UK
Thérèse Coffey ‘complacent’ in dealing with water companies, peers say

Helena Horton Environment reporter
Mon, 18 September 2023 

Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Thérèse Coffey has been “complacent” in dealing with water companies, risking water shortages as well as extreme environmental consequences, a House of Lords committee has said.

In a letter to the environment secretary, the peers criticised her department’s “dismissive brevity and complacent tone” in response to their report published earlier this year, which found water companies had been too focused on maximising financial returns at the expense of the environment.

During an inquiry into Ofwat, the water regulator, the House of Lords industry and regulators’ committee found a “lack of leadership and deep-rooted complacency” in the government, which was leading to failure by water companies to protect supply and the environment.

The letter sent to Coffey said: “We object to the apparent insinuation that our conclusions and recommendations were outside the scope of our inquiry, which appears to be an attempt to avoid parliamentary scrutiny.”

The committee also said in the letter that underinvestment in water infrastructure would have serious long-term consequences for the environment and the security of water supplies, risking the possibility of future water shortages.

Though the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published its plan for water earlier this year, the committee found it lacking and said it would not solve the problems plaguing the environment and consumers.

The inquiry indicated that water bills needed to rise to tackle underinvestment, which has caused leaky pipes and sewage spills, but recommended that a single social tariff for those who would struggle to pay bills was implemented so people did not fall into debt.

In the letter, the peers wrote: “The plan for water includes the acceleration of £1.6bn of new water company infrastructure but provides little information on how the government intends to tackle the trade-off between infrastructure investment and customer bills, instead expressing its hope to deliver ‘significant new investment’ without ‘disproportionately large increases to customer bills’.” The peers added that they were disappointed the government had dismissed the idea of a single social tariff.

Noting that “under present plans, the UK will not have built a single new major reservoir between 1991 and 2029”, the committee expressed alarm that the government did not seem to be planning to secure the water supply sufficiently to avoid shortages. It said: “Although the plan for water sets out proposals for reducing water demand, we share concerns that these policies are likely to be insufficient to meet the government’s targets.”

Clive Hollick, the chair of the industry and regulators’ committee, said: “While the government has begun to set out its vision for the sector, our cross-party committee has concluded unanimously that there is insufficient policy or drive to meet the government’s targets. Sadly, the only thing that is becoming clear in the murky, polluted waters of the sewage crisis is a lack of leadership and deep-rooted complacency.

“The government must therefore provide firmer policy detail and greater guidance to regulators, who cannot be left to resolve these huge challenges by themselves. In particular, the government must give clear guidance on the trade-off between much-needed investment and the level of customer bills. We look forward to the response from the secretary of state, setting out how she intends to do this.”

A Defra spokesperson said: “We take our oversight of the water industry incredibly seriously and firmly disagree with these conclusions.

“We are delivering increased investment, stronger regulation, and tougher enforcement right across the sector. This includes being the first government to set ambitious targets for water companies to address storm overflows, which the high court has ruled go even further than existing law.

“We agree that more needs to be done. That’s why we are introducing unlimited penalties for polluters, driving the largest infrastructure programme in water company history, and have set clear expectations for water companies to deliver the changes that we all want to see.”

EU states expressed ‘incomprehension’ at Tunisia migration pact, says Borrell

Lisa O'Carroll in Brussels
Mon, 18 September 2023 

Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

EU member states expressed “incomprehension” when the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, rushed into a migration pact with Tunisia, it has been revealed.

The concerns were raised in July both verbally and in writing, the EU’s chief diplomat responsible for foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, wrote in a letter dated 7 September that has been seen by the Guardian.

“As you know … in July, several member states expressed their incomprehension regarding the commission’s unilateral action on the conclusion of this [memorandum of understanding] and concerns about some of its contents,” Borrell wrote in a letter to Olivér Várhelyi, the European commissioner for neighbouring countries.

“After the foreign affairs council meeting on 20 July some member states referred these concerns by written procedure to you.”

The pact, signed with Tunisia in July by Von der Leyen, the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, and the Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, was aimed at stemming migration to Europe from Tunisia, which had become one of the most popular routes for people smugglers working in Africa after Libya became too dangerous even for organised criminal gangs.

The letter also says that foreign affairs ministers had “observed the proper steps of the adoption procedure had not been followed” by the commission and that therefore the memorandum of understanding could not be “considered a valid template for future agreements”.

It is not clear why Borrell wrote the letter two months after the deal was signed, but it appears to be an attempt to ensure that a similar deal is not repeated with other north African countries without proper consultation with member states. His letter recalls a previous high-profile clash between the commission and member states in relation to a rushed deal with Switzerland on another matter.

In a broadside against Meloni and Rutte, Borrell wrote that “the participation in the negotiation and the signing ceremony of a limited number of EU heads of government does not make up for the institutional balance between the council and the commission”.

