It is completely unacceptable that Kensington and Chelsea would rather cancel their meeting than obey court ruling to provide for a basic level of transparency – Gwynne

Commenting on the adjournment of Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council’s cabinet meeting last night, Andrew Gwynne MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, said:

“It is completely unacceptable that Kensington and Chelsea would rather cancel their meeting than obey court ruling to provide for a basic level of transparency.

“I welcome that Sajid Javid has supported Labour’s call in urging for the democratic process to be open and transparent but the response from the Government falls short of actually doing anything to address the utter chaos in the way this tragedy has been handled.  

“Sajid Javid needs to immediately ensure that all residents who are now homeless or in temporary accommodation are getting the support they need, and undertake an immediate review into the adequacy of corporate governance with a view to sending in commissioners to take control of the council if necessary.”



Xi meets former HK chief executive Tung Chee-hwa

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Tung Chee-hwa, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, in Hong Kong, south China, June 30, 2017. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng) 

President Xi Jinping met with Tung Chee-hwa, the first chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Friday, calling him “a pioneer” in practicing “one country, two systems” in Hong Kong.

Xi praised Tung for the large amount of trailblazing work he has done in this regard.

Tung, now vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), became the first chief executive of the HKSAR when Hong Kong returned to China from British rule on July 1, 1997.

As vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, Tung has continued to dedicate himself to the development and progress of the country and Hong Kong, Xi said, adding that Tung has set a good example for his successors.

The president expressed his hope that Tung could continue to play a positive role in the development of the country and Hong Kong in the future.

Tung said he is confident in the sustained prosperity and stability of the HKSAR under the “one country, two systems” principle, and he would do what he can to contribute more to the country and Hong Kong.

Xi arrived here Thursday to attend celebrations for Hong Kong’s 20th return anniversary and the inauguration of the HKSAR’s fifth-term government. Inspection of the HKSAR is also on the schedule for his three-day stay.



Press release: Deadline extended for Ipswich Flood Barrier artwork project

The project will see bespoke creations installed at 2 locations – across the 3 doors of the barrier’s control building, and within a circular space on the West Bank of the New Cut.

The successful designs, which should have a maritime and/or Ipswich theme, must be able to withstand any potential vandalism and sufficiently durable to have a lifespan of 25 years.

The commissioned art work is expected to be installed by early next year.

The deadline for submissions is 28 July.

Work on the £58 million Ipswich Flood barrier scheme is already well under way and is due to be completed in 2018.

EA project manager Andrew Usborne said: “We want this art work to be a visual representation of Ipswich’s maritime past and also to mark the creation of this new vital infrastructure for the town.

These 2 commissions will provide a lasting legacy for the town’s most important flood defence scheme in recent history.

The next major phase of the project will be the arrival of the tidal gates from Holland in the summer.

The scheme, which will reduce the risk of flooding to 1,608 homes and 422 businesses and support key infrastructure, has been partnership funded by: the Environment Agency, Ipswich Borough Council, Department for Communities and Local Government, the Haven Gateway Partnership, and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership.

Any artists interested in finding out more about the art project and how to make a submission should email enquiries_eastanglia@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Media enquiries: For more details about the specifications or for further details, contact the East Anglia press office (24 hours) on: 0800 917 9250



Xi calls on HK youths to serve HK, country

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called on Hong Kong youths to choose the right path and serve Hong Kong and the country, a day before the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China.

Xi made the remarks when visiting the Junior Police Call (JPC) Permanent Activity Center and Integrated Youth Training Camp, where he talked with JPC members and asked about their life, study and training.

Youths are the future and the hope of the country, he told JPC members.

“There would be no promising future for the country without the healthy growth of the youths,” Xi said.

“Every generation of youths has its own historic missions and opportunities. Contemporary youths of Hong Kong shall seize the historic opportunities, and choose the right path forward to serve Hong Kong and the country,” he said.

The president also praised Hong Kong’s over 30,000 police officers, saying they had played a key role in safeguarding the rule of law and maintaining Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity over the past 20 years.

Noting that the Hong Kong police attaches great importance to law-related education among the youth, Xi said it is a far-sighted move.

Affiliated to the Hong Kong Police Force, the JPC is a major youth organization in Hong Kong with a membership of more than 180,000. Xi called on the JPC to make further efforts to cultivate a new generation of youths in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) who love both the country and Hong Kong.

HKSAR Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying accompanied Xi during the visit.

Also on Friday, Xi’s wife Peng Liyuan visited an elderly center in the company of Leung’s wife Regina Leung Tong Ching-yee.

At the TWGHs Jockey Club Sunshine Complex For the Elderly, Peng asked the senior residents about their life, daily routine and rehabilitation treatment. She also joined them in making handicrafts and expressed her wishes for their happy life.



These figures are very concerning, with the trade deficit growing at a time when we are negotiating our exit from the EU further exposing the lack of direction at the top of government – McDonnell

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, commenting on today’s ONS publications that show the savings rate falling, the trade deficit growing, sluggish growth in consumer spending and falling wages, said:

“These figures are very concerning, with the trade deficit growing at a time when we are negotiating our exit from the EU further exposing the lack of direction at the top of government.

“What is deeply worrying, in a week when we have also seen figures on soaring consumer borrowing, is that today’s data show a stark drop in savings alongside sluggish growth in consumer spending and a fall in disposable income. This suggests that the crisis in earnings not keeping up with prices means that many working households are struggling to make ends meet.

"Only a Labour government will introduce a £10 per hour minimum wage and build a high wage, high skill economy of the future.”