Merseyside has made great strides in recent years to improve its offer to tourists. We already have the greatest concentration of museums and art galleries outside of London and great sporting occasions like the golf, the Grand National, not to mention the football. The number of hotels has increased greatly, and Wirral’s food festivals are second to none. I’m so proud to represent all the culinary talent we have here in Wirral.

Over the water, the new arena and conference centre attracts concert goers and conference delegates from far and wide. Indeed I was pleased to welcome hundreds of friends and colleagues to our area last September for the Labour Party Conference.

People might not have taken a Merseyside mini-break in the past, but I couldn’t be prouder when so many friends told me that their experience had exceeded their expectations. They found our architecture, old and new, simply stunning. They really enjoyed our galleries, museums and night life. More importantly they found Merseysiders to be friendly, warm and welcoming.

I hope people will stay with us before and after their cruise and experience the fantastic Scouse hospitality. Most importantly, it will also mean more jobs, which are vital as unemployment reaches its highest rate since 1996.

I can’t wait to see huge liners sailing down the Mersey, knowing that it brings thousands of people to spend their money in our area.

Originally published online at Wirral News

This hasn’t been my experience.

Maria Miller’s words are at odds with facts on this issue – there are currently 8686 unemployed people on the Wirral chasing just 802 jobs.

I have met lots of people in despair at finding a job locally. These aren’t people who don’t want to work – they are desperate to do so.

Figures like this are repeated across the country, particularly in major urban areas. Unemployment, particularly youth unemployment has soared under the Conservative-led government.

The UK is fast approaching the three million mark for unemployment, with over one million young people out of work. We haven’t seen unemployment this high since 1994.

Maria Miller is simply wrong to blame the unemployed.

The speed and scale of the government’s cuts has led to huge job losses both in the public sector, and in the private sector as consumer confidence and orders dry up. And so long as the government has no real plan for growth, unemployment will continue to rise.

Labour has set out a five point plan for jobs and growth, including a tax on bank bonuses to fund 100,000 jobs in the construction sector, bringing forward investment projects and a one year national insurance break for small firms taking on new employees.

Unemployment, particularly youth unemployment, is fast becoming a national tragedy. We need action, not blame games, from ministers.

Originally published on Wirral News’s website

6.30pm on Thursday 15 March 2012 at New Ferry Village Hall

Everyone needing care deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. The current challenge is to uphold these standards whilst the NHS needs to make efficiency savings and local authority budgets are being massively cut.

There can be few more important tasks facing us now than setting standards of care for the future and deciding how it should be funded. If you receive or provide care either as a professional or as a family member of friend I hope you will be able to join in the discussion on 8 March. To let me know if you can make it, please fill out the form below:

People in Wirral will know that I have supported the return of the modern apprenticeship under the last Government and the continuation of this under the current administration. Here in Wirral, the council has led their own scheme assisting small businesses to hire apprentices.

However, I do have some worries that the term ‘apprentice’ is not always used correctly. Under close scrutiny, figures last week show the number of under 18 year olds starting an apprenticeship compared to last year dropped by 1,500 and there was only a modest increase of 7,000 for those aged 19 to 24. And there has been a large increase in the number of people over 25 starting an apprenticeship.

Unemployed young people now number over 1 million – the highest level since 1992. So apprenticeships should enable young people to get a start on a career ladder, but I worry that the statistics indicate this isn’t happening.

In November last year it was revealed there had been an increase of 900% in the number of people aged over 60 starting an apprenticeship.

Whilst we need to invest in the training of our adult workforce – and the last Labour Government introduced the Train to Gain scheme, which helped over half a million employees and their employers in 2010 - I am concerned that the rise in ‘apprenticeships’ is not offering a new chance to those worst affected by the current recess: young people. I worry that the quality of schemes labelled ‘apprenticeships’ risks being diluted.

Many highly respected successful people started their working life as an apprentice. If this is to continue, we must be clear what is on offer to young people. And preventing any more young people facing the tragedy of unemployment should be our objective.

So I was pleased to hear the news that New Ferry Butterfly Park has recently been awarded an empty shops fund grant by Wirral Council. This seed funding was left by the last Labour government to support local trading centres, which were suffering from the increasing number of empty shops.

Our heritage, art and creativity can help New Ferry to beat the economic downturn.

I think the grant, which encourages the use of vacant shop premises for creative activity, will help enhance New Ferry and I welcome this idea for the community. Artists will be producing artwork about, for and with the local community.

A lot more, however, needs to be done to support New Ferry. More shops are closing and we need to come together to put together a strategic plan, to secure a prosperous future for the town centre.

I recently met with the regional manager of LloydsTSB who have told me that they have no plans to move out of the town, and similarly I have had assurances from the Co-op about its future in New Ferry.

I will continue to help fight to secure the future of New Ferry town centre, and other shopping districts in my constituency. Napoleon once said derogatorily that Britain was an island of shopkeepers. This is actually something we should be proud of. We need to do more to support local traders and small to medium sized businesses, which make up the backbone of our economy.

Originally published by Wirral News

The figures show that there are now 8,000 fewer officers on the streets, at a time when personal crime, which includes theft and violence, has gone up by a startling 11 per cent — the biggest increase in a decade.

Labour MPs are calling for the Government to reopen the police funding settlement when it is debated in Parliament next month.

Alison McGovern MP said:

“People in Wirral will have real concerns about the loss of 323 officers here in Merseyside. The deepest cuts to policing budgets will hit this year and HMIC estimate the loss of 16,000 officers through this Parliament.

“People in Wirral value the work that local police officers do in our community and I will be voting against the Government’s police cuts next month.”

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP said:

“The scale of government cuts has led to the biggest fall in national police numbers in decades at the same time as we are seeing the biggest increase in personal crime.

“David Cameron and Theresa May are letting down communities and turning their backs on the police. They should be battling to cut crime, but they are just cutting the police instead.

“Police numbers have fallen to the lowest for a decade, with 8,000 fewer officers since the election and 6,000 since last year alone. At the same time personal crime including theft and violence has gone up by 11 per cent — the biggest increase in a decade.

“The Home Secretary’s 20 per cent cuts go much further than the 12 per cent recommended by the independent inspectorate and supported by Labour.

“The Prime Minister’s decision to cut policing too far and too fast when many crimes are increasing is putting communities at risk. MPs of all parties should vote against the scale of Government’s cuts to their local police force in Parliament on February 8.”

In fact the government white paper on regeneration has been criticised by the select Committee on Communities and Local Government.

They found that the government’s plan for regeneration “lacked strategic direction and it was unclear about the nature of the problem it was trying to solve”.

It is shocking that the Government’s plan gave the committee little confidence that the Government has a clear strategy for addressing the country’s regeneration needs. For all of us in Wirral we know that there are still parts of our beautiful peninsula that need investment and regeneration. Old homes, shops and other buildings need investment to look better and make sure Wirralians have a good place to live and work.

The report suggests that deprived areas could fall even further behind.

I don’t want to see this happen because of a badly thought out plan by this Government. The implementation of carefully thought through, costed and well planned regeneration projects for areas across the county will be essential for the UK to fight its way back to a more stable and sustainable economic footing.

Originally published by Wirral News

Last week the news came that HS2 had been given the green light by ministers.

I think a transformation which provides greater capacity and reduced journey times on Britain’s national rail network is a good thing.

The Labour party set out plans for HS2 connecting to London to Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds before the last election and I believe the Tories have done the right thing by backing this vital project.

The first phase of the route between London to Birmingham will reach completion in 2026 while the “Y route”, which would take HS2 to Manchester and Leeds, would be expected to be completed by 2032-33. The journey route time between London and Birmingham will be reduced to just 49 minutes.

I know that the go-ahead for HS2 has attracted mixed opinions but I do welcome the idea.

However it does concern me that David Cameron’s government have only included the first phase of the new high-speed line from London to Birmingham in the hybrid bill which will be introduced in Parliament.

It is important that concern does not arise about the north getting left behind in these plans.

In order to avoid concern about the Government completing the route so it extends to Manchester and Leeds, ministers should seek parliamentary approval in one piece of legislation as opposed to splitting the route between two pieces.

I think at the very least the Government should accept the Transport Select Committee’s proposal to provide a clear commitment to the whole route in the first bill.

I would also like the Government to seriously consider the proposal to start construction of the line in the north, as well as in London.

Business rates are used to pay for services provided by the local council, but are set by national Government. The rates for each non-domestic property are re-valued every five years, the last valuation taking place on 1 April 2008.

Some traders have had their bills rise by up to 40%, forcing some businesses to shut up shop and contributing to the decline of our high street.

Local traders in Heswall contacted their MP, Alison McGovern after receiving their inflated bills, and handed her a petition with over 5000 signatures asking for more to be done to support our local high street.

Alison McGovern said “Mary Portas might have ideas about how to improve retail, but I share the concern that traders in Heswall have, and have written to Eric Pickles asking him to do more to support local traders during these tough economic times. I included the petition so that he would know how strongly people feel about this.”

