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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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Government must consult on Post Office plans
22/12/2011 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has written to Ministers over plans which could see one fifth of Post Offices downgraded.
The proposals – outlined in the Daily Telegraph – would see Post Offices turned into “PO Locals”, which offer a reduced service and which have been criticised by Consumer groups and charities.
In his letter to Ed Davey, Minister for Postal Affairs, Mr Lucas states: I was concerned to read about proposals for Post Office Local counters which could affect 2,000 stores – or one fifth of the branch network.
“The previous Labour Government received much criticism from both the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives for the closure of Post Offices, but that programme – along with the £1.1 billion of investment – was intended to secure the long term future of the network.”
He has asked Ministers to ensure any proposals they put forward are opened to the public to have their say.
Mr Lucas said: “These are plans which could affect tens of thousands of people and which consumer groups have criticised. The Government should ensure people who use the Post Office can have their say on them before they brought in.” |
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High court solar ruling welcomed by Wrexham MP
21/12/2011 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has welcomed a High Court ruling that solar panel subsidy cuts are legally flawed.
The ruling was made this afternoon after a number of organisations legally challenged the Government’s changes to the feed-in tariff for solar power. The tariff sets the amount which people who have solar panels receive for the power they generate for the National Grid and the Government recently halved the amount people received.
The Government intended for the change to take effect on Monday of last week, December 12, even though consultation on the plans does not close until this Friday (December 23.)
Mr Lucas said: “We have been telling the Government their plans are flawed for months. I raised the problems with them with the Prime Minister back in June. I raised them again with the Wales Office in October, and I raised them when the Minister finally confirmed the detailed proposals to the Commons.
“Only last week, I met with solar installers from across Wales at Westminster – all of whom wanted to highlight the flaws in the Government proposals to Ministers.
“Today’s judgement confirms the plans are not only flawed in what they hope to achieve, but also flawed legally.
“It will also be interesting to see what impact this judgement may have upon Wrexham Council’s plans for solar installations on their properties.
“The Government must reconsider.” |
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Why people are still talking about Ed’s conference speech in Liverpool.
20/12/2011 |
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Originally published on LabourList:
Remember what happened in 2007 and 2008? We had the biggest global financial crisis since 1929. I am reminding you because lots of people have forgotten. For them, it’s back to business as usual.
What Ed Miliband did in his speech to the Labour Conference in Liverpool was make the stark point that this is not good enough.
And the people who want us to forget the lessons of 2008 hate it. They hate Ed for it because they thought they had got away with it.
Ed’s thesis did not come out of nowhere. In the immediate aftermath of the crash of Lehman Brothers and the nationalisation of Northern Rock, many argued that the system set up in the 1980s and maintained by Tory and Labour Governments in the UK since then had failed fundamentally.
These included Adair Turner, former Head of the CBI and Chairman of the Financial Services Authority, who said: “...the more fundamental thing, especially for regulators like me, is to realise that what has occurred has imposed huge economic harm throughout the world and so we really do have to work out how to stop it happening again in five or ten years time. And that requires a very major reconstruct of the global financial regulatory system, and I don’t mean a minor adjustment.”
Another voice following the crash was that of Vince Cable, now Secretary of State for Business, who said of the failure in 2009: “We have had a bonus culture in which profits were the only motivating factor, and bankers were getting enormous bonuses on the back of very highly leveraged deals. It’s also the case that even some of the bosses didn’t know the things they were trading in, because they had become so complicated. The banking regulators knew this and should have put a stop to it, but they didn’t.”
Senior figures in the Labour Party were also sounding warning notes.
They all pointed out the short-termism of UK business, its failure to invest to produce and its addiction to instant profit-taking were central to our economic problems.
The Kraft takeover of Cadbury highlighted Britain’s inability to maintain and develop its leading businesses and its tendency to deliver control to overseas’ multinationals. Contrasts were drawn with the John Lewis Partnership and the Co-op, both of which followed distinct long-term business models and prospered during the recession of 2008-9.
Even David Cameron dallied with ideas of a more caring type of capitalism.
As a Minister in Peter Mandelson’s BIS, I saw at first hand the intense interest in improved stewardship models for investors and we investigated why it was that German and French companies have maintained ownership of many of their leading companies. We looked at company law changes to encourage long-term investment – such as those which exist in France. We looked at procurement rules to see why it was that the EU stopped us from selling our cars to the public sector in France but never allowed us to ensure that essential utilities stayed in British ownership.
As I worked with industrialists to overcome the consequences of the crash, I heard their frustration at the failure of British industry to maintain its manufacturing base. Frustration at skills shortages, procurement policies and lack of indigenous business investment combined to provide a chorus that we needed to do things differently.
