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Reuters
7 hours ago
- Reuters
UK backs future Palestinian statehood but says Gaza ceasefire is priority
LONDON, July 25 (Reuters) - Britain's immediate priority is alleviating suffering in Gaza and securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, a cabinet minister said on Friday, even as Prime Minister Keir Starmer comes under growing pressure to recognise a Palestinian state. Macron announced on Thursday that France would be the first major Western country to recognise a Palestinian state, a plan that drew strong condemnation from Israel and the United States. Starmer will later on Friday discuss ways with other European leaders to pressure Israel to end its war in Gaza. Speaking ahead of that meeting British science and technology minister Peter Kyle told Sky News: "We want Palestinian statehood, we desire it, and we want to make sure the circumstances can exist where that kind of long-term political solution can have the space to evolve." "But right now, today, we've got to focus on what will ease the suffering, and it is extreme, unwarranted suffering in Gaza that has to be the priority for us today." London's Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan, opens new tab and Labour lawmakers on parliament's foreign affairs select committee said this week that Britain should recognise a Palestinian state. A Starmer cabinet minister, Shabana Mahmood, said doing so would bring "multiple benefits" and send a message to Israel. Successive British governments have said they would formally recognise a Palestinian state at the right time, without ever setting a timetable or specifying the conditions for it to happen. Parliament's influential foreign affairs committee said on Friday "the government cannot continue to wait for the perfect time, opens new tab because experience shows that there will never be a perfect time." Starmer was due to hold a call with German and French leaders on Friday over the situation in Gaza, which he described as an "unspeakable and indefensible" humanitarian catastrophe. But in a statement announcing the call, Starmer said while statehood was the "inalienable right of the Palestinian people", Britain would not support it before a ceasefire was agreed. One Labour member of parliament told Reuters that there was unhappiness with Starmer in the party over the government's failure to take more diplomatic steps to condemn Israel. "Most of us are outraged by what is happening in Gaza and think we are being too timid," the lawmaker said. Starmer's approach to the issue was further complicated by the arrival in Scotland later on Friday of U.S. President Donald Trump, with whom he has built warm relations. In foreign policy terms, Britain has rarely diverged from the United States.
Powys County Times
9 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Rachel Reeves to pledge £66m for key Scottish transport projects
Rachel Reeves will announce £66 million of funding for transport projects in Scotland – with the Chancellor insisting the cash shows the Labour Government is 'investing in Britain's renewal' after a 'decade of decline' under the Conservatives. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray meanwhile said the money would make a 'real difference to people's daily lives'. The money will go towards projects linked to new investment zones and advanced manufacturing sites supported by the UK Government in Scotland. Three key transport schemes are to benefit, with plans to create direct links between these new economic hubs and local towns in the west of the Scotland. The largest chunk of cash – some £38.7 million – will go to Renfrewshire Council to help link Paisley town centre with both Glasgow Airport and the nearby Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS). As part of this new walking, cycling, bus and car links will be built, allowing local people to benefit from the growth of high value manufacturing in Renfrewshire. Another £23.7 million will go to North Ayrshire Council to upgrade the B714 road, allowing faster travel between the towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston and Glasgow, and cutting traffic in Kilwinning. It comes after the Chancellor pledged to find the cash for this work in last month's spending review. In addition the Scottish Government is being given an extra £3.45 million to suggest ways in which the A75 in Dumfries and Galloway can be upgraded. The road there links the port in Cairnryan – where ferries sail to Northern Ireland – with the rest of the UK, and as a result is seen as being vital for both transport connections and the economy. Ms Reeves, who is due to visit Paisley on Friday, said the UK Government was 'pledging billions to back Scottish jobs, industry and renewal'. She added: 'That's why we're investing in the major transport projects, including exploring upgrades to the A75, that local communities have been calling for. 'Whilst previous governments oversaw over a decade of decline of our transport infrastructure, we're investing in Britain's renewal. 'This £66 million investment is exactly what our Plan for Change is about, investing in what matters to you in the places that you live.' Welcoming the cash Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: 'This £66 million investment in Scotland's roads demonstrates the UK Government's commitment to improving infrastructure and driving economic growth in all parts of the UK as part of our Plan for Change. 'This investment will make a real difference to people's daily lives and to the local economies of the south of Scotland, Ayrshire and Renfrewshire.' Mr Murray continued: 'New road links will connect Paisley town centre with Glasgow Airport and the new advanced manufacturing innovation district, to boost high value manufacturing in Renfrewshire. 'The upgrade to the B714 will speed up journeys between Glasgow and the three towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston, as well as cutting traffic in Kilwinning. 'And the A75 is strategically important just not within but beyond Scotland. Its upgrading is long overdue. I am pleased that the UK Government has stepped up to fund the delivery of the A75 feasibility study in full.' Mr Murray said: 'This investment is yet another example of how the UK Government is building the foundations for a stronger, more prosperous future that benefits communities right across Scotland.' However SNP MSP Kevin Stewart said Ms Reeves should take the opportunity to apologise to Scots during her visit. Hitting out at the Chancellor, Mr Stewart said: 'On the week it was confirmed that Scottish energy bills will rise to pay for an English nuclear power plant, the Chancellor has some cheek to pass off old spending commitments as her own. 'Labour think Scotland should be grateful for receiving a share of money we pay to Westminster in taxes. 'Folk need real action on the cost of living under Labour – not reheated commitments that Westminster has already announced. 'Labour promised that everyone's energy bills would be cut by £300 when they came to power. That was a lie. 'Ms Reeves should apologise on behalf of her party for this lie during her trip to Scotland.'
