Royal Mail Group (excluding POL) Revised Transfer Policy and Process 

Branches will be aware of CWU HQ’s continuing dialogue with Royal Mail to update and improve the transfer process for individuals who wish to transfer location voluntarily within Royal Mail Group.

 

As a result of those discussions Royal Mail has transformed the infrastructure that provides the mechanics employees use to access the online application process. This is down to a project called Success Factors which is a system that not only provides the facility for job applications but can also administer a number of other internal business performance measures regarding personal development, training and individual qualifications.

 

Consequently the link which was previously issued has been changed and the screenshots previously provided have also been completely changed. The discussions have also resulted in an updated policy, which is attached, that our members will be able to utilise that provides the various screenshots making the process simpler and more user friendly.

 

The revised policy and online system has now gone live. All employees currently on the job alert system are in the process of being written to explaining the changes and how they go about updating their job alerts going forward.

 

The Union remains in dialogue with Royal Mail regarding the existing Transfer Policy, including issues such as the availability of full time jobs, recruitment and filling of vacancies which will be subject to further updates in due course.

 

Any enquiries to Bob Gibson’s Office, quoting reference 440.23

Email address: hnutley@cwu.org or mstewart@cwu.org

 

Any enquiries to Terry Pullinger’s Office, quoting reference 202

Email address: dwyatt@cwu.org or shayman@cwu.org

 

Yours sincerely​Yours sincerely

​​

Bob Gibson​Terry Pullinger

Assistant Secretary​Assistant Secretary

 

 
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION

URGENT INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS

 Facebook: Dave Ward CWU @DaveWardGS

 

 
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION 

URGENT INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS

 

ELECTION OF NATIONAL DELEGATIONS – 2015 

• TUC

• Labour Party

 

Further to LTB 359/15 dated 1st June 2015, please find below ballot results for the above named National Delegations.

 

TUC

 

Postal Constituency

 

Lay Members (5 Members to be Elected)

 

 

Bob McGuire​80,549​*Elected​

James McKechnie​61,297​*Elected

Ian Murphy​42,100

Sean Ryan​​46,615

Sajid Shaikh​52,692​*Elected

Amarjite Singh​77,568​*Elected

Tony Sneddon​50,742​

Ian Taylor​57,074​*Elected

Rob Wotherspoon​43,348​

 

​

LABOUR PARTY

 

Postal Constituency

 

Lay Members (5 Members to be Elected)

 

 

Bruce Devenport​32,236​

Kye Dudd​42,504

Peter Firmin​30,527

Hugh Gaffney​78,653​*Elected

Sajid Shaikh​66,050​*Elected​

Amarjite Singh​82,486​*Elected

Alan Tate​65,800​*Elected​

Mark Walsh​​82,425​*Elected​​

​

 

 

Telecom & Financial Services Constituency  

 

Lay Members (3 Members to be Elected)

 

Jonathan Bellshaw​32,531​*Elected

Francis Banks​39,876​*Elected​

Brian Kenny​40,472​*Elected

Duncan Strivens​16,220

​

Please find attached a copy of the branch breakdown for these ballots.

 

Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 0208 971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Tony Kearns

Senior Deputy General Secretary

NATIONAL BRIEFING – FRIDAY 19TH JUNE 2015 

We have attached to this LTB the Agenda for tomorrows briefing which prioritises the fast moving events affecting the future of the postal industry.  

 

Although the briefing will be focused on taking stock of competition, privatisation and regulation issues and how the CWU will respond to these, the agenda also provides the opportunity for an update on other industrial matters currently being dealt with by the Officers.

 

Finally, you will note from the agenda that a Royal Mail speaker, Gary Burgess, the Delivery Director, will give the company’s perspective and an update on the impact of Whistl pulling out of their UK delivery operation.   

 

Given the amount of developments since Annual Conference, it is important that all Branches are in attendance and that we fully discuss the approach the Union needs to take.  

 

We look forward to seeing you all at the briefing.

 

Any enquiries about the content of this LTB should be addressed to the GS Department. 

