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Visa changes boost school links
20/08/2010 |
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AN INTERNATIONAL link which benefits schoolchildren across Wrexham has been strengthened thanks to the work fo the town’s MP.
Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has been a long-standing supporter of the charity Dolen Cymru, which helps forge links between Wales and the African country of Lesotho.
The charity, which helps link schools in Wales to schools in Lesotho and organises teacher and pupil exchanges, had been having problems with getting visas issued for teachers from Lesotho to visit Wales, as the Foreign office had no facilities to offer visas in Lesotho so getting them involved a costly and lengthy 500 mile round trip to the High Commission in South Africa.
Mr Lucas contacted the Foreign Office to ask if there was any way to simplify the bureaucratic procedures and to provide visas within Lesotho. The Foreign Office examined the problem and proposed a solution involving a mobile visa unit if this measure proved cost effective.
Dolen Cymru have confirmed in their latest newsletter that the unit will be used at the start of September to help provide 41 teachers with visas to enable them to take part in school exchange programmes.
Mr Lucas – who has visited Lesotho himself – said: “Exchange programmes like this really do help broaden horizons – for all who take part.
”At an event held in Wrexham last year, I heard first-hand from local pupils just what their visit to Lesotho had meant to them, how much they had learnt, and how rewarding the visit had been. Forging links between nations like this really does make a difference to our young people and the lessons they learn are very valuable indeed.
“Dolen Cymru does excellent work in promoting links between Wales and Lesotho and I was very pleased that the Foreign Office listened to the case for helping simplify their visa procedures and acted accordingly.
“That simple action will make a world of difference to schools links across Wales.” |
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Ian Lucas works with charities to limit VAT impact
19/08/2010 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas is working with Wrexham charities to persuade the Government to reconsider plans to force up their VAT.
Mr Lucas – who campaigned to amend the Budget to prevent the rises but failed thanks to Lib Dem and Tory MPs – has written to Wrexham charity groups to ask them how the rise will affect them.
In his letter, Mr Lucas tells charity staff: “I am concerned that this additional financial burden at a time when charity income is often down but service users are up because of the recession and cuts to our public sector, will be damaging to charities.
“There are certain VAT exemptions which help local authorities which are not, at present, available to charities. I think there should be an urgent reconsideration of this issue.
“To help me make the arguments it would help me to give evidence from organisations within Wrexham that will be affected.”
Mr Lucas is hoping to gather detailed information locally to make the case to Government in a bid to persuade them to reconsider.
He said: “I worked alongside fellow Labour MPs to try to persuade the Government to protect charities from the VAT rise. Sadly, Liberal Democrats and Tories worked together to ensure that the VAT rise would be imposed on charitable organisations. Almost every Lib Dem and Conservative MP voted to increase charities’ taxes, despite knowing that higher taxes would limit the good work they do.
“I know many Wrexham charities are concerned about this and have heard direct from some of them just what an impact it will have. I am hoping detailed evidence form local charities will persuade the Government to reconsider its tax rise, or to put in place effective help for our charities.” |
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Vauxhall praised
18/08/2010 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has praised Vauxhall’s work with apprentices following a Parliamentary reception.
During the reception, organised by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Mr Lucas met several apprentices from the Ellesmere Port Vauxhall plant near his Wrexham constituency. As a Minister, Mr Lucas had responsibility for automotive issues, and he revealed how pleased he was to see Vauxhall taking on apprentices.
He said: “One thing I had been concerned about when I visited Vauxhall as a local MP in the past was how few apprentices the company took on. Now, there seems to have been a step change in its approach and it was rewarding to meet local apprentice in Parliament recently.
“Vauxhall has a bright future with several orders locally, including tne new Astra and the possibility of the new Ampera being built at Ellesmere Port.
“Its enlightened attitude towards apprenticeships means that it won’t only be building the cars of the future, but also training the skilled workers we will need to help Britain lead the way.” |
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Ian Lucas warns over boundaries
11/08/2010 |
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GOVERNMENT proposals to change Wrexham’s Parliamentary boundaries will threaten the town’s political voice according to Wrexham’s MP.
And he has warned that plans for the changes will be forced through by the Lib Dem/ Conservative coalition for political reasons.
He said: “At present boundaries for elections for Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales are the same. This means that Lesley Griffiths and I work as a team on behalf of the largest town in North Wales – speaking out on the town’s behalf. Changing boundaries for Parliamentary elections alone would mean that there would be different AMs representing parts of one Parliamentary seat.
