Tag Archives: Fiona Hall

Hall: We need mandatory renewables target for 2030

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Fiona Hall MEPAhead of tomorrow’s European Council on energy, MEPs in Strasbourg today sent a strong message to national governments in support of renewable energy calling for mandatory targets for 2013.

Fiona Hall MEP, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament and energy spokesperson, commented after the vote:

“The 2020 renewables target kick-started the industry and created jobs and growth in a time of economic downturn. We need to keep up the momentum – and continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the same time. It is a win-win situation.  Continue reading “Hall: We need mandatory renewables target for 2030” »

Davies/ Hall: Conservative MEPs betray British business in carbon vote

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MEPs in Strasbourg today narrowly (334-315) rejected a proposal by the European Commission to delay the auctioning of greenhouse gas allowances to avoid a further drop in the price of carbon. The European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) was originally introduced to incentivise investments in low carbon technologies by putting a price on polluting greenhouse gas emissions.

UK Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies, the environment spokesman for the Liberal Democrat (ALDE) group in the European Parliament, commented after the vote:

“MEPs have turned their back on the future.  Continue reading “Davies/ Hall: Conservative MEPs betray British business in carbon vote” »

Hall: MEPs push for more fuel efficient and less polluting cars

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Fiona Hall MEPLiberal Democrat MEP Fiona Hall welcomed today’s vote in the European Parliament’s Industry Committee to renew the procedure in which vehicles are tested on their emissions and fuel efficiency.

Current tests do not take place under real life conditions and turn a blind eye to the practice of taping over cracks around the doors and grill, over-inflated tyres, adjusting the wheel alignment and brakes, using special super-lubricants, minimising the weight of the vehicle, testing at altitude and at unrealistically high temperatures and on super-slick test-tracks.

Ms Hall was responsible for drafting a report in the Industry Committee on measures to help reach the EU’s 2020 targets of cutting CO2 emissions for passenger cars. Commenting after the vote, she said: Continue reading “Hall: MEPs push for more fuel efficient and less polluting cars” »

Hall: Blow for eurosceptic Britzerland solution

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Fiona Hall MEPThe EU’s 27 Member States today expressed their deep dissatisfaction with the bloc’s relationship with Switzerland calling on the country to enter into a mutual arrangement similar to the Norwegian model.

Every two years, the Council assesses its relations with the four countries countries that are part of the European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA). This year Member States declared the Swiss option as completely unsatisfactory.

Swiss participation in the single market has stalled for years as EU Member States demand a new Norway type arrangement of automatically adopting nearly all EU laws without having any say on their creation.

The leader of the Liberal Democrats in Europe, Fiona Hall MEP, commented on today’s Council report: Continue reading “Hall: Blow for eurosceptic Britzerland solution” »

Fighting tax dodging and corruption: MEPs vote for tough new rules on corporate transparency

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MEPs in the Legal Affairs Committee today voted in favour of tough amendments to European Commission’s proposals requiring oil, mining and logging companies to disclose payments to governments of countries in which they operate on a project by project basis.  MEPs also succeeded in extending the scope of the legislation to cover the banking, construction and telecommunications sector. Continue reading “Fighting tax dodging and corruption: MEPs vote for tough new rules on corporate transparency” »

Hall: New EU caps on roaming charges come into force on 1 July

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Fiona Hall MEPOn 1 July, charges for using a mobile phone abroad will be significantly reduced thanks to new EU rules negotiated earlier this year.

The new prices caps (excluding VAT) are: 23p per minute to make a call (compared with 28p previously); 6p per minute to receive a call (rather than 9p); 7p to send a text message (compared with 9p); 56p per megabyte (MB) to download data or browse the internet whilst travelling abroad (no previous cap).

Fiona Hall MEP, leader of the UK Liberal Democrat delegation in the European Parliament and the party’s European industry spokesperson, commented:

“The new caps on roaming charges are great news for holidaymakers and business travellers alike. Continue reading “Hall: New EU caps on roaming charges come into force on 1 July” »