Calderdale MP signs letter to PM in bid to get UK to recognise Palestinian state
Plus, councillors call for action on 'buy now, pay later' schemes
Hello and welcome to the weekend edition of The Calderdale Lead.
I hope you’ve had a good weekend so far and if you’ve been out and about for Happy Valley Pride you’ve had a splendid time!
I was in Todmorden yesterday and there were lots of people enjoying the Pride festivities there and I can see from social media that the big event in Hebden Bridge was a huge success.
In today’s edition we’ve got the latest moves by our local MPs to try and force the Government to recognise the Palestinian state.
Plus, councillors concerns over ‘buy now, pay later’ schemes.
So, on with the news…
MPs condemn Israeli actions in Gaza and urge PM to recognise Palestine
By Andrew Greaves
Calder Valley MP Josh Fenton-Glyn has signed a cross-party letter urging the Prime Minister to recognise a Palestinian state.
The letter has been signed by more than 200 MPs and was organised by the Labour backbencher Sarah Champion, who sits as the International Development Committee chair.
It says: “Whilst we appreciate the UK does not have it in its power to bring about a free and independent Palestine, UK recognition would have a significant impact due to our historic connections and our membership on the UN Security Council, so we urge you to take this step.
“British recognition of Palestine would be particularly powerful given its role as the author of the Balfour Declaration and the former Mandatory Power in Palestine.
“Since 1980 we have backed a two-state solution. Such recognition would give that position substance as well as living up to a historic responsibility we have to the people under that Mandate.”
Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron, declared France would recognise a Palestinian state in September at a UN conference.
France is due to co-host an UN summit with Saudi Arabia next week.
Israel and the US have both reacted angrily to Macron’s move with the US secretary of State, Marco Rubio, calling it a “reckless decision” that was a “slap in the face” to victims of the 7 October Hamas attack.
After a phone call with Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said recognising Palestinian statehood would have to be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution.
In his statement, the PM said: "Alongside our closest allies, I am working on a pathway to peace in the region, focused on the practical solutions that will make a real difference to the lives of those that are suffering in this war.
"That pathway will set out the concrete steps needed to turn the ceasefire so desperately needed, into a lasting peace.
"Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that.
"But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis."
Meanwhile, Halifax MP Kate Dearden said yesterday that she had been in constant contact with the Foreign Office, and Downing Street, to understand exactly what the United Kingdom will be doing to help urgently end the suffering and chart a path to peace.
She said: “I know people across Halifax are appalled at what we are seeing in Gaza. I share your revulsion, fear, and anger at the way the Palestinian people are suffering at this time.
“We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe. We’ve seen mass malnutrition, the denial of basic aid, and hundreds of Palestinian civilians killed, whilst trying to access the very little aid that is available.
“This is completely indefensible, and Israel must immediately allow the vast quantities of aid awaiting delivery to Gaza to reach the people who need it.”
Israel has refuted claims of a food shortage in Gaza, despite over 100 aid agencies warning of mass starvation earlier this week.
The country says it was forced to assume control of aid supply and distribution, alleging that Hamas fighters have been diverting assistance before it reaches civilians, a claim that has been denied.
Councillors back calls to pressure Government over ‘harmful’ buy now, pay later schemes
By John Greenwood
‘Harmful’ buy now, pay later schemes supposedly making payments easier are actually causing economic hardship for some families.
Calderdale councillors backed calls to pressure the Government to extend legislation to restrict using such schemes for buying fast food and takeaways.
Locally, awareness of the problems associated with the use of buy now, pay later schemes – set up as an alternative to credit cards – should be raised, alongside promoting help and advice on financial issues that are available, they agreed.
The problems are with the schemes not the individuals, who are often hard-working and just trying to make ends meet amid a cost-of-living crisis, councillors heard.
Increasing debt due to missed or late payments can add to financial problems.
Tory Coun Howard Blagbrough, proposing the motion, said buy now, pay later schemes have grown rapidly across the UK with millions of people using them to finance goods, spreading payments over weeks and months.
They can be a convenient alternative to make buying expensive goods more accessible, driving consumer spending and adding to economic growth – but introduction of many fast food outlets and local takeaways to schemes was “deeply concerning”, he said.
Missed or late payments led to some being visited by enforcement agents, said Coun Blagbrough.
“Almost a third due to make their payment in the last month borrowed money to repay their instalments, meaning their initial debt is only leading to more debt,” he said.
The impact on young people was even more worrying – “a quarter of those making buy now, pay later payments haven’t been able to pay for food, rent or bills as a result,” said Coun Blagbrough.
Cabinet member for Public Services and Communities, Coun Danielle Durrans, said related issues were affecting people in Calderdale including in her Ovenden ward and among her own friends and family.
Calderdale’s own data showed the most affected people locally were women aged between 25 and 39, single and in full-time employment, and people in two areas of the borough.
“This is not reckless spending – they are hard-working residents that are using credit to bridge everyday gaps,” said Coun Durrans.
“I see and hear the real impact within my own community, amongst my own friends and family, who are just trying to make ends meet.
“This isn’t theoretical, it’s happening right on my own doorstep.”
She said Calderdale’s anti-poverty partnership including organisations like the CAB, Noah’s Ark and the Credit Union were positive responses and the Government’s legislation, seeking to bring buy now, pay later schemes under oversight of the Financial Conduct Authority and having to deliver better outcomes for customers, were welcome.
“It’s the start of a fairer system but as we know the job isn’t done,” she said.
That’s it for this edition.
I’ll be back in your inboxes midweek so look out for that.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Andrew
Disappointing that the Halifax MP has not put her name to the letter that Calderdale MP and many others have signed about recognising a Palestinian State.