Apr102017

Michael Sheen supports Welsh Government campaign to promote children’s rights

Welsh Government
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The campaign includes a number of children’s rights and United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) resources and the Children’s Rights Wales website. Both provide information and advice for children and young people, and those who work with them, about their rights.

Wales leads the way in championing children’s rights and the Welsh Government formally adopted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 2004. 

Communities and Children Cabinet Secretary Carl Sargeant said:

“I’m delighted that Michael Sheen is supporting our campaign to make children and young people aware of their rights.”

“It is important they know they have the right to get involved and have their voices heard when decisions are made which affect their lives.”

“By participating in decision making, children and young people may be able to access and better understand their rights, and play a fuller role in their own lives and in the communities where they live.”

Michael Sheen said:

“The Welsh Government continues to be ground-breaking in its commitment to children’s rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. As a father I appreciate the importance of children having access to a great education and healthcare, but equally that they should be safe and happy. It is important that children and young people are aware of their rights so that they can have their say about issues that may affect them.”

Apr102017

Manchester Hostel owners sentenced over asbestos failings

HSE
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Two family run companies have been fined after admitting health and safety failings at a site in Manchester, where they were carrying out a basement conversion.

Manchester Crown Court heard how Hatters Taverns Limited had appointed sister company Hatters Hostel Limited as the main contractor for the basement conversion beneath a hostel at 50 Newton Street, Manchester.

The project involved the full strip out and refurbishment of the basement, a former restaurant unit, into a bar venue.

An unannounced visit by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was conducted to inspect the ongoing refurbishment works. During the visit it was discovered there had been no asbestos survey carried out before tradesmen started stripping out the majority of the space.

Hatters Taverns Limited of 50 Newton Street Manchester pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(3) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and was fined £10,000.

Hatters Hostel Limited of 56-60 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 5(a) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and was fined £24,000 and ordered to pay the combined costs for both defendants of £10,232.50.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Matt Greenly said after the case: “Both Hatters Hostel and Hatters Taverns have failed in their duty to protect their workers, subcontractors and visitors to his site from harm. Asbestos related diseases are currently untreatable and claim the lives of an estimated 4000 people per year in the UK.

“The requirement to have a suitable asbestos survey is clear and well known throughout the construction industry. Only by knowing if asbestos is present in any building before works commence can a contractor ensure that people working on their site are not exposed to these deadly fibres.

“The cost of an asbestos survey is not great but the potential legacy facing anyone who worked on this site is immeasurable. Exposure to asbestos fibres can potentially cause life shortening diseases in the long term and Hatters Hostel Limited and Hatters Taverns Limited should have taken more care to protect workers from a totally preventable exposure. This case sends a clear message to any company that it does not pay to ignore well known risks on site.”

Notes to Editors:

  1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk
  2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at:

www.legislation.gov.uk/

  1. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk
  2.        More information about asbestos can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm

 

 

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

Apr102017

Richard Burgon response to Court of Appeal ruling on unlawfulness of certain cuts to legal aid for prisoners

Labour
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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.”

Apr102017

Today’s IMF report reveals the reality of seven years of Tory economic failure – John McDonnell

Labour
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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.”

Apr102017

News story: Industrial innovation in Jiangsu and the UK: apply for funding

HM Government
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Up to £5 million is available for UK businesses to work with partners in Jiangsu province on industrial challenges and opportunities.

Innovate UK has up to £5 million to invest in UK businesses working on collaborative research and development projects with partners in Jiangsu province, People’s Republic of China.

This programme is being delivered according to the memorandum of understanding for Cooperation in Regional Technology and Innovation signed in 2014. Jiangsu Science and Technology Department will allocate funding for partners in China.

Funding opportunities

We are seeking projects that:

  • address the challenges faced by infrastructure owners, cities, towns and users through innovation in infrastructure systems
  • use transformational or disruptive innovation to create new products, processes or services drawn from any technology, engineering or industrial area. There should be a significant return on investment and a clear, anticipated impact on business growth

Projects may focus on industrial research or experimental development.

International innovation to stimulate growth

Companies that internationalise are known to have strong growth. UK entrepreneurs need to access global knowledge, markets, skills and partners to build on capabilities, grow successful businesses and address the industrial opportunities and challenges that will shape the markets of the future.

Jiangsu is one of the provinces in China with the most abundant scientific resources and innovation activities.

In this competition there should be demonstrable benefits of cooperation between the UK and China for the participants from both countries.

Competition information

  • this competition is open, and the deadline for registration is 21 June 2017
  • projects must be business-led and involve at least one partner from the UK and one from Jiangsu province. Academic and research entities in the UK are eligible to join as partners
  • projects should last up to 24 months and range in size up to £500,000
  • businesses could attract up to 70% of their project costs
  • a webinar briefing event will be held for potential applicants on Friday 21 April 2017