“The last valuation of business properties was undertaken on 1 April 2008 – just before the global economic crisis.  As this time our economy was growing and rents were high. But since then banks have failed, we dipped into recession, and traders have had a tough time. Currently there is no mechanism in place to take wider economic circumstances into consideration when setting business rates, and I have asked the Government to look at this.”

“The high street is the hub of our communities, and I will continue to press on Government the need to help our centres such as New Ferry, Bromborough, Bebington and Heswall.”

The thirty year rule meant that what were once secret cabinet documents could be released and Howe revealed making such a silly suggestion.

Liverpool is close to my heart and the thought that someone would ever consider abandoning it sends shivers down my spine. Unbelievably, Geoffrey Howe was once MP for Bebington, an area I now represent.

While Merseyside had its share of troubles when I was growing up here, I certainly don’t believe in giving up. Yet more recently, Policy Exchange, a Conservative-leaning think tank, argued that northern cities were “beyond revival” and that those residents from cities such as Liverpool should move south.

Whilst there might still be some challenges, Liverpool has triumphed and today it is, like its people, resilient and strong.

It has a cultural heritage most cities would be proud of. Its stunning landmarks are internationally famous and it has a great deal to offer, as well as our own unique mix of town, beach and countryside here on Wirral. Together, we have a unique culture that is hard to compete with.

We should be proud of our history – but also our present success – and let no one talk of “managed decline” any more.

If you haven’t started your Christmas shopping or if you still have some left to do I would recommend that you shop locally for food, drink, cards, gifts and whatever else you need this Christmas before you head to a major supermarket or shopping centre.

You can get an array of food, drink and gifts from town centres across Wirral South.

By doing this you would be helping with the growth of local businesses. I believe this is important for our community and the future of our high streets.

Recently retail expert Mary Portas carried out a six month long independent review into the future of our high streets and as you may be aware the results were released last week.

I am concerned, like her, that high streets have reached crisis point and that the existence of the high street is under threat.

In her 28 suggested recommendations to improve the state of high streets she states that large retailers should support and mentor local businesses and independent retailers.

I agree that supporting local businesses and independent retailers is important.

I worked with Bromborough and New Ferry shop keepers last year to try to improve both retail areas. I was thrilled when local traders in Bromborough combined to produce the successful Bromborough Village Christmas fair.

I believe that high streets are vital to our communities and I would like to see everybody contributing in any way possible to help our high streets survive.

We are living in the age of online shopping and the convenience this brings to people’s lives but I personally think that there is something special about the traditional high street and I want to see them continuing to play a role in our lives.

These buildings have great cultural significance and it is obvious that people locally care about their future. Historically they have provided a long serving and important service to the community.

We all want these important buildings to have a future, but the issue lies with how this can be achieved.

I know that the general feeling from the meeting was that people wanted the buildings to remain so now we need to concentrate on what practical use they could serve.

A wide variety of activities take place in Mayer Hall and a number of suggestions were brought up in the meeting about how to utilise it for the future including perhaps turning it into somewhere for young people to make use of.

Finding the right use for the hall is key if it is to remain as a part of the Bebington community and this needs thoughtful consideration.

I am listening carefully to the people of Bebington on this matter and it makes me proud to see so much passion for these buildings.

They are after all very important visually and historically to Bebington as well as being at the heart of the community. We must work together to find a solution.

The example set by the work done to preserve Melrose Hall was referred to during the meeting. This hall, located in Hoylake, was facing the possibility of demolition.

However swift action was taken to make use of the hall once again and it was reopened in 1999.

This shows what hard work and determination of individuals who come together for a cause can achieve and it proves that it is possible to re-open a hall and make use of it once more.

In order to tackle the increasing dangerous trade which is damaging the economy, Alison is backing Labour’s four point plan which is also supported by British Transport Police, Association of Chief Police Officers and by the Neighbourhood Watch.

The theft of cables soared by 70.2% nationally between 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 and cable theft is the major crime issue faced by the railways.

The crime of metal theft is linked with the soaring price of copper on world markets.

Government cuts mean there will be 16,000 fewer officers to help tackle metal theft.

Overall cable theft on Britain’s railways has increased by more than two thirds.  In 2010/2011 there were 2,712 cable thefts compared to the significantly lower figure of 1,593 in 2009/2010.

During the previous three years the crime has cost Network Rail £43 million and is currently costing around £17 million each year. There have been 27 confirmed cable theft incidents in Merseyside during 2011.

Network Rail believes that ultimately reform of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act (1964) is vital for tackling the increasing offences.

Dyan Crowther, spokesperson for Network Rail said: “Britain is under attack from metal thieves. Every day hundreds of passengers and essential freight deliveries are being disrupted and delayed. We are doing all we can to protect the network; investing around £2m each year to fund extra British Transport Police officers, using CCTV, forensic marking techniques and other technology. To an extent our actions can help us manage the crimes but, despite our efforts, they continue to increase.”

Alison said: “Faced with crime on this scale, the Government is being far too slow to act. Metal theft is becoming an epidemic, and urgent action is needed from the Home Office to stop this getting out of control. Labour MP’s believe the only solution to deal with metal theft is for there to be a change in the law to make it easier to stop the growing organised crime.”

It’s a busy time of year, but it is with this last task that Scouts and Guides from across Wirral are on hand to help us.

For the past three decades, young people who are members of Wirral’s Scout and Guide groups have mounted a formidable operation to deliver local residents’ messages of festive cheer.

They produce postage stamps, sell them, collect the cards, frank them, sort them, and then go out during our too often cold and miserable winter days to deliver them.  All done by volunteers.

In its thirty years of service, the Scout and Guide Christmas Post has raised almost half a million pounds for local good causes including Claire House, St Johns Hospice and the Eastham Adult Day Centre.

Some of the money raised is also kept by the Scout and Guide groups themselves, helping to pay for tents and other equipment to support the great work that they do with our young people.

Stamps only cost 20p and are available from many local outlets, and are on sale at my office in New Ferry.  The last date to post is 12 noon on Wednesday 14 December, so hurry, get your cards written and out of the way, and support local good causes by using the Wirral Scout and Guide Charity Post.

In addition to the exhibition prizes will be awarded for posters in each scientific discipline that most effectively communicate high level science to the parliamentarians.

Early career scientists include university research students, postgraduates, research assistants, postdocs, research fellows, newly-appointed lecturers, part-time students and their equivalents in national, public sector and industrial laboratories, and appropriate MSc students.

The scientific exhibition and competition will be split into three sessions encompassing biological and biomedical science, the physical sciences (chemistry and physics), and engineering.

Alison said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for developing scientists who I would encourage to get involved and to remind them that the deadline for applications is Saturday 24 December 2011.”

“It would be great to have scientists at the start of their careers representing Wirral as we have a number of cutting edge science led businesses locally including Unilever Research and Development in Port Sunlight, SAFC Hitech and Stiebel Eltron on the Wirral Business Park to name just a few.

The application process is open and applications for the competition should be made online at www.setforbritain.org.uk

Other figures released recently reveal that Wirral is now the 7^th worst place in the country for waiting times and Arrowe Park Hospital has the worst waiting times in England.

Since David Cameron came to power the number of patients waiting 18 weeks or more for NHS treatment on the Wirral has shot up by a staggering 176% and the Wirral NHS will now need to put aside £ 24,288,035.

Nearly a quarter of patients are waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment on the Wirral.  In comparison in Liverpool, only one in ten patients are waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment.

Speaking about these latest figures Alison McGovern MP for Wirral South said: “These figures make for very worrying reading and I am concerned particularly about the effect this is having on patients in Wirral. This is very alarming news and I am very concerned about our local NHS under the Tory government.”

“At the election David Cameron ruled out top-down NHS reorganisations. But only weeks after entering Number 10, he has gone against what he promised and ordered the biggest and most dangerous upheaval of the NHS since it began. Now our local NHS is having to put aside vast amounts of money, and as a result, patients are suffering.”

“In Labour’s 2010 Manifesto we promised to give all patients the right to receive cancer test results within one week of referral and the right to a maximum 18 week wait for treatment, or the option to go private.”

Labour’s top five reasons for opposing the Health and Social Care Reform Bill:

1. The Bill will break up the NHS and create an unfair postcode lottery. With no national standards, there will be widespread variation in the treatments available on the NHS. In some areas, people may have to go private to get services available for free elsewhere.

2. The Bill risks rises in waiting times and a two-tier NHS. It scraps the cap on hospitals treating private patients at the same time as watering down guarantees on NHS waiting times. This means local hospitals will be free to treat more private patients and make NHS patients wait longer.

3. The Bill turns the NHS into a full-blown commercial market, putting competition before patient care. It allows private companies to cherry-pick quick profits, potentially forcing local hospitals to go bust. Hospitals could even be fined for working together.

4. The Bill undermines the bond of trust between doctors and patients. It creates conflicts of interest where financial incentives could interfere with medical decisions. GPs could even get a bonus for rationing your care.

5. This Bill is wasting money and creating bureaucracy. It is unforgivable to spend £3.5 billion on a reckless re-organisation when the NHS needs every penny it can get for patient care. Nearly £1 billion is being wasted on pay-offs for managers, only for many of them to be re-employed as consultants.

