The Crompton Street car clampers could be driven out of business when the law on wheel clamping is changed.
The Crime and Security Bill is currently being considered in Parliament. It will limit the activities of rogue car clampers such as City Parks Management, which operates the car park on Crompton Street in Derby’s city centre.
The Bill is set to limit the release fee to between £40 and £70, but City Parks Management currently charge a minimum release fee of £125. When this Bill becomes law these modern-day highway robbers will either have to behave responsibly or be driven out of business.
City Parks Management doesn’t even have planning permission to operate its car park, but Councillor Lucy Care, who is responsible for planning and transportation in Derby, refused to order enforcement action. So it's good to see our Derby campaign having some impact on the legislative programme.
The Bill is currently being considered by a committee of MPs. I have written urging them to consider an outright ban on wheel clamping on private property as it is in Scotland. These are the MPs sitting on the Crime and Security Bill Committee and I would urge everyone reading my blog to write to them as well.
• Tony Baldry,
• Tom Brake,
• James Brokenshire,
• Simon Burns,
• Alan Campbell,
• Jim Dobbin,
• Robert Flello,
• David Hanson,
• Douglas Hogg,
• Dr Brian Iddon,
• SiobhainM cDonagh,
• Shona McIsaac,
• Mark Oaten,
• Andrew Rosindell,
• Alison Seabeck
• Dave Watts.
Saturday 30 January 2010
Wednesday 27 January 2010
JOBCENTRES AT 100 ARE MUCH BETTER
Next week, February 1st marks the 100th anniversary of Labour Exchanges, now referred to as jobcentres. These days they provide support for jobseekers and employers alike.
When Labour came to power the ‘Jobcentre Plus’ concept was launched. This brought together, job-seeking and benefits support so that people could access both in one place.
The screens that were a feature of the system and the queues were swept away and replaced with a more humane system that treated unemployed workers with dignity. Jobcentres now offer an integrated, personalised service with new vacancies every day, and is aligned to the needs of local businesses.
Despite the recession, over half of new claimants come off Job Seekers Allowance within 3 months and around 70% within 6 months. January’s statistics show that unemployment fell for the first time in this recession – by 7,000, and claimant count fell for a second month.
When Labour came to power the ‘Jobcentre Plus’ concept was launched. This brought together, job-seeking and benefits support so that people could access both in one place.
The screens that were a feature of the system and the queues were swept away and replaced with a more humane system that treated unemployed workers with dignity. Jobcentres now offer an integrated, personalised service with new vacancies every day, and is aligned to the needs of local businesses.
Despite the recession, over half of new claimants come off Job Seekers Allowance within 3 months and around 70% within 6 months. January’s statistics show that unemployment fell for the first time in this recession – by 7,000, and claimant count fell for a second month.
Tuesday 26 January 2010
BRITAIN OUT OF RECESSION BUT BEWARE THE TORIES
Britain has now emerged from the recession, but this could be put in jeopardy if the Tories came to power in the General Election.
Homeowners in particular would be vulnerable. The last Tory government presided over record numbers of repossessions. By contrast this Labour government has regulated through the Financial Services Authority to ensure that repossession is only used as a last resort.
Labour also put pressure on lenders to extend forbearance to borrowers wherever possible and launched a comprehensive publicity campaign to help ensure households know their rights.
Funding was made available to provide free face-to-face debt advice services and legal guidance introduced to ensure lenders have to prove to a Court that repossession is a last resort. And lenders have to inform local authorities if they are taking repossession action so the authority can help the homeowner.
Furthermore, access to a free advice desk in every court to help households on the day if they are facing a repossession hearing has been implemented.
Many local households in Derby are benefiting from lenders agreeing more affordable formal changes to their mortgage payments. Across the country it’s 74% higher than the same time last year.
In the 1990s recession, repossessions peaked at 75,500 in 1991. If they were running at the same rate to the figure would be expected to be around 91,000. The Council of Mortgage Lenders expect the figure for 2009 to be about half that amount.
Homeowners in particular would be vulnerable. The last Tory government presided over record numbers of repossessions. By contrast this Labour government has regulated through the Financial Services Authority to ensure that repossession is only used as a last resort.
Labour also put pressure on lenders to extend forbearance to borrowers wherever possible and launched a comprehensive publicity campaign to help ensure households know their rights.
