LABOUR: Bannatyne leads review of seaside towns

Bannatyne leads review of seaside townsLabour leader Gordon Brown has launched Labour's Seaside Manifesto todayto help seaside towns achieve their potential.He was joined by leisure entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne, who will lead areview into the economic and tourism potential of seaside towns up anddown the country.

Mr Brown outlined the important role they have to play in ourcountry's future, benefiting from new opportunities such as low carbonbusinesses and economic regeneration.He said, " What better day than the Mayday bank holiday to launch ourSeaside Manifesto - it is Britain's great seaside towns where so manyfamilies want to spend their bank holiday weekends. We are seeingnothing less than a renaissance in our coastal towns."

But there is still more to do to ensure Britain's seaside townscelebrate their unique assets and maximise their potential as holidaydestinations. I

am delighted that Duncan Bannatyne has agreed to lead areview on this, working with seaside towns up and down the country tofulfil their own aspirations." With the right support of an active government, places like Ipswichand Great Yarmouth, which I am visitingtoday, can be a new riviera on the North Sea and all our coastal townscan go from strength to strength.

"Mr Bannatyne said, " I'm delighted to be here with Gordon Brown and totake on the job of helping Britain's seaside towns. Our coastal townshave huge potential and I look forward to helping them achieve it with aLabour Government committed to regeneration and helping communities."

Community Secretary visits Cliftonville

John Denham, the cabinet minister for Communities and Local Government, has visited South Thanet to support Stephen Ladyman’s general election campaign. John visited a Cliftonville playground built with funds from the Government’s ‘Stronger,Safer Communities’ programme.

John (stooping) is pictured with Stephen Ladyman, Labour’s candidate in South Thanet, and Rachael Jordan with Harry, age 3 (in centre of picture) and Rebecca Rowden holding baby Daisy, 7 months. Cliftonville is now in the South Thanet constituency for the first time.

Stephen said:

“West Cliftonville faces some serious challenges. What it desperately needs is an MP who will fight to tackle its problems. People should look at what I’ve achieved in the old South Thanet area because if I’m re-elected I’ll bring the same energy and determination to get resources into Cliftonville.”

After visiting the play area Mr Denham went on to St Paul’s Community Centre where he discussed the issues facing Cliftonville with representatives of local community groups, local Labour councillors and other local residents.

Stephen said:

“John listened to the concerns of local people and also made some suggestions about the way forward. The Government has just given local Councils new planning powers to control the growth of bedsits in local areas and to create a register of landlords so the Council, for the first time, will be able to hold bad landlords to account if they don’t manage properties to a high standard and tackle anti-social behaviour from tenants. If I’m elected on May 6th I’ll expect Thanet Council to use those powers to the full in Cliftonville.”

“We also need to step up rubbish collection and street cleaning in the area as well as tackling late sales of alcohol from shops, to unsupervised drinkers who then behave badly. These are problems that can’t be tackled over-night and it will take time but, for the sake of decent people and hard working families, they are issues that we must face up to.”

Labour candidate produces Election 2010 video

Stephen Ladyman has produced an on-line 2010 Election Video. It can be viewed at http://www.stephenladyman.info/

Ed. As it’s also on youtube I have embedded it in this post.



“The message of my video is ‘If you want to know why you should vote Labour, just look around our area’. I believe my record locally speaks for itself and if people want to know what the Labour Government has been doing for South Thanet they should just take a few minutes to tune in and watch.”

“People say they want a local MP, they say they want an experienced MP, they say they want a hardworking, honest MP. Well I’m prepared to stand on my record and let people judge for themselves. On my web site they’ll find the election video and links to everything they need to know about me to make their mind up.”

“My video might not be quite as good as Eddie Izzard’s election broadcast for the Labour Party but I hope people will take a look at it anyway.”

Declaration of interests - media notification

CANDIDATE’S DECLARATION OF INTEREST
Stephen John Ladyman
The Labour Party Candidate, South Thanet Constituency
These are details of my current paid employment and other interests. This declaration is being made in line with the Ministry of Justice guidance.

