Labour

Wakefield Council has scrapped plans to cut opening times at museums, libraries and castles as part of cost saving measures.

Council U-turn on plan to cut opening times at museums, libraries and castles

I’m glad to be part of a government that is committed to real change, who have been clear in how the economy should grow, and who should benefit from it.

Jade Botterill MP: Delivering economic growth our community can really feel

River Calder is among the ten most polluted in the country with sewage spillages doubling between 2022 to 2023.

Labour promises to clean up our rivers, lakes, and seas for good

Early years are crucial to the development, health and life chances of children.

Wakefield to receive at least £1.5m to support families and new parents

Opposition councillors in Wakefield have put forward a motion calling for Chancellor Rachel Reeves to be sacked.

Wakefield opposition motion calls for Chancellor Rachel Reeves to be sacked

Ken Capstick

National Union of Mineworkers vice president Ken Capstick dies aged 83

The council’s ruling Labour group has put forward a motion calling for a range measures to be introduced to achieve the target across the district.

Call for council to appoint violence against women and girls ‘champion’

Council tax bills in Wakefield look set to increase by a maximum 4.99% and up to 270 jobs could be axed under budget proposals.

Maximum council tax hike and up to 270 job cuts planned in budget

Wakefield residents can help by writing to their MP - Animal News Agency

Stars including Ricky Gervais and Dame Judi Dench need help of Wakefield residen...

Left to right: Paul Jowitt, Cllr Olivia Rowley, Neil Cole, Cllr Duncan Smith, Michael Wood, Sheila Brammer, Andrew Brammer, Paddy Campbell, Ron Eggett.

Labour banner goes to museum

Pupils at Winchester College, one of the UK's most famous private schools

How Britons really feel about VAT on private school fees

People are crying out for change, this government has already put us on track for change.

2025 will show that we are on track to deliver the change people voted for

A still from the video to Freezing This Christmas by Sir Starmer and the Granny Harmers

Who are Sir Starmer and the Granny Harmers?

Citilodge, on Lower Warrengate, in Wakefield city centre

Citilodge no longer being used to house homeless as council makes £450K saving

There have certainly been some positive developments that would simply not have been possible if Labour hadn’t won the election.

Jon Trickett MP: Another year over. And a new one just begun

While I am proud of what we have achieved so far, December is equally a time to look forward to the year ahead, and I have spent much time thinking about our plans to truly change our community for the better. Photo: Brian Churchill

Jade Botterill MP: Bringing trust back into politics
Christmas is my favourite time of the year. From carol services to brass band performances, it brings communities and families together.
Jane Chippindale

Wakefield One, Wakefield Council's headquarters building.

Wakefield Council leaders call for government help as job cuts plan approved

This Labour government has already set about restoring our confidence in the police and taking back our high streets. Photo: Scott Merrylees

Simon Lightwood MP: Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities

Chris Kitchen, the General Secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers

Around 7,000 former mineworkers across district receive first pension boost

A motion by Conservative councillors in Wakefield to call on the government to reverse plans to increase employer National Insurance contributions has been defeated.

Councillor says politics is “completely and utterly toxic” as NI motion defeated

Councillors of all political parties in Wakefield have unanimously voted in favour of a freeze and on their allowances.

Councillor allowances freeze unanimously approved

The closure of Rathbones would not only have a terrible impact on the workers and their families, but it will also damage wider supply chains and our local economy. Photo: John Clifton

Jon Trickett MP: Rathbones bakery – 400 jobs at risk

A petition calling a general election has been signed by over 1 million people. Pictured: Keir Starmer. Photo: STEFAN ROUSSEAU/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

How online petitions work and what happens at a million signatures

John Prescott visiting Allerton Bywater Welfare Hall in 2005.

Yvette Cooper MP: John Prescott – he told it like it was

The Labour-run authority, like many council across the country, is also facing mounting financial pressures.

Councillors set to vote for allowances freeze

Antisocial behaviour leaves lasting damage on the community, leaving some, especially our elderly, afraid to leave the house. Photo: AdobeStock

Jade Botterill MP: Tackling anti-social behaviour and crime head on

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves poses with the red Budget Box as she leaves 11 Downing Street on October 30 to present the government's annual autumn budget to Parliament. Photo: Getty Images

This Budget delivers the change people in Wakefield and Rothwell voted for
At the General Election, people in Wakefield and Rothwell voted for change. They voted to rebuild Britain after 14 years of stagnant growth and declining public services under the Tories.
Jane Chippindale

Petros Georgiou runs a popular fish and chip restaurant and takeaway, but said more could be done to bring people into Wakefield city centre and improve footfall for local businesses.

