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  • PRESS RELEASE : County Leaders welcome reports that the government is considering delaying new reforms [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : County Leaders welcome reports that the government is considering delaying new reforms [October 2022]

    The press release issued by Devon County Council on 21 October 2022.

    Even just a few days are a long time in Politics it seems, so we’re watching this space closely, but earlier this week we heard that the Government is considering delaying the introduction of its new social care reforms.

    On the face of it, we think that’s a good thing. We agree with the reforms – they’re to enable more people to receive financial support for adult social care, which is good – but it is the Government’s duty to ensure they are fully costed and adequately funded.

    If Government doesn’t it will mean councils will have to find millions of pounds of money from cuts in public services to pay for the reforms. We and lots of councils are concerned that the impact of introducing the Government’s reforms without adequate funding will therefore be very heavy on residents and communities.

    All this comes on top of already severe pressure on social care. Here in Devon we are taking urgent action to bring an overspend in adult social care of £5.6 million in this financial year under control, and face a forecast overspend of between £30 million to £40 million over the next 10 years. Inflation is adding to those pressures and forecast to add £3.6 billion to the cost of providing social care in England’s counties next year.

    That’s why we’ve been backing a call from the County Councils Network for the Government to postpone the introduction of these new reforms, which are due to come in next October.

    Right now, councils do not have enough money, nor is there sufficient workforce capacity within social care, to implement the changes that the reforms will bring.

    On seeing reports that the Government is now thinking of delaying the introduction of the reforms, County leaders across the country this week welcomed the news, but warned that the funding, promised by Government for social care, must be retained by councils and reprioritised, and not used as ‘savings’ as part of the Government’s Medium-Term Fiscal Plan.

    Councillor James McInnes, our Cabinet Member with responsibility for adult social care, said today:

    “With all that’s happening at Westminster, we’ll have to see what comes out of it, but if reports that the government is considering delaying the introduction of these reforms become fact, then that’s good news.

    “The consequence otherwise is that the extra pressures that the reforms will bring, on a social care system right now that is not properly funded and that does not have sufficient workforce capacity to meet demand, could worsen current services, leaving people waiting longer for care and impacting on the quality of that care.

    “Even looking ahead to twelve months-time, it’s difficult to see what will have changed significantly in terms of workforce supply and local government finances that would make these reforms deliverable without fundamental changes to the Government’s plans.”

  • Johnny Mercer – 2022 Comments on Rishi Sunak Becoming Prime Minister

    Johnny Mercer – 2022 Comments on Rishi Sunak Becoming Prime Minister

    The comments made by Johnny Mercer, the Conservative MP for Plymouth Moor View, on Twitter on 22 October 2022.

    I was one of Boris’ earliest backers last time. He’s a friend and I love him to bits. But I just don’t think I can put us through all that again. We must move forward in a calm, professional, competent manner with Rishi Sunak as our PM. Country first.

  • Aaron Bell – 2022 Comments on Rishi Sunak Becoming Prime Minister

    Aaron Bell – 2022 Comments on Rishi Sunak Becoming Prime Minister

    The comments made by Aaron Bell, the Conservative MP for Newcastle under Lyme, on Twitter on 22 October 2022.

    I’m backing Rishi Sunak.

  • Scott Benton – 2022 Comments on Boris Johnson Returning as Prime Minister

    Scott Benton – 2022 Comments on Boris Johnson Returning as Prime Minister

    The comments made by Scott Benton, the Conservative MP for Blackpool South, on Twitter on 22 October 2022.

    I have now formally nominated Boris Johnson for the leadership of the Conservative Party which, if successful, will lead to his being our next Prime Minister.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Sir Chris Whitty among senior figures appointed to Active Travel England advisory panel [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Sir Chris Whitty among senior figures appointed to Active Travel England advisory panel [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 22 October 2022.

    England’s Chief Medical Officer, Sir Chris Whitty, is one of 4 senior figures to become part of a new advisory panel, Active Travel England, today (22 October 2022).