The White Ribbon Campaign is the largest global effort of men working to end violence against women. White Ribbon Day falls each year on 25th November, the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women.

Throughout the year, the White Ribbon Campaign encourages men to do educational work in schools, workplaces, and communities, to change attitudes which can condone violence against women, to support women’s organisations, and to raise money for organisations that oppose Violence against women.

Alison said ‘Every week in the UK, two women are killed by a violent partner or ex-partner, and during their lifetime 1in 4 women will experience domestic violence. Involving men in prevention of all the violence against women is vital, which is why the work of the White Ribbon Campaign is to be applauded.’

Chris Green, White Ribbon Campaign Director, said: ‘Parliamentarians enter Parliament in order to make their community a better place. There is no more important way to do this than by working to eliminate violence against women. It is particularly important for male parliamentarians to be involved, and they can do this by being active supporters of WRC UK. We welcome the support of individual MPs for our work, and for the support they offer organisations which work with victims. This time of economic hardship and cuts in services creates pressure on families. MPs should work to protect service provision in their areas and at this time it is even more important to emphasise the prevention of violence. White Ribbon Campaign UK is a member of the Coalition for a European Year of Actions to End Violence against Women, and of the End Violence against Women Coalition.’

The Boundary Commission for England’s proposals have proved extremely controversial in the Wirral, with plans that include a new Mersey Banks seat stretching 30 miles from Bromborough to Weaverham, near Northwich, and even including parts of Widnes; and splitting Clatterbridge ward from Bromborough and Port Sunlight.

Alison McGovern MP said “The proposals for the area from the Boundary Commission split communities, create an unworkable cross-Mersey constituency and throw together the edge of Delamere Forest with Port Sunlight, places with no obvious connection to each other.

“If MPs are to effectively fight for their constituents’ interests, parliamentary seats need to reflect established community ties and be practical in terms of travelling around. The Wirral and north Cheshire proposals fail in this respect. I’d urge local people to make sure they have their say about these flawed plans.”

Details of the proposals can be found on the Boundary Commission for England’s website at http://consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/ . Responses can also be made through the site.

“The Chancellor’s statement today is an astonishing landmark. He has been forced to admit that over the next two years growth has been slashed, unemployment will rise and employment fall. The impact of cutting too far and too fast means that he is borrowing £158bn more and will miss his own deficit reduction targets.

“The Chancellor has tinkered around the edges, but done little to address the issue of youth unemployment or the squeeze on lower and middle earners. We need a real plan for jobs and growth, not Osborne’s attack on hard working families.”

A household is said to be in fuel poverty if it needs to spend more than 10% of its income on fuel to maintain a satisfactory heating regime. The Department for Energy and Climate Change calculated that 4844 households in Wirral South would pass this threshold this year. But this is likely to be an underestimate due to the way these figures are calculated and they are now 2 years out of date.

Energy prices are up by 20% this year, and nearly 50% over the last four years. According to research published by OFGEM last week, the average duel fuel bill is now £1345 per household.

Alison McGovern said “I wrote to the Chancellor because I was concerned that there would be people in Wirral, freezing in their homes this winter, too scared to switch on their heaters. Families and pensioners are really feeling the squeeze at the moment due to a combination of pay freezes, and huge hikes in energy bills.”

“The Tory led Government have done nothing to ease this pain. They have made things worse. They have cut the Winter Fuel Allowance for pensioners, meaning that there will be grandparents suffering this winter. They are also hurting the environment by not supporting schemes such as Warm Front, which Labour introduced when in Government, providing insulation improvements to families on certain benefits. This helped to reduce carbon emissions, as well as lift people out of fuel poverty.”

“I have asked George Osborne to do more to help people out of fuel poverty. At the very least he should consider following Labour’s plan for jobs and growth, and reverse his damaging VAT rise for a temporary period. This would give £450 boost for a couple with children, and immediate help for struggling families and pensioners.”

Constituents have told me recently how they are struggling with higher food prices and gas bills. They are worried about their jobs and children’s futures.

The other week we found out that unemployment amongst young people in South Wirral shot up by 143% in nine months.

Last week, unemployment nationally reached its highest level since 1994 – the last time the Tories were in Government.

Unemployment is the human cost of George Osborne’s austerity plan for the economy.

We are paying too much out in unemployment benefits, and not getting enough back in taxes.

Our economy has flatlined for the last 12 months. The slower growth and higher unemployment his policies have delivered mean the government will have to borrow £46 billion more than they had planned.

It needn’t be like this. We need a real plan for jobs and growth to get our economy moving again and help get the deficit down in a steadier, more balanced way.

Labour has set out a clear five-point plan to create jobs, help struggling families and support small businesses. Our jobs plan includes tax breaks for small businesses taking on extra workers, a temporary VAT cut which would give families a boost of around £450 and tax on bank bonuses to fund 100,000 jobs for young people, who would build 25,000 more affordable houses.

We often get told we are all in this together. But I wonder if David Cameron and George Osborne really understand how tough it is for Wirral people and businesses. They should stop sitting on their hands, adopt Labour’s plan, and get Britain’s economy growing again.

Welcoming the Prime Minister’s response Alison McGovern said: – “Twenty two years after the tragedy this is nothing less than people deserve. The desire for and commitment to justice for everyone affected by Hillsborough has not diminished and I firmly believe that nothing should stand in the way of the Hillsborough Independent Panel being able to report on the truth of what happened at Hillsborough. The number of people who signed the recent e-petition and the strength of cross Party support shown in the subsequent debate in the House of Commons is evidence that nothing less will be acceptable.

Bromborough traders have made a great effort to secure the support of stallholders from around the country who will be combining with choirs from local schools to make this an ideal Christmas curtain raiser.

Towards the end of the afternoon the Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress will switch on Bromborough’s Christmas lights, also secured through the efforts of the traders last year.

The fair presents an ideal opportunity for people of Bromborough to come together as a community and to support their local shops.

The fayre is due to take place on November 26 between 10 am and 5 pm. As some of you may know my baby is due the same week so I hope people will understand if they do not see me there.

However I hope as many people as possible will get along on the day and I wish you all a very good time.

That was, however, only the first stage in what will be an extensive consultation process being undertaken by those who commission (or pay for) and provide NHS cancer services in Merseyside over the next 18 months.  There will be further opportunity to comment as the full details of the proposals are developed. There will also be an opportunity for the local authority to scrutinise the process, and I understand that it is possible for the final proposal to be referred to the Secretary of State for Health, if appropriate.

More background information on the current work happening to investigate future possibilities for Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology, is available on the trust’s website.

I would like hear any comments or questions you have.  I will then be able to feed them into the meetings I will be having with senior executives from Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology , the Wirral University Teaching Hospital, the Royal Liverpool University Hospital  and the NHS Cheshire, Warrington & Wirral Primary Care Trust Cluster group.  Please do get in touch with me using the form below (or if it does not appear below, please click here to open in a new browser window.)

They serve as an important visual reminder of the sacrifice that service men and women have given, and continue to give, for the freedoms that we all enjoy today.

On Sunday I have the proud honour of joining with ex-service personnel, representatives of local groups and neighbours at a service of Remembrance at Christ Church, Port Sunlight.

I will also be laying a wreath at the beautiful, recently restored, war memorial in the centre of the village, my small tribute to our armed forces past and present.

We must never forget the heroism and the dedication shown by our grandparents and great-grandparent’s generation in both World Wars. They fought and suffered in ferocious conditions and witnessed incomprehensible horrors. Sadly the number of surviving veterans is dwindling, which makes it all the more important that we take the time out of our busy modern lives to remember.

This year our armed services have seen action in Afghanistan, and have supported the people of Libya in their fight for freedom.

It reminds us that the triumph of democracy over dictatorship is a hard won and precious achievement.

It also reminds us of the extraordinary tenacity, professionalism and courage of those who go to war for us when we ask them to do so.

Please take a couple of minutes this week out of your day to remember them. “For our tomorrow, they gave their today.”

Therefore, I have taken a close interest in recent proposals for Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology to expand its services by creating a world-class cancer centre on the same site as the new Royal Liverpool Hospital.

It should be noted at the outset no plans exist to end the provision of oncology treatment at Clatterbridge and that none of the other valuable health services provided on the Clatterbridge hospital site are affected by the expansion plans.

It is my belief the plans announced last week offer an opportunity to make sure people get the best cancer service within their local area whilst allowing the Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology to continue to provide services from a developing and evolving site.

I will be holding a meeting at Bebington Civic Centre on Tuesday, November 15, at 7.30pm to discuss proposals.

Let’s recap some facts:

1. Under Labour, we kept people in work through the downturn than in previous recessions, whereas the 2.57 million unemployed represent the largest number without work since 1994 – the time when the UK last had to escape a Tory recession.

2. Ed Balls told the chancellor last year that if he cut too far too fast, the growth wouldn’t come: From Ed’s speech at Bloomberg, August 2010: ‘By ripping away the foundations of growth and jobs in Britain David Cameron, Nick Clegg and George Osborne are not only leaving us badly exposed to the new economic storm that is coming, but are undermining the very goals of market stability and deficit reduction which their policies are designed to achieve.’

