It was a great pleasure last week to meet the staff at CASBA, Ginny, Becky and Sally, along with the participants in CASBA’s Link group. During term time, CASBA run LINK in Selly Oak, which is a self-advocacy group that empowers disabled people from south Birmingham to get active in their local communities to ensureContinue reading VISIT TO CASBA
Public sector pension fund in meltdown: Botched system upgrade has thrown West Midlands Pension Fund members into crisis Pensioners in my constituency have been left without incomes for months on end after one of the largest public sector retirement funds in the country went into meltdown. And I’m sure that this is affecting many more pensionersContinue reading Public sector pension fund in meltdown: Botched system upgrade has thrown West Midlands Pension Fund members into crisis
The TV drama ‘Mr Bates versus the Post Office’ has really captured our attention with its unbelievable story of the Horizon scandal and the despicable behaviour of the Post Office in persecuting and destroying the lives of innocent people. Sometimes, especially during difficult economic periods, it’s tempting to see the arts and creative sector asContinue reading Show faith in creative arts
It was fantastic to meet with the staff from the Grant Arms and Stonegate Group recently at the newly re-opened pub. I was really happy to have been told that Stonegate Group were investing £230,000 in the Grant Arms Kings Norton recently, which had otherwise have had to close due to the financial burdens experiencedContinue reading Visit to the Grant Arms pub
I was appalled by the decision made by train operators to limit the train ticket office consultation to 21 days. After being heavily challenged the operators have now extended the deadline until Friday 1 September. Please read my objection letter to West Midlands Trains below. I have visited all three stations in my constituency, IContinue reading Stop the closure of our train ticket offices
Last week, I attended the Department for Work and Pensions Committee Evidence Session regarding the Plan for Jobs and Employment Support. I used this opportunity to raise the suggestion of continuing support beyond the point of obtaining employment. I am keen for the government to learn from initiatives such as ‘Thrive into Work’, a schemeContinue reading Employment Support Needs Improving
This week I asked the Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills about the £600 million levy returned to the Treasury due to the drop of apprenticeship starts this year. Given the skills shortages affecting our economy, it would make sense to let businesses in my constituency and elsewhere utilise at least some of that returned moneyContinue reading What is the Government doing with the apprenticeship levy?
As a Labour MP, I believe those who can work should work. In his budget, the Chancellor announced “universal support”, which he described as a new approach to helping more people with disabilities into work. He has yet to tell us how he plans to fund “universal support”, an issue I raised in the budgetContinue reading Compassion and Fairness
The Works and Pensions Select Committee is currently conducting an inquiry into jobs. There are three main issues.: shortages in key areas affecting growth and outcomes, too few people with the right skills, and deprivation which limits opportunity. Our inquiry is considering how other countries are dealing with these problems. One of our biggest concernsContinue reading Introducing Mentors
In his first public address of the New Year, the Prime Minister made five pledges which he says are the foundations for a better future. After thirteen years, aren’t we entitled to more than laying the foundations? He says he’ll half inflation before the end of the year which, as Chancellor, he let rip. OfContinue reading We Deserve a Lot Better
