Tag Archives: GB

24 October 2017

A majority of MEPs today voted to support a report from the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs committee calling for urgent and effective protection for whistleblowers at EU level. Molly, who was rapporteur for the opinion in the Economic and Financial Affairs Committee, commented:

“Today’s report calls on the European Commission to present legislation to protect whistleblowers in both the public and private sectors before the end of the year. We cannot allow the Commission to drag its feet any longer. Whistleblowers urgently need protection; this is fundamental to freedom of speech in Europe.

Speaking to the European Parliament ahead of the vote, Molly paid tribute to two whistleblowers in particular: Antoine Deltour, who exposed the Lux Leaks tax scandal, and Daphne Galizia the Malteste journalist killed by a car bomb last week and who led the Panama Papers investigation into corruption in Malta. Molly is due to meet with Daphne’s family this week. She told MEPs: 

“These two brave people gave us the information we need to challenge the corrupt and self-serving behaviour of the global plutocracy. Behaviour that is shaking the very foundations of our democracy. One was found guilty and barely avoided jail; the other was viciously murdered. This is the sort of courage it takes to be a whistleblower in a world without protective legislation.”

Molly went on to say:

“It is thanks to whistleblowers that concrete policy changes to tackle tax fraud, money laundering and corruption have been initiated. We therefore have a deep responsibility to act to protect people that take the brave step of challenging wrongdoing or illegal or corrupt activity in Europe. Without protection, whistleblowers and journalists will continue to suffer. We expect the Commission to listen and bring forward robust proposals as soon as possible.”

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24 October 2017

Activists protesting against HS2 preparatory works have reached the eighth day of their sit-in.

The campaigners have been camping at a site off Harvil Road in Harefield where a construction company has been felling trees in preparation for HS2 construction [1].

They believe that the works are being carried out illegally because no planning permission has been granted. They are worried that the works, currently taking place in a protected woodland, is going to enormous damage to habitats and wildlife.

Sarah Green, 62 from Hillingdon and a member of the Green Party, is one of the protesters who has been at the site since 16 October.

Green said:

“HS2 Limited and their contractors need to know that we are not going anywhere. Now that HS2 have started their enabling works, they have their sights set on forest clearance and wetland drainage in 300 acres of woodland in West London. That only means we are going to step up our protests, not shy away. Their plans would alter the natural balance of the environment, of our air, water and habitats. It cannot be allowed to happen.”

Notes

[1] https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/oct/03/hs2-protester-spends-night-under-digger-demolition

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23 October 2017Responding to the result of the vote [1] on a resolution to ban hunting on National Trust land, Keith Taylor MEP, the Green Party’s animals spokesperson, said:”The result is a huge disappointment and massive set back for animal prot… read more

20 October 2017

The Green Party has responded to news that dirty air kills nine million people a year globally [1], warning that with a death toll higher than AIDs, TB and malaria combined [2] air pollution is one of the most urgent global crises of our times.

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, said:

“Air pollution is fast becoming one of the most urgent global crises of our times. The toll is three times higher than deaths from AIDS, TB and Malaria combined. If we do not take drastic action now millions more will die prematurely.

“Britain is falling woefully behind other countries when it comes to cleaning up our air, with the Government’s plans to tackle the crisis so bad they have been found illegal. This is shameful. We must learn from cities like Paris taking bold measures to cut pollution.

“The Government must publish a new Clean Air Act fit for the 21st century, and urgently move toward making our city centres zero emission. It is also imperative we work with our global neighbours to protect the world’s most vulnerable citizens, who we know will be worst affected by this public health emergency.”

Notes:

1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-41678533
2. http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/10/19/558821792/report-pollution-kills-3-times-more-than-aids-tb-and-malaria-combined

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18 October 2017

The Green Party has called on the Government to refund all bills racked up by people calling the Universal Credit helpline.

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader, made the call in response to news today the Government will scrap the 55p-a-minute charge for calling the line.

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, said:

“The Government’s Universal Credit phoneline has been little short of fining vulnerable people for seeking help. It is shameful it took this long to make the line free. The Government must refund all bills racked up by the phoneline immediately as a first step towards undoing the damage it has inflicted.”

ENDS.

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

Notes:

1. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/universal-credit-helpline-call-charges-dwp-55p-work-corbyn-labour-pensions-benefits-david-gauke-a8006346.html

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