There is a better way to save the economy in Walsall and the West Midlands

Labour’s five-point plan for jobs and growth in the West Midlands


1. Create up to 8,500 jobs for young people and build 1,900 new homes

2. Bring forward investment projects like new school buildings

3. Temporarily reverse the Tory-led Government’s VAT rise - a £450 boost for

families with children

4. Cut VAT on home improvements to 5% for a year

5. Give up to 170,000 small firms a tax break to take on extra workers

There is a better way in the West Midlands

 Our jobs plan includes

a tax on bank bonuses to fund up to 100,000  jobs for young people; bringing forward longterm

investments in infrastructure like roads  and schools; a temporary VAT cut which would

give families with children a boost of around  £450; a one year cut in VAT to 5 per cent on

home improvements and repairs to help small businesses; and tax breaks for small businesses

taking on extra workers.

The Tory-led Government refuses to listen to  people’s concerns. Far from being the safe haven

George Osborne claims it is, Britain’s recovery  was choked off last autumn – well before the

current crisis in the eurozone. We now know that there has been zero growth in our economy for

nine months. Japan is the only G7 country that has grown more slowly over the last year.

The decision by the Bank of England effectively to print more money shows that the

Government’s reckless plan is not working. In fact two years ago the Chancellor George Osborne

said doing this was “the last resort of desperate governments when all other policies have failed.”

But there’s only so much the Bank of England can do on its own. The Government needs to act

too. The real problem is that the Government is cutting spending and putting up taxes too far and

too fast. And the result is that families have been hit hard, the economy has ground to a halt and

more people are now out of work.


Unemployment is at its highest level in 17 years, with over 2.5 million people without a job. One in

five young people are out of work and there are now more women unemployed than any time

since 1988. And while 111,000 jobs have been lost in the public sector in the three months to

June, just 41,000 jobs have been created in the private sector.

Like every other country we’ve got to get our deficit down and that means tough decisions

on tax and spending cuts. But the Government doesn’t seem to understand that more people on

the dole – claiming benefits rather than paying taxes – will just make it harder and harder to get

the deficit down.

The International Monetary Fund has now warned that if things get any worse the Tory-led

Government will have to change course and slow down the cuts and tax rises. Business groups are

also calling on the Government to do more to get the economy growing again.

There is a better way – a real plan for jobs and growth to get our economy moving again and

help get the deficit down in a steadier and more balanced way.

And we must now lay the foundations for a new bargain in the future based on something-forsomething

values which reward responsibility, help us pay our way in the world and fulfil the promise of Britain. If David Cameron and George Osborne really understood how tough things are for families, pensioners and businesses they’d stop sitting on their hands and take action now.

There is a better way 

– a real plan for jobs and growth to get our economy moving again and help get

the deficit down in a steadier and more balanced way.

 
By trying to cut spending and raise taxes too far and too fast this Tory-led Government is getting our

economy into a vicious circle. By choking off the recovery and putting tens of thousands of people

on the dole, claiming benefits rather than paying taxes, the Government will make it harder to get the

deficit down. David Cameron’s austerity plan is hurting, but it isn’t working.

The Tories: Too Far, Too Fast

• The Tory-led Government’s decision to cut the deficit too far and too fast choked off the

economic recovery last autumn - well before the eurozone crisis of recent months.

• In the last nine months the UK economy has not grown at all.

• Over the last year Japan is the only G7 country to grow more slowly than the UK.

• Slower growth and higher unemployment means the Government is now set to borrow

£46 billion more over the next few years.• Unemployment is rising again and is currently

at the highest level in 17 years.

• The number of women unemployed is at its highest level since 1988.

• Almost one million young people are unable to find a job, the highest number since

comparable records began in 1992. But one of the first acts of the Tory-led Government

was to scrap Labour’s Future Jobs Fund which helped young people into work.