Name of candidate
Stephen Ladyman
Constituency:
South Thanet
Political party:
The Labour Party
Date of publication:
18th April 2010

(a) Other paid jobs
None.

(b) positions of responsibility in some types of organisation,
None. I am, however, an unpaid advisor to the Learning Disability Coalition (a grouping that campaigns for people with learning disabilities) and to the International Longevity Centre [UK] (a think tank studying issues related to ageing).

(c)(i) Directorships
Unpaid director of the Sandwich Sports Centre Trust. The Trust is a company registered with the Charity Commission that owns Sandwich Sports Centre.

(c)(ii) Clients.
None

(c)(iii) Land and property,
Other than my family home in Ramsgate I am half owner of an apartment in Wilmslow Cheshire, inherited from my parents at their death. It is on the market.

(c)(iv) Shareholdings,
None

(d) Tax matters
I am registered as a resident and full tax payer in the UK.

(e) Any other interests
None

Lord Pendry backs Ladyman in South Thanet

Lord Pendry backs Ladyman in South ThanetLord Pendry, who was born in Broadstairs and raised in Ramsgate has given his backing to Stephen Ladyman in South Thanet. Lord Pendry will be coming to the constituency to help in the campaign.Stephen Ladyman said:"It is kind of Tom to back my campaign. I look forward to him joining me on the campaign trail. He was a great MP and is well known locally.""I also have the support of a former Liberal MP, Bill Pitt, who now lives in Broadstairs and who is encouraging Liberal Democrats not to waste their vote on the Liberal Democrat candidate but to vote Labour instead. This is a two horse race in South Thanet and the Liberal Democrats cannot win."Lord Pendry's press release reads ...Local born Lord Tom Pendry returns to help Dr. Stephen Ladyman.Lord Tom Pendry born in Broadstairs and reared in Ramsgate is returning to Thanet to assist in Dr Stephen Ladyman’s campaign.Lord Pendry who went to school locally played for Ramsgate and Kent School boys’ at football and is currently the President of Ramsgate Football Club. In his lengthy period as a parliamentarian Lord Pendry has served as a Minister in two Labour governments and Shadow minister for sport and Tourism under the late John Smith and Tony Blair for five years before entering the House of Lords.Lord Pendry stated that, “the reason for me coming to my roots is that I believe Stephen Ladyman is one of the most outstanding politicians of recent years and has impressed parliamentarians of every persuasion for his work as a former minister in the Department of Transport. From my many visits to Thanet I also know how hard he has worked and how well he is regarded by the people in Thanet South”.

Local MP says "don't risk jobs and homes."

As the OECD forecasts that the UK economy is set to grow more strongly than other developed countries, the MP for South Thanet has called on the electorate not to put the recovery at risk.

The Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) says the UK economy will outstrip its G7 rivals in the second quarter of this year. The OECD is predicting it will expand at an annual rate of 3.1%, in line with the government's own Budget forecast.
Such a rate would put the UK ahead of the US, Japan, Germany, France and Italy - only Canada, the G7's most raw material-rich country, would do better.

Stephen Ladyman, the MP for South Thanet said:

"The Government has taken the right decisions on the economy and its judgement has been spot on. This level of growth will also mean that the Government collects more in tax revenue and we can reduce the deficit while protecting front line services. Cutting Government spending more quickly threatens a double dip recession as today's business surveys show and in Thanet and Dover that would mean hundreds of people losing their jobs and possibly their homes too."

"Voters must not risk their jobs and homes on a reckless gamble on the Tories. Mr Cameron got every call wrong during the recession and he is wrong now on taxes and the deficit. Here in East Kent we have Tory candidates with no experience who would slavishly back a Tory leader who is out of his depth."

'Game on' says South Thanet MP as election is called

South Thanet MP Stephen Ladyman has described the General Election as a fight for fairness and for policies that will protect South Thanet and allow its economy to grow.
Stephen Ladyman said:

"It will be a tough fight for me to hold on in South Thanet, this is a tight marginal and the Conservatives benefit from boundary changes, but it's a fight Labour has to win if local people want to see continued investment in South Thanet. Its 'game on' now and my team will be spending the next month explaining to local people exactly how Tory plans would put the recovery at risk."