The letter was written days before Sunday’s visit by Von der Leyen and Meloni to Lampedusa, a small island off the coast of Sicily that the Italian leader says has been overwhelmed by arrivals from Tunisia.

The deal was aimed at combating the criminal gangs running the smuggling operations and strengthening border controls and search and rescue operations. However, since it was signed the number of people crossing from Tunisia to Italy has gone up almost 70%, though experts have pointed out that poor weather in May meant a rise was inevitable in June and July when the seas were calmer.

The pact was driven by Meloni, but, apart from the objection from Borrell, appeared to be backed by the rest of Europe, where migration is seen as a critical issue in elections, particularly those looming in Poland and the Netherlands.

On Wednesday, a group of MEPs from the European parliament were refused entry to Tunisia, raising questions about the partnership and further doubts over the willingness of the Tunisian president, Kais Saied, to address concerns about a reduction in human rights and the independence of the judiciary on his watch.

The £105m deal was also criticised last week by the charity Médecins Sans Frontières, which said it would make the bloc “directly complicit in the ongoing abuse and deaths of people trapped in the country”.

No money has yet changed hands in Tunisia but the EU said over the weekend efforts to help police the border were under way including the refitting of 17 vessels for the Tunisian authorities for search and rescue operations.

Lightning strikes 9,000 times during ‘insane’ thunderstorm as UK hit by flash flooding

Alexander Butler

The Independent
Mon, 18 September 2023 

Torrential downpours during an ‘insane’ thunderstorm led to flash flooding as roads in parts of the UK turned into rivers.

Dramatic footage taken in Kenton, Devon, showed rainwater streaming down roads and into a village square as residents waded through in boots.

And in Dawlish, Devon, a bridge crossing over a river was totally submerged after the huge downpour struck the southwest of England on Sunday. This morning, sandbags could be seen stacked outside shopfronts.

Other spots saw up to 60mm of rain fall, more than half the September average for the region. There were also 9,414 lightning strikes between 6am on Sunday and 6am on Monday, the Met Office said.

Have you been affected by the flooding? Email alexander.butler@independent.co.uk

It comes after the Met Office warned more than a month’s rain could have fallen in a single day across parts of England and Wales on Sunday.

In London and Brighton, footage emerged showing “insane” thunder followed by flashes of lightning as a storm and heavy downpour battered both cities last night.

The downpour also caused widespread road closures, bus and train cancellations and the closure of Paignton Zoo, Devon. Almost a month’s rain fell on Sunday at the Birds Hill rain gauge on the edge of Exmoor.

A bridge crossing over a river in Dawlish was submerged by the heavy downpour on Sunday (SWNS)

Exeter Airport, Devon, also had to close after passengers were seen wading through water while queuing for the check-in-desk as flights were delayed and cancelled.

Severe weather warnings were issued for much of England and parts of Wales. An amber weather warning for thunderstorms and heavy persistent rain was put in place for Devon and Somerset.

The Met Office said thundery showers seen over the weekend will clear as a band of rain pushes east, with the weather turning increasingly windy today.

Kenton Hair Salon was left under water following the heavy downpour on Sunday which severely impacted the village (SWNS)

A spokesman said: “Through today thundery showers in the east will clear as a band of rain, already across the west, quickly pushes east during the morning.

“Behind this band of rain it will turn fresher with showers following during the afternoon, some of which will be heavy at times. It will also turn increasingly windy through the day.”

Meanwhile, Tuesday will see more cloud and rain, with “drier” and “brighter” spells from southern parts of the UK, according to the Met Office. “It will also remain windy for many”, the spokesman added.

“Through the rest of the week it will remain unsettled and rather autumnal with changeable conditions. There will be periods of rain which will be heavy at times, mixed with brighter and more showery spells. It will remain windy with coastal gales possible and also be cooler than of late.”

A yellow weather warning has been issued by the Met Office for Tuesday and Wednesday (Met Office)

MET OFFICE OUTLOOK

Monday

A largely dry start expected but outbreaks of rain, heavy at times, are expected to move eastwards across the area from mid-morning. Becoming brighter from midday with scattered showers developing. Breezy. Maximum temperature 21 °C.

Monday evening:

Perhaps one or two showers at first, but mostly dissipating into the evening to give largely dry conditions overnight. Outbreaks of rain may arrive from the west around dawn. Breezy Minimum temperature 10 °C.

Tuesday:

A windy day expected Tuesday with a few outbreaks of rain throughout the day. Becoming mostly dry into the evening but remaining windy. Maximum temperature 20 °C.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Remaining windy Wednesday with outbreaks of rain arriving around early evening, winds easing overnight. Sunny spells and showers expected Thursday and Friday, perhaps heavy and thundery at times

UK

Boris Johnson’s conduct questioned as review calls for constitutional reform

Jonathan Bunn, PA
Mon, 18 September 2023 

The UK constitution is in urgent need of reform after a tumultuous period in politics exposed weaknesses that have damaged both public trust and the country’s international reputation, a major review has found.

