Aug32017

Richard Burgon MP writes to David Lidington MP to seek assurances over fire safety in prisons

Labour

Labour’s
Shadow Justice Secretary, Richard Burgon MP, has today written to David
Lidington MP, the Justice Secretary, to ask what measures the Government is
taking to address the fact that every prison in England and Wales that has
undergone a fire inspection has failed its inspection.

Richard
Burgon MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, said:

“It is
appalling that not a single prison in England or Wales meets the required fire
safety standards. The terrible fire at Grenfell Tower underlines the need to
take fire safety seriously.

“The current
situation not only puts prisoners at risk, it is putting staff and visitors at
risk too. That is why I have written to David Lidington, the Secretary of State
for Justice, to ask exactly what he is doing to address this danger.

“It is vital
that urgent steps are taken to ensure prisons meet the required fire safety
standards, and that instead of keeping reports secret, the results of future
inspections are immediately made public.” 

Ends

Notes to editors:

 Full text of the letter from Richard Burgon MP to David Lidington
MP:

Dear Secretary of State,

I am writing to ask what measures you are taking in response to
the information released by the Crown Premises Fire Inspection Group that
confirms every prison in England and Wales that has undergone a fire inspection
has failed its fire inspection.

It is clear that staff, inmates and visitors are being put at
significant risk by the current fire safety conditions within prisons.
Therefore, I would like you to clarify the following:

 1. What immediate and concrete steps are being taken to improve
fire safety conditions?

2. How can the fire inspections regime be made more transparent so
that failings can be identified and acted on earlier?

Given the danger posed to members of the public, I have made this
letter public. I believe it would also be appropriate for your reply to be made
public.

Yours sincerely, 

Richard Burgon MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor

Aug32017

News story: Animal medicines prosecution: Mrs Marie Darnborough

HM Government

Details of the prosecution of Mrs Marie Darnborough Published in August 2017.

On 28 July 2017 at Huddersfield Magistrates Court, Mrs Marie Darnborough pleaded guilty to 10 charges under sections 1 and 2 of the Fraud Act 2006.

Mrs Darnborough was fined £290, with £30 victim surcharge and £85 costs were awarded against her.

This case related to prescription fraud in which Mrs Darnborough dishonestly made false representations on multiple occasions, namely by submitting prescriptions for veterinary medicines to online pharmacies, purporting that they had been issued by a veterinary surgeon.

Aug32017

News story: Animal medicines seizure: Parcelforce International Hub

HM Government

Details of the seizure of veterinary medicines at the Parcelforce International Hub, Coventry. Published in August 2017.

A parcel was detained and subsequently seized at the Parcelforce International Hub, Coventry, West Midlands. This parcel was addressed to a residential premise in the UK and contained 2 x 1 litre bottles of Alben. This product is an anthelmintic for sheep and goats which is not authorised in the UK.

The medicine was seized under Regulation 25 (Importation of unauthorised veterinary medicinal products) of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations.

Aug32017

BCC comments on Bank of England’s Super Thursday

British Chambers of Commerce

Commenting on today’s interest rate decision and inflation report by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“The Bank of England’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged is unsurprising, and reflects the more subdued levels of growth we have seen in UK business communities over recent months. 

“In our view, the Bank of England’s forecasts are still slightly optimistic about the near-term outlook for the UK economy. We expect inflation to rise by more than the central bank is currently predicting, peaking at 3.4% this year. Businesses continue to report rising prices at factory gates, which are squeezing profit margins and investment intentions. 

“Our Quarterly Economic Survey shows business investment is likely to remain relatively stagnant in the near-term, as inflation and the escalating burden of upfront costs weigh on the growth prospects of firms. 

“Monetary policy can only do so much. This autumn, it is time for the government to act as well, both to reinforce business confidence and encourage investment. Action to reduce the many up-front costs that UK companies face would be an important first step in ensuring firms have the best possible environment to invest and grow.” 

Ends

Notes to editors:

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a powerful network of 52 Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes and within all sectors. Our Global Business Network connects exporters with nearly 40 markets around the world. For more information, visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk

Media contacts:

Allan Williams – Senior Press Manager

020 7654 5812 / 07920583381

Orla Hennessy – Press and Communications Officer

020 7654 5813 / 07825746812

Aug32017

It is a scandal that some patients are waiting years to be discharged – Keeley

Labour

Barbara Keeley MP, Labour’s Shadow
Mental Health Minister, commenting on the BBC’s research into delayed
discharges from mental health units, said:

“It is a scandal that some patients are waiting years to be
discharged, despite being medically fit for discharge.

“Under the Tories, mental health services have come under
increasing pressure due to underfunding and staffing shortages, and also the
lack of integrated working.

“It is unacceptable that patients are stuck in mental health
units for such long periods waiting to be discharged despite being fit to
leave. The delay puts their recovery at risk and means that other people
who urgently need to access mental health services are not able to get the
treatment they need. It should never be the case that such extended delays are
caused by wrangling between different health bodies over funding.

“Labour would invest more in mental health to ease the pressures
and we would ring-fence mental health spending so that funding for mental
health is not used to fill holes elsewhere in NHS budgets.”