We cannot sit back and watch this violation of rights and freedoms. The UK has a moral and legal duty to act. Dominic Raab must take decisive action.
It has been confirmed that Beijing is introducing a resolution that would bypass Hong Kong local law-making processes in order to impose a new 'national security law' on the territory.
We cannot sit back and watch this violation of rights and freedoms.
It is clear that China no longer cares for the 'one country, two systems' agreement made between the UK and China during the Handover.
We cannot sit back and watch this violation of rights and freedoms. We are urging Dominic Raab to take decisive action.
Alistair Carmichael, our Foreign Affairs Spokesperson and Chair of the APPG on Hong Kong said:
"This is a naked power-grab by Beijing, demonstrating a complete lack of respect for the Joint Declaration.
The Chinese government have reneged on the promises made to protect and enhance their rights and freedoms.
The UK has a moral and legal duty to act. The Conservative government must reopen the British National Overseas (BNO) Passport scheme and extend it to give the people of Hong Kong the right to live in the UK. "
We cannot sit back and watch this violation of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong. Liberal Democrats are urging Dominic Raab to take decisive action. #StandwithHK
That's why we tabled a Bill that would re-open the offer of a British National Overseas (BNO) passports for Hong Kong citizens and extend the scheme to provide the "right of abode", allowing a person to live or work indefinitely in the UK.
We are calling on the Government to support our Bill, which will have its second reading in Parliament on 11th September 2020.
Protect the rights of the people of Hong Kong - CLICK HERE to add your name today
The new Mayor and Mayoress of Chelmsford for 2020 - 21 are Councillor Jude Deakin and her daughter Helen. They were elected last night (Wednesday 13 May) at the first-ever virtual meeting of the Full Chelmsford City Council.
Jude lived in South Woodham Ferrers with her two daughters Heather and Helen before moving to Chelmsford in 2006. She previously worked in logistics, recruitment, office management and as a carer.
Chelmsford will commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day this Friday at 2.55pm, in a virtual ceremony hosted by the City Council. It will bring people from Chelmsford together to mark the occasion, on this unusual Bank Holiday.
The Mayor of Chelmsford, Councillor Bob Massey, will lead the broadcast, which will be shown on the Council's Facebook page (@ChelmsCouncil) at 2.55pm. The video will have all the usual key elements of a civic commemoration - but with people filmed at home and sharing footage of performances given before the national lockdown started.
A call has been made for a scrutiny review of the criteria for repairing potholes in Essex. At the most recent full council meeting, Lib Dem Councillor David Kendall questioned the Cabinet Member for Infrastructure on when was the last time the County Council's criteria for repairing potholes were formally reviewed with input from Councillors.
Chelmsford City Council has created a new online survey designed to gain a greater understanding of how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting local businesses. The information gathered will help the Council and its partners to identify any specific local business support needs and ensure that resources and help are more effectively targeted in their recovery plans.
Leader of Chelmsford City Council, Councillor Stephen Robinson, said "We are very aware of the pressure on businesses and the uncertainty they are facing as a result of the coronavirus. We encourage all businesses to complete the survey and share with us how they have been affected and what support they need in the short, medium and long-term. By completing the survey, you will help us target our support so we can assist businesses in navigating through these difficult times and plan for the future."
He added, "I also encourage all eligible businesses that have not yet applied for a grant to submit their application via our website without delay so as not to miss out on the funding. We will continue doing all we can to support our local businesses through this crisis."
Cabinet Deputy for the Economy and Small Business, Councillor Martin Bracken, said "We are committed to supporting local businesses through this crisis. We encourage all businesses to take part in the survey which will provide us with important insights so we can determine how to best help local companies. Jobs, investment and growth are critical to the wellbeing of the city so it is important we do everything we can to protect businesses from the worst impacts of the coronavirus and help prepare them for the recovery."
So far, over 1,900 Chelmsford businesses have been sent grants by Chelmsford City Council to support them in the current crisis. More grants are being paid out every day, and the City Council wants to encourage any eligible businesses to apply if they have not done so.
Businesses in the retail, hospitality or leisure sectors with a rateable value of up to £51,000 can apply for a grant. Depending on their rateable value, the grant is either £10,000 or £25,000. Small businesses in any sector with a rateable value up to £15,000, that pay little or no rates due to small business rate relief or rural rate relief, could benefit from £10,000 to help meet their ongoing costs.
The Government provided Chelmsford City Council with £31 million to deliver two grant funding schemes to support for local businesses. With over £25 million already awarded, there is still £6 million to be claimed.
The Chelmsford Business Recovery Survey can be found at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/business-recovery-survey/. Responders' contact details will not be shared and no individual businesses will be identified in any published data.
To keep up-to-date with the latest news and announcements from Chelmsford City Council, please sign up to there 'City News' mailing list at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/mailinglist.
Over 120 sports clubs and community organisations in Essex participated in three live webinars delivered by Active Essex and Sport England, to hear about what emergency financial support is available to them in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Each webinar focused on the Sport England Community Emergency Fund, a £20m support package aimed to help community sport and physical activity organisations experiencing short term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Residents who are encountering problems making their council tax payments due to the COVID-19 outbreak should consult the following web page provided by Uttlesford District Council. It sets out support available and the possibilities for deferrals.
More than two hundred local people have volunteered alongside Chelmsford City Council staff to help bring food, medicine and phone conversation to vulnerable residents across Chelmsford - and they're already making a big difference.
Chelmsford City Council and Chelmsford Voluntary Service (CVS) are part of a countywide operation to bring assistance to vulnerable people who are self-isolating. Those who are staying at home and who are in need can call the Essex Welfare Service on 0300 303 9988 to request anything from advice and a chat with someone over the phone to essential supplies or help with looking after their pets. Requests are then fielded to local volunteers, and a new Chelmsford Community Response Hub, to carry out practical tasks such as collecting grocery shopping and picking up prescriptions.
I know many of us are already helping others and volunteering in various ways - but I want to pass on an appeal we've had from the Uttlesford Food Bank. The need for the Foodbank has doubled overnight and they urgently need to replenish their supplies! They're going through food so fast it's unbeleivable and are now having to scale back the size of food parcels. If you go to their website at https://uttlesford.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/virtual-food-basket/ you can donate a virtual food basket in small, medium or family sizes. You can also make an online donation - cash is always welcome because they can use it to fill any gaps in their stock.
