r/GoodNewsUK

19 year old boy Larry brushes aside the removal of a cyst to return to work in Downing Street. In 2 years’ time, should he still be there, Larry is on track to become the longest serving Chief Mouser, surpassing the tenure of Peter III (1947-1964).

Thanks to the Veolia Environmental Trust, the Hawthorpe land purchase appeal is now 95% funded with just under £12,000 left to fundraise.

214 acres of grassland are within touching distance of being brought into the ownership of the Wildlife Trusts.

The most significant reform to trade union law in a generation is being introduced by the Employment Rights Act 2025.

These changes will impact most businesses in the UK, regardless of whether they currently recognise a union or have union membership in their workforce.

For employers with little experience of unions, this could bring a considerable change in workplace dynamics.

At present, unions have no general right of access to a workplace. However, from October 2026 trade unions will gain a new statutory right to access workplaces, physically and digitally, to meet, support, represent, recruit and organise workers, and to facilitate collective bargaining, though not to organise industrial action.

This will apply to employers with 21 or more workers (including employees, workers and agency workers) as a whole, and not per site.

Unions will not need to be recognised or have to show a minimum level of support from workers before making an access request.

The process for seeking access will move quickly from when the union sends an access request, likely by email. The employer then has up to 15 working days from when the application is given to respond. If the request is not accepted in full, the parties have 25 working days to negotiate in good faith. If agreement is still not reached, either party may refer the matter to the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC).

Even if an employer already recognises a trade union, other unions can request access to the workforce, although the CAC may refuse access where recognition or an access agreement is already in place.

From an employer’s perspective, the starting-point should not be how to refuse. The right is built around a presumption in favour of access where it does not unreasonably interfere with the employer’s business.

There will be circumstances where refusal may be justified, including very small employers, national security concerns, criminal investigations, limited health and safety risks, overlapping union requests, or situations where access would require significant structural changes to premises or IT systems. But blanket objections are not going to be a sensible strategy.

Digital access may be one of the most impactful reforms. Unions may seek online meetings, intranet posts, messaging-system access or employer-circulated emails.

The deadline for donations to conservation groups aiming to raise £30m to buy a vast upland estate has been extended.

The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust said they were close to raising the full amount to acquire the Rothbury Estate in its entirety and would take out a loan for anything they fell short by.

Pete Batchelor, from the Northumberland Trust, said: "The more funds raised through our fundraising appeal, the smaller the loan will be."

Meanwhile, the window for public donations to the fund, backed by major figures including Sir David Attenborough, had been due to close on 30 September but has been extended until the end of October.

The cash amassed so far includes seven figure sums from anonymous philanthropists, the auction of a rare guitar and local crafters making Valentine's Day hearts from Coquetdale wool.

Fundraising efforts gained support from people around the world after Sir David Attenborough backed the appeal last year, but it has not been popular with everyone, including some in the farming community who saw the plans as "a folly".

The land includes the Simonside Hills in Northumberland

Batchelor, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the generosity and support of the local community and people from across the UK and beyond.

"To ensure we raise the funds required we will continue with our fundraising campaign to the end of October, which is our deadline to complete on the purchase."

However, he confirmed the trust had agreed to take out a low-interest loan to cover any funding gap between what has been raised and the total needed.

The group had already bought a section of the land, but sought donations to allow it to buy the rest.

Rothbury Estate was owned by the Duke of Northumberland's youngest son Lord Max Percy and had been in the family for about 700 years.

It includes 12 farms, more than 1,800 acres (728 hectares) of woodland, 23 residential properties, a caravan park and a pub.

The Wildlife Trusts said it wants to reduce the number of sheep on the estate from 1,500 to 500 and quadruple the number of cattle to 200.