A joint report by the Institute for Government and Cambridge University’s Bennett Institute for Public Policy said “further injury” had been caused by a series of scandals involving ministers and MPs, including those holding the highest offices being found to have broken the law.

The 18-month review was supported by an advisory board including former Conservative ministers Sir Robert Buckland and Sir David Lidington, shadow leader of the House of Lords Baroness Smith of Basildon and former Labour Mayor of Liverpool Joanna Anderson.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s conduct was said to have raised questions over ethics and integrity in politics (Jonathan Brady/PA)


The report highlighted that the UK is an outlier internationally, with the constitution lacking “a central, codified source” and resting on the concept of parliamentary sovereignty.

This means there has been a historic reliance on “self-restraint from political actors rather than legal checks”, it added.

However, recent events were said to have tested the effectiveness of these arrangements, with the vote to leave the European Union leading to division over the appropriate balance of power between governing institutions. This was reflected in the UK Supreme Court ruling to set limits on executive power after Boris Johnson attempted to prorogue Parliament in September 2019.

The report also highlights that the UK Government made decisions without the consent of devolved legislatures, raising questions over “the nature of the territorial constitution”.

Mr Johnson’s “misdemeanours” were highlighted as conduct that raised questions over ethics and integrity in politics in recent years.

The report said: “Boris Johnson’s attempt to prorogue parliament, disregard for the Ministerial Code, willingness to break the law while in office and misleading of parliament were all examples of a prime minister who, in the words of his cabinet secretary, believed he had ‘a mandate to test established boundaries’.

“Not all of his misdemeanours were unprecedented; but his premiership shone a light on existing problems within the UK’s governing arrangements, and heightened the concern that there has been a steady erosion of the tacit norms on which government in the UK rests.”

The report added that within the wider global context of “deepening public suspicion of governmental institutions and heightened political polarisation”, events over the last decade “have placed the UK’s constitution under immense strain, underlining the urgent need for serious thinking about the nature and trajectory of the UK’s constitution”.

Mr Johnson’s conduct was cited as an example of the behaviour a number of “constitutional actors” who showed a willingness to push the boundaries of the constitution and raising questions about the adequacy of checks and balances to “constrain political power”.

As a key example, the report cites ministers’ previous willingness to override international law over the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol.

Sir David Lidington receiving a knighthood for political and public service. (Victoria Jones/PA)

Despite senior civil servants resigning, interventions from former prime ministers and concerns expressed by the international community, the legislation passed the House of Commons in just over a month, with not a single rebellion from the Conservative backbenches.

Among several factors that have contributed to “the weakening of a sense of self-restraint in relation to constitutional norms on the part of government and politicians”, the report said “questions of constitutional process and propriety have often been seen as secondary to broader policy aims”.

A series of recommendations for change include establishing a new parliamentary committee on the constitution. This should have the power to delay legislation and creating an independent Office of the Constitution to the support the new committee in the way the National Audit Office supports the Public Accounts Committee.

The review also said Parliament should have a more extensive scrutiny process for new constitutional bills to ensure proposals are “thoroughly tested and attract cross-party support”, alongside clarification on the role of the civil service and strengthening its capacity to give constitutional advice.

Integrating public engagement through citizens’ juries and assemblies was also recommended.

Director of the Institute for Government, Hannah White, said: “Some governments enter office with a manifesto commitment to constitutional change, others find the temptation to tinker with the constitution comes upon them.

“Our recommendations are intended to ensure that any politician considering changing UK the constitution is supported with robust advice, and to ensure that the UK constitution is changed only with appropriate consideration and public support.”

Co-director of the Bennett Institute, Mike Kenny, said: “One of the key issues that this Review has explored is how to get more public engagement in discussions about the principles and norms underpinning our public life.

“There is a growing imperative for government to take much more seriously the challenge of ensuring that citizens’ deliberations become a regular, integral part of the processes of making and examining constitutional change.”

UK
Project Redwood: Proof PM did plan to scrap new HS2 line

Adam Forrest and Jon Stone
Tue, 19 September 2023


The government is in disarray as the row over scrapping the northern extension of HS2 continues to grow – sparking fears in No10 that the backlash to The Independent’s revelations could cost them votes at the general election.

Proposals to axe the second phase of HS2, which the Independent can reveal has been given its own special codename “Project Redwood”, could now be reconsidered following furious reaction from northern mayors, leaders and Tory MPs.

Secret documents outlining the cost benefit of ditching the rail project’s Birmingham to Manchester leg were drawn up for a face-to-face meeting between Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt last week.

Although £2.3bn has already been spent on the second phase on construction, the Redwood solution suggested £34bn would be saved by abandoning any future plans.

