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MP pays tribute to Holocaust Educational Trust
01/02/2012 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has paid tribute to the Holocaust Educational Trust for the work they do in Wrexham and across Britain.
He met with the Trust’s Chief Executive Karen Pollock in Westminster this morning to discuss the educational programmes the Trust offers to pupils in schools right across Britain, including in Mr Lucas’ constituency of Wrexham.
The meeting follows shortly after Holocaust Memorial Day, which Mr Lucas, the Shadow Minister for the Middle East and Africa, marked by signing a Book of Commitment.
In the weeks around Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events have been arranged, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.
The Trust works across Britain in schools, universities and communities throughout the year to raise awareness of the Holocaust.
Its Lessons from Auschwitz project, now in its 14th year, is a one day visit to the Nazi concentration and extermination camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau, with follow-up seminars, which has enabled almost 16,000 young people to gain a deeper understanding of the camp’s history and the wider history of the Holocaust and what can happen if prejudice and racism become acceptable.
Mr Lucas said: “The work of the Holocaust Educational Trust is very valuable indeed. Remembering those who died and the truly horrific reality of the Holocaust grows more important with each generation.
“I was interested to hear of the work the Trust has done in Wrexham, having attended a moving event at Ysgol Bryn Alyn, Gwersyllt addressed by a Holocaust survivor, but also that it is working across the UK – with its Lessons from Auschwitz programme reaching young people in every school and college in the country.
“The work it does in educating young people, their teachers and communities, is truly vital.” |
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Solar liability could cost Government dear
27/01/2012 |
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THE GOVERNMENT could face a raft of claims from organisations hit by their feed-in tariff changes after the Court of Appeal rejected their case.
That is the view of Wrexham MP Ian Lucas, who asked Chris Huhne, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, about the Government’s assessment of whether it would be forced to pay out to councils, charities and other organisations which have been hit by the Government’s changes – changes which have been ruled unlawful by the Court of Appeal.
Mr Lucas used a topical question in the House of Commons to ask: “What assessment has the Secretary of State made of the Government’s liability for their unlawful actions in bringing in the feed-in tariff consultation?
In response, Mr Huhne said: “We disagree, respectfully, with the Court of Appeal’s judgment, and that is precisely why we intend to go to the Supreme Court. Clearly, given that we disagree, the issue of liability at this stage does not arise.”
Speaking afterwards, Mr Lucas said: “The Government looks set to continue arguing the point over its unlawful changes to the feed-in tariff to the very last.
“Even members of Chris Huhne’s own party are telling him to let the matter drop, with one Liberal Democrat AM saying yesterday ‘It is commonsense that due process has not been followed and that the Government is in the wrong. That is why the courts keep ruling against them. Surely the right decision now is to accept that verdict and go back to the drawing board.’
“Yet Mr Huhne is ignoring them.
“It is looking increasingly likely that the penny has dropped that the way his badly-handled changes were forced through means major compensation claims could be made by those organisations – including Wrexham Council in my own constituency – who had to drop or alter their plans as a result.
“The Government could be facing a compensation nightmare as a result of their failure– but it will be the taxpayer who ends up paying.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
“It is commonsense that due process has not been followed and that the Government is in the wrong. That is why the courts keep ruling against them. Surely the right decision now is to accept that verdict and go back to the drawing board.” – Peter Black AM at http://peterblack.blogspot.com/2012/01/huhne-should-accept-defeat-and-move-on.html |
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PM's Police pledge is 'increasingly hollow'
26/01/2012 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has said a pledge on policing given to him a year ago by the Prime Minister looks “increasingly hollow.”
During a Prime Minister’s Questions session in January last year, Mr Lucas asked David Cameron if he could give an assurance that crime would not rise as a result of cuts to the police. In reply, the PM told Mr Lucas he had the figures for North Wales, and added: “When it comes to the funding, in 2011-12 it will be the same as the funding that the police had in 2007-08, so it is perfectly possible to have effective crime fighting and to get police out on the streets in north Wales.”
However, in recent weeks concerns have been expressed by serving police officers that some areas of North Wales are missing out due to changes in policing in the region. Figures released by the Home Office also show that, while overall crime has fallen, there had been spikes in a number of offences including frauds, thefts and robberies.
Mr Lucas said: “North Wales Police have done a good job with the situation they have been faced with but concerns remain that they are being asked to do too much with too little.
“That is the view of both my constituents – it is a common response at local residents’ groups, for example – but also of serving officers.
“Figures released today show there are 8,000 fewer officers in the UK, and 85 fewer officers in North Wales – the second highest drop in Wales. That’s despite David Cameron’s warm words and pledges from the Liberal Democrats at the election there would be more police on the streets.