Funding was made available to provide free face-to-face debt advice services and legal guidance introduced to ensure lenders have to prove to a Court that repossession is a last resort. And lenders have to inform local authorities if they are taking repossession action so the authority can help the homeowner.
Furthermore, access to a free advice desk in every court to help households on the day if they are facing a repossession hearing has been implemented.
Many local households in Derby are benefiting from lenders agreeing more affordable formal changes to their mortgage payments. Across the country it’s 74% higher than the same time last year.
In the 1990s recession, repossessions peaked at 75,500 in 1991. If they were running at the same rate to the figure would be expected to be around 91,000. The Council of Mortgage Lenders expect the figure for 2009 to be about half that amount.
Sunday 24 January 2010
COUNCIL DECISION COULD PUT VULNERABLE CHILDREN AT RISK
CONCERNS have been raised over a potential exodus of social services staff in Derby after a council decision to cut their earnings.
Derby City Council is already coping with a shortage of staff to care for vulnerable children and adults, but that situation could worsen after councillors voted to stop paying employees an allowance for their travel between clients.
A motion calling for the allowance to be scrapped was proposed by Liberal Democrat councillors and supported by their Conservative colleagues, despite unanimous opposition to the cut from Labour.
To the Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors who voted for this cut, it's about saving money. The reality is that it is about protecting children and vulnerable adults.
I’m now worried that defenceless children will be put at greater risk because Derby simply won't have the social workers. After everything that happened with the Baby P case we're told councils have learned lessons, but Derby appears to be bucking that trend.
The staff affected are not local government fat cats either, many of them are low paid workers doing crucial jobs.
Those jobs have just been made even harder. There is a shortage of people to fill these posts nationwide, so who could blame social workers in Derby if they choose to take up jobs in neighbouring areas now?
It's a desperate situation that was so avoidable. The one crumb of comfort Labour can offer to those affected is a pledge to reintroduce the allowance if we take back control of the council in May.
The council's decision to make the budget cut comes after it spent thousands doing up the offices of Liberal Democrat cabinet members and the council's chief executive, despite imminent plans to gut the Council House as part of a refurbishment programme.
Derby City Council is already coping with a shortage of staff to care for vulnerable children and adults, but that situation could worsen after councillors voted to stop paying employees an allowance for their travel between clients.
A motion calling for the allowance to be scrapped was proposed by Liberal Democrat councillors and supported by their Conservative colleagues, despite unanimous opposition to the cut from Labour.
To the Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors who voted for this cut, it's about saving money. The reality is that it is about protecting children and vulnerable adults.
I’m now worried that defenceless children will be put at greater risk because Derby simply won't have the social workers. After everything that happened with the Baby P case we're told councils have learned lessons, but Derby appears to be bucking that trend.
The staff affected are not local government fat cats either, many of them are low paid workers doing crucial jobs.
Those jobs have just been made even harder. There is a shortage of people to fill these posts nationwide, so who could blame social workers in Derby if they choose to take up jobs in neighbouring areas now?
It's a desperate situation that was so avoidable. The one crumb of comfort Labour can offer to those affected is a pledge to reintroduce the allowance if we take back control of the council in May.
The council's decision to make the budget cut comes after it spent thousands doing up the offices of Liberal Democrat cabinet members and the council's chief executive, despite imminent plans to gut the Council House as part of a refurbishment programme.
Friday 22 January 2010
15,000 NEW JOBS PREDICTED FOR DERBY
A Report just published by the East Midlands development Agency is predicting a boom in Derbyshire's rail, car and aerospace industries, creating up to 15,000 jobs in the process.
This is great news for Derby and further evidence that Labour’s stewardship of the economy is bearing fruit. It’s another good reason why the Tories must never be allowed to get their hand on the reins of power.
This link takes you to the full report, entitled Planes, Trains and Automobiles, http://www.emda.org.uk/uploaddocuments/PlanesTrainsAutomobilesExecSummary.pdf
This is great news for Derby and further evidence that Labour’s stewardship of the economy is bearing fruit. It’s another good reason why the Tories must never be allowed to get their hand on the reins of power.
This link takes you to the full report, entitled Planes, Trains and Automobiles, http://www.emda.org.uk/uploaddocuments/PlanesTrainsAutomobilesExecSummary.pdf
Thursday 21 January 2010
WE MUST KEEP INVESTING TO HELP DERBY PEOPLE BACK INTO WORK
We’ve got to keep investing in jobs through the recovery. That’s why I’m backing the Future Jobs Fund which will bring more jobs to Derby, jobs that David Cameron wants to slash.
