Fuel poverty has not fallen ‘to any meaningful extent’ in 5 years, says Westminster committee

  • Current policies to reduce fuel poverty have not continued a downward trajectory in fuel poor households.
  • In addition, the Low Income, Low Energy Efficiency (LILEE) metric should be reviewed as it no longer captures the full range of households facing unaffordable bills.

Fuel poverty in England is flatlining rather than falling, according to the Committee on Fuel Poverty’s 2024 Annual Report, Can Fuel Poverty be Ended? 

In 2023, there were an estimated 13.0% of households (3.17 million) in fuel poverty in England under the Low Income Low Energy Efficiency metric, effectively unchanged from 13.1% in 2022 (3.18 million).

Committee Chair, Rt Hon Caroline Flint said: “Governments from 2010 onwards saw levels of fuel poverty in England falling steadily for almost a decade – a reduction of 40%, only to be followed by 5 years from 2019 to 2024 where fuel poverty did not fall to any meaningful extent. 

“There has been a stalling of progress – fuel poverty has flatlined. I don’t think any government anticipated this.  Perhaps the stable energy prices for most of the 2010s created an optimism that fuel poverty would continue to fall for years to come.  That optimism was misplaced. 

“Last year, the Committee hoped that with the pandemic behind us, energy efficiency programmes would step up and progress would continue – even if the government’s milestones were at risk of being missed.  Now, it seems the pandemic – when so much stopped – obscured the lack of progress being made.

This report is not defeatist.  The Committee believes fuel poverty can be beaten.  But for too many low-income households, the unaffordability of bills, especially in the coldest months, is all too real. We foresee that targeted financial support, possibly including the use of social tariffs, for vulnerable and low-income households may be needed for some years to come.”

Measuring fuel poverty

The report states that ‘the increase in the amount added to the standing charge element of energy bills, a flat-rate charge incurred by even households with the lowest usage, is regressive in nature.’ Based on current energy price levels, targeted support to the fuel poor will remain important, and necessary, for the foreseeable future.

Nor can fuel poverty be separated from the experience of many households who are struggling to afford their bills or are at risk of getting into energy debt. The report urges a future fuel poverty strategy to include ‘a guarantee of affordable energy for all’ and consideration should be given to low-income households who may not be in receipt of state benefits.

This includes reviewing the Low Income Low Energy Efficiency metric, the current metric used to measure fuel poverty in England, which is based on a combination of household income, energy requirements and energy prices.

Fabric first

The Committee also states that ’effectively targeted energy efficiency programmes are central to reducing fuel poverty’ and notes that the shift away from a ‘fabric first’ approach to improving household energy efficiency since 2022 has proved less effective at making homes substantially warmer.

The report argues that ‘tackling fuel poverty among fuel poor households requires a fabric first insulation approach, completing these programmes for all fuel poor and vulnerable households, before resources are directed at the incorporation of low-carbon heating systems into those properties.’

Groups most at risk

The government has committed in their manifesto to ensure homes in the private rented sector meet minimum energy efficiency standards by 2030.

The Committee warns that failing ‘to make rapid progress in the private rented sector on energy efficiency will fundamentally undermine any government strategy to end fuel poverty.’

Those living in the Private Rented Sector (PRS), ethnic minority households, and households using prepayment meters (PPMs) are all identified as most at risk of not being able to afford energy and living in a cold home.

Moreover, over 900,000 households with one or more children are in fuel poverty. Any strategy to tackle fuel poverty must be aligned to wider policies with similar end goals, such as those to eliminate child poverty.

The need for better evidence, data sharing and targeting

The Committee also advocates further research into the impact on low-income households, as well as the prevalence of fuel poverty amongst ethnic minority households. The Committee also sees better targeting and, in particular, data sharing, as key to being able to tackle fuel poverty in future.

Chair, Rt Hon Caroline Flint, said: “Our report exposes hidden aspects of fuel poverty: like very high concentrations of ethnic minority households in fuel poverty in some of our large towns and cities; like the lack of progress in the low-cost private rented sector, where too many people are still living in cold homes.

