One aspect of the Hodge affair which has not received attention is the fact that Margaret’s husband, Henry, is involved in immigration decision making. Industry minister Margaret Hodge’s proposal for a return to housing policies privileging ‘indigenous’ communities over immigrants has attracted much comment. It has been pointed out, not least by her own constituents
The Oxford Companion to Black British History
This new book aims to provide schoolchildren and the public with a handy reference guide to Black British history. Black British history is a much-overlooked subject, not least in schools, where even the government’s own survey of the national curriculum noted that ‘little attention is given to the black and multi-ethnic aspects of British history’.
Former jurors welcome SIAC decision
Earlier this week when the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) ruled that Algerian, Moulod Sihali, was not a threat to national security and that he faced the possibility of torture if he was returned to Algeria, jurors from his former trial were amongst those celebrating. Moulod Sihali had been acquitted of charges in the ‘ricin
NUT charter promotes achievement of Black boys
In April the National Union of Teachers (NUT) took the opportunity of their annual conference in Harrogate to launch Born to be Great, a Charter on Promoting the Achievement of Black Caribbean Boys. On the basis of the NUT’s belief in the fundamental right of all groups in society to the public provision of quality
Border wars and asylum crimes
When Statewatch published the pamphlet Crimes of arrival in 1995, the ‘crimes’ were a metaphorical reference to the way in which the government viewed the arrival on British soil of migrants and asylum seekers. Over a decade later, a recent publication by the same author documents how the metaphor has become a literal truth. ‘Border
The hounding of David Oluwale
An important book investigating one of the first known Black deaths in custody – that of David Oluwale – has been written. Thirty-eight years ago to the day, on 4 May 1969, the body of David Oluwale was pulled from the River Aire in Leeds. Two years later, in November 1971, two police officers –
The fight over ESOL continues
The Save ESOL Campaign comprising, over 50 organisations, marches on 28 April against the recent cuts to English classes for immigrants and asylum seekers. The march is to highlight the fact that many migrant workers and refugees need these English classes in order to play a full part in society. The campaigners want the ESOL
Scotland’s BME resource library
Edinburgh-based voluntary organisation Minority Ethnic Carers of People Project (MECOPP) has launched a national resource library for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME ) communities, supported by the Big Lottery Fund, which holds information on a variety of health and social care issues. While MECOPP works specifically to support BME carers in the Lothians, the new
Still human still here
The Refugee Council has launched a campaign to help end the destitution suffered by refused asylum seekers. The campaign argues that using poverty as a means of getting people to leave the country is both ineffective and inhumane. It is calling on the government to: end the threat and use of destitution as a tool
National continence charity tackles under-representation
Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence (ERIC), the national charity providing information and support on childhood problems of bedwetting, daytime wetting, constipation and soiling, is anxious to extend its work within Black and minority ethnic (BME) communities. Around one in twelve young people in the UK are affected, but it has become apparent that