Latest news with #SteveReed
The National
an hour ago
- Politics
- The National
Labour are creating uncertainty and acting against democratic freedom
Firstly, those charged with offences under that law are immediately subject to a judicial system compromised and discredited by those individualistic interpretations from arresting officers – onwards and upwards. Secondly, as the number of people charged with offences under interpretations of that law increases, the unclear 'catch-all' nature of the law becomes more firmly established; random arrests and charges are more firmly associated with individual enforcement officers; and outcomes are subject to further interpretations by the various courts. READ MORE: Daily Express front page piles pressure on Labour to act on Gaza Thirdly, in consequence, general fear of such a law, the uncertainty of how it will be enforced in any particular situation, destroys trust between civilians and law-enforcement officers. Fourthly, also in consequence, law-enforcement officers are burdened with the grotesque responsibility of unravelling such a bad law, often to the level of semantics, in each situation. Fifthly, since stable democracy and social cohesion are both absolutely dependent on governance by consent of the electorate, and since the dangers from unclear legislation are well-known and understood throughout the world, to proceed – as the current Westminster government has just done – to impose a dangerously vague and wide-ranging law against protesters campaigning against genocide and war criminals is a very frightening act against UK democracy. Therefore, I believe this current Labour administration should face an urgent, exceptional, vote of no-confidence within Westminster. This is because it is creating widespread fear and uncertainty; it is acting against democratic freedom within the United Kingdom, against the basic assumptions of rights within the UK constitution and endangering social and political stability – especially government by consent. Each Member of Parliament and each political party will be judged, sooner than later, on how they dealt with their awful responsibilities at this time. A General Election is urgently needed. Frances McKie Evanton, Ross-shire AS if it wasn't bad enough that the Labour Party is effectively running down Scotland economically by focusing tens of billions of pounds of UK Government investment in carbon capture and storage projects, steel-making and oil-refining in England, and by maintaining a disadvantageous energy pricing mechanism (in spite of zonal pricing proposals from Octopus Energy and Scotland's considerable contribution to the UK's renewable energy supply), Labour are now talking down Scottish Water. On Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Labour's [[UK Government]] Environment Secretary, London MP Steve Reed, stated of [[Scottish Water]] that 'their nationalised pollution in rivers in Scotland is worse than in England'. Unsurprisingly this grossly misleading statement went unchallenged by the BBC host. READ MORE: Gillian Martin: Steve Reed is leading a campaign of disinformation on Scottish water The facts are that the Scottish [[Environment]] Protection Agency reports that 87% of Scotland's rivers are in good health (as stated by Stephen Flynn on the Kuenssberg show) while only 15% of England's rivers are rated at that level, with The Rivers Trust reporting that not a single waterway in England is in overall good health. It is of course understood that with England being more densely populated there is a greater level of monitoring in England, but most sensible people would rather be taking a shower, never mind drinking the water, in Glasgow or Edinburgh, rather than in London. Stan Grodynski Longniddry, East Lothian REGARDING your piece on high-value assets being sold to keep local government afloat, this is not new (Council sell hundreds of public assets as they feel pinch from constrained budgets, Jul 13). All that started big time in the 80s and before, lest we forget – and it seems we have. We need major reform of local government with a local income tax to suit regional/local economies, with policies and service delivery to suit, instead of centralised policy and service delivery, where the centre should be oversight and enforcement. READ MORE: Scottish community-owned island announces boycott of Israel So what are the SNP waiting for? Better weather? Get in with it, before the local elections in 2027. Halve the number of councillors, and pay them a full-time wage of £45k with no outside business interests (if so, to be put in trust until and unless unelected.) Community councils, again with half the members, can be given funding or the ability to raise funding, paid a stipend of £5k per annum or a percentage of local income tax depending on population. Yes, in many ways back to pre-1974/75, but it worked, and worked much better. Local responsibility, local accountability – this is the road to a much improved democracy and interest in it. James J Paton SAAT – Shetland Autonomy Action Team
