Labour in Corringham - "Save our Royal Mail"

A few pictures from our very successful street stall in Corringham today (Saturday 31st August).

The "Save our Royal Mail" petition received many signatures and it was good to hear from residents about the cost of living crisis being made worse by a Tory and Lib Dem coalition government who are not looking after hard working families. Great support from members and supporters in the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

 

Cost of Living Crisis: Harriet Harman MP visits Basildon

We were delighted to welcome Harriet Harman to Basildon today to speak to residents about the cost of living crisis and the effect that government cuts are having on local communities.

Harriet met with Chelsea Press and Billie McManus from the constituency who spoke about their local community and how hard life is becoming under this out of touch Tory led government. Food bills, utilities, transport costs and rents are all going up faster than wages leaving people worse off.
The message delivered loud and clear by Chelsea and Billie was that families and neighbours help each other a great deal and that without this type of support many people would not be able to work and provide for their families. Tory and Lib Dem tales of shirkers and people living off benefits are far from the reality. In South Basildon and East Thurrock you'll find people are keen to work hard and provide for their children.

The government "bedroom tax" and huge cuts to local grants have left local people in trouble and local councils floundering. In Basildon the Tory run council regularly gets its priorities all wrong meaning the most vulnerable suffering more while those at the top get tax cuts of thousands of pounds.
As Labour's parliamentary candidate I am campaigning for a level playing field so that all members of society are treated fairly and have the best opportunities in life. A Labour government in 2015 will make sure that the real issues are addressed and people are respected whatever their personal situation. It was great to be joined today by Labour County Councillors Melissa McGeorge and Keith Bobbin. My personal thanks goes out to the residents who made today such an informative and successful event. It is much appreciated.


 

Labour tackling zero hours contract culture

Chuka Umunna MP, Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary, said on the Recruitment and Employment Confederation research which found that 27 per cent of employers surveyed used zero hours contracts:

"At a time when families across the country are facing a living standards crisis and life is becoming more insecure, zero hours contracts are leaving hundreds of thousands of people worried about whether they will be able to make ends meet and put food on the table for their children.

Labour has been clear that zero hours contracts should be the exception, not the rule.  This sort of flexibility can be important for some employees, but the news from this survey that over a quarter of companies have used such contracts is worrying and needs to be addressed.

The increased use of zero hours contracts has brought reports of exploitation and bad practice.  That’s why Labour this week held a summit on the issue, bringing together representatives of employers and employees to consider what action needs to be taken.  And when the House of Commons returns Labour will call a debate and vote on the action that needs to be taken.

In contrast this out of touch Tory-led Government has refused to have a proper and full consultation on the rise of zero-hours contracts or to treat this issue with the seriousness which it deserves.”

Sink or swim? Living standards crisis in South Basildon and East Thurrock

This week, I will be visiting residents in the constituency and focusing on the issues facing many regarding the living standards crisis affecting so many people in South Basildon and East Thurrock.  It is no surprise to many residents I have spoken to over the past few weeks that the current government has failed those on lower and middle incomes while the people at the top reap the rewards in tax cuts and bonuses.

While the government claims there has been a slight upturn in the economy, the rise in costs of food, petrol, transport and other services has led to a sharp downfall in people’s real living standards. Cuts to local government grants have left people in a “sink or swim” situation as Eric Pickles takes another batch of money away from local services in the for of cuts to local government grants. The flawed priorities of Tory led Basildon council leave people even worse off as the Conservative administration chose to fund initiatives to count the borough’s grass for six figure sums while scrapping hot meals and the borough’s day centres for the elderly. Austere times create a politics of priorities and, in failing to challenge their friends in coalition government, Basildon council have badly lost sight of what are the real needs of the people of the borough.

One Basildon family I will be catching up with this week are a fine example of why an incoming Labour government has to be firmly on the side of hard working people. Despite being told she would be better off on benefits, a young working mum continues to work (including many night shifts) to provide for her daughter. The benefits she receives top up her salary and she is managing to stay afloat. This is in large part due to a strong and supportive family who help with many basic needs including some childcare and help with transport and shopping. Without this family support she surely would be floundering in the seas of Tory cuts and misplaced priorities.

