Latest news with #DanielZeichner
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough MPs on their whirlwind first year
In the early hours of the morning on 5 July 2024 it became clear that the political map of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough was about to change. Six of the MPs elected were new to the job. How do they feel a year into their roles? Prior to the general election on 4 July 2024, the county had seven MPs - six of which were Conservative. Only Labour's Daniel Zeichner, the MP for Cambridge, did not sit on the then Conservative government's benches. Boundary changes meant the county was given an eighth parliamentary seat and as the general election results started to come in the colour of the political landscape turned from blue to a rainbow of blue, red and yellow. Andrew Pakes, Peterborough Andrew Pakes, the Labour MP for Peterborough, says the last year has been a "rollercoaster ride".Like all new MPs, after winning his seat in July he went straight to Westminster for inductions and felt like he was setting up a new business at the same time. "It's like getting two jobs at once" as you establish your MP office, he and previously described them as the "golden thread" running through all the government's plans to boost growth and the June the government announced Peterborough would receive funding for a new station quarter and sports quarter, which will include a new swimming the time of the next general election, which is expected in 2029, Pakes wants to see "spades in the ground" for the projects. Pippa Heylings, South Cambridgeshire "It's the craziest, biggest job, I have ever had and I'm loving it," says Pippa Heylings, the Liberal Democrat MP for South Cambridgeshire. Heylings recalls having to "hit the ground running" in July 2024 and set up hwe office whilst learning to do the says she and her team have handled about 7,000 cases from the constituency in the last forward the growth agenda is her focus, she says, and giving her constituents a voice. She adds she also wants to get plans for the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital and Cambridge Children's Hospital "over the line". When asked what advice she would give her newly elected self, she says: "It's a marathon not a sprint." Charlotte Cane - Ely and East Cambridgeshire Charlotte Cane, the Liberal Democrat MP for Ely and East Cambridgeshire, said the past year has been "a whirlwind, very challenging and a steep learning curve", but also a "real honour". In the first few weeks following the general election she says she found the role "very overwhelming", after receiving "floods of emails" and with no staff to help at the beginning. "I didn't even have anywhere to store physical letters," she says. Yet, she says she has enjoyed visiting the different types of businesses in her constituency, from high tech companies "where people are literally doing things in outer space" to the large number of farms in the describes her shock after hearing about the challenges disabled people are facing when applying for grants to help them get into work, with some cases having "taken up to a year", she says. Ben Obese-Jecty, Huntingdon A "learning curve" and a "rollercoaster" is how Ben Obese-Jecty, the Conservative MP for Huntingdon, describes his first year as an says he underestimated how full on the job is, saying: "A news headline late one evening will affect how you do your job the next day. It's difficult to switch off."On reflection, he says, he should have "factored in some more free time" as trying to find a work-life balance is the next four years the MP is calling for a dedicated strategy for male victims of domestic also wants to see more new defence technology companies come to his constituency, along with a new train station at Alconbury Weald, Cambridgeshire. Sam Carling, North West Cambridgeshire Sam Carling, the Labour MP for North West Cambridgeshire, was the youngest MP elected in the country at the age of describes his first year as a "baptism of fire" following the intense media interest in him since his election. "I even got recognised on the train," he says. He describes his first year in Parliament as a "steep learning curve", but he says he has enjoyed doing case work and building relationships with colleagues."Everybody is just normal and I really wish the public could see more of the collaborative work that MP's across all parties do," he the next four years he wants to see more GP appointments and dental care made accessible to constituents and greater protection of rural bus routes. Ian Sollom, St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire "Thrown in at the deep end" and "drinking from the fire hose" is how Ian Sollom, the Liberal Democrat MP for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire, describes his first says his proudest achievement is getting employment coaches from Huntingdon Jobcentre to come to St Neots to support people looking for work. The experience gave him "the taste to influence things", he says, of which he is keen to do the next four years he wants to see better health infrastructure established in the new towns and estates in his constituency, including primary care. He also wants better funding for Cambridgeshire Police and reforms to special educational needs and disability provision, so all children "get the education they deserve".The role has been "everything I hoped for", he says, and he feels like his team are making "little differences". Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Herald Scotland
