Adrian Sanders

Bay MP calls for ban on 084 numbers in the NHS

Following the Department of Health’s recent announcement that it is to review how people contact NHS services, Torbay MP has called for the use of expensive 084 numbers to be stopped.

084 numbers cost the caller more than the standard local rate but do provide extra functions such as allowing effective management of a large volume of calls. However, there are fears that the numbers are being used as a money making exercise by the NHS, taking money from vulnerable patients.

Ofcom even introduced 03 numbers in 2007 to provide the same functions as 084 numbers but at the same rate as local calls.

Adrian has praised local services in Torbay, which have steered clear of charging patients, but NHS Direct, the national helpline, uses an 084 number.

The Government is seeking the views of staff and patients on this issue and Adrian is encouraging everyone with an interest to respond to the consultation at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_091923

Adrian commented: “The principle of the NHS is a free service at the point of use. 084 numbers are more likely to impact on vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled and they should not have to pay more than the local rate to contact vital health services.”

“Keep Vital Library Services”

Adrian Sanders is supporting the Unison campaign to protect public libraries. Public libraries have made a vital contribution to community life and education over the past 150 years but have become increasingly under threat from cuts and privatisation in recent years.

Unison has criticised the current private finance proposals for the library service due to concern that the reforms would see public libraries turned into a private sector enterprise which would alter their character irrevocably. Instead, Unison are advocating a five-point plan that would see resources for libraries increased, flexible opening hours, more staff training and professional development opportunities and increased community involvement.

Adrian commented: “Libraries are an essential community asset. They are one of the only resources used by a complete cross-section of communities from the very young to the elderly. It would be extremely regrettable if the fundamental character and quality of our public libraries were lost. I am pleased that in Torbay, library services remain well used and that new services are planned, principally the new Paignton Community Library. The Government must do more to ensure that public libraries are retained as an investment in the common community good.”

MP Welcomes New Social Housing Watchdog

Adrian Sanders is urging Torbay residents who are tenants of housing associations, council accommodation to make sure they have their say in a nationwide consultation of tenants.

The Tenant Services Authority, the new independent regulator for social housing, wants to hear from as many social housing tenants as possible, to help it decide on new standards which landlords will be expected to follow.

The new regulator is essentially a champion for tenants and aims to work with tenants to increase the standards of services in affordable housing.

Adrian stated: “This is a real chance to make your voice heard about your housing and your treatment by your landlord. Tenants can download a questionnaire and find more information from www.nationalconversation.co.uk, alternatively, if people prefer to feed their views through me, I can make sure that they are passed on to the Tenant Services Authority.”

Government Needs to Recognise Seaside Brain Drain

Despite increasing concern of the loss of highly qualified school leavers and university graduates from seaside towns throughout the South West, the Government has yet to recognise the problem, let alone measure the effects or find a response on this issue. The Government's ignorance of the issues was revealed in a response to questions from Torbay MP Adrian Sanders.

In areas such as Torbay, a persistent problem has been the lack of incentive for young people to remain in the area, especially after leaving university, and this has caused a demographic imbalance and a skewed social profile. This creates problems for local authorities when addressing the needs of the local community. Adrian said: "This has always been a serious problem facing Torbay, as well as other areas. We have fantastic local schools but on the whole our local community does not benefit from the skills and expertise of young people once they complete their education."

"This contributes to the catch-22 of creating high quality jobs in Torbay. Without the skilled labour force, businesses will not invest and without the employment opportunities, young people will continue to move away. With the resulting imbalance in the population, we get a disproportionate burden on certain services and a hole in the economy. This overwhelmingly affects seaside towns."

"Rather disappointingly the Government is hardly even aware of the problem and has left it up to local authorities to solve it. Much is being done in Torbay with investment in further and higher education at South Devon College but without recognition and resources from central Government, there will always be more to do."

Adrian Sanders and Media Committee to Investigate Press Freedom

The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, which Bay MP Adrian Sanders is a member of, is to launch its enquiry into Press Standards, Privacy and Libel later this month.

The enquiry will focus upon the balancing of the right to privacy and the right for freedom of the press as well as reviewing how the libel laws work with the press, following high profile cases such as the coverage following the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

Adrian said: “Freedom of the press is a fundamental part of a health democratic society and the right to privacy is equally important. How we balance these rights will have a profound effect on the type of society we have. I would urge anyone who has a view on this to contact me.”

Progress on Devon Train Services

Adrian Sanders MP met with the new head of First Great Western, Mark Hopwood, yesterday to discuss the future of rail services in the South West.