For what are the Tories doing to help others in this situation? Other young single parents who may not have that reliable family support? The Tories have introduced a bedroom tax to push people further into poverty or away from their communities. The “spare” room that may have let a child sleep over with a neighbouring family while mum or dad covered another night shift. The rooms that provided space and quiet for the teenager to focus on their revision for forthcoming exams. The rooms that house the equipment for the woman who cares for her disabled husband at home saving the government a fortune in care costs. A national disgrace. And locally the council claw back money from people via their council rent, charging for cleaning services that do not materialise, for light bulbs that do not get replaced when they reach the end of their shelf-life leaving already busy residents to clear up communal areas and live in increasingly vulnerable areas.

In the past three years the Tories have ripped the heart out of many communities and enforced their own rules of “divide and conquer” against its citizens. A Labour government in 2015 will be on the side of hard working families, providing a compulsory jobs guarantee, supporting SureStart centres currently under threat, helping small businesses to grow and employ staff on a living wage while tackling the zero hours employment culture that keep people away from the job security they rightly deserve.

A message from Hilary Benn MP

Eric Pickles talking rubbish (again)........

Eric Pickles likes nothing more than to talk about rubbish and bins, but ask him about the things that have really affected families in England and he suddenly goes all quiet. I think it’s because he really is out of touch with the damage his own policies have created, so here are five of his ‘achievements’ that he somehow managed to leave out of his list.

1.          Imposing higher council tax bills on the poorest families by cutting funding for council tax benefit, and then trying to blame it all on local authorities and giving top earners a tax cut at the same time.

2.          Making unfair cuts to local government, by hitting the poorest areas hardest. When West Oxfordshire – the Prime Minister’s local authority – gets an increase and Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Sheffield  - among others – are slashed, something’s gone wrong.

3.       Talking a lot about localism while taking new powers to control council publications, remove planning decisions from local communities and weaken planning protection for our high streets and town centres.

4.      Wasting a quarter of a billion pounds of public money on trying to persuade councils to change their rubbish collection arrangements, as a result of which just one council decided to move back to weekly rubbish collections.

5.        Cutting the budget for investment in affordable housing by 60% and has presided over the biggest housing crisis in generation with housing completions now at their peacetime lowest level since the 1920s. 

And to top it all, Mr Pickles doesn’t seem the least bit interested in standing up for local government. That’s not what thousands of hard-working councillors need in the way of leadership.
Hilary Benn

Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

Bank Holiday SBET Labour

The bank holiday weekend began on Friday with some important issues in Pitsea with local council Gavin Callaghan followed by a trip to East Tilbury library to find out more about the history of the Bata village and its legacy to the local community. A visit to West Tilbury and then on to the annual WELCOM Forum barbeque to spend some time with members of the group who are speaking up for residents living in the south of the constituency. It is an honour to be Labour's parliamentary candidate for such a wonderfully diverse constituency in Essex that is fully of rich history and real opportunity for the future.

A day of two halves

Celebrating two great teams in the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

Team One

This morning (Sunday 18^th August) Team Labour was out in force canvassing in The Homesteads ward of the constituency and talking to local residents about the cost of living and other issues.  We welcomed new campaigners to Team SBET who spent time knocking on doors with some of the more experienced members of the CLP. People are being hit hard by the cost of living rises and cuts taking place under the Tories.  There was a good response from residents and Labour will have to work hard to address the damage that is being caused by the ideological Tory led coalition government. A big THANK YOU to the team (Phil, Chris, Alison, Lucy, Tony, Emily, John, Anita, Andy, Josh and Linda) for a great mornings work.

 

Half-Time

A quick drink at The Bell in Horndon on the Hill with the campaign team.  A great pub and becoming the campaigner’s local!!

Team Two

 

Straight over to the Selex Sports & Leisure Club in Basildon for the first game of the season for C&K Basildon Ladies FC.  It was also the first team I have seen play in the constituency since being selected as Labour’s parliamentary candidate. What a great game of football versus Luton Ladies. 2-0 down in the first half but a great comeback and a winning goal for Basildon in the last few minutes to seal a 3-2 victory.  Many Sunday afternoons ahead at this ground for sure. There are many great sporting teams across the constituency.  I’ll be cheering them on including East Thurrock FC in Corringham alongside C&K Basildon Ladies FC over the coming years. As a huge Spurs, fan I’ll be campaigning for increased sporting facilities and opportunities for all across South Basildon & East Thurrock, In schools and at all the clubs across the area. Access to sport and regular exercise is a right that must be afforded to all young citizens. As your Labour parliamentary candidate I will be campaigning for increased sporting opportunities and a level playing field for all.

