The Know Daily - Wednesday 3 April 2024

_{Read in 5m 24s ∙ Listening to Harry Styles ∙}

An indoor bouldering centre is offering free climbing sessions to refugees and asylum seekers, as part of a pioneering scheme aimed at fostering community. The Climbing Hangar - which has a number of venues around the UK - puts on monthly sessions which provide “belonging, support and connection” while making the physical benefits of exercise more accessible. 

🗳️ Protecting local democracy

Ahead of the local elections in England on 2 May, ministers are being urged to scrap a law requiring councillors to publish their home addresses.

What’s the reason? 
The Local Government Association (LGA) argues that the 1972 law, which requires local councillors to publish their home addresses by default, is out-of-date and leaves those in local government feeling unsafe. 

It comes amid a reported upsurge in the abuse and intimidation of councillors, driven in part by social media. LGA research from July 2023 found that 82% of all councillors feel at risk “at least sometimes” in their roles - up from 73% the year before.

There are particular concerns about the impact of such abuse on women, who are already a minority in local government and may be less inclined to stand in the next election, reported The Guardian. 

How have ministers responded?
In response to calls to overhaul the 1972 law, a government spokesperson pointed out that since 2011 councillors have been able to opt out of having their addresses published if there are concerns about threats. However, the LGA argues that not publishing addresses should become the default. 

What’s the bigger picture?
The call for greater protection for those in local government comes amid a recent focus on the safety of those in Westminster. In February, Labour MP Harriet Harman called on Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak to agree on ensuring that the next general election - which is widely expected to be held by the end of 2024 - is not marred by threats of violence against MPs.

The same month, the government announced that MPs facing threats would get extra security as part of a £31m package to help protect the UK’s democratic processes from disruption.