Adrian Sanders

Adrian Sanders Campaign Leads to New Animal Welfare Law

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has hailed new laws on chicken farming as an historic first step on the way to eradicating poor welfare standards.  Over 700 million chickens are reared for meat in cramped and inhumane conditions in the UK every year but new regulations announced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will limit the number of chickens that can be kept in any given space.

DEFRA will now allow farmers to keep only up to 19 birds per square meter, below the EU limit of 21.  The EU Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare has determined that any stocking density over 15 per square meter will result in adverse health effects for the birds.

The regulations will come into force by the middle of next year and it is estimated that around 10% of farmers currently exceed the 19 bird limit.

Adrian led the campaign, together with fellow Liberal Democrat MP Mike Hancock, urging the Government to put limits on stocking densities, which could prevent tens of millions of chickens from living with debilitating health conditions including leg disorders and heart problems.  Adrian and Mike both tabled Parliamentary motions calling for better welfare standards.

Adrian said: “You can measure the humanity and civilisation of a society by the way it treats its animals and although this is a good step forward, it is clear we still have far to go.  Although these birds are reared for food, it is inexcusable for them to suffer their whole lives before being killed and the Government must build on this first step towards better animal welfare standards.”

Bay MP Encourages Winter Flu Vaccination Uptake

Adrian Sanders, MP for Torbay is calling for more high risk residents to receive their flu jab. 

As a Diabetic, Adrian has received his seasonal flu jab already this year.

Every year around 50,000 people are affected by winter flu in the UK, which has an associated mortality of up to 20%.  However, information released by Torbay Care Trust found that only 62.3% of the eligible population in PCT Area have received their vaccination; leaving over 10,000 over 65s unvaccinated. 

January often sees the highest rate of winter flu, which can be fatal for those in a number of vulnerable groups including the elderly and those with medical conditions such as diabetes or chronic heart disease.

More information can be found on NHS website at www.nhs.uk and Health Protection Agency (HPA) at www.hpa.org.uk.

Adrian said: “The seasonal flu jab is essential in cutting the number of avoidable deaths during the winter season.  I would strongly encourage anyone who is eligible and has not yet received their vaccination to contact their GP.”

Adrian Sanders MP pledges to “do his bit” for British Armed Forces

Adrian Sanders, MP for Torbay, has pledged to do his bit for the British Armed Forces family.

Mr Sanders made the pledge on The Royal British Legion’s campaign website, www.timetodoyourbit.org.uk.

The website also features the charity’s general election manifesto, which sets out priorities for the next Government to improve conditions for Service Personnel and their families, the bereaved, veterans and dependants.

Ken Shinkwin, the Legion’s Head of Public Affairs, said, “We’re really grateful to Adrian for pledging to do his bit. The entire Armed Forces family needs the support of politicians from all parties, and our manifesto outlines practical ways the next government can help. We hope all the parties will give it serious consideration and that every MP will pledge to do their bit.”

Adrian said: “I was delighted to support The Royal British Legion. They have an important role to play in highlighting the needs of the whole Armed Forces family. I have pledged to do my bit and would encourage everyone to visit the website – www.timetodoyourbit.org.uk – to find out how they can get involved in the campaign.”

Torbay MP calls for Government to improve river quality

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders is supporting a petition in Parliament to raise the average river water quality of England and Wales.

According to the European Water Framework Directive, a body which measures the chemical and biological health of water bodies, only 21 per cent. of rivers in England are ecologically in good condition.

Improving water quality could boost England’s economy by generate up to £3.6 billion. Despite this, the Environment Agency currently aims to increase England’s river water quality by only 5 per cent. by 2015.

The motion calls for the Environment Agency to set more strident standards for river water quality, which would benefit a range of rivers across Devon as well as a number of streams in Torbay that have been blamed for contributing to poor bathing water levels.

