Labour has returned its focus to the railways after claiming that passengers would be £1,000 better off" if they were to win the General Election.
The party has already said that it would renationalise the network were it to be in Government, bringing franchises back into public ownership as they run out.
It has also said that it would bring in new caps on how much fares could rise, using a different measure of inflation that, says Labour, would result in lower increases.
"Under the Conservatives, rail fares have sky-rocketed and tickets are some of the most expensive in Europe," said leader Jeremy Corbyn.
"Labour will take Britain's railways back into public control and put more money into people's pockets by capping fares. This will save commuters £1,014 on their rail season tickets over the next Parliament."
However, the party is likely to face claims that it has distorted the figures, after quoting a "potential cost" to commuters if a Conservative Government raised fares by more than inflation - a system that was actually scrapped four years ago.
Under existing rules, certain train fares - known as "regulated" fares - can only rise by a measure of inflation known as the retail price index (RPI).
This figure includes housing costs and is calculated in a slightly different, and much more complicated, way.
It normally produces a significantly higher figure than the consumer price index (CPI) statistic, which is the one normally used to measure the price of living.
For example, at the moment RPI is running at 3.5% while inflation measured by CPI is 2.7%.
Labour says it will change the system so fares can only go up by the lower CPI figure, protecting passengers from painful increases.
According to its figures, that would mean a cumulative saving of £551 over the five years of the next Parliament, compared to increases based on RPI.
But Labour has gone a step further, assuming that a Tory Government would go back to the previous system of allowing increases of 1% more than RPI.
That is how the party has reached the figure of £1,000, but there's no mention of such a change in the Conservative manifesto.
Labour's shadow transport secretary, Andy McDonald, said: "Theresa May's failure to commit to freezing rail fares shows just how out of touch they are.
"Privatised rail has failed and it will take more than tinkering around at the edges to deliver much needed improvements for passengers."
A Conservative spokesman said: "Renationalising the railways will either add billions of pounds to our national debt or hit ordinary working people in the pocket with higher taxes.
"It's yet more economic shambles from Labour."
There is little doubt that the train network does need huge investment, but there is also disagreement about how that can be delivered.
For one thing, critics of Labour's policy are likely to claim that curtailing increases in rail fares will less money being available for investment. That, in turn, is likely to mean the Treasury being asked to make up the shortfall.
Some will portray this as a subsidy for train users. Popular, perhaps, with commuters, but not so attractive for voters who never use the network.
Also, the great bulk of Britain's daily train journeys happen around London and the South-East - the idea of capping train fares would be welcomed in London's commuter belt, but that is also one of the most fiercely Conservative regions of the whole country.
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Wonder Woman film faces calls for it to be banned in Lebanon
There are calls for the new Wonder Woman film to be banned in Lebanon - because the lead actress is Israeli.
The Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel-Lebanon wants to stop the Hollywood film from playing in 15 theatres around Lebanon.
On its Facebook page, the group said actress Gal Gadot - who plays Amazonian princess Diana - was a soldier in the Israeli army for two years.
The post also pointed out that she supported Israel's military policies against the Gaza Strip, a coastal Palestinian territory run by Hamas.
Lebanon is officially at war with its neighbour Israel and has a law that boycotts Israeli products and bans Lebanese citizens from travelling or having contacts with Israelis.
The two countries have been through a number of wars, including a particularly devastating one in 2006 that battered Lebanon's infrastructure and left hundreds dead.
Image:Gadot is a former soldier and Miss Universe
Gadot, 32, who served in the army from the age of 20, has been a vocal supporter of Israel's military policies and critical of Hamas in several Instagram posts and interviews.
On her Facebook page, the former Miss Universe praised the Israel Defense Forces during the 2014 Gaza-Israel conflict, sending prayers to soldiers "who are risking their lives protecting my country against the horrific acts conducted by Hamas".
The Campaign to Boycott Supporters of Israel-Lebanon wants to stop the Hollywood film from playing in 15 theatres around Lebanon.
On its Facebook page, the group said actress Gal Gadot - who plays Amazonian princess Diana - was a soldier in the Israeli army for two years.
The post also pointed out that she supported Israel's military policies against the Gaza Strip, a coastal Palestinian territory run by Hamas.
Lebanon is officially at war with its neighbour Israel and has a law that boycotts Israeli products and bans Lebanese citizens from travelling or having contacts with Israelis.
The two countries have been through a number of wars, including a particularly devastating one in 2006 that battered Lebanon's infrastructure and left hundreds dead.
Image:Gadot is a former soldier and Miss UniverseGadot, 32, who served in the army from the age of 20, has been a vocal supporter of Israel's military policies and critical of Hamas in several Instagram posts and interviews.
On her Facebook page, the former Miss Universe praised the Israel Defense Forces during the 2014 Gaza-Israel conflict, sending prayers to soldiers "who are risking their lives protecting my country against the horrific acts conducted by Hamas".
