Latest news with #AndrewGeorge
Telegraph
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Elgin Marbles could be loaned to Greece indefinitely under MPs' plans
MPs will push to change the law to pave the way for the Elgin Marbles to be returned. Greece and the British Museum are locked in a stalemate in talks over a potential deal that would see the ancient sculptures returned to Athens. Limited by legislation, the best the British Museum chairman George Osborne can offer the Greek government is a three-year loan. This will not be countenanced by Greek leaders who claim that the Marbles were stolen by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century, and are in effect illegally held in the UK. Parliamentarians sympathetic to the Greek cause are hoping to alter existing laws to pave the way for an 'indefinite loan' currently barred by UK law. This would allow the British Museum to 'loan' the Marbles to Greece without having to renounce ownership of the sculptures that once adorned the Parthenon. Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George is leading efforts in the Commons to have the Marbles returned. He told the Telegraph that he hopes to 'get parliamentary draughtsmen to look at the way we could bring in a statutory instrument to address it'. Mr George said that tweaking UK law would give the British Museum more freedom and make it easier to reach a deal over the Marbles, which Mr Osborne has advocated. The MP said: 'We have fertile ground in George Osborne and the trustees of the British Museum.' The British Museum is prevented by British Museum Act 1963 from disposing of objects in its collection, which is held for the public, and it therefore lacks the power to hand over the Elgin Marbles. It can offer a loan, but this would necessitate Greece accepting Britain's legal ownership, and the eventual need to return what had been loaned. The Greek position is that the Marbles were stolen, and that the statues, plaques and sections of frieze designed by Phidias should be permanently returned to Athens. The UK government has said it will not change the British Museum act, resulting in a stalemate between all parties. Chris Bryant, the art minister, has been adamant that the three-year loan option is the only currently available legal means by which the Marbles could ever end up in Greece. However, MPs and former peers, including Lord Vaizey and Baroness Debbonaire, hope that they can push for changes to the Export Control Act 2002. This limits the loan of cultural artefacts to three years, but by tweaking to allow for indefinite periods, MPs hope to create a backdoor to permanently exporting the Marbles without becoming embroiled in the legality of ownership. This plan would require Parliamentary support to introduce a statutory instrument, and on the Greek government accepting a permanent return deal under the guise of a 'loan'. The British Museum will soon need somewhere to store the marbles as it begins work o a major restoration of its western galleries, where the artworks are held, and campaigners feel that it is the pert time to reach and agreement with Greece
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Merthyr Tydfil moving from ironworks to innovation
From the early ironworks to 21st Century innovation, Merthyr Tydfil has always been a town in heavy industry has been and gone, Merthyr's manufacturing sector has ebbed and flowed with the changing priorities of global brands and the UK are some stalwarts of the business community who remain committed to the area, with the boss of Stephens and George printers speaking of his "pride" at employing local a decades-long renovation of the Prince Charles Hospital is now providing a route into work for young people. In the 19th Century, Dowlais in Merthyr had the largest ironworks in the world and helped fuel the industrial industries, employing thousands of people, shaped the economy. But as fortunes changed, so did the business landscape. They have been printing magazines in Dowlais for 60 years, at a company originally founded just over the hill in Aberdare a century George is now at the helm, having joined the family business in the 1970s. He said: "You have to go back over a hundred years to 1912 when my father's mother's father was a Mr George. "He met a Mr Stephens in Aberdare and they created a company called Stephens and George." The company has weathered the economic storms that have swept through Merthyr and the printing industry over the past hundred years."I have been coming to this valley for work since 1979, and the amount of change that I have seen is absolutely incredible," Mr George said. "The whole industrialised area of Merthyr is gone, there isn't any heavy industry left."While the area is no longer "an industrial heartland", Mr George said his company relied on a loyal and local added: "We've got close to 190 people working here at the moment, and a large proportion of them come from within five miles of the factory."There is regular investment at the factory, where multi-million pound machines are bought from German specialist manufacturers every five or six years. The latest press, which is a year old, can print 21,000 sheets of magazine paper every hour at top speed."Come here on Thursdays and it is manic," Mr George smiled. The company does a roaring trade in football and rugby programmes, which fly out of Merthyr to grounds across the UK every is also investment in the workforce, though some people's expectations of the job have changed."Since Covid," Mr George said, "people took a rain check, I think."Trying to find the right type of youngster who wants to come and work in a factory, and do shifts, is difficult."The printing presses run all day and night, seven days a week, and he admitted: "We do find it difficult to recruit good people."Merthyr Tydfil's chimneys have been replaced with industrial estates, call centres and cutting edge military Dynamics employs around 700 people on its armoured vehicle production there is opportunity in the renovation of the town, with long-term work to modernise the Prince Charles Hospital providing construction work and opportunities for young people. Students from The College in Merthyr are getting a foot in the door with work experience on site."In the industry we've got a huge skills shortage," said Kelly Edwards from construction firm Tilbury Douglas."There are not enough young people taking construction as an option. Not many people are aware of the different opportunities within construction."So it is highlighting to us, and developing, our future pipeline of workers."Carpentry student Kayla Williams, 18, said she "really enjoyed" visiting the site."It was active. I could be hands-on. That's just what I love," she said. "I don't really like to sit down and do nothing!" Elliot Lewis-Campbell, also studying carpentry, said it was "so good to be able to watch other people who are more experienced" at the trade."It's so informative to be able to learn from them," he Jones from The College in Merthyr Tydfil said the links with local construction projects were said: "They are bringing contractors from the site down, they are doing CV talks about how to get into jobs, (sharing) interview techniques."Learners are participating in these sessions, developing their skills and trying to get into work."Back at the printers in Dowlais, Mr George thinks his family firm can navigate any economic headwinds."I am very proud to be able to do this. And I want to see the business continue well into the future," he said.
