Greens call for release of independent review into treatment of LGBTIQA+ veterans

27 June 2023

  • Deputy leader Zack Polanski: “The ban on LGBTIQA+ people serving in the military was wrong 20 years ago, and it is unacceptable that it has taken over 20 years to address the harm done to people serving before that.”

  • Cade Hatton, Co-Chair of LGBTIQA+ Greens: “It’s Pride Month. This is the time to act.”

The Green Party has demanded that the Government immediately release the report it commissioned [1] into the experiences of LGBTIQA+ veterans who served in the Armed Forces before 2000 – the year the ban on homosexuality in the Armed Forces was finally lifted.

The call comes during Pride Month, with the completed report – commissioned by the Government in 2021 – now with ministers. [2]

Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski said: 

“If the Government is serious about addressing this historic injustice, it must release the report immediately. The ban on LGBTIQA+ people serving in the military was wrong 20 years ago, and it is unacceptable that it has taken over 20 years to address the harm done to people serving before that. 

“The Government was absolutely right to finally commission this review in 2021, but there is now no reason to delay publishing a report that has been completed and is sitting on the Minister’s desk.

“Let’s listen to the testimonies of the LGBTIQA+ people who served in the Armed Services under the ban, and hear from the government about what it will do to address the report’s recommendations in full.”

Cade Hatton, Co-Chair of LGBTIQA+ Greens, said:

“The pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the Armed Forces is just one example of the shameful and targeted discrimination of the LGBTIQA+ community by successive governments.

“This review was long overdue, but I am pleased the report is now complete. We need it published immediately, so that we can read the testimonies of LGBTIQA+ service personnel and finally put on public record their experiences under the Government’s discriminatory ban on homosexuality in the military.

“While we cannot ignore the harm done by the military industrial complex of the west to the rest of the world, we also cannot ignore the harm done to those who have served under a discriminatory organisation that has caused people to hide who they are or risk unemployment or worse. This report must be made public.

“For the sake of transparency, the Government must release the report and its full recommendations without any further delay, and commit to taking the action needed to restore justice for our community.

“It’s Pride Month. This is the time to act.”

ENDS

Notes

1

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/lgbt-veterans-independent-review/about

2 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65846492

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Start your digital career with DVLA’s development programmes

At DVLA, we aim to be a Centre of Digital Excellence and the best place to start a career in digital. We have several development programmes which provide a structured path into the digital profession. If you’re looking to start or change your career, our programmes offer the latest training and professional certifications to build modern digital skills.

We train and prepare individuals to become cloud engineers, business analysts, software test engineers and more. Students can develop their cloud skills in our Cloud Academy, build a high degree of in demand skills as part of the Business Analysis programme, or gain software testing skills within the Software Development Engineer in Test programme.

Another example is our MSc programme, which allows students to study a master’s degree in software engineering, while gaining work experience and on-the-job mentoring. We caught up with 2 of our recent students, Agnes Beviz and Nathan Morris, to learn how the programme helped them move into a digital career.

Two DVLA development programme students, Agnes Beviz and Nathan Morris.

What attracted you to apply for the MSc Development Programme?

Agnes: I was inspired to apply for a role at DVLA after listening to the ‘How to start a career in tech’ podcast by the Government Digital Service. The chance to help provide a public facing, accessible digital service was interesting and motivating for me.

As I had decided to change career, finding a course with learning and development opportunities was important to me. When I discovered the MSc programme, I found that the learning opportunities were much better than other entry level software engineering roles. I also liked the idea of starting my first software engineering role as part of a cohort, so we would be able to support each other.

Nathan: I learned how to code about 6 months prior to applying for the programme. I intended on getting my skills to a level where I could apply for an entry level job. The MSc programme was a perfect fit for my career ambitions. Not only did it offer an MSc qualification, but it also provided valuable work experience.

After reviewing the programme information, I realised that DVLA is a leading government agency when it comes to technological innovation with a big focus on staff training and development. This was a huge plus for me.

What is your academic or professional background?

