Greens respond to Sunak legislation on Post Office scandal

10 January 2024

Reacting to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s statement that new primary legislation will be introduced to exonerate convicted postmasters, Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer said: 

“It is incredible how long it has taken successive governments to address the clear injustice faced by hundreds of honest, hard-working people at the Post Office. 

“It shouldn’t take a TV drama to get the government to do the right thing to address a manifest injustice on this scale. 

“The severity and scale of the scandal was likely made much worse by the economic model chosen for the Post Office – a public corporation with the government as the sole shareholder, that was told to chase profits and allowed to take risks with unproven, outsourced technology while Ministers washed their hands of responsibility. 

“No one was in charge, no one cared and when it all went wrong, no-one was responsible. We need models of ownership that put the public interest and accountability first. The scandal also raises questions about the obsession from all government parties with outsourcing and avoiding responsibility. 

“Of course, it is right that every wrongful conviction is overturned as quickly as possible, but the fact that the government has been forced into bringing forward emergency legislation that overrides the justice process just underlines how numerous Ministers let this tragedy drift on into a full-blown crisis. 

“This is not the first time government has been found wanting when the lives of people have been turned upside down by failings in public administration. Too many people are still waiting for justice, from Grenfell residents to infected blood scandal victims, to nuclear test veterans. 

“Every one of these injustices needs resolving as soon as possible.” 

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Munira Wilson introduces Schools’ Mental Health Bill to Parliament

Childhood is supposed to be a happy time, filled with cherished memories and laughter. However, for too many it can also be a very difficult time. Headteachers say that there are numerous pressing challenges facing our education system and many come from outside of the classroom. Mental health is among the biggest.

According to recent data, it is estimated that one in five children between the ages of 7 to 16 have a probable mental health disorder. Early intervention is crucial.  Research tells us that half of all lifetime mental health disorders start before the age of 14. Stepping in as soon as warning signs start to show can often help to prevent conditions from becoming more severe.

Our Bill would place a dedicated qualified mental health practitioner in every school – primary and secondary – giving every child in school access to care and support from the moment they start needing it. 

 

Currently help that is available is stretched thinly across many local primary and secondary schools, which means their valuable skills and service is only available about half a day per week in many schools. Children who are waiting for mental health support miss substantial amounts of schooling and this absence has a huge impact on their life chances.  We cannot wait to tackle this issue. 

Our Bill makes clear funding needs to be made available for this proposed statutory duty for all state schools. Using the “polluter pays” principle, Liberal Democrats have proposed funding these mental health practitioners through tripling the digital services tax on our big social media companies, given the harm they have contributed to our children’s mental health.

There is a tidal wave of mental ill health among our children and young people. It is jeopardising their current wellbeing, their education, their prospects, and their long-term health. Professionals from the education sector, mental health sector, and other public services all agree that something more has to be done.  Putting a mental health practitioner in every school is an important step in tackling this vital issue.

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Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer reacts to the resignation of Tory environment champion Chris Skidmore:

5 January 2024

Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer reacts to the resignation of Tory environment champion Chris Skidmore:

“As the world burns, the Tories turn in on themselves. The government’s green credentials are truly in tatters.

“The climate crisis is here and now and being experienced by people across the country, but the Prime Minister can’t hold on to anyone who has any good intentions toward the environment.

“Labour has to be held to account as well – it refused to block Rosebank and other new oil and gas licences. How long before Labour’s own green champions feel their principles are too compromised to continue?”

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Department publishes response to the Relationships and Sexuality Education Consultation

The Department of Education has published the analysis of the response to the public consultation on changes to Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) regulations.



County Londonderry farmer and hydroelectric operator convicted for fisheries related offence

A County Londonderry farmer and hydroelectric operator was found guilty of a fishery related offence and received a 12-month conditional discharge at Coleraine Magistrates Court today.