Jul52017

News story: Nasal decongestant to be available to buy from pharmacies

HM Government

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has today agreed that Otrivine Extra Dual Relief Nasal Spray Solution will be available through pharmacies without prescription.

Otrivine Extra Dual Relief Nasal Spray contains Ipratropium bromide 0.6mg/ml and xylometazoline hydrochloride 0.5mg/ml.

Following a public consultation, MHRA has agreed to reclassify Otrivine Extra Dual Relief Nasal Spray Solution from a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) to a Pharmacy (P) medicine in the UK for the symptomatic treatment of nasal congestion and rhinorrhoea in connection with common colds.

MHRA is committed to improving access to medicines where it is safe to do so, providing greater choice and better access for the public.

Jul52017

This is a half measure that does not go far enough to address the woefully inadequate performance of Kensington and Chelsea council throughout this crisis – Gwynne

Labour

Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local
Government, Andrew Gwynne MP, commenting on the decision to bring in an external taskforce to
oversee key services from Kensington and Chelsea Council, said: 

“Despite being a clear admission
of failure, this is a half measure that does not go far enough to address the
woefully inadequate performance of Kensington and Chelsea council throughout
this crisis.

“It
is clear that the community has lost trust in their council. Sajid Javid needs
to finally show some leadership by bringing in external commissioners – in
consultation with residents themselves – to  make sure everyone in the
borough is getting the support they need.“

Jul52017

News story: Businesses get on board with the Prompt Payment Code

HM Government

32 of the biggest suppliers to the Government have voluntarily committed to pay 95% of invoices within 60 days – and to work towards adopting 30 days as the norm.

This fulfils a key manifesto pledge and will help the cash flow of small businesses. It is estimated that small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK are collectively owed more than £26bn in overdue payments.

The signatories to the code are major strategic suppliers who typically have contracts across government of more than £100m. Together they account for around 40% of government procurement spend.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Cabinet Office, Caroline Nokes said:

This is a major boost to payment practices in the UK. Paying invoices on time is vital in providing healthy cash flow to smaller businesses, to help them survive and thrive.

Small Business Minister Margot James said:

We want the UK to be the best place in the world to start and grow a business, but the UK’s small-to-medium-sized businesses are currently owed over £26bn in overdue payments. Such unfair payment practices hamper a business’s ability to invest in growth, and have no place in an economy that works for everyone.

It is only right that the Government should lead by example, and it’s great to see all 32 of our strategic suppliers signed up and committed to fair payment terms.

The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) encourages businesses to sign up to the Code, which is administered by the Chartered Institute for Credit Management (CICM) on behalf of BEIS.

The voluntary code of practice publicly signifies organisations’ commitment to fair payment terms to suppliers, especially smaller businesses.

Philip King, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Credit Managers, said:

It is important to see that all of the Government’s strategic suppliers are now leading by example by signing up to the Prompt Payment Code. The PPC allows suppliers to raise a challenge if they feel they are not being treated fairly by a signatory, and such challenges are proving successful not only in delivering payment but also in further improving practices and processes. It’s vital that businesses feel confident and have certainty that they will be paid on time, as well as having a route to challenge if they need to.

Find out more about the Prompt Payment Code.

Jul52017

Scotland dodges recession – but more work for the SNP still to do

Scottish Conservatives
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5 Jul 2017

dean-choice

Scotland’s economy returned to growth in the last quarter, meaning technical recession has been avoided north of the border.

The Scottish Conservatives welcomed the 0.8 per cent increase in growth, but warned there was more for the SNP to do to ensure sustained improvement.

In the previous quarter the economy shrank, meaning a repeat performance this time around would have plunged Scotland into recession for the first time since the global downturn.

Instead, a marked improvement in production of 3.1 per cent helped move the figures in the right direction, although on an annual basis Scotland still lags behind the rest of the UK.

Scottish Conservative shadow economy secretary Dean Lockhart said:

“The return to growth in the Scottish economy after declining in the last quarter of 2016 is a positive change in direction.

“However, the SNP cannot escape the fact it dragged Scotland halfway to recession.

“Scotland continues to under-perform the UK economy on an annual basis at this vital time for growth.

“Compared to the same period last year, the Scottish economy grew by 0.7 per cent compared to two per cent for the UK economy as a whole.

“There are more than enough levers for ministers here to ensure growth north of the border remains sustained, and we’re not brought to the brink of recession again.

“For example, Scotland is the highest-taxed part of the UK, and in the long-term that is going to continue to damage growth and job creation.”

For more on the figures, visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-40498752

Yesterday, the Scottish Conservatives set out five things the SNP could do to boost growth: http://www.scottishconservatives.com/2017/07/5-measures-snp-must-adopt-as-scotland-stands-on-brink-of-recession/

Jul52017

News story: Watch Live: Ukraine Reform Conference

HM Government

On 6 July 2017, the UK and Ukraine will jointly host a major international conference in London. It brings together Ukraine and its international partners to strengthen support for reform in the country.

You can watch live sessions from the conference including the delegation arrivals, ministerial plenary sessions and press conference.

Watch in English

Ukraine Reform Conference LIVE (English)

Watch in Ukrainian

Ukraine Reform Conference LIVE (Ukrainian)