Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Carney warns of risks to UK from Eurozone integration

The press release issued by Vote Leave on 21 October 2015.

Co-Chairman of Conservatives for Britain and leading Vote Leave supporter Steve Baker MP said:

“Mark Carney has sent a clear warning about the dangers of Eurozone countries giving more power to Brussels. He says that the EU’s next treaty will give itself even more power and warns that this creates risks for the UK and how the Bank of England safeguards our economy.

British jobs will be much safer if we have control of how our economy is regulated. The only way to get control is to Vote Leave and negotiate a new UK-EU deal based on free trade and friendly cooperation.”

Key extracts from the report

The report is ambiguous on the impact of EU membership

‘The wave of UK and EU financial deregulation polices in the 1980s and 1990s may have helped propagate the general trend towards larger firms. The specific role of EU membership, however, is difficult to judge as the trend toward larger banks is not specific to EU countries’ (p. 56)

‘Free movement of capital and financial services within the EU is likely to have facilitated greater financial integration among its member states. In this regard, EU membership may have added to the rise in interconnectedness between EU banks. However, since non-EU countries have adopted similar approaches to capital flow management through mechanisms like the OECD’s Code of Liberalisation of Capital Movements, it is difficult to separate the role of EU membership from global factors.’ (p. 59)

‘The crisis affected the UK economy directly through its impact on the UK financial system. However, during this period, the UK’s membership of the EU may also have had an indirect bearing on the UK’s economic outcomes’ (p. 61)

It warns that the UK and other member states have lost control over financial laws and warns about the impact of further integration

‘Participation in the single market means that the majority of the legislation and regulation applying to the financial sector in the UK is determined at EU level.’ (p. 6)

‘the general movement away from setting minimum standards in favour of ‘maximum harmonisation’, which prevents national authorities from strengthening regulation to meet particular risks in their jurisdiction, has in some instances been problematic.’ (p. 6)

‘closer union between euro-area member states is likely to necessitate further harmonisation of financial regulation across the euro area. It is also likely to lead to reduced flexibility and discretion of the national authorities of euro-area member states in favour of decisions and rules by the authorities of the Banking Union – the ECB, the Single Supervisory Mechanism and the Single Resolution Authority.’ (p. 6)

‘A reformed domestic institutional framework for financial stability is in place to address the shortcomings exposed by the financial crisis and protect financial stability. This framework depends in part on the quality of financial regulation set at the EU level and the flexibility to apply that regulation to meet the specific financial stability challenges in the world’s largest international financial centre. In the main this combination has been achieved thus far. It may, however, become more challenging as the euro area integrates further.’ (p. 7)

‘As home to the world’s leading international financial centre, it is vital that the UK authorities are able to apply the highest standards and have the flexibility to take action to address financial stability risks.’ (p. 72)

‘the Bank of England is subject in its operations and policies to EU competition law and the monetary financing prohibition. Consequently, the design, or operation of, any unconventional monetary policy operations must comply with these laws. EU legislation also places restrictions on the use of capital controls or interventions designed to influence the exchange rate.’ (p. 74)
‘[on the bonus cap] this measure could have undesirable side-effects for financial stability if it limits the scope for remuneration to be clawed back.’ (p. 80)

‘since under the EU’s financial services passporting rules, as described in Chapter 1, it is not possible to require EU firms that do business in the UK to establish subsidiaries regulated and supervised by the Bank of England.’ (p. 76)

‘The requirements specified in CRR and CRD IV are generally maximum-harmonising in nature, which could constrain national authorities’ ability to support domestic financial stability in some cases.’ (p. 80)

‘Solvency II follows a maximum-harmonised approach in most areas, however, including for establishing capital requirements and disclosure. Given the structural differences in the insurance industries across EU member states, this could in future reduce the ability of regulators to account for country- or firm-specific risks.’ (p. 81)

