News in brief

Strike against big budget cuts

public sector workers in Northern Ireland were set to strike on Friday of this week.

Teachers, health workers, civil service and transport workers plan to walk out over government budget cuts and job losses. It could be the biggest strike for many years.

Cells a ‘default option’ for care

Custody in police stations is becoming the “default option” for mentally ill adults and children with nowhere to go says a police watchdog.

A 90 year old with dementia was among those held in police cells. He was waiting for an NHS bed to be found, after care home staff were unable to deal with him.

New rules limit access to travel

Disabled people will now find it harder to get adapted vehicles unless they work, volunteer, study or have sole responsibility for childcare.

Publicly funded private firm Motability has changed the criteria for Special Vehicle Grants. Sign the petition https://www.change.org/p/stop-unfair-and-secret-changes-to-motability-grants

Care watchdog slams Barnet

The Care Quality Commission slammed the Tory council-controlled care service Your Choice Barnet last week. Its report “found that people using the service were exposed to significant risk to their safety”.

Barnet Unison said it was “a stark warning” of why care workers’ pay shouldn’t be cut.