Tag: UK Government

18,000 flu-related deaths in past two winters as jab uptake falls

UKHSA with DHSC and NHS to launch Get Winter Strong campaign to remind those at risk to get their vaccinations to fight off the onslaught of winter viruses

Latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows that over the past 2 winters (October to May, 2022 to 2023 and 2023 to 2024) at least 18,000 deaths were associated with flu, despite last winter being a relatively mild flu season.

While pandemic restrictions and social behaviours saw flu levels fall dramatically for a few years, these latest mortality figures are a stark reminder that flu is a deadly virus, particularly for older people and other groups at greatest risk.

Of real concern is the drop in the flu vaccine uptake rates last winter across all eligibility groups in England compared with the previous year (1).

While uptake in older people last year remained high, only 4 in 10 (41%) people with long-term health conditions, just over 4 in 10 (44%) 2- and 3-year-olds, and just 1 in 3 pregnant women received the flu vaccine.

Evidence shows the significant impact from last year’s flu vaccine with a 30% reduction in the number of those aged 65 and over being hospitalised and a 74% reduction in those between 2 and 17 years of age.

In the same two-year winter period the estimated number of deaths associated with COVID-19 was just over 19,500.

To help reduce the impact of winter viruses on those most at risk, as well as ease NHS winter pressures, UKHSA – with Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England – is set to launch a scaled-up Get Winter Strong campaign on the 7 October.

The campaign will urge those eligible to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccination when invited, ahead of winter, targeting those at greatest risk and for the first time will encourage pregnant women to also get their respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and whooping cough vaccination.

Last year saw a sudden increase in the number of people having to be hospitalised, due to a flu peak in the week leading up to Christmas and then again at the end of January.

Pregnant women and older people aged 75 to 79 are also eligible for a RSV vaccination for the first time this year, with the maternal vaccine providing strong protection for newborns in their first few months, when they are most at risk of severe illness from RSV.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, UKHSA Deputy Director of Immunisation: “As winter approaches we see many dangerous viruses circulating in our communities including flu, which tragically can kill thousands of people every year. Getting vaccinated ahead of winter is by far your best defence.

“If you’re pregnant or have certain long-term health conditions, you are at greater risk of getting seriously ill. Older people and young infants with flu are also much more likely to get hospitalised.

“So if you or your child are offered the flu, COVID-19 or RSV vaccines, don’t delay in getting them. Please speak to your nurse or doctor if you have any concerns.”

Maryam Sheiakh, a mother from Manchester, recounts the fear and anxiety she went through 2 years ago, when her then 4-year-old daughter, Saffy, spent more than a week at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital after being admitted with flu, suffering with a severe cough and high temperature.

She was transferred to a High Dependency Unit as she was struggling to breathe and needed oxygen.

Maryam said: “I was seriously concerned we might lose Saffy. I honestly thought she might die from this. I was so distraught watching her struggling to breathe day after day, worried about her breathing difficulties and getting oxygen to the brain – would she be the same little girl before she got ill?

Thanks to the NHS staff, Saffy made a full recovery and, now aged 6, is thriving. Maryam, a nursery teacher, is now urging all parents to vaccinate their children to ensure they have the best protection against flu: “Just go and get it, don’t take the risk. No parent wants to watch their child suffer like we did with Saffy.

As of last week, millions of eligible people in England can now book their flu and COVID-19 vaccines through the NHS, with appointments starting from 3 October. For their RSV jab, pregnant women and older adults should speak to their maternity service or GP practice to arrange it, as the NHS rolls out additional protection for those most at risk ahead of winter.

Steve Russell, NHS National Director for Vaccinations and Screening: “Today’s data showing there were almost 20,000 deaths associated to flu over the past 2 winters is a shocking reminder that this is a seriously dangerous virus, and I urge those who are eligible to book their vaccine appointment as soon as they can as it is our best way of protecting those who are vulnerable as winter approaches.

“Thanks to the hard work of our NHS staff, life-saving flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines are being rolled out across the country in places that are as convenient as possible for people who need them. Flu and COVID-19 jab appointments are now available to book via the NHS website, the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free – making it as easy as possible for people to get vaccinated.”

Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Andrew Gwynne said: “I encourage everyone who is eligible to get their flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations as soon as possible. They are without doubt the best way to protect yourself from these viruses that can cause serious harm.