‘Overall, finding the right balance between full harmonisation and national flexibility has been more challenging in the post-crisis period. The need for national regulators and supervisors to have the flexibility in applying EU rules to address the particular risks they face has in the main been respected. However, the general movement away from setting minimum standards in favour of ‘maximum harmonisation’ which prevents national authorities strengthening regulation to meet particular risks in their jurisdiction has in some instances been problematic.’ (p. 82)

It acknowledges that further EU integration will nevertheless take place

‘The euro-area member states have made clear that much remains to be done; as highlighted in the EU’s Five Presidents’ Report (p. 67)

‘Ultimately, as the Five Presidents and other reports have made clear, in order for monetary union to succeed, further financial and fiscal integration will be required among the euro area’s member states. That union would also contribute to the stability and dynamism of the rest of the EU, including the United Kingdom.’ (p. 67)

‘The need for national regulators and supervisors to have the flexibility in applying EU rules to address the particular risks they face has in the main been respected. However, the general movement away from setting minimum standards in favour of ‘maximum harmonisation’ has in some instances been problematic.’ (p. 72)

‘Looking forward, closer union between euro-area member states is likely to necessitate greater harmonisation of regulations and integration of supervision across the euro area. It is also likely to lead to reduced flexibility and discretion of the national authorities of those euro-area member states in favour of decisions and rules by the authorities of the Banking Union – the ECB, the Single Supervisory Mechanism and the Single Resolution Authority. It is important, particularly given the weight of the members of the single currency in the EU, that arrangements are put in place so that the future development of the EU regulatory framework aids the necessary deepening of the integration in the euro area without impairing the ability of the Bank of England to meet its financial stability objectives.’ (p. 72)

The report notes that other parts of the EU remain less open

‘Other parts of the EU financial system are less financially open… From a borrower’s perspective, there is a lack of depth in capital markets.’ (p. 28)

‘there are areas where EU member states appear to be constrained by common EU rules, notably in product markets’ (p. 33)

It also stresses that other factors, aside from the EU, have increased the UK’s attractiveness

‘Studies suggest that it is likely that membership of the EU has played some role in boosting the attractiveness of the UK as a destination for FDI, though this effect may have varied over time, with other factors such as the integrity of the UK legal system also playing a role.’ (p. 28)

‘More foreign banks operate in the UK than any other country and around half of the world’s largest financial firms have their European headquarters in the UK. EU legislation – such as the passporting regime – is likely to have facilitated this expansion, but it is also likely to reflect other factors such as the large pool of skilled labour located in London, the English language and a convenient time zone.’ (p. 31)

It shows how membership of EU has not delivered on promises of 1970s

‘The UK government’s White Paper of 1971 laid out the UK government’s perspective on the main benefits of EEC entry, noting the impressive growth performance of the EEC countries in the 1950s and 1960s. This performance enabled the EU6 countries to converge on the US in terms of both productivity per hour (Chart A) and GDP per capita (Chart B), whereas the UK had stood still relative to the US… However, there has been relatively little convergence in terms of domestic income (GDP) per capita by either the UK or the EU as a whole.’ (p. 47)

It argues that EU membership has exposed the UK to financial shocks

‘Increased economic and financial openness means the UK economy is more exposed to economic and financial shocks from overseas’ (p. 3)

‘Greater openness can increase the exposure of the UK economy to overseas shocks. This has the potential to amplify economic volatility in the UK – for example, if foreign shocks are bigger, or more likely to occur, than domestic shocks’. (p. 50)

‘The crisis also showed that greater interconnectedness can undermine the resilience of the system in times of stress’ (p. 59)

It argues that over-exposure to the EU financial sector led to the crisis being worse

‘Banks in the rest of the EU withdrew cross-border funding from the UK rapidly – and by much EU membership and the Bank of England more so than US banks. Since the crisis, banks in the rest of the EU have continued to reduce cross-border funding – contributing to the tightening in credit conditions seen globally and to the weakness in lending seen in the UK. Thus, while the primary impact of the crisis on the UK financial system and economy came through direct channels from overseas, capital flows between the UK and the rest of the EU may also have been a secondary channel.’ (pp. 54-55)

