kind of griping, which is, I hope not too much of the book, and the polemic side that this shows actually, you know, this is great for tourism, this is great for our mental health. This can bring us together, you know, it's about in Scotland, I saw that a cycle route can be a linear park, it can be about artwork and community. It can bring people together from different walks of life around a space. And, you know, cycling delivers on these things. And, you know, if we kind of dropped the culture was narrative, which is nonsense. You know, we could see all of these benefits fairly quickly and for very little money, and have a far better country for it. Carlton Reid 1:01:18 Many people would baulk at having Boris Johnson back. And you do mention this in the book of what he and Andrew Gilligan were able to do. Hopefully, it doesn't seem like I want him back. But will it that that is what you need. I mean, you do talk about having a cycling Prime Minister, we had a cycling Prime Minister, we had a Prime Minister who said it was me a golden age for cycling. So we need we need him back. Laura, that we just we need we need Boris back. No, we don't like that back there. Are there other other politicians are available? We just need people to believe in it. And you know, I hope that people read the book and think, actually, this is something we can believe in, but don't need one of the good things about Boris Johnson. Not only did he you know, talk, the talk, walk the talk, all that kind of stuff. But he was right wing. So he could he just instantly takes away that that part of this oversight is a left wing things like well, here's this right wing politician who's pushing for this Andrew Gilligan, Telegraph writer. These are not left wing people in any way, shape, or form. So is that what we need we actually need and then we'd like all politicians to do this, but by the same thing, you need somebody almost on the opposite side to be doing this, they've got more chance of pushing this through. So that's why Boris Johnson did so well, because he was right wing and the Mail isn't gonna, you know, rail against what Boris Johnson was doing. They never did. Laura Laker 1:02:46 They did though. They did. They totally did. I don't think they discriminated against him because he was towards their political leanings. I mean, it's unlikely we're going to have another conservative government, right, when we've got the election coming up, it's going to be Labour by all likelihood. And so they're going to be the ones in power delivering. So I don't know, Carlton Reid 1:03:09 But they backtracked over their green policies. I mean, what hope do we have? Laura Laker 1:03:12 I know I know. I know it's incredibly disappointing. And the thing is this this stuff like the green agenda, more broadly investment in insulating homes, for example, is such great return on investment and if they're thinking about finances and showing they're working insulating homes is just a total no brainer. You know, we all pay far too much for our energy bills. We live in draughty leaky homes. So many houses are mouldy because of the cold walls are damp Yeah, I just think you know, and green technology, huge growth industry. Solar and wind where you know, we're windy little island, but a lot of coastline. Offshore wind is fantastic. Carlton Reid 1:03:55 But in your in the book, you show how national highways basically is an organisation set up to build roads. And once you've done something like that, and that's their raison d'etre. Guess what they're going to build roads. Yeah. So yeah, it's that oil tanker you know having to put the brakes on and change a whole culture so we're not talking about you know, Cuz your manifesto is saying you know, stop funding this and yeah. Laura Laker 1:04:28 Wales did this basically with their no more roads or no more roads and less they increased active travel and public transport policy. They basically have kind of repurpose their national highways body around this agenda, you know, fill in the potholes. We've got a road in a dreadful state and, you know, develop use all their skills and power and funding for active travel. You know, public transport in this country is drastically underfunded. Buses are so important, especially in rural areas, especially people on low incomes, especially for women and Do you know buses are so important? We're really, really not kind of reaping the power the massive power of the bus.? Carlton Reid 1:05:08 Yeah, that's in your book as well, because you're talking about how buses, you know, need to be able to carry bikes. Yeah. And that's, you know, that's a small part of what they could do but the broader transport perspective that's that's so impor

Newly elected Business Manager and Financial Secretary for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 246, Kevan Brown, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to talk about his journey with the Local and the increasing number of work opportunities coming to the area. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast and talked about a letter written by 33 U.S. Senators to non-union auto plants following the United Autoworkers organizing announcement to target these plants. Brown also discussed the importance of the trades and union efforts to increase diversity within them.

In this episode of the Hope and Heresy podcast, Rev. Peggy and Rev. Sarah are joined by Rev. Meg Riley and Charles Du Mond, Co-Moderators of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), to discuss the question at the heart this season of the podcast: What is the Central Task for Humanity at this Moment in History? In this episode, we phrased the question a bit differently, asking, "If you could wave a magic wand and fix or change one thing about the world, what would it be?"Our hosts and guests discuss the power of approaching with curiosity and saying "yes," the importance of uplifting marginalized voices in our communities, the necessity of reforming our policing system, and more. About this week's guests: Rev. Meg Riley, a lifelong Unitarian Universalist, was raised in congregations in Charleston, West Virginia, and Akron, Ohio. After serving for 38 years as a religious professional in a variety of capacities, Rev. Riley retired in the summer of 2020. She now serves, with Charles DuMond, as co-moderator of the Unitarian Universalist Association. She lives in Minneapolis, nestled in with her family, animals, gardens, deep friendships, and a vibrant activist community. She is also the editor of Testimony: The Transformative Power of Unitarian Universalism.A lay leader who came to Unitarian Universalism from the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Charles Du Mond, for many years, described himself as a Quaker who belonged to a UU Church. Now, he is simply a Unitarian Universalist.He joined the UUs of San Mateo in 1993. He has served on its Board of Trustees, holding all the leadership positions: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Financial Secretary. He taught religious education (RE), including every Our Whole Lives (OWL) level from kindergarten to high school, facilitated the Beloved Conversations curriculum three times, led a capital campaign, participated in a Ministerial Search Committee, and developed and led Sunday Services.Beyond his local congregation, he served on the UUA Pacific Central District Board, District Presidents' Association / Regional Leaders Group, the Board of the Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF), the Board of the Starr King School for the Ministry, and the advisory board for UU United Nations Office. Du Mond has a PhD in Statistics which he uses to design, analyze, report, and present the results of clinical trials to regulatory agencies. He lives in San Mateo, CA. He has been married to Barbara for 40 years. They have two adult children, Jennifer and Emily, and one grandchild, Rio.

On this episode John & Eric sit down with NYPD Police Officer Derek Andrews who is a insurgent candidate for the NYC PBA's Transit Bureau's Financial Secretary. After more than questionable disqualifications for other positions the NYPD's Transit Financial Secretary is currently the only position that an election is being held for. Derek is the only non union endorsed candidate to have been deemed 'qualified" to get on the ballot leaving all other positions uncontested.Derek shares his life, his career, his campaign platform, why he decided to run as well as the issues he feels affect the modern day police officer. This is definitely an episode you will not want to miss. www.TheFinestUnfiltered.com

President of the Ohio AFL-CIO, Tim Burga, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Ohio's upcoming legislative battles. Burga discussed the lack of progress on redistricting. He also talked about the fight over the approval threshold on state constitutional amendments and Senate Bill 83, and what it means for Ohio public university workers.    Jeff Holly, Business Manager and Financial Secretary-Treasurer of SMART Local 359 joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the state of his local. Holly discussed the major work projects that Local 359 is working on in the Phoenix area and the boom in membership since 2015. He also discussed the Local's growing apprenticeship program, the factors that he believes led to the growth of union membership and Local 359's five-year work outlook.

Business Manager and Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 683, Pat Hook, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the exceptional growth of projects and the need for new union members in Central Ohio. Hook also discussed the growth of Local 683 over the last two decades, including a major increase in their apprenticeship class sizes and the technological improvements they've made in the training classes to match the new energy sources utilized in Central Ohio.   Ryan Cave, Executive with the United Football Players Association (UFPA) and a project field organizer with the United Steelworkers, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to talk about the new United States Football League's Collective Bargaining Agreement. Cave talked about his past experiences with negotiating CBAs for other professional leagues, how the USW got involved in the process, the future of the UFPA and what they hope to do for the players they represent.

Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the Insulators Union's Members Assistance Program, which is designed to help members deal with mental health issues. Ielmini also gave an update on the progress of the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act.   International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 153 Business Manager and Financial Secretary Mike Leda appeared on the America's Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the importance of growing the Local's membership. He also shared the Local's outreach and recruitment plans, which include an innovative method.