Donald Trump poised to pull US out of Paris climate change deal
Donald Trump is poised to withdraw the US from a major climate change deal designed to cut global carbon emissions, a White House official has said.
But there may be "caveats in the language" the US President uses to announce the move - leaving open the possibility that the decision might not be final, they added.
Minutes later Mr Trump tweeted that he would be "announcing my decision on the Paris Accord over the next few days", adding: "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
I will be announcing my decision on the Paris Accord over the next few days. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2017
The US president had refused to endorse the landmark accord at the weekend and left the G7 summit in Sicily with a parting-shot tweet saying he had not made up his mind on whether to back it.
World leaders, who had hoped to put out a statement of consensus on the Paris Agreement, expressed their frustration, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel declaring: "We have a situation where six, or if you also include the EU seven, are against one."
The decision will put the US in league with Syria and Nicaragua as the world's only non-participants in the Paris Climate Agreement - brokered by Mr Trump's predecessor Barack Obama in 2015.
I will make my final decision on the Paris Accord next week!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 27, 2017
Agreed on by up to 200 countries, the deal aims to reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.
The US is the world's second-biggest emitter of carbon dioxide behind China.
Under the deal, Mr Obama committed the US to cutting its emissions by between 26% and 28% from 2005 levels by 2025.
Mr Trump, who in a November 2012 tweet dismissed climate change as a hoax, pledged during his election campaign to "cancel" the accord within 100 days of becoming president to boost America's coal and oil industries.
The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 6 November 2012
US withdrawal could have major implications on the pact which relies heavily on the commitment of big polluter nations to reduce gas emissions which scientists blame for rising sea levels, droughts and frequent violent storms.
The move could also lead to other nations weakening or stepping back from their pledges under the pact.
China, India, Canada and the EU have said they will stick by the deal, even if the US pulls out.
The United Nations responded with a tweet quoting Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as saying: "Climate change is undeniable. Climate action is unstoppable. Climate solutions provide opportunities that are unmatchable."
Sky's US Correspondent Amanda Walker said: "His daughter Ivanka Trump has been trying to encourage him to stay in the deal.
But there may be "caveats in the language" the US President uses to announce the move - leaving open the possibility that the decision might not be final, they added.
Minutes later Mr Trump tweeted that he would be "announcing my decision on the Paris Accord over the next few days", adding: "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
I will be announcing my decision on the Paris Accord over the next few days. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2017
The US president had refused to endorse the landmark accord at the weekend and left the G7 summit in Sicily with a parting-shot tweet saying he had not made up his mind on whether to back it.
World leaders, who had hoped to put out a statement of consensus on the Paris Agreement, expressed their frustration, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel declaring: "We have a situation where six, or if you also include the EU seven, are against one."
The decision will put the US in league with Syria and Nicaragua as the world's only non-participants in the Paris Climate Agreement - brokered by Mr Trump's predecessor Barack Obama in 2015.
I will make my final decision on the Paris Accord next week!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 27, 2017
Agreed on by up to 200 countries, the deal aims to reduce carbon dioxide and other emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.
The US is the world's second-biggest emitter of carbon dioxide behind China.
Under the deal, Mr Obama committed the US to cutting its emissions by between 26% and 28% from 2005 levels by 2025.
Mr Trump, who in a November 2012 tweet dismissed climate change as a hoax, pledged during his election campaign to "cancel" the accord within 100 days of becoming president to boost America's coal and oil industries.
The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 6 November 2012
US withdrawal could have major implications on the pact which relies heavily on the commitment of big polluter nations to reduce gas emissions which scientists blame for rising sea levels, droughts and frequent violent storms.
The move could also lead to other nations weakening or stepping back from their pledges under the pact.
China, India, Canada and the EU have said they will stick by the deal, even if the US pulls out.
The United Nations responded with a tweet quoting Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as saying: "Climate change is undeniable. Climate action is unstoppable. Climate solutions provide opportunities that are unmatchable."
Sky's US Correspondent Amanda Walker said: "His daughter Ivanka Trump has been trying to encourage him to stay in the deal.
TfL preparing to provide 4G on the Tube
Transport for London (TfL) is preparing to hear bids from telecommunications firms to provide mobile phone coverage on the Underground.
TfL and London mayor Sadiq Khan will be opening a tender for private companies to provide 4G on the Tube after the General Election next week.
It could allow people to make calls and use the internet while on the Underground.
A number of companies are preparing to pitch for the work, according to sources quoted by the Financial Times.
These companies included telecommunications infrastrucutre companies such as BAI Communications, Wireless Infrastructure Group and Arqiva.
BT could also bid, as might Chinese technology giant Huawei.
A TfL spokesperson told Sky News: "We are keen to offer full mobile phone coverage for our customers.
