Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Conservatives must do patriotic duty and back election [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Liberal Democrats on 20 October 2022.

Boris Johnson failed our country and Liz Truss trashed our economy. The Conservatives have proven time and time again they are not fit to lead our great country.

We do not need another Conservative Prime Minister lurching from crisis to crisis, we need a general election, we need the Conservatives out of power and we need real change.

It is time for Conservative MPs to do their patriotic duty, put the country first and give the people a say.

Boris Johnson

The fact that Conservative MPs are even considering putting Boris Johnson back in Number 10 shows how out of touch they really are. They think there’s one rule for them and another for everyone else.

Boris Johnson was forced to resign in disgrace after countless lies, scandals and failures. He shattered public trust in the government and plunged the UK into a political crisis. He must never be allowed near Downing Street again.

The future of our country should be in the hands of voters, not the Conservative MPs who have caused all this chaos.

Deny Truss the £115k a year taxpayer dividend

Liz Truss will forever be known as the fifty-day Prime Minister. There is no way that she should be permitted to access the same £115k a year for life fund as her recent predecessors – all of whom served for well over two years.

To make matters worse, Truss’s legacy is an economic disaster – for which the Conservatives are making taxpayers foot the bill. For Truss to walk off into the sunset with a potential six figure dividend, while leaving the British public to suffer, would be unconscionable.

This huge potential payout will leave a bitter taste in the mouth of the millions of people struggling with spiralling bills and eye-watering mortgage rate rises thanks to the Conservatives’ economic mismanagement.

October 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Mebyon Kernow comment on recent chaos in Westminster [October 2022]

The press release issued by Mebyon Kernow on 28 October 2022.

Article from MK leader Cllr Dick Cole, which was first published in this week’s Cornish Guardian.

Speaking at a meeting of Mebyon Kernow’s National Executive in July, Deputy Leader Cllr Loveday Jenkin described recent political “goings-on” as “beyond satire.” She was commenting on the turmoil around the end of Boris Johnson’s premiership, following the resignations of over 60 ministers, parliamentary private secretaries and trade envoys. She was also rightly critical of a Conservative Party at war with itself in a truly dysfunctional Westminster political system.

It is difficult to comprehend how the chaos of the last few days has been even more preposterous and, unbelievably, even further past parody!

Obviously, the ill-conceived gamble that was the mini-budget back-fired and did massive and ongoing damage to the UK economy, along with the prospects of millions of households. But then, we had the new Prime Minister sacking the new Chancellor for following her instructions. A few days later, there was the bust-up and sacking of the new Home Secretary, followed by a “confidence vote” in the House of Commons that led to the unedifying spectacle of Tory MPs jostling and rowing in the division lobbies.

It was so bad that the resignation of Liz Truss, after only 45 days in post, did not come as a surprise.

Even the truncated leadership contest to elect Rishi Sunak as the third Prime Minister of 2022 descended into farce, when Boris Johnson jetted home from his Caribbean holiday to launch, and then back out of, a campaign to reclaim the office of PM, from which he had just been ejected by colleagues because of Partygate and related scandals.

It was absurd to see some of the MPs who quit their government roles, only three months ago to force Johnson out, were now clamouring to bring him back. One such MP had resigned because of how the “cumulative effect” of Johnson’s “errors of judgement and domestic actions” had “squandered the goodwill” of the Conservative Party.

Cue yet more “blue-on-blue” bickering and infighting, with a number of MPs stating that they would not continue to serve in the Conservative cause if Johnson returned as PM. Some felt he would “be gone by Christmas” if reinstalled, because of the pending “Privileges Committee” which is tasked to investigate claims that he mislead Parliament, while one prominent MP described their parliamentary party as “completely riven” and “ungovernable.”

As someone who is not a Conservative, it would be easy to fall into the trap of enjoying the shambolic disarray of the Tories, but we must never forget that their failings are having a devastating impact on the lives of the people of the United Kingdom.

October 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : The days of men and women being sent to fill jail cells or early graves in this country should be over – Doug Beattie [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Ulster Unionists on 28 October 2022.

Responding to a letter from the Loyalist Communities Council, UUP Leader Doug Beattie MC MLA said:

“I read the words in the letter with a sense that a section of unionism is condemned to keep repeating the mistakes of the past. Quite simply it is the words of unionism in retreat, not the confident presentation of our argument which will win out on the Protocol. It is the school of thought which sees unionism return to the table in a weaker position each time.