Mr Hopwood was hopeful that progress is now being made.  Following a recent campaign, larger trains will now be introduced over the next 2-3 years on the Torbay to Exeter routes, especially at peak times, to reduce overcrowding.  Hopefully 4 carriage trains will replace the 2 carriage trains FGW currently runs.

There was also hope that the prospect for electrification and high speed rail lines would be more thoroughly investigated over the coming months.  Such schemes could improve efficiency, speed and environmental impact as well as providing an opportunity to introduce high tech rolling stock.

Adrian also discussed the potential replacement of South West Trains services by FGW trains after 2009 when SW Trains no longer run services West of Exeter.

Adrian

commented: “Having met with the new managing director of First Great Western, I am convinced that they are fully on board with the need to provide a better rail service in Devon.  With new trains, the overcrowding problems on the Riviera line may soon be over and we may soon be able to think of the train as a realistic alternative to the car and short haul flights.”

Torbay MP highlights Digital TV Inequalities

MP Adrian Sanders is leading a campaign to raise awareness in

South Devon

over the two tier system that will be put in place at the Digital Switchover.

Households receiving their TV signal through relay stations, rather than the main transmitter, will only receive about half of the channels of the full freeview service.

Commercial broadcasters such as Dave, Sky News, Film4 and Virgin 1 will not be investing in the technology necessary to convert the relay stations to freeview.  Ofcom has decided not to enforce compliance for the commercial channels.

It is estimated that up to 8000 households in

Torbay

will receive the reduced service.

Adrian

will be collecting signatures for a petition to present to Ofcom and the Culture, Media and Sport Minister, calling for a review of the situation.

Adrian

commented: “The Digital Switchover was heralded by the Government as a giant leap of progress for television.  It is funded by the license fee and everyone should be able to fully benefit from the switchover.  There needs to be more awareness of what people can expect at switchover.”

Adrian Sanders MP receiving Diabetes UK award

Adrian receiving the Diabetes UK 75th Anniversary Award

Adrian Sanders supports a fairer deal for carers

Adrian Sanders MP has co-sponsored a campaign in Parliament to tackle the current inadequacy of financial support for carers.

Currently, the Carer’s Allowance is available to those who spend in excess of 35 hours a week caring for a person receiving Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance. The Carer’s Allowance for 2008-09 is £50.55 per week and cannot be claimed if the carer earns in excess of £95 per week or if they receive other benefits, including state pension, to the same or higher value as the allowance. The allowance is the equivalent of just under 9 hours pay at the minimum wage and the maximum received on an hourly basis by a carer is £1.44.

Carers UK have recently released new statistics that demonstrate the alarming position carers are put under as living costs continue to rise and the economic crisis is affecting an increasing number of families. Their statistics demonstrate that now more than half of all carers are in debt as a result of caring, compared to one third last year and that nearly two thirds of carers are spending their own savings or income on the people they care for.

Early Day Motion 444, which Adrian has sponsored, calls for the Government to review the benefits received by carers to ensure that they are given a fair deal.

Adrian commented: “The Government is failing to adequately support carers and this is causing a worrying amount of debt for many carers. The low level of financial support is appalling and the complexities of the system also mean that many full-time carers are not eligible for Carer’s Allowance despite surviving on a low income.  The Government must urgently review the funding of carers.”

“The Carers UK campaign, ‘Real change not short change’, highlights the need for a fresh and fair approach, and I fully support it.”

Adrian Sanders tackles Minister over student finance

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders challenged Universities Minister David Lammy MP on tuition fees in Parliament today.

Although applications by those from low income families have risen in recent years, with an 8% increase in the last year, the same level of increase has been recorded from other social classes.  In the last 15 years, the number of students each year has increased by over 100,000-to almost half a million.  Despite this, the social mix has remained virtually the same each year.

The Government has pledged a great deal of rhetoric and resources to increasing the proportion of university applicants from lower income families but results have been hit and miss, with improvements in areas like Torbay being minimal.

There needs to be a greater understanding of the regional variations in university applications and of the barriers preventing a wider range of applications.  Low aspirations, low educational attainment before 18 as well as the threat of heavy debt can prevent those from low income families applying.

Adrian

will also be following up by raising concerns by part time students that they are unfairly penalised by having to pay tuition fees up front.  Furthermore, the Government’s rationale that tuition fees should be paid ignores the reality that not all graduates will earn significantly more in their later lives. 

Adrian

commented: “Participation in Higher Education has increased considerably in recent years, but there is much that needs to be done to create a level playing field of opportunity.”