Jun12017

The Economist backs the Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrats
image_pdfimage_print

The Economist has endorsed the Liberal Democrats one week out from polling day. It says they “consider a vote for the Lib Dems as a down-payment for the future.”

The influential magazine argues that “the leaders of both main parties have turned away from a decades-old vision of an open, liberal country” leaving only Tim Farron and the Liberal Democrats representing the large majority of British voters who want to live in an open, tolerant and united Britain.

The Liberal Democrats, like the experts at The Economist, believe that Britain should remain open: to business, investment and people. This used to be common-sense but both the Conservatives and Labour have abandoned the centre ground. Theresa May is pursuing an extreme Brexit that will damage our economy and our relationship with our neighbours whilst, Corbyn has veered off to what the Economist dubs as “the loony left”. This leaves us, standing up for those who want a better future for their children.

Spelling out the reasons to vote Liberal Democrat on 8 June, The Economist says it boils down to the fact that:

• We want membership of the single market and free movement.
• We are more honest than the Tories about the need to raise taxes for public services;
• And more sensible than Labour, spreading the burden rather than leaning only on high-earners
• We are on the right side of other issues: for devolution of power from London, reform of the voting system and the House of Lords, and regulation of markets for drugs and sex

We are the “radical centre, essential for a thriving, prosperous Britain” as The Economist puts it. Vote Lib Dem on 8 June.

Jun12017

UNICEF urges Governments to close data gaps on vulnerable children in residential care

United Nations
image_pdfimage_print

1 June 2017 – At least 2.7 million children live in residential care worldwide and face increased risk of violence, abuse and long-term damage to their cognitive, social and emotional development, a United Nations study says, warning that &#8220this is just tip of the iceberg.&#8221

According to the study Child Abuse & Neglect, published by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), official records in many countries only capture a small fraction of the actual number of children living in residential care and children in privately owned centres are often not counted.

&#8220It is critical that governments keep more accurate and comprehensive listings of all existing residential care facilities, as well as regularly undertake thorough counts of children living in these facilities in order to help strengthen official records,&#8221 said Claudia Cappa, Statistics Specialist at UNICEF and co-author of the study. &#8220That way we will be able to measure the breadth of the problem and work with governments to respond effectively.&#8221

In residential care, such as institutions or orphanages, children who are already vulnerable due to family separation are at increased risk of violence, abuse and long-term damage to their cognitive, social and emotional development, said Cornelius Williams, Associate Director of Child Protection at UNICEF.

Research shows some of the key risk factors that result in children being placed in residential care include family breakdown, health issues, poor or unequal provision of social services, disability and poverty.

Governments are urged to reduce the number of children living in residential care by preventing family separation where possible, and by seeking homes for children in family-based care such as foster homes. Stronger investment in community-based family support programmes is also needed, UNICEF said.

UNICEF’s new estimate is based on data from 140 countries. Central and Eastern Europe was found to have the highest rate worldwide, with 666 children per 100,000 living in residential care, over 5 times the global average of 120 children.

Industrialized countries have the second-highest rate with 192 children, followed by East Asia and the Pacific region at 153.

Jun12017

News story: Dangerous occurrence near Kirkham

HM Government
image_pdfimage_print

Obstruction left on the line near Kirkham, Lancashire, 15 May 2017.

At around 05:15 hrs on 15 May a railway maintenance vehicle, which was moving in an engineering possession, stopped short of a large steel pile on the line. The pile, weighing around 1 tonne, had been left there on completion of earlier engineering works.

We have undertaken a preliminary examination into the circumstances surrounding this incident. Having assessed the evidence which has been gathered to date, we have decided to publish a safety digest.

The safety digest will shortly be made available on our website.

Jun12017

Press release: Charity Commission to hold public meeting in Cardiff

HM Government
image_pdfimage_print

The Charity Commission, the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, will hold its next public meeting on 29 June 2017. The meeting will take place from 11:30am to 3:30pm at Cardiff City Stadium, Leckwith Rd, Cardiff CF11 8AZ.

William Shawcross, Chairman, and Eryl Besse, Deputy Chairman, will open and chair the meeting prior to presentations from senior staff, to include a presentation from the Chief Operating Officer David Holdsworth, who will discuss the digital transformation of the Commission. There will also be a presentation by David Teague of ICO Wales.

The meeting will focus on guiding trustees and their charities through data and digital challenges, will provide updates on our key guidance for trustees, and will highlight important lessons to take home from our casework. Attendees will also be given an update on the Commission’s activities and have the opportunity to ask questions before the meeting concludes.

The event is free of charge and charity trustees, employees and advisers are urged to attend.

Please register to attend through Eventbrite. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis and are limited to 2 attendees per organisation. Members of the press are also welcome to attend and are asked to register their interest with the press office directly at pressenquiries@charitycommission.gsi.gov.uk.

Papers for public meeting 29 June 2017

Ends

PR 45/17

Notes to editors

  1. The Charity Commission is the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales. To find out more about our work, see our annual report.

  2. Search for charities on our online register.