Apr282017

Today’s GDP figures reveal the threat to living standards under the Tories – McDonnell

Labour
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John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, commenting on today’s lower than expected GDP figures, said

“Today’s GDP figures reveal the threat to living
standards under the Tories.

“Growth for the first three months of 2017 was only
half of what was expected. It comes on the back of new forecasts last week from
leading independent forecasters showing growth and earnings expectations
slashed and inflation revised up.

“There is no hiding from the truth. The Tories’
economic plan has undermined the UK economy and is a threat to working people’s
living standards.  

“This General Election is a choice between a Labour
Party who will stand up for the many and a Tory Party which only looks after
the privileged few.” 

Ends

Notes to editors:


  1. UK
    GDP Q1 2017 was 0.3 per cent.


ONS, GDP, April 2017

https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossdomesticproductgdp/bulletins/grossdomesticproductpreliminaryestimate/jantomar2017


  1. The
    OBR were forecasting GDP growth for Q1 of 0.6 per cent.


OBR, Economic and fiscal outlook, March
2017, Table 3.2

http://budgetresponsibility.org.uk/efo/economic-fiscal-outlook-march-2017/


  1. The
    most recent HM Treasury comparison of independent forecasts for the UK
    economy show the below.




GDP 2017

Independent
median- 1.8%

OBR forecast-
2%

Difference-
-0.2%

Average
earnings 2017

Independent
median- 2.4 %

OBR forecast-
2.6%

Difference-
-0.2%

Inflation Q4
2017

Independent
median- 3.1%

OBR forecast-
2.7%

Difference-
+0.4%

 

GDP 2018

Independent
median- 1.3%

OBR forecast-
1.6%

Difference-
-0.3%



Inflation Q4
2018

Independent
median- 2.5%

OBR forecast-
2.2%

Difference-
-0.3%

Treasury,
Forecasts for the UK economy: a comparison of independent forecasts, 19 April
2017

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/609054/Forecasts_UK_Economy_April_2017.pdf

Apr282017

Greens to launch LGBTIQA+ manifesto in church

Green Party
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28 April 2017

* Greens commit to making LGBTIQA+ refugees welcome, decent HIV prevention, and rights for all gender identities

* Launch in church sets clear distance between Greens and Lib Dems

* Jonathan Bartley: “While other political parties struggle to say what they believe, Greens are clear – we will always stand up for LGBTIQA+ people”

The Green Party will commit to supporting LGBTIQA+ asylum seekers at the launch of its LGBTIQA+ manifesto tomorrow (Friday 28 April).

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader, and Aimee Challenor, LGBTIQA+ spokesperson, will also set out the party’s commitment to ensuring HIV prevention drug PrEP is provided by the NHS, and putting trans and intersex recognition and rights in law.

Setting clear distance between themselves and the Lib Dems, Bartley and Challenor will launch the manifesto in The Trinity United Reform Church in Camden.

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, is expected to say:

“The Green Party has a proud history of leading the way when it comes to LGBTIQA+ rights. While other political parties struggle to say what they believe, Greens are clear – we will always stand up for LGBTIQA+ people.

“We believe in a fairer world, a more equal economy, human rights protected by law, recognition and representation for all gender identities and education and health services which care for and include everyone.”

Aimee Challenor, Green Party LGBTIQA+ spokesperson, who is the only openly trans spokesperson of a UK Political Party, is expected to say:

“Let’s be clear, LGBTIQA+ rights are under threat. From Gay and Bi men being tortured and killed in Chechnya, to Donald Trump weakening protections in the US and the UK’s threat to repeal the Human Rights Act, 2017 has already been a concerning year for everyone who cares about LGBTIQA+ people.

“The Green Party is proud to stand against the erosion of LGBITQA+ rights and launch a manifesto which proudly fights for bodily autonomy for intersex people, legal recognition for trans and non-binary people, for PrEP for all that need it, and for greater protection for LGBTIQA+ asylum seekers – and more.”

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Apr282017

BCC: UK economic growth loses momentum

British Chambers of Commerce
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BCC comments on the UK GDP statistics for Q1 2017 released today.

Friday 28th April 2017

Commenting on the preliminary UK GDP figures for Q1 2017, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“The preliminary estimate of UK GDP growth indicates that the UK economy suffered a slight loss of momentum in the first quarter of the year, following a strong end to 2016. That said, quarterly growth of 0.3% is still in line with the average over the past decade.

“The main reason for the slowdown were declines in output from consumer-focused industries such as retail and hotels – further evidence that higher inflation is dampening consumer activity. However, the service sector was still the main driver of the economic activity in the quarter, with industrial production and construction sectors adding little to overall UK growth.

“It is increasingly likely that the slowdown in the first quarter is the start of a sustained period of more sluggish growth. Inflation is expected to continue to rise, increasing the squeeze on consumer spending power and firm’s profit margins, pushing growth lower. The BCC’s own Quarterly Economic Survey confirms that inflation is a key risk to the UK’s growth prospects, with businesses under increasing pressure to raise prices. Uncertainty over the impact of Brexit and the distraction of a General Election are also likely to weigh on economic activity over the near term.

“With the UK economy set to enter a more challenging period, it is vital that more is done to address the longstanding domestic issues, including the chronic skills shortages and the escalating burden of upfront business costs, that continue to undermine the UK’s long-term growth prospects.”

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

Apr282017

Official Statistics: Energy Performance of Buildings Certificates in England and Wales: 2008 to March 2017

DEFRA
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Information about certificates on the energy efficiency of domestic and non-domestic buildings in England and Wales that have been constructed, sold, or let since 2008, and of larger public authority buildings since 2008. These statistics do not cover the entire building stock across England and Wales.

Figures are drawn from 2 datasets on the Energy Performance of Buildings Registers:

  • Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for domestic and non-domestic properties covering England and Wales
  • Display Energy Certificates (DECs) for larger buildings occupied by public authorities in England and Wales.