Latest news
What’s happening to tackle inequality in Cambridge.
McStrike workers’ mission will benefit us all
As people of Cambridge, we should applaud the McDonald’s workers in Newmarket Road. The first staff at the firm to strike in UK history, they are leading the way on behalf of millions of workers across the country on zero hours contracts and low wages. But they are also leading the way for all the rest
Plans to close children’s centres shows we are not ‘serious about tackling inequality’ – Zeichner
The proposed closure of four Cambridge children’s centres shows we are not serious about tackling inequality and improving family health, according to local MP Daniel Zeichner. The MP was responding to proposals outlined in a consultation currently available to the public. Those who came to our April Saturday morning Our Cambridge meeting with Pat Mackenzie heard about her Kings
The Cambridge Commons in 2018: Our plans for mobilising local people against inequality
We recently met as a steering group of The Cambridge Commons to explore our strengths, weaknesses, and areas of focus. This was a rare chance to think beyond our active projects, like the nationally significant work we’re doing on imagine2027. We agreed a working assumption that our name (‘The Cambridge Commons’) and core mission (‘We raise awareness of harmful inequalities in Cambridge
Zero Carbon Cambridge vision wins funding from influential trust
We are delighted to have won a grant from the Andrew Wainwright Reform Trust to promote the vision of a zero-carbon Cambridge. The idea is to bring together a coalition of local civil society organisations to promote and realise a popular campaign, ‘Cambridge can do Better’, to make the City and its surrounds a zero-carbon
‘Cambridge deserves better’ – consortium to demand more consultation in Greater Cambridge Partnership
The Cambridge Commons has joined forces with a consortium of voluntary groups, parish councils and residents associations to lobby for changes to the City Deal. The consortium wants the now renamed ‘Greater Cambridge Partnership’ to offer greater transparency and a more consultative planning process that takes account of local people. To discuss this with Mayor James Palmer,
imagine2027: Book now for major series on inequality and unfairness in Britain
Tickets are now available for the first events in our major new series on inequality and fairness, imagine2027. From October, we have been bringing nationally-recognized thought-leaders to Cambridge to give personal, positive views on how Britain can be better and fairer in 2027. 2017 Events (see the recordings here Ann Pettifor – Fair Economy, 12 October 2017
Why ‘affordable’ housing is no longer affordable in Cambridge – discussion with Surjit Dhande from Cambridge Housing Association
Is it any wonder we have a housing crisis in Cambridge? At the last in our current series of ‘Our Cambridge’ cafe style discussion groups, Surjit Dhande from the Cambridge Housing Association explained how government policy has shifted and with it the housing base for people on low incomes. The rent for social housing had
Why City Deal should be paused to prevent widening of inequality in Cambridge
The Cambridge Commons has decided to lobby the City Deal board to “pause” the road works and their infrastructure proposals in the light of crucial evidence given to the government Planning Inspector last week. The inspector was re-convening the examination of the joint Local Plans of the Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire councils, having so
Mental Health – The silent crisis. A discussion with Jeannette Harding
Jeannette Harding has been a long term user of mental health services and a mental health professional. Our Mental Health Trust also created a unique award to acknowledge her work as a campaigner and educator. Joining the ‘Our Cambridge’ cafe discussion series in June, Jeannette spoke about her own recent experience of a crisis
Affordable housing in Cambridge – Surjit Dhande from Cambridge Housing Society
Join us for a meetup on affordable housing in Cambridge at Lower Hall behind Livingstone’s Cafe on Saturday 8 July, 11am. Surjit Dhande from the Cambridge Housing Society will be discussing the current crisis in affordable housing and the role of the society in tackling it. This is the last in this season of ‘Our
Equality Trust publishes manifesto for equality ahead of General Election
The Equality Trust has published a Manifesto for a Fairer Society with measures to address inequality. The manifesto covers work, tax, housing and education with some bold policies for candidates to sign up to. You can help by sending the manifesto to your MP. Here is some suggested wording for your email/letter: The UK is one
Cambridge Commons hustings on inequality opens new space in discussion of city future
Voters in Cambridge spent an evening discussing local issues with mayoral candidates in a new hustings format for the campaign. Attendees were given a chance to sit with candidates in small groups around tables, introducing the topics that mattered to them. The format emphasised the need for honest dialogue over confrontation, with the discussion ranging from