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  • Rebecca Pow – 2021 Comments on Retail Sale of Peat

    Rebecca Pow – 2021 Comments on Retail Sale of Peat

    The comments made by Rebecca Pow, the Environment Minister, on 19 December 2021.

    Our peatlands are an incredibly valuable natural resource. They play a crucial role in locking up carbon, provide habitats for wildlife and help with flood mitigation.

    The amateur gardening sector has made huge strides in reducing peat use and there are now more sustainable and good quality peat-free alternatives available than at any other time, so I am confident now is the right time to make the shift permanent.

    Today’s consultation directly contributes towards the Government’s net zero carbon emissions target. The protection of our peatlands will also help us deliver on commitments in the 25 Year Environment Plan whilst also preserving these landscapes for future generations.

  • John McDonnell – 2021 Comments on Handling Covid-19

    John McDonnell – 2021 Comments on Handling Covid-19

    The comments made by John McDonnell, the former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, on Twitter on 20 December 2021.

    Let’s provide alternative to Johnson’s dithering. 1.Circuit breaker lockdown 2.Furlough & business support 3.Sick Pay increase 4.Restore £20 Universal Credit Uplift & include legacy benefits 5.10% pay rise for NHS & Social Care heroes, stretching themselves to their limits for us.

  • Greg Hands – 2021 Comments on Biomass Projects

    Greg Hands – 2021 Comments on Biomass Projects

    The comments made by Greg Hands, the Energy and Climate Change Minister, on 20 December 2021.

    Developing greener fuels like biomass is key to helping the UK slash carbon emissions and drive down costs for consumers.

    This £26 million government investment will support innovators across the UK, boosting jobs and investment, and help ensure we have the homegrown supply we need to support our plans to build back greener and tackle climate change.

  • Nadhim Zahawi – 2021 Comments on Retired Teachers Returning to Schools

    Nadhim Zahawi – 2021 Comments on Retired Teachers Returning to Schools

    The comments made by Nadhim Zahawi, the Secretary of State for Education, on 20 December 2021.

    It has been my absolute priority since day one in the role to do everything in my power to protect education – which is why today I am asking any teachers no longer in the profession to come forward if they are available to temporarily fill absences in the new year.

    Although 99.9% of schools have consistently been open this term, with cases of Omicron increasing we must make sure schools and colleges have the teachers available to remain open for face-to-face education.

    Anyone who thinks they can help should get the process started now on the Get Into Teaching website, and everyone should get boosted now to help reduce the amount of disruption from the virus in the new year.

  • Rishi Sunak – 2021 Comments on Funding to Devolved Administrations for Handling Covid

    Rishi Sunak – 2021 Comments on Funding to Devolved Administrations for Handling Covid

    The comments made by Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 20 December 2021.

    Following discussions with the Devolved Administrations, we are now doubling the additional funding available.

    We will continue to listen to and work with the Devolved Administrations in the face of this serious health crisis to ensure we’re getting the booster to people all over the UK and that people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are supported.

  • Boris Johnson – 2021 Letter of Response to Resignation of Lord Frost

    Boris Johnson – 2021 Letter of Response to Resignation of Lord Frost

    The letter sent by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, to Lord Frost, the Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, on 18 December 2021.

    Text of letter [in .pdf format]

  • Lord Frost – 2021 Resignation Letter Sent to Boris Johnson

    Lord Frost – 2021 Resignation Letter Sent to Boris Johnson

    The letter sent by Lord Frost, the Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, to Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, on 18 December 2021.

    Text of letter [in .pdf format]

  • Sajid Javid – 2021 Comments on Boosters

    Sajid Javid – 2021 Comments on Boosters

    The comments made by Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on 19 December 2021.

    We are in a race between the virus and vaccine and we are doing everything in our power to get jabs in arms as quickly as possible.

    We are calling on people to Get Boosted Now as part of our national mission to reinforce our wall of defence against the rapid spread of Omicron.

    I want to thank the thousands of people who have heroically stepped up to support our vaccine drive. We’re all in this together – please play your part.

  • Rachel Reeves – 2021 Comments on Higher Statutory Sick Pay

    Rachel Reeves – 2021 Comments on Higher Statutory Sick Pay

    The comments made by Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 18 December 2021.

    We’ve seen throughout this pandemic how especially hard it has been for many people on low wages, insecure work or are self-employed when they are sick or need to self-isolate. It is unacceptable that in 21st Century Britain anyone should feel they can’t afford to get sick, yet that is the reality for many.

    Labour would improve the level of statutory sick pay and increase its coverage to reflect the modern world of work, while valuing the many employers who do provide decent sick pay for their workforce.

    The sorry state of sick pay in Britain was an issue before the pandemic but the Chancellor’s inaction has made people poorer and tragically will have led to an increase in the spread of the virus.

  • Jim McMahon – 2021 Comments on Sale of Compost

    Jim McMahon – 2021 Comments on Sale of Compost

    The comments made by Jim McMahon, the Shadow Environment Secretary, on 18 December 2021.

    The nature emergency demands action.

    Peatlands have suffered degradation for decades not just from being dug up to supply horticulture, but also by being drained and burned. Healthy peatlands – often called ‘Britain’s rainforests’ – support rich biodiversity, trap many times the carbon stored by forests, and help slow and prevent downstream flooding.

    But the Conservative Government have delayed and limited action, they have committed to protecting only 40% of England’s blanket bogs from rotational burning.

    On horticultural peat, gardening experts, conservationists and scientists have said the Government’s goal of a voluntary phaseout by 2020 was an ‘abject failure’, with the amount of peat sold actually rising as people turned to gardening in lockdown. That they are only just consulting on a ban lays bare their lack of commitment.

    In contrast to the Conservatives’ delay and empty promises, Labour has pledged a net zero and nature test for every policy, investing £28 billion of capital a year to 2030 to meet the challenge of the climate and nature emergency head on, create certainty for business and provide leadership to seize the opportunities for the UK.