Blog

  • Boris Johnson – 2020 Comments on Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan

    Boris Johnson – 2020 Comments on Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan

    The comments made by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, on 14 November 2020.

    As we build back greener we’re taking new steps to expand and enhance our landscapes – creating and retaining thousands of green jobs in the process which will be crucial to my Ten Point Plan for delivering a green recovery.

    Britain’s iconic landscapes are part of the fabric of our national identity – sustaining our communities, driving local economies and inspiring people across the ages. That’s why with the natural world under threat, it’s more important than ever that we act now to enhance our natural environment and protect our precious wildlife and biodiversity.

  • George Eustice – 2020 Comments on Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan

    George Eustice – 2020 Comments on Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan

    The comments made by George Eustice, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on 14 November 2020.

    As we build back greener from the coronavirus pandemic, we are committed to shaping a cleaner and more resilient society to protect and restore our natural environment and diverse ecosystems.

    Today’s announcement illustrates how we are leading the world in protecting the natural environment and combating climate change.

    By starting the process for designating more of our beautiful and iconic landscapes as National Parks and AONBs, and through the new Landscape Recovery projects, we will help expand and protect precious wildlife habitats and, vitally, increase people’s access to our treasured landscapes.

  • Kate Green – 2020 Comments on the University Admissions System

    Kate Green – 2020 Comments on the University Admissions System

    The comments made by Kate Green, the Shadow Secretary of State for Education, on 13 November 2020.

    The Government appears to be finally ready to listen to Labour’s repeated calls to reform the university admissions system.

    University admissions must be transparent, fair, and widen access to higher education. The current system simply fails to do this and must be overhauled.

    This consultation announcement is a welcome start, but the Government must also look at the wider factors universities should consider when making offers to students from disadvantaged backgrounds to ensure the system is genuinely fair to all.

  • Jim McMahon – 2020 Comments on Rail Fares

    Jim McMahon – 2020 Comments on Rail Fares

    The comments made by Jim McMahon, the Shadow Transport Secretary, on 14 November 2020.

    An inflation-busting rise in rail fares would be completely wrong. It would make travel more unaffordable at a time when it is vital to secure the future of the network.

    The Government’s incompetent approach means British taxpayers are paying the profit of rail companies owned by foreign governments. Instead, we should bring the network in house, providing better value for the taxpayer and passengers.

  • Jo Stevens – 2020 Comments on Anti-Vax Content

    Jo Stevens – 2020 Comments on Anti-Vax Content

    The comments made by Jo Stevens, the Shadow Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, on 14 November 2020.

    The Government has a pitiful track record on taking action against online platforms that are facilitating the spread of disinformation. It has been clear for years that this is a widespread and growing problem and the Government knows, because Labour has been warning them for some time, that it poses a real threat to the take up of the vaccine.

    This is literally a matter of life and death and anyone who is dissuaded from being vaccinated because of this is one person too many.

  • Oliver Dowden – 2020 Statement on the Platinum Jubilee

    Oliver Dowden – 2020 Statement on the Platinum Jubilee

    The statement made by Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on 12 November 2020 in the House of Commons.

    With your permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a brief and important statement about the Government’s plans to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s platinum jubilee in 2022. The 6th of February 1952 marked the dawn of a new Elizabethan age in our United Kingdom. For a nation emerging from the rubble of the second world war, the new monarch represented an opportunity for a fresh start and a brighter future. The seven decades since have seen a huge amount of change, progress and—at times—turmoil. Fashions, technologies and many Prime Ministers have come and gone, but throughout there has been one constant: Her Majesty has been the golden thread that binds us, uniting our kingdom.

    As you said, Mr Speaker, 2022 will represent an extraordinary milestone for Her Majesty, for the country and for the Commonwealth. No British monarch has ever celebrated 70 years on the throne, and I know the entire country will want to come together to celebrate Her Majesty’s remarkable reign, reflect on her legacy and look forward.

    To honour this extraordinary historic occasion, the Government are working with the royal household and devolved Administrations on an extensive programme that will unite every generation in all 54 countries of the Commonwealth, from the south Pacific islands to ​the Canadian Arctic, in celebration of Her Majesty. There will, of course, be the traditional nationwide fanfare of street parties and celebrations, building up to a special four-day platinum jubilee weekend that we will celebrate by moving the late May bank holiday to Thursday 2 June and adding an additional bank holiday on Friday 3 June.

    We are working with the United Kingdom’s leading creative minds to make this a jubilee weekend to remember—one that mixes the best of British ceremonial splendour and pageantry with cutting-edge artistic and technological display, recognises the global contribution made under Her Majesty’s reign and offers thanks for her seven decades of unwavering public service. It will involve a mixture of spectacular moments in big cities, as well as local events in towns and villages across all our United Kingdom.

