Brown's electric cars won't wash - not without clean electricity and bold new transport policy, says Green Party

Professor John Whitelegg, the Green Party's spokesperson on sustainable development, said today:

"Tokenism just won't wash. We need commitment to serious policies.

"It was always disingenuous to put a greenish tinge on the Budget. But with the climate crisis deepening, anything less than a solid commitment to a very low-carbon future is downright irresponsible."

"Britain needs massive investment in the whole emissions-reduction package - from green transport policies to green energy. That's the way to tackle the recession and the climate crisis in one go.

The Greens say Gordon Brown's plans for electric cars are flawed for a variety of reasons:

• Electric cars are only as clean as the energy that powers them. In a Green economy electric cars will be recharged with wind, solar and tidal energy, rather than coal and nuclear power. To make sure of this, Gordon Brown must commit the government to stopping all further coal-fired power stations and investing massively in renewables.

• Brown needs to be bolder on the recharging network itself. Denmark (with around one-tenth of the UK's population) is already committed to 20,000 recharge points for a nationwide system of electric cars, with Israel, Portugal and Japan close behind. Britain is still at the tentative stage of a pilot programme, with Brown saying a few cities will have trials by the end of 2010 (1).

• A focus on electric vehicles doesn't take into account our need to reduce traffic for reasons other than emissions. Low-carbon traffic congestion will still be traffic congestion and will still cost UK businesses billions every year.

• For Brown's and Darling's plans to be credible, ongoing road-building and road-widening projects must be scrapped as part of a serious effort at traffic reduction. Without this, short-term transport emissions will seriously undermine attempts to meet the necessary emissions targets. And the money saved from road-building could be put into low-emissions transport infrastructure.

• Similarly, they need to abandon projects like the third runway at Heathrow. The gains from a green industrial push will be negated if the government persists in the greatest expansion of aviation in a generation.

(Cab Office) Liam Byrne to give campaigning charities £750,000

Campaigning is a way to get people's voices heard this new fund will encourage them to speak up.

Liam Byrne, Minister for the Cabinet Office, today announced the first ever government programme to strengthen the ability of charities and other third sector organisations to campaign for change. The £750,000 scheme will identify and promote innovative ways for the third sector to act as a strong voice specifically for the most disadvantaged people in society.

Liam Byrne, Minister for the Cabinet Office:
"Our charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises have never had a stronger voice - and we want them speak up even more. This programme will help charities working with some of the most vulnerable people in society to make their voice heard. It will also help develop the most innovative approaches, and will benefit the whole sector.

"In the times of rapid economic change, government needs to hear from organisations who are working hard to bring about positive changes in our communities."

This is Neil Adams, a member of Cambridge speaking up Youth Parliament:
"People have got a right to campaign about issues and get involved "

The new scheme will be run by Capacitybuilders, a non-departmental public body charged with developing the strengths of third sector organisations.

The new programme will be developed and delivered over two years, with packages of grants and support services to be provided to up to 30 groups.

(MPA) MPA Domestic Violence Board expands remit to take on Sexual Violence

The MPA Domestic Violence Board is formally expanding its remit and oversight responsibilities to include sexual violence and will re-launch as the Domestic and Sexual Violence Board on 3 April 2009.

Cindy Butts, MPA member and chair of the Board said:

"This is an exciting and challenging step forward. I hope we will have the same success with supporting the development of the MPS response to sexual violence as the Board achieved with domestic abuse. We will support partnership work across the MPS to ensure safety for victims and increase public confidence that domestic and sexual violence will be dealt with most seriously by the MPS.

"Like so many areas of criminal activity, it is only by working in partnership and learning from each other's experiences of what actually works on the ground can we really tackle this brutal crime and make a real and lasting difference for victims."

The Board will perform a key role in supporting and scrutinising the MPA as it prepares to move the Sapphire Teams which investigate sexual violence into one central command. The Board is also the independent mechanism by which the MPA monitors and scrutinises the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) performance in tackling these crimes.

Commander Mark Simmons, of the MPS Violent Crime Unit, said;

"The Board has played an important role in assisting the Met in improving service delivery and holding perpetrators accountable in relation to domestic violence. I look forward to continuing the relationship in the wider and critically important arena of violence against women"

The MPA Domestic and Sexual Violence Board is developing in tandem with the upcoming Mayoral London Violence against Women Strategy. The Board will also ensure any issues resulting from the National Violence against Women Strategy are integrated fully into police practice.

