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  • Sadiq Khan – 2021 Comments on Helping Refugees from Afghanistan

    Sadiq Khan – 2021 Comments on Helping Refugees from Afghanistan

    The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 26 August 2021.

    It has been devastating to watch the crisis unfold in Afghanistan and I’m determined to do everything in my power to support those escaping the country.

    London has a proud history of providing sanctuary to those in need and by working together we can help these refugees find a welcoming home in our city.

    That’s why I’m inviting borough councils to use my Right to Buy-back fund to acquire homes for refugees, as well as Londoners in housing need, and am urging housing associations to bid for funding to secure homes for these families. I will continue to call on Ministers to provide the further support needed to help them secure their long-term future in our city.

  • Michael Ellis – 2021 Comments on Sentences Being Increased

    Michael Ellis – 2021 Comments on Sentences Being Increased

    The comments made by Michael Ellis, the Attorney General, on 26 August 2021.

    The ULS scheme allows anyone, including victims of crime, to ask for a review of certain sentences they believe are too low. In 2020, this meant that over 60 criminals had their sentences increased and many more victims and their families had a second chance at justice.

    In the vast majority of cases judges get it right, but the scheme remains an important tool to ensure that cases can be reviewed where there may have been a gross error in the sentencing decision. It’s not just about increasing sentences, the scheme also provides an important avenue for my office to ask the Court of Appeal for guidance, to help shape the sentencing framework and ensure more consistent sentencing for complex cases.

  • Victoria Prentis – 2021 Comments on Fisheries Discussions with Norway

    Victoria Prentis – 2021 Comments on Fisheries Discussions with Norway

    The comments made by Victoria Prentis, the Fisheries Minister, on 26 August 2021.

    It was a pleasure to visit Norway and meet with Minister Ingebrigtsen to build on the strong partnership that exists between our nations on fisheries, trade and energy.

    While we agree on many issues, there are fisheries management issues where we have differences. However, the strength of our relationship means that we can discuss areas of disagreement maturely and constructively.

    The UK and Norway have much in common as independent coastal states, and with increased investment in our vibrant aquaculture industries we are both key producers of sustainable seafood.

  • Sajid Javid – 2021 Comments on Vaccination

    Sajid Javid – 2021 Comments on Vaccination

    The comments made by Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on 26 August 2021.

    The UK’s phenomenal vaccination programme has made a life-changing difference to tens of millions of people across the country, and we’re quickly closing in on 100,000 lives being saved in England alone.

    With 82,100 hospitalisations prevented in over-65s and almost 24 million infections prevented across England, the vaccines are continuing to keep all of us safe. It’s also hugely encouraging to see over 62,000 pregnant women taking up the offer and ensuring they and their babies are protected from this dangerous disease.

    The vaccines are free and available at hundreds of locations around the UK – please get your jabs to secure this protection for yourself and your loved ones and help us reclaim our lost freedoms.

  • Seema Malhotra – 2021 Comments on Supply Chain Chaos

    Seema Malhotra – 2021 Comments on Supply Chain Chaos

    The comments made by Seema Malhotra, the Shadow Minister for Business and Consumers, on 26 August 2021.

    The chaos hitting supply chains is of the Conservatives’ making. Their failure to keep their promise to cut red tape for businesses, which are struggling with more paperwork and higher costs, combined with worker shortages, has created a perfect storm.

    Whether it’s production grinding to a halt in our car factories, shelves emptying in supermarkets, or restaurants running out of food and drink, businesses are ringing the alarm and saying these problems are only going to get worse.

    Ministers must listen to businesses and unions who are calling for them to show leadership and put in place short-term solutions to deal with this acute crisis. But they must also end their chronic dismissal of these concerns, having accused the industry of ‘crying wolf’ over driver shortages, and take action to deliver on the promise of post-Brexit Britain.

  • Andy Burnham – 2021 Comments on Olympic Athletes from Manchester

    Andy Burnham – 2021 Comments on Olympic Athletes from Manchester

    The comments made by Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, on 9 August 2021.

    All Team GB athletes who competed in Tokyo achieved something historic. They battled through the challenges of the pandemic to participate in an Olympic Games unlike any other.

    Athletes from the North West won more medals than any other region – we are this country’s sporting heartland, and Greater Manchester’s world-class training facilities helped develop the talents of so many of our British superstars.

    Olympians from Greater Manchester were the engine room of Team GB. They gave the performances of a lifetime, built on years of hard work, exceptional commitment, and the unfailing support and belief of families, communities, teachers, and coaches right across our towns and cities. We’ve witnessed legends break records, seen young stars rise to the top, and some of us may even have gained an appreciation for some new Olympic events.

    To all the athletes from our city-region: you did us proud – thank you. You brought it home. Now it’s the turn of our Paralympians to do the same – we’re backing you all the way.

  • Alok Sharma – 2020 Comments on OneWeb

    Alok Sharma – 2020 Comments on OneWeb

    The comments made by Alok Sharma, the then Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, on 20 November 2020.

    This strategic investment demonstrates government’s commitment to the UK’s space sector in the long-term and our ambition to put Britain at the cutting edge of the latest advances in space technology.

    Access to our own global fleet of satellites has the potential to connect people worldwide, providing fast UK-backed broadband from the Shetlands to the Sahara and from Pole to Pole.

    This deal gives us the chance to build on our strong advanced manufacturing and services base in the UK, creating jobs and technical expertise.

  • Private Eye – 2021 Article on OneWeb

    Private Eye – 2021 Article on OneWeb

    A section of the Private Eye article on OneWeb, published in Issue 1554 in August 2021.

    CABINET Office efforts to suppress information don’t get much more cynical than those designed to frustrate efforts to find out about the dubious government decision to invest £400m in bankrupt satellite business OneWeb last year.

    The Eye first asked several months ago for details of Boris Johnson’s meetings and calls to set up what appeared to be a deal done on his and Dominic Cummings’s whim. On no fewer than four occasions the Cabinet Office’s coverer-up-in-chief, Nicholas Howard, told the Eye it would take an extra month to weigh up the public interest in disclosing information.

    Only when forced to do so by the information commissioner did Howard provide the response he was obviously always going to: saying anything would harm the company’s commercial interests.

  • Liz Truss – 2021 Comments on Trade Envoys

    Liz Truss – 2021 Comments on Trade Envoys

    The comments made by Liz Truss, the Secretary of State for International Trade, on 25 August 2021.

    Our Trade Envoys play a key role in delivering our ambitious global trade agenda, and I am delighted the Prime Minister has appointed 10 Trade Envoys, who will boost opportunities for businesses in some of the world’s fastest growing markets.

    As we seek to boost exports, promote investment, and break down barriers to trade, our Trade Envoys will support us to share in the benefits that a closer trading relationship can offer to our businesses and our communities.

  • Sajid Javid – 2021 Comments on Support for Veterans

    Sajid Javid – 2021 Comments on Support for Veterans

    The comments made by Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on 25 August 2021.

    I recognise that the experience of conflict can affect the physical and mental wellbeing of our veterans, and that the events currently taking place in Afghanistan may have a detrimental impact on the mental health of those who served there.

    I am committed to ensuring our veterans can access the support they need. The NHS already provides incredible mental health support for our veteran community, but I know there is more to do.

    I encourage any veteran who is struggling to cope to reach out for help. Services like Op COURAGE and the Veterans’ Gateway helpline are there for you, so please come forward.