• The private sector is failing to fill the gap left by the Government’s public spending cuts

that go too far and too fast. more borrowing £46 billion young people unable to find a job one million


The effect of the Tory-led Government’s cuts in the West Midlands:

• The Tories have scrapped Labour’s Future Jobs Fund which helped 12,090 people in the West

Midlands into jobs.

• The number house building starts fell by 430 in the second quarter of 2011 compared to the same

quarter a year ago.

• 234,000 people in the West Midlands are unemployed as of October 2011.

• The Tories have scrapped Advantage West Midlands, the Regional Development Agency for the

area, despite the fact that in the last year of the Labour Government:

- Advantage West Midland’s regionally based and managed venture capital funds made 54

investments, totalling £5.1 million. This levered in £17.4 million of private funds

- Three major low carbon vehicle projects of national significance were launched, and the

region (with the East Midlands) has been recognised as the UK’s Low Carbon Area for

Advanced Automotive Engineering.

This is a really worrying time for families; struggling with higher food prices and gas bills and worried about their jobs and their children’s futures.

 There is a better way

 

September enews

September 2011
Walsall South To Contact Valerie: Westminster Office:
Telephone: 020 7219 7176
Email: valerie.vaz.mp@parliament.uk House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA Constituency Office:
Telephone: 01922 635835

FUN DAY AT ST MARY’S THE MOUNT

Valerie said: "I was delighted to attend the funfair day and to meet with the nuns who work so tirelessly to support our community." 114a Lichfield Street, Walsall. WS1 1SZ Valerie visited the Funfair Day at St Mary’s the Mount Parish on Saturday 10th September. The Funfair Day was organised by The Daughters of Divine Love in order to raise money for charity. Surgeries Valerie holds regular surgeries. To arrange an appointment, please call the Constituency Office on 01922 635835 For further information, please visit: http://www.valerievazmp.co.uk VALERIE OPPOSES CONTROVERSIAL HEALTH BILL Valerie voted against the Government’s Health and Social Care Bill at its third reading.
Valerie said: "This is a reckless, unnecessary and wasteful reorganisation of the NHS. I have received a very large number of e-mails and letters from constituents on this important issue and I know how concerned local people are about the Government’s proposals.
"The Government’s plans will break up the NHS as a national public service and are fundamen-tally weakening the Health Secretary’s responsibilities. The Bill still contains the essential ele-ments to set the NHS up as a full-scale market based on the model of the privatised utilities.
"I have consistently voted against the Bill and I am very disappointed that it has passed its Third Reading. I will continue to fight against the dismantling of our National Health Service."

MADE BY BRITAIN
On Saturday 10th September, Valerie visited Chuckery-based casting manufacturer Chamberlin and Hill and nomi-nated their turbocharger cast-ings to represent Walsall South in the Made by Britain scheme.
Valerie said: "Having been based here for 121 years, Chamberlin and Hill is a prime example of the best of Wal-sall’s successful manufacturing industry. "
"I am delighted to nominate Chamberlin and Hill’s turbo-charger castings as the product to represent Walsall South in the Made by Britain scheme. In 2010, around 10% of petrol engines were turbocharged. However, by 2015, ap-proximately 80-90% of car petrol engines are expected to be turbocharged. This will enable petrol engines to func-tion more efficiently and reduce emissions."
HEALTH COMMITTEE REPORTS  The Health Select Committee, of which Valerie is a mem-ber, published reports into the healthcare regulators Moni-tor and the Care Quality Commission on 14th September 2011.
The Committee’s report on Monitor made it clear that stan-dards for authorising Foundation Trusts should not fall due to increased pressure to become Foundation Trusts.
The report on the CQC criticised a "distortion of priorities" at the organisation, finding that a focus on administrative tasks had been at the expense of the core function of in-spection. The Committee found that this was the result of a lack of sufficiently clear priorities and objectives.