3. And the economy has flatlined: The OBR has been forced to downgrade growth predictions for this year and next given the chancellor’s performance. Today’s growth figure is yet more evidence Osborne has got the economy wrong.

But before we start to pat ourselves on the back, let’s all remember that political pointscoring won’t fix the economic problem we face. As I’ve written before, it’s young people in particular who are being most harmed by this absence of growth. They deserve better than that from us.

So what can be done?

The government doesn’t have the answers. Yesterday, no doubt in anticipation of the poor growth figures today, the prime minister wrote for the Financial Times, hailing the economic virtues of the UK, saying our natural qualities – our language and our timezone – would pull us through. In a slightly bizarre U-turn, Nick Clegg went to visit the once-maligned Sheffield Forgemasters telling the media he was now in charge of the regional growth fund. This now seems to be the best the government has to offer: English language, Greenwich Meantime, and, at the eleventh hour, long-awaited but limited investment.

Look back at this list from Osborne’s June emergency budget. Recall how the cancellation of these sources of government investment have harmed our economic prospects. These were the cuts that were too far too fast. These cuts slammed the brakes on; just Labour’s recovery was being secured.

Think of the impact of each individual cut. Take just the small investment in the Stonehenge Visitor Centre, for example. Dealt a blow in June 2010 when government funding was withdrawn, lottery cash came to the rescue at the end of the year. But still, that project has now been delayed unnecessarily six months and project development funds that could have been circulating round the southwest economy were not.

In my own constituency, £2.3m that had been committed to turn a landfill site into a riverside park was held back for a year after Osborne’s June 2010 budget. Money that should have been spent in the construction sector has not been. There are hundreds of projects like this held up, delayed or permanently cancelled. The net result: contracts with businesses cancelled, confidence down, little or no growth.

So, it’s up to Labour campaigners to hit the doorsteps and give people some hope. Ed Balls has driven forward a vision of strategic changes to the UK economic plan that can offer short term impact and long term gain.

I’m convinced most people know a young person without a job. So we need to talk about a £2bn tax on bankers’ bonuses to fund 100,000 jobs to get those young people to work. We need to be clear about the damage done by the Osborne slowdown, and campaign for the infrastructure our towns need to succeed. And because many people would like to respond to the current tough labour market by growing their small business, we should back them with Ed Balls’ plan for a one-year national insurance tax break for every small firm which takes on extra workers.

Ed Miliband rightly said last year that it was a time for humility and to listen to people. Of course, he was right. But I think the public need more than that from us now. They need hope for the future, and a plan to get the economy moving. We were right about the cuts. Now let’s show we’re right about the future.

Originally published by Progressonline

Small businesses have been frequent attenders at my regular Friday surgeries, and they tell me that business is hard. Now that the hon. Lady’s party’s Chancellor has presided over the slowest economic recovery since the first world war, will she explain to small businesses in Wirral how they are supposed to get out of this mess?

You can view my question to the Minister and her response in the video below (starts at 38.37)

Last week this House to its great credit supported unanimously full transparency from Government of all documents relating to the Hillsborough disaster.  Will he now join me in calling on the South Yorkshire Police to follow the example of the Honourable Member for Sheffield South East (Mr Clive Betts MP) and commit to the exact same openness and ensure the Hillsborough Independant Panel have unredacted access to all papers.

You can view my question to Prime Minister and his response in the video below (starts at 23.02)

Wirral MP Alison McGovern is to hold a public meeting following proposals announced today by the NHS, which outline the future for the Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology, and the services that will be delivered.

Alison said, “I will fight tooth and nail to keep the award winning services it provides in South Wirral. This is particularly important given that, through campaigning, both I and my predecessor Ben Chapman have secured £12 million worth of investment to improve the health facilities at Clatterbridge, and I do not want to see any action taken prevent the best possible return on this investment.”

Contained within the proposals are plans to expand the Cancer treatment services offered to other sites in Liverpool, but also maintain and expand the current site within Clatterbridge hospital grounds.

Alison said, “It is my belief that these plans offer an opportunity to make sure people get the best cancer service within their local area, and the Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology will continue to provide that service from a developing and evolving site.  There are however many unanswered questions relating to the funding of this development and what clinical improvements will be secured.”

“Like me, Wirral people will have questions about the impact that this will have on them, so I am holding a meeting at Bebington Civic Centre on Tuesday 15 November, starting at 7.30pm to discuss these proposals.”

To attend the public meeting, or receive further updates about these proposals and future developments at the Clatterbridge Hospital site, please fill out the form below (if you can not see the form below, please click here to open it in a new page):

“That this House supports David Hawkins’ e-petition which calls on The Sun newspaper to provide full disclosure of all its records including the sources of information and documents which relate to The Truth story published on 19th April 1989; calls on Kelvin MacKenzie to make a full and unreserved apology for this untrue story which his newspaper published; and calls on all media outlets to refuse to engage him professionally until he has done so.”

Courtesy of www.edms.org.uk

“That this House believes that the Agricultural Wages Board has played an important role in setting wages and terms and conditions of employment for farm workers and in developing a highly skilled workforce in the rural economy; notes that the existence of the Agricultural Wages Board has promoted harmonious industrial relations between farmers and farm workers, so contributing directly to greater food security; and therefore opposes the Government’s proposal to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales.”

Courtesy of www.edms.org.uk

“That this House looks forward to the opening and closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics as a unique opportunity to showcase the best of British talent; recognises that the UK has an unrivalled reputation for staging large scale live music events from Live Aid through to the recent Take That concerts at Wembley Stadium; and therefore looks forward to the inclusion of live music in the ceremonies, particularly given that live music, from Glastonbury to the Proms, is one of the top reasons that tourists give for visiting the UK.”

Courtesy of www.edms.org.uk

On Monday 17 October, I contributed to a debate on the Hillsborough disaster where MPs voted unanimoulsy in favour of the full and uncensored released of all government documents relating to Hillsborough. You can watch my contribution in the video above (video should start at the beginning of my speech), or a copy of the Hansard transcript is below:

Let me begin my contribution today by thanking all those Members of Parliament who supported the call for this debate. The Hillsborough disaster occurred when I was eight, but few other events have had such an impact on my life, or that of my community. It is a true honour to represent my home town, and I am thinking today especially of all those who have been affected. I pay tribute to those who have travelled here today to listen to us. My only hope is that we can do justice to their commitment, and live up to their example.

I congratulate my hon. Friend Steve Rotheram on leading the debate today. On the 20th anniversary of Hillsborough, I sat with my family in the Lower Centenary stand at a packed Anfield, and I listened to him lead our mourning as the lord mayor of Liverpool. I was taken aback then at his bravery in describing the impact of Hillsborough on his life, and I was deeply proud of him, although I did not know him. Little did I know that, just over a year later, we would both join this place and become friends—and I am really glad we have.

I also place on record the thanks that many of my constituents have asked me to bring to my hon. Friend Maria Eagle and my right hon. Friend Andy Burnham. Their leadership in government led the way to the Hillsborough independent panel being brought into existence, and their support has meant a great deal. I thank the Home Secretary for her words today, which have demonstrated her encouragement of today’s motion and full transparency, which is what we want. I thank Members, particularly those from Sheffield, for their contributions today and for their solidarity.

The motion we are debating today is essentially about the truth. That is what we want. For all those affected by events on 15 April 1989, we want to get to the truth—the truth uncensored, the truth without redaction, the truth with no questions left to answer. I want to say on behalf of my constituents why the truth matters so very much. To answer that question, I need to go back to the day itself.

As I said earlier, I was an eight-year-old girl at the time. It was about then that I started to go to football matches and, like many young children, I learned about the wonder of football—the atmosphere, the beauty, the skill on display—and I learned to stay close to my family and not get lost. On the occasion of the FA cup semi-final at Sheffield Wednesday that April, I was at home. Luckily, I was sat in our front room in our house in Bromborough with my dad—and I can still see the look on his face now, because he knew what was happening. Football fans all over Britain knew. They were watching on TV, listening on radios from other football grounds. Thousands and thousands were gripped with horror as bodies were pulled out of the pens in the Leppings Lane end of the Hillsborough ground, and thousands prayed for the safety of those being carried across the pitch on cheap advertising hoardings for stretchers.

The awfulness of that day sunk in over the weeks and months afterwards. It was the worst possible shock. As Alan Hansen, on the pitch playing for Liverpool that day, has said of the disaster,

“the number of broken hearts is incalculable”.

Sadly, for many I have spoken to over the years, there has been a grim recognition of how this could have happened. In the 1980s, football fans were broadly deemed by some to be scum. The relationship between supporters and the police was frequently poisonous. There was a culture of disrespect for fans.

As the interim Taylor report itself pointed out:

“Over the last few years, hooliganism at and associated with football matches has strongly influenced the strategy of the police. In their plans and management they have concentrated on averting or containing threats to public order…it has led to an imbalance between the need to quell a minority of troublemakers and the need to secure the safety and comfort of the majority.”

Yet this was something new in the scale of the horror. In the weeks that followed, people poured into Anfield to show their respects, and everyone wanted answers. Everyone wanted to know how on earth this could have happened.

