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Labour's new package for pensioners includes:
"I welcome today's announcement of a big rise in the basic state pension and the extra cash announced for this years winter fuel allowance will make a real difference to pensioners' heating bills."
"In fact as a result of Labour policies since 1997 the poorest pensioners will be on average £14 per week better off than they were in 1997, and all pensioners will be on average £11 better off."
"Pensioners were hardest hit under 18 years of Conservative rule and neglect. They have committed themselves to abolishing the winter fuel allowance. They would also axe the free TV licenses, which went to 8,464 pensioners, only last week in Scarborough & Whitby.
"Today the people of Scarborough and Whitby can see where Labour's priorities lie - long term stability so that we can reward hard working families, pensioners and strengthen our businesses and public services.
"It could not now be clearer that Scarborough and Whitby cannot afford a return to a Conservative government intent on £16 billion of cuts in public services."
He will visit Plaxton Bus & Coach Factory, Eastfield, Scarborough were he will be senior management of the company. Following a discussion on future opportunities for Plaxton at Scarborough resulting from national strategies for buses and coaches Mr Hill will tour the Eastfield plant.
The Minister will then meet Plaxton Trade Union representatives for open discussion about Government transport and employment policies.
Discussion over buffet lunch with local business leaders, local authority representatives and transport operators about A64 corridor, local integrated transport schemes and the opportunities offered by the Ten Year National Transport Plan.
On departure from the Plaxton factory the Minister will complete his A64 journey by car to Labour Party office at 53 Westborough, Scarborough to meet pensioner and DAG campaigners, Labour party county councillors and councillors for discussion on introduction of national travel concession scheme and future local transport initiatives in Scarborough & Whitby. The Minister will then meet local fishing industry representatives for feedback on marine safety issues.
At 3.00 PM : Press Conference & Photo Opportunity at 53 Westborough followed by departure along A64 for York to Kings X
5 September 2000
The new figures reveal that the claimant count of people on benefit and looking for work has fallen from 2,737 when Labour came into office to 1,994 in May 2000.
Commenting on the new figures, Lawrie said:
"A 27.1% drop in Scarborough and Whitby's unemployment level under Labour is fantastic news and proof that sound management of the economy and strong policies to move people off welfare and into work are really making an impact."We now have a national record level of employment and the employment rate in every region of the UK is above the European Union average.
"There are high levels of vacancies across the country and thanks to the new Deal an unprecedented level of tailored, intensive support for those seeking work. We are taking action through benefit and tax reform to make work pay, clamping down on fraud, listening to employers and ensuring that help with skills and re-training is available to help those made redundant to find new work.
"The Conservatives have said that they would scrap New Deal - this is the Party which once said unemployment was a 'Price worth paying' and which nobody will ever trust on jobs again.
"Labour in Government has led a concerted drive against the human and economic blight of unemployment. As today's figures show, job seekers and employers in Scarborough and Whitby have risen to that challenge."
27 June 2000
The Community Centre have requested Scarborough Borough Council, officers and Councillors, to delay their decision to close the Centre until a reply is received from the Lottery Board as to whether it will be awarded a Lottery Grant or not.
Lawrie will Chair the meeting with County, Borough and Town Councillors, Scarborough Borough Council Officers, and representatives from the Community Centre and Whitby Archives with the hope that an agreement can be reached regarding he future of the Community Centre.
23 June 2000
This awareness campaign accompanies the publication of new research from Carers National Association, which reveals a picture of carers struggling to manage on low incomes. One in three carers in the study were or had been in debt. Nearly one third had trouble paying utility bills and 22% of carers had to cut back on food. Many of the carers in the study were providing care for elderly, sick or disabled relatives 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Recent Government action means that from 2002, carers on certain benefits will build up credits towards a second tier pension, the State Second Pension. This will help to reduce the likelihood of carers facing a future of poverty if they are unable to work because of their substantial caring responsibilities.
Despite this development, much more still needs to be done to tackle carers' poverty and to help carers to meet the costs of caring. The main carers' benefit, Invalid Care Allowance (ICA) is worth only £40.40 per week based on a minimum of 35 hours care. It is the lowest benefit of its kind and carers over the age of 65 cannot claim the benefit even though they provide substantial amounts of care. The majority of carers in the study wanted to see changes to ICA.
The research, which was funded by British Gas, also shows, that worries about their finances was having an adverse effect on carers' health.
Lawrie said:
"As a first step, it is vital to ensure that carers and the people they care for are getting all the benefits to which they are entitled. Many people do not realise that they might be able to claim benefits to meet the costs of disability and nearly 40% of disability benefits go unclaimed."Caring can affect anyone at any time. Almost everyone can expect to care for an elderly, ill or disabled relative at some time in their lives. At present, nearly one in eight adults in the constituency is a carer. In the UK, about one million carers provide full-time care.
12 JUne 2000
Local MP Lawrie Quinn today welcomed the figures and said that steps were being taken to increase still further the New Deal's preparation of young people to meet employers' needs.
