📢 UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea argues overseas care staff are being subject to racism in their communities, exploitation in their workplace and damaging immigration reforms from government. Read via Community Care ➡️

I came to the UK as a child refugee and benefited from the safety and sanctuary from persecution that led me to flee my home. This saved my life. It is agonising to think of this hand of compassion and kindness being withdrawn.

Now is the time to stand up for migrant workers, not to demonise them!

"The government needs to come out with policies that help working people. That was what it needed to do." Speaking on #bbclaurak, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea warned Labour that tacking to the right is a big mistake and risks losing traditional voters.

"There is no universe in which Sam Ashworth-Hayes – or any of Britain’s array of overpaid columnists, commentators and ideological wonks – is more valuable to this country than a care worker" I wrote for @samfr.bsky.social's Substack on benefits and "contribution" samf.substack.com/p/the-someth...

UNISON signs joint union letter calling for an end to the escalation of anti-migrant rhetoric.   “Our health and social care sector is built on the hard work and rich diversity of its workforce."   Read our joint statement www.unison.org.uk/content/uplo...

With migrants under attack today, Black History Month can remind us that our answer must be solidarity, says Tim Roberts in his latest blog. eastern.unison.org.uk/news/2025/10...

“These cruel proposals from Reform UK will cause chaos, leave the economy reeling and tear apart communities." UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea on Nigel Farage.

WATCH: Debbie Rowden moved the motion on behalf of UNISON for recognition and respect for migrant workers See her #TUC25 speech here www.youtube.com/watch?v=29td...

"When people are truly proud of their country, they don’t need to demonise or attack vulnerable groups of people. That does not look like pride to me." Abiola Kusoro, UNISON speaking at #TUC25 on tackling the far right.

Debbie Rowden moved the motion on behalf of UNISON for recognition and respect for migrant workers See her #TUC25 speech here www.youtube.com/watch?v=29td...

Have written up some of my thoughts about the increasingly sinister use of 'non-UK born' and 'white British' in the British press. The obsession with 'white British' citizens over other British citizens harms all of us and needs to be called out. benansell.substack.com/p/who-counts

‘This is not just a piece of legislation, it’s a turning point, a transformative moment’ www.unison.org.uk/news/article...

Every role counts - from clinicians to caterers. When NHS jobs are cut, it cuts corners on care. Take action 👉 www.unison.org.uk/nhscuts

Came across a wonderful quote by Lorca about the journal he was setting up, the aim of which would be “A journal about Granada for those outside it, that takes the global pulse in order to distinguish its own unique heartbeat; a happy, lively, anti-localist, anti-provincial journal of the world..

Agency care staff ‘charged £10k for free work visas’ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... We hear about this kind of exploitation all too often. A recent UNISON survey of more than 3,000 migrants working in the care sector found almost a quarter had paid illegal visa fees.

One thing that is irksome about the “actually the island of strangers is about social isolation” line is okay, how does doubling the permanent residency requirement *help* with this?

Former UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis speaking in the House of Lords on the second reading of the Employment Rights Bill. He spoke on the social care crisis, poverty wages, professional recognition of schools staff and namechecked striking Livv Housing workers. Full speech: unsn.uk/43utdul

Blessed by the memory of my mother on her birthday and seeing the love others felt for her.

I never try to do the whole “look how well I, a refugee, have integrated into this country” thing because my ability to quote English poetry from heart or my deep immersion into the canon and also English history itself is one of the most Sri Lankan things about me.

We revealed Nigel Farage’s voting record to his constituents in Clacton. They weren’t happy.

Sabisky confirmed he still believes in far right policies. He described his vision of “voluntary repatriation”, where immigrants and citizens of foreign descent leave the UK. He planned to achieve this by “massively restricting immigrant access to benefits and housing”.

The calipers are out again.

Loved “Mughals” at the V&A.

Just to get started... Here's the knighting of Roland by King Charlemagne, from the 'Chanson d'Aspremonte' (manuscript illustrated c.1250, British Library).