Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Shadow Monetary Policy Committee votes to increase Bank Rate to 3 per cent [November 2022]
The press release issued by the IEA on 1 November 2022.

Shadow Monetary Policy Committee votes to increase Bank Rate to 3 per cent

The Committee were split on the size of the rate rise and on whether to continue with quantitative tightening
- - The IEA’s Shadow Monetary Policy Committee (SMPC) has recommended that interest rates be raised by 75 basis points (0.75 per cent) to 3 per cent.
- - Members were split five ways on the size of the rate rise, ranging from leaving rates unchanged to raising Bank rate by 1.0 per cent.
- - There was also no consensus on the operation of quantitative tightening (QT), with two members advocating actively reversing QT and undertaking quantitative easing.
During the quarterly SPMC meeting, members noted that monetary growth is now consistent with a return of inflation to target. They differed mainly in their sense of how much need there is to re-establish Bank of England credibility and the extent to which one needs, at this point, to run with market expectations as opposed to provide the market with surprises to have an impact.

More hawkish members emphasised how far the Bank of England has been behind the curve over the past eighteen months and consider it urgent for the Bank to get ahead of inflation now, both to ensure that high inflation expectations do not become embedded in wage-setting and other economic agent decisions and to control market volatility.

Others emphasised that the mistakes of the past are in the past and that, starting from here, the position is that monetary growth does not need to be curtailed further. It was also noted that with the change of government fiscal policy is now likely to be excessively tight, meaning that recession does much of the work in returning inflation to target, so monetary policy needs to do less.

It should be noted that this is amongst the largest splits in voting that the Shadow MPC has ever experienced, and illustrates the very considerable uncertainty that currently exists as to the best way forward for UK economic policy.
November 6, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Scottish Conservatives hold vote on ‘reckless’ SNP National Care Service [November 2022]

The press release issued on 2 November 2022 by the Scottish Conservative Party.

The SNP have today voted against keeping care local in a debate over ‘reckless’ plans for a ‘National Care Service’.

The debate was brought forward by Scottish Conservative MSP Craig Hoy, after a wave of recent criticism for the £1.3 billion-plus centralisation project.

Councils, charities and care providers are worried that the SNP’s costly plans will do more harm than good. And even some of the SNP’s own MSPs have raised their heads above the parapet to express concerns over how the SNP Government will fund the NCS.

Meanwhile the government’s finance watchdog, Audit Scotland, is warning that the already eye-watering predicted costs of £1.3 billon are likely to be an underestimate.

Humza Yousaf continues to sail towards the iceberg – having already done his best to sink our National Health Service.

Under Humza Yousaf, our NHS and social care systems are already in crisis.

Yet instead of taking concrete measures to properly fund and improve social care at the local level, the SNP want to embark on a massive restructuring which will divert funds away from frontline care and into the pockets of civil servants and administrators.

Despite all these warnings, Humza Yousaf continues to sail towards the iceberg – having already done his best to sink our National Health Service.

But there’s still time to avert disaster.

The SNP may have ignored the Scottish Conservatives’ common-sense calls, but they must not proceed with these vague, reckless and largely uncosted plans for a National Care Service.

The SNP should U-turn on their plans and put every penny back into local care services instead.

We want to see a Local Care Service that empowers communities, underpinned by a guarantee that people can get care in their local area, close to their family and support networks, instead of the cruel ‘out of area’ care that may become more common under this centralised system.

If the SNP go ahead with their wasteful plans, it will be overstretched care workers, vulnerable patients and their families who suffer.

November 6, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Louise O’Reilly TD offers solidarity and support to Twitter workers [November 2022]

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 4 November 2022.

Sinn Fein spokesperson on Workers’ Rights, Louise O’Reilly TD, has offered her full solidarity and support to workers at Twitter following the news that mass layoffs are to begin today.

She further added that the Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar, as the Minister responsible, must ensure that fair procedures and all statutory consultation processes are followed by the company in relation to their workers in Dublin.

Teahcta O’Reilly said:

“The news that Twitter is due to begin a process of mass layoffs will come as a serious shock to 500 workers employed at the company’s Dublin office.

“Sources have indicated layoffs will be across the board with cuts in marketing, product, engineering, legal, and trust and safety anticipated. It is speculated that new CEO, Elon Musk, may cut as much as 50% of staff at the company.