Well, from a practical perspective, we do know why 96 people died and hundreds and hundreds suffered. We know it because Members have said it, but I want to say it again for clarity. The interim report of the Taylor inquiry, immediately after the disaster, found that police error allowed too many fans into too small an area of the ground, and an absence of effective leadership exacerbated the suffering caused. Despite problems of ground safety, different decisions could have been taken on that day.

As my neighbour and right hon. Friend Mr Field commented, because of two terrible processes that happened straight away, both in the immediate aftermath and in the years that followed, we are still frozen in those early stages of grief in the awful horror of it all, unable to come to terms with it. That is why we need the truth now. The first awful process was the appearance of stories in newspapers which took the good names of fans who were at Hillsborough on that day and threw them in the mud. One newspaper in particular made untrue allegations of specific behaviour by fans that had simply never happened. Those newspapers took people who were suffering in a manner that few of us here can imagine, let alone have experienced, and ripped apart their dignity. Not only did those affected have to suffer physical and mental injury; they had to witness their honour being attacked as though they were the lowest of the low.

People may recall the pictures of newspapers being burnt in Liverpool at the time, but what they may not know is how those lies have echoed down through the years, and how they continue to be spread. I moved to London in 1999, fully 10 years after the disaster, and I was shocked then by how many people still believed the lies told about Hillsborough. They did not believe those lies out of malice, but no one had ever corrected them before. On many occasions I have had to explain what actually happened at Hillsborough, why the calls for justice still ring out, and why people will not “just let go”. Even today, we still see horrible claims repeated online, on websites. Those awful lies, which have been corrected any number of times, are still perpetuated. Often the people whom we correct are quite shocked, having simply assumed that football supporters were to blame.

I join those who support Sir Alex Ferguson’s call for the Hillsborough chants to end, which was highlighted by Dr Coffey. It is hugely important, and has emphasised the fact that the lies told about Hillsborough still have traction. However, given that not one person has ever paid a significant price for their dereliction of duty on that day—only the fans and the victims have paid that price —why would people think that anyone else was to blame?

That brings me to the second awful process that has brought us here today. Our justice system did not deliver, and has not been seen to provide a just account, for the families of those who died at or because of the disaster. No prosecutions have been brought against those who were responsible, despite the conclusions of the Taylor inquiry. The inquest process was flawed by the provision of insubstantial representation for families, and by a large number of other factors that undermine the authority of the verdict. Most seriously, as others have said, no evidence was considered about events after 3.15 pm on the day, so the actions of the police in the rescue operation, and numerous other crucial details that should have featured in a proper account, were not examined. The scrutiny of the evidence which took place in 1998 was likewise flawed, and private prosecutions did not provide conclusive verdicts.

The truth about Hillsborough has never been fully acknowledged. The truth about the causes of those deaths has not been put fully on the record in the way for which our legal system should allow. That is why, for 22 years, we have stood at Anfield and shouted for justice. It is why this campaign is supported by football fans from all teams, from all parts of Britain—as has been clear from what Members have said today—and indeed across the world. It is why I am trying to explain today why the full truth is so important to so many.

One of the most moving sights at the memorial service is the people who come wearing the colours of teams from far and wide to show their support. In every year that has gone by, our voices calling for justice have become louder. Each year, the numbers attending Anfield on the anniversary are larger. If there is anyone left in the country who thinks that the campaign for justice will just fade away over time, let me tell them that they are very wrong.

In my constituency, the Unilever companies in Merseyside installed a permanent memorial to all victims of the disaster. It sits in a beautiful and peaceful part of Port Sunlight Village, providing another space for reflection and a marker of the indelible effects of 15 April 1989 on our community. The strength of our community, and our commitment to justice, will not fade.

The motion calls for full access to Government papers, unredacted and uncensored. Release of the Cabinet papers—which, thankfully, we have heard the Government support today—is an important step on the road towards a full account, bearing witness to a heartbreaking disaster. No evidence should be kept hidden, even that from the highest levels of Government. What we have asked for today—and, thankfully, succeeded in gaining—is the support of parliamentarians for a full and unrestricted account. Parliament should back this motion because general Government policy has already been changed in that Cabinet papers are kept private for 20, rather than 30, years. We have already waited 22 years for the truth about Hillsborough, and we cannot wait any longer.

This is a straightforward matter of letting those affected know precisely what happened—of telling in respect of every locus where decisions were taken, what happened and why. Only then, when we know the truth, can we have justice, and can we hold up an account and say, “This is the truth. This is how our loved ones died. May such a thing never happen again. Their memory will never leave our hearts.”

Chloe Smith (Assistant Whip, House of Commons):

The Office for Budget Responsibility’s forecast, including a forecast for inflation, set out in its Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO), is the official UK forecast. The next EFO will be published on 29 November 2011.

The independent Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England’s forecasts of inflation take into account the monetary policy stance. The most recent MPC forecasts can be found in the August 2011 Inflation Report which is published on the Bank of England website. The next quarterly Inflation Report will be published on 16 November 2011.

The Bank of England has stated in its Quarterly Bulletin published in September 2011 that quantitative easing (QE) carried out between March 2009 and January 2010 raised UK inflation by around ¾ to 1½ percentage points and increased real GDP by around 1½% to 2%.

(Courtesy of www.theyworkforyou.com)

Bob Neill (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Communities and Local Government):

All civil servants are employed to provide impartial advice to Ministers and the Department’s staff work flexibly and are often deployed on a number of different policies, programmes or projects at the same time. As at the end of August 109 staff worked in the Local Government, Policy and Productivity Directorate and 280 in the Local Economy, Regeneration and European Programmes Directorate including 204 staff who are involved in the direct delivery of European Regional Development Fund programmes.

Staff in these two Directorates are the most closely associated with the Department’s regeneration and local democracy work but not all are deployed on those areas and some only partially so. There are other staff from different Directorates who are flexibly deployed for a short time to these areas or whose work, while not primarily focussed on either, also support the Department’s efforts.

These figures include a number of staff who will leave the Department’s employment by October 2012 due to internal restructuring.

(Courtesy of www.theyworkforyou.com)

Over the summer, a dispute arose between the Government and the Information Commissioner on whether Hillsborough cabinet papers should be released to a BBC journalist who requested them.

In response 140,000 people signed an e-petition calling on the Government to commit to releasing all documents relating to the disaster. Those supporting the campaign include families affected, fans, players past and present, and fellow Members of Parliament.

The families of those 96 who went to a football match and never came home want these papers – including Cabinet minutes – in order to find out exactly what happened.

We need an official recognition of the truth about Hillsborough, and acknowledgment of the terrible impact of the failures to protect the safety of fans.

Ordinarily these papers would be released after a passage of 30 years. But those waiting to know the full truth of the response to the terrible events of 15 April 1989 deserve better. These reports and documents should be released earlier, and without alteration or restriction.

The Hillsborough Independent Panel, chaired by Bishop James Jones of Liverpool and set up by the last Government, can then report on the truth of events. Parliament will discuss this proposal, and my hope is that we might then begin to get a fair account after all these years.

The desire and commitment to justice for everyone affected by Hillsborough has not diminished over the past 22 years. It has grown stronger.

Each year that people in our community have attended memorials, the need for the full truth has grown stronger. And I am glad that the argument for justice has now reached the House of Commons.

If you have thoughts on this matter or would like to suggest matters that should be raised in the debate, please get in touch with my office at alison.mcgovern.mp@parliament.uk or 645 6590.

John Penrose (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport):

The Department makes no assessment of the geographical distribution of the purchase of lottery tickets. The national lottery operator, Camelot, and their regulator the National Lottery Commission (NLC), ensure that total sales figures broken down by game type, week by week, are made available on a monthly basis with quarterly sales reports providing some additional commentary, the link to the agreed reporting timetable for this financial year and links to the reports can be found on the NLC website here:

http://www.natlotcomm.gov.uk/regulating-the-lottery/sales-reporting

The national lottery operator believes that the geographical breakdown of national lottery sales information is commercially sensitive information, particularly given the development of the gambling and lottery markets in recent years. In the interests of transparency, we are looking into this further and, in the meantime, I will ask the chief executive of Camelot to write to the hon. Lady.

(Courtesy of www.theyworkforyou.com)

Nick Gibb (Minister of State (Schools), Education):

I have been asked to reply.

The Department for Education has contracted with the Federation of Music Services (FMS) to monitor and report on the use of the Government’s Music Education Grant, which is paid to local authorities. The FMS also administers this grant on behalf of the Department.

In return for their funding, local authorities are required to report on: the nature of the music education services they provide, including data on the number of schools and children receiving free first access instrumental tuition; the number of children continuing instrumental tuition after first access; the number of ensemble opportunities offered to pupils; and the level of funding local authorities themselves contribute towards music education.

The FMS reports back to the Department on a regular basis, highlighting both problems and best practice.

(Courtesy of www.theyworkforyou.com)

John Penrose (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport):

Significant programmes run by this Department since 1995 which will have particularly benefited young people are:

Young people have also benefited from a range of schemes administered by arm’s length bodies but we do not hold centrally the data for these. Schemes paid directly by the Department and by arm’s length bodies included funding contributions from other Government Departments.

