Remembering Tony Benn

I first met Tony Benn back in 2003 at a dinner organised by the Chelmsford CLP and as well as enjoying his wit and his politics, I found him instantly charismatic and charming. When I first stood for council I wrote to him and to my surprise he phoned me up with some advise and best wishes. An amazing gesture from a busy man who always had time to listen to what people had to say. And that was his legacy. Taking time to talk and listen to people's views, give advice and share his wisdom gained from 50 years in parliament. I met him a few years later in Trafalgar Square with my daughter and once again he listened and spoke about the issues of the day including the newly introduced university tuition fees. A year ago today on 14th March 2013 his son Hilary came to our town and met local residents affected by the bedroom tax to offer support as his father always did. And so today on my 50th birthday, we have finally had to say farewell to a great politician, writer and family man. An inspiration never to be forgotten. Heartfelt best wishes Hilary and his family.

Firm and Fair Policy – Compulsory Jobs Guarantee

Mike Le-Surf with Ed Balls MP

The rise in youth unemployment under this Tory-led coalition is one of the real scandals of this current government and is affecting many residents in South Basildon and East Thurrock.
Tory and Lib Dems claims that the economy is recovering are built on deceit and delusion. The reality is that our current economy is one of uncertainty and insecurity for many thousands of people. Zero hours contract work helps to cook the books and keep the real figures down. The future for residents of South Basildon and East Thurrock has to be built of stronger stuff. I am campaigning for a level playing field for all. Training and apprenticeships are a vital part of this and I am delighted that Labour has made the concrete pledge to the electorate for a compulsory jobs guarantee.
The Compulsory Jobs Guarantee will be in Labour's general election manifesto next year and will be funded for the whole of the next parliament. 18 to 24-year-olds who have been out of work for a year will be offered a job lasting six months paid for by taxing bank bonuses and changing tax rules for the pensions of high earners.
25 hours work a week on the minimum wage will be provided and the employer will have to guarantee compulsory training. Life on welfare will no longer be an option. The opportunity for training in employment will become a reality.
Ed Balls speech today states:
"It's shocking that the number of young people stuck on the dole for more than a year has doubled under David Cameron. For tens of thousands of young people who cannot find work this is no recovery at all. We've got to put this right. So if Labour wins the next election we will get young people and the long-term unemployed off benefits and into work. The government will work with employers to help fund paid work with training for six months. It will mean paid starter jobs for over 50,000 young people who have been left on the dole for over a year by this government. But it will be a tough contract - those who can work will be required to take up the jobs on offer or lose their benefits. A life on benefits will simply not be an option."
The Compulsory Jobs Guarantee will also apply to adults aged 25 or over claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for two years or more.
Funding for the scheme will come from repeating Labour's 2009-10 tax on bank bonuses at the start of the next parliament plus restrictions on pensions tax relief for people earning more than £150,000 to the same rate as basic-rate taxpayers.

Labour in Basildon





At Selex-es

A positive and productive day out today with Basildon and Billericay PPC Gavin Callaghan. A meeting this morning with management at Basildon based Selex-es to talk about business, transport and employment. Canvassing with candidate Lauren Brown and then a meeting with residents at Mundy House which is currently due to be closed. Great support for Labour on the doorstep and in the workplace.
 

 

Me and My Vote

“Me and My Vote” project

LABOUR parliamentary candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock, Mike Le-Surf, is encouraging constituents to engage with the political process and make sure they are registered to vote.
At present, one person in every household is responsible for registering everyone else who lives at that address. The Government is proposing that, from summer 2014, each person will be required to register to vote individually, rather than by household.
Mike Le-Surf is concerned that poor information and promotion of the policy will mean that many residents will not be registered to vote after these changes. Mike is hoping that all those eligible will register and he is supporting Mencap’s ‘Me and My Vote’ project which will create resources for people with a learning disability and champion a one-to-one support model for people including families and carers, with the aim helping people register to vote.
Mike has almost 25 years of experience of working with people with learning disabilities in a variety of settings.
Mike Le-Surf said: “Welfare and housing reform, and social care cuts are affecting many people with learning disabilities and their carers so being engaged with politics has never been more important. People with learning disabilities cannot afford to be excluded from the voting system and must be supported to get involved.”
He added: “Changes in registration rules could leave vulnerable residents isolated. I am keen to engage with all constituents in South Basildon and East Thurrock especially those who are not usually heard during the political process.”
Mike would like to hear from all residents, with or without disabilities who would like more information or want to get involved with the “Me and My Vote” project.
Contact him at: lesurf4labour@outlook.com

Corringham Police Station: the facts and the Tory spin

"It is very disappointing to see Thurrock Tories sending unclear messages to residents and causing confusion. The truth is that huge coalition cuts to policing have led to a reduction in services and people are feeling more vulnerable as a result.”: Mike Le-Surf

 

Thanks to Cllr. Angie Gaywood and Your Thurrock for highlighting the facts regarding Corringham Police Station.

