Latest news with #Labourgovernment
The Guardian
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Labour has not implemented a single animal welfare pledge, say campaigners
Labour has failed to implement any of its promised animal welfare policies in its first year in office and also weakened protections for chickens, campaigners have said. Among the pledges that have not been implemented are banning the sale of animals with cropped ears, prohibiting imports of hunting trophies and banning imports of foie gras. Some relate to the UK as a whole, others to England, Wales and Scotland and the proposed ban on trail hunting just to England and Wales. Additionally, earlier this month, the Labour government laid an amendment regulation in parliament to take effect on 22 July removing a legal protection under European regulations that prohibits the carrying of chickens and turkeys by their legs, which causes pain and suffering. Edie Bowles, the executive director of the Animal Law Foundation, said: 'As an animal lawyer I have become accustomed to the disregard shown towards animal protection legislation, whether that be the broken promises around creating the much-needed improvements, through to enforcing the laws that are in place. 'In fact the government's decision to dilute a legal protection for chickens and turkeys has laid bare something that should cause concern among anyone who cares about animals. The government has shown that should it ever become inconvenient to follow the law to protect animals, the government will simply change the law to allow the practice.' The government has recognised that there is 'much evidence to suggest that upright catching by the body is the optimum handling method to directly minimise welfare harms.' But it raised concerns about the cost implications. Claire Bass, the senior director of campaigns and public affairs for Humane World for Animals UK, said: 'During a full year in office the government has found no parliamentary time to introduce the promised stronger protections for animals, such as a ban on hunting trophy imports.' Shortly before coming into power, Steve Reed, now environment secretary, promised the Labour government would deliver 'the biggest boost for animal welfare in a generation'. As well as the policies mentioned above, he said Labour would: End illegal puppy farming and the smuggling of animals including dogs, puppies and kittens. Prohibit the importation of dogs and cats with fashion-based mutilations. Ban the use of snare traps. Ban the importation of heavily pregnant cats and dogs. Accelerate the phasing out of animal testing. Notwithstanding backing a Liberal Democrat MP's private member's bill to ban low welfare imports of cats, dogs and ferrets, the government has not introduced legislation to any of the pledges. Abigail Penny, the executive director of Animal Equality UK, said: 'Keeping political promises is the foundation of a functioning democracy and there is still time for the government to uphold its word, rebuild dwindling public trust, and act in line with public will. The animals have waited for far too long already.' A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson said: 'We have wasted no time in delivering the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation. 'This includes improving animal welfare standards in zoos and plans to crack down on puppy smuggling. 'We will build on this progress by publishing an animal welfare strategy later this year.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
UK Plans New Measure to Boost EV Sales, Transport Secretary Says
(Bloomberg) -- The UK plans to introduce new incentives to make it cheaper for people to buy new electric vehicles as the Labour government attempts to phase out the sale of polluting cars. Singer Akon's Failed Futuristic City in Senegal Ends Up a $1 Billion Resort Why Did Cars Get So Hard to See Out Of? Can Americans Just Stop Building New Highways? How German Cities Are Rethinking Women's Safety — With Taxis Philadelphia Trash Piles Up as Garbage Workers' Strike Drags On Speaking on Sunday, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed she will be announcing new measures to boost sales of EVs this week but declined to directly address reports in the Telegraph and the Times that the incentives will include up to £700 million ($948 million) in new subsidies and grants to buyers to help offset costs. 'We will be making it cheaper for those who do want to make the switch to electric vehicles,' she told the BBC in an interview. As part of those efforts, Alexander's office on Sunday announced plans to invest £63 million in building charging points at homes and logistics depots around the UK, including funds for charging points at residences without driveways. Her department also outlined a £2.5 billion program to support automakers in the transition to zero-emission vehicle manufacturing. The investments are part of the government's efforts to boost new sales of EVs, which are on average more than twice as expensive as their petrol counterparts. The UK is Europe's biggest EV market and the government has set a 2030 deadline to fully phase out sales of petrol- and diesel-powered automobiles and a 2035 cutoff for hybrids. Sales statistics show automakers are falling short of government-mandated targets to increase the proportion of EVs sold ahead of those deadlines. Automakers have blamed the shortfall on consumer anxieties about the high cost of EVs and lack of charging stations. Trump's Cuts Are Making Federal Data Disappear 'Our Goal Is to Get Their Money': Inside a Firm Charged With Scamming Writers for Millions Soccer Players Are Being Seriously Overworked Will Trade War Make South India the Next Manufacturing Hub? Trade War? No Problem—If You Run a Trade School ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
UK Plans New Measure to Boost EV Sales, Transport Secretary Says
The UK plans to introduce new incentives to make it cheaper for people to buy new electric vehicles as the Labour government attempts to phase out the sale of polluting cars. Speaking on Sunday, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed she will be announcing new measures to boost sales of EVs this week but declined to directly address reports in the Telegraph and the Times that the incentives will include up to £700 million ($948 million) in new subsidies and grants to buyers to help offset costs.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Most people in France, Germany, Italy and Spain would support UK rejoining EU, poll finds
