I’ve written, with my colleague @davehillonlondon.bsky.social , what is basically a short book about the London borough elections. Want to know the recent history, the key wards, the local parties? It’s here londondecides.lowickhedry.com
Voters have just today left to register to vote for the local elections taking place across England on 7 May. Anyone who wants to take part must register before 11.59pm tonight.
Registering takes minutes at gov.uk/register-to-vote. Just need name, address & National Insurance number. Pass it on.
The board of British American Tobacco, one of the most powerful and profitable #TobaccoCompanies in the world, met in London yesterday. They had a lot to say about their business and @tcrgbath.bsky.social & @ashorguk.bsky.social were there to hear it.
Another e.g. of a relatively small policy but one which helps address an every day irk, and a costly one too. Over past year Government has seemed to get much better at doing more of these tackling 'every day frustrations' policies and small cost of living fixes. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Gambling harm doesn’t happen in isolation.
In our latest blog, Dr @lorenkock.bsky.social explores how risky drinking and smoking rise alongside gambling risk - with the highest harms clustering together.
Time for a joined-up approach to tackling these behaviours.
www.ias.org.uk/2026/03/31/g...
📣 We've published a new policy position statement on the commercial determinants of health, summarising the key commercial factors impacting health, including the most common tactics health harming industries use & how to mitigate these harms.
👀 Read more ➡️ bit.ly/adphcdoh
@jackabbott.bsky.social is right to highlight that effective enforcement is essential for tackling the issue of illicit vapes, particularly when they end up in the hands of children.
The T & V Bill strengthens powers for enforcement and introduces a much-needed licensing scheme for retailers.👏
Malcolm with his homemade placed which says Less Banana Brexit, More Fruit Salad Solidarity
Enjoyable afternoon joining several hundred thousand people at Together Alliance march. Celebrating the welcoming, hopeful, community-minded nation we are - not the hate-filled vision and fake-patriotism of Reform & the far right. Labour's leadership should stop pandering to the latter.
Two men stand behind fruit which is ready to be served
Free school meals are a game-changer.
Not only are we fuelling kids with healthy food, but our programme has unlocked £49m in extra funding for disadvantaged pupils.
That’s a win for families and our schools.
www.london.gov.uk/mayors-unpre...
I'm glad that both the positive impact and learnings of Big Shift are clear. I look forward to the Council further investing in both infrastructure and community relationships in Streatham Wells to progress much needed road danger reduction and reduce climate impact too.
After 12 years as a local councillor in Streatham Wells, I am bowing out.
Now is the right time for me to pass on the baton. Holly Smith & Ridhwan Omar would represent residents and the ward energetically & effectively if elected in May.
Here's my full statement:
www.facebook.com/share/p/1Auu...
🍟 Shielding our children from the advertising and promotion of unhealthy food is critical, so we welcome the government's Nutrient Profiling Model consultation.
Setting out a timeline for implementation will be critical!
Context here: ➡️ open.spotify.com/episode/0byc...
The UK Government has today launched a 12-week consultation on strengthening food advertising and promotion rules using the updated 2018 Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM).
Our Executive Director, Katharine Jenner, responds below
...
Thank you to @marykfoymp.bsky.social & Bob Blackman MP, Co-Chairs of the APPG on Smoking & Health for highlighting the strong-cross party support for the T&V Bill. 👏
They're absolutely right - smoking shouldn't be a partisan issue & the Bill will protect all future generations. 🚭
shorturl.at/YZcvY
Reform voters in multiple polls (well all those not commissioned by libertarian orgs) support the policy. So Farage is out of step on many fronts.
Again, I point out that the landscape I grew up in was absolutely ravaged by the side effects of fossil fuel extraction so my sympathy for these people whining about how they might see a solar array is pretty limited
Image crescent moon and stars with Eod Mubarak greeting in words
Solidarity & blessings to all celebrating Eid.
Enjoyed seeing people in Streatham heading out excited for their celebrations ahead. The weather looks good for picnics on Streatham Common and in our other parks.
May London continue to be a place where people of all faiths are, and feel, welcomed.
Remember today, Eid al Fitr, is meant to be a day of joy and celebration to Muslims around the world.
As hard as it may be, I hope everyone is able to celebrate with loved ones and enjoy the day.
