Politics

Halfway to Paradise

Published

7 years ago

November 10, 2017

Jonathan Edwards: Question ignored

PARLIAMENT had its first opportunity to discuss the unsurprising revelation that the seriously wealth retain their serious wealth by means of aggressive tax avoidance schemes on Monday (Nov 6).

With the Chancellor of the Exchequer engaged elsewhere, questions were fielded by Financial Secretary to the Treasury and MP for Mid Devon, Mel Stride.

It appeared that Mr Stride was unprepared to admit that anything was at all untoward with tax avoidance schemes that only the rich and shameless can afford.

Adopting a startling line – prefigured by briefings to the right wing national media – Mr Stride averred that there was no ethical difference between a retail investment available to all UK residents, namely the ISA, and Apple sending out a questionnaire to British Crown Dependences asking them whether or not they would be so kind as to allow Apple to use a brass plate in one of them to ensure it did not have to pay that pesky tax on hundreds of billions in profits.

Never mind brass plate: Mr Stride’s stance had the appearance of brass neck.

In fact, he made great play of the fact that Labour – last in government seven years ago – had done nothing to close the tax loopholes the party now complained of during thirteen years in power. And he was helped in repeatedly avoiding – or perhaps evading – the main issue by being given the opportunity to underline that point by a number of tame questions posed by Conservative backbench stooges.

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, presented with the opportunity to make a decent and succinct point on the subject attempted to ask questions of Mel Stride, specifically with regard to investments made by the Duchy of Lancaster – whose current chancellor is Conservative MP Patrick Loughlin – on the Queen’s behalf in offshore tax vehicles.

He may as well have tried nailing jelly to the wall.

David Lammy invited the minister to explain the legitimate reasons for funnelling money offshore to avoid tax, when two-thirds of UK taxpayers are subject to PAYE and have no choice in the matter.

Mr Stride’s response was as remarkable for ducking the question as it was for its content.

“It may be that I want a trust for my children and I do not want it to be known publicly exactly how that trust will operate, for reasons of confidentiality,” Mr Stride suggested, indicating that all was preventing the average worker from availing themselves of the opportunity was a lack of ingenuity and the odd £10m knocking around to make such a vehicle worthwhile.

Jonathan Edwards’ question and its answer deserve full repetition to underline the extent to which the Financial Secretary to the Treasury was prepared to be candid.

Jonathan Edwards asked: “After nearly a decade of austerity, and with living standards facing their biggest squeeze in nearly a century, the public will, quite rightly, be outraged by the most recent revelations. The Treasury cannot run with both the foxes and the hounds on this, so will it back either the ordinary working people or the super-rich? Which will it be?”

So, the question is whether the government back the wealthy over the poor and acknowledge the outrage of those with no choice but to hand over their money to the Treasury.

Mr Stride’s response suggests he heard an entirely different question.

“The hon. Member talks about our having to live within our means, and it is, of course, right that we do that. He talks about the amount of money we need to bring in. What has been most unhelpful is that the previous Labour Government were so ineffective at bringing in tax, the tax gap became so high they cost our country over £40b. If they had had the same average level of tax gap in their last seven years in office as we have had in our seven years, we would be about £45 billion better off.”

An answer to the question actually posed was absent.

It was that sort of performance. Brazen, shameless, partisan, and deliberately obstructive.

Mr Stride will go far on that sort of form.

Business

New development planned next to Clynderwen rail station

Published

20 hours ago

September 14, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to site public use storage containers close to a Pembrokeshire village’s railway station have been submitted to county planners.

The application by S Fussell, through agent Gethin Beynon, seeks permission to site the 25 containers on an existing storage yard by Clunderwen railway station.

A supporting statement accompanying the application says: “The application seeks permission to site 25 containers to serve as a storage facility for a public use. The application site is located immediately to the north of the Clunderwen railway line and forms an existing storage and laydown yard.”

It adds: “The containers would all be accessed and open from the north elevation. The container frontage would be fenced off via post and rail fencing for security purposes with parking for 9 vehicles being provided. A turning head to the northwest of the site would be provided to provide accessibility to and from the storage compound. In terms of material finishes the containers would be of a conventional rectangular form and be constructed from steel.”

It says the proposal would “have a positive economic and social impact through employment construction via the development,” with minimal environmental impacts, based on the containers being sited in an existing storage and distribution yard, adding: “In terms of the proposal’s scale design and character, the modular form of the containers being adjacent to the railway line are in keeping with the immediate semi-industrial character of the area.”

The application will be considered by planners at a later date.

News

Politicians call for long-term solutions for Withyhedge Landfill Site

Published

2 days ago

September 13, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IN response to the latest Public Health Risk Assessment on the Withyhedge landfill site, local representatives Henry Tufnell MP and Eluned Morgan MS have issued a joint statement addressing both the improvements and ongoing concerns related to air quality in the region.

