Politics

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Caroline Lucas: NAO report on Hinkley is 'damning'

23 June 2017

* Lucas: “Consumers and taxpayers are going to be ripped off by this absurd project”

Caroline Lucas, the co-leader of the Green Party, has responded to a report by the National Audit Office on Hinkley Power Station. The report says that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s deal for Hinkley Point C has locked consumers into a ‘risky and expensive project’ with uncertain strategic and economic benefits.[1]

The multibillion pound project at Hinkley is currently supported by both Labour and the Coservatives, but opposition to the plans is expected to grow as the costs soar. 

Caroline Lucas, co-leader of the Green Party, said:

“The National Audit Office’s damning report confirms what many of us have been saying for a long time: the Hinkley deal is overpriced and risky. Not only are consumers and taxpayers going to be ripped off by this absurd project but it will also divert resources away from building the clean energy infrastructure we need, and threaten our climate change targets because of the snail’s pace at which it will be built.

“The fight against Hinkley isn’t over – and we will be joining campaigners in continuing to highlight the major shortcomings of this project. This is a crossroads for Britain – and the signing of this deal has seen us swerve down the wrong path. By reversing this decision we can put the resources needed into building a decentralized energy system where Britain puts to use its most abundant resources: the sun, sea and wind.”

[1] Report available from the National Audit Office

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Green Party •

Welsh food and drink companies embark on trade mission to Milan

As part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to raise Wales’ global profile as a first-class place to do business, it is supporting nine producers to visit Milan from the 24-28 June. 

This follows Italian interest in some of these products during the recent TasteWales event organised by the Welsh Government, which showcased over 800 Welsh food and drink products to buyers from all over the world. 

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths said:

“We are extremely proud of our high-quality food and drink and recognise the enormous value it brings to our economy. Food and drink is a priority sector for the Welsh Government and this is why we have set an ambitious target to grow the sector by 30% by 2020. 

“In light of the UK’s decision to leave the EU, it is now more important than ever we promote the very best the food and drink industry has to offer and continue to make an impact in global markets. I am delighted we are supporting this group of producers to go to Milan and follow up on the exciting leads made with Italian buyers during our successful TasteWales event.”

The producers range from cereals, preserves and tea, to free-from foods and brewing companies. 

Italy is one of the biggest markets for gluten-free products in Europe and craft beer producers; Evan-Evans and Samosa Co will be joining the trade mission to promote their gluten-free options.

The organic market is also growing significantly in Italy and Pembrokeshire based company, Daioni Organic, will be in Milan to take advantage of these growth opportunities. 

During the four day visit the companies will have an opportunity to showcase products to selected buyers and develop new business through a series of market briefings, store visits, and meet the buyer/showcasing.

The producers attending the trade visit are:

Daioni Organic, Deeside Cereals, Evan-Evans Group, Sims Food – Samosa Co, Baa Brewing, Clarks, Lurville Delight, Radnor Preserves.

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Welsh Government •

News story: Crack down on terrorist and criminal financing

Businesses such as banks, estate agents, accountants and payment firms will have to carry out stringent and targeted checks to make sure that money changing hands is from a legitimate source and will not be used to fund terror acts.

Serious and organised crime costs Britain at least £24 billion every year, and recent attacks demonstrate the importance of a strong toolkit to prevent terrorist atrocities. Although the vast majority of businesses are vigilant, these new rules will ensure that they are not abused by criminals or terrorists looking to move funds or obscure assets.

The rules will improve the quality of the checks. They ensure that businesses can spot suspicious activity and report it, enabling the police to act swiftly and decisively to prevent corruption or terrorist attacks.

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Barclay, said:

We are cracking down on terrorists and criminals funnelling money through our financial system.

Terrorist financing and money laundering are significant threat to our national security, and we are determined to make the UK a hostile environment for illicit finance.

These new rules will tighten our defences, protect the integrity of our financial system and help protect the British public from terror attacks and criminal activities.

The partnership between the banking sector and law enforcement is vital in limiting abuse of the financial system by terrorists and criminals. In the recent terrorist attacks in the UK, major UK banks provided 24 hour support for an extended period to provide critical financial intelligence to support law enforcement partners.

These regulations implement the EU 4th Money Laundering Directive and complement work across government to strengthen our defences and deliver on the 2016 Action Plan for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist finance.

This includes the Criminal Finances Act, which will give law enforcement further capabilities and powers to recover the proceeds of crime, tackle money laundering, tax evasion and corruption, and combat the financing of terrorism.

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HM Government

News story: Over ten metre vessel licence categories

Creation of a single licence category for the over ten metre fleet segment in Scotland

You may be aware that Marine Scotland have created a single licence category for the over ten metre fleet segment in Scotland.

Different licence categories will remain in existence in England after 30 June 2017. Category B or C licence entitlements transferring from Scotland will be received as a Category B or C as they were prior to 1 July 2017.

Scottish licences created through disaggregation or aggregation in Scotland after 30 June 2017 will be tracked back to the lowest common denominator and received accordingly on transfer to England. For example a licence aggregation between an ex-Category B and an ex-Category A licence in Scotland will be received in England as a Category B licence.

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HM Government