SWINE FLU
Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 15:15, Fri 8 May 2009:
SWINE FLU
As Public Health Minister, I have been helping to co-ordinate the UK’s response to the outbreak of swine flu. The situation is a rapidly changing one, and I know that people are concerned. The Government has been planning for a potential pandemic for a number of years and, as a result, we are one of the best prepared countries. We have stocks of anti-viral drugs to treat half the UK’s population, and are to increase this to 80%. These drugs are not a cure, but are designed to relieve symptoms, shorten the length of the illness, and reduce the potential for complications. At the time of writing 39 swine flu cases have been confirmed in the UK. The Government has begun distributing a leaflet to every household in the country to help people identify the symptoms, and provide information for what they should do if they do become ill. There’s a great deal of further information available, either on the Department of Health website – www.dh.gov.uk – or by calling the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513.
LAMING REVIEW
A large number of residents contacted me following the news of Baby P’s terrible treatment. The Government acted swiftly, and appointed experienced law-lord Lord Laming to conduct an urgent and thorough enquiry into the care of vulnerable children.
The Government has now had a chance to respond to Lord Laming’s recommendations. A range of new regulations will be put into force, in an attempt to ensure that the dreadful experience of Baby P will not be repeated. These new regulations include:
· Extra funding has been made available, which will, amongst other things:
- Sponsor 200 university places to make it easier for the very highest achieving graduates to transfer to a career in social care.
- Launch a campaign to try to persuade people who have left the profession to return to social work.
- Ensure that newly qualified social workers receive time for training and support.
· Child Protection Boards will now be required to appoint two ‘lay’ members from the local community. This will mean that child protection arrangements will no longer be behind closed doors.
· An annual report will be presented to Parliament to update MPs on child protection. The report will be compiled by Sir Roger Singleton, who has many years experience in helping vulnerable children, with assistance from organisations including the NHS, OFSTED, the police and the NSPCC.
VISITING HARTCLIFFE CHILDREN'S CENTRE
I met with parents, teachers and children at Hartcliffe Children’s Centre this afternoon. The Centre, on Hareclive Road, is one of 3,000 opened since 1997, which means that the Government is on target to deliver a children’s centre in every community by next year. There are now 26 centres in Bristol, all providing a range of services for children under five and their families. Hartcliffe is a fantastic example of teachers, governors and parents working together to provide the very best start for children on the estate. The centre has been praised by Ofsted as providing an outstanding level of care and education, thanks to the hard work of Headteacher Lynne James and her dedicated staff.
GRADUATE TALENT POOL
The Government is continuing to work hard to provide real help to people who, through no fault of their own, are finding it difficult to get a job during the recession. University leavers can often find it difficult to get onto the employment ladder straight after graduating, and often seek to increase their skills or experience through voluntary work or internships. With this in mind, the Government has launched the Graduate Talent Pool, which will help match up graduates seeking internships with companies and organisations that can offer them vital experience. The police force and National Rail are amongst a wide range of organisations already signed up, and the system is set to start matching interns with organisations from September. If you’d like more information, you can visit www.dius.gov.uk/graduatetalentpool.co.uk.
GREYHOUND WELFARE
I know from my postbag and email inbox how concerned residents of Bristol South are about animal welfare. I was, therefore, pleased that the Government have announced new regulations concerning greyhounds which will come into force later this year. All greyhound tracks will have to ensure that a vet is present at every meeting, that they have suitable facilities and are able to examine every dog before they race. A greyhound will not be able to compete in a race or a trial if the vet decides, for any reason, the dog is unfit. Greyhound tracks will also have to introduce measures which ensure that they keep proper records of all dogs at the track. These are sensible measures which will improve the welfare of greyhounds, while ensuring that this popular sport is allowed to continue.
FAIR TIPS AND FAIR WAGES
This week, the Business Minister, Pat McFadden, confirmed that the Government will be making it illegal for customer tips to bring staff’s pay up to the minimum wage. From October, any tips left by customers will be in addition to staff member’s basic pay. The Government offered to look into this issue last year and has now announced that the rules will be changing to ensure everyone is getting a fair pay for their work. I very much welcome this move – I know most people expect tips they leave in restaurants to be an extra bonus for the waiting staff rather than forming part of their wages, so I’m pleased that changes are being made to ensure this is the case in all establishments.
FUTURE JOBS FUND
The Government is investing £1bn in a new Future Jobs Fund with the aim of guaranteeing work or training to every 18 to 24 year old at risk of long-term unemployment. The Government is looking for local councils, the voluntary sector and others to come forward with bids to the Future Jobs Fund which will create additional jobs for long term unemployed people and benefit the local community. More details about the fund and how to apply will become available in the next few weeks, but in the meantime, further information is available on the following page of the Department for Work and Pensions website: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/campaigns/futurejobsfund
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DARK ANGELS
Knowle West dance troupe the Dark Angels have returned from the United States after the world championships in Florida. The team, who are based at The Park on Daventry Road, missed out by just 0.1 of a point on the world title – but can still be immensely proud of their achievements. I have written to the team to congratulate them on their efforts, and for putting Knowle West on the map on the international stage.
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. Email me at 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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