News from Peter Soulsby, Labour MP for Leicester South Constituency

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.”

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.”

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.

Over sixty local students packed Leicester’s Town Hall Chamber for Peter Soulsby’s first Leicester South Young People’s Forum event.

Click photo for enlarged view

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.”

“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.”

Local young people to have say on big issues

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.

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 Aprl 7 2008

“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.

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.

Building Colleges for the Future, launched by the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills, outlines detailed proposals for the largest ever further education building works programme, which will see £2.3 billion invested over the next three years.

Leicester College will benefit from a £22,856,000 grant; Gateway College will receive £25,333,000 and Wyggeston and QEII College will get £4,732,000.

It will provide every community with state of the art further education facilities, and over 150 colleges throughout England are set to benefit. The strategy will ensure that all new facilities are environmentally sustainable and zero carbon by 2016, two years ahead of the Government’s target for public sector buildings.

In addition, for the first time ever, companies will be contractually obliged to invest in the skills and training needs of the local area, thereby ensuring that local people will benefit from new work opportunities.

All projects bidding for FE capital funding will need to be environmentally efficient, they must:

Achieve an ‘excellent’ rating under the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), a voluntary code of best practice for sustainable building;
Meet part L of building regulations which stipulate the minimum energy efficiency requirements of all new buildings;
Make the use of renewable energy – wind and solar power – for heating and lighting.

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

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

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.

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

Photo courtesy Leicester Mercury

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.

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 - 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:

Gives national Parliaments powers for the first time to block European laws;
Increases the UK’s voting strength on EU decisions from 8% to over 12%;
Protects children and strengthens children’s rights in the UK and across Europe;
Gives the EU stronger powers to deal with environmental problems, and in particular climate change;
Requires all EU countries to adopt the UK policy of using foreign aid to relieve global poverty;
Creates a European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps;
Improves support for sports and European sports competitions;
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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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").

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

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.

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.

Enlarge photo here

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.

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

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:

‘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.

Peter Soulsby to meet with Post Office Minister in campaign to save local post offices in Leicester

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:

‘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’

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 to meet with Post Office Minister in campaign to save local post offices in Leicester

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

Peter Soulsby MP joins Remploy celebration

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.

Leicester South MP Peter Soulsby joined a celebration at Remploy to mark International Day of Disabled People

Enlarge photo here

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

Enlarge photo here

Peter Soulsby recently joined a local effort to send some Christmas cheer to British servicemen and women serving in Afghanistan. Peter joined local volunteers to pack Christmas parcels which will be sent to troops on the frontline. Christmas parcels from Leicester have been organised by Amanda Crowden, whose son has recently returned from service in Afghanistan.

After joining volunteers to pack Christmas parcels Peter said:
“This is a tremendous effort and I want to congratulate everyone involved in the organisation of this effort, especially Amanda Crowden.

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 Lei