Latest news with #NavenduMishra
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Stockport 'can't wait' for Metrolink extension to town
People in Stockport have welcomed the announcement of funding for a long-awaited extension of Greater Manchester's tram line into the town centre. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £2.5bn in funding for Greater Manchester, some of which will be used to extend the Metrolink network to the town. It is also set to be used to create new stops in Bury, north Manchester and Oldham, Reeves said. Stockport commuter Becci Simmons, 37, said she "can't wait" for the day that she can take the tram to work in Manchester, rather than multiple trains. Becci added: "We have quite a lot of trouble on that [train] line. And if have any trouble, you're stuck. You can't do anything else. "You've got to take the bus and the bus can take an hour." Leader of Stockport Council Mark Roberts said the recently-completed Stockport Interchange was "Metrolink-ready". Roberts, who was appointed to the top job last week, said: "Stockport is the fastest-growing town in Greater Manchester, and today's decision sends a powerful signal that investment is following ambition."He said the council had led the push for the Metrolink extension, alongside the business community. Labour MP for Stockport Navendu Mishra said the details around the project were yet to be figured out. He said the plan would help to "future proof" Greater Manchester's Bee Network. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said the funding would also go towards 1000 new electric buses, meaning the entire Bee Network would become emission-free. He said: "We can now move at pace to deliver the next phase of the Bee Network – creating the UK's first fully electric, zero-emission integrated public transport system by 2030."Burnham said new transport interchanges would be built in Leigh and central Manchester, with new transport infrastructure also to be built in Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton, Middleton and Stretford. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Delegation of Labour MPs arrives in Taiwan in first visit since UK election
A group of five Labour MPs is travelling to Taiwan for meetings with government officials for the first time since Labour came to power. The Labour Friends of Taiwan delegation is due to land in Taipei on Sunday morning and is expected to meet senior government officials, parliamentarians, unions, businesses and civil society groups. It includes Navendu Mishra, the Labour MP for Stockport, Paula Barker of Liverpool Wavertree, Connor Naismith of Crewe and Nantwich, Gill Furniss of Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, and Tahir Ali of Birmingham Hall Green. The visit follows a trip by Tsai Ing-Wen, the former president of Taiwan, to the UK weeks after China staged large-scale military drills around Taiwan. This is the first delegation of Labour MPs to visit Taiwan since Labour entered government last summer. The last trip in March 2024 drew a strong reaction from Beijing. China's embassy in London called it a 'blatant violation of the one-China principle and serious interference in China's internal affairs' and warned that 'any act that undermines China's interests will be met with forceful responses'. Mishra, who is the chair of Labour Friends of Taiwan, said the visit was 'about more than symbolism. It's about real, practical partnerships between the UK and Taiwan – two societies that value freedom, fairness and international cooperation. We want to ensure Taiwan has friends in the UK parliament who will speak up when it matters most.' Last month, China launched large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, accusing its leaders of being 'separatists' and 'parasites' who were pushing the democratically run island into war. The Foreign Office expressed concern about the drills and said they were 'part of a pattern of activity which is increasing tensions and risking dangerous escalation in the Taiwan Strait'. Taiwan, which has never been ruled by the People's Republic of China, operates as a sovereign state with its own democratically elected government, military and currency. Its people overwhelmingly oppose the prospect of Chinese rule. Beijing, however, claims Taiwan is Chinese territory and is building capability potentially to seize it by military force. Speaking at an event in the House of Lords this month, Tsai said that 'Taiwan's insistence and the resolve of its people are crucial deterrents to China's expansionist ambition'. 'Taiwan will continue contributing to security and democracy in the region and we will deepen our relationships with fellow democracies so that we are all better equipped to overcome challenges and to safeguard our democratic freedom,' she told MPs and peers. Tsai also addressed the University of Cambridge and the London School of Economics during her UK trip. The Guardian reported last year that Tsai scrapped a plan to visit London during the autumn after the Foreign Office intervened because it coincided with David Lammy's visit to China. Andrew Yeh, the executive director of the China Strategic Risks Institute, a thinktank, said: 'There is a growing realisation across Westminster and Whitehall that Taiwan matters deeply to the UK: as a trade and investment partner, but also as a vital link in the UK's critical supply chains – from MRI scanners to advanced weapons systems. 'As the UK faces growing 'hybrid threats' from both Russia and China, it has much to learn from Taiwan's resistance to China's grey-zone coercion – from countering disinformation campaigns to protecting critical undersea infrastructure.'