‘By enabling bank branching, the EU passporting regime may have played some role in affecting the volatility of the UK credit cycle during this period… These issues were partly caused by a lack of adequate liquidity standards before the crisis’ (p. 55)

‘Given the close links between UK banks and those in the rest of the EU, the EU banking system represented a key link in the chain by which the global financial crisis affected the UK… The UK’s membership of the EU is likely to have made this link stronger than otherwise would have been the case – exacerbating the impact of the global financial crisis on the UK economy via the withdrawal of funding by EU banks’ (p. 61)

‘EU membership had a significant effect on the UK during the euro-area crisis. The UK’s strong economic and financial links with the rest of the EU economy, over 85% of which is accounted for by the euro area, means the euro-area crisis is likely to have had a material impact on UK GDP growth’ (p. 64)

‘Given the degree to which the UK economy and financial system is intertwined with the euro area, a more severe crisis – particularly if it prompted renewed concerns about euro-area break up – would almost certainly have a material impact on UK economic and financial stability’ (p. 67).

August 16, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Vote Leave criticises EU plans to extend control over UK budget and IMF representation

The press release issued by Vote Leave on 21 October 2015.

Ahead of Mark Carney’s speech tonight, the EU Commission has published a remarkable set of plans to hand further powers to the EU over Britain’s economy and to diminish Britain’s voice at a major international institution. The controversial plans that would affect all EU members are part of the EU’s drive for further integration set out in the Five President’s report.

Included in the document:

Greater EU supervision of the UK’s budget – The Commission today establishes an ‘advisory’ European Fiscal Board which will ‘provide an evaluation of the implementation of the EU fiscal framework’. The Board will ‘also cooperate with the national fiscal councils, aiming at exchanging best practices and facilitating common understandings.’ This will apply to the UK. The Board will advise the Commission on the ‘implementation of the Union Fiscal Framework, and ‘may also make suggestions for the future evolution of the Union fiscal framework’.

EU moves to take over the UK’s seat on the IMF and other key international bodies – The Five Presidents’ Report stated that ‘in the international financial institutions, the EU and the euro area are still not represented as one’, singling out the IMF as an example. Today, the Commission openly calls for the common external representation of the eurozone in the IMF. However, the draft Council Decision makes clear that Britain will be affected. The UK will not have a vote on whether or not this decision will be adopted. The UK will lose its autonomy in the IMF.

Use of single market legislation as a driver for integration – The Commission today makes clear that it will use single market legislation as a means of achieving integration in the Eurozone. The UK will not have an opt out and the Eurozone has an inbuilt majority in the Council of Ministers.

No treaty change before 2017 – The Five Presidents’ Report made clear a new EU treaty was coming, but not before 30 June 2017. The Commission today confirms this approach. This all but rules out a new treaty being agreed before the UK’s EU referendum, which must occur before the end of 2017, as a new treaty must be ratified by every member state in accordance with its constitutional requirements. Real reform of the EU ahead of the referendum is not on the cards.

Robert Oxley, Head of Media for Vote Leave, said:

“This remarkable EU plan would give Brussels even more control over our economy. It is clear as daylight that the EU is seeking greater control over Britain’s budget and wants to control policies on tax and spending in the UK. The Commission’s agenda would diminish our voice at the IMF, a major international institution. It is increasingly clear that David Cameron’s renegotiation is a smoke screen that will not secure Treaty change. The EU is planning Treaty change after the referendum to further centralise power in its institutions. The only safe option is to vote to Leave.”

August 16, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Update on vaccination to protect against monkeypox in England

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 15 August 2022.

Latest figures confirm that over 25,000 people have been vaccinated with the smallpox vaccine, as part of the strategy to contain the monkeypox outbreak in the UK. These thousands of vaccines, administered by the NHS to those at highest risk of exposure, should have a significant impact on the transmission of the virus.