“This report argues that the Fuel Poverty Strategy requires a reset, a refresh and a new focus, to continue to bear down on a problem which too many low-income households endure year on year.  The Committee hopes to see a renewed drive to improve the fabric of our coldest homes – a fabric first approach.

“Energy prices remain about £700 above pre-pandemic levels – and are rising this winter – this poses a serious challenge.  But the cheapest energy of all is the energy never used because a house retains its heat and stays warm in winter.”

Published alongside the Annual Report, the Committee’s 2023/2024 Research Project Barriers and Enablers to Net Zero sets out the importance of trusted sources of advice for fuel poor households and identifies barriers to fuel poor households achieving net zero.

NHS building plans for Scotland delayed: Briggs speaks out

Plans to reveal which new hospitals, surgeries and treatment centres will be built in Scotland have been delayed.

In a letter to Holyrood’s finance committee, Cabinet secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison explained: ‘To provide as much certainty as possible to parliament and wider stakeholders of our capital investment plans, I must wait until I have confirmed capital allocations from the new UK government”.

That confirmation is not expected until late Autumn – and, given the new Labour government’s warnings about a £20 bn. ‘black hole in the UK’s finances, it’s not expected to be good news.

Lothian Conservative MSP, Miles Briggs said: “This further delay to finding out if SNP Ministers will reinstate the funding for a new Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion is extremely disappointing. 

“We urgently need a new eye hospital to improve the delivery of ophthalmology across the South East of Scotland. 

“The decision by SNP Ministers not to reverse funding for a new hospital has been a disastrous decision and will ultimately lead to additional costs for the delivery of a new hospital.

“I will continue to lead calls for the funding for a new eye hospital. What we desperately need is to see some leadership from SNP Ministers.”

Westminster display honours 487 Ukrainian athletes killed during Russian invasion

  • A powerful display honouring the Ukrainian athletes who have been killed since Russia’s full-scale invasion has been unveiled today in Parliament Square.   
  • More than 487 Ukrainian athletes have been killed, with the lives of former and aspiring Olympians, as well as the next generation of sporting talent, cut short. 
  • Display comes ahead of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games later this week. 

Ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, a display has been unveiled in Parliament Square to honour the lives lost from within the Ukrainian sporting community and to highlight the devastating consequences of the war in Ukraine. 

Since Russia’s barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the conflict has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent Ukrainians, including 487 athletes. More than 4,000 athletes are still actively supporting the war effort. 

Unveiled today in Parliament Square, the new 3D display brings to life the harrowing ‘487’ figure – though the true number is likely to be even higher. Surrounding the display, sporting equipment representing the disciplines of some of the 487 fallen athletes offers a stark reminder of the war’s devastating toll.  

With only 140 athletes from Ukraine competing at this year’s Olympic Games in Paris, this marks the smallest representation ever in Ukraine’s summer Olympic history.  

Among the athletes killed by Russian forces are Oleksandr Pielieshenko, who competed in weightlifting at the Rio 2016 Olympics and died defending his country in May this year.

Other casualties include promising young athletes like 11-year-old rhythmic gymnast Kateryna Diachenko, whose life was cut short by a Russian attack on her hometown of Mariupol at the onset of the war on 12 March 2022. 

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “As the world gathers this summer to celebrate the very best of sporting talent, we must pause to remember the hundreds of Ukrainian athletes who are no longer with us or can no longer take part due to the war.  

“We are drawing attention to the harrowing real life stories behind the 487 statistic to pay tribute to the fallen athletes as a timely reminder of this government’s iron-clad support for Ukraine and its people. We must support Ukraine’s fight for freedom.   

“The defence of Europe begins in Ukraine and the outcome is down to our collective will. Now is the time to double down on our support so Ukraine not only wins the war, but can forge the bright and ambitious future that Ukrainians deserve.”

Heorhii Tykhyi, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, said: “Every Ukrainian athlete at the Olympics represents the Ukrainian will to win, Volia. By acting swiftly and with united efforts, the prospect of a world where Ukrainian athletes and citizens are free from the threats posed by Russia will be a reality.

