Views sought on Jersey planning service reforms
Officials said the consultation was setting out a number of possible options within three key themes - permitted development rights, the appeals system and how the Island Plan was developed and revised.Environment Minister Deputy Steve Luce said the consultation was an opportunity to explore how the rules could be simplified and improve decision making."Islanders rightly expect a planning system that is clear, consistent and capable of responding to change," he said.
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The National
38 minutes ago
- The National
Labour minister grilled over Gaza in tense BBC interview
Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, was quizzed on the mid-recess cabinet meeting that has been called to discuss Gaza and Palestinian statehood on Tuesday's edition of Good Morning Scotland. Kyle said Keir Starmer had been 'intensely moved and disturbed' by images coming from the enclave but defended the continued sale of arms to Israel. READ MORE: LIVE: Donald Trump meets John Swinney on final day of Scotland trip The presenter challenged the timing of the UK Government's reaction, asking why it had taken Starmer so long to be moved given how long the Palestinian genocide has been going on for. Kyle pushed back firmly, saying Starmer has been 'deeply, deeply moved and disturbed by what he has seen,' insisting the Prime Minister had already taken 'incredible action' by working with international partners by recognising the International Criminal Court and sanctioning figures, including members of Benjamin Netanyahu's government and individuals in the West Bank. However, the presenter referenced earlier comments from the SNP's Stephen Gethins, who pointed out the UK Government continues to supply arms to Israel – including parts of F-35 fighter jets. Kyle squirmed as he responded, insisting arms sales were 'under constant review' and claiming that 'British law is applied equally to all areas and all territories'. READ MORE: John Swinney to call for 'immediate' constitutional convention on independence The presenter suggested Labour's pledge to recognise Palestinian statehood – which Starmer continues to drag his heels on despite growing pressure from his own MPs – was nothing more than an 'empty gesture'. Kyle retorted: 'I'm saying nothing of the sort … what we are trying to do is deliver a statehood that has meaning.' Asked repeatedly when Labour would fulfil the commitment, Kyle refused to provide a timeframe, saying: 'What you're asking me to do is to release the contents of a meeting that hasn't happened yet.'
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Tens of thousands at risk of poverty despite Labour's benefit U-turn, MPs warn
About 50,000 people who become disabled or chronically ill will be pushed into poverty by the end of the decade because of cuts to incapacity benefit, despite ministers dropping the bulk of its welfare reform plans, MPs have warned. The work and pensions select committee report welcomed ministers' decision earlier this month to drop some of the most controversial aspects of its disability reforms in the face of a parliamentary revolt by over 100 Labour backbenchers. These included the wholesale scrapping of proposed major changes to personal independence payment (Pip) eligibility that would have seen around 800,000 people no longer qualifying for the benefit by the end of the decade. The government also ditched plans to freeze the value of the incapacity element of universal credit for existing claimants, affecting over 2m people by 2029-30, though it kept in place proposals to half the weekly rate for new claimants. Labour had 'in the end' made the right decision, the committee said in a report. But it reiterated calls for the remaining planned cuts to universal credit to be delayed until their impact on poverty, health and jobs were fully understood. Ministers been left badly bruised by the enforced gutting of its bill, which was intended to save £5bn a year by the end of the decade. Keir Starmer, the prime minister, admitted subsequently that No 10 'didn't get the process right'. Although all existing universal credit claimants and new claimants with severe or terminal conditions will now be protected, from next year other claimants with limited health capacity for work will see monthly awards cut from £423.27 to £217.26. The committee chair, Labour's Debbie Abrahams, said, 'We welcome the concessions that the government made to the niversal Credit bill; but there are still issues with these welfare reforms not least with the cut in financial support that newly sick and disabled people will receive.' Abrahams said that on the government's own analysis approximately 50,000 people who claim universal credit from next April after developing a health condition or becoming disabled will be plunged into poverty by 2030 as a result of cuts. 'We recommend delaying the cuts to the universal credit health premium, especially given that other policies that such as additional NHS capacity, or employment support, or changes in the labour market to support people to stay in work, have yet to materialise,' she said. 'We agree in a reformed and sustainable welfare system, but we must ensure that the wellbeing of those who come into contact with it is protected. The lesson learned from last month should be that the impact of policy changes to health-related benefits must be assessed prior to policy changes being implemented to avoid potential risks to claimants,' added Abrahams The report also urged ministers to drop plans – currently out for consultation – to prevent young people aged 18-22 from claiming incapacity benefit. 'We share the minister's concern about young people being trapped in economic inactivity before their working lives have even begun, but we do not see why this means they should lose entitlement to universal credit health,' the report said. The cross-party committee welcomed the government's plans to review the much-criticised Pip assessment process, which it said was in 'desperate need of reform.' It applauded ministers promise to 'co-produce' the review with disabled people. A government spokesperson said: 'Our welfare reforms will support those who can work into jobs and ensure there is always a safety net for those that need it. The impact assessment shows our reforms will lift 50,000 children out of poverty – and our additional employment support will lift even more families out of poverty. 'The reforms will rebalance Universal Credit rates to reduce the perverse incentives that trap people out of work, alongside genuinely helping disabled people and those with long-term health conditions into good, secure work – backed by £3.8bn in employment support over this parliament.'
