Babak Belurs

Jumat, 28 Agustus 2020

SNP ordered to ‘get off the sidelines’ as Nicola Sturgeon attacked for ‘barney’ with Boris - Daily Express

Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds told the SNP Government to get off the sidelines as Scotland’s economy suffered a significant deficit due to COVID-19. Her comments come after a visit to Summerhall in Edinburgh with Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard today.

The latest GERS economic figures from the Scottish Government revealed Scotland faces an eye-watering public spending gap of more than £40 billion this year.

The official figures showed Scotland's fiscal deficit grew to 8.6 percent of GDP in the 2019/20 financial year, with government spending £15.1 billion more than is received in revenues.

Meanwhile, Treasury figures showed that 936,000 jobs (a third of the country's workforce) were being supported north of the Border.

The number of people supported in the COVID-19 Job Retention Scheme was 779,500 between June and July.

Speaking today, Ms Dodds said, “we’ve got to focus on what is happening in Scotland”.

She told Express.co.uk: “We have the highest unemployment rate in Scotland across the UK worryingly.

“We’ve also seen a number of reports which suggested that the Scottish economy is going to be particularly hard hit because of the impact on the pandemic.

“We really need to have a focused approach, one which isn’t this one size fits all approach and drawing support from all sectors.

She went on to attack Boris Johnson saying sadly we have a “Westminster Government which is not dealing with this pandemic well.”

Ms Dodds added: “We have the highest rate of excess deaths in all of Europe and we also have the deepest recession in all of Europe.

“I think people are looking at that and are very worried.”

She continued to hit out at Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s withdrawal of the Furlough Scheme and added: “The Chancellor’s one-size-fits-all withdrawal of the Jobs Retention Scheme is causing economic havoc across the UK, but just because the Tories have presided over a jobs crisis in Westminster doesn’t mean the SNP can be proud of their record in Holyrood.

“Scotland has the highest unemployment rate in the UK and has suffered the highest year-on-year fall in job vacancies.

“Nicola Sturgeon and her SNP Government need to get off the sidelines and do much more to ensure workers who lose their jobs don't end up in long-term unemployment."

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard MSP, added today: “Just as Scotland was unprepared for the public health crisis, so too are we unprepared for the developing economic crisis.

“The UK Government must think again about its rash withdrawal of the furlough scheme, and the Scottish Government must waste no more time in rolling out a quality Jobs Guarantee Scheme before the furlough scheme ends."

It comes after Nicola Sturgeon was handed a huge boost in a poll which asked Scots about whether Scotland should be an independent country.

The Panelbase poll showed 51 percent of those questioned said they support independence, while 42 percent said they would vote to stay in the UK and seven percent of voters were undecided.

When undecided voters were excluded, 55 percent favoured Scotland leaving the UK, with 45 percent preferring to stay in the Union.

Mr Leonard said he wasn’t conceding defeat nine months before the voters take to the ballot box.

He said: “I am not, nine months out from the election, conceding defeat to the SNP and there is everything to fight for. There are clear priorities which reflect the urgent priorities of the people.

“I do worry about any possible future which sees a long constitutional wrangle between an SNP and a Tory administration, I don’t think that serves the people of Scotland well.”

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2020-08-28 18:30:00Z
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Andrew Neil hits out at SNP as he highlights critical flaw in Scottish independence bid - Express

The political heavyweight was responding to an article from a former SNP MSP who said the imbalance proved the UK was not working. Writing in The Times, businessman Andrew Wilson wrote: "The UK is one of the most unequal countries in the developed world. Every region and nation outside the southeast and east runs a large deficit on this measure."

He continued: "This is not a cause for celebration but a clear sign that the UK is not working.

"This is why the Prime Minister is constantly talking about the need to 'level up'."

Mr Wilson, a former chairman of the SNP sustainable growth commission, said fiscal transfers - cash moved from Westminster to Edinburgh - "locks in structural inequality, and ensures that poorer parts stay poorer".