The National
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Steve Reed is leading a campaign of disinformation on Scottish water
I'm proud to live in a country with a publicly-owned water company that is demonstrably delivering for the people who live here. Our water is cheaper – we pay much less for our water than people in England and Wales. And our water is cleaner – 87% is judged to be either 'high' or 'good' quality by our environmental regulator, Sepa. READ MORE: Broadcast watchdog called in over Labour's 'misleading' Scottish water claim Any profit that Scottish Water makes off our bills is invested in making improvements to its infrastructure – rather than lining the pockets of shareholders. The benefits of Scotland's approach were outlined this week in the Independent Water Commission's recent report into the water industry in England and Wales. It gave special mention to the way we manage our water sector – specifically highlighting the way the Scottish Government works as good practice. The report also draws attention to our long-term vision, the ongoing flexibility in our investment programme, our approach to sharing costs across generations and our ethical-based regulation model – which ensures we deliver the best outcomes possible for the public. But you wouldn't have heard of this if you listened to the UK Environment Secretary Steve Reed talking about it. Instead, he has taken to the airwaves with a campaign of disinformation about Scotland, designed to undermine the idea of public ownership of water. You might expect this from a Tory politician, but the last time I checked, this UK Government was meant to be a Labour government. Mr Reed's repeated assertion that pollution in Scotland's rivers is worse than England is simply wrong. The independent report commissioned by his own department clearly shows that is not the case, noting that 66% of Scotland's water bodies are of good ecological status as compared with 16.1% in England. Even allowing for differences in the timeframe for those figures, it is clear that Scotland has far higher water quality. Much of the improvement is due to significant investment in the water industry and efforts made by Sepa to address pollution from other sources In fact, we take the issue of pollution so seriously that we have already committed up to £500 million to further improve water quality, specifically to increase monitoring of the highest priority waters and tackle debris and spills. While companies in Labour-run England aren't delivering for anybody except shareholders, Scottish Water has been labelled the UK's top-performing water company and as the most trusted utility in the UK according to the Customer Service Institute. READ MORE: SNP minister calls on UK counterpart to retract 'misleading' Scottish water comments There is much we have to be proud of when it comes to our water. There is also a lot that others can learn from the Scottish Government's approach to managing the sector. However, we are not complacent. Like the rest of the UK, Scotland shares pressures relating to ageing assets and climate change and we will need to do more and more to manage this. But if we're going to make progress and deliver the best outcome for households and businesses, that has to start with an understanding of the facts. So we'll leave Labour to explain to people in England and Wales why they can't have what people have in SNP-run Scotland – and we'll get on with ensuring that our natural resources truly benefit the people of Scotland.
Times
13 hours ago
- Business
- Times
Times letters: Regulation and funding of water companies
Write to letters@ Sir, I am left unsure what will change in the water industry after the publication of the report by Sir Jon Cunliffe and the response by the government (news, Jul 21 & 22). One regulator is to be replaced by another and water bills will rise by an average of 36 per cent over the next five years, which means that the public will in effect pay a second time for any improvements that should have been made by now, had water companies spent more investing in infrastructure instead of lining executive and shareholder pockets. As to the claim by Steve Reed, the environment secretary, that sewage pollution in England will be halved by 2030, please forgive my TiffenAspatria, Cumbria Sir, Your editorial ('Water Torture', Jul 21) rightly castigates the regulatory system as well as the operating companies. You say that regulatory responsibilities are split between three bodies: Ofwat, the Environment Agency and the Drinking Water Inspectorate. But even this is an understatement. Natural England also has some responsibilities, although how these fit with those of the EA is anyone's guess. And to complete the chaos there is also the Consumer Council for Water, which supposedly exists to look after consumers' interests. A single regulator with appropriate powers will be welcome, even if its creation is more than 30 years GaneLondon SE21 Sir, Feargal Sharkey says