Tag: 2022

  • PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Conservative welcome third Menai Bridge proposal [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Conservative welcome third Menai Bridge proposal [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Welsh Conservatives on 14 December 2022.

    The Welsh Conservatives have welcomed indications from the Welsh Government that a third bridge linking Anglesey to Great Britain is “very likely”.

    Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister Natasha Asghar MS said:

    “I fully support a third Menai bridge between Ynys Môn and North Wales, and look forward to this becoming a reality.

    “We have seen from residents in Anglesey just how difficult it has been for them – whether they’re workers or business owners – with the one of the two current bridges being closed after years of neglect.

    “Having three functioning bridges will be a huge boost to the economy and hugely complement a potential freeport and reopening of the Wylfa nuclear power plant.

    “We now need Labour ministers in Cardiff Bay to also end their ban on roadbuilding, scrap plans for 20mph default speed limits across Wales, and the 50mph zones on major roads because we can’t accelerate economic growth if politicians are slowing us down.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Local Government settlement reflects longstanding Welsh Conservative calls [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Local Government settlement reflects longstanding Welsh Conservative calls [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Welsh Conservatives on 14 December 2022.

    The Welsh Conservatives had long been calling for the enormous reserves held by many councils to be put to better use to ease the fiscal situation.

    Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Local Government Minister, Sam Rowlands MS said:

    “I welcome the funding settlements for councils that bares a degree of reflection to the substantial usable reserves held by some councils.

    “It is worth repeating these calls as the hundreds of millions of reserves could certainly be put to better use delivering frontline services to local people.

    “We were also pleased to see that our calls for fair funding for rural communities being listened to, with North Wales councils finally finding themselves in the top half of the table.”

    10 of the 22 Welsh councils had usable reserves of over £100 million. Rhondda Cynon Taf council had been sitting on £207 million, according to the Labour Government’s own figures.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Drakeford’s political choice not to discuss nurses pay [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Drakeford’s political choice not to discuss nurses pay [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Welsh Conservatives on 13 December 2022.

    The Leader of the Opposition accused the Labour First Minister of Wales of making a political choice not to talk to the Royal College of Nursing and other unions to prevent strike action over the coming weeks.

    Andrew RT Davies MS asked Mark Drakeford why no new offer was made to striking workers given the powers the Labour Government has over NHS pay and working conditions, as well as tax.

    The exchange comes after news of a man who had broken his hip was taken to hospital strapped to a plank in the back of a van after his granddaughter was told no ambulances were available.

    Commenting afterwards, Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies MS said:

    “Don’t let Labour ministers in Cardiff Bay pretend that this isn’t their own political choice.

    “Nurses and ambulance workers in Scotland paused strike action when they sat down and received a different pay offer, so it is totally disingenuous for the First Minister to say there is nothing he can do and blame others for something that is entirely a devolved responsibility.

    “If Mark Drakeford really wanted to improve the pay offer, he could use the tax levers he has at his fingertips. He could also discuss the working conditions of NHS staff.

    “Let us not forget that Labour’s mismanagement of the NHS means NHS staff and patients have to deal with the longest treatment waiting lists, worst A&E waits, and slowest ambulance responses in Britain.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Conservative comment on social care worker pay rise [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Conservative comment on social care worker pay rise [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Welsh Conservatives on 13 December 2022.

    Commenting, Welsh Conservative and Shadow Social Services Minister Gareth Davies MS said:

    “It is about time the Labour Government delivered on Welsh Conservative calls for a higher wage for social carers, something we called for in the last election.

    “It is a shame it took so long to deliver, especially when it would have cost only £9m last year to tie carer pay to NHS pay-scales.

    “Now we need to see the other improvements we want for carers from a right to respite to upskilling carers to take on more fulfilling responsibilities. This would be in addition to free bus travel and grants to access education, training, and employment for young carers.

    “The Budget has to be one of delivery, and this is what the Welsh Conservatives will be pushing for.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Conservative comment on the Labour budget [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Conservative comment on the Labour budget [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Welsh Conservatives on 13 December 2022.

