MPFree

Michael Foster’s Parliamentary Bulletin

September 2009

I apologise for a slightly delayed MPFree this month as we are now in October. Parliament is gearing up to start the new session and the political party conference season is now in full swing. For my part I have just returned from the Labour Conference in Brighton and wanted to wait until my return before sending the MPFree so I could give you a brief review of my experience at our annual policy jamboree.

My Conference Overview

As a headline soundbite I would basically summarise that I genuinely believe the energy on show and raft of big ideas that emerged demonstrate why Labour is the party best placed to lead Britain.

The showcase event took place in the Brighton Conference Centre and provided the backdrop for a series of powerful speeches by Gordon Brown, Peter Mandelson and other Cabinet Members.

The public saw us heading to Brighton and, after recent hostile media coverage, expected the party to implode. Well that’s not what happened at all. We have shown that we are united as a party, united behind our leader and there was a very positive atmosphere inside the hall.

Onto some of the detail: I think we showed Labour still have the ideas to lead Britain. On the economy our stimulus policies were copied around the world and as a result a deep global recession was averted. We have now said that the deficit needs to be brought but to embark on a programme of savage cuts to front line services, as advocated by some, would choke off economic growth and hurt the most vulnerable. Instead it must be a controlled reduction that ensures investment in key services is maintained, investment in health, education and apprenticeships is maintained and that the recovery is not put at risk.

We also put forward policies to help and support teenage mums on benefits who would otherwise be left alone. They need our support and we are acting to help them and their children. On health we have shown our commitment to tackling cancer: cancer patients will have diagnostic tests carried out, completed and with results within one week of seeing their GP.

I honestly believe showed Labour have the policies and are equipped to lead Britain. We have set out a clear and positive image for the UK over the next few years. We now need to get that message and that enthusiasm over to the public. While the polls, though closing, still superficially show a Tory lead I believe clear dividing lines are now opening up between the parties. The election will be decided by the public not the media and I am confident we still have a lot to offer to the electorate.

I would say that a lot of what you read in the media regarding what the politicians said will be edited, abbreviated or misleading. You can read full transcripts of the speeches online by clicking HERE.

NHS at home for the elderly

Today more and more people see their parents and grandparents suffering from conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia, and they see their dignity diminish. And for too many families the challenge of coping with the heartbreak is made worse by the costs of getting support.

I was therefore pleased by the Prime Minister’s pledge to introduce extra support so the frailest can be cared for in their own homes.

Under what is being dubbed the National Care Service, some 350,000 people with the highest needs would receive home care regardless of personal wealth. Currently anyone with savings over £23,500 receives no state assistance. Ministers hope to implement the scheme in England by mid-2010.

Free Parking Plan for Hospital In-Patients

Over the past year we have seem numerous stories of people receiving parking tickets at the Conquest because they overstayed their time limit in the pre-pay car park. I have raised this issue numerous times with Minister and the Hospital trust and the fines could now become a thing of the past thanks to a two pronged attack on unfair parking charges.

When people are coming into hospital the last thing they want to worry about is keeping the car park ticket machine up to date. It's not right if some people don't get visitors every day because their families can't afford the parking fees. The Labour Government therefore plans to scrap hospital parking charges for in-patients in England if the party wins the next election. In-patients at the Conquest would get a permit to cover the length of their stay which visitors could then use to park for free.

This would build on the recent announcement by the East Sussex Hospitals Trust, which includes the Conquest, of a new pay-on-exit parking system for people using the car park that will be introduced by the end of the year. The new system will enable patients and visitors to pay for parking when they leave the hospital car parks rather than when they arrive. This will remove any worries they may have had of their parking ticket running out.

Sure Start Children’s Centre – a service worth celebrating 

I recently visited the local Churchwood Sure Start Children’s Centre as part of National Sure Start Children’s Centres Week.

Parents in Hastings and Rye regularly tell me how much they value their local Sure Start centre and the real help they offer with childcare, healthcare and other services for their children. So I was delighted to be given the chance to thank all the Sure Start staff and volunteers who have helped to make them such a success.

The services offered by Sure Start, particularly childcare, help families and provide parents with the chance to get back into work or training.

Before the Labour government was elected there were no Children’s Centres but I’m delighted that there are now 28 across East Sussex, 10 of which are in Hastings and Rye, offering services to 17,159 families with children under 5.

Unfortunately the Tories want to cut the Sure Start budget by £200 million per year. This is the equivalent of one in five Children’s Centres – that’s 2 of the 10 centres in our area – having to close their doors. The Labour Government will keep investing in Sure Start because the early years of a child’s life are so important. I don’t want to put that at risk by letting the Conservatives cut Sure Start.

Well that just about rounds up the key stories from this month. As ever there is more to say and I would encourage you to visit my website if you want to know what’s going on. www.michaelfoster.org.uk. You can also get in touch if you have any queries about the stories above by emailing mp@1066.net.

With best wishes

Michael Foster DL MP