Latest news with #SwordofDamocles
North Wales Chronicle
20-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Rachel Reeves: SNP in absurd position over criticism of EU-UK fisheries deal
SNP MP Dave Doogan (Angus and Perthshire Glens) said a 'growth-threatening Sword of Damocles' has been placed over the sector in Scotland following the agreement, which allows a further 12 years of access to UK waters for boats from the EU. Speaking at Treasury questions, Mr Doogan asked in the Commons: 'What changes will the Chancellor introduce in the spring statement to compensate for the growth-threatening Sword of Damocles she has just placed over the Scottish fishing industry? 'She should know, but probably doesn't, that 70% of revenue from fishing and agriculture comes from Scotland. 'She should know, but probably doesn't, that the fishing industry in Scotland is 50 times larger for Scotland's economy than the UK. 'So can she explain what discussions did she have with the Scottish Fishermen's Federation or the Scottish Government before making this damaging decision?' Ms Reeves replied: 'I was very pleased that the Scottish Salmon Association welcomed the trade deal that we secured with the EU yesterday, and 70% of the fish that is caught in UK waters is sold into European markets.' She added: 'The SNP are now in an absurd situation where they support Reform and the Tories in opposing the deal with the EU.' Elsewhere at Treasury questions, Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) raised concerns over the visitor levy in Scotland. The 5% charge will apply to those staying in hotels, bed and breakfasts, and other forms of accommodation, including holiday lets. Mr Stone said: 'Scottish councils now have the power to introduce a tourism levy. This has gone down extremely badly with the hospitality sector and in particular they fear a tax on a tax – a tax would be VAT. 'Could I ask the Government to look at zero rating this in the event that a tourism levy is introduced?' Ms Reeves replied: 'I want to welcome tourists to Great Britain and Northern Ireland and that's why we're securing trade deals with countries around the world, showing that we as a country are open for business. 'In the end it's up to the Scottish Government about what additional taxes they introduce. But as with income tax you can always see that the SNP never take the side of ordinary working people.'
Leader Live
20-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Rachel Reeves: SNP in absurd position over criticism of EU-UK fisheries deal
SNP MP Dave Doogan (Angus and Perthshire Glens) said a 'growth-threatening Sword of Damocles' has been placed over the sector in Scotland following the agreement, which allows a further 12 years of access to UK waters for boats from the EU. Speaking at Treasury questions, Mr Doogan asked in the Commons: 'What changes will the Chancellor introduce in the spring statement to compensate for the growth-threatening Sword of Damocles she has just placed over the Scottish fishing industry? 'She should know, but probably doesn't, that 70% of revenue from fishing and agriculture comes from Scotland. 'She should know, but probably doesn't, that the fishing industry in Scotland is 50 times larger for Scotland's economy than the UK. 'So can she explain what discussions did she have with the Scottish Fishermen's Federation or the Scottish Government before making this damaging decision?' Ms Reeves replied: 'I was very pleased that the Scottish Salmon Association welcomed the trade deal that we secured with the EU yesterday, and 70% of the fish that is caught in UK waters is sold into European markets.' She added: 'The SNP are now in an absurd situation where they support Reform and the Tories in opposing the deal with the EU.' Elsewhere at Treasury questions, Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) raised concerns over the visitor levy in Scotland. The 5% charge will apply to those staying in hotels, bed and breakfasts, and other forms of accommodation, including holiday lets. Mr Stone said: 'Scottish councils now have the power to introduce a tourism levy. This has gone down extremely badly with the hospitality sector and in particular they fear a tax on a tax – a tax would be VAT. 'Could I ask the Government to look at zero rating this in the event that a tourism levy is introduced?' Ms Reeves replied: 'I want to welcome tourists to Great Britain and Northern Ireland and that's why we're securing trade deals with countries around the world, showing that we as a country are open for business. 'In the end it's up to the Scottish Government about what additional taxes they introduce. But as with income tax you can always see that the SNP never take the side of ordinary working people.'
