Under legislation passed in 2019, the UK is legally bound to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. But in a recent report published by the Public Accounts Committee, the committee has concluded that the Government still has no clear plan for how the transition to net zero will be funded.
The Home Secretary, Priti Patel MP, updated the Government's position on visas for Ukrainians refugees. Ukrainians fleeing war will no longer be subject to procedural hurdles such as English language requirements or minimum income tests. I've been working with my frontbench Labour colleagues urging the Government to simplify the visa process for Ukrainian refugees since the outbreak of war. This is now a welcome step, but the Government has been slow off the mark.
Pensioners on a low income may be eligible for extra support through Pension Credit. This is separate from your State Pension and may entitle you to further support such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, and help with heating costs.
However, only 70 per cent of those eligible for Pension Credit claimed the benefit in the financial year 2019-20. I have written to the Government to press for an update on what is being done to encourage uptake.
President Putin invaded Ukraine in an unprovoked, unjustifiable, and aggressive act. The Government has announced a package of severe sanctions in coordination with our international allies. But the malign influence of corrupt Russian money in the UK has been clear for some time. The Government has been too slow to act against this dirty Russian money and it must urgently get its own house in order after concerning reports of suspect Russian donations to the Conservative Party.
Read my Monthly Report for February 2022 here.
The Government is currently undertaking a review of the alcohol duty system with changes due to come into effect in February 2023. Under current proposals, the duty on draught beer and cider served in pubs will be cut by 5 per cent. However, this will only be applied to alcohol sold in containers of 40 litres or more. Many small producers use 20 litre or 30 litre containers when supplying to pubs or other drinking establishments.
President Putin’s unprovoked and unjustifiable attack on Ukraine is a crime against peace. The Government has announced a package of severe sanctions targeting the Russian economy and the military and political elite. But the malign influence of corrupt Russian money in the UK has been clear for some time. The Government has been too slow to act against this dirty Russian money and it must urgently get its own house in order after concerning reports of suspect Russian donations to the Conservative Party.
Last month, the Government gave emergency authorisation for the use of the Cruiser SB pesticide (containing a neonicotinoid) in England. A number of constituents contacted me about this authorisation and raised concerns about its impact on our bee population. This is a vitally important issue as research has shown an overall decline in wild bee diversity over the last 50 years.
The Government’s actions have caused a huge injustice against those falsely accused of cheating on English language tests for visas. Its disregard for the impact on people’s lives and reputations is shameful. Many lives have been ruined.
Many have gone to court and proved the Government wrong, but at great cost to themselves and the British taxpayer. The simplest, fairest, and most cost-effective solution for everyone is to allow those accused of cheating to re-sit the test.
Lives have been ruined due to the Government’s actions against those falsely accused of cheating on their English language tests for visas. Many have gone to court and proved the Government wrong, but at great cost to themselves and the British taxpayer. The simplest, fairest, and most cost-effective solution for everyone is to allow those accused of cheating to re-sit the test. But the Government is so far refusing. This scandal feeds into a wider pattern of behaviour and culture in the Home Office, as seen with the Windrush scandal. The Government must change tack.