January
2008 - May 2008 |
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We use this page to let you know what's
happening in the constituency or further afield.
Of course, we cannot put everything on this
page - life is a little too hectic for that, but when
the issues are important we will try to make sure
we tell you about them.
| Also,
read articles in News Archives |
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| Peter
Soulsby MP exercises for lung charity |
| Leicester
South MP, Peter Soulsby, helped the British Lung Foundation
to raise awareness of the importance of healthy lungs at the
House of Commons on Wednesday 7th May. |
The
British Lung Foundation is urging members
of the public of all ages to protect their
lungs and to keep them healthy by taking regular
exercise. Peter Soulsby MP helped to demonstrate
how exercise like cycling or brisk walking
allows the lungs to deliver oxygen-rich blood
to the working muscles, helping to keep us
fitter and healthier.
The BLF also wants people to protect their
lungs from smoke and other substances because
any resulting damage cannot be repaired and
reduces the amount of oxygen absorbed into
the blood from the lungs.
Peter
Soulsby said: “I’m
delighted to support the British Lung Foundation’s
campaign to encourage us to look after our
lungs. We don’t realise how fragile
our lungs are and what an important job they
do in keeping us mobile and active.”
Dame
Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive
of the British Lung Foundation said: “We
are pleased that Peter Soulsby MP is supporting
our campaign. Lung disease is the UK’s
second biggest killer so it’s vital
that people understand how important it is
to take more care of their lungs.”
Anyone
who wants more information about the British
Lung Foundation or about COPD should visit
www.lunguk.org
or call the BLF Helpline on 08458
50 50 20.
Thursday
May 15 2008
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| Peter
to hold Student Surgery |
| Leicester
South MP Peter Soulsby is holding a Student Surgery at Leicester
University next Friday (2 May). |
| Peter
will be available to meet students to discuss national issues
or local concerns in the Queen’s Hall, Percy Gee Building
from 12pm-1pm.
The MP represents many students in his Leicester South constituency,
which includes the University campus and surrounding residential
areas.
Peter Soulsby MP said:
“I meet regularly with the Students’ Union
at Leicester University and with other student groups. However
I wanted to organise a specific surgery for the students to
discuss any local or national issues of concern. Students
can come and see me next Friday in the Percy Gee Building
between 12pm and 1pm. No appointment is necessary.”
Friday April
25 2008
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| Peter backs City to stay
up |
| Leicester
South MP Peter Soulsby is backing Leicester City to get the
much needed three points in their crunch match against Sheffield
Wednesday this Saturday. |
| City
need three points at the Walker’s Stadium to move them
towards guaranteed safety from relegation.
Peter Soulsby has today issued a rallying call for the city
to get behind the team.
"Leicester needs a football team in the top flight. We
need to be aiming for the Premiership and its unfortunate
that we are in a relegation dog fight at the wrong end of
the table this season. I am confident that City can survive.
It was an excellent result at Oakwell last Saturday [against
Barnsley] and we now need three more points against Sheffield
Wednesday.
The
Walker’s Stadium will be packed on Saturday and we need
the whole city to get behind the team. We need to cheer the
team on this week and next and then support the club ready
for next season. This is a tough time, but by coming together
as one the city can cheer the team to survival.”
Friday April 25 2008
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| Peter Soulsby MP hears views
of local young people |
| Peter
to work with students on ‘unfair’ EMA |
Over
sixty local students packed Leicester’s
Town Hall Chamber last Friday for Peter Soulsby’s
first Leicester South Young People’s
Forum event.
The MP had invited students from Crown Hills
Community College, Gateway College, Leicester
College, Moat Community College, Regent College,
and Wyggeston and QE1 to participate in a
series of discussions on important issues
including nationality and identity, citizenship,
voting and political participation, and reform
of the political system.
The
views of Leicester’s young people will
be taken to Westminster by Peter Soulsby MP,
and will be reported to the Prime Minister
and other Government Ministers.
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Click
photo for enlarged view |
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The discussions
at the event will feed directly into two ongoing national
reviews, including Lord Goldsmith’s Citizenship
Review, and the Governance of Britain review which
was launched by Jack Straw in Leicester last year.
