Politics

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Protecting Scotland’s environment

20 Feb 2017

Maurice Golden

Our natural resources cannot be consumed at the current “unsustainable” rate, the Scottish Conservatives will declare this week, in a major new policy paper marking Scottish Environment Week.

In the document, to be published on Wednesday, the party will spell out a series of new initiatives designed to protect Scotland’s environment and tackle climate change.

The document comes with the Scottish Conservatives preparing for its spring conference on March 3rd, where it will set out its plan to offer a fresh alternative to the SNP as Scotland’s main opposition party.

In the foreword, published today, the party’s environment spokesman Maurice Golden makes it clear that “we can no longer consume our natural resources at the current unsustainable rate, and we can no longer think of economic development as a competing force against environmental protection”.

Scottish Environment week is organised by Scottish Environment Link, and will feature a series of events designed to highlight efforts to tackle climate change.   Among policies outlined in the new paper, the party will say:

  • 10% of all the Scottish Government’s capital budget should be spent on energy efficiency measures – with the aim of ensuring all homes are energy efficiency by 2030.
  • A new target should be set to ensure 75% of all waste is recycled by 2035 through the creation of an easy-to-use collection system.
  • Ministers should create 15,000 hectares of new quality woodland per year – up from 7,600 a year in 2015.

Writing in the foreword to the document, Mr Golden will say:

“The Scottish Conservative approach to the Environment and Climate Change is founded on three key tenets.

“The first is a belief that Climate Change is one of the greatest challenges we face, and we must show leadership on the world stage to reduce global emissions.

“The second is that, in the long term, resource prices will increase, and moreover, access to these resources will become less reliable. By decreasing our reliance on products which are manufactured abroad we can reduce global emissions but also grow the economy and create jobs here in Scotland.

“The third tenet is that we need to look holistically at our management of the environment. That means making the business case, but also recognising that for certain projects the business case will not be viable if assessed via conventional accounting.

“We will prioritise achieving behaviour change, technological advancement, big data and innovation in order to tackle climate change, boost biodiversity, grow the economy, create more, better jobs and ensure new ideas are delivered for the benefit of Scotland.”

The full paper will be launched in Edinburgh on Wednesday by party leader Ruth Davidson and Mr Golden.


More details on Scottish Environment week here:   http://www.scotlink.org/events/upcoming-events/scottish-environment-week/

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£95 million investment to train healthcare professionals in Wales

This significant investment will support nurses, physiotherapists, radiographers and a range of health science training opportunities. 

It will enable more than 3000 new students to join those already studying healthcare education programmes across Wales.

The funding builds on Welsh Government funding already in place for nursing, providing more than a 13% increase in nursing training places, on top of the 10% increase in 2016/17 and 22% increase in 2015/16. Midwifery training places will increase by 40%.

The support package will also provide an additional £500,000 to support community healthcare such as advanced practice, education and extended skills training to support primary care clusters. 

There will also be a significant increase in practice nurse and district nurse education as well as audiology training places within primary and community settings. This will provide vital funding for community services and will ensure many more patients can be cared for closer to home, rather than in hospital. 

Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething said:

“We rely on the skills, knowledge and experience of those providing the care in the NHS on a daily basis.

“This includes nurses and paramedics as well as those behind the scenes, who provide vital support services such as laboratory tests to enable diagnoses to be made and “treatment to be provided.

“Education and training is fundamental to ensuring the sustainability of our workforce.

“This £95m investment will ensure that our healthcare professionals are able to provide  high quality care now and in the future and that patients’ will be able to receive care closer to home.“ 

The funding package also includes an additional cohort of physician associate training places available from September 2017 with 12 of these places hosted by Bangor University and 20 hosted by Swansea University. 

The funding will also support the integration of hospital and community pharmacy training and education into one programme.

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Green Party: Government must stop pushing costs of social care onto councils and residents

20 February 2017

The Green Party has called on the Government to up spending on councils after it was revealed local services will still face deep cuts despite nearly every local authority in England planning to raise council taxes [1].

Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader, said:

“The Government’s failure to invest in councils has put many in a desperate situation, with no choice but to cut valuable community resources like libraries and youth centres. The Government appears intent on starving local services and bringing almost every local authority close to financial breaking point. 

“Proper social care for the elderly should be a red line. It should be non-negotiable and centrally funded. Government needs to take responsibility and invest in councils, rather than pushing costs onto residents and creating a postcode lottery of care. Instead of bringing the social care system to its knees, the Government should be facing up to the simple fact that if we want good social care we need to pay for it. The Green Party is the only party proposing that we make the right choice to invest in a secure future for our older people with free social care for the over 65s. ”

Notes:

  1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38982643

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Press release: Planned roadworks in West Midlands: weekly summary for Monday 20 February to Sunday 26 February 2017

The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 17 February 2017 but could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.