And then, Labour lost the 2010 General Election. The central economic consequence of that defeat was that Government’s emphasis changed from an analysis of the long-term decline of UK business to a focus on deficit reduction at all costs. Despite superficial references to “rebalancing the economy”, the Government’s core belief is that if the deficit is reduced and Government gets out of the way, economic growth will follow.
The tragedy for the Liberal Democrats is that their leader on economic matters, Vince Cable, gained credit and respect for arguing for a policy which he has now jettisoned. The consequence is that he has lost the reputation he had established in opposition and is now a cheerleader for policies which, as we all know, are increasing unemployment and stifling growth.
Those of us who campaigned for Labour in the 1980s and 1990s learned the hard way that the economic settlement built during the 1980s was an enduring one: policies such as the demutualisation of building societies, subsidised sale of council houses and increased availability of cheap credit fuelled a consumer boom which was ultimately unsustainable but, politically, was very hard to argue against. Labour’s entirely understandable response was, ultimately, to come to support, not challenge, those policies.
The key is, however, that this was a settlement established by a Conservative Government and largely adopted by the Labour Governments up to the events of 2007-8. Labour’s mistake was to be so intimidated by the economic orthodoxy established during the Thatcher years as to come to believe that it was unchallengeable. We did not in Government, therefore, address the fundamental UK economic failures which made our economy vulnerable: over- dependence on financial services, over-availability of consumer credit, lack of long-term infrastructure investment in public housing, lack of appropriate business training and shortage of long-term lending for innovation.
This changed in 2007-8. The shock of the world banking crisis broke the consensus which had existed since the 1980s and created the intellectual space to address the fundamental weaknesses of that settlement. At last, we began to examine the short-termism of investment in the UK, the reasons for continuing skills shortages and the misguided concentration on sectors founded on unsustainable credit.
Labour began to believe that we could build an economy based on advanced manufacturing, green industries and innovation: the aerospace and automotive industries became examples of where the UK led and where Government worked with business to create the right conditions for sustainable investment.
The Conservative led Government has paid lip-service to the active industrial policy established by Labour since 2007-8. But it does not believe in it. It will not create an enduring settlement for the UK economy which will replace that established in the 1980s because it still believes in that settlement.
Ed Miliband’s vision is different. He understands that the key to building UK success is to move away from the model which created the conditions for the banking crisis of 2007-8. We need a model which is sustainable, economically and environmentally, and this depends upon fundamental change.
It means using finance, public and private, to encourage long-termism. It means focussing on educating young people in the skills needed to compete in a world where demand for products will be from all parts of the planet. It means working with the developing world to avoid the mistakes made by those who developed earlier.
It means a fundamental change which the Tories and those in the economic orthodoxy do not comprehend. It is why Ed Miliband is being attacked so vehemently by our opponents. It is why people are still talking about Ed’s conference speech in Liverpool. |
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Weekly Update
16/12/2011 |
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Monday 12 December
I arrived in London at 12pm, before attending a meeting to discuss the role of transport infrastructure in generating post-recession economic growth and the part government can play in facilitating new and replenished transport networks.
Later I met with the Welsh Parliamentary Labour Party. This week we were joined by Leighton Andrews AM, Minister for Education and Skills at the Welsh Government, before meeting with the full Parliamentary Labour Party.
Today I heard the news that North Wales Police are to launch an Estates Review consultation. This decision of North Wales Police to launch a review into the use of its police buildings comes just a day after we learnt that they are having their police grant cut by a further £3.4 million next year alone. The pace and depth of these cuts mean that North Wales Police are being put in an impossible position, and ultimately it is the communities in North Wales that are having to pay the price. I know that people in Wrexham and across North Wales value their local police stations and the work of their local police teams. We want to see as many people get involved in this consultation as possible, putting forward their concerns.
Tuesday 13 December
After a meeting with the Construction Equipment Association, I met with Energy Minister Greg Barker, along with representatives from solar power businesses from across Wales. The meeting was to once again highlight concerns over the changes to the Feed-In Tariff for solar power. The changes came into effect on Monday of this week, even though a Government consultation about their impact does not close until the day before Christmas Eve. At the meeting, solar panel installers made clear to the Minister just how hard his changes would hit their industry. Later in the week, the Courts allowed a challenge to the policy.
I later attended a Stroke Prevention Parliamentary Reception.
I attended an interesting meeting in my capacity as Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister with Con Coughlin, Executive Foreign Editor and the Daily Telegraph, and Julian Borger, Diplomatic Editor at The Guardian, on the subject of “What next for Iran?”
Wednesday 14 December
I met with Sir Jeremy Greenstock, Chairman of the UN Association of the UK, before attending a Westminster Hall debate on Israel.
