MPs Allowances
Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 14:31, Fri 22 May 2009:
MPs' ALLOWANCES
I was shocked and angered to read some of the revelations in the press about MPs’ expenses. It has always been an enormous honour to represent you here in Bristol South, and in Westminster. You have invested your trust in me, and I am acutely aware how important it is for you to have confidence that I continue to earn that trust. Throughout my time as a representative for Bristol South I have always been honest when completing my claims and, I believe, have acted not only within the rules but also within the spirit of the rules. I have also published details of my claims and receipts for my allowances on my website – www.bristolsouthlabourparty.org.uk. I hope that this explains the swift action that I have taken, and will assure you that claims I have made have been necessary and proportionate.
SMART METERS
Thousands of people in Bristol South will benefit from the smart meter roll-out that came a step closer last week as the Government published plans for installing the revolutionary kit in all homes and small businesses across Britain by 2020. The new meters will enable us to see moment to moment how much gas and electricity we’re using and just how much energy we can save by simple measures such as switching out one light or taking one device off standby. Smart meters will save money off bills and help cut down on our carbon dioxide emissions. Britain is leading the way with this technology - no other country in the world has yet implemented an electricity and gas smart meter roll out on this scale.
NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE
Last week the Government announced the new National Minimum Wage rates to take effect in October. The independent Low Pay Commission’s proposed increases have been approved by the Government:
The Minimum Wage for workers aged 22 and over will increase from £5.73 to £5.80 an hour. The rate for 18 to 21-year-olds will rise from £4.77 to £4.83. For 16 and 17-year-olds, the rate will go up to £3.57 an hour from £3.53.
A minimum wage is vital for protecting the lowest-paid workers from exploitation and the above increases will benefit nearly one million people in October.
CAR SCRAPPAGE SCHEME LAUNCHED
This week saw the introduction of the Government’s £300m scrappage scheme, announced in last month’s Budget. The scheme offers consumers £2,000 towards a brand new car or van, when they trade in a 10-year-old vehicle. The grant is made up of £1,000 from government with matched funding from vehicle manufacturers and is intended to boost consumer confidence and demand for new cars. Thirty eight manufacturers are taking part, covering all the major brands, and the scheme will operate until March 2010 or until the government funding has been exhausted.
ENGAGING COMMUNITIES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
A consultation is currently taking place on the recently published ‘Engaging Communities in Criminal Justice’ green paper. This document sets out proposals for further improvements to the design and delivery of local criminal justice services, designed to open up the whole justice system to communities so that services are more transparent, responsive and more accountable to local people. For your chance to have your say on the proposals, visit http://consultations.cjsonline.gov.uk/?conid=1 or contact my office for more information. The closing date for views and comments is 31 July 2009.
SUPPORT FOR PROVATE TENANTS
I welcomed the new range of proposals put forward last week to strengthen consumer protections for tenants living in private rented accommodation. The Government is keen to improve the quality of the private rented sector by driving out bad landlords, increasing professionalism and strengthening protections for tenants affected by repossessions. The new proposals include: measures to regulate letting agents and create a national register of landlords, an improved complaints and redress procedure for tenants, and ensuring that tenants have a minimum two months’ notice if they have to leave their home because their landlord has been repossessed. These proposals are now being taken forward for consultation.
EHRC FUNDING PROGRAMME LAUNCHED
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has announced a new £10.2 million Strategic Funding Programme, providing three-year project-based funding of up to £450,000 for community and voluntary sector organisations working on equality and human rights issues.
As a first priority, the EHRC is looking to fund organisations that provide guidance, advice and advocacy services in areas such as education, health and employment, as well building capacity where there are gaps in local provision. A second priority area will support increased co-operation between groups in areas where there are known tensions, and a third priority area is support for legal advice and awareness of legal rights. For more information about the funding and details of how to apply are available on the following website: www.equalityhumanrights.com/funding.
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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