The students also grilled a specially assembled panel
in a Question Time session. The panel guests were
BBC Radio Leicester’s John Florance;
Geoff Rowe, Director of the Leicester
Comedy Festival; Karl Brown, former
coach of the Leicester Riders and now working with
young people across the city; Peter Soulsby
MP; and Eddie Playfair,
Principal of Regent College.
The panel
were quizzed on issues ranging from the voting age
to the death penalty and DNA evidence. They were also
asked about their views on the US Presidential election,
the teaching of politics in schools, and the Education
Maintenance Allowance.
After
the event, Peter Soulsby MP said: “It
has been fascinating to hear the views of local young
people on a wide range of very important issues. I
will take these views back to Westminster and I will
be making sure that Gordon Brown and other Ministers
are aware of what young people in Leicester think
about some of the most important issues facing the
country and issues being hotly debated in Parliament.”
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“One
big thing I have learnt is that young people are very angry
about the Education Maintenance Allowance. Firstly because
it is means tested and secondly, because since its introduction
– which I very much welcomed – it has not gone
up. The EMA needs to increase with inflation if it is really
going to support students in further education, and the means
testing is fundamentally unfair. I will be discussing this
issue with Government Ministers and will be inviting local
students to work with me to tackle this issue.”
The MP thanked the guest panellists for agreeing
to participate in a ‘Question Time’ style session
with the students:
“I
am very grateful to John Florance, Geoff Rowe, Karl Brown,
Eddie Playfair and Liz Blyth for giving up their time and
for being grilled by the students.”
Monday April 14 2008
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Local young
people to have say on big issues
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Peter
Soulsby MP to hold unique event this Friday.
This Friday (11 April) will see Peter Soulsby MP hold
his first Leicester South Young Peoples’ Forum.
The Leicester South MP is holding a special event
to give local young people the chance to have their
say on important national issues.
Students from Crown Hills Community College, Gateway
College, Leicester College, Moat Community College,
Regent College, and Wyggeston and QE1 will be participating
at the event, being held in the Council Chamber at
the Town Hall.
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Students will be discussing major issues including
nationality and identity, citizenship, voting and
political participation, and reform of the political
system.
The views of Leicester’s young people will be
taken to Westminster by Peter Soulsby MP, and will
be reported to the Prime Minister and other Government
Ministers. The discussions at the event will feed
directly into two ongoing national reviews, including
Lord Goldsmith’s Citizenship Review, and the
Governance of Britain review which was launched by
Jack Straw in Leicester last year.
The students will also be able to quiz a panel on
these issues. The guest panel includes BBC Radio Leicester’s
John Florance; Geoff Rowe, Director of the Leicester
Comedy Festival; Karl Brown, former coach of the Leicester
Riders and now working with young people across the
city; Peter Soulsby MP; and Eddie Playfair, Principal
of Regent College.
Before the event, Peter Soulsby MP said:
“I am
really looking forward to hearing what the young people
have got to say about some very important issues.
I have organised this event to make sure that the
views of young people in Leicester are heard by the
Government. Young people are affected as much as adults
by issues such as citizenship, nationality and identity,
and the reform of the political process. That’s
why I want to give them this unique chance to have
their say.”
Monday
April 7 2008
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“I will take their
views back to Westminster and I will be making sure that Gordon
Brown and other Ministers are aware of what young people in
Leicester think about some of the most important issues facing
the country and issues being hotly debated in Parliament.”
The MP has also thanked the guest panellists for agreeing
to participate in a ‘Question Time’ style session
with the students:
“I am very grateful to John Florance, Geoff Rowe, Karl
Brown, Eddie Playfair and Liz Blyth for agreeing to be quizzed
by the students. Some might say that this is not a typical
panel to be debating political issues. However, all members
of the panel interact in someway with young people in Leicester,
and all have interesting views and ideas about the involvement
of young people in society. I am sure the debate between the
panellists and the students on these issues will be fascinating,
and I am sure will be more interesting than a panel of the
usual politicians.”