Link to Your Thurrock website and article below:

http://www.yourthurrock.com/2014/02/09/corringham-police-station-may-be-sold-off-says-labour-crime-councillor/

 

Corringham Police Station may be sold off says Labour crime councilor

THE THURROCK Labour portfolio holder for public protection has asked to go on the record regarding future plans for Corringham Police station.

Worryingly, Cllr Gaywood has revealed that the police and crime commissioner, Nick Alston may sell the station in the future.

Cllr Gaywood said:

“There are times when youthful exuberance is a good thing – and there are times when it’s not”, says Thurrock’s public protection chief Cllr Angie Gaywood following her visit to the old Corringham Police station yesterday.

Comments from one of the council’s youngest members, Tory Councillor James Halden, in November led to hopes that Corringham Police Station would either reopen fully, or at least have a police presence on the front counter.

“I welcomed this news but felt dismayed when I received confirmation from Essex Police and our local District Commander that this simply wasn’t true,” said Angie. “I knew the building was going to be used by our Youth Offending Team, but young James had stated that there would be a front desk for local residents to report crime and make police enquiries on a day to day basis.

In December Conservative leader and Corringham Councillor Phil Anderson stated there was a real opportunity to develop a face-to-face contact and information service for the community. Residents have continued to contact me thrilled to think that the police station was reopening, and now I’ve seen for myself this isn’t the case.

“Our Youth Offending Team have had to turn away disappointed local residents wanting to speak directly with police officers and report issues on numerous occasions since the short time they have been in the building. They have also been asked to attend the local community forum to confirm there will be no front desk police support.

Which is why I asked the elected Essex Police & Crime Commissioner – Nick Alston for his clarification.”

“He has written back to me and confirmed that nothing has changed. The YOT will use the building, local police will use it too on occasion, but there would be no official neighbourhood police presence in the Gordon Road building with no front counter and no direct means of reporting crime.

“In fact Mr Alston said that once the Youth Offending Team’s contract was up next year – and there is an option for us to extend it for another 12 months – he would be looking to sell the building!

“Confirmation that there will be no chance of reopening the police station and that the YOT service will have to find a permanent home within the next two years”

“Whilst Cllr Halden has been helpful in assisting the YOT find a short term home I felt it was right and important to clarify once and for all that Corringham Police station will remain closed to the general public and that it is just the building which will for the short term remain in use by other services.

She added: It’s just one example of where inexperience and over exaggeration can land us. Young James Halden heard what he wanted to hear and then spread the news far and wide, and continues to do so in his re-election campaign literature.

Those of us with a little more experience know different. If we hear what we want to hear, we ask if we heard right. We did exactly that with the Police Commissioner’s promise not to make any PCSOs redundant when Essex Police have said they will cease match-funding with the Council in April.

“We checked, he confirmed – and indeed has done so again I believe – and then we acted and publicised. That you don’t get people’s hopes up only to see them dashed.

“Of course, that’s not to say the Commissioner can’t go back on his promise, but we can show we acted in good faith.”

The Parliamentary candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock, Mike Le Surf said:  “It is very disappointing to see Thurrock Tories sending unclear messages to residents and causing confusion.

“The truth is that huge coalition cuts to policing have led to a reduction in services and people are feeling more vulnerable as a result.”

 

Basildon council's aggressive tactics in council tax recovery

Labour in Pitsea today talking to local residents

LABOUR PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE ACCUSES BASILDON COUNCIL OF AGGRESSIVE TACTICS IN RECOVERY OF COUNCIL TAX

My latest press release regarding council tax benefit cuts in Basildon:

COUNCIL SENDS IN THE BAILIFFS TO RECOVER MONEY FROM DISABLED RESIDENTS FOR NEW "POLL-TAX" (FOI info below)

Labour’s parliamentary candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock, Mike Le-Surf, has criticised Basildon Council’s aggressive tactics in the recovery of council tax from disabled residents.

