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Tag: 2022

  • PRESS RELEASE : Newcastle City Council vows to support people through cost-of-living crisis [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Newcastle City Council vows to support people through cost-of-living crisis [October 2022]

    The press release issued by Newcastle City Council on 5 October 2022.

    The measures are focused on immediate action.

    An outreach team has been set up to help people struggling with rising energy, food, and rent costs to help access services and advice.

    The authority will have a network of winter wellbeing spaces including community centres and libraries where people can go to stay warm while accessing free wi-fi, help and advice, learning new skills and taking part in activities such as cookery classes.

    The council is also encouraging other organisations to make contact to propose any warm zones they can offer.

    Other ways the council will help communities to get through the winter include:

    • A seven-day a week hotline offering advice and support
    • Grants to organisations to help support winter wellbeing spaces.
    • Extending school holiday activities over October half term and Christmas holidays which will include a meal
    • Supporting the Food Newcastle Network in giving residents food parcels seven days a week
    • Opening-up access to meals on wheels
    • Quickly distributing financial help such as energy grants, council tax rebates and crisis support

    Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Nick Kemp, said: “We have a long and proud history of helping each other, and the amazing response across our communities and neighbourhoods during Covid showed the strength and resilience of Newcastle.

    “We also know that there is only so much that we can do. We  believe that the government and the energy companies should be doing a lot more to help people and we will be continuing to press government to provide the support to help people who have real needs to address the pressures of soaring energy costs along with rising inflation

    “We knew when we took over the leadership we needed to prepare for difficult times because we saw unemployment at 5.3%, 16% of our residents are already in fuel poverty. We identified three core priorities for the council; poverty, cost-of-living crisis and zero carbon.

    “However, the recent mini budget illustrated how government has chosen to ignore what is clearly a crisis for so many people.

    “We know that the cost-of-living crisis is placing incredible pressures on our residents, and we are committed to doing all that we can to help them.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Mayor urges Londoners to take-up their COVID and flu vaccines [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Mayor urges Londoners to take-up their COVID and flu vaccines [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 11 October 2022.

    • The NHS is offering a COVID booster and flu vaccine to a wide range of Londoners to help reduce the impact of the viruses
    • Sadiq called on eligible Londoners to get their vaccines as soon as possible as he received his vaccinations
    • GP surgeries and pharmacies are among those offering the vaccines this winter

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today urged eligible Londoners to get their COVID booster and flu vaccine as soon as possible to reduce the threat of a ‘twindemic’ this winter. Sadiq received both vaccines at a pharmacy in Tooting this morning after being invited due to his severe asthma.

    The Mayor called on Londoners to book an appointment to help protect themselves, their loved ones and the NHS, as health leaders warned that the viruses could increase pressures on already stretched hospitals and other healthcare services.

    COVID cases have been increasing in London with nearly 1,000 people currently in hospital, and health experts have warned that catching the potentially life-threatening viruses at the same time makes you even more likely to become seriously ill.

    The NHS is offering the two vaccines across the capital with more than 400 GP surgeries, pharmacies and vaccine hubs, and is working hard to roll them out to a range of eligible Londoners, including frontline health and care workers, those aged 50 and over, as well as those who are pregnant or have underlying health conditions. Children aged between 2–14 years are being offered the flu vaccination through a nasal spray.

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Thanks to the success of the lifesaving COVID vaccine, our city is thankfully in a completely different place to where we were this time last year, but with winter coming it’s really important that we all remember that COVID-19 and the flu have not gone away. Both of these diseases can be life-threatening, and we must do all we can to protect ourselves and reduce the chances of a ‘twindemic’ adding further pressure on our hospitals and healthcare services. I urge Londoners who are eligible to take-up the offer of a flu vaccine and COVID booster as soon as possible for the good of themselves, their loved ones and the NHS.”

    Dr Chris Streather, medical director for the NHS in London, said: “Over half a million Londoners have already protected themselves against severe illness by getting their COVID-19 autumn booster vaccine. But with experts warning of the threat of COVID-19 and flu creating a ‘twindemic’ this winter, there is no time for complacency so we’re urging all eligible Londoners to get their COVID-19 and flu vaccines as soon as possible. If, for any reason you have not yet had your autumn booster, I would strongly urge you to come forward as soon as possible and get protected – the vaccine remains the best protection against serious illness and hospitalisation from COVID-19 this winter.”

  • Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya – 2022 Comments on Belarus and the Russian Attack on Ukraine

    Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya – 2022 Comments on Belarus and the Russian Attack on Ukraine

    The comments made by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of the Belarusian democratic movement, on Twitter on 11 October 2022.