Agnes: I have a master’s degree in physics from the University of Manchester. After university, I started working in energy research for a small community interest company in the environmental sector. I learned to code in my spare time and completed the Manchester Codes Software Engineering FastTrack programme before joining DVLA.

Nathan: I obtained a degree in accountancy and finance from Swansea University. After, I trained and qualified as a chartered certified accountant and worked in the industry for over a decade. Prior to joining DVLA, I was a finance manager but never felt fulfilled or challenged with my career choice, so I decided to change careers.

Have you always wanted to work in digital and technology?

Agnes: I’ve always had a passion for finding technical solutions to problems and have built websites for several community organisations. When I first came across programming as part of my degree, I was unsure about digital careers. However, seeing women and LGBTQIA+ people represented in digital gave me the confidence to make my career switch.

I think it’s important that minority groups have a voice in technology. I push myself to speak at digital events and forums – it enables me to share my perspective and experience, while building my confidence and skills. Since starting my role at DVLA, I spoke at the Manchester Tech Festival and released a podcast episode with Queercore.

Nathan: I’ve always been interested in technology. When I realised I no longer wanted to work in finance, I decided to switch to the digital and technology sector. Technology is used everywhere and I wanted to be a part of an organisation where it is at the forefront of its strategy.

How have you found the programme so far?

Agnes: The MSc development programme has been a unique opportunity for me to learn whilst gaining practical experience in a software engineering team. I’ve found it very rewarding to apply my newfound knowledge within teams and working through the programme alongside a cohort has also added to the experience. The invaluable support we provide each other has been great and I’m looking forward to making greater contributions within my team and getting started on our thesis projects.

Nathan: The programme has been an extremely enjoyable experience, and I find myself learning more and more each day. The skills and knowledge I’ve gained at university seamlessly translate into my role on the squad and have proved vital in my growth as a Software Engineer. I have now settled into my squad, and enjoy working collaboratively to complete tasks during sprints. Completing real-life tasks and learning from other members of the squad has been the most enjoyable part of the programme so far.

Learn more about our development programme

If you’d like to pursue a career in digital with us, find out more about DVLA digital professions and development programmes. We have a range of opportunities available including our Digital Academy – if this is something that interests you, read more and apply on Civil Service Jobs before 11:55pm on Monday 26 June 2023.

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Greens call for tax on super-rich to support most vulnerable after latest interest rate rise

22 June 2023

Responding to the news that the Bank of England has raised interest rates by 0.5% to 5% [1], Molly Scott Cato, Green Party finance and economy spokesperson, said:

“Today’s decision from the Bank of England will have a devastating impact on people across the country and shows once again how this Conservative government has failed to deal with this economic crisis.

“It’s no surprise the government is willing to take such a callous approach of doing nothing to help those who need it most when both the Chancellor and Prime Minister are millionaires. They seem to be completely out of touch with the impacts of inflation and interest rate rises on working people.

“It should be totally unacceptable for people on the receiving end of falling wages and rising prices to be told that they are the problem. 

“And that is why Greens would be looking for ways to support the economy without fuelling inflation by shifting consumption from the wealthy to those on lower incomes. 

“A first step would be to pay public sector workers in line with inflation. Since their output is not sold in a market it would only add indirectly to inflation.

“This could be funded by taxing the super-rich, whose consumption does contribute to inflation. Profiteering companies, financial speculators and the wealthy need to bear the burden of dealing with a crisis that is rooted in misguided ideology and Tory unfairness.

“And we would increase Universal Credit by £40 per week to help those who are in the most need right now.”

ENDS

Notes

1

https://twitter.com/bankofengland/status/1671835716840480769

For more information or to arrange an interview contact the press office on press@greenparty.org.uk or call 0203 691 9401

 

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Windrush 75

Today is Windrush Day – where we acknowledge the outstanding economic, social, and cultural contribution the Windrush generation have made to the United Kingdom.

It feels fitting to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush in Britain nearly simultaneously with the NHS’s 75th birthday. The Windrush generation was instrumental in building the NHS, one of our country’s greatest achievements.