    The Labour Government will be unveiling their draft budget on the 13th of December. They are likely to blame a lack of funds from the UK Government for their spending decisions.

    Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Finance Minister, Peter Fox MS said:

    “The Labour Government in Cardiff Bay have an opportunity with this Budget to fix the structural issues in Wales, from reducing Wales’ record waiting lists, to properly funding our education system, to unlocking the Welsh economy.

    “Labour may try to cry helplessness and pass the buck, but they possess the financial levers and have the decision-making powers. Labour needs to use the considerable additional funding from the UK Government to deliver a Budget that meets the needs of families and businesses.

    “The Welsh people’s priorities are rightly unblocking the social care system, investing in vital public services, tackling waiting times within the Welsh NHS and supporting families with the cost-of-living.
    “This has to be a Budget of delivery, and this is what the Welsh Conservatives will be pushing for.”

    Following the UK Conservative Government budget last month, Wales is to benefit from an extra £1.2 billion over the next two years. The Welsh Conservatives are arguing that this should be spent on tackling the NHS waiting lists.

    This follows on from the Spending Review where the Welsh Government budget would be on average £2.5 billion higher than the baseline for the next three years.

    The Welsh Government receives £1.20 for every £1 spent on public services in England, yet Welsh pupils receive £100 less a year compared to England.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Detectives renew appeal for photos and video of Brixton Academy crush [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Detectives renew appeal for photos and video of Brixton Academy crush [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Met Police on 30 December 2022.

    Detectives investigating the crushing incident at the O2 Brixton Academy continue to appeal for anyone with information, photos or video footage to come forward.

    Two people have died and a third remains in a critical condition in hospital following the incident that took place on the evening of Thursday, 15 December.

    Officers were first called to the venue at 21:04hrs following reports that a large crowd had gathered outside, the first crew arrived on scene soon after.

    A further call was made at 21:35hrs reporting that people were attempting to force entry into the venue.

    A number of people sustained serious injuries and were treated at the scene by staff, officers and London Ambulance Service paramedics.

    Two of those who were most seriously injured, 33-year-old Rebecca Ikumelo and 23-year-old Gaby Hutchinson, died at hospital in the days that followed. A 21-year-old woman remains in a critical condition.

    Detective Superintendent Dave Kennett, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “A team of detectives with expertise in complex investigations is working to establish exactly what happened before and during this incident.

    “We know there were thousands of people in and around the venue. Many of them will have seen what happened and some may have been caught up in the crush themselves.

    “What they have to tell us is really important and we are urging them to come forward.

    “As part of the investigation we are carrying out a comprehensive analysis of any available CCTV footage. However we are also very keen to obtain and view any other footage filmed on the night.

    “We know from some videos shared on social media immediately after the incident that there were many people caught up in the crowds outside, in the entrances and in the atrium of the venue. Some of those people had their phones out and were likely filming or taking photos.

    “That footage or those images could include detail that will help us to better piece together exactly what took place and why. Two people have died and a third is still very seriously injured and we owe it to them, their families and anyone else affected by this incident to do leave no stone unturned.”

    There are a number of options for providing information to assist investigating officers:

    Call police the police non-emergency number on 101, providing the reference 6725/15DEC.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ending the war in Ukraine should become important for every country in the world, this is exactly what the Ukrainian Peace Formula provides for – Andriy Yermak [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ending the war in Ukraine should become important for every country in the world, this is exactly what the Ukrainian Peace Formula provides for – Andriy Yermak [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 29 December 2022.

    Ukraine is interested in the Ukrainian Peace Formula being supported by as many countries as possible, so it is preparing a peace summit that can be held on the UN platform. This was announced by Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak in an interview with TV presenter Natalia Moseichuk.

    “The President proposed to hold this summit precisely on the UN platform. We see it as a General Assembly and at the same time a summit. The support of the majority of countries for this peace plan is important to us. It is crucial to ensure that every country in the world considers it very important to end the war in Ukraine. And to end this war precisely on Ukrainian terms,” Andriy Yermak explained.