"I am the first MP for South Thanet to dare to stand on my record. I will be pointing to the fast train, to the East Kent Access road works, to the new medical centres and NHS dentists and to all the schools being rebuilt across my constituency. And I'll be asking people to remember how water would come through class room ceilings when it rained before 1997 and how it would take two years to get hospital operations under the Tories and to compare their memory with what they see around them today."

"Vote Tory and Building Schools for the Future will be slashed and the rebuilding of the Ramsgate Grammar Schools, the Sandwich Technology School and Roger Manwoods will all be under threat. The Sure Start Childrens' Centres will find their budgets hived off and Labours Cancer Care Guarantee will be scrapped."

"The General Election will be a fight for fairness and for policies that will protect our community and allow our economy to grow. With Labour in power after the election there will be a National Care Service for older and disabled people but if the Tories win there will be a £200,000 inheritance tax cut for the richest 3000 estates."

Labours boost for Thanet seaside towns

Stephen Ladyman MP welcomes £200,000 boost for Ramsgate and Margate
Stephen Ladyman MP welcomed the announcement today of an extra £200,000 to help
create jobs in Thanet, support business and to improve the skills of the
long-term unemployed. Thanet Council will receive the extra £200,000 particular
to support work in Ramsgate and Margate.
"This is good news" said local MP, Stephen Ladyman. "As the advert says, 'Every
Little Helps'."
"But the big news for my South Thanet constituency is the extension of the Sea
Change programme. I want Thanet Council to look long and hard about working with
Ramsgate Town Council and local partners at what could be done with the
Victorian Pavilion in Ramsgate because a Sea Change grant might be exactly what
is needed to start the ball rolling."
"We got £3m towards Dreamland and we could get a substantial contribution to the
Victorian Pavilion for the right project. I've already spoken to the Tourism
Minister, Margaret Hodge, and I know she would welcome a bid from us. It just
needs Thanet Council to put some effort into moving things forward."
The announcement is part of a package of support for seaside towns published
today in the Government’s Strategy for Seaside Success.
The strategy also includes
* new licensing rules for councils over Houses of Multiple Occupation to
tackle problems around low quality housing - a paticular problem in parts of
Cliftonville and Ramsgate
* a pledge to extend the Sea change Programme beyond 2011 - Margate has
already had a £3m Sea Change investment for the regeneration of Dreamland but
the extension of the programme means other projects, perhaps including the
Victorian Pavilion in Ramsgate could bid too
The new funding comes on top of this years targeted grants to help local
authorities address some of the specific problems that seaside towns face.
A Conservative government would not have provided this funding since they
opposed the government’s package of fiscal support to help the country through
the recession, and would have cut £1 billion this year from the Communities
budget.
"With The Thanet Array wind farm nearing completion and the London Array to be
built from Port Ramsgate we also have a good chance to capitalise on today's
announcements about wind farms and green technologies. There are big
opportunities for Thanet if we show the determination to grasp them."
Note to editors:
The Seaside Town Grant Initiative Fund
· The Seaside Towns Grant will be used to provide additional help to
tackle disproportionate levels of worklessness and deprivation in priority
seaside towns.
· It will be allocated equally to each eligible district through a
one-off un-ringfenced grant. It will allow local authorities to use their local
judgement and discretion in the use of funding.
Other announcements today included:
o Extension of the Sea Change Programme to help improve seaside
infrastructure after 2011
o Encouragement to regional authorities to explicitly address the
economic challenges of seaside towns in the new single regional strategies
o Encouragement to seaside authorities to exploit their natural and
locational advantages and be in the forefront of the shift to a low carbon
economy, including a focus on green skills, training and jobs, to diversify
their economies. This includes:
§ New UK offshore wind farm licences worth up to £75bn which could
create 70,000 new jobs, many of which would be in coastal areas, by 2020.
§ Interest free energy efficiency and renewable energy loans to help
small businesses buy energy saving equipment.