The Board requests Borough Operational Command Units to report their response to domestic and sexual violence within their borough, and invites guests and professionals from the community to facilitate open discussion of local issues. It also brings together national and pan-London organisations such as the Crown Prosecution Service, Greater London Authority, the Havens and Greater London Domestic Violence Project in order to harness their specialist knowledge and expertise.

The Board also focuses on specific policy areas annually - last year topics included disproportionality and child protection.

G20: Time for talking is over - world must act on Green New Deal

Governments are increasingly accepting the benefits of a major investment plan to help bring the world out of recession and tackle the looming threat of dangerous climate change. But the Green Party today pointed to equivocation in British government circles.

Energy and climate change secretary Ed Miliband recently said on BBC News that it was important for the G20 to make commitments on helping the environment as well as the economy. Mr Milliband said:

"There are some people who will say you can either tackle the economic crisis or the climate crisis. But the truth is that both come together with this idea of a Green New Deal, of investing in the jobs of the future, which are going to be in the green industries of the future."

But it has been shown that only a tiny fraction of the government's own stimulus package is connected with tackling climate change (1) - and today Robert Watson, chief scientific adviser for Defra, voiced his concern about the limited commitment to a low-carbon economy:

"I think [low-carbon recovery] deserves a higher profile. Everybody seems to be focusing on short-term recovery and getting long-term regulation of the banks right. I haven't heard anything that suggests the green recovery and climate change are a major part of the [G20] agenda." (2)

**G20 must act boldly**

Rupert Read, prospective Green Party MEP for Eastern England, who will be going to the G20 on Thursday to take the Green message to the summit, said today:

"The time for talking is over - the world must act on the Green New Deal, right now.

"Green Party Leader Caroline Lucas MEP helped formulate the Green New Deal, a concept being widely supported by Governments, yet not acted upon. It is simply unacceptable if world leaders are going to emerge from G20 with more pointless group photos and warm words, but no real action.

"A failure to implement a Green New Deal soon, in this country, across Europe, and across the planet, will both increase the likelihood of the recession worsening and fail to tackle the looming threat of dangerous climate change. Time is running out.

"The G20 must act boldly - we need a repeat of what Roosevelt did in the 1930s, but on a worldwide scale, and with a deep-green-hue. The beauty of a 'Green New Deal' is how it makes such great economic sense: green jobs in renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture and public transport systems - an investment for the future in making our economy greener, cleaner and more efficient.

"Globalisation has failed catastrophically and utterly. I will be going to London on April 2nd, when the G20 meets in session, to add to demands for co-ordinated action now for global justice, for a Green New Deal, for a massive re-regulation of the financial markets.

"With the exception of Barack Obama, the G20 leaders are the very people who got us into this catastrophic economic and environmental mess that we are in, by handing power over to big business and big monied interests. It is time for the people to take that power back!"

He added:

"The marches in London last weekend were peaceful and raised the profile of the need for action on jobs and the green economy. The Green Party supports peaceful action in this way - the messages that need to be addressed to world leaders are too important to be clouded by non-peaceful actions."

(DECC) Miliband backs new protection for pre-payment and other energy consumers

Action to clamp down on unfair practices in the energy market was strongly backed today by Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband.

The gas and electricity regulator Ofgem has this morning unveiled a package of new rules for energy suppliers that will give consumers more power and help to seal the flaws in the retail market identified in the last year's market probe.

Ed Miliband backed the clamp down:

"The overcharging of some of the most vulnerable customers exposed in the Ofgem probe was inexcusable.

"That is why it is right that Ofgem is acting to ensure that wherever you live and whatever payment method you use, you will not be unfairly discriminated against.

"We need tough regulation to protect consumers and that is why I welcome the Ofgem proposals. I believe this is the quickest way to end the unfairness that exists.

"However, if it turns out the regulator and the suppliers can't rid the market of unfair practices once and for all, I continue to stand ready to use legislation.

"The government and regulator must be eternally vigilant on behalf of the consumer."