A38 – Claymills to Wood End Lane: carriageway repairs

Southbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A449 – Gailey Roundabout to Brewood Road: carriageway repairs

South and northbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A45 – A4423 to Church Road: carriageway repairs

Eastbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 25 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A45 – Stivichall to Tollbar End: carriageway repairs

Westbound carriageway closed overnight for one night from 8pm 21 February until 6am the following morning (22 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A45 – Stonebridge A45/A46 Stivichall Junction and A45/A46 Tollbar: carriageway repairs

Eastbound carriageway and slip roads closed overnight on 22 and 24 February from 8pm until 6am the following morning. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A46 – Oversley to Shottery: carriageway repairs

Carriageway will be closed in both directions overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 22 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A46 – Salford Priors to Oversley: carriageway repairs

Northbound carriageway will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A46 – Stoneleigh to Stivichall and exit slip road: carriageway repairs

Northbound carriageway and exit slip road closed overnight for one night from 8pm 20 February until 6am the following morning (22 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A46 – Binley Wood to Tollbar: carriageway repairs

Southbound carriageway closed overnight on 23 and 24 February from 8pm until 6am the following morning. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A46 – Stoneleigh to Stivichall: carriageway repairs

Southbound carriageway closed overnight for one night from 8pm 23 February until 6am the following morning (24 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A5 – Wall Island to Muckley Corner: carriageway resurfacing

Westbound carriageway closed overnight between 7pm and 6.30am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A5 – Churchbridge to Turf Island: carriageway resurfacing

Eastbound carriageway closed overnight for one night from 9pm 20 February until 6am the following morning (21 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A5 – Chase Road to Rising Sun island: carriageway resurfacing

Westbound carriageway closed overnight for one night from 9pm 22 February until 6am the following morning (23 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A50 – Meir Tunnel to Stanley Matthews Way: carriageway repairs

Westbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A50 – Heron Cross to Stanley Matthews Interchange Burton Road entry slip: carriageway repairs

Westbound carriageway closed 24 hour 7 days a week from 8 Feb ongoing until 7 July. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A50 – Blythe Bridge Entry Slip Road to Meir Tunnel: carriageway repairs

Westbound carriageway closed overnight for one night from 8pm 20 February until 6am the following morning (21 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A50 – Heron Cross exit slip road to Foley Road Interchange: carriageway repairs

Eastbound carriageway and all associated slip roads closed overnight for one night from 8pm 20 February until 6am the following morning (21 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A50 – Foley Road exit slip road to Trentham Road: carriageway repairs

Eastbound carriageway and all associated slip roads closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 21 February until 24 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A50 – Heron Cross exit slip road to Meir Tunnel: carriageway repairs

Eastbound carriageway and all associated slip roads closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 24 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

A500 – Talke Island including exit slip roads and approaches: carriageway repairs

Eastside of the gyratory including all associated slip roads and approaches closed 24 hours 7 days a week from 11 January ongoing until 30 March. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 5 exit slip road: carriageway works

Northbound exit slip road closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 20 February until 23 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – M6 junction 4a to M42: carriageway works

Southbound carriageway closed overnight between 10pm and 5am from 20 February until 25 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 3a to junction 5 including junction 4 entry slip: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway including junction 4 entry slip road closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 20 February until 24 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 1 exit and entry slip road: carriageway works

Entry slip and exit slip roads closed overnight in both directions between 9pm and 5.30am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 4 entry slip road: carriageway works

Southbound entry road closed overnight from 10pm 22 February until 5am the following morning (23 February). A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 5 entry slip to junction 6: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 23 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 6 exit slip road: carriageway works

Northbound exit slip road closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 23 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M42 – junction 5 to junction 6: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 17 February until 19 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M5 – junction 4a to junction 5: carriageway works

Southbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February to 24 February and then at the same time on 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M5 junction 5 to junction 4a: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway including northbound entry slip at junction 5 closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 22 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M5 junction 6 to junction 5: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway including junction 6 northbound entry slip closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 22 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M5 junction 5 to junction 6: carriageway works

Southbound carriageway including southbound entry slip closed overnight between 8pm and 6am on 23 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M50 – junction 1 to junction 2: major scheme works

Westbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M50 – junction 4 to junction 2: major scheme works

Westbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 22 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M54 – junction 5 to junction 6: carriageway repairs

Westbound carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M54 – junction 5 entry slip road: carriageway repairs

Westbound entry slip road carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 20 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M54 – junction 6 entry slip road: carriageway repairs

Westbound entry slip road carriageway closed overnight between 8pm and 6am from 24 February until 27 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M54 – junction 4 to junction 3: carriageway repairs

Eastbound carriageway closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 24 February until 27 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M54 – junction 3 to junction 4: carriageway repairs

Westbound carriageway closed overnight between 10pm and 6am from 24 February until 27 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 10 to junction 7 including junction 10 and 9 entry slip roads and link from M5: carriageway works

Southbound carriageway and associated slip roads closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 20 February until 25 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 11 entry slip road to junction 10 exit including M54 junction 1 entry slip road: carriageway works Southbound carriageway and associated slip roads closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 20 February until 25 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 7 to junction 8: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 20 February until 24 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 7 entry slip road: carriageway works

Northbound entry slip road closed 24 hours 7 day days a week from 17 February ongoing until 24 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 7 to junction 10 including junction 9 entry slip and link from M5 northbound: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway and associated slip roads closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 20 February until 25 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 10 entry slip road to junction 11 exit slip road: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway and associated slip roads closed overnight between 9pm and 6am from 20 February until 25 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 7 entry slip road: carriageway works

Northbound entry slip road closed overnight between 9pm and 9am from 24 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

M6 – junction 7 to junction 8: carriageway works

Northbound carriageway closed overnight between 9pm and 9am from 24 February until 26 February. A diversion route will be clearly signposted.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

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