On Friday May 17 the Leicester Mercury published the article “What our MPs say about their claims” asking Leicestershire MPs to give their comments on the current situation.

Sir Peter Soulsby answered:
"My main home is in the heart of my constituency, where I have lived with my family for over 30 years. I make no claims for this home.

"Whilst in London I live in a flat within walking distance of Westminster.

After the first year renting, I have chosen to buy a flat rather than rent. The total costs per year are a bit higher than the allowance so I make up the difference from my salary. Most of the allowance is used on interest payments on a fixed-rate mortgage. When setting up the flat, as a matter of policy, I chose to buy some furniture rather than to use the allowance for a number of smaller items where receipts and tax might not have been necessary.

Now the flat is set up, I only use the allowance for mortgage interest. I pay all the service charges, maintenance, council tax and electricity myself. I have never claimed for food for myself or submitted unreceipted claims.

I believe all MPs will have to answer their electors for the way in which they have used allowances."

The full article published by the Leicester Mercury can be seen here...

MP: “no excuses when it comes to safety at work”. Leicester South MP Peter Soulsby has called for “no excuses” when it comes to health and safety at work.

Next Tuesday (28 April) is Workers’ Memorial Day. The annual day commemorates all those across the world who have lost their lives at work. Each year trade unions and others mark the day with vigils and special events. In Leicester the Trades Union Council is organising a commemorative event at Town Hall Square with speeches and wreath laying, followed by a non-denominational service at Bishop Street Methodist Church.

Peter Soulsby MP, who will not be at the event this year because of parliamentary commitments in Westminster, has sent this message:

“Workers’ Memorial Day lets us reflect each year on the fact that too many people lose their lives at work. Every year too many families face the grief of losing a loved one through a workplace death. It is important that we mark this day and I am pleased that, as in every year, an event has been organised by the Trades Union Council in Leicester.”

“Workplace health and safety has improved dramatically in recent years with new laws introduced to protect workers. However, we can never be complacent and quite simply, there are no excuses when it comes to safety at work.”

Peter Soulsby MP has backed new health and safety laws in Parliament and has long campaigned for better protection for people at work. The MP has also called for compensation justice for those suffering from industrial illness, including people suffering from respiratory conditions including mesothelioma and lung diseases.

Monday April 27 2009

Peter Soulsby MP has moved into a new constituency base at 60 Charles Street in the city centre, the new office address is 60 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FB.
Peter Soulsby also has a new office telephone number: 0116 251 1927.

Announcing his office move Peter Soulsby MP said: “My new constituency base is in the heart of the city centre and can be reached by many key bus routes. The new office will allow me to continue to provide an excellent service to my constituents. It will be a good location for surgeries and meeting with constituents.”

The MP is urging people to update their contact files: “Having a new constituency telephone number is not ideal but because of the office move we have no choice. BT have made sure our new lines are already up and running. The new number is 0116 251 1927 and I would urge people to update their contact files with my new details.”

An official opening of the new office will be held later in the year.

Friday March 20 2009

Bill Bryson, best-selling author and President of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) is urging the people who use Leicestershire’s canals and rivers to tackle the problem of litter on their waterways.

Volunteers are needed to put on their Wellington boots and take part in British Waterways’ Towpath Tidy 2009 – coordinated activity days which will take place along targeted stretches of the River Soar and Grand Union Canal between Thursday 26th and Sunday 29th March 2009.

The volunteer effort, ahead of the main summer visitor and boating season, will bring wildlife and environmental benefits as well as providing a welcome boost to the year-round work carried out by British Waterways. Everyone is welcome, with activities ranging from litter picking, painting and graffiti removal, to cutting back towpath vegetation and removing floating debris.

As part of its Stop the Drop campaign, CPRE is supporting Towpath Tidy by involving its local branches and other litter picking groups registered on Litteraction. Bill Bryson comments: “Britain’s waterways are of vital importance, providing everyone with the opportunity to experience their cities, towns and countryside from a unique and tranquil perspective.

It’s a disgrace that some people choose to treat their waterways as an open litter bin or as a place to dump their discarded waste. I urge everyone who wants to get this country clean to join in and tidy a towpath.”

Caroline Killeavy, British Waterways general manager in the East Midlands, adds: “Our local canals are enjoying a long overdue renaissance, often used and enjoyed more than at any other time in their 200-year history.

Volunteers have become essential to the waterways ongoing success and Towpath Tidy is an enjoyable and rewarding occasion when we join forces with individuals and organisations to support wildlife and improve the appearance of the network for everyone.”

Local MP for Leicester South, Sir Peter Soulsby is supporting this year’s Towpath Tidy, saying: “Our waterways are an integral part of our heritage and need to be a key part of our future. That’s why I am so pleased to be supporting this event which will showcase some of the excellent work which is going on to restore our canals and waterways. As a long-time supporter of British Waterways and waterways restoration, I am looking forward to getting stuck in and joining volunteers on the Soar in Leicester.”

In addition to CPRE, Towpath Tidy 2009 is supported by Encams’ The Big Tidy Up campaign, the leading inland waterways charity the Inland Waterways Association as well as local authorities, businesses, canal trusts and civic societies. The activities in Leicester City Centre are being coordinated in partnership with Leicester City Council.

Peter Soulsby has welcomed today’s news that the City Council has been awarded £5 million to develop the Haymarket Theatre into a new youth hub as “possibly the biggest boost for young people in Leicester for a generation”.

It was formally announced today that Leicester City Council has been successful in securing £5 million funding from the Government’s Myplace programme. The funding will see the Haymarket Theatre become a new city centre youth hub for 13-19 year olds. The new centre will provide a range of activities and services including a climbing wall, skateboard and BMX track, sports area, performing arts space, recording studio space, dance rooms and will also provide space for Connexions and other advice services aimed at young people.