While anyone can get monkeypox, cases in the UK are predominantly in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), with the virus being passed on in closely connected sexual networks, and so the smallpox vaccine is being prioritised for those men at higher risk of getting the virus, as well as some contacts of cases and some healthcare professionals.

As of 10 August, around 27,000 people have been vaccinated by the NHS and in sexual health services in England, including 25,325 GBMSM. The remainder are those who have received the vaccine as part of the healthcare worker programme, and contacts of cases.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has secured one of the highest number of doses in the world to manage the current outbreak, procuring 150,000 doses for the UK from the global manufacturer of smallpox vaccines. The initial delivery of around 50,000 doses – the maximum amount immediately available – has been rolled out at pace to provide as much protection to as many eligible people as possible.

There are global issues with supply due to vaccine availability and the necessary time to produce more vaccines. This means the further batch of 100,000 doses, which are being made to order, will be received later in September. UKHSA is working with the manufacturer to expedite delivery as early as possible.

Out of the just over 50,000 doses that have arrived, about 40,000 have been made available to the NHS in England for distribution as part of the pre-exposure programme for GBMSM, for contacts of cases and for some healthcare workers. Around 6,000 have been allocated to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies.

By the end of next week UKHSA will have allocated all of the remaining stock (around 5,000 doses as of 11 August) that is currently in the country to the NHS. At the same current rapid rate of delivery in NHS services, the majority of these doses will have been delivered to those identified to be at higher risk by the end of the month.

Until the delivery of further doses in September, the NHS and local partners will continue to vaccinate in line with any residual supplies, and to ensure that those who are not already in touch with services know where and how to access vaccination.

Sexual health services will keep a record of those eligible so that they can be invited forward for vaccination as soon as new supply becomes available.

UKHSA will continue to work with partners including Terrence Higgins Trust, and a wide range of other partners, to ensure people in the GBMSM community know the signs and symptoms of monkeypox, how to seek help if they have concerns and how to access vaccination.

If you think you may be eligible for a vaccination, please wait to be invited by the NHS.

Latest case figures show that the outbreak is beginning to slow with 3,017 cases across the UK; latest data shows 29 cases a day are now confirmed on average (1 to 7 August), compared to 52 cases a day during the last week in June. Whilst this is a positive sign, ongoing vigilance is urged, given it’s too soon to determine if this slowing will be sustained.

Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said:

“The most important way to protect those who are more likely to get monkeypox and to limit the outbreak is to ensure that all the vaccines available to us are in people’s arms as quickly as possible and are building protection across the community.

I’d like to thank all those who have isolated as part of this outbreak in order to limit transmission of the virus, the thousands of people who have come forward for vaccination and all those in the NHS and sexual health services who have ensured the rapid delivery of the available vaccine – this has strengthened our response to the current outbreak and should interrupt chains of transmission.”

Jim McManus, President of The Association of Directors of Public Health, said:

“Directors of Public Health are playing our part in efforts to deliver the vaccine to those who need it and we will continue to do so as long as stocks are available. We are also working with UKHSA and a range of partners nationally to help ensure that when more doses arrive, we will be able to deliver them as quickly, fairly and efficiently as possible.

In the meantime, it is vitally important that gay and bisexual men continue to access sexual health services, who are working incredibly hard to respond to the current outbreak of monkeypox alongside offering their usual services.”

Dr Claire Dewsnap, British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) President, said:

“It’s fantastic that thousands of vaccines have been delivered, we thank individuals in at-risk communities for stepping up to be vaccinated and services making huge efforts to get vaccine out. We have been advised that the next currently planned delivery of vaccine won’t be available until late September. BASHH is concerned about the time it will take to receive more vaccines and will continue to work hard with national agencies to make sure the next round of delivery is as smooth as possible.”

