A UK Socialist's blog

Environmental Audit Committee recommends ‘national mobilisation’ to reach net zero

https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2023/01/mps-recommend-national-mobilisation-to-reach-net-zero/

In a recent report, a cross-party committee of MPs has asked for a “national mobilisation” that would improve home insulation and accelerate the transition towards net-zero.

The document has also called on ministers to set ambitious targets for rolling-out onshore wind and tidal energy, as well as recommending the government should set an end date for domestic oil and gas licensing.

“To reduce the UK’s demand on fossil fuels, we must stop consuming more than we need,” said Philip Dunne MP, the committee chairman. “We must fix our leaky housing stock, which is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and wastes our constituents’ hard-earned cash: we must make homes warmer and retain heat for longer.”

…

https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2023/01/mps-recommend-national-mobilisation-to-reach-net-zero/

Continue ReadingEnvironmental Audit Committee recommends ‘national mobilisation’ to reach net zero

Friends of the Earth takes legal action against government over new coalmine in Cumbria

https://leftfootforward.org/2023/01/friends-of-the-earth-takes-legal-action-against-government-over-new-coalmine-in-cumbria/

Environmental campaign group, Friends of the Earth, is taking legal action against the UK government following its recent decision to grant planning permission for a new coal mine in Cumbria.

The claim will be filed later this month and will focus on the harmful impacts to the environment from the coalmine. Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel.

The other main opponent of the mine, South Lakes Action on Climate Change (SLACC), is also considering legal action and sent a letter to the Levelling Up Secretary, Michael Gove, in December seeking more information and setting out some of the errors in law in his decision. 

Niall Toru, lawyer at Friends of the Earth, said: “By giving the go-ahead to this polluting and totally unnecessary coal mine the government has not only made the wrong decision for our economy and the climate, we believe it has also acted unlawfully.

…

Continue ReadingFriends of the Earth takes legal action against government over new coalmine in Cumbria

Sunak ‘hasn’t a clue’ on climate scientist claims

https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/labour-yougov-nhs-university-college-london-mps-b2256689.html

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak doesn’t understand climate breakdown and should revoke all new oil and gas exploration licences, a climate expert has said.

Professor Bill McGuire of University College London said he was not surprised that Mr Sunak did not mention climate in his New Year’s speech on Wednesday.

According to a YouGov poll, the environment ranks fourth in the public’s list of most important issues facing the country.

But it was left out of Mr Sunak’s five-point pledge to halve inflation, grow the economy, curb illegal Channel crossings and bring down the national debt and NHS waiting times.

…

A PM who issues more than a hundred new oil and gas exploration licences and gives the go-ahead for a new coalmine clearly hasn’t a clue or simply doesn’t care, or perhaps both

Professor Bill McGuire

https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/labour-yougov-nhs-university-college-london-mps-b2256689.html

Continue ReadingSunak ‘hasn’t a clue’ on climate scientist claims

Aslef set to reject same 8% pay offer rejected by RMT

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/aslef-set-to-reject-same-8-pay-offer-rejected-by-rmt

TORY ministers and rail industry bosses will be “incredibly disappointed” if they think the sector’s workforce will accept more real-terms pay cuts, train drivers’ union Aslef said today.

The warning came after reports in the Sun newspaper suggested that the union, which is holding another 24-hour strike across 15 train operating companies on Thursday, will soon be offered an 8 per cent deal, spread over two years.

The offer, amounting to 4 per cent in both 2023 and 2024, has already been rejected by fellow transport union RMT, which is launching its second 48-hour walkout this week at Network Rail and several train operators tomorrow.

Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan told the Morning Star that if Tory Transport Secretary Mark Harper thinks, after “no pay rises since 2019, a further below-inflation deal will be backed by my members, he’ll be incredibly disappointed.

…

Continue ReadingAslef set to reject same 8% pay offer rejected by RMT

NHS needs practical and urgent action, not Sunak’s ‘false promises and hollow boasts,’ RCN warns

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/nhs-needs-practical-and-urgent-action-not-sunak-false-promises-and-hollow-boasts-rcn-warns

NHS sign

RISHI SUNAK’S first speech of the year was more “false promises and hollow boasts” while the NHS needs practical and urgent action, a leading nurse warned today.

The Prime Minister said in his first public address of the new year that one of his five promises was to cut NHS waiting lists and ensure that people “get the care they need more quickly.”

His other promises were to “halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, and stop the [refugee] boats”.

The PM did not specify a timeframe for his pledges and spent most of his speech discussing tackling increasing strike actions, including by nurses and ambulance staff, and immigration levels.

In a letter to Health Secretary Steve Barclay, Royal College of Nursing chief executive Pat Cullen said the PM’s language “appeared detached from the reality of what is happening and why.”

…

Continue ReadingNHS needs practical and urgent action, not Sunak’s ‘false promises and hollow boasts,’ RCN warns