PM to join the programme to mark the conclusion of the Narmada Seva Yatra in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh
May142017
PM to join the programme to mark the conclusion of the Narmada Seva Yatra in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh
May142017
Almost half a million food parcels handed out since 2011
15 May 2017
Almost half a million food parcels handed out since 2011
Food banks have handed out nearly half a million emergency food parcels under the SNP and the Tories, new analysis from Scottish Labour reveals.
Labour analysis of Trussell Trust figures shows that, since figures began being recorded, 488,766 three-day emergency food parcels were handed out, with more than 150,000 going to children.
Further cuts would drive more families into poverty and towards food banks. A Labour government would deliver a real living wage of £10 an hour and invest in local services.
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said:
“Under the Tories and the SNP nearly half a million emergency food parcels have been handed out to people across Scotland.
“That’s the brutal reality of two governments more obsessed with the constitution than delivering for working families. In a country as wealthy as Scotland it should shame the SNP and the Tories that working families can’t afford to feed themselves.
“A Labour government will end austerity in the UK. Labour will invest in local services, abolish the bedroom tax and deliver a real living wage of £10 an hour.
“That’s the difference a Labour government can make. Labour will focus on the day job, while the SNP obsesses with independence and the Tories drive us towards a hard Brexit.
“Every Scottish Labour MP we send to the House of Commons will oppose austerity and fight for the best Brexit deal for Britain.
“On 8 June we can send Nicola Sturgeon a message that she should focus on the day job instead of trying to force another divisive independence referendum.”
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May142017
Statement by the Spokesperson on the latest ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
The launch earlier today of a ballistic missile by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) seriously violates multiple United Nations Security Council Resolutions. This and previous launches constitute a threat to international peace and security and further aggravate tensions in the region at a time when de-escalation is instead needed.
The DPRK is expected to comply with its international obligations: it must halt these launches and abandon its ballistic missiles programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. The same holds true for its nuclear, nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction programmes.
The European Union calls on the DPRK to engage in a credible and meaningful dialogue with the international community. The European Union is ready to support such a process for dialogue. The High Representative/Vice-President, Federica Mogherini will remain in close contact in the coming days with all of the European Union’s international partners, following her address to the UN Security Council earlier this week and her visits to Beijing, New Delhi and Moscow last month.
May142017
Scottish Conservatives back free prescriptions
14 May 2017
The Scottish Conservatives are to support free prescriptions in Scotland as part of a major review into the use of drugs in the NHS.
In its manifesto ahead of the General Election, the party will support the current policy of providing prescriptions free of charge – because drugs are playing an increasing role in out-of-hospital care.
At the same time, the party’s new Health Advisory Board – to be set up in the coming weeks – will carry out an assessment of the role of drugs, prescriptions and pharmacy services within the NHS.
The board will also examine the current use of so-called “low value prescriptions” such as over-the-counter drugs currently available from GPs.
The latest statistics show that the NHS is currently spending £10m on paracetamol, £2.9m on aspirin, £1.6m on sun cream and £1.8m on shampoo.
It was also study whether increasing the use of generic drugs and cutting down on wastage can save more money for the NHS.
The current NHS Scotland bill for drugs is £1.5 billion.
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Donald Cameron said:
“There is no doubt at all that people in Scotland value the idea of free prescriptions. We have listened to them and changed our policy.
“This really about the future of the NHS. Medical technology is making leaps and bounds. Drugs are becoming ever more sophisticated. Pharmacy services have the potential to help reduce the pressure on GPs and hospitals.
“However, we need to assess this issue thoughtfully. It means thinking about when prescriptions are the right answer and they they’re not. It can’t be right that the NHS spends £10m a year on over-the-counter drugs like paracetamol.
“So we need a comprehensive review of how drugs, medicine and prescriptions fit into the future of care. Our Health Advisory Board will carry out that work and will report back will in advance of the next Holyrood elections.”
May142017
Eastern Fleet Ships on deployment to Malaysia
In pursuance of India’s ‘Act East Policy’, Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Jyoti are on an overseas deployment to the South East Asia and Southern Indian Ocean.