"The introduction of this would need to be commercially viable and would follow engagement with staff and customers."
The nature of the contract is not yet known, but TfL could subsidise the construction of the network, which may cost hundreds of millions of pounds.
It might also seek to enter into a revenue sharing deal with the telecoms company.
Previous attempts to get mobile coverage on the Underground were abandoned by TfL.
Recent work on extending the new Emergency Services Network - a communications network for the blue light services - has encouraged TfL to again attempt to roll out mobile coverage to commuters in London.
TfL and London mayor Sadiq Khan will be opening a tender for private companies to provide 4G on the Tube after the General Election next week.
It could allow people to make calls and use the internet while on the Underground.
A number of companies are preparing to pitch for the work, according to sources quoted by the Financial Times.
These companies included telecommunications infrastrucutre companies such as BAI Communications, Wireless Infrastructure Group and Arqiva.
BT could also bid, as might Chinese technology giant Huawei.
A TfL spokesperson told Sky News: "We are keen to offer full mobile phone coverage for our customers.
"The introduction of this would need to be commercially viable and would follow engagement with staff and customers."
The nature of the contract is not yet known, but TfL could subsidise the construction of the network, which may cost hundreds of millions of pounds.
It might also seek to enter into a revenue sharing deal with the telecoms company.
Previous attempts to get mobile coverage on the Underground were abandoned by TfL.
Recent work on extending the new Emergency Services Network - a communications network for the blue light services - has encouraged TfL to again attempt to roll out mobile coverage to commuters in London.
Jeremy Corbyn to take part in live TV debate - but Theresa May has refused
Jeremy Corbyn has announced he will take part in a live TV General Election debate tonight and challenged Theresa May to join him.
The Labour leader will join the leaders of the Liberal Democrats, UKIP, the Green Party and Plaid Cymru, and the SNP's leader at Westminster, at the BBC event, which has been boycotted by the Prime Minister.
:: LIVE - Shock poll says May could lose majority
The Tories are to be represented by Home Secretary Amber Rudd, after Mrs May made clear that she would not take part in a face-to-face showdown with any other party leaders during the campaign.
Mr Corbyn had also previously refused to take part in a leaders' debate unless the PM also took part.
The veteran left-winger's decision to attend reflects a growing confidence in the Labour camp, buoyed by the latest YouGov poll that suggested the UK could be heading for a hung parliament on 9 June, with the Tories falling short of an overall majority.
The Labour leader will join the leaders of the Liberal Democrats, UKIP, the Green Party and Plaid Cymru, and the SNP's leader at Westminster, at the BBC event, which has been boycotted by the Prime Minister.
:: LIVE - Shock poll says May could lose majority
The Tories are to be represented by Home Secretary Amber Rudd, after Mrs May made clear that she would not take part in a face-to-face showdown with any other party leaders during the campaign.
Mr Corbyn had also previously refused to take part in a leaders' debate unless the PM also took part.
The veteran left-winger's decision to attend reflects a growing confidence in the Labour camp, buoyed by the latest YouGov poll that suggested the UK could be heading for a hung parliament on 9 June, with the Tories falling short of an overall majority.
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
War of words between Trump and Merkel continues
Trump met with Merkel at the White House in Washington in March [Jonathan Erns/Reuters]US President Donald Trump called Germany's trade and spending policies "very bad" - intensifying a row between the longtime allies and immediately earning himself the moniker "destroyer of Western values" from a leading German politician.
As the war of words on Tuesday threatened to spin out of control, Merkel and other senior German politicians stressed the importance of Germany's Atlantic ties, with Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel suggesting the spat was just a rough patch.
Trump took to Twitter early in the day in the United States to attack Germany, a day after Chancellor Angela Merkel ramped up her doubts about the reliability of Washington as an ally.
"We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for U.S. This will change," Trump tweeted.
READ MORE: Trump 'weakened' West, hurt EU interests: German FM
Later in the day, Trump's spokesman and the US ambassador to the United Nations said there were no problems in relations with Merkel or NATO.
Macron and Merkel vow to reform European Union
The tit-for-tat dispute escalated rapidly after Trump, at back-to-back summits last week, criticised major NATO allies over their military spending and refused to endorse a global climate change accord.
Trump said he will give his verdict on the Paris accord later this week and has warned Washington may pull out of a pact that European leaders see as the last best hope to slow global warming.
On Sunday, Merkel showed the gravity of her concern about Washington's dependability under Trump when she warned at an election campaign event in a packed Bavarian beer tent, that the times when Europe could fully rely on others were "over to a certain extent".
Those comments, which caused shock in Washington, vented Europe's frustration with Trump on climate policy in particular. And while German politicians sided with Merkel, Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel signalled it was time for cooler heads to prevail.