In previous recessions unemployed young people were left on the scrapheap. We can’t let this happen again.
That’s why I support Labour’s guarantees - an education or training place for young people up to 18. And a job or training place for 18-24 year olds out of work for six months. Both funded by a one off tax on bankers' bonuses.
In spite of the worst worldwide recession since the 1930s, unemployment in Derby is still lower than it was when we came to power in 1997. During the last recession in 1992, under the Tories, unemployment in Derby stood at 13,275 – almost double what it is today!
This website gives details on unemployment levels https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/Default.asp
In previous recessions unemployed young people were left on the scrapheap. We can’t let this happen again.
That’s why I support Labour’s guarantees - an education or training place for young people up to 18. And a job or training place for 18-24 year olds out of work for six months. Both funded by a one off tax on bankers' bonuses.
In spite of the worst worldwide recession since the 1930s, unemployment in Derby is still lower than it was when we came to power in 1997. During the last recession in 1992, under the Tories, unemployment in Derby stood at 13,275 – almost double what it is today!
This website gives details on unemployment levels https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/Default.asp
Wednesday 20 January 2010
TORIES AND LIB DEMS ATTACK SOCIAL CARE WORKERS
At a meeting of Derby City Council tonight, the Tories and Liberal Democrats forced through significant cuts in the conditions of employment of social workers and other social care staff. Many of these workers are already earning a low wage and this is a disgraceful way to treat workers who are doing a vitally important job.
There are already a large number of social work vacancies in the city but the motion that was forced through the full council meeting tonight will almost certainly lead to an increase in vacant social work posts. And that will make it even more difficult to protect vulnerable children and elderly people.
The conduct of the Conservative and Liberal Democrats at tonight’s meeting gives an insight into how a Tory government would treat public services and public sector workers.
It’s another compelling reason why people should vote Labour in Derby North.
There are already a large number of social work vacancies in the city but the motion that was forced through the full council meeting tonight will almost certainly lead to an increase in vacant social work posts. And that will make it even more difficult to protect vulnerable children and elderly people.
The conduct of the Conservative and Liberal Democrats at tonight’s meeting gives an insight into how a Tory government would treat public services and public sector workers.
It’s another compelling reason why people should vote Labour in Derby North.
UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN - LABOUR'S POLICIES ARE WORKING
The action Labour is taking on the economy is working and unemployment is going down. By contrast, the Tories would cut support to the economy right now, which would choke off recovery and put more Derby people out of work.
Labour is helping people into work through our guarantees to young people and expanding support from Jobcentre Plus, but I know that the job market is still tough for a lot of local people. That’s why we need to continue providing the necessary support to maintain jobs and create new employment opportunities.
For further information check our interactive map at http://www.labour.org.uk/jobs-interactive-map
Labour is helping people into work through our guarantees to young people and expanding support from Jobcentre Plus, but I know that the job market is still tough for a lot of local people. That’s why we need to continue providing the necessary support to maintain jobs and create new employment opportunities.
For further information check our interactive map at http://www.labour.org.uk/jobs-interactive-map
Monday 11 January 2010
MY HOME CITY HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED BY LABOUR
IMAGINE a Derby with 327 fewer doctors, 701 fewer nurses and 92 fewer midwives.
Picture a Derby where 13 of our new schools suddenly ceased to exist, where they were either replaced by older, less appropriate buildings or by no provision at all.
Or visualise a Derby without the nine children’s centres built in the last 13 years, and where the 10 others created as extensions to schools simply weren’t there anymore.
Would it be a poorer place to live? Would you worry about the medical provision, particularly for elderly or vulnerable people? Would you be concerned about the quality of education, or the out-of-hours offering for children?
Thankfully, that vision of Derby is no longer a reality. But, unbelievably, just 13 years ago, it was.
Since 1997, Labour investment in health services has created all those extra posts for doctors, nurses and midwives, including the creation of a state-of-the-art hospital.
That is why the lengthy waiting lists that were commonplace under the Tories have been eliminated. It’s how the NHS in Derby is able to treat people in need of medical treatment quickly. And it’s why people no longer die while waiting for urgent operations.
