Update from Linda Gilroy MP: 13 November 2009
Posted by Linda Gilroy, MP for Plymouth, Sutton, at 11:56, Fri 13 November 2009:
Thought for the Week
On Wednesday I delivered a speech on the the work of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in Plymouth. The recession is still biting hard for many people, but this week's fall in unemployment figures in Plymouth is good news, as is the news that Princess Yachts are taking back on a number of staff who they let go earlier in the year. Leaving people to cope alone and cutting back support, as happened in past recessions, is simply not acceptable. Figures suggest that if it weren't for the proactive measures taken by this Government a further 500,000 would be unemployed (perhaps a couple thousand of them in Plymouth). Some other thoughts to consider are:
- Plymouth Sutton has 3,214 unemployed claimants as of October 2009 - this is the same level as April 2009 and compares with 4715 in 1997.
- The number of people unemployed in Plymouth Sutton in last month is at the same level as April 2009
- From early 2010 all young people approaching 12 months on job seekers allowance will be required to take up an offer of a job, training of meaningful activity.
- Plymouth has just been awarded Future Jobs Fund money to create 181 jobs in Plymouth as part of Backing Young Britain.
- The public sector employs 36,000 people in Plymouth.
You can read the speech here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2009-11-11a.117.0&m=1761#g117.1
Working to support hardworking individuals and local businesses through the downturn - and ensuring we are on the front foot to capitalise from the recovery - remains my top priority. Do let me know your experiences of the support you have received, good and bad, especially if you think I may usefully be able to help.
My Week at a Glance
Local TV News
On Monday I asked a Parliamentary Question to the Department for Culture regarding the future of local television news coverage in the Westcountry. I strongly believe that good local news coverage should be an important part of any democracy.
Supporting the Great British Pub
On Monday I attended a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group to discuss ways we could support local pubs, which have been facing a tough time in recent years as they struggle to compete with cheap prices offered by supermarkets. We discussed the position taken by the Office of Fair Trading and the Competition Commission in reviewing the tied house relationship with brewers. We took evidence from both sides of the argument and will be coming up with a report which we hope will contribute to resolving the situation in a way that benefits drinkers and small publicans alike! Getting this right is an important key to stemming the number of pubs that are closing - which is a real loss when they are an important hub in the community.
Plymouth Drake Sea Cadets
Wednesday 25th November 2009 ITV Westcountry are screening their 'People's Millions' contest, in which six good causes from the South West compete for a grant of up to £50,000. One of the groups is Plymouth Drake Sea Cadets. They are seeking to secure funding necessary to purchase a minibus and a boat to enable young people in Plymouth to participate in adventurous activities such as canoeing and wind surfing. ITV Westcountry will be screening the contest as part of the local evening news from 23-26 of November. Plymouth Sea Cadet's bid will go to the public vote on Wednesday 25th with voting open from 9am-midnight.
Supporting the Grocery Sector
Yesterday morning I had a Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Business in which I asked about a code of Conduct for the Grocery Sector - an issue that had been raised with me my a constituent and part of my support for the corner shops in Plymouth . You can read the Minister's answer here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2009-11-12a.350.8&s=speaker%3A10229#g351.1
Out and About in Plymouth
Today I'm meeting the head of Plymouth's City Development Company and I'm having lunch at the Citadel with members of 29 Commando Royal Artillery.
Ed Milliband Video
Plymouth University website now has a video of last Friday's very successful visit by Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. You can watch it here: http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=23615
Looking ahead
Next week is the State Opening of Parliament, a very special occasion centuries deep in tradition. On a more practical level the Government will unveil those laws and Bills which it plans to introduce over the next year - more on this next week! Other events in my diary for next week include the Plymouth Herald's Youth Awards, discussions with senior police leaders at Crownhill Police Station and a meeting with representatives from Plymouth Job Centre Plus.
.........PS!
I'm currently in the process of sending out my Defence Matters newsletter . If you work in the dockyard or our interested in defence policy and would like to receive a copy please let me know.
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