This week the SNP in government has been getting on with the job: investing in communities, protecting the most vulnerable in society, and delivering the best public services anywhere in the UK.
Here’s how.
The UK strongly condemns the Israeli government’s decision to found a new settlement deep in the West Bank; the first such government decision for over 25 years. I am also disappointed that Israel plans to expropriate additional West Bank territory as ‘state land’, and press forward with plans for almost 2,000 housing units in spite of significant international concern.
These announcements are contrary to international law and seriously undermine the prospects of two states for two peoples. As a strong friend of Israel, and one prepared to stand up for Israel when it faces bias and unreasonable criticism, I urge Israel not to take steps such as these, which move us away from our shared goal of peace and security and make it harder to achieve a different relationship between Israel and the Arab world.
John
McDonnell MP Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, responding to news of Google’s tax bill
only amounting to just £36.4 million, said:
“This
revelation only further proves that Philip Hammond and Theresa May are more
interested in cutting Google’s taxes, than making sure they are paying their
fair share.
“It
seems that the so called “successful” tax deal with Google that George Osborne
boasted about last year has meant that they are still not paying their fair
share under his successor Philip Hammond. We urgently need clarity on HMRC’s
relationship with Google and what reassurances have been provided to the
company.
“It
is a national disgrace that by paying just £36 million in tax Google could have
an effective tax rate lower than many working families in our country. And it
exposes the complacency at the heart of this Tory Government, which is
allowing this to still continue despite last year’s scandal.
“It’s
time that the Tories got a grip of big corporations not paying their way,
instead of going ahead with £70 billion in tax giveaways to big business and
the super-rich, while cutting in-work benefits for the low paid, and
threatening to turn our country into a tax haven.
“The
truth is that the Tories have no interest in standing up for working people,
only Labour with our Tax Transparency and Enforcement Programme will bring in
full, public, country-by-country reporting.
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The following summary of planned new and ongoing road improvements over the coming week is correct as of 31 March 2017 but could be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. All our improvement work is carried out with the aim of causing as little disruption as possible.
Works to improve journeys by clearing litter will take place this week on the M2 between junctions 2 and 4. Lane closures will be in place in both directions overnight, between 8pm and 6am, from Monday 3 April for three nights.
Work to improve journeys by carrying out surveys continue this week on the M20 between junctions 3 and 5. Various lane closures will be in place in both directions overnight, between 8pm and 6am, from Monday 3 April for five nights.
In addition, the eastbound exit and entry slip roads at junction 4 will be closed overnight, between 8pm and 6am, on Saturday 8 April. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via adjacent junctions. Surveys are scheduled to be completed in May 2017.
Work to improve journeys by resurfacing sections of the carriageway begin this week on the M20 between junctions 4 and 6. The eastbound carriageway will be closed between junctions 4 and 6 overnight, between 8pm and 6am, from Monday 3 April for five nights and overnight on Sunday 9 April between 8pm and 6am. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A228, M2 and A229.
Work to improve safety by resurfacing sections of the carriageway will take place this week on the M20. The following closures will be in place overnight, between 8pm and 6am:
Clearly signed diversions will be in place via the adjacent junction.
Work to improve journeys by carrying out surveys continue this week on the M23 between junctions 8 and 10a. The westbound Gatwick spur road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, on Monday 3 April. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the M23, A2011, A23, and Airport Way.
In addition, various lane closures will be in place in both directions overnight, between 10pm and 6am, on Tuesday 4 April for four nights. Surveys are scheduled to be completed in April 2017.
Work to improve safety by maintaining a bridge near Canterbury begins this week on the A2 between Upper Harbledown and Thannington Road. The eastbound carriageway will be closed between the A2050 and the A2050 at Roman Road overnight, between 8pm and 6am, from Monday 3 April for five nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A2050, A290 & A2050. Work is due to be completed by mid-April.
Work to improve safety by resurfacing sections of the carriageway takes place this week between Courtwood and the M20. The westbound carriageway will be closed between the A260 and the M20 overnight, between 8pm and 6am, on Thursday 6 April. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A260 and A259.
Work to improve journeys on the A21 between Tonbridge and Pembury continues this week. A 40mph speed limit remains in place 24/7 between the Vauxhall interchange and the A228.
The southbound carriageway will be closed between Quarry Hill and the Pembury interchange and the northbound carriageway between the Pembury and Vauxhall interchanges overnight, between 8pm and 6am, on Thursday 6 April. In addition, Longfield Road will be closed in both directions between Longfield roundabout and Knights Park roundabout. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A26, A2014, A26 and A228. Two way traffic lights will be in place on the A21 overnight, between 8pm and 6am, from Monday 3 April for three nights and overnight on Friday 7 April.
Tonbridge Road will remain closed after Pembury Hospital up to and including Longfield Road roundabout until Spring 2017. A clearly signed diversion route will be in place via the A228 and the A21.
The scheme is due to be completed in Summer 2017. For further information, [visit the scheme website.](http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/a21-tonbridge-to-pembury-dualling]
Work to improve journeys by clearing vegetation continues this week on the A23 between Pease Pottage and Patcham. Various slip road closures will be in place in both directions overnight, between 8pm and 6am, from Monday 3 April for five nights. Clearly signed diversions will be in place via the next available junction. Work is scheduled to be completed by the end of April.
Highways England is working with the industry and road users to reduce the risks of working on the roads. For the safety of road workers and all road users, when you are approaching roadworks:
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.