The world woke this morning to an early Christmas gift. Not a novelty knitted jumper or bottle of tipple, but something more poignant altogether. Unconventionally, the gift in question was not only immaterial, but universal, unquantifiable, and intergenerational: the prospect of a deal on climate change in Paris.

20,000 families in Bristol will lose out under Conservative plans to cut tax credits.

Figures produced by the House of Commons Library show over three million low-income working families currently in receipt of tax credits will see their entitlement reduced, as part of the Government’s proposals.

The change will mean a total loss of £22,725,000 to families in the city, with the average family losing £750 a year.

The Chair of the Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Committee, Lib Dem Councillor Anthony Negus, has welcomed the u-turn by Mayor Ferguson today on library closures.

Cllr Anthony Negus said:

“I welcome the news that there will be an equitable solution to keep open libraries throughout the city.

“At the scrutiny meeting, though, we continued to raise concerns about lack of information so the Mayor agreed to delay his final decision until September.

The Liberal Democrats have selected Dr Kay Barnard as their candidate to be the next Mayor of Bristol.

Liberal Democrats in Bristol are leading the way with a positive attitude towards Europe and are the first party to formally join the ‘Yes to EU Bristol Alliance‘, ahead of the anticipated referendum on EU membership.

Bristol Councillors are due to debate the provision of new secondary school places at next week’s Full Council with a fear that the city could be rocked with another school places crisis if it does not act soon.

Welfare cuts to hit thousands of Bristol residents