Western Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Rachel Reeves: SNP in absurd position over criticism of EU-UK fisheries deal
SNP MP Dave Doogan (Angus and Perthshire Glens) said a 'growth-threatening Sword of Damocles' has been placed over the sector in Scotland following the agreement, which allows a further 12 years of access to UK waters for boats from the EU. Speaking at Treasury questions, Mr Doogan asked in the Commons: 'What changes will the Chancellor introduce in the spring statement to compensate for the growth-threatening Sword of Damocles she has just placed over the Scottish fishing industry? 'She should know, but probably doesn't, that 70% of revenue from fishing and agriculture comes from Scotland. 'She should know, but probably doesn't, that the fishing industry in Scotland is 50 times larger for Scotland's economy than the UK. 'So can she explain what discussions did she have with the Scottish Fishermen's Federation or the Scottish Government before making this damaging decision?' Ms Reeves replied: 'I was very pleased that the Scottish Salmon Association welcomed the trade deal that we secured with the EU yesterday, and 70% of the fish that is caught in UK waters is sold into European markets.' She added: 'The SNP are now in an absurd situation where they support Reform and the Tories in opposing the deal with the EU.' Elsewhere at Treasury questions, Liberal Democrat MP Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) raised concerns over the visitor levy in Scotland. The 5% charge will apply to those staying in hotels, bed and breakfasts, and other forms of accommodation, including holiday lets. Mr Stone said: 'Scottish councils now have the power to introduce a tourism levy. This has gone down extremely badly with the hospitality sector and in particular they fear a tax on a tax – a tax would be VAT. 'Could I ask the Government to look at zero rating this in the event that a tourism levy is introduced?' Ms Reeves replied: 'I want to welcome tourists to Great Britain and Northern Ireland and that's why we're securing trade deals with countries around the world, showing that we as a country are open for business. 'In the end it's up to the Scottish Government about what additional taxes they introduce. But as with income tax you can always see that the SNP never take the side of ordinary working people.'
American Press
26-04-2025
- Business
- American Press
Fight over insurance costs to hit House floor
Gov. Jeff Landry is dueling with Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple over the best ways to lower insurance rates for consumers. (Quinn Marceaux/LSU Manship School News Service) By Avery Sams | LSU Manship School News Service BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jeff Landry and Louisiana insurance commissioner Tim Temple are at odds over how to fix the state's insurance cost crisis–one of the most important issues being debated in the 2025 legislative session. Tensions have been high as the two men have held competing news conferences and took turns testifying before a House committee, and the fight could hit the House floor as early as Monday. Landry testified before the House Committee on Insurance on April 16 in support of House Bill 576, which would give Temple more power to block excess insurance rates. 'What we are here today to talk about is giving the insurance commissioner the ability to hang a Sword of Damocles over insurance companies so that when we make the adjustment in the tort law … our people get the benefits that we claim they should,' Landry said. 'The bill is not designed as a hammer for the insurance commissioner, the bill is designed as a safeguard.' Temple followed in direct opposition, not seeing the need to grant more power to himself or future commissioners. 'I think the system we have works,' Temple simply put. The bill would give more power to the commissioner to deny excessive insurance rates and discretion to decide what rates are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory. The committee advanced the bill on a 13-4 vote. Temple, who ran without opposition in 2023 and is not a Landry appointee, continued to oppose the governor's idea of a 'balanced approach' – requiring sacrifices from both insurance companies and the plaintiff's lawyers who sue them for damages. It is a rare these days to see such an open fight between a governor and another statewide official Several other bills advanced by the committee are also headed to the House floor, and lawmakers will have to decide on the best approach to easing or halting the rise in auto insurance rates that has angered consumers. House Bill 248, introduced by Rep. Roger William Wilder III, R-Denham Springs, also would give the commissioner more discretion – in this case to decide how information insurance companies could keep confidential and how much they must make public Temple, who has worked in the insurance industry, again opposed the bill introduced under Landry's agenda, followed by similar opposition from Ronnell Nolan, chief executive and president of Health Agents for America, a trade group. 