News from Westminster
Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 08:49, Fri 2 May 2008:
10p RATE OF TAX
A small number of residents have contacted me to express their concerns about the removal of the 10p starting rate of income tax. The Government has always sought to assist low income households, and will continue to do so. A range of measures, including the introduction of the minimum wage and tax credits for people in employment, and pension credit (as well as other universal benefits) for older people, has demonstrated our commitment. While the removal of the 10p tax rate has simplified the tax system, it is clear that some people would lose out through the changes, so I am delighted that the Chancellor last week announced that he will be looking at how to help younger workers without children, and pensioners aged 60-64. I will keep you updated.
OFSTED SUCCESS FOR LOCAL PRIMARIES
I am always pleased to hear from local schools – especially when it’s good news! That’s why I have been particularly delighted in the last couple of months to read excellent Ofsted reports from, amongst others, Ashton Vale Primary School, Bridge Farm, Headley Park Primary School and Victoria Park Community Junior School. What is clear from all of the reports is how much children enjoy going to school. This is, of course, absolutely essential, and is thanks to the hard work and commitment of the Headteachers, teachers, staff and governors. Many congratulations to all the schools!
ECONOMY
The Bank of England and Government has announced that it is providing £50bn of liquidity support to banks and mortgage lenders to help maintain stability in the financial markets, protect the economy and help homeowners. This will help banks continue to lend to businesses and homeowners and pass on the benefits of interest rate cuts by the Bank of England. This is part of a wider range of Government initiatives, both internationally and in the UK, to protect the economy from the effects of the US sub prime market. These changes will not threaten taxpayers, as credit risk will remain with the banks and their shareholders. At all times, the banks must provide as security to the Bank of England assets worth significantly more than the Treasury Bills they have received in return. If the value of their assets pledged as security falls, the banks must provide more assets to the Bank of England, or return some of their Treasury Bills.
INNS COURT RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION
I was pleased to welcome a number of visitors from the Inns Court Residents’ Association (ICRA) to Parliament last week. ICRA went on a tour of London before dropping in to see me at the House of Commons. We had a very useful meeting, and the commitment these residents have to their community is so encouraging. If you, or a voluntary organisation you work with, would like a tour of Parliament, please do let my office know. Please give plenty of notice, though, as spaces fill up fast!
NEIGHBOURHOOD PARTNERSHIPS Neighbourhood Partnerships are now rolling out across Bristol South, providing a new opportunity for local people to have a say in what happens in their communities. The partnerships - where residents, community organisations, the police, and representatives from the city council meet to discuss local issues - have been supported by the Government and are now being championed by our Labour Council. But they are more than just talking shops, with each council ward set to be given £5,000 to help make local improvements. Of course, it’s so important that residents get involved with the partnerships to make them work. If you’d like to find out more about the partnership serving your local area just let me know, and I’ll pass your details on to the relevant people.
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 respond to this email, 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.
Comments
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Posted by Adam Foster-Fahy, 09:24, Fri 2 May 2008: (Is this post abusive?) #
"While the removal of the 10p tax rate has simplified the tax system, it is clear that some people would lose out through the changes, so I am delighted that the Chancellor last week announced that he will be looking at how to help younger workers without children, and pensioners aged 60-64."
Has this really simplified the tax system? Why take more tax from certain people then give it back through credits? Surely it would be simpler just not to take it from them in the first place? This seems to me to be the exact opposite of making things simpler.
Posted by Pete Ferguson, 15:04, Fri 2 May 2008: (Is this post abusive?) #
"I am delighted that the Chancellor last week announced that he will be looking at how to help younger workers without children, and pensioners aged 60-64."
I suggest you try and tell this to the pensioners/low paid workers from Hartcliffe, Knowle, Bedminster, Withywood etc. Tell them they now have to go "cap in hand" to claim benefits, and why? through your leader's/loser's incompetence. Lucky for you 1st May 08 was not a general election and unlucky for us it was NOT.
Posted by Adam Foster-Fahy, 16:23, Sat 3 May 2008: (Is this post abusive?) #
"Tell them they now have to go "cap in hand" to claim benefits, and why? through your leader's/loser's incompetence."
Exactly - I am a young, childless worker who will be effected by this. I used to be able to pride myself on how hard I worked and how much I have achieved without being a leech on society through the benfits system. Now it looks like I shall have to get credits to ALLOW me to keep some of the money I have already EARNED.
Posted by TAHIR BASHIR, 21:21, Sat 3 May 2008: (Is this post abusive?) #
Why are you bothering me?From my experience with Dawn she is a complete waste of time!!!
Posted by Dean Ford, 18:45, Mon 5 May 2008: (Is this post abusive?) #
your reply to my last email proves you and the govermant are out of touch with the bristish public and they showed that last week in the local elections.
the 10p taxt change was unfare and can not be justified and no amount of spin and hollow promises will save you and your govermant this time.
smokers and drinker have had enough being band , taxed and pushed from the public and the 20 million voter like my self will never vote labour again.
you made no mention of the jobs in all the major imployers is south bristol getting rid of the locals and employing immigramts. the puplic in south bristol will be made aware of your lack of response.and hopfully vote for some one who cares.
and still no help for the bristish public with ever rising fuel and energy prises , we are not stupid and we now ,we pay the highest tax on fuel and energy in the EU. and we will make you pay at the next election for this.
i,ve voted labour for the past 35 years and i fill ashamed. Mr Ford
Posted by Dawn Primarolo, 13:55, Fri 9 May 2008: (Is this post abusive?) #
Thank you for your comments. With regard to the 10p rate, it is clear that this has caused some concern, which I understand, and the Government has apologised and is working hard to address these problems. Tax credits are specifically designed to be targeted – the Child Tax Credit for families with children and Working Tax Credit currently for workers over 25 who work more than 16 hours a week on low to middle incomes. The Government will announce proposals in the Autumn and, as I say, I will keep you updated.
With regard to Mr Bashir’s comments, I can only say that he has subscribed to this service, and is free to unsubscribe at any time.
In response to Mr Ford, we’ve discussed these issues at length both here on the Hear from Your MP website, and elsewhere, and we will have to agree to disagree on some points. Your comments about immigrant labour are simply not true, and I can only repeat that unemployment levels continue to fall. With regard to fuel, I know prices are high at the moment but the government has been sensitive to volatility in world fuel prices in the past few years and has frozen fuel tax on several occasions.