    We will of course continue to honour some proud jubilee traditions. When Her Majesty’s great, great grandmother, Queen Victoria, reached her 50th year on the throne, she issued a special medal to mark her golden jubilee. Her Majesty has graciously approved plans to issue her own platinum jubilee medal, to be given to those who work in public service, including the armed forces, the emergency services and the prison services.

    As you said, Mr Speaker, Parliament is preparing its own jubilee gift, organised by you, Sir, the Lord Speaker and, of course, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Northampton North (Michael Ellis), and we are working on a series of legacy projects that will serve as an enduring tribute to Her Majesty.

    We will of course unveil further plans in the coming months as they develop, but 2022 will be a landmark year for the United Kingdom. The platinum jubilee will be the jewel in the crown of a series of events showcasing the very best of this country to its people and to the rest of the world, including the Birmingham Commonwealth games and Festival UK 2022. After a very difficult year where we have come together to fight the common enemy of coronavirus, I am sure that the House will want to join me in looking forward to happier times for our great nation, when we will be united in celebration instead.

  • Nigel Adams – 2020 Statement on Hong Kong

    Nigel Adams – 2020 Statement on Hong Kong

    The statement made by Nigel Adams, the Minister for Asia, on 12 November 2020.

    Yesterday was another sad day for the people of Hong Kong. China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee imposed new restrictions that mean that any Hong Kong legislator who is deemed to support independence, refuse to recognise China’s sovereignty, seek foreign forces’ interference or endanger national security should be disqualified from membership of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council. This decision led to the immediate removal of four elected Members of the Legislative Council, who were, at that moment, sitting in the Chamber.

    It is my unfortunate duty to report to the House our judgment that that decision breaches the legally binding Sino-British joint declaration. It breaches both China’s commitment that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy and the right to freedom of speech, guaranteed under paragraph 3 of the declaration. This is the third time that the Government have called a breach of the joint declaration since 1997, but the second time that we have been forced to do so in the last six months.

    This decision is part of a pattern designed to harass and stifle all voices critical of China’s policies. The new rules for disqualification provide a further tool in that campaign, with vague criteria open to wide-ranging interpretation. Hong Kong’s people are left now with a neutered legislature, and 15 pan-democratic legislators have already resigned en masse in protest.

    China has yet again broken its promise to the people of Hong Kong. Its actions tarnish China’s international reputation and undermine Hong Kong’s long-term stability. The UK has already offered a new immigration path for British nationals overseas, suspended our extradition treaty with Hong Kong and extended our arms embargo on mainland China to Hong Kong. The permanent under-secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has today summoned the Chinese ambassador to register our deep concern at this latest action by his Government.

    Hong Kong’s prosperity and way of life rely on respect for fundamental freedoms, an independent judiciary and the rule of law. China’s actions are putting at risk Hong Kong’s success. The UK will stand up for our values. We will stand up for the people of Hong Kong. We will call out violations of their rights and freedoms. With our international partners, we will continue to hold China to its international obligations.

  • Rebecca Pow – 2020 Comments on Green Solutions

    Rebecca Pow – 2020 Comments on Green Solutions

    The comments made by Rebecca Pow, the Environment Minister, on 11 November 2020.

    Creating a more circular economy for our waste and resources lies at the heart of this government’s transformative agenda for the environment, and we are committed to going further and faster to reduce, reuse and recycle more of our resources – with strong measures to enable this coming forward in our landmark Environment Bill.

    These new research centres will play a vital part in creating a cleaner and more sustainable economy, and help us to better protect the environment for the next generation.

  • Kwasi Kwarteng – 2020 Comments on Green Solutions

    Kwasi Kwarteng – 2020 Comments on Green Solutions

    The comments made by Kwasi Kwarteng, the Energy Minister, on 11 November 2020.

    We want to further the UK’s status as a world-leader in finding green solutions to industrial challenges, and projects like these are excellent examples of placing manufacturers at the forefront of the green industrial revolution.

    I am pleased to support these new cutting-edge research centres that will transform the way industry reuses and recycles materials – another great step forward as we build back greener from coronavirus and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

  • Priti Patel – 2020 Comments on Freedom of Movement

    Priti Patel – 2020 Comments on Freedom of Movement

    The comments made by Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, on 11 November 2020.

    This time last year the government promised to end free movement, take back control of our borders and introduce a new points-based immigration system.

    Today we have officially delivered on that promise.

    The Act of Parliament which ends free movement has completed its journey through Parliament and today achieved Royal Assent.

    This is an historic day in our new direction outside of the EU – controlling our own borders and delivering on the people’s priorities.