Around 60 students will be participating
in the event, and each will be presented with a special certificate
from Peter Soulsby MP as a memento of the event.
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| Peter welcomes funding for
colleges in Leicester |
| Next
generation colleges will be green buildings |
Peter
Soulsby MP today welcomed over £50,000,000 that further
education colleges in Leicester will get as part of a £2
billion strategy to develop new low carbon colleges, marking
a radical new approach to the delivery of public buildings.
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Achieve
an ‘excellent’ rating under the Building
Research Establishment Environmental Assessment
Method (BREEAM), a voluntary code of best practice
for sustainable building;
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Meet part
L of building regulations which stipulate the minimum
energy efficiency requirements of all new buildings;
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Make
the use of renewable energy – wind and solar
power – for heating and lighting.
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Peter
Soulsby MP said:
“This is great news for the colleges in Leicester
that will benefit from this investment. Leicester College,
Gateway College and Wyggeston and QE can now look forward
to a very exciting future, with state of the art facilities
in which to deliver top quality education and learning opportunities.
This investment will help deliver excellent, environmentally
sustainable buildings. I have always said that public buildings
such as schools have to lead the way in terms of reducing
environmental impacts and this strategy will ensure our
next generation of colleges in Leicester will be green buildings
– building on our reputation and aspirations to be
a truly sustainable and environmentally responsible city.”
John
Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation Universities and
Skills said:
“We are now investing sets out our most ambitious
plans yet for sustainable college buildings. We
will require all new projects to meet the highest building
standards for sustainable design and have a taskforce in
place to advise on how we will ensure that all new buildings
are zero carbon by 2016. This is two years ahead of the
Government’s target for public sector building announced
in the Budget.
“The
strategy will also announce the inclusion of mandatory training
plans for apprenticeships and work-based learning in all
contracts. This will ensure we get maximum value and training
opportunities out of every penny of public investment going
into our colleges, and marks the beginning of a radical
new approach to public procurement.”
Monday March 31 2008
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| Peter joins Victoria Park
lights switch-on |
| Peter
Soulsby switches on the new lights on Victoria Park’s
walkways |
Peter called
for the new lights to improve safety and campaigned
last year with local councillors and Leicester University
Students’ Union. This followed a spate of muggings
and violent attacks on the park, mainly against students.
Peter Soulsby was joined by Castle ward Councillor
Patrick Kitterick at the switch on tomorrow, along
with Leicester University students.
Peter Soulsby MP
said:“I am delighted that the City Council has
responded to the campaign for improved lighting on
Victoria Park and has funded the new lights.
It was a relentless and imaginative campaign that
has led to the new lights being installed, and everyone
involved can be proud of the outcome, especially the
university students who were the engine of the campaign.
The lights are needed and will hopefully deter criminals
and improve safety for people walking through the
park.”
Thursday
March 20 2008
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Peter Soulsby welcomes
Winter Fuel Payment boost
Leicester South MP Peter Soulsby
has welcomed the announcement in the Budget that the pensioners
in receipt of the annual Winter Fuel Payment will get an extra
one-off boost towards their energy bills this coming winter.
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Last year
Peter Soulsby took thousands of petition forms signed
by Leicester residents to 10 Downing Street as part
of the Leicester Mercury’s Fight the Freeze
campaign.
Peter Soulsby has campaigned for an increase in the
Winter Fuel Payment to keep pace with rising fuel
bills.
In today’s Budget statement the Chancellor,
Alistair Darling MP, announced that in addition to
the annual Winter Fuel Payment the over-60s will receive
an extra £50 in 2008/2009 and the over-80s will
receive an extra £100.
This will benefit up to 9million households nationally
and will help the elderly keep their homes warm through
the colder months.
Last year just over 14,000 pensioners in Leicester
South benefited from the Winter Fuel Payment.
Peter Soulsby MP said: “Last
year the Leicester Mercury ran a
very impressive campaign, calling for the Winter Fuel
Payment to be increased to keep pace with rising energy
bills. It is unacceptable that elderly people struggle
to keep their homes warm during the winter. We are
currently seeing energy companies boasting about their
profit levels. While the companies post these obscene
profits, people are faced with ever higher bills.
