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Shadow Business Secretary visits Brighton

WEB.600.5Chuka Umunna praised the resilience and initiative of Sussex firms on a visit to the city yesterday (Thursday, April 30).

THE Shadow Business Secretary was visiting Brighton to support Nancy Platts, Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven.

Umunna has led initiatives such as the Small Business Saturday Campaign, backed by Edward Street employer American Express. He visited business and small companies in Woodingdean including Johny’s Wares Hardware Store.

Chuka said: “What strikes everyone who visits Brighton and Hove is the sheer range and diversity of small businesses in the city. This diversity must be celebrated and a Labour government will fight tooth and nail to support start-up firms and local stores like those on Warren Road in Woodingdean.

“Successful businesses need access to finance if they are to grow, so the next Labour Government will establish a British Investment Bank to boost lending for small businesses to grow and create jobs.”

Nancy Platts, Labour’s candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, added: “Throughout this campaign I’ve seen first hand the commitment and dedication small business owners put into their companies and into the community. Labour’s policy to cut and freeze business rates will help 8,000 businesses across Brighton and Hove. If elected, I will champion our local businesses because it is through their success and entrepreneurship that we will get the economy moving again.”

Johny
Johny

Johny from Johny’s Wares, said: “It was great to meet Chuka today and explain how we set up our business and how we work closely with the community in Woodingdean to ensure we offer the goods and services they are looking for. It was also great fun showing Chuka how to use our special key cutting machine!”

For more information about Johny’s Wares, click here:

 

Mouse droppings result in £7,200 fine for Seafront Restaurant

The operator of a seafront restaurant was fined a total of £7,200 by Brighton magistrates today (May 1) after food safety inspectors found mouse droppings in the kitchen on two separate visits to the venue.

Azure Restaurant

XTO Ltd the food business operator of Azure at 9-11 Lower Promenade, Madeira Drive, Brighton admitted ten offences under food hygiene regulations.

The court was told that food safety officers from Brighton & Hove City Council visited the Azure restaurant on August 26 2014, following a complaint.

Len Batten, prosecuting on behalf of the city council, said: “officers were concerned about the risk to health after finding mouse droppings behind a freezer, on shelving where dried food was stored, and food packets which had been gnawed by mice”.

The manager of the premises agreed to voluntarily close the restaurant and it was allowed to reopen following cleaning and disinfection.

However, when members of the food safety team returned on September 4 to check the premises, the court was told they found the infestation had returned, and was worse than before, with mouse droppings at 14 different locations.

These included on five shelves used to store dried food and inside a packet of ground almonds; on the kitchen floor behind the freezer and under the sink; in a store room on the floor and on shelving where uncovered limes were stored; on the floor of a customer seating booth; and on a glass washer and shelving in the bar.  (Picture attached shows mouse droppings on the floor of the kitchen.)

The food safety officers were again concerned about a risk to health and the premises once again closed until action was taken to clean the restaurant and tackle the infestation.

Director Max Mazurenko appeared on behalf of XTO Ltd, which is based at Metropole Court, Kings Road, Brighton. The company was fined £450 for each of four offences on August 26 and £900 for each of six offences on September 9, plus £1,937 costs.

Tim Nichols, the council’s Head of Regulatory Services, said: “Fortunately cases such as these are rare, and most food businesses in the city and the council work hard to provide high standards of food hygiene. However this case sends out a clear message that the council will not hesitate to take action where necessary.”

Azure restaurant was closed during the winter. Food safety officers inspected the restaurant last week and were satisfied there was no mice activity.

 

‘Forgotten Stories’ from the Royal Docks

People are being asked to contribute forgotten stories to a new historical archive, honouring the rich cultural history behind London’s Royal Docks.

Forgotten Stories

DID you or your family used to work in or grow up in or around London’s Royal Docks? Were you a docker or did you live in a dockside community? Perhaps a member of your family remembers the Royal Docks in the Blitz or the day the elephants arrived?

A new project has been launched that will see forgotten stories from London’s Royal Docks collated as a part of a new online historical archive. The archives, which are to be created by the Royal Docks in the East End, will provide a historical record of a unique area on the eve of a major redevelopment.

