Self-proclaimed “qigong master” Wang Lin, who was facing several criminal charges, has died in a hospital in east China’s Jiangxi Province following an illness. Wang died from multiple organ failure from ANCA-related vasculitis and peripheral neuritis… read more
10 Feb 2017
The Scottish Conservatives are urging the SNP to start tackling the issue of drug-driving in Scotland after falling behind the rest of the UK on this issue.
At a Road Safety Scotland conference, it was announced that since English drug-driving laws came into effect two years ago there had been a four-fold increase in the number of drivers being charged with drug-driving.
Despite the evidence clearly highlighting that the introduction of the legislation saw improvements down south, when asked in yesterday’s First Ministers Questions, the SNP continued to swerve questions on why similar provisions are yet to be introduced in Scotland.
The SNP’s continued dismissal suggests that it is reluctant to utilise English law, which is impeding Scotland’s ability to deal with this serious issue.
Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Douglas Ross said:
“It’s wrong that Scotland is so far behind the curve, compared with the rest of the United Kingdom, on this important issue
“The SNP knows that as a result of the changes in England and Wales, the number of motorists charged with drug driving rose significantly and convictions have improved.
“Those driving under the influence of drugs should not be anywhere near the wheel – they not only put their own safety at risk, but others too.
“The SNP’s sheer stubbornness is preventing Scotland from finding a way to deal with drug-driving in the best possible way. “The evidence already exists that changes in England and Wales have had the desired effect and the SNP must act on this now.”
Scottish legal news article that clarifies the success of the English success of drug-driving laws and Scottish Government plans:
read morePaul Blomfield MP, Labour’s Shadow Brexit Minister, commenting on the leaked Government report dividing British industries into high, medium and low priority in the Brexit negotiations, said:
“Hard working people, the back bone of our manufacturing sector, will be the losers in this Tory harsh Brexit.
“Pharmaceuticals is ranked as ‘high priority’ yet the Health Secretary has confirmed we will likely pull out of the European Medicines Agency, threatening access to drugs for patients and thousands of jobs.
“Steel construction is ranked as ‘low priority’ – a shocking indictment of a Government that claims to understand the importance of manufacturing.
“The Government must urgently explain this ranking and confirm that jobs, livelihoods, and speedy access to new drugs will be at the centre of its Brexit plans.”
read moreAnglers had penalties of over £450 each imposed at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on 6 February 2017 for fishing illegally. read more
Angela Rayner, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, commenting on reports that independent school students gain extra time for exams, said:
“Our education system allows children with special educational needs extra time in exams to ensure that they are not unfairly disadvantaged. The suggestion that this could be being abused raises serious questions about the fairness of this arrangement.
“The Government needs to look at this urgently to make sure that no school is abusing the system.”
Ends
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