Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Ukraine’s civilians are paying the price for Russia’s barbaric actions – UK statement to the OSCE [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 October 2022.

Ambassador Neil Bush condemns Russia’s intense barrage of missile attacks on Kyiv and across Ukraine, including Lviv, Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia.

Thank you. In our statement to this Council last week, we highlighted evidence of war crimes and instances of the unspeakable suffering and devastation Russia has inflicted on Ukraine’s civilians. Evidence this Council is sadly all too familiar with, following the findings of two Moscow Mechanism reports.

Now we gather here again, not a week later, to condemn Russia’s intense barrage of missile attacks on Kyiv and across Ukraine, including Lviv, Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia. We are reminded once again, that Ukraine’s civilians are paying the terrible price for Russia’s barbaric actions.

In Kyiv for the last two mornings, residents were woken to the sound of air raids, forced to take shelter for nearly six hours in fear of their lives. But even before the horrific attacks of yesterday, October is proving to be a deadly month for Ukraine. From 1 to 9 October 2022, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights recorded 373 civilian casualties, including 97 killed.

In Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia, more civilian infrastructure has been severely impacted in the these latest attacks. There have been multiple power blackouts, with areas cut off from water supply and communications. A playground, a pedestrian bridge and the National Philharmonic have been hit. Either the missiles missed their targets, or the Russian military were intentionally targeting cultural sites and areas where children may have been present.

Sadly, these are just the reports that have emerged so far. Over the coming days, as the destruction left by these missile strikes becomes clearer, we will not allow the casualties of this senseless violence to be forgotten.

Let us be clear: Russia has taken these actions in full knowledge of what would ensue: destruction, injuries and death. This is a pattern we have seen repeatedly from the Russian government and Russian military following their premeditated, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are not only abhorrent, they are war crimes and a blatant violation of international law. Russia’s behaviour continues to directly contravene the OSCE principles we have all committed to, including refraining from the threat or use of force, the peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Once again, we call on Russia to cease the indiscriminate use of weapons against the civilian population in civilian areas and to withdraw all Russian troops from Ukraine now.

There can be no justification for Russia’s behaviour. We will continue to work with Ukraine and international partners to hold those responsible to account. Such egregious violations of international law will not go unanswered for.

The UK remains deeply concerned by the safety of nuclear facilities in Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which must be able to operate safely. It is alarming that on Saturday the IAEA Director General, Rafael Grossi, reported that the security situation had deteriorated further after overnight shelling temporarily cut all external power. Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is on Ukrainian sovereign territory. Russia must immediately return any and all seized Ukrainian nuclear facilities to the competent Ukrainian authorities.

Mr Chair, as my Foreign Secretary stated: Russia’s recent missile attacks are a demonstration of weakness by Putin, not strength. The Ukrainian people have shown their courage and conviction will not be suppressed. Nor will the determination of its partners. The UK’s commitment to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people is unwavering. Putin must end this illegal war and withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine’s sovereign territory now.

October 11, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : From the Senedd to the classroom – First Minister takes questions from school pupils [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 7 October 2022.

The Leader Dialogue sessions are facilitated and hosted by The Politics Project, a not-for-profit, non-partisan, democratic education organisation and funded by Welsh Government. These sessions give opportunities for schools to support learners in realising one of the four purposes of the Curriculum for Wales, becoming “ethical informed citizens of Wales and the World.”

The four Senedd party leaders are all taking part in these Leader Dialogue sessions with 14-18 year olds from nine schools across Wales.

The sessions are part of Digital Dialogue: Wales, a wider programme of workshops and online events that have been taken place since the spring using digital platforms. Over 40 primary schools, secondary schools, and sixth form colleges took part, which saw politicians from all major parties across Wales speak to children and young people, giving them the opportunity to ask the questions that matter to them. Questions ranged from finding out about the politician’s journey into politics, how Wales can best tackle climate change and whether Wales can win the World Cup.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said:

It has been a pleasure to take part in this programme and to engage with our learners from across Wales. Engaging our young people in politics and helping them to understand their part in Wales and the world is so important. I was impressed by their thoughtful questions and who knows, maybe there is a future First Minister amongst them.

Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles said:

I’m delighted that we are offering these insightful sessions with party leaders to our pupils, giving them the opportunity to ask their burning questions to those at the heart of politics in Wales.

Our curriculum is designed so that each pupil benefits from a broad and balanced education, and one of its four purposes is for schools to support their pupils to become ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the world. These sessions are a fantastic way to engage pupils and give them the appetite to want to find out more.

