PCC Phone Hacking Statement

THE Press Complaints Commission is a free and independent body in the UK that examines complaints about the editorial content of UK newspapers and magazines (and their websites). They act as a dispute resolution service and aim to provide a satisfactory resolution to complainants via resolution mediation between the complainant and the editor. At its regular on 6 July 2011 discussed the admissions of the 'News of the World' and its involvement in the hacking of the telephone of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler in 2002 and there have been similar claims made in regard to other victims of crime and tragedy the PCC have also claimed. The Commission's members, both public and editorial, were unanimous in their condemnation.

In a press statement it said that:- "The Commission was very clear that this conduct was unacceptable and self evidently undermined assurances given to the PCC by 'News International' in the past. It, therefore, recognises that it can no longer stand by its 2009 report on phone hacking and the assertions made in it. At the beginning of 2011, the PCC established a 'Phone Hacking Review Committee'. It will continue to work actively, and will establish protocols across the industry to improve standards in the future. The PCC readily accepts its responsibility, shared with others, to ensure that events of this sort should never happen again. To that end, it agreed that public members of the Commission will lead a review of all aspects of press regulation in its current form, which will be designed to ensure that public confidence is enhanced. The Commission will wish to review its own constitution and funding arrangements, the range of sanctions available to it, and its practical independence."

The Chairman of the PCC, Baroness Buscombe, said:- "We welcome the announcement by the Prime Minister of his proposed inquiries. The PCC is determined to identify necessary reforms that will guarantee public confidence in press regulation. Already, the PCC provides a free public service that helps thousands of people every year. There is currently a major police investigation, which has the necessary powers of investigation and resources to identify the perpetrators of these criminal acts. However, the Commission is determined to play its part in bringing to a conclusion this shocking chapter, which has stained British journalism, and to ensure that good comes out of it."

As regard to the debate in Parliament on 6 July 2011, the Chairman added:- "The status quo is clearly not an option, and we need to identify how the model of an independent PCC can be enhanced best to meet these challenges. Hence the action we have now taken."

Merseyside Transport Partnership secures government funding

MERSEYSIDE Transport Partnership (MTP) has been successful in their bid for funding from the governments Local Sustainable Transport Fund.  Merseytravel and the other partners bid for, and were successful in receiving £4.87 million which further enhances an investment of £8.65million from existing public and private funds (£13.5 million total).  The areas for investment are grouped into three main 3 distinct, complementary elements, delivered over 4 years:-

► Working with employers:– A programme of support activity to assist employers as they seek to raise levels of sustainable access to their places of work for new and existing members of staff

► 'Travel Solutions':- Support for members of the public wishing to access employment and training, but who may currently experience barriers to accessing public transport or travel by other modes

► Sustainable Transport Infrastructure:– A complementary package of infrastructure improvements aimed at addressing physical barriers to travelling to employment opportunities by sustainable modes

Neil Scales, Chair of MTP, says:- "We worked hard with our partners to develop a plan that provides sustainable transport choices for individuals and business across the region, and this LSTF award, along with our secured investment will allow us to start delivering. The support we received from across the area was phenomenal and we now look forward to the challenge of delivering our objectives."

Mark Dowd, Chairman of Merseytravel added:- "This shows how we, as the transport authority, can co-ordinate the various interested parties across Merseyside into supporting the wider aims and ambitions of providing a fully integrated, sustainable, environmentally friendly, transport network that is accessible to all."

The successful bid was formed by the contribution of business and other interested groups from across the whole of the Merseyside, including the voluntary sector, various NHS bodies, transport operators, the regions Chambers of Commerce, Universities and private enterprise.