Update from Adrian Sanders, MP for Torbay Increasing Our Healthcare Spending The new five-year plan for the NHS has been unveiled and it reveals that during the next Parliament, there could be an annual £30 billion shortfall in funding. While alterations to services can help reduce this, there would still need to be an extra £8 billion funding each year, on top of inflation. Throughout the party conference season there were pledges from all sides to help protect the NHS. However, only the Lib Dems are calling for more funding next year and at least one billion more in each year after that. On top of that commitment to increased spending, the Lib Dems are also the only party planning to put equality for mental health treatment at the centre of new NHS services, something also highlighted in the plan. As part of the UK’s healthcare which has been neglected in the past, it is only right that it receives the attention it deserves. Getting the Most From the Money Advice Service Last week in Westminster, the Money Advice Service held an event highlighting the role that debt plays in the lives of many of us. In difficult times, but even in easier times, debt is an unfortunate fact of life for many households and can very easily get out of hand. This is especially true in Torbay, which suffers from significant seasonal variations in income and business and sees lower wages than other parts of the country. Recent figures actually show that over one-fifth of people in the Torbay local authority are over indebted, ranking 137th out of the country’s 406 Unitary Authorities. Any move to extend regional pay to health, education, police, fire, local government etc., would hit our economy very hard indeed and I’m pleased that my Party has blocked the idea in Coalition. For those affected by debt, there is an array of groups and organisations that can help. The Money Advice Service itself is a brilliant source of advice, which can be tailored depending on people’s own situation. Over the past year, Torbay has also generated its own sources of help. The Devon based Plough and Share credit union, with a branch at Hele’s Angels, has been doing fantastic work helping people to avoid the pay-day lenders. They estimate that each year they are helping people save almost £100,000 in interest compared to the doorstep lender. Good advice and trustworthy financial help is out there so long as people know how to find it. Money is one of those topics which people find hard to talk about it, but if you’re having difficulties, talking can be the first step to getting things sorted. More info can be found at: moneyadviceservice.org.uk helesangels.org.uk/index.php/money-advice ploughandshare.co.uk/ If you have a few pounds to spare why not invest as I have in the credit union so they can help more people avoid the loan sharks this coming Christmas time. Protecting the Human Rights Act Over the past few weeks we’ve been hearing a lot about David Cameron’s plans to scrap the Human Rights Act, something which has escalated further now that plans to limit immigration rights have been publicly criticised by the EU. The UK has a long history of upholding human rights throughout the world and in 1959, it was we who proposed the creation of the European Court of Human Rights (ECRH), largely at the suggestion of Winston Churchill. However some people are ready to demolish this proud history just so they can restrict the rights of EU migrant workers. If we scrap the Human Rights Act, it would allow any Government to pick and choose which human rights they adhere to. As a result, we would no longer be able to advocate the importance of human rights across the world, at a time when human rights are more important than ever in all continents around the world. Opponents of the Act are reacting to a tabloid newspaper view of the world, risking individuals’ basic human rights for the sake of immigration purposes. The recent surge in support for UKIP and the election of their first MP are certainly linked to this. One cannot help but fear the Conservatives are simply reacting in the hope it will bring back disaffected former supporters lured away by Mr Farage. I am a staunch supporter of the Human Rights Act, and believe it provides the bedrock of basic inalienable rights which should be afforded to everyone regardless of race, colour or creed. To abandon it will weaken Britain’s voice in the world and ability to persuade others to observe human rights. Championing New Lottery Funding Good news was recently announced that Torbay Community Development Trust has received a £6 million lottery grant supporting their work to help stop social exclusion in The Bay. We all know of the terrible isolation that many older people face in our communities. The