East Coast - not good enough for its own bosses?
21 Dec 2011
Ian has hit out at planned average 5.9% rail fare rises.
He says that the publicly owned East Coast already is highly profitable and is simply being told by government to hike the fares.
Ian said,
"I don't think East Coast have any real interest in putting these rises on. I think they are clearly being told to do it to maximise revenue to the treasury. East Coast mainline is making a massive profit already and there is no economic justification for the rises on that line.
"Meanwhile, the Government is pumping money into upgrades to the London Underground and the high-speed rail link to Birmingham. But for people in the North-East to connect with the major part of the economy which is the South East, they are having to pay through the nose for the pleasure."
Ian and Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central, have held a meeting with Greg Barker, Minister of State (Climate Change), about the future of solar energy jobs.
This follows the government's sudden decision to cut the feed in tariffs for people who have their own solar panels. The tariff was cut from 43.3p to 21p per kilowatt hour making the installation much less attractive and causing major job losses at Carillion, formerly Eaga, in the region.
Ian and Chi Onwurah issued a statement saying:
"We had a cordial and businesslike discussion with the Energy Minister Greg Barker about the consequences of the Government decision to slash feed-in tariffs for the solar power industry.
"This has badly affected North-East based company Carillion, forcing them to issue 1,500 redundancy notices. We are moderately hopeful that the Government will consider its strategy to provide some abatement to the solar power sector in general and Carillion in particular.
"We felt that the minister understood our perspective and we hope that he will act upon it. We don't want to raise false expectations, there is many a slip twixt cup and lip but we are cautiously optimistic of some change that would help ease the current situation.
"Solar power is an important part of the energy mix and we don't want to see it hit for six when there are relatively small modifications that are in the minister's power to make in advance of the Green Deal which is due late next year."
15 Dec 2011
As unemployment continues to rise, Ian says he thinks it will get even worse.
In the three months to October 12,000 jobs in the North-East went and at 11.7%, the region's jobless rate is the worst in the country and the worst since John Major was PM.
Ian said,
"I am afraid to say it will get worse. We saw a forecast from the respected Standard Charter bank only earlier this week which is suggestion the UK will fall back into recession next year with the economy shrinking by 1.3%.
"The Government is sucking money out of public services and depressing spending power on the High Street.
And it doesn't help when the government suddenly decides to slash the subsidy for solar power which puts jobs at Carillion at risk."
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East Coast - not good enough for its own bosses?
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Ian has condemned the payment, ultimately by the taxpayer, for flights from Scotland to London by an East Coast rail director.
Commercial director Peter Williams was paid over £1400 for seven flights from Glasgow to London instead of using the trains he helps manage.
Ian said,
"The very least I would expect is that senior managers would use their own service, it's free to them, they could go first class if they wanted to. It is important they can see the same service passengers get.
"I know that East Coast has been suffering from problems in punctuality and performance and that some of this is not their fault, when you look at cable thefts for example, but I would have much more confidence in the management to turn this around if they were not spending money like this.
"What does it say to the travelling public if train line directors are travelling with a rival rather than use their own service?"
East Coast say the flights were for "business needs" because Mr Williams lives in Scotland.
Ian is a member of the all-parliamentary rail in the North group.
18 Nov 2011
Ian has praised the valued contribution of unpaid carers
He was guest speaker today at the Gateshead Carer's Association Annual General Meeting. It is a registered charity that supports carers living and working in Gateshead. It is estimated that there are between 21000 and 25000 carers living in Gateshead.
A carer is anybody who provides unpaid for help and support to someone who would otherwise not be able to manage his / her daily life because of frailty, physical disability, learning disability, mental health issues or substance misuse.
Carers in Gateshead feel that they are the forgotten voluntary workforce whose contribution both to the lives of those they care for and the local and national economy is immense. The most recent research suggests that the contribution of each carer saves public bodies over £18000pa.
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Yunus Bakhsh
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Ian Mearns and John Mcdonnell MP are both calling for a parliamentary investigation into the actions of the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust after a judge slammed the trust after it used hundreds of thousands of pounds of public money deliberately to defy a court order.
Yunus Bakhsh, a mental health nurse with the trust, won over £100,000 from the trust for unlawful sacking, disability discrimination and their defiance of a court order to reinstate him.
Ian said,
"I hope all this is not indicative of a bigger problem at the trust, but without a parliamentary investigation we might never know.
"The judge's comments were a sad indictment of the trust and the way it has behaved. Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been wasted on a significant folly. Frankly those involved don't come across as being people on top of their brief and they were really strongly slapped down by the judge, which is not something you often see.
"I think it's clear from the tribunal ruling that they never had any intention of taking Mr Bakhsh back, and given how bad the judgement was for them I think if he was to pursue a claim for costs he would have a very, very good chance of winning his case. I'm going to speak to other MPs but I think there is a clear view that others would support a move to refer it to the Public Accounts Committee."
Ian has gone the extra mile - ten in fact - to help raise money for our heroes.
On Saturday, he joined a 10 mile walk along the Tyne from Baltic Square to Scotswood Bridge on the Gateshead side and then over Scotswood bridge and back to Baltic square walking on the Newcastle side (but finishing in Gateshead).