Director of The Politics Project, Hattie Andrews said:

It is such an honour to facilitate these vital conversations between all the leaders of the Senedd parties and young learners across Wales. We are grateful to all the politicians, teachers, and learners who have put so much time and energy into making the very most of this opportunity. It is so important to support young people to learn about the role of the Senedd and their Senedd members and have the space to discuss the key issues in Wales. It has been fantastic to see politicians and young people learning from each other through discussion and debate about the issues that are important to Welsh learners.

October 11, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Bowel cancer screening age lowered to 55 in Wales [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 4 October 2022.

The expansion will mean 172,000 more people in Wales will start to receive easy to use kits that test for the early stages of bowel cancer. The move is part of a phased approach to lowering the screening age to 50 by October 2024.

People aged 55, 56 and 57 will start to be invited for screening from Wednesday 5th October and will receive their home testing kits in the post. The programme will be rolled out to the newly eligible age group gradually over the next 12 months.

Part of a £16 million investment package by the Welsh Government, the funding has supported the introduction the new, easier to use, FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test) at home testing kit. The new home testing kits have helped improve screening uptake to 65% and have improved sensitivity to better detect those at risk of bowel cancer.

More than 2,500 people were diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2019. Screening plays an important role in detecting cancer earlier and helps to improve cancer outcomes in Wales.

The lowering of the screening age is based on the recommendation by the UK National Screening Committee.

Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan said:

It is great to see the next phase of our plan to widen access to bowel cancer screening come into effect.

We have previously introduced the more user-friendly test and started inviting those aged 58-59. This next phase of the programme widens access to those aged 55-57.

This move will help us to identity more bowel cancer cases early and support improvement in survival rates.

I’m also pleased to see that more people are taking part in the programme and that the uptake rate now meets the expected standard.
In future, we plan to continue to optimise the programme by lowering the age range to 50 and increasing the sensitivity of the test until we come into line with UK recommendations.

Genevieve Edwards, Chief Executive at Bowel Cancer UK says:

This is a step in the right direction towards screening from 50 in Wales, which we’ve long campaigned for. Screening is one of the best ways to diagnose bowel cancer early, or in some cases prevent it from developing in the first place, and so inviting more people to take part is welcomed.

Offering the home test to more people is just one of the ways to improve bowel screening, however, the biggest barrier to improving early diagnosis, and offering a world-class screening programme, is the long-standing workforce shortage in endoscopy and pathology services. We now urgently need to address this through a comprehensive workforce plan that can support the bowel cancer screening programme in Wales to achieve its full potential.

Dr Sharon Hillier, Director of the Screening Division at Public Health Wales, said:

I’m delighted that we are expanding the bowel cancer screening programme to include those aged 55, 56 and 57 in Wales.

Bowel screening aims to find cancer at an early stage when treatment is likely to be more effective. Early detection is so important as at least 9 out of 10 people will survive bowel cancer if it’s found and treated early.

Bowel screening also detects and removes pre-cancerous polyps that if left in the bowel could develop into cancer.

The invitation and test kit will be arriving via post to those who are eligible over the next 12 months. The test kit is easy to complete and to send to our laboratory for analysis.

I would urge everyone who receives an invitation to take up their offer as it could save their life.

October 11, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Biodiversity Deep Dive prompts Welsh Government to triple peatland restoration in nature recovery promise [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 3 October 2022.

In quick response, Welsh Government tripled its peatland restoration targets while promising further action to restore Wales’ wildlife and plants.

Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse is a leading threat to humanity. The restoration of our natural world is essential for the free services that complex ecosystems provide us- whether that’s fresh water to drink or healthy soils for our food to grow.

Like much of the developed world, in Wales, the loss of forests, the plundering of seas, and the pollution caused by human activity has led to the vanishing of around half of Wales’ animal and plant life.

To address this, the recommendations centre around the United Nation’s ’30 by 30’ goal, which aims to protect and effectively manage 30% of the planet’s marine and 30% of the planet’s terrestrial environment by 2030. The Deep Dive is released ahead of a landmark UN Conference of the Parties (COP15) in Canada in December, where global leaders will meet to agree targets to combat the nature emergency.

The Minister also announced today the establishment of an independent expert working group to monitor Wales’ progress against the targets.

