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Lawrie Quinn MP, Scarborough and Whitby today welcomed Social Security Secretary Alistair Darling's radical plans to give millions of people a decent, secure income in retirement. The proposals are contained in the government's Pensions Green Paper A New Contract for Welfare: Partnership in Pensions.
Lawrie Quinn MP said:
"The case for pensions reform is overwhelming. If we do nothing, no less than 1 in 3 pensioners will depend on means tested benefits by the middle of the next century. Many of today's young people in Scarborough & Whitby will face poverty in old age. We cannot tolerate that.Lawrie Quinn MP pointed out how people stand to gain from the Government's new pensions plans."The government has already started to tackle the problems of today's pensioners. We are introducing a minimum income guarantee from next April, worth f75 for a single pensioner and f117 for a pensioner couple. And we're spending almost El billion on Winter Fuel Payments over this Parliament, restoring free eye tests, introducing new travel concessions on public transport and an extra f21 billion for the NHS to raise standards and cut waiting lists further.
"But we must also think about the future.
"If you are able to save for your retirement you have a responsibility to do so. Everyone wt-re can should contribute to a funded second pension on top of the basic state pension. And the government will help them do that.
"In turn, the government has a responsibility to provide security for those who cannot save enough. The low paid get a raw deal out of the present system, but under the government's proposals they will see a dramatic improvement."
"The government's plans are designed to reward work and saving. People in Scarborough & Whitby who work all their lives, even if for modest pay, will be guaranteed security and a decent income in retirement.Lawrie Quinn MP also pointed out that many carers and disabled people, who lose out under the present system, also stand to benefit."And because their income will be high enough to avoid means tested benefits, they keep the income from any additional saving they are able to make."
"For the first time carers and long term disabled people in [constituency] who have broken work records will get government support to help them build up their future pension. The Government has recognised their special position."Lawrie Quinn MP concluded:
"This is good news for people in Scarborough & Whitby. The government has laid the foundations for a secure future."
15 December 1998
A tough new system of independent inspectors with the power to mount spot-checks on children's and elderly people's homes has been unveiled by the government. Publishing proposals for sweeping changes to social services, Health Secretary Frank Dobson confirmed that eight new regional Commissions for Care Standards will be set up to replace the current system of local authorities inspecting their own homes.
The new commissions will have the power to make surprise inspections on state-run and private residential homes to check on accommodation, food and hygiene. Mr Dobson, announcing the changes in the Commons told MPs the new system would "create a modern and dependable social services".
He said: "Any decent society must provide for those who need support and are unable to look after themselves "it's in everybody's interests to make sure the services are there and working efficiently.
That objective was "not being met" by the present system, he said. The government's aim is to provide a social services system for people that "promotes rather than diminishes their independence". Each regional commission would have a Children's Rights Officer, to inspect children's services, safeguard children and "thoroughly investigate" allegations of harm or abuse.
Current social services training was not up to scratch, Mr Dobson said, so he was abolishing the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work and replacing it with a General Social Care Council to regulate everyone involved in social care, not just social workers.
Mr Dobson said he would be providing £750m to pay for the changes in social services, plus an extra £185m for mental health services and an extra £20m for staff training.
Biggest change for 30 years
The health secretary's reforms add up to the biggest shake-up of social services in England and Wales since the system was created more than 30 years ago.
The independent inspectors will be able to lay down demanding performance standards for homes and to close down those which fail to meet them.
Telephone hotlines will be set up to enable vulnerable people with complaints to contact inspectors directly.
Details of the overhaul of standards in areas ranging from the care of the elderly and children with disabilities to fostering agencies and residential homes were outlined in a Modernising Social Services White Paper.
Lawrie Quinn also said: "I am looking forward to welcoming Frank to Scarborough next Friday so local people can discuss first hand both these improvements and the important changes to local health and social services "
30 November 1998
In addition, the Chancellor confirmed that the Government would invest f40 billion extra in health and education over the next three years. This is, on average, an additional £31.5 million for health and £27 million for education for every constituency, including Scarborough & Whitby.
Today's Pre-Budget Report shows that the public finances will remain under control over the years ahead with the Government meeting its rules on borrowing, and that inflation is set to remain on target at 2.5% so Britain can steer a stable course in an uncertain and unstable world.
Lawrie Quinn MP said, "The Chancellor has set out measures to extend the New Deal and encourage work. Employment is up by over 400,000 since the election, and here in Scarborough & Whitby, unemployment has already fallen by 333 since the election - that's a 12.2% fall. His report also continues to take steps to build a fairer society. Following up the cut in VAT on fuel with tougher regulations and the new winter fuel payments, pensioners in Scarborough & Whitby are saving £108 on their fuel bills and the poorest pensioners are saving £140, every year.
3 November 1998
Capable of generating nearly 1200 mw, about the same size as a large power station, these projects represent the most extensive boost for green energy since the Non-fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) which requires energy suppliers to purchase a proportion of their electricity from renewable sources, was set up in 1990.
Mr Quinn said,
"The record 261 projects that were announced this week illustrates our long term commitment to encourage renewable energy. These projects will enable us to benefit from alternative source of energy well into the next century, while helping the country to meet its environmental obligations and develop new environmentally friendly technologies."
In September when the electricity market will be open to competition, people should be able to buy their electricity from renewable suppliers.
The office of Electricity Regulation (OFFER) provides advice to the public on how to change their electricity supplier. Contact 0845 601 3131.