While you are waiting for your vaccine, or if you have just received one, please remain alert to the symptoms of monkeypox, especially if you have had a new or multiple sexual partners. Symptoms can take up to 3 weeks to develop, so keep checking yourself after intimate contact with others. If you feel unwell, please speak to a sexual health service.

If you are a contact of a case – whether you have been notified by a health protection team or directly by a previous partner – please take a break from sex and intimate contact.

No vaccine is 100% effective. While the vaccine may not always prevent an individual getting monkeypox, the symptoms experienced are likely to be milder. The first dose prepares your immune system so it can respond much more quickly if you come into contact with monkeypox.

The vaccine also takes time to work. Protection will start to build after a few days and should reach highest levels after about 4 weeks.

Common signs and symptoms of monkeypox infection include fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes, and development of a new rash. This could be a single blister like spot (or a small number) on the genitals, anus and surrounding area, lesions in the mouth, and symptoms of proctitis (anal or rectal pain or bleeding).

In July, UKHSA guidance for close contacts of a confirmed monkeypox case was updated. Based on the growing evidence of how the monkeypox virus is being passed on in this outbreak, most close contacts no longer have to isolate for 21 days unless they develop symptoms.

August 15, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Competition opens to deliver new training and support programme for social housing residents

The press release issued by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 15 August 2022.

Social housing residents will be able to get training and support to speak up and raise issues with their landlord, the government has announced today.

A £500,000 government grant to provide training, boost confidence and offer toolkits for residents on a range of social housing issues has today opened for bids.

The Resident Opportunities and Empowerment programme will run from Autumn 2022 to Spring 2025 and will empower social housing residents across England to hold their landlord to account.

It includes opportunities for residents to learn how to influence landlord decisions that affect tenants and their community. For example, guidance on how to form a residents panel will help residents in engaging with their landlords where services, such as repairs and maintenance, do not meet required standards.

The announcement is a key part of the government’s commitment to re-balancing the relationship between tenants and landlords, set out in the Social Housing White Paper.

Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing Eddie Hughes MP said:

“Tenants have a right for their voices to be heard – and we want to ensure they have the tools and resources to do this.  

We committed to rebalancing the relationship between social housing tenants and landlords as part of our Social Housing White Paper. 

This new grant will enable an organisation with expertise in the sector to help tenants take an active role in how their home is managed.” 

The £500,000 grant is open to bids from organisations or partnerships in England with relevant expertise in the social housing sector and an understanding of the importance of resident empowerment.

Applicants should have experience in:

providing training, capacity building and access to independent information, within the social housing sector;

working collaboratively with landlords to deliver outcomes beneficial to residents and their communities;

establishing significant and appropriate sector links and networks, to reach social housing residents, including underrepresented demographics and new audiences

delivering an offer which supports and adds value to the measures set out in the ‘Social Housing White Paper, The Charter for Social Housing Residents’; and

delivering projects that provide value for money.

The application window is open now for 7 weeks until 2 October 2022.

August 15, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : 100 days to go: £1.5 million fund opens to celebrate Wales in the World Cup

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 13 August 2022.

As we begin the 100 day countdown to Cymru’s first World Cup game in 64 years, Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has launched a £1.5 million fund to promote and celebrate Wales.

The fund will support a range of organisations from culture, arts, sport and media for activities to celebrate Wales in the World Cup. This could include activity to promote Wales globally, delivering events to get young people involved in sport, connecting with Welsh diaspora, or helping fans celebrate the games here in Wales and right across the world.

The World Cup Partner Support Fund is one part of the activity the Welsh Government has planned to maximise the opportunities from Cymru’s exciting participation in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year.

The Welsh Government will use the global tournament to promote Wales to the world, projecting our nation’s values and securing a positive and lasting legacy for Wales and Welsh football.

Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, said:

“As we reach the 100 day milestone, you can really feel the excitement building in Wales. I can’t wait to be part of the Red Wall in Qatar!

I am delighted to launch this £1.5 million fund today which will help our partners to make the most of this exciting opportunity and boost Wales’ profile and deliver real benefits to Wales.

