Politics

Police staff confidence hits new low

22 Mar 2017

Police officer confidence throughout Scotland has hit a new low, an internal survey conducted by Police Scotland has revealed.

The shocking statistics show that just one in 10 police officers believe that Police Scotland has a “positive future.”

It was reported this morning that the questionnaire asked all staff their thoughts on the statement: “I feel positive about the future within Police Scotland.”

Results revealed that only 10 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement – while 71 per cent suggested they either disagreed or strongly disagreed.

The severe confidence crisis looks set to continue over the next few years with the force facing huge budget pressures on the SNP’s watch.

Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Douglas Ross said:

“This survey puts a spotlight on just how little confidence there is within the police for the single force.

“Officers and staff need to have full confidence in Police Scotland if they are to work to the best of their abilities and keep Scotland’s communities safe.

“It’s extremely worrying that almost four years on from the SNP centralising our police forces, morale within the organisiation remains at rock bottom.”

For a copy of The Sun’s exclusive article regarding the survey click here: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/756737/shock-stats-reveal-police-morale-has-hit-new-low-as-just-one-in-10-cops-back-the-forces-future/

March 22, 2017 GovWorldMagScottish ConservativesGovernmental • politics • scottish Conservatives

David Hodge’s resignation makes the need for full disclosure from the Government more pressing – Teresa Pearce

Teresa Pearce, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, commenting on the news that Surrey County Council Leader David Hodge is standing down as the Local Government Association’s Conservative group leader, said:

“It appears that the row around the Tory sweetheart deal for Surrey Council has claimed a victim with the resignation of David Hodge as the man responsible for standing up for all Tory councils. Perhaps that’s unsurprising given the accusations he colluded with the Government over a favourable deal not available to other councils.

“This doesn’t put the matter to bed however. Theresa May has failed to come clean about the terms of the deal offered to Surrey, failed to apologise for her Government’s misleading suggestion that there had been no such deal and would not give the assurance that other local councils will get the same treatment.

“David Hodge’s resignation makes the need for full disclosure from the Government more pressing. What we need from the Tories is a long term sustainable plan for funding social care, rather than cosy deals for Tories councils.”

March 22, 2017 GovWorldMagLabourGovernmental • Labour • Labour Party • politics

Jonathan Ashworth responds to news that three more trusts have been put into financial special measures

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, commenting on news that three more trusts have been put into financial special measures by NHS Improvement, said:

“The Government’s inept mismanagement of the NHS is pushing hospital finances to the brink. NHS Providers have already warned this week that delivering services within the current financial settlement is “mission impossible”. The news today that another three hospital trusts have been forced into financial special measures just illustrates the deepening financial challenge facing the health service.

“Theresa May can’t keep on forcing hospitals to choose between balancing the books and providing safe patient care. By underfunding the NHS for so long, the Prime Minister is putting patients at risk. The Government needs to set out a long-term, sustainable financial settlement for the NHS which allows hospitals to provide the top quality health services which Britain’s patients expect.”

March 22, 2017 GovWorldMagLabourGovernmental • Labour • Labour Party • politics

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall joins 100 Squadron Celebrations

Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall, Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Leeming joined in with centenary celebrations for 100 Sqn.

The Duchess joined Squadron and Station personnel and families to watch a drill display by the renowned Queen’s Colour Squadron, followed by a flypast of 100 Squadron’s distinctive black Hawk T1A jets.

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She said: “I’m honoured to be here on this historic occasion to celebrate the Centenary of 100 Squadron. When I presented their new Standard to them in 2010, who would have known that this generation of pilots would be conducting operations in the skies above Syria and Iraq, in the most intense and sustained air operation that the RAF has conducted in the last 25 years?

“One this very special occasion we honour the heroism, and valour of our predecessors. But let’s not forget that as today marks the passing of the baton to the new generation of Airmen, the next chapter of this Squadron is yet to be written.”

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The Duchess was then invited to meet with personnel and families from across RAF Leeming, as well as special guests including 100 Squadron association veterans. For Wing Commander Andy Wright, Officer Commanding 100 Squadron, it was a personally special day. He said: “It’s been a real honour to have the Duchess of Cornwall with us today – everyone has been walking around with a smile on their face. Before I arrived here, I knew I would be lucky enough to be here for this day. As I was writing my speech for the dinner I researched the Squadron history and there has been so much – on this day in 1917 the Squadron was days away from going to France to take on the Red Baron, for example.

“100 Sqn has a really rich history, but we are also very proud of our current role as the RAF’s sole aggressor unit, and carrying the baton into the future.”

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The first Royal Flying Corps squadron to be formed specifically for night bombing, Number 100 Squadron formed at Hingham, Norfolk on 23 February 1917. It continued its bombing role through World War II, operating Lancasters from RAF Grimsby. Now serving as the RAF’s sole Aggressor Squadron ‘The Ton’ delivers a huge range of operational training, including support to the Typhoon force and JTAC serials for the British Army. InNovember 2010, 100 Squadron received a new Squadron Standard from Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall.

Editor: MCO RAF Leeming

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March 22, 2017 Guest ContributorMOD

Duke of Edinburgh visits RAF Northolt

His Royal Highness Prince Phillip, The Duke of Edinburgh made an official visit to RAF Northolt on Friday 17 March.

The Duke made the visit in his capacity of Honorary Air Commodore for the unit, which is home to 33 units from across Defence and wider Government.

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As part of the visit programme The Duke received an update on operations on the unit and met 120 personnel from all three Armed Services and Civil Servants. Corporal Loz Prior, who works on the unit as a Physical Training Instructor was part of the group that met The Duke, he said: ‘I felt immensely proud to be part of the occasion. A big part of my role is to ensure that our people are fit to do their job, and His Royal Highness was very interested in the various ways we manage to achieve that. It was a real honour to meet and speak with a member of the Royal family.’

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The Duke last visited RAF Northolt in March 2015, when he awarded a new standard to 32 (The Royal) Squadron as part of the unit’s centenary celebrations.

Editor: Squadron Leader James Tenniswood