British expect justice, but employees abroad suffer
A NEW survey has suggested that 75 per cent of British people expect justice in the form of financial compensation if they or their families are harmed by UK companies. The survey, conducted by the fairtrade organisation Traidcraft, aims to highlight the mistreatment of employees of British companies in the developing world. The campaign is being brought to Westminster this summer, in time for the Government’s review of the UK National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
Airtime for religion programmes declines
THE airtime given to programmes on religion has declined dramatically in the past ten years, figures released by the BBC this week suggest. In the BBC Charter Review, published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the number of network hours dedicated to religion is shown to have decreased from 181 hours in 2006 to 157 in 2014. Radio hours are reported to have almost halved in the area during this time, down to 592 hours from 1084. Television accounted for three-quarters of BBC content-spend last year, £1.89 billion — childrens’ and factual content together accounting for more than 50 per cent. The BBC spent £474 million on radio.
Director of CA England retires
THE director of the Anglican gay campaigning group Changing Attitude England, the Revd Colin Coward, has retired after 20 years. Mr Coward founded CA England with the Revd Bill Kirkpatrick in July 1995, to encourage listening across all the constituencies in the Church of England. CA now has a network of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and heterosexual members from the Church, with representatives in 28 dioceses. Mr Coward wrote in a newsletter on Saturday: "CA England has become, with the other LGBTI organisations, essential to the Church, providing a forum for supportive straight people and gay people alike."
Book of condolence for Christopher Loveless
A BOOK of condolence was signed by parishioners of St Margaret’s, Warnham, in West Sussex, on Sunday, after it was announced that the Vicar, the Revd Christopher Loveless, had been found hanged in woodland last Friday. Mr Loveless, aged 53, is said to have been suffering from stress. The Bishop of Horsham, the Rt Revd Mark Sowerby, said on Saturday: "Christopher Loveless was a talented and experienced parish priest. . . His sudden death comes as a profound blow not only to his family and the people of Warnham, but . . . to all who benefited from his gentle pastoral care." He had served as Vicar of Warnham for 15 years.
