Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin has hailed the beginning of an exciting new era for a local football club after their plans for a new clubhouse moved a step closer.

Ms Brabin has been working with Howden Clough Junior Football Club to try and secure a location for a clubhouse to provide a much-needed facility for the players and their families.

And now, after discussions with Batley Girls’ High School where the club already play some of its matches, the school has agreed in principle to let Howden Clough JFC install a clubhouse on its land.

Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin said: “There is such a passion at the club to give the young people the best possible experience so I’m absolutely thrilled that their dream of a new clubhouse is step closer to becoming reality.

“This is testament to the vision, hard work and determination of all involved at the club and a huge thank you also has to go to Batley Girls for being so supportive of a project that will undoubtedly benefit the local community.”

The new clubhouse, as well as improving the overall match day experience for players and families, would give the club a permanent base and a new fundraising stream to strengthen their ability to provide grassroots sport for local children.

Ben Chapman, the club’s vice-chair, said: We are very grateful for the support from Tracy and the management of Batley Girls High School; this is a very exciting first step in realising our dream of giving a home to our players and supporters.

Julie Haigh and David Cooper, Co-Heads at Batley Girls’ High School, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Howden Clough JFC in this venture. Organisations such as this make such a positive impact on our communities and we are very happy to help.

A meeting at Batley Girls to discuss the plans was also attended by Cath Pinder, Regional President for the GMB, who hopes to help with fundraising for the new clubhouse through her role with the union.

It was great to join UNISON earlier this month to celebrate 20 years since the Labour Government introduced the national minimum wage in teeth of fierce Tory opposition. We now need to raise the level so that it is a proper living wage, and tackle the insecurity of modern work

High Peak MP Ruth George has written to the lotteries minister to ask why the Big Lottery has stopped funding foodbanks.

It comes after High Peak Foodbank was told by the Big Lottery that its lottery funding was ending.

Speaking in the House of Commons last week Ruth told the lotteries Minister, Mims Davies MP: “Food banks are like the fourth emergency service, especially in rural areas such as mine. High Peak Foodbank has helped over 1,000 people this year, but it is no longer funded by the lottery.”

Ruth went on to ask the Minister what assessment had been made of the impact of the lottery’s decision on the vulnerable people who need them, as well as on the foodbanks themselves.

The lotteries Minister, Mims Davies MP, said she was not aware that funded foodbanks were no longer funded and agreed to raise the issue with the national lottery.

Ruth said: “I was very surprised that the Minister was not aware of the Lottery’s decision to cease funding for food banks. All the evidence suggests that, with another year of frozen benefits, poverty will get worse and that foodbanks will be needed even more people.”

In her letter to the minister, Ruth wrote: “Over the five years of funding, The Zink Project based at the foodbank has increased services to include Zink Employability, Zink Advice and Buxton Community Café.

“When the food bank came to reapply for a grant this year they got turned down on the basis that lottery funding is no longer available to food banks.

“This means that High Peak Foodbank will lose around 75% of its funding, leaving them with just £16,000 a year to fund their service which is relied upon by over 1,200 families every year.

“The cuts to their funding will mean that staff will need to be cut which will strain the already stretched service.

“Please would you investigate whether the Lottery have stopped funding foodbanks and if so what other funding is available for food banks, who provide a vital service for very vulnerable people?”

The post High Peak MP Ruth George calls for foodbank funding to be extended appeared first on Ruth George MP for High Peak.

The environment is the bedrock of our economy, our security and our wellbeing. Healthy soils, oceans and woodland are vital for our food security, for mitigating and preventing flooding, supporting pollinators and biodiversity more broadly, and storing carbon.

As you are aware, in December last year, the Government published its Draft Environment (Principles and Governance) Bill. In addition to the creation of a proposed new environmental watchdog – the Office for Environmental Protection – the Environment Bill will focus on four main areas: air quality, the restoration of nature, waste management and resource efficiency, and water management.

I am concerned that, while the Draft Bill is a step in the right direction, the Government’s proposals will require a clear commitment to a level of funding which the Government has previously refused to provide for our public services. I am also aware that concerns have been raised by the National Audit Office that Defra has not done enough to engage other parts of government with its approach, nor set clear accountabilities for performance.

Addressing the environmental challenges that we face requires a transformational effort from government and urgent interventions now. It is therefore vital that we protect all EU environmental rights, standards and protections as a baseline, while introducing more ambitious domestic environmental policy than that guaranteed at the European level. This must include an Agriculture Bill which enhances the responsibility for farmers to conserve, enhance and create safe habitats for birds, insects and other wild animals and a Fisheries Bill which contains a clear, stated approach towards greater sustainability.