“The Prime Minister’s pledge a year ago that policing in Wales would not be hit by his cuts is looking increasingly hollow.” |
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MP to call for football regulation reform
25/01/2012 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas is to call in Parliament for reforms to football regulation to help supporters become more involved in the running of their clubs.
In an adjournment debate tomorrow on football governance, Mr Lucas will highlight the struggle which fans of Wrexham AFC faced to take over their football club last year – and the way the system worked against fan ownership.
Although the club is now under fan ownership and is doing well in the Blue Square Championship, Mr Lucas will highlight the problems Wrexham Supporters’ Trust faced – problems he believes would not have occurred if the Trust had been a single wealthy individual. He will also express his backing for Supporters’ Direct, an organisation whose advice proved invaluable during the Wrexham takeover process.
Mr Lucas said: “I will be raising Wrexham as I saw at first hand how the Supporters’ Trust faced hurdles in their bid to take over the club. I met with the Supporters’ Trust throughout the takeover and saw just how labyrinthine the process was they faced.
“While Wrexham’s story is more positive these days, the sad truth is that the way football regulations are structured mean other clubs face similar struggles. There is a strong case for reform.” |
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Remploy pledge welcomed by MP
19/01/2012 |
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A PLEDGE to help Remploy workers secure vital information regarding their future is very welcome – but would be unnecessary if the Government had their best interests at heart.
That is the view of Wrexham MP Ian Lucas, who has been campaigning for vital information held by the Government on the Wrexham plant to be released as part of a bid to secure the plants’ future. Under Secretary of State for Wales David Jones told Mr Lucas yesterday he would “certainly pursue the matter” with the Department of Work and Pensions.
Mr Lucas has welcomed the pledge, but believes that, were the Government working correctly, it would be unnecessary.
During Welsh Questions in the House of Commons yesterday, Mr Lucas said: “Wrexham Remploy has made good progress in the last four years in providing jobs for disabled people in the Wrexham and north-east Wales area, but the Sayce review and its contents threaten Remploy, not just in Wrexham but throughout Wales.
“Unfortunately, the Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, who has responsibility for disabled people, refuses to give me details of the financial position of Wrexham Remploy until the review is completed. Will the Minister please work with me to obtain those figures so that the 50 people who are employed in my constituency will know what their future is and know that the Government are not threatening them?”
In reply, Mr Jones told him: “The hon. Gentleman will know that the Sayce review made the commitment that existing employees in Remploy should be offered the opportunity of expert entrepreneurial and business support over a decent period of time to develop businesses, so the Sayce report shows commitment to Remploy.
“ I hear what the hon. Gentleman says about his communications with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary and if he would care to write to me, I will certainly pursue the matter.”
Speaking afterwards, Mr Lucas said: “The pledge from the Minister to pursue his colleague and help secure this information is welcome.
“However, if the Government were working correctly and had Remploy workers’ best interests at heart, I fear it would be unnecessary as the information would have already been provided.” |
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Shelter grant cut remains short sighted
18/01/2012 |
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PROPOSALS by Wrexham Council to reconsider its approach to homeless people have been welcomed by the town’s MP.
But Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has said that certain council decisions in the past – such as the scrapping of a grant to the advice and support charity Shelter – have not helped the situation in the town. He spoke out after councillors met recently to consider a report which suggests a rehaul of the way that homelessness is dealt with within the council, as the number of people approaching the council for help increases.
Mr Lucas said: “It is clear from the cases I have been dealing with as an MP that there has been an increase in the number of people facing difficult times in the past 18 months. The council are clearly feeling that pressure and the proposals they are considering to rehaul the services they offer to homeless people, or to those facing homelessness, are a welcome first step.
“The team of officers who deal with homeless people are dedicated and, as the recent report to the Social Affairs, Health and Housing Scrutiny Committee shows, they are dealing well with a major increase in their workload. With the current state of the economy and rising unemployment, this is only to be expected.
“However, with such a predictable increase on the horizon, the decision by Wrexham councillors last year to scrap a grant to Shelter increasingly looks like a crucial mistake. The advice provided by Shelter would have helped lessen the pressure on the council service and its axing seems to be an increasingly shortsighted decision.” |
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Wrexham invited to Rcok The House
17/01/2012 |
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MUSICIANS across Wrexham are being urged to sign up for a Rock competition with a difference.
For the second year running, Ian Lucas MP is taking part in Rock the House, the Parliamentary live music competition, and is inviting under-18s, solo artists, bands and live music venues in the Wrexham constituency to write and nominate themselves.
The competition was founded by Mike Weatherley MP in support of the UK live music sector. It also aims to raise the profile of intellectual property rights issues and counts rock legends Alice Cooper and Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan as Patrons.
