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Tag: 2020

  • Anneliese Dodds – 2020 Comments on “Smuggler’s Charter”

    Anneliese Dodds – 2020 Comments on “Smuggler’s Charter”

    The comments made by Anneliese Dodds, the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 10 December 2020.

    Today the Government traded away the security and safety of UK trade by pushing through new customs rules that are tantamount to a smuggler’s charter.

    This comes on top of failures to deal with a range of business-critical issues that have repeatedly been raised with Government, from rules of origin to systems still not being ready with just days to go till we leave the transition period.

    The Government’s desperate, last-ditch attempt to avoid gridlock at our ports could have been avoided if it had acted responsibly and taken action earlier.

  • Rachel Reeves – 2020 Comments on Government Contracts and Tax Havens

    Rachel Reeves – 2020 Comments on Government Contracts and Tax Havens

    The comments made by Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, on 10 December 2020.

    Taxpayers deserve to know their money is being handled with great care – and that any risks of its misuse through tax havens is carefully handled by this government.

    Despite evidence from the National Audit Office that taxpayer money was used to pay well over the odds for PPE, and that this government’s procurement process seriously lacks important transparency, we are seeing no real moves to increase clarity or trust.

    This government cannot continue to brush worrying patterns like this off. They must commit to cleaning up their contracts now and be far more open to restore public confidence.

  • Anneliese Dodds – 2020 Comments on Latest GDP Figures

    Anneliese Dodds – 2020 Comments on Latest GDP Figures

    The comments made by Anneliese Dodds, the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 10 December 2020.

    Today’s data shows that even before the second national lockdown, growth was grinding to a halt. The UK has had the sharpest recession of any G7 economy and is on course for the slowest recovery.

    This is down to the Government’s irresponsible choices. Its failure to fix test, trace and isolate and chopping and changing over economic support has led to unnecessary job losses and businesses going to the wall.

    The Chancellor must now act responsibly to get us through the spring with effective, targeted support for businesses and individuals right across the country.

  • Rebecca Pow – 2020 Comments on Green Recovery Challenge Fund

    Rebecca Pow – 2020 Comments on Green Recovery Challenge Fund

    The comments made by Rebecca Pow, the Environment Minister, on 10 December 2020.

    These projects will drive forward work across England to restore and transform our landscapes, boost nature and create green jobs, and will be a vital part of helping us to build back greener from coronavirus.

    I look forward to working with environmental organisations as these projects develop and help address the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change, while creating and retaining jobs as part of the green recovery.

  • Liz Truss – 2020 Comments on Singapore and Vietnam Deals

    Liz Truss – 2020 Comments on Singapore and Vietnam Deals

    The comments made by Liz Truss, the Secretary of State for International Trade, on 10 December 2020.

    Both these agreements are vital for the UK’s future as an independent trading nation. Not only do they lock in billions of pounds worth of trade, they also pave the way for new digital partnerships and joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership. This will play to the UK’s strengths, as we become a hub for tech and digital trade with influence far beyond our shores, defining our role in the world for decades to come.

    This is an important part of our vision for a Global Britain that sits at the centre of a network of deals with dynamic nations across Asia Pacific and the Americas as a global hub for services and technology trade.

    International trade will help us to overcome the challenges of coronavirus and drive economic growth across our United Kingdom.

  • Kelly Tolhurst – 2020 Comments on Changing Futures

    Kelly Tolhurst – 2020 Comments on Changing Futures

    The comments made by Kelly Tolhurst, the Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing, on 10 December 2020.

    This £46 million funding will help some of the most vulnerable people in our communities turn their lives around and build a brighter future.

    The ‘Changing Futures’ programme gives local organisations the flexibility and resources they need to work in partnership to deliver effective support where it is needed most. I look forward to receiving really innovative bids for projects that will make a real difference to so many people’s lives

  • Ursula von der Leyen – 2020 Statement on a Deal Between the UK and the EU

    Ursula von der Leyen – 2020 Statement on a Deal Between the UK and the EU

    The statement made by Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, on 9 December 2020.

    We had a lively & interesting discussion on the state of play on outstanding issues.

    We understand each other’s positions. They remain far apart.

    The teams should immediately reconvene to try to resolve these issues. We will come to a decision by the end of the weekend.

  • Robert Jenrick – 2020 Comments on Business Evictions

    Robert Jenrick – 2020 Comments on Business Evictions

    The comments made by Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on 9 December 2020.

    I am extending protections from the threat of eviction for businesses unable to pay their rent until March 2021, taking the length of these measures to one year. This will help them recover from the impact of the pandemic and plan for the future.

    This support is for the businesses struggling the most during the pandemic, such as those in hospitality – however, those that are able to pay their rent should do so.

    We are witnessing a profound adjustment in commercial property. It is critical that landlords and tenants across the country use the coming months to reach agreements on rent wherever possible and enable viable businesses to continue to operate.

  • Michael Ellis – 2020 Comments on Connor Barrass

    Michael Ellis – 2020 Comments on Connor Barrass

    The comments made by Michael Ellis, the Solicitor General, on 9 December 2020.

    Barrass’ actions were shocking and despicable. The Court of Appeal’s decision to increase his sentence recognises his victim’s distressing and harmful ordeal.

  • Liz Truss – 2020 Comments on UK and Canada Trade Deal

    Liz Truss – 2020 Comments on UK and Canada Trade Deal

    The comments made by Liz Truss, the Secretary of State for International Trade, on 9 December 2020.

    This is a brilliant deal for Global Britain. It secures £20bn worth of trade with a friend and ally that shares our commitment to free enterprise, democracy and free trade. It provides certainty for car and food and drink exporters in particular, and paves the way for a more advanced deal that goes further and faster in modern areas like digital and data, women’s economic empowerment and the environment.

    The deal also takes us a step closer to joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a high standards agreement of 11 dynamic Pacific nations. Membership would deepen market access for our businesses, help turn us into a global hub for tech and services trade, and strengthen the global consensus for rules-based free trade.