Latest from Gerry
- Press Releases
Latest from Gerry
|
|
| Back to front page | Current Press Releases |
Mr Steinberg said,
"This is a significant move as we enter a new Millennium. Hundreds of millions of pounds of debt will be written off and will be spent reducing poverty in the world's poorest countries - not bureaucracy, corruption or weapons."By linking the relief directly to poverty reduction, help will be targeted on the most crucial areas - improving healthcare and education among them. Indeed the Ugandan government has indicated that every penny saved in debt relief will go towards halving the teacher:pupil ratio and a new primary school building programme.
"The countries helped will drive forward their own poverty strategies, in consultation with civic society and the World Bank and IMF. These strategies will be explicitly linked to achieving agreed international development goals, so at every stage tackling poverty is driving the process.
"I would like to pay tribute to the hard work and efforts made by churches and community groups throughout Durham. I have had several meetings with them focusing on this issue, and their support for debt relief has been crucial.
"I hope they will continue to work with the British government to persuade other countries to make the same commitment.
"This measure will bring real and lasting benefits to children and families in the world's poorest countries for many years to come."
22 December 1999
The decision follows a ruling by the European Court of Justice that the social security system should not discriminate on grounds of gender. Until now, most people qualified for Winter Fuel Payments when they reached state retirement age - 60 for women and 65 for men.
The Winter Fuel Payment is worth £100 this year to pensioner households.
Gerry Steinberg MP said:
"This is good news for older people in Durham."Labour introduced Winter Fuel Payments because we believe it is important that pensioners shouldn't hesitate to turn up their heating when it gets cold because of worries about how they will pay the bill. All older people feel the cold, and it is right that they should all get help.
"This again shows our commitment to provide extra help for older people. We have already pledged an extra £4 billion in this Parliament on measures that will make a real difference to pensioners' lives. On top of that, last month the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced free television licenses for pensioners aged 75 and over, and increases in the Minimum Income Guarantee in line with earnings for the rest of this Parliament."
21 December 1999
Gerry Steinberg revealed today the number of hard working families who could benefit from the new Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) in City of Durham. In the three months since its launch, almost 1 million calls have been made to Government response lines.
The new tax credit means:
"This is a well-earned boost to the incomes of hard-working families with children in City of Durham. For the first time, work will always pay more than benefits."On average the 1,915 families in City of Durham will be £24 a week better off. Some could be over £100 a week better off than on family credit, which the WFTC replaces. And they will no longer have to make the trip to the social security office to take home a living wage.
"This will not only improve the livings standards of working families themselves, but will provide a welcome stimulus to the local economy. I am determined that every working family in City of Durham who has a right to this extra help gets it. Anyone who thinks they might be entitled to the help should call 0800 597 5976".
20 December 1999
The decision has been taken to increase the processing capacity of the Agency in response to the events of last summer, so that there will no recurrence of the problems experienced. The new Office will also provide additional capacity sufficient to enable the Passport Agency's new computer system to roll out to all of its offices.
The provision of an office in the North East of England will provide an important improvement in service to the public in the North East, who over the years have had to travel to the nearest Passport Office in Liverpool if they needed to visit the public counter. These problems were particularly highlighted during the crisis last summer.
Gerry Steinberg has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that any new Passport Office was based in the North East at Durham. This included meeting with the Home Secretary to press that the needs of people in the North East be addressed.
Gerry Steinberg said:
"I have pushed hard and urged that any new Passport Office should be based in Durham, to serve the needs of the people of the area. I know only too well from my involvement in cases over the summer of the problems people experienced when, often through no fault of their own, they were forced to travel to Liverpool to ensure they received their passport on time."Durham was the obvious choice, with good transport links for those wishing to visit the office. The National Savings office in Durham was also involved in undertaking work on behalf of the Passport Agency during the height of the problems experienced over the summer period. The staff in Durham positively contributed to lightening the load and helping the Passport Agency get on top of the situation.
