New Commission guidelines help citizens gain better and fairer access to their national courts on environmental cases Today the European Commission adopted a guidance document on access to justice in environmental matters which clarifies how individuals and associations can challenge … read more
(Susceptible de modifications en cours de semaine) Déplacements et visites Lundi 01 mai 2017 Labour Day Mr Phil Hogan in Canada (until 03/05): in Ottawa, meets Mr Lawrence MacAulay, Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food of Canada; members of the … read more
John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, commenting on today’s lower than expected GDP figures, said
“Today’s GDP figures reveal the threat to living standards under the Tories.
“Growth for the first three months of 2017 was only half of what was expected. It comes on the back of new forecasts last week from leading independent forecasters showing growth and earnings expectations slashed and inflation revised up.
“There is no hiding from the truth. The Tories’ economic plan has undermined the UK economy and is a threat to working people’s living standards.
“This General Election is a choice between a Labour Party who will stand up for the many and a Tory Party which only looks after the privileged few.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
ONS, GDP, April 2017
https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossdomesticproductgdp/bulletins/grossdomesticproductpreliminaryestimate/jantomar2017
OBR, Economic and fiscal outlook, March 2017, Table 3.2
http://budgetresponsibility.org.uk/efo/economic-fiscal-outlook-march-2017/
GDP 2017
Independent median- 1.8%
OBR forecast- 2%
Difference- -0.2%
Average earnings 2017
Independent median- 2.4 %
OBR forecast- 2.6%
Difference- -0.2%
Inflation Q4 2017
Independent median- 3.1%
OBR forecast- 2.7%
Difference- +0.4%
GDP 2018
Independent median- 1.3%
OBR forecast- 1.6%
Difference- -0.3%
Inflation Q4 2018
Independent median- 2.5%
OBR forecast- 2.2%
Difference- -0.3%
Treasury, Forecasts for the UK economy: a comparison of independent forecasts, 19 April 2017
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/609054/Forecasts_UK_Economy_April_2017.pdf
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28 April 2017
* Greens commit to making LGBTIQA+ refugees welcome, decent HIV prevention, and rights for all gender identities
* Launch in church sets clear distance between Greens and Lib Dems
* Jonathan Bartley: “While other political parties struggle to say what they believe, Greens are clear – we will always stand up for LGBTIQA+ people”
The Green Party will commit to supporting LGBTIQA+ asylum seekers at the launch of its LGBTIQA+ manifesto tomorrow (Friday 28 April).
Jonathan Bartley, co-leader, and Aimee Challenor, LGBTIQA+ spokesperson, will also set out the party’s commitment to ensuring HIV prevention drug PrEP is provided by the NHS, and putting trans and intersex recognition and rights in law.
Setting clear distance between themselves and the Lib Dems, Bartley and Challenor will launch the manifesto in The Trinity United Reform Church in Camden.
Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, is expected to say:
“The Green Party has a proud history of leading the way when it comes to LGBTIQA+ rights. While other political parties struggle to say what they believe, Greens are clear – we will always stand up for LGBTIQA+ people.
“We believe in a fairer world, a more equal economy, human rights protected by law, recognition and representation for all gender identities and education and health services which care for and include everyone.”
Aimee Challenor, Green Party LGBTIQA+ spokesperson, who is the only openly trans spokesperson of a UK Political Party, is expected to say:
“Let’s be clear, LGBTIQA+ rights are under threat. From Gay and Bi men being tortured and killed in Chechnya, to Donald Trump weakening protections in the US and the UK’s threat to repeal the Human Rights Act, 2017 has already been a concerning year for everyone who cares about LGBTIQA+ people.
“The Green Party is proud to stand against the erosion of LGBITQA+ rights and launch a manifesto which proudly fights for bodily autonomy for intersex people, legal recognition for trans and non-binary people, for PrEP for all that need it, and for greater protection for LGBTIQA+ asylum seekers – and more.”
read moreMuch of the media and some commentators were keen to give prominence to any fall in the pound after Brexit. They claimed it was the result of Brexit, ignoring the falls before we voted. They said it would lead to higher inflation in the UK than elsewhere. So far our increase in inflation has been mainly owing to oil prices, and is less than the US with a stronger currency and similar to Germany’s.
Will they today report the further surge in the pound, now 8% higher than its recent low against the dollar and Euro? Will they offer a political explanation for the improvement, as they claimed for the fall? And will they now predict less inflation as the pound rises? Don’t hold your breath.
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