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

​

 

Dave Ward​​Ray Ellis ​

General Secretary​Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Briefing on Friday 19th June – 11.00 – 13.30

Agenda

 

1. Session 1 – 11.00 – 12.30

 

• Introduction and update on competition and privatisation developments – General Secretary

• Whistl – Royal Mail perspective (Gary Burgess)

• Maintaining our focus on growth and defending the legal protections – Acting Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

• Taking the CWU campaign forward – General Secretary

• Questions and contributions from the floor

 

2. Session 2 – 12.30 – 13.30

 

• Industrial Officer’s reports

– Ray Ellis

– Bob Gibson

– Terry Pullinger

• Questions and contributions from the floor

 

3. Any Other Business

 

Briefing closes 13.30

 

Royal Mail Group – Pension Salary Exchange (PSE)

Royal Mail has written to staff with details of a new way of making pension contributions, known as Pension Salary Exchange (PSE), which will save some of the cost of national insurance contributions.
Why is Royal Mail introducing PSE? The Royal Mail Pension Plan (RMPP) is, like most defined benefit schemes, contracted out of an element of National Insurance (NI) contributions. The government is ending contracting out in April 2016. This means NI contributions for RMPP members will increase from 10.6% to 12%. NI costs will also increase for the business. PSE is a way of reducing some of the cost.
How does PSE work? Instead of your pension contribution being deducted from your pay, Royal Mail will make your contribution directly to the pension scheme on your behalf and reduce your headline rate of pay by the same amount. This reduces the level of pay on which NI contributions must be made and therefore reduces the amount of NI paid.
Does this mean I am getting a pay cut? No. Your take home pay will increase as a result of PSE because of the reduction in NI contributions. Royal Mail intend to introduce PSE in August. From then until contracting out ends in April 2016 members of the RMPP will see an increase in take home pay. After April 2016 the increase in NI from 10.6% to 12% costs will reduce take home pay for members of the RMPP – but this reduction will be much less than would be the case without PSE. The Royal Mail Defined Contribution Plan (RMDCP) is not contracted out of any element of NI, so members already pay the full rate and will not have to pay more NI from April 2016. RMDCP members will see an increase in take home pay which will be ongoing.
Will PSE affect any pay related allowances or benefits? No. Future pay rises will be based on pre-exchange pay. Pay related allowances and overtime will also be based on pre-exchange rates, as will redundancy, Ill Health Retirement terms and death in service payments
Will PSE have any affect on my company pension? No. Exactly the same level of payment will be made into the scheme, so benefits are unaffected.
Will PSE affect my ability to borrow? When contacted for details for your earnings, Royal Mail will show your pre-exchange pay as well as your salary exchange pay. Most defined benefit schemes now operate on a basis of salary exchange so lenders are familiar with these schemes.
Is this a form of tax avoidance? No. The scheme will be specifically endorsed by HMRC. Many other defined benefit schemes have operated salary exchange for many years – the BT scheme covering CWU members in Telecoms is an example.
Is everyone included? No. Anyone earning less than £192 per week will not be included. This is to ensure no one can lose out on income related state benefits. If a person’s earnings vary around this level, they will be taken out of PSE for any pay period in which earnings fall below £192 per week.
Does everyone benefit from salary exchange? People who have already reached state pension age no longer pay NI and will see no change. Not everyone will benefit equally. Higher rate tax payers pay a lower rate of NI contribution so people earning above £40,400 a year will see much less of a saving than basic rate tax payers.
What is the union’s view? The introduction of PSE was discussed at the Pension Policy Committee –a joint body including Royal Mail and the unions. We believe it makes sense to introduce PSE, because it reduces the cost of the ending of contracting out for members of the RMPP and the business, and produces a net financial gain for the members of the RMDCP. If you have any further questions, the union has established a dedicated email address pse@cwu.org
Yours sincerely
Ray Ellis

Postal Regulation – Ofcom Announcement, 16th June 

As you may have seen in the media, Ofcom has today announced that it is conducting a fundamental review of the way it regulates Royal Mail in the wake of Whistl’s withdrawal from the letter delivery market last week.

 

While Ofcom has presented this in its press release as part of its work to secure the universal service, the focus of this review will be looking at whether Royal Mail should have less commercial freedom – and should now be subject to price controls – and how Ofcom can ensure that it becomes more efficient.