On this episode Corey Grable joins John & Eric to discuss his career, his platform & why he decided to run for NYC PBA President against long time President Patrick Lynch. Corey joined the department in 1992 & is a 31 year member of the NYPD. He currently serves as the Transit Bureau's Financial Secretary. To learn more about Corey visit www.votecoreygrable2023.com To learn more about this Podcast visit www.TheFinestUnfiltered.com

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for the Communications Workers of America Union District 4, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the CWA's support of annual Manufacturing Camps hosted by the office of Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). He also talked about President Joe Biden's State of the Union address and U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who will reportedly become the head of the National Hockey League Players Association in the coming weeks.   Tri-State Building and Construction Trades Council Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer John Holbrook joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the region's work outlook, which he feels will keep many affiliated members busy for a long time. He also spoke about the need to recruit more apprentices and efforts to recruit new members from the jurisdiction's underserved communities.

Robert “Chap” Thornton, Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer of the United Association Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 286, returned to the America's Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the growth of Austin's technology sector, which has created jobs for the building trades. He also addressed the growth of the Local's apprenticeship program and his career pathway into the building trades.    Jonathan Blaine, Insulators Local 16 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee Training Coordinator, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discussed the growth of Local 16's registered apprenticeship program and the requirements to become an apprentice. He also explained the need for instructors to upgrade their teaching skills.

Lyn Montgomery, President of the Transport Workers Union of America Local 556, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the late December operational failures of Southwest Airlines and the poor working conditions the airline's flight attendants endure every day.   Colin Lavin, Business Manager and Financial Secretary of IBEW Local 47, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about electrical vehicle infrastructure investments, plus the need to pass down industry knowledge from journeymen to apprentices.

Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust Pete Ielemini appeared on the America's Work Force Union Podcast and debunked myths surrounding the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act. He also touched on the need to invest in apprenticeship programs in order to perform high quality work on FMIA projects, if the legislation is passed.  Jason Emerick, Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Ironworkers Local 112, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast and discussed his early struggles as a non-union iron worker and compared it to his time as a Local 112 apprentice and journeyman. Emerick also provided insight on why the Local is seeing a higher quality of apprentice applicants.

Jim Ascione, Financial Secretary of the Delaware Building and Construction Trades Council, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the controversy surrounding a policy that allows non-union contractors to buyout apprentices in order to work on publically funded projects. He also spoke about loopholes in Delaware's Prevailing Wage laws and how the building trades will lead the charge to create and pass the Delaware PRO Act Bill.   Greg Regan, the President of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about a proposal by Amtrak to replace a two-person railroad crew with only an engineer and the safety issues it could create. He also discussed his optimism about future transportation regulations and the need for international companies to follow the same safety standards as American companies who work on domestic aircraft.

Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and spoke about Senate Bill 1, which would transfer curriculum decisions away from the State Education Board and give it to the governor. She also talked about House Bill 458, which requires Ohio voters to show official photo identification before they vote in-person.     Lou Antonellis, Business Manager and Financial Secretary of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103, joined the AWF Union Podcast and discussed how the Local's JATC recently graduated its most diverse apprenticeship class in its history. He also spoke about their Construction Wireman pre-apprenticeship program.  

Jason George, Business Manager and Financial Secretary for the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 49, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the Pathways program and how the apprenticeship readiness training it provides to Minnesota high school students has helped grow the Local.    AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department President Greg Regan appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and explained how policies have exacerbated a worker shortage in the railroad industry. He also discussed the likelihood of a nationwide railroad strike and what Congress could do to avoid it.

Thomas Fisher, Business Manager and Financial Secretary of Sheet Metal Workers Local 441,  joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how supply chain shortages have caused a decrease in the work hours of his membership. He also spoke about how the skillset of sheet metal workers help them adapt to new work opportunities with their craft.    UA Local 174 Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer Ryan Bennett appeared on the America's Work Force Union Podcast and spoke about the struggle to elect more union-friendly politicians to the Michigan legislature in an effort to rescind So-Called “Right to Work” laws that were enacted in 2013.

Conservative MP Robert Halfon tells Sophy Ridge that some in the Conservative Party have looked like "libertarian jihadists" over the past few weeks and have treated the country "like laboratory mice"The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Griffith, says that Liz Truss still has the support of her government despite the economic turmoil.Sophy is joined by Sky News' political correspondent Rob Powell and producer Scott Beasley to talk through her big interviews.

Prime Minister Liz Truss and Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng are set to meet with the head of the Office for Budget Responsibility, known as the OBR and the country's independent forecaster, to discuss the situation. One of the reasons the markets reacted so badly to the chancellor's tax cutting plans released a week ago is that there was no accompanying economic forecast from the Office for Budget responsibility. Last night, the OBR confirmed that it was ready to produce an updated assessment of public finances to be published with the mini-budget a week ago, as is usual practice, but the offer was rejected. Today's Mishal Husain and Justin Webb spoke to Mel Stride, Conservative MP and Chair of the Treasury Select Committee and Andrew Griffith, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury. (IMAGE CREDIT: Chris Radburn/PA Wire)

Ohio AFL-CIO President Tim Burga joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast and discussed a recent Gallup poll that found 71 percent of Americans approve of unions – the highest approval rating since 1965 – and what it means for the future of organizing. He also talked about the AFL-CIO's goal to organize 1 million new members in the next decade.    Doug Nelson, Business Manager and Financial-Secretary of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 223, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about the need to grow the Local's apprenticeship programs to meet the demands of an expanding economy. He also talked about the opportunities available to IBEW members in wind, solar and battery storage projects. 

This Anthology has been a World changer from the day of launch. 2X BEST SELLER (Paperback & Kindle), BEST SELLER in 36 categories, #1 in 8 categories and Multi-International BEST SELLER. Apostle Deborah and I's hope for this book is that it will Ignited that Fire in you to serve those around you and help change the world. Through these interviews I hope to help you get to know each author better and share their stories more in depth with the world. Today on WRITE NOW Dr. Pamela has the honor of hosting Women of Power – Mary Davis Mary Ellen Davis, is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, a proud graduate of Hamilton High School and for over 40 years has dedicated her life as a servant, community advocate and volunteer to the St. Louis community. In the 1970s, relocated to St. Louis, MO, obtained an Associate Degree in Diet Technology from St . Louis Community College of Florissant Valley, started raising a family, volunteering in her community, working and retiring from BJC Health Systems as a Radiology Transcriptionist. 40 plus year member of Mount Esther Missionary Baptist Church, a member of the Mass Choir, a Sunday School Teacher and serves on the Trustee and Deaconess Board. For over 25 years, Mary has been a member of the Federation of Block Units of Metropolitan. St. Louis, an auxiliary of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis where she has served as the Area F Council Chair for, the 1st Ward, 2nd Ward and the 27th Ward of St. Louis and is currently the Financial Secretary and Membership Committee Chair. With God's compass for me, this has all paid off and now I am the newly elected Committeewoman of the 27th ward, a better position to empower my constituents with valuable insight of how the city offices and how imperative their vote is. # the people make the Community, Davis has been awarded for her exemplifying such dedication and devotion of the Saint Louis community. She received the prestigious S.P. Stafford award from the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Harper's Cup from the Federation of Block Units of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Earl E. Howe Community Service Award from the 27th Ward. In 2020, she received Community Recognition from the Top Ladies of Distinction, Incorporated and Special Recognition from Pastor Johnathan Lewis of the Saint Mathew Lutheran Church of the 27th ward, for participation and support of their 120th Anniversary Celebration. She continues to be a servant by becoming a licensed Life and Health Insurance agent and licensed in Fixed Annuities to offer financial literacy to the St. Louis families. Mary is an independent Representative of Primerica and a strong supporter of their mission to help people become debt free, be properly protected with insurance and become financially independent. She offers free literacy classes on building a financial house. Certified as a Mental Health First Aid Responder, so she is able to support and better serve her community. She is also a certified Senior health agent. Family is important to Mary, as she is a proud mother of four, Ardrea Allen, Fredrick S. Davis, Tara Davis Smith and Robert Davis Jr., a proud grandmother of thirteen grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. Mary's family time is spent during Saturday brunches, playing games and traveling with family, friends and colleagues. Encouraging them to build a relationship with God, he will direct your path. Ps 37:3 Trust in the Lord and do good. A woman on a mission to always position herself to help others, by providing empowering resources and information to anyone willing to receive. To Contact Mary: merryd543@gmail.com. Or call 314-825-0585 From more from Dr. Pamela or to Contact us go to www.purposewithpamela.com