A level playing field in Employment

Listening to the experts at Prospects College

There's no time for complacency as life gets harder for hard working citizens.

Latest unemployment statistics are out. 2,346 people in South Basildon and East Thurrock are unemployed and claiming Job Seekers Allowance, of which 1,434 are male and 912 are female. This means there are 250 fewer people unemployed today than in May 2010. I am pleased to see that the unemployment figures for the constituency are slightly down but we cannot afford to be complacent as 22% of this months claimants have been out of work for between 6-12months and 29% have been out of work for over 12months. 

Figures for long term unemployment remains stubbornly high and Labour’s plan to introduce a compulsory jobs guarantee will see the investment needed to tackle these figures. Under the jobs guarantee, a Labour government will ensure there is a job for every adult who is long-term unemployed and people out of work will be obliged to take up those jobs or face losing benefits. 

In July I visited Prospects College in Basildon. The modern training centre helps apprentices develops practical skills whilst working towards an industry recognised professional qualification for our future carpenters, electricians, bricklayers, decorators, plumbers, engineers and welders.



With Neil Bates & Gordon Marsden MP

 

I spent the afternoon with Neil Bates, Group Chief Executive of the Prospects Learning Foundation, touring the college, finding out about the opportunities available and meeting some of the apprentices.

The facilities and opportunities at Prospects College are superb creating a great environment for learning. It was great to meet some local apprentices who are benefiting from the courses. Training our young people to a high standard in vocational qualification will help us provide the skills needed in industries such as building, transport and green technologies. This has been severely lacking and something the next Labour  government will address with a work and training guarantee.

As Labour’s parliamentary candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock I will be campaigning for a level playing field for all citizens.

In employment this will involve tackling the zero-hours contract culture growing under this coalition government and making sure that all employers are supported and pay the going rate for their workforce.

 

 

Top of the Manifesto Policies - Labour Party Conference

One of the best fringe events at the Labour Party conference is "Top of the Manifesto Policies" organised by Pragmatic Radicalism. Quick fire pitches that could end up as Labour Party Policy! More here...........

http://pragmaticradicalism.co.uk/pragrad-labour-party-conference-fringe-preliminary-details

 

My manifesto pitch for 2013 conference............

Community Life Centres – Whole Person Care for “One Nation” Health

Integrated Health and Social Care

At TOTP 2012

Community Life Centres will address the exclusion of the social side of care from the NHS settlement by providing a physical space for the integration of the physical, mental, medical and societal needs of the community to be met.
These needs have to be offered at a local level within the heart of communities across the country and will support people, in difficult times, to continue to live at home and reverse the current momentum that draws people towards hospitals and away from their families and friends. A local health and community centre approach that support wellness, and encourages improvements in leisure, fitness, social activity and diet.

The spirit of ’45 re-invented for the 21^st Century.
Many of the answers to the problems we face in health and social care today were created almost a century ago. The answers were found during the years that surrounded the Second World War in “The Peckham Experiment” based at The Pioneer Health Centre in Southwark.

How do we provide Whole Person Care?
Community Life Centres, like the Pioneer Health Centre, will support the role of clinical medicine by integrating it with the life of the community and focusing on health promotion by various means rather than simply the cure of disease using medicines.
The original “Pioneer Health Centre”, from 1934, was organised as a club that families joined, with dances, swimming pool, library and farm grown food. For a small fee and compulsory health checks at regular intervals, families living within “pram-pushing distance” of the centre could make use of all the facilities with the belief that, left to themselves, people would spontaneously begin to organise in a creative way. When people are given resources in a community to enable them to grow they will be active in their community for the benefit of that community.

 Andy Burnham: “The exclusion of the social side of care from the NHS settlement explains why it has never been able to break out of a ‘treatment service’ mentality and truly embrace prevention. For most of the 20th century, we just about managed to make it work for most people. When people had chronic or terminal illness at a younger age, they could still cope with daily living even towards the end of life. Families lived closer to each other and, with a bit of council support, could cope. Now, in the century of the ageing society, the gaps between our three services are getting dangerous. The 21st century is asking questions of our 20th century health and care system that, in its current position, will never be able to answer to the public’s satisfaction."