But Mr Neil accused Mr Wilson of failing to understand the figures, in what could be seen as a hammer blow to Nicola Sturgeon's independence bid, as he made his point which suggested Scotland was benefitting from being in the Union.

The BBC presenter tweeted: "A proper understanding of the stats does not show UK the most unequal regionally.

"But there is regional inequality and point of fiscal transfers is to reduce that inequality.

"Scotland gets a £15bn/year transfer. If it locks in inequality and keeps you poor, why not give it up?"

Earlier, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said new figures showing Scotland's deficit of just over £15bn was not a reflection of how the country would fare if it was independent.

Ms Sturgeon spoke after the latest Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (Gers) statistics showed spending amounted to £15.1 billion more than ministers received in revenues.

Scottish Conservatives described the statistics as a "hammer blow" to the SNP's aspirations for independence.

But Ms Sturgeon, who was asked about the figures at First Minister's Questions, said they were a "reflection of Scotland's fiscal position in the United Kingdom, not a reflection of how Scotland would fare as an independent country".

Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Murdo Fraser said the figures do not take into account the "blockbuster support" from the UK Government, such as the furlough scheme.

He said: "This is a hammer blow to the SNP and a massive setback for separation.

"Nicola Sturgeon would have to throw away Scotland's entire NHS, every nurse and doctor, just to come close to balancing the budget in her separate state.

"It's beyond dispute that the economic case for independence has never been weaker.

"Separating would cost Scotland £15 billion a year that we need for our schools and hospitals."

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2020-08-28 18:11:00Z
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Coronavirus: Restrictions eased in parts of northern England - BBC News

Tightened restrictions to stop the spread of Covid-19 are to be eased in parts of north-west England, allowing more than a million people to mix in different households.

From Wednesday rules will be relaxed in Bolton, Stockport, Trafford, Burnley, Hyndburn and parts of Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees.

Measures were imposed in those areas at the end of July amid a rise in cases.

Current restrictions in Leicester will remain until a review on 11 September.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: "We brought in measures to protect people in these parts of northern England.

"We're seeing the positive results of our local approach, and are able to bring in increasingly targeted measures."

Businesses which opened elsewhere in England on 15 August, including bowling alleys and indoor play areas, will also be able to reopen in the areas where rules are being relaxed.

Coronavirus cases per 100,000 population in Burnley halved during the week ending 20 August from 52 to 24.6, while cases in Bolton and Stockport fell from 25.6 to 18.9, and 23 to 15.1 respectively, and Trafford cases dropped from 27.1 to 17.8, the government said.

However, Andrew Western, Labour leader of Trafford Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he believed it was "premature" to lift restrictions as the last few days have shown a "slight increase" in infection rates.

"It was our view - in line with the expert advice from the council's director of public health - that we should see evidence of a sustained reduction in Trafford's infection numbers before calling for the lifting of local restrictions," Mr Western said.

"This action by government makes a mockery of the claims of locally led decision making and once again shows that local government is being ignored in spite of being on the front line of this crisis."

BBC Health correspondent Nick Triggle

The easing of restrictions is good news for people in these areas - and good news for people everywhere in the UK.

It suggests the approach being taken is effective at containing local outbreaks.

The testing capacity the UK has means it is able to identify where infection rates start rising and to do this at an early stage.

But the encouraging signs are to do with much more than just this. It is a testament to the way people react - working together locally to ensure the virus does not spread.

There are many more challenges to come. Infection rates have crept up a little in recent weeks - and that is likely to continue into the autumn and winter.

But the fact that the areas with higher infection rates have been able to reverse the trend is a step in the right direction.

Conservative MP Sir Graham Brady, who represents Altrincham and Sale West and is chairman of the party's 1922 committee, was in favour of lifting the measures.

The government has based its decision partly on the rate of cases up to 20 August which showed cases in Trafford had fallen.

However, latest data released on Friday showed Trafford recorded 25.3 cases per 100,000 people in the week to 25 August.