The Independent
10 hours ago
- The Independent
Rachel Reeves to pledge £66m for key Scottish transport projects
Rachel Reeves will announce £66 million of funding for transport projects in Scotland – with the Chancellor insisting the cash shows the Labour Government is 'investing in Britain's renewal' after a 'decade of decline' under the Conservatives. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray meanwhile said the money would make a 'real difference to people's daily lives'. The money will go towards projects linked to new investment zones and advanced manufacturing sites supported by the UK Government in Scotland. Three key transport schemes are to benefit, with plans to create direct links between these new economic hubs and local towns in the west of the Scotland. The largest chunk of cash – some £38.7 million – will go to Renfrewshire Council to help link Paisley town centre with both Glasgow Airport and the nearby Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS). As part of this new walking, cycling, bus and car links will be built, allowing local people to benefit from the growth of high value manufacturing in Renfrewshire. Another £23.7 million will go to North Ayrshire Council to upgrade the B714 road, allowing faster travel between the towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston and Glasgow, and cutting traffic in Kilwinning. It comes after the Chancellor pledged to find the cash for this work in last month's spending review. In addition the Scottish Government is being given an extra £3.45 million to suggest ways in which the A75 in Dumfries and Galloway can be upgraded. The road there links the port in Cairnryan – where ferries sail to Northern Ireland – with the rest of the UK, and as a result is seen as being vital for both transport connections and the economy. Ms Reeves, who is due to visit Paisley on Friday, said the UK Government was 'pledging billions to back Scottish jobs, industry and renewal'. She added: 'That's why we're investing in the major transport projects, including exploring upgrades to the A75, that local communities have been calling for. 'Whilst previous governments oversaw over a decade of decline of our transport infrastructure, we're investing in Britain's renewal. 'This £66 million investment is exactly what our Plan for Change is about, investing in what matters to you in the places that you live.' Welcoming the cash Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: 'This £66 million investment in Scotland's roads demonstrates the UK Government's commitment to improving infrastructure and driving economic growth in all parts of the UK as part of our Plan for Change. 'This investment will make a real difference to people's daily lives and to the local economies of the south of Scotland, Ayrshire and Renfrewshire.' Mr Murray continued: 'New road links will connect Paisley town centre with Glasgow Airport and the new advanced manufacturing innovation district, to boost high value manufacturing in Renfrewshire. 'The upgrade to the B714 will speed up journeys between Glasgow and the three towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston, as well as cutting traffic in Kilwinning. 'And the A75 is strategically important just not within but beyond Scotland. Its upgrading is long overdue. I am pleased that the UK Government has stepped up to fund the delivery of the A75 feasibility study in full.' Mr Murray said: 'This investment is yet another example of how the UK Government is building the foundations for a stronger, more prosperous future that benefits communities right across Scotland.' However SNP MSP Kevin Stewart said Ms Reeves should take the opportunity to apologise to Scots during her visit. Hitting out at the Chancellor, Mr Stewart said: 'On the week it was confirmed that Scottish energy bills will rise to pay for an English nuclear power plant, the Chancellor has some cheek to pass off old spending commitments as her own. 'Labour think Scotland should be grateful for receiving a share of money we pay to Westminster in taxes. 'Folk need real action on the cost of living under Labour – not reheated commitments that Westminster has already announced. 'Labour promised that everyone's energy bills would be cut by £300 when they came to power. That was a lie. 'Ms Reeves should apologise on behalf of her party for this lie during her trip to Scotland.'