Community Life Centres provide self-sustaining, cost-effective and preventative solutions for “One Nation” Health

Socialist Health Foundation:

http://www.sochealth.co.uk/public-health-and-wellbeing/peckham-experiment/peckham-experiment-5-health-overhaul/

The Pioneer Health Foundation: The Peckham Experiment in the 21st Century.

http://www.thephf.org/

Research The Peckham Experiment:

http://www.marylangmanprize.org.uk/books-about-the-peckham-experiment

Tories stoking the fires of hatred

South Basildon and East Thurrock parliamentary candidate speaks out as local and national Tories incite bad feeling towards minority groups.

Over the past few weeks the national Conservative Party have been flexing their arrogant and inflammatory muscles regarding immigration with their “racist van” calling on illegal immigrants to “go home or face arrest”. This was of course a blatant reaction to Ukip and their local successes in this year’s county council elections. It was also an attempt to look tough on immigration. A gross error of judgment on many counts.

Meanwhile, and more locally, Thurrock Tories this week have also stepped up to the plate laid down by Cameron and his right wing cronies in government by releasing specifically disgraceful and inflammatory remarks of their own regarding the loss of a planning application by members of the gypsy and traveller community in Corringham.

Conservative councillor for Corringham and Fobbing Cllr Mark Coxshall is on record as saying about the application: “The council has made a real mess of this by not nipping the issue in the bud at the start but this is not going to be a quick conclusion to the issue, as I am sure this will go to appeal. The travellers are already starting to bed in for a long stay; they have permanent power and water. We all know what happens next, they start building walls and fences and we end up with a section of Stanford that looks like a cross between My Big Fat Gypsy Cesspit and Shameless.”

Representatives of the Irish Traveller community are set to file a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) as well as Thurrock Council after the comments.

I fully support the complaint made against Mr. Coxhall’s due to his inflammatory comments and look forward to MP Stephen Metcalfe’s response to his Tory colleague’s outrageous remarks. I will also watch with interest as Tory Homesteads councillor James Halden and Mr. Metcalfe attempt to pull strings with the government and speed up the appeal process to the planning inspectorate as stated by Cllr. Halden.

Eric Pickles MP and secretary of State for Communities and local government has also been talking tough on the issue this week. Mr. Pickles has issued new “guidelines” reminding local authorities in England of their legal powers to deal promptly with illegal travelers. This is nothing new as councils already have strong powers to deal with illegal sites.

Joseph Jones, chairman of the Gypsy Council, accused the government of “reinforcing negative stereotypes” about travellers. He said: “It’s creating tension, it’s a negative thing to do. Local authorities already know how to manage unauthorised encampments. They don’t need the government to tell them how to do it. This latest statement Mr. Pickles has put out doesn’t have anything new in it.”

So from the DCLG, the Home Office, and from within Thurrock Council itself, the Tories are stoking the fires of hatred, creating fear and dividing communities. A shameful act by a party in decline and disgrace.

 

 

 

Changing Places for South Basildon and East Thurrock

Labour parliamentary candidate calls for a Changing Places campaign to assist those who need extra support. "A level playing field means making the changes needed to include all citizens." Mike Le-Surf

Many vulnerable people in our society, including people with disabilities, do not have the opportunities that most of us take for granted. Supporting people without a strong voice in their community is why I first became involved in politics and is one of the reasons why I am campaigning to be the next MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock.

In my “day job” I work for the campaigns and policy team at national learning disability charity "Royal Mencap Society” on a project called “Changing Places”. Changing Places are toilet facilities that have a bench and hoist for anyone who need extra assistance with their personal care. Without these facilities many people would not be able to access their local communities, shopping centres, music venues etc. During the coming years I will be campaigning for a level playing field for all constituents. This will include championing the need for Changing Places toilets in all public places so that vulnerable citizens can fully participate.

Richard Howitt MEP

I would really like to hear from people in the constituency who would either use these facilities or support someone to use them. There is currently only one Changing Places facility in the constituency at The Sorrells in Stanford-Le-Hope and it would be great if we could see many more at all large public venues.

Labour MEP for the East of England, Richard Howitt, is a champion for the Changing Places campaign and said: "Without Changing Places toilets many people cannot access the places that most of us visit regularly and take for granted. I fully support the Changing Places campaign as I know that they provide people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, and others who need them, with the opportunity to become fully participating members of their local communities."