I then attended an exhibition by the School of Ocean Sciences hosted by Albert Owen, MP for Anglesey. The School of Ocean Sciences, based at Bangor University, is at the forefront of scientific marine research in the UK, with much of this research being conducted at sea from a state of the art purpose built vessel, the RV Prince Madog. The exhibition focussed on ways in which our marine environment can be sustainably harnessed for future years.
I later attended a meeting with senior representatives of CBI (Confederation of British Industry) and senior CBI members of staff.
Along with other Welsh Labour MPs, I met with Carwyn Jones, First Minster, to discuss issues affecting the whole of Wales.
Thursday 15 December
I spent the morning campaigning in the Feltham and Heston by-election. I am delighted with the excellent result- Labour’s Seema Malhotra secured an increased majority over the Conservatives. Seema has majority of 6,203 - a net swing of 8.6% from the Conservatives. This by-election offers a verdict on the Government’s failed economic plan.
I returned to Parliament to speak a Westminster Hall debate concerning the future of Remploy. I spoke about how the Wrexham community came together to support the town’s factory when its closure was proposed in 2007. Community support – including a contract from Wrexham council – has helped the factory since 2007 and it was progressing well. People feel very passionate about these factories, the people who work in them and the Communities around them. My speech can be accessed via the below link. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm111215/halltext/111215h0001.htm#11121591000384
I travelled back to Wrexham at about 5pm. |
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Remploy workers being denied the chance to compete
15/12/2011 |
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REMPLOY factories are being denied the chance to compete by the Government, Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has told MPs.
Mr Lucas was taking part in a Westminster Hall debate on the future of Remploy factories, including one in his Wrexham constituency. During the debate, Mr Lucas spoke of how the Wrexham community came together to support the town’s factory when its closure was proposed in 2007.
However, he also warned proposals in the Sayce report on the future of Remploy – which the Minister for Disabled People Maria Miller has said it is minded to accept – will threaten the viability of factories such as Wrexham.
Mr Lucas told MPs that community support – including a contract from Wrexham council – have helped the factory since 2007 and it was progressing well.
But he added: “The problem with the Sayce report is it proposes a model that is going to take that situation away.”
He said that the report suggested that factories could compete with the private sector – but in a private sector which is currently struggling, Remploy factories were not being given the chance to compete by the Government. He described how he had written to the Minister earlier in the year to ask for information about the Wrexham factory – which she had refused to supply while the Government continued to consider its stance. Leaving factories without such information meant they could not produce business plans, and could not compete, he warned.
He told Ms Miller: “People feel very passionate about these factories, the people who work in them and the Communities around them. Will the Minister please ensure that she is not known as the Minister who destroyed Remploy?” |
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Jobs are being lost thanks to Government action
13/12/2011 |
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SOLAR power installers from Wales have told UK Energy Minister Greg Barker that changes brought in by the Government this week are costing jobs.
Wrexham MP Ian Lucas was among a group of MPs who met with the Minister and Under Secretary of State for Wales David Jones at Parliament today, along with staff from solar power businesses from across Wales. The meeting was to once again highlight concerns over the changes to the Feed-In Tariff for solar power. The changes came into effect on Monday of this week, even though a Government consultation about their impact does not close until the day before Christmas Eve.
At the meeting, solar panel installers made clear to the Minister just how hard his changes would hit their industry.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Lucas said: “The Minister was left under no illusions that jobs would be lost in Wales as a result of his changes.
“He has been told this before – and not just from opposition politicians. Welsh Liberal Democrat AMs and councillors are backing calls for the Government to change their mind. Businesses, as the Minister heard again today, are backing calls for the Government to change their mind.
“The Government need to reconsider their plans – before it is too late.” |
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Christmas cards joy for MP and AM
09/12/2011 |
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A FESTIVE design by a junior school pupil showing Santa’s visit to Wales has been chosen as this year’s Christmas card for Ian Lucas MP and Lesley Griffiths AM.
The card, designed by Borras Park Junior School pupil Katie Milton, will be used by both Wrexham’s AM and MP as their Christmas card this year and will be seen by recipients in Wrexham, the UK and across the globe.
The design was chosen by Wrexham Mayor, Cllr Ian Roberts, out of hundreds of entries from 14 schools across the constituency.
Katie, along with second prize winner Sophie Povey, of St Giles’ Catholic Primary School, third prize winner Olivia Richards, of St Mary’s Primary, and 11 Highly Commended entrants from the other schools, received her prize at ceremony at Wrexham’s Guildhall today (Friday, December 9.)
Lesley Griffiths said: “As ever, the standard of entries was very high and I would like to thank the Mayor and Mayoress for taking on the tricky task of picking a winner.
“I would also like to thank all the head teachers and teachers who helped out.”
