MPFree
Michael Foster’s Parliamentary
Bulletin
January 2009
Happy New Year!
I
appreciate we are well into 2009 but this is my first opportunity
to convey my best wishes for the year to come. As we all know this
are tough times for many people in Hastings and Rye but there is
still much to be hopeful and we should never let ourselves become
too down hearted.
This
has been a hectic month from start to finish so on to the
news:
Gaza Violence
I
was relived by the decision of both
Israel and Hamas to declare a unilateral ceasefire. The Government
has pledged £27million for aid and reconstruction but we must now
ensure aid agencies can enter the area and address what is a very
serious humanitarian situation.
During the whole of the Israeli
military operation over 1,300 Palestinians died and countless homes
were destroyed. Although peace must now be the priority the recent
violence cannot be ignored.
The return of stability and some
form of normality must be our goal for Gaza but Israel must be
called to account for their actions over past weeks. Their grossly
disproportionate response must be challenged and cannot be allowed
to happen again.
Free
Theatre for Young People
I’m excited to highlight a new
scheme that will give those under 26 the opportunity to go to the
theatre for free.
The £2.5 million scheme will begin
in February and means 630,000 tickets will be provided free of
charge over the next two years.
The nearest participating theatres
are in London so why not make a day of it! Cultural experiences can
be incredibly enriching and Labour has already made galleries and
museums free. So why not make the trip to London to take in a show,
visit a museum and pop into the greatest theatre in the land,
Parliament.
For further details log on to the
Arts Council website www.artscouncil.org.uk. People
wanting to visit Parliament should drop me an email at mp@1066.net or call my office on 01424
460070.
President Barack Obama
On Tuesday the 20th of
January I watched with excitement as Barack Obama was inaugurated
as the first Black President of the United States of America. He
has been adopted as a global symbol of progress and renewal.
Expectations are high but I believe his election is a step towards
a freer and more open world. I congratulate President Barack Obama
for what he has already achieved and wish him the best of luck for
what I believe he will be able to accomplish as the President of
the United States.
Free Cancer
Perscriptions
As of Tuesday 20th
January people undergoing cancer treatment are eligible for free
prescriptions starting 1st April.
The new scheme extends exemption
from NHS prescription charges to everyone undergoing treatment for,
and the effects of, Cancer. Up to 150,000 people in the UK stand to
benefit. I urge patients to get in touch with their GP to talk
about applying for an exemption certificate - patients must fill
out an exemption certificate application to qualify. Forms can be
collected from GP surgeries or oncology clinics and must be
countersigned by the patient’s GP, hospital doctor or service
doctor.
Remembering the
Holocaust
Tuesday 27th January marked
Holocaust Memorial Day. There will be a memorial service at 11am on
Saturday 31st January at St Mary in the Castle for those
who wish to attend.
January 27th is the anniversary of
the 1945 liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous
concentration and extermination camp. Holocaust Memorial Day
provides a focus for each of us to learn from the lessons of
history. We must reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust and
remember why it is so important to challenge the prejudice and
discrimination we still encounter today.
Tax
Relief for Travel Expenses
I have tabled a Parliamentary
Motion calling on the Government to offer tax relief on rail and
bus fares incurred in travelling to and from
work.
Everyone is facing the reality of
tough times and a tightening of the belt. I believe offering
standard tax relief on travel to work costs like bus passes and
season tickets would be a big help to many, including those who may
be looking for work further afield.
The full text of the Early Day
Motion can be found by visiting:
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=37509&SESSION=899
Parchment
Trust
In
early January I visited the Parchment Trust in Hastings. They are a
local charity which provides personalised services to a variety of
clients with learning disabilities. I was impressed and can see why
the Trust is held in such high esteem.
The
staff truly care, which is evident in their long careers with the
Trust. I could tell just by looking at faces how happy the users of
the services are and how tailor made the service is to the needs of
the individual. They perform an invaluable task for Hastings and
Rye, long may it continue.
Economy
Roundup
Apprenticeships
The Government have announced a
£140million cash boost to fund an extra 35,000 apprenticeship
places for young people and adults across the UK. It’s vital that
we continue to invest in the economy and make sure people in
Hastings and Rye have the skills they need to succeed in the
future.
This funding means will mean more
apprenticeships and more training. That contrasts starkly with
Conservative plans to cut spending next year, which could actually
see over 220,000 apprenticeship places slashed across the country.
That would be a disaster for Hastings and Rye.
Help for the
Jobless
New measures were announced last
week to help those who become unemployed including up to £2,500 in
‘golden hellos’ to encourage businesses to recruit and train local
people who have been jobless for more than six months. In the last
recession the Tories allowed short term unemployment to become long
term unemployment because they didn’t give people the help they
needed.
Through this scheme the longer
local people are out of work the more help they will get. I urge
local businesses to get in touch with Jobcentre Plus and to take
advantage of the money the Government are putting
in.
Child
Benefits
Child Benefit
is rising to £20 a week from January 2009 as part of the
Government’s boost to the economy.
Our families are at the heart of our society. So it’s great
that this extra cash will help support 21,135 Children in 11,825 families in Hastings and Rye
alone.
Bank
Lending
A second package of measures
designed to encourage banks to lend to individuals and businesses
was announced this month. Finance keeps the wheels of the economy
turning; so good businesses need access to credit. To fulfil that
need the government is taking action to expand lending through the
Asset Protection Scheme and offering insurance against the ‘toxic’
debts which sparked the credit crunch. I believe that is exactly
the right course of action to protect jobs in Hastings and
Rye.
Real
Help for Small Business
A further Government scheme was
unveiled to guarantee £20billion of bank lending to small and
medium sized businesses. Small businesses are the lifeblood of the
British Economy. I am pleased the government has taken these steps
to support small businesses in Hastings and Rye.
In the 80s and early 90s the Tories
allowed small businesses to ‘sink or swim’. We will not let that
happen.
For more information on the help
available for your business please visit: www.businesslink.gov.uk/realhelp/finance.
Well that just about draws
January’s round up to a close. Remember
you can always keep up to date with what I’m doing by logging onto
my website
www.michaelfoster.org.uk
or
get in touch with me by emailing
mp@1066.net
or
calling 01424 460070.
With best wishes
Michael Foster DL MP
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