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Cheers as Argentina grants Scotch Whisky historic protection
The protection will also help tackle counterfeit products, giving shoppers confidence they are buying an authentic product and distillers reassurance to expand their presence in a market without risk of imitation products undermining their reputation. It marks the first international product to gain legal protection in Argentina. Daniel Zeichner, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, said: 'Argentina's legal protection of Scotch Whisky marks another triumph for this world-class British export. 'In just six months we've driven a breakthrough trade agreement with India while securing legal protections for dozens of beloved British products across the globe - from the markets of São Paulo to the streets of Tokyo. 'This government won't stop here. We're unlocking doors for UK exporters worldwide, putting British products on more shelves and tables - delivering real economic growth as part of our Plan for Change." Trade Minister Douglas Alexander said: 'Scotch Whisky is the first foreign product to receive special protection in Argentina which is testament to not only the strength of our trade ties with Argentina, but the prestige and reach of Scotland's world-renowned product. 'This is another win for an industry already bolstered by our deal with India which slashes whisky tariffs by half immediately and then down even further in the years to come, demonstrating our action to boost Scotland's businesses and delivering economic growth under the Plan for Change.' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: 'There is no substitute for authentic Scotch Whisky and it's fantastic news that collaborative work between the UK Government and Scotch Whisky Association has convinced the Argentine authorities to give our national drink - and one of our biggest exports - the protection it deserves. 'Opening up new markets and expanding existing ones for our producers is key to growing the economy and the UK Government's Plan for Change. Scotland's food and drink industry and our Brand Scotland campaign will play an important part in that. This is excellent news to all the whisky producers who put Scotland on the global stage with our world-famous spirit. Salud!"
Agriland
12-06-2025
- Health
- Agriland
Defra: Badger TB vaccinations up 24% across England in 2024
In a significant drive to end the UK badger cull, tuberculosis (TB) vaccinations administered to badgers in England increased by almost a quarter to reach a record high in 2024, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Defra said that 4,110 badgers were given the TB vaccine in England last year, an increase of 1,000 vaccinations in comparison to 2023. That is up 24% on vaccinations in 2023. The department added that a new Badger Vaccination Field Force is set to come into force next year in attempts to increase badger vaccination and drive down TB rates. The latest figures published by the department suggest there was a significant reduction in the culling of badgers in 2024 (down 12% compared to 2023), That brings the numbers down to half the amount culled during the peak of the policy. However, the department added that bovine TB (bTB) remains of the most challenging and costly animal diseases across the UK. According to Defra, bTB has led to the compulsory slaughtering of over 278,000 cattle and the culling of 230,000 badgers since 2013, costing taxpayers £100 million yearly. Positive outlook Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Daniel Zeichner said; ''Bovine tuberculosis has devastated British farmers and wildlife for far too long. 'It has placed dreadful hardship and stress on farmers who continue to suffer the loss of valued herds and has taken a terrible toll on our badger populations. 'We promised a comprehensive TB eradication package, which will allow us to end the badger cull by the end of this parliament, and that this what we are delivering – with today's figures showing the clear progress we are making.' UK chief veterinary officer (CVO), Dr. Christine Middlemiss said; 'Bovine tuberculosis is one of the most difficult and prolonged animal disease challenges we face, causing devastation for farming communities. 'The disease is on a very positive downward trajectory following years of hard work.' On going herd breakdown across the UK. Source ibTB The government announced their plans for this TB eradication programme last August in an attempt to end the badger cull across England and Wales. Since then, a substantial badger population survey took place in February, the first in over a decade. More surveying is scheduled later this year. As well as this, the government is field-trialling cattle vaccination against TB in areas of England and Wales where there is a low incidence of bTB, with the next phase set to take place this summer