The first of the Royal Docks was opened in 1855, introducing a new world of commerce to the capital and drawing people from all over the world. After many developments the Royal Docks became the largest enclosed docks in the world, their prominent central London location stretching all the way from leafy Hyde Park, to the iconic Tower Bridge. The Docks are now undergoing a major regeneration programme which aims to transform the area into a new, innovative cultural, business and residential district for London.

Mike Luddy, Managing Director of RoDMA, the Royal Docks Management Authority, says: “The Royal Docks is an incredible place. As we head towards completing the regeneration of the docks from working docks, to one of the most exciting zones in London, it is so important that we can tell the story of the place this used to be. For the next generation nothing will bring the Royal Docks story to life more than hearing and seeing it through the eyes of those who lived or worked here. So we are urging people to share any stories they might have of their life in the docks, or indeed that of their parents and grandparents. The Royal Docks were once the epicentre of trade in London and we want to create an archive that ensure we never forget what this area once was”

If you’re interested in taking part in London’s Royal Docks Forgotten Stories project email: info@londonsroyaldocks.co.uk

Facebook: @LondonsRoyalDocks

To view the archive when completed, click here:

 

Labour launch National LGBT Manifesto in Brighton

Labour’s LGBT manifesto promises to transform access to mental health services for next generation of LGBT people.

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LAUNCHING Labour’s LGBT manifesto Angela Eagle, Labour’s Shadow Leader of the House of Commons highlighted statistics showing nearly a quarter of LGB young people, and half of young trans people, have attempted suicide. She pledged that Labour will prioritise access to mental health services for young people, including those bullied because of their sexuality or gender identity and ensure teachers are equipped to identify problems early and link children up with support. She said that the extraordinary progress Britain has made on lesbian and gay rights over the last 20 years remains one of Labour’s proudest achievements, but was clear there is no room for complacency.

She said: “I’m proud that over the twenty three years I’ve been in parliament Labour has helped to deliver legal equality for LGBT people, but now we face a fight to make that equality a reality for every single LGBT person in our country. Too many LGBT young people are growing up scared and alone because they are bullied at school and don’t have sufficient support when their mental health suffers. In government Labour will finish the job we started and ensure every LGBT person has the chance to achieve their ambitions free from prejudice and discrimination.”

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Angela was joined by Stephen Twigg, former Shadow Secretary of State for Education, entertainer Amy Lame and the three local Labour candidates, Peter Kyle (Hove and Portslade), Purna Sen (Brighton Pavilion) and Nancy Platts at Allsorts Youth Project, where she chatted with young people from the project, prior to the main manifesto launch at the Komedia later in the evening.

 

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The commitment forms part of a wider package of measures to tackle discrimination and promote positive representation for LGBT young people, including action on homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools, strengthening the law on hate crime and challenging narrow and prejudiced representations of LGBT people in public life.

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Labour’s LGBT manifesto pledges five promises to the LGBT community to drive forward progress: 

Tackle the discrimination that holds LGBT people back: Labour will strengthen the law on LGBT hate crime, undertake a review of gender identity law and policy and implement ‘Turings Law’ offering posthumous pardons to gay men convicted for homosexuality.

An education free from homophobia, biphobia and transphobia: With Labour, teachers will be equipped to tackle LGBT-phobic bullying, and we will introduce age-appropriate compulsory sex and relationship education in all State-supported schools so that young people learn to respect each other’s relationships.

Leadership on LGBT rights around the world: Labour will appoint the UK’s first International envoy on LGBT rights to promote respect on LGBT rights globally, and review the procedures for asylum seekers fleeing persecution for their sexuality or gender identity, to ensure the rules are upheld fairly and humanely.

Accessible and supportive health services: With Labour, people will have an equal right to mental health treatment including talking therapies and we will work with the trans community to improve access to gender care services.