    Working alongside West Midlands’ Mayor, Andy Street, Chair of the Office of Rail and Road, Declan Collier and Arup’s Global Transport Leader, Isabel Dedring, Whitty will support Active Travel England’s aim to make walking, wheeling and cycling the first choice for everyday trips.

    National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said:

    Active travel is a key part of achieving so many of the government’s top priorities, so we want to link up with those agendas from the very start. Providing low-cost, healthy travel options to get to schools, shops and workplaces will revitalise high streets across the country and help us decarbonise at the same time. Active Travel England was created to deliver healthy, sustainable transport growth, and I’m delighted we now have such incredible experts to help us get the job done.

    Active Travel Minister, Baroness Vere, added:

    This new advisory panel will be key to supporting the government’s ambition to get more people walking, wheeling and cycling by transforming active travel infrastructure across the country.

    Better infrastructure will not only improve connections to employment, education and local services but improve our mental and physical wellbeing and help to level up the country. I look forward to working with Sir Chris, Andy, Declan and Isabel to achieve this.

    The advisory panel will meet quarterly with a mix of online and in-person meetings. The appointments have been made on a voluntary basis, with expenses paid where applicable. The first meeting with take place in late October.

    England’s Chief Medical Officer, Sir Chris Whitty, said:

    Exercise improves health and Active Travel England’s mission is shared by the health service. We all want to see more people incorporating active travel into their day as a way to keep mentally and physically fit.

    Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, added:

    Active Travel England will be best placed to succeed as a delivery agency if it closely collaborates with local Mayors as well as both Combined and Local Authorities. That’s why I’m looking forward to helping ensure that ATE can make a real and rapid difference across England. Enabling more local trips to be taken on foot or on wheels can improve the journey experience, encourage a healthier lifestyle and help us to tackle the climate emergency. Increasing walking and cycling uptake is central to our vision to establish a truly integrated transport network here in the West Midlands and can support local economic growth by breathing new life into our high streets.

    Arup’s Global Transport Leader and former Deputy Mayor of London, Isabel Dedring, said:

    Delivering a step change in active travel requires focus and determination, but it also requires attention to detail, meaningful engagement with communities and their real needs, and integration with the wider transport network. The UK is seen as a leader in many aspects of progressive transport policy and has a fantastic chance through Active Travel England to retain its position as a leader in this rapidly developing area.

    Chair of the Office of Rail and Road, Declan Collier, said:

    Making local trips, either on foot or on two wheels, is a great way to boost physical health and also mental wellbeing. For those wanting to do their walking or cycling further afield, England’s rail and road networks will get you there. I look forward to getting started and working together with the other panel members to bring about positive change in people’s lives.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Cost of Living Summit – Cornwall unites to turn words into action [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Cost of Living Summit – Cornwall unites to turn words into action [October 2022]

    The press release issued by Cornwall Council on 15 October 2022.

    Organisations across Cornwall are turning words into action following the Cost of Living Summit hosted by Cornwall Council last month.

    Seven working groups have been set up with each responsible for effecting real change for people who are struggling to make ends meet during the current crisis.

    They will be led by the likes of Cornwall Council, Citizens Advice, the local NHS, the voluntary sector and Cornwall business groups.

    Actions to be taken by each group, which were agreed at a meeting of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board on September 30, include:

    Our community response:

    • Support the delivery of community hubs offering winter support across Cornwall. Led by Volunteer Cornwall, this is already underway.
    • Review funding for the voluntary sector to focus on more long-term sustainable funding.

    Maximising people’s income:

    • Develop our understanding of the barriers and issues within the welfare system that specifically affect Cornwall and work with partners to alleviate those.
    • Explore options to run a basic income pilot scheme across Cornwall, using evidence from other areas.

    Preventing and reducing people’s debt:

    • Support the use of the Low-Income Family Tracker (LIFT) to identify residents who may be eligible for additional welfare benefits and support them to claim their entitlement.
    • Review debt collection practices (e.g. council tax, NHS prescriptions fees, bank charges and loans from financial institutions) to help prevent and reduce people’s debt.