But insiders say doubts over the scrapping of the multibillion-pound project could now be growing inside No10 after the government was ‘spooked’ by claims the north was being left behind in the run up to the general election.

When asked repeatedly by MPs to clarify rumours that the Manchester leg is being scrapped, transport minister Richard Holden MP refused to say if HS2 will now only go to Birmingham and was criticised for his evasiveness from both Tory and opposition MPs.

Meanwhile, Labour has committed to building the high-speed rail lines in full if they win the next general election, despite confusion about the party’s position.

The Independent understands both prime minister and chancellor were in favour of abandoning the plans as Mr Hunt battles to find savings ahead of his mini-Budget autumn statement in November.

But a source close to the discussions said the pair had got “cold feet” after the furious reaction – with northern mayors, business leaders and Tory MPs warning that it would cost the party votes at the general election.

“There’s a degree of listening going on after the backlash,” another source close to the delivery of HS2 told The Independent. “They’re engaging with concerns. They have to know it doesn’t make any political sense, and full cancellation looks difficult to pull off.”

The Independent understands that several Tory MPs have made their frustration clear with the Tory whips. “It’s not just the usual suspects. There are loyal MPs who have concerns,” said one source.

A senior Tory MP, whose constituency is in the north of England, said: “There will be uproar if it doesn’t go ahead in full to Manchester. We can’t afford another issue in which the opposition and others are up in arms.”

However, some Tories in southern seats are not opposed to ditching the rest of HS2. And some on the Tory right – such as John Redwood – are keen to axe it to create headroom for tax cuts. However,The Independent understands that ‘‘Project Redwood’’ was not named after the MP.

Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt have been in talks about ditching the northern leg of HS2 (Downing Street)

No 10 and the Treasury would still not be drawn on decisions, but The Independent understands that the two are holding further talks over whether to scrap Phase 2.

While such a major decision would usually be made before party conference, some Tories believe they may want to “test the feeling” in Manchester next month before coming to a final decision at the mini-Budget on 22 November.

Former Tory chancellor George Osborne has said scrapping the northern leg would be a “tragedy”, while Labour mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham accused the government of leaving the north with “Victorian infrastructure, adding: “Levelling up my a***.”

Henri Murison, the chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership – who is pushing for HS2 to be finished in full – said: “The government making changes to such a major project is bad for the UK’s standing in the world when it comes to investors.”

He added: “There will be damage done to investment just by considering scrapping it – the idea should be put back in the cereal box it came in.”

HS2 has been subject to cost overruns and painful inflation (PA Archive)

Some Tory MPs have told Mr Hunt to slow down the project and stagger costs to save money in the next couple of years before “stepping on the accelerator” if still in government after the election.

But rail industry figures have emphasised delays will just make HS2 more expensive, and that the opportunity to save money by pushing back work has gone. “Any deferral of spending now just makes the overall cost go up,” said a source close to the project.

The row came as Labour moved to quash the idea that it could also back out of a promise to complete the project, after frontbencher Pat McFadden refused to commit to its completion to Manchester on the BBC on Sunday.

But Keir Starmer told the Financial Times the party “remains committed” to the high-speed rail project in the north, and shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said it was “committed to delivering HS2 in full and maximising its economic benefits”.

Labour shadow minister Nick Thomas-Symonds went further, however, telling BBC Radio 4’s PM programme that Labour will build HS2 to Leeds as well as Manchester – the eastern leg scrapped in 2021. “It’s both to Manchester and indeed the eastern leg... to Leeds.”

A Labour spokesperson later said: “Labour supports the government’s promise to deliver HS2 in full, and wishes to see it reach Leeds.”

In the Commons, Ms Haigh claimed that HS2 would provide a slower journey between London and Birmingham than current services if the northern leg – and a link between Old Oak Common and Euston in central London – was slashed.

“What started out as a modern infrastructure plan left by the last Labour government … after 13 years of Tory incompetence, waste and broken promises will have turned into a humiliating Conservative failure – a great rail betrayal,” she said.

Keir Starmer has insisted Labour will build HS2 in full (PA)

Tory transport minister Richard Holden would not confirm whether HS2 would run to Manchester or not, and attacked Labour instead. “You can’t trust a word they say on transport spending,” he said.

But Iain Stewart MP, the Tory chair of the Commons transport committee, shared his frustration and said that it would be a false economy to ditch the northern leg. “Either do it properly or don’t do it at all,” he told the minister.

HS2’s costs have risen from £37bn to over £70bn due to overruns and inflation – with some estimates putting the eventual price tag at over £100bn.

Mr Sunak’s official spokesman – who last week could not commit to building HS2 in full to Manchester – said on Monday that the PM had to look at costs of all “large-scale infrastructure projects”.

Grilled on whether cuts were being considered, the No 10 official told reporters: “There’s lots of speculation but for our part, we are committed to HS2.”