From 6th July, everyone in work will see a cut in the taxes they pay. It's because the level of pay at which National Insurance begins will be raised. Two million people on part-time low pay will not pay any national insurance at all. Ministers say it's a tax cut of 330 pounds per year for a typical employee, but that is not the whole picture. The rate of national insurance rose three months ago. So this cut is in a tax that is already costing millions of workers more. We'll hear from families in Stockport on how their income is being squeezed and speak to the Minister responsible for tax policy Lucy Frazer, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury. If you are a victim of crime it is most likely that your money is stolen through fraud. New figures out this week showed the amount stolen and the number of victims rose substantially last year - as they have every year that the figures have been collected. We'll get reaction from Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, Matt Parr. A new act banning ground rents for most new residential leases in England and Wales came into force this week. It's part of the government's Leasehold Reform plans. We'll find out more about the new rules from a legal specialist in leasehold. Plus, why has a much anticipated code of practice designed to regulate the private parking sector been withdrawn? Presenter: Paul Lewis Reporter: Dan Whitworth Researcher: Sandra Hardial Editor: Jess Quayle (First broadcast at 12pm, Saturday 2nd July, 2022)

Hello and welcome to the Alcohol Alert, brought to you by The Institute of Alcohol Studies.In this edition:Shift in England’s drinking during COVID-19 could lead to 150,000 more cases of disease by 2035 🎵 Podcast feature 🎵The global burden of poor analysisMinimum pricing has never been promoted as a panaceaPubs: “lost forever” or consolidated?Health Disparities white paper delayedBoris Johnson “minimises” sexual harassment and blames alcoholIndustry arguments dominate Commons debate on alcohol tax reformAlcohol packaging captures the attention of and creates appeal among young peopleAlcohol Toolkit Study: updateWe hope you enjoy our roundup of stories below: please feel free to share. Thank you.IAS BlogsTo read blogs click here.Shift in England’s drinking during COVID-19 could lead to 150,000 more cases of disease by 2035 🎵 Podcast feature 🎵A new IAS and HealthLumen modelling study suggests changes in alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to lead to thousands of additional cases of diseases and premature deaths.The pandemic saw heavier drinkers consuming more alcohol and this trend is continuing. If consumption does not return to 2019 levels or lower, England could see an additional 147,892 cases and 9,914 additional premature deaths from nine alcohol-related diseases, costing the NHS £1.2bn.Three scenarios were modelled between 2022 and 2035 to project how recent changes in drinking may affect health harm from nine alcohol-related diseases: high blood pressure, stroke, liver cirrhosis, and six forms of cancer. The research found:Joint Lead on the study Dr Sadie Boniface said:“Much of the health harm from alcohol is from chronic diseases which take years to develop. Our results shed light on the long-term impacts of recent changes in drinking patterns.“These increases in alcohol harm, lives lost, and costs to the NHS projected in our study are not inevitable.“Deaths from alcohol are at record levels, and this research should act as a ‘wake-up call’ to take alcohol harm seriously as part of recovery planning from the pandemic.”A very similar modelling study by the University of Sheffield was published at the same time and backed up IAS’ findings. The Sheffield study looked at more diseases across a longer period of time, so projected higher alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions.Dr Boniface was interviewed on the BBC News, explaining the study findings and implications:If you missed our launch webinar, where Dr Boniface and Sheffield’s lead author Colin Angus presented their studies, you can catch up on YouTube here.The global burden of poor analysisIn mid-July, a new Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study was published in The Lancet. The GBD study is a long-running observational epidemiological study. Their new publication was widely covered in the media with most either stating that “alcohol is never good for people under 40” or “Young people should not drink alcohol but older people may benefit from small amounts”.The study found that for men aged 15-39, the recommended amount of alcohol before “risking health loss” was just 0.136 of a standard drink a day. For women of the same age, the “theoretical minimum risk exposure level” was 0.273 drinks – about a quarter of a standard drink a day.Among those aged 40-64, safe alcohol consumption levels ranged from about half a standard drink a day to almost two standard drinks. For those aged 65 or older, the risks of “health loss from alcohol consumption” were reached after consuming a little more than three standard drinks a day.The senior author, Dr Emmanuela Gakidou, professor of health metrics sciences at the University of Washington’s School of Medicine, said:“Our message is simple: young people should not drink, but older people may benefit from drinking small amounts.”This is in contrast to their study four year ago, which said that even the occasional drink was harmful to health and suggested governments should advise people to abstain entirely.Colin Angus wrote an IAS blog criticising elements of the study, for instance the study saying “older people may benefit from drinking small amounts” could be seen to suggest non-drinking older people should take up drinking for its supposed protective effects. Another major issue he flagged was that the study tells you “absolutely nothing about the difference in risks between age groups or the absolute risks that people are facing as a consequence of their drinking”.In the media Mr Angus said:“Younger people are, on average, much less likely to become ill or die from any cause than their older counterparts. Assessing how we should set drinking guidelines or prioritise interventions to minimise the total harm of alcohol requires an assessment of absolute, not relative risk.“The GBD’s own figures suggest that there are over 14 times as many alcohol-attributable deaths in the UK among 70-74 year-olds than 20-24 year olds, which rather contradicts the assertion in this new study that we should focus on the drinking of younger age groups.”Statistician Sir David Spiegelhalter also criticised the study on Twitter:Minimum pricing has never been promoted as a panaceaIn the 22nd of July’s BMJ Editorial, IAS’ Dr Sadie Boniface discussed the new WHO report on minimum pricing policies for alcohol, explaining the report structure and stating that minimum pricing “is an effective part of the policy toolbox for reducing harm from alcohol”.Following a number of recent reports that minimum pricing has failed in Scotland, Dr Boniface writes in the Editorial:“Minimum pricing has never been promoted as a panacea, so arguments that it does not singlehandedly eliminate harm from alcohol can be rejected. Proponents do not claim, for example, that minimum pricing is enough to reduce alcohol consumption and harm among people who are dependent on alcohol, for whom the wider healthcare and support needs are obvious. Minimum pricing is one policy in the toolbox, needed alongside others as part of a coherent strategy.”Dr Boniface discusses what a coherent policy landscape would look like, with population level policies implemented, effectively monitored and evaluated, alongside a suitably resourced and accessible healthcare system offering support. She explains that policies have to be independent from industry influence, an influence which remains a major challenge to a coherent approach.Pubs: “lost forever” or consolidated?According to real estate consultancy Altus Group, there were 39,970 pubs in June, down by more than 7,000 since 2012. Altus said after struggling through Covid the industry now faces soaring prices and higher energy costs.Altus said that pubs which had "disappeared" from the communities they once served had either been demolished or converted for other purposes, meaning that they were "lost forever".A 2017 IAS publication found publicans often attributed pub closures to failures of their managers who are unable to respond to shifting consumer expectations. It also found supermarkets undercutting pubs in price was the major threat to pubs’ commercial viability. As shown below, the gap between on and off-trade consumption has been steadily widening for many years:Another reason for pub closures is consolidation of business into bigger bars. This ONS report in 2018 showed that while small pubs were closing, big pub chains were consolidating business, with employee numbers and overall revenue remaining relatively constantThe Government said:"We've cut taxes for hundreds of thousands of businesses by increasing the Employment Allowance while slashing fuel duty. We've also introduced a 50% business rates relief for eligible High Street businesses and prevented bill increases by freezing the business rates multiplier, saving businesses £4.6bn over the next five years."Health Disparities white paper delayedThe Health Disparities white paper – due to be published in late July – has been delayed for the summer and will only go ahead if given the green light by the new Prime Minister.The white paper is set to include further legislation to increase alternatives to tobacco products and increase alcohol-free products in pubs.An ITV article said:“In recent weeks charities and other health groups have been pushing for the paper to introduce preventative measures and measures that have a population wide focus. Sources said there was a risk that a future pm could drop this agenda - although pointed out that the policies had been framed as "non-nanny state" - perhaps to try to make sure it had Cabinet support.”The white paper is said to include a change to the classification of no and low alcohol beers. Currently no-alcohol has to be 0.5% or lower and low-alcohol 1.2% or lower. This could rise to 1% and 3% respectively.The change is said to be designed to help people cut down alcohol consumption “by helping brewers make low-strength options more appealing”.Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of the AHA, suggested that more evidence was needed on low-alcohol products but said “if it could be done in a way without brand promotion, we would be supportive”.However, Gilmore said the plan was “tinkering round the edges” and that the government had “consistently put its head in the sand on evidence-based policies that have been shown worldwide to reduce harm”, mainly by increasing prices and reducing availability.Boris Johnson “minimises” sexual harassment and blames alcoholWhile being question by the Liaison Committee about his handling of the conduct of former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher, Boris Johnson said there’s a problem with alcohol in Westminster and that “some people simply can’t take their drink”.Conservative committee member Caroline Nokes MP asked him “have you just sat there and told us that alcohol is an excuse?”, to which Boris disagreed.In the resignation letter of parliamentary private secretary Mark Fletcher, he wrote about the Pincher assault:“You suggested that the events of that night were the fault of the colleagues who were present for allowing him to drink too much. Such a view seems to me an attempt to absolve Mr Pincher of his actions and, in so doing, to be an apologist for someone who has committed sexual assault.”Ian Hamilton, of the University of York, wrote in the Independent that alcohol should not be used as an excuse for predatory sexual behaviour as this displaces responsibility from the perpetrator. He wrote:“While the victim is left with the impression that it was the drug rather than the person responsible, the perpetrator tries to evade taking responsibility for what they did. This hardly gives anyone hope that this predatory behaviour will change. Even if predators become abstinent from alcohol, this won’t magically displace their thought processes and perception about what is permissible and what isn’t, in relation to others.”Industry arguments dominate Commons debate on alcohol tax reformOn 7 July the Commons debated the proposed reform to alcohol duty, with discussion of its impact on the alcohol industry – particularly the wine industry – dominating proceedings.Welsh Conservative Alun Cairns opened the debate and asked for “minor adjustments” to the strength bands and Small Brewers’ Relief.Various other MPs spoke of the new system being too complicated, with too many tax bands, and how wine producers will find it difficult as wine strength is dependent on the weather.Liberal Democrat MP Daisy Cooper said: “Overall, the alcohol duty reforms proposed by the Government just tinker around the edges in dealing with the pressures facing hospitality”, seemingly not recognising the importance of the public health element of the reform.Shadow Exchequer Secretary, Abena Oppong-Asare MP, said Labour agrees the system should be simplified and be more consistent, and be balanced across public health and supporting business. She said the wine bands should be looked at, as the new system has too much red tape, as should changes to beer duty which currently would help bigger brewers more than small brewers.Oppong-Asare went on to point out the cider exceptionalism, with it having a lower rate than beer in the proposals, and asked the Treasury to explain why this is when strong cheap cider causes so much harm.Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Frazer MP responded to the majority of the concerns and said they will be looked into. She did highlight that public health was a major reason for the reform. Alcohol packaging captures the attention of and creates appeal among young peopleA new Stirling study has highlighted the impact alcohol packaging has on capturing the attention of and creating appeal among young people.50 current drinkers aged 18-35 participated in 8 focus groups, in which they were asked about a range of alcoholic products.Daniel Jones, the lead author, said:“Five main themes emerged from our data: the ubiquity of alcohol packaging; its appeal and ability to catch attention; its association with particular occasions and activities; its ability to inform perceptions; and its engagement of both visual and non-visual senses – taste, touch, sound and smell.”Notably, some participants reported purchasing alcohol products solely on pack appeal, with one saying: “I don’t actually like beer, but I bought it specifically because I liked the packaging”.Drinkers preferred exclusive-looking “limited edition” packaging over large price marks portraying the drink as value for money, as they felt value drinks were inferior. Most retained expensive or “cool” empty bottles for display or collection.Matt Lambert of the Portman Group said:“This study demonstrates that the packaging of a product is designed to appeal to different audiences, something that would ring true across all forms of marketing and is not in itself a surprise.”He added that the group's code of practice ensures alcohol is not marketed inappropriately and highlighted how adherence to the code had contributed to “over a decade of decline in underage drinking in Scotland”.Alcohol Toolkit Study: updateThe monthly data collected is from English households and began in March 2014. Each month involves a new representative sample of approximately 1,700 adults aged 16 and over.See more data on the project website here.Prevalence of increasing and higher risk drinking (AUDIT-C)Increasing and higher risk drinking defined as those scoring >4 AUDIT-C. A-C1: Professional to clerical occupation C2-E: Manual occupationCurrently trying to restrict consumptionA-C1: Professional to clerical occupation C2-E: Manual occupation; Question: Are you currently trying to restrict your alcohol consumption e.g. by drinking less, choosing lower strength alcohol or using smaller glasses? Are you currently trying to restrict your alcohol consumption e.g. by drinking less, choosing lower strength alcohol or using smaller glasses?All past-year attempts to cut down or stopQuestion: How many attempts to restrict your alcohol consumption have you made in the last 12 months (e.g. by drinking less, choosing lower strength alcohol or using smaller glasses)? Please include all attempts you have made in the last 12 months, whether or not they were successful, AND any attempt that you are currently making.The UK Alcohol Alert (incorporating Alliance News) is designed and produced by The Institute of Alcohol Studies. Please click the image below to visit our website and find out more about us and what we do, or the ‘Contact us’ button. Thank you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit instalcstud.substack.com

