Alison Seabeck MP- | News

Alison speaks in Westminster to back Plymouth for City of Culture 2017

Alison's speech in Westminster Hall on Tuesday: It is a huge honour for any city to win the title of UK city of culture, and I am sure all the bids will be strong. The value and kudos involved in winning are enormous. Sarah Shortland, who was vox-popped in The Herald in Plymouth, said: “It would be good for Plymouth—I visited Liverpool after they won European Capital of Culture and they’ve changed lots there.” We all know just how important winning the bid will be. Although I am sure that everywhere we have heard spoken about today is lovely, those places cannot compare with Plymouth. As TripAdvisor points out, there are more things to do in Plymouth than in cities such as Bath, Oxford and Cambridge. Its setting alone is breathtaking: the third largest natural harbour in the world—a magnificent backdrop for...
more...
Stop Press - Morgans Wellbeing Centre plan to sign up to Labour's Fighting Fitter Campaign

Alison is delighted that Morgan’s Wellbeing Centre in Plymouth has agreed to sign up to Labour’s Fighting Fitter Campaign. The campaign is aiming to encourage the fitness and leisure sector to offer discounted services to members of the Armed Forces. John Williams from Morgan’s contacted Alison after hearing about the campaign, and was more than happy to offer a discount to Armed Forces personnel, being a veteran himself. Morgan’s Wellbeing in Plymouth can be found in the Christian Mill Business Park, and can be contacted on 01752 774200. For more information about the centre itself, visit Morgan’s Wellbeing Website here. After such a great start to the campaign, Alison is now hoping even more fitness and leisure centres will sign up to help support the Armed Forces community in Plymouth....
more...
Alison gets in the frame for Foster Care Fortnight

Alison has ‘put herself in the frame’ to encourage constituents across the region to consider becoming foster carers to some of the area’s most vulnerable children. Foster Care Fortnight, the annual awareness campaign run by the largest UK fostering charity, the Fostering Network, is aiming to support fostering services across the UK in recruiting 9,000 new foster families to provide homes for the rising number of children coming into care. This year the campaign runs from 13 to 26 May. Alison said: “I am delighted to raise the awareness of Foster Care Fortnight. Foster children make up some of the most vulnerable members of our society in Plymouth and it is essential that they are given the safe and loving homes they deserve. I would certainly like to encourage anyone who has considered thinking about becoming a foster carer to get onto the website or make contact with Plymouth City...
more...
Alison delighted with fantastic turn out for Whitleigh Woods Litter Pick

Whitleigh Woods is now a far cleaner place to enjoy a spring stroll after over 50 volunteers turned out to help with a litter pick organised by local MP, Alison Seabeck. Responding to residents’ concerns regarding the levels of litter is the woods, Alison worked with local residents and organisations to set up a voluntary litter pick on Saturday morning to clean up the woods, and create a far more enjoyable woodland environment. Alison said: “I was delighted that so many people turned out when the weather forecast was distinctly risky. However, it stayed fine and thanks to the community’s efforts a significant amount of litter was removed. My thanks must go to all those who came along; local residents who responded to my letter; Interserve at Sir John Hunt School who provide refreshments and goody bags; Staff and pupils at Sir John...
more...
Alison learns about life growing up in a military family

This week Alison met with young people from RAF families at the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund’s annual Parliamentary Reception in the House of Commons to hear about the realities of growing up in a military family. The young people, who all live on RAF stations, spoke about what it’s like having a parent in the armed forces. They also delivered a new report which focuses on the positive impact that the Airplay programme is having on the young people andtheir parents. Airplay is the RAF Benevolent Fund’s youth support programme for children from RAF families. The charity designed and launched Airplay in 2010 in direct response to research which found that keeping children and young people safely occupied on stations was serving parents’ foremost concern after housing. The charity continues to fund and manage this partnership programme, which is the first of its kind...
more...
Alison encourages local children to turn their ideas into real-life products!

Alison is proud to be launching the We Made It! competition in Plymouth Moor View, working with local schools and businesses to help young people appreciate the exciting opportunities that a career in engineering can offer and understand that manufacturing is about design and creativity as well as hands-on making of products. The competition invites 11 -14 year olds to submit their design for a product, gadget, gizmo, toy or tool they would like to see made into a real-life prototype. Alison is also asking local business to help judge the entries to choose the student who will represent Plymouth Moor View in the national competition rounds. The best entries nationwide will be invited to one of the UK’s Fab Labs, where they will use the very latest high-tech fabrication methods and find out how to bring their ideas to life with the Lab’s experts. At the end of...
more...
LABOUR LAUNCHES FIGHTING FITTER CAMPAIGN

Labour is launching the ‘Fighting Fitter’ campaign, to encourage the leisure sector to offer discounted services to members of the Armed Forces. Fitness facilities play a vital role in keeping people fit in our communities. They is essential for members of the Armed Forces who, when away from their base, can often lack the resources to access health and fitness centres. The campaign is working with two leading health facilities, PureGym and Virgin Active and expects similar initiatives to be rolled out across the sector in the coming weeks and months. PureGym is waving the joining fee of £25 for all members of the Armed Forces. To reclaim the offering, all they have to do is visit their local PureGym and show their ID card. Labour is also encouraging Local Authorities to offer similar discounts. Alison said: “I am...
more...
Modern Day Slavery