'My issue is about power…The bill lacks a standard of what the commissioners can do and can't do,' Nolan said. In Temple's own opposition, he told the committee that he is concerned that this bill and others might hinder new companies from coming to Louisiana. 'We're trying to promote and encourage companies to come to Louisiana…We shouldn't be telling people this is a magic thing that will fix everything because it won't,' Temple said. The other insurance bills awaiting House floor debate include two that Temple supported. One was House Bill 440, which would eliminate the mandatory use of health insurance after a car accident. The bill goes on to say that in the case of a lawsuit and if the plaintiff chooses not to use their health insurance, the defendant would be able to presume that the plaintiff did not try to mitigate damages. Temple also favored House Bill 379, which would allow customers to opt for property arbitration regarding insurance property claims. Arbitration lets people handle their disputes outside of a traditional courtroom setting. Consumers would be offered certain discounts if they opt for this endorsement, but these clauses usually require that consumers waive their right to litigate in court. The House Insurance Committee advanced the bill 11-7 after back and forth between committee members and opponents like Luke Williamson, a trial lawyer. Williamson voiced concerns about how this might prey on consumers' lack of understanding that they are waiving their rights to litigate in hopes of receiving a discount from their insurer. 'I think it could increase the lawsuit process because it's [arbitration] too complicated,' Williamson said. But Rep. Gabe Firment, R-Pollock, countered: 'Aren't we to the point in our state where we can trust people to make decisions for themselves?' House Bill 549, which would provide premium discounts for commercial vehicles that install dashboard cameras and telematic systems, passed unanimously to be heard on the House floor. This is an effort to increase safety in commercial vehicles like semi-trucks and construction equipment and prevent questionable lawsuits against them.
Reuters
03-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Law professors, legal groups back Perkins Coie in lawsuit over Trump order
April 3 (Reuters) - More than 300 law professors and other legal groups submitted court briefs backing law firm Perkins Coie in its lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's executive order that punished the firm for its work for Hillary Clinton and its diversity policies. Professors from dozens of U.S. law schools including Harvard, Yale and Stanford argued in their filing, opens new tab late on Wednesday that Trump's March 6 order targeting Perkins Coie is unconstitutional and threatens the integrity of the U.S. judicial system. "Today, Perkins Coie has fallen into the President's disfavor. Tomorrow, it could be any one of us whose speech the President unilaterally deems antithetical to 'the interests of the United States' because that person or organization has chosen to litigate against him," the brief said. The filing was part of a wave of "friend of the court" briefs from outside groups voicing alarm over the president's orders against Perkins Coie and other law firms. In another brief, opens new tab, a coalition of advocacy groups across the ideological spectrum — including the American Civil Liberties Union and Cato Institute — denounced Trump's orders against Perkins Coie and other firms as "assaults on the bar" that threaten the ability of Americans to hire attorneys for important cases. The White House in a statement said it was "absurd that a billion-dollar law firm is suing to retain its access to government perks and handouts." It has defended Trump's executive orders against law firms as "lawful directives to ensure that the President's agenda is implemented and that law firms comply with the law." The Justice Department on Wednesday night asked a U.S. judge in Washington to dismiss Perkins Coie's lawsuit. Trump's orders against Seattle-founded Perkins Coie and two rival firms — Jenner & Block and WilmerHale — sought to cancel federal contracts held by the firms' clients and to restrict access by their lawyers to federal buildings and officials. Perkins Coie, Jenner and WilmerHale's lawsuits challenging executive orders against the firms are pending in Washington. Three U.S. judges have blocked key provisions in the orders targeting the firms. Four other law firms — Paul Weiss, Skadden Arps, Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Milbank have struck deals with the White House to avoid similar sanctions. The professors argued in their brief supporting Perkins Coie that Trump's campaign against the firms "dangles a Sword of Damocles over all those who refuse to place loyalty to the President above the interests of their clients and the law." "If the order stands, it will be open season on lawyers who have dared to take on clients or causes the President or other officials don't like," the brief said. Why target these law firms? For Trump, it's personal
