Latest news with #CommonsLiaisonCommittee
Powys County Times
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Lammy and counterparts accuse Israel of depriving Gazans of ‘human dignity'
David Lammy has joined other foreign ministers in condemning the Israeli government for depriving Gazans 'of human dignity' as they called on the war to 'end now'. The Foreign Secretary and counterparts from 24 other nations including Australia, Canada and France, plus the EU commissioner for equality, urged the Israeli government to 'immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid'. They also described proposals to move 600,000 Palestinians to a so-called 'humanitarian city' in Rafah as 'completely unacceptable'. In a statement shared on Monday afternoon, the politicians said: 'The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths. 'The Israeli government's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity. We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food.' The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths. Alongside 25 other partners, the UK message is clear: the war in Gaza must end now. We need an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages and a full resumption of aid. — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) July 21, 2025 They said it is 'horrifying' that hundreds of Palestinians 'have been killed while seeking aid' and that the 'Israeli government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable'. The foreign ministers reiterated calls for the remaining people being held hostage by Hamas to be released and asked for 'all parties to protect civilians and uphold the obligations of international humanitarian law'. Earlier this month Israeli defence minister Israel Katz laid out plans for the 'humanitarian city' in Rafah, Gaza's most southern city which has been heavily damaged through the war. He reportedly said that the military would initially move 600,000 Palestinians there, with the aim of eventually transferring the whole population to Rafah. 'Proposals to remove the Palestinian population into a 'humanitarian city' are completely unacceptable,' the foreign ministers said on Monday. 'Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law.' The signatories also pledged that they would be 'prepared to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire'. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry have said dozens of people were killed trying to access food aid over the weekend. At the Commons Liaison Committee, Sir Keir Starmer restated his view that the situation in Gaza is 'intolerable'. He reiterated the UK's commitment to recognising a Palestinian state 'at a time most conducive to the prospects of peace' in the region. The Prime Minister told MPs: 'The situation on the ground in Gaza is intolerable on so many levels and we make that absolutely clear in all our exchanges with Israel and with other countries. 'Whether that's the deaths of those that are queuing for aid, whether it's the plans to force Palestinians to live in certain areas or be excluded from certain areas, they are all intolerable and absolutely wrong in principle.' Sir Keir's government faced criticism from the Labour chairwoman of the Commons International Development Committee over the continued supply of parts for the F-35 fighter jet to Israel. Sarah Champion said: 'Alongside 25 other countries, the UK has issued a statement condemning Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank but failed to provide concrete actions on how they will be held to account. 'The committee's recent report on upholding international law, and our challenge on F-35 components, both give the Government practical tools to compel Israel to meet its obligations as an occupying nation.'
Leader Live
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Lammy and counterparts accuse Israel of depriving Gazans of ‘human dignity'
The Foreign Secretary and counterparts from 24 other nations including Australia, Canada and France, plus the EU commissioner for equality, urged the Israeli government to 'immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid'. They also described proposals to move 600,000 Palestinians to a so-called 'humanitarian city' in Rafah as 'completely unacceptable'. In a statement shared on Monday afternoon, the politicians said: 'The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths. 'The Israeli government's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity. We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food.' The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths. Alongside 25 other partners, the UK message is clear: the war in Gaza must end now. We need an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages and a full resumption of — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) July 21, 2025 They said it is 'horrifying' that hundreds of Palestinians 'have been killed while seeking aid' and that the 'Israeli government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable'. The foreign ministers reiterated calls for the remaining people being held hostage by Hamas to be released and asked for 'all parties to protect civilians and uphold the obligations of international humanitarian law'. Earlier this month Israeli defence minister Israel Katz laid out plans for the 'humanitarian city' in Rafah, Gaza's most southern city which has been heavily damaged through the war. He reportedly said that the military would initially move 600,000 Palestinians there, with the aim of eventually transferring the whole population to Rafah. 'Proposals to remove the Palestinian population into a 'humanitarian city' are completely unacceptable,' the foreign ministers said on Monday. 'Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law.' The signatories also pledged that they would be 'prepared to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire'. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry have said dozens of people were killed trying to access food aid over the weekend. At the Commons Liaison Committee, Sir Keir Starmer restated his view that the situation in Gaza is 'intolerable'. He reiterated the UK's commitment to recognising a Palestinian state 'at a time most conducive to the prospects of peace' in the region. The Prime Minister told MPs: 'The situation on the ground in Gaza is intolerable on so many levels and we make that absolutely clear in all our exchanges with Israel and with other countries. 'Whether that's the deaths of those that are queuing for aid, whether it's the plans to force Palestinians to live in certain areas or be excluded from certain areas, they are all intolerable and absolutely wrong in principle.'