Middle East Eye
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
The Settlers: Louis Theroux takes an unflinching look at the Israelis intent on stealing the West Bank
Earlier this month, two British Labour MPs were denied entry to Israel and deported. They had planned to visit the occupied Palestinian territories. It was national news and provoked a minor diplomatic spat. A week later, two more parliamentarians, independent MP Shockat Adam and Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George, actually got into Israel and toured the occupied Palestinian territories. They returned to Britain just over a week ago with stories of being confronted by armed Israeli settlers, of being questioned by Israeli police on Adam's religion - and of witnessing settlers intimidating Palestinians. Few British newspapers or television channels paid any interest or reported on the trip. Now, though, the Israeli settler movement is in the headlines. This is thanks to a new BBC documentary entitled The Settlers, which aired on Sunday night.
The National
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
UK MP tells of being detained during tense crossing into occupied West Bank
Two British MPs who have just returned from Israel and the occupied West Bank have told of a tense border crossing during which one was detained and they feared they would be fired on. This comes as pressure grows on the UK government to take a stronger stance against Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Andrew George, Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives in Cornwall, south-west England, and Adam Shockat, an independent MP for Leicester West, in central England, travelled to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and West Bank towns last week, defying fears they could be denied entry. They were not turned back, but faced harassment during their stay. Mr George was briefly detained at the crossing into the West Bank and then released, following calls to the British embassy in Israel. Mr Shockat described how police officers in the West Bank walked towards their car pointing guns, with their fingers on the triggers. 'It was only after our local guide explained who we were that the guns were lowered, but the hands were still on the trigger,' he said. Their trip came as some European politicians face growing travel restrictions to Israel. This month, two Labour MPs were denied entry into Israel and deported, prompting outcry in Parliament and condemnation from the UK's Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Abtisam Mohamed, MP for Sheffield Central, in northern England, and Yuan Yang, MP for Earley and Woodley in Berkshire, in southern England, are members of the foreign affairs committee, which has been scrutinising the UK's foreign policy on the Israel-Palestine conflict. In France, a delegation of left-wing politicians saw their visas to Israel revoked by the Israeli authorities, two days before their planned trip. Mr George said he'd spoken to Mr Lammy ahead of his trip, and that believed that 'representations' made by the Foreign Office the Israeli authorities ensured the pair were allowed into Israel and the West Bank. The pair had been briefed by Foreign Office officials not to hand in their phones, should they be detained. They had also been advised to travel with phones and laptops that contained very little information. Mr George said he'd been 'anxious' throughout the trip, owing to statements he made criticising Israel's war in Gaza having been reported in Israeli media the week before. Mr George's constituency of St Ives is still reeling from the death of Cornishman James Henderson, an aid worker who was killed by Israeli air strike in Gaza in April 2024. 'The tragedy extends to our back door,' said Mr George. Letters from concerned constituents about the Israel-Gaza war compelled the MP to travel to Israel and Palestine. 'Although it isn't on our doorstep, it certainly is in people's minds. My constituents consistently view it as the epicentre of wider world conflict,' he said. Former Royal Marine Mr Henderson, 33, was active in sporting activities in West Cornwall, including boxing. 'He was well known and liked in our community in a way that resonated across West Cornwall. It caused a secondary grief,' said Mr George. He was among the seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen food relief non-governmental organisation who were killed in April last year in an attack on their convoy. Israel described the strike as a 'grave mistake' and apologised. Mr George called for further investigation into the attack, and said the UK government had not pressurised Israel sufficiently on the issues. 'We don't know that there is an investigation at the moment. We were promised it, but it really depends on the Israeli government,' he told The National. 'It was raised in the house the other day. The [UK] government is being excessively lily-livered as far as these issues are concerned,' he said. Mr George and Mr Shockat are expected to meet with Foreign Office ministers to brief them about their trip. They have called on the UK to impose stricter sanctions on Israel settlers in illegal settlements − including a ban on their goods − and for recognition of the Palestinian state. 'It's very clear that the majority of Labour backbenchers are on our side of the debate, and are actually pressing the government to do more to recognise the state of Palestine and to press for stronger action,' said Mr George. Though the Lib Dem MP has advocated for a two-state solution in the past, Palestinians he had met during his trip viewed the concept as 'no longer helpful, plausible or achievable'. 'I've advocated for it myself, but having now that I've visited the region, I can see why some see it as a waste of political energy … for those who are determined in securing long-term peace. It creates a veneer of purposefulness that seems too far off,' he said. Instead, he proposes a 'two-stage solution' that would see an end to the Israeli 'segregation' of Palestinians and equal rights for all, as a path towards two states. Mr Shockat warned that the West Bank could turn into the next Gaza. "We are one minute to midnight at this moment. If it's left unaddressed, it's going to have consequences − not for the region, but for the world," he said.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cornwall plots to close second homes council tax loophole