“Wrexham’s strong and distinctive voice would be diluted if community organisations could not continue their existing relationship with the town’s MP and AM.”
He pointed out that – despite the controversial nature of the proposals – the Government was removing the public’s long-standing right to have their say on any changes.
He added: “The Government’s proposals also remove from local people and organisations the right to make their views known at local public inquiries. So not only do the proposals change Wrexham’s identity, they prevent the town from giving its views on the proposals.
“The proposal is being made and rushed through to benefit Liberal Democrats as part of their deal with the Tories. Because the Liberal Democrats are second in more seats than others following the General Election, they want the alternative vote introduced to gain electoral advantage for themselves – despite opposing it during the election campaign. The price the Tories demanded as their part of the deal was a reduction in Parliamentary seats, especially in Wales.
“Wrexham’s voice should not be lessened to service a shabby Lib-Dem/Tory deal.” |
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Cameron and Social Housing (article for Labour Uncut)
06/08/2010 |
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Never has David Cameron displayed his lack of understanding of council and social housing tenants more than in the appalling idea of time-limiting social housing tenancies. My parents moved into a new council house in 1965 and I was brought up there. It was our home. Our family wanted a secure place from which to plan our future. That is not unusual for anyone – whether they live in rented or bought accommodation.
If my parents had been told they could be evicted after five years of the tenancy, it would have immediately cast a shadow on the family’s security. No longer would they have been able to plan work and education for their children. Their focus would have been: “Where will we be living next?”
Would David Cameron countenance this arrangement for his own family?
It tells us a great deal that the Prime Minister’s response to shortage of social housing is to limit the rights of those in occupation of social housing. A more explicable option would be to stop the sale of council housing. This directly removes homes from public sector stock and makes less homes available for those in need. But I suspect that this would not be acceptable to David Cameron’s political antennae – alienating his restless back-benchers.
Instead, our Prime Minister chooses an easier target: those in desperate need of homes who will accept a roof over their heads at any cost. Time-limited tenancies will create uncertainty and store up problems for families in years ahead. It tells us much about the political instincts of this Tory/Lib-Dem Government. |
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Sharp boost for local economy
29/07/2010 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has welcomed a major boost for manufacturing in Wrexham after Sharp announced it was doubling capacity of manufacture of solar cells.
The decision, from December this year, was announced earlier today.
Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has been working with the company and today welcomed the news.
He said: “Sharp’s Wrexham plant is a real success story for the town. It is at the forefront of carbon-cutting technologies, provides high quality, skilled jobs, and produces a much in-demand product. The Labour Government’s decision to introduce a feed-in tariff earlier in the year has had a real impact.
“The decision to double capacity of solar cell production is a very welcome boost to the local economy – and it is also a vote of confidence from Sharp for Wrexham and its excellent workforce.
”This is very good news indeed and I am absolutely delighted.” |
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Why I'm backing Ed Miliband (article for Wrexham Leader)
25/07/2010 |
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Wrexham voters returned me for the third time at this year’s General Election.
Yet I learned on the doorstep Labour needs to do some things differently to win again. People who had voted Labour in the past lost faith with us.
At times we did not listen as much as we should have done –such as on Iraq and abolition of the 10p tax rate.
Yet in Government, I think we did many things well - the minimum wage, crucial investment in public services, a windfall tax on utilities to pay for tackling youth unemployment.
Our response to the world recession was broadly right and Labour’s active industrial strategy is Wrexham’s only chance of providing quality well-paid jobs for the future.
As Industry Minister, I worked closely with Ed Miliband. Ed visited Sharp in Wrexham in 2009 and saw for himself green technologies providing quality jobs.
As Climate Change Secretary, he introduced special support for such technologies, showing the world a UK serious about climate change. He has new ideas about jobs and economic policy - and the drive to make them happen.
Ed’s way ahead has a simple central idea. He wants to tackle inequality in our society.
He is campaigning for a Living Wage - fair pay for a fair day’s work. He wants close the gap between top and bottom.
Labour, in Government, did too little to address inequality. Ed wants to address that failing. That requires building a dynamic, new economy to create wealth.
To build this new economy, Wrexham’s industries need to work with Government. We have world leaders like Tritech, Cytec and Magellan - as well as Airbus nearby.