Ladyman welcomes a budget of jobs growth

South Thanet MP, Stephen ladyman, has welcomed today's budget statement describing it as a budget to secure recovery and grow jobs.

"The chancellor laid out a clear path to reduce the deficit that won't choke off a fragile recovery and will protect the services that we all rely on. This was vital because across Thanet and Dover there are too many people on low incomes and too many out of work and they are relying on the Government's efforts to support their families and get them back into work as soon as possible."

"David Cameron's response to the budget was vacuous. He ranted and raved but said not one iota about what he would do."

"This budget statement will secure our recovery and grow jobs. The Labour Government made the right choices during the recession and the Tories got every call wrong. We are right now and they are wrong now. We have to protect jobs, protect the recovery and protect families and that is what this budget does. It is good news for East Kent"

Note to editors:

Growth forecast:

* Growth is predicted at 1 to 1.5% for 2010.

* Borrowing will be £167bn this year - £11bn lower than the earlier forecast of £178bn.

* Debt will be £100bn lower by 2013/14 than predicted at last year's Budget.

* Inflation target set at 2% economy to grow at 3%.

Home Buyers:

Stamp duty threshold raise to £250,000 and stamp duty doubled for houses over £1m.

PENSIONERS:

* The Government is looking at scrapping the compulsory retirement age.

* The number of hours for the over 60s to qualify for working tax credits will be cut.

* The pensioners' higher winter fuel payment, brought in during the worst weather this winter, will continue into next year.

Young people:

* The guaranteed offer of work or training for those under 24 who are unemployed for more than six months will be extended until March 2012.

Personal taxes:

* Fuel duty rise planned for April will be staged over 12 months

BANKS:

* Everyone in the UK is to be guaranteed access to a bank account - extending the facility to more than a million people currently denied it.

* The UK to press for an internationally co-ordinated tax on banks.

* The Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds will lend £94bn to business - at least half to small and medium-sized firms.

* Setting up a Green Bank controlling £2bn of equity to focus on investing in greener, cleaner energy and transport - first on wind turbines.

Stephen Ladyman MP meets early career scientists helping the House of Commons to get ‘SET for Britain’

Local MP, Stephen Ladyman, welcomed Sally-Ann Fancy an early-career researcher at Pfizer, Sandwich to the House of Commons on Monday 8th March to compete in the national scientific poster competition, SET for Britain.

SET for Britain is an exhibition of posters by early-stage and early-career research scientists, engineers and technologists. The exhibition gives them the opportunity to present their work to their local MPs and their scientific peers. All posters are entered into a competition and significant cash prizes and medals will be awarded for the poster that best communicates its science.

Stephen, said,

“I was delighted to see my Sally-Ann taking part in this competition. The entries were all of an extremely high standard and it was excellent to speak to so many early career scientists with such passion for the work they do.

As someone who also started my career as a research scientist, and who came to South Thanet 20 years ago to work at Pfizer, before becoming the local MP I was especially pleased to meet Sally-Ann and hear about her work.”

Constituent said,

“I enjoyed taking part in SET for Britain and meeting other early career scientists from across the country who are working in such diverse areas and on innovative projects. I very much welcomed the opportunity to talk to my MP about my own research.”
The SET for Britain Poster Exhibition was divided up into three sections, Physical Sciences (Chemistry and Physics) Biological and Biomedical Science; and Engineering with a £3,000 cash prize and medal awarded to the best poster in each category. An overall medal in memory of the competition founder, Dr Eric Wharton, is awarded to the poster judged best across all categories on the day.
***ENDS***

Notes to editors

1. SET for Britain was established by Dr Eric Wharton. Following his untimely death in 2007; the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee with support from the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Physics, the Society of Biology and the SCI. Our industry sponsors are AgChemAccess, IATC, Plant Impact and Monitise plc.

2. Winners in each category will receive a £3,000 cash prize and a medal and the runner up will receive a £1,000 cash prize.

Free laptops and broadband for families with children in South Thanet

Hundreds of families with school age children across South Thanet could benefit from a new scheme offering a free laptop and broadband access, according to local Labour MP Stephen Ladyman.