David Webster, Director of Organizing for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 77, joined the AWF Union Podcast and discussed how the IUPAT uses national strategies to organize and target different cities. He also spoke about worker misclassification.      Tony Quillen, Business Manager and Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 558, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about how the Local changed its apprenticeship from a five year to a four year program without losing any training hours.

Bill Blackman, Business Manager and Financial Secretary of IBEW Local 136, joined the AWF Union podcast and discussed business classes offered by the Local to journeymen who are interested in becoming signatory contractors. He also talked about a resolution passed by Birmingham City Council, which requires contractors to use construction workers who have completed an accredited apprenticeship program on publicly funded projects.   Keven Barber, Business Manager and Financial Secretary Treasurer of Ironworkers Local 397, appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about the need to educate young people about the long term benefits of retirement and healthcare in order to grow union membership. He also spoke about the Multi Craft Core Curriculum, a pre-apprenticeship program for high school juniors and seniors.

Greg Gove, Business Manager of Plumbers, Pipefitters, Welders and HVAC Techs Local 693 and the Financial Secretary for the Vermont Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the role trade unions can play as a type of as employment agency. That provides highly skilled and qualified workers on demand. He also talked about the need to grow the Local's membership to replace retiring members.   United Labor Agency (ULA) Executive Director David Megenhardt appeared on the AWF Union Podcast and talked about Breaking Down Barriers, a ULA sponsored job fair for the formerly incarcerated. He also spoke about Union Appreciation Day at Progressive Field in Cleveland and the upcoming Unsung Heroes Dinner.