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Ian (left), Phil Wilson MP and Kevan Jones MP (right) after the walk, suitably attired. | The group assembled after the walk, Ian front, third from left |
Ian said,
"I was more than happy to turn out and join this walk for such a good cause. Our owe a great debt to all our service men and women, past and present, and supporting the work of the Royal British Legion is just one way people can help.
"Thanks to all those who helped out and sponsored me for this."
The walk took Ian 2 hrs and 40 mins. It was in aid of the Royal British Legion's 90th Anniversary and Ian has made £470 in sponsorship.
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Ian in the Commons - ready to scream?
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Ian has vowed to scream when he hears the words "we are all in this together" from the government benches.
This comes in a letter to The Guardian in which he attacks the 'eye watering' 50% pay rises of top directors while others see pay frozen and reducing in real terms.
Ian's letter reads:
News that directors of the top 100 FTSE companies have taken eye-watering pay increases of nearly 50% in the past financial year (The rich keep grasping while the young poor face freefall, 29 October) will be greeted with real anger by all those whose pay is frozen, those who have to pay more for their pensions and those whose utility bills are rising sharply. Do they have no sense of proportion? Where are the British equivalents of the European and American billionaires who have openly conceded that they should pay more tax - rightly described as the subscription to a civilised society?
The selfish mentality of what can be dubbed the British Tea Party tendency was also on ugly display in the Commons earlier this week when some Tory backwoodsmen bayed about the alleged tens of millions that helps sustain lay trade union representatives in our workplaces. They talked as if they were Bolshevik agitators, but ignored the fact that such representatives play a vital role in negotiating pay and conditions, preventing disputes, avoiding strikes and upholding health and safety rules, which benefit not just those at work but members of the public using their buildings and facilities. The next time someone on the government benches dares to utter the phrase "We are all in this together", I promise I will scream!
Ian Mearns MP
Labour, Gateshead
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Ian with volunteers at the Low Fell Marie Curie shop
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Ian spent this morning helping out at the Marie Curie shop in Low Fell.
He volunteered as part of the Marie Curie Cancer Care 'Making a Difference Day' at the shop in Durham Road where he dressed two mannequins, served customers and chatted to the volunteers in the store.
The society provides free high quality care to people with terminal cancer and other illnesses in their own homes and through their hospices. In England, 65% of people say they want to die at home, but in Gateshead 69% of people die in hospital against 54% across the whole of England.
Ian said,
"It was a privilege to be able to volunteer even if just for a short time and highlight the invaluable work done by Marie Curie and the vital role their shops play in raising the funds to carry on this work.
"We would all like to think that when our time comes, we could die in a place of our own choosing, but sadly for many people with terminal illnesses, this isn't the case, so I applaud the work of this team of volunteers who do so much to help others."
In 2010-11 Marie Curie nurses paid 108,258 visits to 16,134 patients and 1589 patients were admitted to Marie Curie hospices in England, including one in Newcastle. Of these 908 went back home and only 39 to hospital.
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Anna Mace with Ian and her petition
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Anna Mace, who lives in Gateshead, has taken her own action against cutbacks to disability benefits.
On Friday Anna, who is profoundly disabled, got a visit from Ian because she produced a petition which due to her efforts gained over 350 signatures.
Ian said,
"Anna has shown great courage and determination since being left profoundly disabled in a wheelchair in 2000. All credit to her for producing her own petition and the fact that it's paper only rather than on-line makes her 350 signatures all the more noteworthy."
Anna's petition reads:
- We are against the severity of the cuts that affect the disabled, vulnerable people, carers and families
- We understand cuts have to be made BUT information keeps changing to why and how we are losing.
- People have individual needs BUT the cuts are grouping people together in "boxes" and not focusing on the individual care needed.
- No communication between council and service users, hitting those who can't fight back.
- Once benefits have been reduced there is not help or options to support the individual with the loss of quality of their life.
Anna was struck down with Porphyria in 2000 which has left her wheelchair bound, but undeterred.
19 Oct 2011
Ian has said that people in Gateshead and the North-East are willing to work but are being prevented by government spending cuts.
He was speaking after the shock announcement that Allied Bakeries was to close their Kingsmill plant on Team Valley with the loss of 100 jobs.
Ian said,
"Only last week figures showed unemployment in Gateshead was up around 11.5% and from the job centres we hear that over nine people are chasing every vacancy. This just adds more people into that already crowded jobs market.
"What I think what's interesting is that the firm say this closure is in no way a reflection on the efforts of employees. It just shows how tough the commercial world is that the workers did everything they could and yet the decision has gone against them.
"But I think it also demonstrates why the North East should be looked at by the government to help rebuild the economy. People here are willing and able to work but cannot because the government's public sector spending cuts are having a knock on effect in the private sector."
The existing distribution and transport depot on the site will remain open but the company is not going to spend money to upgrade the bakery which is 75 years old.
27 Sep 2011
Ian has praised Ed Miliband's speech to the Labour conference.
He said that the ideas that the leader had set out would resonate with voters and showed there was 'clear blue water' between Labour and the Tories.
Ian said,
"Ed [Miliband] set out a series of arguments that will resonate with the voters of Gateshead.
"I think the message is there which is trying to show the clear blue water, if you want to use that term, between us and the Tories. It was there is abundance. I think Labour is back in the game."