 

Given Ofcom’s stance on the postal market and its efforts to promote competition, it is not a surprise to us that it is looking to restrict Royal Mail and put pressure on it over efficiency following Whistl’s announcement.

 

Ofcom has said that it will publish its initial proposals and consult on these in July, with a view to introducing a new regulatory framework in 2016. The CWU will be responding to this consultation and we will update branches about how today’s announcement fits in with our campaign on regulation and Ofcom’s approach to the postal market at the briefing at the TUC on 19th June.

 

Any queries about the contents of this LTB should be addressed to the GS Department.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Ray Ellis ​Dave Ward ​

Acting Deputy General Secretary (P)​General Secretary

THE FUTURE OF THE POSTAL INDUSTRY – ALL BRANCH MEETING AND PARLIAMENTARY LOBBY OF MP’s: WEDNESDAY 8TH JULY 2015 

I write further to LTB 379/15 on the Government’s announcement last week to place 15% of the remaining shares in Royal Mail with a number of city institutions to be sold to institutional investors. I advised branches in that letter of our intention to hold a Parliamentary event prior to the summer recess.  

 

Preparations are now in hand to hold an event on ‘The Future of the Postal Industry’ and this will take place on Wednesday 8th July 2015. It is our intention to hold a meeting close to Parliament in a venue which can comfortably accommodate all branches – enabling CWU officers and representatives to maximise their opportunity in the afternoon to Lobby MPs in the House of Commons. The full details of the event are as follows:-

 

DATE: WEDNESDAY 8TH JULY 2015    

VENUE: THE LIBRARY, CENTRAL HALL

ADDRESS: STOREY’S GATE, WESTMINSTER SW1H 9NH

VENUE LINK: http://www.c-h-w.com/

TIME: 11.00AM – Refreshments from 10.30AM

 

Given that this is an important political event we are taking the opportunity to involve all branches from both constituencies. Therefore, you are all urged to prioritise this meeting and make every effort to attend.

 

We will issue an agenda and confirm all details nearer the date. In the meantime we thought it important to advise you of the meeting as early as possible, so you can make the necessary travel arrangements etc.

 

Any enquiries about the content of this LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office quoting the reference LTB387/15. 

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

​​​​​

 

Dave Ward​​​​​​

General Secretary

 
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION

URGENT INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS

Diabetes Week 2015 – 14 – 20 June 

Diabetes Week is a highlight in the Diabetes UK calendar. It’s a time when the organisation calls on support from everywhere to raise awareness of the condition, and raise funds for the charity’s work. Diabetes Week 2015 will take place from Sunday 14 to Saturday 20 June and the CWU Health, Safety & Environment Department is supporting

the week again this year.

 

This Diabetes Week Diabetes UK wants to remind everyone that you’re not on your own when it comes to Diabetes. Actually there’s a lot of people out there going through the same thing. And Diabetes UK is working for those people. And they have lots of ways they can help. 

 

Throughout the week, Diabetes UK will be talking about all of the ways they give support, advice, and chances to learn more about diabetes to help people be aware of the signs, symptoms and how to manage the condition well.

 

And Diabetes UK would like to hear feedback, hints, tips and stories of living life to the full. 

 

Measure Up – are you at risk of Diabetes?

 

Over two million people in the UK have Diabetes. Another 750,000 have diabetes but are completely unaware of it. Attached is information and leaflets to find out more. Diabetes is serious. If left untreated it can lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and other life-threatening complications. Many people with diabetes have had it for between nine and 12 years before it is diagnosed. By this time many of these people will have started to develop some of the complications. But the good news is that if people can spot their diabetes early they can greatly reduce the risk of serious health problems. So those who suspect they have symptoms should go to their GP and get a test.

 

Type 1 v Type 2 Diabetes

 

There are two main types of diabetes.

 

Type 1 diabetes usually affects people under 40 and is treated with insulin injections, diet and regular physical activity.

 

Type 2 diabetes is usually found in white people over 40 years old and in black and Asian people and people from minority ethnic groups aged over 25 years. It can be treated with diet and physical activity alone – although most people will also need tablets and sometimes insulin injections. Over three quarters of people with diabetes have Type 2.

 

The attached leaflets provide further information.

 

Those at risk!