The scheme, which has been launched by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Schools Secretary Ed Balls, will mean thousands of children and their parents will be able to get internet access at home to boost their school work.

Trials of the programme showed that children who benefitted spent an hour more each week learning online, compared to their classmates who already had the internet at home. And 81 per cent of parents believed that home access had increased their involvement in their child’s learning.

South Thanet MP Stephen Ladyman is urging local parents to check whether they qualify under the ‘Home Access programme’. Families with a child in years 3 to 9 at school and eligible for free school meals can apply for the special laptop and broadband access by calling 0333 200 1004 or visiting http://www.homeaccess.org.uk/

Stephen Ladyman said:

“Computers are no longer a luxury for the few, but these days are just as essential a part of education as books, pens and paper.

“That’s why I welcome this new scheme to make sure children without the internet at home aren’t left behind.

“Hundreds of families across South Thanet could be eligible. It will give children the opportunity to do coursework and research on the internet - helping children succeed in school and get the skills they need to get good jobs in the future.

“It will also help parents get more involved in their child’s education, develop new skills and apply for jobs online.”

3 out of 4 people in Thanet back Airport Development says survey.

A survey into Thanet attitudes, carried out by local MP Stephen Ladyman and the Labour Party, has shown 3 out of 4 people support the development of Manston Airport.

“This is an overwhelming majority in support of Airport development. Even in the areas of Ramsgate closest to the Airport, including the Nethercourt Estate, Southwood and Central Ramsgate, 60% backed the growth of the Airport” said Dr Ladyman.

The survey was carried out over twelve months and received 1501 replies. There were over 600 replies from people living in Ramsgate on the flight path and close to the Airport.

“The average newspaper opinion poll quizzes fewer than 1100 people so our survey of 1501 replies is certainly enough to give us a clear idea of local feeling.”

There was, however, a warning for Thanet Council and the Airport owners in the figures. The survey included 728 replies to a questionnaire that included questions about airport noise. Those replies showed that 50% of people are worried by aircraft noise and night flying and, among people living close to the airport, about 62% are worried. The Council and the Airport owners are currently in discussion about night flying policy.

“Many of these people are currently backing the Airport but clearly their support could easily shift if night flying grows or noise becomes more intrusive. If the Council allows too much flexibility and fails to protect the quality of local life then support for the Airport will quickly turn into opposition” concluded Dr.Ladyman.

Note to editors:

The survey included general questionnaires delivered in Ramsgate, Broadstairs, Cliftonville and Margate. 641 replies were received.

3000 detailed questionnaires were delivered in areas of Ramsgate on the flight path and near the airport and 728 people replied.

132 people completed an on-line survey

Total respondents were 1501, of which 626 replies were from people close to the airport.

1092 respondents support the Airport with 328 opposed and 81 undecided. Of those living closest to the Airport 373 favoured the Airports development, 177 were opposed and 76 were undecided.

Ladyman welcomes extra help to tackle house repossession in Thanet.

The Government's Drive to tackle home repossesions is being extended. John Healey, Minister for Housing, has announced that Thanet is among 56 repossession hot spot areas that is being targetted for extra help.

"I am delighted that the Minister has recognised the need for extra help for Thanet. I don't want to see anyone lose their home and people threatened by repossession need all the help they can get" said South Thanet MP, Stephen Ladyman.

"Thousands of people have already been helped by the Government at this difficult time but there are still people in Thanet having trouble keeping up the mortgage and good, independent advice is vital for them."

John Healey's press statement follows:

JOHN HEALEY EXTENDS GOVERNMENT DRIVE TO TACKLE REPOSSESSIONS Housing Minister John Healey is today extending the Government’s campaign to help struggling homeowners get a grip on their finances and avoid repossession. In a major extension of the campaign to promote the free help and advice available the minister has announced a new advertising drive and local mortgage help events in 56 repossession hotspot areas starting next week . And he is also announcing local promotion of a special helpline and website in another 30 hotspot areas with high risk of repossession.
Over 330,000 households have had help and advice with their mortgages over the past year, and repossessions are currently running at nearly half the rate of the last recession. But with the pressure on families likely to remain high throughout 2010, the Government is working with the Citizens Advice Bureau to run a string of local help events in 56 repossession ‘hotspots’, so that struggling homeowners can get impartial face-to-face help and advice to keep their home. New radio and local press advertising in all 56 areas will also promote the special website and free telephone advice line to help homeowners struggling with their mortgage payments
John Healey said today: ”With the pressure on homeowners set to continue this year, I’m determined that they get the help they need. “That’s why I’m extending our campaign so families across the country can get the free, impartial advice they need online, on the phone or on the high street.
“The comprehensive range of Government help available – and tougher rules on lenders - will mean that repossessions remain the last resort.”
Nearly 88,000 people have gone to www.direct.gov.uk/mortgagehelp since its launch in September, over 26,000 of whom have used it to develop personal action plans tailored to their individual circumstances. This help has also proved valuable for those feeling the pinch after Christmas – over 17,000 people have visited the website since 1 January.
The additional areas now receiving repossession hotspot help are:
· Basildon
· Bolsover
· Broxbourne
· Bury
· Coventry
· Darlington
· Dartford
· Dudley
· Enfield
· Erewash
· Gateshead
· Gloucester
· Gravesham
· Harlow
· Ipswich
· Kirklees
· Lambeth
· Leeds
· Leicester
· Mansfield
· Medway
· Milton Keynes
· NE Lincolnshire
· Redbridge
· Slough
· Southend-on-sea
· Stevenage
· Thanet
· Wakefield
· West Lancashire

South Thanet MP flexes political muscle in the fight for better muscle disease services

South Thanet MP Dr Stephen Ladyman backed a local campaigning dad today in his fight for better muscle disease services.

Dr Ladyman attended the All Party Parliamentary Group for Muscular Dystrophy’s (APPG) meeting with South East Coast NHS decision makers to find out why the region is not providing a better service for families with muscle disease.

Dr Brijender Rana, Public Health Lead for the South East Coast Specialised Commissioning Group, was asked to come to the Houses of Parliament and explain why his region, along with three others in the UK, has not made vital improvements to their health services for muscle disease patients.

The improvements were recommended in the Walton Report, an investigation into healthcare for muscle disease published last summer.

Stephen Ladyman was there to ask tough questions of the South East Coast Specialised Commissioning Group and to support his constituent Tony Lewis whose son David has Becker muscular dystrophy.

Key issues still affecting South East Coast muscle disease patients:

There is still no regional care advisor for the South East Coast.
There is no specialist muscle disease support in the South East, so patients have to travel to London for all appointments.

Dr Stephen Ladyman MP said:

“It’s vital that vulnerable local families like Tony’s are able to access the care they need.

“It’s high time that NHS bosses improved muscular dystrophy services.”

Dr Ladyman challenged Dr Brijender Rana on the lack of support for South East Coast muscle disease patients and backed calls for quick action on improvements to their healthcare.

Robert Meadowcroft, Director of Policy at the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, commented:

“We are pleased that Dr Stephen Ladyman MP has thrown his weight behind the campaign to improve essential services for people living with muscle disease.

“He is strong voice in Parliament for local patients and their families.”

To find out more about the Walton Report go to www.muscular-dystrophy.org.

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is the leading UK charity focusing on muscle disease. It has pioneered the search for treatments and cures for 50 years, and is dedicated to improving the lives of all people affected by muscle disease. It funds world-class research to find effective treatments and cures; provides free practical and emotional support; campaigns to raise awareness and bring about change and awards grants towards the cost of specialist equipment.

MP for South Thanet becomes member of local ambulance Trust

South Thanet MP Stephen Ladyman is supporting South East Coast Ambulance Service’s (SECAmb) plans to give local people more involvement in how their ambulance services are developed by becoming a public member of the Trust.

SECAmb recently consulted on its proposals to become a foundation trust and nearly 2500 people have signed up as members so far.

Dr Ladyman said, “Membership is a great way for the people of South Thanet and beyond to get involved with their local ambulance service and to make sure they have their say in how their service develops in the future.