Labour’s commitment to education has seen the building of all those new schools and children’s centres, as well as two new colleges in the Joseph Wright Centre and the Roundhouse.
Record numbers of teachers and teaching assistants have been appointed helping many more of our young people to achieve their full potential.
But that’s not all that’s changed. Transport in Derby is unrecognisable since Labour swept to power in 1997, with a new bus station set to open in the coming weeks, a new railway station being development and a new ring road under construction.
It’s pretty incredible when you look at Derby now and you think about how things have changed since 1997.
Over the years you tend not to notice as things gradually change around you, but it’s when you sit back and reflect on how things were and how they are now that you really appreciate the leaps forward that have been made.”
And that’s in Derby alone. Take a look at the national picture and it’s clear to see that the improvements to the quality of life for people in Britain.
A rising minimum wage has lifted many people out of poverty, while pensioners now benefit from winter fuel payments and free use of the national bus network.
Crime has been slashed since 1997, with a 36 per cent drop overall. Domestic burglary has fallen by 54 per cent, vehicle-related crime by 57 per cent and violent crime is down by 41 per cent.
Initiatives that were long overdue under the old Tory government have been brought forward, like making it free for people to see their country’s artefacts at museums and art galleries.
And, of course, it was the Labour government that listened to the people and finally outlawed fox hunting after years of Tory support for this barbaric pastime. Indeed foxhunting was once described as the Tory Party at play.
With a General Election coming up, and after 13 years of Labour rule, it’s only healthy that people are challenging the Government to keep on improving things.
The days of Margaret Thatcher and John Major are behind us. Britain generally, and Derby specifically, is a far better place to live now as a result.
That’s why it’s important that Labour maintains its excellent track record for delivering against its targets. Thankfully, there’s every sign that will continue to happen.
Picture a Derby where 13 of our new schools suddenly ceased to exist, where they were either replaced by older, less appropriate buildings or by no provision at all.
Or visualise a Derby without the nine children’s centres built in the last 13 years, and where the 10 others created as extensions to schools simply weren’t there anymore.
Would it be a poorer place to live? Would you worry about the medical provision, particularly for elderly or vulnerable people? Would you be concerned about the quality of education, or the out-of-hours offering for children?
Thankfully, that vision of Derby is no longer a reality. But, unbelievably, just 13 years ago, it was.
Since 1997, Labour investment in health services has created all those extra posts for doctors, nurses and midwives, including the creation of a state-of-the-art hospital.
That is why the lengthy waiting lists that were commonplace under the Tories have been eliminated. It’s how the NHS in Derby is able to treat people in need of medical treatment quickly. And it’s why people no longer die while waiting for urgent operations.
Labour’s commitment to education has seen the building of all those new schools and children’s centres, as well as two new colleges in the Joseph Wright Centre and the Roundhouse.
Record numbers of teachers and teaching assistants have been appointed helping many more of our young people to achieve their full potential.
But that’s not all that’s changed. Transport in Derby is unrecognisable since Labour swept to power in 1997, with a new bus station set to open in the coming weeks, a new railway station being development and a new ring road under construction.
It’s pretty incredible when you look at Derby now and you think about how things have changed since 1997.
Over the years you tend not to notice as things gradually change around you, but it’s when you sit back and reflect on how things were and how they are now that you really appreciate the leaps forward that have been made.”
And that’s in Derby alone. Take a look at the national picture and it’s clear to see that the improvements to the quality of life for people in Britain.
A rising minimum wage has lifted many people out of poverty, while pensioners now benefit from winter fuel payments and free use of the national bus network.
Crime has been slashed since 1997, with a 36 per cent drop overall. Domestic burglary has fallen by 54 per cent, vehicle-related crime by 57 per cent and violent crime is down by 41 per cent.
Initiatives that were long overdue under the old Tory government have been brought forward, like making it free for people to see their country’s artefacts at museums and art galleries.
And, of course, it was the Labour government that listened to the people and finally outlawed fox hunting after years of Tory support for this barbaric pastime. Indeed foxhunting was once described as the Tory Party at play.
With a General Election coming up, and after 13 years of Labour rule, it’s only healthy that people are challenging the Government to keep on improving things.
The days of Margaret Thatcher and John Major are behind us. Britain generally, and Derby specifically, is a far better place to live now as a result.
That’s why it’s important that Labour maintains its excellent track record for delivering against its targets. Thankfully, there’s every sign that will continue to happen.
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