"The Government has obviously fully considered and addressed the needs of the people of the North East.
"I am delighted that the efforts to secure a Passport Office in Durham have proved so successful and I am sure that the people of the North can only benefit from this development."
6 December 1999
Gerry Steinberg said:
"The Labour Government introduced the right to three weeks paid leave last year, and today it goes up to four weeks."Most of us take our holidays for granted, but for some in Durham this year has been the first year they can enjoy a holiday without fear of losing their job, or going without pay. In total, some 3.1 million workers across the country will benefit from these regulations.
"Workers who get reasonable holidays are more productive - no-one can be effective if they never get a break. This is very good news."
Tuesday 23rd November, 1999
"I have been contacted by constituents, who have outlined their experience of the most appalling service from the Student Loans Company.
"The system, which involves the Local Education Authority in each area initially processing the application and then forwarding it to the Loans Company, appears to be experiencing some problems. "One student - with a young family - was left to survive on savings until his loan arrived. This was despite being promised a cheque on many occasions and a further month elapsing before the money was actually received.
"In some instances people applying to the Local Education Authority in February are not receiving their loan until several weeks after their course has commenced in October. This is simply not acceptable. Students are applying for such loans - to which they are fully entitled - and then the money does not arrive when indicated.
"This is obviously placing some students in a dreadful situation, through no fault of their own, simply because of the incompetence of the Loans Company.
"As a member of the Public Accounts Committee, I have raised the situation with the National Audit Office to ask it to determine whether an investigation is appropriate."
29 October 1999
"Today I am launching the Government's campaign on the Working Families Tax Credit here in Durham to draw attention to the introduction of the Working Families Tax Credit in October, to help people find out if they are eligible and to help them claim the cash to which they are entitled."Many families in the City of Durham, and 100,000 families in the North East, will benefit from Labour's Working Families Tax Credit.
"Labour's agenda to make work pay includes the National Minimum Wage, cuts in National Insurance contributions, and record increases in Child Benefit. The introduction of the Working Families Tax Credit next month is the next stage of that agenda.
"For the first time, the Working Families Tax Credit will guarantee take-home pay of £200 a week, or £10,000 a year, for any family with a full-time worker. No family with earnings of less than £235 a week - £12,000 a year - will pay income tax.
"A family earning £13,000 will be up to £50 a week, or £2,500 a year, better off and the Working Families Tax Credit will provide an average of £67 per week to 1.5 million families - an extra £24 per week on top of Family Credit, which it is replacing.
"The Working Families Tax Credit will provide a better deal for the City of Durham's working families.
"The Conservative Party is jeopardising this support for working families. The Tories have repeatedly opposed the Working Families Tax Credit in Parliament. Tory Leader, William Hague, has stated that the Working Families Tax Credit would be scrapped if they won a general election - that would mean an instant £24 a week tax rise for 1.5 million families.
"I urge all of my constituents who think they may be eligible to call 0800 597 5976 to find out more."
7 September 1999
Mr Steinberg said:
"I am extremely concerned at the situation, particularly as Post Office Counters has not undertaken the usual consultation period. I find this quite amazing, especially as the future of post office facilities at Croxdale has been uncertain for some time."I have written to Post Office Counters on two previous occasions about the future of Croxdale Post Office and have forwarded a petition signed by hundreds of constituents to illustrate the strength of feeling and desire to retain the Post Office at this location.
"It is extremely disappointing that Post Office Counters has taken the decision to close a facility which provides a very important and valuable service to the local community. The petition only serves to reinforce the strong reaction to such a move."
18 August 1999
Mr Steinberg has asked Mr Gummer when he visited the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre and the Walkergate site, the two developments which the former Tory Minister criticised in an article in the Estates Gazette magazine.