Of the 1137 residents in the borough with disabilities and falling into arrears, 916 have had summons issued against them since last April.

Of those paying increased council tax or council tax for the first time, Basildon Council have instructed bailiffs to recover money from 123 residents with disabilities.

Mr. Le-Surf said: “This is a disgrace. It is bad enough that Basildon Council has to implement these heavy cuts passed down from central government but sending in the bailiffs is both aggressive and unnecessary. Many people with disabilities have had to pay council tax for the first time at an average amount of around £180. They should be offered support not issed with a summons and face the bailiffs.”
“Last year I marched with residents through the town against the cuts to hot meals at day services for the elderly. This year we are seeing the Basildon Tories once again attacking the vulnerable and pushing people further into hardship.”

 "I plan to meet with members of the Basildon Disability Forum next week to discuss the issues raised and hear from local residents who are affected by this policy."

===========================================================================

FOI information received from Basildon Council

 

1. How many people are paying a) increased council tax or b) council tax for the first time since April this year as a result of the change from a national council tax benefit scheme to a localised council tax support scheme? 

 

increased council tax	council tax for the first time
2730	7505

                                                                                                                            

2. On average, how much more were the following classes of individual billed for Council taxes for the whole of this financial year: those paying a) increased council tax or b) council tax for the first time since April this year as a result of the change from a national council tax benefit scheme to a localised council tax support scheme?

 

increased council tax	council tax for the first time
£256.75	£184.07

 

3. On average, how much more were the following classes of individual billed for Council taxes for the whole of this financial year:

 

(a) registered carers,	unknown
(b) someone in receipt of disability-related benefits	£184.41
(c) in receipt of a War Disablement Pension	£181.77
(d) a War Widow's or Widower's pension	n/a
(e) a single parent	£205.09
(f) in work	£242.04

 

 

 

 

4. Of those people paying increased council tax or council tax for the first time, how many are in arrears, including a breakdown of how many of these are

 

(a) registered carers,	unknown
(b) someone in receipt of disability-related benefits	1137
(c) in receipt of a War Disablement Pension	0
(d) a War Widow's or Widower's pension	n/a
(e) a single parent	1508
(f) in work	714

 

 

5. Of those paying increased council tax or council tax for the first time, how many have had a summons issued against them since April 1 2013, including a breakdown of how many of these are

 

(a) registered carers,	unknown
(b) someone in receipt of disability-related benefits	916
(c) in receipt of a War Disablement Pension	0
(d) a War Widow's or Widower's pension	n/a
(e) a single parent	1250
(f) in work	581

 

6. Of those paying increased council tax or council tax for the first time, how many have had a Liability Order issued against them since April 1 2013, including a breakdown of how many of these are

 

(a) registered carers,	unknown
(b) someone in receipt of disability-related benefits	882
(c) in receipt of a War Disablement Pension	0
(d) a War Widow's or Widower's pension	n/a
(e) a single parent	1200
(f) in work	546

 

7. Of those paying increased council tax or council tax for the first time, how many people have you instructed bailiffs to recover money from since April 1 2013, including a breakdown of how many of these are

 

(a) registered carers,	unknown
(b) someone in receipt of disability-related benefits	123
(c) in receipt of a War Disablement Pension	0
(d) a War Widow's or Widower's pension	n/a
(e) a single parent	156
(f) in work	112

 

8. Of those paying increased council tax or council tax for the first time, for how many have you applied for a Committal Warrant since April 1 2013, including a breakdown of how many of these are

 

(a) registered carers,	unknown
(b) someone in receipt of disability-related benefits	0
(c) in receipt of a War Disablement Pension	0
(d) a War Widow's or Widower's pension	n/a
(e) a single parent	0
(f) in work	0

 

 

9. Of those paying increased council tax or council tax for the first time, have any individuals been sentenced to detention in prison, including a breakdown of how many of these are

 

                                                          

(a) registered carers,	unknown
(b) someone in receipt of disability-related benefits	0
(c) in receipt of a War Disablement Pension	0
(d) a War Widow's or Widower's pension	n/a
(e) a single parent	0
(f) in work	0

 

Supporting Basildon Foodbank

I was delighted to visit the Basildon Foodbank recently in Pitsea with my Labour colleague and local councillor Gavin Callaghan to find out more about their work and promote their need for a new premises. The huge rise in the need for foodbanks is a very sad symbol of the state of our country under a failed Tory/Lib Dems government.