 

People who are white and over 40 years old, or black, Asian or from a minority ethnic group and over 25 years old and have one or more of the following risk factors, should ask their GP for a test for diabetes:

• A close member of your family has Type 2 diabetes (parent or brother or sister).

• Are Overweight or have a waist of 31.5 inches or over for women; 35 inches (80cms) or over for Asian men and 37 inches (94cms) or over for white and black men.

• 80 per cent of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are overweight. The more overweight and the more inactive you are the greater your risk. If you don’t know whether you’re overweight, ask your GP to measure your BMI.

• Have high blood pressure or had a heart attack or a stroke or circulation problems.

• Are a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and are overweight.

• Have been told you have impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycaemia.

• Are a woman and have had gestational diabetes.

• Have severe mental health problems.

 

The more risk factors that apply – the greater the individual’s risk of having diabetes.

 

The symptoms

 

The symptoms of untreated diabetes will usually be very obvious in people with Type 1 diabetes but not so clear or non-existent in people with Type 2 diabetes. If you’re older you may put the symptoms down to ‘getting on a bit’. Taking early action is key so if any of the following apply to you, ask your GP for a diabetes test:

 

• increased thirst

• going to the toilet all the time – especially at night

• extreme tiredness

• weight loss

• genital itching or regular episodes of thrush

• slow healing of wounds

• blurred vision.

 

The complications

 

Diabetes is serious because it can lead to life-threatening complications. These include:

 

• blindness

• kidney failure

• heart disease

• stroke

• nerve damage that can lead to amputations.

 

The risk of developing complications can be greatly reduced by getting diagnosed early and then controlling the diabetes. People can lead a full and healthy life with diabetes but the key is getting diagnosed as early as possible.

 

How to get involved in Diabetes Week 2015

 

There are plenty of ways to support Diabetes Week 2015.

 

1. Raise awareness

Help others seek support, advice and information by raising awareness of Diabetes Week. Order a supporter pack, full of posters and flyers to put up in workplaces and in the local community.

 

2. Join in

During Diabetes Week for those with the condition – think about how you manage your condition well and live life to the full. Then during the week join in the conversation by sharing hints, tips and stories. 

 

3. Survey

During the Week Diabetes UK will also be asking people to take part in a survey where people will have the opportunity to tell Diabetes UK about their knowledge of the condition, the education received and what types of support you’d like to receive from Diabetes UK in the future. 

 

4. Raise Funds

Diabetes UK will be kicking off Diabetes Week 2015 with the Big Collection. They will be collecting in 300 Tesco stores across the UK.

 

5. Supporters Pack

Support Diabetes Week 2015 by ordering a supporter pack, full of posters and flyers for you to put up in your workplace, at the following link:-

 

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/get_involved/diabetes-week/

 

Further Information

 

For Information and Resources on Diabetes Week please contact Diabetes UK at:-

 

diabetesweek@diabetes.org.uk

 

Diabetes UK Central Office

Macleod House,

10 Parkway, London NW1 7AA

Tel: 0345 123 2399*

Fax: 020 7424 1001

Email: info@diabetes.org.uk

 

The Diabetes UK Careline is on 0845 120 2960 or email careline@diabetes.org.uk for confidential support and information.

 

The Diabetes UK website at http://www.diabetes.org.uk

 

About Diabetes UK

 

Diabetes UK is the leading charity in the UK for people with diabetes, their family, friends and carers. Their mission is to improve the lives of people with the condition and to work towards a future without diabetes. They are a membership organisation – to join ring 0800 138 5605 or visit http://www.diabetes.org.uk/join

 

Diabetes UK Regional offices

 

Diabetes UK, Central Office Telephone 020 7424 1000 Email info@diabetes.org.uk

Diabetes UK Cymru Telephone 029 2066 8276

Diabetes UK Eastern Telephone 01376 501390

Diabetes UK East Midlands Telephone 0115 950 7147

Diabetes UK London Telephone 020 7424 1116

Diabetes UK Northern Ireland Telephone 028 9066 6646

Diabetes UK Northern & Yorkshire Telephone 01325 488606

Diabetes UK North West Telephone 01925 653281

Diabetes UK Scotland Telephone 0141 332 2700

Diabetes UK South East Telephone 01372 720148

Diabetes UK South West Telephone 01823 324007

Diabetes UK West Midlands Telephone 01922 614500

 Yours sincerely

 

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer
 

 Men’s Health Week 2015 – 15th to 21st June – Focus on Healthy Living for Men

 

Further to LTB 376/15, this is to remind Branches, Health and Safety Reps and Regional Health and Safety Forums that Men’s Health Week runs from today 15 June to 21 June.