The Biodiversity Deep Dive sets the following recommendations:
- Transform Wales’ protected sites portfolio so that it is better, bigger, and more effectively connected so that plants and wildlife are able to travel and adapt to climate change
- Create a network of Nature Recovery Exemplar Areas across a range of different semi-natural habitats and identify opportunity of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs)
- Increase the footprint of the Marine Protected Areas network
- Unlock the potential of designated landscapes (National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) so they deliver more for nature
- Ensure land and marine planning decisions consider biodiversity and that good decisions are incentivised
- Build a strong foundation for future delivery through capacity building, behaviour change, awareness raising and skills development
- Develop and adapt monitoring and evidence frameworks to measure progress against 30 by 30
Speaking from Wales’ National Botanical Gardens where a panel of the country’s top nature academics and practitioners met to discuss the Deep Dive, Minister for Climate Change, Julie James promised to turn advice into action, as she called for a ‘Team Wales’ effort to hit the ‘30 by 30’ target.

Minister for Climate Change Julie James said:

If we give nature a helping hand it returns the gift in the bucket-load.

Today’s Biodiversity Deep Dive helps us urgently rethink our relationship with the natural world and how to make the next best choices which benefits us and the future generations of Wales.

That’s why, with the Minister for Rural Affairs, we are tripling our peatlands restoration targets to boost our insect and bird life and bring security to our fresh water supply in Wales.

The United Nations has said that urgent action taken over the next decade will determine the seriousness of the climate and nature emergencies.

The Minister continued:

We need a Team Wales effort to drive a decade of decisive action so we can put the breaks on the biodiversity decline and jump-start the restoration of our ecosystems to their former glory. Our health, happiness and future depend on it.

RSPB Cymru and biodiversity deep dive panel member Sharon Thompson, said:

As we approach the COP15 Biodiversity Summit in Montreal in December, where we want global leaders to agree to ambitious targets to restore nature, this Deep Dive couldn’t have come at a more important time. We are in a Nature and Climate Emergency, and with the potential of really significant threats to nature elsewhere, making sure the recommendations of the Deep Dive are urgently turned in action in Wales is critical.
October 11, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Mini-budget a “huge gamble on health of economy” [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 1 October 2022.

The UK devolved governments are seeking an urgent meeting with Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng to discuss immediate action to reverse the damaging effects of the mini-budget.

Finance Minister Rebecca Evans is joined by Finance Ministers from Scotland and Northern Ireland in highlighting the profound impact of “the largest set of unfunded tax cuts for the rich in over 50 years” stating it is “a huge gamble on public finances and the health of our economy”.

In a joint letter, they warn against being condemned to another decade of austerity and express deep concern over reports that UK government departments will be asked to make spending cuts to balance the budget, which may have profound consequences for devolved budget settlements already eroded by inflation.

The Ministers also renew calls for the UK government to provide targeted support for households and businesses, funded through a windfall tax on the energy sector. They also call for additional funding to increase Social Security benefits to support low income households with the higher costs they will face through winter, including a £25 per week uplift for Universal Credit and legacy benefits.

By abolishing the 45p additional rate of income tax the UK government has shown its true colours. This will make the rich richer and further embed inequality in our communities.

October 11, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Expanding North Sea oil and gas has no connection to reality of climate change, Greens warn [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Green Party on 7 October 2022.

Responding to Business Secretary Jacob Rees Mogg’s opening up of a new North Sea Oil and Gas exploration round [1], Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay said:

“The government’s claim that burning ever more fossil fuels from the North Sea will help the UK meet its international obligations to become net zero by 2050 [2] has no connection to reality – we truly have stepped through the Looking Glass.

“The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the International Energy Agency and the United Nations have each warned there can be no new fossil fuel projects if there is to be any chance of keeping global temperature rises under 1.5 degrees.

“Furthermore, Jacob Rees-Mogg’s claims that these new licences will increase energy security in the face of Russian aggression is also for the birds. The North Sea Transition Authority, which regulates them, says even the fast-tracked ones won’t come on stream for five years.

“The only people who benefit from this reckless decision are the fossil fuel companies and vested interests who have backed the Truss government and are now receiving their payback.

“The reality is, we can only hope to hold global warming to under 1.5 degrees if we leave fossil fuels in the ground.

“The most effective and sustainable way to ensure energy security is to invest in insulating houses and massively ramping up renewable energy [3]. New oil and gas exploration is an expensive and dangerous road to planetary destruction.”

ENDS

Notes

1

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63163824

2

In her speech to the Conservative Party Autumn Conference, Prime Minister Liz Truss said: “We are opening more gas fields in the North Sea and delivering more renewables and nuclear energy. That is how we will protect the great British environment, deliver on our commitment to net zero and tackle climate change.”