Cornish MPs are plotting to close a loophole which allows second home owners to avoid paying higher council tax. It comes after the coastal county introduced a 100pc council tax premium on second home owners on April 1 – leaving some families facing £5,000 a year bills. Second home owners who rent out their property as a holiday let for 70 nights a year can qualify for business rates – and those with just one property are likely to qualify for further tax relief. Unlike council tax, business rates are not based on bands. Rather, they are calculated based on the property's 'rateable value', and can typically work out cheaper than council tax. Ben Maguire, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, who is leading the charge against the tax loophole, said: 'I have dubbed it the 'Airbnb Bill'.' The Telegraph understands that the main focus of the policy will be on closing the business rates loophole, which allows second home owners to become short-term lets and avoid council tax. Mr Maguire said the bill was two-fold: 'Number one is to force second home owners to apply for planning permission when they want to turn their second home into a holiday let.' This is already the case in Gwynedd, north west Wales, which introduced planning permission for new holiday lets and second homes last year, under 'Article 4' rules. He added: 'The second part of the bill is if you are changing your home from a residential permanent occupancy property, to a non-permanent second home, you will also need to apply for planning permission.' Mr Maguire and other Cornish MPs, including Andrew George MP for St Ives, Noah Law, the Labour MP for St Austell & Newquay, and Anna Gelderd, the Labour MP for South East Cornwall, met housing minister, Matthew Pennycook, to discuss their proposals last week. More than two thirds of town halls opted to impose a 100pc council tax premium on second homes from April 1 under powers granted in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act. The powers were introduced by former Conservative cabinet minister, Michael Gove, to protect housing stock in popular holiday destinations and coastal towns. There are 13,140 second homes in Cornwall, according to the local authority, of which 2,652 are categorised as long-term empty. Council tax on a Band D second home is now £4,919.84, or more than £400 a month, after an increase of 4.99pc this year and the introduction of the 100pc premium. But second home owners have claimed that they weren't properly warned about the changes, which were advertised in local newspapers they don't read. The Telegraph last month revealed that MPs would be spared the premiums as allowances would rise to cover the tax bills. Mr Maguire said: 'You've got housing developments in places like Bodmin, a quite low socioeconomic town, historically, and you're actually finding now, even in Bodmin, lots of the big developments are becoming second homes, lots and lots of them.' Andrew George, the Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives, said that he had pointed out how the small business rates relief could be used as a loophole for second homes as long ago as 2012. He said: 'I highlighted then how it could attract second home owners to flip from council tax to business rates, and indeed that happened at a relatively industrial scale.' Mr George will meet with Treasury ministers in the coming weeks to discuss the business rates loophole after raising it in the House of Commons. He also supported a registration scheme for short-term lets – which the Ministry of Housing said last August would be introduced 'as quickly as possible' – and offered the county as a pilot. He said: 'We've offered to pilot the registration scheme. I don't think it is one that you would necessarily want to roll out as a complete scheme.' John Brown, head of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, said: 'We're dealing with a surplus, not a scarcity, of Airbnbs.' 'This isn't a fight between tourism and housing, but it is an addressing of and a bit of a rebalance.' Mr Brown said he didn't think the policy would push up prices for tourists, and added: 'The balance won't have an impact in terms of the actual pricing, or pricing tourists out of Cornwall. There's no two ways about it, it's not a cursory spend to come and spend time in Cornwall.' But chief executive of the Short-term Accommodation Association (STAA), Andy Fenner, said: 'I've met with local MP's, and explained the real-world contribution of short-term rentals – yet they seem more interested in grabbing headlines than solving the housing crisis. 'We're calling on the Government to support tourism and those who work in it, not scapegoat our sector for the failure to build enough homes.' In Wales, the strict rules precipitated the biggest fall in year-on-year house prices, with Gwynedd seeing a drop of 12pc, according to the Principality Building Society. A Ministry of Housing spokesman said: 'We are determined to fix the housing crisis we have inherited, and we know that having excessive concentrations of second homes and short-term lets in an area can drive up housing costs for local people and damage local services.' The spokesman said the Government was considering further action on short-term lets and second homes. Cornwall County Council declined to comment due to upcoming local elections. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