A decade after MPs voted to hold the referendum that led to Britain leaving the European Union, a poll has found majorities in the bloc's four largest member states would support the UK rejoining – but not on the same terms it had before. The YouGov survey of six western European countries, including the UK, also confirms that a clear majority of British voters now back the country rejoining the bloc – but only if it can keep the opt-outs it previously enjoyed. The result, the pollster said, was a 'public opinion impasse', even if there seems precious little likelihood, for the time being, of the UK's Labour government, which this year negotiated a 'reset' with the bloc, attempting a return to the EU. YouGov's EuroTrack survey showed that at least half of people asked across the four largest EU nations – France, Germany, Italy and Spain – supported the UK being allowed to rejoin, with percentages ranging from 51% in Italy to 63% in Germany. Asked whether Britain should be allowed back in on the same conditions it enjoyed when it left, including not having to adopt the euro currency and remaining outside the Schengen passport-free zone, the numbers changed significantly. Only one-fifth of respondents across the four biggest EU members, from 19% in Italy and France to 21% in Spain and 22% in Germany, felt the UK should be allowed return as if it had never left, with 58-62% saying it must be part of all main EU policy areas. The pollster stress-tested western European attitudes by asking whether, if the UK was only willing to rejoin the EU on condition it could keep its old opt-outs, it should be allowed to. Some (33-36%) felt this would be OK, but more (41-52%) were opposed. In the UK, while 54% of Britons supported rejoining the EU when asked the question in isolation, the figure fell to just 36% if rejoining meant giving up previous opt-outs. On those terms, 45% of Britons opposed renewed membership. The survey found that remain voters and those who backed more pro-EU parties would still broadly back rejoining if this meant adopting the euro and being part of the Schengen area, albeit at much lower rates. Almost 60% of remain voters said they would support rejoining the EU without the previous opt-outs, down about 25 percentage points from the non-specific question, as would 58% of Labour voters (-23 points) and 49% of Liberal Democrats (-31 points). Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion The percentage of Eurosceptic voters willing to rejoin without the previous special treatment more or less halved, falling from 21% to 10% among leave voters; 25% to 12% among Conservative voters, and 15% to 9% among Reform UK supporters. The fifth continental European country polled, Denmark, proved an outlier. Respondents there were very keen (72%) for the UK to rejoin, and more enthusiastic than larger member states about it keeping its previous opt-outs (43%). Denmark, however, is one of only three EU member states to hold opt-outs in major EU policy areas. The survey also found that large majorities in all five continental countries (63-75%) would support an independent Scotland joining the EU.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Most people in France, Germany, Italy and Spain would support UK rejoining EU, poll finds
A decade after MPs voted to hold the referendum that led to Britain leaving the European Union, a poll has found majorities in the bloc's four largest member states would support the UK rejoining – but not on the same terms it had before. The YouGov survey of six western European countries, including the UK, also confirms that a clear majority of British voters now back the country rejoining the bloc – but only if it can keep the opt-outs it previously enjoyed. The result, the pollster said, was a 'public opinion impasse', even if there seems precious little likelihood, for the time being, of the UK's Labour government, which this year negotiated a 'reset' with the bloc, attempting a return to the EU. YouGov's EuroTrack survey showed that at least half of people asked across the four largest EU nations – France, Germany, Italy and Spain – supported the UK being allowed to rejoin, with percentages ranging from 51% in Italy to 63% in Germany. Asked whether Britain should be allowed back in on the same conditions it enjoyed when it left, including not having to adopt the euro currency and remaining outside the Schengen passport-free zone, the numbers changed significantly. Only one-fifth of respondents across the four biggest EU members, from 19% in Italy and France to 21% in Spain and 22% in Germany, felt the UK should be allowed return as if it had never left, with 58-62% saying it must be part of all main EU policy areas. The pollster stress-tested western European attitudes by asking whether, if the UK was only willing to rejoin the EU on condition it could keep its old opt-outs, it should be allowed to. Some (33-36%) felt this would be OK, but more (41-52%) were opposed. In the UK, while 54% of Britons supported rejoining the EU when asked the question in isolation, the figure fell to just 36% if rejoining meant giving up previous opt-outs. On those terms, 45% of Britons opposed renewed membership. The survey found that remain voters and those who backed more pro-EU parties would still broadly back rejoining if this meant adopting the euro and being part of the Schengen area, albeit at much lower rates. Almost 60% of remain voters said they would support rejoining the EU without the previous opt-outs, down about 25 percentage points from the non-specific question, as would 58% of Labour voters (-23 points) and 49% of Liberal Democrats (-31 points). Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion The percentage of Eurosceptic voters willing to rejoin without the previous special treatment more or less halved, falling from 21% to 10% among leave voters; 25% to 12% among Conservative voters, and 15% to 9% among Reform UK supporters. The fifth continental European country polled, Denmark, proved an outlier. Respondents there were very keen (72%) for the UK to rejoin, and more enthusiastic than larger member states about it keeping its previous opt-outs (43%). Denmark, however, is one of only three EU member states to hold opt-outs in major EU policy areas. The survey also found that large majorities in all five continental countries (63-75%) would support an independent Scotland joining the EU.
