Leicester South MP Peter Soulsby joined a celebration to mark International Day of Disabled People on Monday 3 December. The MP joined staff and people who have been supported into work by Remploy at a special balloon launch. The event took place at 11am at Remploy Leicester on Humberstone Gate.

Peter Soulsby MP said at the event:
“I would like to welcome you all here to Remploy today to observe International Day of Disabled People. This year, the day is all about the importance of “Decent work for disabled people.”

I am pleased to be here today to celebrate the achievements of disabled jobseekers in our city. Remploy has made a fantastic contribution to the employment prospects of the disabled community here in Leicester since opening in September 2006.

By forming links with local service providers and building strong links with employers, the team here on Humberstone gate has supported 279 people into rewarding, mainstream jobs.

Today we will launch 279 balloons to represent each successful candidate who has found work by using the services here at the branch. The branch provides a focal point in the city for people with disabilities and health conditions – a fantastic space providing support, advice and opportunity for those looking for work. I would encourage all disabled jobseekers to visit the branch and benefit from the wide range of services available.

I would like to congratulate all the successful candidates who have found work with the support of Remploy so far. I would also like to thank the Remploy team for their continued work to improve the job prospects and quality of life of people with disabilities and health conditions.

Last but not least, thank you to all of you for coming here today and helping me promote and celebrate the hard work of the diverse and talented citizens of Leicester.”

December 13 2007

Peter Soulsby joins local volunteers to send Christmas Cheer to troops on the front line

The dedication, courage and professionalism of our armed forces should never be forgotten. Nor should we forget the families of our servicemen and women for whom Christmas is one of the most difficult times, with their loved ones thousands of miles away in dangerous surroundings.

I hope that the Christmas parcels from Leicester help to bring some festive joy to our servicemen and women on the frontline.”

November 27 2007

Peter Soulsby attended the opening of the improved Pork Pie Roundabout recently. Pork Pie Roundabout has a notorious reputation and was amongst the most dangerous in the country. After large-scale improvements the roundabout now has a new state of the art traffic lights system along with new pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes.

Peter is impressed with the new roundabout:
“It is clear that the new Pork Pie Roundabout is much safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. The City Council and the contractors have done a very impressive job in improving the roundabout. It has not been an easy time for local residents as the work has gone on, and I would thank residents for their patience and understanding.

I now hope that Pork Pie gets a new reputation over time as one of the safest roundabouts in the city.”

November 27 2007

Friends of the Earth believe that some bio-fuels, such as those produced from waste, have a role to play in helping to combat climate change, but they are concerned that Government policies to encourage bio-fuels fail to distinguish between fuels produced in different ways.

As a consequence, demand is being met mainly with fuels produced from crops grown specifically to make bio-fuel. This is causing major problems:

A particular and immediate concern for campaigners is the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, due to start in April next year. This will require all vehicle fuel to contain a proportion of bio-fuel. Friends of the Earth are calling for this policy to be scrapped, until such time as measures are in place to ensure that targets are met only from sustainable sources.

Sir Peter Soulsby said:
“It was a pleasure to meet with Abigail and I understand her concerns and those of Friends of the Earth. I felt that preparations for the introduction of the first phase of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation were too far advanced to call a halt now; however, Friends of the Earth are right to be concerned about the impact of current policies and I will not support any further increase in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, unless policies are in place to ensure that it is met only from truly sustainable sources”.

MP’s new term warning to students

Energy Campaigners welcome Peter Soulsby’s support for reducing carbon emissions

According to the latest National Audit Office report, Government departments are not on track to meet their own sustainability targets – and 15 departments have increased their carbon emissions since 1999.

The Motion calls on the Government to renew their commitment to only buy, lease, or procure buildings in the top quartile of energy performance.

By setting high standards of energy efficiency the Government can not only reduce its own emissions but also drive up standards in the whole commercial sector. This is very important because this sector has the fastest growing energy use of any sector apart from aviation.

Peter Soulsby MP said: “It is vital that the UK reduce its carbon emissions by all possible means and across all sectors. It is important that the Government’s own buildings are as sustainable as possible. I fully support Government renewing this commitment as it will set a good example to the private sector and help reduce emissions. When I held my Climate Change Citizen’s Inquiry in Leicester earlier this year, many people wanted to see the Government and the public sector leading by example in relation to emissions reduction.”

Andrew Warren, the Chair of the Sustainable Energy Partnership said: “Peter Soulsby is to be congratulated for supporting this initiative. The Government is a key player in the commercial property market and this initiative will drive up energy efficiency standards in all buildings.”

September 6 2007

Those who have lost money need to do three important things:

• People who have lost money in the collapse should register their loss with the insolvency practitioners Panos Eliades Franklin & Co on 020 8815 4000 immediately.
  
