Food banks in North Northumberland are at an all- time high with families struggling to feed families

Welcomed news but don’t let it hide the issues

Labours Parliamentary Candidate Scott Dickinson today welcomed the news about the 11miles of the A1 that is set to be duelled, Northumberland County Council officers and politicians playing a vital part of that writing economic plans and meeting with the DFT to present them. However the devil of course will be in the detail, securing the remaining 22miles and ensuring that these current plans are actually delivered. We MUST however not let this cloud our view of the issues faced in this Constituency. While the Libdems and Tories fight out who should take credit for the duelling of the A1 important issues are not being focused on.

Food banks in North Northumberland are at an all- time high with families struggling to feed families. The NHS is under threat from the Coalition Government with the Labour Politicians at County Hall stepping in to finance a new Hospital for Berwick to ensure new modern day facilities are available. Local Government Cuts of £130million impacting on jobs and services while Council bosses minimise the impact and think of innovative ways to work differently and support communities.  Housing issues rarely talked about by the other parties with houses now being built across North Northumberland supporting those left on the Housing lists by Libdems for years. We must also remember despite these financial restraints Labour bosses at County Hall have allocated without any support from Government £33million towards the Ashington, Blyth and Tyne Line which will open the Rural Coalfield area and wider communities to new jobs and experiences to benefit Northumberland creating a gateway network  to Northumberland.

So this is a gentle reminder that I know many people don’t need but for others let’s remember that the A1 is an announcement welcomed its timing is electioneering and its creating a smoke and mirrors approach to cover or shift the discussion from some incredibly important issues in North Northumberland that are being totally ignored or brushed away for the election.

'COALITION PENSION TIMEBOMB'

LABOUR REVEAL ‘COALITION PENSION CON’

‘Beith needs to explain why he didn’t come clean when 80% of the people he claims would benefit from his unfair changes to the state pension may lose out’ – Scott Dickinson, Labour

 

Labour PPC for Berwick Scott Dickinson has revealed his fears that the ‘coalition’ policy announcement that state pensions would rise under coalition plans highlighted by Lib Dem MP Alan Beith last week was a ‘ticking time bomb for pensioners’

Beith claimed that 63,000 pensioners would benefit from coalition plans to make the state pension more complicated yet a respected ‘independent’ website THIS IS MONEY has raised fears that as many as 4 out of 5 pensioners won’t see the ‘Beith Boost’ when it is due to be introduced in 2016. It says highly complicated and technical changes may see public sector workers hit hardest.

Public sector retirees will be hardest hit and Labour are highlighting the huge impact that would have on North Northumberland where over 30% of those in employment rely on public sector wages.

Beith claimed the rise in the state pension to £155 in 2016 would benefit 63,000 people in North Northumberland yet it has emerged that more than 50,000 may miss out of the pension boost.

Scott Dickinson said

‘It’s a typical, back of the envelope, piece of shoddy spin to claim that thousands of people in North Northumberland will benefit from a pension rise that the government hasn’t even worked out the impact of. The reality is that because of technical and highly complicated tinkering with the state pension rules, this government has created a situation where over 50,000 people in North Northumberland may not get a full state pension. It seems that Alan Beith doesn’t even know the potentially devastating impact of his own policy’.

 

NOTES FOR EDITORS

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-2634215/Why-millions-WONT-155-new-state-pension-theyre-expecting.html

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-2629474/Why-vital-check-state-pension-youre-going-get.html

 

Now Labour’s PPC for Berwick Scott Dickinson has slammed Beith for ‘turning his back’ on the legitimate rights of a Palestine free state and he’s calling on the retiring MP to explain his decision to vote against Palestine.

Scott slams Beith ‘sell out’ over Palestine vote

MP accused of indifference to the plight of Palestinian’s

 Outgoing Lib Dem MP Alan Beith has been accused of ‘indifference to the plight of Palestinians’ in yesterday’s vote in the House of Commons on a motion to recognise a state of Palestine. The MP who has close ties to the Lib Dem Friends of Israel lobbying group was the only Lib Dem to vote against the motion to recognise an independent state of Palestine.