corporate greed is at the heart of the water scandal (Jul 22). I disagree: it is the broken tax system that creates the incentive for financial engineering. As long as there is an imbalance between the tax treatment of debt and equity, financiers will continue to load up low-risk enterprises with debt to generate higher returns to their investors, all at the expense of KokinisSheffield Sir, May I dare to express a little sympathy for the water companies? The unfettered concreting over and tarring of front gardens, and seemingly endless acres of further urbanisation and development, have led to flash flooding and the overwhelming of sewage facilities. Local authorities should have separate drainage for surface RennieKintore, Aberdeenshire Sir, The Thames Tideway project to upgrade waste-water treatment systems in London to enable them to cope with storm-water surges was completed in May. It has effectively eliminated the problem of unwanted releases into the Thames. The question now is: when will this technology be introduced in the rest of the UK?Dale FittesChartered engineer, Warwick Sir, If every new house was required to have a large rainwater tank the amount of drinking water needed could be substantially reduced. Rainwater could then be used to flush toilets, wash cars and water FreelandBristol Sir, In 1955, when I was 12, my mother and I had a holiday at Hove and were surprised, while swimming in the sea, to find ourselves surrounded by lavatory paper. Plus ça WillettLondon SW19 Sir, William Hague ('Welfare reform is a moral and financial must', Jul 22) is right that unless we rethink our welfare system we face economic crisis. The tragedy is that this has been staring us in the face since at least the early 2000s. Successive welfare ministers have recognised that but each has put the issue in the 'too difficult' box, to be left for their successor. If we wait for one finally to have the courage to tackle it we will wait another generation. We need to break the mould: we should establish a cross-party royal commission with a remit to report within one year — the issues and the facts are clear so a year will be ample — to recommend the measures that need to be taken to tackle this crisis. Then we should ask all our political parties to have the courage to implement its Leigh LewisPermanent secretary, Department for Work and Pensions 2005-10; Watford Sir, It is inevitable that Rachel Reeves will struggle to persuade Labour MPs to back legislation that has to be considerably tougher than the recent attempts at welfare reform. The solution is to raise income tax by, say, 2 per cent, with the promise of bringing it down again when welfare reforms have improved the government's ScottEast Knoyle, Wilts Sir, I am horrified to admit that I agree with Reform UK about something: in this case the need for more 'big strapping male police officers' (report, Jul 22). The episode that made me agree is as follows. A few years ago I was returning home in my car, through my local town centre, late on a weekday evening. While at a red light I saw a street brawl erupt around me involving about ten adult males. One man was struck and fell to the floor beside my car; his attacker then began to kick his unconscious body. Before too many head kicks were delivered I got out of the car and pushed the assailant away. When threatened I didn't move, so got punched a fair bit. Other passers-by then intervened to break it all up and we called an ambulance for the chap on the floor. When the dust had fully settled, a slight WPC and a male constable no bigger than me (I am 5ft 7in and 63kg) nervously appeared. I was absolutely disgusted. Two 100kg male PCs might have had a calming effect on the mayhem but these two lightweights certainly wouldn't. It is possible that the officers knew this and had kept out of the way until things had settled CoeWinterton, Lincs Sir, Nigel Farage misses the point when he states he wants to recruit 'beefy bobbies' to strike fear into criminals. The police have no need of beefy bobbies — most officers are more than capable of arresting criminals. What they need is a justice system that allows them to do their duty without fear of being accused of racism, Islamophobia and lack of impartiality, and inquiries into alleged wrongdoing that take years to complete. Further, if the courts imposed appropriate sentences (assuming, of course, that the craven CPS allowed prosecution in the first place), this would act as a deterrent to wrongdoing, which is sadly absent at present and is empowering lawlessness. Only a complete overhaul of the justice system will address this imbalance, not bigger MolloyMetropolitan Police 1976-2006; Chart Sutton, Kent Sir, The chief executive of NHS England, Sir Jim Mackey, advocates a 'different approach' to the 'Christmas Day' acute care service provided during previous industrial action by doctors, but offers little detail about how this might be achieved ('Patients at risk during walkouts, warns BMA', Jul 22). How can productivity remain constant