He added: “I’m not going to get into the spending review, I never would. All I would say is that there is ongoing work on HS2 and the chancellor, for his part, will always look at all delivery of all large-scale infrastructure projects, I think this is no different.”

The Treasury directed The Independent to Mr Hunt’s comments last week, in which he said: “You would expect the prime minister and the chancellor to be having discussions as to how to manage those cost overruns.”

 

HS2 Project Update, June 2023

UK

Muzzle for Chesterfield care home’s gentle giant XL bully therapy dog will “change everything”, says owner

IT'S NOT THE BREED IT'S THE BREEDER

Ben McVay
Mon, 18 September 2023 

Dylan's grandmother Janice with Bruce - who stands at over five feet (Photo: Charlea Gale)

Charlea Gale’s bumper-sized pooch Bruce has been doing the rounds at Chesterfield’s Brookholme Care Home since he was a puppy.

Gentle giant Bruce can be seen trotting around the care home’s gardens or wandering into the bedrooms of the less mobile in therapeutic visits.

Charlea, 23, an activities coordinator says the docile canine – who weighs eight-and-a-half stone and is over five feet tall on his hind legs – gives patients at the home where she works “a reason” to get up from their chairs.

Charlea's partner Dylan Dennett, 27, with Bruce at a dog show - where he won a prize for obedience (Photo: Charlea Gale)


However, following an announcement from PM Rishi Sunak on Friday that the breed was now banned, current bully XL owners are now required to keep the animals muzzled while in public.

Speaking about the new law, Charlea said: “I think it’s disgusting – quite clearly not all XL bullies are dangerous.

"The problem is with people who get these dogs as status symbols – something needs to be done about it but a ban is a step too far. It’s the owners, not the dogs.

"It’s not fair that Bruce has to wear a muzzle – it will change everything. It’s just not nice for the residents to see him like that.

Residents at Brookholme Care Home with Bruce (Photo: Charlea Gale)

"They would look at him completely differently and I don’t want him to be looked at that way.”

Charlea, who is 32 weeks pregnant and says she trusts Bruce “completely” with children, has had the dog since he was 10 weeks old.

She started bringing him to work as the breed attracted increasing notoriety for aggression and attacks on humans and other animals.

“I wanted to change people’s minds and show them they’re not all the same,” said Charlea.

"He is just so gentle and soft with the residents – a lot of them struggle for a reason to move but he just brightens up their day.

"Some of them come outside to meet him, which keeps them active. For the ones that can’t move out of their bedrooms, I take him in to see them and they stroke him.

"It brightens up families too because they don’t get to see the residents interacting a lot – many of them have dementia and don’t remember much.

"But when he comes in they say ‘Brucey’s here’ – so it means a lot if they remember him.”

Commenting on a belief that the XL breed is inherently aggressive and dangerous, Charlea said: “It’s like with any dog, you have to strict.

"A dog has to know its place, especially a powerful breed – but Bruce is just a naturally gentle dog.”

SEE

https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/2023/09/uk-opinion-inbreeding-made-american.html

https://plawiuk.blogspot.com/2023/08/dog-attacks-on-adults-are-rising-but.html

UK

Richard Madeley tells American XL Bully owner their dog is 'ticking timebomb'

The GMB presenter was emotional as he told the dog owners with two young children "I pray to God you're right."

IT'S NOT THE BREED IT'S THE BREEDER


Albertina Lloyd
·Contributor
Mon, 18 September 2023 

GMB host Richard Madeley tells the owners of an American XL Bully their family pet is a "ticking timebomb".

Richard Madeley told the owners of an American XL Bully their family pet is a "ticking timebomb".

Dog-owners Alicia and Nick Elliott, who have two young children an a one-year-old XL Bully called Tank, appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss the proposed ban of XL American bully dogs after the breed were found to be responsible for 70 per cent of all fatal dog attacks in the UK in the past year.

Madeley told them: "Of course he's done nothing wrong at the moment, we take your word for that absolutely. He's a good dog - at the moment. But they're like ticking timebombs aren't they?

"And if they go, if they blow, watch out. They are so dangerous once they've lost control."

Alicia said: "Any breed can switch... He's never turned on my kids, he's never turned on other people's kids.

"He's been very loyal since we got him, he's been very loving. He's like a big teddy bear."

Madeley responded: "So often, when you hear these terrible stories of children who've had their faces ripped off by that particular breed, the owner says, 'It never happened before. Up until now the dog was a lovely family dog, we had no concerns.' And then the dog turns.

"And it can turn on a dime, it can turn from the tiniest of reasons. Hand on heart are you not at all concerned that this might go badly wrong?"

Nick said in his dog's defence: "It's not just because of the breed, you should be looking at the owner of the breed — how they bring the dog up, and I will strongly say that is on any breed — it's how you bring your dog up.

