Adrian Sanders

Time for Public to Have Say on Train Stations

Local MP Adrian Sanders is today encouraging Torbay residents to let Network Rail know what improvements they want for local train stations. 

Network Rail has announced plans to invest over £3billion into train stations across the UK, many of which are outdated.  The body, which is in charge of rail infrastructure, is asking the public for their views before it decides where to put resources in early 2010.

Mr Sanders will be responding to the consultation, calling for better services at Torre, Torquay and Paignton stations.  All stations should have toilet facilities with good opening hours, plenty of seating, up to date train information and adequate car parking facilities.

Adrian commented: “Network Rail is making some good progress in Torbay with the coming re-development of Torquay station but there are many improvements that can still be made.  Even little things like more lighting or a better waiting room can make all the difference and encourage people to use the train.”

“I would encourage anyone who uses Torbay’s stations, as well as those who are put off by them, to get in touch.”

Anyone can tell Network Rail what improvements they want by going online: www.networkrail.co.uk/actionstations, phoning 020 3356 9200 or writing to Network Rail, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9AG.

Local MP attends parliamentary reception for World Diabetes Day

Adrian Sanders, MP for Torbay, supported leading health charity Diabetes UK on the 11th November as it demanded more education and better psychological support for people with diabetes in a new report released at the House of Commons in the run up to World Diabetes Day (14 November).

Diabetes UK launched "Supporting Self Management for people with diabetes", a report that looks at what people with diabetes need to ensure they are equipped to manage their diabetes. People with diabetes spend only a few hours a year with health professionals and so it is imperative that they have access to quality information, structured education, personalised care planning and access to healthcare professionals to reduce the risk of long term complications such as heart disease, stroke and blindness.

Adrian Sanders, who attended the parliamentary reception, said: "There are 6426 people with diabetes in Torbay and it is vital that they are all armed with the knowledge and confidence to manage their diabetes effectively. That is why I am supporting Diabetes UK this World Diabetes Day in its bid to ensure that all people with diabetes have all the information and education they need."

Douglas Smallwood, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, said: "People with diabetes make decisions about their diabetes management every day and want to maintain an independent, healthy and active life. If they need support to achieve this, it should be widely available.  Self management does not mean that people are left to do everything on their own, but that health and social care professionals, peers and family members help to provide the support they need.

"This will not only ensure that people with diabetes face a healthier future but will also help cut the £1 million an hour that the NHS spends on diabetes complications."

To find out more about World Diabetes Day visit www.diabetes.org.uk/WorldDiabetesDay

New Low in Maritime Industrial Relations

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has this week highlighted the unfair pay structure of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Mr Sanders signed a Parliamentary petition that highlighted the unequal award of pay increases for MCA staff. Whilst senior management and board members received on average a 15 per cent increase on top of a six figure salary, frontline staff received a shocking average pay increase of just one percent.

This development comes on the back of a long running industrial dispute within the MCA. After the mass one day strike in 2008, unionised MCA staff have recently voted in favour of a possible future strike.

Adrian commented: “During these difficult financial times, it is unacceptable that senior staff should enrich themselves while at the same time denying their staff the same salary awards.

“Frontline MCA staff already suffer a significant pay disparity when compared to those doing comparable jobs elsewhere in the emergency services sector.

“The MCA performs offers a vital service in protecting the UK’s shoreline and those who operate around it. The Government must learn the lessons from the Royal Mail strikes and  step in to settle this pay dispute fairly before the MCA’s vital service is adversely affected by industrial action.”

Little Indication of End of Recession

As unemployment rose again in the past month, Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has called on the Government to develop a more coherent strategy and implement current support plans faster.

Unemployment in the Torbay constituency rose by 27 in October despite the overall regional rate of unemployment falling by 0.1%. 

Mr Sanders has been questioning Ministers this week over the Government’s support for the electronics industry, which has been suffering job losses locally and across the UK as a result of intense competition from abroad.

Adrian commented: “Today we saw yet another rise in unemployment and it is clear that young people are those being hit hardest.  The Government desperately needs to up its game by engaging with industries to provide real apprenticeships that lead to long term careers and by providing more support for the further education sector.”

“Torbay desperately needs to diversify its economy but this is being hampered by the lack of support many industries, particularly the manufacturing sector, are receiving.

Public Sector Must Look at Cutting Stress Levels

Following the release today of new guidance on stress in the workplace by NICE, Bay MP Adrian Sanders is calling on public sector bodies in Torbay to do more to reduce workplace stress, leading to fewer absences and higher productivity.

Figures gained from Torbay Council show that in the last two years almost 200 individual staff were absent on one or more occasion due to stress and other psychological factors.  This is on top of over 160 Torbay school staff missing work for the same reasons.

Mr Sanders raised the matter in Parliament with the Education and Local Government Departments.  While the Schools Minister outlined a range of measures the Government is taking in schools to reduce teacher stress, the Local Government Minister confirmed that no such system is in place for councils.