Scotsman
3 hours ago
- Scotsman
UK out of step with international consensus on Palestinian state
Humanitarian aid is airdropped to Palestinians among the ruins of Gaza City on Monday (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi) The consensus to recognise Palestinian statehood is broad and cross party. Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has called for the formal recognition the state of Palestine and 221 MPs from across all parties in the UK Parliament signed a letter calling for the UK Government to take this step. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This is a political decision with serious implications. Recognition affirms the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and gives their representatives standing in international legal and diplomatic forums. It also opens clearer pathways for the international community to intervene, uphold humanitarian law and hold states to account. France is moving in this direction. Spain, Ireland and Norway have already taken the step. Over 140 countries worldwide now recognise Palestine as a state. The UK's position is increasingly out of step with the international consensus and with its own stated commitment to a two-state solution. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The current scale of violence in Gaza and the West Bank reinforces the urgency. UN agencies, international courts and humanitarian organisations have provided consistent evidence of widespread destruction, displacement and loss of life. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has documented the collapse of medical services and repeated attacks on healthcare workers. MSF has concluded that genocide is taking place, as has Amnesty International and other reputable NGOs and individuals. The International Court of Justice has issued provisional measures in relation to allegations of genocide. These are not political claims, but formal findings and warnings issued by some of the world's most credible legal and humanitarian bodies. Israel's actions must be examined with the full force of international law. Recognition of Palestinian statehood strengthens the international legal framework. It supports the work of institutions such as the International Criminal Court and allows for greater coordination of humanitarian aid. It also gives future peace negotiations a more equal and legitimate starting point. Israel has a right to rid itself of the threat of Hamas. But when it became clear that Benjamin Netanyahu was no longer just interested in defeating Hamas and releasing the hostages but making Gaza uninhabitable, I was first in Parliament, on behalf of the Scottish Government, to condemn and call formally for an end to the disproportionate Israeli military action in Gaza. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad That position was taken at a time when UK Government ministers refused to issue the same condemnation and when the Labour leadership remained largely silent and continued to arm Israel. Delay has consequences. The longer it has taken to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation, the more difficult meaningful action has become. The Labour Party must now recognise the cost of that delay and support recognition without further hesitation. There is no credible basis for continuing to treat Palestinian statehood as a future possibility to be granted under political conditions. Legal statehood already exists in the eyes of most of the international community and under the criteria set out in international law. Recognition from the UK would reflect that reality and allow for greater diplomatic and humanitarian engagement. The Scottish Government has made its position clear. With growing international support, the UK Government now faces a choice. Recognition can help re-establish international norms, strengthen legal enforcement, and support a more sustainable approach to peace. Further delay will only weaken the UK's credibility and reduce the scope for constructive involvement. The UK has stood by for too long issuing words of condemnation, the time for action is now. Angus Robertson is SNP MSP for Edinburgh Central and Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Secretary
