Adrian Sanders

Adrian Sanders calls on companies to end practice of silent calls in Torbay

Adrian Sanders MP for Torbay today joined with consumer groups to highlight the problem of silent telephone calls, which cause misery for thousands of consumers.

Adrian welcomed the campaign from communications regulator Ofcom and consumer champions Consumer Focus and Age Concern to raise awareness of silent calls and how to avoid them.

Adrian said: "Although silent calls can seem intimidating, they are usually just marketing calls and not malicious. However, they can be a cause of great anxiety. Knowing how to avoid them is one way consumers can take control."

Silent calls are caused by automated calling systems known as diallers which are often used in call centres to generate and attempt to connect calls. If there are not enough call centre agents to handle the numbers of calls the dialler makes, it may result in a silent call.

Ofcom guidelines state that call centres using diallers should play an information message if a call is abandoned to prevent the call being silent. In many cases this is not happening, and results in consumers receiving silent calls.

Ofcom receives over 1,000 complaints a month from consumers worried and frustrated about this issue.

Audrey Gallacher from consumer champion Consumer Focus said: "While companies continue causing distress by making silent calls, consumers should report them to Ofcom so they can investigate and take enforcement action if necessary."

Gordon Lishman, chief executive of Age Concern England, said: "Silent calls cause anxiety and distress to those on the receiving end. We are very pleased that Ofcom has taken action to reduce the incidence of these calls and has produced an informative guide telling people how they complain."

Consumers can take steps to avoid these calls by registering for the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), which makes it illegal for companies to call them for marketing reasons.

A guide with details of how to register for the TPS and complain about silent calls is available on the web sites of Ofcom, Age Concern and Consumer Focus.

Hotline for Business Help

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has been encouraging local businesses to seek help in the face of the deepening recession.

Business Link at www.businesslink.gov.uk or via 0845 600 9006 is the first port of call for free business advice.

The Working Capital Scheme, which provides loans to businesses, is also available, by calling 0845 459 9780.

For urgent and severe cases, MPs have arranged a hotline to the Director of Special Projects, David Smith, at the Business Department. Any businesses in urgent trouble can contact Adrian on 01803 200036.

Adrian commented:"Torbay is being hit hard by the recession. The empty shops in our town centres are a testament to the difficult situation businesses are facing. The Government is finally getting its act together after months of pressure to help small businesses and I would urge any business that needs advice or assistance to contact me.

Sanders Calls for Class Size Reduction

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders today raised concerns over rising class sizes in local schools at education questions in the House of Commons.

Nationally class sizes are over 25 in state schools, far greater than the average of 12 for the private sector.

While research in the UK has been limited on the effect of class sizes, studies in the USA report that as well as higher attainment, smaller class sizes can lead to a range of other benefits, including a greater engagement in learning and better class discipline.

The Liberal Democrats this weekend announced their policy to reduce class sizes considerably, allowing teachers to give pupils the attention they need. Class sizes in primary schools are the most crucial but at present are far higher than the average class sizes in secondary schools.

Adrian said: "The Government has been neglecting rising class sizes for a considerable time. Indeed, they have not researched this issue for over 5 years, when they concluded that larger classes at primary schools could be beneficial by allowing greater 'independent learning'."

"Despite record local government grant settlements, Torbay has seen class sizes rise. The benefits of smaller classes are obvious and I will be campaigning to reduce class sizes and close the gap that exists between the state and private sectors."

Government Disgrace as Help for Pensioners Refused

As interest rates plummet further, the Government still refuses to lend a helping hand to pensioners who are being hit hard by the reduction in income this brings.

Over 8 million pensioners gain an income from savings, bringing in around £3-4billion a year in tax revenues for the Treasury.

With rising bills, food prices and with lower savings income, many pensioners will no longer be able to support their standard of living.

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has been raising the concerns of many Torbay pensioners in Parliament but so far the Government has refused to offer any additional help to struggling pensioners.

Adrian said: "Once again the Government is sticking its head in the sand. The Minister can only point out help for pensioners that is being totally dwarfed by the impact of the recession. Nothing new is being done to help pensioners in the face of the downturn and with one of the worst pension levels in Europe, British pensioners will soon be suffering further under this Government."

"With banking executives receiving massive pensions and bonuses and with billions wasted on an ineffectual VAT cut, the least the Government can do is provide a real increase in the state pension as well as reducing the tax burden on savings."

Adrian on saving British pubs

Adrian Sanders MP speaking outside St Stephens Tavern in Westminster.

Government Must Help Under Threat Businesses

Adrian Sanders, MP for Torbay, has been questioning Communities Minister John Healey over Government help for businesses in Torbay.

