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Tag: 2022

  • PRESS RELEASE : Painting of 18th century cricketers at risk of leaving the UK [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Painting of 18th century cricketers at risk of leaving the UK [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 14 October 2022.

    A temporary export bar has been placed on The Cricketers (Ralph Izard & Friends) by Benjamin West, worth £1,215,000.

    Export bar is to allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the painting.

    West is famed for The Death of Nelson and this painting shows the evolution of cricket from a rustic to noble sport during the 1700s
    The Cricketers (Ralph Izard & Friends) by Benjamin West is at risk of leaving the country unless a buyer can be found.

    The Cricketers shows five wealthy American men playing cricket, possibly at Kew, while visiting the UK to study in the 1700s.

    The painting is regarded as one of the most important works depicting early cricket and shows that by the 1750s the sport had evolved from the rustic game played in the 1720s to one taken up by the aristocracy.

    West is best known for his work The Death of Nelson which shows the great British naval hero Lord Nelson on the deck of his ship, Victory, at the Battle of Trafalgar.

    Arts Minister Stuart Andrew said:

    Cricket is enjoyed by millions of people across the world and this fascinating painting tells the story of the rise of the sport during the 18th century.

    It is a wonderful and rare depiction of the early development of one of our most loved games. I hope a buyer comes forward to save the work for the nation so we can give it another innings in the UK.

    The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest.

    The Committee noted that the painting came at a crucial period of the development of cricket as an elite sport and it was a rare depiction of an early game of cricket. The Committee also suggested that identifying the background to the painting, would be an interesting research avenue and would add to its historical importance.

    Committee Member Professor Mark Hallett said:

    Together with its interest as a sporting painting, West’s picture is notable for being a rare group portrait of young colonial Americans in England. This kind of work, known as a ‘conversation piece’, was more commonly commissioned by British aristocrats to mark their Grand Tour through Italy. Here, however, the format is repurposed to fit the needs of a group of wealthy American friends who were studying in Britain in the early 1760s.

    The Cricketers powerfully demonstrates the extent to which these men were happy to identify themselves with what was often described as the ‘mother country’; some twelve years later, however, their world and their allegiances were to be thrown into flux by the American Revolution. West’s picture, made in his mid-twenties and one of the very first he produced on arriving in London in 1763, also illustrates the developing talents of an artist who was to enjoy great fame later in his career, and who became the second President of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1792.

    The Committee made its recommendation on the grounds that the painting is of outstanding significance to the study of Britain’s relationship to America in the 18th century.

    The decision on the export licence application for the painting will be deferred for a period ending on 13th April 2023 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 business days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the painting at the recommended price of £1,215,000. The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for three months.

  • Liz Truss – 2022 Comments at Press Conference Following Dismissal of Kwasi Kwarteng

    Liz Truss – 2022 Comments at Press Conference Following Dismissal of Kwasi Kwarteng

    The comments made by Liz Truss, the Prime Minister, at the start of the press conference held on 14 October 2022 at Downing Street.

    Good afternoon,

    My conviction that this country needs to go for growth is rooted in my personal experience.

    I know what it’s like to grow up somewhere that isn’t feeling the benefits of growth.

    I saw what that meant and I am not prepared to accept that for our country.

    I want a country where people can get good jobs, new businesses can set up and families can afford an even better life.

    That’s why from day one I’ve been ambitious for growth.

    Since the 2008 financial crisis, the potential of this great country has been held back by persistently weak growth.

    I want to deliver a low tax, high wage, high growth economy.

    It’s what I was elected by my party to do.

    That mission remains.

    People across this country rightly want stability.

    That is why we acted to support businesses and households with their energy costs this winter.

    It’s also the case that global economic conditions are worsening due to the continuation of Putin’s appalling war in Ukraine.

    And on top of this, debt was amassed helping people through the Covid pandemic.

    But it is clear that parts of our mini budget went further and faster than markets were expecting.

    So the way we are delivering our mission right now has to change.

    We need to act now to reassure the markets of our fiscal discipline.