 

Men’s Health Forum leads Men’s Health Week in England and Wales and the CWU has a long standing relationship with MHF. 

 

HEALTHY LIVING FOR MEN

 

Men’s Health Week 2015 focuses on healthy living challenging men to:

 

▪ Look after their relationships and wellbeing

▪ Don’t smoke

▪ Drink sensibly

▪ Be active and exercise

▪ Watch their weight

▪ Watch their blood pressure

▪ Skin & Sun Safety

▪ Back protection

▪ Stress

▪ Turn up to their NHS Health Check

WHY THIS TOPIC – WHY HEALTHY LIVING FOR MEN?

Men are less likely to lead a healthy lifestyle. They are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol to hazardous levels and be overweight or obese. These lifestyles can lead into serious diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, stokes, diabetes etc., the risk of which can be reduced by leading a healthy lifestyle and doing the right things at home and at work.

 

Why Is This Important?

One in five men dies before the age of 65. That’s 20% of men who won’t reach retirement age. Additionally:

▪ The mortality rates in the UK for males were 619 deaths per 100,000 compared to 451 per 100,000 for women

▪ The biggest single cause of death in men is cancer. Men have a 37% higher risk of dying from cancer and a 67% higher chance of dying from cancers that affect both men and women

▪ 75% of premature deaths from coronary heart disease are male 

 

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital for avoiding serious diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Yet men are far more likely to lead an unhealthy lifestyle:

 

▪ Men are more likely than women to smoke, smoke more cigarettes per day and smoke hand-rolled tobacco. 22% of men reported smoking compared to 17% of women

▪ Men are more likely than women to drink alcohol and drink at hazardous levels. 14% of men reported drinking an alcoholic drink on five or more days in a week compared to 9% of women

▪ 67% of men are overweight or obese

▪ Men are more likely than women to eat too much salt, red meat and processed meat

▪ Men are more likely than women to eat too little fruit and too little vegetables

▪ 67% of men reported they met the government recommendations for physical activity

▪ Participation in activity amongst men declines with age. 83% of men aged 16-24 met the recommendations for physical activity, compared with 57% aged 65-74.

Lifestyle and Health Impacts

 

Whilst men are often reluctant to opt for healthier choices, unhealthy lifestyles can lead to dramatic consequences for male health. Men who have unhealthy lifestyles are more likely to:

 

▪ Suffer from mental health issues

▪ Be at risk from heart attack

▪ Be at risk of two or more health factors

▪ Suffer from diabetes, chronic liver disease and cancer

 

This issue has significant problems across the UK. 75% of premature deaths from coronary heart disease are male.

 

Men have a 37% higher risk of dying from cancer and a 67% higher chance of dying from cancers that affect both men and women. 

 

There are also wider implications in terms of cost. ASH estimates that the total cost of smoking to society is approximately £12.9 billion a year. Obesity is estimated to cost £27 billion a year.

 

A Growing Problem

 

The majority of men are now overweight or obese. And although the number of males reported to be smoking has declined, the use of hand rolled cigarettes has increased alongside drinking alcohol and eating unhealthily. 

 

THE MEN’S HEALTH MANIFESTO

 

The Men’s Health Manifesto challenges men and health providers on these issues.

 

A copy of the Manifesto is attached.

MEN’S HEALTH WEEK 2015 RESOURCE PACK – HEALTHY LIVING FOR MEN

 

The MHF week resource ‘pack’ brings together the essential information for Men’s Health Week. One in five men dies before the age of 65. MHF say that ‘together, we can change that’. Led by the Men’s Health Forum in England and Wales, this year’s Men’s Health Week runs from the 15th to 21st June and aims to highlight issues around healthy living for men. 