Fairer and more diverse representation in public life: Labour will work to improve LGBT representation in Parliament and challenge narrow representations of LGBT people across public life 

Gloria de Piero
Gloria de Piero

Gloria de Piero, Labour’s Shadow Equalities Minister, said: “As a country we have made huge strides towards equality in law and in life for LGBT people, and it is a source of huge pride that so many of these were delivered by Labour in Government. But when so many LGBT young people still suffer discrimination and bullying we cannot be complacent. 

“Labour will continue to drive forward progress with a plan to tackle homophobic bullying, strengthen the law on hate crime, improve access to mental health services for all and provide international leadership on LGBT rights.” 

 

Tories have most ‘out’ candidates standing at General Election

LGBToryThe Conservatives will be fielding 37 out candidates in constituencies up and down the country, at the General Election on May 7.

ACCORDING to LGBTory, the Conservative Party LGBT Group, this will be the highest number of out candidates selected by any political party.

Colm Howard-Lloyd
Colm Howard-Lloyd

LGBTory Chairman Colm Howard-Lloyd, said: “This impressive number of candidates builds on the Conservative Party’s record of having more out MPs than the other major parties put together.

“We are pleased to have 12 out former MPs re-standing as well as to have selected gay candidates in winnable seats such as Bath, Blackpool South and North East Derbyshire.

“The Conservative-led government’s achievements on LGBT rights have been transformational with same-sex couples in England and Wales being able to marry from March last year.

“We have also seen £2 million distributed to tackle homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools as well as the law changed to allow gay men to apply for convictions for consensual gay sex to be disregarded. There is a pledge in the Conservative Party’s election manifesto to issue a pardon for historical gay sex convictions if elected in May.”

Out candidates have been selected in every region of Great Britain with LGBTory patron Ruth Davidson, MSP leading the Conservatives’ campaign in Scotland.

The Conservative candidates include:

• Stuart Andrew: Pudsey first elected in 2010

• Peter Anthony: Blackpool South

• Peter Bedford: Bolsover

• James Bellis: Vauxhall

• James Bird: Birmingham Hall Green

• Will Blair: Holborn and St. Pancras

• Crispin Blunt: Reigate first elected in 1997

• Nick Boles: Grantham and Stamford first elected in 2010

• Conor Burns: Bournemouth West first elected in 2010

• Cllr Chris Chapman: Ilford South

• Cllr Christopher Clarkson: Wallasey

• Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan: Rutland and Melton first elected in 1992

• Nigel Evans: Ribble Valley first elected in 1992

• Mark Fletcher: Doncaster

• Cllr Jean-Paul Floru: Bermondsey & Old Southwark

• Mike Freer: Finchley and Golders Green first elected in 2010

• Jamie Greene: North Ayrshire and Arran

• Rt Hon Nick Herbert: Arundel and South Downs first elected in 2005

• Paul Holmes: Mitcham and Morden

• Richard Hopkin: Cardiff Central

• Ben Howlett: Bath

• Margot James: Stourbridge first elected in 2010

• Daniel Kawcynski: Shrewsbury and Atcham first elected in 2010

• Cllr Liam Marshall-Ascough: Stoke-on-Trent Central

• Martin McGann: North Tyneside

• Robert McIlveen: York Central

• Cllr Damien Moore: Southport

• Kieran Mullan: Birmingham Hodge Hill

• Simon Nayyar: Feltham and Heston

• David Nichols: Clwyd South

• Eric Ollerenshaw OBE: Fleetwood and Lancaster first elected in 2010

• Lee Rowley: NE Derbyshire

• Thomas Smith: Gateshead

• Iain Stewart: Milton Keynes South first elected in 2010

• Cllr Ross Thomson: Aberdeen South

• Mark Vivis: Chesterfield

• Emma Warman: Cardiff South and Penarth

 

Green Party launch national LGBTIQ Manifesto in Soho

Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, launched the party’s LGBTIQ Manifesto in Soho today.

Green LGBT ManifestoThe manifesto contains pledges to:

•   Review the discriminatory blood ban

•   Introduce LGBTIQ-inclusive sex education

•   Protect LGBTIQ asylum seekers

•   Improve services for trans people

•   Promote LGBTIQ rights abroad

Bennett was joined in Soho by Green Party Deputy Leader, Amelia Womack and Human Rights Campaigner, Peter Thatchell.