Adrian commented: “Tackling water pollution is an urgent priority and the Environment Agency must set higher targets to ensure the problem is effectively tackled.

“Rivers make a significant contribution not only to our local environments but also the tourist industry and it is essential that we protect them for future generations.”

Child Protection Issues Highlighted in Parliament

Following the Serious Case Review last month into the serious injuries suffered by Child A in Torbay, local MP Adrian Sanders has raised the issue in Parliament.

While the review has prompted authorities in Torbay to review their procedures, Mr Sanders questioned Children’s Minister Dawn Primarolo on how to improve guidance to councils to ensure children at risk do not come to harm.

The Minister confirmed that the part of Government guidance telling councils how to deal with child protection cases is now being reviewed.  The Minister also committed to doing more to improve how various agencies share information, which was highlighted as a serious problem in Torbay’s serious case review.

The Minister was not able to resolve the problem over when to use different procedures such as Family Group Conferences and Child Protection Procedures, saying it was up to local councils to decide.  A further criticism of the case in Torbay was the inappropriate use of a Family Group Conference.

Adrian commented: “Luckily Child A survived but it is essential that national and local Government take steps to prevent cases like this happening in the future.  There are key areas where best practice needs to be followed more closely and where agencies need to work together proactively and hopefully the action being taken by the Minister and the review being carried out by Lord Laming will go some way to improving how child protection procedures work.”

Minister Announces Review of Fire Safety Laws

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has welcomed the decision by Fire Minister Shahid Malik to review regulations concerning smoke alarms.

In a debate on fire safety in rented properties, held by Mr Sanders in the House of Commons today, the Minister pledged to look at proposals to make smoke alarms compulsory in rented accommodation, with landlords being responsible for there being a working system at the beginning of any tenancy.

The debate follows the tragic death of Stephanie Wojak and Ben McAuliffe in a fire in Ellacombe, Torquay in October.  It has been acknowledged that there was no smoke alarm at the Riviera Housing Trust property and figures highlighted by Mr Sanders showed that every year over 200 people die in house fires where no working smoke alarm is present.

Adrian said, following the debate: “This is a good step forward in getting more protection for tenants and preventing tragedies such as the more than 300 fire deaths every year.  Hopefully the Minister will look closely at the possibilities and come back with a sensible proposal.”

“The majority of landlords and homeowners are already responsible when it comes to fire safety but it would save dozens of lives and provide reassurance to tens of thousands of tenants if the minority were brought into line with best practice.”

Threat to NHS Voluntary Drivers

Adrian Sanders, Lib Dem MP for Torbay is campaigning for an increase in tax free mileage payments to volunteer drivers in the NHS to reflect rising fuel costs and other expenses.

Adrian has joined Lib Dem health spokesman Norman Lamb in lobbying the Government to raise the limit, which currently stands at 40p per mile, so that existing and potential volunteers are not put off by high costs and tax return bureaucracy.

Adrian commented: “I have been contacted by local campaign groups who are very concerned that volunteer drivers, who provide a vital service for the NHS, taking patients to and from health appointments and so on will no longer be able or willing to give their time.”

“It is essential that the Government changes the rules, as it has done for paid NHS employees, and therefore protects many patients from losing this service.”

Bay MP Pushing for Tax Cut for Tourism

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders is calling on the Government to cut VAT for the tourism industry in next month’s pre-Budget Report.  The move, which has the backing of several tourist businesses in the Bay, would see the UK match tax cuts for tourism already approved in countries such as France and Germany.

Adrian signed a Parliamentary petition this month urging the Government to reduce VAT on hotel accommodation, restaurant meals and visitor attractions to between 5.5 and 7%.  Other countries have already taken these steps and research has shown that in the UK such cuts would create around 23,000 new jobs and bring over half a billion in extra tax revenue from the increased economic activity.

Adrian commented: “Tourism remains the biggest contribution to the local economy and it is essential that the Government takes action to help this industry in the recession.  VAT cuts are a win-win situation: there will be more jobs, more business and this new business will overall bring more revenue to the Treasury.”