“The display comes just days after the Prime Minister hosted President Zelenskyy at Downing Street last week after the European Political Community summit. President Zelenskyy also met the Defence and Business Secretaries where they discussed the need for more cooperation and the need to boost industrial production for Ukraine.   

The UK’s commitment to support Ukraine to resist Russian aggression is iron-clad. The Prime Minister announced his commitment to £3 billion a year of military support for Ukraine for as long as it takes. In total, the UK has committed almost £12.7bn in military, humanitarian, and economic support for Ukraine since February 2022.   

Current and former Olympic athletes and coaches worldwide have also united in solidarity with Ukraine in light of the 487 figure, sharing their hopes for Ukraine to receive the support it needs to win. 

This includes Sasha Cohen, former Ukrainian-American Olympic figure skater, Oksana Masters, Ukrainian-American Paralympic athlete, German Biathlete Jens Steinigen and coach Wolfgang Pichler, and former Ukrainian Olympic wrestler Oksana Rakhra.    

Sasha Cohen, former Ukrainian-American figure skater, said:  “I’ve always believed in the power of sport to unite and inspire. But today, I’m not just speaking as an athlete.

“I’m speaking as the daughter of a Ukrainian immigrant, my mother, Galina. I’ve grown up with stories of Ukraine, our culture, our people, and their resilience.

“Today, I stand in awe of the Ukrainian athletes participating in the Olympics and think of those who we are missing and have been lost to the war.

“Their courage, strength and determination embodies the spirit of my mother’s homeland and I stand with them in solidarity. Together, we can show the world the power of unity in sport.”

Angela Rayner to ‘kickstart new devolution revolution’

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will pledge to transfer more powers out of Westminster

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner will today (Tuesday 16 July) pledge to kickstart a new devolution revolution to transfer more powers out of Westminster and into the hands of local people.

In her first letter to local leaders, Rayner will urge regions without devolved power to “partner with the government to deliver the most ambitious programme of devolution this country has ever seen”.

She will invite local leaders in devolution deserts – those with local knowledge and skin in the game – to work together to take on powers in areas like transport, adult education and skills, housing and planning, and employment support. These new agreements will mean local leaders can make decisions that benefit their communities better, while boosting economic growth and opportunity.

Devolution is central to the government’s mission to boost economic growth, but only around half of the people in England currently benefit from these arrangements. The letter from the Deputy Prime Minister makes clear that the government’s door is open to areas who want to take on devolution for the first time, with the government committed to encouraging more local authorities to come together and take on new powers.  

In the letter, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: ‘For too long, Westminster government has tightly gripped control and held back opportunities and potential for towns, cities, and villages across the country.

‘Last week, with the Prime Minister, I had the pleasure of meeting the metro Mayors in England. We discussed how to have a proper, grown up conversations around economic growth, and how to deliver that through better housing, skills, and jobs for local people. 

I want to work with more places to help them use these enhanced powers and role – because I want to drive growth in every part of the country. For any area considering it, now is the time to take the plunge and speak to us about how we can work with you to transform your regions.’

Greater Manchester, one of the places where devolution has existed for the longest and powers are deepest, has been one of the UK’s fastest growing areas over the last 20 years and is forecast to grow by more than the national average in coming years. 

This has been driven by powers allowing the Greater Manchester Mayor to encourage investment into the city, boost skills, and work towards an integrated transport system.

In other parts of the country, Mayors have played a crucial role in attracting new investment – with major manufacturers such as Boeing and McLaren bringing new jobs to South Yorkshire, while West Yorkshire is now home to the UK’s fastest growing digital industry outside London.

OECD research suggests that if the autonomy of UK cities was to increase to the same level as Helsinki, then productivity would increase significantly.

Agreeing new devolution deals will mark a monumental shift of power away from Westminster into communities – giving those with skin in the game the power to make the best decisions for their people and make a difference to their lives.