26 Sep 2011
Ian has urged ministers to make a move to prevent a strike on the Metro.
The RMT union is to ballot its members over strike action over pensions and talks are to be held this week, but Ian thinks the government should help bring about a settlement.
Ian said,
"It affects people in my constituency as well as the people who are employed on the Metro.
"I'm not going to criticise people for protecting their livelihoods and their futures. I think we've got to try to do what we can to avert industrial action. I would obviously always urge anybody who is in this situation to try to come to a resolution but given the way the Government is acting I'm not going to hold my breath.
"The Metro has an massive economic impact on the region - it's the way in which people get to their places of employment."
The strike is planned for November 30th to join with the TUC's national day of action. The strike would cause travel chaos across Tyne and Wear.
The three hundred staff to be balloted used to work for Nexus but are now employed by DB Regio who run the Metro.
Ian has welcomed the news that a Gateshead company has been shortlisted in a national awards scheme.
Palintest has been shortlisted as one of the most improved companies in the UK under the Institution of Mechanical Engineers' Manufacturing Excellence Awards 2011.
Ian said,
"It's fantastic news that Palintest has been shortlisted for a Manufacturing Excellence Award, and particularly heartening to see it shortlisted as the most improved company.
"Manufacturing Excellence is all about helping businesses, like Palintest, improve and excel, and I hope the company can inspire more local manufacturers to take part in the Manufacturing Excellence programme."
The company exports its water testing kits, photometers and reagents to countries all over the world. The winner in each category will be presented with their awards in London on 23 November.
13 Sep 2011
Ian has commented on the proposals for a radical redrawing of constituency boundaries.
He was heavily critical of the Boundary Commission for England which drew up the plans but would not comment on his personal situation.
Ian said,
"The bottom line is that it is up to the people who live in those wards who they want to represent them. So I might or might not be in competition with those who might or might not be standing."
They propose a Jarrow and Gateshead East constituency which includes all the wards in the existing Jarrow constituency, except for two, and also includes four wards from the existing Gateshead constituency.
They also propose a Gateshead West constituency, which includes six wards from the existing Gateshead constituency and five wards from the existing Blaydon constituency, which, due to the changes that we have proposed elsewhere in the region, would no longer exist.
The following three wards from the existing Blaydon constituency: Ryton, Crookhill and Stella; Crawcrook and Greenside; and Chopwell and Rowlands Gill, of the Borough of Gateshead will be added to the Hexham constituency.
A twelve week consultation is now underway from 13 September 2011 to
5 December 2011. You can make your views known about local changes by email to northeast@bcommengland.x.gsi.gov.uk or by writing to the Boundary Commission for England, 35 Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BQ.
Locations and date of public hearing:
Newcastle The Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8QH
Monday 14 -Tuesday 15 November 2011
There is more information on their website at www.consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk.
7 Sep 2011
Ian is taking action to stop the illegal sale of prescribed methadone.
He is tabling a commons motion and seeking a meeting with the Health Minister to stop the problem which arises because those on the programme are supervised during the week but not at weekends and some users have been selling the prescribed drug with fatal consequences for some.
Ian said,
"The tragic loss of four young lives to methadone abuse in recent months should be an urgent wake up call to close the loophole identified by the police.
"I am tabling a Commons motion supporting calls by the police for methadone to be dispensed and taken under supervision in the pharmacy rather than trusting that users won't be tempted to sell on some supplies.
"I shall also alert the Health Minister and seek an urgent meeting to discuss how to close this loophole to try and prevent more young lives from being ended so prematurely."
Ian's Commons motion reads:
"This House deeply regrets the loss of four young lives to methadone abuse in recent months in Gateshead; notes that this has occurred thanks to a loophole identified by the police which allows registered users who don't take the drug at the point of prescription to sell on some of their prescribed dose; supports calls by senior police officers for methadone to be dispensed and taken under supervision in the pharmacy; and urges the Health Minister to take action as a matter of urgency."
Methadone is used to help heroine addicts reduce their addiction and the substitute is taken under supervision in the week but at weekends the methadone is given to the users. Four deaths have so far resulted from addicts selling the methadone instead of taking it and its effects on non addicts can be fatal.
Women in Gateshead are already feeling the effects of changes in the last year.
Ian surveyed all the women who had been in touch with him and asked how their lives had changed and the results were worrying to Ian.
Spending is down for three quarters of women, and two thirds cannot find suitable childcare. He found that over half were worried about crime and terrorism, the same number have no plans to face the increase in retirement age. Just under half save less and worry about job security.
Ian said,
"This is a listening exercise by me as a public representative and will be a regular feature as I sound out different groups and interests in Gateshead.
"I have been elected and asked to use my best judgement in defending and promoting the interests of Gateshead but I want to be as well informed as possible."
The survey revealed how much local women depend on local services and they are already felling negative changes.
After the Chancellor of the Exchequer refused to publish a report into the sale of Northern Rock, Ian has a list of questions for him.
The decision not to publish was announced in the answer to a parliamentary question and has caused outrage.
Ian said,
"If there are no bidders, what is commercially sensitive? What expressions of interest have they had? When is the deadline for such expressions? "What would be the minimum that Government would accept as a bid if the cash value of the bid is the 'most important factor'? What will the cost to the taxpayer be if there are substantial job losses? Why the rush?"
