Latest news with #HouseofLords
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Police guarding Parliament think new security fence is ‘dangerous', says author
House Of Cards author Lord Dobbs said officers had warned the tall metal barrier 'cuts off sightlines' to potential attackers. Peers heard the railings were recently erected as part of moves to improve security along the historic site's western boundary, separating Old Palace Yard from Abingdon Street. Lord Dobbs, a former Conservative Party deputy chairman and chief of staff, also raised the 'saga' over the new front door at a main entrance to the House of Lords, that cost nearly £10 million and does not work. He questioned what lessons could be learned from the expensive debacle for the long-delayed restoration of the Palace of Westminster, which is forecast to cost billions of pounds. Referring to the new security barrier, Lord Dobbs said: 'Why is it that every policeman and custodian that one asks says that the fence which has just been erected is dangerous, as it cuts off sightlines for those who might be wishing harm on this place?' Responding, Lords senior deputy speaker Lord Gardiner of Kimble said both the fencing and door were introduced as security measures, highlighting the 2017 Westminster terror attack, which claimed the lives of unarmed officer Pc Keith Palmer and four others. He told peers: 'The backdrop is a security imperative.' Lord Gardiner added: 'What has happened to our front door is entirely unacceptable. 'This has not been a project that anyone should be proud of, but we need to enhance our security, for reasons that many of us regret but which are necessary in the world in which we live.' On the planned revamp of Parliament, he said it was important to learn lessons from other countries. He told peers: 'That is why we are in dialogue with the Austrians, the Dutch and the Canadians, where they have had experience of renovation of parliaments, and, in our own country, with Buckingham Palace and Manchester Town Hall.' The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Baroness Cash warns Employment Bill could 'bring the country to its knees'
Angela Rayner is on record as saying she wants to repeal all the union laws since the seventies, to take us back to the seventies' On the latest Planet Normal podcast, which you can listen to using the audio player below, columnists Liam Halligan and Allison Pearson discuss Labour's Employment Rights Bill, currently being discussed in the House of Lords. They are joined by Conservative peer Baroness Cash, who has raised concerns it could have severe consequences for small and medium-sized businesses. A key issue is the proposed removal of the threshold for strike ballots. 'You could have two people voting for a strike… we could be bringing businesses and the country to its knees with tiny minorities of people,' she said. Baroness Cash also criticised the lack of exemptions for small firms. '60% of our workforce is employed by micro and small businesses… You could have a handful of people bringing the whole thing to a standstill.' On the issue of day one rights for unfair dismissal, she said: 'At the moment… legally you can't bring a claim for unfair dismissal before two years… the idea that from day one, you walk into a workplace and you have day one rights for unfair dismissal… is just an extraordinary retro thing to do.'
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Police guarding Parliament think new security fence is ‘dangerous', says author
House Of Cards author Lord Dobbs said officers had warned the tall metal barrier 'cuts off sightlines' to potential attackers. Peers heard the railings were recently erected as part of moves to improve security along the historic site's western boundary, separating Old Palace Yard from Abingdon Street. Lord Dobbs, a former Conservative Party deputy chairman and chief of staff, also raised the 'saga' over the new front door at a main entrance to the House of Lords, that cost nearly £10 million and does not work. He questioned what lessons could be learned from the expensive debacle for the long-delayed restoration of the Palace of Westminster, which is forecast to cost billions of pounds. Referring to the new security barrier, Lord Dobbs said: 'Why is it that every policeman and custodian that one asks says that the fence which has just been erected is dangerous, as it cuts off sightlines for those who might be wishing harm on this place?' Responding, Lords senior deputy speaker Lord Gardiner of Kimble said both the fencing and door were introduced as security measures, highlighting the 2017 Westminster terror attack, which claimed the lives of unarmed officer Pc Keith Palmer and four others. He told peers: 'The backdrop is a security imperative.' Lord Gardiner added: 'What has happened to our front door is entirely unacceptable. 'This has not been a project that anyone should be proud of, but we need to enhance our security, for reasons that many of us regret but which are necessary in the world in which we live.' On the planned revamp of Parliament, he said it was important to learn lessons from other countries. He told peers: 'That is why we are in dialogue with the Austrians, the Dutch and the Canadians, where they have had experience of renovation of parliaments, and, in our own country, with Buckingham Palace and Manchester Town Hall.' The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment.
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
UK's best butcher is N S James in Raglan, Monmouthshire
N S James Butchers in Raglan, Monmouthshire, won the title at the 2025 Countryside Alliance Awards after first being crowned Best Butcher in Wales. The UK finals took place at the House of Lords, following their success in the Welsh round of the competition. Monmouth MS Peter Fox praised the business for its achievement. Mr Fox said: "As a Member of the Senedd, we often deal with bad news and difficult issues, so it is always nice to be presented with a good news story such as this, and also the opportunity to celebrate our butcher industry and local businesses. "N S James has been ever present in my constituency and is a staple of Raglan. "I often visit when I am in the area, and would recommend everyone to pop in if they are in the area. "Whilst of course not showing favouritism to any one business, I would encourage everyone to shop locally when they can." He also highlighted the value of the Countryside Alliance Awards in promoting rural businesses. Mr Fox said: "The Countryside Alliance awards are an excellent way to not just recognise, but to support and promote our rural communities. "They celebrate people who do that extra thing to support our industries, and it's exciting to see so many businesses taking part and receiving plaudits." He said it was no surprise to see N S James take the UK title after their regional win.
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Police guarding Parliament think new security fence is ‘dangerous', says author
House Of Cards author Lord Dobbs said officers had warned the tall metal barrier 'cuts off sightlines' to potential attackers. Peers heard the railings were recently erected as part of moves to improve security along the historic site's western boundary, separating Old Palace Yard from Abingdon Street. Lord Dobbs, a former Conservative Party deputy chairman and chief of staff, also raised the 'saga' over the new front door at a main entrance to the House of Lords, that cost nearly £10 million and does not work. He questioned what lessons could be learned from the expensive debacle for the long-delayed restoration of the Palace of Westminster, which is forecast to cost billions of pounds. Referring to the new security barrier, Lord Dobbs said: 'Why is it that every policeman and custodian that one asks says that the fence which has just been erected is dangerous, as it cuts off sightlines for those who might be wishing harm on this place?' Responding, Lords senior deputy speaker Lord Gardiner of Kimble said both the fencing and door were introduced as security measures, highlighting the 2017 Westminster terror attack, which claimed the lives of unarmed officer Pc Keith Palmer and four others. He told peers: 'The backdrop is a security imperative.' Lord Gardiner added: 'What has happened to our front door is entirely unacceptable. 'This has not been a project that anyone should be proud of, but we need to enhance our security, for reasons that many of us regret but which are necessary in the world in which we live.' On the planned revamp of Parliament, he said it was important to learn lessons from other countries. He told peers: 'That is why we are in dialogue with the Austrians, the Dutch and the Canadians, where they have had experience of renovation of parliaments, and, in our own country, with Buckingham Palace and Manchester Town Hall.' The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment.