These one-off boosts should be welcomed and will be
of real benefit to elderly people in Leicester.”
“This is
a very positive and important step in the right direction
and I will continue to campaign for a permanent increase
in the Winter Fuel Payment. There is no doubt that
this one-off boost to the Winter Fuel Payment is down
to campaigns like the one run by the Mercury. Campaigners
must now keep the pressure up.”
March
12 2008
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| Photo
courtesy Leicester Mercury |
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| Peter Soulsby MP wants views
on Europe |
| Leicester
South MP Peter Soulsby has sent a copy of the much-debated
Lisbon Treaty to the city’s Central Lending Library.
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The
Lisbon Treaty - which seeks to amend the role and powers of
the European Union – is over 300 pages long.
The House of Commons began weeks of debate on the terms of
the Treaty and the EU Amendment Bill last week. If passed,
the Bill will allow the United Kingdom to ratify the new EU
Treaty.
Peter Soulsby MP has placed a copy of the Treaty in Leicester’s
Central Lending Library to allow local people to have their
say.
Parliament will debate whether there should be a referendum,
but there are many more issues been debated in the House of
Commons.
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The Lisbon Treaty - which seeks to amend the role
and powers of the European Union – is over 300
pages long. The House of Commons began weeks of debate
on the terms of the Treaty and the EU Amendment Bill
last week.
If passed, the Bill will allow the United Kingdom
to ratify
the new EU Treaty.
Peter Soulsby MP has placed a copy of the Treaty in
Leicester’s Central Lending Library to allow
local people
to have their say. Parliament will debate whether
there
should be a referendum, but there are many more issues
been debated in the House of Commons.
The Lisbon Treaty:
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Gives
national Parliaments powers for the first time to
block European laws;
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Increases
the UK’s voting strength on EU decisions from
8% to over 12%;
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Protects
children and strengthens children’s rights
in the UK and across Europe;
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Gives
the EU stronger powers to deal with environmental
problems, and in particular climate change;
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Requires
all EU countries to adopt the UK policy of using
foreign aid to relieve global poverty;
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Creates
a European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps;
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Improves
support for sports and European sports competitions;
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Guarantees
the UK “opt outs” to retain national
control over our borders, social security, tax,
foreign policy, defence and our British system of
common law.
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Peter Soulsby MP said:
“As Parliament debates the Lisbon Treaty, and
there is wide public discussion on our relationship with Europe,
I believe it is right that people have access to the full
facts.
That’s why I have sent the Leicester Central Lending
Library a full copy of the Lisbon Treaty. I want local people
to be able to have access to the full, official document.
People can send me their views by e-mail at peter@petersoulsby.org
or by writing to me at the House of Commons, London,
SW1A 0AA.”
“My personal view is that Britain’s
relationship with Europe is vital for the economy and jobs.
I want Britain to stay in the European Union, three million
British jobs and 60% of our exports would be at risk if we
were not in the EU.
Safety standards on roads and at work, and workers’
rights to holidays and equal treatment are guaranteed by European
laws.
Our relationship with Europe is also important in relation
to fighting climate change and global poverty.”
February 7 2008
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| Students in Leicester to
learn ‘lessons from Auschwitz’ |
| Two
students from every sixth form and college in Leicester will
be able to go on educational visits to Auschwitz to learn
about the horrors of the Holocaust, thanks to Government funding
announced this week. |
Peter Soulsby
MP welcomed the £4.65 million of funding, which
will allow the Holocaust Educational Trust to continue
its visits for the next three years.
Each visit
takes up to 200 students from across the country to
Auschwitz in Poland, where expert guides and educators
from the UK show pupils around the site and let them
see first hand where the horrendous atrocities occurred.
Peter
Soulsby said:
“The Holocaust was
one of the most horrific events in world history and
it’s important that every young person has an
understanding of it. Teaching of the Holocaust is
compulsory in all secondary schools, but sometimes
getting out of the classroom and actually visiting
the places where historic events happened can be the
best way to truly grasp the enormity of what occurred.