Every year the World Health Organization recommends which strains should be included in the flu vaccine, with the UKHSA contributing to this work. Vaccines are then developed to help fight off the types of flu viruses expected to be circulating in the coming season. As the viruses can change every year, and protection from the vaccine reduces over time, it is important those eligible get a vaccine every year.

The Get Winter Strong campaign will run for 10 weeks and will appear on broadcast TV, on demand and community TV, as well as radio channels, outdoor poster sites across England and on social media channels.

AND IN SCOTLAND …

💉 Vaccination will be offered to those at high risk of serious illness from flu and COVID-19. If you’re eligible, you’ll be contacted with information about your appointment.

For more information about the vaccine and eligibility, visit:

https://www.nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines

#WinterVaccinesScot

Ian Murray comments on Scotland’s latest GDP figures

Scotland’s onshore GDP grew by 0.3% in July 2024 according to statistics announced by the Chief Statistician yesterday. This follows no growth in June 2024 (revised up from -0.3%).

In the three months to July, GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.3% compared to the previous three month period. This indicates a slight decrease in growth relative to the increase of 0.6% in 2024 Quarter 2 (April to June).

The two industries which made the biggest contribution to overall GDP growth in July were Manufacturing and Information and Communications Services, both of which contributed 0.1 percentage points of growth to headline GDP.

The monthly statistical publication and data is available from the Scottish Government’s website.

Chancellor urged to deliver Budget of ‘investment and opportunity’

The UK Autumn Budget should focus on “investment and opportunity”, with more funding for public services, infrastructure and measures to eradicate child poverty, says Scotland’s Finance Secretary Shona Robison.

The Finance Secretary pledged to work with the UK Government and devolved administrations to ensure the Autumn Budget on October 30 “works for all four nations and delivers the change that people need”.

She called for the Chancellor to:

  • change the rules around borrowing to allow for greater investment in public infrastructure and services
  • reverse the forecast cut to capital funding, enabling the Scottish Government to invest more in hospitals, schools and transport
  • abolish the two child limit
  • deliver an Essentials Guarantee providing basic necessities for those who need them most
  • take greater steps towards delivering net zero, including by reforming motoring taxation
  • ensure any changes to tax take account of Scotland’s distinct and devolved tax system
https://twitter.com/i/status/1838594647918084161

Ms Robison said: “When I met with the Chancellor last month, we were in full agreement that we must put people first in all that we do. This principle must be at the heart of the decisions at the Autumn Budget.

“I want to work with the Chancellor, and the governments in Wales and Northern Ireland, to ensure that we have a Budget that works for all four nations and delivers the change that people need.

“It does not need to be another Budget of challenge and constraint. Instead it can be a Budget about investment and opportunity.

“We’re calling for measures to tackle child poverty and grow our economy. We’d like to see new rules around borrowing that support investment in public services. We want the UK Government to work hand in hand with the devolved administrations to provide the funding to deliver on our priorities.

“These are the choices I encourage the Chancellor to make.”

UK Autumn Budget: Letter to UK Government – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

HMRC: 671,000 young people urged to cash in their government savings pot

  • Young people urged to claim their Child Trust Fund
  • £2,200 on average waiting in unclaimed accounts

More than 670,000 18-22 year olds yet to claim their Child Trust Fund are reminded to cash in their stash as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reveals the average savings pot is worth £2,212.

Child Trust Funds are long term, tax-free savings accounts which were set up, with the government depositing £250, for every child born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. Young people can take control of their Child Trust Fund at 16 and withdraw funds when they turn 18 and the account matures.

The savings are not held by government but are held in banks, building societies or other saving providers. The money stays in the account until it’s withdrawn or re-invested.

If teenagers or their parents and guardians already know who their Child Trust Fund provider is, they can contact them directly. If they do not know where their account is, they can use the online tool on GOV.UK to find out their Child Trust Fund provider. Young people will need their National Insurance number – which can be found easily using the HMRC App –  and their date of birth to access the information.

Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Second Permanent Secretary and Deputy Chief Executive, said: “Thousands of Child Trust Fund accounts are sitting unclaimed – we want to reunite young people with their money and we’re making the process as simple as possible. 

“You don’t need to pay anyone to find your Child Trust Fund for you, locate yours today by searching ‘find your Child Trust Fund’ on GOV.UK.”

Third-party agents are advertising their services offering to search for Child Trust Funds and agents will always charge – with one charging up to £350 or 25% of the value of the savings account.