“The Ulster Unionist Party has been unequivocal in our opposition to the Protocol since it first emerged in Boris Johnson’s proposals to the EU on 2 October 2019. While the DUP were forced to play catch up after realising the folly of these proposals having initially welcomed them as a “serious and sensible way forward”, the Ulster Unionist Party was sounding the alarm that they amounted to “playing Russian roulette with the future of the United Kingdom”. Now those who created this mess by pursuing Brexit without a plan are trying to make others the fall guys for their mistakes.

“We will make no apology for spending the last three years making our case wherever it needed to be heard. We will continue to engage with the United Kingdom Government, the Irish Government, the European Union and the US State Department to make sure they are in no doubt about why the Northern Ireland Protocol is unacceptable to unionists and is a bad deal for Northern Ireland. The evidence of this being the right approach is there for all to see in proposals made by us being adopted by the UK Government in their Command Paper, in the European Union coming back to the negotiating table and in the change in position from Sinn Fein, SDLP and Alliance who once called for “rigorous implementation” of the Protocol now forced to acknowledge its faults.

“The Ulster Unionist Party totally rejects any notion of moving back to pre-ceasefire days and will resist anyone who seeks to take us back there. The days of men and women being sent to fill jail cells or early graves in this country should be over. Peace and political process are the only way to advance our argument, be in no doubt of that.

“Finally, if the LCC would like to acknowledge who or what is to blame for Sinn Fein holding the post of First Minister then they should look no further than the DUP’s negotiating prowess at St Andrew’s. That unionism should be the majority designation in the Assembly, but not fill the office of First Minister is a failure they have to explain.”

October 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Ulster Unionists pay tribute to local Veterans community [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Ulster Unionist Party on 28 October 2022.

The Chair of the Ulster Unionist Party, Councillor Jill Macauley, has paid tribute to the local Veterans community following a very successful event organised by Veterans Awards NI.

Jill Macauley said:

“This week I was honoured to attend the inaugural awards presentation of the Veterans Awards NI.

“The event celebrated and recognised the achievements of our service community and was attended by the newly appointed Minister for Veterans Affairs, the Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP and the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner, Danny Kinahan.

“I would like to congratulate all those who were nominated for Awards, particularly Party colleagues Londonderry Councillor Ryan McCready who won the Reservist of the Year award, Banbridge Councillor Glenn Barr who won a silver award in the same category, and our Crotlieve representative Ricky McGaffin who won Volunteer of the Year.

“Many other Ulster Unionist friends and colleagues from across the Province were also in attendance including East Belfast MLA Andy Allen.

“Everyone who attended was both impressed and humbled at the work being done to celebrate and support our Veterans and the breadth of work being undertaken across Northern Ireland by those who have served in our armed forces.”

October 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Peter Robinson in no position to lecture given the strategic errors made under his leadership – Steve Aiken [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Ulster Unionists on 27 October 2022.

Responding to comments made by former DUP leader, Peter Robinson, Steve Aiken OBE MLA, said:

“I noted Peter Robinson`s comments about the Ulster Unionist Party.

“It`s time to set the record straight about how unionism got into the position it is in today. Unlike the DUP, the Ulster Unionist Party has always opposed the Protocol. When Boris Johnson first published his proposals for an amended protocol on 2 October 2019 which stated that ‘the proposal set out in this note would see regulatory checks applying between Great Britain and Northern Ireland’ and ‘Agri foods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain would do so via a Border Inspection Post or Designated Point of entry as required by EU law’, the then DUP leader Arlene Foster welcomed them as ‘a serious and sensible way forward.’

In contrast, on the 2 October 2019, the then UUP leader, Robin Swann MLA, stated that ‘this new protocol should be deeply concerning for all those who have the long term economic and constitutional welfare of Northern Ireland and its people at heart.’

“I warned the DUP on 3 October 2019 that they were ‘playing Russian roulette with the future of the United Kingdom.’ Yet the DUP ploughed on regardless.

“In an interview with BBC`s Spotlight programme on 2 March 2020, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP said, ‘in the end customs checks doesn’t mean that you change the constitutional status of a part of the United Kingdom, that’s not going to happen.’

“Then in an interview with BBC Good Morning Ulster on 27 May 2020, when Edwin Poots was asked by Chris Buckler, ‘Do you think that has the potential of damaging trade or do you think that there are opportunities with what is to come? With this ability to trade with the EU as well?’, Edwin Poots` response was to say, ‘we need to maximise the advantages and to minimize the disadvantages.’

“The DUP`s fingerprints were all over the Protocol whilst our record in opposition to it has been consistent since the day it was published. I welcome the fact that they had a road to Damascus conversion and have come over to our way of thinking. The Ulster Unionist Party said the Protocol was a bad deal from the very start and we brought forward alternatives and solutions to the break the impasse, some of which were included in the UK Government`s Command Paper from July 2021 and form the basis of the potential landing zone for negotiations.

