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’.
Saturday 30 November 2013
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.
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.
Thursday 28 November 2013
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’
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