Natalie Bennett
Natalie Bennett

She said: “Homophobia, transphobia and biphobia are still all too common in our society. Too many people still fear persecution – at home, in the workplace and on the street.

“In Parliament the Greens’ Caroline Lucas has been a tireless advocate for equal rights. She led calls for LGBTIQ-inclusive sex education, and fought against loopholes that meant that same-sex spouses did not receive equal pension rights.

“Our promise to the LGBTIQ community is that a strong group of MPs will always work with you, and fight for your rights. We know that the struggle continues – and we’ll do everything within our power to work with you towards ending discrimination.”

Ahead of the General  Election, The Green Party of England and Wales is polling at record levels. Membership in 2014 increased by 123%, to over 70,000 making the Greens the third largest party in England and Wales.

The Green Party is standing candidates in over 90% of seats.

To view the Greens LGBTIQ Manifesto, click here:

 

 

Purna Sen: Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Pavilion

Purna came to the UK from India in 1962, studied in state schools and taught in adult, community and further education.

Purna Sen: Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Pavilion
Purna Sen: Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Pavilion

SHE has worked for NGOs on violence against women and human rights and with asylum seekers and refugees.  She became single at the age of 40, with two teenage daughters.

Purna has been a Brighton resident for 6 years, is a trustee of Rise, which supports women dealing with violence, and a trustee and past chair of the Kaleidoscope Trust, supporting the rights of LGBT people internationally.

She was Director of Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific programme working across many countries, including in Nepal and Sri Lanka during armed conflict.

As Head of Human Rights at the Commonwealth Secretariat she advised governments at the highest levels, on human rights. This included talks with the Ugandan government on the Anti-Homosexuality (then-)Bill. She also sat on the Technical Advisory Group for the Global Commission for HIV and the Law and now work at the London School of Economics as Deputy Director of the Institute of Public Affairs.

This is the first time Purna has stood in an election.


Purna’s position on the Stonewall Equality Manifesto: To download Manifesto, click here:

“From my work on human rights and the rights of LGBT people in this country and internationally, I know just how important Stonewall’s Manifesto is for anyone able to influence public policy.

“There has undoubtedly been real progress since the grim days of Section 28, against which I campaigned when I was teaching and which restricted the work in my daughters’ school, where I was a governor. The last Labour government’s legislation on civil partnerships, the rights of transgender people, adoption rights and the age of consent were crucial in establishing the LGBT rights and changing public perception. The last government’s introduction of gay marriage was a sign of that national, and cultural, change.”

Statutory PSHE and Sex and Relationships Education for primary and secondary schools in England: I know only too well, including from local conversations, how important it is to continue this work, as Stonewall suggests. This must happen in our schools, through PSHE and Sex Relationship Education (SRE), and in wider society. I welcome Labour’s commitments on SRE.

Combatting homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime: In my election material I have pledged to work for zero tolerance of hate crime against LGBT people as well as against BAME, disabled and faith communities. These are also important issues in Labour’s local election manifesto for May 7.

Reviewing the law affecting trans people: The last Labour MP for Brighton Pavilion, David Lepper, played a vital role with local organisations in lobbying Home Office ministers about the rights of trans people and that led to the Gender Recognition Act. But it is now time to review that legislation.

International Aid: From my international work I know the importance of initiatives to ensure aid promotes the rights of all, including LGBT people. At the time of last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow I was one of the keynote speakers at the conference organised by the Equality Network, the Kaleidoscope Trust, the Glasgow Human Rights Network and Pride Glasgow.  The event highlighted the legislation within Commonwealth countries which continues to criminalise LGBT people and the danger that continues in some places where the law has changed. Discrimination and danger exist beyond the Commonwealth, where the UK must support efforts for equality.


Purna’s position on the future Commissioning of Health Services and how that affects the Sussex Beacon:

“The Sussex Beacon is a unique organisation outside London, in supporting local people living with HIV/AIDS and their families, both in terms of inpatient care and in the community. The Beacon has funding from non-statutory sources, but I believe that its expertise, built up over many years, makes it irreplaceable as a partner in our local NHS and as a local MP I would certainly support efforts to ensure more secure, statutory funding.”

