If the idea of cloth nappies conjures images of towelling squares loosely held by a large safety pin, think again. Modern versions have come a long way and are now available in bright colours and a variety of materials, including cotton, bamboo, microfibre and hemp. Growing consumer concern over plastic waste, and a more pragmatic desire to save money, means boom times for the reusable nappy industry. “There is increased awareness of the impact of disposable nappies – they are a single-use plastic. It started with coffee cups, then disposable wipes, and the jump from wipes to nappies is clear,” said Wendy Richards, director of UK online provider The Nappy Lady. She says the number of people using the service has grown by 80% in the past year. The business has doubled its staff since the start of 2018. About 25% of a disposable nappy is plastic and three billion nappies a year end up in landfill. Some councils in Britain now give new parents vouchers worth up to … [Read more...] about All change as millennial parents turn to cloth nappies
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It is not up to the UK government to decide whether I’m Irish or not
The Good Friday agreement is widely revered as a model of peace and celebrated worldwide. Yet the Home Office has openly disregarded the agreement, and is actively seeking to undermine its very foundation. I should know: I have spent the past four years in legal proceedings battling the Home Office. The people of Northern Ireland are unique within the UK in that we have the birthright to identify and be accepted as Irish or British or both. However, contrary to the statutory duty on the Home Office to accept the birthright provisions of the Good Friday agreement, it is arguing through the British courts that the people of Northern Ireland are “automatically British” as we were “clearly born in the United Kingdom”. The department regularly and repeatedly forces British citizenship on Irish citizens born in Northern Ireland – citizens who are Irish by birth and by choice – a choice the people of this island voted for overwhelmingly in the Good Friday … [Read more...] about It is not up to the UK government to decide whether I’m Irish or not
Will a 25p charge change Britain’s throwaway coffee cup culture?
Turn any corner in the busy town centre of Guildford on a weekday morning, and someone is carrying a disposable cup bearing the logo of one of the major chains. Each minute in the UK about 500 of these used coffee cups are thrown away. Every year consumers use and dispose of 2.5bn of them. The vast majority are not recycled. On the main high street, coffee drinkers come and go, a few searching for the local authority “on the go” recycling bins in which to deposit their used vessel. Few are aware that their well meaning efforts will do little to reduce the waste mountain created by Britain’s £9bn coffee-shop habit. The UK has just three facilities that can split the paper and plastic components, which line the cardboard cups, for recycling. These facilities are not part of the general recycling system, and less than 1 in 400 cups – under 0.25% – are recycled. To tackle the waste mountain, MPs have called for a 25p levy on takeaway coffees and teas to … [Read more...] about Will a 25p charge change Britain’s throwaway coffee cup culture?
Boris Johnson preparing to unveil plans for UK – after cabinet reshuffle today
Boris Johnson is preparing to unveil his plans for Britain after the Tory election victory. Ahead of this week’s state opening of Parliament the Prime Minister will reshuffle his cabinet today. Then on Thursday, the Queen’s Speech is set to include measures on sentencing for terrorists, curbing rail strikes and protections for renters. Popular policies championed by Labour , including cash for Waspi women hit by pension changes, a bill to ensure the NHS is not part of US trade talks and £10.5billion extra for schools will not get a look-in. The first piece of legislation MPs will vote on is the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill, a No10 source said. It is unclear whether this will happen before Christmas. There are fears new laws to curb court powers could be introduced after Mr Johnson’s suspension of Parliament was overturned by the Supreme Court. Read More General election results 2019 And the PM is set to pledge extra spending in former Labour heartlands that … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson preparing to unveil plans for UK – after cabinet reshuffle today
Ex-hair model slams ‘mate’ who told her to ‘man up’ as she battles cancer
A former hair model fighting cancer was told to 'man up' by her so-called mate after she refused to leave the house because of the disease. Jodie Mason, 26, was battling a brain tumour and bone cancer when her pal sent her the heartless remark. She was also told to 'f*** off' by the same friend and by another mate, Birmingham Live reports. Shockingly, the other pal accused her of playing the 'C card' because she was too ill to go out with her friends or family. Jodie struggles with blackouts, severe headaches , incontinence, mobility issues, violent episodes of sickness, memory problems and many more life-changing symptoms, and now has agonising pain in her shoulders and back. She has now spoken out about how her friends branded her 'selfish' for being too unwell to join in with some activities. Jodie said insensitive comments were just a small part of the harsh reality of having cancer - and "no one really understands". The former hair model, who shaved her locks off as she lost … [Read more...] about Ex-hair model slams ‘mate’ who told her to ‘man up’ as she battles cancer