Restrictions will continue in the following areas:

North-west England

A ban on two households mixing indoors will continue in Preston, the city of Manchester, Oldham, Salford, Rochdale, Bury, and Tameside

In Oldham, Pendle and Blackburn, residents are also advised to avoid mixing with anyone from another household inside or outside.

Some businesses and organisations will remain shut in Blackburn and Darwen.

Leicester

On top of the indoor gatherings restrictions, some leisure businesses will remain shut

The next review of these measures will take place by 11 September

West Yorkshire

The ban on indoor household gatherings remains in urban areas of Bradford, Dewsbury, Batley and parts of Calderdale

Some businesses and organisations remain shut in urban areas of Bradford

Shielding advice for clinical extremely vulnerable individuals remains across all of Blackburn with Darwen, and Leicester.

Tracy Brabin, Labour MP for Batley and Spen, welcomed the lifting of restrictions in Kirklees but said she was disappointed Batley was not included, adding residents there were "understandably concerned".

This was echoed by councillor Shabir Pandor, leader of Kirklees Council, who said he was going to "press the government to tell us how we can get Dewsbury and Batley lifted from these restrictions", adding he was "going to fight for these communities".

Lancashire's director of public health, Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, warned against "complacency".

"In both Burnley and Hyndburn infection rates are significantly above the national average with an increasing rate in Hyndburn," he said.

"There is a high volume of social, educational and commuting travel between these areas and Lancashire's hotspots."

Birmingham, which became an "area of enhanced support" last week, has avoided a local lockdown after what West Midlands mayor Andy Street said was a "remarkable" turnaround.

Ramping up testing and a legally-enforced crackdown on businesses flouting Covid-19 measures has helped it avoid local restrictions.

Sandwell in the West Midlands and Swindon have moved up the Public Health England "watchlist" to become "areas of enhanced support", meaning they will get additional resources to tackle a rise in cases.

Luton has moved down from "enhanced support" to an "area of concern" following a drop in cases.

Stoke-on-Trent is being added to the list for the first time as an "area of concern", meaning there may be extra testing of high-risk areas or groups, such as care homes, and more communication about social distancing.

Trafford, Bolton, Stockport, Burnley, Hyndburn, Burnley, parts of Bradford, parts of Kirklees, and parts of Calderdale are moved down the list from "intervention" - the highest category on the watchlist - to "enhanced support".

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2020-08-28 16:29:33Z
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Flash floods hit UK as storm continues to batter Britain - The Sun

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2020-08-28 15:30:01Z
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Four more arrests over kidnapping of three young brothers in south London - Sky News

Police have made four more arrests over the disappearance of three young brothers kidnapped by their father from a foster home in south London.

The new suspects are all male and were arrested in Ilford, east London, on Friday on suspicion of conspiracy to abduct children and remain in custody.

They are all thought to be known to the boys' father Imran Safi, 26, who officers believe may have abducted his sons because they were about to be officially adopted.

On Thursday, police put out an urgent appeal after Bilal, Mohammed Ebrar and Mohammed Yaseen, aged six, five and three, were taken from their home in Coulsdon on Thursday 20 August.

In a statement from Scotland Yard, detectives said the children were playing in the garden while their foster carer was in the house.

She told officers she heard footsteps nearby, turned around and saw Mr Safi, who then threatened her with a knife and used force to take the children.

He drove off in his distinctive red Nissan Qashqai car, with a reg plate which reads PK13 WFO, in Coulsdon Road, Croydon, south London, later that afternoon.

They have not been seen since.

The foster carer did not suffer any serious physical injuries, but was left "distressed".

A manhunt for Mr Safi was immediately launched by detectives. They have been working out of a specialist facility to trace his movements.

Chief superintendent Dave Stringer, commander of the south area basic command unit, said: "Whilst this development has brought us one step closer to finding Imran and the three children, we still need more information from the public to help us locate them.