An American XL bully which is due to be banned as a breed after being linked to 70 per cent of fatal dog attacks in the UK. (Alamy)

"If you bring your dog up in a loving family the dog's going to be in a loving family. If you bring your dog up to be rough and nasty then it will be rough and nasty."

Madeley became emotional as he wrapped up the interview, telling the couple: "As far as Tank's concerned - you're a lovely couple, you're obviously a lovely family.

"I just pray to God you're right about the dog. I really pray you're right."

An American XL Bully dog is thought to be bred from an American Pitbull Terrier, which were banned in the UK in 1991, and an American or British Bulldog.

Richard Madeley expressed his concern for the family that their pet dog could turn on them. 

They account for one per cent of dogs in the UK and yet are responsible for 50 per cent of attacks on people and other dogs in the last two years.

The Elliott's have started an online petition in objection to the government plans to ban the XL Bully in the UK by the end of 2023. Police will be able to remove the dogs and owners must have them neutered to prevent further breeding.

UK

'How Have You Let It Get To This?' Sky News Presenter Skewers Steve Barclay On NHS Strikes


Kevin Schofield
Tue, 19 September 2023 

Jayne Secker put Steve Barclay on the spot on Sky News

Steve Barclay was put on the spot over the government’s failure to end the NHS strikes as consultants and junior doctors prepare to walk out at the same time.

The co-ordinated industrial action - the first of its kind in the history of the health service - is part of the long-running dispute over pay and conditions.

Appearing on Sky News this morning, the health secretary was asked by presenter Jayne Secker: “How have you let it get to this? This is happening on your watch.”

Barclay insisted the government had accepted the recommendations of the independent pay review body “in full”, meaning junior doctors were getting an average rise of 8.8%.

He added: “We also need to be fair to other workers across the public sector in terms of how we bring inflation down and manage that, whether that is in our armed forces, teachers and elsewhere within the NHS.”

Barclay said the 35% rise the junior doctors have asked for “would not be reasonable and is not consistent with bringing that inflation target down”.

The health secretary also defended the government’s plans to bring in so-called “minimum service levels” in the NHS, meaning some medical staff will effectively be banned from going on strike to ensure enough cover for patients is provided.

Secker said: “Why are you expanding anti-strike legislation instead of getting top the root of the problem? Wouldn’t it be quicker to get around the table and talk about this?”

But Barclay said it was about protecting “time critical” medical procedures.

“We recognise the right to strike, but we have to balance that with the rights of patients to key treatments like chemotherapy, like dialysis,” he said.

He said countries like France and Italy already have similar arrangements in place.

“It’s important to look at what other countries are doing, to have legislation that protects key time-critical treatments,” he said.

Related...

• Mishal Husain Makes One Key Point About Why The Government Has To Resolve NHS Strikes

• Steve Barclay Slammed For Not Negotiating With NHS Strikers For Four Months

• NHS Waiting Lists Hit Record High Despite Sunak Promise To Bring Them Down

Opinion

Voices: Why are Russell Brand’s accusers only talking about it now? I’ll tell you why.

Jessica Taylor
Mon, 18 September 2023

“Why are they only talking about this now?” “Why didn’t they report it to the police?” “Did they bring it upon themselves?” “Are they doing it for the money?” “Is this all just a plan to take down another successful man?”

It doesn’t matter whether it’s the president of the United States, a stand-up comedian or someone’s brother-in-law – when women speak out about alleged male violence, we hear the same, predictable responses.

Even before the allegations of sexual assault and rape had been shared by The Sunday Times, thousands took to social media to criticise the women as liars, attention seekers, fame-hungry, mentally ill... even plants from the government.

Anything but telling the truth.

And don’t be fooled, this isn’t just an army of men taking to Twitter/X with their unbridled misogyny. Women were happily among them. For a perfect recent example, look at what happened online to Amber Heard.

Research shows us that men have been victim-blaming women for decades. The numbers have stayed pretty stable. What’s shocking to me is that data shows that women who victim-blame other women continues to rise, year on year. Some studies even show that women are inclined to do it more than men. What’s happened to the sisterhood?

Take a look at Twitter/X and you’ll see a range of excuses: from, “I had sex with him, and he was really nice” to “he is clearly being targeted by Rupert Murdoch” – and everything in between. Many point to the fact that there has been no official police investigation as yet.

But as a psychologist who specialises in the blaming of women, I know there are no countries, communities, societies, or religions in the world that consistently stand by victims of sexual abuse and violence. There are also no places in the world where a woman will not be accused of lying about rape or assault.

Yet sexual violence is one of the most common forms of crime – with women and girls overwhelmingly more likely to be subjected to sexual harassment, assault and rape. Who is targeting them? Men.

”Not all men!” is the most predictable response when we present the cold, hard data – which, like it or not, shows it is a lot of men. And far from being shadowy strangers, rapists are most commonly fathers, brothers, partners, exes, friends, colleagues – and perhaps even our favourite celebrities.