Small business owners discuss trading concerns following Budget

There have been concerns that private schools raising fees in response will edge out many families

Explainer Why private schools will be taking on the Government in legal battle

Wakefield Council has announced the date of a by-election following the death of Featherstone councillor Graham Isherwood.

Featherstone by-election date announced

The winter fuel payment cut is hitting millions of pensioners

Union threatens legal action over Labour's Winter Fuel Payment cuts

36 per cent of those polled adopt a "you can't take it with you" approach, spending their cash while they can, rather than putting it aside for emergencies.

Almost a third of Brits find rainy day funds outdated

Nadeem Ahmed, leader of Wakefield Council's Conservative and Independent Group

Wakefield’s political leaders give their reaction to the Autumn Budget

Rachel Reeves poses with the red Budget Box as she leaves 11 Downing Street to present the government's annual Autumn budget to Parliament (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

UK families to get free cash as Household Support Fund is extended

Child plays with building blocks.

Watch: Measures for families announced in Rachel Reeves’ budget

Rachel Reeves poses with the red Budget Box as she leaves 11 Downing Street to present the government's annual Autumn budget to Parliament (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Budget 2024: key takeaways as Reeves unveils £40 billion tax rise

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivers her speech at the Labour Party Conference.

Watch: Potential tax rises and who could be worse off following budget

Wakefield Cathedral

Trade union activists to hold budget day protest

Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to give a speech at the Treasury in July 2024 (Photo: Jonathan Brady - Pool/Getty Images)

What to expect from Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first Autumn Budget

The government has launched a consultation with staff and patients. It is looking at how to use technology better, moving it from analogue to digital. Photo: AdobeStock

Yvette Cooper MP: Making our NHS fit for the future

Labour councillors in Wakefield criticised their new government as they called for the “shameful” decision to cut winter fuel payments to be overturned.

Labour councillors call for “shameful” winter fuel cuts to be reversed

I have been meeting with Arriva to demand they take steps to deliver a service we can rely on. Photo: Scott Merrylees

xx

Sir Keir Starmer speaks at Prime Minister’s Questions.

Watch: Keir Starmer addresses reason for cuts to winter fuel allowance

Coun Isherwood was first elected in 1987 and chaired the authority’s corporate and resources overview and scrutiny committee.

Tributes paid following death of Featherstone councillor Graham Isherwood

Through this Bill, we will finally ban exploitative zero-hours contacts and abolish the scourge of fire and rehire. Photo: StockAdobe

“Calling time on the Tories’ scorched earth approach to industrial relations”

The free school breakfast clubs will build on support for families already available, the Department for Education says

When Labour's free school breakfasts will start - what we know so far

Protester speaks at winter fuel cuts rally.

Watch: Rally against winter fuel cuts held outside Parliament

Man reacts to the government’s plans to make the winter fuel payment means tested.

Watch as members of the public react to the winter fuel cuts

A general view of BBC Broadcasting House, in central London. PIC: Lucy North/PA Wire

Why women are more likely to be prosecuted for licence fee evasion?

I took the difficult decision to vote against the government and my own party leadership on the removal of the winter fuel payment.

Jon Trickett MP: Why I voted against the removal of the winter fuel payment

A TV licence is a legal requirement for anyone wanting to watch live TV on terrestrial channels, or online streaming. The fine for not having a licence is up to £1,000 plus any legal costs. Additional compensation may also be ordered.

The eye-opening number of TV licence prosecutions every week

The 300 new nurseries in primary schools are just phase one of the government's plan (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Labour's plan for creating 300 new nurseries in just one year

Jess Phillips MP speaking at The Rally Against Violence Towards Women and Girls at Labour conference.

Minister says stopping VAWG should be everyone’s “core business”

Passengers have had enough. The Tories have failed our railways, and failed us. Photo: AdobeStock

Simon Lightwood MP: Labour has a plan to fix the railways

Six residents were given just 24 hours to leave when the Labour-run authority temporarily shut the facility in May. One died 16 days after being moved.

Action plan to end council ‘blame culture’ following care home failings