Mr Steinberg said:
"I take great exception to this interference."Mr Gummer's comments are inaccurate and mischievous. The Cathedral's Dean and the Vice-Chancellor of the University have not requested the project be called in by the Secretary of State, as suggested.
"As usual, Mr Gummer has got it wrong, as has been the case on many occasions over the last twenty years. It would seem that nothing has changed."
14 June 1999
He said:
"Recently, accusations made about the City Council have been fully investigated by the District Auditor. The investigations have established that the accusations were unfounded and none of the allegations have been substantiated."I am deeply concerned that these continuing accusations are politically motivated and are being made for party political purposes.
"All the investigations are paid for by the Council Tax payers of Durham. I cannot see any reason why the taxpayer should have to pick up the bill for what are clearly politically motivated actions and I have asked the District Auditor for the total costs involved, and whether there are any mechanisms for recharging those who make such unfounded accusations.
"I have made it clear to the District Auditor that if there were questionable practices, I would be the first to demand a thorough investigation.
"There has, however, proved to be no grounds for such accusations and I find it totally unacceptable that the taxpayers of Durham are left to pick-up the bill for the politically motivated actions of a disgruntled few."
11 June 1999
First Aid skills are currently taught to around a third of school children in this country, mainly by teachers using St. John Ambulance materials or teachers who have been trained by St. John Ambulance. This training is purely at the discretion of the school and there is currently no obligation to provide First Aid training.
Thousands of deaths could be prevented through early application of First Aid. For instance 55% of people who die as a result of Road Traffic Accidents die before they reach hospital. Research has shown that nearly 40% of these deaths are preventable through early application of First Aid. This alone would save nearly a thousand lives every year.
Gerry Steinberg MP commented:
"I am delighted to support this motion as apart from the obvious benefit of equipping children with lifesaving skills, First Aid training in schools also promotes good citizenship and builds the confidence of pupils. Placing it on the National Curriculum is the only way to ensure that all schoolchildren receive these benefits and are equipped to save lives."
24 May 1999
"I believe that the scheme proposed offers an excellent opportunity to regenerate an area of the City that has been in decline for some time. In doing so, it will provide excellent additional facilities to both residents and visitors to Durham City."I have lived in Durham all my life and for the past thirty years the proposed development sites have been occupied by unattractive, industrial buildings and, more recently, dereliction. This development will restore and repair the townscape of these areas.
"I am dismayed that Durham "Save Our City" and City of Durham Trust - which are non-elected, self-appointed bodies - are constantly criticising all new development in the City. It seems that if it were left to such organisations, progress would never be made in Durham and residents would not have the benefit of excellent new facilities.
"The recent district council elections was the perfect opportunity for the people of Durham to register their disapproval of the plans. The results of the election have only demonstrated that there is no widespread objection to the development. The wards which are most directly affected by these proposals have again returned Labour councillors, which seems to clearly demonstrate that there is approval and a mandate for the City Council's actions."
20 May 1999
The minimum income guarantee means single pensioners will get at least £75 a week, a rise of nearly £5, and pensioner couples will get £116.60, over £7 more. At least 1,900 pensioners in the City of Durham will benefit. 20
Mr Steinberg is worried however that some pensioners are missing out. He has taken up cases where pensioners were not aware of their entitlements and were not claiming all their benefits.
Gerry Steinberg said:
"The minimum income guarantee gives pensioners three times more than they would have received under the usual uprating formula. It means that single pensioners on Income Support will be £330 a year better off in cash terms than they were in 1997. This is on top of help pensioners may already get with housing costs and council tax."There is also more good news for next year, as the Government is committed to uprating the minimum income guarantee in April 2000 in line with earnings.
"Labour is determined to ensure that pensioners get a fair deal. We are taking action on a wide front, including the introduction of free eye tests for pensioners this month and the increase in the Winter Fuel Allowance to £100 for all eligible pensioner households later this year.