when capacity is reduced without increasing pressure in the system past the point of irreversible damage? Without a clear and funded 'surge' plan, Mackey's mandate is no more than SoodSouthend-on-Sea, Essex Sir, The impending loss of the Lord Ashcroft VC and GC collection in the Imperial War Museum is to be regretted (Thunderer, Jul 22). Anyone who has visited the display, the largest of its kind, cannot help but be humbled by the gallantry of those who received these awards. The removal of the collection serves the interests of no one. The museum should be made to justify its irrational Prescott (Lt-Col, ret'd)Southsea, Hants Sir, While awaiting the arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry and after enjoying the impressive replica at Reading Museum (letters, Jul 21 & 22), Times readers should venture west to Fishguard and visit the tapestry commemorating the last invasion of Britain in 1797. It is beautifully and colourfully designed, and was stitched by local people. Moreover, it celebrates an invasion that was BattleLondon SW18 Sir, It seems ridiculous that local councils are still unable to levy a tourism tax on hotel stays ('Tourist tax plan rejected by Treasury', Jul 22). I travel frequently to the US and Europe, where these taxes are accepted as a standard element of any hotel bill. They reflect the tourist's/business visitor's use of local infrastructure (roads and public transport etc) that, without such a tax, becomes solely the responsibility of local taxpayers. Enabling councils to collect a tourism tax, without any of the money going to central government, would not only help to relieve pressure on local government finances but would also help to reduce further demand on government Anthony HarrisCambridge Sir, Libby Purves makes powerful points about the damage done to the starter job opportunities for young people ('Bar, café and retail jobs are society's heartbeat', Jul 21). It brought to mind the contrast my wife and I found on a recent visit to Australia. Shops, restaurants and bars were well staffed by bright, smiling young people who oozed enthusiasm for their role and their customers. Many were young Europeans and clearly motivated by their travel experience, and had been brightly trained by their bosses. Our government, through its policies, is denying our own children the chance to experience life beyond the screen. As Purves implies, the government needs to change R SmithSouthport, Merseyside Sir, Although I admire the creativity of the various top-level chefs in their quest for the perfect mashed potato (report, Jul 22), sometimes simplicity is the best approach. My late mother made the most delicious mash, following the teaching of her own mother. She used old, floury potatoes, gently boiled them until tender then mashed them with a traditional hand-masher. She would add a large knob of butter and a good splash of milk, but the true secret was in the beating: my sister and I competed to beat the mash vigorously with a large tablespoon. The result was CarvellWhitby, N Yorks Sir, Your leader writer is clearly a person of absolute taste ('Brewing Storm', Jul 22). Tea leaves are for brewing: tea bags are for puffy CullenArmagh Sir, Having read James Marriott's excellent comment article (Jul 22) discussing the film Barry Lyndon, I am reminded of another film set in the 18th century: the wonderful 1963 film Tom Jones, with Albert Finley in the title role. The two films couldn't be more different in texture and storytelling but both give a vivid view of life in the middle of that century. I would thoroughly recommend watching both and if stamina permits, one after the GodfreyArborfield Cross, Berks
Winnipeg Free Press
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
SMU's successful bid to join ACC leads to playoff berth, record donations – and more interest
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — SMU bet on itself when it made a bold bid to join the Atlantic Coast Conference — and it has paid off big time. Now the Mustangs are looking build on that momentum in Year 2. The Dallas-based school chose to forego nine years of media-rights distribution simply for the opportunity to move from the American Conference — where it won the conference championship in 2023 — into a Power Four conference. And the Mustangs not only proved they could compete in the conference, but could win at the next level. SMU coach Rhett Lashlee speaks at the Atlantic Coast Conference NCAA college football media days, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Steve Reed) They ran the ACC table in the regular season finishing 8-0 in conference play under coach Rhett Lashlee to reach the ACC championship game, where they lost to perennial league power Clemson. But it was enough to get SMU into the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. 'I would say it validated a lot of things for us,' Lashlee said Tuesday during the league's preseason media days. 