“I feel that foundation trust status for SECAmb would bring real benefits to both patients and staff across our region and I would encourage anyone with an interest in our ambulance service to become a member and show their support”.

NHS foundation trusts are still part of the NHS, still provide free care for patients, have to meet national government targets and are regularly assessed and inspected. However, they have greater freedom from central government control and are able to act swiftly on the views of their members and an elected Council of Governors.

Local people, patients and staff can all become foundation trust members, and can be members of any or all of the foundation trust in their area, eg hospital, mental health and ambulance service foundation trusts.

For further information or to sign up as a member online visit www.secamb.nhs.uk or call 01273 897840

The Royal British Legion – Poppy Support

Stephen Ladyman MP pledges to ‘do his bit’ for British Armed Forces

South Thanet MP Stephen Ladyman has pledged to ‘do his bit’ for the British Armed Forces family.

Stephen Ladyman, who until recently was President of the Margate branch of the Royal British Legion, made his pledge on Legion’s campaign website, www.timetodoyourbit.org.uk.

The website also features the charity’s general election manifesto, which sets out priorities for the next Government to improve conditions for Service personnel and their families, the bereaved, veterans and dependants.

Kevin Shinkwin, the Legion’s Head of Public Affairs, said;

‘We’re really grateful to Stephen for pledging to do his bit. The entire Armed Forces family needs the support of politicians from all parties, and our manifesto outlines practical ways the next government can help. We hope all the parties will give it serious consideration and that every MP will pledge to do their bit’.

Steve added;

‘I was delighted to support The Royal British Legion’s campaign. The Legion plays an important role in highlighting the needs of our entire armed Forces family and I would encourage everyone to visit the website – www.timetodoyourbit.org.uk – to find out how to get involved’.

Brazier and Sandys 'hopelessly confused' says Ladyman

MP calls Julian Brazier and Laura Sandys 'hopeless confused' over air sea rescue claims.


Claims, made in the local press and in a letter to the Shipping Minister that the English Channel emergency service is at risk from the scrapping of Air Sea Rescue aircraft at Manston are complete nonsense says South Thanet MP, Stephen Ladyman.

The claims were made by Julian Brazier, the Canterbury MP and Tory shadow shipping minister, after he was approached by Laura Sandys, the Tory candidate for South Thanet. He wrote to the shipping minister saying “I have been contacted by Laura Sandys the PPC for South Thanet as both a Kent MP and Shadow Minister for Shipping regarding the scrapping of Air Sea Rescue from Manston. I share Laura’'s concern and know that it will be echoed by a great many residents."

Stephen Ladyman said: "Mr Brazier and Ms Sandys are hopelessly confused. This is Tory scaremongering at its worst. The Air Sea Rescue helicopters have not been based at Manston for many years, they are at RAF Wattisham and have been for a long time.

There is a fixed wing aircraft based at the flying school at Manston that is used to monitor the International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea. It takes pictures of ships using the channel which can be used in the prosecution of unsafe captains. It is to be replaced by a faster aircraft based at the owning company's HQ in Coventry but it is not involved in rescue work, which is done by helicopters.

Claims by Mr Brazier and Ms Sandys that the aircraft has an emergency rescue role are bogus. It can, in unusual circumstances, be called on to see if the crew can spot someone missing at sea but it is not in its protocol to do this and it has never 'thrown' a life raft to someone in trouble as has been claimed as to do so would be the equivalent of having a missile thrown at you at 150mph.

A simple telephone call to the Maritime Coastguard Agency would have told the Tories that the proposals have no impact on safety at sea or local rescue capacity whatsoever. Instead they chose to frighten people because an election is coming.

Of course, this is not the first time Ms Sandys has got transport policies confused. A couple of years ago she was telling people in local villages that the Government had plans to allow 60 tonne lorries on the roads. In fact, it was the Tory transport spokesman at the time who had proposed the idea and the Labour Government that had blocked it."

Ladyman given expenses all clear - press release.