“Whilst we have common ground with the DUP`s latest position on the Protocol, in opposition to it, where we differ is tactics. We have brought forward alternatives, we have engaged with the UK Government, EU, Irish Government and US State Department, and believe that negotiations are the best way forward. The DUP have brought down Stormont. I don`t think that it is in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland in the face of a cost-of-living crisis nor for the long-term benefit of Unionism.

“It is ironic that Peter Robinson is now stepping forward to give advice to the DUP. It was under his leadership that the Belfast Agreement was changed at St Andrews, amending the way in which the First and deputy First Ministers are elected in the Assembly. If those changes hadn`t been made, a DUP MLA would today be First Minister designate, not Michelle O`Neill. And that is down to the DUP. Peter Robinson is in no position to lecture the Ulster Unionist Party given the huge strategic errors made whilst he was leader of the DUP which have harmed unionism in the long run.”

October 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : DfI maligns and ignores 100,000 motorcyclists – Ian Paisley [October 2022]

The press release issued by the DUP on 28 October 2022.

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley has accused the Department for Infrastructure of continuing to malign and ignore 100,000 motorcyclists in Northern Ireland. He called on them to use proper data so that motorcycling is not presented as being more dangerous than it is.

His comments follow the recently published the consultation outcome report on the New Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030.

The DUP MP is chair of the APPG on Motorcycling in Parliament and he said, “This latest report suggests that motorcyclists suffered a 36% increase in KSI collisions per 100 million kilometres travelled in 2021. That level of increase not only lacks credibility, but would suggest that motorcycling in Northern Ireland is grossly more hazardous than in Great Britain.

I know that the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) have pointed out flaws in the DfI statistics in the past and how data is collected, using a small questionnaire sample rather than real-world traffic data which is used by the Department for Transport in Great Britain. The Department is maligning motorcycling as being significantly more hazardous than it is.

Not content with maligning motorcycling, it then ignores the 100,000 motorcyclists in Northern Ireland. Whilst painting it as grossly unsafe, the Department and the outgoing Minister refused to introduce any measures to improve safety. The suggestion was made of an Enhanced Rider Scheme as happens in Great Britain. This was rejected yet the draft Road Safety Review lays out plans to introduce training for safer tractor driving, cycling and for newly qualified drivers. Virtually every road using group is provided for with the sole exception of motorcyclists

This report was quietly released in the last few days, presumably in the knowledge that it would receive little scrutiny. It will not be ignored by anyone involved in motorcycling however and it certainly is an issue that I intend to pursue with the Department.”

October 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Alliance Party dancing to SF’s tune – Phillip Brett [October 2022]

The press release issued by the DUP on 27 October 2022.

DUP North Belfast MLA Phillip Brett has challenged the Alliance Party over why they refused to participate in a recall of the NI Assembly for three years when Sinn Fein was protesting about the Irish language yet now they want an Executive without unionists.

Mr Brett said:

“We want to see fully functioning devolved government, but we are facing an election because the Protocol has not been dealt with. Despite lengthy discussions, London and Brussels have so far failed to replace the Protocol with arrangements that Unionists can support. Devolution needs stable foundations with the support of unionists and nationalists.

When SF blocked devolution for three years, we sought to recall the Assembly, not only did the Alliance Party not support our recalls, but they also didn’t even turn up to the sittings.

The Alliance Party now tell us they want majority rule and a devolved government without unionists yet when Sinn Fein was blocking devolution, there was no such call.

Why the two-tier approach? Why is the Alliance Party dancing to Sinn Fein’s tune? One approach to the DUP and another approach to Sinn Fein. There were all kinds of pressures in hospitals and schools for those 1044 days, yet never once did the Alliance Party even attempt to stand up to Sinn Fein.”

October 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Mayor renews pledge to fight toxic air street by street [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 27 October 2022.
- Over a quarter of a million more children are breathing cleaner air thanks to London’s growing network of school streets
- Despite progress, air pollution levels around 97 percent of schools and colleges in outer London still exceeds the latest (2021) World Health Organization (WHO) guideline for NO₂.
- Sadiq calls on Government to set much more ambitious targets for the Environment Act before 31 October deadline
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, today revealed that more than 260,000 children are breathing cleaner air as a result of the capital’s growing network of School Streets.[1] Following the agreement of a funding deal for TfL to secure the transport network’s future, £69m per year will now go to boroughs to help them deliver even more School Streets. In the past five years, 373 school streets have been funded by City Hall and TfL, with the rest funded by the London boroughs.