Other MPs and Lord Jeremy Beecham, a former leader of Newcastle City Council, also are demanding the report be published.
4 Aug 2011
As Northern Rock moves towards profitability, Ian has welcomed this but said there was more at stake than the bottom line.
Rock chairman Ron Sandler has also not ruled out remutualisation but says the bank would act in the best interests of the taxpayer.
Ian said,
"What we as northern MPs are looking for is a better solution all round, not just for the taxpayer but for the Northern Rock Foundation and the future of an important employment base for North East of England.
"All these things have got to be looked at, not just the bottom line. If you don't, you are not getting the best long-term return for taxpayers."
Ian is asking women in Gateshead how their lives have changed since the general election.
Women in the Gateshead who have previously contacted Ian are receiving a letter about this, but the Listening Forum survey is open all women who live in Gateshead constituency.
The link to the survey is: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3WZX5JC
Ian's letter reads:
Dear Constituent,
As someone who has previously contacted me via email, I am emailing to invite you to help me represent your views in Parliament.
Over the last year, people in Gateshead have told me about ways their lives have changed since the Coalition Government was elected. Everyone has been affected, but I want to make sure that I know about how the lives of women in this area have changed.
I want to learn from you so that I can stand up for the issues which you care about in your neighbourhood. That is why I am inviting you and other women who live in this area to complete a short survey that will take a couple of minutes, the link of which is below.
Every generation of women has enjoyed greater opportunity and more choice than the last. But for the first time, women's equality is at risk of going backwards.
Cuts to tax credits, childcare support and the freeze on child benefit are making life difficult for mothers struggling to make ends meet. The number of women claiming Jobseeker's Allowance is at the highest level in almost 15 years. And the increase in the state pension age will mean later retirement for many women who do not have time to prepare.
Some people think that this is just the unfortunate result of the deficit reduction plan, but I think these cuts reflect a deeper problem in both Conservative and Liberal Democrat thinking - they believe that public services and financial support for the family encourages dependency and should be rolled back, and that society should step forward and fill the gap - David Cameron's Big Society.
But women in Gateshead tell me that tax credits and public services are often what gives them their independence - their ability to make choices and take control of their lives.
I want to know what you think - about how you have been affected - so I can get the views of women in Gateshead across and take these forward to be considered in Parliament for the future.
I hope you will take a few minutes to fill this survey in and please feel free to forward it to female friends and family in Gateshead, as the more views I have the better I can represent my constituents.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3WZX5JC
Yours Sincerely,
Ian Mearns MP
Member of Parliament for Gateshead
15 Jul 2011
After a meeting with Treasury Minister Mark Hoban, Ian reports that there is no guarantee for the future of the Northern Rock Foundation.
Ian led the delegation of MPs and others from the region who met with the minister yesterday ahead of the bank's sale back into the private sector, and it was made clear the main concern is getting a financial return for the taxpayer.
Ian said after the meeting,
"It was made clear that there will be no obligation for bidders to take on the Northern Rock Foundation in the future, but we were told the Government would look favourably on any plans for the foundation. He recognises the importance of the foundation to the region, but despite this, the retention of the charity is a criterion bidders do not have to meet.
"From what we have been told, several bidders have already stated an expression of interest, but there is as yet no timeframe for what happens next, which brings some uncertainty for the work force. What was made clear by the minister was that the overriding concern for the Government was the clawing back of investment for the taxpayer.
"We told the minister that he needs to consider the impact of the sale of Northern Rock on the workforce in the region, because job losses and branch closures will also have an impact on the taxpayer. Essentially we were told that they see the importance of the bank and foundation to the region, while admitting that these criteria are just warm words because they will not be taken into account formally in the biding process."
The Northern Rock Foundation use a percentage of the profits from Northern Rock to finance charities and good causes across the North East and since the collapse of the bank it has been using up reserves to maintain this good work.
Ian says the lesson to be learned from the Southern Cross care homes debacle is that better regulation of private care homes is needed.
Southern Cross has announced it is getting out of the care business and transferring all its homes and their thirty thousand residents, including seven homes in Gateshead, to other landlords.
Ian said,
"The upheaval for residents and staff needs to be minimised. The longer-term lesson is we need much better regulation of the burgeoning private and voluntary sector in social care which will affect an increasing number of us as we live longer thanks to medical advances."
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Dualling the A1 will have to wait
(Photo: FreeFoto) |
With recent figures showing that London gets the lion's share of transport spending, Ian has accused the government of doing nothing to help the region.
They show that transport spending in London is £802 per head while in the north it's just £248 per head and rising more slowly than in London.
Ian said,
"These figures not only show the issue with transport spending differences but reflect the level of cuts being made in the councils. Those in the South East outside of London have taken cuts a quarter of what we have experienced here.
"The Government keeps saying that we are in this together but they are doing nothing tangible to help the North East.
"If we are going to have a significant growth in the region then it's quite obvious the transport infrastructure is crucial. Goods and services need to be made more accessible.
"There's a massive need to re-address the balance between the North and South. We keep asking the questions but they keep brushing us away.
"It seems the North East of England is not significant to those in Government."
The figures were compiled by the Passenger Transport Executive Group.