Eid Mubarak. 🌙
Excerpt from the article: "The question here is not really one of whether such prayer is in fact an attempt to “dominate” – or the more obvious explanation, that during Ramadan one breaks ones’ fast by eating very briefly just before and then more properly after the evening Maghrib prayer (yes, like our own Maariv prayer). Rather it is about whether one has the right to publicly express their religious identity in this country. In this specific instance, an event to mark a key event in the Islamic calendar had been openly and legally booked for Trafalgar Square. Muslims present had every right to pray as a part of that."
The Jewish News, which I am proud to work for as Deputy Editor, has published an editorial on this week's Iftar prayers in Trafalgar Square
www.jewishnews.co.uk/voice-of-the...
As young people die from a deadly meningitis outbreak in Kent, here's what the county's Reform councillors are spending their time on
bylinetimes.com/2026/03/19/r...
This is absolutely brilliant. Instigated by Gordon Brown, delivered today. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A large outdoor crowd gathered in Trafalgar Square at dusk, with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and a woman standing at the front holding microphones. The National Gallery is illuminated in the background, and many attendees in the crowd are raising their hands, taking photos, or looking toward the stage.
Two people standing close together in a crowd at an outdoor event. One person has long dark red hair and is wearing a grey scarf over a dark coat. The other is wearing a patterned head covering and a dark coat. They are surrounded by many other attendees dressed for cool weather.
A large group of people gathered on the steps of Trafalgar Square, many wearing matching teal T-shirts and waving or raising their hands. Additional participants in grey jackets sit or kneel in the front row. The National Gallery stands prominently in the background with its domed roof and columned façade.
Several people including Mayor of London Sadiq Khan stand together under a white canopy at an outdoor event, handing out large paper food bags decorated with floral designs and the logo “Comptoir Libanais.” The bags are stacked across the table in front of them, and the group appears to be distributing meals or supplies. The setting is lit by overhead lights under the canopy, with more people visible in the background.
Community isn’t just where we live, it’s how we look after one another.
Tonight, people of all faiths, races and backgrounds came together in the heart of our capital to break their fasts at Ramadan Tent Project’s Open Iftar.
There’s always a place at the table in this city.
Christians, Jews, Sikhs and Hindus have all prayed in Trafalgar Square.
Nick Timothy singled out Muslims, then had the brass neck today to sit on the front bench. He should be sacked.
The Tories are following Reform into the gutter. Neither are fit to govern.
A greener capital and more children eating healthy food, according to our Good Food Local: London report, published today!
🔽 Read the full report and discover inspiring examples of local leadership and partnerships work happening in the capital
www.sustainweb.org/news/mar26-g...
Since Ofcom seems to have given up, we asked 20 experienced journalists from a range of backgrounds to watch multiple hours of @gbnewsonline.bsky.social . Their conclusion: the channel has, in effect, become Reform TV. How did it happen? www.thenewworld.co.uk/alan-rusbrid...
I don't recall Liz ever being elected PM.
Another hugely worrying red line crossing moment in UK politics & media. A former PM going full on in legitimising an antisemitic trope. She (or her advisors) are wrong to think she is giving herself enough plausible deniability here by turning it into a question/discussion.
👉 Please read the blog here: www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/n...
@thebhf.bsky.social @oha-updates.bsky.social @sustainweb.org
With our funding, London’s boroughs have delivered huge changes to make our streets safer, greener, healthier and more enjoyable for pedestrians and cyclists of all ages.
This week, we announced a further £95m investment.
See what’s been achieved since 2022 ⬇️🧵
Graphic with the title “Traffic casualties in London are considerably lower than the national average.” Below the headline is a yellow box with the text: “London had 19% fewer road deaths in 2024, compared to 8% fewer road deaths nationally.” Beneath this is a line chart showing percentage change from 2015 to 2024 on the x‑axis, with values from 0% to –40% on the y‑axis. Two lines are shown: a dark purple line representing “People killed or seriously injured in London,” and a red line representing “People killed or seriously injured in Great Britain (excluding London).” Both lines show declines over time, with a sharp dip in 2020. The London line dips to around –35% in 2020 before rising again, ending at roughly –25% in 2024. The Great Britain line dips to about –20% in 2020 and ends at around –15% in 2024. A key at the bottom identifies the two lines. The source is listed as “TFL Road safety factsheet 2024.”
London is making real progress. Road deaths have fallen as my Vision Zero strategy takes effect, including wider 20mph limits, redesigned high-risk junctions and new crossings.
There’s more to do, but every step matters for keeping people safe across our city.