Using an agent can significantly reduce the amount received; is likely to take longer and customers still need to supply them with the same information they need to do the search themselves.

Gavin Oldham from The Share Foundation said: “If you are 18-21 years old, the government would have put money aside for you shortly after birth.

“This investment would have grown quite a bit and it’s in your name. The Share Foundation has linked over 65,000 young people to their Child Trust Fund accounts. It’s easy and free to find out where your money is.

“Go to findCTF.sharefound.org or GOV.UK to locate it today”.

In the last year more than 450,000 customers, with just their National Insurance number and date of birth, used the free GOV.UK tool to locate their Child Trust Fund.

More information on Child Trust Funds and how to access your savings can be found on GOV.UK.  

Chancellor unveils package to deliver new government’s agenda

  • 750 schools with primary aged pupils funded for breakfast club pilot to run from April 2025
  • New Industrial Strategy to be published in spring
  • Decision to write off over £640 million in written off Covid PPE contracts reversed
  • HMRC to consult on e-invoicing for businesses and government departments

The Chancellor yesterday unveiled a package of measures to deliver on the agenda of the new government including a breakfast club pilot for 750 schools with primary aged pupils, new powers for the Covid Corruption Commissioner, e-invoicing to support business and the next steps on the Labour government’s industrial strategy.

School Breakfast Club Pilot

The Chancellor announced that up to 750 schools with primary aged pupils will be invited to take part in a £7 million breakfast club pilot. The funding will allow these schools to run free breakfast clubs for their pupils in the summer term (April-July 2025).

The Department for Education will work with the schools selected as part of the pilot to understand how breakfast clubs can be delivered to meet the needs of schools, parents and pupils when the programme is rolled out nationally.

This will help reduce the number of students at schools with primary aged pupils starting the school day hungry and ensure children come to school ready to learn. It will also support the government’s aim to tackle child poverty by addressing rising food insecurity among children.

Covid Corruption Commissioner

Reeves also announced a block on any Covid-era PPE contract being abandoned or waived until it has been assessed by the new Covid Corruption Commissioner, whom will be appointed in October. 

The decision will affect £647 million of Covid PPE contracts where contract recovery was previously earmarked to be waived. 

It follows action already in motion to cut government waste and curb unnecessary spending. In her statement to Parliament in July, the Chancellor pledged to halve government consultancy spend from 2025-26, with savings targets of £550 million this financial year and a further £680 million in the next already announced.

Excessive use of ministerial travel by aeroplane and helicopter is also being cutdown, with confirmation that a military contract for a helicopter also used for VIP trips, is not being renewed at the end of the year as previously announced.

Industrial Strategy

The Chancellor also today announced that the Industrial Strategy will be at the heart of the government’s mission to grow the economy, unlock investment and make every part of the country better off. It will focus on delivering long-term change to the economy by making Britain a clean energy superpower and accelerating to net zero, breaking down barriers to regional growth, and building a secure and resilient economy.

A green paper will be published around Budget in October outlining the long-term sectoral growth and priority industries of the government, ahead of the final strategy published in the spring of 2025 following a consultation with business.

HMRC package

Chancellor Reeves also outlined a package of reforms to improve the UK’s tax system to help fix the foundations of the UK economy.

As part of the package, HMRC will soon launch a consultation on electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) to promote its wider use across UK businesses and government departments.

The introduction of e-invoicing can significantly reduce administrative tasks, improve cash flow, boost productivity, introduce automation, and reduce errors in tax returns – all helping to close the tax gap. The consultation will gather input from businesses on how HMRC can support investment in and encourage e-invoicing uptake.

The Chancellor also announced that Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray, the minister responsible for the UK’s tax system, has become the Chair of the HMRC Board. This is to help oversee the implementation of his three strategic priorities for HMRC; closing the tax gap, modernising and reforming, and improving customer service.

It was also announced that a new Digital Transformation Roadmap, aimed to be published in Spring 2025, will set out HMRC’s vision to be a digital first organisation underpinned by customer insight. The Roadmap will include measures to ensure digital inclusion and support for customers who cannot yet interact digitally.

There was a further update that new staff are expected to join HMRC’s training programme in November as 200 additional offer letters have been issued as part of the 450 letters already sent. This is part of HMRC’s plans to recruit an additional 5,000 compliance staff to help close the tax gap.