Please get in touch with me if you would like to campaign for a Changing Places in the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency. It would be great to hear from you.

More info here:

http://www.changing-places.org/

Wages falling in real terms under rotten Tories

David Cameron is worst PM for living standards on record as working people set to lose £6,660 by 2015.

Cheers for nothing!

Labour is today revealing the full scale of the cost of living crisis under David Cameron.
Analysis of historical figures from the Office for National Statistics shows that David Cameron has been in Downing Street for 36 months of falling real wages – more than any Prime Minister on record. And no Prime Minister has seen so many consecutive months of falling real wages.
Prices have risen faster than wages in all but one month of David Cameron’s premiership – and that was in April 2013 when he cut taxes for millionaires and bank bonuses soared. No other Prime Minister since records began comes close to the disaster for family living standards David Cameron has overseen.
Working people are today an average of £1,350 worse off a year in real terms since David Cameron entered Downing Street. And official forecasts show just how much working people are set to be worse off after five years of this Conservative-led Government.
Analysis of Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts by the House of Commons Library shows that, after inflation, wages are forecast to be £1,520 lower in 2015 than in 2010. This means that working people will, on average, have lost a total of £6,660 in real terms while David Cameron has been Prime Minister.

Labour’s parliamentary candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock, Mike Le-Surf  said:

“Since 2010 wages have fallen in real terms in every region and nation of the UK and in the East of England they are down 7% which is an average £32.10 a week and  £1,669 over the year. We need a level playing field for all, not tax cuts for the richest while we all suffer.”

And over the last three years since this Government came to office prices have risen faster in the UK than in any other G7 country and no other G7 country has seen workers' incomes in real terms fall by as much as the UK.

 

Chris Leslie MP, Labour’s Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said:
“David Cameron will go down in history as a disastrous Prime Minister for people’s living standards. He is totally out of touch, his economic policies have failed and the result is working families are massively out of pocket.
“By 2015, official forecasts show working people will have lost an average of £6,660 under five years of the Tories. Yet millionaires have got a huge tax cut from this Government.
“Far from never having it so good, many working people have never had it so bad. Prices have risen faster than wages in 36 out of the 37 months since David Cameron has been in Downing Street. This is the worst performance of any Prime Minister on record.
“Labour would help middle and low income families right now, including a lower 10p starting rate of tax, action to tackle soaring energy bills and protecting tax credits for working families by reversing the tax cut for millionaires.”

Union representation at DP World

This morning (5^th August) I attended a very positive meeting with port workers’ union Unite to discuss recognition and other issues at DP World London Gateway prior to their opening later this year.  I visited the port last month for a meeting with management and a tour of the facility which was both educational and informative. I have also met with local residents groups to hear their concerns and discuss the impact and opportunities for the constituents of South Basildon and East Thurrock.

I have today written to DP World to ask for statistics around the number of employees who will be working at the port on opening and what percentage of this number have been recruited from the local area. As Labour’s parliamentary candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock I will be supporting residents and employees of DP World to obtain the best opportunities possible from the construction of the port and Europe’s largest logistics park and will continue to fight for a level playing field for all.

Another House Fire in Pitsea

Labour representatives call for independent investigation after fourth fire in as many years.

Real concerns for safety

This afternoon (Friday 2^nd August) I spent a few hours in the Felmores area of Pitsea with local Labour councillors Gavin Callaghan and Melissa McGeorge speaking to residents who are having to cope with the aftermath of yet another house fire in the area. This is the fourth fire in as many years and Labour are now calling on the government to fund an independent fire investigation to confirm the safety measures needed. The residents I spoke to with Melissa and Gavin are very concerned that safety is being compromised and I heard accounts of young children being very scared to sleep at night. I met with families that have been evacuated and are staying in temporary accommodation that is far from suitable for young families. Basildon residents deserve far better than they currently receive from this Tory run council.

Due to the structure, materials and design of the buildings fire can spread very quickly across residences. An independent investigation is needed for a clear judgement as to whether new safety measures should be carried out or a different course of action needs to be taken.

With the leader of Basildon council calling for calm and the Tory MP silent on the matter, the Conservatives are falling far short of what residents should expect from their elected representatives. Strong leadership is needed and the Tories have failed to provide it.

I will continue to work with ward and county councillors to support residents during this difficult time and hope to soon see a Labour run council in Basildon who will speak up for all citizens.