The environmental authority has uncovered 140 problems during an air pollution inspection of 18 cities in north China’s Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region and nearby areas. Inspectors were despatched on an unannounced check of 363 government agencies … read more
Song Lin, former chairman of state-owned China Resources Group, stood trial on charges of embezzlement and bribery on Monday in South China’s Guangzhou City. The trial was handled by Guangzhou Municipal Intermediate People’s Court. The procuratorate a… read more
Louise Haigh, Labour’s Shadow Minister for the Digital Economy, commenting on the Government’s announcement on a new internet safety strategy, said:
“The Government are passing the buck when it comes to keeping people safe online.“
“The Digital Economy Bill – passing through Parliament – didn’t make a single mention of online abuse or education; they have failed to live up to their own benchmarks through the UK Council for Child Internet Safety and have failed to introduce their long-promised mandatory codes of practice for social media providers.”
“With online bullying on the rise Ministers don’t need to hold another summit; they need to take concrete action. That’s why Labour has called for statutory online education to be introduced so children can make informed decisions online and ask questions in a safe environment; for the introduction of mandatory codes of practice for social media providers to prevent abuse; and for the Government to stop the neglect of child mental health services.”
read more
27 February 2017
The Green Party is deeply concerned by proposed changes to PIP payments, which will affect more than 160,000 people [1].
George Freeman MP defended the proposal by saying disability benefits should go to “really disabled people” not those “taking pills at home, who suffer from anxiety” [2].
Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader, said:
“The Government by its own admission is targeting the disabled to try to balance its books. This ruthless and underhand move is designed simply to cut disability benefits, regardless of the impact on people’s lives.
“The Government is deliberately going against the two tribunals that ruled the payments should have more reach, not less. George Freeman’s defence of these changes was appalling and revealed a lack of understanding and nothing less than discrimination against people who face serious health conditions like anxiety. His comments are part of the terrible stigma that still exists around mental health, and reinforces it.
“With the Spring Budget approaching the Government should urgently reconsider its plans. This will hurt thousands of people, put up more social barriers and restrict them from going about their daily lives. Disabled people should not be penalised and forced to pay for a budget deficit which they did not create.”
Mags Lewis, Green Party disability spokesperson, said:
“Disabled people are already on the brink, having faced vicious cuts, confusing benefit changes, and Government indifference. Now the Government is planning to change the goal posts yet again. As a disabled person, I know these constant onslaughts cause anxiety, hardship, and terror to disabled people’s lives. Why are we seen as an easy target for cuts? We must unite against this onslaught, fight in the courts and be heard by our Government. Enough is enough.”
Notes:
China’s Ministry of Culture on Monday said 36 online game operators have been punished for providing illegal content. The 36 online game operators, which were found providing gambling-related and other illegal content and instigating crimes, were fine… read more