Companies such as Prysmian Cables and IMC can compete in high quality engineering and our local construction sector, such as Redrow and Lloyd Morris Electricals are helping develop skills for our new, low-carbon economy.
One of the central planks of Ed’s campaign is an active industrial policy, supporting these businesses to bring more jobs and apprenticeships.
In order to win back the trust of Labour Party members and of the public, Labour must return to its core values - equality, fairness and economic strength - and rely on them as we set about building a better Britain.
Ed Miliband is the persuasive candidate who can best give voice to these Labour values and offer policies that work.
That is why I support him. That is why I want him to be leader of the Labour party. |
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Pledge to fight police cuts
23/07/2010 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has pledged to work with North Wales Police to limit the impact of Government cuts on the force.
Mr Lucas was speaking after it was revealed that almost 500 police staff could lose their jobs and around 250 frontline police officers may not be replaced as a result of Government cuts. The MP – who called a debate in Parliament earlier this month to press Ministers over their plans – said he had already met with Chief Officers to discuss what could be done to help.
In an financial report to North Wales Police Authority, the scale of the cuts the force is facing as a result of Government decisions has been laid bare. A 25 per cent cut, as called for by Chancellor George Osborne, would mean hundreds of people losing their jobs.
Mr Lucas said: “These are preliminary figures and we will not know more about the Government’s spending plans until the spending review in the Autumn, but the numbers of jobs being lost are substantial.
“While savings can, and I have absolutely no doubt will, be made through efficiency, Chief Constable Mark Polin has been quite clear that will not be enough to prevent job losses.
“I met with Mr Polin earlier this month, shortly after I had raised this issue with Ministers directly in Parliamentary debate.
“In that debate, the Minister acknowledged people may lose their jobs as a result of the Government’s cuts. The scale of what the Government’s plans will do is slowly becoming clear.
“I intend to work with fellow MPs, police officers and staff, community leaders in Wrexham and others to highlight the impact these cuts will have and to do all we can to persuade the Government to change its mind.” |
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Ian Lucas MP pays tribute to apprentices
22/07/2010 |
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WREXHAM MP Has paid tribute to apprentices in North East Wales during a Westminster debate – and called for the Government to support them.
And he has warned the Liberal Democrat/ Conservative coalition it must make real efforts to support apprentices, not simply pay lip service to them.
During a debate in Westminster Hall yesterday, Mr Lucas paid tribute to the young people from his constituency who were undertaking apprenticeships, in places as diverse as Airbus and Lloyd Morris Electrical. And he welcomed comments made by John Hayes, the Minister responsible for apprentices, and praised him for his positive attitude – before reminding him action, as well as words, was needed.
Mr Lucas told MPs: “The Minister has made a commitment on apprenticeships, and I welcome his language, which contrasts, I am afraid, with what was said and done by the Conservative Government before 1997.
“He needs to be transparent about the details of what will happen in future and not pretend that his commitment is something that it is not. He hopes to announce the creation of 50,000 extra apprenticeships, giving the impression that they are new jobs for young people. “
A number of concerns were highlighted during the debate about the Government’s approach.
Mr Lucas added: “My first point was that it is easy to say that 50,000 apprenticeship places should be delivered, but that we need to get them delivered. Secondly, even if 50,000 places were supported, the Minister needs to guarantee that they will be quality places, helping those who need them most.
“We need to look at the detail of what will happen. It is easy, when talking about apprentices, to talk the talk; what we need from the Minister is an assurance that he will walk the walk.” |
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Government dithering over TV sports
21/07/2010 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has called for cross-party support to improve sports coverage on free to air television.
His move comes after it was announced that a decision by the Government over which sports should be protected for the nation as free to air events has been deferred until 2013. Among the new events which an independent review had proposed should be protected for free to air television were Ashes cricket and the Welsh matches in the Six nations.
Questions have been raised about the Government’s commitment to protecting and extending listed event coverage.
In the run up to the election campaign, Liberal Democrat sports spokesman Don Foster had made it clear he wanted to see the Ashes as a free to air event. Conservative Hugh Robertson – now Sports and Olympic Minister – was less keen on protecting events.
Mr Lucas, who has long campaigned for improved sports coverage, believes that cross-party consensus should be listened to by the Government.
He said: “Many MPs from all sides of the House want to see the range of sporting events available for the public on free to air television revised and extended. So do most of the public.
“An independent review recommended several events – including key rugby, cricket and football tournaments – should be protected for the nation.