Crack down on late payments in major support package for small businesses

New package of measures aimed at tackling scourge of late payments

  • New Fair Payment Code and fresh rules on company reporting and major consultation unveiled as part of package to tackle late payments
  • Scourge of late payments costs SMEs £22,000 a year with 56 million hours of lost productivity across the economy – acting as a major brake on growth
  • Comes as Business Secretary set to visit food and drink businesses in Manchester struggling with late payments

The government has unveiled new measures today to support small businesses and the self-employed by tackling the scourge of late payments, which according to the Smart Data Foundry is costing small businesses £22,000 a year on average and leads to 50,000 business closures a year according to Intuit QuickBooks,

The government will consult on tough new laws which will hold larger firms to account and get cash flowing back into businesses – helping deliver our mission to grow the economy.

In addition, new legislation being brought in the coming weeks will require all large businesses to include payment reporting in their annual reports – putting the onus on them to provide clarity in their annual reports about how they treat small firms. This will mean company boards and international investors will be able to see how firms are operating.

Enforcement will also be stepped up on the existing late payment performance reporting regulations which require large companies to report their payment performance twice yearly on GOV.UK.

Under current laws, responsible directors at non-compliant companies who don’t report their payment practices could face criminal prosecutions including potentially unlimited fines and criminal records.  

The consultation which will be launched in the coming months, will also consider a range of further policy measures that could help address poor payment practices.

Every quarter, 52% of SMEs in the UK suffer from late payments according to FSB, meaning roughly 2.8 million small firms face this issue, with the Federation of Small Businesses describing it as one of the biggest problems facing SMEs.

Late payments are just one element of the problem, with some SMEs forced to wait months for contracts to be fulfilled and some are even forced to take out loans against their own homes to manage cash flow.

Cracking down on late payments will unlock growth for 5.5 million small firms by enabling them to invest their time hiring more employees, boosting wages, and exporting around the world, rather than chasing down late payments.

The Business Secretary will hold a joint call with the Federation of Small Businesses later today to outline to SME leaders the work the Department will undertake to put in place tough new laws to end bad payment culture.

New proposals, subject to consultation, will be bought forward on audit and audit committees, in order to help rebuild small businesses’ trust that they will be paid on time and to deliver on Labour’s manifesto commitment to tackle late payments.  

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “We’re determined to back small businesses by unlocking their barriers to growth, and stamping out late payments is at the heart of this.

“We know how important it is for business owners to have the peace of mind and certainty around their cashflow to keep their businesses alive. Late payments cost businesses tens of thousands of pounds and is one of the biggest reasons businesses collapse.

“After years of delay, we’re bringing forward measures that small businesses have long been calling for to tackle late payments once and for all.”

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “Late payments are simply unacceptable and this government is determined to level the playing field for small business. When the cashflow runs dry, small firms go under which is why we need to hold larger business to account with their payment practices and foster an environment that supports growth and jobs. 

“Slashing trade barriers, reforming business rates, getting more SMEs exporting – this government is committed to small firms. We know there’s a lot more to be done, but today we are calling time on late payers once and for all.”

A new Fair Payment Code has also been announced today replacing the old Prompt Payment Code, and will be open to signatories this autumn. Businesses will need to prove they have met good payment standards before being awarded official code status.

This will be designed to push businesses to pay faster more often, to be awarded either gold, silver or bronze status. The Code will also shine a light on those responsible businesses doing the right thing by their suppliers and small firms. 

It comes as part of our wider work to support SMEs to help go for growth with reform to business rates, getting more small firms exporting and our new industrial strategy. The Secretary of State and Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas will discuss the new measures with small businesses later today.

Small Business Minister Gareth Thomas said: “Small businesses deserve to be paid on time, it’s as simple as that. I’m optimistic that today’s first big step will help pave the way for real change that supports SMEs to thrive and help to grow our economy.“

New research published by the Department for Business and Trade has found payment problems multiply the further down the supply chain you go. 

With delays to payments increasing with each business along a supply chain, this results in smaller businesses generally experiencing more issues with late invoices than larger firms.

 These new findings underpin the need to move quickly to crack down on late payments. The research also found that there was a clear imbalance between big and small firms, and that administrative errors are a major factor in creating slow payments with 24% of firms saying that invoices being incorrectly handled added to delays.

The government will work closely with small and large businesses as well as groups such as FSB and Enterprise Nation to discuss what further measures can be considered to crack down on late payments while ensuring we strike the right balance and avoid excessive burdens on businesses.

Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “This is what real change looks like. Listening to small firms and prioritising action to tear down each and every barrier to growth.

“The Business Secretary has clearly recognised the importance of eradicating bad payment culture, which so devastates the UK supplier base and holds back growth. This series of actions today – including the crucial steps being taken to deliver on Jonathan Reynolds’ commitment on audit committees – shows the Government is rightly focused on delivery and working in partnership with the business community.

“There will be so many decisions the Government needs to get right, early – an actively pro-small business budget, a good industrial strategy and tackling late payment. Announcing this programme of work today is a huge confidence boost for the small business community and a clear signal the new Government intends to stand up for small firms.”

The Small Business Commissioner, Liz Barclay, said: “I am delighted to announce a new Fair Payment Code will be launched this autumn. The new code will reward businesses that treat their suppliers fairly and pay them quickly. It will also include an ambitious new Gold Award which aims to make 30-day payments the new standard for which businesses can aim.

“We need sustainable, resilient businesses at all levels of the supply chains, to achieve the growth the economy needs. That means paying everyone from the largest supplier to the sole trader quicker, so they have the confidence to invest, improve productivity and grow. Fair payment terms and on time payments are the key.”

Steve Hare, CEO of Sage, said:  “Late payments continue to challenge small and medium-sized businesses, affecting cash flow and growth. The UK Government’s new measures are all positive and show a strong commitment to addressing this issue.

“We must also focus on technological solutions. E-invoicing, for instance, already used in other countries, reduces late payments by 20% and processing times by 44%, saving small companies an average of £11,300 annually.”

Oliver Lloyd-Taylor, Founder of Black Milk, which has a Manchester-based café and sells award-winning pistachio & hazelnut spreads, said: “As a company we have experienced firsthand the sequential impact of late payments to our daily cash flow – which has, at times, lead us to be late with payments ourselves.

“We welcome the steps that the Government is making today to help protect small businesses, especially safeguarding them from larger businesses being able to utilise smaller businesses as an overdraft facility.” 

Kenny Goodman, co-founder of drinks company Hip Pop said: “Late payments can significantly impact small businesses like ours, especially when it comes to maintaining strong relationships with our suppliers.

“When we’re paid on time, we can ensure we do the same for those we work with, which is vital to keeping everything running smoothly.”

Terry Corby, Founder & CEO of campaign group Good Business Pays said: “On the same day that Good Business Pays published our Autumn 2024 Watchlist of Late & Slow Paying companies, it’s encouraging to see these new late payment measures being announced.   

“Only reputational pressure from organisations like Good Business Pays, supported with appropriate legislation and enforcement from government, will force a change in late payment behaviour. These new measures announced today will go some way to help drive that culture change.”

31 arrested in crackdown on people- smuggling gangs

A Home Office crackdown against people-smuggling gangs and people exploiting the Common Travel Area (CTA) has led to the arrest of 31 people in multiple locations across the UK.  

As the UK government steps up its pursuit against the criminal groups abusing our borders on all fronts, Immigration Enforcement teams, alongside UK police forces and international partners, descended on locations in the UK including Belfast, Scotland, Liverpool and Luton as part of a three-day operation.   

Checks were conducted at major ports, airports, and road networks across the country, targeting illegal migration and disrupting smuggling routes. Ruthless criminal gangs, operating both in the UK and internationally, often exploit vulnerable migrants, charging them thousands of pounds to enter the UK illegally, luring them with false promises of a better life.  

During the operation, £400,000 of criminal cash and 10 fraudulent identity documents were seized. These documents, which are critical tools used by people-smuggling gangs, enable them to evade immigration controls.

Created by criminal networks, counterfeit documents allow migrants to bypass border checks, trapping vulnerable people in further illegal activities. By exploiting these people, the gangs not only profit but also place them at risk of severe legal and personal consequences.  

The multi-agency operation was led by Immigration Enforcement’s Criminal and Financial Investigations team in Northern Ireland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the National Crime Agency (NCA), other UK police forces, and international partners.  

This operation is part of a national effort to stop irregular migration and human trafficking at key entry points across the UK, as the government works to tackle people-smuggling gangs and bring those exploiting vulnerable people to justice.

  

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: “This government will not stand by as criminal gangs exploit vulnerable people, risking their lives and giving them false hopes of a better life in the UK.

“Driven by greed, these gangs have no regard for human life or safety, charging outrageous fees, preying on those desperate to escape hardship, and forcing them into illegal and dangerous situations.  

