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Preparing for a Return to Work After the Summer Holidays

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  • Post last modified:31 August 2026
Preparing for a Return to Work After the Summer Holidays

After several weeks away from work, returning to the office after the summer holidays can require some preparation. The holiday period provides an opportunity to relax and take a break from daily responsibilities, but returning to a normal working routine often means dealing with a busy inbox, upcoming deadlines and a number of outstanding tasks. A well-organised return can make this transition considerably easier. By preparing the workplace, reviewing priorities and re-establishing a regular routine, employees can start the new working period in a professional and productive manner. Organising the Office One of the first steps should be to ensure that…

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Prominent academic Jason Arday is a victim of vile racism — he also copied other people’s work

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  • Post last modified:6 August 2026
Prominent academic Jason Arday is a victim of vile racism — he also copied other people’s work

Yesterday, 5 August, Professor Jason Arday resigned from his Sociology post at University of Cambridge and Jesus College. When he took the job back in 2023, he became the youngest Black professor ever to teach at the institution. However, since that point, accusations of plagiarism have dogged his work. Several things seem true at once here. Black academia is under serious threat right now, in the UK, the US and elsewhere. Many of the criticisms against Arday were levelled or amplified by notorious racists. Simultaneously, Arday’s work shows a remarkable level of similarity to the work of Professor Paula Zwozdiak-Myers, along…

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Swansea University backslides on commitment not to work with the fossil fuel industry

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  • Post last modified:30 July 2026
Swansea University backslides on commitment not to work with the fossil fuel industry

The University of Swansea has U-turned on a 2023 commitment to cut careers and recruitment ties with fossil fuel companies, against the wishes of student and staff campaigners. Following one of the hottest Junes on record, the university has removed pledges from its Ethical Careers Policy to: not knowingly devise marketing campaigns advertising […] roles which contribute to the detrimental effects of the fossil fuels, mining, arms and tobacco industries [and to exclude oil, gas and tar sands companies from access to] careers fairs and employer events. In removing these statements, the university is effectively now permitting fossil fuel companies to…

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Hillsborough Law marks a huge achievement for accountability but political will is crucial for it to work

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  • Post last modified:15 July 2026
Hillsborough Law marks a huge achievement for accountability but political will is crucial for it to work

The Public Office (Accountability) Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday 14 July, and is now moving through the next stages of the legislative process. Also referred to as the Hillsborough Law, it will drastically improve the ability of ordinary people to get justice and accountability from those in power. In short, its purpose is to ensure the government is accountable for its actions and the very real human impact those actions can have, drawing its nickname from the Hillsborough disaster. Despite multiple attempts in the courts, none of the police officers or the former chief…

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DWP boss McFadden making vague pronouncements about ‘helping people into work’ again

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  • Post last modified:16 July 2026
DWP boss McFadden making vague pronouncements about ‘helping people into work’ again

Pat McFadden, the leader of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is already working to set the media agenda ahead of the full publication of two flagship reports in the autumn. Inevitably, he’s bleating about ‘supporting’ people with health conditions to get into work. In a 15 July interview with the Guardian, McFadden stated that his department had already begun its work in advance of the final reports: Even before they’ve reported, I’m already speaking to the Department for Education [and] the Department for Health. We’re going to have to respond to this as a government. It’s my job to…

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Senior DWP figure made ableist joke outside Access to Work inquiry

Senior DWP figure made ableist joke outside Access to Work inquiry

A senior civil servant in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) made an ableist joke whilst waiting to give evidence on the department’s failings. Disability News Service reports that Neil Couling, director general of DWP services and fraud, made the joke surrounded by other senior figures in a corridor in Portcullis House. They were all waiting to give evidence to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the National Audit Office’s (NAO) joint inquiry into Access to Work. Couling shows exactly who the DWP are The DWP came under fire because it’s quietly cutting Access to Work whilst forcing more disabled…

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Greens messaging on Manchester’s mayoral vote needs some work

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  • Post last modified:20 June 2026
Greens messaging on Manchester’s mayoral vote needs some work

The Green Party is likely to be the most credible left-wing option in Manchester’s mayoral election on 30 July. But to win, the Greens need to make sure their messaging is as strong as possible. Are Greens ‘the only party that can beat Reform’? It would be great, for example, if the Greens could avoid using the phrase ‘we’re the only party’. Because ahead of the mayoral election, they immediately came out with that message. And that was despite Labour having just won in Makerfield (which is in Greater Manchester). Across Greater Manchester – Bolton to Salford, Trafford to Stockport, Greens…

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  • Post last modified:8 June 2026
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Family

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  • Post last modified:8 June 2026
Family

Having traced the Charles Alford family tree back to our very own Charles I, the line continues to this day, no thanks to my late father who tried to buck the trend by refusing to name me Charles. In 2026 with limited time remaining, I changed my name by deed poll (legally) to continue the tradition. It is now up to my son, Jack to atone for my mistake in not insisting he be named accordingly; not that there was much choice in the matter in 1985.   The original Alfords of 1758 showing Charles I (1758 - 1839) & his…

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Rat Patrol & More

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  • Post last modified:1 September 2026
Rat Patrol & More

ALF THE GIGS According to records kept by manager Pip Hulme (R.I.P), Rat Patrol played their first gig on Tuesday 23rd November 1982 at The Mitre (soon to become the ill fated Mama Stone's) in Mary Arches Street, Exeter, Devon. Rat Patrol owe a debt of gratitude to both Pip and also to Mike, Don and Jonny, aka Rockin' Mike & The Thunderbirds for letting the Rats support them on their first two outings. We should also mention the inimitable John Bain (aka: Attila The Stockbroker) who gave the band a cracking write up in Sounds magazine and went on to…

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