Two of China’s largest lakes along the Yangtze River, the Poyang and Dongting, face extreme water shortages, local authorities and environment observers have said. Last year, Poyang, China’s largest freshwater lake, entered its low season 54 days earl… read more
28 February 2017
The Green Party has responded to news Government departments will face yet more cuts [1].
Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader, said:
“The Government is already asking its departments to do the impossible, with demands they do more with less, which is stretching the country to breaking point. By forcing through yet more cuts the Government is creating an ever increasing downward spiral, exacerbating need but removing the means to deal with it.
“The Conservatives are already punishing local authorities for its Government’s own failure, with the crisis facing social care just one example of the damaging impact its budget slashing is having on people who need help and support the most.
“Add into this mix the demands of Brexit and it is almost impossible to see how the country will not be brought to its knees.”
read moreChina will stick to the basic tone of “seeking progress while maintaining stability” in this year’s economic work to ensure stable and healthy development, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday. “China will strive to improve the quality and effici… read more
Catch and release restriction remains at Watersmeet and Glenthorne Fishery as salmon numbers are still low after disease. read more
In a speech today on intergenerational fairness Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary will demand that the Chancellor ‘commit’ in the Budget to ‘guarantee the triple lock on state pensions beyond 2020’.
The Government hinted that they may cut the triple lock in order to “tackle the challenge of rising longevity.” This led to accusations that the Tories were ‘abandoning older people’.
Labour has made a commitment to maintaining the triple lock under the next Labour government, alongside other pensioner benefits.
Debbie Abrahams MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary commenting on concerns that the Government has refused to commit to the triple lock said:
“It was shocking to hear the Chancellor suggest that he would expose older people to the flawed austerity agenda – further proof that the Tories are abandoning older people.
“The last Labour government were responsible for a historic reduction in pensioner poverty levels. A record that we remain hugely proud of.
“The Chancellor must use this Budget to provide clarity on the issue of the triple lock, and follow Labour’s lead by committing to the policy beyond 2020.”
read more