The remainder of the Environment Bill is expected to be introduced later this year. The Government has promised to consult on the wider aspects of the Bill and I hope it will listen to the concerns raised by WWF and respond accordingly.

The post Environment – Fight for our nature campaign appeared first on Lesley Laird.

The Government has announced the monthly unemployment figures for March 2019. It states that the roll out of Universal Credit is currently affecting the claimant count. Changes in claimant numbers may be a result of the roll out rather than changes in … Continue reading →

The post CLAIMANT COUNT IN LEICESTER EAST is now 1,675 appeared first on Keith Vaz.

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On Thursday 24 January, Emma contributed to a debate in Parliament on ‘Appropriate ME Treatment.’ Using the example of her constituent, Barbara Kell, she detailed the suffering of those with the illness being disbelieved about symptoms, receiving the wrong treatment and hoping for answers.

Then last month on Thursday March 21, Emma contributed to another debate on health, this time about the ‘NICE appraisals: Rare Diseases Treatments’ for diseases such as phenylketonuria (PKU). Again, Emma was able to raise the example of one of her constituents, in this case, 15 year-old Harvey Parker who suffers from PKU.

You can watch her full contribution to the debate on ME here and read the transcript here, and you can watch Emma’s contribution to the debate on NICE appraisals here and read the transcript here.

Here are extracts from her speeches:

ME Debate

“For someone who knows how unwell they are, there must be nothing worse than being told that it is all in their head and being sneered at by the very professions and organisations that should be supporting them. The constant quest to be believed and the desperation of just wanting some answers was summed up powerfully by my constituent, Barbara Kell. She described the endless rolling of eyes by some GPs and the frustration of others who wanted to help her but knew they would be hauled up in front of the General Medical Council if they did. Barbara told me that she is living “half a life”, and that she grieves for her past. She said she is missing out on so much, including time with her grandchildren—I can testify to the House that they are gorgeous little girls. Like thousands of others, Barbara wants and deserves to live in a country where the Government properly fund research; where treatment helps and does not hinder; where support from the state does not come at the cost of dignity; and where people actually listen to her. Right now, that is not the case.

Barbara told me that every time she went for blood tests, which were of course the wrong ones, and the results came back, she was actually hoping it was something like cancer, just so that she could put a name to the intense pain that she was feeling, get the right treatment, and know whether she was going to live or die. For the sake of my constituent Barbara and the 250,000 others affected, I hope that the Minister is really listening to what is being said today and is ready to give some justice and comfort to those who have been ignored for decades.”

NICE Appraisals Debate:

“Many sufferers also need to take an unbelievable number of tablets each day—tablets that are large and difficult to swallow. My constituent Harvey Parker has PKU. He is 15 years old and takes a staggering 65 of these tablets every single day. Although it is a distant memory for some of us, I am sure we all remember how difficult it is being a teenager, with that want to fit in and not stand out. Harvey told me that Kuvan would help him lead a more “normal” life.

“Eating out and sharing food with others is an important part of socialising and something that most of us do without thinking, but many places do not cater for Harvey’s needs, and he ends up feeling “embarrassed”, “isolated”, “angry” and a “burden”. He said that when he has been out with his mates on a weekend, he tells his mam and dad that he has not eaten because he was not hungry, when really it was because he could not find anything that he could eat. Harvey told me:

“I don’t really talk to any of my friends about PKU as I get embarrassed and when I’m with my friends with no tablets to take, blood tests to endure or bland, unpalatable foods then I am just Harvey, one of the lads and not that boy with the rare invisible condition that no one has ever heard of.”

It is clear to see how access to Kuvan and the more relaxed diet that would follow could improve Harvey’s life. It has improved the lives of others who have taken it, so why is it being denied to so many sufferers?”

I’m recruiting for a full time Parliamentary Assistant to be based in my Westminster Office. The main duties of the role will include: 

• Keeping up to date with Parliamentary bills, early day motions, legislation and debates
• Undertaking research, usually from readily available sources
• Provide briefings on policy issues, potential questions and motions put to the house
• Prepare and present briefing notes for committees, press releases, parliamentary questions etc
• Give advice on policy issues
• Monitor media coverage and brief the MP on relevant issues
• Management of Liz’s Westminster diary
• Respond to policy correspondence and enquiries
• Provide generalist admin support

Required Skills

• The successful applicant will have a strong record of research
• Excellent communication skills, especially writing briefing materials and articles for print
• The ability to produce work of a high standard, often under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Excellent time-management skills and the ability to prioritise own workload
• A self-starter with the ability to work independently and also as part of a small team
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Previous Parliamentary experience is preferred but not essential
• A keen interest in politics and current affairs

Upon appointment you will be required to comply with the Baseline Personnel Security Standard, undertaken by the Members’ Staff Verification Office (MSVO). See Members’ Staff Verification Office (MSVO) page for further info. MPs generally pay staff in accordance with IPSA guidelines.