The letter comes ahead of the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, which will build on the momentum of the government’s first week, by setting out how it will make a difference to the lives of working people. 

King’s Speech will put growth at the heart of Labour’s legislative agenda

Starmer prepares for The King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday 17 July

  • New laws will prioritise growth, the Government’s overarching mission for the year ahead
  • Legislative programme will support delivery of the Government’s first steps and missions to rebuild Britain
  • Focus on improving the prosperity of the country and living standards of working people

The Government will use its mandate for change to put economic growth at the heart of its legislative agenda as it prepares for The King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday (17 July). 

Departments are working on more than 35 bills to deliver an ambitious parliamentary session that will be built on a bedrock of economic security, to enable growth that will improve the prosperity of our country and the living standards of working people.

Legislation will include a bill to enforce tough new spending rules, designed to ensure economic growth, while avoiding the chaos which left families with spiralling bills and wreaked misery on people’s lives.    

To ensure nobody can play fast and loose with the public finances ever again, this new bill will strengthen the role of the Office of Budget Responsibility, meaning significant fiscal announcements must be properly scrutinised and that taxpayers’ money is respected.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Our work is urgent. There is no time to waste. We are hitting the ground running by bringing forward the laws we will need to rebuild our country for the long-term – and our ambitious, fully costed agenda is the downpayment on that change. 

“From energy, to planning, to unbreakable fiscal rules, my government is serious about delivering the stability that is going to turbo charge growth that will create wealth in every corner of the UK.

“The task of national renewal will not be easy, and this is just the down payment on our plans for the next five years, but the legislation set out at the King’s Speech will build on the momentum of our first days in office and make a difference to the lives of working people.”

‘His Majesty’s Most Gracious Speech’ will build on the momentum of the Government’s first week in office which saw the Prime Minister and his ministerial team roll up their sleeves and get to work.

Legislation to enact announcements made this week, including the launch of a National Wealth Fund to drive investment into the UK, to a new Mission Control tasked with turbocharging UK to clean power by 2030, to opening the recruitment of a new border security command, show that the Government is getting on with the job.   

The package of bills will focus on growing the economy through ‘turbocharging’ building of houses and infrastructure, better transport, more jobs and securing clean energy – helping to make every part of the country better off.  

As part of the Government’s plans to empower regions to deliver change for their communities, new legislation will also help to create wealth in every community and hand the power back to local leaders who know what is best for their areas.

General Election: Change Starts Now?

Campaigning organisation 38 Degrees said: “This is a momentous election. It is a message from across the UK that people want change. But today is not progress – it is just the chance to deliver it. Labour have won big on a message of change. Now they have to make that change real.

Commenting on the result of the General Election, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “A new dawn has broken. It cannot be a false one. 

“We congratulate Labour on its victory. The new Government can offer hope to workers after 14 years of Tory attacks on our communities, our people and our public services. Through cooperation with the Scottish Government, we can invest in jobs and services.

“The change that the new Prime Minister offered during the campaign must start now. This is day one of his Labour Government. We need decisive action to turn our back on the austerity-driven, public service-slashing, trade union-attacking ways of the Tory past.

“It’s time to rebuild. We will work with the Prime Minister to deliver a progressive Scotland that delivers for working people. He must now deliver for us.”

Responding to the result of the UK general election, David McNeil, SCVO Strategic Director of Development, said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to Keir Starmer on his appointment as Prime Minister.

“There is a pressing need for a more humane politics that puts people and communities first. The new government must move quickly to deliver just that.

Everyday charities, community organisations and faith groups across Scotland deal with the consequences of decisions made at Westminster – on immigration, social security, employment law, the economy and more.

“Our sector holds a wealth of experience in addressing major societal issues. The knowledge we hold should be seen as an asset to policy and practice design from the outset. This is an opportunity that the new UK government must grasp with both hands.

“It is welcome that, over the weekend, the new Prime Minister and First Minister of Scotland met to commit to improving the relationship between the Scottish and UK Governments. It is our hope that this reset in relations will benefit voluntary organisations across Scotland, and the communities and people that they serve.”

