Update from Linda Gilroy MP: Week ending 22 January 2010
Posted by Linda Gilroy, MP for Plymouth, Sutton, at 13:56, Sat 23 January 2010:
My Week At A Glance
Afghanistan Visit
I have just returned this week from an amazing visit with the Defence Committee - details of which will appear on my blog within the next few days. In a sentence we learned of how the UK will work alongside the McCrystal Report and the US surge and our commitment to the next phase of the transition under which the Afghan government and people will increasingly take the lead.
Fall In Unemployment
Figures released this week show another fall in unemployment in Plymouth which can only be good news. As of November last year their were 6,465 people in Plymouth claiming unemployment benefit (roughly 4.0% as a proportion of the workforce). This compares with the significant figure of 16,361 people (or 10.3%) in December 1992 when Britain was last in recession. I think the difference in these two figures can be explained by the fact that back in the 1990s the then government took 'a hands off' approach. In contrast we have been very active in supporting business and jobs and individuals - the vital fiscal stimulus, the very successful car and boiler scrappage schemes are key examples. Of course unemployment is hitting the young particularly hard and that is why we will guarantee a job or training place for all 18-24 year olds out of work for six months, funded by a one off tax on bankers' bonuses.
A date for women interested in public service appointments
Do you have a passion and commitment for improving public service? would you like the opportunity in influence regional and national policy makers? Would you be interested in becoming a member of one of the many Boards of Public Agencies across the UK? If you've never considered a Public Appointment - the time to start is now. There will be a meeting to promote increasing diversity in public appointments on 9 February at Plymouth Pavilions. If you are interested in attending, please email WIPLEvents@communities.gsi.gov.uk or call 0303 4441579.
Citybus
The good news on falling unemployment figures is tempered by last week's news of 15 redundancies at Plymouth Citybus. Those of you who followed my Citybus campaign against the Tory Council's sell off will be able to imagine how angry I am - but more importantly I'm bitterly disappointed for those employees concerned and their families.
Funding for Stonehouse
On Thursday it was announced that Flora Court in Stonehouse is to benefit from £32,000 from the Government's Connecting Communities programme, which aims to reinvigorate traditional communities and ensure they can benefit from the economic recovery. I've campaigned hard for Plymouth to be included because I know what a difference this kind of investment can make, not just in terms of bricks and mortar but to the community as a whole. Before I was elected I inherited from my Conservative predecessor two of the poorest local council wards in the country. Since 1997 these communities are one-by-one being transformed - the redevelopment of Devonport through the £50 million New Deal for Communities funding is yet another example. This simply would not have happened without Labour MPs working side-by-side with Labour councillors for the benefit of the local community. I am delighted for everyone in Stonehouse and will be keeping in touch with the programme along with Councillor Sue McDonald.
Pleural Plaques
I have this week written to Justice Secretary Jack Straw to urge him to make a decision in light of the Government's consultation which followed the House of Lord's decision to allow insurance firms not to pay compensation to individuals suffering from pleural plaques. Plymouth had a particularly high number of suffers not least among former dockyard workers - and I strongly believe compensation should be provided.
Help for Haiti
The UK is sending a naval vessel, landing ship RFA Largs Bay, to provide assistance to Haiti in the wake of the terrible earthquakes. The ship will have the capacity to carry supplies provided by the Department for International Development and aid charities, as well as goods purchased with donations from the British public. Largs Bay will be able to undertake a range of tasks from transporting stores to providing a sea base for UK personnel employed in the humanitarian relief effort. It is equipped with a powered raft that can be used to offload ships at anchor and bring stock and equipment into shore when there is no established port. The four Bay class vessels were originally ordered by this Government in order to enhance the Navy's amphibious capabilities. This is yet another example of why we must maintain our Navy and wider defence capacities even though we are heavily engaged in Afghanistan. this point was made by the First Sea Lord in a speech earlier this week.
Falling Crime Figures
Home Office figures released this week showed that overall crime in Plymouth is down 9.6%, with 2,457 fewer crimes in the city between October 1 20908 and September 30 2009 compared with the year before. This is good news for Plymouth and a testament to the hard work of our local force. However, I know that even when the figures show crime is dropping, it can still be a worry for many people, especially where there are pockets of anti-social behaviour. That's why I believe that high visibility policing matters. This includes the work of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) who can often provide a reassuring presence, serve as a deterrence and free up time for the police to concentrate on hardened criminals. I strongly disagree with those in the Opposition who wanted to do away with the ring fence of money provided by Government to fund PCSOs - which would inevitably mean fewer PCSOs in the community.
Looking Ahead
Highlights next week include a conference on water organised by the GMB Union in which I'm speaking and meetings with a visiting delegation of Afghan MPs and others taking part in the London Conference. It is a busy week with the Defence Committee too, with meetings with our Estonia counterparts and the French Chief of Defence Staff pencilled in. I'll be back in Plymouth toward the end of the week for a meeting with the new director of development at Plymouth City Council, discussions about the possibility of developing a maritime visitors' attraction in the City and I will be popping into the Youth Parliament on Saturday
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