Toby Perkins MP

Proud Not Sorry.

Amid Tory claims that Labour should apologise for the massive investment in our schools Chesterfield’s young people have spoken out against the slurs.

Students from local schools, members of Young Labour made a film called “Sorry?” in response to Tory claims that Labour should apologise for the investment in new school buildings, low class sizes and record investment in teaching.

Holly Redford-Jones said; “We are proud of the education that we have had, and of Labour’s decision to invest in it. That why we wanted to make a film to speak up for the importance of good local state schools not apologise for it.”

At Prime Minister’s Questions today, David Cameron sided against the Royal British Legion and ruled out keeping the role of Chief Coroner for bereaved families.
 
The Prime Minister was also not clear on the detail of his Government’s own policy.  Mr Cameron said that the establishment of the Chief Coroner’s Office would involve “something like £10m of spending” which “could be better spent on improving all coroners’ services”.  However, the credibility of the Government’s figures has been questioned on numerous occasions by third parties, including the Royal British Legion, and the Government has not said it would invest in coronial reform.   Mr Cameron also said he wants to improve “all coroners’ services across the country”, but that is exactly what the Chief Coroner’s Office would achieve.
 
Labour has backed a major campaign by the Royal British Legion, which has said that axing the Chief Coroner would “be a betrayal of bereaved Service families” and that introducing national leadership under the Chief Coroner’s post is the only way to tackle the problems of unacceptable delays, a lack of accountability and inconsistent standards across the country.  During last week’s debate on the Public Bodies Bill, Labour MPs voted for an amendment to keep the Chief Coroner, as did several conservative rebel MPs.   After the vote, the Royal British Legion said that it was “saddened that this important opportunity to do the right thing by bereaved Service families was not taken by the Government”.
 
Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, Michael Dugher, said:  
 
“Honouring the commitment to create the office of Chief Coroner is the first test of the Government’s commitment to the Military Covenant.  Failing in their duty to meet that test makes a mockery of the Government’s assurances of greater support for the military and their families.  
 
“It is clear from David Cameron’s response at Prime Minister’s Questions that he does not understand his Government’s own policy.  As we approach Remembrance Sunday, David Cameron should look into this again, listen to the Royal British Legion and do the right thing for all bereaved families, who deserve an independent, expert coronial system”.
 
Commenting, Toby Perkins the Labour MP for Chesterfield, said:
 
“All over Chesterfield, volunteers and veterans are working really hard, promoting the Poppy Appeal and raising vital money for the Royal British legion.  
 
“The Government should be listening to the Royal British Legion, and servicemen’s families in Chesterfield and across Britain

 “The Government should do the right thing by our Armed Forces and their families, particularly in the run up to Remembrance Sunday.”
 

The government’s decision to raise Vat will stifle growth and will see the poorest bear the brunt of the government’s ideological cuts, said Toby Perkins, MP for Chesterfield.

He added: “This is bad news for people and families across Chesterfield. It will hurt motorists as petrol prices and the cost of motoring will rise. It will hurt those families and pensioners when they go to the shops. And it will hurt small businesses many of whom will not want to pass on the increase in VAT to their customers”.

At a time when the economic recovery is already under threat, with latest figures showing growth stalled in the final quarter of 2010, the VAT hike is also a “jobs tax”. It is estimated that the VAT attack will hit 250,000 jobs, three times the number associated with Labour’s alternative to the VAT rise – an increase in National Insurance Contributions. “Already we have seen Tory policies push the economy back into negative growth and now we face the VAT rise on top. It’s the wrong tax at the wrong time”.

“In the General Election campaign George Osborne said the Conservatives had no plans to increase VAT and David Cameron acknowledged that VAT rises hit the poorest the hardest. We have been hearing a great deal about the Liberal Democrat’s u-turn on student fees. Well this is a Tory U-turn, with the hand break on. It is the people of Chesterfield that are being made to pay for it. It is yet another broken promise from this Tory government”

The decision to increase VAT costs for families across Chesterfield was supported by Liberal Democrats on Chesterfield Council who unanimously supported the rise in a motion placed before the Council’s July 2010 meeting.  Toby Perkins said: “Now we are just starting to see the way that this government’s policies are undermining the recovery. It is amazing that Lib Dems in Chesterfield should actually welcomed measures that will make ordinary Chesterfield people worse off.”

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins celebrated  with delighted residents, businesses and campaigners this evening as Derbyshire County Council rejected plans for a waste incinerator plant on Dunston Road, Chesterfield. Toby Perkins, Labour Member of Parliament for Chesterfield, hailed the ‘Chesterfield Against Incineration’ campaign group as the DCC Planning Committee voted overwhelmingly to dismiss the multi-million pound development.

