PENSIONS: Steel workers to be balloted

Steel workers are set to be balloted for industrial action after Tata announced plans to close their pension scheme in April 2016, unions said yesterday.

Officials accused the steel giant of being “hell bent” on closing the scheme, affecting around 17,000 workers, warning they were on the brink of a major industrial dispute for the first time in 30 years.

Community, the GMB and Unite are now preparing plans to ballot.

CORNISH: £150,000 pledged for local language

Ministers have pledged an additional £150,000 to support the development of the Cornish language.

A UCL study last year found 574 people spoke Cornish — which is the only language in England recognised under the Council of Europe’s Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

The Cornish Language Partnership, which will receive the funding, holds classes across Cornwall, online and even in London.  

BATTERSEA: Arts Centre blazes

A major fire broke out at the Battersea Arts Centre in south London yesterday.

Firefighters were called to the scene at 4.15pm after the venue’s Grand Hall went up in flames.

Around 80 officers and 12 fire engines were battling the blaze.

A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: “The cause is unknown at this stage. We have had no reports of any injuries at this moment in time.”

A message on their Twitter account urged anyone in the area to stay indoors due to the smoke.

It said: “Lot of smoke coming from #Battersea art centre fire. Please close doors & windows if you’re near.”