http://www.paulblomfield.co.uk/ Latest news from example.com en http://www.paulblomfield.co.uk/typo3conf/ext/tt_news/ext_icon.gif http://www.paulblomfield.co.uk/ 18 16 Latest news from example.com TYPO3 - get.content.right http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:35:00 -0500 http://www.paulblomfield.co.uk/index.php?id=20&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=167&cHash=67255b7d7c73a587207cfe68e904fdd6 This afternoon I'm sending out my monthly e-newsletter for April. To receive the e-newsletter fill... paul.blomfield.mp@parliament.uk You can download a copy of this month's newsletter as a PDF here This month's newsletter includes my take on the end of 'We're all in it together'; the NUS Conference in Sheffield; how you can support the campaign to Save Remploy; my views on lobbying and a round-up of the issues that I've spoken on in Parliament.   As always I'm get to get your views. Your comments and feedback are vital for me to do my job as your representative. So do get in touch on anything that concerns you. You can email me here, follow me on Twitter @paulblomfieldmp or get in touch through my Facebook page.]]> Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:35:00 -0500 http://www.paulblomfield.co.uk/index.php?id=20&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=166&cHash=6964b74fb240e496738a686ed1635ffb The University of Sheffield has recently announced plans to upgrade and expand it's Engineering... find out more about the plans here). The plans include building a new teaching block on the former Jessop Hospital site and refurbishing its existing engineering complex off Mappin Street and the University. I'm in favour of the plans and last week sent the following letter to the Sheffield Star in support of the planned development. I'm always keen to hear from you so do get in touch with your views. I have great regard for Ron Clayton's work to preserve Sheffield's heritage, and am therefore sorry to disagree with him about plans for the new University engineering building.  As he says, "the University is a key partner in Sheffield's regeneration with great achievements" and that is precisely what drives their proposal for a stunning new engineering building fit for the 21st Century. Through this project, the University aims to become the leading provider of engineering teaching and research in the UK; a goal of huge importance for our city. Combining the expertise of our traditional industries with the research and innovation of our universities is crucial to our economic future. Establishing Sheffield as the UK's top centre for engineering will attract much-needed new investment and sustainable jobs. But progress often involves making difficult decisions. As Ron Clayton acknowledges, the Jessop building was developed in two phases. The original Victorian building has been magnificently restored by the University, at enormous cost, but I am not convinced that the later Edwardian copy justifies the same approach. Over the last three years, the University has invested around £53 million in preserving heritage buildings, for which it should be congratulated, but our heritage is not just about bricks and mortar. It is also about our proud history as a centre for engineering and manufacturing, and as a crucible for innovation and progress, which we can best honour by investing in our industrial future. The Jessop site is in the heart of my constituency and I have spent some time there before reaching a view on the University's plans. Having done so, I believe that we should be willing to lose the later part of the Jessop building in order to provide the best option for developing the engineering faculty.  All Sheffield's Labour MPs are backing the move and I am sure that it will win public support too. Paul Blomfield MP]]> Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:07:00 -0500 http://www.paulblomfield.co.uk/index.php?id=20&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=165&cHash=492fe00dc324ea3fba659bc2b1e8b26f One million young people are now out of work, families are struggling with rising prices and... Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:37:00 -0500 http://www.paulblomfield.co.uk/index.php?id=20&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=164&cHash=14267b0bfb9d6ac597516bda5d292e5b Monday 19th March - On Saturday I was appalled to read reports that Chancellor George... Monday 19th March - On Saturday I was appalled to read reports that Chancellor George Osborne will announce plans this week to cut public sector pay in poorer regions, hitting those who work in cities like Sheffield. The plan has been backed by Lib Dem Business Secretary Vince Cable. This plan follows local government settlements which have slashed funding to Councils like Sheffield, while wealthy areas in the south have had more cash. We should be reducing the north/south divide, not increasing it. Nick Clegg and his Tory friends are looking after the areas where they live. Cutting public sector pay in Sheffield is not fair and will reduce spending in the local economy, hitting those working in both the public and private sectors. It's not right that a care worker or police officer in Sheffield should be paid less than one in Cheltenham. And it could mean that the best doctors will move south to get the best paid jobs. What do you think about this plan? I'm always keen to hear your views. Get in touch with me or tweet me at @paulblomfieldmp ]]> Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:27:00 -0500 http://www.paulblomfield.co.uk/index.php?id=20&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=162&cHash=c34a5ca875ac9c4d5a85fedc988da229 This afternoon I'm sending out my monthly e-newsletter for March. To receive the e-newsletter fill... here This month's newsletter includes my question to David Cameron at PMQs last Wednesday, how you can support the growing campaign to Drop the NHS Bill, my work on apprenticeships, details of events I organised and supported to mark International Women's Day, as well as a round-up of some of my other news.  