ALL CHANGE WITH BOUNDARIES

The Boundary Commission has published its proposed boundary changes following the Government’s decision to reduce the number of seats in the House of Commons by 50. The West Midlands is set to lose five seats, which Valerie opposes.
Proposals for Walsall South mean that the current wards would be divided between two constituencies, Walsall South and Walsall West– that is over 40% of the current Walsall South split between each of the new constituencies. Bentley & Darlaston North, Darlaston South and Pleck move into Walsall West and Paddock, Palfrey, Pheasey and St Mathews form part of the new Walsall South.
Valerie said: "I am sure that many residents will wish to participate in the public consultation phase. Details are available at
http://boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/ "
Valerie Backs Elderly Persons Social Centre Valerie is backing the Palfrey-based Elderly Persons Social Centre entry in the NatWest CommunityForce funding competition. If the cen-tre gains enough votes in an online poll, NatWest will donate £6000 towards its work in the community. To vote for the centre, please visit http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/3515
Valerie said: "I would encourage you to vote for the centre as its work is very important to large number of elderly people in the Palfrey area."

Proposed Boundary changes

The proposed new boundaries for parliamentary seats has just been published by the boundary commission with the idea of making all MPs represent around 75000 residents. The largest constituency was the Isle of Wight at over 100,000 so starting by reducing the size of the electorate over there , there is a knock effect nation wide plus there is proposed a reduction in the overall number of parliamentary seats. The new boundaries will be brought into place in October 2013.
Everyone is invited to comment over the next 84 days before the commission publish their final recommendations . You can see the proposals by logging into
http://consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/

You can also leave comments with us in Walsall Labour Party as we shall of course be looking carefully at the new proposals and will be happy to raise comments on your behalf.

Ian Robertson ( secretary Walsall South)

Please do your bit to hit illegal part of scrap wagons trade

Cashless Scrap Metal Trade - Amendment to Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964


Responsible department: Home Office

Due to a significant rise in value, metal has become a much sought after commodity. This increased demand has resulted in a sharp rise in metal theft nationally. Metal fencing, gates, manhole covers and other metallic items are stolen on a regular basis. Property is raided for lead, copper and cabling. War memorials and statues have been taken. Overhead power lines are stolen at serious risk to personal safety with huge costs for replacement and major inconvenience to the public. Historically the scrap metal trade has been a cash in hand industry. This creates difficulties as there is no audit trail, making identification of individuals who may be trading stolen metal or who may be committing tax or benefits fraud, a difficult proposition. An amendment to the Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964 to prohibit cash transactions would make payment by cheque or directly into a bank account mandatory and would be a significant component in reducing metal theft.

Please follow this link sign and forward to as many people as possible

Thanks

Ian Robertson

Walsall.

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/406

August newsletter

August 2011 Walsall South Valerie Vaz newsletter


VALERIE OPENS WALSALL SAMARITANS AWARENESS DAY

Valerie opened the Walsall Samaritans Awareness Day at the New Art Gallery, and unveiled the artwork, „A Call for Help,‟ donated free of charge by local artist Lynn Hughes.

Valerie said: “It is a privilege to open the Samaritans Awareness Day. The event is an excellent way for Walsall Samaritans to make more people aware of their vital work offering emotional support to people in need.”

Walsall Samaritans was set up in 1969 and is staffed and managed entirely by volunteers and paid for by donations. For each of the last three years Walsall Samaritans have seen an increase in contacts. In 2010, 18,900 contacts were made with the branch.

Valerie said: “It is important to recognise the commitment of the volunteers and to raise awareness of the Samaritans‟ vital service which provides confidential, 24-hour emotional support, available to everyone, every day of the year.”

VALERIE PRESENTS BILL FOR ADOPTION RIGHTS

Valerie introduced the Adoption (Leave, Pay and Allowance Arrangements) Bill to Parliament under the Ten Minute Rule procedure. Valerie identified 3 areas where there are inequalities between the statutory entitlements for adoptive parents and the entitlements for parents whose children were born to them: the eligibility for adoption leave; the different rates for the first 6 weeks of statutory maternity pay and statutory adoption pay; and maternity allowance, which is available to self-employed mothers but not to self-employed adopters.

