Labour will stand up for the many by prioritising neighbourhood policing and bearing down on crime – Diane Abbott

Diane Abbott MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, commenting on Office
for National Statistics (ONS) figures showing an increase in crime over the
last year, said:

“These figures are a stark reminder of Theresa May’s record of
failure on policing and crime.

“Almost every force in the country recorded an increase in crime
over the last year, with worrying rises in some of the most violent offences,
including gun and knife crime and homicide.

“There is a real choice at this election on policing and crime.

“Theresa May recklessly cut police budgets as Home Secretary, with
the loss of over 20,000 officers, and plans to cut even further if re-elected.

“Labour will stand up for the many by prioritising neighbourhood
policing and bearing down on crime.”



Today’s IFS analysis reveals the stark choice in this election – John McDonnell

John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow
Chancellor, commenting on today’s Institute For
Fiscal Studies (IFS) analysis of the impact of tax and benefit changes since
May 2015 on the incomes of different kinds of households, said:

“Today’s IFS analysis reveals the stark choice in
this election.

“The Tories pose a clear threat to working people’s
living standards. Under Tory proposals cuts to in-work support will leave
working families with children an average of £2,500 a year worse off.

“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.”



News story: CMA announces new Northern Ireland representative

Robert Stewart has been appointed as the CMA’s new representative in Northern Ireland and will take up his position from 1 May.

Robert was previously a sector regulation manager in the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) Belfast office and had particular responsibility for managing the concurrent competition arrangements with the NI Utility Regulator as well as undertaking the role of project manager on the recent market study of Legal Services in England and Wales.

Robert commenced his career in the private sector where he worked in banking for almost 14 years, predominantly in commercial finance as a client manager. Since 2012, Robert has worked in the public sector, specialising in competitive markets and the regulation of utilities. Robert is also a voluntary Trustee of the Board of Ulster University Students Union, non-executive director of Active Belfast Ltd and formerly non-executive director of Niamh (now called Inspire Wellbeing).



Benefit cuts and Brexit squeeze to leave 3 million families £2,500 worse off

Planned benefit cuts by the Conservative government combined with soaring inflation will leave nearly 3 million working households an average of £2,500 a year worse off, according to analysis by the Institute of Fiscal Studies.

Low inflation over the last two years has meant the government’s freeze on most working-age benefits has only amounted to a 1% real cut so far.

But rising inflation from the falling pound is now set to reduce the value of these benefits by 5% between now and 2020, with total cuts of over £5 billion a year in the long run.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Susan Kramer commented: “Theresa May’s plans for a divisive Hard Brexit and savage cuts to benefits will leave millions of working families worse off.

“Three million households will be hit to the tune of £2,500 a year as a result of cuts to tax credits, rising prices and the falling pound.

“The Brexit squeeze will hit people in the pocket across the country, with the poorest families hit hardest.

“This election is a chance to change Britain’s future and stop a disastrous hard Brexit that will leave us all poorer.

“Every Liberal Democrat MP elected is a challenge to Theresa May’s Hard Brexit agenda.”



News story: Kitesurfer rescued from Bideford Bay

Great birds eye footage of the rescue of a kitesurfer from Bideford Bay.

On Monday night (24 April) we received a 999 call from a member of the public reporting a kite surfer in difficulty in Bideford Bay.

The UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter took this great birds eye footage of the rescue after Croyde and Bideford Coastguard Rescue Teams and the RNLI Appledore Lifeboat Station were sent to the scene.

Luckily the casualty was spotted by a Coastguard and was recovered safe and well by the all-weather lifeboat. Ian Guy, Maritime Operations Controller said: ‘This was extremely good outcome and an excellent example of some great teamwork between our crews. The casualty was located in our search area quickly and thankfully, although cold he was ok. We recommend when kite surfing that you always ensure that you wear the right gear – including a buoyancy aid and a helmet, check the weather forecasts, tell someone your passage plan and practice rescue signals with your instructor in case the worst should happen.’

Footage of the Bideford Bay rescue