The Guardian
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Delegation of Labour MPs arrives in Taiwan in first visit since UK election
A group of five Labour MPs is travelling to Taiwan for meetings with government officials for the first time since Labour came to power. The Labour Friends of Taiwan delegation is due to land in Taipei on Sunday morning and is expected to meet senior government officials, parliamentarians, unions, businesses and civil society groups. It includes Navendu Mishra, the Labour MP for Stockport, Paula Barker of Liverpool Wavertree, Connor Naismith of Crewe and Nantwich, Gill Furniss of Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, and Tahir Ali of Birmingham Hall Green. The visit follows a trip by Tsai Ing-Wen, the former president of Taiwan, to the UK weeks after China staged large-scale military drills around Taiwan. This is the first delegation of Labour MPs to visit Taiwan since Labour entered government last summer. The last trip in March 2024 drew a strong reaction from Beijing. China's embassy in London called it a 'blatant violation of the one-China principle and serious interference in China's internal affairs' and warned that 'any act that undermines China's interests will be met with forceful responses'. Mishra, who is the chair of Labour Friends of Taiwan, said the visit was 'about more than symbolism. It's about real, practical partnerships between the UK and Taiwan – two societies that value freedom, fairness and international cooperation. We want to ensure Taiwan has friends in the UK parliament who will speak up when it matters most.' Last month, China launched large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, accusing its leaders of being 'separatists' and 'parasites' who were pushing the democratically run island into war. The Foreign Office expressed concern about the drills and said they were 'part of a pattern of activity which is increasing tensions and risking dangerous escalation in the Taiwan Strait'. Taiwan, which has never been ruled by the People's Republic of China, operates as a sovereign state with its own democratically elected government, military and currency. Its people overwhelmingly oppose the prospect of Chinese rule. Beijing, however, claims Taiwan is Chinese territory and is building capability potentially to seize it by military force. Speaking at an event in the House of Lords this month, Tsai said that 'Taiwan's insistence and the resolve of its people are crucial deterrents to China's expansionist ambition'. 'Taiwan will continue contributing to security and democracy in the region and we will deepen our relationships with fellow democracies so that we are all better equipped to overcome challenges and to safeguard our democratic freedom,' she told MPs and peers. Tsai also addressed the University of Cambridge and the London School of Economics during her UK trip. 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 Guardian reported last year that Tsai scrapped a plan to visit London during the autumn after the Foreign Office intervened because it coincided with David Lammy's visit to China. Andrew Yeh, the executive director of the China Strategic Risks Institute, a thinktank, said: 'There is a growing realisation across Westminster and Whitehall that Taiwan matters deeply to the UK: as a trade and investment partner, but also as a vital link in the UK's critical supply chains – from MRI scanners to advanced weapons systems. 'As the UK faces growing 'hybrid threats' from both Russia and China, it has much to learn from Taiwan's resistance to China's grey-zone coercion – from countering disinformation campaigns to protecting critical undersea infrastructure.'
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sky faces criticism over job loss communication
MPs are demanding answers from Sky after claims some staff found out about potential job losses from watching Sky News before being told by bosses. About 2,000 jobs are at risk at Sky customer service centres in Stockport, Sheffield and Leeds as part of what the company said was a plan to transform the business to "offer quicker, simpler and more digital customer service". A letter has been sent to Sky, signed by seven different MPs, asking for clarity over how workers were notified about the move. The company said it fully understood how sensitive the situation was and that its staff were its "absolute priority". The letter, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, reads: "Staff members at Sky Stockport were called to a meeting between 13:00 and 13:30 on 27 March. "During this meeting, the news regarding potential redundancies was covered by Sky News. "As a result, employees on sick leave, holiday or on a rest day were informed via the media." It went on to ask the company to "confirm that all necessary efforts were made to ensure that all staff were notified of this news by Sky before it was reported in the media, including Sky News". The letter was sent by Stockport MP Navendu Mishra and was co-signed by Clive Betts MP for Sheffield South East, Olivia Blake, MP for Sheffield Hallam, Sarah Champion MP for Rotherham, Gill Furniss, MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, Abtisam Mohamed, MP for Sheffield Central and Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds Central and Headingley. The issue was raised in parliament this week by Stockport's MP and was described as "unacceptable" by the Leader of the House of Commons, MP Lucy Powell. Sky is the owner of Sky News but it operates editorially independently. The company said it began notifying colleagues on the morning of 27 March before a call for affected staff at 13:00 GMT. Sky said the vast majority of its staff heard the news from the company first and said its focus had remained on supporting employees and providing "as much clarity and care as possible". Sky workers in Stockport said the situation had left them "heartbroken" and worried about the future. One staff member said: "Behind every role at risk is a person – someone with a family to support, a mortgage to pay or children to care for. "The stress this is causing can't be overstated. People are struggling to sleep. "They are worried about how they will afford their bills, how they'll find new childcare if they have to travel further and what their future looks like." Sky News has been approached for comment. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Sky says 2,000 jobs at risk at customer service sites Sky to cut 1,000 jobs in move towards digital
BBC News
04-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Sky faces criticism over job loss communication with staff
MPs are demanding answers from Sky after claims some staff found out about potential job losses from watching Sky News before being told by 2,000 jobs are at risk at Sky customer service centres in Stockport, Sheffield and Leeds as part of what the company said was a plan to transform the business to "offer quicker, simpler and more digital customer service".A letter has been sent to Sky, signed by seven different MPs, asking for clarity over how workers were notified about the company said it fully understood how sensitive the situation was and that its staff were its "absolute priority". The letter, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, reads: "Staff members at Sky Stockport were called to a meeting between 13:00 and 13:30 on 27 March. "During this meeting, the news regarding potential redundancies was covered by Sky News."As a result, employees on sick leave, holiday or on a rest day were informed via the media."It went on to ask the company to "confirm that all necessary efforts were made to ensure that all staff were notified of this news by Sky before it was reported in the media, including Sky News". 'Clarity and care' The letter was sent by Stockport MP Navendu Mishra and was co-signed by Clive Betts MP for Sheffield South East, Olivia Blake, MP for Sheffield Hallam, Sarah Champion MP for Rotherham, Gill Furniss, MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, Abtisam Mohamed, MP for Sheffield Central and Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds Central and issue was raised in parliament this week by Stockport's MP and was described as "unacceptable" by the Leader of the House of Commons, MP Lucy is the owner of Sky News but it operates editorially company said it began notifying colleagues on the morning of 27 March before a call for affected staff at 13:00 said the vast majority of its staff heard the news from the company first and said its focus had remained on supporting employees and providing "as much clarity and care as possible". Staff 'heartbroken' Sky workers in Stockport said the situation had left them "heartbroken" and worried about the staff member said: "Behind every role at risk is a person – someone with a family to support, a mortgage to pay or children to care for."The stress this is causing can't be overstated. People are struggling to sleep."They are worried about how they will afford their bills, how they'll find new childcare if they have to travel further and what their future looks like."Sky News has been approached for comment. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