(Courtesy of www.theyworkforyou.com)

Nick Gibb (Minister of State (Schools), Education):

Information on the funding available to Wirral’s maintained schools is provided in the authority’s annual section 251 budget return. This shows that Wirral’s schools budget is £193.8 million in 2010-11 and £217.8 million in 2011-12.

Academies are funded via the Young Person’s Learning Agency (YPLA) using the authority’s local school funding formula to ensure that academies and maintained schools are funded on a fair and comparable basis. In 2010-11, Birkenhead High School Academy was funded £4.5 million by the YPLA. In 2011-12 Birkenhead High School Academy and the University Academy Birkenhead have been allocated a total of £12 million.

2012-13 local authority allocations will be announced in the autumn.

The Department is currently consulting on a series of proposals to reform the school funding system which will affect the allocations for 2013-14 and 2014-15. The consultation will close on 11 October 2011. The consultation document is available here.

(Courtesy of www.theyworkforyou.com)

Grant Shapps (Minister of State (Housing and Local Government), Communities and Local Government):

I expect to announce the outcome shortly.

(Courtesy of www.theyworkforyou.com)

In response to Mr Redwood, who is no longer in his place, the Chancellor described the Bank of England’s analysis of the impact on inflation of the last round of quantitative easing. At a time when British people have less and less cash in their pockets, few issues could be more important. [Interruption. ] Will the Chancellor tell the House, perhaps by telephone, or by e-mail, whether he has requested any analysis from his civil servants in the Treasury of the forecast for the impact on inflation of the current round of QE?

My question to the Chancellor and his response can be viewed in the video below. (starts at 37.20)

Lynne Featherstone (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Equalities Office):

In the Modern Workplaces consultation published in May 2011, Government proposed that employers who are found at an employment tribunal to have discriminated because of sex in contractual or non-contractual pay should be made to conduct a pay audit.

The accompanying impact assessment included an initial estimate of the average cost of an equal pay audit as £8,800 but recognised that costs would vary significantly with the size and complexity of an employer’s business. Benefits include, for example, making sure there is maximum use of employee’s capacity and demonstrating fairness to employees.

In addition to the proposal in Modern Workplaces, Government are actively promoting voluntary, business-led approach to analysis and publication of equality data through the new “Think, Act, Report” initiative.

(Courtesy of www.theyworkforyou.com)

The annual ‘Scouts Speak Up!’ events have been created for Scouts from across the UK to be able to attend the party conferences and have an opportunity to tell decision makers about the issues that concern young people locally and nationally.

In Liverpool, Alison discussed many different issues with the Scouts. Many talked about their concerns for the future, how the skills they had learned in Scouting might help them in future life and how they thought politicians could help them to fulfil their potential.

Kelsey Kerr, an Explorer Scout from Merseyside said: “I really enjoyed today’s event.  It was a bit different to what we normally do in Scouting but having the opportunity to hear what MPs and councillors really think about issues that affect me was really good.  Politics often feels like it’s something that young people can’t get involved in but today’s event let me put my point across.”

Chief Scout Bear Grylls said, “I want members to feel empowered to fulfil their ambitions, valued for their contribution they make and to feel proud of everything they do.” He added, “For all those campaigning for a fairer deal for young people and Scouting I say well done, keep at it and don’t give up. Together, we’re stronger.”

Alison said, “I really enjoyed the Scouts Speak Up! event at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool this weekend.  It was really nice to get the chance to meet young people from around the country and talk to them about issues that they care about.  Many young people feel like politics isn’t relevant to them and this event was a really good opportunity for Scouts to let us know what they think about some of the big issues they are facing.”

The vast majority of young people want to work and it is essential that the government ensures there is adequate access to jobs as well as investment in skills and training so that those with the motivation to work are not denied the opportunity.

The situation is clearly untenable and yet, as I have found out from Parliamentary Questions the Tory-led government’s only plan is to reduce the proportion of unemployed young people by less than 1 percentage point by 2015, effectively abandoning the next generation.

If the government is serious about this vital issue, they urgently need to reverse the programme of cuts that has led them to this sorry statistic. Scrapping the Education Maintenance Allowance and Future Jobs Fund while tripling university fees and cutting places, means that, in the last three months alone, the number of unemployed school-leavers rose by 78,000 to 973,000.

Fantastic initiatives that were in place such as the guarantee of an apprenticeship for every 16-18 year old who wants one have been discarded without consideration of the damage being caused to the prospects of school-leavers looking to the future.

People of all ages are struggling to provide for themselves through no fault of their own; we on Merseyside know the effect this has on communities and the disillusionment it can cause. This is not what we should be leaving to our young people.

I will continue to fight this government on these issues at every opportunity as I believe the people of Wirral deserve a successful future.

For impartial advice on benefits you may be entitled to, money management and legal issues Age UK offer a comprehensive service funded entirely through donations. You can call their advice line on 0800 169 6565

Prepare for the cold weather and stay safe in the winter by following this advice and visit  Wirral Borough Council for information about a free service which can be offered to older people in the area.

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To report Benefit Fraud in Wirral in confidence you can complete a Benefit Fraud report form

Alternatively, you can call free on 0800 731 5783 or text 07786202304 starting your message with ‘fraud’.

You can also report a case of benefit fraud online on the Department for Work and Pensions website.

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Find out more about what to do on the Wirral.

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Yesterday’s unemployment figures were disastrous for Wirral and the wider Merseyside economy. Given that RPI is now five per cent, will the Secretary of State explain to me how his RPI plus three per cent train fare hike will help work pay for ordinary people?

My question to the Minister and her response can be viewed in the video below. (starts at 34.21)

Wirral Carers offers information and support for local carers of any age as well as advice on how to deal with life after caring.

Carers UK is a charity which offers advice to carers and their families as well as campaigning nationwide for better awareness about caring and fighting for changes which carers need. You can contact them for practical advice on – 0808 808 7777

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You can contact Student Finance England on 0845 300 50 90 for information regarding tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and grants.

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Maria Miller (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Disabled People), Work and Pensions):

I have been asked to reply.

Tackling youth unemployment, for both young women and young men, continues to be a key priority for this Government.

Government are supporting young people into work through investment in flexible, personalised employment support, apprenticeships, careers advice, work experience and training.

Young people will also benefit from the radical reform of the welfare, skills and education system already under way.

(Courtesy of www.theyworkforyou.com)

Norman Baker (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Regional and Local Transport)):

Local transport authorities are not required to consult or inform the Government when making bus Quality Contract or Quality Partnership Schemes. It is my understanding that there are no Quality Contract Schemes in effect in England, and that there are currently three statutory Quality Partnership Schemes in effect in England: in Barnsley, in Nottingham and in Bath and North East Somerset.

(Courtesy of www.theyworkforyou.com)

Norman Baker (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Regional and Local Transport), Transport):

The latest published report from the Traffic Commissioners is the “Traffic Commissioners’ Annual Reports 2009-10″ which reports on their judicial, regulatory and administrative roles, including bus punctuality. Copies of the report were placed in the Libraries of the House when it was published in November 2010.

(Courtesy of www.theyworkforyou.com)

The petition, which has attracted over 138,000 signatures so far calls for full disclosure of all government documents relating to 1989 Hillsborough disaster following a ruling from the Information Commissioner, Christopher Graham, that the information was in the public interest.

The files, which the Cabinet Office have previously refused to release, include important background on the actions of those at the highest level of Government on the disaster, in which 96 Liverpool fans were killed during the match at Hillsborough stadium in 1989.

The Backbench Business Committee is responsible for considering the suitability of any issue which reaches over 100,000 signatures and allotting time for a House of Commons debate on any such campaign. The Committee will meet  at 1pm where Alison McGovern, joined by other MPs, will call for the issue to be debated in the House of Commons at the earliest opportunity.

Alison, who has campaigned for the release of the documents, said: “The Hillsborough families deserve justice and the full truth which they are still yet to receive 22 years after the tragedy. On Tuesday I will join other MPs in calling for this issue to be debated fully in the House of Commons, bringing us one step closer to securing the full disclosure which is long overdue.”

Following publication of the Boundary Commission’s proposals Wirral South Member of Parliament, Alison McGovern, expressed serious concern as to whether it would be possible for any elected representative to adequately represent a community as diverse and spread over as large an area as that envisaged in the proposed “Mersey Banks” constituency.

If adopted Mersey Banks would see Wirral people in places such as New Ferry and Bromborough included in the same constituency as people living in the Northwich area and in Liverpool on the other side of the airport, on the outskirts of Runcorn and Widnes. The supposed new seat crosses the River Mersey and includes whole swathes of Cheshire.

“I would seriously question the practicality of a single person being charged with representing the views and concerns of people so far apart, from such varying communities. Under our current electoral system the link between electors and their elected representative has always been seen as one of the strong points of the system. The proposed Mersey Bank constituency stretches that link beyond credulity and risks doing irreparable damage to the relationship MPs have with their constituents.”

