As Colombia approaches presidential elections next year, the US decision to decertify the country in the war on drugs plays into the hands of its allies on the political right, writes NICK MacWILLIAM

ON Tuesday, ahead of the Spending Review, I joined a delegation of councillors in handing a letter to Damian Hinds urging him to provide more money for our schools.
This letter, coordinated by NEU members and councillors Maggie Browning and Jumbo Chan, was signed by 1,115 councillors of all parties and backed by the F40 group of local authorities — a group comprised of the most underfunded local authorities (LAs) in the country.
Since 2010 60p in every £1 of local government spending has been cut and consequently local government funding and the services it provides face financial ruin under this government.

Since 2023, Strike Map has evolved from digital mapping at a national level to organising ‘mega pickets’ — we believe that mass solidarity with localised disputes prepares the ground for future national action, writes HENRY FOWLER

Head of education, campaigns and organising for the General Federation of Trade Unions HENRY FOWLER explains why it is launching a fund to support trades councils and give them access to a new range of courses and resources