School Streets restrict car access to streets outside a school at drop off and pick up times, making it safer, cleaner and easier for children to get to school on foot, by bike or by scooter. First introduced in Camden in 2017, there are now 547 across nearly every London borough with a quarter of primary schools now located on School Streets.

Despite the Mayor’s interventions meaning progress has been made, 97 per cent of schools and colleges in outer London still exceed revised air quality targets set by the World Health Organization, [2]. In around 75 per cent of these areas in outer London, air pollution remains so high that it exceeds even lower air quality targets set in 2005.

That is why the Mayor is also calling on the Government to set much more ambitious air quality targets under the Environment Act ahead of the deadline on 31October. Sadiq is now urging ministers to work with him as he redoubles his efforts to protect Londoners from the lethal consequences of pollution and the environmental damage caused by fuel emissions.

Toxic air caused by traffic can lead to children growing up with stunted lungs and adults suffering from illnesses such as asthma, lung disease and dementia. Thousands of Londoners a year die prematurely because of long term exposure to air pollution – with the majority of deaths in London’s outer boroughs. This is why the Mayor is consulting to expand the Ultra-low Emission Zone London-wide, which could significant improve air quality for a further 5 million Londoners.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “School Streets are a key tool in helping to reduce air pollution around schools. They have made a massive difference to the way our children travel and there are now more children than ever in London benefiting from cleaner air, less congestion and safer roads.

“Despite progress being made, air quality around schools in outer London is still unacceptably poor which is why I have consulted to expand the Ultra-Low Emission Zone London-wide – to help save lives and build a better, greener and cleaner London for everyone.

“Even so, I can’t do it alone. The Government must stop disregarding the dangers of air pollution and act now to introduce bolder air quality targets under the Environment Act, to protect the next generation from the scourge of toxic air.”

Penny Rees, TfL’s Head of Healthy Streets Investment, said: “Enabling parents and children to walk, cycle or scoot to and from school has so many benefits and is a vital part of making our capital safer, healthier and more sustainable. We’re delighted to see the School Streets network continue to grow, improving air quality across our capital. We’ll continue to work closely with schools, local communities and boroughs as we deliver further schemes across London so that all children can breathe cleaner air on their journey to and from school.”

Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Rick Jewell, said: “We are committed to improving air quality across our borough and are working with the Mayor of London and other partners to identify and introduce initiatives to reduce and prevent pollution and improve the health and wellbeing of our communities.

“School Streets have proven to be one of the most effective and popular ways of improving air pollution and encouraging school children to walk, cycle or scoot to school and we are committed to rolling out many more of these schemes in the months and years to come.”
October 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Mayor demands higher standards from affordable housing providers [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 26 October 2022.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has warned London’s affordable housing providers that they could lose access to funding if they fail to maintain their properties at the high standards Londoners deserve.

While Parliament is currently debating new legislation on strengthening consumer protection, the Mayor is clear that Londoners should expect high standards immediately. He is calling for leadership from Government, with additional affordable housing funding and reforms, such as a Commissioner for social housing residents, to drive better conditions.

The Mayor’s warning follows a letter to City Hall’s housing investment partners from the Deputy Mayor for Housing & Residential Development, Tom Copley, sent last month. In this letter Tom Copley set out the actions City Hall will take if the Regulator issues either a non-compliant grade or a Regulatory Notice against a housing provider. Both notices indicate that a provider has breached a consumer or economic regulatory standard.

In extreme circumstances, the GLA may limit access to funding to a specific set of projects, including those already underway, and in the most severe cases, withdraw all funding and revoke investment partner status.

The Mayor of London’s new £4bn 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme already requires higher standards on design, safety and environmental performance for new homes than those funded outside London. The Regulator has a requirement to assure these standards are maintained in the long-term where they exceed the Decent Homes Standard benchmark.

The GLA is also introducing additional scrutiny of the housing maintenance track-records of newly qualifying investment partners, and in the requalification process for partners who have had their investment status restricted.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Most social housing in London is well managed and maintained. However, this is unfortunately not always the case and I am determined to use my funding powers to drive up standards in both new build and existing homes.

“London is building some of the most impressive new affordable homes in the country, but it is vital that existing residents experience high standards too.

“I will continue to call on the Government to also take responsibility for pushing for higher standards, including by making much needed additional funding available.

“We owe it to all Londoners to provide better, safer, and fairer housing in the capital.”