Mr Miliband also welcomed Ofgem's new retail proposals:

"Ofgem's new proposals on doorstep selling and SME contracts are good news for householders and firms trying in difficult times to make the best sense of the choices available."

Huhne: Over a thousand serving police officers have criminal convictions

Over a thousand serving police officers in Great Britain have criminal convictions, according to new figures revealed by the Liberal Democrats.

The information, gathered from Freedom of Information requests to Britain’s police forces, shows how:

• There were 1,063 serving police officers in 41 police forces across Britain who had criminal convictions
• This includes five officers who were sacked by the force but reinstated by the Home Office
• There are 77 serving police officers with convictions for violent offences who have kept their jobs: 59 with convictions for assault; 14 for violence against the person; two for battery; and one for wounding
• In the last five years, just 45 have been dismissed from the police for violent offences
• 96 serving police officers have convictions for offences of dishonesty: 36 for theft; five for perverting the course of justice; three for fraud; and one each for dishonesty and forgery
• In the last five years, just 37 have been dismissed from the police for dishonesty
• 210 officers have been dismissed or required to resign in the past five years as a result of other criminal convictions

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"It is staggering that so many of the people entrusted to protect us from crime have criminal convictions themselves.

"It is even more worrying that so many police officers convicted of serious crimes involving dishonesty or violence have been allowed to keep their jobs.

"There is a disturbing lack of consistency in how police forces deal with officers who are convicted of crimes. Hiring and firing must ultimately be the decision of the Chief Officer but it would be sensible for the Home Office to issue some guidance.

"The Home Office recognises this decisive problem for applicants but not for serving officers.

"The public entrust the police with the use of legal force precisely because they are self-disciplined and restrained, which is why anyone convicted of a violent offence should be dismissed.

"I cannot see how a police officer convicted of dishonesty can perform their duty effectively, as any prosecutor would be reluctant to call them as a witness for fear of being taken apart by the defence.

"The public will be rightly concerned that there are serving police officers who have committed crimes as serious as GBH, assault, wounding and robbery.

"The trust that is absolutely vital in policing is seriously undermined when police officers are being convicted of crimes of dishonesty.

"Allowing police officers convicted of offences of violence or dishonesty to continue serving merely brings the vast majority of law-abiding and diligent officers into disrepute. Police forces should get tough on bad apples."

Isle of Wight's Green MEP In Ryde To Raise Awareness of Link Between Women's Health And Environment - International Women's Day, 8 March 2009

The Green Euro-MP and Party Leader is to speak at a free International Women's Day event hosted by Isle of Wight Soroptimists. Women's health must be better protected from environmental factors such as chemicals and pesticides, Euro-MP and Green Party Leader Caroline Lucas will tell guests at an event at Ryde Castle this Sunday (March 8) organised by the Isle of Wight Soroptimists to celebrate International Women's Day.

Following her speech at 2pm, Caroline will take questions from the audience at the Ryde Castle Hotel on the Esplanade at Ryde, before being joined on the platform by Community Liaison Officer at Island Waste Services, Lynn Clarke, who will explore local issues affecting women and the environment. The Green MEP, who sits on the European Parliament's Environment, Public
Health and Food Safety Committee, said:

"I am delighted to be joining the Isle of Wight Soroptimists for International Women's Day to talk about the crucial link between the potentially toxic elements in our environment and human health – and how we can better regulate the chemicals that we come into contact with all the
time.

"According to a Greenpeace study, when you strip away factors like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, together with hereditary factors, the environment still appears to be the single biggest cause of the massive increase in virtually all cancers seen over the past few decades.

"On a daily basis, we are exposed to many hazardous chemicals without being fully aware of the potential dangers to our health. Even in our homes, these chemicals are all around us – in toys, food and drink containers, clothes, furniture, and cleaning agents. Our favourite cosmetics, like shampoos, soaps, moisturisers, and toothpaste often contain parabens, which are 'endocrine disrupters' – and can seriously disrupt hormones in humans and animals.

"We already know that more than 500 manufactured chemicals found in our environment mimic and disrupt hormones, thus having the potential to contribute to the onset and progression of hormone-dependent cancers like breast cancer, the UK's most common cancer which kills more than 1000 women every single month.