  
• People who have lost money should also contact the William Beveridge Foundation Helpline on 0845 6022548 by the 24th August 2007 to register for financial aid
  
  
• Leicester South residents who have lost money, who will be primarily from the Leicester Bangladeshi community, should also contact Peter Soulsby MP on 0116 255 2895 or by email, soulsbyp@parliament.uk

Following today’s announcement Peter Soulsby MP said:
“I have been in touch this week with the Government Minister dealing with the collapse of First Solution and I welcome today’s announcement of a charitable fund. The collapse of First Solution could be bigger than the Farepak scandal last year and we have to ensure those families who have lost money are offered support and are compensated in some way. I have asked the Government to look into this.”

“In the long term it is vital that we learn lessons from this scandal, and I have asked the Government to undertake a full review of the international money transfer industry; we need to know more about how this industry operates and it needs to be properly regulated by the Financial Services Authority to ensure consumers have full protection. I would urge people in Leicester South who have lost money to contact me urgently so I can help ensure their details are logged with the insolvency practitioners.”

Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Kitty Ussher MP added:
“In the longer term, my department, the Treasury, has already agreed to introduce tougher regulations for this sector. And in the meantime the Companies Investigation Branch of the Insolvency Service is undertaking its own investigation into the events leading up to the company's collapse. If any evidence of illegal activity is uncovered as part of this, the files will of course be passed to the police."

July 25 2007

Statement from Peter Soulsby MP following the announcement today about the future of the Pathway Leicester Hospitals Project

I am very pleased that the Hospitals Trust has now decided not to press on with the Pathway Project and has promised full consultation with the public and their staff before they go any further.

This was a wise and brave decision. It was obvious that the costs were escalating and the people of Leicester and Leicestershire were in danger of getting less and less for their money. It is important that the Trust isn’t dictated to by its PFI partners or that those partners think that they have got a blank cheque.

Of course I am disappointed that we are not going to see an immediate start on the massive building programme, but what matters is that we get the right scheme for Leicester’s needs and that we don’t throw all our money at it.

Over the last few years there has been a welcome change of emphasis away from trying to provide everything centrally at a hospital and towards providing high-quality services nearer to home - wherever possible without the need for a hospital stay. This consultation period will give the Hospital Trust a chance to be sure that we are getting the balance right between hospital and community care. I hope that within the next year the Trust will have an agreed way forward that has the backing of local people and that they will meet their target of having their ambitious scheme completed in about 8 years time.

I hope that the people of Leicester and Leicestershire will let the Hospital Trust know very clearly what they think is needed.

July 20 2007

Peter to hold Climate Change Citizen’s Inquiry
Chance for local people to have their say on Climate Change plans

Press Statement: Leicester South MP Peter Soulsby is seeking the views of his constituents on the Government’s plans to tackle climate change. The MP is holding a Citizen’s Inquiry on the Draft Climate Change Bill, allowing local people to give their views and ideas on the Government’s proposals. The event will be held in Leicester city centre on Saturday 16 June.

As well as workshop discussions on specific aspects of the Climate Change Bill there will be a range of speakers representing organisations including Friends of the Earth. Peter Soulsby MP will take the findings of this event back to Westminster as the Climate Change Bill is debated and scrutinised in Parliament.

Peter Soulsby MP said:
“Climate change is the biggest single challenge we face. It is vital that politicians get it right and that the Climate Change Bill contains measures that will be effective and successful in reducing carbon emissions. I want to know what my constituents think about the Bill and what ideas they have. I hope people will take this opportunity to come and have their say, and I will then take their views back to Westminster as the Climate Change Bill is debated.”

May 25 2007

Leicester South MP Peter Soulsby is urging people to vote to get Leicester onto the new Monopoly Board.
A special ‘UK Here & Now’ edition of the famous boardgame is being developed featuring towns and cities across the UK in place of the traditional London streets and landmarks.

People have until 25 May to vote.

The top 22 locations as decided by the vote will feature on the special Monopoly Board. The number of votes will also decide where on the Board a town or city will be located – top votes will secure one of the prestigious spots such as Mayfair or Park Lane, whereas securing enough votes just to scrape on will see a town or city being where the less salubrious Old Kent Road sits.

Leicester has currently secured just over 5,000 votes and is in 34th place.

The top 22 in the vote will be featured on the Monopoly Board. Places above Leicester at the moment include neighbouring Loughborough and other East Midlands cities including Derby and Nottingham.

Peter Soulsby is urging Leicester people to log on and to vote to get Leicester on the Board, the MP said:
“Leicester is the tenth biggest city in the country. We are one of the most vibrant and exciting cities, it’s vital that we are on the Monopoly Board. No disrespect to the people of Exeter of Colchester, but we cannot have a Monopoly Board with those places on and not Leicester. Leicester people must have their say and vote to get their city on the Board, and hopefully we can be one of the best spots such as Mayfair.”

