While international actors discuss governance and reconstruction, Netanyahu has made it clear that Israel has no intention of ending its military occupation, says RAMZY BAROUD
Not balancing the books
Public libraries are facing massive cutbacks by councils looking to make ‘easy’ savings – with Birmingham and Nottingham in the front line. But these are community services that should not be for sale, argues JOHN PATEMAN
NICK WRIGHT continues his series analysing the trends in European politics
We have the alternative economics, histories of our struggles and the confidence to change the world
General Federation of Trade Unions assistant general secretary HENRY FOWLER reports on the final day from the GFTU’s residential Summer School at the Workers’ Retreat, Quorn Grange Hotel
Capitalism has exploited — and polluted — our natural resources for too long, it’s time we treated our rivers as living beings, writes MIRIUM GAUNTLETT, LIAM SHAW and ROX MIDDLETON
Treating the Clacton by-election as a joke risks reinforcing the Reform leader’s claim to be the victim of an out-of-touch Establishment, argues JOHN McINALLY
MPs and others called for the urgent release of tortured Palestinian doctor, Hussam Abu Safiya, held hostage by Israel and reportedly near death, reports LINDA PENTZ GUNTER
PUBLIC libraries have existed in Britain since the mid-19th century and have survived many existential threats, including Thatcherism. Today their future has never been so uncertain. Since the financial crisis in 2008 hundreds of libraries have closed and thousands of library workers have been made redundant.
Public libraries are low-hanging fruit for cash-strapped local councils. In recent weeks there have been announcements of large-scale library closures by a number of councils, most notably Birmingham City Council and Nottingham City Council, which face huge budget deficits.
Birmingham
The city’s network of 36 community libraries is at risk after Birmingham City Council unveiled proposals to cut the library budget as part of an overall £200 million budget reduction this year and £100m next year to balance the council books.
Similar stories
Years of underfunding are eroding Scotland’s local services and deepening inequality in communities, says VINCE MILLS
Liverpool Trades Council has unveiled a ‘People’s Budget’ to fight £56m cuts and council tax rises. DEAN YOUNG reports
LOTTE COLLETT welcomes the arrival of a new party for the left, a vehicle for councils to finally fight for progressive policies on housing, green spaces and public facilities, rather than administering cuts and misery from central 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