For a full list of candidates standing in Brighton Pavilion, click here:

Chris Bowers: Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Pavilion

Chris Bowers, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Brighton Pavilion is a writer and broadcaster, commentating on radio and TV for Eurosport, ESPN and internet media, and was a member of the BBC 5 Live team at Wimbledon for 12 years from 1994-2007.

Chris Bowers: Liberal Democratic Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Pavilion
Chris Bowers: Liberal Democratic Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Pavilion

CHRIS works in the environmental movement, has been a councillor on nearby Lewes District Council since 2007 and is Nick Clegg’s biographer.

He has always been interested in politics but says he decided to stand for election when he fully realised the importance of a healthy political system. His father came to Britain as a refugee from Nazi Germany in 1938, his grandfather spent 12 days in a concentration camp but got out, so he has family experience of what can happen when people get too dismissive of politics.

He believes the biggest issue affecting everyone is the environment, because without a healthy environment everything else is secondary. He has chosen to make his contribution through the Lib Dems, not the Greens, because he says: “you have to take people with you”. Chris has lived just outside Brighton since 1998.


Chris’s position on the Stonewall Equality Manifesto: To download Manifesto, click here:

“Both I and my party are fully supportive of the LGBT agenda. We were the ones who pushed for same-sex relationships to be afforded marriage status, and we have argued for LGBT rights to be considered human rights with the same protection from abuse as other human rights.

Statutory PSHE and Sex and Relationships Education for primary and secondary schools in England: I have no problem supporting the four pillars of Stonewall’s equality manifesto. As the father of a 13-year-old I am fully supportive of compulsory PHSE teaching in secondary schools that incorporates sex and relationships education, in fact I believe the ground should be prepared in Year 6 as some children experience the onset of puberty before they leave primary school.

Combatting homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime: Combatting hate crime against LGBT people is a given, and I fully support the right of trans-gender people to be themselves. This is consistent with the second and third sentences of the preamble to the Liberal Democrats’ constitution, which says: “We champion the freedom, dignity and well-being of individuals, we acknowledge and respect their right to freedom of conscience and their right to develop their talents to the full. We aim to disperse power, to foster diversity and to nurture creativity.

I have two minor reservations, which are not strong enough to prevent me supporting the Stonewall manifesto. Firstly, I believe that any same-sex couple that has children has a moral obligation to establish access for their children to a steady role model of the opposite gender, as it is part of a child’s human rights to grow up in an environment in which they can build meaningful relationships with people of all walks of life, including both genders.

International Aid: Secondly, while I support the aspiration to embed LGBT equality into the way overseas aid is delivered, this must not happen at the cost of disrespecting the cultures of the countries set to benefit from such aid. This aspiration must take the form of encouraging a shift in perceptions, not to demonising those who have yet to discover the value of treating all people and all sexual orientations equally.”


Chris’s position on the future Commissioning of Health Services and how that affects the Sussex Beacon:

“The HIV voluntary sector in Brighton provides a vital service, and this must not be allowed to carry an unfair burden in dealing with HIV in the city. Agencies such as the Sussex Beacon have done some great work, but they too cannot carry the burden alone. It is vital that they be funded to work in tandem with the NHS – the NHS provides the hospital care, but much HIV care must be carried out in the community, and for that, groups like Sussex Beacon, Lunch Positive and others must be part of an integrated effort. Brighton has an above-average rate of HIV, and therefore needs an above-average level of funding. It should not feel it is seeking preferential treatment by asking for it.”

For a full list of candidates standing in Brighton Pavilion, click here:

 

What has your Pavilion MP been doing for you for the last 5 years?

Caroline Lucas was elected MP for Brighton Pavilion in May 2010. She looks back over the last five years at what she has been able to achieve for LGBT residents in her constituency.

