News from Westminster
Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 15:45, Fri 7 March 2008:
GREEN LIGHT FOR HOSPITAL?
The Council’s planning committee meets on Wednesday next week to discuss plans for our long awaited hospital and skills academy at Hengrove Park. Our campaign finally looks like paying off, and we could see building work begin later this year. Over seven thousand people signed my petition to get the plans moving again, and I’m pleased to say that the Council has really got behind the plans in the last few months. I have today submitted a statement of support to the committee – let me know if you’d like a copy. I also hope that as many local people as possible will take a few moments to tell the Council why we so badly need a hospital in our community. If you’d like to make a statement, please get in touch and I’ll provide you with the details.
NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE TO RISE AGAIN
The Prime Minister has this week announced that the minimum wage will rise to £5.73 an hour from October. This increase will benefit nearly one million people across the United Kingdom, two-thirds of them women. While I am very proud of the introduction of the minimum wage, I’m really pleased that the Government’s Employment Bill proposes tough new penalties for the minority of employers who refuse to comply with the law.
FIRST GREAT WESTERN - UPDATE
You may remember in my last newsletter I expressed concern about the lack of progress made by First Great Western to improve its train services. I was therefore very pleased to hear the announcement made last week by the Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, saying that the Government was introducing tough new measures to tackle FGW’s unacceptably high levels of train cancellations. FGW has been issued with a Remedial Notice which sets out a plan for reducing cancellations, bringing in additional rolling stock, and employment of more drivers, guards and technicians, all of which should help to secure a more reliable service. The company has agreed to fund a £29m package of benefits to include more compensation for its passengers, more cheaper fares, additional trains and upgraded customer information systems.
The Government has threatened to take away FGW’s franchise if they do not meet their targets and this really is in my view the final chance for them to improve their service.
CLAIMING PENSION CREDIT
You may be aware that, thanks the introduction of Pension Credit, all single pensioners are entitled to a minimum income of £119.05 a week, while couples are guaranteed to at least £181.70. Many older people are receiving Pension Credit but, unfortunately, some people who are entitled have not applied. If you’re unsure whether you can claim pension credit, or if you think an older friend or family member is not claiming what they’re entitled to, please do get in touch with The Pension Service. Even pensioners with savings or other assets may be eligible. You can contact The Pension Service by telephoning – free - 0800 991234.
PROPOSED POST OFFICE CLOSURES
I was very disappointed to hear that Post Office Ltd are proposing to close their branches at Bedminster Road and Chessel Street. Both Bedminster Road and The Chessels are busy post offices and provide an invaluable service to our communities. I will be asking residents for their comments on the proposals – as well as encouraging them to respond to the consultation. I know that local Labour councillors share my concern and will be making similar objections. What we need to do now is look very carefully at the proposals and show the Post Office why these two branches do not meet their criteria for closure. It is the case that advances in technology mean that the current Post Office network needs to change. We’re now seeing eight out of ten older people having their pensions paid directly into their bank account, for example. But Post Office branches do provide a vital service, particularly to older members of our communities, and we need to ensure that the network in Bristol South ensures that the principle of easy access to all is continued.
LISTENING TO OUR POLICE
I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with local police officers and Police Community Support Officers at Broadbury Road Police Station last week. I wanted to thank officers for all of the hard work they do, as well as listen to their views on neighbourhood policing. Neighbourhood policing ensures that residents have a team of officers and PCSOs allocated to their neighbourhood who are able to spend more time out on the beat. This means that our communities don’t just feel safer – they actually are safer. The officers I spoke with were very positive in their experience of neighbourhood policing. They also pointed to one or two areas of concern, which I will be raising with both the Chief Constable and the Home Secretary. There’s no doubt that neighbourhood policing works, which is why I’m delighted that the Labour council has funded 42 extra PCSOs to tackle crime and nuisance across Bristol.
NEW DRUG STRATEGY LAUNCH
Last week the Government published its new ten year drug strategy, ‘Drugs: Protecting Families and Communities’ which will see a £1bn investment this year. As Public Health Minister I was closely involved in developing this cross-departmental plan which aims to:
• Cut drug-related crime and disorder; • Cut the risk of drug use among young people; • Cut the number of families devastated by parental drug use; • Increase the number of drug users making a positive contribution to society; and • Expand and improve drug treatment services.
The strategy sets out a 10-year vision to build on the successful current strategy, with a raft of new measures to strengthen the Government’s existing work to enforce education and intervene on drugs, and support those who need it into treatment.
I helped to draw up the drug treatment aspects of the strategy, a key element of which is an innovative new pilot scheme which aims to help drug users who are on benefits to get into treatment, get a job, and live a drug free life. More information about the Drugs Strategy can be found at: http://drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/drug-strategy/
VISIT TO NEW FERTILITY UNIT
On Monday I joined Doug Naysmith MP for a visit to the new Fertility Unit at Southmead Hospital. The £3.5m Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine opened to patients in January and helps couples who have been having difficulty conceiving. I was very impressed by the brand new, state-of the art facilities which include 11 consulting rooms, two theatres and a suite of embryology labourites. At a time when increasing numbers of people need help to conceive I am delighted that such an excellent facility exists in Bristol with its wide range of fertility services.
ANY QUESTIONS?
If you have any queries about these issues, or have a question you would like to ask about anything else, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Just email primarolod@parliament.uk, phone 0117 909 0063 or write to me at PO Box 1002, Bristol, BS99 1WH. Alternatively, for more information on what’s happening in and around Bristol South, you can visit www.bristolsouthlabourparty.org.uk.
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