Valerie said: “I am bringing in this Bill because more needs to be done to support people who do so much for society by adopting children who do not have families of their own. It cannot be right that the people who come forward to give children a family life and offer them a stable and secure environment are not currently entitled to the same support as other parents.”

The Bill is listed for second reading on 20th January 2012.

VALERIE FIGHTS AGAINST PHONE MAST

The phone mast recently erected at the junction of Bea-con Road and Waverley Avenue in Pheasey, will be removed. The mast was put up despite Walsall Council refusing Vodafone planning permission. Residents raised their concerns with Valerie.

Valerie‟s suggestion to the Council of obtaining a second legal opinion on the position led to the issuing of an enforcement notice. The notice would require the removal of the mast within 3 months of the service of the notice.

The Council have also met with Vodafone to look at other sites.

PUBLIC DISORDER

Parliament was recalled on the 11th August due to the recent rioting in London and around England. Despite rioting and looting in parts of the West Midlands, Walsall Town Centre was secure thanks to the police and local authority.

Valerie said: “I want to thank the police and the local authority for working together protect the Town Centre.”

HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE

The Health Select Committee, of which Valerie is a member, published its report into Complaints and Litigation. They found that the current com-plaints system is not effective, and called for an overhaul of the role of the Health Service Ombudsman. Valerie said:

“The Government need to be clear about how com-plaints will be handled. It is important that information gathered during com-plaints procedures is properly reported and analysed, in order to avoid systematic weaknesses being over-looked.”

The Committee recognised that the number of general NHS complaints has gone up, and that action should be taken to resolve this. More than 100,000 complaints were made in 2009/2010, a 13.4% increase on the previous year.

To Contact Valerie:

Westminster Office: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

Telephone: 020 7219 7176

Email: valerie.vaz.mp@parliament.uk Constituency Office: 114a Lichfield Street, Walsall. WS1 1SZ Telephone: 01922 635835

Surgeries Valerie holds regular surgeries. To arrange an appointment, please call the Constituency Office on 01922 635835

For further information, please visit: http://www.valerievazmp.co.uk

enewsletter

Valerie has welcomed Walsall Borough Council’s decision to look at introducing a 30-minute parking  amnesty on Ablewell Street. Since the introduction of charges on 7th March 2011, businesses have seen a decline in trade of up to 50%.

Valerie raised the issue in the House of Commons in a Pre-Recess Adjournment Debate on 24th

May 2011 after which she presented a 700-name petition to Parliament. Walsall Borough Council  subsequently announced that they will be looking in to the possibility of introducing 30-minute parking amnesties on Ablewell Street and Lichfield Street.

Valerie said: “The Ablewell street traders have made it clear that they need a 30-minute amnesty to restore trade. The Federation of Small Businesses also contacted me about the local traders’ concerns.”

“I have also heard from the traders on Bridge Street who have had difficulty in receiving deliveries due to parking restrictions and I will continue to work to address this issue.”

Valerie Discusses Epilepsy Bill with the Prime Minister

To Contact Valerie:

Westminster Office: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

Telephone: 020 7219 7176

Email: valerie.vaz.mp@parliament.uk

Constituency Office: 114a Lichfield Street, Walsall. WS1 1SZ

Telephone: 01922 635835

Surgeries

Valerie holds regular surgeries. To arrange an appointment, please call the Constituency Office on 01922 635835

For further information, please visit: http://www.valerievazmp.co.uk

Walsall South July 2011

VALERIE VISITS WALSALL FC

Valerie visited Walsall FC following local concern about the sale of

Banks’ Stadium. Valerie met with the club’s  Chairman, Jeff Bonser

and Chief Executive,

Stefan Gamble.

Valerie said; “Walsall

FC is important in bringing the town together and raising the national

profile of the town. It is very important that the  Club’s long term future

is assured.”

VALERIE CELEBRATES REINTRODUCTION OF 639 ROUTE

VALERIE WELCOMES NEWS THAT COUNCIL WILL LOOK AT 30

MINUTE PARKING AMNESTY ON ABLEWELL STREET

Photo by Alan Williams

On Wednesday 27th July, Valerie and local campaigners celebrated the launch of

the new 38 bus service from Kings Hill in Darlaston to the Manor Hospital and Walsall town centre.