It's not New Years Day, but we are going to strut like it is! Chris and Gab explain the concept of a Mummer, before being joined by an actual Mummer from Fralinger String Band and multi-hyphenate Steve Coper. Steve was the Publicity Director and Music Director for Polish American String Band: 1970-1987; Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Business Manager, Trustee, Financial Secretary and Member of the Hall Fame for Fralinger String Band 1987-Present - seems like he has a lot free time! Steve gives Chris and Gab the history of the Mummers, experiences over his 50 years being a mummer, and explains all the work that leads up to the New Years Day Parade. Yummier than a cheesesteak. Show Music Provided By: Music: www.purple-planet.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Policy Exchange's Economics team have studied and digested Chancellor Rishi Sunak's 2022 Spring Statement. They offer their analysis in our latest podcast. Head of Economics Connor MacDonald discusses the economic impact of the Statement and the wider state of the economy with Policy Exchange Senior Fellow Rt Hon Ruth Kelly - Economic Secretary and then Financial Secretary to the Treasury in the Blair Government – and Policy Exchange Senior Fellow Dr Gerard Lyons – Chief Economic Adviser to Boris Johnson as Mayor of London.

Jesse Norman discusses with Ivan six things which should be better known. Jesse Norman has been Conservative MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire since 2010. He was Financial Secretary to the Treasury from 2019 to 2021. Before entering politics Jesse was a Director at Barclays, researched and taught philosophy at University College London, and ran a charitable project in Communist Eastern Europe. His book Edmund Burke: politician, philosopher, prophet was listed for the Samuel Johnson Prize, the Political Book Awards and the George Orwell Prize. His book Adam Smith: What he thought, and why it matters was published in 2018. My Life in New Orleans by Louis Armstrong https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/book-of-a-lifetime-satchmo-my-life-in-new-orleans-by-louis-armstrong-8609967.html Wild swimming https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/wild-swim-wye-river-a8499001.html Heroes https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/18451446.heroes-now-jesse-norman/ "I don't understand" https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/how-to-say-i-dont-know The Burgers of Hereford https://aruleoftum.com/burgershophfd The perils of diminishing marginal utility https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marginal_utility This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

The Honourable Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region discusses fiscal policy, housing, geopolitics, and his near-term outlook for the economy and cross-border travel amid a recent omicron outbreak.

On episode 15 of The Power Element Podcast, Raul sits down with Local 47 Business Manager and Financial Secretary, Colin Lavin. Colin shares insight on his role as Business Manager and discusses looking ahead in the industry. Raul and Colin also deliver an impactful breakdown of the Code Of Excellence. Thank You Colin Lavin. Follow Colin: @ibewlocal47 Follow us on Instagram: @californialineworks This Podcast is brought to you by @sturgeon_electric Check out and support our Promotional Partners: @jelcosafety @alternatingcurrentlineclothing @workingathlete @klein_tools @coeyewear @superior_glove Thank you @linemanmama @milwaukeetool for your continued support. Music Provided by: Daniel Sanchez @d.s.s_beats

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers celebrates its official 130th birthday on November 28, 2021, and as we have done each year since the Henry Miller Museum opened, we commemorate the occasion by sharing a bit of our early history and thanking those good brothers and sisters whose personal contributions not only helped save the home but continue to help maintain it.  On this year's episode we review Henry's first AFL Convention as a delegate after our formation and recognize everyone's favorite volunteer tour guide, Brother Dave Roth, Financial Secretary of Local 1 in St. Louis. Many of the images of our visiting brothers and sisters shared through the museum's social media channels were taken by Dave. He also spends a great deal of time ensuring our museum stays in tip-top shape. Thanks Dave!  If you would like to join one of Dave's tours please call the main office at (314) 647-5900 between 7am and 4:30pm CST Monday thru Friday. There is nothing more gratifying for us than to see this incredible tribute to the American Trade Union Movement put to good use. The museum often hosts an array of IBEW events for local unions from retirement celebrations to executive board meetings, please know, this is YOUR museum and an incredibly inspiring space for members to pursue the objects of our Constitution.  And a special thanks to University of Maryland Professor Kyle Pruitt for sharing his knowledge of labor history with us.  Happy Birthday IBEW! The following Dropbox folder contains many of the documents used to research this years episode: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vmxbq6xdtwqkijg/AAAiLTPFjGdcswQhXzpB70bJa?dl=0

How we are taxed will be crucial to how government pays for net zero. It can use the tax system to incentivise sustainable choices by businesses and consumers as well as disincentivise harmful ones. But government revenues will also fall as people and businesses adapt their behaviour to reduce carbon emissions, with the shift to electric vehicles set to eliminate fuel duties. So what changes are needed to ensure the tax system raises revenue to fund public interventions, redistributes the costs of getting to net zero, and shores up the tax take as fuel duties decline? This event was held after a busy autumn of net zero strategies, a budget and COP26. It asked how the government should adapt the tax system to reach net zero and whether the budget was a missed opportunity, look at the steps being taken in other countries, and set out how to overcome the barriers – political and otherwise – to reform. On our panel to discuss these issues: Rt Hon David Gauke, Head of Public Policy at Macfarlanes LLP and former Financial Secretary to the Treasury James Murray MP, Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the Committee on Climate Change Amanda Tickel, Head of Tax & Trade Policy for Deloitte UK The event was chaired by Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government. This event is kindly supported by Deloitte LLP. #IfGnetzero

In a wide conversation at the end of January 2021, we spoke to our special guest, The Baroness Morgan of Cotes about politics and policy, technology, data and accountability in the post-Brexit world. Before being appointed to the House of Lords, Lady Morgan was MP for Loughborough between 2010 and 2019 - and a senior member of Conservative-led government for most of the 2010s, mainly under David Cameron and Boris Johnson's premierships. Positions held include Economic and Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Secretary of State for Education, Minister for Women and Equalities and Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport. With experience as a former solicitor and corporate lawyer, Lady Morgan was a prominent Remain campaigner during the Brexit debate and describes herself as a One Nation Conservative. But with a short window to chat in January 2021, we wanted to explore current thinking on data and big tech, following a speech exactly a year before in which she declared that the UK should be unashamedly pro-tech. What does that mean and what are the risks? And has that changed since the world's digital transformation has so unexpectedly accelerated? --- Useful links: https://www.gov.uk/government/people/nicky-morgan https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/baroness-morgan-speaking-on-how-we-can-make-technology-work-for-everyone https://www.verdict.co.uk/nicky-morgan-uk-tech/ https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/nicky-morgan-bett-show-2016 https://enterpriseadviser.careersandenterprise.co.uk/ ---- For more information on how you can get involved with The Possibility Club – an inclusive community of professionals working out what's next, have a look here > www.thepossibilityclub.org You can also receive Finding Chances, a free weekly letter from Richard Freeman, looking behind-the-scenes at business, culture, community and education by signing-up at www.findingchances.substack.com/ We'd love to know what you think of this podcast. Please review and share your responses to this podcast on your favourite podcast platform. This is an always possible podcast (www.alwayspossible.co.uk) Produced by Lo Fi Arts (https://christt.com/consultancy/) For more information on how you can get involved with The Possibility Club – an inclusive community of professionals working out what's next, have a look here > www.thepossibilityclub.org You can also receive Finding Chances, a free weekly letter from Richard Freeman, looking behind-the-scenes at business, culture, community and education by signing-up at www.findingchances.substack.com/ We'd love to know what you think of this podcast. Please review and share your responses to this podcast on your favourite podcast platform. This is an always possible podcast (www.alwayspossible.co.uk) Produced by Lo Fi Arts (https://christt.com/consultancy/)

The Institute for Government was delighted to welcome the Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury. Following the publication of the National Infrastructure Strategy, this event explored the government's plans to “transform” the UK's infrastructure networks to drive the country's post-pandemic recovery, make progress to reaching the net zero emissions target in 2050 and contribute to ‘levelling up' the country.Jesse Norman was in conversation with Bronwen Maddox, Director of the Institute for Government.Jesse Norman has been the Financial Secretary to the Treasury since May 2019. Before that he was Minister of State at the Department for Transport from November 2018 to May 2019 and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport from June 2017 to November 2018. He has been the MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire since 2010 and is the author of books on Adam Smith and Edmund Burke.#IfGInfrastructure See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Institute for Government was delighted to welcome the Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury. Following the publication of the National Infrastructure Strategy, this event explored the government’s plans to “transform” the UK’s infrastructure networks to drive the country’s post-pandemic recovery, make progress to reaching the net zero emissions target in 2050 and contribute to ‘levelling up’ the country. Jesse Norman was in conversation with Bronwen Maddox, Director of the Institute for Government. Jesse Norman has been the Financial Secretary to the Treasury since May 2019. Before that he was Minister of State at the Department for Transport from November 2018 to May 2019 and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport from June 2017 to November 2018. He has been the MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire since 2010 and is the author of books on Adam Smith and Edmund Burke.