“We are taking the fight to them on all fronts under the leadership of our new Border Security Commander. Dismantling the business models of these gangs does not just apply to the small boats trade – we are also stamping out other routes into the UK to bring them to justice and slash their profits.” 

Home Office Immigration Enforcement Inspector, Jonathan Evans, said: “This operation has been a huge success and sends a clear message that the smuggling gangs who break our laws will face serious consequences.  

“We are taking action day in, day out to ensure we stay a step ahead of these criminal groups, disrupting them at the earliest possible stage. We will continue working relentlessly to ensure no one abuses the Common Travel Area or the UK’s borders. 

“I’m incredibly proud of our teams across the country, as well as our partners from the police, the National Crime Agency, and international counterparts, for their hard work and collaboration in carrying out this important operation.”

Musical protest demands UK Government ‘Pay Our Climate Debt’

A coalition of climate justice campaigners staged a musical demonstration and banner protest at the UK Government’s offices in Edinburgh yesterday to call on the Government and corporations to end fossil fuels and pay their fair share of the climate finance owed to countries most impacted by climate change.

The activists rewrote the lyrics to classic songs such as Abba’s ‘Money, Money, Money’ and the Proclaimers’ ‘500 miles’ to get their message across.

Abba chorus:
“Money money money // Nothing’s funny // In an unequal world.  
Money, money, money // It’s way too sunny // In a colonial world.”

Proclaimers’ chorus:
“But we would walk five hundred miles // And we would walk five hundred days // Just to be the ones who see 5 trillion smiles // Because WHO OWES MUST PAY.”

Campaigners from groups including Friends of the Earth Scotland, Extinction Rebellion Scotland, Global Justice Now Scotland, Divest Lothian, Stop EACOP Edinburgh and Edinburgh Quakers highlighted the role that UK fossil fuel companies, and the UK in general, have played in fuelling the climate crisis. 

The groups demand the UK Government end our reliance on fossil fuels in a way that is ‘fast, fair and forever’ and to stop climate-wrecking projects like the controversial Rosebank oil field off the coast of Shetland. 

Joy Reyes from Friends of the Earth Philippines spoke at the rally saying: “The people of the global south are not asking for pity or mercy, we are demanding our right to a future lived with dignity.

“We are demanding that the Global North and the fossil fuel companies, who profit while our people suffer, pay up. For every life lost, for every farm ruined, for every home destroyed and for every future ripped away from us, pay up!

“It is time for the perpetrators of this crisis to pay for what they have done.”

Sally Clark, Divestment Campaigner with Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “With catastrophic wildfires in Portugal and terrible flooding in Nigeria this week alone, it has never been more urgent for our governments to stop funding oil and gas companies like BP, Shell and TotalEnergies that are fuelling climate breakdown and harm to communities around the world. 

“As one of the first countries to profit from fossil fuels, the UK has a greater responsibility to pay our climate debt to countries which have done the least to cause the climate crisis but which are already suffering the most. 

“By ending our funding of climate-wrecking fossil fuels and instead investing in genuine climate solutions like social housing and wind and solar power, the Government can protect communities, create new green jobs and ensure a liveable planet for everyone.”

Campaigners are calling on governments in the Global North to urgently implement a fast, fair and funded phase out of fossil fuels and to commit to paying a minimum of US$5 trillion per year in public finance to countries in the Global South for the damage that has already been caused by the fossil fuel-driven climate crisis.  

In April, new research revealed that just 57 companies, including BP, Shell, ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies, are directly linked to 80% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions since 2016.  

Among the campaigners’ demands is a call on the UK Government to support the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and to stop funding companies responsible for new fossil fuel projects such as the Rosebank oil field and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) in Uganda and Tanzania which is predicted to produce 379m tonnes of climate-heating pollution if it is completed. 

Cathy Allen from Stop EACOP Edinburgh said: “For as long as any of us can remember, the UK government has promoted the myth that they kindly donate generous aid to poor countries.

“This narrative could not be further from the truth.  The reality is that the UK government along with the rest of the Global North is defaulting on what it owes the Global South – collectively at least $5 trillion per year as compensation for the immense consequences of climate change. 

“Payment for our part in this catastrophe would inevitably involve significant taxation of the fossil fuel industry and would thus also act as a deterrent to that sector’s unfettered rampage on the planet, resulting in a rare win-win situation.”

