27/01/2020Alasdair ClarkIn one year 354 deaths in Glasgow were linked to air pollution, according to new research Figures say Edinburgh has the highest proportion of deaths linked to air pollutionWood burning stoves could be banned to tackle bad air, urban researcher arguesFriends of the Earth Scotland: “UN climate negotiations coming to Glasgow in 2020 should […]

27/01/2020Alasdair ClarkUK Government admits it had no analysis on the poverty impact of UC claimants’ five-week wait, which campaigners argue is “driving destitution and distress” UK Government claim it holds no analysis of poverty impact of five-week wait for Universal Credit, following FOI requestPoverty Alliance reiterates call to scrap the controversial policy, saying it “has no […]

24/01/2020Ben WrayBeyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN this week’s podcast, Jamieson speaks to George Kerevan, economist, columnist at the National and former […]

24/01/2020rhiannonjdaviesFollowing the Roma Connections gig as part of the Celtic Connections festival, Rhiannon Davies explores the role of culture in developing a ‘web’ of integration in a changing Scotland A FIDDLE is played furiously while a drummer keeps time, and dancers start to whirl around in pairs, laughing and pulling bystanders to the dancefloor. For the […]

24/01/2020SeanBellIn the Cartoon of the Week, Lorna Miller offers a memorial for the Shakespeare Street Youth Club, or the ‘Shakey’, a Maryhill institution for almost 100 years which has now been refused a vital grant by Glasgow City Council. A petition hoping to save the youth club can be found here. To view the previous […]

23/01/2020SeanBellCommon Weal director Robin McAlpine argues that Scotland’s economy will not be transformed until the debate surrounding it improves CAPITALISM – time for a reset. Nope, that’s not me, it’s not RIC, it’s not Colin Fox or Bernie Sanders. That’s the current advertising campaign for the Financial Times. Which begs the question – is Scotland […]

23/01/2020Alasdair ClarkNew report by the Committee on Climate Change [CCC] has said fundamental changes in land use are required for the UK to meet net zero The UK is in “race against time” to make urgent changes to tackle climate change, advisers warnThe in-depth report recommends a ban on burning of grouse moors alongside other […]

23/01/2020Alasdair ClarkMore than half of disabled Scots claims for disability benefits have been rejected by the Department of Work and Pensions 54 per cent of disability benefit claims rejectedDWP data shows 76 per cent of appeals against decisions are successful Scottish Government pledge to “do things differently” as they take over the delivery of disability benefitsInclusion Scotland […]

23/01/2020Alasdair ClarkLocals will be able to report short-term holiday lets in their area using a new tool launched by Andy Wightman Green MSP launches new tool to monitor growth in holiday letsThe number of short term lets is “out of control” in Edinburgh, Wightman argues A NEW online tool will allow local people to report […]

22/01/2020SeanBellTory MPs vote down amendment to Brexit legislation from the House of Lords guaranteeing family reunion rights for unaccompanied child refugees Tory MPs overturn five amendments to the Withdrawal Agreement Bill on the final day of the bill’s passage through the CommonsRejection of Dubs amendment, which would guarantee the #RighToReunite for child refugees, condemned as […]