3

At itsAutumn Conference last weekend, the Green Party presented its plan to tax tbe wealth of the richest 1% at a rate starting at 1% to raise at least £70bn to invest in insulating peoples’ homes and expanding renewables

October 11, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : ‘Destructive’ Investment Zones will fail to create fairer greener communities [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Green Party on 6 October 2022.

Green councillors across England and Wales are urging their councils to reject ‘Investment Zones’, which are a core element in the Conservatives’ ‘Growth Plan.[1]’ Greens say the plans, which aim to accelerate housing and infrastructure through a new streamlined planning system, threaten both local democracy and the environment [2].

Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay said:

“Investment zones, as set out by the government, threaten to ride rough-shod over agreed local priorities, further damage the environment and nature, and reduce commitments to affordable homes and community facilities.

“By offering a liberalised planning process with tax breaks, this is a developers charter, that will mean local communities lose their rights to resist unsustainable development and allow developers to by-pass local objections entirely.

“The guidance wants to remove current legal requirements which provide the key tools for protecting nature during the planning process. Even worse, it suggests Investment Zones could be allowed in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and other protected environments.The legal requirement to achieve Net Zero by 2050 has also been completely ignored.

“As Greens we urge local councils to take a stand: to refuse to agree to a new streamlined overarching planning system; to make clear their commitment to local control of planning, and insist existing protections for the environment and for nature are retained.

“We do urgently need investment in our local communities. But Greens have a very different vision of how we can create prosperity.

“We desperately need to insulate our homes and workplaces, provide clean and cheap renewable energy, improve public transport, produce healthy local food and help nature thrive. We also need serious investment in our crumbling health and social care services. All of which will help create thousands of new jobs.

“We understand the desperate need many councils have for investment and funding. But we will resist harmful Investment Zones and continue to fight for fairer, greener communities.”

Notes
1. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/investment-zones-in-england-expression-of-interest
2. https://www.wcl.org.uk/open-letter-to-pm-on-environmental-deregulation.asp
October 11, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : “This government is determined to wreck the climate” – Green Party response to Liz Truss conference speech [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Green Party on 5 October 2022.

Responding to Prime Minister Liz Truss’ speech to the Conservative Party conference today, Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski said:

“This government is determined to wreck the climate with a dangerous drive to growth that is based on greater investment in fossil fuels that are destroying the planet.

“Liz Truss used her speech today to try and build a coalition of ‘enemies’ that she claims are holding the country back. This is divisive and false.

“We stand for the planet and for the people. There is no climate justice without social justice, and no future for the planet with this dead-end government.

“We need to raise the funds needed to tackle rising poverty and inequality through a targeted wealth tax and to use these funds to drive massive investment in insulating peoples’ homes and rolling out renewable energy to lower bills, stabilise the economy and tackle climate change.”

October 11, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Greens condemn cruel blanket ban on asylum claims and call for compassionate welcome for refugees [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Green Party on 5 October 2022.

The Green Party has condemned the government over its planned blanket ban on asylum claims from people who arrive ‘illegally’ [1]. They have repeated their call for a kinder fairer process where the UK works together with European neighbours to open up safe routes to help all those in need.

Benali Hamdache, Green Party spokesperson on Migration and Refugee Support, said:

“This government is now committed to turning away nearly every refugee in need, at a time when the world is an increasingly less stable place. No one chooses to be a refugee, but conflict and the climate crisis are driving millions out of their homes.

“Rather than accept that fact, the Tories are scapegoating desperate people. They’re chasing populist headlines rather than creating a kinder fairer process that is so desperately needed.

“And in the face of the most draconian attack on refugee rights, Labour had nothing to say, merely parroting Tory lines on the legality of migration [2]. It’s clear only the Green Party will stand up for migrants and refugees.

“We will always welcome refugees. We’d work together with our European neighbours to open up safe routes to help all those in need.”

Green Party co-leader, Carla Denyer, added:

“Nine in every ten people who travel by boat across the Channel come from 10 countries where human rights abuses and persecution are common. What the government is proposing would essentially end the right to claim asylum for those who need it most. The choice is clear: a cruel ban on refugees by the Tories or a compassionate welcome from the Greens.”

Notes

[1] Suella Braverman says Channel migrants will be banned from claiming asylum in UK | Evening Standard

[2] Sky News on Twitter: Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP

October 11, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Green councillors call on local Tories to join them in disowning government attack on nature [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Green Party on 3 October 2022.

