Hello All and Happy Halloween! I hope all the children are busy scaring their neighbours and are duly rewarded for their efforts with a sweet or two.  

It’s the end of the month again and time to talk about all the many events happening in Hastings and Rye and in Westminster now that Parliament has reconvened.

Managing the Economic Downturn – Gordon Brown at the Helm

Unfortunately, the world currently finds itself in a grave economic downturn.  We have already seen the closures of several of the largest U.S. and British banks.  However, I have spent my time defending the economic welfare of Hastings and Rye to ensure the best possible outcome for all of its residents.  It is a severe situation, but negative impacts can be greatly limited and controlled with the proper approach. It is during such an economic downturn that the most vulnerable in society are placed at the greatest risk.  I act with them in the forefront of my mind.

Gordon Brown has unveiled his simple but bold plan.  It offers temporary loans to help banks in the immediate crisis, invests in the banks by buying shares, and guarantees inter-bank lending.  Brown’s leadership and global ability have helped to minimize the impact on the country when compared to others in the global economy.  In the short term, it is prudent to borrow in order to maintain a flowing economy rather than completely shutting it off. 

Call for Petrol Price Slash

During the economic turmoil, petrol prices should not be a source of worry among any family. As such, I last week called for a slash in petrol prices.  Despite oil prices peaking at 7 per barrel in July, the price per barrel has now greatly fallen to below .  I therefore wrote to the Competition Commission to seek an enquiry into the unjustifiably high fuel prices.  Happily, this week prices have begun to tumble, but it should have happened before.

Minimum Wage Increase

On October 1^st, the minimum wage was increased to £5.73 per hour, an increase from £5.52 per hour.  This will provide a much needed boost for low income workers in the current economic climate.  I strongly believe that the minimum wage has made a lasting and significant different to the low paid and around a million workers will benefit from this latest increase.  I am also in support of effective enforcement of the Minimum Wage in order to safeguard this vital right.  Stronger enforcement will help prevent rogue bosses from undercutting honest competitors.  For anyone who is concerned they may not be getting the National Minimum Wage, the NMW helpline on 0845 6000 678 can provide confidential advice or register a complaint about underpayment.  Support is offered in more than 100 languages and callers can choose to remain anonymous.

Government to Sponsor Retraining

The Government has also announced a £100m extra funding to help people retrain.  This money will be used directly to help those who face redundancy in the turbulent market.  The cash injection will provide a helping hand for those people in Hastings and Rye who might be affected by the downturn.  It will enable people to develop new skills in order to move more quickly into sustainable employment.  In times of crisis, we must to do everything in our power to help those people who lose their jobs.

Call for Leniency on Tax Credit Overpayments

I have tabled a parliamentary motion calling for greater leniency to be shown to people who receive tax credit overpayments in error.  Some individuals have received extra tax credits due to incorrect or mishandled forms.  Those individuals have then been required to pay back the credit, which may have already been spent.  I do not believe that people should be allowed to keep the money they are not entitled to. However, I do find that people are experiencing excessive hardship through the current system.  Given the current situation, there should be some flexibility in the system so as to stop honest mistakes from being so heavily penalised.  You may wish to see my argument in greater detail by checking the Hansard here.

SATS Scrapped

I very much approve the move to remove the national exams (SATS) for 14 year olds and replace them with an in class teaching assessment.  I find that exams put young pupils under a significant among of pressure and stress and recently there has been an overemphasis on examination.  Scrapping the SATS will provide for better results in the long term.  This change is part of a larger group of reforms whose goal is to place greater focus on early years schooling and the introduction of US-style “school report cards” for all primary and secondary schools.

William Parker and Helenswood Students Grill Me!

Continuing with the education theme, I had the opportunity this month to show the William Parker and Helenswood sixth form students the Houses of Parliament, the centre of British Democracy.  We toured the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Queen’s Chambers.  Following the tour, the students met in the Common’s Committee Chambers and quizzed me on proportional representation and even a question about Marxian economics!  I was quite impressed by the pupils and their excellent questions.  The Schools are certainly doing a marvellous job.

Longer GP Hours Provide Better Service for All – Well Done Doc!

The Government target of 50% of GP surgeries offering extended opening hours has been met – 3 months early!  Hastings and Rother has done even better with 21 of the 34 GP (62%) surgeries now offering longer evening or weekend hours.  The extended hours will provide more availability to doctors and I strongly believe this change will benefit the patients.  No one should have to put off a visit to the doctor because of work.

For more information on any of the stories, please check my website www.michaelfoster.org.uk or get in touch with me by emailing mp@1066.net or calling 01424 460070.

Best wishes

Michael Foster DL MP