With the start of Refugee Week approaching on Monday, Home Secretary Priti Patel’s ever harder line against asylum-seekers, backed by her apparent unwillingness to abide by the UK’s international commitments, has prompted refugee support groups to mount a collective campaign for a fair and humane system, as Felicity Laurence of Hastings Community of Sanctuary Campaigns team explains.
Hastings has been awarded £24.3m from the government’s Towns Fund for regeneration, a little short of what it applied for. But if match funding of £85m can be raised, £100m will be available to invest in the town. Before government funding is released, business cases for the proposed projects have to be developed and approved. Nick Terdre reports, photos by Russell Jacobs.
In response to the G7 Summit taking place in Cornwall this week, XR Hastings and St Leonards (XRHSL) is holding an action on the beach down from Bottle Alley on Thursday 10 June at 4.30pm, to highlight their concern at the government’s continued lack of action with regard to the climate crisis. HOT’s Erica Smith will be with the chapter of cyclists supporting the action.
The deployment of pop-up and mobile vaccination clinics in Hastings is helping to give a much-needed boost to the relatively low pace with which the local population, especially in the more deprived areas, is being given the jab. Higher rates are being achieved elsewhere in East Sussex. Text by Nick Terdre, research and graphics by Russell Hall.
Portfolios have been allocated to members of the Hastings Borough Council Cabinet and the new make-up of committees decided. Some newly elected councillors have found themselves with several committee appointments. ESCC Green councillor Julia Hilton has a place on the pensions committee. Nick Terdre reports.
The Indian variant, or one version of it, has become the UK’s enemy no 1 in the battle against the coronavirus, spreading at a worrying rate and threatening to derail the roadmap schedule out of lockdown restrictions in June. It has not so far been detected in East Sussex. Text by Nick Terdre, research and graphics by Russell Hall except where noted.
Hastings is expecting its largest ever demonstration for the Palestinian cause tomorrow [Saturday 22 May], according to the Hastings & Rye Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
Liberal Democrat hopes of taking control at County Hall at the head of a coalition of anti Tory parties did not materialise, though the Tories failed to benefit from the surge their party experienced elsewhere, losing two seats. Meanwhile the Greens prospered, winning four seats, while Labour gained two seats beyond the Hastings border. Nick Terdre reports.
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