The rally was one of many actions taking place across the UK and around the world for the ‘Pay Up for Climate Finance’ Day of Action which marks the culmination of the Global Week of Action for Climate Finance and a Fossil-Free Future. 

Tyrone Scott from War on Want said: “We’re taking action here in the UK and across the world because wealthy countries in the Global North, such as the UK, have long made big promises on tackling the climate crisis — but have so far failed to deliver the resources needed to honour them.

“Those who are facing the worst consequences of our reliance on fossil fuels have done the least to cause this crisis, yet face the worst effects. Against this backdrop, the UK refuses to pay up its fair share in climate finance and reparations to help countries adapt to and mitigate against a crisis they have not caused.”

Winter Fuel Payment: Protecting the poorest ‘was a lie’

A Freedom of Information request made by financial journalist, broadcaster, and speaker PAUL LEWIS has revealed the likely impact of cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment.

Mr Lewis says the DWP response (below) that shows the Labour government knew:

* 1.6m disabled pensioners would lose winter fuel payment

* 780,000 of the poorest pensioners who were entitled still would not get it – so ‘protecting the poorest’ was a lie.

* 2.7m over-80s would lose £300.

FOI-Paul-LewisDownload

Knife Crime: Serena Wiebe’s story

Serena Wiebe is a campaigner, and boxing coach and mentor at Empire Fighting Chance. On Monday 9 September, she attended the first annual Knife Crime Summit at Downing Street:

Knife crime has impacted me in ways I can’t explain. It’s forced me to grow up and deal with situations I shouldn’t have had to deal with at such a young age.

I’m 20 now, but I’ve been losing friends constantly since I was 17. When I hear someone has been stabbed, I think: oh my god, is it someone in my family? Is it one of my friends?

Imagine you losing your child or your friend to a knife, and how damaging that is. Imagine not being able to see them again because their life has been taken from them by someone else. That has become my reality, it’s what I am used to now. 

I originally started working with Empire Fighting Chance because my brother took his own life. We’re a charity which uses non-contact boxing to inspire young people to reach their full potential, and my journey with them started because I wanted to help young people who were in the same situation as him, and me.  

Over time, I began losing more and more people in my life to knife crime. But the trigger for me was losing Eddie, one of my best friends growing up.  

Eddie King Muthemba Kinuthia and I had been friends since we were three years old. We were always together. We went to the same nursery and primary school. For a while we went to the same secondary school. As we got older, we drifted slightly, but the love was still there.  

He was a really kind person; everyone in our community knew him, and they knew him for the right things. Ever since he died, so many people he knew have tried to honour him in some way, because he was such an important person to so many, and such a good role model.  

To have to speak about him in the past tense is crazy. I still can’t believe that he’s gone.

We’re still seeking justice for Eddie, but after losing him I thought, okay I need to do something. This is getting out of hand. I don’t want to see another person I love die.  

Since then, I have continued to work with Empire and deliver boxing lessons for free every week to young men who may be involved in knife crime, drug dealing, or any situation that could lead to those things happening.  

I work with various organisations which enable me to speak with young people about their experiences with the system and crime and what they would like to change, and I am starting my own youth group, where we come together every fortnight and talk about what we want to change, which I hope can grow and develop over time.  

I believe we’re not hearing from young people enough.  

We need to be inviting young people to events like today, to places like Downing Street, so they know that their voices are heard. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have been given, but we need to give more young people the platform to share their views.  

Attending events like the Knife Crime Summit will help – even being invited has probably changed my life. If I look back to five years ago, I could have gone down a very different path where I was involved in knife crime.  

A lot of the young people I work with ask me: “How did you go from there to where you are today?” 

Just inviting one young person like me here could have a domino effect on other young people. 

I believe it’s important for the right legislation to be in place – that change is good – but we need to focus on immediate action. It’s getting to the point where someone is dying every day.  

In my opinion, it’s also about the little things we can do that don’t cost money. Around that table today there were so many role models – Idris Elba, the Prime Minister, loads of MPs – and it is so important to see them supporting organisations like mine, because it can inspire young people.  

I was a young person who didn’t believe that I could do anything. Then I met Marvin Rees, who was Mayor of Bristol at the time, and Martin Bisp, the Chief Executive of Empire. They are the reason I am here today.  

They showed me that I can come to places like this, I can speak about issues like this, and I can have that domino effect on other young people who feel they don’t have a voice.