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Cornwall farmers to get support vaccinating badgers in new scheme
Farmers in Cornwall will soon be able to administer badger vaccinations themselves to stop the spread of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). The UK's National Farmers Union (NFU) and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) will work with farmers across the region as part of government plans to end badger programme will launch later this year and comes as new figures show the number of badgers culled in England in 2024 fell by 12% compared to 2023.A total of 4,110 badgers were also vaccinated against the disease in England last year, an increase of more than 1,000 from 2023. 'Hardship and stress' Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said the figures show "the clear progress we are making" to deliver a bTB eradication package "to end badger culling by the end of this parliament"."Bovine tuberculosis has devastated British farmers and wildlife for far too long," he added."It has placed dreadful hardship and stress on farmers who continue to suffer the loss of valued herds and has taken a terrible toll on our badger populations." Dr Christine Middlemiss, chief veterinary officer, said: "The disease is on a very positive downward trajectory following years of hard work, as vaccinations continues to increase and we remain committed to take a data-led and scientific approach as we transition to fully adopting non-lethal control methods for managing this insidious disease."Last August, a four-year pilot vaccination programme showed the percentage of badgers testing positive for bTB in Cornwall in the study area dropped from 16% to 0%.
Agriland
11-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Farm groups voice concerns over UK agriculture budget
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and several high-profile nature groups have joined forces to warn that cutting the agriculture budget will have 'grave consequences for the environment'. The call comes ahead of UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves' statement at lunchtime today (Wednesday, June 11), which will outline all departmental finances from 2027-2030, including the agriculture budget. On the eve of the spending review, a CLA poll of nearly 500 farmers found that the majority would abandon nature-friendly practices and revert to intensive methods if government funding is cut. The main findings of the poll of 460 members included: 88% say they will have to revert to intensive farming if funding is pulled for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship (CS) schemes; 95% say they will reduce the amount of land managed for the environment; 98% say that Labour does not understand or respect rural communities; 99% don't trust Labour to make decisions that benefit their business; 76% say they are not in a position to fully fund the land management actions in their SFI/CS agreements by themselves. The CLA and groups including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), National Trust, Soil Association, and the Nature Friendly Farming Network have also sent a joint letter to farming minister Daniel Zeichner outlining the impact a reduced budget will have on nature. The letter outlines how the organisations are 'deeply concerned about the rumoured cuts to the agricultural budget in the upcoming spending review'. It warns that any reduction in the budget will be 'catastrophic' to the government's aims. 'Many of the environmental features present in the countryside and enjoyed by the public will be under threat and will disappear. This would be a poor legacy for this government,' the letter states. Agriculture budget CLA president Victoria Vyvyan said that 'if funding for sustainable farming schemes is cut, government won't just abandon nature – it will abandon its word'. 'The Sustainable Farming Incentive is working – for farmers, for nature, for the public, and for the Treasury. 'It's bringing back wildlife, cleaning up rivers, and restoring the health of our soil. 'Take that funding away, and farmers will be pushed back to intensive methods – forced to undo years of progress. Nature will suffer as well as farmers, and on the environment, it will go against everything government claims to agree with,' she added. James Cameron, a farmer based in East Kennett, Wiltshire, explained that since entering these schemes, his farm has become 'a haven for nature'. 'What was once arable land, is now species-rich grassland. Red-listed birds, butterflies and bees have all returned in full force. What we've been able to build is magical. 'But now, all of that could vanish. Our entire financial model depends on this scheme. If funding is cut, it will be disastrous. 'We can't afford to fund all this work ourselves, and the private sector simply isn't there yet. We may have no choice but to re-adopt intensive farming practices just to stay afloat. 'Farming is already an uncertain enough business. We need a government that brings stability, not one that plays policy roulette and makes it impossible to operate at every turn,' he said.
