Latest news with #LillianGreenwood
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Minister to discuss options for Shrewsbury North West Relief Road
The government has agreed to discuss the future of an out-of-favour bypass plan in Liberal Democrats, who took control of Shropshire Council in the May elections, have said they want to scrap the proposals for a North West Relief Road around council leader Heather Kidd said she did not want to have to pay back the £39m government money it has spent to transport minister Lillian Greenwood has said she will meet the council to discuss its options. The bypass was put forward as a plan by the Conservatives when they ran the council, as a means of reducing the amount of traffic passing through the it was opposed by other parties for a number of reasons, including its cost and its impact on the of the May local elections, the parties pledged to put a stop to the plans if they gained council has estimated the cost of the relief road, if it did go ahead, now stands at £ her letter to the government, Kidd said: "We feel we have inherited a near-impossible situation to progress the scheme, which is only likely to be solved by intervention from Ministers."She also said she could not guarantee the council had the funds to pay back the money spent so date has yet been fixed for the meeting. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Motorists warned of major driving test shake-up plans that could benefit thousands
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have announced potential changes. The DVSA has announced plans for potential driving test changes which could help with exam waiting times. There are currently around 60,000 UK motorists waiting to sit their driving tests, but are being forced to wait longer than expected. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) are keen to gets drivers' views on the potential changes which will impact how driving tests are booked and managed. A spokesperson for the DVSA said: "We're looking at 2 main areas: who should be allowed to book and manage driving tests and should we limit or remove the ability to change test centres and swap tests between different learners." The DVSA hope the to make the booking system fairer for learner drivers and also to stop motorists from being charged excessive fees when booking, reports Birmingham Live. A spokesperson for the National Associations Strategic Partnership (NASP) said: "The Driver Training industry welcomes this consultation as a key step in improving accessibility and usability of the test booking system for legitimate users, but equally, as an important step towards preventing access by those seeking to exploit learners through the illegitimate sale of test slots at extortionate prices. 'We urge pupils, parents and trainers to respond to the consultation and ensure they are part of enabling better, more efficient and fairer solutions for booking driving tests in the future." Some 603,352 future practical driving tests were booked as of the end of April, according to analysis of Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) figures by the PA news agency. That is up 16 per cent from 521,190 this time one year ago. Labour Party MP Lillian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads said: 'Driving isn't just about getting from A to B — it's a vital link to jobs, social opportunities, and a stronger economy, which helps to deliver our Plan for Change. "This consultation is an important move towards giving learners more say over how and where they can book, alongside setting out options to better enable DVSA to block bots from stealing slots, so learners can get on the road without unnecessary delays. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "Working with the DVSA, we want to make driving test booking fairer, protect all learners from exploitation, and reduce lengthy waiting times." Loveday Ruder, DVSA Chief Executive explained: 'We've been working tirelessly to bring down the driving test waiting times. "To help tackle this, in December 2024 we announced a new plan, on which we're making good progress. 'DVSA's goal is to make booking a driving test easier and fairer for everyone while preventing excessive charges for learner drivers". Drivers in parts of Scotland were warned this week of new parking restrictions which are being phased in. Motorists who park on pavements, dropped kerbs or are caught double parking in East Ayrshire will be issued with warning notices from Monday, June 2. Parking tickets - also known as Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) - will start to be issued from Monday, July 7, when the full enforcement begins. Motorists who are caught parking on pavements will be expected to pay £100 which is reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days.
Telegraph
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Crackdown on pub banter will help anxious staff, says minister
Labour's crackdown on pub banter will prevent staff from getting anxious at work, a minister has said. Critics have warned new rules forcing pubs and universities to protect employees from third-party harassment could hinder free speech by encouraging people to 'sue for hurt feelings'. Peers will attempt to block the crackdown with changes to the Employment Rights Bill when it returns to Parliament next month. But Lillian Greenwood, the roads minister, defended the Government's plans on Wednesday, insisting people should be able to 'come to work and give it their best without being anxious'. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has warned the proposed rules requiring companies to take 'all reasonable steps' to prevent harassment of staff by third parties are too broad-brush and could lead to 'excessive limitations on debate'. Challenged on the watchdog's concerns, Ms Greenwood told Times Radio: 'It's about getting that balance, isn't it? 'People would expect to be able to have private conversations, but that has to be done in a way that isn't going to affect the rights of other people to work in a safe and secure environment.' Asked whether Labour was therefore 'policing private conversations', she said: 'No. I think what I'm saying is that when people are at work, their employer has a duty to keep them safe and provide a suitable environment in the workplace for them to come to work and give it their best without being anxious. 'And it's quite right that the House of Lords consider this legislation.' It comes as peers are battling to shield pubs and universities from the new rules over fears they will hinder free speech. Lord Young, who co-founded the Free Speech Union, has called for a sweeping overhaul of the Bill to ensure the venues are excluded from the crackdown. As part of a series of amendments to the Bill, the Tory peer has proposed changes aimed at relieving pub bosses from acting as 'banter cops'. This includes not expecting pubs or universities to protect employees from overhearing conversations which they might find offensive about political or religious matters, 'provided the opinion is not indecent or grossly offensive'. Speaking to The Telegraph, Lord Young said he was concerned the Bill would place a huge burden on certain businesses to monitor potentially offensive conversations. Lord Young said it was unreasonable to expect bosses to 'ask every customer to sign some kind of waiver whenever they enter a pub or restaurant'. He added that including sports venues in the Bill would mean saying 'no chants', just in case what is said upsets a member of staff. 'The only way football clubs could comply is to insist on complete silence at football games,' he said. He said universities were also a concern because it could mean that 'woke activists' could block certain speakers. Lord Young said he was convinced his amendments had a 'fighting chance' of getting the nod after a number of fellow peers criticised the third-party harassment clause in the Bill last month. Asked if the Government was looking again at the Bill amid concerns it could 'threaten pubs with closure', Ms Greenwood said: 'I feel that's an exaggeration. 'It's about employers protecting their staff who are at work… It's quite right that our colleagues in the House of Lords also debate and discuss the parts of that Bill, all parts of that legislation. 'But this is about protecting people's workplace rights. We're very proud that we're introducing the best legislation there's been in generations to ensure people are well protected at work.'
