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Tag: Speeches

  • Kate Green – 2021 Comments on Education Catch-Up

    Kate Green – 2021 Comments on Education Catch-Up

    The comments made by Kate Green, the Shadow Secretary of State for Education, on 29 June 2021.

    The Conservatives have treated children as an afterthought throughout this pandemic and Kevan Collins is right to describe their plans as ‘feeble’.

    Parents and schools are crying out for help and they’re just not getting it. The Government cannot simply wait until September to act on self-isolation and other measures we have been calling for.

    Ministers must work with their expert scientific advisers now to review the bubbles system ahead of the summer holidays to ensure as many children can be in the classroom as possible.

  • Bridget Phillipson – 2021 Comments on the Net Zero Review

    Bridget Phillipson – 2021 Comments on the Net Zero Review

    The comments made by Bridget Phillipson, the Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, on 30 June 2021.

    There’s a real danger this green bonds announcement is all talk and no action – just like the Chancellor’s long delayed Net Zero Review – and a distraction from the critical job of halting climate breakdown.

    We need far more details and a watertight guarantee that these bonds are spent properly on the green jobs and initiatives that will curb climate breakdown.

    The Chancellor must stop dragging his heels, and publish his final report into the Net Zero Review which has now been delayed since Autumn 2020.

    And he should hardwire his Net Zero targets into his upcoming spending review, as Labour would do.

  • Sadiq Khan – 2021 Statement Following Fire in Elephant and Castle

    Sadiq Khan – 2021 Statement Following Fire in Elephant and Castle

    The statement made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 28 June 2021.

    My thoughts are with all those affected by the very serious fire in Elephant and Castle. I am in close contact with the Fire Commissioner.

    I want to thank our brave emergency services – the London Fire Brigade, Met Police, London Ambulance Service and British Transport Police, who acted quickly to ensure both residents and passengers at the nearby station were safely evacuated.

    The fire is now under control. Two people, one police officer and one member of the public are being treated for smoke inhalation. I wish them and others affected a speedy recovery.

    I urge the public to avoid the area whilst our firefighters and emergency services continue their work in the area. There are significant road closures in place and the tube station is shut.

    If you live nearby, please follow the advice from London Fire Brigade and close all doors and windows.

  • Sadiq Khan – 2021 Statement on EU Settlement Scheme Deadline

    Sadiq Khan – 2021 Statement on EU Settlement Scheme Deadline

    The statement made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 29 June 2021.

    Tomorrow marks the application deadline for the EU Settlement Scheme and I want to make a final appeal to European Londoners and their families. Speak to your eligible friends, colleagues and family members and make sure they’ve all applied to the scheme.

    I remain hugely concerned that with hundreds of thousands of people caught up in the Government’s application backlog, many European Londoners face a real risk of discrimination from Thursday onwards. We know the backlog will take months and months to clear but it is still not too late for ministers to do the right thing and announce an extension to the application deadline to avoid the huge stress and anxiety their application backlog will have created.

    I also urge the Government to introduce physical proof of status – their policies mean that immigration checks are being conducted by non-experts – landlords, employers and others who may not know or understand the complexities of EU citizens’ new immigration status, which is digital-only. There is no doubt that the lack of printed evidence creates barriers in accessing work, housing and essential services and we have already seen the harm that these policies have had on many people, including the Windrush generation and their families.

    I will continue to do all I can to support European citizens living in the capital – they continue to make a massive contribution to our economic, cultural and social life, and everything that makes our city so great.

  • Alister Jack – 2021 Comments on New HMS Belfast

    Alister Jack – 2021 Comments on New HMS Belfast

    The comments made by Alister Jack, the Secretary of State for Scotland, on 29 June 2021.

    Scotland is a world leader in shipbuilding and it’s great to see construction of the British military’s latest warship beginning by the River Clyde in Govan.