When we ask why so many women never report being raped to the police, we need to look at the confidence women have lost in our police forces. Can anyone blame women for not turning to a force that harboured offenders like Wayne Couzens and David Carrick? Or one which has led to rape prosecutions falling to an all-time low?

Women and girls are socialised to blame themselves for what men do to them from an early age, so when they are abused or assaulted, the first thing they do is blame themselves. And that suits society perfectly.

Women and girls are also bombarded with victim-blaming, rape myths and victim-prejudice messages their whole lives (“she was drunk”, “she was wearing a short skirt”, “she was flirting with him”); so when they’re abused or assaulted, they measure themselves against all of that. They then ask themselves: “Is anyone even going to believe me? Am I a good enough victim? Am I going to be scrutinised?”

Many women conclude that they are so likely to be blamed, accused of lying or scrutinised that they can’t bear the thought (and gruelling physical process) of reporting or pressing charges. Many women and girls simply choose to try to move on with their lives, knowing they will never get justice.

One study in 2016 found that teenage girls who withdrew from rape cases actually had better psychological outcomes than the girls who went through with them – even when the perpetrator was found guilty and sentenced to prison.

The process itself is so adversarial that one woman once said to me: “There is a reason it is called the criminal justice system, and not the victim justice system.”

If women feel like this about reporting an older man sexually abusing them, or their ex forcing them to have sex – then how do you think they feel when their alleged perpetrator is a much-loved celebrity with a few million quid spare to shut them up with a defamation case?

Having worked in the criminal justice system myself, managing these types of cases, I have no time for people on social media thinking they have the ultimate “gotcha” by asking, “If this really happened, why didn’t they report to the police?”

Here’s just one possible answer: Because it can be a terrifying, intrusive process which often results in no further action – just further trauma. Of course, we would always encourage women to report it and not to let their attacker get away with it. But we can’t ignore the fact that so many women say that reporting and giving evidence about sexual violence was worse than the sexual violence itself.

Simply put: most people don’t report any crimes, let alone sexual violence.

And isn’t it interesting that the same people asking why they didn’t report it are the ones claiming they must be lying? It’s almost as if those things are connected....

Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673)

Russell Brand: In Plain Sight review – so many red flags ignored for so long

Jack Seale

THE GUARDIAN
Sun, 17 September 2023


The modern news cycle is brutally quick. On Thursday and Friday, the 90-minute special episode of Channel 4’s investigative documentary strand, Dispatches, which was to air on Saturday night, was trending on social media because of the mystery around it: Channel 4 had declined to offer any information about what it contained. But by the time it did air, we knew exactly what it contained.

The programme is a collaboration between Dispatches and the Sunday Times and, as happens often when a TV show and a newspaper mount a joint investigation, the newspaper went public first. With the online print version published a few hours before broadcast, many viewers found themselves in the unusual position of watching a documentary having already read its key allegations.

Related: Russell Brand accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse

Those allegations are that the comedian turned political commentator and wellness guru, Russell Brand, has a history of abusive interactions with women. One woman alleges he raped her. Another says he seriously sexually assaulted her at the end of a relationship that began when she was 16 and he was 31. A third claims physical abuse and sexual assault.

As well as the allegations being known, by the time of broadcast Brand’s denial was also out there. On Friday night, Brand outed himself as the target of the investigation, releasing a video made for his millions of social media followers. He talked of “some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute”. Insisting that “the relationships I had were absolutely always consensual”, he speculated about “coordinated media attacks” with “another agenda at play”. This garnered him support from thousands of his existing followers, and new allies with an interest in self-identifying as brave media disruptors: several GB News presenters posted on social media appearing to take his side.

So with its allegations and the alleged perpetrator’s denial already known about, and even the culture-war battle lines around it already drawn, what currency does Russell Brand: In Plain Sight have? Plenty. As well as organising deeply harrowing testimony into a cogent narrative, the Dispatches film places the women’s claims into a wider context within the industry and our culture as a whole, pinpointing a collective culpability that resonates well beyond whatever one man might have done.

The allegations themselves are disturbing enough. Being able to see and hear the words spoken, even by anonymised interviewees filmed in silhouette or, in one case, replaced by an actor, lends every awful detail alleged a piercing immediacy.

Surrounding the interviews are the words of Brand himself, on stage, TV and radio. Even in the best-case scenario for Brand – the one in which all these specific, independent accusations turn out to be false – we view him as a sleazy, sexist creep because he has told us.

“Don’t be afraid of your own sexuality,” we see him tell a guest on his chatshow, in a clip dug up by Dispatches. “Do be a bit afraid of mine though.” During an interview on Conan O’Brien’s US talkshow, Brand told the host: “You don’t wanna be around when the laughter stops.” One old standup routine, joking about enjoying “them blowjobs where mascara runs a little bit”, spookily echos the exact words of one of the programme’s allegations.

