Adrian Sanders

Survey Results Show Apathy is Winning

Survey results released this month show that despite considerable Government investment, there are worrying trends in British citizenship. Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has claimed that these trends are having an effect on how well things work in communities like Torbay.

The Audit of Political Engagement, compiled by the Hansard Society, reveal that only 53% of people will definately vote in the next general election and around 50% of people do not even want to be involved in decision making nationally or locally.

This is leading to citizenship apartheid, where only half the people paying taxes to the Government actually have an input into how this revenue is spent. The report concluded that this lack of participation cansiderably reduces the ability og all forms of Government to perform effectively.

Adrian said: "It is an indictment on all politicians that so many people think they cannot have a say in vital decisions that affect their lives. Whether you agree with any politician or none, it is important to some extent to ensure your voice is heard."

"Without involvement, decision makers at a local or national level can effectively ignore whole groups. The lack of interest shown by young peoplehas recently seen them miss out on free swimming, susidised public transport and a whole host of other decisions."

"Torbay is going through a period of considerable upheaval, with regeneration, tacking the recession and improving public services just some of the priorities for politicians. It is amazing how few residents actually voice an opinion, especially on local matters."  

Jobseeker Support Grows

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has welcomed news that support for jobseekers has been growing; but has voiced concern that the Government has still done little to increase the number of job vacancies.

Regional Jobcentre  Plus Manager Phil Weeks has been championing the  new support available, including £1,000 recruitment subsidies for empoyers, free basic skills training for jobseekers and more funding for the Rapid Response Service.

These measures are very necessary for Torbay, which has over 3,500 jobseekers in the Borough. But there are only around 350 jobs on offer in the authority's jobcentres.

Adrian is pushing local and national Government to provide more support for small businesses and really stimulate job creation schemes.

Adrian said: "It is very good news that extra training and support is, in theory, now available to the unemployed but it will be of no use if Government policy continues to squander opportunities to provide jobs."

"The VAT cut has proved to be a waste of money for both taxpayers and businesses. What we really need is investment based on a sound cost-benefit analysis. For example, every pound spent on Visit Britain tourism advertising funding brings £36 into the economy."

"A fiscal stimulus will only have credibility if it creates jobs now and while the state of Britain's finances is perilous, there is still time for the Government to divert spending into areas that will benefit the economy."

Funding for Disabled Children

Bay MP Adrian Sanders has congratulated charity Family Fund for helping 121 families with severely disabled children in Torbay during 2007-08. Grants have totalled almost £79,000 and have enabled the purchase of items such as washing machines, clothing, computers, driving lessons and family holidays.

Family Fund now has two further ways to help people in Torbay. Firstly, the Fund is now accessible to disabled young people up to the age of 18, raised from 16, for families who have an earned income of less than £23,000.

Family Fund 'extra' (www.familyfundextra.org.uk) gives families with disabled children discounts on a large range of services and products from retailers such as Marks and Spencer, Comet and Argos.

Family Fund has asked for people to use 'extra' as their online shopping gateway for retailers such as Amazon, so that the Family Fund can receive commission on these purchases from retailers, reinvesting funds in badly needed grants.

Adrian commented: "Organisations such as Family Fund play a vital part in supporting low income families with disabled children."

"It is so important that disabled children and provided with the same opportunities wherever possible as able-bodied children and items such as laptops and driving lessons help facilitate this."

"I would encourage anyone who thinks they may be eligible for funding to visit www.familyfund.org.uk or call Family Fund on 0845 130 4542."  

Animal Cruelty for Food Must Be Banned

MP for Torbay, Adrian Sanders has called on the Government to ban the sale in the UK of foie gras that has been produced using traditional menthods.

The traditional method of foie gras production consists of forcing metal pipes down the throats of ducks and geese to allow them to be easily over-fed which increases the size of their livers to 10 times their normal size.

This method of production has been illegal in the UK for some time but the sale of the product is not. It is an extremely cruel process and many birds die before the completion of the forced-feeding process. The birds have also been shown to demonstrate signs of fear and their natural behaviour is dramatically altered.

There is an alternative to foie gras, know as faux gras, which is produced from free-range ducks and geese which have not been subjected to force-feeding and is supported by the RSPCA and Compassion in World Farming as an ethical alternative.

Adrian commented: "Animal welfare issues have rightly received more publicity and attention in recent years but the production of foie gras is one area that is often overlooked."

"It seems hypocritical that the cruel production of foie gras is banned in the UK and yet we still permit the sale of the product. It is time that the sale of traditionally produced foie gras is banned in this country and that we switch to humane alternatives." 

Sanders Fights for Better Epilepsy Services

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has been pressing Ministers to improve care for those suffering from Epilepsy.

The calls for improvements are being led by charity Epilepsy Action, which has published its 'Time to Change' report showing severe problems in services and the lack of implementation of NICE guidelines.

In particular the research found that over 80% of care trusts do not know how many children in their areas have epilepsy, well over half do not employ a specialist epilepsy nurse and over 90% do not meet their 2 week target to assess suspected cases of epilepsy.

There are approximately 1,000 sufferers of epilepsy in Torbay and while the Care Trust has recently appointed a specialist epilepsy nurse, this has been at a lower employment grade than most other Trusts.

Adrian is calling for the appointment of a National Clinical Director for  Epilepsy to provide leadership to resolve problems as well as better monitoring of Care Trusts' services for epilepsy.

Health minister Ann Keen recently said in the House of Commons that "services continue to fall short of the standards that people with epilepsy have a right to expect." She did not, however, agree to appoint a clinical director and has left the review of NICE guidelines and their implementation to the Care Quality Commission, which has started work today.