To vote and to see Leicester’s latest position in the poll see: www.monopoly.co.uk/vote

May 11 2007

Tackling Lung Disease
Leicester South MP, Sir Peter Soulsby, joined the British Lung Foundation and other campaigners at the House of Commons to welcome a new Department of Health initiative aimed at improving services for people with the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma.

The new initiative comes a year after the launch of the British Lung Foundation’s Mesothelioma Charter, which calls for mesothelioma to be made a national priority by the Cancer Tsar. Sir Peter signed an Early Day Motion at the event welcoming the Department of Health’s Mesothelioma Framework and calling for increased awareness of the disease.

Around 2,000 people died of mesothelioma in the UK in 2005. The UK is facing an epidemic of the cancer in 2011 - 2015 as people exposed to asbestos in the 1960s and 1970s are diagnosed with the disease. (It takes 40 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to become apparent following exposure to asbestos). Recent cases show that builders, plumbers, gas fitters and electricians are now the largest high-risk groups. They are likely to come across asbestos in the buildings where they work. There is as yet no cure for mesothelioma and the British Lung Foundation is calling for more research into the disease.

For Further Information about Mesothelioma, visit www.lunguk.org or call the
British Lung Foundation Helpline on 08458 505020.

February 22 2007

Visit to Leicester Print Workshop
Peter took a keen interest in the work being undertaken at the Leicester Print Workshop – a centre of excellence for fine art printing.

The studio offers a range of course, exhibitions and facilities serving the East Midlands region. More information can be found at www.leicesterprintworkshop.com

February 22 2007

Peter Calls for Justice
Sir Peter Soulsby pledged to carry on fighting to make sure workers who lost their pensions will be compensated. A High Court judge has told the Government to consider reimbursing workers. However, the Government could still appeal against the decision - or decide not to compensate the employees.

Hundreds of workers at Leicester firm British United Shoe Machinery (BUSM) were left without jobs or pensions when the firm went bust in 2000.

Sir Peter said he would continue to lobby the Government to take responsibility for the workers' plight. He said: "I'm so pleased for the pensioners. This makes it more difficult for the Government to avoid facing up to their responsibilities. "I'll be continuing to campaign to make sure the Government gets the message."

February 22 2007

Opportunity to Improve Parliament
Sir Peter Soulsby has been appointed as a member of the Modernisation Committee. The committee has been at the forefront of changing Westminster to make it an more effective forum. Sir Peter commented, “While our Parliament has a great past, it needs to evolve into an institution which will serve the British people in the 21st Century. I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to play my part.”

February 22 2007

Peter calls for increased Winter Fuel Payments
Peter has called for Winter Fuel Payments, introduced by Labour in 1997, to be further extended and increased. “This excellent scheme needs to reflect the rises in fuel costs”. He raised the issue with the Prime Minister:

Q5. Sir Peter Soulsby (Leicester, South) (Lab): The Prime Minister will be aware of Age Concern’s Fight the Freeze campaign, which includes a call for the Government’s excellent winter fuel payments to be protected and extended to help tackle excess winter debts among the elderly. The campaign was taken up by the Leicester Mercury, with an amazing response of over 1,000 readers backing it within the first week.

Will my right hon. Friend join me in welcoming the campaign, and will he discuss with his colleagues ways of safeguarding the future of winter fuel payments and making sure that they match rising fuel prices?

The Prime Minister: I understand the importance of the Leicester Mercury campaign. As my hon. Friend indicated, we have provided an immense amount of additional help to pensioners—the £200 winter fuel allowance, with a further £100 for those over 80, the free TV licence for the over-75s, and the additional money through the pension credit, which has lifted some 2 million pensioners out of acute hardship over the past 10 years—but we constantly look to see what more we can do. I know that the campaign to which my hon. Friend has drawn attention will form an important part of our considerations.

January 31 2007

School Visit
During a visit to Taylor Road Primary School Peter discussed plans to rebuild the school. Sir Peter, who supported the crumbling primary school's campaign for a new home, said:

"I really appreciated the opportunity to meet with pupils and staff at Taylor Road to discuss their thoughts on the plans. I made the case to the Government for an increased school size in St Matthew's. The Government listened, meaning almost £6 million of investment is being made to pay for the school.

Children deserve the best start in life and that means making sure each child in Leicester gets the best education in the best schools. Second best is not good enough for the children and teachers in my constituency, and that's the message I will continue taking to the Government."

January 31 2007

Peter participates in Westminster First
Recent reforms to the House of Commons mean that witnesses can be called and evidence taken while MPs are discussing the details of bills. Peter, a member of the Public Bill committee on the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill, took part in the first ever Public Bill evidence session on January 30th.

Click to read Peter’s speech at Second Reading.

January 31 2007