As the Bill continues its passage through Parliament, the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley loses allies by the day.  It now seems that even his fellow Cabinet ministers are briefing that the Bill should be dropped. 

This is no surprise.  Just look at who has come out against the plans: the Royal College of Nursing, the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Midwives, to name just a few.  Even the British Medical Journal has called the Bill an ‘unholy mess’!

The simple fact is that the Government does not have a mandate for this Bill.  Before the general election, David Cameron came out strongly against any more top-down reorganisations in the NHS.  Now we are thrust into yet another round of reorganisation, when the NHS should be concentrating on the efficiency savings they’ve got to make over the next few years.  Patients will be the ones left suffering because of all of this.

Not only does the Bill impose a needless reorganisation on the NHS, but with its enthusiasm for private providers, it threatens to corrode the principle of healthcare free at the point of delivery, to whoever needs it.  That’s been at the very heart of the NHS since Labour set it up in the 1940s (in the teeth of Tory opposition, I might add!)

Let’s be clear – markets and private sector providers do have a role to play in the delivery of 21^st century healthcare, after all most GPs are private businesses.  But it must never be a free for all. We should use the market where it can help drive up standards for patients, while keeping it far away from those areas where it would cause harm.

That’s the balanced approach, with the interests of the NHS at heart.  It’s not what this Tory-Lib Dem Bill represents.  We need to try and stop the Health and Social Care Bill, before it does any more damaged to our beloved NHS.

The number of unemployed claimants in Stoke-on-Trent South in January rose to 2,615 – 264 higher than the same period last year and 214 higher than December.

Reacting to these figures, Rob said,

“These figures show that the Government’s confidence in its cuts program is misplaced, and their complacence in reacting to them is an insult to those people who have found themselves without a job.

“Whilst the rise in unemployment is lower than in recent months, the figures are still going in the wrong direction and the Government still haven’t finished with their cuts program.  David Cameron needs to hold his hands up, admit he has made mistakes, and come up with a better way to grow the economy and get people back to work”.

The Labour Party has its own five point plan for growth, and you can find out more information by visiting http://www.labour.org.uk/plan

During Big Energy Week you can get practical advice on cutting your fuel bills and help to see if you are getting all of the financial support you are entitled to.  You can pick up a leaflet with tips and advice on cutting your fuel bills at your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

A new website – www.bigenergyweek.org.uk – is full of tips on how to cut your energy bills.  The website also has details of local Big Energy Week events in your area.

Rob said: “Fuel bills are a big worry for many people at the moment.  I am pleased to support Big Energy Week and hope it will make a big difference to my constituents by saving them money on their bills.”

Big Energy Week is helping people save money on their bills by encouraging them to:

• Contact your supplier to check you are you are on the best  tariff and payment method for you.  Monthly direct debit is on average £100 cheaper per year than paying by cash or cheque.
•  Visit an accredited switching website to see if you could get your energy cheaper elsewhere. You may be able to save up to £200 off your annual bill by shopping around for a different supplier, particularly if you have never changed energy firm.
• Insulate the walls and the loft of your home and you could save on average around £120 per year.  All major gas and electricity suppliers are giving away free or discounted insulation to any household, not just their own customers. Ask if you’re eligible so you don’t miss out.  That goes for heating oil customers too.
• Check you are not missing out on any benefits or tax credits that could up your income; your local Citizens Advice Bureaux can help you with this.
• Using less energy could save you money, just by doing simple things like turning off lights and switching appliances off at the wall. Turning your thermostat down 1°C alone could cut your heating bill by £60 on average.
• If you are unable to pay your bills you should contact your energy supplier immediately as they have to help you manage your bills in a way that you can afford.
• If you use heating oil or liquid petroleum gas to heat your home, shop around and compare prices from different oil suppliers.  You could also save money by buying in bulk with your neighbours; check if there is an oil club you can join or start one up.

Citizens Advice, Chief Executive, Gillian Guy said:

“We know hikes in prices have put extra pressure on people’s budgets at a time when money is already tight. Day in day out our Bureaux helping people who can’t afford their fuel bills.

“We’re worried that some people are struggling unnecessarily because they’re not on the best deal; live in homes that haemorrhage heat or are not getting all of the financial help available to them.”

Added Gillian: “More and more people are coming to us for advice on how they can save money on their energy bills.  Through Big Energy Week we hope to help lots of people cut their fuel bills and ease their money worries.”

The Trust, which was established in 1982, aims to encourage young people to care about the environment and educate them about the challenges it faces and the importance of sustainability.

Despite only having eight members of staff, the Trust managed to deliver over 800 free talks to schools across the country last year and involved 20,000 children in their Green School Awards, numbers they want to increase through additional support and sponsorship.

Speaking after the event, Rob said,

“It was a pleasure for me to come along and see some of the work that the Trust is doing. Environmental problems are likely to be some of the most important facing future generations and it is vital that we educate
our children to understanding why, and how, this can be tackled.”

The tax, which has the backing of nearly 100,000 people in the UK and millions more around the world, would charge 0.05% on international banking transactions and ensure that the banking sector pay for the financial crisis they helped to create.  Despite this tiny charge, it could potentially raise hundreds of billions of pounds – money that could be used to pay down our debt, protect education and health spending, or improve millions of people’s lives around the world.

Rob said,

“ I am disgusted that our Prime Minister continues to stubbornly argue against a Financial Transaction, or ‘Robin Hood’ Tax.  He stands at the despatch box and attacks Labour on an almost weekly basis about the national debt, yet when a solution is put in front of him he refuses to back it.”