9 Jul 2011
Ian has called for a change in the way rail franchises are handled by government.
He wants longer and better regulated franchises to prevent another debacle like National Express's time running the East Coast line.
Ian is a member of the All-Parliamentary Rail in the North group and has meetings with East Coast train management concerning job security and the service provided.
Ian said:
"Railtrack itself failed, here, there are far more people to blame than just the last Government and National Express. The East Coast Main Line is one of the prime strategic infrastructure railways for the whole of the country, linking the two major capitals via the North East. The National Express time was a very poorly managed period on this line.
"But frankly, from my perspective, it is sadly a mess and has been for some time. It is quite clear that the original privatisation and the establishment of franchises did not secure a situation where the operators felt they could invest in the rolling stock and station services that the travelling pubic would like to see.
"I think one solution to preventing this happening again is longer-term franchises which would be beneficial all-round, but only if regulation and oversight was greater."
5 Jul 2011
Ian has welcomed comments from Richard Branson concerning the future of the Northern Rock Foundation.
Virgin Money has indicated that if it were successful in bidding for Northern Rock it would continue to support the Foundation.
Ian, who is due to meet Treasury Minister Mark Hoban to discuss Northern Rock soon, said,
"I obviously welcome any legitimate interest. But at the same time we want to safeguard the Foundation.
"My questions would be is now the best time to sell in terms of getting a return for the public investment, but also in terms of securing the future of the bank? I think the Government has significant questions to answer."
21 Jun 2011
Ian has tabled a Parliamentary motion to keep the Northern Rock Foundation.
The Foundation is currently using reserves and has helped many good causes in the region over the years but its future is threatened by the planned privatisation of Northern Rock.
Ian said,
"We all know that the Northern Rock Foundation has done a fantastic job in backing projects that have changed many people's lives for the better. We are very proud of our community spirit here and the foundation's work goes with the grain. It's not good enough for ministers merely to hope that it will be all right on the night."
Ian went on,
"The only way to avoid looking like they are whistling in the dark is to make it a condition of sale that the new owners keep funding the foundation. Failure to do this and David Cameron's Big Society aspirations for places like the North East of England will be greeted with incredulity. Without initiatives like the Northern Rock Foundation, ministers' pious hopes will be dismissed as mere platitudes."
Ian's Early day Motion reads:
NORTHERN ROCK FOUNDATION
Session: 2010-11
Date tabled: 20.06.2011
Primary sponsor: Mearns, Ian
Sponsors:
Cunningham, Alex
Glass, Pat
Glindon, Mary
McKinnell, Catherine
Miliband, David
That this House fully recognises the widespread popularity of and respect for the work of the Northern Rock Foundation, which once received 5 per cent. but has used 1 per cent. of pre-tax profits from Northern Rock Plc in recent years to disburse millions to deserving causes in the North East and Cumbria; notes that the Foundation has made over 3,700 grants and supported nearly 2,000 different organisations over the last 13 years; further notes that an independent study by the Centre for Effective Philanthropy shows the Foundation is viewed as exemplary; deeply regrets that Ministers have so far failed to make retention of the Foundation a condition of the sale of Northern Rock but have taken refuge in the vague aspiration that bidders may keep the Foundation beyond December 2012; and urges Ministers to toughen their stance so that the Foundation can continue to play a pivotal role in the Big Society in the North East and Cumbria.
The government has put the Health and Social Care Bill on hold but Ian says any changes must be scrutinised again by Parliament.
A report from the NHS Future Forum chaired by Prof. Steve Field has recommended many changes to the bill which the report says should make the NHS better able to met the problems in the future and Ian says all changes must be full debated.
Ian said,
"If that doesn't occur, how can they say Parliament has had an adequate amount of time to scrutinise in detail the new proposals the Government are bringing forward?"
8 Jun 2011
Ian has expressed his concern at a change in government policy on how school league tables are calculated.
This year's tables will no longer take account of the level of deprivation in a school's area which have shown that many school is deprived areas achieve much for their children although their raw scores may not match those of the leafy suburbs.
Ian said,
"One of the things that I was critical of under the last government was that I thought there was too much weight given to ethnicity as a factor in school ratings but not enough about the factors holding back the white working class.
"I think if you look at some kids coming from these type of areas, which there are a lot of in the North East, they face challenges as big as any other ethnic group from inner city parts of say London and Birmingham.
"But I'm not surprised at all with this Government doing away with the whole concept of considering a child's background.
"Quite frankly I don't think this lot give a damn about the worst hit areas at all. They simply don't understand what it is like in deprived areas."
Ian has tabled a Parliamentary motion drawing attention to the activities of an American film company.
Pornography production company Mantra Films Inc is filming a UK tour of Girls Gone Wild which encourages young women to perform sexual acts in public for their films.
Ian's Early Day Motion reads:
"That this House is deeply concerned that US pornography production company Mantra Films Inc is filming a UK tour of Girls Gone Wild, which approaches young women in public places, many of them intoxicated, and encourages them to expose their breasts, simulate sex acts and have sex on camera in exchange for Girls Gone Wild merchandise; notes that Mantra films has been sued in the US for filming young women in sexually provocative poses, using their images without consent and filming minors in scenes of a sexual nature; further notes that the founder of the company Joe Francis was jailed after pleading no contest to child abuse and prostitution; believes that this is a form of demeaning, exploitative and casualised prostitution; and urges the government to examine as a matter of urgency how it can halt this attempt at sensationalist entertainment."