"Evidence has shown that pesticides can also have an adverse effect on our health, with many powerful chemicals from crop spraying leaking into soil and water supplies, and many food items containing pesticide residues even after they've reached the supermarket. Believe it or not, a Cox's apple can typically be sprayed 18 times with various different pesticides."

She concluded: "Some of the most important decisions on regulating our exposure to potentially dangerous substances are made at the European level – and that's where my work as an MEP can make a real difference. We urgently need to explore environmental risk factors at both national and European level, and prevent the powerful chemicals and pesticides lobby from
weakening key EU laws designed to protect human health."

The Isle of Wight Soroptimists event will be supported by various groups
with information stalls on issues particular to women and the environment.
An optional light lunch costing £6 will be available, before Caroline Lucas
speaks at 2 pm.

GREEN MEP BACKS CALL FOR DECENT WORK FOR DALIT WOMEN

Jean Lambert, Patron of the Dalit Solidarity Network and Green Party MEP for London, will be speaking at a protest at the Indian High Commission on Thursday 5th March at 4pm to call for dignified work and decent wages for Dalits.

The protest marks International Women's Day, since the majority of the 1.3 million people of 'untouchable' caste status in India are women, and are forced to earn their living by doing dangerous and degrading work in appalling conditions. Many have no choice but to earn a living by collecting human faeces, using only their bare hands and simple tools.

The protest will call on the Indian Government to release a substantial pot of money that has been set-aside for providing these 'manual scavengers' with education, healthcare and decent jobs.

Jean Lambert MEP, who is a member of the European Parliament's South Asia delegation and frequently highlights the situation of the Dalits, said:

"We must show much more support to the struggle against such discrimination. This requires action at all political levels, both across the EU and in the countries concerned.

"I reject the idea that some human beings are considered "impure" or "polluted" just because they were born into a certain caste. Everyone is entitled to basic human rights. In the 21st century, no human being should be considered "untouchable".

Green MEP Calls For Urgent Political Solution To Conflict On Return From Euro-Parliament Visit To Gaza

Caroline Lucas MEP demands recognition for Palestinian unity government and an end to the blockade, as illegal Israeli settlement building continues.

Following a four-day visit to Gaza and the West Bank with a European Parliament delegation, Green Party MEP for the South East Caroline Lucas has warned that the Middle East peace process will fail unless political leaders recognise a Palestinian unity government – and insist on an immediate end to the blockade of Gaza.

Speaking about her trip to the region, Dr Lucas, who is also Green Party Leader, said: "The UK's Secretary of State for International Development has today said it's crucial that Palestinians come together for reconciliation –and I would certainly agree with him. Yet the EU's refusal to recognise the previous unity government because it contained elements from Hamas – though democratically elected – was instrumental in dividing Palestinians and exacerbating tensions.

"If the Palestinians can put together a government of genuine unity, based on tolerance, pluralism, and a commitment to previous peace process agreements that include the recognition of Israel, then it is the responsibility of the international community to accept it – regardless of
whether or not it contains members of Hamas.

"And indeed, a process of dialogue and reconciliation between the different Palestinian factions is already emerging. The political leaders gathering in Sharm-el-Sheikh this week for a conference on aid and the reconstruction of Gaza must recognise the need to support this political process and work towards bringing the West Bank and Gaza under unity control. More aid may provide short-term relief for the humanitarian crisis, but it is merely a sticking plaster on what is essentially a political struggle.

"There are already tonnes of aid piled up at the border into Gaza, but the continuing Israeli siege is preventing it from reaching the people who need it most. When I met with UN officials in Gaza this week, I was told that around 750 trucks a day are needed to maintain essential supplies.
Currently, Gazans are lucky to see around 30.

"So, the international community must demand an urgent lifting of the siege on Gaza, and ensure the free movement of people, as well as goods, for the whole of the West Bank and Gaza Strip – in other words, the first steps towards ending the occupation, so that the Palestinian people can be allowed to start rebuilding their economies and communities.

Dr Lucas concluded: "Unfortunately, the main threat now to a two-state solution is the Israeli authorities' continuing aggressive expansion of the settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the further extension of the apartheid wall. Israel must be brought to account for this continued flouting of its commitments under both the Oslo Accords and recent peace
agreements."