"The United States are older and bigger than the current conflict," he said, adding relations would improve. "It is inappropriate that we are now communicating with each other between a beer tent and Twitter," he said in Berlin.
Martin Schulz, leader of Gabriel's centre-left Social Democrats, was less emollient earlier in the day when he told reporters Trump was "the destroyer of all Western values". He added the US president was undermining the peaceful cooperation of nations based on mutual respect and tolerance.
READ MORE: Germany's Merkel stresses EU loss of US and UK as reliable allies
In Rome, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said he agreed with Merkel that Europe needed to forge its own path.
"This takes nothing away from the importance of our trans-Atlantic ties and our alliance with the United States. But the importance we put on these ties cannot mean that we abandon fundamental principles such as our commitment to fight climate change and in favour of open societies and free trade," he said.
In Washington, Trump administration officials on Tuesday appeared to try to soften the message underlying Trump's tweet with comments emphasising the importance of US-European ties.
White House spokesman Sean Spicer, asked about the president's relationship with Merkel, told a news briefing: "I think the relationship that the president has had with Merkel, he would describe as fairly unbelievable.
"They get along very well. He has a lot of respect for her... And he views not just Germany but the rest of Europe as an important American ally."
Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, said repeatedly in an interview the United States would support its NATO allies.
On Merkel's apparent criticism of Trump, Haley said: "I think there's obviously some differences of opinion between the two of them, but at the same time I know what we believe in NATO and how strongly we believe about those allies and we're going to continue to do that."
Ariana Grande to be joined by stars for Manchester attack benefit gig
Ariana Grande will be joined by Justin Bieber and a host of other stars for a Manchester attack benefit concert on Sunday.
Coldplay, Katy Perry, Usher, Take That, Pharrell Williams, Miley Cyrus and Niall Horan will also perform at Old Trafford Cricket Ground to raise money for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund.
The gig comes almost a fortnight after the bombing which killed 22 people at Manchester Arena.
Fans who were at the show will be offered free tickets to Sunday's event, while general sale will start at 10am on Thursday.
Grande, 23, suspended her Dangerous Woman tour after the attack, but later vowed to return to Manchester.
She said: "I don't want to go the rest of the year without being able to see and hold and uplift my fans.
"I'll be returning to the incredibly brave city of Manchester to spend time with my fans and to have a benefit concert in honour and raise money for the victims and their families."
:: Manchester Victoria reopens after explosion
Image:Justin Bieber will also perform at Old Trafford Cricket Ground
More than £6m has been raised through the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, which was set up by Manchester City Council and British Red Cross to support survivors and victims' families.
Red Cross chief executive Mike Adamson praised Grande's "gesture of solidarity".
:: Bomb squad raid in Wigan linked to Manchester attack
He said: "This event is an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate things that unite us - music, humanity and the will to do something to help others."
The kick-off time for Manchester United player Michael Carrick's charity testimonial has been changed from 4pm to 2.30pm to accommodate the concert.
Earlier, Greater Manchester Police chief constable Ian Hopkins said he had been working with Grande's management team on the "finer details" of the gig.
"When the idea of the concert came up, the first reaction was we need to speak to the families of the victims and see what they feel," he told BBC Radio Manchester.
:: Victim's family - Government must 'open its eyes'
Coldplay, Katy Perry, Usher, Take That, Pharrell Williams, Miley Cyrus and Niall Horan will also perform at Old Trafford Cricket Ground to raise money for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund.
The gig comes almost a fortnight after the bombing which killed 22 people at Manchester Arena.
Fans who were at the show will be offered free tickets to Sunday's event, while general sale will start at 10am on Thursday.
Grande, 23, suspended her Dangerous Woman tour after the attack, but later vowed to return to Manchester.
She said: "I don't want to go the rest of the year without being able to see and hold and uplift my fans.
"I'll be returning to the incredibly brave city of Manchester to spend time with my fans and to have a benefit concert in honour and raise money for the victims and their families."
:: Manchester Victoria reopens after explosion
Image:Justin Bieber will also perform at Old Trafford Cricket GroundMore than £6m has been raised through the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, which was set up by Manchester City Council and British Red Cross to support survivors and victims' families.
Red Cross chief executive Mike Adamson praised Grande's "gesture of solidarity".
:: Bomb squad raid in Wigan linked to Manchester attack
He said: "This event is an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate things that unite us - music, humanity and the will to do something to help others."
The kick-off time for Manchester United player Michael Carrick's charity testimonial has been changed from 4pm to 2.30pm to accommodate the concert.
Earlier, Greater Manchester Police chief constable Ian Hopkins said he had been working with Grande's management team on the "finer details" of the gig.
"When the idea of the concert came up, the first reaction was we need to speak to the families of the victims and see what they feel," he told BBC Radio Manchester.
:: Victim's family - Government must 'open its eyes'
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