The campaign group headed by local residents Julie Harrington and Karon Glynn were supported by Mr. Perkins and local councillors at County Hall, Matlock where the Planning Committee gave its decision.  With the meeting room packed to the rafters, Mr. Perkins condemned the Case Officer’s decision to recommend approval for the development on environmental and economic grounds. Despite Cyclamax having the option of appealing the decision, this has been seen as a major victory for those concerned about the impact the incinerator may have on health, local businesses and the environment.

Speaking after hearing the decision Mr. Perkins said:-

“I am delighted that all the hard work of Julie, Karon, Richard and all those who feared for the health and prosperity of their local community has finally paid off. In the end the evidence in support of rejecting the application was overwhelming. Cyclamax may well decide to appeal this decision, but this is a fantastic example of local champions fighting for what they believe in and succeeding. This decision is good for local residents, good for the economy, and good for Chesterfield”.

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins says he is appalled that disabled and elderly people in Derbyshire have seen huge cuts in their care packages. Self Directed Support packages aimed at providing much needed help to most vulnerable in society have been slashed by cost cutters at Derbyshire County Council. After seeing her package cut from £12,000 to £4992 a year, severely disabled Ruth Grice has contacted Toby Perkins MP. Mrs. Grice, who is partially blind and who suffers from several serious illnesses, is just one of many people to fall victim of Derbyshire County Council’s new assessment tool.

Far from being a fair and progressive move, the recently introduced ‘SACE Overview Assessment’ tool seems to be taking away support for those who require it most, leading to the laying off care workers who provide such an outstanding service. Mrs. Grice has already had to cope with the loss of her carer and now relies almost entirely on her husband, who is disabled also.

Mr. Perkins said:-

I am appalled with Derbyshire County Council’s treatment of Mrs. Grice. However, she is just one of hundreds of people across Chesterfield who will feel the full force of such ruthless cuts. Everybody accepts that efficiencies have to be made but this appears to be an open attack on the very people this Government and Council should be supporting”.

Mrs. Grice added:-

“Direct Payment cuts will put more strain on existing family carers, young and old, and in future they are unlikely to obtain respite care. The savage cuts will disempower disabled people who really need these monies. My service has been cut by two thirds making one support worker redundant and reducing the other’s hours by a third”.

The problem skate park site located behind B&Q, which has been the scene of criminal damage and anti social behavior, is to be completed by a new business partnership. After meeting with representatives of local businesses, council officials and police over many weeks, Toby Perkins, Labour Member of Parliament for Chesterfield, has been informed that the new investor in the site will be unveiled in just two weeks time.

The former Bryan Donkins site off Derby Road has been a constant drain on police resources and tax payer’s money since Thornfield’s, developers of the site, went into administration earlier this year. With no lighting or CCTV on the skate park itself, the facility has been a magnet for those intent on causing trouble for genuine skaters and local employees alike. Mr. Perkins had been contacted by dozens of constituents expressing deep concern about the skate park, which led to discussions with the local constabulary, B&Q management and the skaters themselves. The news of a near resolution comes as great relief for those who had previously feared to use or work near the skate park, particularly after dark.

Mr. Perkins said:-

The news that a firm has all but signed on the dotted line is great for Chesterfield and for those who have been put off using what is potentially a fantastic facility for young people in our area. Genuine skaters deserve a site which is not only challenging but which is safe for them to visit with their friends. I am informed that the new developers will be completing the skate park as part of a new business park off the A61, which is not just good news for local skaters but for the local economy too”.

Worried Chesterfield residents have enlisted the help of their local Member of Parliament, Toby Perkins, after their parking spaces were sold to Tesco. This followed the decision to allow the opening of a brand new Tesco Express store on the site of the former Angel public house on Derby Road, at which local people had parked for around half a century.

Car owners living on Derby Road had previously had authorization to park unconditionally in the Angel public house car park. However the decision of the Council has meant that spaces may not be offered to those living in and around the Tesco’s store, leaving elderly and disabled members of the community with a one mile walk to and from their vehicles. The campaigners are hoping for a little divine intervention after Father Flynn of the Church of the Holy Family expressed his concerns about parking for mass and christenings at his church, particularly on weekends.

Chesterfield MP, Mr. Perkins said:-

“The parking situation on Derby Road, like many other areas of Chesterfield, is very difficult. I am worried that the opening of the new Tesco Express will make it incredibly hard for residents along Derby Road to park their cars safely and within an acceptable distance from their homes. I am writing to Tesco’s to see if we can come to a solution which is both agreeable and feasible for all parties involved”.