20 August 2018

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, has criticised privatisation and Government cuts for contributing to the failure of Birmingham Prison.

Bartley called on ministers to take steps to reduce prison numbers, following news the Government has taken over Birmingham Prison from G4S after inspectors found it to be in a “state of crisis” [1].

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

“The Government is wilfully blind to the scale of crisis facing our prisons. This report lays bare the inadequacy and squalor of a system which is failing everyone. From riots and deaths to take overs, it is clear the privatisation experiment hasn’t worked. Meanwhile cuts have left prisons unable to meet inmates’ basic needs – let alone rehabilitate them.

“The Government should set our prisons on a new path towards a more successful, humane and common sense justice system. Britain has the highest imprisonment rates in Western Europe – but it doesn’t have to be like this. It should start with reducing prison numbers and a programme of prison closures, exploring alternatives to incarceration. It should also overhaul our failing drug laws.”

Notes:

1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-45240742

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16 August 2018

The Green Party has responded to news fracking company Cuadrilla has been given a warning by the Environment Agency after breaking the law over the storage of waste at its Preston New Road site in Lancashire [1].

Jenny Jones, Green peer in the House of Lords, said:

“Cuadrilla has repeatedly shown contempt for our environment and the local community around its Lancashire site. The irony of a fracking company which criminalises peaceful protest to have itself broken the law is not lost on us.

“The dodgy disposal of waste is just the latest in a long list of corner cutting by frackers in Britain, and it’s time the Government saw sense and dropped its illogical support for a dysfunctional industry. Fracking is dirty, dangerous, expensive and unnecessary. The Government must end its reckless dash for gas and instead invest in cheaper, cleaner renewable energy for the future.”

Notes:

1. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cuadrilla-is-warned-over-storage-of-shale-waste-ld3tjbjfn

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15 August 2018

The Green Party has responded to news rail fares will increase by 3.2% next year [1], while the Transport Secretary has announced plans for an effective cap on rail workers’ pay [2] by using a different, lower measure of inflation to set wages.

Amelia Womack, deputy leader of the Green Party, said:

“Chris Grayling has left no doubt about where his loyalties lie – with the private companies running our railways, not those who work on or use them.

“The announcements of plans for an effective cap on rail workers’ pay, and yet more fare increases outstripping wages, lay bare Grayling’s contempt for those who depend on Britain’s railways.

“Instead of making passengers and workers foot the bill for his failings, Grayling should be making the train operators enjoying eye watering profits pay their fair share.

“But with fares rising as services descend in chaos it’s ultimately time Britain’s railways were brought back into public hands.”

Notes:

1. https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/aug/15/uk-rail-fares-to-rise-commuters-call-freeze

2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45189369

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7 August 2018

The Green Party has given its support to cleaners striking for their rights today in what has been praised as the first coordinated action by low-paid workers in London.

Workers from the United Voices of the World trade union are on strike at the Ministry of Justice and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea today, demanding the London Living Wage, decent sick pay and the same rights as their colleagues. [1]

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

“Cleaners bravely striking for their rights today have made history in the fight against the exploitation of low-paid workers. It is shameful that the Ministry of Justice doesn’t pay its cleaners enough to live on. In this age of insecurity Government departments should be leading by example, not leaving their own cleaners without basic workers’ rights. I stand in full solidarity with those striking today as they demand to be paid the London Living Wage, to get proper sick pay and to be given the same rights as their colleagues.”

Notes

1. https://www.uvwunion.org.uk/news/

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6 August 2018

The Green Party has responded to news the total number of homes proposed for building on the Green Belt has hit a record of 460,000 [1].

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

“Developers are carving up our countryside to build homes normal families can’t afford to live in – and the Government is letting them get away with it. Building on the Green Belt will never solve the housing crisis and it’s time Ministers gave this land the stronger protection it needs.

“Everyone deserves to have somewhere safe and secure to call home. Instead of overseeing the erosion of our green space, the Government should invest in increasing social and affordable housing on the plentiful brownfield sites in our towns and cities, take action on empty homes, and introduce a Land Value Tax to encourage the use of vacant land and reduce speculation.”</span>

Notes: 

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/06/new-green-belt-housing-applications-push-total-to-a-record-460000

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