    I have therefore decided to keep the increase in corporation tax that was planned by the previous government.

    This will raise £18 billion per year.

    It will act as a down-payment on our full Medium-Term Fiscal Plan which will be accompanied by a forecast from the independent OBR.

    We will do whatever is necessary to ensure debt is falling as a share of the economy in the medium term.

    We will control the size of the state to ensure that taxpayers’ money is always well spent.

    Our public sector will become more efficient to deliver world-class services for the British people.

    And spending will grow less rapidly than previously planned.

    I met the former Chancellor earlier today. I was incredibly sorry to lose him.

    He is a great friend and he shares my vision to set this country on the path to growth.

    Today I have asked Jeremy Hunt to become the new Chancellor.

    He is one of the most experienced and widely respected government ministers and parliamentarians.

    And he shares my convictions and ambitions for our country.

    He will deliver the Medium-Term Fiscal Plan at the end of this month.

    He will see through the support we are providing to help families and businesses including our Energy Price Guarantee that’s protecting people from higher energy bills this winter.

    And he will drive our mission to go for growth, including taking forward the supply side reforms that our country needs.

    We owe it to the next generation to improve our economic performance to deliver higher wages, new jobs and better public services, and to ease the burden of debt.

    I have acted decisively today because my priority is ensuring our country’s economic stability.

    As Prime Minister, I will always act in the national interest.

    This is always my first consideration.

    I want to be honest, this is difficult.

    But we will get through this storm.

    And we will deliver the strong and sustained growth that can transform the prosperity of our country for generations to come.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Food security – EU contributes €100 million to IMF’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust to support vulnerable African, Caribbean and Pacific countries [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Food security – EU contributes €100 million to IMF’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust to support vulnerable African, Caribbean and Pacific countries [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the European Commission on 14 October 2022.

    Today, the EU signed a €100 million grant agreement (about US$97.2 million) for the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT). These funds will allow the IMF to make about €630 million worth of zero interest loans for PRGT-eligible African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) facing balance of payments difficulties. Access to affordable finance is key to help these countries address the economic and food crisis situation worsened by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU’s contribution is part of Team Europe’s response to the crisis as it complements pledges by EU Member States to channel Special Drawing Rights (SDR) to the IMF’s Trusts for on-lending and their grants to the IMF’s PRGT Subsidy Account. Team Europe has so far pledged to channel SDRs contributions equivalent to about $23 billion.

    Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, said: “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has made many African, Caribbean and Pacific countries more vulnerable at a time when they were still struggling with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and millions of people are pushed into poverty and hunger. With our contribution to the IMF’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust, we want to help them address this crisis and avoid further deepening of inequalities. Today’s signature also marks our commitment as Team Europe to multilateral solutions to tackle today’s most pressing challenges. Our partnership with the IMF is of key relevance in this regard.”

    Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni, said: “The economic shockwaves from Russia’s war against Ukraine are hitting low-income countries hardest, spurring demand for concessional loans from the IMF’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust. It is essential that we maximise the resources available for this key financing tool. With today’s €100 million contribution, the Commission is playing its part and complementing the on-lending of EU Member States’ Special Drawing Rights. These efforts bring us closer to the G20 global ambition of $100 billion of voluntary contributions to vulnerable countries, a target we must strive collectively to achieve.”

    Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva said: “I am very grateful to the EU and its Member States for their continued support to low-income countries facing crisis after crisis. Its grant contribution today of €100 million will help to subsidize PRGT loans and support our provision of zero-interest lending to our most vulnerable members. I urge other countries to also contribute to the PRGT so we can support our members during these difficult times.”

    Access to concessional/zero-interest loans provides affordable finance that increases liquidity and available budgetary resources in countries facing balance of payments difficulties, helping them to achieve, maintain, or restore a stable and sustainable macroeconomic and fiscal position. It also prevents depletion of international reserves, supports the import of essential goods and putting in place adequate social protection schemes for the most vulnerable. Concessional support through the PRGT is interest-free, with maturities up to 10 years.