The vote has followed a fraught period of conflict which has seen thousands of bombs dropped on the existing Palestine state, many of the bombs killing thousands of civilians.

Now Labour’s PPC for Berwick Scott Dickinson has slammed Beith for ‘turning his back’ on the legitimate rights of a Palestine free state and he’s calling on the retiring MP to explain his decision to vote against Palestine.

Scott said

“This was an important opportunity to send a message that parliament was alive to the sufferings of the Palestinian people and that we recognise that a 2 state solution is the only way to tackle extreme factions on both sides. Berwick may seem like a long way from Palestine but we’re faced with the humanitarian aftermath of mass bombings and it’s at time like this parliament should make their voices heard. He should explain why he felt the need to vote against recognising the legitimate rights of a free Palestine and he needs to explain why he thinks a solution to the problems in the middle-east are best solved by denying the legitimate rights of self-determination to one side while promoting the other?  

http://ldfi.org.uk/ 

 

Following several strong statements regarding the Coalition Governments wish to Dual the remainder of the A1 in England, Keith Brown MSP Minister for Transport in Scotland set out his stall to also have it dueled from Berwick to Innerwick near Dunbar

Following several strong statements regarding the Coalition Governments wish to Dual the remainder of the A1 in England, Keith Brown MSP Minister for Transport in Scotland set out his stall to also have it dueled from Berwick to Innerwick near Dunbar to ensure Eastern Scotland benefits from the fall back position of DevoMax if the SNP Yes Vote for devolution from the Union fails, this is to ensure that trade with England isn't confined to Western Scotland with its high speed road & rail links between Carlisle and the M6 and the Clydeside conurbation.

The North East of England is the only profitable commercial trading centre in the UK at the moment and is bucking the trend through the strength of its Local Enterprise Partnership and the NE Combined Authority set up working closely together. The Scots don't want to miss out on being part of that and with a West Coast and Birmingham centred prime business route being developed, Edinburgh and its massive Insurance Industry, who will be funding much of this work through George Osbornes infrastructure scheme will feel ever more isolated if they have to travel West before turning South.

The Lothian people are worried that their financial centre may drift away to the cheaper areas of the redeveloping West Midlands, which will only be 49 minutes from London via HS2 if they can't have a fully dueled
A1 or if Devo Max forces up Scottish taxes and East Coast travel to England remains snail like via an arterial route blocked by agricultural vehicles from Morpeth in England to Innerwick in Scotland most days of the year.

Scott Dickinson Labour business chairperson at Northumberland County Council said:"with the release of the Autumn Statement, the news that
HS2 infrastructure investment will concentrate on London to Birmingham to tap into the West Coast main line services and that George Osborne released a major infrastructure plan funded by Insurance Investors, were sure those investors will want a fast, safe road link to be developed between the financial capital of Scotland in Edinburgh and the future home of the North East Regional Bank in Newcastle upon Tyne. Without urgent major road improvements Edinburgh's power as a financial centre will diminish rapidly"

Labour call for government to ‘work closer with Europe’ to tackle ‘excessive red tape in farming’

Labour call for government to ‘work closer with Europe’ to tackle ‘excessive red tape in farming’
‘We need to work harder to cut unnecessary ‘red tape’ and that’s why we need a strong voice in Europe’ – Coun Scott Dickinson, Business Chair Northumberland County Council

Labour councillors in Northumberland have added their weight to a ‘call by a task force set up to cut red tape in the farming industry. The snappily titled ‘Farming Regulation Task Force Implementation Group’ which was set up by the coalition government and includes experts and representatives from the UK farming industry has published its initial recommendations as a way to ‘reduce the regulatory burden on farmers’ and it recommended that the UK’s engagement in the EU should be greater, earlier and more in partnership with the industry, advising that the government should do more to press the European Commission to apply its own principles in its Communication on Smart Regulation.
Labour in Northumberland have welcomed the task force recommendations and have called for coalition MP’s in the county to ‘lobby harder’ to pressure MEP’s to make the case direct to the European Commission. The Labour administration at County Hall are actively looking at the potential to set up a ‘Rural Issues Task and Finish group to tackle issues faced by the county farming industry and rural communities.
The industry accounts for 18% of the enterprise sector in Northumberland and employs 18,000 employees across the county and is three times higher than the UK average (ONS Inter-departmental Business Register).
Councillor Scott Dickinson who represents Druridge Bay said
‘This non-partisan report shows the price of ignoring the EU and it’s time to stop the political posturing and start to tackle the unnecessary red tape which impedes the growth of the farming sector in Northumberland. We need to be working together to make the case for Northumberland farming and the Labour party in Northumberland will make sure the county council uses its role as a strategic body to support this vitally important sector’.