'It validated that we belonged. It validated all of the support from donors and fans. And I think for a lot of the fans that been around for the 30 or 40 years it was vindication.' SMU earned a $4 million payday for the CFP bid, the product of the ACC's 'success initiative' allowing teams to keep money generated by their own postseason success. But equally as important, it helped ignite a level of interest in the program not seen since before the school received the notorious 'death penalty' from the NCAA in 1987 for secret slush-fund payments to players after multiple warnings. The Mustang Club, the fundraising support arm for SMU athletics, had record support by raising more than $65 million in cash gifts from 6,158 donors for the 2025 fiscal year, an increase of $10 million from the previous year. Football season tickets and revenue also reached record highs, with 2024 season tickets doubling from a year earlier, increasing revenue by 157%. Income from concessions, parking and licensing revenue all rose more than 100% after the move to the ACC. Last year, SMU arrived at its first ACC media days after announcing it had surpassed a $125 million fundraising goal since being added to the ACC along with California and Stanford. In an email to The Associated Press, SMU spokeswoman Megan Jacob said first-year undergraduate applications for the fall semester reached more than 24,000 after hovering from 14,000-16,000 going back to 2016. Jacob said the school also had a 63% increase in applications from transfer students for the upcoming semester from a year earlier. 'We didn't just enter the ACC. We confidently announced our arrival,' said Josh Whittenburg, SMU's associate athletic director for development, in a release from the school. 'Nowhere is that more evident than in the generosity of our donors. They saw a need and answered the call. I'm inspired by their commitment, and the growth we've experienced is a direct reflection of their belief in SMU's future.' In an interview with the AP, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips described the deal that brought SMU into the fold alongside California and Stanford — which took seven years of reduced media payouts (about 30%) — as an 'innovative' move. 'It shows you the will of an institution, if you're just talking about SMU, to just want to get a chance to play at the Power Four level, what they're willing to do,' Phillips said. 'I'm not overly surprised at what I witnessed, what the country witnessed. … You could see that was a school that was thirsty for the opportunity to get to the P-4. And I think you'll see them continue to be really successful, not only in this league but nationally.' SMU's success has also allowed Lashlee and his staff to pave major inroads into the historically strong region of high school football recruiting in Texas known as the Metroplex. 'Arguably year in and year out, the best high school talent comes out of the Metroplex,' Lashlee said. 'So for us to be positioned there as the only school within 30 miles of downtown Dallas is a huge advantage for us. Kids want to stay in Dallas, they want to stay and play in Texas, we just had to give them a reason.' They certainly have it now with the program on the upswing. The Mustangs return Kevin Jennings at quarterback, who said the goal for the school's encore season in the ACC is to win a conference title and a national championship. 'The energy level on campus is crazy,' Jennings said. 'We know what we can do. The sky is the limit.' ___ AP college football: and
The National
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Scottish Water hits back at UK minister Steve Reed's pollution claim
Labour's Environment Secretary Steve Reed said in a Channel 4 interview last night that pollution levels in Scotland are 'worse than they are in England'. In response, Scotland's Climate Secretary Gillian Martin has written a letter hitting out at the 'misleading' comments and saying it is "clear that Scotland has a higher performance". But now, Scottish Water – the publicly owned utility company that provides water and wastewater services in Scotland – has also responded to Reed's comments. "Scottish Water is the UK's top performing water company and most trusted utility in the UK according to the Customer Service Institute,' a spokesperson told The National. READ MORE: 'Twinned with Epstein Island' sign put up at Donald Trump's Aberdeenshire golf course "In addition to producing world-class drinking water, the independent regulator, Sepa, says 87% of water bodies in Scotland are either good or excellent, the highest proportion ever.' They added: "The Cunliffe Report also makes clear that 'Scotland has a greater number of water bodies achieving 'good' status compared to England and Wales'" The final report from the Independent Water Commission led by Sir Jon Cunliffe was published this week. It found that 66% of Scotland's water bodies are of good ecological status compared with 16.1% in England and 29.9% in Wales. Although, the report does note that this is, in part, due to Scotland having a much lower population density.