    This is our position:

    ?Belarus must officially withdraw from ?? war participation.
    ?Every ?? soldier must leave Belarus unconditionally.
    ?All involved in ?? attack from Belarus must be held accountable.
    ?Democratic Belarus & ?? should build an alliance against ?? aggression.

  • Eddie Izzard – 2022 Comments on Standing for Labour in Sheffield Central

    Eddie Izzard – 2022 Comments on Standing for Labour in Sheffield Central

    The comments made by Eddie Izzard on Twitter on 11 October 2022.

    Labour ideals of fairness and equality have been at the core of my life. I’m standing to be the next Labour MP for Sheffield Central to support the city that has supported me.

    Please join me, in taking on this great challenge.

    eddieizzard.uk/

    For Sheffield. For Labour.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Social care winter plan set to be approved in Lancashire [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Social care winter plan set to be approved in Lancashire [October 2022]

    The press release issued by Lancashire County Council on 3 October 2022.

    A plan to support Lancashire’s adult social care services to cope with increased pressures over the winter period is set to be approved.

    There are always increased demands on hospital and community health services and social care in the winter.

    The colder weather and seasonal winter flu are key factors. Furthermore, in recent years, Covid-19 has also increased the pressure on the system.

    In addition, the increase in the cost of living and workforce recruitment issues are extra challenges the county council needs to address.

    The proposed winter plan sets out several measures that will help the county council to cope with these demands including providing:

    • an additional 550 crisis and Home First hours to support people to remain in their own home, reduce the likelihood of an admission to hospital or a care home and avoid delays in people being discharged from hospital into social care
    • 336 additional ‘Crisis Plus’ hours providing enhanced short term support for people with complex care needs
    • up to 500 additional hours of reablement care to ensure people have the support and skills to live as independently as possible in their own homes, reducing the likelihood of them needing residential care or hospital treatment
    • new equipment and training to maximise use of the 115 rehabilitation and community beds in the county council’s care homes
    • a Positive Ageing and Mental Health Wellbeing pilot programme to support more older people living with conditions such as dementia by making use of intermediate care beds
    • staff recruitment schemes

    The plan will be considered by Lancashire County Council’s cabinet at its meeting on Thursday 6 October.

    County Councillor Graham Gooch, cabinet member for adult social care, said: “This plan is crucial in helping us address pressures on health and social care in the winter.

    “There are many different challenges posed by issues such as the cold weather, Covid and the rise in the cost of living.

    “Increasing crisis care and reablement hours to ensure people can continue to live independently in their own home will reduce reliance on hospitals and residential care.

    “We’re also piloting the innovative Positive Ageing and Mental Health wellbeing programme, working with our partners to make the best use of the resources we have to ensure people with conditions such as dementia have the support they need.

    “We will continue to work closely with care providers to ensure we have a stable workforce across the care system and can quickly address any problems as they arise.

    “Our cabinet will consider these plans at its next meeting.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Plans submitted for a new railway station in north-west Preston [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Plans submitted for a new railway station in north-west Preston [October 2022]

    The press release issued by Lancashire County Council on 10 October 2022.

    Plans have been submitted for a new railway station in Preston, which will improve access to travel, work and leisure opportunities in the region.

    A planning application has been submitted to Lancashire County Council for the new Cottam Parkway station. The plans have been developed by the county council, working with Preston City Council and Network Rail.

    Cottam Parkway is a proposed new railway station on the north-west side of the city, on the Blackpool to Preston railway line.

    The new railway station, between Lea and Cottam, would improve travel connections to Preston, Blackpool and Manchester, and further afield.

    It would give a connection to Preston station of just five minutes and to Blackpool in 20 minutes.

    County Councillor Charlie Edwards, Cabinet member for highways and transport at the county council, said: “The planning application is a big step forward in delivering this new railway station, which will open up new opportunities for people and be a gateway to other parts of the region.

    “We’ve made some important changes to the design since we announced the plans. We’ve added native scrubs, trees and native species-rich grassland on a field near the station to provide an overall boost to biodiversity from this scheme and help wildlife, which will also give a 10% biodiversity net gain for the project.

    “We’re already in talks with the Department for Transport and rail operators to get as many services as possible serving the station.”

    If the plans are given the go-ahead, construction would begin next year.

    The new railway station would be situated between Lea Road and Sidgreaves Lane / Darkinson Lane, near to the site of the former station, and provide a car park with bus, cycling and walking links to the local area. Other planned sustainability measures include electric vehicle charger points, a ‘green’ planted roof and solar panels on the railway station.

    The proposed mitigation includes planting to the south of the railway line between the Ashton and Lea golf course and the bridge at Darkinson Lane and of the railway cottages. These areas would boost biodiversity on this site.

    Directly connected to the new Preston Western Distributor Road, the railway station would provide an attractive and convenient option for people travelling from the west side of the city, including those who currently park at Preston Railway Station to catch their train.