Wales’s participation at global sporting events is one of the most fantastic chances to boost our country’s profile and show the world that Wales is an open, welcoming and ambitious country.

The Cymru men’s football team’s participation in the FIFA World Cup is the most significant marketing and sports diplomacy opportunity ever presented to us, and we will absolutely make the most of it.

We are looking for exciting, innovative and impactful ideas which will make Wales stand out during the World Cup.”

August 15, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Plans for Trawsfynydd site could bring a huge boost for North Wales

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 15 August 2022.

Established in 2021 by the Welsh Government, Cwmni Egino’s work aims to bring forward potential new projects to generate electricity and further options to maximise the opportunities of the site.

As part of this, it was recently announced Cwmni Egino is embarking on a programme to bring small scale nuclear technology to Trawsfynydd, with work on site being targeted to begin in 2027.

The site also has potential to include a medical radioisotope research reactor to produce radionuclides for use in cancer diagnostics and treatment.

The company is working with the landowner, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), to progress proposals for the siting of new nuclear development at Trawsfynydd.

North Wales Minister, Lesley Griffiths recently visited and heard more the future developments which would benefit the local community and wider region.

The Minister said:

“North Wales has the potential to be a true leader in producing low-carbon energy and Cwmni Egino’s plans are a vital part of this, bringing high quality jobs and opportunities to the region.

I have been pleased to meet the team at the site and hear about the progress being made on proposals which would see Trawsfynydd be the site of the first small modular reactor under construction in the UK.

Much work is ahead, but these are exciting and ambitious plans which can boost skills development and deliver real benefits for the area.”

Cwmni Egino Chief Executive, Alan Raymant said:

“It was a pleasure to meet the Minister at Trawsfynydd last week, and we are extremely grateful for the Welsh Government’s continued support.

As well as helping to meet energy demands and net zero targets, we have an exciting opportunity at Trawsfynydd to deliver lasting benefits to local communities, as well as promote the supply chain, skills development and socio-economic growth in the wider North Wales region and beyond.

Our focus will remain heavily on delivering these benefits as we develop the business case for investment and progress the development.”

August 15, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Cabinet ministers see levelling up in action at Airbus factory

The press release issued by Downing Street on 15 August 2022.

The Prime Minister, Chancellor and Secretary of State for Wales have visited the Airbus factory in North Wales, where they saw the positive impacts of investment on jobs in the region and committed to helping families with the cost of living.

The ministers met a number of apprentices on Friday 12 August and discussed how improving skills and job prospects is vital in driving economic growth and levelling up across the UK.

In response to the latest GDP figures out today, which show the economy contracting by 0.1% in the three months to June, the Chancellor reaffirmed that it is his “top priority” to work alongside the Bank of England to get inflation under control and grow the economy.

The visit comes as stats show that over 7 million bank accounts across the UK have received the first £326 cost of living payment, with a further £324 to come in the autumn. Workers across Wales also saw a cut in their National Insurance contributions last month, representing savings of £396 million across households this year.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

“It is companies like Airbus who are driving forward economic growth, levelling up and supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs for people up and down the United Kingdom.

It was fantastic to visit their Broughton site in North Wales – the world’s largest wing manufacturing plant – to see their work in action and hear from apprentices at the start of their careers at Airbus.

We will continue to help people across the country to find good jobs and support them through the cost of living challenges.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi said:

“It’s great to be here in Wales to meet such enthusiastic and talented apprentices.

I know times are tough and people in Wales are concerned about rising prices. That’s why the government is providing an unprecedented £37 billion worth of support to help households, including a £400 discount on energy bills for every household in Wales this winter.

But it’s important to remember there are pockets of optimism – the unemployment rate in Wales is at a historically low level, and businesses like Airbus are announcing huge new investments, which will boost people’s prospects in the region.

The UK recovered strongly from the pandemic, with the fastest growth in the G7 last year, and I’m confident that we can also overcome the global challenges we now face.”

