Latest news with #UKLabourGovernment
South China Morning Post
13-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Britain is on a clear mission to reconnect with the Asia-Pacific
Last year, just three weeks into my new job, I visited Laos for the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting. I did so with a clear mission: to reconnect the United Kingdom with the Indo-Pacific. I said then that I would be back. And I've kept that promise. I've just completed my fifth visit to the region, covering 10 countries – from India to Indonesia, Samoa to Singapore. This matters to the UK because this region is where the 21st century economy is being forged. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, for example, is set to be the fastest-growing economic bloc this decade – no surprise, given the region's embrace of technology. I saw this clearly in Singapore. From the early days of the national computerisation committee to the Smart Nation initiative and National Artificial Intelligence Strategy , Singapore has consistently been ahead of the curve. But this story is not just about Singapore. Whether meeting entrepreneurs in India or seeing British investment in a bustling Jakarta metro station, I've seen many examples this past year of the dynamism of the Indo-Pacific. It's no surprise to me that Asean is already the world's fifth-largest economy. And with half the bloc's population aged under 30, it's only just getting started. 04:41 'Asean's moment is now': Malaysia's Anwar on the bloc's response to AI, tariff challenges 'Asean's moment is now': Malaysia's Anwar on the bloc's response to AI, tariff challenges The UK's Labour government, elected last year, is seizing the opportunities offered by new technology too. The UK is home to Europe's largest tech sector, and we're investing in the future. Our new Industrial Strategy targets high-growth sectors like digital technology, while our AI Opportunities Action Plan too seeks to strengthen our AI capabilities by supporting pioneering British AI firms.
Pembrokeshire Herald
01-06-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Single-use vapes banned across Wales from Sunday
A NATIONWIDE ban on single-use vapes will come into force across Wales and the rest of the UK from Sunday (June 1), in a bid to tackle the environmental damage caused by their widespread use and improper disposal. The move is part of a coordinated effort between the Welsh Labour Government and the UK Labour Government to implement the ban simultaneously across borders. The aim is to improve compliance and give the estimated 2,000 small- and medium-sized retailers in Wales time to adapt. Environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy estimates that in a single year, 360,000 disposable vapes are littered on the ground in Wales, with a further 120,000 flushed down the toilet. The Welsh Government says the ban is a key part of its response to the climate and nature emergency, putting environmental protection at the heart of policy. First Minister Eluned Morgan said: 'Littering from single-use vapes spoils our communities, and we have worked closely with the UK and devolved governments to ensure there are no loopholes, with the ban coming into effect UK-wide this weekend. 'This is another example of governments working together to deliver on the priorities of the people of Wales.' Deputy First Minister and Minister for Climate Change, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: 'Single-use vapes are a blight on wildlife and the environment. This ban will significantly reduce the litter and pollution they cause. 'This is further evidence of Welsh Labour's commitment to tackling the climate emergency and maintaining Wales's status as the second-best recycling nation in the world.' Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sarah Murphy, added: 'This ban will also help protect children and young people from nicotine addiction. It's a vital step towards our goal of Iechyd Da—better health—for all.' Meanwhile, in last year's Parliamentary debate on single-use vapes, Reform UK's Nigel Farage was notably absent, choosing instead to host his television programme. Welsh Labour accused him of prioritising media attention and 'fantasy economics' over delivering meaningful change.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Budget Bill set to clear final hurdle at Scottish Parliament
The SNP's Budget Bill is set to clear its final parliamentary hurdle, as MSPs prepare for the stage three vote on the tax and spending plans. The Scottish Parliament is expected to pass the 2025-26 Budget when MSPs vote at the end of business on Tuesday. The Scottish Greens and the Scottish Liberal Democrats have reached separate agreements to back the Budget, while Alba MSP Ash Regan has also confirmed she will vote for it. Scottish Labour has said it will abstain on the Budget Bill, while the Conservatives are expected to oppose it. Ahead of the vote, First Minister John Swinney highlighted a £10.5 million investment in the Budget to help GPs prevent cardiovascular disease. He said: 'As we take action to shift the balance of care from hospital settings to the community, it is imperative that we increase capacity in primary care. 