“An understanding of the new CEO’s previous dealings with workers means this move has not come as a surprise, but the announcement, and the way workers have been notified of job losses, has caused a significant amount of anger.

“It is up to the Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar, as the Minister responsible, to ensure that fair procedures and all statutory consultation processes are followed by the company.

“The move by Twitter also reinforces the need to finally deliver collective bargaining rights for workers and trade unions. The need for legislatively-protected collective bargaining has never been greater.

“An ideology of neoliberalism with hugely damaging consequences for workers and families has reigned across Ireland and Europe for too long.

“We have witnessed a race to the bottom in terms and conditions of work, an increase in low paid work and the marginalisation of trade unions and workplace democracy.

“Workers’ rights must be given priority and firm legal protections enacted, otherwise workers will continue to suffer.

“Only by giving workers the tools to bargain for themselves can they have a chance of living decent and happy lives.

“I offer mine and Sinn Féin’s solidarity and support to the workers at Twitter in what is a very worrying time.

“I would also add that it is never too late to join a trade union. Workers need a strong voice in the workplace and the only way to achieve this is by joining and being active in a trade union.”

November 6, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : More Tory dithering and indecision as workers and families continue to struggle – O’Neill [November 2022]

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 4 November 2022.

Sinn Féin Leas-Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill said today that the British Secretary of State is adding to political instability and leaving struggling workers and families in a state of limbo during a cost-of-living crisis.

Speaking after Chris Heaton-Harris confirmed his bizarre u-turn on an Assembly election, the Michelle O’Neill said:

“Today’s announcement is more dithering and indecision from the British Secretary of State and a continuation of the Tory chaos in London that is now paralysing our politics.

“Chris Heaton Harris met with political parties this week and failed to give any indication of what he announced today.

“Instead he has confirmed the bizarre u-turn he made last week but once again he provides no clarity or certainty on what his next steps even are.

“This is yet another example of the Tory party’s contempt for the people of the north.

“The British government are fuelling the political instability caused by the DUP’s failure to recognise the result of the May election when the people voted for change.

“The British government and the DUP are leaving us in a prolonged state of political limbo with no Assembly, Executive or caretaker ministers.

“This is totally unacceptable at a time when workers, families and small businesses are struggling through the cost-of-living crisis and a cold winter and when our health service needs immediate investment.

“People want parties working together in their best interests and making a real difference to their lives right now. The British government are denying people the leadership they voted for in a bid to let the DUP off the hook.

“The British Secretary of State should outline now exactly what the British government intends to do to restore the political institutions here and how and when they propose to give people here the £400 cost of living energy payment they have waited months for.

“Delays and indecision is not an acceptable situation for people here who need help now.”

November 6, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Increased BBC coverage of Gaelic Games great news for Gaels across the island – Ennis [November 2022]

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 4 November 2022.

Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis has welcomed today’s decision by the BBC that it will broadcast the All-Ireland Football and Hurling Finals for the first time.

Sineád Ennis said:

“Confirmation that the BBC is to broadcast the All-Ireland Football and Hurling finals for the first time is long overdue and is great news for northern Gaels and supporters of Gaelic games right across the island.

“For the next five years, the BBC will show live Allianz League games, the Ulster Championship and the All-Ireland Football and Hurling semi-finals and finals.

“For many years now, my party colleague Seanadóir Niall Ó Donnghaile, party Leas-Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill and I have engaged with the BBC about its lack of coverage of Gaelic Games.

“Today they have listened to us and more importantly to the thousands of Gaels across the North who have been entitled to increased coverage of Gaelic Games.

“This is a massive boost for Gaelic games across the island and the north in particular.”

November 6, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Onus on PSNI to ensure Professor Colin Harvey’s safety – Gerry Kelly [November 2022]

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 3 November 2022.

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly today challenged the Chief Constable on what steps were being taken to protect Professor Colin Harvey and other individuals subject to loyalist threats and abusive commentary on social media.

The party’s policing spokesperson said:

“At today’s Policing Board I challenged the Chief Constable on what on steps were being taken to protect Professor Colin Harvey and other individuals subject to loyalist threats and abusive commentary including on social media.