Ian has secured a Commons debate on the East Coast main line call centre contract.
This will take place as a Commons adjournment debate on Thursday 19th May. The publicly owned East Coast railway wants to export to India jobs currently done by staff at the National Express call centre in Newcastle.
Adjournment debates take place at the end of each day's business. Members apply for an adjournment debate to the Speakers Office. The subjects raised are often local or personal issues. They provide an opportunity for backbench MPs to raise constituency issues or other matters relating to government administration or policy - and to obtain a response from a government minister.
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Derelict housing
(Photo: © Copyright Mark Smiles and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence) |
Ian has described the government's allocation to Gateshead of just £68,000 for housing an "absolute joke".
Tyneside's low grant is because the Department for Communities and Local Government says house prices here had recovered enough. Ian says it will be years before estates get improved.
Ian said,
"It is worse than we first realised really.
"What we have are streets where we have done the demolition work or are preparing for demolition work and now have no hope of getting the money to build on those promised family homes now.
"To add insult to injury, because we have knocked down homes but have not been handed the cash we were expecting to build new ones, we will lose more money by not getting much from the Government's New Homes Bonus.
"Since we can't now build new homes, Gateshead will get just £68,000. That will build us maybe three quarters of one bungalow. It is an absolute joke. If it didn't leave us with such a mess it would be funny.
"The council has spent a lot of money here in the last five years, but I just can't see where the money will come from now."
The success of North-East football clubs at the weekend has been noted in Parliament.
Ian has tabled a Commons motion congratulating both Darlington and Whitely Bay for their successes at Wembley.
Ian's Early Day Motion reads:
Early day motion 1784
DARLINGTON AND WHITLEY BAY FOOTBALL CLUBS
Date tabled: 09.05.2011
Primary sponsor: Mearns, Ian
That this House congratulates Darlington Football Club and Whitley Bay Football Club which were successful in winning the Football Association Trophy and the Football Association Vase at Wembley Stadium on 7 May 2011 and 8 May 2011 respectively; and further congratulates players, managers, fans and directors of both clubs on their success in what was a truly historic weekend for North East non-league football.
10 May 2011
Ian has urged the Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning to make the connection between good careers advice and good jobs and economic growth.
In a letter to The Journal, Ian congratulates the paper on its campaign on this issue but says unless the Minister acts to prevent the collapse of the Connexions Service the papers efforts could be undermined.
Ian's letter reads:
Warmest congratulations to The Journal, the National Apprenticeship Service and the North East Chamber of Commerce on the runaway success of the 100 in 100 campaign which has exceeded itself and other parts of the country in encouraging nearly 1,400 new apprenticeships in the North East.
Many of these new training places will be in small businesses that might not have considered this option without the campaign, which has prevented some young people from missing out on great opportunities and could stimulate much needed economic growth.
However, this campaign also illustrates the need for careers advisors in schools who are currently under threat because of the Government's failure to prevent the collapse of the Connexions Service.
Independent and objective careers advice and guidance is crucial to young people to ensure that they can try to follow the best course of education or training to fulfil their own ambitions and needs.
John Hayes MP, the minister mentioned in your report (The Journal, May 9), is completely aware of the issue but has done nothing so far to alleviate the problem. Your campaign could be undermined unless Mr Hayes acts.
IAN MEARNS, Labour MP for Gateshead, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA
Ian has tabled a Parliamentary motion about the government's decision to close entry to this scheme.
He says that the scheme has been very successful and promotes the economy, future growth and social mobility. He notes the government has not responded to Professor Wolf's Review of Vocational Education.
Ian's Early day Motion reads:
YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PILOT PROGRAMME
Session: 2010-11
Date tabled: 05.04.2011
Primary sponsor: Mearns, Ian
Sponsors:
Dobbin, Jim
Hopkins, Kelvin
Lloyd, Tony
McDonnell, John
Morris, Grahame M
That this House recognises the important contribution that apprenticeships make to the economy, future growth and social mobility; notes the success of the Youth Apprenticeship pilot programme which successfully allowed motivated 14 to 16 year old pupils to pursue industry-specific applied learning programmes for one or two days a week over two years alongside the National Curriculum, as well as 50 days work experience; further notes that 9,400 young people enrolled on the scheme in September 2010; and deeply regrets, therefore, the Government's decision to close entry to new entrants from September 2011 and with so far no response to Professor Wolf's Review of Vocational Education, which proposes a framework to deliver high quality, age appropriate, 14 to 19 vocational education within current budgets.
Ian is backing the job creation campaign by The Journal.
The paper hopes that by urging firms to combine bids to the government's regional growth fund any more jobs can be created, and Ian has tabled a Commons motion giving this his support.