21 October 1998
Mr Quinn said,
"I am pleased that Mr Spellar is visiting North Yorkshire on Wednesday and has accepted my invitation to meet John Senior, the leader of the local campaign to maintain a Territorial Army facility in Scarborough. This is a good opportunity for me to add to the representations I've already made to MOD colleagues about the importance of maintaining a TA facility here in Scarborough"
13 October 1998
BT agreed to donate £25,000 to provide 100 textphones following RNID research, which highlighted that 68% of deaf and hard of hearing people feel isolated because of their deafness and a staggering 86% have suffered prejudice and ill-treatment as a result of their hearing loss.
Lawrie Quinn said,
"I am delighted that deaf and hard of hearing people will now be able to telephone the constituency offices in Scarborough & Whitby rather than relying on written correspondence. The RNID campaign, Breaking the Sound Barrier has done a great deal to raise awareness of the needs of the UK's 8.7 million deaf and hard of hearing people. This joint initiative with BT will now make it easier for the one in seven people in this constituency to contact me and share their views and concerns".
1 October 1998
Lawrie Quinn MP has welcomed the Minister's visit, and said:
"I am extremely pleased that the Minister for Tourism Janet Anderson has agreed to visit Scarborough and Whitby so early into her new job. This is a great opportunity for the local stake holders in Tourism and some of their customers to speak first hand to the person in Government responsible for the development of National Tourism polio)"
10 August 1998
The new scheme Consumers first: will allow consumers to nominate their favourite business for this award. The aim of the scheme is to recognise those businesses and individuals who make that extra effort to ensure their customers get the best possible service Lawrie Quinn said:
"We all appreciate good service, but unfortunately we don't very important that we make sure we express our appreciation, that is what this new scheme is all about."Lawrie Quinn went on to say:
"I know there are many good businesses in Scarborough & Whitby and I am sure their customers would like to see thier work rewarded. The scheme should also encourage those businesses that don't make that extra effort, to work on providing better customer services."Consumers in Scarborough and Whitby can nominate any type of business for the award by simply filling in the application form attached to the "Consumers First" leaflet, which Mr Quinn has made available to local Post Offices and Libraries.
22 July 1998
"The new Labour Government today announced the results of its root and branch review of the way government spends our money. This is good news for the people o Scarborough & Whitby. We are delivering on Labour's manifesto commitments by investing in our schools and hospitals."We said at the election that education was our number one priority. So today I welcome the significant investment in education by this Government so that we can have the skilled workforce Britain needs to be a successful economy.
"'The Labour Government has made an additional investment in our children's education of £19 billion over the next 3 years. Combined with Labour's education reforms, this money will allow us to meet Our pledge to cut class sizes in Scarborough & Whitby.
"We promised at the election that eve would modernise our- health service. So this Labour Government is investing an additional £20 billion in the NHS. and investment must go hand in hand with reform. We have already begun to cut out wasteful bureaucracy, saving £1 billion over the course of this parliament. So together with modernisation, this new money will ensure we meet our pledge to cut waiting lists.
"I particularly welcome the package of measures to get more help to Britain's pensioners, particularly the abolition of charges for eye tests for pensioners which will benefit 22,991 pensioners in Scarborough & Whitby.
"'There is also new action to make the community here in Scarborough & Whitby a better place to live. There is an additional £1.7 billion for the renewal, reform and modernisation of Britain's transport infrastructure; we are meeting another election pledge to reduce crime and the fear of crime; and we are investing new money to repair council housing, benefiting people in up to 5,862 local authority properties in Scarborough & Whitby.
"This is another step in the new Labour Government's modernisation of Britain. We are delivering on our promises to the British people to rebuild public; services."
15 July 1998
10 July, previously a non sitting Friday in Parliament, has now been set aside specifically for the Land Mines Bill. Parliament will commence at 9.30 am and will aim to fulfil all stages of the Bill in one day.
Lawrie Quinn said that many constituents have urged him to do what he could to process this important Bill and see an end to land mines. Every hour another three people lose their life or lose a limb from stepping on a land mine.
He went on to say,
"I believe ratifying the Ottawa Treaty in this way demonstrates international leadership. Some also thought it appropriate that we achieve this before the first anniversary of Princess Diana's death."Lawrie Quinn apologises to those constituents whose appointments have been changed.
7 July 1998
Lawrie Quinn said "I have drafted and sponsored this Early Day Motion, as a result of numerous requests from constituents" He added " my father and uncles all served in the Merchant Navy. I am very proud to support their memory. "
The proposed date of the 3 September recognises the first casualties suffered by the Merchant Navy during World War II. The day would also serve to recognise not only past but present merchant seaman and the historical role the Merchant Navy played.
It is also hoped that attention will be focused on the urgent need to rebuild a strategically important British Merchant fleet.
NOTICES OF MOTIONS: 8th June 1998 1399 ANNUAL MERCHANT NAVY DAY
That this house welcomes the Merchant Navy Association's campaign for the recognition and establishment of an official Merchant Navy Day in the United Kingdom; believes that it would be appropriate to commemorate the service of past and present seafarers on 3 rd September each year, as the day on which British merchant seamen became the first casualties of World War II and as such symbolising the many sacrifices made by those who contributed to the security and prosperity of this island nation; and urges Her Majesty's Government to give early consideration to these proposals, which honour a significant historic contribution and would focus on the urgent need to rebuild a strategically important British merchant fleet.
9 June 1998
Lawrie Quinn said: "The invaluable contribution made by people caring for friends and relatives at home is often not recognised."
Mr Quinn went on to say: "National Carers' Week is celebrating the work of those carer's by staging events throughout the country. In Scarborough there will be an Information stall and tombola at Morrison's supermarket between 10.30-3.30 pm on Thursday 11th June".
Scarborough and Ryedale Carers Resource provides support to carers, if you need support or would like to know more about their service, contact Scarborough Caring Support on 01723 364808 or Whitby Caring Together on 01947 605757.
8 June 1998
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