Responding to the government’s announcement that it will accept all the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry (1), Green MP Carla Denyer urged the government to accept her Private Members’ Bill on preventing future deaths. 

Carla’s Bill calls for the creation of a National Oversight Mechanism which would have responsibility for ensuring that recommendations made following inquests and inquiries are followed. Currently, there is no body which has this responsibility. 

Reacting to the government’s statement, Carla Denyer MP said: 

“The deaths of 72 people in the Grenfell tower fire was an unimaginable tragedy, but worse, it was an avoidable tragedy. We owe it to those who lost their lives to make sure nothing like this happens again. 

“I welcome the Government’s commitment to taking forward all of the report’s recommendations, a vital first step towards justice. 

“The Grenfell Inquiry recognised a failure of the state to properly follow up on the recommendations made by inquests and inquiries – meaning that too often, changes needed to prevent people from harm are simply not made. Time and time again, bereaved families go through the trauma of reliving the circumstances of a loved one’s death at an inquest only for the lessons from that death to be forgotten.

“We urgently need an organisation responsible for making sure that recommendations from inquests and inquiries are actually followed, rather than being forgotten. I have put forward a Bill to create a National Oversight Mechanism for state-related deaths, which would do just that. It would be an independent body, able to scrutinise government action so bereaved families don’t have to be the ones fighting for change.

“The National Oversight Mechanism proposal has the support of over 70 organisations, including Grenfell United, Amnesty, the Mayor of London, and the Institute for Government. It recently featured as a recommendation in the Health Services Safety Investigations Body’s report on deaths of mental health patients. It’s clear that this is badly needed, and I hope the government will support my Bill.” 

(1) Government responds in full to Grenfell Tower Inquiry, setting out tough new reforms to fix building safety and strengthen accountability  – GOV.UK

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As the Climate Change Committee publishes its 7th carbon budget [1], the co-leader of the Green Party, Adrian Ramsay MP, has demanded the Government ensure ambitious climate action isn’t delayed any further – and for polluters to pay the highest price, not the poorest in our communities. 

Adrian Ramsay MP said: “Today’s advice from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) makes clear that a climate safe future is still within our grasp – and that the cost of not reducing climate emissions will be far higher for our economy than the cost of investment in net zero. Crucially, we need to see the Government make investment choices that result in households benefiting financially from climate action too – both by ensuring everyone can access renewables and energy efficiency and because they are paying lower bills. The public are clear that they want to see the worst climate polluters pay, and we need to make sure that the costs of climate action never fall on those least able to afford it.

“A thriving green economy is also vital if we are to prevent climate deniers, like Reform, from weaponising the mass destruction of climate chaos. Instead, we must help the most vulnerable and build resilience in communities to adapt to climate breakdown.”

He continued: “Without an immediate acceleration of climate ambition, our economy, national security and environment are all at serious risk. That’s why we are disappointed not to see the CCC go even further on measures to reduce energy demand. In the face of impending airport expansion decisions by this Labour government, more ambitious policy is urgently needed to keep the aviation sector in check. Their advice shows strong public support for limiting airport expansion and introducing a frequent flier levy where the small percentage of the population who take the vast majority of the flights have to pay more .

 “The CCC have shown that a positive, fairer, jobs-rich, greener future is possible, and they have set a clear pathway for the Government to follow. Now, we need the Government to step up, stop the vested interests who are intent on delaying, and show the ambition and leadership this moment demands.”

Notes

1. The Seventh Carbon Budget – Climate Change Committe

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• Green MPs and peers call for defence spending decisions to be based on “core principles”
• Ellie Chowns MP calls foreign aid cut announcement “cruel and unncecessary” 
• Green letter highlights growing security threats relating to climate breakdown, food security and cyber security

The six Green Party parliamentarians have written to the Defence Secretary John Healey setting out a series of “core principles” they say any decisions about defence spending should be based on [1]. 

The letter comes as Keir Starmer announced that a rise in the defence budget will be funded by cuts to foreign aid. 

In the letter, the MPs and peers call on Healey to ensure that all decisions on defence spending “tackle the biggest threats to long term human security, including climate chaos, food insecurity, and cyber-attacks on democracy”. 

They also urge an increase in spending on diplomacy, peace-building and overseas aid in order to improve our security. 

Responding to Starmer’s announcement today, Ellie Chowns MP said: 

“It’s horrifying to see Keir Starmer follow Trump’s lead, gutting our international aid budget to increase defence spending. This is naive populism playing with life-and-death decisions. 

“How many people will fall ill or die because they cannot access health services; how many more will go hungry? And how many children will be denied an education as a result of this decision? Cutting aid risks making the world more volatile and more dangerous, not safer. Real security means tackling hunger, poverty, and climate chaos. 

“Taking money from the poorest in the name of defence is both cruel and unnecessary – we could and should instead be taxing the wealthiest who can afford to contribute more. 

“The idea that the only way to strengthen our defences is by taking from those with the least is immoral. It’s a choice and it’s the wrong one.”

Notes: 

1. The full text of the letter reads: 

Dear John,

We are writing to set out the importance of any decisions about future defence spending being underpinned by core principles. In an ever more insecure world, made more unstable by the comments and actions of the US President, and with the ongoing need to stand up to Putin, it is vital that genuine long-term stability, safety and security is a priority. Alongside addressing the threats posed by the international political situation, the government must also address the significant and growing security threats relating to climate breakdown, food security and cyber security. 

 As such, we call on you to uphold the following principles:

• Tackle the biggest threats to long term human security, including climate chaos, food insecurity, and cyber-attacks on democracy
• Increase spending on diplomacy, peace-building and overseas aid, as key to security and defence policy
• Don’t cut spending from other departmental budgets to increase defence spending
• Strengthen our ties with Europe
• Uphold international law, the rule of law and the right to self-determination
• Recognise that a global prohibition on nuclear weapons will make everyone safer
• Address the underlying causes of conflict and insecurity such as poverty, human rights abuses and resource scarcity
• Restore UK sovereignty by decoupling from reliance on the US
• Use economic levers such as sanctions on companies still operating in the UK and complicit in Russian fossil fuel exports

 We look forward to your response and to working constructively with the government towards enduring safety and security.

 Yours sincerely, all Green parliamentarians

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On the weekend of the third anniversary of Russia’s war on Ukraine, Green Party co-leaders Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay said:  

“Across the world, people will be standing in solidarity with Ukraine, facing the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion. 

“Yes, Russia started the war and Yes, Ukraine is a democracy with an elected President. That we have to restate these simple facts is shocking but necessary because US President Donald Trump has chosen to buy into and amplify the lies and disinformation of the Russian state. 

“Russian President Vladimir Putin is a dangerous tyrant. It is deeply worrying that President Trump is now joining him in spreading lies, attacking democracy, sowing division and chaos, and undermining the rule of law. 

“We want this war to end, and we want peace talks. 

“Our unwavering position is that the voice of Ukraine must be front and centre of the peace talks that must take place. It is for the people of Ukraine to decide their future. Not Putin, not Trump. 

“The UK government could and should be doing much more to tighten sanctions on Russia.  Sales of Russian fossil fuels are paying for the missiles and drones used to attack Ukrainian civilians. 

“The UK government must close all the loopholes enabling the Kremlin to refill its war chest. 

“Ukrainians who came to the UK to seek safety and still cannot return to their war-torn homes must be given ongoing protection and proper support. 

“The UK must keep supporting Ukraine to defend itself, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer must make it crystal clear when he meets President Trump that we will do so. 

“The end goal is a just and lasting peace based on the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. That can still be achieved.” 

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