Tag Archives: political

image_pdfimage_print

Theresa May’s lack of action compounds a failed and incoherent energy strategy, clumsily lurching from crisis to calamity – Long-Bailey

Rebecca Long-Bailey, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy commenting on Theresa May’s visit to Copeland said:

“The Prime Minister today failed to assure that the UK is committed to the NuGen nuclear plant at Moorside in Cumbria.

“Taking an equity share as Labour has called for would ensure this vital power station built. Theresa May’s lack of action compounds a failed and incoherent energy strategy, clumsily lurching from crisis to calamity.

“Labour supports new nuclear and the growth of renewable energy, but the Tories appear hell bent on preventing either, rushing us out of the Euratom nuclear partnership and slashing low carbon energy support.

“The Tories’ failure is forcing up energy bills and threatening jobs.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1     Labour tabled multiple amendments to the recent Article 50 Bills to seek continued membership of Euratom (the European Atomic Energy Community) including NC192. The government rejected those attempts to keep the UK inside the nuclear research and trade community, despite strong calls from the nuclear industry.

a.       Leaving Euratom will have significant implications and disruption for the nuclear industry, and may affect the construction of Hinkley Point C.

b.      Legal opinion is split as to whether leaving the EU necessitates the leaving Euratom.

c.       Labour has come out in support of new nuclear.

2       The Government has greatly rolled back on support for low carbon energy to international condemnation.

a.       It is months late in its publishing of the legally required Emissions Reduction Plan.

b.      And risks missing it’s legally required Carbon Budgets as laid out in the Climate Change Act 2008.

3.     Significant disruptions in financial flows to the energy infrastructure makes projects more risky, driving up the cost of capital and impacting bills payers.

read more

Labour • • •

‘Cymraeg for Kids’ rolled out across Wales

‘Cymraeg for Kids’ is a unique project set up by the Welsh Government in partnership with Mudiad Meithrin to support and encourage parents and prospective parents to transfer the Welsh language to children and promote the benefits of bilingualism.

Established in April 2016, the project works with NHS Wales and other partners to provide advice and support on the benefits of raising a child bilingually. It also provides groups for parents and carers to engage in activities that promote the development of Welsh language skills in children from birth to school age.

A network of officers currently delivers these services in 14 local authorities, but this new money will enable Mudiad Meithrin to expand these activities across the whole country for the first time. The nature of the services offered will be tailored to meet the specific linguistic needs of parents.

Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language, Alun Davies said:

“We know that the combination of parental and social interaction with frequent exposure to practical language assists language learning and positively affects the linguistic competence of the child in later life.

“Encouraging and promoting the use of the Welsh language within the family remains one of the Welsh Government’s key priorities.

“It is vital we support our most important resource, namely our people – whether they’re fluent, lacking in confidence or eager to learn. We need to enable them to use the language in increasingly practical, creative and fun ways.”

Dr Gwenllian L. Davies, Chief Executive of Mudiad Methrin, said:

“We’re really pleased to be able to expand ‘Cymraeg for Kids’ to all parts of Wales and look forward to encouraging and supporting families to use Welsh at home. We’ll continue to work closely at a local level with all partners who share the vision of one million Welsh speakers by 2050.”

read more

Welsh Government • •

Press release: Labour Market Statistics

James Brokenshire has today welcomed the latest Labour Market Statistics, which show continued stability for the Northern Ireland economy.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said:

I welcome today’s Labour Market Statistics which demonstrate continued stability in the Northern Ireland economy. The number of people in work has increased, the unemployment rate is at an eight-year low and the number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits has fallen by 1,000 in January alone – the tenth consecutive monthly decrease.

As the UK leaves the EU and forges a new role in the world, this Government is determined to continue building a stronger economy and a Northern Ireland that works for everyone.

read more

HM Government • • •