Legg confirms 'no issues' with Stephen Ladyman's expensesStephen Ladyman, the MP for South Thanet, has been given the 'expenses all-clear' by Sir Thomas Legg. In a letter dated November 30th., Sir Thomas writes that his final report on expenses will say:'Dr Ladyman has no issues.'Stephen Ladyman said:"I'm delighted that Sir Thomas has confirmed that my expenses were all above board and nothing needs to be repaid. It has been a worrying time for all MPs because even when you are confident that you did nothing wrong there is always the worry that some unintentional fault could be found. Now Sir Thomas has confirmed everything is OK I can breathe a big sigh of relief."Note to editors:Attached is a copy of Sir Thomas' letter to Stephen LadymanSir Thomas Legg was appointed by Parliament to do a full audit of MPs expense claims in the wake of recent revelations and ensure that any wrongly claimed monies are repaid.

ed click on the link to read the letter http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/blogpicts119/id14.htm

MP joins campaign to stop violence against women

Stephen Ladyman MP has joined the 'White Ribbon' campaign to oppose violence against women and girls.Stephen said:"The White Ribbon campaign is a mens' campaign. It is about men showing that violence against women and girls can never be tolerated. There is never an excuse for violence against women and those men out there who do use violence need to be told that we have no respect for them. All men should wear their white ribbon with pride to make it clear where we stand."Attached: Campaign press release and photo of Stephen Ladyman MP

Men working to end male violence

White Ribbon Campaign UK
Birchcliffe Centre, Birchcliffe Road,
Hebden Bridge HX78DG UK
Phone: 01422 844675
Mobile: 07941 597584
Email: info@whiteribboncampaign.co.uk
Website: http://www.whiteribboncampaign.co.uk/
Charity Number: 1123874



Labour Supports Ending Violence Against Women on White Ribbon Day

On November 25, the United Nations’ Elimination of Violence Against Women Day and White Ribbon Day, Labour MPs united in their support to end violence against women. The White Ribbon Campaign, the largest international organisation targeting men to work towards ending male violence against women, was present at Westminster to photograph Labour MPs wearing their white ribbons. As Chris Green, chair of the White Ribbon Campaign UK said, “Parliamentarians enter parliament in order to make their community a better place. There is no more important way to do this than by working to eliminate violence against women.”

Every week in the UK, 2 women are killed as a result of domestic violence. There are countless victims of sexual assault, rape, incest, forced marriage, FGM, trafficking, and honour killing. The White Ribbon Campaign is therefore very supportive of the Home Office’s new strategy, “Together We Can End Violence Against Women and Girls,” which was released on November 24. We look forward to working closely with the Home Office, and Labour’s Home Secretary Alan Johnson, to ensure that this strategy is successful.

Prime Minister and Labour Party Leader Gordon Brown MP, said: “Violence against women and girls is an obscenity. That is why we are taking action to bring perpetrators to justice and protect and support victims. A fair and responsible Britain has no place for violence of any sort.”

Local Government Settlement

South Thanet MP, Stephen Ladyman, welcomes local funding boost.News that all our local councils have received a funding boost has been welcomed by local MP, Stephen Ladyman. The Local Government Settlement for 2010-11 announced today includes above inflation increases for Kent, Thanet and Dover Councils.Stephen Ladyman, MP for South Thanet, said:"Kent has a 3.2% increase, Thanet 1.1%, Dover 0.5%, Kent Police 2.7% and Kent Fire 1.9% all after a year when inflation is at -0.8%. That means every local council, the police and the fire service have received inflation busting rises and none of them have any excuse to put Council Tax up this year.""Of course, every year the Councils in my constituency have received record settlements from the Labour Government but every year the local Tory Councils have still put the Council Tax up and cut services. Let's hope this year at last they will see sense."John Denham, Secretary of State for Communities said:"The Labour Government is providing stability and long term investment in Local Government. This settlement means that local government has now had 13 years of above inflation increases in funding."This settlement of 4%, coupled with the anticipated efficiency savings that councils have identified should mean that local authorities are able to protect and improve front line services while keeping council tax rises to their lowest levels for 16 years."Labour councils in London are leading the way with all eight having already announced that they will be freezing council tax while protecting their services"