The Prime Minister has, in the past few weeks, stated that he would not back such a tax unless it could be imposed globally.  At the Cannes summit, however, a number of countries who were previously hostile seemed to cool their opposition to a tax.  Some commentators believe that only two of the G20 countries – the UK and Canada – are now definitely opposed to its implementation.

Rob continued,

 ”The Prime Minister has found himself in a ridiculous situation.  He has been arguing that a Financial Transaction Tax would only work if applied globally, presumably because he thought this would give him a way out due to the opposition of countries such as Russia and the USA.  Now that these countries have seemingly changed their stance, however, the Prime Minister finds himself in the awkward position of having no argument against the Tax, yet he still arrogantly refuses to back it.

“I therefore look forward to finding out what excuse the Prime Minister is going to use this time, as the one he has been using previously simply will not wash.  Leaders from the worlds of politics, business and religion have all come out in favour of what is fundamentally an excellent idea, yet the Prime Minister – who, let’s not forget, leads a party which receives over half of its funding from the City – wants us to believe that he knows better.”

The Union has produced a leaflet and petition against the cuts and will use its annual Respect for Shopworkers Week, which takes place between 7–11 November, to urge shoppers and members of the public to back the campaign and sign Usdaw’s petition.

Usdaw Deputy General Secretary Paddy Lillis was joined at the launch in the House of Commons by Rob. 

Mr Lillis said: “Every minute of every day another shopworker is assaulted, threatened or abused. That is why one of Usdaw’s major campaigns is called Freedom From Fear.  Shopworkers should be free from the fear of violence, threats and verbal abuse and it should never be accepted as just a part of the job.

“Under the Labour Government, violent incidents against shopworkers halved because Labour invested in 12,000 additional uniformed police officers.  Does anyone really believe that by cutting frontline policing, crime will continue to fall – as it did with Labour?  That is not the logical conclusion I draw.  I fear that when these cuts bite we will be left with a much less effective police force that will be grossly under-staffed and terribly demoralised.

“Rob has done a first rate job opposing the police cuts and our members in Stoke-on-Trent South are delighted to have his/her support.”

Rob said: “The first duty of Government is to protect us all.  That is where this Tory-led Coalition will fail us with their unprecedented cuts in funding that will affect frontline policing.  Don’t just take my word for it – the Police Federation are saying that ’20% cuts to policing are criminal’.

“We know that Labour’s investment in police made a real difference.  Crime fell by 43% because the Labour Government put thousands of extra officers on the street, created PCSOs to give a higher profile to street policing, formed neighbourhood police teams and gave the public a greater say in how their communities are policed.

“I share Usdaw’s concerns and that is why I welcome their excellent and necessary campaign, which I very much support.  High profile policing is crucial to keeping workers, shoppers and everyone safe in our communities and that can only be achieved through proper Government support and investment.”

You can sign Usdaw’s petition against police cuts by visiting: www.usdaw.org.uk/FreedomFromFear

The interactive challenge, which was designed by the MS Society, tested politicians’ knowledge of multiple sclerosis (MS) by asking them to match numbered lottery balls to a range of statements. MPs were called upon to guess on everything from the UK’s ranking amongst EU countries for access to MS treatments to how much money local councils are cutting from care budgets.

Laura Weir, Head of Policy and Campaigns at the MS Society, explained: “With changes currently being made to the NHS and welfare benefits, there has never been a more important time to make politicians aware of the difficulties facing people with MS across the country in obtaining the drugs, specialist care and welfare support they need. This is what we are aiming to do with our MS lottery challenge.”

Mr Flello said: “People with MS face a lottery on a daily basis when it comes to accessing treatments, care and welfare support. I will continue to work with the MS Society to ensure that people affected by MS in Stoke-on-Trent South receive the treatments and support they need.”

For more information on MS and the support available to those affected by the condition visit the MS Society’s website: www.mssociety.org.uk.

94 riders, including some of the top British cyclists such as Tour de France green jersey winner Mark Cavendish and Olympic gold medallist Geraint Thomas, rode an 87 mile stage which covered Eccleshall, Stone and Leek and produced some fantastic racing.

An early breakaway initially established a lead of over three minutes but the efforts of the Sky Pro Cycling team soon brought the gap down to under a minute. With strong cross-winds affecting the riders, splits began to form within the bunch, effectively leaving only the first group of around 30 riders with a chance of the stage win. Despite a brave late solo move by Sky’s Alex Dowsett, Rabobank’s Lars Boom sprinted to victory ahead of team mate Michael Matthews, with Thomas, Stephen Cummings and Cavendish close behind.

Speaking today, Rob said,

“I congratulate the City Council and the race organisers on bringing a stage of the Tour of Britain back to Stoke-on-Trent again.  Aside from the fantastic spectacle, the event also showcases our City and brings visitors from all over the country and, indeed, Europe.

“I hope we will see the Tour back for a fifth year in 2012 and I look forward to Stoke-on-Trent continuing to become one of the premier cities for cycling in the country.”

The lead group races through Fenton as the stage draws to a close

The review, which will lead to the reduction in the number of MPs from 650 to 600 from 2015, makes relatively minor changes to the Stoke-on-Trent South constituency.  In other parts of Staffordshire and all around the country, however, seats will disappear and communities will be split up.

Speaking today, Rob said,

“Whilst I am pleased that my constituency will stay broadly the same, it is extremely concerning that across the country the Tories appear to have commissioned a review that will overwhelmingly benefit themselves, in what can only be described as thinly-veiled gerrymandering.

I am pleased that the Labour Party have pledged to work constructively with the Boundary Commission to ensure that the forthcoming consultation irons out the problems with these recommendations and ensures that the final result is fair to all parties and, most importantly, voters all across the country.”