Adrian said: "Epilepsy has become a hidden problem, ignored by some sectors of the NHS. The lack of adherence to NICE guidelines is causing serious problems for the quality of life for those with epilepsy and the Government must start taking a lead to banish the current postcode lottery and raise the quality of care." 

How to Save Energy and Money

In light of rising energy bills, Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has been finding ways to save money for his constituents.

There was good news as Energy Minister Joan Ruddock tentatively promised to look at extending the Warm Front scheme, which provides grants for improvements such as efficient boilers and cavity wall insulation. At present only those on means tested benefits are eligible but Adrian has been pressing for all low and middle income homes to be able to access funding.

The Energy Saving Trust has also been highlighting its impartial advice service, which could save residents hundreds of pounds a year on energy bills.

The Trust matches householders to grants, gives advice on how to increase the sustainability of the home and most importantly how to save money.

The Trust's free advice line is on 0800 512 012 and further details can be found at: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Adrian commented: "Many people come to me with concerns over the environmental impact of the way we live and now with the recession, I am inundated with those needing just that little bit of help to make ends meet. Improving the environment and saving on energy costs are not mutually exclusive and the Government is slowly coming round to the arguments many of us have been making for the stimulus out of the recession to be a green stimulus."

"Most importantly, there are practical steps available to people now and the more awareness there is of the grants and advice out there, the more money people can save in these tough times." 

Sanders Calls for Carers' Card

Adrian Sanders, Torbay MP has called on the Government to intoduce a Universal Carers Card to allow carers to attend events and activities, at which the disabled person for whom they care requires assistance, free of charge.

A number of companies already offer a carers card scheme specific to their organisation, such as The National Trust and the Cinema Exhibitors Association. This, however, requires a carer to apply for a large number of different schemes to qualify for free entry and is overly complicated.

Many disabled people do not currently have access to a wide range of services, especially leisure activities, due to an excessive financial burden of having to pay for entrance fees and tickets for two people rather than one.

Adrian commented: "A Universal Carers Card would be of huge benefit to many people. At present, access to some services and activities for disabled people is restricted due to the prohibitive cost of also having to pay for their carer."

"A Universal Carers Card would help reduce this discrimination and create a greater quality of life for many disabled people and their carers."

Tenants Need Better Recession Protection

Adrian Sanders MP has responded to figures showing rising repossessions by calling for greater protection for tenants in buy-to-let properties.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders has predicted that 75,000 repossessions will take place in the next year and with a high number of residents in Torbay living in private rented properties, action is needed to prevent a homelessness crisis and a significant burden on local social housing.

With Government support for owner-occupiers with mortgages finally growing, Adrian is now calling for similar support to be extended to private tenants.

At the moment tenants can find themselves summarily evicted if their landlord defaults on a mortgage and have no say in court cases.

Adrian is joining bodies Shelter, the Citizens Advice Bureau, Crisis and the Chartered Institute of Housing in calling for amendments to legislation to give judges the right to delay buy-to-let repossessions to allow tenants a reasonable time to find alternative accommodation.

So far the Communities and Local Government Department has committed to look at measures, but the focus so far is on 'influencing lender behaviour.'

Adrian said: "There is already a severe shortage of the right sort of housing in Torbay and the recession will undoubtedly make things worse. So far the Government has not concentrated on the rented sector and it needs to do so fast."

"With the high level of private renting in the Bay, these figures unfortunately show that there will be dozens of these cases in the next year alone. Each one is a family losing a home and anything the Government can do to reduce the damage done must be considered."

London 2012 Should Be Fairtrade Olympics

Adrian Sanders MP has called for the 2012 Olympics to be a "Fairtrade Olympics."

Together with 41 other MPs, Adrian has signed a motion calling on the Olympics organisers to make as many products as possible used and sold at the Olympics 'fair trade.'

The Fairtrade movement helps producers in the developing world by guaranteeing that goods are ethically produced and that fair prices are paid to farmers and workers. The Liberal Democrats and campaign groups like Tearfund are calling on the Government to make greater use of fair trade produce, using the 2012 games to champion this and ensure Britain is leading the way in ethically sound international development.

Adrian said: "Fair Trade is important and the 2012 Games is a perfect opportunity for the Government to show its commitment to ethical trade and production. Ensuring fair trade abroad ensures higher quality products for UK consumers and enables the spread of democracy and higher spending trading partners; it makes economic sense not just for developing producers but also for the British economy."

What Should the Chancellor Include in the Budget?

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders is asking residents for their views on what should be in this year's budget, due to be announced on April 22nd.

Adrian will be raising these concerns with the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the run up to the announcement and also in response to the budget.

The announcement is likely to include measures to tackle the recession and Adrian is seeking views on what the Government's approach should be to stimulate the economy. This could include an income tax cut, investment in infrastructure such as new railways or broadband lines, a cut in business rates or something more radical.

Adrian commented: "This will be the most important Budget of this Labour Government. With so many measures failing or failing to be implemented so far, there is a desperate need for a solution that does not break the bank for future generations."

"My priority is to press for more support for small businesses and those on low and middle incomes. The VAT cut has seemingly faltered and that money could have been better spent in a business rate cut, a cut in the basic rate of income tax or a council tax freeze. The priority has to be getting people spending again, which will save businesses and jobs; the best way to do this is putting money into the pockets of the pubic."

Residents wishing to make their views known can contact Adrian at [email protected] or by writing to House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.