“That’s
why I’m pleased that the Government will continue
to fund the Holocaust Educational Trust’s visits
to Auschwitz and every school in my constituency will
now be able to take part. Not only do young people
visit the site of one of history’s greatest
atrocities, but they come back inspired to make a
difference today and teach others about the dangers
of prejudice and discrimination. “
The visits, combined with an orientation seminar beforehand
where students hear testimony from an Auschwitz survivor
and a follow up seminar after the visit, provide a
unique opportunity for students to learn about the
Holocaust and its vital lessons which remain relevant
today. On returning to their schools and local communities,
students are required to disseminate what they have
learned to their peers through a wide variety of activities
and programmes.
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The
Holocaust Educational Trust took 3000 students to Auschwitz
in 2007 as part of their Lessons from Auschwitz project and
will take up to 4000 in 2008. Some students from Leicester
schools will visit Auschwitz in March of this year.
Jim Knight,
Schools Minister, added:
“Sometimes getting out of the
classroom and actually visiting the places where historic
events happened can be the best way to truly grasp the enormity
of what occurred.
The pupils who visited with me were visibly moved and this
funding will allow more students to visit Auschwitz and learn
about the horror of the Holocaust. It is vital that future
generations understand the lessons of Auschwitz both for its
own importance, but also to understand other genocides and
hate crimes."
Karen Pollock,
Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said:
“This announcement
is a clear demonstration of the Government’s continued
support for Holocaust education and the powerful impact of
the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Lessons from Auschwitz
Project.
February 7 2008
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| House of commons shares
in joke |
| On
February 5 Members of Parliament will recognise the longest
running comedy festival in the UK when Leicester South MP
Sir Peter Soulsby submits an Early Day Motion (EDM). The motion
will honour Leicester Comedy Festival in the run up to its
15th birthday celebrations. |
The Early
Day Motion text:
This House notes the
15th anniversary of the Leicester Comedy Festival; further notes
its popularity nationally and internationally as one of the
best comedy festivals on the planet; congratulates all those
involved over the last 15 years and sends best wishes and good
luck to the performers and organizers of this year’s Festival,
from Friday 8th February to Sunday 17th February.
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Leicester
Comedy Festival started in 1994 and has grown to become one
of the largest cultural events of its kind in the UK. Around
60,000 people are expected to attend the 10 day birthday party,
to enjoy 850 performers performing on 60 stages across Leicester
and Leicestershire.
Big name acts including Jimmy Carr, Ricky Tomlinson,
Frankie Boyle, Michael McIntyre and Rich
Hall will be joined by the cream of up and coming
talent performing throughout the event. A programme of workshops
and community events, supported by Main Community Sponsor
John Lewis, will also take place allowing participation by
local people.
15 years ago comedy was
heralded by the NME as the ‘new rock n’ roll’,
15 years on it is being honoured by MPs. Further information
about Leicester Comedy Festival can be found by visiting:
www.comedy-festival.co.uk.
Early day motions (EDMs) are formal motions submitted for
debate in the House of Commons. This EDM, submitted by Sir
Peter Soulsby, is believed to be the first one to recognise
a comedy festival. Other recent motions have included subjects
such as the X Factor, planned funding cuts by Arts Council
England and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
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Announcing the submission
of the EDM, Peter Soulsby MP said:
“The Leicester Comedy Festival
is a real gem in the city’s crown. Every year we enjoy
a programme of the best of British comedy and many household
names made some of their early appearances at the Festival.
It is a real achievement to reach this 15th anniversary
festival, and this reflects the tireless hard work and energy
put in over the years by so many people.”
“I am delighted to
be submitting this EDM in Parliament and I am sure it will
get the backing of MPs from across the country. It's been
said that there are plenty of comedians in the House of
Commons, so I am sure it will be well supported!”