“We need to continue the cross-party support to protect these events for the nation – and to prevent the Government from kicking plans for change into the long grass.” |
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Allotments visit rewarding
16/07/2010 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has praised the work of gardeners at an allotment in the town.
Mr Lucas visited the Open Day at the Prices’ Lane allotments on Saturday (July 10) with local councillor for Stansty, David Bithell. During his visit, he heard about the work plot holders do on the allotment and saw some of the produce which results from their efforts.
He said: “Allotments like those at Prices’ Lane are quite rightly very popular and the fruits of people’s labour are good for the environment and good for their pocket. Growing your own food is a richly rewarding experience, helps cut carbon miles and promotes healthier eating.
“Wrexham has several such allotments and I always enjoy visiting them.” |
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Positive news for Wrexham - for now
15/07/2010 |
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WREXHAM’S MP Ian Lucas has said the latest unemployment statistics suggest his constituency is slowly recovering from the recession.
But he has warned that that recovery remains fragile and that the policies of the new Government could still put it at risk.
In figures released by the Office for National Statistics yesterday, the percentage of the working age population claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in the Wrexham constituency in June was 3.8 per cent. This was the fifth month in a row in which the claimant count had fallen and the lowest claimant count since the previous February.
Mr Lucas said: “We are not out of the woods yet, but this is heartening news.
“Economic changes do take some time to work through to employment rates – the rise in claims for Jobseeker’s Allowance did not peak until several months after the banking crisis in 2008. These figures seem to show that the measures which Labour had put in place to deal with the economic crisis were having an effect here in Wrexham.
“Sadly, however, several of those measures – including the Future Jobs Fund, which was proving a real success here - have since been scrapped by the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives.
“We are some seeing some encouraging signs from the private sector – such as the latest news that JCB is looking to take people on once more at its Wrexham plant.
“However, that private sector recovery is, so far, a fragile one and I fear it has to be far more robust than has so far been the case for the Government’s gambles on the economy to work.
“The people of Wrexham must hope the Government is right – as the alternative will be unemployment growing once more and a ruined recovery.” |
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Liberal Democrats and Conservatives choose to tax charities further
14/07/2010 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has said Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs should be “ashamed” of voting to increase taxes on charities.
He was speaking in a Commons debate last night, shortly before Lib Dems and Tories voted against a Labour amendment to the Finance Bill designed to protect charities from the Government’s VAT rise.
During the debate, Mr Lucas referred to Chariotts, in his Wrexham constituency, and the effect the VAT rise would have on its customers, people with disabilities who use the service for their vital transport needs.
He said: “Those individuals, who receive disability benefits, will be asked to pay more to obtain the same service from the charity.
And he reminded MPs of the difference between what the Tories and Lib Dems were saying before and after the election.
He said: “Additional burdens will be imposed on the most vulnerable in our communities. That was not something we heard from the Conservatives before the general election-they did not say that they were going to increase VAT, although I always expected them to do it.
“When the Liberal Democrats sit there supporting the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Government who are increasing VAT, it fills me with disdain because, of course, they campaigned against that increase in VAT.
“Their councillors in Wrexham go along to events such as those with Chariotts, which is an organisation that they support locally, yet the Liberal Democrats will impose a financial burden on that charity as a result of their support for this change.”
And he also warned of the effect of the changes on Wrexham Hospice Nightingale House.
He said: “Another charity in my constituency that I have approached about this matter- the Nightingale House hospice -has said that as a result of the Budget it will have to find £10,000 to care for the sick people whom it looks after. “
He told the House that the Government had made deliberate choices to cut taxes for banks which had already received Government support in the last Parliament, and to raise taxes on charities doing vital work.
And he warned: “Those parties can make those choices because they are in government, but people will remember. We expect such choices from the Conservatives, but perhaps we do not expect them from the Liberal Democrats.
“If the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats make those choices, we will make sure that all our constituents know where they stand.”
“The Government parties should be aware that what they are doing tonight is inflicting financial pain on those organisations, and they should be ashamed.” |
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Compensate charities for VAT rise
13/07/2010 |
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Piece run by the Guardian's Comment is Free: Charities play a key role in any community and command wide popular support. That’s why David Cameron says he wants them to play a part in “The Big Society” – providing services to those who need them.
