Latest news with #AnnaGelderd
BBC News
27-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
MPs asked in Commons to give Cornish same status as Welsh
An MP has called on the House of Commons to give the Cornish language Kernewek equal status to other Celtic MP for South East Cornwall Anna Gelderd delivered her bid to bring in a Cornish Language and Heritage bill in the Commons on Wednesday, which would give Kernewek the same protected status as Breton, Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Gelderd's Ten Minute Rule Bill, which allows MPs to make a case for a new bill, is backed by Cornwall's five other MPs and wants to see Kernewek taught in all local primary schools and used on road signs, place names and public told MPs a bill would help preserve the language and protect the cultural identity of Cornwall. The Cornish language was officially recognised as a regional language by the UK government in 2002 under part 2 of the European charter for regional or minority to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the bill would see it given part 3 status alongside the other Celtic Gelderd said her bill would strengthen the UK's commitment to linguistic diversity."A GCSE in Cornish once existed, but was discontinued in 1996," she added learning Cornish must be a "viable, accessible option" for people wanting to "engage with their cultural heritage".She told the Commons that beyond schools, there must be provision to provide lifelong learning opportunities. "At present, hundreds of people sign up for Kernewek classes each year, and universities such as Exeter and Cambridge have previously offered Kernewek courses," she said."If Welsh and Gaelic can be successfully integrated into higher education, why not Cornish?" Kernewek visibility 'crucial' Ms Gelderd said Cornish visibility in public life was crucial for the language to survive. "Currently, Cornish does not have official status in Cornwall, nor is there any legislative requirement for its promotion," she said. "However, Cornwall Council has worked hard since 2013 to implement a strategy promoting the language. "I want to see this work and local efforts strengthened by increasing the use of Cornish in road signs, place names and public services."She said supporting Cornish in public life was not about excluding English but about embracing bilingualism "as a strength".Supported by fellow Cornish MPs Jayne Kirkham, Noah Law, Perran Moon, Andrew George and Ben Maguire, Ms Gelderd's bill will be read a second time on 20 June.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MPs and Tamar Bridge bosses hope for locals' toll
MPs on both the Devon and Cornwall sides of the Tamar Bridge have agreed to push the government for a revised toll system, which would offer cheaper charges for local residents. In a joint statement, MPs Anna Gelderd, Fred Thomas and Luke Pollard said they would work alongside the chairs of the Tamar Crossings Joint Committee to get the legislation needed through. Martin Worth, co-chair of the joint committee, told the BBC they would be "working towards" getting the changes within the lifespan of the current government. He said: "This is not tomorrow, and I must stress that. This is primary legislation, this is to the level of a King's Speech." The joint committee is also awaiting a decision from the government on hiking the current charges from £2.60 to £3 for cars and vans and from £1.30 to £1.50 for electronic Tamar Tag holders. That proposed change by the cash-strapped bridge authority has led to protests by local people and firms who have to cross the bridge to do work and do business. The MPs and joint committee are calling for the difference between cash fares and the Tamar Tag, which is commonly used by local people and regular users, to be increased. It would mean that those with a Tamar Tag would benefit from cheaper tolls with tourists, visitors and irregular travellers paying more. Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry tolls are payable by people travelling from Cornwall into Devon. There are no charges travelling the other way. Gelderd, Labour MP South East Cornwall, said: "For decades, local residents in South East Cornwall have unfairly shouldered the burden of Tamar Crossings tolls, and I stand with them in their opposition." Pollard, Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said it was a "serious proposal that will safeguard income to run the bridge and the ferry, as well as saving local people money and giving them the lion's share of the benefits". Thomas, Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View, said the aim was to "deliver cheaper tolls for local people, securing the future of the crossings and giving our communities a fair deal". Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ PM refuses to commit to scrapping Tamar tolls Tamar Bridge tolls petition given to government Council recommends Tamar Bridge toll hike Tamar Crossings
BBC News
09-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
MPs and Tamar Bridge bosses hope for locals' toll
MPs on both the Devon and Cornwall sides of the Tamar Bridge have agreed to push the government for a revised toll system, which would offer cheaper charges for local residents. In a joint statement, MPs Anna Gelderd, Fred Thomas and Luke Pollard said they would work alongside the chairs of the Tamar Crossings Joint Committee to get the legislation needed Worth, co-chair of the joint committee, told the BBC they would be "working towards" getting the changes within the lifespan of the current said: "This is not tomorrow, and I must stress that. This is primary legislation, this is to the level of a King's Speech." The joint committee is also awaiting a decision from the government on hiking the current charges from £2.60 to £3 for cars and vans and from £1.30 to £1.50 for electronic Tamar Tag proposed change by the cash-strapped bridge authority has led to protests by local people and firms who have to cross the bridge to do work and do MPs and joint committee are calling for the difference between cash fares and the Tamar Tag, which is commonly used by local people and regular users, to be increased. It would mean that those with a Tamar Tag would benefit from cheaper tolls with tourists, visitors and irregular travellers paying more. 'Shouldered the burden' Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry tolls are payable by people travelling from Cornwall into Devon. There are no charges travelling the other Labour MP South East Cornwall, said: "For decades, local residents in South East Cornwall have unfairly shouldered the burden of Tamar Crossings tolls, and I stand with them in their opposition."Pollard, Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said it was a "serious proposal that will safeguard income to run the bridge and the ferry, as well as saving local people money and giving them the lion's share of the benefits".Thomas, Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View, said the aim was to "deliver cheaper tolls for local people, securing the future of the crossings and giving our communities a fair deal".