Musicians and live music venues can find all forms and information on the competition at www.rockthehouse2012.com and can send in their nominations to Ian Lucas MP at ian.lucas.mp@parliament.uk.
Any musicians outside Wrexham constituency can still write to their own MP to nominate themselves to take part.
Prizes include music equipment; a chance to play at high profile festivals; and mingle with the great and the good of the music industry.
Successful nominees will go forward to the national competition which will be judged by a panel of international music industry experts and musicians. Finalists will be announced on Friday 18th May and will take part in a battle of the bands to determine the ultimate winner on Wednesday 30th May. The winner in each category will perform live at a final competition reception on the Terrace at the House of Commons in the evening.
Mr Lucas said: “Wrexham has a thriving live music scene and many good bands, I was impressed with the standard of entries in last year’s competition and I am looking forward to listening to this year’s.”
Founder, Mike Weatherley MP, said: “The UK has a world-leading music and creative industry and this competition aims to celebrate the very best up-and-coming artists; and to raise the profile of intellectual property rights among politicians. I urge all unsigned musicians to fill in an application form and send a copy of their music to their MP.” |
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Pubs crisis is being ignored
13/01/2012 |
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THE CRISIS in Britain’s pub industry is being ignored by the Government despite cross party concern, Wrexham’s MP has warned.
Ian Lucas spoke after taking part in a debate yesterday on the pub sector, where MPs discussed a Select Committee report on the pub industry. The report called for an end to the “beer tie”, where pub landlords are forced to buy particular beers at a set price from pub companies and cannot offer customers a choice as a result.
Ministers had also previously promised to bring in regulation of the way pub companies operate – but they departed from those assurances yesterday and instead said they would look at a voluntary code of practice.
During the debate, Mr Lucas told the Commons: “We know that there is a crisis on the high street and that pubs on those high streets play an extremely important part in a functioning and vibrant local community.
“The Government have the power to make a real impact on high streets by dealing with this issue, and they must do so simply by fulfilling the commitments they gave before the General Election and that Ministers have made since.
“They need to respect publicans, the pub trade and our high streets and follow through on those commitments.”
Speaking afterwards, he said: “It was noticeable in the debate that there was cross-party unity on this issue – Labour, Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Green MPs all attacked the Government stance and called for stronger action to be taken to save Britain’s pubs.
“It is depressing that the Government reneged on previous commitments and sided with industry lobbyists rather than pub landlords and ladies who are struggling to keep their livelihoods.” |
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Defeat for benefits cuts welcome
12/01/2012 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has welcomed a Lords vote which defeated plans to cut benefits for ill and disabled people.
But he has attacked a Wrexham Liberal Democrat politician for backing the plans.
Mr Lucas spoke out after last night’s defeat in the House of Lords of Government proposals which would have meant the benefits of young disabled people and cancer patients would have been means tested.
A number of Liberal Democrat Peers opposed the plans, but Wrexham-based politician Lord Thomas of Gresford did not.
Mr Lucas said: “As others in the Labour party have said, these plans crossed the line of basic decency. I am pleased that they have been defeated, although I am disappointed that Wrexham’s Lib Dem Lord did not oppose them.” |
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Rail safeguards rejected by Ministers
10/01/2012 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has slammed Ministers for rejecting proposals to safeguard Wrexham services while investing millions on rail lines elsewhere
Mr Lucas welcomed the announcement that some High Speed rail is to go ahead – but warned that North Wales was being ignored after Ministers rejected a suggestion that services between Wales and London should be protected as part of new franchise arrangements for the West Coast Main Line.
The Government announced today that a first phase of High Speed Rail – between London and Birmingham – was to go ahead. However, a second stage – which would link to Manchester – will now be delayed until at least 2032.
Mr Lucas said: “It is good news that the Government has finally decided to back part of Labour’s High Speed Rail proposals. The first High Speed Rail link in the country was built under Labour and today’s announcement carries on that legacy.
“However, I am concerned that the announcement that any link to the North West will not be for another two decades. That delay means slower services for commuters from North Wales while other areas benefit.
“The Government have also rejected suggestions which I put forward with other North Wales MPs in December to ensure services between Wrexham and London were protected as part of new franchise arrangements for the West Coast Main Line.
“Transport Minister Theresa Villiers told me ‘I am unable to provide an undertaking that we will specify the provision of services at Wrexham station as part of a new franchise.’
“Coming on the same day the Government altered High Speed Rail proposals in her Buckinghamshire constituency to keep the Secretary of State for Wales quiet, it is quite clear where the Conservatives’ priorities lie – and it is not in North Wales.” |
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