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

“WE need every free voice in the world to stand with education in Jerusalem” — Saed Erziqat, general secretary of the General Union of Palestinian Teachers.
On a recent National Education Union delegation to Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank, education professionals from England and Canada visited six schools, met national and regional GUPT officials, teachers, student activists and a number of human rights organisations.
Palestinian teachers were on strike because funding from Israel to Palestinian-run authorities was cut by 22 per cent last year leaving teachers being paid only 80 per cent of their salaries, with some taking second jobs to make meagre ends meet.

ANYA COOK reports from the Newcastle citizens’ assembly, where over 240 people gathered to create a people’s manifesto ahead of next year’s local elections – part of former mayor Jamie Driscoll’s Majority movement