October 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Centre launched to protect the capital’s businesses from cybercrime [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 25 October 2022.
- New Cyber Resilience Centre to work with Met Police, City of London Police and British Transport Police to help small and medium businesses in London reduce their vulnerability to the most common types of cybercrime
- Action from Mayor comes as figures from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau show that more than £1.8 billion was lost to fraud and cybercrime in London over the last year
- Businesses across the capital are being urged to sign-up to the centre’s free membership scheme
London’s businesses are being urged to join a new scheme, which has launched today thanks to funding from the Mayor, to protect them from the growing threat of cybercrime.

Figures from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau show that more than £1.8 billion was lost to fraud and cybercrime in London over the last year [1], with 35 per cent of small and micro businesses suffering at least one attack or breach – which equates to around 250,000 businesses. [2].

The new Cyber Resilience Centre (CRC) is comprised of industry experts who will work with the Met Police, City of London Police and British Transport Police to enable it to support the capital’s small and medium businesses and help them be best prepared against a cyber-attack and support them when they have been targeted.

With London businesses increasingly targeted by phishing, hacking and ransomware attacks, industry leaders are warning that every organisation and business is a potential target for cyber criminals. Small and medium businesses are often hit harder by a loss of funds.

Over the next three years, the centre aims to help support around 20,000 London businesses most vulnerable to attacks, providing small business owners with practical online safety advice and face-to-face visits. The Mayor is investing £200,000 to support the Centre’s Community Outreach programme which includes the development of self-help toolkits for businesses and ‘How-To’ Video Guides on improving their resilience against cyber-attacks.

Cyber Resilience Centres receive an annual grant from the Home Office to help support the businesses that are most vulnerable to attacks, providing small business owners with valuable information and face-to-face community outreach visits which will help to keep London’s small and medium-sized businesses safe.

Businesses will be able to sign up for a free London Cyber Resilience Centre membership online and get instant access to safety advice, monthly cyber threat reports from the National Cyber Security Centre, latest guidance from the Met Police and City of London Police’s dedicated teams and a monthly newsletter with hints and tips on improving cyber resilience. They will also be able to contact the Cyber Resilience team with any urgent questions and receive training for staff.

Today, the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Sophie Linden launched the new Cyber Resilience Centre at an event at City Hall attended by business owners. This is part of the Mayor’s ambition to make London the safest city in the world to do business online.

Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime, Sophie Linden, said: “Far too many small businesses in the capital are impacted by cybercrime, with billions of pounds lost and thousands of lives impacted each year.

“Our new Cyber Resilience Centre will help businesses stay safe online and protect them from cyber criminals. This is all part of our work to build a safer, more prosperous city for everyone and I urge all businesses in London to sign-up and use the centre’s services.”

Chief Executive Officer of the Cyber Resilience Centre for London, Simon Newman, said: “I’m delighted to be bringing the launch of the Cyber Resilience Centre for London to City Hall. We’ve been generously supported by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, and it’s fantastic to be able to celebrate our shared vision together.

“I’m really ambitious about the future of the CRC for London. I want to see it grow as a partnership between policing, industry and academia; for us to be seen as a trusted, reliable partner to the Capital’s SME community; and for our Cyber PATH programme to produce consistently high-quality talent. In 10 years’ time, I want to look back and be able to say that we have helped make London the safest city in the world to do business online.”

Metropolitan Police Commander, Catherine Roper, said: “It is essential that we come together to help London businesses protect themselves against cybercrime. This crime type is rapidly increasing, and often initially unseen, and yet has devastating effects on businesses and individuals. The exciting launch of the new Cyber Resilience Centre supports a collaboration between key partners to support small and medium businesses across London from becoming victims to cyber attacks.

“It also provides the vital platform to share best practice; knowledge and practical operational advice to ensure a strong defence to protect and prepare businesses from cybercrime. The Met is committed, with its partners, to do everything it can to tackle cybercrime – and today is a significant step forward.”

Chair of the City of London Police Authority Board, James Thomson, said: “We must ensure that the City and the wider national economy is one of the safest places to do business in the world. The London Cyber Resilience Centre will do just that – protecting the capital’s businesses and their customers, and helping to deliver a thriving economy.

“Becoming a victim of cybercrime ruins lives, whether it’s individuals or businesses that are the target and this is an enormous opportunity to make a difference, by preventing people from becoming victims in the first place.”

Chief Information Security Officer at NatWest, Chris Ulliott, said: “NatWest is proud to be an ambassador for the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group and are delighted to support the opening of London’s new Cyber Resilience Centre. The centre is working to help the capital’s business community build resilience against the very real threat of cybercrime.

“Small and medium-sized businesses are a fundamental part of the economy. As such it’s really important that these businesses are equipped with the best tools and knowledge to conduct their day-to-day business safely and securely online, which is a key priority of the Mayor of London, and we are very happy to help them do that.”
October 28, 2022