Henry Tufnell MP acknowledged the recent positive developments in air quality data, but expressed frustration over the situation. “It is crucial to remember that this situation should never have arisen in the first place,” said Tufnell. “The impact on our community has been profound, and people have endured far too much suffering. While emissions may be within regulatory limits, this does not mean that residents are unable to detect the odour.” He emphasised the need for stronger regulations around landfill management, pledging to work closely with the Welsh Government to ensure such disruptions are prevented in the future.

***Withyhedge landfill Site has been the subject of several protests due to smells***

Eluned Morgan MS echoed this sentiment, welcoming the reduction in odour levels but stressing the importance of maintaining these improvements. “It is welcome news that the smell coming from the Withyhedge landfill site has reduced considerably, offering much-needed relief to the local community,” Morgan said. However, she also cautioned that “it is crucial that these improvements are not temporary,” adding that continued monitoring and proactive action are essential to avoid a recurrence of the problem.

***First Minister: ‘It is crucial that these improvements are not temporary’***

The public health risk assessment, conducted by Public Health Wales, confirmed that hydrogen sulphide levels from the landfill had periodically exceeded the World Health Organization’s odour annoyance guidelines, though the long-term health risks are considered low. Residents had reported significant discomfort, including headaches, nausea, and dizziness, linked to the odour. Both Tufnell and Morgan stressed the need for long-term solutions to safeguard the health and well-being of their constituents.

As the situation evolves, further updates and assessments are expected to ensure the landfill site remains compliant with health and environmental regulations.

News

Wales’ Future Generations Act inspires new legislation proposal in India

Published

2 days ago

September 13, 2024

Tom Sinclair

WALES’ pioneering sustainability law has inspired newly proposed legislation in an Indian state of around 114m people.

A new private members’ bill – called the Maharashtra Future Generations Welfare Bill – has been introduced to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

Based on Wales’ Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, the new bill proposes a Commissionerate of Future Generations to ensure government departments follow sustainable goals. In terms of population, the Maharashtra state is almost 40 times bigger than Wales.

In January, delegates from India visited Wales on a fact-finding mission, following on from a previous visit in 2023 with the Maharashtra Legislator’s Learning Exchange Programme on Good Governance and Public Policy at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

Delegates spoke to Derek Walker, the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip Jane Hutt MS about the Act and how it works in Wales.

Then in March, as part of the launch of Wales in India, a 12-month series of events celebrating the links between the two countries, delegates from Wales visited Mumbai and, among other talks, held discussions around the future generations legislation.

Led by the First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan MS, during her time as Minister for Health and Social Services, and Derek Walker, Welsh delegates engaged with Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from Maharashtra.

These talks focused on the Well-being of Future Generations Act with the possibility of the Maharashtra state adopting a similar legislative framework.

First Minister, Eluned Morgan, said:“In February, we were delighted to welcome the government of the Maharashtra state in India, which is home to some 114m people – to share our experience in becoming the first country in the world to pass into law a Well-being of Future Generations Act. The Act puts an end to short-term decision making, ensuring Ministers and public bodies consider the long-term impacts of our choices.

“I welcome the news that Maharashtra is just a step away from implementing its own version of the Act. We look forward to collaborating with our friends in the state to share learnings and help leave a positive legacy for our children, grandchildren and generations to come.”

After hearing the news that the private members’ bill had been introduced in Maharashtra, Derek Walker said: “It’s great news that Maharashtra is taking forward its plans for a Well-being of Future Generations Act.

“The world needs both Wales and Maharashtra to act for the sake of the people not yet born who will inherit the consequences of our actions today – Wales as a small nation is showing the large part it is playing in that global mission.

“I’m proud that Wales continues to be an example in future generations thinking. Both countries will have much to share and learn from as we work together to implement the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and support current and future leaders to act now for a better tomorrow.”

Ameet Satam, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Andheri (West) who introduced the bill, said: “The aim is to make the government’s decision-making and functioning aligned with the United Nations Development Programme’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This will ensure that irrespective of the government led by any party, each department will have to follow a path that leads towards the already set goals and parameters and in line with sustainable development.”

Back in 2015, Wales became the first country in the world to legislate for the interests of future generations – inspiring the UN’s vision for a Special Envoy for Future Generations and other countries, from Canada and Ireland, to Scotland and Gibraltar.

The Act made it a requirement for public bodies in Wales to make decisions that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Wales in India was launched on St David’s Day (1 March) by the Welsh Government in a bid to strengthen ties and opportunities between the two countries. For more information on Wales In India, visit https://www.wales.com/news/india/wales-india-2024