Secretary of State for Wales Sir Robert Buckland said:

“During extremely challenging times, the UK Government is focused on growing the economy and increasing opportunity for people across Wales.

Alongside the support we are providing to Welsh households, it is fantastic to see a company like Airbus investing in its workforce with its plans to create 550 jobs, build on its apprenticeship programme and boost its production facilities in Broughton.”

Airbus Senior Vice President and Head of Broughton Plant, Jerome Blandin, said:

“It was fantastic for the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Secretary of State for Wales to visit our site in Broughton today and meet some of our wonderful staff.

Airbus has invested heavily in its workforce and facilities in North Wales, the South West and around the UK, contributing significantly to the government’s levelling up agenda. We have trained more than 1,100 apprentices over the last ten years and spend about £250 million each year on Research and Development here in the UK.

In May, Airbus announced an increase in the production rate of our single aisle commercial aircraft to an unprecedented 75 A320 Family aircraft per month by November 2025. For the UK, this means we will increase our workforce in North Wales by 550 and invest an additional £100 million in additional production facilities by 2025 to meet this increased global demand.”

August 15, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer sets out Labour’s plan to address the Tory cost of living crisis

The press release issued by the Labour Party on 14 August 2022.

Keir Starmer says Labour wouldn’t let people pay a penny more on their fuel bill this winter as party unveils plan to save typical family £1,000

Keir Starmer said today (Monday) that Labour “wouldn’t let people pay a penny more” on their winter fuel bills as he unveiled the party’s plan to address the Tory cost of living crisis.

The Labour leader said that the party’s plan to stop bills rising this winter would save the typical family £1,000 now, get energy costs under control for the future and help tackle inflation.

Labour’s fully-funded £29bn plan would prevent the energy price cap rising through the winter, paid for by extra tax from oil and gas giants who are making eye-watering profits.

The emergency package announced by Keir Starmer would reduce energy demand and lower bills in the longer term by insulating 19 million homes across the country over the next decade through Labour’s Warm Homes Plan.

Labour originally urged the government to implement this plan a year ago. If they’d acted, they could have insulated 2 million of the coldest homes by this winter – saving the typical household an additional £1,000 every year on their energy bills.

Freezing the price cap will bring inflation down by 4%, making future interest rate rises less likely and easing the burden on households and businesses.

Further plans include a plan to secure our energy supply to make sure we’re protected against future shocks and build Britain’s energy independence.

Labour would stop bills rising now, and create sustainable energy for the future – helping people get through the winter while providing the foundations for a stronger, more secure economy.

Keir Starmer MP, Leader of the Labour Party, said:

“Britain’s cost of living crisis is getting worse, leaving people scared about how they’ll get through the winter. Labour’s plan to save households £1,000 this winter and invest in sustainable British energy to bring bills down in the long-term is a direct response to the national economic emergency that is leaving families fearing for the future.

“We’ve had 12 years of Tory government that has failed to prepare and refused to invest, leaving bills higher and our country less secure. This is a national emergency. It needs strong leadership and urgent action.

“Labour’s fully-funded plan would fix the problems immediately and for the future – helping people get through the winter while providing the foundations for a stronger, more secure economy. Only Labour can give Britain the fresh start it needs.”

August 15, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Sinn Féin Mayor of Belfast Tina Black will hold a reception at Belfast City Hall for the Antrim camogie team

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 14 August 2022.

Sinn Féin Mayor of Belfast Tina Black will hold a reception at Belfast City Hall for the Antrim camogie team following their Junior All-Ireland Championship win last Sunday.

Councillor Black will step in to hold a reception after the Mayor of Causeway Coast & Glens, where many of the women and girls are from, refused to recognise their sporting success.

Tina Black said:

“I am delighted to extend an invitation to the Antrim camógs to Belfast City Hall following their recent all-Ireland title win.

