Politics

image_pdfimage_print

Press release: Cabinet meeting statement: 20 June 2017

In this morning’s Cabinet meeting, ministers discussed upcoming Parliamentary business, including tomorrow’s Queen’s Speech which heralds an historically important two-year session to help deliver the legislation for a successful Brexit.

Ministers also discussed the awful events of the past week. The Prime Minister expressed her appreciation of the police and emergency services for their bravery and professionalism.

On Grenfell Tower, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government updated Cabinet on the efforts to ensure everything is being done to help victims’ families and other survivors, as well as looking ahead to the longer-term recovery effort. On the tragic incident at Finsbury Park, the Prime Minster and Home Secretary discussed the importance of ongoing government work in reviewing its Counter Terrorism Strategy and ensuring that police and security services have the powers they need.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer provided Cabinet with an update on the economy and public finances, emphasising the underlying strengths of the UK economy and setting out the importance of making the case for a market economy, sound money and growth as well as prioritising rising productivity.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland also provided an update to progress on talks to restore power-sharing institutions.

read more

HM Government

RAF soar over Buckingham Palace for HM The Queen's Birthday

On Saturday, 17 June 2017, 29 Royal Air Force Aircraft soared over Buckingham Palace, Central London, in an impressive flypast to mark the annual Queen’s Birthday Parade.

15 types of RAF aircraft took part in the Flypast, including two of the RAF’s world-class display teams – the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) and the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team – the Red Arrows.

20170620-QBF-NLJThe formation flew over the Palace at 13:00BST, divided into eight elements, in roughly 30 second intervals.

Squadron Leader Jim Furness, Formation Lead and flying in one of the Tornado GR4s, said: “It’s an honour to take part in Her Majesty’s Birthday Flypast. Extensive preparation has taken place over several weeks and months to make sure that the different aircraft from all over the country deliver a safe and successful flypast over London – made more challenging by it being one of the busiest airspaces in the world.”

Air Vice Marshal Gerry Mayhew CBE MA RAF, the Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group, said: “It is an honour for the Royal Air Force to mark HM The Queen’s 91st birthday with a flypast. The magnificent sight of over 25 aircraft flying over Buckingham Palace is another example of the superb efforts being made by the men and women of the Royal Air Force, who should be proud of their achievements both at home and overseas.”

20170620-QBF-MI2

The flypast was led by a Chinook and a Puma helicopter, representing the backbone of the UK’s tactical troop-lifting capability. Currently deployed in Afghanistan the Puma has recently undergone a fleet upgrade programme, hugely enhancing its capability in supporting the Afghan National Army in Kabul.

20170620-QBF-MIa

Following the helicopters was the unforgettable sound of Merlin engines powering a Supermarine Spitfire and two Hawker Hurricanes from the BBMF. Today these aircraft represent the rich 99 year history of the Royal Air Force and the sacrifices made by a great many of its personnel. This year BBMF are celebrating their 60th anniversary, having been formed in July 1957.

BBMF were followed by a Shadow R1 – an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition Aircraft which was taking part this year for the first time. The Shadow was flanked by two King Air B200s. The King Airs from RAF Cranwell represent training aircraft from across the RAF but are specifically employed in multi-engine Pilot and Rear Crew training.

Next up were four of the RAF’s transport aircraft – demonstrating the RAF’s global reach and its ability to project air power around the world. First up, the C-17 Globemaster III, the RAF’s hugely capable strategic heavy-lift aircraft. With its cavernous cargo hold it is often found supporting the UK across the globe, flying long distance sometimes at very short notice. Behind it was the BAe 146. This aircraft provides transport to members of the Royal Family, senior Government Ministers, and Ministry of Defence personnel.

The second Air Transport element consisted of the state of the art A400M Atlas, only its second time in the flypast, and the C-130 Hercules. Whilst being able to employ impressive strategic reach, the Atlas is set to take over more of the tactical airlift role from the C-130. Both aircraft are based at the RAF’s largest base at Brize Norton, which is celebrating its 80th birthday this year.

20170620-QBF-MI1

Next followed the Sentinel R1 – a long-range battlefield surveillance aircraft. This key capability is providing vital support to operations in the Middle East. Following the Sentinel R1 was four multi-role Typhoons. With control of UK sovereign airspace a vital task these agile, capable multi role fighters secure our skies 24/7. Currently deployed on operations in Romania, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands, Typhoon is the core of the Royal Air Force’s Combat Air capability.