Hundreds of Green Party councillors have sent an open letter to local Conservative councillors in their area, calling on them to disown the government’s ‘attack on nature.’ Greens have decried Kwasi Kwarteng’s recent ‘mini-budget’ as a ‘three-pronged assault’’.

As the Conservative Party begins its conference in Birmingham, Green councillors are urging local Conservative councillors to say ‘no’ to their new leaders and stand up for their community and local environment.

Government plans include ‘investment zones’ which would make it easier to get planning permission; a ‘sunset clause’ on EU environmental protections; and scrapping the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS), which would have paid farmers to improve nature on their land, with plans to replace this with a payment-by acre not linked to any environmental measures.

Councillor Ellie Chowns, a cabinet member on Herefordshire Council and Green Party spokesperson on Housing and Communities, said:

“Conservative councillors represent many rural voters who will be up in arms about the government proposals. They should show courage and do the right thing by opposing these hugely damaging plans, which are almost the direct opposite of Conservative manifesto promises and have never been put to the British people.

“We need all our local politicians, whichever party they come from, to stand up for nature. We can have robust local economies whilst also helping nature to recover and thrive. Local Tories have a special responsibility to say no to their new leaders and defend the natural environment on behalf of our communities.”

The full letter reads as follows:

Dear Conservative councillors,

“This Government has today launched an attack on nature” ~ RSPB England

There is widespread anger in response to government plans to remove fundamental legal protections for our environment. Opposition has come from many organisations ranging from the RSPB and National Trust through to the Wildlife Trusts and Friends of the Earth.

Alongside the reckless approach to the nation’s finances, the government seems intent on tearing up protection for nature. In a three-pronged assault on nature Ms Truss and Mr Kwarteng plan to;

Scrap planning rules that protect nature in new ‘investment zones’ covering huge areas of the country.[1] [2]

Rip up environmental protections introduced by the EU, without plans for replacement.[3]

Withdraw plans to help farmers to protect nature [4], with reports suggesting the ‘Environmental Land Management Scheme’ (ELMS) has been ‘put on hold’ whilst a return to a Common Agricultural Policy type per acre payment is expected, which will break a specific manifesto pledge [5].

Of course, just before these announcements we also saw Mr Jacob Rees-Mogg open the door to environmentally damaging fracking, a policy that is widely opposed, will do nothing to reduce energy bills and which the founder of Cuadrilla himself says is unviable [6].

The responses from those who care for nature have been overwhelming.

Joan Edwards, director of policy for The Wildlife Trusts, says these policies will mean “polluters can get away with poisoning our rivers and countryside – even more than they are doing already” [7/8].

Hilary McGrady of the National Trust says, “environmental protections are dismissed as ‘burdens’, while investment and growth are pitted against nature and climate action.”

These proposals come as part of a ‘dash for growth’ package which is also spooking markets and ruining government finances. There is no mandate for these measures: they actually reverse the direction of travel on the environment in your 2019 manifesto and have never been put to the British people.

Yet we know people’s livelihoods and local economies can be put on a sound footing with a three pronged approach to investment: in nature recovery, in renewable energy and in home insulation to reduce energy bills. Research has shown that “Protection and use of environmental assets is key to evening out economic imbalances between metropolitan and rural areas”[8]. In other words, the recovery of nature and the revival of local living standards should and can go hand-in hand.

We call on you to make plain to your party leaders that these policies must be reversed. We ask for a public statement from your group leader on your group’s views about these policies.

There is no case for staying silent, and every reason to stand up for your communities and for your local environment by making it plain that you will not support the tearing up of environmental protection and the reversal of attempts to help nature thrive.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-growth-plan-2022-factsheet-on-investment-zones/the-growth-plan-2022-investment-zones-factsheet

[2] Map of investment zones: https://twitter.com/RSPBEngland/status/1573366828222808064

[3] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/23/uk-environment-laws-under-threat-in-deregulatory-free-for-all

[4] https://www.edie.net/reports-defra-set-to-scrap-plans-to-pay-farmers-for-nature-restoration-and-creation/

[5] ““in return for funding, [farmers] must farm in a way that protects and enhances our natural environment” https://www.conservatives.com/our-plan/conservative-party-manifesto-2019

[6] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/21/fracking-wont-work-uk-founder-chris-cornelius-cuadrilla

[7]https://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/research/title_918714_en.html

[8] https://envirotecmagazine.com/2022/09/26/the-uk-governments-deregulation-agenda-is-dangerous/

October 11, 2022