Location: London

Salary Range: In line with IPSA guidelines

Closing Date: Friday 3rd May 2019  

Interview/Start Dates

Interviews will be held w/c 6th May. The successful applicant will start as soon as possible.

Application Details

To apply, please send your CV and 1 page covering letter to vicky.street {at} parliament(.)uk  no later than 5pm on Friday 3rd May 2019. Interviews to be held in London w/c 6th May 2019. 

The post Parliamentary Assistant Vacancy in Liz’s Westminster Office appeared first on Liz Kendall.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department taken to (a) simplify (b) encourage the purchase of split rail tickets.

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In many ways the two high-quality Indicative Votes debates on the UK-EU future relationship showed our Parliament at its very best. We knew what was at stake. The priority, most of us agreed, was to avert the catastrophe of No Deal Brexit, so it was incumbent upon all of us to help get a majority for at least one Brexit option. The unwritten rule was that each MP should not only vote for their preferred option, but for all the options they could live with. In this spirit Conservative MPs outside the cabinet were given a free vote, Labour MPs were whipped to support three options, and for a fleeting moment it looked like British politics was about to re-discover the lost art of compromise.

So much has happened in the House of Commons this week:

• On Monday we voted on a second round of ‘indicative Brexit’ votes. Those proposing different forms of Brexit continued to resist agreeing to a People’s Vote. But despite this, the concept of a ‘confirmatory public vote’ achieved the highest number of votes, followed by a customs union-style Brexit. Because the evidence suggests that all forms of Brexit will leave the country poorer, I am not prepared to support anything as damaging without at the very least giving the British people a final say on whether to proceed. A People’s Vote nearly fell off the list of options when Labour MPs voted for a Customs Union Brexit. In our Independent Group we voted against it primarily because it will not on its own deliver the frictionless trade needed to avoid a hard Irish border and a ruinous hard Brexit. The Lib Dems split on the matter but the SNP and Green MP saw the trap that had been laid and joined us in the ‘no’ lobby. If we hadn’t, the Customs Union option would have won a majority and the People’s Vote campaign would have fallen to the way side. In the event PV topped the poll and we remain the only way out of the Brexit crisis.
   
• On Tuesday the Prime Minister’s eight hour long Cabinet meeting resulted in her asking Jeremy Corbyn in to hatch a joint plan on proceeding with Brexit. This is concerning because Corbyn’s priorities didn’t include a People’s Vote, although other Labour MPs have asserted that this must be the case. The main parties carving up a deal between them would be concerning if they both agreed to supply votes for a Brexit Withdrawal Agreement without any guarantee of a public vote with a remain option in exchange. Tonight the talks seem to have halted – bizarrely with the Government saying they are reluctant to make changes to the non-binding ‘Political Declaration’, when surely that was the whole point of No10’s talks! Difficult to tell at this stage whether this is a mutually agreed ‘pause’ or not.
   
• On Wednesday MPs took control of the Commons order paper to secure time for debate on a ‘Business of the House Motion’ proposing that the ‘Article 50 extension’ Bill – as a safeguard against a crash-out no-deal Brexit – could be passed in that sitting. Hilary Benn’s amendment to have another round of indicative votes resulted in a 310-310 draw, with the Speaker using his casting vote for the first time in decades, which meant that amendment fell. This is a pity because I believe the next time we run indicative votes we can find a compromise ‘composite’ between, for instance, the Customs Union-plus-Confirmatory Public vote, for which a majority should be attainable. Fortunately the main motion did pass – and we proceeded with passing the extension Bill by the slimmest of margins: 312 votes to 311 near midnight that evening.
   
• Working with other MPs from across parties I have been drafting different amendments, looking ahead at the protections necessary to prevent the UK falling over the cliff edge, and pressing Ministers to consider a longer extension as necessary so we can find a way through. The news today that next week’s EU Summit might be ready to grant a flexible extension suggests it is possible European Parliamentary elections could proceed on 23^rd May. I hope that they do – because as long as we are in the room in Europe we ought to have Britain’s voice heard around the table, still deciding the key issues affecting our continent.

Oh, and this week we also had the Commons chamber shut down early yesterday because of a major water leak and a series of naked protestors in the public gallery. Which summed up what extraordinary times these are (and, to be fair to the protestors, I share their frustration that massive issues like the climate change crisis have been pushed off the agenda by this Brexit debacle!).