“Professor Colin Harvey in particular has been subjected to an ongoing smear campaign on social media which United Nations experts have said ‘has the potential to spark physical violence’.

“These threats cannot be taken lightly as they are threats to the individual and on freedom of expression.

“There is an onus on the PSNI to investigate the matter, and also ensure Mr Harvey’s personal safety.

“These attacks are dangerous and must end.”

November 6, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : British Secretary of State indecision adds to political limbo – Michelle O’Neill [November 2022]

The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 1 November 2022.

Sinn Féin Leas-Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill has said the British Secretary of State has failed to give any clarity about when he will fulfil his legal obligations to call an Assembly election.

Speaking after meeting Chris Heaton-Harris in Belfast today, Michelle O’Neill said:

“We have no Assembly, no Executive and now not even caretaker ministers to support people during a cost of living crisis as a result of the DUP’s boycott of our political institutions.

“We put it to Chris Heaton-Harris today that his indecision is adding to the instability caused by the DUP, and it has left society in political limbo.

“Workers and families are struggling to put food on the table and businesses are struggling to keep the shutters up.

“Our health service and health workers are under huge pressure and need urgent investment. They want and deserve parties working together to support them.

“I told the British Secretary of State that he has a responsibility to help the political situation but that the current vacuum is clearly unhelpful and cannot continue.

“That will also be my message to the British and Irish governments and to the US administration.”

November 6, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : National Trust’s 2022 AGM celebrates the best of history and nature as members have their say on the charity’s future [November 2022]

The press release issued by the National Trust on 5 November 2022.

This year more than 127,000 members voted on six resolutions and elected seven new members of the National Trust Council at the charity’s Annual General Meeting on 5 November.

A summary of the results of resolutions voting are as follows, with a detailed breakdown here:

Resolution 1. Participation in Pride – not carried (43,569 for / 78,807 against)

Resolution 2. Rewilding/rewetting – not carried (37,049 for / 84,414 against)

Resolution 3. Ombudsman – not carried (38,985 for / 81,703 against)

Resolution 4. Banking with Barclays – not carried (24,949 for / 86,854 against)

Resolution 5. Stonehenge– not carried (30,670 for / 81,746 against)

Resolution 6. Chair’s discretionary proxy vote – not carried (50,263 for / 70,224 against)

Trustees will consider the outcomes of the resolutions later this autumn before updating members.

René Olivieri, Chair of the National Trust’s Board of Trustees, said: “We are grateful that so many of our members were able to join us at our Annual General Meeting, either in person or online, and we would like to thank them and the many thousands of other members who took the time to vote on the resolutions and for new Council members. The Board of Trustees will reflect on the outcomes of the voting and we will be back in touch with members through our usual channels in the coming weeks.”

“On a personal note, I was delighted to have the chance to meet so many members today at what was my first AGM. It is very important to me that we listen to and consider diverse views on our work and future. We are privileged to have such dedicated and passionate people supporting the National Trust.”

Members have also chosen seven people to join the National Trust Council – the governing body which appoints trustees and helps to monitor and support their work. The Council is made up of 36 members who have a range of expertise in everything from education and agriculture to nature and the built environment.

Following the vote, the members joining the Council are:

Harris Bokhari OBE (72,120 votes, elected)

Anne Casement (72,963 votes, re-elected)

Jane Dean (74,108 votes, re-elected)

Sally Hunt (71,358 votes, elected)

Duncan Mackay (66,850 votes, re-elected)

Paul Roberts (63,771 votes, re-elected)

Will Wilkin (65,609 votes, elected)

As well as the standard voting procedures for resolutions and Council elections, the 2022 AGM celebrated people and nature stories from around the National Trust. Speeches and presentations celebrated pioneering farming projects in the Lake District, plans to improve access to nature for people in cities and the Trust’s more than 44,000 volunteers. They also included tours of National Trust places by bike and by scone, as staff member Huw Davies finished his cycling tour of 518 Trust places, and Sarah Merker nears the end of her 10 year-long endeavour to test the Trust’s renowned scones at each of the charity’s cafés. The AGM closed with a rendition of a song by Serena Ittoo, one of the winners of the Forthlin sessions, which offered unsigned musicians a chance to visit, write and perform at Forthlin Road, the childhood home of Paul and Mike McCartney.

Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust, said: “Our Annual General Meeting is one of the most important events in our calendar. It is an essential part of our democratic governance process, as it gives our members the opportunity to ask the questions on the subjects that matter most to them and to have their say on the direction and focus of the National Trust. Our AGM is also a celebration of everything we do: our stories, our places and our people. I am delighted that we were able to share so much of that today.”

Questions from members ranged from the Trust’s future projects to engage children and young people, to its plans for Clandon. They also covered ensuring sustainability in Trust cafés, the introduction of Quick Vote for AGM voting and promoting sustainable travel to sites, amongst other topics.

November 6, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Climate, nature, conservation and cost of living top the agenda as Director-General outlines challenges and opportunities ahead of National Trust’s AGM [November 2022]

The press release issued by the National Trust on 4 November 2022.

Ahead of its Annual General Meeting (AGM) later today, the National Trust shares insight into a year of highs and lows and looks to its future, as the conservation charity navigates delivering its strategy amidst the challenging legacy of the pandemic and a difficult economic environment.

New heritage acquisitions, campaigns to bring nature into cities, and responding to the increasing impacts of climate change are amongst the milestones of 2022 for the National Trust and will be outlined by Director-General Hilary McGrady in her address to members at the AGM. With rising costs beginning to have an impact, the charity anticipates a mixed year ahead but is optimistic about the deep and enduring connection people have with nature, beauty and history.

From wildfires at popular beauty spots like Baggy Point and Studland Bay, to protecting historic collections from increasingly damp and humid conditions, this year has brought the climate crisis into focus like never before. Storm Arwen felled more than 50 veteran trees at Bodnant, demonstrating the threat to the natural environment. The Trust will continue its efforts to improve resilience to the effects of climate change by bolstering nature, including restoring peatlands, planting and establishing trees and creating new areas of wetland.

Work to power more Trust places by renewable energy will be prioritised, to afford the charity more energy security in the long term. The Trust has committed to reaching net zero by 2030 and reducing reliance on non-sustainable forms of energy will play a critical role in reaching this goal. With electricity costs across the Trust’s portfolio of more than 500 sites having more than doubled over the last couple of months, recent projects to reduce the charity’s reliance on fossil fuels include the installation of an air source heat pump at Charlecote West Lodge, a ground source heat pump at Kingston Lacy and the installation of solar panels on the roof of the café and visitor centre at Sizergh Castle. Energy reduction measures such as improving pipe lagging at Quarry Bank Mill, upgrading storage heaters to more modern and efficient models at Hughenden and installing LED lighting at Beningborough Hall are also critical, as the Trust looks to weather the storms of the energy crisis, the need to decarbonise, and rising costs.

The Trust is also introducing initiatives to tackle the impact that the cost of living crisis is having on visitors, and create more equal access to green and historic places. Castlefield Viaduct in Manchester and bringing thousands of new blossoming trees into city centres are creating new free-to-access spaces for nature and people in urban heartlands and this will continue in cities round the UK in 2023. This autumn, non-members and members could claim free passes for themselves or guests as part of a dedicated campaign to support people to visit National Trust places that normally charge for entry. Over the autumn half term holidays, 53 National Trust properties in England and Wales piloted a Kids Eat Free offer.

The results of these initiatives are revealed by recent visitor figures, which indicate that escaping into nature and connecting with history and heritage has been important for people this year. The National Trust’s pay for entry places saw their busiest October ever, with footfall exceeding 2.6 million visitors. Particularly popular were places with fantastic displays of autumn colour on the trees, such as Winkworth Arboretum, Felbrigg, Stowe, Stourhead and Croome.

Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust, said: “After a year of recovery, I’m proud of how much we have achieved over the last year – from the completion of works at Castle Drogo, England’s last castle, to the award-winning restoration of Seaton Delaval. There is no doubt we are facing challenges from a number of directions: rising costs across the board, the intensifying climate crisis, and a wide gulf to bridge as we work to tack unequal access to nature, beauty and history in the UK. But it’s clear that the National Trust’s charitable purpose is as relevant now to people as it ever was. We have a very big part to play in continuing to support people through the challenging times ahead, as we have done over the last few difficult years.”