    When complete HMS Belfast – and the rest of the seven strong Scottish built Type 26 fleet – will help protect the UK and our NATO allies 24/7. In the meantime the anti-submarine frigate building programme is boosting our country’s prosperity through the investment and skills footprint defence projects bring.

  • Wendy Morton – 2021 Comments on Bab al-Hawa Border

    Wendy Morton – 2021 Comments on Bab al-Hawa Border

    The comments made by Wendy Morton, a Foreign Office Minister, on 29 June 2021.

    The Bab al-Hawa border crossing must remain open so that life-saving humanitarian assistance can reach the most vulnerable Syrians. Between 2020 and 2021, the UK provided clean drinking water to over 225,000 people, health consultations to more than 400,000 Syrians and formal education to over 200,000 children in north-west Syria – all through this vital aid crossing.

    The UK, as a force for good in the region, will be voting in favour of maximum humanitarian access at the UNSC so that charities operating in north west Syria can continue their life-saving work. More than 13 million Syrians remain in dire need of support across the war-torn country.

  • Rachel Maclean – 2021 Comments on Electric Vehicle Charging

    Rachel Maclean – 2021 Comments on Electric Vehicle Charging

    The comments made by Rachel Maclean, the Transport Minister, on 30 June 2021.

    With sales of EVs increasing and the government’s net zero ambitions accelerating, I want to make it as easy as possible for EV drivers to charge up their vehicles at public chargepoints right across the UK, regardless of their mobility.

    We are taking action to provide accessibility guidance to both operators and drivers to make sure that the transition to zero-emission driving will benefit everyone in society as we build back better.

  • Anne-Marie Trevelyan – 2021 Comments on Ending Coal Power

    Anne-Marie Trevelyan – 2021 Comments on Ending Coal Power

    The comment made by Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the Energy and Climate Change Minister, on 30 June 2021.

    Coal powered the industrial revolution 200 years ago, but now is the time for radical action to completely eliminate this dirty fuel from our energy system.

    Today we’re sending a clear signal around the world that the UK is leading the way in consigning coal power to the history books and that we’re serious about decarbonising our power system so we can meet our ambitious, world-leading climate targets.

    The UK’s net zero future will be powered by renewables, and it is this technology that will drive the green industrial revolution and create new jobs across the country.

  • Kwasi Kwarteng – 2021 Comments on State Aid

    Kwasi Kwarteng – 2021 Comments on State Aid

    The comments made by Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, on 30 June 2021.

    Today we’re seizing the opportunities of being an independent trading nation to back new and emerging British industries, create more jobs and make the UK the best possible place to start and grow a business.

    We want to use our newfound freedoms as an independent, sovereign country to empower public authorities across the UK to deliver financial support – without facing burdensome red tape.

    While the UK’s new system will be more agile and flexible, I have been clear that we will not return to the failed 1970s approach of the government trying to run the economy, picking winners or bailing out unsustainable companies. Every subsidy must deliver strong benefits for local communities and ensure good value for money for the British taxpayer.

    Today’s Bill marks a clear departure from the EU State aid regime and will ensure our new subsidy system will maintain the UK’s competitive, free market economy that has been central to our economic success and national prosperity for decades.

  • Angela Rayner – 2021 Comments on the Personal Conduct of Michael Gove

    Angela Rayner – 2021 Comments on the Personal Conduct of Michael Gove

    The comments made by Angela Rayner, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, on 29 June 2021.

    Michael Gove has contradicted himself so many times it’s no surprise he won’t answer questions about his role in his friends being unlawfully awarded more than half a million pounds of taxpayers’ money.

    Gove’s attitude smacks of a contempt for the truth and habitual dishonesty. If he is so sure he’s done nothing wrong he should publish all the correspondence and refer himself for an investigation so he can clear his name.

    After the Matt Hancock scandal the stench of sleaze hanging around this government is growing stronger every day. The public need answers about what has gone on here, and there is clear evidence that Michael Gove has broken the Ministerial Code.