Ian's Early Day Motion reads:
NEWCASTLE JOURNAL LET'S GROW CAMPAIGN
Session: 2010-11
Date tabled: 28.04.2011
Primary sponsor: Mearns, Ian
Sponsors:
Blenkinsop, Tom
Cunningham, Alex
Glass, Pat
Lavery, Ian
Morris, Grahame M
That this House joins business groups and unions in warmly congratulating the Newcastle Journal on the launch of its major new campaign, Let's Grow, to help ambitious small and medium-sized companies in the North West to expand by encouraging such enterprises to form a consortium to take part in the second round of the Government's Regional Growth Fund, which has a minimum threshold of 1 million for applications; notes that the campaign is open to all companies with their registered head office in the North East with fewer than 250 staff, an annual turnover of no more than 25 million and for a particular project, which will create sustainable jobs in the region, which would not go ahead without support from the fund; and believes that this practical action by the main business newspaper does much to underline the willingness of the North East to grow its economy and make a contribution to the UK as a whole.
Education Secretary Michael Gove stands accused of breaking a promise he gave to a committee of MPs.
Ian says that Mr Gove's decision to cut money from the Standards Fund which is used to provide specialist services and to help less able children, has caused chaos in budget planning at this late stage.
Ian who sits on the Commons Education Committee said,
"This fund provides help for a whole range of children including special education needs, money to support programmes on behaviour and attendance, schools meals, after-school groups as well as specialist funds for subject materials and other initiatives.
"I wonder how he thinks he can get away with this when he has already promised not to do this when he appeared before the committee. He said the money would be protected and schools would not suffer and now we see 10 days before they set their budgets councils were dealt this blow."
£!55 million has been cut nationally and Gateshead has lost around £750,000 from its education budget.
Ian has praised a coach driver who rescued two stranded Gateshead pensioners.
The two had been left by their National Express coach after a rest stop at scotch Corner on their way back from Blackpool but another driver picked them up.
But when Gerald Lorraine, 84, complained to National Express he received vouchers off a future holiday, one which he has no intention of taking. Ian became involved when the company failed to exchange the vouchers for a cheque. Since Ian contacted them, National Express have now agreed to send a cheque to Mr Lorraine.
Ian said,
"It must have been an awful experience being stranded miles from home at night. I have nothing but praise for the chivalrous coach driver who took them under his wing."
Ian is calling on the government to continue Labour's policy to ban tobacco displays in shops.
He argues that there needs to be continued pressure to reduce smoking and says that the Irish ban help this happen there.
Ian said,
"The issue of whether the government sticks to the decision of the last parliament to ban tobacco displays in shops is coming to a head. My strong view is that we need to keep up the pressure to reduce smoking, which is a major cause of premature death in Gateshead and the North East. Tobacco displays in shops are just another form of advertising and should be banned in order to help reduce the recruitment of young people in particular. The Irish ban helped reduce the take up of smoking and did not harm shopkeepers. It's time we followed suit and the government should stick to the policy of taking the glamour out of smoking."
Ian has said that threats to cut the number of foreign students coming to the region's universities is an attack on the wrong target.
It is claimed that foreign students are worth hundreds of millions of pounds each year to the region's economy and directly underpin about 1500 jobs.
Ian said,
"The Government are attacking the wrong target, the wrong institutions. If they are trying to handle immigration, the universities of the North East and across the country are not the right target.
"There are some institutions that have been set up as an easy way to get into the country for a couple of hundred pounds, but the universities of the North East are not those. It is a false argument by the Government."
Ian has called on the government to rethink its approach to the North-East.
In a Commons motion, he says the coalition is out of touch with the region's business and he fears that the assets of ONE North East will go to the Treasury rather than stay in the North-East.
Ian said,
"Economic growth in the North East is being clobbered by a triple whammy. Not only has the Tory-dominated Government abolished our successful regional development agency against the wishes of most people here. The abolition of One North East then deprives us of matching funds from the European Union of up to £180m.
"As if that weren't enough, Treasury Ministers are seizing the hard-gained assets of ONE to fill central Government coffers rather than allowing this money to be the seed corn of the replacement for ONE, the local enterprise partnerships which are, in any case, woefully under-funded."
"Such assets have been built up in the North East and should stay with the North East rather than simply put back into central coffers.
"Once again, this huddle-muddle illustrates that the Government is flunking on its economic strategy. This means that those who will suffer most, like the North East, need to build up pressure for a rethink so our economic situation does not needlessly worsen."
Ian's Early Day Motion reads:
EDM 1432
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND
09.02.2011
Mearns, Ian
That this House believes that the Government is out of touch with the legitimate concerns of the North East business community; expresses its deep concern that the assets of the successful regional development agency, ONE North East, may be repatriated to the Treasury rather than the local enterprise partnerships in the region; is further concerned that matching regeneration funds of up to 180 million from the European Union to the region may be lost due to Government cuts which are highly unlikely to be compensated for through private sector contributions; notes the weak base of venture capital in the region which is partially illustrated by the wider lack of take up for a national insurance holiday for new small companies; further believes that these three factors combined amount to a triple barrier to regional growth for the region; and urges a rethink of the Government's economic strategy for the North East.
Ian has said that there must be more charging points for electric cars.
As the first batch of Nissan Leaf cars arrive in the UK, he said that problems with the range of the cars mean that for it to be a success, there should be charging points at every supermarket.
Ian said,
"It's just a small example, but I was speaking to some people from Canada the other day and they have had to really push this roll-out to make sure there is a charging point in every supermarket, especially vital over the harsh winters.
