Summer sounds at Hull City Hall

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As BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend Hull 2017 arrives and the festival season gets underway, music fans can also look forward to a variety of acts performing at Hull City Hall in the coming months.

From hair metal to reggae and pop to folk, the historic venue in the heart of the city has the sounds for the summer and beyond.

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Conservative Manifesto “Forward Together”

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Today the Tories released their blueprint for the general election, June 2017.

The key element of the manifesto is regarding a strong and stable government to lead us through Brexit and get the best deals.

The Prime Minister, Theresa May, sees the next five years as “challenging” She said:

“The next five years are the most challenging that Britain has faced in my lifetime.

“Brexit will define us: our place in the world, our economic security and our future prosperity.

“So now more than ever, Britain needs a strong and stable government to get the best Brexit deal for our country and its people. Now more than ever, Britain needs strong and stable leadership to make the most of the opportunities Brexit brings for hardworking families. Now more than ever, Britain needs a clear plan.

“This manifesto, Forward, together: Our Plan for a Stronger Britain and a Prosperous Future will meet the great challenges of our time, beyond Brexit. With this plan and with a strong hand through Brexit, we will build a stronger, fairer, more prosperous Britain, for all of us.”

Here are some of the pledges.

  • To leave the European single market
  •  End free movement of EU citizens and seek new customs agreement
  • Cut net migration to 10,000
  • Keep all workers’ rights
  • A Statutory right to a year’s unpaid leave to care for a relative
  • Inject £4 billion into schools
  • Increase the NHS Spending 
  • Cap fuel bills
  • A free vote on overturning the ban on fox hunting
  • Govern in the interests of ordinary, working families
  • Scrap school free meals
  • Scrap the SFO

However, Andrew Durant, Senior Managing Director of FTI Consulting, said:

“The timing is crazy – coming just after the £497million fine levied on Rolls- Royce, this will set back morale at the SFO (Serious Fraud Office,) and inevitably lead to departures and chaos.  Rather than subsuming the SFO into the larger NCA (National Crime Agency,) the government should be thinking more creatively about how to assist the SFO conduct its important role in combating serious fraud.

“One such idea might be to let it keep a percentage of the fines levied as a result of its work.  This could pay for more experienced police, forensic accountants, barristers as well as new technology.  The SFO’s budget is under constant threat and has shrunk over the last decade.  More investment is required so that it can build on its recent successes.

“The Conservative Party should take a long-term view of the benefits that a strong SFO can bring to the United Kingdom rather than a short-term financial view.”

According to The Lawyer-  A question was raised “what would happen to the current investigations and will the impact the future investigations dilute the nonviolent crime committed for financial gain.”

To read the conservatives manifesto click here

What do you think about the pledges? Let us know and comment below.