    According to him, every country can find a point in the Ukrainian Peace Formula, the implementation of which will be important for it personally.

    “For someone it will be food security, for someone it will be environmental security, for someone – nuclear security. Zelenskyy’s plan is designed in such a way that each country can find for itself where it can be a leader,” said the Head of the President’s Office.

    He also emphasized that this plan was developed on the basis of the UN Charter and norms of international law.

    “That is, today it is very difficult even for countries that take a neutral position to stand against any point of the plan,” Andriy Yermak said.

    He emphasized that the President’s idea was precisely that such neutral countries as India, Brazil, other countries of Latin America and Asia should also see their interest in the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and be interested in ending this war.

    “So that, firstly, they exert pressure on the Russian Federation, and secondly, they are not interested in helping the Russian Federation to continue this war. And you know that today, unfortunately, some countries even help circumvent the sanctions, which have become very specific and targeted over the past ten months,” Andriy Yermak summarized.

  • PRESS RELEASE : President of Ukraine met with the Minister of the Armed Forces of France [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : President of Ukraine met with the Minister of the Armed Forces of France [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 28 December 2022.

    President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Minister of the Armed Forces of France Sébastien Lecornu, who is on a visit to our country.

    The Head of State highly appreciated the solidarity and support that France and personally President Emmanuel Macron provide to Ukraine in the face of Russia’s full-scale armed aggression. “I want to thank President Macron for his comprehensive assistance to Ukraine, especially in this difficult time. I am also grateful to the President’s wife for supporting humanitarian efforts, and to French society for such a warm and extremely responsible attitude towards Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

    The Head of State noted the successful holding in Paris of the International Conference on supporting Ukraine in the winter period, as a result of which additional emergency aid to our country in the amount of 1 billion euros was announced.

    “Under the leadership of President Macron, a record amount of aid to our state was collected – financial, humanitarian, as well as generators. In this difficult time of challenges to Ukraine’s energy security, this was an important gesture on the part of the French Republic,” he noted.

    Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed Sébastien Lecornu about the situation at the front and Ukraine’s current defense needs. The Head of State thanked for the military assistance provided by France aimed at protecting Ukrainian skies and strengthening the capabilities of the defense forces, in particular, with Crotale anti-aircraft missile systems and Caesar self-propelled artillery systems. Further practical steps to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities with the support of France were discussed.

    Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of liberating all temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine in order to restore stability in the region and return to world order. In this context, the President talked about the Ukrainian Peace Formula and the planned holding of the Global Peace Summit. He expressed hope that France would take the lead in one or more elements of the formula.

    The parties exchanged views on topical issues of Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine.

    The Minister of the Armed Forces of France conveyed friendly greetings from Emmanuel Macron to the Head of State and, on behalf of the French President, assured of the continuation of effective defense support for Ukraine next year.

  • PRESS RELEASE : In order to build a successful Ukraine, it is necessary to continue to resolutely and systematically eradicate corruption – Andriy Yermak [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : In order to build a successful Ukraine, it is necessary to continue to resolutely and systematically eradicate corruption – Andriy Yermak [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 19 December 2022.

    Open and transparent reconstruction processes, equal and comfortable rules for investors are the basic conditions for the success of Ukraine and its accelerated economic growth. That is why our state seeks to become a member of the OECD Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions. This was stated by Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak at the event “Cooperation with the OECD and new horizons for the Ukrainian anti-corruption agenda: the responsibility of legal entities”.

    “Ahead is an extremely difficult struggle. But we will certainly expel the occupier’s troops from our land. After that, we will have to restore what was destroyed. In order to build a successful Ukraine, it is necessary to continue to resolutely and systematically eradicate corruption. Open and transparent reconstruction processes, equal, fair and comfortable rules for investors are the basic conditions for success,” he said during his speech.

