Journalists should approach HSE press office with any queries on regional press releases.

Richard
Burgon MP,
Labour’s Shadow of Secretary State for Justice, responding to the Court
of Appeal ruling on the unlawfulness of certain cuts to legal aid for
prisoners, said:

“This
Tory Government has got it wrong on prisons yet again.

“Our
prison service must be fit for purpose. That means a focus on rehabilitation
and keeping us all safe. Having a proper system for legal advice for prisoners
is an important part of the mix – only when prisons run efficiently can the
public have confidence.

“The
Tories promised a rehabilitation revolution, but have failed to reduce
reoffending because prisons are violent, overcrowded and understaffed.

“That’s
why Labour have tabled an amendment to the Prison and Courts Bill designed to
improve the necessary legal advice available in prisons.

“This
is part of a wider picture of access to justice denied under this Tory
Government. Their legal aid cuts across the board and Employment Tribunal Fees
have blocked access to justice for ordinary people the length and bread of the
country.”

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor,
responding to today’s IMF report on the downward trend in labour income
shares, said:

“Today’s
IMF report reveals the reality of seven years of Tory economic failure. 

“The
share of national income going to workers in wages has fallen since 2010. This
is yet more worrying news for working people who have suffered from stagnating
wages and a decline in living standards, with nearly six million people being
paid less than the living wage.

“That’s
why today Labour is announcing that  we will introduce a real Living Wage
of £10 per hour from 2020. Only Labour will ensure workers are able to share in
rising prosperity and higher living standards.”

All poultry in England are to be allowed outside from Thursday 13 April 2017 following updated evidence on the risk posed by wild birds, the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer has announced.

The requirement to keep poultry in Higher Risk Areas of England housed or completely enclosed in netting, introduced to minimise the risk of them catching avian flu from wild birds, will be lifted. However, all keepers in England will continue to be required to comply with strict biosecurity measures. A ban on poultry gatherings also remains in force until further notice.

The decision to lift the additional requirements in the Higher Risk areas is based on the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice, which concludes that the level of risk to poultry in the Higher Risk Areas has now reduced to the same level as that across the rest of England. This is because of changes in the wild bird population: the majority of over-wintering migratory birds have now left the UK, and resident wild waterfowl are at their lowest levels and entering the breeding season when they become less likely to move long distances to forage for food.

The risk of poultry becoming infected from H5N8 remains heightened and countries across Europe continue to experience outbreaks and observe cases in wild birds. Defra is stepping up surveillance of wild birds across the UK to inform our risk assessments.

All poultry keepers must continue to take steps to reduce the risk to their birds, including minimising movement in and out of bird enclosures, cleaning footwear, keeping areas where birds live clean and tidy and feeding birds indoors.

Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens said:

We continually review our disease control measures in light of new scientific evidence and veterinary advice. Based on the latest evidence on reduced numbers of migratory and resident aquatic wild birds we believe that kept birds in the areas we previously designated as Higher Risk are now at the same level of risk as the rest of England and may now be let outside.

However, all keepers must still observe strict disease prevention measures to reduce the risk of contamination from the environment, where the virus can survive for several weeks in bird droppings.

This does not mean business as usual: the risk from avian flu has not gone away and a Prevention Zone remains in place, requiring keepers across England to take steps to prevent disease spreading. We continue to keep measures under review and keepers should check GOV.UK for regular updates.

Lifting the housing requirement in Higher Risk Areas means free range birds across every part of England can now be allowed outside again.

H5N8 avian flu has been found in wild and farmed birds in the UK since December 2016, including chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese. Where avian flu has been confirmed, we have taken swift action to limit the spread of disease with restrictions around affected premises and full investigations to determine the source of infection.

H5N8 can be spread indirectly via the contaminated environment, for example in wild bird droppings, contaminated feed or bedding, as well as being passed from wild birds to poultry directly from bird to bird. All disease control measures continue to be kept under review depending on the latest scientific advice and disease outbreak situation.

Further information

1. Read guidance on how to continue to comply with the Prevention Zone currently in place across England.

2. Read the latest veterinary risk assessment for Avian Influenza H5N8 in the UK and Europe.

3. Read more information about the ban on gatherings, which remains in place.