Economists estimate extreme poverty could be drastically reduced for a fraction of global defence spending, yet military budgets continue to expand year on year, says JON TRICKETT MP, ahead of the Stop the War International Conference on Saturday
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Snakespotting in Britain
The few sunny days between the rain and snow have seen some British snakes basking. PETER FROST takes a look at these reptiles’ world
An adder, Britain's only venomous snake
As Unison launches its Year of Women Workers, ANNIE COGAN-THOMAS argues that stronger organisation and collective bargaining are essential to winning equality
Trade unions, trades councils and community organisations must work together to build lasting solidarity and resistance to the far right, argues DREW GILCHRIST
Recent violence in Belfast was not spontaneous — it was built on years of failure and political neglect, argues STIOFAN O NUALLAIN
As delegates meet in Brighton this week, Unison faces pressing questions about pay, organising, workers’ rights and political representation, explains ANDY CHAFFER
Andy Burnham’s growing stature has fuelled hopes of a Labour revival – but ALAN SIMPSON warns that Britain’s crisis runs far deeper than just its leadership and traces its roots to decades of financialised capitalism
THE FEW bright sunny days of early spring are often the best time to see our native snakes. Keep your eyes open for a patch of bright sunshine, even on a chilly day and you may see one of our three native snakes.
Snakes are cold blooded, so after a winter of sleep they need to warm their blood sunbathing. If your walk takes you over rough land you might find a snake on a warm rock or patch of hard soil.
Absolutely the best place to find them is under a sheet of scrap metal, corrugated from for example, lying on the ground. So nature reserves even lay down squares of metal to attract them. If you do find something suitable, carefully lift it to see what might be warming itself underneath.
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