EU COURT RULES IN FAVOUR OF 'ROBIN HOOD TAX'

A 'Robin Hood' tax, proposed by Green MEPs and supported by Green councillors' across the North West, is lawful. That's the ruling of the Court of Justice in Luxembourg.  The Financial Transaction Tax (FTT); a small levy on financial transactions designed to raise funds for public services while 'cooling down' the pace of the financial speculation and bankers' gambling responsible for the financial crash of 2008; was agreed by the EU last year. Initially, 11 countries; including France and Germany; agreed to take part. But the UK refused to join; and immediately launched court action in a bid to block anyone else from implementing it either, fearful that it could be imposed on UK banks operating in the Eurozone.  London's Green MEP, Jean Lambert , said:- "This ruling is really about whether or not we want to support speculative casino banking with billions of pounds of public money when the bankers get it wrong. In 2008, they got things spectacularly wrong, and we are all still paying the price with recession and government austerity measures.  A 'Robin Hood' Tax would slow down the gambling; and raise revenue for public services at the same time. I can see why the French and German governments have embraced the idea. I welcome this ruling, which takes us down the road of delivering the more people centred banking industry the Greens in Brussels are working hard for." It had been expected that the European Court of Justice would issue its decision later this year. The UK Chancellor is expected to appeal against the ruling.  Peter Cranie, North West Green Party European election candidate, said:- "Greens in the European Parliament have been able to make sure that ordinary voices have been heard. They have proposed a wide range of banking reforms, such as a Robin Hood Tax and a cap on bankers' bonuses. Many of these reforms have been supported by local councils across the North West and it's fantastic news that the UK has now been told that it in not illegal to implement this tax. The government has been shown to be shirking their responsibility to stand up against the bankers and protect our public services."  The Green Party is the fourth largest group in the European Parliament with 58 MEPs, working on issues as diverse as workers' rights, energy, transport, fishing, international development, environmental protection and employment. Peter Cranie lost out on a seat in the European Parliament by just 0.3% of the vote in 2009 and instead the British National Party's leader, Nick Griffin, became the region's MEP. The Greens are hoping to break through this May 2014.

CCTV released after damaging burglary at Seaforth and Litherland Station

MERSEYSIDE Police Detectives from British Transport Police have released CCTV images of a group of men they would like to speak to about a burglary at Seaforth and Litherland rail station. The incident happened at about 2.30am on Tuesday, 18 March, when a gang of four men smashed the booking office window. DC Dominic Wilcox said:- "The men smashed the window of the booking office and damaged the door to gain access to the office itself. Once inside they ransacked the office looking for cash, but were only able to gain £10 from an employee's locker." Although the burglars weren't able to steal large sums of money, the damage they caused was significant and is estimated that the repairs would cost in the region of £11,000. DC Wilcox added:- "The cost of the damage was remarkable and those responsible were clearly intent on doing whatever was necessary to steal from the booking office. Unfortunately for them all takings had been removed."
 

Detectives have carried out a number of enquiries following the burglary and have managed to isolate several images of men they would like to speak to about the incident. DC Wilcox added:- "I am certain the men in the images will have key information about the burglary and I call on anyone who recognises them; or who has any information which could assist the investigation – to get in touch."

If you can help please call British Transport Police on:- 0800 40 50 40 or ring Crimestoppers, anonymously via:- 0800 555 111. In all calls please quote log:- PSUB/B10 of 24/4/14.