    Councillor David Borrow, Cabinet member for planning and regulation at Preston City Council, said:

    “We are pleased to hear that the plans for the Cottam Parkway – much needed infrastructure for the North West Preston development – are progressing well. We believe the plans to improve the transport offer in Preston, with a focus on low carbon journeys and green travel, are essential in helping our transport networks meet the current and future needs of our growing and developing communities, businesses and visitor numbers.

    “The plans provide the sustainable transport networks needed to support economic growth in Preston and outline essential and transformational ways to relieve congestion and pressure on roads, as well as promote alternative means of travel. Together with our partners, we continue to explore every opportunity available to enhance and develop Preston, including transport and connections in and around the city.”

    Funding for the station has comes from the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund and the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal.

    The City Deal is an agreement between Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and Preston City Council, South Ribble Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, along with central government and Homes England.

    The Transforming Cities funding will allow the county council to work with partners to fundamentally change the way people travel into and around Preston city centre, and improve the local environment.

    The TCF funding from the Department for Transport marks the first stage of a vision to transform the wider Preston City Region to continue to be one of the most productive city regions in the UK, and also become one of the most environmentally sustainable, people-friendly and attractive places in the UK to live, work and enjoy.

    Find out more information about the station proposals at: www.lancashire.gov.uk/CottamStation

  • PRESS RELEASE : Date of Coronation of His Majesty The King Confirmed as 6 May 2023 [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Date of Coronation of His Majesty The King Confirmed as 6 May 2023 [October 2022]

    The press release issued by Buckingham Palace on 11 October 2022.

    Buckingham Palace is pleased to announce that the Coronation of His Majesty The King will take place on Saturday 6th May, 2023.

    The Coronation Ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey, London, and will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

    The Ceremony will see His Majesty King Charles III crowned alongside The Queen Consort.

    The Coronation will reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.

    Further details will be announced in due course.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Helping detect cancer earlier [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Helping detect cancer earlier [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 10 October 2022.

    Rapid Diagnostic Services to be established in a further two areas.

    New Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services will be established in NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Borders, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

    The services are supported by more than £600,000 and will help speed up cancer diagnoses through a new fast-track primary care route to refer patients with non-specific symptoms, such as weight loss, fatigue and nausea that may raise concerns about the possibility of cancer.

    This builds on the three Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services already in operation in NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Fife, and Dumfries & Galloway, which have seen hundreds of patients referred since they were first established in Spring 2021. Early data shows around 16% of referrals have gone on to be diagnosed with cancer, with around 20% receiving a non-cancer diagnosis and many others being discharged or referred onto primary care for non-cancer related treatment.

    NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Borders plan to establish a pathway which will see patients receive an outcome within 21 days from referral.

    The First Minister said:

    “The best chance of surviving cancer remains early detection and treatment. Over the past year, we have established three new rapid cancer diagnostic services – in Ayrshire & Arran, Dumfries & Galloway and Fife. They have already supported hundreds of patients.

    “More than one in seven of people referred to a fast track service were found to have cancer. Around half of them were from the poorest parts of the country – so these services are helping tackle health inequality too.

    “I’m delighted to confirm today that two more services will open next year – one in the Borders and one in Lanarkshire. And by the end of this Parliament there will be a Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service in every heath board in Scotland.” 

    Background

    The first year of Scotland’s Early Cancer Diagnostic Centres

    An interim report on the first three early adopter sites, from the University of Strathclyde, is expected later this month, which will reflect on the first year of the services running.

    All patients that come through a Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service are given a navigator from the point of referral to support them and their families throughout the process.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Supporting a green energy revolution [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Supporting a green energy revolution [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 10 October 2022.

    Just Transition Fund awards announced.

    Projects across the North East and Moray will receive a share of over £50 million to accelerate the energy transition and secure future jobs in the region.

    A total of 22 projects will receive funding, including investments in: research and innovation; new green skills training facilities; pilots for emerging energy technologies and projects that will get businesses ready for the supply chain opportunities to come from the energy sector’s transition to net zero.

    The awards are the first from the Scottish Government’s flagship Just Transition Fund, which is investing £500 million over ten years in the North East and Moray to support the region’s transition away from fossil fuels and towards a low-carbon economy.

    The First Minister said:

    “Aberdeen is the oil and gas capital of Europe. Let us resolve today to make it the net zero capital of the world. That ambition led us to establish the £500 million Just Transition Fund for this region.

    “Today I can announce the first 22 projects have just been awarded funding of more than £50 million. These projects will support the production of green hydrogen, the development of wave and tidal technology, and even pioneer the use of waste from whisky to recycle EV batteries. And, they will focus on the skills our existing workforce need to take advantage of the renewables revolution.