Councillor Scott Dickinson, business chair at Northumberland County Council and ward councillor for Druridge Bay

Northumberland County Council is offering an ‘immediate’ extra 23 apprenticeship places to young people in the County as it continues its tradition of offering employment and skills opportunities to young people. Recruitment will start in the New Year as the authority gears up to create even more opportunities for apprenticeships in the county.

The Council already employs around 134 apprentices and is committed to appointing new apprentices every year over the next 5 years eventually totalling 760 new apprentices.

Not only do apprentices gain valuable workplace experience, the council also offers further education and employment to many of the young people it takes on.

Councillor Scott Dickinson, business chair at Northumberland County Council and ward councillor for Druridge Bay said:

“As a new administration we’re pledging to go even further with the aspiration of doubling the number of apprentices we take on. Our ‘down payment’ will be 23 new apprenticeships starting in the New Year but we’re going much further. Our plan is to create 760 new apprenticeships over 5 years with our ambitious affordable homes pledge creating 400 construction skill based apprenticeships in its own.
“We take our role, as a major employer in the County, very seriously and recognise the importance of offering young people in Northumberland a chance to join a skilled workforce where they can learn from highly skilled and experienced people.”


Ends

Notes for Editors
• 400 apprentices will be employed over the next 5 years on the County Council’s ambitious affordable homes policy which will see at least 2000 affordable homes built across the county.
• The apprenticeships will include ‘stipulations’ within contracts that ensure the ‘contractor creates local jobs.
• This year’s apprentices will work across the various service areas including Highways, Transport, and Fire and Rescue.
• An initial 12 apprentice places were offered this month with a second cohort due to start in the New Year.
• The Council has offered several apprenticeship places for many years and as with this year many go on to work for the authority after having their contracts extended.
• Ten apprentices from last year have had their contracts extended to be supported through level 3 and two will be supported through to HNC level to become full-time highways inspectors.
• The apprenticeships scheme is a result of the close partnership between the council’s employability and skills teams and training providers; Northumberland College, TDR Training and the Adult Learning services.

Berwick’s Lib Dems at loggerheads over ‘Bedroom Tax’

Berwick’s Lib Dems at loggerheads over ‘Bedroom Tax’

New candidate breaks ranks with Sir Alan over ‘spare room subsidy’

Berwick Liberal Democrats are accused of being at ‘loggerheads’ over the controversial imposition of the so called ‘bedroom tax’ with newly selected candidate Julie Porksen setting out her opposition to the ‘tax’ which was backed by ‘retiring’ MP Sir Alan Beith.

Now Labour are calling for Ms Porksen to answer whether she would support Labour’s plan to ‘scrap the tax’ if they form a government in 2015.

Labour are pointing towards the effects of the ‘tax’ which now means that families on low incomes have to find an extra £680 to cover housing benefit. They’re also highlighting that more than 56% of those affected receive ‘in work benefits’ to top up low wages. Northumberland has the second lowest average ‘wage’ and when ‘in work benefits’ are stripped out the county average is just £12,809.

Scott Dickinson, Labour councillor for Druridge Bay said

‘The reality of a Lib Dem MP in Berwick who has slavishly backed a ‘tax’ which isn’t fair or even saving the tax payer money is the Tories can continue to hammer Berwick’s families and enshrine our area as a ‘low wage economy’. I’m calling on Julie Porksen to back Labour’s promise to get rid of the hated and malicious ‘bedroom tax’ and to distance herself from Sir Alan Beith who now seems to be simply nodding through coalition policies without any thought for Berwick’