The 639 bus was withdrawn in January 2009. Local residents and campaigners,

Julie Bosley and Doreen Laban, visited Valerie at her surgery with a petition from  residents to ask for her support to reinstate the route. Valerie pursued this by writing  to Centro, National Express West Midlands and each of the local bus operators. Valerie also presented the petition to Parliament.

Valerie said: “I am delighted that National Express West Midlands have listened to the views of local people. People had to take three buses to reach the hospital. This  was particularly difficult for senior citizens and women with children. The new 38 route will have a real impact on people’s quality of life.”

At Prime Minister’s Questions on 22nd June 2011, Valerie asked the Prime

Minister to meet with her to discuss her ten minute rule bill on Epilepsy and

Related Conditions. Valerie said: “I wanted to raise this matter directly with the Prime Minister.

There are almost 1000 deaths from epilepsy related causes each year and

400 of these are potentially avoidable. What is required is immediate referral

to a tertiary specialist and assessments in schools to indentify young

people’s needs.”

“The Prime Minister agreed to meet with me and the epilepsy experts and I

am hopeful that we can make real progress on this matter.”

june news from Valerie Vaz MP

Valerie hosted the launch of Walsall College’s Accredited Skills for Industry (ASFI) programme at the House of Commons.
The programme has been developed in partnership with SEMTA, the manufacturing skills council and employers, including Accord Housing Group, where a qualification supporting energy efficiency and retrofit technologies has been developed.
Valerie said; "I was delighted to welcome Walsall College to the House of Commons to celebrate their new qualifications pro-gramme. Chief Executive Amarjit Basi and his colleagues have worked hard to achieve this. The new links between education, industry and skills councils will be a great asset for the young peo-ple of Walsall."
Valerie secured a debate in the House of Commons on the new parking charges in Walsall Town Centre. After the debate, she presented a petition of more than 700 names to Parliament.
The rigorously enforced charges were introduced on 7
Valerie said; "These parking charges have hit local businesses hard at a time when trading conditions are already challenging. It is vital that Walsall Borough Council reconsiders these charges in light of clear evidence that they hinder the very busi-nesses we need to flourish in order for the economy to get back on track". th March and since then local businesses have reported a significant fall in trade—some by as much as 50%. Valerie asked the Education Secretary, Michael Gove MP, about plans to replace skilled outreach workers in Sure Start Centres with health visitors.
During Education Questions in the House of Com-mons Valerie explained that skilled outreach workers in Sure Start Centres have been very successful in driving outreach projects.
These include a Fathers’ Club held at Palfrey Sure Start that 84 fathers attended. It was the first in the country to be rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted. To Contact Valerie: Westminster Office:
Telephone: 020 7219 7176 House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA Constituency Office:
Telephone: 01922 635835
Email: valerie.vaz.mp@parliament.uk 114a Lichfield Street, Walsall. WS1 1SZ Surgeries Valerie holds regular surgeries. To arrange an appointment, please call the Constituency Office on 01922 635835 For further information, please visit: http://www.valerievazmp.co.uk June 2011 Valerie Challenges Minister Over "Medical Model" Sure Start Plans
Valerie Hosts Walsall College Launch Event at the House of Commons Valerie Secures Parking Charges Debate Walsall South Valerie Attacks Women’s Pension Changes The Government recently published plans to force women in their late fifties to wait 18 months longer to receive their state pension.
Valerie said; "When money and financial planning are tight, the impact of this is huge and very unfair. Many women in their late fifties are being forced to change their retirement plans with only a very few years notice. This is very unjust."
On 20th June, the Pensions Bill received its Second Reading in the House of Commons. Valerie with Walsall College Principal, Amarjit Basi, ASFI Board member, Chris Hunt and ASFI Managing Director, Sue Reynolds.