Mr. Quinn said:
"The Labour Government has been waging war on youth unemployment and New Deal has been at the heart of that crusade. The number of people aged 18-24 who have been out of work and claiming benefit for 6 months or more has fallen by 70% since the election and 69% in Scarborough and Whitby."Nationally, 210,000 young people have moved off welfare and into work through New Deal. This major achievement but the Government is determined to press on towards the eradication of long-term youth unemployment. By contrast, the Conservatives would scrap New Deal and with it the hopes of thousands of young people.
"Starting this month, all participants in the New Deal for Young People will benefit from an intensified introductory stage to the programme. The new 'Gateway' will involve more contact with Employment Service advisers and will focus on intensive job-search and on qualities like punctuality, team- working and communication - the skills employers are increasingly looking for when they recruit.
"The commitment of employers and young people in Scarborough and Whitby to New Deal has been outstanding and the fact that 69% of 18-24 year old have already moved into work is a real credit to the area. The Government has put an unprecedented programme of support in place and we have record levels of vacancies all over the country. It is now the responsibility of every young person to seize the opportunities on offer and help us build on the success already achieved."
08 June 2000
"This demonstrates the government's determination to modernise the NHS and tackle the unacceptable variations in performance, the report makes clear that the provision of equipment to older or disabled people needs to be improved"."Whilst the report provides some evidence of excellent care, it also uncovers too many examples of poor practice, low standards and patchy access to services. Labour is determined to tackle variations and ensure that if there is excellence in one part of the country, there will be excellence for all. That is why we announced in the budget the biggest-ever sustained increase in spending on the NHS - 6.1 per cent for the UK over the next four years. Now that the funding issue is settled, the time for reform is now.
"Labour has made a good start on modernisation:
- We're getting more nurse and doctors into the NHS - for England this means 4,500 more nurses in the last year alone and 2,000 more doctors in our first year. The previous government refused to accept there was a shortage and even cut the number of nurse training places.
- New services like NHS Direct are making access to healthcare easier and more convenient. The previous government wants to reduce access and force people to pay privately.
- We have introduced the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to inspect every hospital and primary care group and advise on the best treatments and drugs. The previous government did nothing to tackle variations in treatment."
30 March 2000
"The Minimum Income Guarantee, increased next month, will ensure an income of £78.45 a week for every pensioner and £121.95 for every household. As we announced in the budget, Labour will also increase the capital limits for pensioners entitled to the MIG, worth an average £5 a week and up the pensioners' tax allowance to £5,790, meaning 6 million pensioners will pay no tax at all.
We know there is more to do, but after 18 years of cold comfort, step by step we are starting to make a real difference:
- Labour introduced the Winter Fuel Allowance and raised it, first to £100, now to £150 a year.
- Labour has restored free eye tests for over-60s.
- Labour has cut VAT on fuel.
- From 1 November, every pensioner over 75 will get their TV licence free of charge, benefiting more than 3 million households.
- Labour is encouraging take-up of benefits.
"Prior to the Labour Government, it was a very different picture:
- One million pensioners did not receive the Income Support they were entitled but the previous government did nothing to encourage take up.
- The previous government imposed VAT on fuel then tried to raise it to 17.5 per cent.
- The previous government introduced charges on eye tests.
- Now they would abolish the MIG and the Winter Allowance, and force thousands of pensioners to pay thousands of pounds for private healthcare."
30 March 2000
"I believe that the priorities of Gordon Brown's Budget are the priorities of the people of Scarborough & Whitby. I welcome today's extra money for the Health Service and Schools and the additional help for families and for pensioners."Labour has delivered a massive extra boost for the NHS. The people of this constituency will benefit from the immediate cash injection of an extra £2 billion, part of the largest ever package of spending on the NHS.
"And I welcome too the extra additional money for schools. Scarborough & Whitby will benefit from the extra £1 billion, making good Labour's pledge that education will be our number one priority. This money is to recruit more teachers and buy books. Money which will continue to improve standards in all schools.
"The chancellor also announced more help for pensioners, by increasing the winter fuel payment from £100 to £150, paid to all households where someone is over 60, this year and every year - benefiting some 22,991 pensioners in Scarborough and Whitby. And from 1st November over 9,196 pensioners in Scarborough and Whitby will benefit from the free TV Licences for people aged 75 years and over, a saving of £104 a year.
"The budget also brought good news for the families and children of Scarborough and Whitby. Up to 2.959 families stand to benefit from the increase in the Working Families Tax Credit and next month 13,400 families in the constituency will gain when Child Benefit is raised to £15 for the eldest child. And with 1p cut in the basic rate of tax next month it means the tax burden on working families will by next year be the lowest since 1972.
"Gordon Brown was able to announce more for our public services, for our pensioners and our families because we have made our economy stronger. And with the New Deal youth employment in Scarborough and Whitby is down by 68% and long-term unemployment is down by 56% since the election.
"So this is a budget to deliver security and opportunity for all."
