9 August 2021

The Green Party has responded to the sixth report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Deputy leader Amelia Womack said:

“From floods and fires to droughts and rising sea levels, we are already living in a changed climate and we now have a very small window of opportunity to reverse these effects through bold and urgent action.

“If we act today, it will still take 20-30 years for the climate to stabilise again and yet all we’re hearing from government is pledges on targets with a big gap where the policies should be to meet them.

“This is just 1.1 degrees of warning – thinking 1.5 or 2 degrees is acceptable simply ignores the reality of the issue and demonstrates clearly that the government doesn’t appreciate we are in a crisis here in the UK and around the globe, and as a result is failing to manage the risks.

“We need action not words and a global carbon tax is the most powerful way of rapidly eliminating fossil fuels from our economies. To avoid a negative impact on those on lower incomes it should be combined with significant investment in public transport and home insulation, as well as a universal basic income.

“With COP26 just around the corner, this must be the moment the government finally realises that we are living in an emergency and does something other than just greenwashing.”

ENDS

Back to main news page

Adblock test (Why?)

31 July 2021

The Green Party has reiterated its calls for a universal basic income to offer protection for all, as the government risks the livelihoods of millions of people by further winding down the furlough scheme tomorrow [Sunday 1 August].

The Greens have warned that by cutting its contribution the government will lay more of the costs onto the employers in sectors that are already struggling to recover.

Professor Catherine Rowett, Green Party work, employment and social security spokesperson and former MEP, said:

“The furlough scheme has offered a vital lifeline to workers and employers up and down the country during this awful pandemic. Asking the employers to bear more of the burden will be the last straw for many businesses who are barely making ends meet.

“Latest figures show that nearly 2 million people were still on the furlough scheme at the end of June [1]. It is extremely irresponsible of this government to cut its contribution when we know that certain sectors, in particular those in the arts and entertainment, are still struggling to operate properly, and poised at a moment that could make or break them. [2]

“The government seems to be willing to throw the lives of millions into uncertainty, yet much of this anxiety and uncertainty could have been saved if a generous package of universal basic income had been introduced at the start of the pandemic, as a permanent measure to make sure that nobody is left high and dry. 

“It would ensure that freelance workers are no worse off than those in regular employment, and that every single one of us has enough to meet our basic needs, to give us all a fairer  chance of weathering this storm together.” 

ENDS

Notes

1

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/numbers-on-furlough-fall-to-lowest-level-since-start-of-pandemic

2

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jul/29/number-of-uk-workers-on-furlough-drops-by-590000-as-taper-kicks-in

Back to main news page

Adblock test (Why?)

30 July 2021

The Green Party has welcomed  the High Court decision to rule that Transport Secretary Grant Shapps acted unlawfully when granting permission for a road tunnel to be built near Stonehenge. [1]

Caroline Russell, Green Party transport and healthy streets spokesperson, said:.

“It is the right decision by the High Court to accept this legal challenge which stops the carbon smashing, heritage destroying road under Stonehenge in its tracks. 

“It’s good that the judge recognised the strong case made by the Stonehenge Alliance campaigners against the government’s vandalistic plan to tunnel through a Unesco world heritage site.

“Now the government needs to halt the whole of their damaging and emissions busting £27bn road building programme, which is entirely incompatible with chairing COP26. Instead, it needs to start investing seriously in public transport, along with walking and cycling, and making our roads resilient to the climate emergency.”

ENDS

Notes

1

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-58024139

Back to main news page

Adblock test (Why?)

26 July 2021

The Green Party election process for the next leader or co-leaders of the party has begun today. 

Co-leader Jonathan Bartley stood down earlier this month to spend more time working on building progressive alliances in UK politics, which triggered an election for new leadership. [1]

Nominations have opened today with candidates having three weeks [2] to declare their intention to run. 

In line with the party’s constitution, individuals can put themselves forward or two people can stand together in a bid to be co-leaders. 

Members will have the opportunity to vote for their next generation of leadership from 31 August until the ballot closes on 21 September with results set to be announced soon after. 

Bartley said: “I am so proud of the democratic nature of our party and the leadership vote is a big part of that. I’d like to see as many members as possible engaged in this process because this is the person or people who are going to take us a significant way towards the next General Election where we are focused on increasing our representation in Parliament. 

“We’ve shown ourselves to be a credible political force and I’m so excited to see who our members choose to lead us to the next stage. I feel confident there are going to be some fantastic candidates making up our new generation of leaders.”

Bartley remains in place until 1 August, his co-leader Sian Berry will then become acting leader until the outcome of the election is known. 

ENDS

Notes

1

https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2021/07/05/jonathan-bartley-to-stand-down-as-co-leader-of-the-green-party/

2

Nominations will close on Monday 16 August

Back to main news page

Adblock test (Why?)

26 July 2021

The Green Party has expressed its disappointment with the High Court’s ruling on a legal challenge to the government’s £27bn Second Roads Investment Strategy (RIS2). [1]

Caroline Russell, Green Party transport and healthy streets spokesperson, said:

“It’s very disappointing that the High Court has not upheld the legal challenge to the £27bn road building programme, but we continue to urge the government to halt this emissions busting policy immediately and will hold it to account on making sure its transport policy is consistent with its legally-binding climate commitments.

“There is simply no room for a £27bn road building programme in a climate emergency. It is inexcusable that this Conservative government wants to pave the way for more cars on the road, with more climate emissions, more congestion and more pollution, making life worse for communities across the country.

“In this last week we’ve seen terrible extreme rainfall events across the world, including flash floods in London. When is this government going to take the action that is needed and stop  forcing through environmentally-damaging new roads while paying lip service to its role as chair of COP26?”

ENDS

Notes

1

https://transportactionnetwork.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Court-protects-stability-of-roads-programme-over-climate-RIS2-decision-press-release.pdf 

Back to main news page

Adblock test (Why?)