The proposed constituencies that affect Wirral South constituents:

• Birkenhead (affects Bebington constituents)
• Hoylake and Neston (affects Clatterbridge and Heswall constituents)
• Mersey Banks (affects Bromborough and Eastham Constituents)

I thank the Secretary of State for his recent letter to me regarding tourism ahead of the Olympics. I was concerned, however, that he listed the Lake district as a local treasure of the Wirral, until I realised that the same letter had been sent to all the north-west MPs. So that he can learn a bit more about the geography of north-west England, will he visit one of our actual treasures in the Wirral with me: Port Sunlight village, whose festival in July attracted 20,000 visitors?

My question to the Secretary of State and his response can be viewed in the video below. (starts at 42.42)

Mark Prisk (Minister of State (Business and Enterprise), Business, Innovation and Skills):

Government funding for business support in (i) Wirral, (ii) Merseyside, (iii) the north-west and (iv) England in (A) 2010-11, (B) 2011-12, (C) 2012-13, (D) 2013-14 and (E) 2014-15 is as follows:

Regional Growth Fund (RGF)

The Local Growth White Paper published on 28 October 2010 launched the £1.4 billion Regional Growth Fund (RGF) that will operate over three years from 2011 to 2014. This is a challenge fund that operates in England only and is not ring-fenced or pre allocated in any way.

The first round of bidding for the fund closed on 21 January 2011. Announcements on the successful bids from that round were made in April, with £450 million being invested by the Government through the RGF, expected to leverage more than £2.5 billion of private sector investment. The second, main, round was launched on 12 April with a closing date of 1 July. We are very pleased with the response to this round and the team is currently processing details of the bids received. Details of both rounds can be found on the BIS website:

www.bis.gov.uk/rgf

Grant for Business Investment (GBI)

In 2010/11 the total Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFIE)/GBI actual expenditure in England was £48 million. Of this, £11 million was in the north-west. This figure includes two SFIE projects located in Merseyside (Getrag Ford and Pilkington) on which £2.06 million was paid.

Going forward, the budget figures for forecast expenditure in 2011/12 are £32 million, in 2012/13 and 2013/14 it is £23 million and in 2014/15 it is £19 million.

The forecast for individual projects in the north-west in 2011/12 is £8.5 million, in 2012/13 it is £6.2 million and in 2013/14 and 2014/15 it is £5.2 million. The expenditure relates to three projects, all in Merseyside.

Business Coaching for Growth

The Government are committed to creating the right long term environment to make it easier to start and grow a business. This includes a new Business Coaching for Growth (BCG) programme which will help up to 10,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) a year to overcome the barriers to high growth. This is a national service so it is not possible to provide a regional breakdown.

BCG will be built around two main themes:

Coaching: the programme will provide coaches to work face to face with senior management teams to help them to develop and implement their strategies and develop the skills, expertise and techniques to overcome the barriers they face to growing.

Connectivity: BCG will be highly networked and will connect high growth potential businesses to other forms of support such as business incubators and science parks. It will also fast track businesses to trusted sources of specialist advice.

The formal process to procure BCG began in April and has attracted considerable interest from the business community.

BIS has adopted the Competitive Dialogue procurement procedure which involves strong engagement and discussion with private sector bidders. BIS is confident that the market will deliver an innovative, flexible and cost-effective solution to delivering BCG across England. The full procurement process should be completed in the autumn and the service will be rolled out in early 2012.

Enterprise Finance Guarantee

The Enterprise Finance Guarantee is a loan guarantee scheme to facilitate additional bank lending to viable SMEs with insufficient or no security with which to secure a normal commercial loan.

Enterprise Loan Guarantee (EFG) loans to businesses in the Wirral, Merseyside, north-west and England for the financial years 2010/11 and 2011/12 were as follows:

Regional Development Agencies/ Venture Capital Loan Funds

Regional development agencies (RDAs) established a range of venture capital and loan funds (VCLFs) providing debt and equity funding to SMEs in their respective regions. These funds were established using money from the Single Programme and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). In many regions, including the north-west, European funds were used to leverage private sector investment into the VCLF. Across England almost £0.5 billion (RDA funds, ERDF and private investment) has been committed to VCLFs investing in SMEs up to the end of 2015. Of this, £185 million has been committed to the North West Fund. It is expected that 40% of the North West Fund will be invested in Merseyside.

Apprenticeships

In addition the Government have made some £1,328 million available in the 2010-11 financial year to support apprenticeship training in England and we expect to spend over £1,400 million in the 2011 -12 financial year.

The apprenticeships programme is demand led. Government do not plan apprenticeship funding by region. The Government funding for apprenticeships is paid directly to the organisation that provides and supports the apprenticeship training. In most cases this will be a further education college or independent learning provider.

UK Trade and Investment

Direct Government funding via UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) for trade development in the north-west region was £2.5 million in 2010/11 and £2.9 million has been allocated for 2011/12. In addition, businesses in the north-west may benefit from UKTI’s nationally funded trade development programmes.

Enterprise Zones

Budget 2011 allocated £20 million (2012/13), £40 million (2013/14), £65 million (2014/15) and £80 million (2015/16) to fund delivery of Enterprise Zones.

The Government have put forward a range of measures to develop enterprise zones and make them attractive places to do business including:

A 100 per cent business rate discount worth up to £275,000 over a five year period (for businesses that move into an enterprise zone during the course of this Parliament).

All business rate growth generated by the zone for a period of at least 25 years will be kept by that area.

Local development orders are available to local authorities to establish a simplified planning regime.

Government support to ensure that super fast broadband is rolled out throughout the zones. This will be achieved through guaranteeing the most supportive planning environment and, if necessary, public funding.

In addition, the Government will work with individual local enterprise partnerships to consider:

The scope for introducing enhanced capital allowances to support zones in assisted areas where there is a strong focus on high value manufacturing;

The use of tax increment finance to support the long-term viability of the zone, in tandem with the Local Government Resource Review; and

UKTI support on inward investment and trade opportunities.

The first 11 local enterprise partnerships to host enterprise zones announced at Budget were: Greater Birmingham and Solihull; Leeds City Region; Sheffield City Region; Liverpool City Region; Greater Manchester; West of England; Tees Valley; North East; Black Country; Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and London.

The open competition to identify a further 10 enterprise zones closed on 30 June with 30 bids received. All of the bids were assessed against their ability to deliver growth and jobs, their value for money and their plans for implementation.

Following careful consideration the following local enterprise partnerships were selected to be granted an enterprise zone: Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Greater Cambridge and Greater Peterborough, The Marches, New Anglia, South East Midlands, South East (formerly East Sussex, Kent etc), Oxfordshire, Hull and the Humber, Liverpool City Region, Leicester and Leicestershire, and Solent.

High Street Support Scheme: Support for small or medium-sized enterprises

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. Friend Mr Pickles, announced on 18 August a £20 million High Street Support Scheme, jointly funded by BIS, to give grants to local firms affected by the riots for out-of-pocket expenses. The scheme is being administered through local authorities.

(Courtesy of www.theyworkforyou.com)

“That this House expresses its concern at the sudden decision of the Cork-based Thomas Crosbie Holdings to close the longest running, largest circulation community weekly newspaper for the Irish in the UK; notes the belief of former staff and management that viable alternatives to closure are available and their launch of a community campaign to `Save the Irish Post’; further notes that the Federation of Irish Societies, with more than 150 affiliated clubs and societies throughout England and Wales, has described the Post as a central pillar of the community; further notes that the Irish Post has, for more than forty years, been the `voice of the Irish in Britain’, defended the community against discrimination, promoted peace and reconciliation, celebrated Irish identity, ethnicity, history and culture; showcased Irish talent and promoted trade and commerce; believes that a vibrant and diverse community press and media is vital to the promotion of good relations in society; and supports the Irish community in its battle to save this vital resource.”

Courtesy of www.edms.org.uk

Edward Vaizey (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Culture, Communications and Creative Industries), Business, Innovation and Skills):

This Department does not hold a regional breakdown for employees for each of the Creative Industries Council members. While the creative industries do have a London and south-east England focus, there are major centres in other regions of England, and we would expect the members of the Council to reflect that.

(Courtesy of www.theyworkforyou.com)

Edward Vaizey (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Culture, Communications and Creative Industries), Business, Innovation and Skills:

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend Mr Hunt, to Mr Lewis on 16 May 2011, Hansard, columns 

(Courtesy of www.theyworkforyou.com)

Alan Duncan (Minister of State, International Development):

The Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) recognises the importance of addressing gender disparity in terms of employment, training and opportunities for women in the developing world.

Under its new high-level business plan, CDC capital will be focused on the poorest countries and parts of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia where it will help support and create better and more equal opportunities for women through, for example, the provision of microfinance, where 70% of borrowers are typically women.

CDC provides its fund managers with comprehensive guidance on environmental, social and governance issues. The guidance provides specific detail to managers on how to improve investee company performance on gender, including advice on pay, maternity and paternity leave, health matters, harassment and safety of women employees and appointing women to company boards.

(Courtesy of www.theyworkforyou.com)

Nick Gibb (Minister of State (Schools), Education):

There were 3,040 full-time equivalent teachers in service in publicly funded schools in Wirral local authority in November 2010. The source used is the School Workforce Census, No future estimates have been made centrally.