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, Local Government Information Unit said: “As we witness a change of government, we should be proud of our democracy and grateful to the electoral administrators who make it all happen and to all the candidates, winners and losers, who put themselves up for election.

“We offer special congratulations to all the councillors and council leaders entering parliament.

“We know that local government stands ready to work with the new government and we offer a reminder that national success has local foundations. Labour has set out clear missions for government but these can only be achieved in partnership with local democratic institutions. 

“We congratulate the new government and we urge it to set out a new relationship with councils across the country based on genuine collaboration and parity of esteem.”

The Fire Brigade Union said: “Finally, after 14 years of misery, the Tories are gone. Now the work begins to undo the destruction they caused and improve working people’s lives.

COSLA’s President, Councillor Shona Morrison, has written to the new Prime Minister, Sir Kier Starmer and the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, following the announcement of the results of the UK 2024 General Election.

Councillor Morrison said: “Firstly, I would like to extend my congratulations to the new Prime Minister, Sir Kier Starmer. Today I have written to the new Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Scotland outlining some of the key issues faced by our local government members and the communities they represent.

“We will welcome opportunities to work closely with the UK Government and Scottish Government as partners to improve the wellbeing of people in our communities, continue on the vitally important journey towards a just transition to net zero, and ensure that those in our communities facing the most difficult challenges are fully supported by their local services.

“Our membership, Scotland’s 32 Councils, are the closest sphere of government to people in our communities, and deliver essential services for those communities every day.

“The incoming Government must listen to local government, take into account of our concerns and expertise, and work in partnership with us to ensure there is fair funding and empowerment to make the most effective decisions for the people we are elected to represent.”

Asylum accommodation and Rwanda: Little to show for money spent so far, PAC report finds

Westminster’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has published its report scrutinising asylum accommodation and the UK-Rwanda Partnership.

The report finds that, despite the Home Office committing significant sums of money to the Rwanda partnership and its large accommodation sites, there is little to show for the money spent so far.

Questions also remain as to what will happen to the more than 50,000 people left in limbo by the system – people who are living in the UK, with no ability to claim asylum, who are officially “pending relocation”.

On asylum accommodation, the report welcomes Government’s progress in closing asylum hotels in communities.

However, the report finds the Home Office’s assessment of the requirements for setting up alternative accommodation in large sites fell woefully short of reality and risked wasting taxpayers’ money, while the new sites will not house anywhere near as many people as initially expected, exacerbating existing accommodation issues.

Whistleblowing: Committee calls for civil service cultural change to create ‘speak up’ environment

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has published its report scrutinising whistleblowing in the civil service.

The report finds that it is clear the civil service has more to do to promote a culture supportive to whistleblowing, and calls for a cultural change to raise awareness and provide assurance on whistleblowing processes and create a ‘speak up’ environment.

Following the PAC’s findings in 2016 of disappointing progress from Government in improving whistleblowing arrangements, Saturday’s report finds that the Cabinet Office is still missing key metrics on whistleblowing concerns across the civil service, and lacks assurance over the completeness and consistency of data being reported by departments.

Stronger guidance and controls needed to protect children from screen time, says Westminster report

For young children, the benefits of screen time are significantly outweighed by the risks, a report by Westminster’s Education Committee has found.

The committee has published its report “Screen time: impacts on education and wellbeing”. 

There has been a 52% increase in children’s screen time between 2020 and 2022; nearly 25% of children and young people use their smartphones in a way that is consistent with a behavioural addiction.  

Screen use has been found to start as early as six months of age. One in five children aged between three and four years old have their own mobile phone, increasing to one in four children by age eight and to almost all children by age 12. The amount of time those aged 5–15 years old spent online rose from an average of nine hours per week in 2009, to 15 hours per week in 2018.  

As well as harms to mental and physical health, screen time can disrupt pupils’ learning both at home and in the classroom, as it can take up to 20 minutes for pupils to refocus on what they were learning after engaging in a non-academic activity such as browsing the internet or noticing a notification on their phone.             

