Tag: News Story

STORY

Liz Truss, the Prime Minister between September and October 2022, has written an article in the Sunday Telegraph defending her time in office and repeating her economic vision. Truss defended her plan for economic growth, but said that:

“At no point during any of the preparations for the mini-Budget had any concerns about liability-driven investments (LDIs) and the risk they posed to bond markets been mentioned at all to me, the chancellor or any of our teams by officials at the Treasury”.

She added that “astonishingly, it turns out that the value of total assets in LDI strategies is equivalent to around 60 per cent of the UK’s GDP” and that the workings of these mechanisms helped to damage her economic plans. Truss added that “knowing what I know now, undoubtedly I would have handled things differently. I underestimated the extent to which the market was on edge and, like many others, was not aware of how fragile our system had become”, also admitting that she wasn’t a slick communicator.

In an attempt to salvage her economic plans, she condemned in the article a number of figures, including the President of the United States and other establishment figures, adding:

“I assumed upon entering Downing Street that my mandate would be respected and accepted. How wrong I was. While I anticipated resistance to my programme from the system, I underestimated the extent of it”.

RESOURCES

Section of Liz Truss’s Article

EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS

Full Article in the Sunday Telegraph

STORY

Chris Heaton-Harris, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, has ordered an inquiry into the Omagh bombing on 15 August 1998. 29 people lost their lives in the attack in the Northern Ireland town, with 220 being injured in the bombing. The bombing was carried out by the Real IRA, a dissident group that opposed the Good Friday Agreement and was opposed to the Northern Ireland peace process. The attack was widely condemned by political leaders and the public, and it led to increased cooperation between the Irish and British governments in their efforts to combat terrorism. The Omagh bombing remains one of the deadliest acts of terrorism in Northern Ireland’s history.

Heaton-Harris said:

“The Omagh bomb was a horrific terrorist atrocity committed by the Real IRA, which caused untold damage to the families of those who were tragically killed and injured. Its impact was felt not just in Northern Ireland, but across the world.

Having carefully considered the judgment of the High Court, I believe that an independent statutory inquiry is the most appropriate form of further investigation to address the grounds identified by the Court.

I would like to thank the victims and survivors and all those affected by the Omagh bomb for their patience whilst I have reflected on the judgment and taken into account a range of sensitive, complex and technical factors”.

RESOURCES

Government Press Release

DUP Press Release

EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS

Guardian News Story

STORY

The Bank of England has confirmed that interest rates will increase by 0.5% to 4%, its highest level in 14 years. The Bank said in a statement:

“The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sets monetary policy to meet the 2% inflation target, and in a way that helps to sustain growth and employment. At its meeting ending on 1 February 2023, the MPC voted by a majority of 7–2 to increase Bank Rate by 0.5 percentage points, to 4%. Two members preferred to maintain Bank Rate at 3.5%”.

RESOURCES

Bank of England Press Release

EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS

Guardian News Story

STORY

Kim Johnson, the Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, has apologised after earlier on calling Israel a “fascist state” during questions to the Prime Minister today in the House of Commons. After a meeting with the Labour Chief Whip, Johnson said she wanted to withdraw the comments and said that they were “insensitive”.

RESOURCES

Kim Johnson MP

Text of Remarks in Commons

EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS

BBC News Story

STORY

The British Medical Association, BMA, have issued a report which has warned that hospitals have become “unsafe and undignified” under current conditions. They warned that “there were 1,593 excess deaths in England and Wales in the week to 30 December. Deaths in hospitals were 14.8 per cent above the five-year average” and that “the urgent and emergency care system is broken”.

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, has said earlier in the month during a keynote speech that:

“At a time when we’re putting record sums into the NHS and recruiting record numbers of Doctors and Nurses healthcare professionals are still unable to deliver the care they want and patients aren’t receiving the care they deserve. So we need to recognise that something has to change”.

RESOURCES

BMA Press Release

Rishi Sunak’s Speech

EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS

BMA

NB – The British Medical Association (BMA) is a professional organisation and trade union for doctors in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1832, it represents over 160,000 doctors and medical students across the country. The BMA provides support, advice and representation for its members, and works to promote the interests of the medical profession and improve healthcare for patients. It also provides a voice for doctors in debates about health policy and medical ethics. The BMA is a leading advocate for the rights and well-being of doctors and patients, and plays an important role in shaping healthcare policy and practice in the UK.

STORY

Peray Ahmet, the Labour leader of Haringey Council has defended renaming Black Boy Lane in the borough with the new name of La Rose Lane following vandalism of new signage. After the signage was repaired by the council a new large sign with the street’s old name was placed above the council’s new sign. Ahmet said in a statement:

“Now is the time to move forward and come together to honour the legacy of John La Rose and the many other black residents who have made such a huge contribution in the borough. I fully understand that this is a decision that has generated passionate responses and our Corporate Committee took those full range of views into consideration when deciding to change the name of the road”.

Robert Poll, the founder of Save our Statues had said that £180,000 had been spent on the renaming, adding:

“This move is representative of the current impulse to hunt out racism and offence where there is none as a performative display of virtuousness”.

An investigation by Full Fact found that the expected cost of the name change was likely to be less than £100,000, but earlier estimates published by Haringey Council had been higher and did approach £180,000.