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Government considers nationalising British Steel
The government is considering nationalising British Steel as fears grow among ministers that the company's blast furnaces in Scunthorpe could run out of raw materials within days. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has sought to reassure workers at the Lincolnshire plant that the government would consider nationalisation if necessary. Reeves spoke to trade unions over the weekend to explain the government's outlook on the steelworks' future. It is understood she told them she was acutely aware of the steel industry's strategic importance to the UK. US President Donald Trump has levied a 25% tariff on American imports of steel. British Steel has said its two blast furnaces in Scunthorpe are "no longer financially sustainable" and there are fears that without government support 2,700 jobs could be lost. The firm has been owned by the Chinese company Jingye since 2020. Jingye says it has invested more than £1.2bn into British Steel to maintain operations and claims it suffered financial losses of around £700,000 a day. Steel closures 'far from done deal', minister says 'Scunthorpe could become a disaster town' How will the latest Trump tariffs affect the UK? Taking questions from MPs on the Commons Liaison Committee on Tuesday, the prime minister reiterated "all options remain on the table" when it comes to potential government support. "I'm absolutely committed to steel production in this country," he said. He declined to provide further details, but added: "I can reassure the committee that we're doing everything we can to ensure there is a bright future for Scunthorpe." The government has offered £500m of support to partly fund a switch from blast furnaces to what are known as electric arc furnaces. But that has been rejected by the company. Senior figures in Whitehall are concerned negotiations are reaching a crunch point this week, as the prospect of a lack of raw materials for the blast furnaces in the coming days - leading them to be turned off – would make the site's existing vulnerability even more perilous. The political backdrop to the arguments about the plant's future is the race to be Lincolnshire's first directly elected mayor. The election is on 1 May. The Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and his deputy Richard Tice – himself a Lincolnshire MP - visited the works on Tuesday, with Mr Farage claiming there were "3 days to save British Steel" and the way to do that was to take it "into public ownership." The Conservative MP for nearby Brigg and Immingham, Martin Vickers, told the Commons on Monday: "It is very obvious that Jingye has cancelled the raw material orders that are essential to keep the furnaces going; those orders were due in mid-May. "When I was at the steelworks on Friday, I was told that unless another order for iron ore pellets could be placed this week, it would be too late." Vickers added that "nationalisation on a temporary basis" would "provide an opportunity to rebuild the industry, hopefully secure new private sector involvement and convince the customers—most notably Network Rail, which gets 95% of its rail track from the Scunthorpe works—that supply will continue." The Conservative frontbench has not committed the party to backing nationalisation. The party leader, Kemi Badenoch, said "nationalisation has got to be a last resort," adding "we need steel production in this country, it is important for national resilience." In a written statement published on Tuesday, the Business Minister Sarah Jones said: "Our priority is respecting workers, safeguarding jobs, and retaining steelmaking. "We have been clear that the best way forward is for British Steel to continue as a commercially-run business with private investment and government acting in support. "We call upon British Steel to accept our generous offer of financial support, and the associated conditions. "However, no options are off the table. The government remains resolute in our desire to secure a long-term future for the Scunthorpe steelworks, retaining steel production and putting an end to the years of uncertainty." The Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and an independent candidate are also contesting the Lincolnshire mayoral race. You can see a full list of candidates here.
BBC News
08-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Nationalisation an option for British Steel, says government
The government is considering nationalising British Steel as fears grow among ministers that the company's blast furnaces in Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire could run out of raw materials within chancellor has sought to reassure workers at the plant that the government would consider nationalisation if Reeves spoke to trade unions over the weekend to talk them through the government's outlook on the steelworks' is understood she told them she was acutely aware of the strategic importance of the steel industry to the President Donald Trump has levied a 25% tariff on American imports of steel. British Steel has said its two blast furnaces in Scunthorpe are "no longer financially sustainable" and there are fears that without government support 2,700 jobs could be firm has been owned by the Chinese company Jingye since says it has invested more than £1.2bn into British Steel to maintain operations and claims it suffered financial losses of around £700,000 a day. Taking questions from MPs on the Commons Liaison Committee on Tuesday, the prime minister reiterated that "all options remain on the table" when it comes to potential government support."I'm absolutely committed to steel production in this country," he declined to provide further details, but added: "I can reassure the committee that we're doing everything we can to ensure there is a bright future for Scunthorpe."The government has offered £500m of support to part finance a switch from blast furnaces to what are known as electric arc that has been rejected by the figures in Whitehall are concerned negotiations are reaching a crunch point this week, as the prospect of a lack of raw materials for the blast furnaces in the coming days - leading them to be turned off – would make the site's existing vulnerability even more perilous. The political backdrop to the arguments about the plant's future is the race to be Lincolnshire's first directly elected mayor. The election is on 1 Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and his deputy Richard Tice – himself a Lincolnshire MP -- visited the works on Tuesday, with Mr Farage claiming there were "3 days to save British Steel" and the way to do that was to take it "into public ownership."The Conservative MP for nearby Brigg and Immingham, Martin Vickers, told the Commons on Monday: "It is very obvious that Jingye has cancelled the raw material orders that are essential to keep the furnaces going; those orders were due in mid-May. "When I was at the steelworks on Friday, I was told that unless another order for iron ore pellets could be placed this week, it would be too late."Vickers added that "nationalisation on a temporary basis" would "provide an opportunity to rebuild the industry, hopefully secure new private sector involvement and convince the customers—most notably Network Rail, which gets 95% of its rail track from the Scunthorpe works—that supply will continue."The Conservative frontbench has not committed the party to backing party leader, Kemi Badenoch, said "nationalisation has got to be a last resort," adding "we need steel production in this country, it is important for national resilience."In a written statement published on Tuesday, the Business Minister Sarah Jones said: "Our priority is respecting workers, safeguarding jobs, and retaining steelmaking."We have been clear that the best way forward is for British Steel to continue as a commercially-run business with private investment and government acting in support."We call upon British Steel to accept our generous offer of financial support, and the associated conditions. "However, no options are off the table. The government remains resolute in our desire to secure a long-term future for the Scunthorpe steelworks, retaining steel production and putting an end to the years of uncertainty."The Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and an independent candidate are also contesting the Lincolnshire mayoral can see a full list of candidates here.