Adrian commented: “There are a number of factors in the workplace that cause stress: bullying, poor management, limited resources, too great a workload or simply an unattractive working environment.  To raise morale, gain more productivity from staff and more importantly reduce stress, all public bodies should do more to seek out problems that could lead to stress and take action before staff feel the need to miss work.”

“The new NICE guidance is a good step forward but for local government especially there seems to be a need to up the game in promoting staff well being.”

Equitable Life Protest Comes to Parliament

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders today met with local residents who have been affected by the collapse of Equitable Life in 2000.  Many policyholders have still been unable to gain compensation despite an independent report by the Parliamentary Ombudsman calling on Government to compensate due to overwhelming regulatory failures.

Adrian has signed motions and lobbied the Government urging them to endorse the Ombudsman’s report but so far the Government has refused to give in.  The Liberal Democrats last month put forward a motion to Parliament which was narrowly defeated.

It is estimated that there are up to 2,000 policyholders in Torbay.

Adrian commented: “Despite court rulings, Ombudsman’s reports and the calls of MPs and hundreds of thousands of members of the public, the Government has stubbornly refused to compensate these policyholders who lost out due to its own regulatory failings.

The rally today is yet another high profile call for the Government to come to its senses.

I would urge anyone who is affected in the Torbay constituency who has not already contacted me on this matter to get in touch on 01803 200036.”

Sanders welcomes step closer for terrestrial cricket

The long campaign to bring Test Cricket back to terrestrial television looks like coming to a successful conclusion as a review of TV sport is submitted to Ministers.

Since the 2005 Ashes win, test cricket has been shown on Sky Sports, restricting access to millions of fans.  Since then Adrian has been campaigning through his role on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee for cricket to return to the ‘crown jewel’ list of sports to be available on free-to-air TV.

Now the review conducted by former FA head David Davies is coming to a close, it seems more than likely that it will recommend cricket is put back on terrestrial and the proposals have the support of Government ministers.

Adrian commented: “While cricket might not appeal to everyone, the test matches are an important part of our sporting heritage and deserve to be accessible to everyone.”

Report Shows Continuing Housing Crisis: Sanders Calls for Local Solutions

MP for Torbay Adrian Sanders yesterday attended the launch of the National Housing Federation’s verdict on housing in the South West.  Among the figures released was the startling fact that Torbay has seen the highest rise in waiting lists for housing in the whole of the South West.

In the last 5 years the waiting list has increased 297.3% with over 5,000 families looking for new homes.

The report also highlighted how the whole region suffers from very high house prices compared to local average incomes; the average home costing £222,704 with the average wage being £19,016.  Again the deprivation facing Torbay was highlighted by the low average income of £15,668.

Adrian is supporting a number of proposals made by the NHF including the end of pre-payment rip-offs by energy companies, investment in new council houses and reforms to the way social homes are allocated.

Adrian commented on the report: “Everyone is well aware of the housing problems Torbay faces but we need a sensible solution that not only consults but listens to local people and changes direction according to their wishes.”

“There is enough brownfield in Torbay for 10,000 new homes so we do not need to indulge the Government or Council’s idea that Greenfield must be plundered.  We need affordable family homes and homes suitable for the ageing population.  These need to be planned with appropriate infrastructure and simply must take account of Torbay’s historic environment.”

Sanders Welcomes Government U-turn on Disability Benefit

Adrian Sanders MP has welcomed Health Secretary Andy Burnham’s decision to cancel proposals to abolish Disability Living Allowance, the benefit paid to severely and terminally disabled people.

The Government recently launched its Social Care Green Paper to set out proposals on how care services should be run and funded.  The option was left open to remove disability benefits for all ages and give the money to local authorities.  There was fierce opposition from disability groups and the Minister has now backed down in the face of lobbying from Adrian and other MPs.

The option still remains to take away Attendance Allowance, which is paid to hundreds of pensioners in Torbay who need extra help with care and mobility.

Adrian said: “I have been contacted by many local disabled people recently, who are at their wits end worrying that the Government was going to take away their livelihood.  The vast majority of this group are unable to work and rely on this fixed income to get by.”

“The Government now needs to end its proposals to take funds away from pensioners who have mobility problems, which is causing considerable stress and anxiety to this vulnerable group.”

Bay MP Supports Territorial Army

Bay MP Adrian Sanders has joined a petition in the House of Commons to praise the contribution of the Territorial Army to Britain’s defence forces and calling on the Government to drop its plans to cut the TA budget by £23million.

Ministers recently announced the cuts to training for the Territorial Army in an attempt to ‘reprioritise’ funding for the war in Afghanistan.  Mr Sanders has accused them of short sightedness and failing to consider the future of the TA.

Minister Bill Rammell announced the suspension of much of the paid training for the TA, preventing many volunteers from keeping up with their training regimes.

Adrian said: “The Government is cutting a small amount of the defence budget, but it is a cut that will have a devastating effect upon the vital contribution the Territorial Army makes.  This will hit the readiness of the TA and also recruitment rates.  The Minister has seriously misjudged the mood of the TA and the public and I will be doing all I can in Parliament to get their funding reinstated.”