Politics

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The Chief Inspector has today cast doubt on one of the Justice Secretary’s key proposals for prison reform – Richard Burgon

Responding to comments by Peter Clarke, Chief Inspector of Prisons, that government plans for prison ‘league tables’ will be “immensely difficult” to achieve, Richard Burgon MP, Shadow Justice Secretary, said:”

“The Chief Inspector has today cast doubt on one of the Justice Secretary’s key proposals for prison reform.

“League tables may make good headlines but there is no indication of how they will improve the performance of the prison service or rehabilitation of prisoners.

“Instead of gimmicks we need clear leadership from the Justice Secretary to improve prisons performance now and provide the clear detail the White Paper is sadly lacking.”

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Labour • • •

News story: Competition to uncover space entrepreneurs of tomorrow

Young people have the chance to win £10,000 in a competition to come up with ideas on how to use satellite data to improve life on Earth.

The SatelLife Challenge, run by the UK Space Agency, is looking for inspirational ideas from those aged 11 to 22, linking satellite and space data and its application to everyday life.

Examples could include using satellite data to tackle loneliness amongst elderly people, looking at changes to green spaces in your town and identifying exercise routes based on traffic flows.

The competition, which aims to support the development of science, data handling and technological skills, is split into three age groups, offering five prizes of £5,000 for each age category with an overall winner receiving £10,000. The judging panel will be made up of experts including representatives from the UK Space Agency, the European Space Agency, the Satellite Applications Catapult in Harwell and industry.

The winners from each category will be able to pitch their idea to a panel of ‘dragons’ from the space sector who will offer prizes, which could include mentoring, work experience and even the development of the idea into reality.

The best entries will also be invited to present their idea at the UK Space Conference – the most influential event for space in the UK – held in Manchester from 30 May to 1 June, 2017.

Documents on how to apply, judging criteria and T&C’s are listed below.

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HM Government • • •

Green Party leaders ask Theresa May: Did you know about the Muslim ban?

31 January 2017

* Jonathan Bartley, co-leader: May’s inaction a betrayal of Britain and appeasement of a racist, bigoted President

The leaders of the Green Party have written to Theresa May [1] to ask her if knew about President Trump’s Muslim ban before it was announced.

The call follows reports that the Prime Minister was told about the ban during her visit to the United States. [2]

The letter from Jonathan Bartley and Caroline Lucas states that, with more than 1.5 million people signing a petition [3] to cancel Trump’s state visit because of the ban, the public have the right to know how much May was told about the policy in advance.

Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader, said:

“News that the Prime Minister already knew about President Trump’s Muslim ban is deeply disturbing and will send a chill down the spine of all who believe in a just and compassionate world.

“This week more than 1.5 million British people made it clear they want to live in a country that shows leadership and has a clear resolve to create a world where refugees are welcomed and supported. Donald Trump’s action stands in complete opposition to this. 

“Theresa May must answer questions on how much she knew and what she did to challenge such a vile policy.

“If the Prime Minister knew about the Muslim ban in advance, and failed to challenge it, it would be not just a betrayal of the open, tolerant and welcoming country that Britain should be, but amount to appeasement of a racist, bigoted President.”

Notes:

  1. Dear Prime Minister,

We are concerned by reports you were told about President Trump’s plans to ban the residents of seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States in advance of the policy announcement.

With more than 1.5 million people signing a petition calling on you to cancel the state visit invitation extended to the US President, it’s clear that there is a huge public anger. The country has a right to know how much you were told about the ban, and what you said to the President about it.

Were you told about the ban at the meeting with President Trump? 

If so, what exactly were you told, and when.

And crucially, what did you say in response?

Yesterday we also learnt that the President may be intending to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement – an announcement which came just days after you left the US.  Such a move would be a bitter blow to Britain’s stated intent to work with other countries to tackle climate change, possibly the greatest threat that our country faces.

Did you talk to the President about climate change?

What did you say, and what was his response?

If you did not raise climate change with him, then why? 

The British people deserve to be told the truth. We trust you will answer these pertinent questions as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader

Caroline Lucas, Green Party co-leader

  1. https://www.channel4.com/news/by/gary-gibbon/blogs/theresa-may-told-a-us-refugee-ban-was-coming
  2. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/171928

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Green Party • • •

Press release: Tata Steel make amends with £73,000 donation, following pollution

Tata Steel UK Ltd (TSUK) paid the money to the Humber Nature Partnership, an organisation that delivers projects resulting in environmental, economic and community benefits. The payment follows a pollution incident on the Bottesford Beck.

On the 22 May 2015 after a call from the TSUK Environment Manager, Environment Agency officers found a heavy red coloured lubricating oil on Seraphim lagoon, the Bottesford Beck and in wetland channels of Ashby Ville Local Nature Reserve.

Following investigations it appears that the oil overflowed from an industrial bulk container as oil was being drained from a lubricating tank on the TSUK site.

Under the terms of this Enforcement Undertaking (EU), Tata Steel UK Ltd accepted an obligation to make a donation of £73,000 to the Humber Nature Partnership. Final plans for how the money will be used are still underway, but tree planting creation of wildlife ponds and ground works for an outdoor classroom that could be used by local schools are some schemes under consideration.

As part of the EU, Tata Steel UK Ltd has also agreed to take action to ensure that a similar incident does not recur and paid the costs of the Environment Agency.

Elizabeth Cooper, environment officer with the Environment Agency, said:

We work hard to protect people and the environment. In this case, we considered that the Enforcement Undertaking was an appropriate way to sanction the company while creating a benefit for the local environment.

Serious pollution can have devastating effects on rivers, fields and wildlife.

Along with prosecutions, the Environment Agency use enforcement notices, stop notices and civil sanctions to either improve performance or stop sites from operating. It is making better use of the wide range of measures that are available to bring sites back into compliance as quickly as possible.

The Environment Agency’s use of civil sanctions is in line with recent legislation extending their availability for more offences.

Civil sanctions such as these can be a proportionate and cost-effective way for businesses to make amends for less serious environmental offences.

The Enforcement Undertaking requires Tata Steel UK Ltd to:

  • Make a donation of £73,000 to the Humber Nature Partnership

  • Implement pollution prevention and restoration works

  • Review refresher training for staff

  • Site improvement works

  • Pay Environment Agency costs

Failure to comply with an EU may result in the offender being prosecuted for the original offence. Details of Enforcement Undertakings accepted by the Environment Agency between can be found on GOV.UK

ENDS

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HM Government • • •