It’s just one example of how the Windrush generation has enriched our country – from culture and cuisine to the economy. Their hard work and determination helped to rebuild Britain in our time of need, and I am forever grateful.

As we honour the legacy of the Windrush generation, we owe it to them to stand up to bigotry, hate and injustice.

But too many of them became the victims of the appalling Windrush Scandal at the hands of the Home Office. People who have every right to live in the UK were wrongly denied access to NHS treatment, housing and other services simply because they didn’t have the right documents to prove it. Innocent people were made homeless, detained and even deported.

The Conservative Government should be working tirelessly to right the wrongs of this country’s treatment of people who have given so much to us.

But let’s be clear – this scandal is nowhere near over.  Only one in four applicants to the Windrush compensation scheme have received payments, with some people even tragically passing away before they can receive their compensation.

Yet now, we are hearing that Suella Braverman is considering scrapping vital recommendations from the Windrush Lessons Learned review. Conservative ministers seem disturbingly determined to repeat their past mistakes. 

We acknowledge the outstanding economic, social, and cultural contribution the Windrush generation have made to the United Kingdom.

This anniversary is both a celebration and a sobering reminder that here in the UK, far too many people’s lives are still blighted by discrimination, inequality and injustice.

So Liberal Democrats will keep campaigning to abolish the Conservatives’ cruel and discriminatory Hostile Environment, and end the disproportionate use of Stop and Search. 

And we will keep working to combat racism – whether conscious or unconscious, individual or institutional – wherever we find it.

As we honour the legacy of the Windrush generation, we owe it to them to stand up to bigotry, hate and injustice. I hope you will join me in this fight. 

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Lib Dems select Emma Holland-Lindsay as Mid Bedfordshire by-election candidate

The Liberal Democrats have unveiled local councillor Emma Holland-Lindsay as their candidate for the upcoming Mid Bedfordshire by-election. 

Emma grew up in Bedfordshire and lives locally, and is currently councillor on Central Bedfordshire Council representing Leighton Buzzard. Emma is a member of the senior leadership team at a nationwide women’s charity and has previously worked for national disability charities. 

Her by-election campaign will focus on local health services starved of Government funding. Local people are unable to see a GP after a surge in housebuilding and no new investment in health services.

“It is an honour to have been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for my local area, and I am determined to be a strong local champion for communities across Bedfordshire. 

“For too long Mid-Bedfordshire has been taken for granted by the Conservative party. Our local health services have been neglected and underfunded, leaving local people unable to see their GP or dentist.  It is frankly scandalous what this Government has done to our NHS in Bedfordshire. 

“I will fight tirelessly for our local health services. We desperately need more GPs and NHS dentists, as well as urgent repairs for Luton and Dunstable Hospital. Frontline NHS workers are this country’s heroes, yet they have been left overstretched and overworked by this Conservative Government.”

Emma Holland-Lindsay

Liberal Democrat candidate for Mid Bedfordshire

In recent days, betting companies Ladbrokes and Betfred have both declared the Liberal Democrats as favourite to win, with Labour a distant third.

The Liberal Democrats have proven to be the best challengers against the Conservative party in Bedfordshire. The party made major gains in May to oust the Conservative party from controlling Central Bedfordshire, and have also run Bedford Borough Council for almost two decades. The constituency is also neighboured by Liberal Democrat MPs including Sarah Green, winner of the Chesham and Amersham by-election, where Ed Davey famously knocked down the Blue Wall.

“Emma will make a fantastic member of Parliament for Mid-Bedfordshire. Emma is a true local champion and stands up for people across Bedfordshire, and I’ve seen first hand her selfless campaigns to save vital health services. 

“When I visited Mid-Bedfordshire I heard loud and clear from local people who are fed up with being taken for granted by this Conservative Government. I heard from families and pensioners who find it almost impossible to see their GP. Mid-Bedfordshire deserves better than this. 

“The Conservative chaos in Westminster has to end. We need a Government focussed on the cost of living crisis and the NHS. Mid-Bedfordshire can send this Conservative Government a message.”

Ed Davey

Leader of the Liberal Democrats

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