    Energy efficiency and fuel poverty:

    • Support bids for new capital investment into Cornwall’s housing stock to reduce carbon and improve energy efficiency of homes (all tenures) and build on existing practice.
    • Support Cornwall Council Public Health’s role to co-ordinate Winter Wellbeing activities to ensure Cornwall’s residents and organisations are aware of current help and initiatives.

    Support housing security:

    • Work with Registered Providers to understand the potential to suspend evictions (as during the pandemic) for rent arrears.
    • Consider a rent cap on social housing rental increases in April.

    Access to food:

    • Create a Cornwall Food Strategy, and Food Security approach using learning from the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact approach.
    • Identify land and support communities with an ambition to establish growing schemes.

    Communications:

    • Campaign to reduce the number of people with unclaimed benefits, help with anxiety caused by money worries, and encourage residents to ask for help before they get into debt, among other aims.

    The summit, called Turning the Tide on the Cost of Living, took place at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus on September 5.

    It saw the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board meet with representatives from local communities, charities and businesses to share experiences and discuss how best to help people navigate the crisis.

    Participants included Cornwall Independent Poverty Forum, Citizen’s Advice Cornwall, Voluntary Sector Forum, Volunteer Cornwall, Disability Cornwall, End Hunger Cornwall, Department of Work and Pensions, Kernow Credit Union, Cornwall Council, NHS and Independent Food Aid Network/Trussell Trust.

    Linda Taylor, Chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board, said:

    “At the summit we listened and talked, and now we are turning those words into action with the formation of seven workstreams, each with concrete plans and goals.

    “The cost of living crisis continues to take its toll on our residents and only by working together to pool resources, share learnings and plan ahead can we offer them the best and most robust support, both in the short and long term.

    “The workstreams will feed into an overarching strategic group and I look forward to hearing about their progress in the coming weeks and months. I am sure each will play an important role in making a real difference to people’s lives.”

  • Ben Everitt – 2022 Comments on Boris Johnson Returning as Prime Minister

    Ben Everitt – 2022 Comments on Boris Johnson Returning as Prime Minister

    The comments made by Ben Everitt, the Conservative MP for Milton Keynes North, on Twitter on 22 October 2022.

    We need experience and resilience. In the national interest I am backing Boris Johnson.

  • Priti Patel – 2022 Comments on Boris Johnson Returning as Prime Minister

    Priti Patel – 2022 Comments on Boris Johnson Returning as Prime Minister

    The comments made by Priti Patel, the Conservative MP for Witham, on Twitter on 22 October 2022.

    Boris [Johnson] has the mandate to deliver our elected manifesto and a proven track record getting the big decisions right. I’m backing him in the leadership contest.

  • Bill Cash – 2022 Comments on Boris Johnson Returning as Prime Minister

    Bill Cash – 2022 Comments on Boris Johnson Returning as Prime Minister

    The comments made by Bill Cash, the Conservative MP for Stone, on Twitter on 21 October 2022.

    I’m backing Boris Johnson and call on others to do so now. Action this day!

  • PRESS RELEASE : Mebyon Kernow comment on shambles at Westminster [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Mebyon Kernow comment on shambles at Westminster [October 2022]

    The press release issued by Mebyon Kernow on 20 October 2022.

    In July, MK Deputy Leader Cllr Loveday Jenkin described the chaos at Westminster as “beyond satire.” Commenting on the period around the resignation of Boris Johnson, she hit out at the truly dysfunctional nature of the Westminster political system, noting that the Conservative Party was at war with itself while it was not dealing with the cost of living crisis.

    But the shambolic mega-chaos of the last few weeks has been simply unbelievable – and even further beyond parody! The mini-budget did massive damage to the UK economy and the prospects of millions of households, we have had the unedifying spectacle of Tory infighting along with the resignation of a second Prime Minister in little more than three months.

    To repeat what Cllr Jenkin said in July. The over-centralised Westminster system is not working, and the ongoing political games in London will do nothing to improve the lives of people in Cornwall.

    Many people are rightly calling for a General Election, but it is correct that MK also makes it clear that the UK needs significant political reform, which should include meaningful devolution to give the people of Cornwall more control over their own destiny.