The card was sponsored by five local firms - Wockhardt UK; Artenius Pet Packaging UK Ltd; Trackyou Ltd; Calypso Soft Drinks and DSL Mobility Ltd.
Ian Lucas added: “The support of local businesses, along with the excellent designs by local pupils, really does make these cards something special.
“Each and every child who took part can be proud – their cards really were superb.”
Highly Commended entrants were: Acton Park Juniors: Venus-Sky Nearey; Barker’s Lane Primary: Ben Matthias; Holt Primary: Cerys Route; The Rofft School: Joseph Rees Slawson; Wat’s Dyke School: Ruth Tierney; Ysgol y Heulfan: Aimee Lawrie; St Peter’s Rossett: Abby Hughes – Warwood; Victoria CP: Caitlin Edwards; St Anne’s Catholic Primary: Wioletta Antos; Hafod y Wern: Alex Hughes and Park School Llay: Anya Davies. |
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MP puts charity forward for award
08/12/2011 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has put forward a charity in his constituency for a leading award.
Mr Lucas nominate the Caia Park Partnership for the Centre for Social Justice Awards. The awards recognise organisations which are working to help fight poverty in their area, and winning organisations will receive a major cash prize.
Mr Lucas said: “The Caia Park Partnership does very good work, but it has seen its funding cut in recent years. When I heard about the Centre for Social Justice Awards, the Partnership seemed to be a perfect example of the kind of organisation which should benefit.”
More information about the Centre for Social Justice can be found at: http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/ |
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The Democratic Republic of Congo's vital election
07/12/2011 |
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Originally published by Total Politics:
People wanted to vote in Congo. Watching the polls on Election day, there was tension and desperation in the humid air. What strikes a British observer is the age of the voters . Coming from a country where it is difficult to motivate young voters, the determination of the young to vote was compelling. But many of those voters believed that a combination of intent and incompetence frustrated their will for a free and fair election.
Kinshasa, Congo’s capital, is a teeming expanse of shanty towns, roads to nowhere and vibrant life. Despite quagmires and crevices in most streets, and relentless piles of rubbish everywhere, the Congolese, especially the women, take pride in how they look. Conditions conspire against cleanliness but it is maintained just as life’s struggle is met with drive and resilience.
It is against this backcloth that Congo went to the polls on 28 November. President Joseph Kabila, elected in 2006 after decades of corrupt dictatorship and civil war, sought a new mandate. The people of Congo wanted a truly democratic election. But speaking to them as they struggled to vote, they were sceptical at best, angry at worst.
Whilst it was clear that the independent voting commission failed to organise the election properly, it is instructive that the main opposition party has not challenged the poll. Walking the streets of Ndjili, a district of Kinshasa, as part of an election monitoring project by Christian Aid and EURAC, voters demanded we intervene to allow them to vote. The frustration of the election observer is that it is the role of the observer is to observe, not act. It is still more frustrating for the voters. I saw that they were desperate to establish a Government with democratic authority which would be an essential first step to making Congo a viable state. They wanted a Government capable of giving its young people hope.
Polling stations in Kinshasa did not open on time, but they did open. Voting lists were incomplete, but there were lists. I saw impatience and anger but little violence.
As I write, I do not know the outcome of Congo’s election. But I know already that it is vital.
For the young people of Congo, waiting in the rain to vote, the election offered a prospect of change. For that, the fact of the election itself is something for which President Joseph Kabila can take credit. But what matters now is what comes next and, if the polls deliver a result Kabila, or any other party, does not like, they must accept it. Only then, can the Democratic Republic of Congo make the start which its people deserve. |
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Rail links discussed at top-level meeting
07/12/2011 |
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TWO North Wales MPs have held a top-level meeting at the Department of Transport to push for improvements to rail services in the region.
Wrexham MP Ian Lucas and Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones spoke after meeting representatives of the Department for Transport in London to discuss the West Coast Main line and potential changes to the franchise to the line. They want to see changes made to the franchise which would help guarantee rail services between Wrexham and London and benefit passengers from both the Wrexham and Clwyd South constituencies. During the meeting, the MPs told Transport Minister Teresa Villiers that rail companies who want to be awarded the franchise for the West Coast Main Line should have to promise more direct links between Wrexham and London. The number of direct links has already reduced after the closure of the independent Wrexham and Shropshire service
Speaking after the meeting, Susan Elan Jones MP said: “Changing the franchise arrangements would help ensure that whoever ran services on the line would be obliged to ensure a decent service for North Wales rail users. At the moment, there is nothing in the franchise which protects a Wrexham to London service.”
And Ian Lucas MP added: “All we are asking for is an even handed approach from the Government.
“We think North Wales deserves better and we will continue to push both the Transport Minister and the Welsh Secretary to stand up for our rail services.” |
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