"We are nowhere near that and we need to do more. The success of this car is vital to the North East economy, there are a lot of jobs dependent upon it and we need people to know a charging point is going to be very, very easy to find."
The Leaf will be produced in Sunderland from 2013 and the region should have 1,300 charge points by then.
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Protest in Chopwell Woods
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Ian is deeply concerned about the Coalition' plans to sell of publicly owned forests.
Ian, a life member of Friends of Chopwell Woods, is backing Labour's fight against this bill and points out that even to get a debate on the issues, Labour had to use an opposition day debate.
Ian says,
"The Tory-led government's plan to sell-off England's forests is an act of environmental vandalism. This is not the first time the Tories have tried to sell off our forests. In the 1980s they sold off thousands of hectares of land. The true value of England's forests can never be reflected in the price the Tory-led government gets from selling them.
"The bill will allow Ministers to dispose of land without consulting Parliament. Tory Ministers have failed to clarify how rights to public access and the maintenance of biodiversity in our forests will be managed.
"Chopwell Wood is our nearest affected wood and my Labour colleague Dave Anderson, in whose constituency it lies, is campaigning to save it for the public and I stand four square with him."
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Modern equipment at Davy Roll, Gateshead
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Ian is backing a Gateshead firm's expansion plans with a parliamentary motion.
The Davy Roll Company makes steel making equipment and wants to create more jobs more expanding onto adjacent land owned by Network Rail, but they won't do a deal.
Ian's Commons motion urges the government to press the publicly owned Network Rail to reach an agreement.
Ian said,
"I understand that the efforts to persuade Network Rail have been going on for some time. I hope that my Parliamentary motion alerts them and others to the urgency of an agreement with the company. They need this to allow them to expand and to meet demand for their products world-wide."
"I fear that the lack of a deal could endanger the viability of the company and put the whole workforce at risk. Just think what a difference such a solid and skilled job would make to the individuals, their families and the wider economy."
Network Rail say that the site is earmarked for freight development at some point in the future which prevents them making any long term or permanent disposal of the land.
Ian's Early Day Motion reads:
EDM 1328
DAVY ROLL COMPANY (GATESHEAD) AND NETWORK RAIL
24.01.2011
Mearns, Ian
That this House recognises the importance to Gateshead, the North East region and the wider British economy of the export of British manufactured goods, which is also part of the necessary rebalancing of the UK economy; notes that the Davy Roll Company in Gateshead exports over 80 per cent. of its spun cast strip mill work rolls around the world and aims to expand its operation and increase its workforce; further notes that the company has long leased land from Network Rail but that, despite many efforts to negotiate, Network Rail cannot sell this land or lease it on a long-term basis to the company under current legislation without the agreement of the Office of Rail Regulation, which means that its plans for expansion and increased output are needlessly restricted; believes that Network Rail should enter into urgent discussions to seek a solution to this impasse which threatens increased employment, vital exports and the profitability of the company; and urges relevant Ministers and the Office of Rail Regulation to examine the matter with urgency.
Ian has been for an NHS health check and is urging people in Gateshead to do the same.
The team from NHS South of Tyne and Wear visited Bensham's St Chad's Community Project and Ian took advantage to have the check available to people aged 40 - 74.
Ian said,
"I am passionate about improving the health of people in Gateshead and that's what the NHS Health Check is all about - it's 20 minutes of your life which literally could be life-saving.
"Even if you think you're fully aware of what you're doing wrong health-wise, the check gives you the help and support you need to start remedying these problems."
The check takes just twenty minutes and assesses the risk factors for many diseases such as heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. Contact your GP or local pharmacy.
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Cruise ship on the Tyne
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Ian is giving his backing to a campaign to keep cruise ships on the Tyne.
Liverpool is seeking to have restrictions on cruise ships there lifted but the fear is that this would draw cruises away from the Tyne among other places with job losses in the North-East.
Ian said,
"The Government should keep its promises to ensure a level playing field between the ports. Public money was given to Liverpool with the stipulation that it would not grab more cruise ship journeys.
"The minister should stick to his guns on the issue. There is no doubt about the importance of the cruise ship industry to Tyneside and the wider North East."
Liverpool has recently had a £20 million new terminal built and now wants to bid for more cruises to start from there, what are called turnaround cruises. On the Tyne, these generate some £33 million a year for the local economy and help secure 1400 local jobs.
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Impression of the new Thomas Hepburn School
(Photo: Thomas Hepburn School) |
From mud, steel, concrete and building works, the shape of the new school in Felling is taking shape.
Ian is proud of the development of Thomas Hepburn Community School, instigated under Labour's 'Building Schools for Future' programme and he regrets that other schools have now been denied the opportunity.
Ian said,
"The redevelopment of Thomas Hepburn school demonstrates the success of the 'Building Schools for Future' programme. It is a shame that so many other schools in real need across the country will now have to make do with old and worn out buildings."
Thomas Hepburn Community School is a Specialist Science College which saw another set of fantastic results from its Year 11 learners. Every learner achieved at least one qualification and a whopping 71.3% gained the equivalent of 5 good GCSE grades.
The new building should be ready this summer. Pictures January 2011.
| Promoted by Ken Childs on behalf of Ian Mearns, 12 Regent Terrace Gateshead NE8 1LU |