(Courtesy of www.theyworkforyou.com)

Alan Duncan (Minister of State, International Development):

The Department for International Development’s (DFID) vision for girls and women has economic empowerment as a central pillar. DFID’s Private Sector Department is working with, on and through the private sector to help women gain direct access to, and control over, economic assets, serving in turn to boost their status in communities and households. The Private Sector Department is developing programmes to support women by improving employment opportunities and increasing their access to financial and basic services.

Across DFID, we plan to improve access to financial services for over 18 million women; help 2.3 million women attain employment, and secure land rights for 4.5 million women.

(Courtesy of www.theyworkforyou.com)

Ceri is a very talented cake-maker, whereas, I am not! Over the years, I’ve only managed sponge cakes that are somewhat flat and a bit hard.  So it was fascinating to learn some of her skills in the kitchen, then enjoy a chat over a cup of tea.  It reminded me of the importance of learning about our food.  We take a great deal for granted these days: frozen food, convenience shops open until late, ready-made meals.  But there is real skill in making good food, and we are better off for having people around who take the time and effort to find quality ingredients and cook them properly.

Nowhere is this more important than in schools.  Many of our local schools have changed the food they serve to make it more fresh and offer young people a better lunchtime meal than in the past.  I believe this should continue.  Schools will find it harder, given the budget constraints the Government has put them under, but while cooking is a talent some are blessed with, but it’s also a skill that needs to be learned.  It’s a craft that should continue to be taught at school – equally to boys and girls – so that they can see the satisfaction and enjoyment of a good meal put together by hand.

I look forward to more Wirral award-winning chefs in the future, as we continue to inspire the next generation.  Or at least, young people today able to do better than me in the kitchen, and knowing not to open the oven door before the cake is finished!

As well as this though, current global economic turmoil rightly brought Members of Parliament back to Westminster to consider the options ahead of the Government.

The facts are these. Europe is in crisis, with the problems of Greek default now spreading like a rash to Italy, Spain, Portugal and Ireland. Stock markets are falling. The Governor of the Bank of England says, “Were they to crystallise, the risks emanating from the Euro area have the potential to have a significant impact on the UK economy.”

Across the Atlantic credit rating agency Standard & Poors have downgraded their assessment of the US credit rating. President Obama has his back against the wall, facing down hard right-wingers who say the only answer to their budget deficit is to stop Government spending on welfare programmes and – bizarrely – keep tax cuts for the very wealthiest in place. The Economist magazine has predicted 50 per cent chance of the US economy falling back into recession.

What relevance does this global market panic have to us in Merseyside? Well for a start, in North West England, one in ten people work in manufacturing. If demand for these goods fall abroad then we could be in real trouble again. A low pound has driven up our exports, and if sterling rises as traders flee other currencies, we could see more harm to our productive scouse economy.

If banks don’t sort out their balance sheets, those who work in the financial service sector in Merseyside could also find themselves in trouble as companies seek to cut costs.

The UK economy is not growing strongly enough to resolve the Government budget problems we have. The more Osborne cuts, the more Job Seekers Allowance he is paying out. Families are under stress and desperate to save not spend as they worry about the future.

The first task is to stop the panic. This takes coherent global leadership, with Prime Ministers and Presidents working together across Europe, America, Asia and Africa to promote a global growth plan and encourage trade.

I recently took part in a select committee meeting with the President of the World Bank Robert Zoellick. Mr Zoellick told us that we needed to learn from the Chinese. He said they realise infrastructure investment means jobs today, and higher productivity tomorrow. In other words, we need leaders who not only look to the future, but put in place the means to make the markets work better than before. We are proud of our Chinese links in Liverpool, so perhaps we should try to follow their example.

Originally posted on David Bartlett’s Dale Street Blues Blog

Given poor and worsening United Kingdom growth, at what point will the Chancellor advocate further quantitative easing? If he will not answer that question, will he tell us whether he believes that there is no chance that rapidly rising sterling will hurt our exports?

My question to the Chancellor and his response can be viewed in the video below. (starts at 39.47)

To report an incident either call ‘It’s Your Call’ on 0151 606 2020, email Streetscene (streetscene@wirral.gov.uk) or use the online reporting form

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You can also visit the website of the Trades Union Congress by clicking on www.tuc.org.uk/tuc/unions_main.cfm. The TUC has 58 British trade unions affiliated and has details about each of them.

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The council is responsible for any public building that has become dangerous due to vandalism. Please ring them on 0151 606 2000.

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“That this House acknowledges that the current system of care and support is in crisis and that, despite initiatives to improve early intervention, personalise services, increase choice and control, support carers and end age discrimination, the system is under-resourced and unable to deliver on these promises; looks forward to the publication of the review by the Commission on the Funding of Care and Support, chaired by Andrew Dilnot, on potential options for reform; recognises that with an ageing population and increasing numbers of people with disabilities throughout the age spectrum, providing future care needs will necessitate an increase in the percentage of gross domestic product that is spent on care both to deliver good quality care for people with low incomes and some support for mid and high income groups; and calls on the Government, with the Care and Support Alliance, made up of the 51 leading care charities and organisations, to ensure that urgent action is taken to create a sustainable care and support system.”

Courtesy of www.edms.org.uk

“That this House recognisesand supports the economic and social value of trade union representatives in the workplace; notes that there are over 200,000 lay union representatives in the UK; further notes that the union representatives in the public sector have been estimated by the Government to save between 167 million and 397 million every year in resolving or preventing disputes between the workforce and the employer, increasing the take up of training, reducing staff turnover and absences, as well as delivering annual productivity gains of up to 3.6 billion; further recognises that the cost of union representatives in the public sector is far outweighed by this resounding economic benefit and the positive impact on workplaceculture; further notes that union representatives are legally entitled to paid time off to carry out union duties; believes that the position of all employees and employers is improved by union representation; and calls on the Government to use the current review of employment law to reinforce the legal status of union representatives.”

Courtesy of www.edms.org.uk

I am in contact with Merseyside Police and have received briefing about their preparedness. We must all help them to keep control: I’m asking families to keep young ones at home and for everyone to stay safe.

There is no excuse for violent, destructive behaviour. It will not be tolerated, and we all back police efforts to find and punish the perpetrators.

The people of Merseyside have worked very hard to build our cities and towns into places we can be proud of. Those who damage our area will not be forgiven for their callous actions. The majority of British young people are hardworking and committed to their future. A small minority do not speak or act for them, and we must focus on bringing these people to justice, and repairing the damage.

In Westminster on Thursday, I’ll be calling for Government to show leadership and help areas affected. Communities should not be left to cope with the aftermath of this, and we need clear plans to support regeneration.

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Mind is a mental health charity that helps people take control of their mental health.

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Their contact phone number is: 0303 123 9999

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For information about working with asbestos, its dangers and other information please visit the Health and Safety Executive website

If you have worries concerning asbestos or for more information about it please visit the NHS website

Also find out where you might find asbestos in your home here

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Telephone 0151 907 1745 or dial the main switchboard on 0871 521 8484 and follow the instructions.

Post – please write to:

The Environmental Manager
Liverpool Airport plc,
South Terminal
Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Liverpool L24 1YD

Alternatively, you can complete their online complaint form. A member of the Airport’s Environmental Department should reply to your enquiry as soon as possible.

Your complaint will be recorded and will be reported to the Noise Monitoring Sub Committee and the Liverpool John Lennon Airport Consultative Committee, which regularly reviews the scale and nature of noise complaints.

For advice and information about how to deal with aircraft noise you can contact the Environmental Health department at Wirral Council.

Email: environmentalhealth@wirral.gov.uk

Telephone: 0151 691 8318

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Find out more information regarding the National Minimum Wage and what  you should be entitled to on the Directgov website.

This website will also tell you what you should do if you think that you are being paid less than the minimum wage.

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If you want to make a claim for housing benefit then you can find the information needed on Wirral Council’s website. You can also call on: 0151 606 2002 or visit your local One Stop Shop who will provide you with an application form.

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) is available to people who find themselves in special circumstances and who need assistance with their rent and/or council tax. A form for Discretionary Housing Payments is available from Wirral Council’s website.

For free independent advice on housing benefit (or other benefits) you can contact the Wirral Welfare Rights Unit. They see people on an appointment based system, so contact would need to be made prior to a meeting.

To contact Wirral Welfare Rights Unit use the information below

Telephone: 0151 666 4570 (9.30am – 12.30pm) 

 Email: welfarerights@wirral.gov.uk

By Post

Wirral Welfare Rights Unit
Social Services
FREEPOST
Birkenhead
Wirral
CH41 5FN

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There are three recycling centres on the Wirral, operated by Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority, and one in the Wirral South constituency. The one in Wirral South is located on Mount Road, Clatterbridge and is open from 8am – 5pm (1^st October – 31^st March) and 8am – 8pm (1^st April – 30^th September).

If you are using a van, flatbed or using a trailer (between 2 – 3 metres long) you will need a permit. This permit is free and will enable you to use your vehicle of choice to dispose of your waste.

For details to obtain a permit you can call: 0151 236 0305

If you require assistance with waste collection then you can apply for special assistance in order to have your waste collected.

For any further queries such as recycling at work, composting garden waste or school recycling please visit here

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