Latest news with #Labour-run
Western Telegraph
an hour ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Vital routes to be protected as part of buses overhaul
Councils in England will put strict requirements in place before 'socially necessary' routes can be changed or cancelled, the department said. This is aimed at services to locations such as hospitals and schools. The measure is part of the Government's Bus Services Bill, which reached its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday. This will lead to an overhaul of buses, such as by giving all local transport authorities new powers to run their own services. The Government will also reduce some of the red tape involved in bus franchising, including reducing the minimum period between local areas taking control of services and being allowed to start operations. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'We're committed to giving local leaders the power to shape the bus services their communities rely on. 'Our Bus Services Bill is a big step forward, protecting vital services that people depend on to get to work, school or essential appointments. 'We have taken a decisive step towards better buses, building on our £1 billion investment to improve and maintain bus services, keeping people connected, driving up living standards and growing the economy.' Ben Plowden, of lobby group the Campaign for Better Transport, said: 'Buses are the most-used form of public transport. 'Preserving vital bus services has long been central to our campaigning, so the new protections in the Bus Services Bill are very welcome indeed. 'Protecting existing services, and identifying and filling gaps in the network, is the way to ensure everyone can access opportunities and stay connected.' Conservative shadow transport secretary Gareth Bacon attacked the Bus Services Bill as 'an ideological move that threatens essential services'. He said: 'They scrapped the £2 fare cap, slashed support for routes, and now want to strip away safeguards so councils can seize control of networks they aren't capable of operating. 'This is about Labour clinging to a fantasy of municipal socialism, whatever the cost to those who rely on local transport. Without the requirement to prove any benefit to passengers, Labour-run councils will be free to run yet another public service into the ground. 'We're not opposed to local decision-making. But this Bill offers no real investment, no credible delivery model, and no route to better services.'
Evening Standard
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Evening Standard
Vital routes to be protected as part of buses overhaul
'This is about Labour clinging to a fantasy of municipal socialism, whatever the cost to those who rely on local transport. Without the requirement to prove any benefit to passengers, Labour-run councils will be free to run yet another public service into the ground.
The National
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Nigel Farage denies Gaza genocide and backs weapons exports to Israel
Farage's comments came as he answered media questions at an event held in Aberdeen on Monday, which saw him announce the defection of Tory councillor Duncan Massey and spark anger after alleging the media had colluded with anti-racism activists to organise a protest against him. The Reform UK leader has previously spoken in favour of US president Donald Trump's plans for the ethnic cleansing of the Gaza strip, which Israel's government is looking to move forward. READ MORE: 'Read the room': SNP criticise Labour's plans to increase defence spending Writing for GB News last year after Labour suspended around 10% of the UK's weapon export licences to Israel amid fears the nation was breaching international law, Farage said: 'I feel all over the world that Israel is running out of friends. And I wonder right now, is Israel still really an ally of this country?' Asked about these comments and to outline his foreign policy on Israel and Palestine, the Reform UK leader said: 'It wasn't whether Israel was an ally of the UK, it's whether the UK was an ally of Israel … 'My question then was, are we really an ally of Israel's anymore? 'I know that, since then, things have deteriorated and even some of Israel's strongest friends in the world are asking some quite serious questions.' Reform UK leader Nigel Farage visited Scotland on MondayAsked then if he were prime minister if he would label Israel's actions in Gaza a 'genocide' or suspend weapons licences, Farage said: 'No, I wouldn't. 'I think we have to get back to the fundamental fact that what happened on October 7 [2023] was the most appalling violence committed by an organisation who said they will do it again and again and again. 