Alison Seabeck MP recently attended a dramatic exhibition in the House of Commons, highlighting the hidden nature of Modern Day Slavery. The exhibition was brought to the Westminster by former Devon MP, Sir Anthony Steen. It was built by students from the Central St Martin’s College of Art and depicts the four different kinds of slavery hidden away in our society. Curtains, doors, drawers and tea chests concealed the stories and photographs of survivors. The survivors who shared their stories with the Human Trafficking Foundation to create the exhibition attended the opening. No one knows the real numbers involved. Yet, the Serious Organized Crime Agency knows that at least 2,000 victims are found each year. However, they believe that is the tip of the iceberg and that for every victim found, another ten remain hidden. The Human Trafficking Foundation concludes there must be...
more...
Abolition of Agricultural Wages Board

The Coalition Government have abolished the Agricultural Wages Board. What they should be doing is raising standards for farm workers, not engaging in a race to the bottom about pay and fair treatment. The Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) protects pay and conditions for 152,000 farm workers in England and Wales and it used as a benchmark for others employed in the food industry. 42,000 casual workers could see a drop in wages as soon as they finish their next job once the AWB is gone. The remaining 110,000 could see their wages eroded over time. Crucial to rural areas of Devon and Cornwall, this decision will take £260 million out of the rural economy over 10 years in lost sick play and holiday entitlement according to DEFRA’s impact assessment. This will take money out of village shops and high streets, hurting small businesses in rural areas. Huw Irranca-Davies speech on...
more...
Alison encourages parents to take action over missing funds for crumbling schools

Today Alison has written to the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, to highlight concerns across Devon & Cornwall with the state of our school buildings. David Cameron is letting our children down. In 2010 he slashed funding for school buildings by 60%. And now a black hole of over £3 billion in the school repairs budget has been uncovered. Under David Cameron pupils risk being taught in crumbling schools as much needed repairs go unfunded. Alison said: ‘This is an area of crucial importance to any parent and I would like to urge them to continue to put pressure on the Government. The County Council elections are a good opportunity. You have a voice, you can vote in the county elections, and you can write to Michael Gove.’ ‘These building works would not only improve the conditions for teachers and pupils by creating better learning...
more...
Alison joins the fight against online child sexual abuse

Alison has recently become IWF Champion, thereby supporting the work of the Internet Watch Foundation and its fight against child sexual abuse images and videos on the internet. The IWF is the UK internet Hotline for the public to report child sexual abuse content, criminally obscene adult content and non-photographic images of child sexual abuse in a secure and confidential way. The IWF successfully works in partnership with the online industry, law enforcement, government, and international partners to minimise the availability of this content. The work of the IWF is globally considered as one of the best examples in its field. By becoming an IWF Champion, Alison pledges to raise awareness of the importance of the fight against online child sexual abuse content. Alison said: "Child abuse is abhorrent and so anything which can raise awareness, support the authorities in their fight against this crime...
more...
Alison hears what Whitleigh residents think of the Millionaires Tax Cut

Alison was out on the streets of Whitleigh this weekend seeking the public's views on the millionaires tax cut, which began this month. Today’s tax cut will see 13,000 people earning over £1 million get an average tax cut of £100,000, while families will be an average of £891 worse off this year because of changes introduced by the Coalition Government. Alison said: ' I have met many people in my constituency today who are struggling to make ends meet. Many of these residents in Whitleigh are having to do 2 or 3 part-time jobs just to keep up with the rising cost of living in this country. 'These low income families couldn't understand why this Conservative led government has introduced such unfair tax breaks for people earning millions of pounds, when hard working families in their area are being penalised with cuts to tax credits, which helped make...
more...
Join the Energy Co-op

Alison is encouraging her constituents to join Plymouth's Energy Co-operative. Plymouth's Cooperatives and Community Development group is looking for Founding Members, to support the establishment and development of an Energy Co-operative, for the benefit of Plymouth's residents, employees and business. The Co-op will aim to negotiate better energy prices for residents and businesses, support energy efficiency and invest in renewable energy initiatives. If you want to support this fantastic initiative and become a Founding Member of the Energy Co-operative then please email Rachel Crozier, at rachelcrozier@blueyonder.co.uk with your contact details (address, email and telephone), or write to Plymouth Energy Coop, c/o Low Carbon City Team, Planning Department, Plymouth City Council, Civic Centre, Plymouth, PL1 2AA. Initial responses are required by the 8th April, however this deadline is only for Founder Members and there will be plenty of opportunities over the coming months...
more...
Alison's reaction to the budget

Yesterday Alison gave a speech to the House of Commons reacting to the Chancellor’s Budget for 2013. The speech can be seen below and if you would like to watch the whole debate you can find it here (skip to 06:40:50 to see Alison’s speech). Alison said: ‘It is always a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Harwich and North Essex (Mr Jenkin), although I do not agree with much of his analysis, other than the fact that things are not happening as quickly as they should be. I think that the Chancellor has probably had a number of sleepless nights leading up to today’s Budget statement, with the nightmares of Budgets past haunting him—grannies, churches and caravans swirling around in the dead of night. He should also be worrying about the men, women and children whose lives are affected by every tax change and spending cut that he...
more...
CAP Launches Job Club for Unemployed

Alison wants her constituents to be aware that Christians Against Poverty is set to start a new service to help people gain employment after research showed almost a third of its debt clients were out of work. CAP Job Clubs, which launched on March 6th at Westminster before a crowd of MPs, including Alison, is a new resource for churches from debt counselling organisation Christians Against Poverty. The aim is to equip congregations to train jobless people to become more ready for work and, through employment, tackle hardship faced by the whole household. CAP’s founder and international director John Kirkby said: “Our evidence – and that of other debt agencies – shows a clear correlation between poverty, debt and unemployment. It’s very tough to escape this web of hardship and it can feel very isolating. The point is everyone needs to feel useful. Human beings are hardwired to live...
more...