Facing forward, this year’s AGM will spotlight new acquisitions and stories in heritage. On display at the AGM will be an oil sketch by John Singer Sargent of Elsie Palmer, just acquired from her granddaughter. The work was undertaken in preparation for his famous portrait of the Lady in White. Members will have the chance to study the sketch up close before it returns to Ightham Mote, the English country house in Kent where Sargent painted Elsie Palmer. The AGM will also launch the first edition of the new Cultural Heritage Magazine, now available to download from the National Trust website. The quarterly publication will showcase the latest curatorial and conservation news, research projects and expertise and launches towards the end of a bumper year for history and heritage at the National Trust, during which the Trust opened new acquisition Crook Hall Gardens and the Children’s Country House at Sudbury.

Hilary McGrady continued: “With a membership of 5.7 million and many more non-member visitors, we are very mindful that people come to the National Trust for different reasons. Some want to learn about our country’s fascinating history, others want to escape into beautiful outdoor spaces. Many want both. It is up to us as a charity to find new ways of helping people to do just that and this means going beyond our boundaries, taking nature, beauty and history directly to people as well as supporting them to come to us. I’m proud of what we have achieved so far and of our ambitions for the future. I look forward to celebrating the wonderful world of the National Trust, from scones to Sargent, with our members at our AGM later today.”

November 6, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Ukraine Reconstruction – EU Commissioner Simson visits the country to boost the support for Ukraine’s energy system [November 2022]

The press release issued by the European Commission on 1 November 2022.

Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson visited Ukraine on 1 November to discuss with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Minister of Energy German Galushchenko and international partners the immediate concrete support for its battered energy sector. Russia’s persistent and deliberate targeting of Ukrainian energy infrastructure over the past weeks and months has affected more than 30% of the country’s energy system.

The EU has, together with the Member States and private companies, delivered millions of euros worth of emergency energy equipment to Ukraine, but the level of support needs to be ramped up in light of Russia’s escalating attacks. In addition to the necessary equipment, €25.5 million has been made available to cover the most urgent needs via the Ukraine Energy Support Fund that the Commission has set up with the Energy Community. A dedicated campaign to mobilise further support from the private sector will be launched in the coming days jointly by the Commission, the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine and the Energy Community.

This visit comes just ahead of the winter season and less than a week after the European Commission and the G7 Presidency called for an international ‘Marshall plan for Ukraine’, which would pave the way for the country’s immediate and sustainable reconstruction.

In Kyiv, Commissioner Simson met President Zelenskyy, to discuss the latest developments and how the EU can lead the international effort to repair and rebuild the Ukrainian energy infrastructure. She also participated in the first meeting of the International Energy Advisory Council for Ukraine (IEAC4U), a new forum announced by Minister Galushchenko at the EU energy ministers’ meeting in Prague in mid-October. The IEAC4U will help coordinate the efforts of all participating countries and will provide technical assistance in matching Ukrainian needs with potential donations.

The visit was also an opportunity for Commissioner Simson to co-chair the EU-Ukraine High-Level Energy Dialogue together with the Minister of Energy, where the immediate needs of the Ukrainian energy system and the security of supply situation, as well as the reconstruction and decarbonisation of its energy system were discussed. At the meeting, the Commissioner announced that 13 million euros have been allocated for the restoration of laboratories damaged by the Russian occupiers at the nuclear site of Chornobyl and that the EU intends to channel through the International Atomic Energy Agency a further €3.5 million as support for Ukraine in this sector.

The Commissioner also met with the members of the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, and had discussions with Ukrenergo and other Ukrainian energy companies.

Background

Since the outbreak of Russia’s unjustified war, the EU has been supporting the Ukrainian energy sector via different channels and means. With ENTSO-E, it has enabled the emergency synchronisation of the Ukrainian and Moldovan electricity grids with the Continental one to ensure stability of the electricity system. To tackle the most immediate needs of reparation, the Commission has promoted the establishment of the Ukraine Energy Support Fund with the Energy Community Secretariat.

Under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the Commission has facilitated numerous shipments of vital energy equipment, from generators to transformers and cables, through its Emergency Response Coordination Centre. In addition, more than 40 million euros worth chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threat countermeasures and equipment have been delivered from the EU reserves. The Commission has also supported with €7.7 million the State Scientific Technical Centre for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of Ukraine.

November 6, 2022