'No easy answers, I accept that.' Farage's comments came after reports from Gaza's health ministry said that an Israeli strike on a residential building had killed 14 people, mostly women and children. The Shifa and al-Ahli hospitals confirmed the toll from the strike in the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp, saying five women and seven children were among those killed. READ MORE: 'You're not welcome': Nigel Farage visit to Scotland met by anti-racism protesters Since the Hamas attacks of October 7, Israel has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The military siege and offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of the population. Israel has said it will maintain control of Gaza indefinitely and facilitate what it refers to as the voluntary emigration of much of its population. The governments of Ireland and Spain have both described Israel's action in Gaza as genocide in recent weeks, though the Labour-run UK Government has insisted that any determination is for the courts. Labour suspended 30 of around 350 weapon export licences to Israel in September 2024, but allowed a specific 'carve out' to continue exporting parts for F-35 jets. UK Government figures published last month showed that exports of military equipment to Israel had ramped up in late 2024. The Labour administration licensed the sale of some £127 million in military equipment to Israel in October to December 2024, more than the Tories had licensed for the entirety of 2020-2023. Foreign Secretary David Lammy dismissed the UK Government figures as 'clickbait'.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bin strike deal offer watered down, says union
A deal offered to striking bin workers in Birmingham has been watered down, their union claims. Unite has called for further negotiations with the city council after a "ball park" proposal discussed at talks with conciliation service Acas had been revised "by government commissioners and the council leader". An all-out strike in the city is now in its third month, after staff walked out on 11 March over plans to downgrade some roles, which the union says could cost workers £8,000 a year. Birmingham City Council has been approached for a response over the current deal it is offering. Talks between the Labour-run council and Unite have been taking place with the conciliation service since the start of May, after previous negotiations to resolve the strike ended without a solution. The union's latest statement accuses the authority of missing deadlines on the proposals which had been tabled on Friday evening. "After weeks and weeks of saying one thing in public and another to workers, the government commissioners finally allow a proposal to be put on the table," said Unite's General Secretary Sharon Graham. She said the offer had been watered down by the council leader and government commissioners "who were not in the negotiating room". Ms Graham said the offer would be discussed with reps over the weekend and a detailed response would be issued ahead of a reconvened Acas meeting. "The actual decision makers now need to be in the room at the further ACAS talks," she said. A court order preventing striking workers from delaying bin lorries leaving depots in the city will continue indefinitely, it was confirmed on Thursday. The union said it was preparing to challenge the injunction, but said it agreed to abide by the law on picketing. On 23 May, when the injunction was granted, the city council said disruption at depots had led to a backlog of up to 12,800 tonnes of waste. Police recently scaled down their presence on picket lines, where they had been helping to ensure bin trucks could get out of the depots, to prevent waste piling up on city streets. The West Midlands force withdrew after stating the issues did "not meet the threshold" to impose powers under Section 14 of the Public Order Act. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Bin strike picket court order to continue indefinitely Council gets court order over bin lorry blocking Union blames council for lack of bin strike deal Why are Birmingham bin workers on strike? Birmingham City Council Unite the Union
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Revamp aims to make city's market 'magical'
A central court could be added to a city's renowned marketplace as part of plans for a major revamp. Smaller squares and a covered pathway through the middle are also options being put forward by Norwich City Council. Carli Harper, the Labour councillor responsible for major projects, said the authority wanted to make it "one of the most magical places you can visit in Norwich or the region". The council has now launched a survey asking for the public's views on its proposals and said it hoped to have final plans drawn up by this autumn. Earlier this year, the cabinet of the Labour-run authority agreed to spend £740,000 to commission proposals for potential new designs. Should changes go ahead, it would be the first major redevelopment of the market since 2006 – when ageing, wooden stalls were replaced with metal structures with roofs. The council said a central court or smaller squares could be used for "special events" and pop-up stalls, whilst a covered pathway would provide "a clear entrance point". Dominic Burke, co-owner of the Sir Toby's Beers stall, said some "exciting ideas" had been proposed. He added that traders had been meeting with the council to discuss plans and it was important for the wider public to comment. "The market belongs to everyone," he said. Harper said the aim was to "maximise footfall" and make the site "a destination market in Europe" and that construction work could begin later this year. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Traders 'at the heart' of city market revamp plans One of Britain's oldest markets set for revamp Norwich City Council