Leicester Comedy Festival
Director, Geoff Rowe, said:
”We’re delighted that
Sir Peter and other MPs have recognised Leicester Comedy
Festival and want to extend the 15th birthday celebrations
to the House of Commons. Thousands of local people will
be joined by visitors from across the UK as Leicester becomes
the comedy capital of the UK over the next 10 days. The
festival has grown over the past 15 years thanks to the
support of numerous people and I’d like to thank Sir
Peter for helping make 2008 extra special.”
February 5 2008
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| Leicester
MP’s anger at post office closures |
| Leicester
South MP Peter Soulsby has reacted with anger at the decision
to press ahead
with the closure of Francis Street and Walnut Street post
offices in his constituency. |
Peter Soulsby MP spearheaded
local campaigns to save the two post offices from the axe.
He organised his own public consultation which generated over
3,500 responses from local residents and customers. The MP
also made a detailed and significant submission of over 750
pages to the official Post Office Ltd consultation, as well
as meeting with senior representatives from Post Office Ltd.
The Leicester South MP also took the fight all the way to
Westminster and met personally with the Government’s
Post Office Minister.
Peter Soulsby has also slammed the independent postal services
watchdog, Postwatch, for their “total failure”
to speak up for post office customers in Leicester. |
|
| Reacting
to the decision announced today Peter Soulsby MP
said:
“I am angry and disappointed
that the Post Office will press ahead with the closures of
Francis Street and Walnut Street Post Offices in my constituency.
Thousands of local residents have campaigned against these
closures, and have done so with very robust and compelling
arguments. For many residents, and for local businesses in
the case of Francis Street, these post offices are a crucial
lifeline.”
“Post Office Ltd has failed to listen to the strong
case made to keep these post offices open and clearly have
no concern whatsoever for the impact these closures will have
on local communities.”
“I am particularly angry at the total failure of Postwatch
to fight the corner of post office customers in Leicester.
Postwatch is supposed to be the independent watchdog for postal
services, and boasts that it is the ‘voice of the consumer’.
Having seen Postwatch’s letter to the Post Office about
the proposed closures in Leicester, I have to say that unfortunately
in this case it has been a rather pathetic voice.”
February 1 2008
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| Peter
Soulsby wants local people to have their say on Blue Badge Scheme |
| Leicester
South MP Peter Soulsby has today welcomed the launch of a
public consultation on the Disabled Person's Parking Badge
Scheme ("the Blue Badge Scheme").
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The
consultation, launched by the Government, will look at how
the Scheme can better reflect the needs of the Blue Badge
holder and also beef up its security to prevent abuse.
Peter Soulsby MP welcomed the consultation: “I believe
that the Blue Badge Scheme should be fit for purpose. It must
help those that need the Badge to improve their mobility and
independence, but also be robust enough to prevent abuse of
the scheme.
I want those in Leicester South, especially in the city centre
area, with experience of the Blue Badge Scheme to get involved
in the consultation, tell us what you think and feed in any
ideas and experiences you have had, to help us make the Blue
Badge Scheme the best that it can possibly be. I would encourage
people to respond to the Government consultation; alternatively
people can contact me with their views.”
January 31 2008
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Peter
Soulsby MP demands action to deal with “plagues of rats
and mice”
MP urges Government to review pest
control charging
Leicester
South MP Peter Soulsby is demanding urgent action to deal with
plagues of rats and mice in parts of the city. |
In the last year Peter
Soulsby has seen a ‘dramatic and noticeable increase’
in the number of residents contacting him with rat and mice
infestations in their homes. The problem is particularly prevalent
in parts of St. Matthews and Spinney Hills. Rats are thriving
because of the warmer climate.
Peter Soulsby has raised in Parliament the issue of how local
councils deal with mice and rats and is alarmed that there
are no national guidelines on charging for local authority
pest control services. Charges appear to vary from council
to council. Leicester City Council currently deals with rat
infestations at no charge in homes, whilst charging £50
to deal with mice. Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council charges
£57.50 for dealing with mice infestations and requires
payment in advance before sending a team to deal with the
problem. Although it appears that most councils will deal
with rats without charging, some councils do make a charge
to send pest control teams to deal with rats.
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| Both Charnwood
and Blaby councils do not charge to deal with rats and mice
in peoples’ homes.