As always I'm get to get your views. Your comments and feedback are vital for me to do my job as your representative. So do get in touch on anything that concerns you. You can email me here, follow me on Twitter @paulblomfieldmp or get in touch through my Facebook page.]]> Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:57:00 -0500 http://www.paulblomfield.co.uk/index.php?id=20&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=163&cHash=368fc90f674577a7441004d30c5327eb Wednesday 7th March - At Prime Minister's Questions today I challenged David Cameron to take... Wednesday 7th March - At Prime Minister's Questions today I challenged David Cameron to take action to protect people who are being overwhelmed by debt and to tackle payday loan lenders. My question to David Cameron was: "Today the Business Select Committee published a major report on consumer debt. Last November, R3 reported 60% of people were worried about debt, and 3.5 million were considering payday loans. In the year since the Government concluded its consultation on the issue, no action has been taken. "Will the Prime Minister now commit to protect those families who are being overwhelmed by debt as a result of his policies - or will he confirm that he is simply out of touch with the financial reality facing ordinary families?"  You can watch PMQs in full here. I challenged David Cameron on this issue because in these tough times an increasing number of vulnerable and desperate people are being overwhelmed by debt, and are turning to payday loan lenders with their obscene interest rates. Last year a Sheffield University study found that 40,000 people in the city are trapped in debt. David Cameron needs to take urgent action to stop the exploitation of vulnerable people by these 'wild west-style' operators. The Government consulted on this issue a year ago but nothing's happened since then, and today he completely failed to answer my question.  We need an urgent clampdown on predatory payday loan providers. These companies prey on the most desperate people and encourage them to take out one loan after another. People get caught in their trap, taking out bigger loans to pay off obscene interest charges and the debt racks up. Then they fall victim to high-charging companies offering to manage their debt. This has to change. In December I held a roundtable meeting with local debt advisers to discuss debt in Sheffield. The advisers do incredible work each year to help hundreds of people to deal with their debt, but there is too much uncertainty about the future of their service. The Government needs to act to provide a clear commitment on the future of face-to-face debt advice services. Losing these services would see less help and more problems for those people who are in debt. Have you or anyone you know had experience of payday loan lenders? I'm always keen to find out your views so doget in touch to share your thoughts on my questions and on the issue of debt management. Email me or tweet me @paulblomfieldmp]]> Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:32:00 -0600 http://www.paulblomfield.co.uk/index.php?id=20&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=161&cHash=965dc2a4769fca7f01bc4596f21c2fe2 Business Select Committee member Paul Blomfield MP has slammed Conservative members of the... Paul Blomfield MP, who is also Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary University Group said: "Professor Ebdon was the victim of a political ambush which had more to do with coalition politics than concern with access to our universities. It is students from poorer backgrounds who will suffer from this appalling game-playing.   "Professor Ebdon has a strong leadership experience at the highest level in higher education and a great track record on improving access to university. He would be an effective champion for improving participation from under-represented groups. I hope the Business Secretary will ignore this game-playing, and confirm the appointment."]]> Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:10:00 -0600 http://www.paulblomfield.co.uk/index.php?id=20&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=160&cHash=a7f903c6c8e0ef5a0b99b18ccc55c4eb Paul Blomfield MP and campaign group Residents Against Station Closure (RASC) can... Paul Blomfield MP and campaign group Residents Against Station Closure (RASC) can announce that a roundtable meeting with Department for Transport Ministers will take place on Wednesday 29th February. The meeting will discuss the long-running issue of maintaining pedestrian access through Sheffield railway station. It will take place at the Department of Transport in London and will involve the Secretary of State for Transport, the Minister for Rail, Sheffield MPs, and representatives from RASC and Sheffield City Council.  Paul Blomfield MP said:
"In my debate in Parliament on the station bridge the Rail Minister agreed to my demand for a meeting. I'm pleased we've now secured a date for a roundtable meeting and that both the Transport Secretary and Rail Minister will be attending. "Before Christmas the Rail Minister accepted the key point that there must be pedestrian access through the station. This was a significant step forward and I want Ministers to work with me, Residents Against Station Closure and the City Council to find a solution to this long-running issue that maintains open access through our station." Keith Hayman and Geraldine Roberts from Residents Against Station Closure said:
"Over 4 years, RASC has received, widespread support from individuals, organisations, the media and all local political parties, in its campaign to keep our station bridge fully open to the public. "We remain determined to ensure that open access is maintained, through Sheffield Station. We are pleased to have an opportunity for a face to face discussion with Ministers to resolve this long running dispute." ]]> Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:50:00 -0600 http://www.paulblomfield.co.uk/index.php?id=20&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=159&cHash=d844e5df9b4758adb92dc98b6c45dd5d Wednesday 8th February - Last night in the House of Commons I called for greater powers for... Wednesday 8th February - Last night in the House of Commons I called for greater powers for the Police to tackle the appalling problem of metal theft. You can read my comments here. South Yorkshire has the 4th highest incidence of metal theft in the country, and last year in Sheffield recorded incidents of metal theft rose by a shocking 46%. Just 3 weeks ago someone caused tens of thouands of pounds worth of damage to the railways by attempting to steal metal at the Archer Rd railway bridge. The Police know metal theft is a big issue, they've raised it with me and they want extra powers to crack down on rogue metal dealers. I was pleased that MPs voted for a motion calling for the Government to urgently introduce a tough licensing scheme for scrap metal dealers. The motion also called for greater police powers to be able to close down unscrupulous scrap metal dealers, to search and investigate premises owned and operated by scrap metal dealers, to use CCTV to identify sellers of scrap metal and their vehicles, and to grant additional powers for magistrates to add license restrictions and prevent closed yards from re-opening. These new powers would be a big step in the right direction and would help the Police to effectively tackle metal theft. Labour will be continuing to press the Government to implement these new measures.  If you’ve been affected my metal theft please get in touch as I’m keen to find out just how widespread the problem is. ]]> Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:15:00 -0600 http://www.paulblomfield.co.uk/index.php?id=20&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=158&cHash=175ec1c0900e47e4edb77fb84e5c25f0 I'm a strong supporter of apprenticeships and wanted to do my bit. So since September Rebecca... I'm a strong supporter of apprenticeships and wanted to do my bit. So since September Rebecca Johnson-Varley has been working in my constituency office as our first apprentice.  Rebecca has quickly become a key member of our team. She is enthusiastic, has a sense of humour and always willing to go the extra mile. At the end of the apprenticeship she will have the skills and experience to enable her to get a job, and she'll have hugely added to the capacity and capability of my constituency office. Rebecca works four days a week in my office providing secretarial and administrative support. One day a week, she studies at Sheffield City College completing a Business Administration NVQ at Level 2. The support from the college is excellent. After some advice and information from the National Apprenticeship Service, the college helped with recruitment, selection, risk assessment, health and safety, and the qualification requirements. There is always someone at the end of the phone at the College if we need to ask questions.  I'd strongly encourage any other employer that is thinking about taking on an apprentice to go for it. It's a fantastic opportunity for a young person at the start of their working life, and taking on your apprentice can help your business to grow.  Rebecca says "I started A Levels but left school after a year in sixth form when I realised it wasn't for me. I wanted to do something more practical, and the apprenticeship has a coursework rather than exam focus. I like the fact that as an apprentice secretary to an MP, there is no typical working week. It's a great opportunity for me." If your business is interested in taking on an apprentice why not come along to the free drop-in session that I've organised on Friday 10th February. It's at the Cutlers Hall in the Osborne Room between 10am-1pm. Staff from the National Apprenticeship Service will be on hand to answer any questions that businesses have got. If you would like any further information please call my office on 0114 272 2882, email paul.blomfield.mp(at)parliament.uk, or tweet me @paulblomfieldmp  ]]> Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:52:00 -0600