 

The resource pack is available at:-

 

https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mens-health-week-2015-resource-pack-healthy-living

 

MHF want individuals, including CWU Health and Safety Reps to contact them and let them know what you think about the resource pack.

 

HEALTH INFORMATION FOR MEN

 

MHF provide quality information that meets the NHS Information Standard.

 

• Male Health: Food FAQs

• Male Health: Fitness FAQs

• Male Health: Alcohol FAQs

• Male Health: Smoking FAQs

 

Copies are attached.

 

MEN’S HEALTH MAN MANUALS

 

As well as the resource pack, MHF produce their excellent range of men’s health ‘Man Manuals’ which are available to order all year round.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department has circulated copies of three Men’s Health Forum mini Man Manuals to Health and Safety Reps and Regional Health and Safety Forums. These cover the ‘Healthy Living For Men’ Men’s Health Week focus issues. They are:-

 

• The Man Manual – Men’s Health Made Easy

• Man Manual – Challenges & Choices

• Beat Stress Feel Better – Men’s Health Made Easy

 

Any Branch wishing to order further manuals can do so at the following link:-

 

https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mhw

 

MHF/MIND/NMHDU – MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH REPORT & GUIDANCE

 

Previously circulated when first published in 2011, a copy of this excellent report produced jointly by Men’s Health Forum, MIND and the National Mental Health Development Unit is attached along with a MHF Stress at Work Poster.

 

MEN’S HEALTH WEEK POSTERS

 

These are available/downloadable at:-

 

https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mens-health-week-2015-posters

 

Copies of two versions are attached from the full range.

 

SIGN UP FOR NEWS FROM THE MEN’S HEALTH FORUM – MEN’S HEALTH WEEK 2015

 

Get the MHF newsletters, news and information sent to you by signing up. It’s the easiest way to keep up to date with MHF’s men’s health policy and best practice work and with the latest health information for men.

 

Sign up at:-

 

https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/sign-news-mens-health-forum

 

MEN’S HEALTH FORUM (MHF) CONTACT DETAILS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

 

The Men’s Health Forum

32-36 Loman Street

London, SE1 0EH

Tel: 020 7922 7908

 

THE MEN’S HEALTH FORUM (MHF)

 

The Men’s Health Forum is a charity that works to improve men’s health services and the health of men. In the UK, one man in five dies before he reaches 65 and the MHF works with individuals and organisations to change that. Through their advice, research and campaigning MHF aim to reduce the tragic deaths of men and boys who simply die too young because of preventable health problems. MHF believes that there is an urgent need to tackle the unnecessarily and unacceptably poor health and wellbeing of men and boys. The health of the whole population should be improved through an approach that takes full account of the needs of both sexes. Men and boys should be able to live healthy and fulfilling lives, whatever their backgrounds. MHF works to achieve this through:

 

• Policy development, research and lobbying

• Supporting other organisations and services to engage more effectively with boys and men on health issues

• Providing authoritative and unique health information for men – here at Male Health

• Leading the annual national Men’s Health Week

• Publishing the award-winning range of mini manual health booklets for men

• Working with MPs and government

• Developing innovative and imaginative best practice projects

• Training service providers and others

• Collaborating with the widest possible range of interested organisations and individuals.

 

MHF works across a number of health and related issues including cancer, workplace health, mental health and access to services.

Men visit their GP 20% less frequently than women and are also much less likely to use pharmacy, smoking cessation, weight management and health trainer services. MHF’s work focuses particularly on those groups of men with the worst health and they are striving to ensure that they take account of the diversity of men and their needs. Successes include MHF campaigns for a screening programme for abdominal aortic aneurysms in older men and for the National Chlamydia Screening Programme to target young men as well as women. As a direct result of MHF’s work, Department of Health policy on pharmacy requires services to address the needs of men and national cancer policy also takes account of gender differences.

 

The Men’s Health Forum was founded by the Royal College of Nursing in 1994 and became an independent charity in 2001. 

 

In 2013 MHF were appointed as a strategic partner of the Department of Health, NHS England and Public Health England. 

 

This programme sees MHF working alongside government to help health providers and third sector organisations improve the health of men and boys. The Men’s Health Forum (England and Wales) is a registered charity (No 1087375).