    “Incredible Scottish ingenuity here in the North-East, supported by the Scottish Government, developing technologies to tackle the global climate emergency. It is exciting, inspiring stuff.”

    Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work, Richard Lochhead, said:

    “Scotland is perfectly placed to lead the development of a green energy revolution. We are already at the forefront of the global development of offshore wind, as well as being world leaders in wave and tidal energy technologies. Others, such as hydrogen also promise to be game changers for our economy.

    “As we embark on our energy transition we can build on the oil and gas industry’s expertise and ingenuity to transition to a clean energy future. This will help us achieve our net zero targets and create good green jobs as well as tackle inequalities in our society.

    “The decades ahead must be a just transition and that means we must not leave anyone behind. We must ensure this economic transformation is managed fairly for workers in existing industries and the communities they support. I welcome the many ambitious projects that have come forward from North East Scotland and Moray as a result of our invitation to the region to co-design its future.”

    A Just Transition Fund was a key commitment in the Bute House Agreement, the shared policy programme between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party. This funding will enable new research projects in areas such as green hydrogen farming and nature-based solutions in the land use sector, as well as support for the construction sector to decarbonise and a pilot for solvent recovery from batteries.

    John McDonald, CEO of OPITO, one of the successful recipients, said:

    “With UK offshore energy jobs forecast to grow to more than 211,000 by 2030, it’s vital we prepare and empower a diverse, agile and adaptable workforce, nurturing the skills we need in oil and gas, offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen.

    “With a third of the UK offshore energy workforce based in Scotland, this is both a challenge, and opportunity for Scotland to be a leader in the energy transition. Supporting workers to get the training they need to transition from one sector of the offshore energy industry to another is essential.

    “This critical funding will help deliver the Energy Skills Passport, a digital solution that will transform how offshore energy workers transition between sectors, while also meeting the commitments of the North Sea Transition Deal and several of the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Outcomes.”

    Pat Rafferty, Unite Scottish Secretary speaking on behalf of the STUC, said:

    “We warmly welcome the funding by the Scottish Government to support the operation of the energy skills passport.

    “It’s vital to deliver a system where workers can easily make the transition between onshore and offshore energy industries. The passport will also streamline onshore and offshore training programmes to further enable workers to move between companies and industries.

    “An important aspect of the passport will be that it will help identify to all stakeholders where there are skills gaps and shortages which can shape appropriate policy responses so that we can deliver a Just Transition and net zero economy.”

    Background

    The Just Transition Fund (JTF) is a £500 million ten-year commitment that will support projects in the North East and Moray which contribute towards the region’s transition to net zero.

    A total of 22 projects have been announced in the first year of the Fund, taking the total financial commitment to date to £51.6 million. Full details of all projects awarded funding can be viewed on the Scottish Government website.

    Successful projects were selected following an invite to submit Expressions of Interest in May 2022. Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and Moray Council, as well as Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, provided expertise and local knowledge to assist the selection of the funded projects.

    In addition to the 22 projects, a £1 million Social Enterprise Just Transition Fund has also been established to provide direct support to social enterprises. A further £1.2 million has been allocated to develop a participatory budgeting strand of the Fund – which means communities in the North East and Moray will be able to design and vote on future just transition projects. £1 million will be allocation to participatory budgeting for each year of the Fund.

    The digital energy skills passport is one of the outcomes from the Aligning Offshore Energy Standards Action Plan, part of the overarching Integrated People and Skills Strategy.

  • Nicola Sturgeon – 2022 Comments on Tackling Child Poverty

    Nicola Sturgeon – 2022 Comments on Tackling Child Poverty

    The comments made by Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish First Minister, on 10 October 2022.

    I am proud of the work the Scottish Government is doing to tackle child poverty. The Scottish Child Payment is paid to eligible families and is unique in the United Kingdom. It started for under-6s at £10 per week per eligible child. In April we doubled it to £20. Five weeks from today we will increase it again, to £25 and will also extend it to families with children up to age 16.

    That is vital financial help for well over 100,000 children, delivered in time for Christmas. That is the sign of a government with the right priorities.

    But we need to do more because we know this winter is going to be really tough. Rather than looking forward to Christmas, too many families will be dreading it because they don’t know if they can afford to heat their homes or even pay for food.

    As part of our help to the poorest families over last year and this, ahead of rolling out the Scottish Child Payment to under 16s, we have made quarterly bridging payments of £130 to children and young people in receipt of free school meals.

    I am delighted that the Scottish Government will double the December Payment from £130 to £260.

    That will help put food on the Christmas table for families of 145,000 children and young people. I don’t pretend it will make all of their worries go away – no government with our limited powers can ever do that. But I hope this investment of almost £20 million will bring a bit of Christmas cheer to those who need it most.