But the reality is that the Tory/Lib-Dem Government’s VAT hike will hit charities especially hard. It will make it more difficult for them to help some of Britain’s most vulnerable people.
VAT is an indiscriminate tax – for the most part, you pay it regardless of your income and what you do. So a charity such as Chariotts in my own constituency of Wrexham – providing transport to disabled people – is required to pay VAT as much as a commercial operator. Chariotts is so successful that it will exceed the VAT registration threshold shortly. This will mean its passengers will have to pay VAT to travel with them and find 2.5% extra for their fare. All of this money will go from the pockets of disabled people to Government.
The limited exemptions for VAT actually make the position worse for charities than for most businesses. The Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham, like all hospices, does not charge VAT. It cannot, therefore, set off VAT claimed from patients, but is not exempt from paying VAT on goods the Hospice buys.
The result is more VAT paid to the Government by Charities. John Savage, Nightingale House’s Chief executive calculates that the extra cost of VAT for the Hospice will be £4,000 next year – away from patient care and straight into the government’s.
This problem of “irrecoverable VAT” has been a running sore for charities for many years. It is made worse by local authorities being granted a special exemption to solve the problem – something charities think is especially unfair in a sector where they provide more and more mainstream services.
So will the Government implement the increase without assessing its impact on charities? Labour will fight the VAT increase every step of the way and give those Liberal Democrats who have campaigned on the issue previously the chance to tell us where they stand in a vote in the Commons this week.
If “The Big Society” is anything more than a sound bite, then the Government will compensate charities for a VAT rise that makes it so much more difficult for them to do what they can for those who need their help. |
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Charities could lose thousands of pounds thanks to Government
12/07/2010 |
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CHARITIES across Britain could lose millions of pounds as a result of the Government’s proposed VAT changes.
That is the stark warning from Wrexham MP Ian Lucas, who is helping to lead a campaign to try to get the Government to change its mind over the plans. Amendments to the Government’s Finance Bill will be tabled tomorrow in a bid to protect charities from the increases.
One analysis of the plans, produced by the Charity Tax Group, Suggests the increase in the standard rate of VAT to 20 percent will cost £143 million. And further research suggests that smaller charities will be hit harder as VAT accounts for a greater part of their income.
Yet the Government is also piling pressure onto charities by asking them to help provide public services as part of the “Big Society.”
Shadow Chief Secretary Liam Byrne, working alongside Mr Lucas, has tabled a series of amendments to the Finance Bill set to be discussed in the Commons tomorrow. The amendments try to prevent the VAT changes applying to charities’ non-business activities and to make the Government set out plans to compensate charities for the changes.
Mr Lucas said: “The Government’s plans currently mean vulnerable people who pay for services from charities will pay more.
“In Wrexham, Charriotts, a charity which helps people with disabilities to travel, would be affected.
“It provides an excellent service and is very popular as a result – but that success means it is about to reach the threshold to register for VAT. Under the Government plans, its customers will now pay 20% VAT.
“Those in greatest need will be hardest hit – whether or not they have the ability to pay for the services they use
“Charities lose out to councils, who get a special exemption for irrecoverable VAT.
“Millions of pounds will be going straight to the Government as a result of these changes – and coming out of the budgets of the very organisations that Cameron and Clegg want to provide public services.
“Their ‘big society’ will hit those in need the hardest.” |
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Support for Wrexham's voluntary organisations
09/07/2010 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has praised the work of Wrexham’s voluntary organisations.
Mr Lucas spoke after attending the Homestart Annual General meeting and visiting AVOW’s (Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham) Open Day today.
He said: “The voluntary and charitable sector has always formed a key part of Wrexham’s society and I always try to do what I can to support it. In recent weeks, there has been a greater than ever focus on the work organisations such as those involved with AVOW undertake, and there is a growing recognition of the role they play. Homestart provides excellent support to parents.”
“It is important that such organisations are given the support they need to thrive – especially when the demands being placed on them are greater than ever.” |
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Westminster Weekly Update
09/07/2010 |
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Weekly Parliamentary Update: Mon 05-Thursday 08 July
Monday
This week has been exceptionally busy! I arrived in London at about 3pm, after attending an Honorary Fellowship Event of Dr Jack De Gioia at Glyndwr University.
Once in Westminster, I met with a representative from the British- China Forum: I would like to get involved in this annual forum, which is designed for politicians from China and UK to debate and establish respective positions on key issues on both bilateral and international basis. The forum also contributes to the strengthening of the strategic relationship between the UK and China, and I am particularly interested in finding out more about the manufacturing industry in China.