"Whilst the Government's actions to support pensioners are to be applauded, I am concerned that some pensioners are losing out on benefits and needlessly struggling. I know that some constituents are not aware of the benefits available and are not claiming assistance for which they qualify, especially income support and housing benefit.
"I would therefore urge all pensioners who believe they may qualify for such help to make immediate enquiries, otherwise they will continue to lose out on their rightful entitlements."
16 April 1999
| School | Award £ | |
| Deerness Valley Comp | 223,000 | Window glazing/repairs |
| Durham St. Leonard's RC Comp | 39,500 | Replacement of gym floor |
| Belmont Comp | 32,700 | Replacement of heating system |
| Framwellgate Moor Comp | 115,500 | Replacement of temporary classrooms |
| Kelloe Primary | 4,000 | Replacement of temporary classrooms |
| Coxhoe Primary | 2,700 | External structural repairs |
| Sherburn Primary | 12,800 | External structural repairs |
Gerry Steinberg MP said:
"Parents, teachers and pupils in the City of Durham will welcome this investment to upgrade our schools and support higher standards of education. The new Labour Government is doubling the amount being spent on repair and renewal of school buildings. It is good news to see the new Deal for Schools, along with other capital programmes, making a dent in the repairs backlog that has developed over the last 20 years."This announcement is yet another sign of the Government's determination to improve the quality of the environment in which teachers teach and pupils learn. It is a very visible part of the Government's large programme of investment in education, which will help to improve our schools step by step."
31 March 1999
 |
 |
Preparing to load up |
Children from Browney School help load a DHL van. |
City of Durham MP, Gerry Steinberg, the Newcastle Service Centre of Couriers DHL and Browney Primary School, Durham are getting together to support a school in Zimbabwe.
The hand-over of books donated for delivery to the school in Zimbabwe following the appeal by Mr Steinberg will take place on Friday, 15 January 1999 at 11.00 am at Browney Primary School, Browney, Meadowfield, Durham.
The school is in a squatter camp, Porta Farm, which has over 4,000 families. It has only communal water points, no electricity or sewerage system. Last year the UK Government spent £4,000 erecting two buildings and a block of latrines for the school. Until then the children had taken lessons in the open air.
Mr Steinberg visited the camp as part of a parliamentary delegation in September. On his return to the UK, he wrote to all the schools in his constituency asking them to consider donating any surplus books for him to forward to Zimbabwe.
Gerry Steinberg said:
"One in four of the people living in the camp is HIV positive, and many of the children are being raised by their grandparents. Many of the inhabitants of the camp face a very sad and often tragic life.The hand-over will take place on Friday, 15 January 1999 at 11.00 am at Browney Primary School, Browney, Meadowfield, Durham."We were all so impressed with the children, who were doing their utmost to get an education in circumstances that were so basic and with so few resources available to them. They were certainly an example and I am grateful to the schools and individuals that so kindly responded to the appeal.
"Schools which contributed include Browney Primary, Cassop Primary, St Oswald's CE Infant, Gilesgate St Joseph's RC Primary, Langley Moor Nursery, Sherburn Village Primary, Ludworth Primary and Pittington Primary.
"The offer by DHL to transport the books to the school in Zimbabwe is invaluable and extremely generous.
"Browney Primary School responded to the appeal with not only a donation of books, but also the offer to take part in a sponsored event to raise money for the children in Zimbabwe. I am sure that the children of Porta Farm will share my gratitude for their efforts."
John Bayfield, Service Centre Manager for DHL Newcastle, said:
"We were happy to offer our support when approached to assist in the delivery of educational supplies to the Porta Farm School in Zimbabwe. DHL has the international reach to enable us to assist in the delivery of such aid to Zimbabwe."
David Fry, Head Teacher at Browney Primary School, said:
"The educational benefits to our children of being directly involved in supporting others in the global community are immense. I am sure that the children of Browney can combine raising standards in their own reading with providing resources for children at the Porta Farm School, Zimbabwe.
15 January 1999