Labour Party News

Westminster Labour launches economic recovery plan

Westminster’s Labour Councillors have launched a five point City Council economic recovery plan to protect local residents and businesses during the current economic difficulties caused by current global financial problems. The five point plan includes:

* The City Council should pay all invoices from small firms within 10 days of receiving them in order to ensure that small businesses have the cash flow available to pay the wages of their staff.

* The City Council should suspend planned rent increases on commercial premises occupied by small business. This will help struggling shops in Church Street and elsewhere who are faced with massive rent increases.

* The City Council should advertise jobs in the ‘Westminster Reporter’ and local newspapers in order to attract applications from local residents. This would lead to more local residents working for the City Council, thereby increasing local incomes and increasing local economic spending power.

* The City Council should link up with the Health Authorities, Westminster University and Colleges and the local police to offer more apprenticeships, training courses and work experience opportunities for local residents.

* The City Council should mount a major benefits ‘take-up’ campaign, in association with local advice agencies, to ensure that residents maximise their income by claiming what they are legally entitled to.

“It is vital that in these difficult economic times the City Council uses its economic and financial muscle as an employer, landlord and purchaser of goods and services to help residents and businesses weather the storm. The next few months will be an opportunity for the Council to show that it is up to the task. It is easy to win ‘awards’ in the good times, but these difficult times will show whether the City Council has got what it takes to help people through the tough financial times.”

“Labour Councillors will be playing a helpful and positive role. We will be continuing with our weekly advice sessions every Tuesday at the Harrow Road One Stop (from 7.00-8.00pm) and at the Church Street One Stop (from 6.00pm-7.00pm). No appointments are necessary and we will be open to all residents who need help and advice.”

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