However, the need is currently there at this time to stop people from having to decide whether to"heat or eat" and I am glad I can help raise the profile of the work being carried our by Victor and his team.

Link here to Yellow Advertiser article:

http://www.yellowad.co.uk/news.cfm?id=3617&headline=Can%20we%20bank%20on%20your%20help

Essex Tories crushing our communities

Cuts to local government grants over the past four years have been one of the most damaging policies of this disgraceful Tory led coalition. Propped up by the shameful and hypocritical Lib Dem MPs, the cuts that have been made, hidden partially from view by council tax freeze grants, are now having a devastating effect on local services and the lives of local people.
As we enter the fifth year of an ideologically driven agenda designed to replace strong public service with outsourcing to the private sector and the destruction of local democracy, councils are being pushed to breaking point with many vital services going to the wall.
In South Basildon and East Thurrock the list is growing. The scrapping of hot meals for elderly day service attendees, the slashing of millions of pounds from the youth services budget and turning out the street lights are just a few decisions being made without a whimper from the local Conservatives toward their Bullingdon masters in Westminster. 
And 2014/15 is set to be the harshest year of all. Nationally our NHS is under severe pressure due in part to inadequate provision of adult social care services locally. The bedroom tax, which will be scrapped under a Labour government, is forcing residents into hardship or out of their communities. And the increasing cost of living crisis has seen over 1000 foodbanks created nationally and a large rise in usage at a local level.
After all the above actions which are dismantling our communities at an alarming rate the Essex seaxe turns to education and two horrendous decisions to be implemented that will damage the lives and education of our youngest and most vulnerable citizens.

The cutting of children’s centres and “home to school” transport.

During the Tory election campaign of 2010 David Cameron dismissed fears of a threat to SureStart children’s centres as scaremongering saying that they would be safe. After lifting the ring fence on SureStart funding once the Tories got into power there have been over 500 children’s centre closure nationally. Those cuts are now hitting Essex families as Essex County Council decide to close the following centres in South Essex which are:

Little Treehouse Children’s Centre in Castle Point , The Ark Children’s Centre in Brentwood, Laindon Park Children’s Centre and the Hills Children’s Centre in Basildon.
20 sites will now operate for 50 hours per week and there will be 14 designated delivery sites offering between 5 – 25 hours per week. Severe cuts to services for children with young families and a complete betrayal by the Tories.
And from September 2015 Essex County Council  will only be providing transport to a pupil’s nearest non-faith school unless there is a statutory duty to provide transport. From September 2014 post 16 learners from low income families will be asked to make a contribution of £450 per year for transport to post 16 education which can be paid in instalments. Furthermore, the provision of subsidised transport to post 16 learners (other than in certain circumstances) will be ceased from September 2014.

The Tory led government have used a global financial crisis caused by the banking industry to attack our local public services at an alarming rate. A Labour government in 2015 will beging to turn the ship away from the “survival of the fittest” mentality of a selfish and individualistic society, and toward true localism and a collective responsibility to make sure that all are provided for equally. It will be a difficult journey but six more years of this failed Tory ideology and what will be the state of our Essex towns and our local democracy in 2020?

Earning Our Way - Rachel Reeves MP

Rachel Reeves speech today set out how a fair and affordable social security system will help us to earn our way out of the cost-of-living crisis.

Rachel Reeves MP

In her first major policy speech since becoming shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Rachel Reeves MP set out the next steps in Labour’s plan to earn our way out of the cost-of-living crisis and ensure our social security system is fair and affordable highlighting the ‘costs of failure’ of the Tory-led government, showing how long-term unemployment, low pay and insecure jobs are adding billions to the social security bill.

This includes:

·      failure to reverse rises in levels of youth and long-term unemployment that will add to benefits bills and hit tax revenues for decades to come

·      record numbers of people stuck in low paid jobs, or working shorter hours than they want, resulting in rising expenditure on in-work tax credits and housing benefit. Official figures published alongside the Autumn Statement show that spending on Housing Benefit for those in work (or short term sick) is set to rise by over £1bn between now and 2016-17.