'That's why the Budget increases investment in all primary care disciplines to deliver essential reform and make it easier to see your GP. 'This increased investment will make it more likely that health issues are picked up quickly and dealt with earlier. 'I know that access to GPs is a key issue for many people across Scotland. We have listened and we are taking action – and this Budget will deliver the investment to increase capacity and make it easier for people to get appointments.' Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Craig Hoy said: 'The Scottish Conservatives will be the only party showing common sense and voting against this dire and damaging SNP Budget. 'This is the last chance to stop the Nationalists' latest tax-raising Budget on hard-pressed Scots, which at the same does nothing to boost growth or curtail their wasteful spending. 'In the aftermath of the UK Labour Government's disastrous Budget with its national insurance attack on jobs, Scotland urgently needed to see a different approach from the SNP.' Scottish Labour finance spokesman Michael Marra said: 'This Budget is only possible because the UK Labour Government delivered a £5.2 billion uplift to Scotland's budget – resulting in the largest budget settlement in the history of devolution. 'We will not stand in the way of the UK Labour Government's record funding for Scotland reaching the front line of our public services. 'The SNP looks set to pass this Budget, but they have failed to take the opportunity to transform public services and make them fit for the future.' Both the Greens and Lib Dems sought to showcase the funding they had secured in their deals with the SNP. Green MSP Ross Greer said his party had secured a trial of a bus fare cap and expanded free school meals, contrasting this with 'the antics of Scottish Labour, who asked for nothing and got nothing'. Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the Budget contains a 'wide range' of his party's priorities, including drugs and neonatal withdrawal services. He said: 'Ultimately this is just the first step in unpicking years of damage wrought by the SNP.'
The Independent
25-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Budget Bill set to clear final hurdle at Scottish Parliament
The SNP's Budget Bill is set to clear its final parliamentary hurdle on Tuesday, as MSPs prepare for the Stage 3 vote on the tax and spending plans. The Scottish Parliament is expected to pass the 2025-26 Budget plans when MSPs vote at the end of business on Tuesday. The Scottish Greens and the Scottish Liberal Democrats have reached separate agreements to back the Budget while Alba MSP Ash Regan has also confirmed she will vote for it. Scottish Labour has said it will abstain on the Budget Bill, while the Conservatives are expected to oppose it. Ahead of the vote, First Minister John Swinney highlighted a £10.5 million investment in helping GPs prevent cardiovascular disease. He said: 'As we take action to shift the balance of care from hospital settings to the community, it is imperative that we increase capacity in primary care. 'That's why the Budget increases investment in all primary care disciplines to deliver essential reform and make it easier to see your GP.' He added: 'This increased investment will make it more likely that health issues are picked up quickly and dealt with earlier. 'I know that access to GPs is a key issue for many people across Scotland. We have listened and we are taking action – and this Budget will deliver the investment to increase capacity and make it easier for people to get appointments.' Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Craig Hoy said: 'The Scottish Conservatives will be the only party showing common sense and voting against this dire and damaging SNP Budget. 'This is the last chance to stop the Nationalists' latest tax-raising Budget on hard-pressed Scots, which at the same does nothing to boost growth or curtail their wasteful spending. 'In the aftermath of the UK Labour Government's disastrous budget with its national insurance attack on jobs, Scotland urgently needed to see a different approach from the SNP.' Scottish Labour's finance spokesman Michael Marra said: 'This Budget is only possible because the UK Labour Government delivered a £5.2 billion uplift to Scotland's budget – resulting in the largest budget settlement in the history of devolution. 'We will not stand in the way of the UK Labour Government's record funding for Scotland reaching the front line of our public services. 'The SNP looks set to pass this Budget, but they have failed to take the opportunity to transform public services and make them fit for the future.' Both the Greens and Lib Dems sought to showcase the funding they had secured in their deals with the SNP. Green MSP Ross Greer said his party had secured a trial of a bus fare cap and expanded free school meals, contrasting this with 'the antics of Scottish Labour, who asked for nothing and got nothing'. Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the Budget contained a 'wide range' of his party's priorities, including drugs and neonatal withdrawal services. He said: 'Ultimately this is just the first step in unpicking years of damage wrought by the SNP.'