The penultimate element consisted of the Voyager and Tornado GR4. The Voyager is the Royal Air Force’s largest aircraft and one which has provided a step change in strategic freight and troop carrying capability. It also is capable of air refuelling a variety of aircraft and is currently supporting operations at home and around the world. The Voyager was flanked by two Tornado GR4s from RAF Marham. This superbly capable aircraft continues to perform outstandingly on operations today, over 45 years since it first flew. Tornado GR4 crews tirelessly support our coalition partners in the Middle East.

20170620-QBF-MI

Finally, the iconic nine-strong Red Arrows, flying in a ‘Big Wing’ formation in their distinctive red Hawk aircraft, ended the flypast. The Red Arrows’ 53rd season is now underway, with the team expected to display more than 60 times across the UK and beyond. Since 1965 – which was the Red Arrows’ first season – more than 4,800 displays have been performed in 57 countries, which is equivalent to a quarter of the world.

Editor: Charlie Haines

Images: Sgt Mackie, Cpl Chapman, Cpl Hawke, Cpl Laurence, SAC Egan

© MOD Crown Copyright 2017

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

read more

MOD

SNP forced into ‘major u-turn’ on state guardians

  • Home
  • All News
  • SNP forced into ‘major u-turn’ on state guardians

20 Jun 2017

Liz Smith (2)

The Scottish Government has announced a major u-turn in relation to its controversial named person policy following a Supreme Court ruling.

Today, education secretary John Swinney revealed public bodies operating the scheme will be forced to think twice before sharing information about a young person or their family.

That means parents who do not accept the advice of named persons will not be subsequently viewed with suspicion by authorities, the Scottish Conservatives said.

The change follows a ruling last year by the UK Supreme Court which found aspects of the SNP’s state guardian legislation unlawful.

Mr Swinney set out the changes as part of the Children and Young People (Information Sharing) (Scotland) bill.

The Scottish Conservatives said while the clarification on data sharing was welcome, serious concerns about the legislation remain.

Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary Liz Smith said:

“The named person policy was a huge mistake from beginning to end which is why the Scottish Government has been forced into a major u-turn.

“The announcement today effectively means that no parent will now be forced to accept the advice from his or her child’s named person and that refusal to accept advice will no longer be treated with suspicion by the authorities.

“The Supreme Court ruling made clear that the data-sharing aspects of the Act were unlawful on account of the fact that they had the potential to contravene other legislation and to allow state intrusion into family life.

“Quite rightly, the vast majority of parents found that unacceptable.

“The Scottish Conservatives believe that the revised bill still raises many questions and it also lays bare the extent of the expense to the taxpayer of this ill-conceived policy.”

More information on the bill is here:
https://news.gov.scot/news/supporting-children-and-families-1

The Scottish Conservatives have opposed the named person scheme from the outset:
http://www.scottishconservatives.com/named-person/

read more

Scottish Conservatives

Strengthened approach to tackling bovine TB in Wales announced

From the 1st October this year, Low, Intermediate and High TB Areas will be established in Wales based on bovine TB incidence levels. 

Enhanced measures will be applied in each TB Area tailored to protect the Low TB Area and reduce the disease in the Intermediate and High TB Areas. This follows consideration of the responses to a consultation launched at the end of last year.

The enhanced controls include introducing post-movement testing in the Low TB Areas from the 1st October 2017. This will protect the area by identifying infected animals at the earliest opportunity, before they can go on to infect others. This measure will also be introduced in the Intermediate TB Areas next year to stop the risk of the disease spreading from the neighbouring High TB Areas. 

The priority for High TB Areas is to continue to reduce the number of TB breakdowns. Under the Programme, chronic breakdown herds will have individual action plans with disease control measures specifically aimed at clearing up infection in cattle. 

In these chronic breakdown herds, where there is evidence of infection in the badger population, we will  consider a range of options to reduce the risk of disease spread, including cage-trapping, testing and where necessary humanely killing infected badgers. 

The Cabinet Secretary continues to rule out large scale culling of badgers that is being applied in England. 

Speaking at the Senedd, the Cabinet Secretary said: 

“Over the last few years we have made real progress towards eradicating TB in Wales. The number of new incidents has fallen by over 40% since its peak in 2009 and currently 95% of herds in Wales are TB free. 

“I have listened to the industries responses to our consultation and have fed what was appropriate and reasonable into the Programme.This should not be seen as exclusively a Government plan; it has been developed through consultation with industry, and will be reviewed over time. I now call on the farming industry and veterinary profession to play a full part. Together we can achieve our goal of a TB free Wales.”

The new TB Eradication Programme and Delivery Plan are available on the Welsh Government website.

read more

Welsh Government •