I was alarmed to hear that the Tory-Lib Dem Government plan to cut up to £3.5bn to the schools budget. Luckily, the decision to scrap England’s national school redevelopment scheme will not affect schools in Wales, but I am very concerned that thousands of pupils and teachers who are in need of new facilities will suffer. I believe that since 1997 the Labour Government took a great deal of action on this issue, but this work needs to be continuous.
I then attended the weekly Shadow Ministerial Team meeting. We discussed Business Questions, which will take place on Thursday morning.
In the evening I attended a Reception, to Celebrating 75 Years of the British Film Institute National Archive.
Tuesday
I started the day by playing football with the Parliamentary Team.
Once in Westminster, I met with Andrew Lee, the General UK Manager of Sharp Solar, to discuss solar and renewable energy issues. Sharp Solar has its main European photovoltaic (PV) production hub in Wrexham, which houses the UK’s biggest solar module manufacturing facility, serving whole of Europe and producing enough power for more than 700,000 homes a year. Sharps employs a large number of people in the constituency, and we discussed further opportunities for base in Wrexham.
In the afternoon I had an Adjournment Debate on Community Policing, and I attach a link to the debate.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm100706/halltext/100706h0002.htm#10070622000299
I used this opportunity to set out the excellent work being done in community policing in Wrexham, and to raise concerns that the Tory-Lib Dem cuts in the policing budget may threaten the future of community policing both within the town, and across Britain. In response, Police Minister Nick Herbert said the Government valued community policing, but he warned that he could not guarantee cuts in staff numbers and changes to the service. When the proposed Tory-Lib Dem cuts in public spending go ahead, looking at historic trends, unemployment and other social problems which will inevitably occur, will likely result in a rise in crime. I am very concerned indeed that the policing budget is likely to be cut by at least 25%, and I will continue to be very vocal about this issue.
At 3pm, I chaired the first meeting of the Spinal Cord Injury All Party Group of the new Parliament. The meeting was very productive, and
I am very pleased that Tanni Grey-Thomson, one of Britain’s greatest Paralympics athletes, attended the meeting. Tanni was appointed to the House of Lords in January and wants to become involved in the group.
I later attended a debate concerning modelling fees and disreputable companies in my capacity as Shadow Business Minister. All too often I hear of cases where some young women, often vulnerable, have handed over money to modelling companies only to hear nothing from the company again. You can read the debate via the below link.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmgeneral/deleg2/100706/100706s01.htm
Wednesday
First thing, I attended the UK Business Conference. The purpose of the conference was to bring together politicians and business leaders for an in-depth discussion on business-related issues. I attended in my capacity as Shadow Business Minister, and gave a speech entitled. "The Business Agenda of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition Government." In the speech I warned that the Government’s obsession with cuts, rather than focusing on growth, is risking the UK’s economy.
I then met with officials from the National Union of Students to discuss the future of tuition fees, before attending a debate in the Commons Chamber entitled “Jobs and the Unemployed”. I intervened in the debate because I am concerned that the VAT increase to environmental improvement will deter people from making their homes more energy efficient, the debate can be accessed via the below link.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm100707/debtext/100707-0002.htm#10070745001043
Thursday
I started the day by attending Business Questions. I pressed Government Ministers on the issue of financial support from Banks, and again the debate can be viewed via the link below.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm100708/debtext/100708-0001.htm#10070875000997
Immediately after Business Questions, I attended a meeting of The North Wales group of Labour MPs. We were joined by the North Wales Chief Constable, Mark Poiln, and by Tal Michael and Alun Lewis from the North Wales Police Authority (NWPA). We discussed the cutting of the police budget, and implications for North Wales. Until the exact figures have been confirmed in October, we will not know exactly just how badly hit the North Wales Police service will be. However, we were all very concerned about the inevitable scaling back and withdrawal of a number of services currently provided by the North Wales.Police, and we will continue to meet regularly with the Chief Constable and NWPA to discuss this.
I left Westminster in the early afternoon, so that I would be back in Wrexham to attend both Yale College, and Rhosnesni High Awards Events. |
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Act to back business, Lucas urges Government
08/07/2010 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has said the Government needs to act on plans to encourage lending to business.
