Update from Linda Gilroy MP: Week ending 19 February 2010
Posted by Linda Gilroy, MP for Plymouth, Sutton, at 10:01, Fri 19 February 2010:
My Week At A Glance
Sure Start
On Wednesday I visited Sure Start Centres at Manor Street and Morice Town. For those without young children who may not know, Sure Start centres aim help combat child poverty and give children the best start in life by offering services related to child care, early years education, health and family support all under one roof -together with outreach programmes and community services. There are now over 3,000 Children’s Centres nationally – including 16 in Plymouth - giving parents access to up to 1500 hours of free childcare during their child’s first 5 years. One constituent I met on Wednesday described Sure Start as the biggest social change since the NHS – I think that really sums just how valuable and how important these centres are to our children. At the general election there will be a real choice - between Labour who are committed to Sure Start and the Tories who will cut £200 million from the budget. If distributed proportionately that would be three of the Plymouth Sure Start Centres slashed! That’s why I have signed the online pledge to keep shouting out for Sure Start and urge local parents to back the campaign too by visiting www.shoutoutforasurestart.org.uk
Efford Traveller Site Bid - Rejection
On Tuesday, Plymouth City's Council's bid for funding for a gypsy and traveller site at Efford Warren was rejected. This was something I had joined forces with local residents to oppose. From the outset we had argued the Efford site was not only unsuitable and but would be the most costly option and very poor value for money for the taxpayer. Residents' groups all complained that the consultation itself left much to be desired and they were right. I'm pleased therefore that someone has at last listened to the concerns of local people - and to common sense. The price tag of £1.4 million is simply ridiculous for only ten pitches. Can you imagine the criticism that could have been heaped on a DCLG minister approving such an expensive option on a site that had failed for such a purpose before catastrophically? Conservative Cllr Brookshaw must now explain to council taxpayers in Plymouth why on earth he chose the most expensive option (from the original list of over 20 sites) in the first place and why he would not listen to local residents and actively avoided doing so. The Tory Council must now scrap their plans for Efford altogether. It would be completely wrong to go ahead without government funding by using council taxpayers money in these circumstances. If it is not value for money for the national tax payer - it surely cannot be the best that can be done locally especially in these straightened financial times!
Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is one of the top three most lucrative types of organised crime - along with drug dealing and the arms trade. It is a fundamental assault on basic human dignity. It affects millions of men, women and children throughout the world - more than twice as many people are in bondage in the world today as were in chains during the entire 350 years of the African salve trade - over 100,000 of which are in Europe, 1 in 8 in the United Kingdom. Human trafficking includes debt bondage , domestic slavery, child labour and the sex industry. It takes place throughout the UK, often in peaceful looking suburbia. Sadly, some cases have even been identified in Plymouth, Exeter and Paignton. I'm a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Human Trafficking - you can find out more details at www.allpartygrouphumantrafficking.org
Pleural Plaques Update
The condition of Pleural Plaques is a scarring of the lungs, caused by inhaling asbestos fibres. Unfortunately, Plymouth and the surrounding area is a particular hotspot for pleural plaques and asbestos related diseases, principally related to work at the Dockyard. I welcome the announcement of the launch of a Consultation on the setting up of an Employers’ Liability Insurance Bureau. The consulation will look at proposals to improve the tracing of employers' liability insurance policies and to establish a fund of last resort to make payments in cases where employers are insolvent and insurers cannot be traced. You can find details of how to respond to the consultation at: http://www.lindagilroy.org.uk/update-on-pleural-plaques-and-consultation-on-employers-liabilit
The Government are actively considering all the issues around pleural plaques, including those raised in relation to the review of the medical evidence carried out by Professor Robert Maynard - on behalf of the Chief Medical Officer of England and Wales. I hope this will mean a final response will be published as soon as possible. I will continue to advocate the case of those diagnosed with pleural plaques through support for the Private Members Bill currently before Parliament. I also support the work that Alison Seabeck is doing to have the case of MOD workers looked at.
Marlborough Street Community Activity Day
On Wednesday, I called into the Marlborough Street community activity day and had the chance to meet Inspector Milligan and the local police team and hear about the positive impact they have had on the local community. I met some of the local Police Community Support Officers and was amazed at the broad variety of backgrounds that they all have each bringing different experiences to the role – from someone who owned and ran their own business to one who worked in estate agency . I have been very concerned to hear talk that the budget for PCSOs would not be guaranteed under a future Tory government – we have already seen a 11.7 % drop in the level of crime across the city and I am certain that PCSOs have been vital in this. I also briefly popped into the Devonport Regeneration Company HQ to see some of the striking new artworks which have been commissioned fusing old Devonport with new. They are going to be hung in the Cumberland Health Campus.
Sustainability Now
Sustainability South West (SSW) has some excellent practical advice on ways we can make our lives and our work that little bit more environmentally friendly. Do check out their website if you have a spare moment: http://www.sustainabilitysouthwest.org.uk/sustainability_now/
They also drew my attention to Energy Secretary's Ed Miliband's recent update on the outcome of the Copenhagen Climate change Conference:
“Just one month after Copenhagen, countries accounting for nearly 80% of global emissions have shown they are pushing ahead with domestic action on climate change. With countries including the USA, China and India setting out what they will do, this is a significant change compared with just twelve months ago. There is now a world-wide recognition that cutting emissions and moving to a low carbon economy is the right thing to do. But there's still more to do and we'll continue to push for bold cuts in emissions as well as a comprehensive, legally binding climate change framework under the UN. A global climate deal is vital to Britain – helping us protect the environment, boost green jobs and enhance our energy security.”
Looking ahead
Next week I'm going to an All Party Business Group meeting in which the guest speaker will be none other than Lord Alan Sugar from the BBC's Apprentice TV series. If I don't like his answers to my questions I'll try and resist the temptation to say "You're Fired"!. I'll also be meeting with representatives from Babcock to discuss their future business plans, taking part in an inquiry into care services for people with dementia and calling in to meet with the team of volunteers at Plymouth Samaritans.
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