In answering a Parliamentary Question from Peter Soulsby,
Environment Minister Joan Ruddock MP confirmed that the Government
holds no information on local authorities charging for pest
control and the prices charged:
Peter Soulsby MP: To
ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
what information her Department holds on (a) the number of
local authorities which charge for treating mice infestations
in residential properties and (b) the average price charged
by local authorities for such treatment.
Joan Ruddock MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of
State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
I have been asked to reply. DEFRA holds no information on
either the number of local authorities which charge for treating
mice infestations in residential properties or the average
price charged. It is for local authorities to decide on the
most appropriate pest control programme in their own area,
while having regard to their duties under the Prevention of
Damage by Pests Act 1949.
Peter Soulsby MP said: “There are plagues
of rats and mice in parts of the city and especially parts
of St. Matthews and the other estates. I have been approached
with examples of rats crawling along kitchen work surfaces
where baby food is being prepared, and where children are
too scared to get out of bed to go to school. This problem
needs urgent action, many people will not call the Council
because of the charge made for dealing with mice, and many
people simply cannot afford to pay £50.”
“I would urge the City
Council to take action on this. If something is not done I
fear we will see a very real risk to public health in parts
of the city. I also want to see the Government undertake a
national review of council’s pest control services including
charges. To me it seems absurd that charges for dealing with
rats and mice vary so much between different local authorities,
and that there is no national record of who is charging what.
In my view if a council is not going to provide these services
free of charge, then there should be an agreed national charging
framework which offers realistic prices for pensioners and
people on low incomes.”
January 30 2008
|
| Peter
Soulsby MP marks Holocaust Memorial Day |
| Leicester
South MP Peter Soulsby showed his commitment to Holocaust
Memorial Day by signing a Book of Commitment to honour those
killed in the Holocaust and individuals that risked their
lives to help those being persecuted. |
| |
The Book has been
placed in the House of Commons for Members of Parliament nationwide
to sign and pledge their support for the annual day of remembrance
on Sunday 27th January.
On and around Holocaust Memorial Day, schools, local communities
and faith groups from across the UK will join together to
mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Thousands of events are being
held across the country to commemorate all those who suffered
at the hands of the Nazis during the Holocaust and in more
recent genocides.
Ultimately the aim of the day is to motivate people –
individually and collectively, to ensure that the horrendous
crimes, racism and victimization committed during the Holocaust
and subsequent genocides are neither forgotten nor repeated
again. |
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January 27th marks the anniversary of the liberation in 1945
of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the infamous concentration and extermination
camp. It is the eighth year that the anniversary has been
officially commemorated in the UK.
In 2005, the United Nations General Assembly adopted
the day passing the Holocaust Memorial Day resolution. Peter
Soulsby will be attending Leicester’s Holocaust Memorial
Day event this Sunday.
Peter Soulsby MP said:
“Holocaust Memorial Day provides a focus for each of
us to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust. We must not
only reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust and remember
all the victims killed and persecuted by the Nazis but also
to challenge all types of prejudice and discrimination which
continue in our society today.”
Karen Pollock, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational
Trust added:
“We are delighted that
Peter Soulsby is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day. At a time
when anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial, racism, prejudice and
sadly even genocide still continue to pollute our world today,
Holocaust Memorial Day and Holocaust education is more important
than ever. It is through the participation and support of
schools, local groups and elected members that give this day
the impact it has around the country and we applaud their
commitment to ensuring the lessons of the past learnt, acted
upon and disseminated.”
January 24 2008
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| Post
Office Campaign “not over yet” - Leicester MP to
meet with Post Office Minister |
| The campaign
to save local post offices in Leicester will go on as the
official consultation period ends this week. Leicester South
MP Peter Soulsby has spearheaded the campaign to save two
post offices in his constituency which have been earmarked
for closure under Post Office proposals.