    The Head of the Office of the President called the large-scale inflow of investments in Ukraine for accelerated economic growth a success in this context. He believes that our country’s membership in the OECD Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions will contribute to this process.

    Today, Andriy Yermak thanked Chair of the OECD Working Group Drago Kos and all its members for the decision to grant Ukraine the status of a participant.

    “This vote was historic and showed us and the world that we are moving in the right direction in this area. I emphasize: this decision is not a gift to Ukraine. This is the result of our hard work on the way to the highest anti-corruption standards,” said the Head of the President’s Office and assured that every member of the Working Group realizes that after this decision we need to work even harder, because membership in the OECD Working Group is Ukraine’s ultimate goal.

    He also expressed gratitude to Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Ukraine Christopher Smith.

    “Thanks to the support of the American Embassy, we have expert power. Therefore, our movement towards the goal is much faster,” stated the Head of the Office of the President.

    Regarding the topic of the event “Cooperation with the OECD and new horizons for the Ukrainian anti-corruption agenda: the responsibility of legal entities”, Andriy Yermak noted that the responsibility of legal entities is a difficult topic for discussion among academics and practicing lawyers. However, in his opinion, it is only through cooperation that it is possible to develop the best option for the implementation of this norm in Ukrainian legislation.

    “The rules on the liability of legal entities for bribing foreign officials should work effectively and bring us closer to the standards of the OECD Convention,” he said.

    Separately, the Head of the President’s Office thanked Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, who also took part in the event, for his leadership in the law-making process. Andriy Yermak wished the participants of the round table a fruitful discussion.

    “I thank all of you for the fact that, despite the difficult circumstances, you found an opportunity to contribute to bringing Ukraine closer to OECD standards and overcoming our internal enemy,” Andriy Yermak emphasized.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Office of representative of President in Crimea plays leading role in shaping Ukraine’s state policies on de-occupation, reintegration of peninsula [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Office of representative of President in Crimea plays leading role in shaping Ukraine’s state policies on de-occupation, reintegration of peninsula [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 17 December 2022.

    The Office of Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, on behalf of the Head of State, is working on developing bills to protect the rights of Ukrainian citizens in the temporarily occupied territories, launching new initiatives to support the indigenous peoples of Ukraine, expanding the geography of the Crimea Platform, as well as strengthening sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation in view of Crimea issues.

    After the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, the Office of Representative of the President of Ukraine in Crimea continued working effectively on the implementation of the Strategy of De-occupation and Reintegration of Crimea despite the effect of martial law and heavy criminal shelling by the occupiers, who are trying to leave Ukrainians without electricity and heat.

    In addition, by his decree, the Head of State created a national office of the Crimea Platform on the basis of the Office of Representative and instructed to start work on the development of the internal track of the Crimea Platform.

    In just one year of its existence, the Crimea Platform managed to raise the issue of de-occupation of Crimea to a much higher international level and prevent the world from forgetting that the Russian Federation’s war against Ukraine began with Crimea and will end in Crimea.

    By order of the President, a clear and detailed plan of priority steps for the reintegration of Crimea is being developed, which include the restoration of the functioning of public authorities, the prosecution of collaborators, amnesty and lustration, verification of documents and review of illegal decisions of occupation courts. A vision of the economic recovery of Crimea after its de-occupation, which is filled with clear projects, has been separately shaped.

    “The main message we are trying to convey now is that de-occupation is not just about liberating territories, but primarily about our people who live there. It is important for us that they know: you have not been forgotten, and every day we are bringing our victory closer for you. De-occupation is only a matter of time, which is why we are actively working with international partners and organizations, diplomats, ambassadors and parliamentarians to be ready. We are ready to restore our Ukrainian Crimea,” Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Tamila Tasheva said.

    The Office of the President congratulates the Office of Representative of the President of Ukraine in Crimea on the 30th anniversary of its establishment. Let the Office celebrate its 31st anniversary in its native office – in the free Ukrainian city of Simferopol!

    Crimea is Ukraine! Ukraine will win!