 The report strongly supports the tougher guidance on keeping phones out of the classroom and breaktimes that the Department recently issued. However, the Committee heard mixed evidence on how well taken up this will be, we therefore recommend formal monitoring and evaluation of this approach by the next Government with the possibility of a statutory ban if needed.  

The Committee also concludes that screen time should be minimal for younger children and better balanced with face-to-face socialisation and physical activity for older ones.  

Parents need clear guidance from Government on managing children’s screen time, and in particular advice to parents of babies and young children should be revised to ensure it gives sufficient attention to face-to-face interaction and warns of the risks of screen time in reducing opportunities for this. 

While the Online Safety Act 2023 will undoubtably play a role in keeping children safe from online harms, the Committee is concerned that children will not feel the full protections of the Act until implementation is completed in 2026.   

79% of children have encountered violent pornography before the age of 18, with the average age that children first see pornography being 13 years old. Some 81% of girls aged 7-21 have experienced some form of threatening or upsetting behaviour, and online sexual crimes committed against children online has risen by 400% since 2013. 

One in five children (19%) aged 10-15 experienced at least one type of bullying behaviour online, and out of them, around three-quarters (72%) said they experienced at least some of it at school or during school time. 

It is clear that the entire system surrounding the digital age of consent and how it is verified is not fit for purpose. The Committee heard no evidence to suggest that 13 is an appropriate age for children to understand the implications of allowing platforms access to their personal data online.

Yet even with the digital age of consent currently formally set at the lowest possible level, it is widely ignored and not effectively enforced. This must change urgently. The next Government should consult on raising the age of digital consent and should recommend 16 as a more appropriate age.  

The report also calls for the level of digital age of consent to be effectively enforced. The Online Safety Act 2023 allows for substantial fines or even imprisonment for executives of companies who breach its rules, and the Government should consider how this approach can be applied to social media companies who knowingly breach age verification requirements and expose children to addictive content which is not appropriate for them. 

Within the first year of the new Parliament, the next Government should work alongside Ofcom to consult on additional measures regarding smartphones for children under 16 years old, including the possibility of a total ban of smartphones (internet-enabled phones) for children under 16 or parental controls installed as default on phones for under 16s.  

The next Government should work with mobile phone companies and network operators to promote children’s phones, a class of phone which can be used for contact and GPS location but not access to the internet or downloading apps.

Chair of the Education Committee, Robin Walker MP, said: “Excessive screen and smartphone use has a clear negative impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of children and young people. Our inquiry heard shocking statistics on the extent of the damage being done to under-18s, particularly those who are already extremely vulnerable, such as those in care.  

“Without urgent action, more children will be put in harm’s way. From exposure to pornography, to criminal gangs using online platforms to recruit children, the online world poses serious dangers.

“Parents and schools face an uphill struggle and Government must do more to help them meet this challenge. This might require radical steps, such as potentially a ban on smartphones for under-16s.  

“Our report found that digital age of consent checks are not fit for purpose. We heard no evidence demonstrating that thirteen-year-olds understood the ramifications of sharing personal information online and today’s report urges the Government to increase this age to sixteen.  

“It’s also clear that children require face-to-face and in-person social contact in order to thrive. Our report found that screen time is inversely associated with working memory, processing, attention levels, language skills and executive function.  

“Whilst there can be some benefits from the online world and sharing information or interests with their peers, ready, unsupervised and unrestricted access to the internet leaves children vulnerable, exposing them to a world they are not equipped for. Their safeguarding and protection must be our priority.”

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Going for Broke: Sunak bites the bullet

GENERAL ELECTION CALLED FOR THURSDAY 4th JULY

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called a surprise early general election. Mr Sunak made the announcement in a rain-soaked speech outside 10 Downing Street last night.

The announcement caught pundits unaware, with most expecting an autumn poll by which time Britain’s struggling economy may have shown stronger signs of recovery, giving the Tories a glimmer of hope of winning a fifth term in office.