 

Yours sincerely

 
 

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

Lobby of Westminster – UCU #lovefe Campaign: 16 June 2015

On the 26th February 2015 the Coalition Government announced that funding cuts in adult further education of 24% would be imposed during 2015-16. The University and College Union (UCU) estimates that these appalling cuts could lead to a loss of more than 400,000 college students in 2015/16 alone. The severe and sudden cut to the adult skills budget has put huge pressure on a number of colleges across England which has resulted in the proposed closure of several TUC centres and Branches will recall the carriage of Motion E7 at this year’s General Conference where reference was made to this issue during debate.

This LTB draws Branches attention to the UCU #lovefe campaign to save adult education from the proposed 24% cuts to the England lifelong learning budget and publicises the fact that UCU will be holding a lobby of parliament at Westminster on the afternoon of Tuesday 16 June 2015. Newly elected MPs will be asked to stop the cuts and commit to properly funded lifelong learning. In order to make the lobby as effective as possible, the UCU needs to know how many MPs they will be engaging with. CWU Branches may wish to participate and enter details as advised below to help the UCU gather the appropriate information.

Details of the lobby are:

• Assemble: 2pm, Parliament Square and then lobby and meeting with speakers between 3pm-5pm at Houses of Parliament.

To attend the lobby, please contact the UCU by navigating to http://fefunding.org.uk/attending-the-lobby/ and completing the online form. The UCU will be able to provide a template letter to contact MPs and book appointments for the lobby. Any questions relating to this can be directed to info@fefunding.org.uk

In the meantime Branches are urged to encourage members to sign and circulate the UCU led petition which states that:

“We note the decision of the government to cut the English adult further education budget for 2015/16, once funding for apprenticeships is excluded, by 24%. This enormous cut in funding will decimate further education provision, leave millions of the most vulnerable adults without access to any opportunity to improve their education or retrain and put thousands of FE jobs at risk. We call upon the government not to implement these cuts and to instead invest properly in lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

The online petition can be found at http://fefunding.org.uk/sign-the-petition/ any queries relating to this LTB should be forwarded to lwakeman@cwu.org in the first instance.

 

Best wishes,

 

 

TRISH LAVELLE

Head of Education and Training

On the 26th February 2015 the Coalition Government announced that funding cuts in adult further education of 24% would be imposed during 2015-16. The University and College Union (UCU) estimates that these appalling cuts could lead to a loss of more than 400,000 college students in 2015/16 alone. The severe and sudden cut to the adult skills budget has put huge pressure on a number of colleges across England which has resulted in the proposed closure of several TUC centres and Branches will recall the carriage of Motion E7 at this year’s General Conference where reference was made to this issue during debate.

This LTB draws Branches attention to the UCU #lovefe campaign to save adult education from the proposed 24% cuts to the England lifelong learning budget and publicises the fact that UCU will be holding a lobby of parliament at Westminster on the afternoon of Tuesday 16 June 2015. Newly elected MPs will be asked to stop the cuts and commit to properly funded lifelong learning. In order to make the lobby as effective as possible, the UCU needs to know how many MPs they will be engaging with. CWU Branches may wish to participate and enter details as advised below to help the UCU gather the appropriate information.

Details of the lobby are:

• Assemble: 2pm, Parliament Square and then lobby and meeting with speakers between 3pm-5pm at Houses of Parliament.

To attend the lobby, please contact the UCU by navigating to http://fefunding.org.uk/attending-the-lobby/ and completing the online form. The UCU will be able to provide a template letter to contact MPs and book appointments for the lobby. Any questions relating to this can be directed to info@fefunding.org.uk

In the meantime Branches are urged to encourage members to sign and circulate the UCU led petition which states that:

“We note the decision of the government to cut the English adult further education budget for 2015/16, once funding for apprenticeships is excluded, by 24%. This enormous cut in funding will decimate further education provision, leave millions of the most vulnerable adults without access to any opportunity to improve their education or retrain and put thousands of FE jobs at risk. We call upon the government not to implement these cuts and to instead invest properly in lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

The online petition can be found at http://fefunding.org.uk/sign-the-petition/ any queries relating to this LTB should be forwarded to lwakeman@cwu.org in the first instance.

 

Best wishes,

 

 

TRISH LAVELLE

Head of Education and Training