·      increasing job insecurity, including high numbers on zero hours or temporary contracts, which makes it harder for people to buy their own home or save for a pension.

 Only Labour, the ‘party of work’, can deliver the reforms needed to tackle the causes of rising benefit bills, so we can keep the costs of social security under control, while recognising responsibility and contribution’.

Labour government will introduce a Basic Skills Test so we intervene earlier to prevent long-term unemployment and low earnings.

Tackling the lack of basic skills among jobseekers is a key part of Labour’s plan to earn our way out of the cost-of-living crisis by getting more people into work and helping them to earn a decent standard of living. Poor English and maths often hold people back from getting jobs, or trap them in a cycle between a low paid and insecure job and claiming benefits. 

Rachel Reeves said:

“We all know that basic skills are essential in today’s jobs market, but the shocking levels of English and maths among too many jobseekers are holding them back from getting work.  This traps too many jobseekers in a vicious cycle between low paid work and benefits. Government plans in this area just aren’t enough. They’re now asking jobseekers who exit the failed Work Programme to take up literacy and numeracy training, three whole years after those people first make a claim for benefits. A Labour government will introduce a Basic Skills Test to assess all new claimants for Job Seekers Allowance within six weeks of claiming benefits. Those who don’t have the skills they need for a job will have to take up training alongside their jobsearch or lose their benefits. Labour’s Basic Skills Test will give the long-term unemployed a better chance of finding a job and will help us to earn our way out of the cost-of-living crisis.” 

The Basic Skills Test, will work alongside further reforms that Rachel Reeves and the Labour DWP team will be unveiling over the coming months to make the benefits system and back-to-work support better equipped to help people find a job and earn enough to make ends meet .

Editor's notes:

      About the Labour’s Basic Skills Test 

·         Tackling the lack of basic skills among jobseekers is a key part of Labour’s plan to earn our way out of the cost-of-living crisis by getting more people into work and helping them to earn a decent standard of living. Poor English and maths too often hold people back from getting jobs, or trap them in a cycle between low paid insecure jobs and claiming benefits.      

·         Today, too many jobseekers are locked out of work due to a lack of basic skills. Long term unemployment under this Government has reached levels not seen since the last Tory administration with over 850,000 people been out of work for a year, and 440,000 out of work for two years.  

·         Nearly one in ten people claiming JSA lack basic literacy skills, and over one in ten lack basic numeracy skills. The lack of IT skills is even more of a problem, with over half unable to complete basic word processing and spreadsheet tasks, and nearly half lacking even basic email skills.  Those out of work are twice as likely than those in work to lack basic English and maths skills.       

·         Nearly 250,000 people started claiming Jobseekers Allowance in November (the latest available figures). Up to one in ten people may be subject to Labour’s Basic Skills policy each month.

·         A lack of basic skills also leads to people cycling between insecure low-paid work and claiming benefits. Government research shows that a third of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance had claimed the benefit at least three times before and that nearly twenty per cent of those with repeat claims for jobseekers allowance have problems with reading or numeracy.

·         The Government’s plans on basic skills are too little, too late. While they have continued Labour’s pledge to fund training for those who don’t have level 2 qualifications, they won’t take the action to ensure that jobseekers take up the training on offer. It’s a sign of their failure in this area that the requirements for jobseekers exiting the failed Work Programme includes literacy and numeracy training, three years after those people first make a claim for benefits.

·         While Labour’s plans to reform the education system for the forgotten 50 per cent are vital to ensuring that young people leave school ready to work, we need to take action now to ensure that more people can move into long term jobs, and help us to earn our way out of the cost of living crisis. 

·         Labour will introduce a Basic Skills Test. This will ensure that all new jobseeker’s have an assessment of their basic maths, English and IT skills at the start of their jobseekers’ claim. Those who don’t have the skills they need for a job will have to take up training alongside their jobsearch or lose their benefits.

2.       About Labour’s Compulsory Jobs Guarantee

·         Labour would introduce a compulsory jobs guarantee to ensure work for young people out of work and claiming Jobskeers Allowance for over a year, funded by the bankers’ bonus tax and those claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance for two years or more, funded by restricting pensions tax relief for very high earners. Those who refuse to take jobs under the jobs guarantee would lose their benefits.

·         This will cut the cost of unemployment and prevent scarring effects that affect people’s employability for the rest of their lives.