The Tories trail Labour by between 16 – 20 points in most opinion polls and their situation appears hopeless.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it is “time for change” – also Labour’s clarion call in Tony Blair’s landslide election in 1997. Just what that ‘change’ will be isn’t yet clear – Labour’s tactic of doing or promising nothing that will frighten Daily Mail readers has worked so far.

Vote for Us, we’re not the Tories. And that could be enough to get elected, as the years of chaos – the Covid contracts corruption, the Downing Street parties, the state of our public services, ever-increasing waiting lists, the Truss-Kwarteng catastrophe – have not been forgotten and will not be forgiven.

Disappointing as it may be for Labour activists, though, do not expect anything too radical in Labour’s manifesto, But do expect a ringing endorsement from Rupert Murdoch soon.

So a change of faces, certainly. It’s true: things CAN only get better. But the radical change needed to tackle poverty, inequality and revive Britain’s broken public services? We’ll see.

The Westminster Parliament will be suspended on Friday, before it is formally shut down on Thursday next week ahead of an official five-week election campaign.

This leaves only two days to pass any outstanding legislation, which will mean mean some of the current government’s plans will have to be ditched.

First Minister John Swinney says he’s looking forward to the campaign but also says it’s disrespectful for the election to be held during Scottish school holidays:

Commenting on the announcement of the General Election by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Deidre Brock MP said: “The snap summer election is a desperate throw of the dice from a washed-out Prime Minister leading a government staggering on its last legs.

“Rishi Sunak could have limped on for a few more months but I’m glad he is putting this chaotic Tory administration out of its misery. The people of Scotland have different priorities and we are tired of picking up the bills for their mess.

“Now we have a chance to vote for a stronger Scotland and say what we think of Tory austerity politics, the Brexit chaos and the cost-of-living crisis they created. Bring it on!”

The Lib-Dems, too. are offering change:

‘It’s time. Time to elect fantastic Liberal Democrat MPs to champion their communities. Time to change the system and give people real hope. Time to smash the blue wall and kick out the Conservatives. Time to deliver the fair deal the British people deserve.’

Mike Andersen, the Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Edinburgh North and Leith, also welcomes the announcement of the upcoming general election scheduled for 4 July 2024.

He views this election as a crucial opportunity for transformative change in the UK. Mike believes that the current government has failed to address the pressing issues facing the country and that the Scottish Liberal Democrats are the only party capable of leading the way towards a brighter future.

“The country is crying out for change and for people’s voices to be heard. Finally, we can move forward and put an end to the dysfunction of Mr. Sunak’s Government. The Scottish Liberal Democrats are ready to champion the values of fairness, equality, and opportunity. We are committed to building a future where every individual can thrive, and this election provides us with the platform to fight for the change we need and deserve.”

“We aim to build a society where people no longer have to choose between food and heating, where we have faith in the economy, hope for environmental sustainability, and where the UK can proudly stand on the right side of history, including on its stance on Israel and Gaza.”

The Green Party welcomes the General Election as the chance for voters to choose hope and practical solutions to the crises facing the country. 

Co-leader and parliamentary candidate for Bristol Central Carla Denyer said: “At last. This is the moment the country has been waiting for – the chance to vote for a different vision of what our country can be. We are urging voters to elect at least four Green MPs to Parliament.” 

Co-leader and parliamentary candidate for Waveney Valley Adrian Ramsay said: “We are ready. Across the country people will have the chance to vote for a Green candidate offering voters hope and practical solutions to the cost-of-living crisis, supporting people into warm, affordable homes, protecting our NHS and cleaning up our toxic rivers. 

Denyer added: “By reforming our tax system to make it fairer – including a tax on the super-rich billionaires and multi-millionaires – we would raise £50billion to invest in our NHS, warmer homes and cleaner rivers.” 

Ramsay added: “We are offering the common sense, affordable policies that will dramatically improve our quality of life. More Green MPs in Parliament will hold whoever forms the next government to account, and make the other parties confront the challenges our country faces. Together, we can make the change.” 

Commenting on the announcement of a General Election, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “Good. And not a moment too soon.”