Sharon
Hodgson, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Public Health, commenting on the news there is to be an inquiry into how thousands of people
were infected with contaminated blood transfusions, said:

“The
Government’s announcement of an inquiry into contaminated blood is long
overdue. Labour will be working with campaigners to scrutinise the announcement
and make sure this inquiry finally delivers justice for the families of the
victims of this appalling tragedy.

“The
inquiry should deliver full disclosure of documents relating to the disaster,
through a process managed by the victims and should compel parties involved in
the scandal to participate fully. It must investigate not just the events
leading up to individuals’ infection, but the aftermath as well.

“There
are a number of recent allegations about the conduct of public officials and
the treatment of the victims which need to be fully and transparently
addressed. The victims and their families have suffered for too long and the
Government should provide every possible support to them in their quest for
truth.”

A coastal Chinese province is to appoint coast chiefs to fight pollution and illegal fishing.

Zhejiang provincial government said Tuesday that the arrangement will take effect on August 7 and by the end of this year all coasts in Zhejiang should have their chiefs.

Coast chiefs will be responsible for supervising waste discharged into the sea, illegal fishing gear, unlicensed fishing boats, illegal use of coasts, illegal ship building, repairing and recycling, the government said in a circular.

Zhejiang has a coastline of more than 6,600 kilometers, the longest of any Chinese province.

The coast chief practice is regarded as an extension of river chiefs, which are being rolled out across the country after a successful trial in Jiangsu Province.

The responsibilities of river chiefs include water resource protection, pollution prevention and control, and ecological restoration. Their performance is assessed and they will be held accountable for environmental damage in the bodies of water they oversee.

Zhejiang tested the practice in 2008 and expanded it across the whole province in 2013 and there are now 61,000 river chiefs there.

Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the Labour Party, commenting on the
Taylor Report, said: 

“The Taylor Report was a huge missed opportunity to tackle
the growing problem of insecure employment.

"In Labour’s manifesto ‘For The Many Not The Few’ we set
out a 20 point plan to transform the workplace and protect and improve workers’
rights. By abolishing Employment Tribunal fees, scrapping zero hour contracts
and giving rights to all workers from day one, we would halt and reverse the spread
of exploitation in the Gig Economy.

"Theresa May says she wants parties to contribute
ideas. But when we asked her Government to give its support
to Labour’s Queen’s Speech amendment to give millions of public
sector workers a much needed pay-rise, the Conservatives voted against
it. 

"Only yesterday
Theresa May delivered a slap in the face to hard working
teachers by giving them another real term cut by maintaining the 1 per cent pay
cap.

"The Prime Minister now heads a zombie government that has
no ideas, no answers and no leadership. Her premiership has run out of steam
and she will soon have to deal with her own insecure employment.

"Only a Labour Government can deliver for the many not the
few.”

11 July 2017

The Green Party has responded to the Prime Minister’s speech on Matthew Taylor’s Review of Modern Working Practices [1].

Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader, said:

“Theresa May says she wants bold ideas but her response is weak. The Prime Minister looks set to under deliver on a review into the gig economy that does not go far enough to empower or protect workers.

“It is inadequate to tinker with the edges of a system that is already broken. Introducing a presumption of employment, with the burden falling on the employer to prove otherwise is a step in the right direction – but it’s disappointing to see no moves to get rid of extortionate tribunal fees which stop workers who have been exploited from accessing justice. Proposals for tax and National Insurance reform, meanwhile, lack teeth. Greater ‘consistency’ between employment and self-employment will only happen in the long term and provide no guarantee of equality.

“Despite talk of addressing insecurity and the impact automation, and aspirations to change the debate about what good work looks like, there is no mention in the report of a shorter working week or a Basic Income. If the Prime Minister is serious about overhauling the world of work to keep up with the demands of the 21st Century she will consider Green calls for a shorter working week, a move which would improve people’s quality of life and see productivity rise at the same time. A universal payment to all people in the form of a Basic Income would reward unpaid work, enable people to pursue fulfilling employment, increase people’s options and act as a safety net for everyone.

“In her speech the Prime Minister flagged the Brexit vote as an indication that people wanted more control. The question by which this review and the actions of the Prime Minister should be measured is ‘will the balance of power in the workplace fundamentally shift?’ The resounding answer is ‘no’.”

1. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/626772/good-work-taylor-review-modern-working-practices.pdf 

Green Party press release

For immediate release – 11 July 2017

Green Party responds to Taylor review

The Green Party has responded to the Prime Minister’s speech on Matthew Taylor’s Review of Modern Working Practices [1].

Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader, said:

“Theresa May says she wants bold ideas but her response is weak. The Prime Minister looks set to under deliver on a review into the gig economy that does not go far enough to empower or protect workers.

“It is inadequate to tinker with the edges of a system that is already broken. Introducing a presumption of employment, with the burden falling on the employer to prove otherwise is a step in the right direction – but it’s disappointing to see no moves to get rid of extortionate tribunal fees which stop workers who have been exploited from accessing justice. Proposals for tax and National Insurance reform, meanwhile, lack teeth. Greater ‘consistency’ between employment and self-employment will only happen in the long term and provide no guarantee of equality.

“Despite talk of addressing insecurity and the impact automation, and aspirations to change the debate about what good work looks like, there is no mention in the report of a shorter working week or a Basic Income. If the Prime Minister is serious about overhauling the world of work to keep up with the demands of the 21st Century she will consider Green calls for a shorter working week, a move which would improve people’s quality of life and see productivity rise at the same time. A universal payment to all people in the form of a Basic Income would reward unpaid work, enable people to pursue fulfilling employment, increase people’s options and act as a safety net for everyone.

“In her speech the Prime Minister flagged the Brexit vote as an indication that people wanted more control. The question by which this review and the actions of the Prime Minister should be measured is ‘will the balance of power in the workplace fundamentally shift?’ The resounding answer is ‘no’.”

ENDS. 

For more information contact: press@greenparty.org.uk / 0203 691 9401

Notes:

1.https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/626772/good-work-taylor-review-modern-working-practices.pdf 

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