Following news that some businesses are facing a steep hike in business rates as the transitional relief scheme comes to an end, Adrian pressed for the Government to extend the relief while the recession continues but Mr Healey refused to extend the support.

The Minister also admitted that he did not know how many businesses would be affected by the end of the scheme.

Business rates are re-valued every 5 years. If the changes in rates are particularly steep, these changes will be phased in over 4 years. For the fifth year of the scheme, the full rate has to be paid and some businesses will suddenly find a big increase in their bills.

There was good news though as the Minister highlighted hardship schemes that allow councils to offer rate relief to businesses. It is essential for all businesses facing hardship to approach the council and make their case for a temporary rate reduction.

Adrian commented: "More still needs to be done to provide help to businesses, especially small, local businesses. While the Minister is refusing to address the transitional relief problem, at least the Government, and local authorities, are now recognising that something does need to be done."

Torbay's World Class Youth Centre Welcomed

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has welcomed the awarding of almost £5million for the Parkfield youth project in Paignton.

The funding has been gained through the myplace Big Lottery programme, which has awarded £180million nationwide and Adrian supported the bid by writing to the fund organisers to make the case for Parkfield.

The new facilities will provide a range of activities and a dedicated venue for the young people of Torbay, something that has been lacking in recent years.

Adrian said: "The awarding of this funding is excellent news for Paignton and for Torbay. Young people are all too often overlooked in Torbay and this is just what is needed to redress the balance. The benefits will be immense and long lasting."

"I was only too happy to write in support of the bid for the youth centre and I will be looking forward to the facilities opening in the near future."

Torbay MP raises licensees' concerns in Parliament

In Parliament today, Adrian Sanders MP tackled Culture, Media and Sport Minister Gerry Sutcliffe over bureaucracy in the licensing system.

Last month Adrian met with licensees of pubs and clubs in Paignton, along with council and police officials. Many raised concerns over the high level of bureaucracy the new licensing regime has created and the cost that comes with this.

Ignoring this, the Minister claimed that there had been a reduction in red tape, even though he had no figures to demonstrate this for the thousands of small businesses governed by the Licensing Act.

Other problems affecting licensees include high levels of beer tax and competition from supermarkets selling cut price alcohol, which can damage the pub and club trade irreparably, as well as moving the Government's message away from responsible drinking.

Adrian's question comes as the Scottish Government aims to crack down on binge drinking and cut price supermarket alcohol.

Adrian said: "Pubs provide tens of thousands of jobs nationwide, contributing heavily to local economies. They also provide a community focus. Well run pubs should not be penalised while supermarkets can sell cheap loss-leading alcohol."

"When it was brought in, the Licensing Act was supposed to help in the fight against anti-social behaviour but now its problems seem to outweigh its benefits. The Act needs to be reviewed and Ministers need to listen to those in the industry and local communities to get the balance right."

"The Minister gave a positive reply on measures the Government is taking to support pubs, and gave reassurances that the level of bureaucracy is constantly being reviewed."

Lib-Dems to Clean-up Politics

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders and his Liberal Democrat colleagues at Westminster will today attempt to break the link between wealth and political influence as the Political Parties and Elections Bill is voted on in the House of Commons.

The Bill aims to strengthen the powers of the Electoral Commission and regulate spending by political parties as well as donations.

The Liberal Democrats have tabled amendments to restrict the maximum donation to £50,000 each year, to prevent those who do not pay tax in the UK from donating, either in person or through corporations and to make trade union donations more transparent.

Adrian said: "Voters need to know that the British political system is fair and transparent. It is not fair that wealthy individuals and corporations can buy undue influence in the political process. Our proposals will make how money is spent in politics more democratic."

Save Local Pharmacies

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders presented evidence to the Department of Health on behalf of UK pharmacists, pressing for the Government to help community pharmacies. The evidence includes pharmacies in financial trouble and those that are no longer able to offer the extended services they used to.

Since 2007, following the introduction of new rules on how the Government pays pharmacists, many of the smaller businesses have suffered from cash-flow problems and have had to cut staff and services. With the deepening recession, there are fears that vital community pharmacies may be forced to close.

Adrian raised the issue last month in a debate in the House of Commons, where the Health Minister Dawn Primarolo challenged Adrian to present evidence of the Government's effects on pharmacies. Adrian today presented that evidence, gathered through the Chemist and Druggist magazine.

Adrian said: "Pharmacies are a vital part of the Health Service and although we may not all use them regularly, we would soon notice if they weren't there. The way the Government has set up the financing for pharmacies leaves an uncertain future for many."

"Hopefully Ministers will sit up and take note of the deluge of examples of how their actions are crippling small pharmacists."