Daniel
Zeichner MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Minister, commenting on
the publication of the Transport Focus Bus Passenger Survey figures for Autumn
2016, said:

“These
results show once again that compared to national operators, municipal bus
companies provide some of the best bus services in the country. The
Government’s plans to ban local authorities from forming their own bus
companies in the future clearly flies in the face of all the evidence.

“This
year’s survey also suggests that congestion is becoming an increasing problem
for bus users. With traffic projected to grow, this problem is only going to
become worse. We really need to see local authorities and bus companies using
the tools available in the Bus Services Bill to address congestion, and clean
up our air.”

22 Mar 2017

Police officer confidence throughout Scotland has hit a new low, an internal survey conducted by Police Scotland has revealed.

The shocking statistics show that just one in 10 police officers believe that Police Scotland has a “positive future.”

It was reported this morning that the questionnaire asked all staff their thoughts on the statement: “I feel positive about the future within Police Scotland.”

Results revealed that only 10 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement – while 71 per cent suggested they either disagreed or strongly disagreed.

The severe confidence crisis looks set to continue over the next few years with the force facing huge budget pressures on the SNP’s watch.

Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Douglas Ross said: 

“This survey puts a spotlight on just how little confidence there is within the police for the single force.

“Officers and staff need to have full confidence in Police Scotland if they are to work to the best of their abilities and keep Scotland’s communities safe.

“It’s extremely worrying that almost four years on from the SNP centralising our police forces, morale within the organisiation remains at rock bottom.”

For a copy of The Sun’s exclusive article regarding the survey click here: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/756737/shock-stats-reveal-police-morale-has-hit-new-low-as-just-one-in-10-cops-back-the-forces-future/

Teresa
Pearce, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, commenting on the news that Surrey
County Council Leader David Hodge is standing down as the Local Government
Association’s Conservative group leader, said: 

“It
appears that the row around the Tory sweetheart deal for Surrey Council has
claimed a victim with the resignation of David Hodge as the man responsible for
standing up for all Tory councils. Perhaps that’s unsurprising given the
accusations he colluded with the Government over a favourable deal not
available to other councils.

“This
doesn’t put the matter to bed however. Theresa May has failed to come clean
about the terms of the deal offered to Surrey, failed to apologise for her
Government’s misleading suggestion that there had been no such deal and would
not give the assurance that other local councils will get the same treatment.

“David
Hodge’s resignation makes the need for full disclosure from the Government more
pressing.  What we need from the Tories is a long term sustainable plan
for funding social care, rather than cosy deals for Tories councils.”

Jonathan
Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, commenting on
news that three more trusts have been put into financial special measures by
NHS Improvement, said:

“The
Government’s inept mismanagement of the NHS is pushing hospital finances to the
brink. NHS Providers have already warned this week that delivering services
within the current financial settlement is “mission impossible”. The news today
that another three hospital trusts have been forced into financial special
measures just illustrates the deepening financial challenge facing the health
service.

“Theresa
May can’t keep on forcing hospitals to choose between balancing the books and
providing safe patient care. By underfunding the NHS for so long, the Prime
Minister is putting patients at risk. The Government needs to set out a long-term,
sustainable financial settlement for the NHS which allows hospitals to provide
the top quality health services which Britain’s patients expect.”

His Royal
Highness Prince Phillip, The Duke of Edinburgh made an official visit to RAF
Northolt on Friday 17 March.

The Duke
made the visit in his capacity of Honorary Air Commodore for the unit, which is
home to 33 units from across Defence and wider Government.

As part
of the visit programme The Duke received an update on operations on the unit
and met 120 personnel from all three Armed Services and Civil Servants. Corporal Loz Prior, who works on the unit as
a Physical Training Instructor was part of the group that met The Duke, he
said: ‘I felt immensely proud to be part
of the occasion. A big part of my role
is to ensure that our people are fit to do their job, and His Royal Highness
was very interested in the various ways we manage to achieve that. It was a real honour to meet and speak with a
member of the Royal family.’

The Duke
last visited RAF Northolt in March 2015, when he awarded a new standard to 32
(The Royal) Squadron as part of the unit’s centenary celebrations.

Editor: Squadron
Leader James Tenniswood

© MOD Crown Copyright 2017

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