The title In Plain Sight has been carefully chosen. Dispatches has found further evidence of Brand not hiding his misogyny, drawn from the same stint as a Radio 2 presenter that led to his biggest previous controversy in 2008, when he was fired for broadcasting crass voicemails he’d left for the actor Andrew Sachs. In retrospect, it is amazing Brand lasted as long as he did: Dispatches plays the audio of him making demeaning sexual remarks about his show’s female newsreader, and conducting an interview with a celebrity guest where he joked about sending his (named) female assistant to visit the star, stripped naked. The interviewee in question: Jimmy Savile.

Speaking to Dispatches, former BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey boggles in retrospect at Brand’s broadcasts: “A predator, live on air on Radio 2.” Previous entertainment-industry exposes have largely concentrated on the 1970s and 80s; passing off the grim sexism of the late 00s as a distant bygone era is more difficult.

The warning about not ignoring red flags, and not indulging toxic behaviour to prioritise talent or fame, is a strong one, with acute relevance to a comedy world still riddled with misogyny: the only performer willing to be interviewed about the problem for Dispatches is Daniel Sloss, who is already known for including serious oratory about male violence in his standup routines. Why work still needs to be done – Brand is not the only comedian whose alleged behaviour is often described as an “open secret” in the industry – is summed up by a female Dispatches contributor, musing on women who might have embarked on a comedy career, met Russell Brand, then sought other employment. “Culturally, what are we missing?”

Russell Brand: In Plain Sight is available on Channel 4 now.

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Russell Brand - latest: YouTube suspends comedian from making money (yahoo.com)

   

  

 

China welcomes Cambodian, Venezuelan, Zambian leaders as it forges deeper ties with Global South

KEN MORITSUGU

Updated Fri, September 15, 2023 

BEIJING (AP) — China and Zambia upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership on Friday, the latest move by America's chief global rival to forge deeper ties with the Global South.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Zambian counterpart announced the agreement shortly after Xi had exchanged cordial words with another visitor, the new prime minister of Cambodia. The flurry of diplomatic activity came just two days after Venezuela's president met Xi and the two elevated their countries' ties to an “all-weather” partnership.

The trio of leaders from Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America speak to China’s growing role in those parts of the world and China's ambitions to be a global leader. Facing growing pressure from the U.S. and its partners, which fear China's rise could disrupt the existing international order, the world's second largest economy is trying to project itself as a powerful nation standing up for the interests of the Global South.

The collective rise of developing countries has become “an irreversible trend of the times,” Xi told Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Hichilema responded: "We appreciate your role in positively altering the global order so that the Global South can take our rightful place in the league of nations.”

The “all-weather” partnership Xi concluded this week with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is an even closer relationship than Zambia's. It's one that China has granted to only a handful nations and signals they will maintain close relations no matter what changes occur in the international situation.

“China aspires to shape a system that aligns with its interests and recognizes its status as a great power,” said Edward Chan, a China studies fellow at Australian National University. “Achieving this goal requires enhancing its ability to influence global discourse, which can be accomplished through garnering more international support.”

Last month, the five BRICS member countries — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — agreed to invite Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt and Ethiopia to join next year in what would become an 11-nation bloc.

China also named a new ambassador to Afghanistan this week, to much fanfare from a Taliban government seeking international recognition.

In much of the developing world, Chinese state banks have financed roads and other infrastructure projects under its Belt and Road Initiative, and Chinese companies have built factories, mines, hotels and casinos.

China has in turn won access to natural resources and diplomatic support from many Global South countries on contentious votes at the U.N. and from Cambodia in China’s territorial disputes with other Southeast Asian nations in the South China Sea.

Development loans from China and others have saddled some countries, including Zambia, with extremely high debt levels, sometimes sparking debt crises that can stymie economic development. More than 40% of Cambodia’s $10 billion in foreign debt is owed to Chinese institutions.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet made China his first official foreign visit after succeeding his father, Hun Sen, who ruled Cambodia for 40 years and cultivated his country's close relationship with China.

Xi told Hun Manet that his father had made historic contributions to bilateral ties. Hun Manet said he would further develop the friendship between their countries.

The U.S. had shown disapproval of Hun Sen’s undemocratic moves and is uneasy over the expansion of a Cambodian naval facility with Chinese assistance. Hun Sen consistently denied that Cambodia had granted China the right to set up its own military base at Ream Naval Base.

After his meetings in Beijing, Hun Manet plans to join other Southeast Asian leaders this weekend in southern China at the 20th ASEAN-China Expo, which promotes cooperation in trade, investment and tourism.

China's diplomacy has changed dramatically under Xi, said Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

“China has a near-term goal and also a long-term goal,” he said. “The long term goal will be the number one in the world. But the near-term goal is to be the leader of the Global South.”

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Associated Press researcher Wanqing Chen contributed to this report.