“This is a huge sporting achievement for the county and I am extremely proud of the effort these girls put in to bring the All-Ireland Junior Championship trophy to Antrim.

“It’s important that we not only celebrate and recognise this success, but also promote the physical and mental benefits of sport and the contribution of Antrim GAA to the life of this city.”

August 15, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : New technology trialled allowing victims of domestic abuse and sexual offences to keep mobiles

The press release issued by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on 10 August 2022.

Greater Manchester is trialling new technology to enhance the service provided to victims of domestic abuse and sexual abuse allowing them, when appropriate, to remain in possession of their mobile phones after reporting a crime to police.

Greater Manchester Police have purchased a number of Odyssey devices, which has been partially funded by Greater Manchester Combined Authority. The Odyssey technology allows for specially trained police officers, supported by forensic experts, to extract evidence of crime from mobile devices within a set time period. The technology is currently being trialled as a proof of concept in the Salford district area and has been codenamed Operation Capture.

The technology will be used in incidents involving victims and witnesses of domestic abuse, rape and sexual offences who may have evidence on their mobile devices which can be evidentially recovered at the scene and in the presence of the victim. It allows for only data relevant to the investigation to be downloaded under what is a new and innovative victim led investigative process.

The technology has been purchased following reports from victims who say having their mobile devices taken away from them after reporting a crime left them feeling vulnerable and alone. The new technology will mean victims will no longer have to hand over their mobile devices.

Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, Bev Hughes, said:

“In Greater Manchester we want to move as quickly as possible to using technology that places a victim’s interests at the heart of the investigation. It is vital that people have confidence to report a crime to the police and feel safe after doing so.

Odyssey also means only relevant data is extracted, removing concerns that anything unnecessary will be reviewed or used in the case. Feedback from the Crown Prosecution Service is that Odyssey can play a significant role in helping to make charging decisions.

Odyssey is an example of how GMP is using innovative ways to support victims, and we are keen to explore other avenues of how technology can be used to better support and protect victims in the city-region.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr, Head of GMPs Public Protection Division, said:

“We know from academic research, victim feedback and support services insights that having mobile devices taken away from victims can leave them feeling disempowered, vulnerable and dramatically impacts on their ability to access their friends, family and things that are critical to them running their day to day lives, so we want to explore new technology to remove the need to do that where possible and this is where utilising the Odyssey Software in this Proof of Concept can assist.

We also know from our own experience and that of other forces who have used the Odyssey technology, the ability to obtain key evidence there and then at the scene leads to quicker arrests, more charges, increased victim confidence and more convictions so we are excited to be able to use this opportunity to improve how we support and protect victims moving forward. The Proof of Concept is supported and enhanced by our digital forensic experts in providing this new and innovative technology to our front-line police officers.”

Operation Capture requires significant upskilling and training of officers to allow GMP to provide the highest level of service to the city-region. GMP and Blue Lights Digital (provider of the Odyssey Technology) are currently in the process of training in excess of 50 officers who have expressed an interest in the project. The roll out of Operation Capture is expected to go live in the third quarter of this year.

Greater Manchester Police and GMCA are jointly committed to supporting victims in the city-region. Last year, the Navigator project was launched which saw youth workers embedded in Accident and Emergency departments across hospitals in Greater Manchester to engage with young people aged 10-25 who have been affected by violence.

The youth workers work with the young person to help them cope and recover from their experience of violence and assist with access to local support networks to prevent the potential of further violence. The project has now received over 300 referrals and been expanded to include referrals from NWAS and the community. A specialist Navigator has been recruited to help young people suffering from domestic violence.

A number of support services available for victims in Greater Manchester. Greater Manchester Victim Support can be reached on 0300 303 0162.The local victim care team in Greater Manchester lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am-7pm and Saturday 9am-5pm.

Alternatively, you can contact Victim Support via live chat and find details of a range of support services at www.gmvictims.org.uk. The out of hours support line can be reached on 0808 1689 111.

August 15, 2022