lottery grant is aimed at helping to tackle this problem head on. By supporting community projects and helping older people to reconnect with their friends and neighbours, the Trust hope to both improve the lives of older people while also dispelling some of the negative perceptions that younger people have towards older people in the community. Torbay Community Development Trust‘s work has been particularly important in recent years as much needed funding has suffered in the recession. Hopefully the new lottery funding and the boost that it gives the Trust will help them to go on to more great things in Torbay. Adrian In Westminster •I questioned rail chiefs on the need for better railways and improved resilience for the railway network in the South West in the Transport Select Committee. •Last week I hosted the Devon Law Society Reception in Parliament and met with local solicitors who came to Westminster. •Met with representatives of the International Diabetes Federation to discuss better ways of addressing diabetes globally. •Spoke to school groups who travelled to London from Cuthbert Mayne School about life in politics and my work as an MP. •Joined with the Dogs Trust and the League Against Cruel Sports as they launched their new campaigns for dog micro-chipping and the ending of greyhound racing. Adrian In Torbay •On 16th October I welcomed Care Minister Norman Lamb (right, with local carer Pippa Reynolds) to Torbay to discuss the important work that carers do in the constituency and listen to carers’ own experiences at Torquay’s Memory Clinic. •Addressed local employers at the PLUSS Conference in Torquay to encourage and promote the employment of those with disabilities. •Attended South Devon College’s Apprenticeships Awards and Graduation Ceremony at the Imperial Hotel to help back the Government’s support for apprenticeships and local businesses. •Held meetings with Glen Mayhew, South Devon Police Superintendent, Damian Offer from the Coast & Countryside Trust and Charles Uzzel from Torbay Council. •Collected signature in Paignton town centre with the K.O.P. (Keep Oldway for the People) campaign Upcoming Events in the Bay •Kents Cavern Halloween Fun: 25th October-2nd November - Cave tours, trails and pumpkin hunts at Kents Cavern, Torquay •Monster Saturday - All About Egypt: 1st November - Explore the world of Ancient Egypt this weekend at the Torquay Museum •Sherwell Valley Primary School Bonfire Night: 5th November - Celebrate Bonfire Official Night in style at Sherwell Valley Primary School. Can I Help You? Contact me at: [email protected] or drop in to my office at: 69 Belgrave Road Torquay, Devon TQ2 5HZ Tel: 200036 Next Advice Surgeries Saturday 8th November: 10.00 - 11.30am - St. Martins Church Hall, Barton Hill Road, Torquay, TQ2 Thursday 13th November: 3.30 - 5.00pm - Paignton Library, Great Western Road, Paignton, TQ4 5AG Saturday 22nd November: 10.00 - 11.30am - Swim Torquay, Marnham Road, Torquay, TQ1 3QP Friday 5th December: 2.00 - 3.30pm - Watcombe Community Centre, Medway Road, Torquay, TQ2 8SA Can you help me? My ability to raise the issues that matter to people and help them to get things done is down to the efforts of volunteers and donors. If you would be interested in helping me locally in Torbay, please get in touch on 01803 411816 or email [email protected]. There are lots of different things you can do: •Putting up a poster in your window at election time •Delivering leaflets near where you live •Making phone calls •Entering data into computers •Doing clerical work •Organising social / fundraising events •Canvassing (calling on people door-to-door) •Standing in a local election If you are able to help towards our costs by making a donation, please go to adriansanders.org/#involved and click on the Donate button. Alternatively, you can send a cheque, made payable to Torbay Liberal Democrats, FREEPOST RSBS-KBTE-CSJR, Paignton TQ4 5BR. Join the Liberal Democrats The Liberal Democrats are making a difference in government. Changes we have spent months or years campaigning for are happening. But this isnt the end of the story. We have always depended on the support of our members - and we still do. Weve never had the big business or trade union cash the other parties can count on. By joining the Liberal Democrats today, you can be part of the Liberal Democrat team in government. You can give us the strength to make sure this government gets on with the job of bringing real change to Britain. Membership of the Liberal Democrats can cost as little as £12, or less if you are eligible for concessions. You can find out more at libdems.org.uk/join
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 17:11:29 +0000
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