Cllr Andy Swain
Ward: Teign Valley
Parishes: Ashton ; Bridford ; Christow ; Doddiscombsleigh ; Dunsford ; Hennock ; Tedburn St Mary ; Trusham
Mobile: 07756 253908
Email: andrew.swain@teignbridge.gov.uk
The latest performance figures for the English Ambulance Trusts were released two weeks ago. For WMAS it is impressive how, despite the extreme difficulty of maintaining an emergency service, response times for Category 1 calls such as cardiac and respiratory arrest have remained almost unchanged compared to their best in 2019.
Last week the Prime Minister recommitted offshore detention policies that would put refugees' lives at risk and dash their hopes of happiness. What's worse, he did it to save his own tanking approval ratings, calling the policies "Operation Red Meat".
On 14 January 2022, the Home Office announced new guidance aimed at combatting "age fraud" of asylum seekers. Where previously anyone who appears "over 25" was treated as an adult, now anyone who appears to be over 18, but whose age is indeterminate, will not enjoy the safeguards available to minors.
Five Special Rapporteurs from the UN Human Rights Agency (OHCHR) on 14 January 2022 issued an open letter saying the Bill breaches the UK's obligations under international law. "If adopted, it would seriously undermine the protection of the human rights of trafficked persons, including children, increase risks of exploitation faced by all migrants and asylum seekers, and lead to serious human rights violations" said the UN experts.
A range of scandals concerning asylum decisions, extra-legal notices of "illegal entry", border security technology, and accommodation shortcomings continue to engulf the Home Office. Read all about them here
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