Politics

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This report underlines just how rigged our economy & country actually is in favour of the wealthiest – Jeremy Corbyn

Jeremy Corbyn MP, leader of the Labour Party, commenting on a report by the Social Mobility Commission, said:

“This report underlines just how rigged our economy and country actually is in favour of the wealthiest and the privileged few. While the Conservatives look after the interests of their friends, they are closing down opportunity for the many by slashing funding for education.

“Labour is committed to a country that works for all, a real living wage of at least £10 an hour by 2020, investment in industry, infrastructure and public services and a national education service which equips the next generation with the skills our country needs to succeed, so that no one and no community is left behind.”

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Labour • • •

Green Party: Poverty to blame for child health inequality

26 January 2017

The Green Party is deeply concerned child health in the UK is lagging behind that of most other European countries due to poverty rates [1]. Experts say little progress has been made to address the social factors behind health inequality since it was highlighted in a Government report in 2010 [2].

Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader, said:

“It’s appalling we’re failing to give children the best start in life, even though Britain is one of the richest countries in the world. Children deserve to be happy and healthy, no matter where they are born or how much money their parents make.

“We can’t tackle a growing health gap between rich and poor children without looking at the way inequality is entrenched more widely. We’re in an age of insecurity where life is getting worse for those who are struggling the most.

“The Government has a dismal record on child poverty, abolishing the child poverty unit [3] and scrapping child poverty targets [4]. Government cuts to public services have taken a toll and unless the Prime Minister prioritises tackling poverty, inequality will continue to soar, with a flow on effect on children’s health and the NHS, which will struggle to cope with increased demand.”

Notes:

  1. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jan/25/poverty-in-the-uk-jeopardising-childrens-health-warns-landmark-report
  2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-38743574
  3. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/dec/20/fears-after-government-abolishes-civil-services-child-poverty-unit
  4. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/01/government-scrap-legal-requirements-child-poverty

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Green Party • • •

News story: UK Space Agency funds satellite solutions for developing countries

The UK Space Agency’s International Partnership Programme (IPP), is a five-year, £152 million programme designed to partner UK space expertise with governments and organisations in emerging and developing economies around the world to deliver a sustainable, economic or societal benefit. Satellite data will be used to tackle problems such as flooding, drought, and deforestation.

The 21 chosen projects help provide solutions for local issues in countries across Africa, Asia and Central and South America. They include providing communications in remote areas for education and health provision, improving maritime safety for small fishing vessels in South Africa and Madagascar and reducing illegal logging in Guatemala.

The IPP focuses on using the UK Space sector’s research and innovation strengths to deliver practical and measurable effects to end-users in developing countries. As GCRF forms part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) ring-fenced budget, the new IPP programme is fully ODA compliant.

Funded from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), the IPP forms part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) ring-fenced budget. They projects underwent a rigorous selection process to ensure that they met strict requirements for ODA and UN sustainability goals. The UK Space Agency part funds IPP projects with a proportion of the cost shared by the programme applicants to ensure cost effectiveness and value for money.

View the whole list of IPP funded case studies.

The IPP will make a second call for applications later this year, with an opportunity for new projects to secure funding.

Case study: Ecometrica, Edinburgh

Forests2020

Grant: £14.3 million Target country: Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Ghana and Kenya

This project addresses critical gaps in current forest monitoring systems by providing a sustained and effective forest monitoring system capable of measuring forest change and providing information on the risks and drivers of forest loss. The project focusses on Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Ghana and Kenya. It will use publically available Earth Observation optical data and commercial LIDAR/radar products as well as set up in-country capacity building EO monitoring stations.

Case study: exactEarth Europe Ltd (eEE) Harwell, Oxfordhsire

sOuth Africa Safety Initiative for Small vessels Operational Take-Up (OASIS-TU)

Grant: £1.1 million Target country: South Africa, Madagascar Following on from their IPSP project, this project will install 1,500 transponders across the most at-risk artisanal fishing boats in South Africa. exactEarth will use their constellation of ‘Automatic Identification System’ monitoring satellites to track these boats in partnership with the South African Maritime Safety Authority; and this will ensure a more effective rescue approach for the small boats and reduce the current high loss of life in this sector.

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HM Government • • •

News story: Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport appoints new Chair of National Museums Liverpool (NML)

Sir David Henshaw has been appointed by the Secretary of State as Chair of NML for a term of four years from the 13 February 2017

Born and educated in Liverpool, Sir David went on to obtain a degree in Public Administration and then a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences at the University of Birmingham (INLOGOV).

He has had an extensive career in the public sector with Chief Executive roles at Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council (1989-1999) and Liverpool City Council (1999-2006). During his time at Liverpool he was part of the core team which secured the successful bid to be European Capital of Culture 2008, managed the Council in developing Liverpool One, and saw Liverpool recognised as Council of the year.

He led a major review of Child Support and the Child Support Agency for central government (2006-2007) and was also involved in the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit Capability Review programme of central government departments.

Sir David has also held a number of senior roles in the NHS. He has held positions as Interim Chair at University Hospitals of Morecombe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (2012-2013), at Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust (2013-2014), at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (since 2016). Sir David was Chair of the North West Strategic Health Authority (2006-2011) and has been Chair of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust since 2010, leading the Board in the building of the new hospital. He was knighted in 2004 and is an Honorary Fellow of Liverpool John Moores University, a Fellow of Liverpool University, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an Honorary Doctor at Sheffield Hallam University.

The NML Chair role is not remunerated. This appointment has been made in accordance with the OCPA Code of Practice. It is a requirement of the Code that political activity by those appointed is declared. Sir David has declared no political activity.

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HM Government • • •