RESOURCES

Councillor Database – Peray Ahmet

EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS

BBC News Story

Devon Live – Exeter Council Refuses to Rename Blackboy Road

Haringey Council – Decision and Background of Changing Road Name

Full Fact – Investigation into Cost

STORY

New research from the IMF suggests that the UK will be the only G7 economy to see a shrinking GDP level in 2023. Updating its predictions, it noted that the downgrade of predicted growth was made because of the UK’s high energy prices, higher mortgage costs, increased taxation and problems with supply of labour. The IMF has though upgraded their forecast to show an increase of UK GDP in 2024 from 0.6% to 0.9%.

Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:

“Short-term challenges should not obscure our long-term prospects – the UK outperformed many forecasts last year, and if we stick to our plan to halve inflation, the UK is still predicted to grow faster than Germany and Japan over the coming years”.

RESOURCES

IMF Web-Site

EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS

BBC News Story

Guardian News Story

STORY

Arthur Lamb, the youngest councillor on Cumbria County Council, has died at the age of 31. He had been elected onto the council in 2017 and was the Conservative’s Shadow Cabinet member for Customers, Transformation and Fire & Rescue. Hilary Carrick, the Conservative group leader on the council, said in a statement:

“There are no words to describe my sadness at hearing the tragic news of Arthur’s untimely passing. Quite simply, he was an amazing young man who was universally loved and respected. He was a very talented politician and hugely effective County councillor who worked tirelessly for the local community that he loved. Arthur had a maturity and wisdom that exceeded his years and his considered contributions, positivity, dedication, enthusiasm and cheeky grin will be hugely missed. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends at this very difficult time”.

The funeral will take place on 6 February 2023 at Distington’s Church of the Holy Spirit.

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Trust, who Arthur worked for, said in a statement:

“Our Arthur worked at West Cumberland Hospital in the information team and had recently taken on a secondment as a deputy service manager. He will be very sadly missed by his colleagues at the trust and our thoughts are with his family, many friends and colleagues at this very difficult time. His colleagues have shared their tribute – Just over seven years ago Our Arthur walked into the information office at the West Cumberland Hospital – a unique wonderful gentle giant of a young man at 6ft 2in (Arthur always reminded us of the two inches).

Over the years we have had many happy memories of our time together with Arthur, debating and discussing issues about work, cricket and politics – the odd friendly disagreement too which Arthur thoroughly enjoyed with a twinkle in his eyes. Arthur was a kind generous dedicated person in all aspects of his life from coaching young players at Whitehaven Cricket Club to running out of the office to quickly help a member of staff who was struggling with IT issues.

Every Friday we would go to the canteen (his favourite place) and he’d laugh about his squeaky shoes which could be heard along the corridor and everyone who passed knew him. Arthur will never be far from our thoughts, we will miss him terribly and treasure our time together with him. Thank you Arthur for being you and for being our friend”.

RESOURCES

Press Release from Cumbria County Council

EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS

BBC News Story

Cumbria Crack News Story

STORY

Nadhim Zahawi has been sacked as the Chair of the Conservative Party by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, following an investigation by Sir Laurie Magnus, the Prime Minister’s Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests. Magnus wrote in his letter that Zahawi had failed to report numerous aspects of a tax investigation, concluding “I consider that these omissions constitute a serious failure to meet the standards set out in the Ministerial Code”. Zahawi had refused to resign from his role, but following the investigation Sunak wrote to him noting:

“Following the completion of the Independent Adviser’s investigation – the findings of which he has shared with us both – it is clear that there has been a serious breach of the Ministerial Code. As a result, I have informed you of my decision to remove you from your position in His Majesty’s Government”.

Dan Neidle had investigated tax affairs over recent years and the former Conservative Party chair had threatened him with legal action with Zahawi yet to comment on why he decided to take that approach.

RESOURCES

Letter from Rishi Sunak to Nadhim Zahawi

Letter from Sir Laurie Magnus to Rishi Sunak

Nadhim Zahawi – Letter to Rishi Sunak Following Dismissal

Nadhim Zahawi – Statement on His Tax Affairs

News Story – Prime Minister to Launch Investigation into Nadhim Zahawi’s Tax Affairs

Dan Neidle – Article on Nadhim Zahawi’s Tax Affairs

EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS

Guardian News Story

STORY

Cameron Beart, a Conservative Councillor on both Swale Borough Council and Kent County Council, has died at the age of 31. Gordon Henderson, the Conservative MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, told the Kent Online that:

“Cameron worked very closely with us on a number of issues affecting Sheppey and helped resolve the problems of so many people on the Island. On a personal level, I will not only miss Cameron’s invaluable help, sound advice, and common sense but also his loyalty and friendship”.

Roger Gough, the Conservative Leader on Kent County Council, said in a statement:

“In his time on this council and throughout his political career, it is clear that Cameron was totally dedicated, first and foremost, to improving the lives of people on the Isle of Sheppey, and a fierce fighter for the island and all who live there. It’s hard to comprehend that someone so young and with such a promising future ahead of him is no longer here. He will be sorely missed by us all”.

RESOURCES

Cameron Beart Councillor Database (Swale Borough Council)

Cameron Beart Councillor Database (Kent County Council)

Cameron Beart’s Twitter Account

EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS

Kent Online Report of Mr Beart’s Death

BBC News Story