Jared R. Rogers is an Illinois-licensed Certified Public Accountant and CEO of the Chicago-based financial services firm Wilson Rogers & Company. Prior to his current role, he spent 13 years in the finance function of several major companies including Hyatt Hotels, PepsiCo, Robert Bosch and KPMG LLP. In addition to the above, Jared is also the published author of three books: 1) The Real Estate Brokers Little Black Tax Book (CreateSpace Independent Publishing 2020) 2) How to Slash Your Taxes Legally & Ethically (CreateSpace Independent Publishing 2018) 3) Pathways to Wealth - A Common Sense Guide to Personal Money Management & Lifestyle Techniques (Authorhouse 2003) In his role at Wilson Rogers & Company, Jared is responsible for advising clients on matters including income taxes, tax debt resolution and personal financial planning. Through his business dealings over the years, he has reviewed thousands of personal and business income tax returns to ensure not only their accuracy, but that the taxpayer is paying the minimal amount of tax that they are legally obligated to. Philanthropically, Jared has served as Financial Secretary and Treasurer for the IDeaL Education Foundation. He also has previously volunteered as a tax preparer for the IRS' Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), which offers free tax help to low-to moderate-income people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Over the years, Jared has blogged about numerous tax matters, many of which can be found at www.wilsonrogers.net. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gofishvillage/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gofishvillage/support

Mike Rowse carries a formidable expat CV.  He negotiated the deal that brought Disneyland to Hong Kong, acting on behalf of the government. And was the first expat in HK's history to naturalise as a Chinese national. He was the city's first commissioner for tourism, and the first director of the Financial Secretary's office. He was also on the Independent Commission Against Corruption that changed the city.  It keeps going on... In short, the man's got some insane stories. Join us on Patreon for a bonus ep every Thursday and other killer content: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod  

We’re live with Eric Miller with the Knights of Columbus State Advocate for the Louisiana State Council. Financial Secretary for Msgr Dominic Blasco Council 3298 (Sacred Heart Church in Baton Rouge) gives us his monthly update, Dr. Tom Neal with life update, Jeff Young, the Catholic Foodie with foodie topic and JohnCuddeback author of True Friendship: Where Virtue Becomes Happiness

Join in on this conversation with Gail Floyd, our Financial Secretary

On Wednesday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered his spending review - his economic plan for the year ahead. The UK is having to face up to the scale of the financial cost caused by the coronavirus pandemic.Britain's economy is expected to shrink by 11.3% this year, while unemployment is predicted to rise to 7.5% by next summer - that's 2.6 million people.Tough choices have been made, including a pay freeze for non-NHS public sector workers earning more than £24,000 and a cut to foreign aid spending next year. But more are likely to follow. And what might relaxing rules for five days of Christmas mean for our road to recovery? On this edition of the Sky News Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan, we hear personal stories from people who have been affected by the pandemic. Plus, we are joined by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Jesse Norman, as well as Sky's Sophy Ridge and our business correspondent Paul Kelso, as we take a closer look at the measures being taken by the government. Daily podcast team:Podcast producer - Annie JoycePodcast producer - Nicola EyersPodcast producer – Emma Rae Woodhouse Podcast producer Cat Soave Interviews producer - Oli FosterInterviews producer - Tatiana AldersonArchive - Simon WindsorMusic - Steven Wheeler

Welcome to another episode of MUMHEADS, The Original Philadelphia Mummers Podcast!On this episode, we're talking Mums with President of the Aqua String Band, and Financial Secretary of the String Band Association, Michael Riddle. We'll hear about how Mike got into Mummery, the roles he's held, how the Aqua String Band has managed to grow and improve year after year; as well as 100 years of the Aqua String Band!Follow us on social media!Facebook.com/mumheadsInstagram @mumheadsthepodcastMusical selections featured in this episode:Jos. A. Ferko String Band - "That Old Gang Of Mine"Fralinger String Band - "You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile"Quaker City String Band - "Looking At The World Through Rose Colored Glasses"Aqua String Band - 1982 New Year's Day Medley, "Out Of This World"

This is an audio recording of an IfG Live Event The Institute for Government was delighted to welcome the Rt Hon Lord Maude, former Minister of State for Trade and Investment and former Minister for the Cabinet Office.A long-standing advocate for civil service reform, Francis Maude has been asked by the government to undertake a short review into the performance of the Cabinet Office. This event explored the focus of Lord Maude's review, what the government's handling of the coronavirus crisis has revealed about the role of the Cabinet Office, and wider questions of civil service reform.Lord Maude has had a distinguished career in government, serving as Margaret Thatcher's Minister for Europe and Hong Kong and Financial Secretary to the Treasury. He was also the Global Head of Privatisation at Morgan Stanley. As UK Minister for the Cabinet Office from 2010–15, he led an efficiency and reform programme that delivered cumulative savings from the operating costs of government of more than £52 billion. He and his team developed the "functional model" of government to break down the separate silos that in many governments stand in the way of efficient and effective delivery of services.Lord Maude has recently undertaken a pro bono review of spend controls and the functional model for the British government. He is the Chairman and co-founder of FMA.#IfGcivilservice See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Institute for Government was delighted to welcome the Rt Hon Lord Maude, former Minister of State for Trade and Investment and former Minister for the Cabinet Office. A long-standing advocate for civil service reform, Francis Maude has been asked by the government to undertake a short review into the performance of the Cabinet Office. This event explored the focus of Lord Maude’s review, what the government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis has revealed about the role of the Cabinet Office, and wider questions of civil service reform. Lord Maude has had a distinguished career in government, serving as Margaret Thatcher's Minister for Europe and Hong Kong and Financial Secretary to the Treasury. He was also the Global Head of Privatisation at Morgan Stanley. As UK Minister for the Cabinet Office from 2010–15, he led an efficiency and reform programme that delivered cumulative savings from the operating costs of government of more than £52 billion. He and his team developed the "functional model" of government to break down the separate silos that in many governments stand in the way of efficient and effective delivery of services. Lord Maude has recently undertaken a pro bono review of spend controls and the functional model for the British government. He is the Chairman and co-founder of FMA.

Gordon Zurn, Financial Secretary for USW Local 12-591, & Les Leopold, Director of The Labor Institute and author of Runaway Inequality, Part 2 Interview by Ken Winkes: Gordon and Les discuss how to fix inequality. For more information on ‘Runaway Inequality,’ go to https://runawayinequality.org/. We Do The Work Comments: > General James Mattis sounds the alarm about Trump. > Trump is full of generosity with taxpayers’ money. #LaborRadioPod

Gordon Zurn, Financial Secretary for USW Local 12-591, & Les Leopold, Director of The Labor Institute and author of Runaway Inequality, Part 1 Interview by Ken Winkes: Gordon and Les discuss what inequality is, how it happened, and what to do about it. For more information on ‘Runaway Inequality,’ go to https://runawayinequality.org/ We Do The Work Comment: > Trump’s trade policies are a disaster for workers. #LaborRadioPod

One positive for Covid 19 today - a traveler who will remain in isolation until he or she is recovered. The Financial Secretary says Government netted more than seven hundred thousand dollars on repatriation flights due to Covid 19. A single car crash in Cayman Brac results in an island wide power outage. #rcnews #radiocayman #caymanislands --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rcnews/message

Hello 2209! In this episode we talk to Shane Davis local 2209s Financial Secretary.    Like us on facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/718190728961216/?ref=share Don't forget to follow us on podbean, itunes  spotify, or whatever platform you are using.   For any questions or suggestions please call the hall at (260)672-2209. 