    Background

    This announcement is part of the broader €600 million package already announced from the reserves under the 10th and 11th European Development Funds to address the current food security crisis in ACP countries further aggravated by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The package has three components that are complementary and mutually reinforcing, supporting: food production and resilience of food systems (€350 million), humanitarian assistance (€150 million) and macro-economic support through the IMF’s PRGT (€100 million). With the additional €600 million, the EU expects to allocate for food security and food systems programmes in partner countries €7.7 billion until 2024 worldwide.

    The IMF provides broad support to low-income countries through surveillance and capacity-building activities, as well as concessional financial support to help them achieve, maintain, or restore a stable and sustainable macroeconomic position consistent with strong and durable poverty reduction and growth.

  • Nicola Sturgeon – 2022 Comments on the Dismissal of Kwasi Kwarteng

    Nicola Sturgeon – 2022 Comments on the Dismissal of Kwasi Kwarteng

    The comments made by Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish First Minister, on Twitter on 14 October 2022.

    The best thing Liz Truss could do for economic stability now is resign. Her decisions have crashed the economy and heaped misery on people already struggling with a cost of living crisis.

    The only decent thing for Tory MPs to do now is call time on her govt and allow an election

  • Lucy Powell – 2022 Speech on Cutting the Cost of Broadband

    Lucy Powell – 2022 Speech on Cutting the Cost of Broadband

    The speech made by Lucy Powell, the Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 13 October 2022.

    As family bills rocket as a result of the economic crisis made in Downing Street Labour is today calling on the government and Ofcom to stop a broadband bombshell hitting families and firms with a three-point plan to reign in expected broadband price increases and ease the cost of living crisis.

    Ofcom reports that nearly a third of households (8 million households) are having problems paying for their broadband, phone and streaming bills, double the number last year, and the highest since their records began. In a recent Lloyds Bank survey, 26 per cent of adults not using the internet in the past three months gave “it’s too expensive” as a reason. At the same time, 97 percent of eligible low-income families are currently missing out on a social tariff. Meanwhile, it has been reported that broadband firms are in line for a £1.7 billion windfall as a result of above inflation price rises.

    Labour is calling for:

    1) A reversal of changes the government made in 2019 which allowed regulated wholesale prices to rise with CPI rather than costs, so that telecoms wholesalers and internet service providers don’t get a windfall from sky high inflation whilst families and firms struggle to pay their bills.

    2) Ofcom to investigate and take action to strengthen consumer protections including taking action on mid contract price rises, early termination costs for social tariff customers, and loyalty penalties where long term customers pay more than new customers.

    3) An industry wide social tariff for low-income families. Industry including wholesalers like Openreach, must work with Ofcom and consumer groups to develop a mandatory well-advertised broadband social tariff for low-income families, or the Party will set and legislate for one in government.

    Broadband is the newest utility, an essential for everyday life, not a luxury. Yet the Conservative cost of living crisis means that many families are finding internet access increasingly unaffordable, or impossible. Without access to the online world, children can’t do homework, parents can’t access the labour market, social security, or the best rates for services or goods, and grandparents can’t stay in touch face to face with family over distances.

    Broadband wholesale price increases used to be capped at costs with prices stable over many years. However, in 2019, the government changed regulation so the price of existing Openreach networks could increase in line with CPI inflation instead. Wholesale prices for 2023 will be set this October with inflation estimated to reach a peak of 13 percent. As a result it has been reported that broadband bills could increase by a quarter.

    Lucy Powell MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said:

    “Internet access is a necessity not a luxury, yet the economic crisis made in Downing Street is making it increasingly difficult for families to make ends meet and stay connected.

    “Our three-point plan will ease the broadband bombshell facing families and firms, at a time when they are already facing eye watering energy bills, and mortgage and rent increases. Whilst the Conservatives crash our economy, Labour will ensure accessing and connecting to digital infrastructure powers growth across our economy to ensure people and places aren’t left behind.”

    In her Labour Conference speech Shadow Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Lucy Powell pledged a new settlement for the digital age, building on our digital infrastructure to make Britain one of the most connected nations in the world for gigabit broadband, and industrial 5G.

