Prescription charges are set to rise to £9.90 per item on May 1st, the day before millions go to the polls in council and mayoral elections, at a time when patient groups report people are going without essential medicines because of the cost-of-living crisis. Community Pharmacy, England has described it as ‘a tax on theContinue reading Support Our Pharmacies
Following my visit to the Hub on the Green , which provides a warm space for those who feel isolated or unable to heat their homes, I urged the Pensions Minister to do more to ensure low-income pensioners are in receipt of Pension Credit. Research by Age UK shows that over 50% of over-60s are worried about beingContinue reading Pension Credit: Why are low-income pensioners still missing out on pension credit?
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
Today I am launching my 2023 Reverse Advent Calendar campaign. Can you join me and also encourage your family, friends, neighbours and workmates to get involved too? I seem to keep saying this but sadly it is true, the need for food banks is once more at a record high, the Trussell Trust network gave out close to 3Continue reading Christmas Reverse Advent Calendar 2023
Rishi Sunak wants to be your friend, at least he wants to be somebody’s friend. Last week he posed for pictures at a pub on the very day he increased taxes on your favourite tipple. He claims it’s a public health measure, protecting us from ourselves. It means almost another £1 on a bottle ofContinue reading PM sounds way too much like a fair-weather pal
When Keir Starmer asked about the Tories abandoning targets for house building last week, the PM sought to make light of it and claimed it was about respect for local democracy. It means he’s ditching the long-held ambition to build 300,000 new homes per year and finally get to grips with our housing crisis. HisContinue reading Heartless Over Homes
It’s hard to imagine now that the mantra of Tony Blair’s government was once, ‘Education, Education, Education’. A recent survey reveals that two thirds of schools in England are facing budget deficits which will lead to staff cuts and reductions in other services, including mental health support. Too many of our children aren’t getting theContinue reading Shadow Education Secretary Bridget sets out mantra
After the period of mourning, attention turns once again to the hardships facing many people in Britain today. The Prime Minister and her new Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, say tax cuts are the answer but I have my doubts. His decision to reverse National Insurance increases without any additional plans to support the NHS can onlyContinue reading Chancellor’s ‘fiscal event’ is a non-event for the struggling
The Labour MP for Selly Oak, Steve McCabe MP was in parliament today to hear the newly appointed Prime Minister, Liz Truss, address the House of Commons for the first time on energy prices during her first Prime Minister’s Questions today. Liz Truss is expected to announce her response to soaring energy bills tomorrow, which SellyContinue reading Steve McCabe Comments on New PM’s Cost of Living Plan
News last week that Labour had taken a 15-point poll lead, biggest since 2013, may have surprised some but there’s a simple explanation. People have spent the hot summer relieved at not having to think how they’ll cope when winter comes. Later this week Ofgem, the regulator supposed to help consumers, will announce a secondContinue reading Government feeling heat