This is the full 3-22-2019 episode of the Labor Express Radio program. Solidarity in the time of COVID-19 and "social distancing". This will be the theme explored on tonight's and future episodes of Labor Express Radio for the foreseeable future. It starts with tonight's program which features interviews with Chicago labor and immigrants rights activist Isaac Silver about the launching of the Facebook group, People's Coronavirus Response, which grew from a network of 2 to 10,000, practically overnight, and Jorge Mujica, an organizer for Arise Chicago workers center about the new coalition formed in Chicago in response to the coronavirus crisis as well as political developments in Mexico. Also includes a description of the demands of the new COVID19 Chicago coalition by Maria Moreno, Financial Secretary of the Chicago Teachers Union. Note that this online version of the episode is about 8 minutes longer than the episode that broadcast on WLPN. The radio broadcast version required that the interview with Jorge Mujica be edited for time. The full interview here includes Jorge’s comments on the political scene in Mexico, including some provocative, perhaps controversial arguments in regards to AMLO’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, for which Mexico’s president has received considerable criticism. Labor Express Radio is Chicago's only English language labor news and current affairs radio program. News for working people, by working people. Labor Express Radio airs every Sunday at 8:00 PM on WLPN in Chicago, 105.5 FM. For more information, see our Facebook page... laborexpress.org and our homepage on Archive.org at: http://www.archive.org/details/LaborExpressRadio

On this edition of the Sky News Daily podcast, Sarah Hewson is joined by Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Jesse Norman MP to discuss Rishi Sunak's spending plan.Sky's political correspondent Joe Pike and economist Faiza Shaheen also examine measures including a £30bn boost to support the UK during the COVID-19 outbreak – plus, what was missing in the budget?

Hosts Bob Mumby and Leslie Greenly Smith, from the Harford County Public Library, interview Sandy Guzewich, Financial Secretary & Chair, Chesapeake Cancer Alliance and Dave Guzewich, Bel Air Lions Club.

Politician Jesse Norman talks to Reading People about politics, Hereford, the potential of NMiTE and shares insider knowledge on life in Westminster. Books: The Rule of Law by Tom Bingham The Long and the Short of It: a Guide to Finance and Investment for Normally Intelligent People Who Aren’t in the Industry by John Kay Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler High Windows by Philip Larkin Advice for future students: The secret to entrepreneurship, or indeed any project, is turning up at the finish line. Don’t get disheartened, don’t get turned away. Torquil Norman, Jesse’s father. Since recording on 01/02/19, Jesse has been appointed as Paymaster General and Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury Mel Stride speaks to Paul Lewis about the forthcoming loan charge. The measure, which comes into force in April, aims to stop disguised remuneration schemes which can be used for tax avoidance purposes. People who have been tricked into authorising payments to bank accounts run by fraudsters stand a much better chance of being reimbursed in future. A new code has been published by the Payment Systems Regulator and agreed by the industry. It includes measures to do more to protect bank and buidling society customers from criminals including reimbursing them in all but exceptional circumstances. The code, which is voluntary, comes into effect on May 28th. Guest: Hannah Nixon, Managing Director, Payment Systems Regulator. Money Box listener David Hardie runs a small printing business. He recently received a letter from HMRC informing him that from next month he must submit his VAT return digitally. It's part of the wider government Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative to shift people away from paper-based record keeping. The software used has to be MTD compatible so David is now paying for a new accounts program. Tim Woodgates, a tax adviser and chartered accountant with Moore Stephens, suggests ways in which small businesses can be MTD compliant while keeping costs down. We hear a cautionary tale of what can happen when the terms and conditions of a guarantor loan are not scrutinised by the friend or relative being asked to pay off the debt if the original borrower defaults. Followed by Sara Williams, founder of the Debt Camel blog and Nick Beal Chief Regulatory and Public Affairs Officer at Amigo Loans in a wider discussion on guarantor loans. Presenter: Paul Lewis Producer: Charmaine Cozier Editor: Richard Vadon

Hi friends!  Sorry I didn't get to post this on Sunday - we hosted an impromptu Super Bowl Party (although does anyone follow Young House Love on instagram? Apparently you're supposed to call it "the big game" because "super bowl" is under copyright - who knew?) and I also figured no one would be listening to my sermon during the Super Bowl anyway - ha! But on that note - the RCC Super Bowl Challenge is on!  I always tell the church that, if the Patriots win, Bruce and I would match, dollar for point, the total number of points the Patriots scored and donate the money to the church.  At halftime (when the score was 3-0) our Financial Secretary texted me and said, "The church isn't going to make any money." Granted, the Patriots helped us out a little bit more in the second half, but the challenge has sort of become a free-for-all - people are multiplying the number of points scored by the number of members in their household, by the number of Super Bowls Tom Brady has won, by the MVPs number or just arbitrarily giving me $20 because "that's what I have in my wallet."  We also have a couple of Patriots-haters that are donating $3 for the Rams - ha! So if you'd like to join in on the fun, you can send cash or a check to: Rehoboth Congregational Church P.O. Box 325 Rehoboth, MA 02769 Write "Super Bowl Challenge" in the memo line and let us know what your challenge is! Here is my sermon from Sunday.  Kind of a tough passage to preach on, but a really good message when you do the research and look at what Jesus is talking about. Enjoy!

Joining Iain Dale on Cross Question this week is Stephen Kinnock, Labour MP for Aberavon; Mel Stride, Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General and Conservative MP for Central Devon, Claire Fox, Director of the Academy of Idea and Rachel Shabi, Journalist and Author.

At the end of the Second World War, Hong Kong lived up to its description as “the barren island.” It had few natural resources, its trade and infrastructure lay in tatters, its small manufacturing base had been destroyed, and its income per capita was less than a quarter of its mother country, Britain. But by the time of the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, it was one of the most prosperous nations on Earth. By 2015, its GDP per capita was more than 40 percent higher than Britain’s. How did that happen? Around the world, postwar governments turned to industrial planning, Keynesian deficits, and high inflation to stimulate their economies. The government of Hong Kong rejected this emerging global consensus. The colony’s laissez-faire policies were implemented by a handful of civil servants, the most important of whom was John Cowperthwaite, deputy and then Financial Secretary of the colony between 1951 and 1971. He, more than anyone, shaped the economic policies of Hong Kong and set the stage for the territory’s remarkable transformation. Please join us for Monnery’s examination of Cowperthwaite’s life and ideas. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Chartered Institute of Taxation, the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the Institute for Government have launched a new report, Better Budgets: Making Tax Policy Better. Three of the report authors – Bill Dodwell, President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation; Paul Johnson, Director, Institute for Fiscal Studies, and Jill Rutter, Programme Director, Institute for Government – set out the principal recommendations of the report. Jane Ellison MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, responded.

Tess Newton Cain sits down with Kolone Vaai, Principal Consultant at KVAConsult Ltd and former Financial Secretary for the Government of Samoa (1984-1990). Blog post available here: http://devpolicy.org/pacific-conversations-the-economy-of-samoa-with-kolone-vaai-20140122/

On the eve of the 2015 UK Spring Budget, David Gauke MP, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, spoke to the Legatum Institute's Cristina Odone about pensions, tax reform and the future of Britain as a business centre.

This week, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury meets energy bosses over a tax review for the industry, there's a row over a major energy event's move from Aberdeen to Glasgow and Aberdeen's new fleet of hydrogen buses go on show.