“This would be an immense boost to many local businesses and I have already been in contact with a significant number who support the campaign.”

Adrian has written to the Chancellor Alistair Darling calling for VAT cuts.

MP Calls on Torbay to ‘Love Their Lungs’

Adrian Sanders MP is backing the British Lung Foundation’s ‘Love Your Lungs’ campaign for World COPD Day 2009. The BLF is campaigning to raise awareness of the lung condition Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and to encourage those at risk to ask their GP for a lung function test.

COPD is an umbrella term for a number of conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.  It is a progressive, irreversible lung disease yet it is both preventable and treatable and early diagnosis and treatment can slow the progression of the illness. There are an estimated 3.7 million people in the UK with the disease, yet awareness of the disease is still worryingly low with only 16% saying that had heard of COPD in a recent poll.

The BLF has found that people often dismiss the symptoms of the disease, such as a persistent cough, excess phlegm and breathlessness, as natural signs of ageing or a ‘smokers cough’ so do not think of asking their GP for a lung function test. This was shown in a survey by the BLF of 400 smokers and ex-smokers. The survey found that three quarters (73%) of smokers and ex-smokers had not had a lung function test despite 21 % experiencing one or more of symptoms of COPD in the last 12 months.

The BLF is calling for people experiencing the symptoms of lung disease to ask for a lung function test from their GP, and for the Government to take steps to improve diagnosis and treatment throughout the country.

To show his support Adrian Sanders MP signed an EDM which supports the British Lung Foundation campaign and the forthcoming Clinical Strategy for COPD. The Clinical Strategy is a ten year plan which will set out standards of prevention, diagnosis and treatment for COPD across the whole of England. It is hoped that the strategy will increase awareness of COPD and make good quality care available to everyone, regardless of where they live.

Adrian Sanders says, “I am very happy to be supporting the British Lung Foundation’s campaign. COPD is a life changing condition, but is both preventable and treatable if diagnosed early. We need to make sure that people recognise the symptoms the disease and to take steps to improve treatment across the country. I hope the forthcoming Clinical Strategy will be speedily and enthusiastically implemented by the Government.”

Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation said, ‘We are delighted Adrian is supporting our ‘Love Your Lungs’ campaign. Symptoms such as breathlessness and a persistent cough are often ignored by smokers or ex smokers as signs of getting older but they could be symptoms of COPD. COPD is a chronic, irreversible disease that can leave individuals unable to perform simple everyday tasks and dependent on oxygen if it is left untreated. It is important that people take the signs of COPD seriously and ask their GP for a lung function test, as the sooner they are diagnosed and treated the better.’

Sanders Highlights Housing Problems in Torbay

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has recently drawn attention to the explosion in average house prices in his constituency, which are causing severe problems both for first time buyers and those who want to move further up the property ladder.

Recent statistics released by the National Housing Federation show that the price of the average Torbay house has rocketed from £68, 971 in 1998 to £188, 650 in 2008 – an increase of 182%. House prices are now around eleven times the average wage in the area, whereas at the start of the decade they were seven times the average Torbay wage.

Alongside this huge increase in recent years, buyers in the housing market have been further affected by the recession, which has increased the demand for affordable housing but reduced the supply of new homes. 

Adrian commented: “This report by the National Housing Federation demonstrates the need for a different approach to affordable housing, especially in areas like Torbay where first time buyers are finding it increasingly difficult to get on the property ladder.

“The days of top-down Government targets should be consigned to the rubbish bin, especially where housing policy is concerned.  Instead of the Government telling local authorities how many new homes need to be built, they should task them to conduct their own housing need survey in order to establish what kinds of homes need to be built. This information would allow local authorities to dictate their own local needs to developers, rather than outside developers largely deciding where, when and what sort of housing will be constructed”