21 March 2000
Lawrie Quinn MP said:
" I was pleased to facilitate the discussion between local traders and Yorkshire Water. The meeting focused on the short term effects of the construction work and the effect on business in Whitby and has allowed both sides to recognise the extra work required to achieve a satisfactory outcome."" I'm sure that once the on-going discussions are concluded both sides will recognise the importance of yesterday's meeting and appreciate the position each have taken over the past few months"
" I am pleased that this significant investment in Whitby's key infrastructure has been carried out by Yorkshire Water with a positive approach to maintaining as much access as practically possible for business and day-to-day life. They have recognised their responsibilities to our community throughout and this spirit of partnership was in full evidence on Monday as we discussed the short-term problems of some local businesses power to coming up with fair practical solutions for those most concerned."
21 March 2000
Today Lawrie Quinn MP welcomed the Government's announcement of a regional development plan for Yorkshire & Humber. Lawrie Quinn MP said:
"This is a real boost for rural areas in Yorkshire & Humber. It means an increase a 60 per cent increase in rural development expenditure. Spending will double on agri-environment measures like Countryside Stewardship and organic conversion. This is new money is to enhance the environment and landscape, protect wildlife and to help farm businesses through very tough times."It shows Labour's serious commitment to the countryside and to agriculture. Most farming sectors will gain extra revenues, with the livestock sector set to gain the most.
"At a time of depressed farm incomes, this new cash injection into rural Yorkshire & Humber is invaluable. It is a major boost for wildlife and the environment in Yorkshire & Humber, and sets a clear agenda for radical reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)."
03 Feb 2000
"In a week when Parliament is discussing Freedom of Information and the modernisation of Local Government, I hope the Leadership of Scarborough Borough Council will permit a greater transparency of its operations according to the wishes of the majority of its taxpayers."
23 Feb 2000
Lawrie Quinn MP launched a campaign in Scarborough & Whitby today to ensure pensioners claim the new cash due to them from April 2000. Lawrie Quinn said,
"I am determined that every pensioner who is entitled to extra help in Scarborough & Whitby gets it. Are you missing out on the Income Support you are entitled to through the minimum income guarantee? The minimum income guarantee for pensioners will be increased in line with earnings from April to over £78 a week for single pensioners and over £121 a week for pensioner couples - £3 more a week for single pensioners, £5 more a week for pensioner couples."Speaking as Labour launched a national campaign to improve take-up of pensioner benefits and tackling pensioner poverty, Lawrie Quinn said,
"Labour want to help to all pensioners while giving extra assistance to those most in need. Together we can tackle poverty and make sure retirement is a time of security for all pensioners. There are a number of pensioners in Scarborough & Whitby eligible for the new minimum income guarantee but not claiming the extra cash they are entitled to. Our campaign in Scarborough & Whitby and throughout the country is to raise awareness of extra help for pensioners. With a Winter Fuel Allowance of £100 for pensioner households and the free television licences for those aged over 75 from the autumn, the poorest pensioners could get nearly £15 more a week or £20 for a pensioner couple.Lawrie Quinn said,
"22,991 pensioners in Scarborough & Whitby will be helped by the £100 fuel allowance and 9,196 over 75s will receive a free television licence - a saving of over £100 a year.""But this is only part of the package. Labour has cut VAT on fuel, introduced free eye tests for the over 60s and will spend £21 billion on the NHS over three years."
03 Feb 2000
" I am very pleased that Lord Whitty has been able to join local Labour Party members at their local Policy Forum on Saturday 29 January to discuss Transport and the Environment. The Policy Forum gives local members an opportunity to have their say in the development of Labour's policies in this vital area."Councillor Brian Summerson, Whitby Spokesman on Transport for NYCC, said:"Larry Whitty will also be taking the opportunity whilst he is in Whitby to see for him self some of the concerns particularly surrounding traffic problems as well as to enjoy the delights that Whitby offers every visitor all year round."
"This visit gives me the chance to demonstrate the potential conflicts which occur with incoming traffic congestion and local residents." " The recent disruptions in the transport service in Whitby due to the Yorkshire Water works, have allowed us to take another look at how local transport is planned and managed and to draw conclusions which will enable action to follow."
28 Jan 2000
The new tax credit means:
A guaranteed take home pay of £200 a week for working families. These families will not pay income tax until they earn at least £235 pw. Working families will get help with childcare cost up to £70 pw for one child and up to £105 pw for two or more children.
Lawrie Quinn said,
"This a well earned boost to the incomes of working families with children, for the firs time work will always pay more than benefits. On average the 2959 families in Scarborough and Whitby will be £24 pw better off. Some could be over £100 pw better off than on the previous benefit 'Family Credit'.Anyone who thinks they might be entitled to the help should call 0800 597 5976"This will not only improve the living standards of working families themselves, but will provide a welcome stimulus to the local economy. I am determined that every working family in Scarborough and Whitby who has a right to this extra help gets it."
5 Jan 2000
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