Summary of today's show: The Knights of Columbus provide millions of man-hours of service and millions of dollars in charity to the Church and the needy every year and Massachusetts' 41,000 Knights are a big part of that work. Scot Landry and Fr. Matt Williams talk with Peter Healy and Richard Guerriero of the Massachusetts State Council Knights of Columbus about the the mission and work of the order and their desire to provide every Catholic parish with a council of men willing to step up and serve. Listen to the show: Watch the show via live video streaming or a recording later: Today's host(s): Scot Landry and Fr. Matt Williams Today's guest(s): Richard Guerriero and Peter Healy Links from today's show: Today's topics: Massachusetts State Council of the Knights of Columbus 1st segment: Scot Landry welcomed everyone to the show. He talked with Fr. Matt Williams about the snow today and how he almost crashed while entering the parking lot at the Pastoral Center. He missed sliding into two parked cars by just an inch on either side. Scot asked Fr. Matt about his preparations for next week's pilgrimage to the March for Life in Washington, DC. Fr. Matt said this is a pastoral priority for Cardinal Sean, who's been to all 40 Marches for Life. The Office for the New Evangelization of Youth and Young Adults has gathered young people for the pilgrimage every year at Cardinal Seán's request. They have over 500 people going this year in three tracks: middle school, high school, and young adults. Scot said there will be much more coverage of the March next week. Today's guests for the 450th episode are Knights of Columbus talking about the work of the order throughout the world. Scot said there are 41,000 Knights in Massachusetts and 1.8 million worldwide. He welcomed Dick Guerriero and Peter Healy to the show. Scot asked Peter how he became involved and is now the State Deputy. Peter said it began when his wife's brother was killed in a traffic accident. He was impressed how his brother-in-law's fellow Knights cared for the family, including the insurance policy that he had. You don't have to have insurance to be a Knight, and that's was one of the original ministries of the Knights, providing insurance for widows and orphans. Scot asked Dick about joining the Knights and rising to become State Deputy. Dick said he is a 40 year member. His wife was active at their parish in South Weymouth and he joined the K of C golf league and she challenged him to join as a member. He noted that wives, especially those of the board members, are an integral part of the Knights of Columbus. Dick said his council did a lot of work for the Cardinal Cushing Training Center in Braintree and Hanover. That was a very moving experience and it drew him as he became more involved. He was a district representative, then got involved in membership and program areas, and then ran for state office. Running for state office brought him throughout the entire state. Fr. Matt asked about the roles in the Knights of Columbus. Peter said there are 270 councils in Massachusetts. Each has a slate of officers: the Grand Knight is in charge after wokring himself. Others are Inside Guard, Outside Gaurd, Warden, Deputy Knight, Financial Secretary collects dues. Members pay $25 to $40 per year to support the costs of the council. The Treasurer pays the bills. At the state level, they have district deputies. It takes 5 to 7 years for a man to work his way up through the chairs at his local council. Then guys who want to step out further in leadership abilities, including going through some training. The district deputies are responsible for five to six councils and they also are responsible for starting new councils. He suggested priests who want new councils to reach out to the state deputies. The district deputies help the councils with their programs, the two primary ones being the Tootsie Roll drive, that raises up to $450,000 per year, that results in grants for needy kids. They provide wheelchair lifts and ramps; hoists in the kids' houses; special muscle-tone bicycles; and some other things like specialized software. The deputies become committeemen, then chairs, then directors. From that point, they can look toward statewide office, each level requiring more and more commitment. Scot asked Dick about organization at the highest level, nationally. What is the mission of the organization now? Dick said the four princuiples are charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. In 1882, Fr. Michael McGivney, a parish priest in Hartford, Connecticut, formed the Knights of Columbus to provide aid to the widows and orphans of the parish. Massachusetts is the third-oldest jurisdiction in the Knights after Connecticut and Rhode Island. Among other things, they provide a military chaplaincy scholarship for seminarians to ensure that there are enough chaplains for our servicemembers. They do a food for families program for Catholic Charities for needy families. They get involved in Special Olympics. Coats for Kids collects coats for needy kids, even buying new ones as well. They also try to provide wheelchairs for veterans. They also go to the VA hospitals to help bring the men and women down to the chapel on Sunday for Mass. Wreaths Across America is the first Saturday of November, providing wreaths for the graves of deceased for veterans across the country. Scot said the Knights of Columbus headquarters reports on the number of service hours provided by year and last year it was more than 70 million hours. Peter said the Mass. Knights also conduct the Basketball Free Throw program. Kids ages 10 to 14 compete at the local, regional, and state levels. They can aspire to international competition. Peter often hears people saying they don't have time to volunteer, but he points out that families often do many of the programs together and it can be a way for families to be doing something together. And there is such diversity of opportunities to get involved that you can find something that interests you. Fr. Matt asked about the free throw contest's purpose. Peter said it's not a fundraiser. It's a youth program. Dick said they also have a soccer program as well. Scot guessed that many men are giving more than an hour per week and where would the Church be without men making such a commitment. He said his brother, Fr. Roger Landry, have talked often about how important the Knights of Columbus have been to his parish. Dick said the vision is that one parish with one council and the ultimate goal is for every parish to have one. They are there to help the pastor and the parish. Dick pointed out that Fr. Roger has started two councils in his parishes. He said that they also go into the seminaries to talk to the seminarians about how the Knights of Columbus are there to help them once they are in parishes. Dick said on the physician-assisted suicide campaign last year the Knights of Columbus got their members out there to work the polls and spreading the word locally across the state. Scot noted that the margin of the vote was 34,000 votes and the 41,000 Knights made the difference. He said the Knights are always ready to serve when called upon. Fr. Matt asked if there is a junior Knights program. Peter said they have a Squires program in Methuen and Sutton. There used to be dozens of Squires circles. There are also college councils. They also recently started new councils recently at Harvard, Tufts, and Boston University. Holy Cross in Worcester is also very active. Dick said they also have on at Stonehill and they are trying to get more college councils. He said they often have difficulty with colleges refusing single-sex organizations, but they have begun partnering Knights with the Daughters of Isabella group. On the Squires, Dick said 14 to 18-year-old boys are often very busy today. Fr. Matt said a mission-oriented goal would be attractive to young men who are often looking for ways to give of themselves. Peter said men join for all kinds of reason, like softball or golf, but then they get involved in ways they didn't expect like service or even getting more involved in their faith. It often becomes the stepping stone to become more involved. 2nd segment: This week's benefactor card raffle winner is Alicia Mann from Hampton, NH She wins the book ; an audio CD of the Rosary with meditations on the priesthood; and an audio CD of the Stations of the Cross and Divine Mercy chaplet with meditations on the priesthood. If you would like to be eligible to win in an upcoming week, please visit . For a one-time $30 donation, you'll receive the Station of the Cross benefactor card and key tag, making you eligible for WQOM's weekly raffle of books, DVDs, CDs and religious items. We'll be announcing the winner each Wednesday during “The Good Catholic Life” program. 3rd segment: Scot noted that Peter and Dick were at St. John's Seminary inducting 11 seminarians in as new members to the Knights of Columbus. Peter said this introduces them to the Knights of Columbus in a positive light. The Knights also try to get each seminarian adopted by a local council which provides a small stipend and then brings them in for the council's functions. This lets them meet the Knights and the Knights get to meet their future priests and form a bond that continues throughout their lifetimes. The priests now realize what the Knights are capable of and are doing. Some councils provides groundskeeping or buy and install Stations of the Cross or Monuments to the Unborn. Scot asked Dick about how the Knights have embraced veterans re-entering civilian society. Dick said the Knights have been active with veterans since World War I. they have the organization to help servicemen. The USO was always funded by the Knights of Columbus. they also did education and re-training programs and blood drives for veterans. They provide awards and recognition to members of the Knights who are in the service as well as military chaplains. Men interested in finding out more about the Knights of Columbus can go to their or contact their office in Norwood at 781-551-0628. Priests interested in forming new councils or reactivating inactive councils in their parish can contact the state offices. To men who wonder if they should commit to joining the Knights. Peter said every time he's done something with the Knights, he may be tired, he also stands back and is amazed at what they have accomplished for others. It's great to feel that you've given a part of yourself to someone else, someone you may never meet or may never meet again. In the same vein, they've helped you as well. Peter also introduced the names of their state board, including Bishop Robert Hennessey, the state chaplain; Fr. Robert Bruso, associate state chaplain; Russell Steinbach, state secretary; Paul O'Sullivan, state treasurer; Robert Morrison, state advocate; Paul Flanagan, state warden; and Michael Baldner, immediate past state deputy.