Aug152017
Today, I’ve challenged David Davis to answer six questions over plans set out on future customs arrangements after Brexit.
The government is offering two ways forward but won’t tell us which it prefers. That’s no doubt because cabinet ministers can’t even agree amongst themselves.
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Aug152017
15 August 2017 – More than 1,500 Congolese refugees who have fled violence and ethnic tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been relocated from reception centres in northern Angola to a newly established settlement, the United Nations refugee agency today said.
Addressing journalists in Geneva, Adrian Edwards, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said the Lóvua settlement was created “to improve the living conditions of refugees.”
Built on about 33 km2 of land allocated by the Government of Angola, the site allows refugees to receive a plot of land to build shelters and to grow food to supplement their food rations.
UNHCR and partners plan to relocate tens of thousands of Congolese refugees to the new site, which is some 100 km inland from the border with the DRC.
“While the security situation in the Kasai region remains volatile, the Angolan authorities and UNHCR with partners are ready to provide protection and assistance for up to 50,000 Congolese refugees by the end of 2017 at Lóvua,” Mr. Edwards said.
Some 33,000 refugees are currently in reception centres that Mr. Edwards termed “over-crowded.”
The UN agency has called for financial support to assist the refugees. A humanitarian appeal for $65.5 million launched in June is only about 32 per cent funded.
“Additional funding is urgently needed to continue developing infrastructure and services for refugees in Lóvua settlement,” Mr. Edwards said.
Aug152017
16 August 2017
Today we are calling for the Scottish Government to set up an independent expert review into the senior phase of school.
What does that mean? We want to see if Third to Sixth year is working properly for everyone.
The review should focus on 5 things:
1. The impact of 4,000 fewer teachers on pupil choice.
2. Access for pupils to subjects, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects.
3. Access of each secondary school to regional colleges and local employers.
4. An update on access to vocational courses as the curriculum has narrowed.
5. The possibility of introducing a Scottish Graduation Certificate as a formal qualification.
Why do we need a review?
With fewer teachers in our schools, the curriculum is narrowing.
That means students studying fewer subjects.
Government guidance published two years ago encourages schools to link with local colleges and employers to allow pupils to pursue vocational courses and Highers.
But there has been no update on these partnerships, if every school has one, and whether they have helped pupils
In those two years Scotland has seen a decrease in the number of pupils sitting Modern Languages and STEM subjects.
We are concerned that pupils aren’t able to access key subjects, particularly at the same time, to get the qualifications they want to go college or university.
The review should consider introducing a Scottish Graduation Certificate
Labour’s plan for a Scottish Graduation Certificate would be a qualification gained at the senior phase of secondary school and would involve vocational courses, work experience, voluntary achievement and traditional exams.
It would build on the successful Scottish awards network and mean formal recognition for young people with fewer traditional qualifications. The Scottish Graduation Certificate would also be a step towards and education system that recognises all talents.
We think every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed.
This week, Labour’s summer campaign ‘For The Many’ turns to education. Catch up with the summer campaign in full here:
Aug152017
HSE is running a number of awareness events in June. Find out about what it takes to become a trainee inspector – come and meet some of our current inspectors and recruitment colleagues between 11.00am and 4.00pm at the locations below;
Our inspectors are the frontline of HSE’s life saving work. Whether on a construction site, a farm or at a manufacturing plant, millions of workers come home safe and well because of the difference our regulators make.
From inspecting workplaces to investigating incidents, our people do some of the most important and rewarding work in government. You will play a big part in helping employers manage risk sensibly and proportionately, and Great Britain to work well.
As a health and safety inspector, no two days are the same – and every workplace you visit will be different, as will the people you’ll meet.
Your workplace could be in the office, out on site or in court presenting evidence. And because the work is so important, we make a big investment in developing your regulatory skills, knowledge and abilities.
Our two year trainee regulatory programme is unique to HSE, resulting in a post graduate qualification and a substantial pay increase as a qualified health and safety regulator.
You can make a difference to how Britain works with HSE.
The events are aimed at people interested in a job with real-world impact that makes workplaces safer and improves the health and well-being of the people who work there. We’re interested in speaking with degree qualified (2:1 or higher) individuals who will enjoy the variety and challenge of this rewarding role.
Free.
For more information, please visit careers.hse.gov.uk.
Aug152017
Keir Starmer MP, Labour’s Shadow
Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, commenting on the Government’s
latest customs proposals for our future relationship with the EU, said:
“The Government’s proposals are
ambiguous, unachievable and offer no viable solutions.
“The first proposal for a
streamlined customs arrangements is code for a hard-edged exit from the Customs
Union, which will inevitably involve a border between the UK and any trading
partner, including the EU27. This will mean delays and costs for UK businesses,
especially manufacturing. The Government appear to be relying on unspecified
technological solutions to reduce these burdens, but they can’t suggest how and
when these new systems could be in place or how much they might cost.
“The second proposal is in David
Davis’s own words “untested”. That’s because it is, in truth, a half-in
half-out proposal without any clarity about how the Government plan to
negotiate or deliver it. This will almost certainly entail considerable new
bureaucratic burdens for British businesses, including complicated “tracking
and repayment mechanisms”.
“We’ve seen today that the
Government still has no viable plan to deliver frictionless trade with our
largest market and closest allies. They are, as ever, putting jobs and the economy
through their chaotic handling of Brexit.”