This week Peter Soulsby MP
has made a formal submission to the Post Office consultation
which closes on Thursday (10 January) and will next week meet
the Post Office Minister in Westminster. |
| Peter Soulsby’s
submission to the consultation includes: |
- A
petition signed by 2,500 local residents and customers
against the closure of Francis Street Post Office
- A
further petition signed by 116 residents and customers
against the closure of Francis Street Post Office
- Over
50 detailed responses from businesses and shops in
the Francis Street area – these are responses
to a consultation of local businesses organised by
Peter Soulsby, and illustrate the devastating affect
the closure of Francis Street Post Office will have
on the local business community, especially those
shops and businesses that rely on the locality of
the post office to run their mail order businesses:
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| ‘The shops
and businesses of Allandale Road and Francis Street in
Stoneygate, of which there are over sixty – providing
hundreds of livelihoods, rely totally on the Francis Street
Post Office in order to run their businesses, many of
whom run a significant mail order facility alongside their
retail outlets’ |
- Over
375 responses to Peter Soulsby’s own consultation
of local residents and customers; these responses
show that over 99% of residents and customers are
against this proposed closure, and that over 80% of
respondents use this post office at least once a week.
Over 99% of respondents believe that closing Francis
Street Post Office will have a negative affect on
the local community.
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| Responses
included many detailed comments from concerned residents
and customers of the Francis Street Post Office: |
| ‘This
hub of the local community is depended upon by local
residents’
‘The staff at Francis
Street are always friendly and helpful and I have got
to know them well over the years I have lived here’
‘Post Offices are an important
part of the community. Frequently over the years I have
met an acquaintance or friend whilst visiting the post
office. In this way…they act as the modern version
of ‘going to the well’’
‘The Francis Street Post
Office is also an irreplaceable lifeline for the huge
number of elderly locals, so many of whom are very infirm
and wouldn’t know how on earth to cope should
this very hub of our community be removed from them’
‘For many, the post office
represents a community service and a means by which
they can keep a semblance of independence’ |
|
- A petition signed by 1000 local residents
and customers against the proposed closure of Walnut
Street Post Office
- Over 100 responses to Peter Soulsby’s
own consultation of residents and customers, which
show that 100% of local residents are firmly against
the proposed closure, responses from residents included:
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| ‘We
are provided with a friendly, efficient and convenient
service’
‘I am 83 ½ years
old and can’t walk very well, it is a lovely post
office and friendly, they help me a lot’
‘Walnut Street is a friendly
local post office that is an important part of our community’
‘Loss of the Walnut Street
Post Office would be a loss to the whole community’
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| On
Monday (14 January) Peter Soulsby MP will take the campaign
to the very top, when he will meet personally with the Government’s
Post Office Minister, Pat McFadden MP. |
|
Peter Soulsby
MP said:
“This campaign has shown clearly that people want to
keep their local post offices. These two post offices in my
constituency – Francis Street and Walnut Street –
are immensely popular within their own communities, and are
a lifeline for many residents. This is especially the case
for elderly residents who will be unable to travel to other
post offices if their local branches are closed. The shops
and businesses in the Francis Street also depend heavily on
the local post office and for some the closure will threaten
the very survival of their businesses.”
“I want to thank everyone who
has signed the petitions and sent responses to this campaign.
On Monday I am meeting with the Post Office Minister and will
be pressing the case for both the post offices in my constituency.
I will be asking that the detailed submission I have made
to the consultation is fully considered along with the views
of local residents and customers and that the proposed closures
are reconsidered. I have made a very substantial submission
to the official consultation, as well as to the customer watchdog
Postwatch, and on Monday I will meet the Post Office Minister,
as far as I am concerned this campaign is not over yet.”
January 9 2008
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 |
There are many occasions
that MPs speak or support subjects in the House of Commons.
This includes proposing or supporting an Early Day Motion, or
EDM. An EDM is a motion put down ("tabled") by Members
of Parliament calling for a debate on a particular subject.
In practice, there is rarely time to debate EDMs nowadays and
their true modern-day purpose is to enable MPs to draw attention
to an issue and to canvass support for their views by inviting
other Members to add their signatures in support of the motion.
Members may table amendments to existing EDMs.
Some
of the EDMs signed by Peter Soulsby are here…
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