  • Caoimhe Archibald – 2022 Comments on the Dismissal of Kwasi Kwarteng

    Caoimhe Archibald – 2022 Comments on the Dismissal of Kwasi Kwarteng

    The comments made by Caoimhe Archibald, Sinn Fein’s Economic Spokesperson, on 14 October 2022.

    The Tories are now on their fourth Chancellor in four months as the fall-out of the reckless ‘mini-budget’ has resulted in Kwasi Kwarteng getting the sack.

    For the past three weeks since the announcement of the ‘mini-budget’ there has been utter chaos which will punish ordinary workers, families and businesses by pushing up mortgages and hiking business borrowing costs.

    It has been clear for some time that Liz Truss and the Tory government needs to scrap this plan, end their shameless policy of lining the pockets of the rich and halt the attack on our public services.

    Instead, they should support workers, families and small businesses who are struggling and introduce a windfall tax to cut the eye-watering profits of the big energy corporations.

  • PRESS RELEASE : ‘British government must work with EU in good faith’ – Declan Kearney [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : ‘British government must work with EU in good faith’ – Declan Kearney [October 2022]

    The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 14 October 2022.

    Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney has welcomed the commitment of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade to resolve the issues surrounding the protocol.

    Speaking following a meeting with German MEP Bernard Lange and the influential Committee on International Trade, the South Antrim MLA said:

    “Today’s meeting is a clear signal from our European partners of their determination to resolve the issues around the protocol.

    “This determination from the European Parliament must be matched with a similar resolve from the British government to reach agreement on any outstanding issues.

    “It is crucial now that the British government engages in good faith, constructive negotiations with the European Union and that they abandon the reckless approach of the past.

    “In our discussions this morning, I told the committee that the protocol protects people and businesses here across the north from the damage caused by Brexit and that the protocol continues to help in the creation of jobs and attracting investment.

    “In the current economic climate and with the worrying forecasts about what may be coming down the line, the Protocol must be built upon and protected rather than undermined. I emphasised that there is no credible alternative to the Protocol and that it must be allowed to work properly.

    “At a time when we are enduring an unprecedented cost of living crisis, our businesses, farmers and families cannot afford to lose access to both the British and European markets with access to more than 500 million people.”

  • Keir Starmer – 2022 Comments on the Dismissal of Kwasi Kwarteng

    Keir Starmer – 2022 Comments on the Dismissal of Kwasi Kwarteng

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on 14 October 2022.

    Changing the Chancellor doesn’t undo the damage made in Downing Street.

    Liz Truss’ reckless approach has crashed the economy, causing mortgages to skyrocket, and has undermined Britain’s standing on the world stage.

    We need a change in government.

    With my leadership, Labour will secure Britain’s economy and get us out of this mess.

  • Alastair Campbell – 2022 Comments on the Dismissal of Kwasi Kwarteng

    Alastair Campbell – 2022 Comments on the Dismissal of Kwasi Kwarteng

    The comments made by Alastair Campbell on Twitter on 14 October 2022.

    I know we are talking small sums compared to the many billions spaffed on extra borrowing costs, not to mention the Covid billions wasted and lost to incompetence and corruption. But another consequence of the constant ministerial merry go round under Johnson and Truss is the continuing cost to the public purse after these useless charlatans lose their jobs. Johnson gets a huge PM allowance for life. They get pay-offs/pensions that rise because they have been “ministers.” The system has to be changed. Incompetence cannot keep being rewarded

  • Nadhim Zahawi – 2022 Comments on Jeremy Hunt Becoming Chancellor

    Nadhim Zahawi – 2022 Comments on Jeremy Hunt Becoming Chancellor

    The comments made by Nadhim Zahawi, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on 14 October 2022.

    Congratulations to my friend Jeremy Hunt on becoming Chancellor. He is a successful businessman, a diligent and committed public servant and a good man. I’m looking forward to working with him, delivering on this Government’s promise to make a real difference to peoples lives.