John Denham MP welcomes real help for Southampton families

Southampton Itchen Labour MP John Denham today welcomed the increase in Child Benefit as real help for people and business through tough times.

This month Child Benefit rises to £20 a week as part of the Government’s boost to the economy, which includes a £60 extra payment to every pensioner and a £12.4 billion boost for the economy through a VAT tax cut.

John Denham said:

“Labour is determined to help people and businesses through the tough times ahead…

A Christmas cracker for Southampton: New year cash boost for 42,260 local people

John Denham, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen has welcomed a new cash boost for 42,260 Southampton local people as part of the Labour Government’s financial help.

Following the coldest start to winter in thirty years, the Government this week formally ordered a special one-off payment of £60 to pensioners, carers, disabled people and those in receipt of bereavement benefits.

John Denham said:
“This is Christmas cracker for everyone in Southampton. I’m pleased that the Government has realised that our most vulnerable need help and it’s right that they’ve invested this extra cash. The Christmas bonus will be a real winter warmer for all who get it.”

Alan Whitehead MP calls for justice for pleural plaques victims

Alan Whitehead MP has called on the government to reverse the decision of the Law Lords that denies compensation to pleural plaque victims.

On Wednesday Dr Whitehead, the MP for Southampton Test, rallied with co-signatories to Early Day Motion 254, which calls on the government to take swift action overturn a ruling by the Law Lords from 2007 which renders victims of pleural plaque syndrome as ineligible for compensation.

Dr Whitehead said: “We must overturn this decision by the Law Lords, which denies hundreds of former dockers and ship-builders, in Southampton the compensation they were previously entitled to…

Sheffield Labour asks “who will look after our old people?”

Sheffield Labour has condemned the Lib Dem administration following the decision to cut frontline services for the elderly.

The council have axed 250 jobs at Sheffield’s Care4You service which provides home care, city-wide alarms, and resource centres.

These job losses immediately follow the announcement of the closure of two residential care homes in reaction to what was seen as an increased trend in care for the elderly at their own homes.

Former Leader, Councillor Jan Wilson, said:

“A week or two ago the council told us that most elderly people were now being helped to remain in their own homes - and because of this two care homes would close due to low demand. Now the council tell us they are cutting home helps. This doesn’t make sense…

John Denham MP welcomes action to tackle alcohol fuelled crime in Southampton

Southampton will be given a share of a new national Home Office £1.5 million fund.

This money is available to priority areas which have the highest levels of alcohol related crime and disorder and public concern about drunk and rowdy behaviour. This money will be used to tackle underage sales, confiscate alcohol from under 18s and to carry out tougher alcohol enforcement work.

John Denham, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, said:

“Many people have told me that they are fed up with the anti-social behaviour caused by drinking. So I welcome this action.

“I support looking at how alcohol is sold in Southampton and whether we should stop ‘all you can drink’ promotions. If a particular shop or nightspot is causing problems they should be stopped from breaking the rules with tough action…

John Denham MP: “take advantage of increased energy efficiency funding”

John Denham, MP for Southampton Itchen, is set for a warm welcome today when he meets Mrs Diane Rustell as part of a national campaign to highlight how energy efficiency measures are helping people stay warm and healthy in their homes, and the help that is available from the Government.

Mr Denham is one of 70 MPs, Members of the Scottish Parliament, and Welsh Assembly Members around the UK supporting the annual Warm Homes Campaign by visiting constituents to learn first hand how energy efficiency measures provided through the Warm Front scheme can deliver affordable warmth this winter. On average, Warm Front clients save over £300 each year on energy bills.

£39.5 million more for local health services in Southampton

John Denham, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, today welcomed news that the Labour Government has allocated millions of pounds more funding for GP surgeries, health centres, and other frontline services in Southampton’s Primary Care Trust.

David Cameron’s do-nothing Tory Party has refused to match Labour’s NHS investment, and would scrap Labour’s deal with GPs for extended evening and weekend opening hours.

John Denham said:

“The Labour Government’s £39.5 million extra investment is great news for Southampton and will help ensure even higher standards for patients and staff in our GP surgeries and health centres…

Southampton MP appeals to council: “Let’s save Christmas!”

Dr Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, has appealed to Southampton City Council to put Southampton’s festive lights up in time for Christmas.

Dr Whitehead said:

“At this stage we could still have the lights up probably for a week before Christmas if the Council changed its mind now. It wouldn’t be quite the same but it would be much better than nothing.

“I’m sure local people and local businesses would support such a decision, as we’ve seen already from the offer of sponsorship to cover part of the cost.

“At a time when we are all trying to support local businesses and get people spending, turning off the Christmas lights is unhelpful and quite petty…

John Denham MP to open trade union learning centre

Southampton Itchen Labour MP and Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham is to open a new learning facility run by trade unionists today.

The Southampton Learning Terminal is a Union Learning Centre organised by the Solent Branch of the Communication Workers Union (CWU). The learning centre is situated within the BT Telephone Engineering Centre at Nursling and from January 09 will provide a range of learning opportunities to local BT workers and CWU members in the area.

John Denham said:

“This is exactly the sort of initiative that I and my Department want to encourage. It is a place where people can learn the skills that can lead to better jobs and better pay…

Care in the Crunch - MP Whitehead meets Southampton Carers

On Carers Rights Day, Friday 5th December, Alan Whitehead MP will meet with Southampton carers to encourage them to claim the millions of pounds of help they are entitled to, but that goes unclaimed every year.

The event, organised by Mencap Southampton, runs from 10am – 12pm and will focus on showing carers what financial assistance they are entitled to. Dr Whitehead will meet carers at the drop in session to discuss the current help available and the extra £60 that will be paid to all carers in the New Year announced in the Pre-Budget Report.

For information on what help is available to carers, Carers UK urges carers to get in touch with its helpline, CarersLine (0808 808 7777 or www.carersuk.org).