During Business, Innovation and Skills questions today, Mr Lucas quizzed Ministers on when they will be unveiling their scheme to provide security for major loans to Business, and noted that they were continuing to support a Labour financing scheme.
He told the House: “We on the Labour Benches welcome the extension of Labour’s successful enterprise finance guarantee that was announced in the Budget.
“We are questioning what has happened to the “major loan guarantee scheme” referred to in the coalition agreement.
“Is that in fact the same thing as Labour’s successful enterprise finance guarantee scheme, which the Tories and the Liberals have now extended in their own Budget?”
The Under Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. Ed Vaizey, was non-committal in reply
Speaking afterwards, Mr Lucas said: “Helping businesses secure credit to promote their growth should be one of the key engines of driving economic growth in the private sector. I am pleased that the Government has recognised Labour’s plans in this area worked, and have chosen to extend them.
“However, if Ministers have other plans, they need to tell business what they are - we have had much talk but little action. The one think the private sector does not need from Government in a fragile recovery period is uncertainty.
“Sadly that seems all that this Government has to offer on its plans.” |
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Coalition gambling with the economy
07/07/2010 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has warned that the Conservative – Lib Dem Government is gambling with the economy.
In a speech to the UK Business Conference this morning, Mr Lucas warned that the Government’s obsession with cuts – and lack of focus on growth – risked the UK’s economy and was being pushed forward for purely political reasons.
He told the Conference: “This Budget is a choice. The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are seeking political cover by calling June’s Budget an “Emergency” Budget. It was not because there was no emergency. There was an emergency in the autumn of 2008 when the UK Government’s action to sustain the banking and industrial sector was opposed by the Conservatives and largely supported by the Liberal Democrats. It is politically convenient, particularly for the Liberal Democrats to argue: “We didn’t want to do this, but we have to…”
Though the Labour Government argued for reduction of the deficit, it argued that deficit reduction required growth as well as tax measures and spending reduction.”
And he attacked the Chancellor George Osborne for his lack of focus on building growth in Britain’s economy – in contrast to the plans set out by Labour.
He said: “Growth was the key to that alternative approach. In contrast, growth is a word that rarely passes the lips of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.”
The failure to encourage growth in the UK economy in the current Government’s plans would lead to serious consequences down the line, Mr Lucas warned: “Last week’s leaked job figures were stark. If we are to lose 1.3 million jobs from the economy in the years ahead, I find it difficult to see how economic demand will be sustained, let alone grow. Unless it does, the dangerous vortex of unemployment, debt and lack of demand will present us with the prospect of a stalling recovery, lapsing into further recession.
“To be avoided, the Government needs to be right on every count. It will be no surprise to you that I fear it has got it badly, badly wrong.” |
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Government actions wrong on community policing
06/07/2010 |
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WREXHAM MP Ian Lucas has said the Government is threatening the future of community policing in his constituency and across Britain.
He spoke following a Westminster Hall debate today, in which he set out the excellent work being done in community policing in his constituency and called for the Government to commit to ensuring the numbers of officers carrying out that work was not put at risk.
During the debate, Mr Lucas spoke of the work being done in Wrexham by community support officers and of the good work being done by police officers working in collaboration with Wrexham Community Safety Partnership.
However, he warned that that good work was being put at risk by the cuts being imposed by the Tory-Lib Dem coalition Government, and referred to specific examples in his own constituency where local councillors were already warning of cuts taking effect.
In reply, Police Minister Nick Herbert said the Government valued community policing, and paid tribute to Labour’s record on the issue. But he warned that he could not guarantee cuts in staff numbers and changes to the service.
Speaking after the debate, Mr Lucas said: “I was pleased to hear the Government’s commitment to community policing and to hear they recognise it does have a positive impact on our streets.
“However, I fear Ministers are taking the wrong action on community policing. Words of support are very welcome, but as the Government slashes police investment, the effect on the ground is clear. Ministers like to suggest all savings can be made from efficiencies, because believing that is more comfortable than facing the reality that people will lose their jobs.
”As the Chief Constable of North Wales has made clear, even if the force stopped using computers and went around on foot, staff would still have to be cut under the Government’s proposals. Such changes threaten the future of community policing.
“And the real tragedy, as I warned during the debate, is that this short-term approach is likely to lead to greater costs for the public purse with an increase in crime and a decrease in prevention of crime.
“I am pleased the Government is convinced community policing is valuable -– but I am saddened it is risking that value for purely political reasons.” |
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