大象传媒

Leicester braces itself for a third taxi protest in a month today - and it seems relations are frostier than ever, with the City Mayor having to strongly refute accusations that he's threatened and exploited drivers. In a letter from the RMT to Sir Peter Soulsby, the union's General Secretary Mick Cash said he was getting increasingly concerned about the attitude of the council towards its members. He added that if perceived threats were followed through, then the RMT would "respond with all tools" at its disposal. This of course all goes back to the Council introducing a new penalty points scheme, which came into force just this week and cabbies claim threatens their livelihoods. But speaking to Jim, Peter Soulsby said that its all about ensuring public safety and making clear what is "unacceptable behaviour". He also alleges the "issues" the union has around double yellow lines have been completely "distorted."
Also, a Leicestershire man has been telling 大象传媒 Radio Leicester how he was left feeling suicidal and is having to choose between "eating" and "heating" after being plunged into financial hardship through illness. It comes as it was revealed that - on average - the number of so-called "excess" deaths during the winter months more than doubled here in the East Midlands in the last year. Nationally, it's at its highest since 1999, with respiratory conditions the underlying cause in more than a third of cases. Figures from the World Health Organisation show a third of excess winter deaths are caused by cold homes and fuel poverty. So what is it like to live having to chose between eating and heating?
And, as you've probably heard here on 大象传媒 Radio Leicester this week, this year's Christmas tree in Birstall has caused quite a bit of controversy! Its modern take on the traditional tree is a large blue cone, which some have compared to Mickey Mouse's hat in Fantasia! Well it turns out that Birstall isn't the only council to think outside the box - and for some it's a welcome change. We sent 大象传媒 Radio Leicester's Jack Rafferty to find out about the Attack of the Cones!