"Since we appealed for help yesterday afternoon (Thursday 27 August), we have received more than 30 calls from members of the public to our control room and via Crimestoppers. These calls are now being followed up by my officers who continue to work all hours of the day to bring these children home safely.

"I would really urge anyone from the Croydon, and now Ilford, area to think long and hard about if they saw these children, or their father, the evening of Thursday, 20 August and possibly the morning of Friday 21 August."

Previously, eight individuals were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the abduction.

They included:

A 25-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man, who were arrested in Kenley on Friday, 21 August
Three men, two aged 20 and one aged 17, who were arrested in Croydon on Sunday, 23 August
A 25-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man who were arrested in Kenley on Tuesday, 25 August
A 33-year-old man who was arrested in Croydon on Tuesday, 25 August

All eight have since been bailed to return to a south London police station at a later date.

Anyone who believes they have seen Mr Safi and his children since Thursday 20 August should contact the police immediately through the investigation control room on 07942599374.

The number is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Alternatively, people can contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

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2020-08-28 15:22:30Z
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Essex lorry deaths: Ronan Hughes admits manslaughter - BBC News

A man has admitted manslaughter after the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants found in a lorry container in Essex.

The men, women and children were discovered in a refrigerated trailer on 23 October in Grays.

Haulier Ronan Hughes, 40, of Tyholland, County Monaghan, admitted manslaughter and conspiring to assist unlawful immigration at the Old Bailey.

A second man, Eamonn Harrison, 23, of Mayobridge, County Down, denied 39 charges of manslaughter.

Mr Harrison also pleaded not guilty to conspiring to assist unlawful immigration and faces a trial in October.

Hughes, whose conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration charge spanned 1 May 2018 to 24 October 2019, was described as "a ringleader of a people smuggling ring".

His address in court was given as in County Armagh, Northern Ireland.

The bodies of the Vietnamese nationals were discovered at an industrial estate soon after the lorry arrived in the UK on a ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium.

Ten teenagers, two of them 15-year-old boys, were among the dead.

An inquest heard their medical cause of death was asphyxia and hyperthermia.

Also on Friday, Gazmir Nuzi, 42, of Barclay Road, Tottenham, north London, pleaded guilty to a single charge of assisting unlawful immigration on or before 11 October 2019 and 18 April 2020.

Earlier this year, lorry driver Maurice Robinson, 25, of Craigavon, County Armagh, pleaded guilty to 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

Mr Harrison now faces a trial expected to last five weeks starting on 5 October with three others.

Gheorghe Nica, 43, of Langdon Hills, Basildon, Essex, denies 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

Valentin Calota, 37, of Birmingham, and Christopher Kennedy, 23, of County Armagh, Northern Ireland, have each denied conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk

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2020-08-28 15:02:48Z
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Essex lorry deaths: Ronan Hughes admits manslaughter - BBC News

A man has admitted manslaughter after the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants found in a lorry container in Essex.

The men, women and children were discovered in a refrigerated trailer on 23 October in Grays.

Haulier Ronan Hughes, 40, of County Armagh, Northern Ireland, admitted manslaughter and conspiring to assist unlawful immigration at the Old Bailey.

A second man, Eamonn Harrison, 23, of Mayobridge, County Down, denied 39 charges of manslaughter.

He also pleaded not guilty to conspiring to assist unlawful immigration and faces a trial in October.

Hughes, whose conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration charge spanned 1 May 2018 to 24 October 24 2019, was described as "a ringleader of a people smuggling ring".

The bodies of the Vietnamese nationals were discovered at an industrial estate soon after the lorry arrived in the UK on a ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium.

Ten teenagers, two of them 15-year-old boys, were among the dead.

An inquest heard their medical cause of death was asphyxia and hyperthermia.

Earlier this year, lorry driver Maurice Robinson, 25, of Craigavon, County Armagh, pleaded guilty to 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

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Jumat, 28 Agustus 2020

BBC Health correspondent Nick Triggle

North-west England

Leicester

West Yorkshire

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