Caroline Lucas MP for Brighton Pavilion
Caroline Lucas MP for Brighton Pavilion

“AS the first Green MP to be elected to Parliament, I have actively campaigned for same-sex marriage legislation, tabling amendments when the Bill came to Parliament to give same-sex couples the same pension rights as opposite sex couples and to right the wrong inflicted on trans people who were forced to annul their marriages in order to acquire a Gender Recognition Certificate, under the terms of the Gender Recognition Act 2004.

“I campaigned for genuine equality through civil partnerships being available to opposite sex couples and lobbied the Government to take action against those who promote and provide so-called ‘gay cures’ – and called for a ban on conversion therapies for under 18s.

“I spoke out against homophobic chanting at football matches – discussing this with the Albion and I lent active support to community initiatives and those from the FA to tackle the problem and I tabled a parliamentary motion calling for Government action to ensure that the national game, from grassroots level right up to the professional game, and from the boardroom to the terraces, is free from any kind of discrimination against the LGBT community.

“I actively promoted LGBT rights in other countries through speaking at IDAHOBIT’s annual events, raising specific cases with Ministers, condemning the LGBT death penalty laws in Uganda and urging the Government to make LGBT equality a focus for work at its embassies across the world.

“I called on Ministers to ensure safe haven and refugee status for LGBT people fleeing persecution in violently homophobic and transphobic counties – including taking up specific individual cases and supporting parliamentary motions.

“I co-sponsored a parliamentary motion urging Ministers to end the ban on men who are openly gay or bisexual being barred for life from donating blood, helping secure a 12 month deferral (far from perfect but step in the right direction!) and I raised concerns about the NHS requiring trans people to undergo a mandatory two-year period of psychiatric assessment and condemned the treatment of trans people by the press, with specific reference to The Sun.

“I also worked with Sussex Police to ensure tackling LGBT hate crime as a priority.

“Regarding HIV/AIDS I lobbied Ministers to extend the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine programme to boys and men who have sex with men and led the parliamentary campaign on HIV self testing.

“I worked with a Brighton & Hove based charity to call on Government to make an international blueprint for a HIV free generation to be a key focus of international development work and lobbied Ministers about the ongoing impact of the international funding crisis at the Global Fund to fight HIV/Aids and called for action to ensure that funding gaps are urgently plugged.

“I campaigned for adequate social care provision for those living with HIV and Aids, including opposing the end to ring fencing of the Aids Support Grant which local authorities get to meet the social care needs of adults and children living with HIV, while actively supporting the Sussex Beacon in the care they provide to those living with HIV.

“I called for those accessing eligibility for disability allowances to be trained in and properly advised about the needs of people with HIV/Aids and actively supported the Halve It coalition in its work to increase diagnosis rates for HIV.

“I also successfully called for reducing late diagnoses to be a target in the Public Health Outcomes Framework, spoke out about workplace restrictions on HIV positive healthcare workers and called for comprehensive training for teachers and educational staff on all diversity and inclusion issues; schools to promote equal opportunities in their anti-bullying procedures and equalities issues to be monitored in teaching recruitment.

Caroline Lucas MP

 

Bear-Patrol raise nearly £16,000 for Sussex Beacon

Bear-Patrol the social networking group raised £15,857.45 for the Sussex Beacon running in the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon in February 2015.

Bear Patrol

TWENTY nine members of Bear-Patrol took part in the race on Sunday, February 22, 2015, to raise money for the Sussex Beacon, with another thirty members volunteering on the day at the Mile 6 water station and in the Team Beacon runners marquee.

The total is the largest amount Bear-Patrol have raised from a single event with their fundraising.

Danny Dwyer
Danny Dwyer

Danny Dwyer from Bear-Patrol, said: “Well done to all the runners and volunteers who took part in the race and a massive thank you to everyone who supported and sponsored our team runners before and during the event .. this is an amazing achievement for the team and for Bear-Patrol.

The date of the 2016 Vitality Brighton Half Marathon is Sunday, February 28, 2016. Bear-Patrol are recruiting 40 runners plus volunteers to take part and top this years magnificent total.

If you would like to be part of the running team or volunteer with Bear-Patrol on the day, click here:

 

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