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Government claims car interventions will save £500 a year - but only if you hit a pothole
Hitting potholes is "all too common", a minister has insisted amid scrutiny of the government's claim that new road measures will save drivers £500 a year. Lillian Greenwood told Sky News Breakfast with that people face "eyewatering" costs if a pothole causes more damage to their car than a puncture, with the average repair job setting them back by £460, according to the along with the continued freeze on fuel duty, will save drivers over £500 a year, the government has said, claiming its interventions are easing the cost-of-living crisis for drivers. It was put to Ms Greenwood that the savings only apply if you hit a pothole in the first place. Asked if she thinks it's a common occurrence, she said: "Unfortunately, it's all too common. And because we've had more than 10 years of the Conservatives under investing in our road network, that's left it absolutely cratered with potholes." She said potholes are "probably the biggest issue" when she doorsteps constituents, adding: "They're really angry about the state of their local roads. "Far too many people are hitting a pothole and finding they're having to fork out to get their car fixed." Earlier this year, an annual industry report estimated that 17% of the local road network in England and Wales are in poor condition. It predicted that the one-time catch-up cost to clear the backlog of maintenance issues would cost £16.81bn and take 12 years to complete. Chancellor Rachel Reeves's contained a £1.6bn investment to maintain roads and fix potholes, which it said was an increase of £500m on the 2024-25 budget. Local authorities will get the first tranche of that money this month. It comes ahead of the local elections in May, when support for drivers could become a dividing line. Read More:Prisons across England and Wales now 98.9% full It was put to Ms Greenwood that while trumpeting its motorist-friendly credentials, Labour has also introduced a £1.7bn car tax raid and backed more 20mph low tariff neighbourhoods. She said the government has left decisions on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods to local authorities and many people "want to see drivers going slower". The government's announcement on savings today came alongside a pledge to remove 1,000 miles of roadworks over the Easter weekend in a bid to cut journey times. The works will be reinstated after Easter Monday. However, bank holiday engineering works on the railway lines will not be halted, meaning there will be disruption for people who don't have a car. No trains are running from London Euston, affecting most of the Avanti West Coast line.
Sky News
16-04-2025
- Automotive
- Sky News
Government claims car interventions will save £500 a year - but only if you hit a pothole
Hitting potholes is "all too common", a minister has insisted amid scrutiny of the government's claim that new road measures will save drivers £500 a year. Lillian Greenwood told Sky News Breakfast with Anna Jones that people face "eyewatering" costs if a pothole causes more damage to their car than a puncture, with the average repair job setting them back by £460, according to the RAC. This, along with the continued freeze on fuel duty, will save drivers over £500 a year, the government has said, claiming its interventions are easing the cost-of-living crisis for drivers. It was put to Ms Greenwood that the savings only apply if you hit a pothole in the first place. Asked if she thinks it's a common occurrence, she said: "Unfortunately, it's all too common. And because we've had more than 10 years of the Conservatives under investing in our road network, that's left it absolutely cratered with potholes." She said potholes are "probably the biggest issue" when she doorsteps constituents, adding: "They're really angry about the state of their local roads. "Far too many people are hitting a pothole and finding they're having to fork out to get their car fixed." Earlier this year, an annual industry report estimated that 17% of the local road network in England and Wales are in poor condition. It predicted that the one-time catch-up cost to clear the backlog of maintenance issues would cost £16.81bn and take 12 years to complete. Chancellor Rachel Reeves's autumn budget contained a £1.6bn investment to maintain roads and fix potholes, which it said was an increase of £500m on the 2024-25 budget. Local authorities will get the first tranche of that money this month. It comes ahead of the local elections in May, when support for drivers could become a dividing line. It was put to Ms Greenwood that while trumpeting its motorist-friendly credentials, Labour has also introduced a £1.7bn car tax raid and backed more 20mph low tariff neighbourhoods. She said the government has left decisions on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods to local authorities and many people "want to see drivers going slower". The government's announcement on savings today came alongside a pledge to remove 1,000 miles of roadworks over the Easter weekend in a bid to cut journey times. The works will be reinstated after Easter Monday. However, bank holiday engineering works on the railway lines will not be halted, meaning there will be disruption for people who don't have a car.