Leicester South MP Peter Soulsby has welcomed the announcement: “This is excellent news and I congratulate the City Council on securing the funding to make this happen and for developing this innovative vision. Not only will this new youth hub bring back into use a large city centre building, it has the potential to help raise the aspirations of our city’s young people. We need more facilities for young people and more opportunities for young people to get involved in positive activities. This could be possibly the biggest boost for young people in Leicester for a generation.”

Peter Soulsby MP today welcomed a major plan to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their carers living in Leicester.

The National Dementia Strategy for England will be used by local councils and the local health trusts to bring about improvements in services and support for people with dementia in Leicester and Leicestershire.

The Strategy calls for public awareness campaigns to help reduce the stigma associated with the illness, earlier diagnosis of dementia and for higher standards of care.

Peter Soulsby MP said: “The numbers of people affected by dementia is set to soar in the future. That is why improving the lives of people with dementia and tackling the stigma that surrounds the condition must be a priority for our local services.”

“If implemented locally, the dementia plan could be life changing for people living with Dementia in Leicester and their carers and families.”

“Dementia is a devastating illness not only for the person affected but for those who care for them. We must end the myth that once diagnosed there is nothing that can be done.

Given the right kind of support and access to high quality services, people with dementia and their carers can learn to better cope with the condition, maintain their independence for longer and enjoy a better quality of life.”

“I look forward to seeing the local council and PCT working together to put a local dementia plan into action. Their commitment to change is imperative if we are to see the lives of people with dementia and their carers radically transformed.”

Peter Soulsby is encouraging people to have their say on the future of the Post Office network.

The views put forward by people will be considered by MPs as the Committee’s inquiry proceeds and makes recommendations to the Government.

Encouraging Leicester people and businesses to post their views on the online forum, Peter Soulsby said:
“Post Offices are a vital part of our local communities. That’s why I campaigned so vigorously against the closures of the Francis Street and Walnut Street post offices. It’s also why I was strongly opposed to, and campaigned against, the Post Office’s decision to move from the popular Bishop Street site into the basement of WH Smiths.”

"I welcome the setting up of this online forum by the House of Commons Business and Enterprise Committee and would encourage Leicester people to make their views known.”

As celebrations of Team GB’s swimming success at the Beijing Olympics last summer continue, Leicester MP Peter Soulsby is congratulating the City Council on their improvements to a local pool.

Leicester South MP Peter Soulsby joined local councillors on Monday 19 January at the re-opening of the swimming pool at Aylestone Leisure Centre. The pool has been closed for six weeks to allow for £100,000 worth of improvements to the poolside tiling.

Peter Soulsby has welcomed this investment: “These improvements will make a real difference to the pool at Aylestone Leisure Centre in my constituency. I want to congratulate the City Council on their commitment to our local leisure centres and the continued investment they are making in improvements like this.”

“Our success at last year’s Olympics, led by the East Midland’s Rebecca Adlington in the pool, should inspire a new generation of swimmers. It is of course vital that we have good swimming provision for young people in the city. Swimming is an excellent way to stay healthy and exercise.”

Leicester South MP Peter Soulsby has today welcomed the launch of a new guide to finding help with homes, jobs and finances.

The guide outlines the real help available to people which the Government has put in place to support people and businesses through the economic downturn.

Welcoming the launch of the guide Peter Soulsby MP said: “I know that the international financial crisis is having a real impact on individuals, families and businesses in Leicester.”

“We shouldn’t repeat the mistakes of the past when people were left to cope on their own. The Government has taken decisive and swift action to put in place real measures to help people in these tough times.

This new guide outlines the extra support that is needed to get us through the downturn, and explains clearly how people can access this help.”

Constituents can download a copy of the Real Help Now guide by clicking here or can request a hard copy by contacting Peter’s constituency office on
0116 255 2895.

Tuesday January 27 2009

Following the ceasefire agreement and today’s aid announcement Peter Soulsby MP had this to say:

“I have shared with many of my constituents the horror of the violence and suffering that we have seen on our TV screens during the last three weeks. It is vital that the ceasefire holds, so that the UN can use this latest funding from the British Government. Fuel is desperately needed for power stations so that hospitals can function again, peoples homes can be heated and lit, and access to safe water can be re-established.”

“I am of course pleased that this weekend saw a ceasefire agreement put in place. It is now vital that we seize the moment to establish a new era of lasting peace in the Middle East, which provides peace and security for all and allows the Palestinian people to live with real dignity.”

Local community volunteer Carole Blackburn joins the Prime Minister next week for a reception
at 10 Downing Street.

With Carole as chair the group has successfully delivered important projects including several No Cold Calling Zones on the Eyres Monsell and Saffron estates, Church Watch at St Mary Magdalene Church in Knighton and School Watch at schools like Saffron’s Marriott Road.

The group has also led other local crime prevention initiatives including bike security marking at schools, the popular Nominate a Neighbour scheme, and recently a project to reward high levels of attendance at school to deter truancy.

As Parliament returns from the Christmas and New Year break, Leicester South MP Peter Soulsby
is calling for reassurances on the future of Royal Mail.

The motion also rejects the recommendation of the Hooper Report to sell a minority stake in Royal Mail to private sector investors.

The Hooper Report, which was published just before Christmas, made a series of recommendations on the future of Royal Mail.

One of the more contentious of these recommendations was to sell a stake in Royal Mail to the private sector.

Leicester South MP Peter Soulsby is one of over 100 UK Parliamentarians from different parties who have so far signed a statement demanding an end to the military incursion in Gaza.